JP7798381B2 - Slope device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a slope device that is temporarily installed at steps, for example, at construction sites.

A known example of a conventional slope device installed at uneven locations at construction sites and the like includes a base plate placed on the installation surface, a slope plate supported at one end by a support shaft parallel to the base plate and rotatable around the support shaft to tilt relative to the base plate, and a height adjustment device that supports the end of the slope plate opposite the end supported by the support shaft and adjusts the height of the end from the base plate. The height adjustment device includes a support base that extends from the base plate, a female-threaded member that has a screw hole with a threaded groove on its inner circumferential surface and is supported by the support base at a higher position than the base plate, with the screw hole oriented perpendicular to the base plate, and a shaft portion that has a threaded outer circumferential surface. When the shaft portion is inserted into the screw hole, the threaded groove advances and retreats, allowing the shaft portion to rise and fall perpendicular to the base plate, and a male-threaded member on whose upper end the slope plate rests (see Patent Document 1).

Utility Model Registration No. 3154296

However, for example, the location and elevation difference of steps at construction sites change frequently as the work progresses, and tasks such as moving the ramp device or adjusting the slope angle of the ramp (in other words, the height of the top end of the ramp) are frequently performed in response to changes in location and elevation.

In this case, for example, with the slope device described in Patent Document 1, each time the slope device is moved or the inclination angle is adjusted, a user must insert their hand or a tool such as a wrench through a cutout in the support wall of the support base to rotate the head of the male threaded member, and move the threads of the male threaded member's shaft relative to the thread groove of the female threaded member to raise and lower the male threaded member, thereby raising and lowering the position of the end (shaft end) of the male threaded member's shaft that protrudes upward from the female threaded member. By raising and lowering the height of the shaft end, the height of the upper end of the slope plate placed on the shaft end can be changed. Furthermore, in order to stably maintain the height of the male threaded member at the adjusted height, after adjusting the height of the male threaded member, the nut must be tightened from the shaft end until it abuts against the upper end of the female threaded member. This poses a problem: it takes a great deal of time and effort each time the slope's inclination angle (in other words, the height of the upper end of the slope) is adjusted.

Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide technology that can reduce the effort and time required to adjust the slope angle.

To solve the above problem, the slope device of the present invention has a base portion, a slope portion that is rotatably connected to the base portion at one end and can be tilted, and a tilt adjustment mechanism that is interposed between the base portion and the slope portion, and the tilt adjustment mechanism may include a four-section cross link mechanism.

In the slope device according to the present invention, the inclination adjustment mechanism may include a guide shaft and a pair of slide blocks arranged on the side of the base section or the slope section, a feed screw shaft and a pair of feed nuts arranged on the side of the slope section or the base section, and a pair of support links arranged in a cross-body configuration, each of whose longitudinal ends are connected to the slide block and the feed nut.

The slope device according to the present invention may be configured so that the pair of support links are rotatably connected to each other at the cross-shaped intersection.

The slope device according to the present invention may be configured so that an engagement portion is provided at the axial end of the feed screw shaft, which is used when rotating the feed screw shaft.

The slope device according to the present invention may be configured such that a lower approach is attached to the base section, adjacent to one end of the slope section, and forms an inclined surface between the slope section and the lower surface of the step where the base section is installed.

The slope device according to the present invention may also be configured such that an upper approach is attached to the slope section, extending from the other end of the slope section and bridging between the slope section and the upper surface of the step where the base section is installed.

In one aspect, the present invention makes it possible to reduce the effort and time required to adjust the slope angle.

1 is a front perspective view showing the configuration of a slope device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a slope portion is inclined relative to a base portion. FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the state of FIG. 1 . 2 is a front perspective view of the slope device of FIG. 1 in a state where the slope portion is not generally inclined relative to the base portion. FIG. FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the state of FIG. 3 . FIG. 2 is a rear front perspective view showing the configuration of the inclination adjustment mechanism of the slope device of FIG. 1 .

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In describing this invention, the up-down direction is defined along each of the mutually orthogonal axes shown in each figure (in other words, each axis of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system), with upward and downward directions defined according to the direction of each arrow; the front-to-back direction is defined along with forward and backward directions defined according to the direction of each arrow; and the left-to-right direction is defined along with left and right directions defined according to the direction of each arrow. The up-to-down direction is along a vertical plane, and the front-to-back and left-to-right directions are along a horizontal plane.

A view from above along the vertical direction is a plan view, and a view from below is a bottom view; a view from the front along the front-to-back direction is a front view, and a view from the back is a rear view; and a view from the left to right is a side view. The surface seen in a plan view is the front surface, and the surface seen in a bottom view is the back surface.

However, the terms top (front surface), bottom (back surface), front (front face), rear (rear face), and left and right are merely distinctions used to explain the present invention and do not stipulate the direction or orientation from a particular viewpoint when using the slope device according to the present invention.

(Overall structure)
1 to 4 are diagrams showing the configuration of a slope device 1 according to an embodiment, as an example of a specific configuration of a slope device according to the present invention.

This slope device 1 is installed at a step and functions as an inclined walkway spanning the lower and upper sections of the step.

The slope device 1 according to this embodiment comprises a base portion 2, a slope portion 3 that is tiltable with one end rotatably connected to the base portion 2 via a pivotal connection portion 4, and a tilt adjustment mechanism 5 that is interposed between the base portion 2 and the slope portion 3, and the tilt adjustment mechanism 5 includes a four-section cross-link mechanism 55.

Here, with respect to the slope section 3, when the slope device 1 is installed at the step location, the end on the upper step side (which is also the rear end) will be referred to as the "upper end 3c," and the end on the lower step side (which is also the front end) will be referred to as the "lower end 3d."

Furthermore, each of the following components that make up the slope device 1 is assembled by joining together, for example, by welding, or by fastening together using fastening members such as screws and bolts, or joining members such as rivets, at points that are not slidable, rotatable, or pivotable.

The base section 2 is installed at the lower part of the step, supports the slope section 3, and is equipped with an inclination adjustment mechanism 5.

The base portion 2 is formed by connecting four frame members and has a rectangular frame shape (in other words, a picture frame shape) when viewed from above.

Specifically, the front frame member 21 and the rear frame member 22, each of which has its axis aligned along the left-right direction and is spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction, and a pair of left and right side frame members 23, each of which has its axis aligned along the front-to-rear direction and is spaced apart in the left-to-right direction and is disposed between the left ends and right ends of the front frame member 21 and the rear frame member 22, are assembled and connected to form a rectangular frame (in other words, a picture frame) in a plan view.

The base portion 2 may be provided with reinforcing members, for example, to improve its strength. In the example shown in the figure, reinforcing members 24 and 25 are provided, each with its axis aligned in the left-right direction.

The material of the base portion 2 is not limited to any particular material, and an appropriate material can be selected based on factors such as the required strength. Each frame member that makes up the base portion 2 may be constructed using, for example, steel or aluminum alloy material formed into a square pipe shape.

The slope section 3 is supported by the base section 2 and serves as a passageway connecting the upper and lower sections of the step.

The slope section 3 mainly comprises a frame body 3b and a slope plate 34 on the upper surface of the frame body 3b. The upper surface of the slope plate 34 forms the passage surface 3a of the slope section 3.

The frame body 3b of the slope section 3 is assembled and connected to form a rectangular frame body (in other words, a picture frame) in plan view. The frame body 3b is made up of a front frame member (hidden by other members and not visible in the drawing) and a rear frame member 32, each of which has its axis aligned along the left-right direction and is spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction, and a pair of left and right side frame members 33, each of which has its axis aligned along the front-to-rear direction and is spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction and is disposed between the left ends and right ends of the front and rear frame members 32.

The distance in the front-to-rear direction between the front frame member and rear frame member 32 that make up the frame body 3b of the slope section 3 is adjusted to be slightly wider than the distance in the front-to-rear direction between the front frame member 21 and rear frame member 22 that make up the base section 2.

In addition, the left-right distance between the pair of left and right side frame members 33 that make up the frame body 3b of the slope section 3 is adjusted to be wider than the left-right distance between the pair of left and right side frame members 23 that make up the base section 2.

The frame 3b of the slope section 3 may be provided with reinforcing members to improve its strength, for example. In the example shown in the figure, reinforcing members 35 and 36 are provided, each with its axis aligned in the front-to-rear direction and left-to-right direction, respectively.

The slope plate 34 of the slope section 3 is composed of a plate-shaped member and is fixed and attached to the upper surface of each frame member (including reinforcing members provided as necessary) so as to cover the upper surface of the frame body 3b of the slope section 3 (specifically, a frame body that is rectangular in plan view and is composed of the front frame member, rear frame member 32, and a pair of left and right side frame members 33).

The slope plate 34 of the slope section 3 may be configured to cover the entire walkway surface 3a (in other words, the entire upper surface of the rectangular frame body in plan view formed by the front frame member, rear frame member 32, and pair of left and right side frame members 33) with a single flat plate-like member, or may be configured to cover multiple flat plate-like members arranged side by side.

The material of the slope section 3 is not limited to a specific material; an appropriate material can be selected, taking into consideration factors such as the required strength. The frame members that make up the frame 3b of the slope section 3 may be made of, for example, steel or aluminum alloy material formed into a square pipe shape. Furthermore, the slope plate 34 of the slope section 3 may be made of, for example, steel or aluminum alloy plate formed into a flat plate shape.

In the example shown in the figure, the base portion 2 and slope portion 3 are formed and arranged so that, in plan view, the direction connecting the upper step side and the lower step side (i.e., the front-to-back direction) is the long side of a rectangle. It should be noted that the base portion 2 and slope portion 3 may also be formed and arranged so that, in plan view, the direction connecting the upper step side and the lower step side (i.e., the front-to-back direction) is the short side of a rectangle.

In this embodiment, an upper approach 6 is attached to the upper end 3c of the slope section 3, and a lower approach 7 is attached to the lower end 3d of the slope section 3, continuing from the lower end 3d.

The upper approach 6 is formed with the same width as the left-right width of the slope section 3, and is attached to the upper end 3c of the slope section 3, extending outward toward the upper step (i.e., rearward).

The upper approach 6 may be attached to the upper end 3c of the slope section 3 so that it can rotate around a rotation axis whose axis runs along the left-right direction, i.e., so that the degree of inclination in the front-to-back direction can be changed. The upper approach 6 may also be attached so that it cannot rotate, i.e., is fixed, to the upper end 3c of the slope section 3.

In the example shown in the figure, the upper approach 6 is attached to the rear frame member 32 of the slope section 3 by two hinges 61 that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, with the pins (rotation axes) connecting the pair of blades positioned along the left-right direction.

The lower approach 7 is formed with the same width as the left-right width of the slope section 3, and is attached to the front end of the base section 2 adjacent to the lower end 3d of the slope section 3, providing an inclined surface between the lower end portion of the walkway surface 3a of the slope section 3 and the lower surface of the step.

The lower approach 7 may be attached to the front end of the base 2 so that it can rotate around a rotation axis whose axis runs along the left-right direction, i.e., so that the degree of tilt in the front-to-back direction can be changed. The lower approach 7 may also be attached to the front end of the base 2 so that it cannot rotate, i.e., so that it is fixed.

In the example shown in the figure, the lower approach 7 is attached to the connecting frame 41 of the pivoting connecting part 4, which is attached to the front frame member 21 of the base part 2, by two hinges 71 that are spaced apart in the left-right direction and in which the pins (rotation axes) connecting the pair of blades are positioned along the left-right direction.

When the slope device 1 is installed at the step, the upper approach 6 is placed on top of the upper surface of the step, and the lower approach 7 is positioned between the lower end of the passage surface 3a of the slope section 3 and the lower surface of the step. As a result, the upper approach 6, slope section 3, and lower approach 7 form a continuous inclined surface between the upper and lower surfaces of the step.

For example, if a gap exists between the upper end portion (upper end 3c) of the passage surface 3a of the slope section 3 and the upper surface of the step, the upper approach 6 covers the gap and creates a good passageway.

Furthermore, for example, if there is a step between the lower end portion (lower end 3d) of the passage surface 3a of the slope section 3 and the lower surface of the step, the lower approach 7 smoothly connects the passage surface 3a of the slope section 3 with the lower surface of the step, creating a good passageway.

The upper approach 6 and lower approach 7 are not limited to the configuration shown in the example, and are not essential components of this invention.

A pivotal connecting portion 4 is provided so as to be interposed between the lower step side (i.e., the front end) of the base portion 2 and the lower step side (i.e., the front end, lower end 3d) of the slope portion 3.

In addition, an inclination adjustment mechanism 5 is provided so as to be interposed between the upper step side of the base portion 2 (i.e., the rear end) and the upper step side of the slope portion 3 (i.e., the rear end, or upper end 3c).

(Rotating connection part)
The pivotal connection portion 4 is a mechanism for connecting the slope portion 3 to the base portion 2 so that it can pivot along a vertical plane (in other words, so that the slope portion 3 can pivot so that the degree of inclination can be changed).

The pivotal connection part 4 mainly comprises a connection part frame 41, a bearing 42, and a pivotal connection shaft 43.

The connecting frame 41 has a horizontal wall and a vertical wall that connects to one side of the horizontal wall along the longitudinal direction, and its cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is L-shaped. The connecting frame 41 is arranged with its longitudinal direction aligned with the left-right direction, and is attached to the lower step side of the base 2 (i.e., the front end).

The connecting frame 41 is positioned so that the vertical wall, which is one side of the L-shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, forms the front surface, and the horizontal wall, which is the other side, forms the lower surface (in other words, the bottom surface). In other words, the upper and rear of the connecting frame 41 are open.

The upper surface of the horizontal wall of the connecting frame 41 is fixed to the underside of the front frame member 21 of the base 2, and is also fixed to the underside of the front end portions of each of the pair of left and right side frame members 23 of the base 2.

When the connecting frame 41 is attached to the lower step of the base 2, the vertical wall portion, which forms the front surface, is located in front of the front frame member 21 of the base 2 and the front frame member of the slope section 3.

The bearings 42 are provided as a pair, one on each side, facing each other in the left-right direction, at the left and right ends of the connecting frame 41. Specifically, in the example shown in the figure, a pair of left and right plate-shaped members are attached as the bearings 42 to the left and right ends of the connecting frame 41, with their respective plate surfaces facing each other in the left-right direction.

A hole penetrating in the left-right direction is formed in each of the pair of left and right bearings 42.

The pivoting connecting shaft 43 is disposed with its axis aligned in the left-right direction and is provided at the front end of the slope section 3. In the example shown in the figure, the pivoting connecting shaft 43 is specifically disposed within the front frame member of the slope section 3.

The pivoting connecting shaft 43 is arranged to pass through each of the pair of left and right side frame members 33 of the slope section 3 in the left-right direction, and also to pass through each of the pair of left and right bearings 42 in the left-right direction.

The pivotable connecting shaft 43 is slidable and rotatable relative to at least one of the front end of the slope section 3 (specifically, the front end of the pair of left and right side frame members 33) and the bearing 42 on the base section 2 side.

The slope section 3 is connected and attached to the connecting frame 41, and ultimately to the base section 2, via the pivoting connecting shaft 43, specifically with the pivoting connecting shaft 43 as the rotation axis (in other words, the pivoting axis or swing axis), so that it can rotate along a vertical plane (in other words, it can rotate so that the degree of inclination of the slope section 3 can be changed).

As a result, the slope section 3 is configured to be rotatable along a vertical plane so that it can move from a generally horizontal position (see Figures 3 and 4) in which the upper end 3c (i.e., the rear end) is very close to the upper step side (i.e., the rear end) of the base section 2, to an upward position where the upper end 3c is inclined relative to the base section 2 (see Figures 1 and 2).

When the slope section 3 is connected to the base section 2 via the pivotal connecting shaft 43, each of the pair of left and right side frame members 33 of the slope section 3 is positioned adjacent to the outer side of each of the pair of left and right side frame members 23 of the base section 2 in the left-right direction.

Furthermore, when the slope section 3 is equipped with a reinforcing member 35 whose axis runs along the front-to-rear direction as in the example shown in the figures, interference may occur between the front frame member 21 of the base section 2 and the reinforcing member 35 of the slope section 3 when the slope section 3 is in a generally horizontal position relative to the base section 2 (see Figures 3 and 4). In this case, the front frame member 21 of the base section 2 may be provided with a groove (in other words, a recess) into which the reinforcing member 35 of the slope section 3 fits, preventing interference with the base section 2 when the slope section 3 is in a generally horizontal position. Even in this case, the strength of the front frame member 21 is ensured by the connecting frame 41, which is fixedly attached to the underside of the front frame member 21 of the base section 2 and the undersides of the front end portions of each of the pair of left and right side frame members 23.

(Tilt adjustment mechanism)
5 is a rear perspective view showing the configuration of the inclination adjustment mechanism 5 of the slope device 1 according to the embodiment. Note that Fig. 5 illustrates only the configuration particularly related to the inclination adjustment mechanism 5, and does not illustrate, for example, the rear frame member 22 of the base portion 2, the rear frame member 32 and slope plate 34 of the slope portion 3, the upper approach 6, etc.

The tilt adjustment mechanism 5 is a mechanism for changing the height of the upper end 3c (i.e., the rear end) of the slope portion 3 relative to the base portion 2, and thereby changing the degree of tilt of the slope portion 3 in the fore-and-aft direction.

The tilt adjustment mechanism 5 mainly comprises a guide shaft 51 and a pair of left and right slide blocks 52L, 52R arranged on the base section 2 side, a feed screw shaft 53 and a pair of left and right feed nuts 54L, 54R arranged on the slope section 3 side, and a cross-section-connected four-section cross-link mechanism 55 arranged between the base section 2 and slope section 3.

The guide shaft 51 is formed as a metal rod, is arranged with its axis aligned in the left-right direction, and is provided on the upper step side (i.e., the rear end) of the base part 2.

Specifically, the guide shaft 51 is attached to the base 2 at a position near the rear end of each of the pair of left and right side frame members 23, spanning between the pair of left and right side frame members 23.

The guide shaft 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape with smooth surfaces (i.e., a smooth surface) except for both ends for fixing to the pair of left and right side frame members 23 of the base portion 2 (specifically, in the example shown in the figure, the male threaded portions protruding outward from the outer surfaces in the left-right direction of each of the pair of left and right side frame members 23).

The pair of left and right slide blocks 52L, 52R each have a through hole 521, through which the guide shaft 51 passes, and are arranged to slide freely relative to the guide shaft 51.

Each of the pair of left and right slide blocks 52L, 52R is capable of linear movement along the axial direction of the guide shaft 51 (i.e., the left-right direction) while the guide shaft 51 passes through the through-hole 521, and is also capable of rotation around the axial direction of the guide shaft 51.

The feed screw shaft 53 is formed as a metal rod, and is arranged with its axis aligned in the left-right direction. It is located on the upper step side of the slope section 3 (i.e., the upper end 3c, or rear end).

Specifically, the feed screw shaft 53 is mounted between the pair of left and right side frame members 33 at a position near the rear end of each of the pair of left and right side frame members 33 of the slope section 3, and is rotatable about its axis relative to the side frame members 33 (and therefore the slope section 3).

Male threads (e.g., trapezoidal threads) 531R, 531L are formed on the surface of the feed screw shaft 53 on the right and left sides of the center in the axial direction (i.e., left-right direction). As shown in the example in the figure, no male threads may be formed in the middle portion (a certain range) of the feed screw shaft 53 in the axial direction (i.e., left-right direction).

The male threads 531R formed on the right side of the feed screw shaft 53 in the axial direction (i.e., left-right direction) and the male threads 531L formed on the left side are formed so that they have threads in opposite directions. For example, the male threads 531R formed on the right side are formed as right-handed threads when viewed from the right end of the feed screw shaft 53, and the male threads 531L formed on the left side are formed as left-handed threads when viewed from the left end of the feed screw shaft 53.

The left and right ends of the feed screw shaft 53 (i.e., both ends in the axial direction) penetrate through the pair of left and right side frame members 33 of the slope section 3 and protrude outward in the left-right direction, and an operating unit 56 is provided on each of the protruding left and right ends.

The operating part 56 is an engagement part used to rotate the lead screw shaft 53 axially. The operating part 56 may be configured to engage with a socket attachment attached to a power tool such as an impact driver. In this case, the lead screw shaft 53 is rotated axially via the operating part 56 using the power tool.

The operating unit 56 may alternatively be configured to engage with a handle that can be detachably attached to the operating unit 56 (for example, a handle such as a detachable handle valve used to operate a water faucet). In this case, the lead screw shaft 53 is rotated axially via the operating unit 56 using the handle.

The operating unit 56 may be provided on only one of the left and right ends (i.e., both ends in the axial direction) of the feed screw shaft 53.

The pair of left and right feed nuts 54L, 54R each have a threaded hole 541, through which the feed screw shaft 53 passes and is threadedly fitted onto the feed screw shaft 53.

The inner surface of the threaded hole 541 of the feed nut 54R, which is located on the right side of the pair of left and right feed nuts, is formed with a female thread (e.g., trapezoidal thread) that is threadedly mated with the male thread 531R formed on the right portion of the feed screw shaft 53. Furthermore, the inner surface of the threaded hole 541 of the feed nut 54L, which is located on the left side of the pair of left and right feed nuts, is formed with a female thread (e.g., trapezoidal thread) that is threadedly mated with the male thread 531L formed on the left portion of the feed screw shaft 53.

Each of the pair of left and right feed nuts 54L, 54R is threadedly fitted onto the male threads 531R, 531L of the feed screw shaft 53, and is rotatable around the axis of the feed screw shaft 53 relative to the feed screw shaft 53. Furthermore, as it rotates relative to the feed screw shaft 53, it is able to move linearly along the axis of the feed screw shaft 53 (i.e., left and right) in accordance with the pitch of the male threads 531R, 531L of the feed screw shaft 53.

Here, the male thread 531R formed on the right portion of the feed screw shaft 53 and the male thread 531L formed on the left portion are formed so that they are threaded in opposite directions. Therefore, as the feed screw shaft 53 rotates in one direction, the pair of left and right feed nuts 54L, 54R move toward each other in the left-right direction. Conversely, as the feed screw shaft 53 rotates in the other direction, the pair of left and right feed nuts 54L, 54R move away from each other in the left-right direction.

The cross-section-connected four-section cross-link mechanism 55 includes a pair of support links 551A, 551B that cross each other (in other words, form an X-shape) when viewed from behind.

The lower ends of the support links 551A, 551B are rotatably (or swingably) connected to the slide blocks 52L, 52R by connecting bolts 552, and the upper ends are rotatably (or swingably) connected to the feed nuts 54L, 54R by connecting bolts 553.

The cross-connected four-section cross-link mechanism 55 is composed of a pair of support links 551A, 551B arranged in a cross-body configuration.

Specifically, the intersection-connected four-section cross-link mechanism 55 includes, in rear view, a support link 551A inclined upward to the right that is suspended between the left slide block 52L of the pair of left and right slide blocks and the right feed nut 54R of the pair of left and right feed nuts, and a support link 551B inclined upward to the left that is suspended between the right slide block 52R of the pair of left and right slide blocks and the left feed nut 54L of the pair of left and right feed nuts.

The support link 551A, which slopes upward to the right, and the support link 551B, which slopes upward to the left, are rotatably connected to each other at the center of their respective axes (or approximately the center; in other words, the crossing/intersection of the cross-shaped links) via a connecting shaft 554, which is arranged with its axis aligned along the front-to-rear direction.

With the above-described configuration, a pair of support links 551A, 551B are spanned across a pair of lower left and right pivotal connection points (specifically, connecting bolts 552) and a pair of upper left and right pivotal connection points (specifically, connecting bolts 553), and are rotatably connected to each other via connecting shaft 554 at the cross-section of the cross-section, thereby forming a cross-section-connected four-section cross-link mechanism 55.

In the example shown in the figure, the right-upward sloping support link 551A is made up of a pair of front and rear elongated plate-like members facing each other in the front-to-rear direction, and the left-upward sloping support link 551B is made up of a pair of front and rear elongated plate-like members facing each other in the front-to-rear direction, but the right-upward sloping support link 551A and the left-upward sloping support link 551B may each be made up of a single member. For example, the right-upward sloping support link 551A may be made up of only one of the pair of front and rear elongated plate-like members in the example shown in the figure, and the left-upward sloping support link 551B may be made up of only one of the pair of front and rear elongated plate-like members in the example shown in the figure.

Furthermore, the support links 551A, 551B are connected to the slide blocks 52L, 52R and the feed nuts 54L, 54R in front of or behind the slide blocks 52L, 52R and the feed nuts 54L, 54R, and ultimately to the guide shaft 51 and the feed screw shaft 53. In other words, the support links 551A, 551B are positioned so as not to overlap the guide shaft 51, slide blocks 52L, 52R, the feed screw shaft 53, and the feed nuts 54L, 54R in a plan view (and a bottom view).

The tilt adjustment mechanism 5 may also be configured such that a feed screw shaft 53 and a pair of left and right feed nuts 54L, 54R are arranged on the base portion 2 side, and a guide shaft 51 and a pair of left and right slide blocks 52L, 52R are arranged on the slope portion 3 side.

(operation)
First, the slope device 1 (for example, the slope device 1 in a state in which the slope portion 3 is not generally inclined relative to the base portion 2; see Figures 3 and 4) is installed at the step location, with the base portion 2 being positioned on the lower surface of the step location in a position close to the upper portion of the step location in a planar view.

Next, the height of the upper end 3c of the slope portion 3 is changed so that the position (in other words, the height) of the upper surface of the step area matches or roughly matches the height of the upper end 3c of the slope portion 3.

Specifically, for example, an electric tool or a handle is used to rotate the feed screw shaft 53 via the operating unit 56. At this time, the direction of axial rotation of the feed screw shaft 53 is adjusted (in other words, selected) so that the pair of left and right feed nuts 54L, 54R move toward each other in the left-right direction.

In other words, as the feed screw shaft 53 rotates in one direction, the male threads 531R and 531L formed on the right and left portions of the feed screw shaft 53 are threaded in opposite directions, causing the pair of left and right feed nuts 54L and 54R to move toward each other in the left-right direction. Then, the pair of cross-hatched support links 551A and 551B rotate about the cross connection point (specifically, the connecting shaft 554), moving the pair of left and right slide blocks 52L and 52R toward each other in the left-right direction, increasing the degree of inclination of each with respect to the horizontal. As a result (i.e., the support links 551A and 551B rise), the degree of inclination of the slope portion 3 relative to the base portion 2 increases (see Figures 1 and 2).

With the position (in other words, height) of the upper surface of the step area and the height of the upper end 3c of the slope section 3 (roughly) aligned, the upper end 3c of the slope section 3 (and therefore the slope device 1) is brought as close as possible to the edge of the upper part of the step area in a plan view, and the upper approach 6 is extended across the upper surface of the step area. As a result, a smooth, step-free inclined surface is formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the step area by the upper approach 6, slope section 3, and lower approach 7.

Next, when the slope device 1 is to be moved or when use of the slope device 1 is to be terminated, the slope portion 3 and the base portion 2 are closed together, and the slope portion 3 is placed in a generally horizontal position (Figures 3 and 4).

Specifically, for example, an electric tool or a handle is used to rotate the feed screw shaft 53 via the operating unit 56. At this time, the direction of axial rotation of the feed screw shaft 53 is adjusted (in other words, selected) so that the pair of left and right feed nuts 54L, 54R move away from each other in the left-right direction.

In other words, as the feed screw shaft 53 rotates in the other direction, the male threads 531R and 531L formed on the right and left portions of the feed screw shaft 53 are threaded in opposite directions, causing the pair of left and right feed nuts 54L and 54R to move away from each other in the left-right direction. Then, the pair of cross-shaped support links 551A and 551B rotate about the intersection connection point (specifically, the connecting shaft 554), causing the pair of left and right slide blocks 52L and 52R to move away from each other in the left-right direction, reducing the degree of inclination of each relative to the horizontal. This (i.e., the support links 551A and 551B become horizontal) reduces the degree of inclination of the slope portion 3 relative to the base portion 2 (see Figures 3 and 4).

In this case, the support links 551A, 551B are positioned so that they do not overlap the guide shaft 51, slide blocks 52L, 52R, feed screw shaft 53, and feed nuts 54L, 54R in a plan view (and bottom view). This reduces the vertical dimension of the tilt adjustment mechanism 5, allowing it to be housed within the space surrounded by the pair of left and right side frame members 23 and rear frame member 22 of the base section 2 and the pair of left and right side frame members 33 and rear frame member 32 of the slope section 3.

The left-right spacing between the pair of left and right side frame members 33 that make up the frame body 3b of the slope section 3 is adjusted to be wider than the left-right spacing between the pair of left and right side frame members 23 that make up the base section 2. With the slope section 3 connected to the base section 2 via the pivot connecting shaft 43, the pair of left and right side frame members 33 of the slope section 3 are positioned adjacent to the outside of the pair of left and right side frame members 23 of the base section 2 in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the degree of inclination of the slope section 3 relative to the base section 2 decreases, the base section 2 does not hinder the tilting movement of the slope section 3.

As a result, the surface of the slope portion 3 becomes roughly parallel to the surface of the base portion 2, and the base portion 2 and slope portion 3 are closed together (see Figures 3 and 4).

When the slope section 3 rotates along a vertical plane relative to the base section 2, in a side view (in the example shown in the figure), the axial center position of the feed screw shaft 53 arranged on the slope section 3 side moves on an arc centered on the axial center position of the rotation connecting shaft 43 of the rotation connecting section 4. Therefore, depending on the degree of inclination of the slope section 3 relative to the base section 2, the degree of inclination relative to the vertical direction (or horizontal direction) of the line segment connecting the axial center position of the guide shaft 51 arranged on the base section 2 side and the axial center position of the feed screw shaft 53 arranged on the slope section 3 side (in the example shown in the figure) changes in a side view.

For this reason, if the degree of inclination of the longitudinal direction of the support links 551A, 551B relative to the vertical direction (or horizontal direction) were fixed so that it could not change when viewed from the side, the inclination of the slope portion 3 relative to the base portion 2 would be hindered.

In contrast, in the above-described slope device 1, each of the pair of left and right slide blocks 52L, 52R is slidable relative to the guide shaft 51 (which is cylindrical and has a smooth surface) that passes through the through-hole 521, and can rotate around the axis of the guide shaft 51. As a result, the degree of inclination of the longitudinal direction of the support links 551A, 551B relative to the vertical direction (and horizontal direction) can be changed in side view depending on the degree of inclination of the slope section 3 relative to the base section 2. This means that the inclination of the slope section 3 relative to the base section 2 is not hindered.

In relation to the above point, the base unit 2 may be configured such that a slide rail with its longitudinal direction aligned with the left-right direction is provided on the base unit 2, and a slide block is provided that slidably engages with the slide rail (i.e., the slide block can move linearly left-right but cannot rotate). A support link may then be connected to the slide block, for example by a universal joint, so that the degree of inclination of the support link's longitudinal direction relative to the vertical (or horizontal) direction can be changed, i.e., so that the support link can rotate.

(Action and effect)
According to the embodiment of the slope device 1, the inclination adjustment mechanism 5 is configured to include a four-section cross link mechanism 55, so that the degree of inclination of the slope section 3 (the height of the upper end 3c of the slope section 3) can be changed by the simple operation of rotating the feed screw shaft 53 about its axis via the operating section 56, thereby reducing the effort and time required to adjust the inclination angle of the slope section 3.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the present invention also includes modifications and alterations to the above embodiments that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the slope portion 3 is formed to be rectangular in plan view, but the shape of the slope portion 3 in plan view is not limited to a rectangle, and the slope portion 3 may be formed to be square or trapezoidal in plan view.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the four-section cross-link mechanism 55 of the inclination adjustment mechanism 5 is configured as a cross-connection type, and a pair of support links 551A, 551B are rotatably connected to each other at the cross-point via a connecting shaft 554 whose axis extends along the front-to-rear direction. However, the four-section cross-link mechanism 55 is not required to be a cross-connection type in the present invention. The pair of support links 551A, 551B, which are arranged cross-connected to each other in a cross-connection manner, may not be rotatably connected to each other at the center (or approximately the center) of their respective axes via the connecting shaft 554 whose axis extends along the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the link mechanism of the inclination adjustment mechanism 5 may be a four-section cross-link mechanism in which a pair of support links 551A, 551B are arranged cross-connected and are not connected to each other (i.e., not a cross-connection type). In this case, it can operate in the same way as the slope device 1 according to the above embodiment.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the inclination adjustment mechanism 5 includes one set of four-section cross-link mechanisms 55 arranged crosswise for one combination of the base section 2 and slope section 3. However, the inclination adjustment mechanism 5 may also include multiple sets of four-section cross-link mechanisms 55 arranged crosswise for one combination of the base section 2 and slope section 3. For example, two guide shafts 51 may be arranged side-by-side in the left-right direction between the base section 2 and slope section 3, and two feed screw shafts 53 may be arranged side-by-side in the left-right direction, with one set of four-section cross-link mechanisms 55 arranged crosswise for one combination of the guide shafts 51 and feed screw shaft 53, and another set of four-section cross-link mechanisms 55 arranged crosswise for the other combination of the guide shaft 51 and feed screw shaft 53. In this case, the two feed screw shafts 53 may be connected to form a single shaft. In this case, when one feed screw shaft 53 is rotated, two sets of four-bar cross-link mechanisms 55 operate simultaneously (in other words, synchronously).

The slope device of the present invention can be temporarily installed at steps to create an inclined surface that eliminates the step, making it useful in fields such as construction and nursing care.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slope device 2 Base portion 21 Front frame member 22 Rear frame member 23 Side frame member 24 Reinforcement member 25 Reinforcement member 3 Slope portion 3a Passage surface 3b Frame body 3c Upper end portion 3d Lower end portion 32 Rear frame member 33 Side frame member 34 Slope plate 35 Reinforcement member 36 Reinforcement member 4 Rotating connection portion 41 Connection portion frame 42 Bearing 43 Rotating connection shaft 5 Tilt adjustment mechanism 51 Guide shaft 52R Right slide block 52L Left slide block 521 Through hole 53 Feed screw shaft 531R Male thread formed on the right portion 531L Male thread formed on the left portion 54R Right feed nut 54L Left feed nut 541 Threaded hole 55 Four-section cross link mechanism 551A Right-upward tilted support link 551B Left-upward tilted support link 552 Connecting bolt (slide block side)
553 Connecting bolt (feed nut side)
554 Connecting shaft 56 Operating unit 6 Upper approach 61 Hinge 7 Lower approach 71 Hinge

Claims (6)

A base portion and
a slope portion having one end rotatably connected to the base portion via a rotation shaft and capable of tilting;
an inclination adjustment mechanism provided so as to be interposed between the base portion and the slope portion,
The tilt adjustment mechanism is
a guide shaft and a pair of slide blocks disposed on the side of the base portion or the slope portion;
a feed screw shaft and a pair of feed nuts disposed on the slope portion or the base portion side;
a pair of support links, each of which has both longitudinal ends connected to the slide block and the feed nut and which are arranged crosswise,
The pair of support links are rotatably connected to each other at the cross-shaped intersection,
each of the pair of slide blocks is slidable relative to the guide shaft through the guide shaft and is linearly movable along the axial direction of the guide shaft;
each of the pair of feed nuts is threadedly fitted onto the feed screw shaft and is linearly movable along the axial direction of the feed screw shaft and rotatable around the axial center of the feed screw shaft;
When the slope portion rotates relative to the base portion, in a line of sight along the axial direction of the rotation shaft, the axial position of the feed screw shaft moves on an arc centered on the axial position of the rotation shaft, and the degree of inclination of the line segment connecting the axial position of the guide shaft and the axial position of the feed screw shaft with respect to the vertical direction changes.
A slope device characterized by: an engaging portion used when axially rotating the feed screw shaft is provided at an end portion in an axial direction of the feed screw shaft;
2. The slope device according to claim 1 . the engaging portions are provided at both ends of the feed screw shaft in an axial direction,
3. The slope device according to claim 2. the guide shaft and the pair of slide blocks are disposed on the side of the base portion,
the feed screw shaft and the pair of feed nuts are disposed on the slope portion side;
2. The slope device according to claim 1 . a lower approach portion is attached to the base portion, the lower approach portion being adjacent to the one end of the slope portion and forming an inclined surface between the slope portion and a lower surface of a step portion on which the base portion is installed;
2. The slope device according to claim 1 . An upper approach is attached to the slope portion, extending from the other end of the slope portion and bridging between the slope portion and an upper surface of a step portion on which the base portion is installed.
2. The slope device according to claim 1 .