JP2001346832A - Wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve sitting feeling on a wheelchair and to improve handleability by enabling riding of even a person having a high height at a carrying time of the wheelchair while keeping a suitable height of a seating surface in the case of a normal use. SOLUTION: The wheelchair comprises a main frame 30 movably supported by casters 41 and wheels 42, and a seat 50 supported to the frame 30 via an elevating mechanism. The seat 50 has a cushion sheet 51 having a cushion pad made of an elastic member and disposed between a skin covering its outside and a cushion frame to become a skeleton, a seat back 52 tiltably mounted at one end at the cushion frame via a reclining device 55 and having a seat back pad made of an elastic member and disposed at its outside between the skin and the seat back frame, and a grip 54 mounted on a back surface of the seat back 52.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheelchair.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional wheelchair, for example, FIG.
(A) and (b) are generally known. This wheelchair has a frame 01, wheels 02, footrest 0
3. Attach parts such as the grip 04 and attach a cloth to the frame 01 to make the seating surface 05 and the backing surface 06
Is provided.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional wheelchair, the seat surface 05 and the backrest surface 0 are not provided.
6 is made of cloth, so that it is foldable and compact, and has a reasonable configuration, but has a problem that it is uncomfortable and may be painful to sit for a long time. If the seating height is adjusted according to the use, the height of the seating surface when the wheelchair is mounted on the vehicle is high, and there is a problem that a tall person cannot get on because the head is supported by the ceiling.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to improve the sitting comfort of a wheelchair.
The purpose is to improve the usability by making it possible for even a tall person to be able to get on the vehicle while riding, while keeping the appropriate seating height in normal use.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a wheelchair according to the present invention is movably supported by a pair of left and right casters and a pair of right and left wheels, and has a base on which a footrest is mounted. A seat cushion provided with a cushion pad made of an elastic member between an outer skin covering the outside and a cushion frame serving as a skeleton; and A seat back having one end tiltably attached via a hinge member, and a seat back provided with a seat back pad made of an elastic member between an outer skin and a seat back frame serving as a skeleton; and a seat back attached to the back of the seat back. And a handle.

[0006] The invention described in claim 2 is based on claim 1.
In the wheelchair according to, between the base and a seat,
A lift mechanism for raising and lowering the sheet with respect to the base is interposed. The third aspect of the present invention is the first aspect.
Alternatively, in the wheelchair described in 2, the reclining device capable of fixing the seatback at an arbitrary inclination angle is used as a hinge member for tiltably attaching the seatback to the seat cushion. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the wheelchair according to the first to third aspects, the base is constituted by a main frame formed of a pipe-shaped member. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the wheelchair according to the fourth aspect, the main frame extends in the front-rear direction with the left and right separated from each other and extends in the left-right direction between the left and right pipes. A plurality of horizontal pipes that are connected to the left and right pipes, the main part is disposed above the left and right pipes, the rear end extending downward is connected to the rear end of the left and right pipes, A front end extending downward is connected to the front ends of the left and right pipes, and a frame pipe having a footrest fixed to the front end is provided. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the wheelchair according to the fifth aspect, at least two of the plurality of horizontal pipes are formed in a U-shape in which an intermediate portion is recessed downward. The elevating mechanism is supported by the part having the above structure. Claim 7
In the wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the elevating mechanism includes a lower support member attached to the base, an upper support member attached to the seat cushion, and an upper support member. An X-link body, which is connected to the lower support member and is connected to the lower support member in an X-shape and extends and contracts. The X-link body moves both support members up and down relatively. And a handle having a threaded rod to be screwed.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the seat is supported on a movable base, and the seat cushion and the seat back of the seat are provided with pads of an elastic member on the back side of the skin. Therefore, good sitting comfort can be obtained, and there is an effect that tiredness is less likely to occur even when sitting for a long time.
In addition, a handle used by a caregiver to push and pull the wheelchair is attached to the back of a rigidly formed seat back having a seat back frame inside, and is not directly connected to the base. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified, and the cost and weight can be reduced.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the height of the seat can be arbitrarily changed by operating the elevating mechanism. Therefore, usually, the height is set to the optimal height for the occupant of the wheelchair, and when the vehicle is driven in the wheelchair, the height of the seat can be reduced by operating the elevating mechanism, and the height is high. Even people can prevent their heads from being supported by the ceiling. In addition, when the user moves between the wheelchair and the bed, the position of the seat is raised by the lifting mechanism to eliminate the difference in height between the seat and the bed, thereby facilitating the transfer. in this way,
The effect that the usability can be improved can be obtained. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the inclination angle of the seat back can be fixed at an arbitrary angle by the reclining device. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the riding comfort by setting the inclination angle of the seat back to a desired angle for the wheelchair occupant.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, since the base is constituted by the main frame made of a pipe-like member, a light and high-strength base can be obtained. In addition, in the invention according to claim 6, since the lifting mechanism is supported by the lower portion of the U-shaped horizontal pipe, the position where the seat is supported at the lowest can be lowered, and the occupant can be lowered. It is possible to further improve the usability when the wheelchair is mounted on the vehicle while sitting.

According to the present invention, when raising and lowering the seat, turning the handle extends or shortens the X-link body, and accordingly, the X-link body is extended to the lower support member supported by the base. On the other hand, the upper support member is raised or lowered, and thereby the sheet is raised or lowered. As described above, according to the present invention, the elevating mechanism can be configured by a simple mechanism, and cost reduction and weight reduction can be achieved.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the wheelchair C according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wheelchair C viewed obliquely from the front, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wheelchair C viewed obliquely from the rear. The wheelchair C according to the embodiment includes a main frame 30 as a base, a seat 50, and an elevating mechanism 70, and a pair of left and right casters 41, 41 is attached to a lower front portion of the main frame 30, and A pair of left and right wheels 42 is attached to a lower rear portion of the main frame 30 so as to be movable.

As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3, the main frame 30 extends in the front-rear direction on the left and right and has two rear ends that are welded through a metal hub block 31. One end of the left and right pipes 32 is fitted into the hole formed on the upper side of the hub block 31 from above, and the other end is joined to the front end of the left and right pipes 32 by welding or the like. Frame pipe 33,
A vertical pipe 37 having a caster 41 pivotally attached to a lower end thereof and a slightly upper portion thereof welded to the left and right pipes 32 and an upper end welded to the lower side of the frame pipe 33. A front horizontal pipe 34 extending in the left-right direction and having both ends welded to a joint between the left and right pipes 32, 32 and the vertical pipe 37; A substantially horizontal U-shaped rear pipe 36 fitted and welded to a hole formed on the side, and a substantially U-shaped pipe extending in the left-right direction and welded to the lower side of the middle part of the right and left pipes 32. Middle horizontal pipe 35
And The wheel 42 is rotatably mounted on the side surface of the hub block 31. A pair of left and right footrests 38 are attached to the front end of the frame pipe 33.

Returning to FIG. 1 and FIG.
The sheet 50 is supported at 0 via a lifting mechanism 70. The seat 50 includes a seat cushion 51 supported by the elevating mechanism 70, a seat back 52 attached to a rear end of the seat cushion 51 via a reclining device 55 so as to be tiltable back and forth, An armrest 53 has one end rotatably attached to the left and right of 52. A grip 54 is attached to the back of the seat back 52. The grip 54 is provided with a brake lever 54a for operating a brake (not shown).
Reference numeral 59 denotes a chest fixing belt. Further, the parking brake can be operated by operating the tackle brake lever 56.

The seat 50 is obtained by diverting an automobile seat. The seat cushion 51 is formed in a rectangular frame shape by a metal pipe or a resin pipe as shown in a longitudinal sectional view of the seat 50 in FIG. A cushion frame 51a, a cushion pad 51b made of an elastic member provided above the cushion frame 51a,
And a cushion skin 51c that covers the outer surface of the cushion pad 51b. Also, the seat back 52
Similarly to the seat cushion 51, as shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 4, the seat back frame 52a is formed in a square frame shape by a metal or resin pipe, and provided on the front side of the seat back frame 52a. A seat back pad 52b made of an elastic member and a seat back skin 52c covering an outer surface of the seat back pad 52b
And

As shown in FIG. 5, the lifting mechanism 70
A lower support 71 formed by connecting the left and right sides of the intermediate horizontal pipe 35 and the rear horizontal pipe 36 with a metal plate having an L-shaped cross section, and having a rectangular frame shape as a whole, and a metal plate having an L-shaped cross section. An upper support 72 formed so as to have a substantially U-shape as a whole, and an X-link body 73 interposed between the left and right of the supports 71, 72. Each of the links 73a and 73b constituting the X-link body 73 has a rear end pivotally attached to the lower support 71 and the upper support 72, respectively, and a front end respectively to a frame 71a of the lower support 71. Along the guide groove 71b formed in the frame 72a and the guide groove 72b formed in the frame 72a of the upper support 72, and are slidably moved back and forth.
The rotation shaft 73c is relatively rotatable at a substantially central portion of the rotation shaft 73c.
, Whereby both X-link bodies 73, 73
Is configured to be displaceable between a shortened state in which both links 73a and 73b are lying down and an extended state in which both links 73a and 73b are upright. Furthermore, left and right X-links 7
3 left and right links 73b are connected to two connecting rods 7
The two X-links 73, 73 are configured to be able to extend and retract in synchronization with each other. A screw rod 76a is penetrated by the connecting link 74 and the bracket 72d constituting the upper support 72.
The screw rod 76a is connected to the proximal end of the operation handle 76, a male screw is formed on the outer periphery, and the connecting rod 74 is formed with a female screw to be screwed with the male screw, and is formed in the axial direction with the screw rod 76a. While the bracket 72d is configured to be relatively displaceable, the bracket 72d
, But can not be displaced in the axial direction. Therefore, when the operation handle 76 is rotated to one side, the distance between the bracket 72d and the connecting rod 74 is reduced, and the X link bodies 73, 73 are reduced.
Are extended in synchronization with each other, and the upper support 72 rises with respect to the lower support 71. Conversely, when the operation handle 76 is rotated to the other side, the distance between the bracket 72d and the connecting rod 74 is increased and both X-links are separated. The bodies 73, 73 are shortened in synchronization, and the upper support 72 is lowered toward the lower support 71.

The elevating mechanism 70 configured as described above
The lower support 71 is supported above the U-shaped intermediate horizontal pipe 35 and the rear horizontal pipe 36, which are the lowest parts in the main frame 30, and the upper support 72 is The seat 50 is attached to a cushion frame 51a of a seat cushion 51 of the seat 50. Therefore, the operation of the lifting mechanism 70 causes the seat 5
0 rises or falls with respect to the main frame 30.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. In the wheelchair C according to the embodiment, during normal use, the operating handle 76 of the lifting mechanism 70 is rotated to arrange the seat cushion 51 of the seat 50 at a predetermined height. Can be used at heights. In this use, since the seat 50 is provided with the elastic material pads 51b and 52b inside the seat cushion 51 and the seat back 52, it is possible to obtain a good sitting comfort without fatigue even when sitting for a long time.
In order to obtain such good sitting comfort, since the seat 50 is a vehicle seat, an inexpensive and stable sheet of quality is provided, and the economy is excellent. In addition, since the wheelchair C of the present embodiment has the necessary strength only with the seat 50, the necessary mounting strength can be obtained only by attaching the grip 54 to the seatback 52. There is no need to secure the strength by connecting the grip 54 to the main frame 30, so that cost reduction and weight reduction can be achieved.

Next, when the wheelchair C is mounted on the vehicle while the occupant is seated by a lifter or the like, the lifting mechanism 70
Is operated to lower the seat 50 together with the seat 50 to bring the seat cushion 51 to the lowest state. In this case, even a tall occupant can be prevented from touching the ceiling with his / her head, and the restriction on sitting height is reduced, so that most people can get on. Further, after getting on the vehicle, the seat can be set at almost the same height as a normal seat installed on the vehicle, so that the effect of viewing the view of the window well and preventing sickness can be obtained. In particular,
In the present embodiment, the intermediate horizontal pipe 35 and the rear horizontal pipe 36 that support the elevating mechanism 70 are formed in a U-shape, and the height of the intermediate part is reduced, so that the elevating mechanism 70 is lowered. Since the seat cushion 52 is supported at the position, the position when the seat cushion 52 is lowered to the lowest position can be lowered.

Since the seat 50 can be moved up and down by the elevating mechanism 70 as described above, when the occupant moves between the wheelchair C and a bed (not shown), the seat surface of the seat cushion 51 is made equivalent to the bed. The height can be raised to the height, and the usability can be improved.

Further, in the wheelchair C of the embodiment,
The main frame 30 has a structure in which all pipe ends except for the rear ends of the left and right pipes 32 insert parts or abut against other pipes, and the pipe ends do not protrude.
Excellent in safety and appearance quality.

Furthermore, the wheelchair C of the present embodiment can be used as a normal seat when mounted and fixed on a vehicle. The wheelchair C is lowered from the vehicle when not needed, and casters 41 and wheels 42 when moved. Is provided so that anyone can easily move, and it is possible to provide consumers with new products that meet new demands.

Although the embodiment has been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in the embodiment, the left and right pipes 32, 32 have a shape protruding from the rear end.
, The rear ends of the left and right pipes 232 and 232 may be connected. In this case, terminal processing is performed, and safety and appearance quality are further improved. Further, in the embodiment, the main frame 30 is shown as the base, but the pipe may be combined in a shape different from the shape shown in the embodiment, or the frame is limited to a frame shape such as a resin base. Not something. The elevating mechanism is not limited to the one shown in the embodiment, but the essential point is that any mechanism can be used as long as it raises and lowers the sheet with respect to the base such as the main frame 30. In addition, although the embodiment has been described in which the lifting and lowering is performed manually in the embodiment, the lifting and lowering may be performed by driving a driving unit such as a motor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wheelchair according to an embodiment, viewed obliquely from the front.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the wheelchair according to the embodiment as viewed obliquely from behind.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main frame in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sheet according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an elevating mechanism according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the main frame.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional wheelchair.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 30 main frame 31 hub block 32 left and right pipes 33 frame pipe 34 front horizontal pipe 35 intermediate horizontal pipe 36 rear horizontal pipe 37 vertical pipe 38 footrest 41 caster 42 wheel 50 seat 51 seat cushion 51a cushion frame 51b cushion pad 51c cushion skin 52 seat Back 52a Seat back frame 52b Seat back pad 52c Seat back skin 53 Armrest 54 Grip 54a Brake lever 55 Reclining device 56 Tackle brake lever 70 Lifting mechanism 71 Lower support 71a Frame 71b Guide groove 72 Upper support 72a Frame 72b Guide groove 72d Bracket 73 X link body 73a link 73b link 73c Rotating shaft 74 Connection Head 75 connecting rod 76 operating handle 76a rod

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) A61G 5/02 506 A61G 5/02 506 B60N 2/16 B60N 2/16

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A base, which is movably supported by a pair of left and right casters and a pair of left and right wheels, and has a footrest attached thereto, and a seat supported by the base, wherein the seat is: A seat cushion in which a cushion pad made of an elastic member is provided between an outer skin covering the outside and a cushion frame serving as a skeleton; one end is tiltably attached to the cushion frame via a hinge member; A wheelchair, comprising: a seatback having a seatback pad made of an elastic member provided between the seatback frame and a handle attached to the back of the seatback. 2. The wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein a lift mechanism for raising and lowering the seat with respect to the base is interposed between the base and the seat. 3. A reclining device capable of fixing a seat back at an arbitrary inclination angle is used as a hinge member for tiltably attaching a seat back to the seat cushion. Wheelchair described in. 4. The wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the base is constituted by a main frame formed of a pipe-shaped member. 5. The main frame includes: a left and right pipe extending in the front-rear direction while being separated from each other in a left and right direction; and a plurality of horizontal pipes extending between the left and right pipes in a left and right direction to connect the left and right pipes; A main portion is disposed above the left and right pipes, and a rear end extending downward is connected to a rear end of the left and right pipes, while a front end extending downward is connected to the left and right pipes. 5. The wheelchair according to claim 4, further comprising: a frame pipe connected to a front end of the vehicle and having a footrest fixed to the front end. 6. At least two of the plurality of horizontal pipes are formed in a U-shape in which an intermediate portion is recessed downward, and the elevating mechanism is supported at a lowered portion of the horizontal pipe. The wheelchair according to claim 5, characterized in that: 7. The lifting mechanism includes a lower support member attached to the base, an upper support member attached to the seat cushion, and an X connected to the upper support member and the lower support member. X, which consists of two links that extend and contract in a shape like
The wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a link body; and a handle having a threaded rod for displacing a distance between both ends of the X-link body.