JP2003159283A - Foldable wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce working time and labor as much as possible in loading a wheelchair, such as a foldable wheelchair, into a trunk of a vehicle, and to improve stability and easiness of assembling in the folding and unfolding when it is loaded in the vehicle, easiness of carrying when it is folded, and sitting comfort when it is in use. <P>SOLUTION: The foldable wheelchair A comprises a seat section 1 for sitting on, a front leg 2 connected rotatably to the front edge near the seat section 1 positioned in the right and left outside of the seat section 1, an upper end of it being connected rotatably to a middle part of the seat section and front edge of it being connected rotatably to a bottom end of the front leg, a pair of pantagrah-type right and left back legs B, a backrest 3 which is connected rotatably in the end of the seat section 1 and is folded in conjunction with the folding movement of the back leg B, and a pair of right and left front wheels 16 attached to the bottom of the front leg. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foldable vehicle such as a wheelchair used by a handicapped person or an elderly person, a stroller for carrying an infant, or a dolly used for moving luggage. The present invention relates to a foldable car that can be folded into a small size.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Here, an example in which a folding car is applied to, for example, a wheelchair will be described. Wheelchairs are a typical means of transportation for the disabled and the elderly, but when traveling long distances, vehicles such as automobiles are often used together. in this case,
You have to load the wheelchair on the trunk of the vehicle,
It is necessary to fold the wheelchair itself as compactly as possible. The same applies to strollers for infants and wheelbarrows for carrying luggage.
Since a conventional wheelchair is generally folded in the width direction, when it is stored in the trunk of a vehicle or the like, the length of the wheelchair in the longitudinal direction or the front-rear direction is large compared to the longitudinal direction or the front-rear direction of the trunk. After folding, you need to lie down or lie down. Further, even if the conventional wheelchair is laid down sideways, since there are protrusions such as a handle and a footrest, the wheelchair as a whole occupies a large volume in the trunk of the vehicle, which makes it difficult to load other luggage. In addition, if it is laid down on its side, stability in the trunk will be poor and it will move irregularly in the trunk when the car is running, so it is necessary to pay special attention to fixing the wheelchair, It takes effort and time.

Further, since a general wheelchair is folded laterally, the seat portion and the backrest are made of a flexible material such as cloth. Therefore, sitting for a long time tends to cause bedsores, and it is difficult for a person whose lower body is hard to keep his or her body straight.

A foldable wheelchair is also known in which the rear wheel is moved forward through a link by rotating the backrest backward when the wheelchair is viewed from the side (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-59907 gazette). However, this product is not so compact in folding shape because it has a relatively large rear wheel that the user can rotate by himself.

On the other hand, for wheelchairs mainly pushed by an assistant and having a small rear wheel, a seat, a backrest, and front legs can be individually folded (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-2000).
-237242 gazette). However, in this product, it is not possible to fold each member synchronously, and it is necessary to fold each member individually. In addition, some conventional wheelchairs allow the wheelchair to be disassembled and mounted, but there are problems that labor is required for assembly and disassembly, and parts are lost. Further, in the conventional wheelchair, since the wheels are always weighted, there is a problem that tiredness and air release easily occur.

Although not a wheelchair, the applicant of the present invention has proposed a carrier having a curved pantograph-type leg which has an arcuate shape when extended and can be folded inward small when stored (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-2001). (See 106085 publication).
This product can stably support a large weight when extended in an arc shape, and can be folded into a very small size.

[0007]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the problems of the conventional folding type wheelchairs and the like, and particularly reduces the working time and labor when mounting on a trunk of a vehicle and mounts the vehicle on a vehicle or the like. Stability, foldability / unfoldability, ease of carrying when folded,
The technical issue is to improve the sitting comfort during use.

[0008]

A folding vehicle according to the present invention comprises a seat portion on which a person or an object is placed, front legs rotatably connected to a front end of the seat portion, and left and right outer sides of the seat portion. And a pair of left and right pantograph-type rear legs, one end of which is rotatably connected to the middle part of the seat and the other end of which is rotatably connected to the lower ends of the front legs, and attached to the rear legs. It is characterized by including a pair of left and right rear wheels (claim 1).

In such a foldable vehicle, it is preferable that an armrest for lowering the position while rotating in the forward direction in synchronization with the folding is connected to the rear legs (claim 2). Further, it is preferable that a backrest that is folded in conjunction with the folding is connected to the rear end and the rear leg of the seat portion (claim 3). Further, it is preferable that a footrest on which the front end is rotated upward to be folded around a rear end thereof is connected to the lower portion of the front leg or the front portion of the rear leg in synchronization with the folding of the seat portion.

Further, it is preferable that a stopper mechanism is provided between the rear leg and the seat to prevent the folded leg from returning to the folded state (claim 4). Further, it is preferable that the pantograph-shaped rear leg is provided with a rear leg lock for restraining different members close to each other during use so as not to expand. Further, a rear wheel having a stopper rotatably connected to a part of the rear leg so as to maintain two stop positions, and the stopper fixes the rotation of the rear wheel at the first stop position during use. Functions as a stopper,
Further, it is preferable that the double-sided stopper functions as a folding stopper that restrains the backrest from moving in the second position in the folded state of the wheelchair and restrains the backrest from expanding to the deployed state (claim 6).

Further, it is preferable that one of the links constituting the rear leg serves as a support member that comes into contact with and supports the ground so that the wheelchair does not fall backward when folded. Further, it is preferable to provide a luggage carrier that is deployed in synchronization with the extension of the hind legs during use. Further, it is preferable that the battery, the motor for driving the rear wheels, and the control device are placed between the left and right rear legs and below the seat (claim 7). Further, it is preferable that the distance between the rotationally movable connecting points of the front end supporting the seat portion and the intermediate portion is equal to or longer than the radius of rotation of the connecting point of the intermediate portion of the seat portion. Further, one link forming the pantograph of the rear leg has four connecting points, and the positional relationship between three adjacent connecting points is similar to the positional relationship of connecting points of other members forming the pantograph shape. It is more preferable that the upper end of the link and the intermediate portion of the seat portion are rotatably connected (claim 8). Further, it is preferable that the seat portion is folded by a hinge or the like so that the front end of the seat portion does not project upward in the folded state.

[0012]

In the folding vehicle according to the present invention (claim 1), the seat portion is movably supported by the front legs and the pantograph-shaped rear legs, and the rear wheels are installed on the rear legs. The legs, front legs and seat can be folded and unfolded synchronously. That is, when the pantograph-shaped rear legs are folded, the rear wheels move in the forward direction, and the rear end portion rotates downward about the connecting point in front of the rear seat portion. Therefore, the vertical dimension and the front-back dimension of the folding vehicle are reduced synchronously. On the contrary, when the pantograph of the rear leg is extended, the seat portion and the front leg are expanded synchronously. Therefore, folding and unfolding work is easy. Moreover, since the rear legs have a curved shape when stretched, the strength is high. Further, in the folded state, the left and right rear legs are slightly contracted in the front and rear and up and down, and the seat and the front legs are folded and fit between them. Therefore, the size becomes smaller in the vertical and front-back directions,
The occupying volume of the folding car can be significantly reduced.

Further, since the front and rear and top and bottom dimensions are reduced without changing the left and right dimensions, the stability when mounted on the vehicle is improved, and the loading and unloading properties of the folding vehicle into the trunk of the vehicle are improved. . Especially in the case of passenger car trunks, it is long in the left and right, and the front and rear and top and bottom dimensions are small,
The foldable vehicle folded as described above can be accommodated more easily. Furthermore, since the seat itself is not folded, the rigidity of the seat can be improved. Therefore, the posture of the user can be stabilized straightly,
Even if you sit for a long time, you will not get tired easily and bed sores will not occur.

In the foldable vehicle described above, when the rear leg is connected to an armrest that lowers the position while rotating in the forward direction in synchronization with the folding (Claim 2), the seat portion and the front leg are folded. Occasionally, the armrests are folded so that they approach the front legs and seat in synchronization with them. Further, when it is deployed, it is deployed in synchronization with those members. Therefore, it can be folded compactly, and folding and unfolding operations are easy.

In a foldable vehicle in which the rear end and the rear leg of the seat portion are connected with the backrest that is folded in conjunction with the folding, when the backrest is pushed down, the seat portion and the front leg are pushed down. It is folded around those connecting points, and at the same time, the rear legs are also folded. When the backrest is pulled up, the rear legs, the front legs and the seat are synchronously deployed. Therefore, the unfolding / folding operation becomes easier.

The front leg and the rear leg are connected to the lower part of the front leg or the front part of the rear leg, which is connected to a footrest that folds by rotating the front end upward around the rear end in synchronization with the folding of the seat. When the legs are folded, the footrests are folded so as to approach the front legs in synchronization with them. Further, when it is deployed, it is deployed in synchronization with those members. Therefore, it can be folded compactly, and folding and unfolding operations are easy.

Further, when a stopper mechanism for preventing the folded state from returning to the folded state is provided between the rear leg and the seat portion (claim 4), the rear leg composed of a large number of links is firmly attached to the seat portion. Can be fixed with. Therefore, a stable use condition can be obtained.

In the pantograph-shaped rear legs, when the different members that are close to each other during use are restrained by the rear leg locks (claim 5), the pantograph-shaped rear legs themselves can be firmly held in the stretched state. it can. As a result, the usage state is maintained more stably.

The rear leg has a stopper rotatably connected so as to maintain two stop positions, and the stopper fixes the rotation of the rear wheel at the first stop position in use. In the case where the dual-purpose stopper functions as a wheel stopper, and also functions as a folding stopper that restrains the backrest from moving in the second stop position to prevent the backrest from expanding to the deployed state when the wheelchair is folded (claim 6). ), The rear wheel stopper can be used as a brake when used. That is, since the rear wheel is rotatably connected to part of the rear wheel so that the two stop positions can be maintained, the stopped state can be safely maintained by restraining the rear wheel with the stopper at the first stop position. Further, in the second stop position, by restraining the movement of the backrest, the folding shape is stable, and it is easy to carry, and when it is stored in the trunk of the car, it can be stored in a stable state. In addition, since the rear wheel stopper is not necessary in the folded state, and the folding stopper is unnecessary when used,
There is no inconvenience even if one member functions as a rear wheel stopper and a folding stopper. Further, since one part has two functions, the number of parts can be reduced.

One of the links constituting the rear leg serves as a supporting member that contacts the ground so that the folding car does not fall backward when folded, since the supporting member supports the ground when folded. , No load is applied to the rear wheels. Therefore, it is difficult for the tire air to escape. Further, it is convenient to provide a luggage carrier that is deployed in synchronization with the extension of the rear legs during use, since various loads can be placed on the luggage carrier. When the luggage carrier is provided at the lower part of the leg, the center of gravity is lowered by placing the luggage on the luggage carrier, and the foldable vehicle is stabilized. Further, when the battery, the motor for driving the rear wheels and the control device are placed between the left and right rear legs and below the seat (Claim 7), the effort of the person pushing the folding car such as a caregiver is reduced. As a result, the center of gravity is lowered and the stability during traveling is improved.

Further, in the case of a foldable vehicle in which the distance between the rotationally movable connecting points of the front end supporting the seat portion and the intermediate portion is equal to or longer than the turning radius of the connecting point of the intermediate portion of the seat portion, The rear legs are fully folded, and the rear wheels are also moved forward sufficiently, so it can be folded compactly. Further, one link forming the pantograph of the rear leg has four connecting points, and the positional relationship between three adjacent connecting points is similar to the positional relationship of connecting points of other members forming the pantograph shape. And the upper end of the link and the middle part of the seat are rotatably connected (Claim 8), the link between the armrest and the seat is connected by using the link forming the rear leg. be able to. In that case, the rigidity is improved. Further, since the intermediate connecting point of the seat portion that connects the link and the seat portion can be moved downward when the rear legs are folded, the seat portion can be maintained in a substantially vertical state and the dimension in the front-rear direction can be reduced.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of a folding car according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a side view, a rear view and a rear perspective view in a use state showing an embodiment in which the folding vehicle of the present invention is applied to a wheelchair, and FIGS. 4a and 4b respectively show side surfaces of essential parts of the wheelchair. Drawing and link configuration drawing, Drawing 5a and Drawing 5b are skeleton views of the link mechanism of the wheelchair, a simplified skeleton drawing, Drawing 5c is a skeleton drawing of the upper part of the wheelchair, and Drawing 6 is a principal part side view showing the back of the wheelchair. FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a side view of a main part showing an armrest of the wheelchair, FIG. 8 is a side view showing the wheelchair in the middle of folding, and FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are side views showing a folded state of the wheelchair, respectively. It is a front view and a rear perspective view.

1 to 3 show a use state of the wheelchair A. The wheelchair A is rotatable around a plate-shaped seat portion 1 and a connecting point (pin) P1 near the front end of the seat portion 1. It is provided with left and right front legs 2 which are connected and extend downward, and a backrest 3 which is rotatably connected near a rear end of the seat portion 1 at a connection point P2 and extends upward. Further, between the connecting point P3 near the rear end in the middle of the seat 1 and the connecting point P4 near the lower end of the front leg 2, a pantograph type rear leg (rear leg assembly) B in which a plurality of cross links are connected. Are connected. The rear leg B has a curved pantograph shape that projects rearward as a whole. A pair of left and right armrests 4 are provided between the seat portion 1 and the backrest 3.

The seat portion 1 comprises a pair of frame members 1 extending in the front-rear direction.
a and a plate member 1b fixed to the upper surfaces of those frame members. The frame member 1a is composed of a prism or a square pipe made of metal or synthetic resin (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 3, an L-shaped metal fitting 1c for rotatably supporting the lower end of the backrest 3 is attached to the rear end of the frame member 1a. Further, it is preferable that the backrest 1 be folded by a hinge or the like with respect to other portions of the seat portion 1 so that the front end 1d of the backrest 1 does not project in the folded state (see FIG. 8). The front end 1d may be fixed to the upper end of the front leg 2.

A metal fitting 2a is fixed to the upper end of the front leg 2,
The metal fitting 2a is rotatably connected to the outside of the tip of the frame member 1a of the seat portion 1 by a pin. A stay 2b is projected on the front side near the lower end of the front leg 2, and a shaft of a caster 16 serving as a front wheel is rotatably attached to the lower surface of the stay. Also, the left and right rear legs are connected by a connecting member (reference numeral 32 in FIG. 2).
(See) are linked. Even if the connecting member 32 is not provided, if the cargo bed 23 is interposed between the corresponding links on the lower part of the rear leg B, which will be described later, the cargo bed 23 maintains the space between the left and right front legs 2 and the rigidity of the wheelchair A. Has the effect of increasing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the backrest 3 includes left and right frame members 3a and a plate member 3 fixed to the front surfaces of those frame members.
b and. In this embodiment, the plate material 3b is provided in about the upper half of the frame material 3a. The lower end of the frame member 3a is rotatably connected to the L-shaped metal fitting 1c at the rear end of the seat portion 1 by a pin. Handles 17 are provided on the rear surfaces of the upper ends of the left and right frame members 3a, respectively. These grips 17 function as a grip when the wheelchair A is pushed and operated, and also as a grip when the wheelchair A is folded and unfolded, as will be described later.

Next, the structure of the rear leg B will be described with reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b. In order to facilitate understanding of the link structure of FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b has each link replaced with a rod or curved rod shape. As shown in FIG. 4a, the rear leg B has a curved or bent rear link 9 which is rotatably connected to the seat 1 at a connecting point P3, and the front leg 2
A linear lower link 14 that is rotatably connected at a connection point P4 near the lower end and a cross link C that connects the rear link 9 and the lower link 14 to each other. The cross link C is composed of a first member 11 and a second member 12 which are rotatably connected to each other at a connection point P5. And the first
One end of the member 11 and the rear link 9 are the first connecting link 1
The second member 12 and one end of the second member 12 are connected to each other via the second connecting link 13.

That is, one end of the first connecting link 10 is rotatably connected to the first member 11 at a connecting point P6, and the central portion is rotatably connected to the middle of the rear link 9 at a connecting point P7. On the other hand, one end of the second connecting link 13 is rotatably connected to one end of the second member 12 at a connecting point P8, and the other end is rotatably connected to the middle of the lower link 14 at a connecting point P9. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4b, a rear leg B having a form in which two pantographs are continuous is formed. With reference to the skeleton diagram of FIG.
It is easier to understand.

The link mechanism of the rear leg B having curved links in FIG. 5a is a skeleton diagram of a parallel link mechanism obtained by straightening each curved link, which can be more intuitively understood. As is clear from these skeleton diagrams, the link mechanism composed of the seat portion 1, the front leg 2, and the rear leg B is wholly defined when the angle between the two links sharing any one of the connection points P1 to 9 is determined. The shape of is uniquely determined. When the angle is changed, the angle between the other links of the link mechanism also changes correspondingly. Accordingly, for example, when the seat portion 1 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (arrow S1) around the connection point P1 with the front leg 2 so as to follow the front leg 2, the entire pantograph-shaped link of the rear leg B is folded. It can be seen that it changes as follows (see FIGS. 8 and 9). In addition, when the folded state is rotated in the opposite direction, the original unfolded state is restored.

In the unfolded state of FIG. 4a and the folded state of FIG. 9, the front surface 9a of the rear link 9 of the rear leg B and the rear end surface 11a of the first member 11 of the cross link C are contacted so as not to approach each other anymore. The shape is in contact with each other.
Thereby, the first member 11 and the second member 1 of the cross link C are
The angle of 2 is determined, and the shapes of the expanded state and the folded state are stably maintained. In addition, the lower surface of the first connecting link 10 and the upper surface of the second member 12, or the second connecting link 14
The lower surface and the upper surface on the front side of the second member 12 have the same abutting shape. However, it is not necessary to adopt all of these contact shapes, and they may be provided at least at about 1 to 2 places.

In FIG. 4a, among the members constituting the rear leg B, the first member 11 and the second member 12 of the cross arm are
Each has three connecting points, and the line connecting the connecting points has the shape of a V with the same shape. A straight line L1 connecting the connecting point at one end and the central connecting point and a straight line L2 connecting the connecting point at the other end and the central connecting point form an obtuse angle θ. In addition, in this embodiment, the triangles obtained by connecting the respective three connecting points of the first member 11 and the second member 12 are isosceles triangles that are congruent with each other, and the obtuse angles are equal to each other.

The rear link 9 has, in addition to the above-mentioned three connecting points, a connecting point P10 rotatably connected to the lower end of a second armrest link 7 described later, and four connecting points as a whole. have. And, among them, three connecting points adjacent to each other are at the positions corresponding to both ends and the center of the V-shape, and the two straight lines connecting the connecting points at both ends and the center connecting point are An obtuse angle is formed around the central connecting point. In addition, in this embodiment, among the four connecting points of the rear link, the triangle formed by the three connecting points adjacent to each other is an isosceles triangle formed by the three connecting points of the first member 11, respectively. Is said to be joint.

As described above, since the rear link 9 and the first and second members 11 and 12 of the cross arm C are respectively bent links, the entire rear leg B connecting them as described above is It exhibits a curved shape when unfolded as in FIG. 4a. Further, as it is folded, the rear link 9, the first member 11, and the second connecting link 12 respectively rotate clockwise as shown in FIG. 8, and finally as shown in FIG.
It gathers in a radial or star-shaped form, with one end gathering together. Therefore, the wheelchair A can be folded compactly. It should be noted that the lower link 14 rotates somewhat counterclockwise during folding (see FIG. 8), and finally becomes substantially horizontal (see FIG. 9). The other links, that is, the second member 12 and the first connecting link 10, move toward the front side while rotating counterclockwise.

In this embodiment, the shaft of the rear wheel 15 passes through the connecting point P6 between the first connecting link 10 and the first member 11 described above. Therefore, in the state of FIG. 1 in which the rear legs B are expanded, the rear wheel 15 is positioned rearward, and when folded as shown in FIG. 9, the rear wheel 15 is positioned at the center of the assembled link group. Therefore, the link group is accommodated in the substantially rectangular space that surrounds the front and rear and the upper and lower sides of the rear wheel 15.

Next, the circumference of the backrest 3 will be described with reference to FIG. A rear end of the backrest link 5 is rotatably connected to a connection point P11 in the middle of the backrest 3. On the other hand,
The lower end of the armrest link 6 is rotatably connected to a connecting point P3 located near the rear end in the middle of the seat portion 1. The free ends of the backrest link 5 and the armrest link 6 are
It is rotatably connected at a connection point P12. Therefore, the four links of the backrest 3, the seat portion 1, the backrest link 5, and the armrest link 6 constitute a four-bar linkage mechanism.
Therefore, each link is rotatable, and when the angle between any adjacent links is determined, the shape of the quadrangle is uniquely determined. In this embodiment, since the connecting point P3 between the seat 1 and the upper end of the rear leg B and the connecting point at the lower end of the armrest link 6 are arranged concentrically, the same reference numerals are given. However, they may be offset from each other.

Further, in this embodiment, the armrest link 6
One end of the operation link 8 is rotatably connected at a connection point P13 in the middle of, and as shown in FIG.
The other end of the connecting point P to the upper end of the first connecting link 10 of the rear leg B.
It is rotatably connected by 14. Therefore, when the rear leg B is folded and the operating link 8 is rotated clockwise, the armrest link 6 is finally folded clockwise with respect to the seat portion 1 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). As a result, the angle between the armrest link 8 and the backrest link 5 becomes narrower, the angle between the backrest 3 and the seat portion 1 becomes narrower, and finally the backrest 3 is folded so as to overlap with the seat portion 1. Therefore, in terms of the height including the backrest 4, the height when the wheelchair A is folded is approximately half the height when it is used.

FIG. 7 shows the periphery of the armrest 4 described above. A second armrest link 7 is arranged in parallel with the armrest link 6, the upper end of which is rotatably connected to the armrest 4 at a connection point P15, and the rear end thereof is connected to the rear link 9 of the rear leg B as described above. It is rotatably connected at a connection point P10. As a result, the armrest 4, the armrest link 6, the second armrest link 7, and the rear link 9 form a four-bar linkage mechanism. Further, in the present embodiment, the distances between the connecting points are set so that the four-joint link mechanism becomes a parallel link mechanism. Therefore, the rear link 9 of the rear leg B and the armrest 4 can rotate while always maintaining a parallel state. The link structure of these armrests 4 together with the link structure of the backrest 3 of FIG. 7 is shown in the skeleton view of FIG. 5c. Therefore, with reference to FIG.
The above configuration can be more clearly understood by referring to a as well.

On the other hand, as described above, since the operating link 8 is connected to the armrest link 6 at the connecting point P13, the armrest is struck as the rear leg B is folded, that is, the backrest 3 and the seat portion 1 are folded. The reference numeral 4 moves downward while rotating clockwise (see FIG. 8). Finally, it is arranged on the front side of the front leg 2 (see FIG. 9). Therefore, even if the armrest 4 is long in the front-rear direction, it can be stored compactly.
When unfolding, contrary to the above, it moves upward while rotating counterclockwise.

In this embodiment, the intermediate portion of the actuating link 8 is connected to the intermediate portion of the second armrest link 7 by the connecting point P16. The straight line connecting the connection point P13 of the actuation link 8 with the armrest link 6 and the connection point P16 of the second armrest link 7 is the front and rear of the armrest link 4 so that the four-bar parallel link mechanism can be rotated. It is parallel to the straight line connecting the connecting points of. Therefore, the operating link 8 also has an armrest 4
It can operate while maintaining a parallel state with. As can be seen from this configuration, the actuation link 8 may actually be connected to either the armrest link 6 or the second armrest link 7. However, the connection strength between the second armrest link 6 and another link is increased by connecting the both. In this embodiment, the actuation link 8 has legs B
The same member as the first member 11 or a different member can be used. In the case of wrong hand, the actuation link on the right side and the first member 11 on the left side can be made common. Therefore, the manufacturing cost and management cost of parts can be reduced.

In FIG. 7, the second armrest link 7 has an upside-down triangular shape. This has an outer surface of the second armrest link 7 to which a transfer handle 24 for carrying a wheelchair is attached. Because there is. Its handle 24
Has a U shape in a plan view as shown in FIG.
The pair of left and right second armrest links 7 are provided so as to be positioned in contrast to each other. When the wheelchair A is in use as shown in FIG. 3, these handles 24 are
When the wheelchair A crosses over an obstacle, it is used when the caregiver holds the wheelchair A by hand from the left and right. Further, when folded as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, since the handle 24 is at the upper part, one person can carry the wheelchair A while holding the handle 24, and can be easily put in and taken out from the trunk of the car. can do.

Further, a seat stopper 19 is provided between the inner surfaces of the left and right second armrest links 7. As shown in FIG. 3, the seat stopper 19 includes a rod-shaped portion 19a extending in the left-right direction, a suspension arm 19b extending upward from the left and right ends of the rod-shaped portion, and a shaft 19c protruding leftward and rightward from the upper ends of the suspension arms 19b. The left and right shafts 19c are rotatably attached to the inner surface of the second armrest link 7.

This seat stopper 19 is shown in FIGS.
The rod-shaped portion 19a is inserted into the lower side of the seat portion 1 in a state where the wheelchair A is deployed as described above, and is engaged to maintain the deployed state. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the four-bar parallel link mechanism including the rear link 9, the armrest 4, the armrest link 7, and the second armrest link 8 shown in FIG. 7 once tries to expand into a rectangular shape when the wheelchair is folded. . Therefore, the seat stopper 19 is used for maintaining the so-called collapsed state so that the parallel link mechanism does not expand. When the person requiring care sits on the seat 1, the seat 1 tries to incline downward due to its weight, but since it is stretched in the direction of the force, it is possible to more reliably resist the weight. This can prevent the wheelchair from folding.

When folding the wheelchair, the rod-shaped portion 19a is pulled backward to rotate the seat stopper 19 around the shaft 19c, and the engagement between the rod-shaped portion 19a and the lower surface of the seat portion 1 is released.
Then, the seat portion 1 and the backrest 3 try to fall downward due to their own weight, the front leg 2 leans forward around the lower end thereof as shown in FIG. 8, and the seat portion 1 tries to fall down at the rear end portion around the front end. . Therefore, the user holds the handle 17 and slowly lowers it. As a result, the wheelchair is finally folded as shown in FIG. 9 after the state shown in FIG. As described above, the seat 1, the front leg 2, the pantograph-shaped rear leg B, the backrest 3, and the armrest 4 have their overall shapes determined by the angle of one location. Therefore, the handle 17 is supported and operated. Thus, the folding operation of the wheelchair A is possible.

While the basic structure and operation of the wheelchair A shown in FIG. 1 have been described above, the auxiliary structure and its function and effect will be described below. In the wheelchair A of FIG. 1, the left and right rear legs B
A rear wheel stopper 20 is rotatably provided on the rear link 9. The rear wheel stopper 20 has a lever 21 whose one end is rotatably attached to the rear link 9, and a contact rod 21a (see FIG. 3) protruding outward from the middle of the lever 21. Further, one end of a spring 22 is connected to the lever 21, and the other end of the spring is connected to the rear link 9. The spring 22 is an extension spring, and usually an extension coil spring is used. In this embodiment, when the lever 21 is operated downward (counterclockwise) to bring the contact rod 21a into contact with the rear wheel 15, the lever 21 is positioned slightly below the extension line of the lever 21. ,
Further, the other end of the spring 22 is connected to the rear link 9 so that when the lever 21 is turned upward (clockwise), it is located above the extension line. In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper portion of the lever 21 is bent slightly upward, and the upper ends of the left and right levers 21a are connected by a grip bar 21b.

The rear wheel stopper 20 constructed as described above
When the grip bar 21b is operated downward, the spring 22 urges the lever 21 downward. As a result, the rear wheel 15 can be braked and stopped. On the other hand, when the grip bar 21b is operated upward, it can be maintained in that state by the urging force of the spring 22, and the brake can be released. Therefore, the caregiver may drive the wheelchair in that state.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, when the grip bar 21b is operated upward (clockwise) with the wheelchair A folded, the lever 21 is always biased clockwise by the biasing force of the spring 22. The grip bar 21b is urged and the handle 1
Hold down 7 all the time. It should be noted that the grip bar 21b may not come into contact with the handle 17 but merely come above them. In any case, the folded state of the wheelchair A can be safely maintained, and the wheelchair A can be transported in a stable state.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a footrest 18 is provided near the lower end of the front leg 2. As shown in FIG. 8, the footrest 18 includes a pair of left and right support rods 18a that are rotatably connected to the front legs 2 and a plate member 18b placed on them. The rear portion 18c of the support rod 18a extends beyond the rotation axis to the rear of the front leg 2, and is located at a position somewhat rearward from the free end of the rear portion 18c and the front end of the seat portion 1 and the upper end of the vertically extending interlocking link 25 and The lower ends are rotatably connected to each other.

The interlocking link 25 constitutes a four-joint link mechanism together with the seat portion 1, the front leg 2 and the rear portion 18c. Therefore, when the seat portion 1 and the front leg 2 are folded, the seat portion 1 and the front leg 2 are folded counterclockwise (see FIG. 8), and are finally stored in a state of overlapping with the front leg 2 (see FIG. 9). Therefore, when the caregiver folds or unfolds the wheelchair, there is no need to rotate forward and store the footrest 18 or to deploy the footrest 18, which saves labor. Furthermore, forgetting to store is eliminated. In addition, if the interlocking link 25 and the footrest 18 are not directly connected and the footrest 18 is pushed down by the interlocking link, it is possible to rotate only the footrest 18 upward during use.

In the wheelchair A shown in FIG. 1, the rear leg B is further added.
The front end of the first member 11 extends forward of the connection point with the lower link 14, thereby providing the support stay 30. The support stays 30 are provided on the left and right first members 11. Therefore, in this wheelchair A, in the folded state, as shown in FIG.
Since 6 can support the entire wheelchair A, there is little risk of movement or falling, and stable loading in the trunk is possible. In addition, since the load applied to the rear wheel 15 in the folded state can be reduced, there is an advantage that air loss or fatigue of the rear wheel does not easily occur.

Next, the structure and effect of the rear leg stopper 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 7. This rear leg stopper 31
Is a long ring-shaped member provided between the connection point P15 at the lower end of the armrest 4 and the connection point P13 at the front end of the operation link 8. The rear leg stopper 31 includes the armrest 4, the armrest link 6, the second armrest link 7 and the operation link 8 shown in FIG. 7.
It is for restraining the four-bar parallel link mechanism constituted by the above in a crushed state. As a result, the pantograph of the rear leg B does not expand, so that the deployed state is maintained safely. Further, since the pantograph is restrained in the extended state, the rigidity of the rear leg B becomes high.

If a clamp member using a screw or the like is provided at the end of the long ring-shaped rear leg stopper 31, the length of the internal passage can be adjusted. In that case, the rear leg stopper 31 does not have to be removed and can be left attached to the wheelchair. Instead of a long ring shape, a long C-shape may be used, or a strong rubber ring may be used. Further, the position at which the rear leg stopper 31 is provided is not limited to the position between the armrest 4 and the operating link 8, but is provided between any pair of links constituting the pantograph of the rear leg B, which are close to each other in use. Just do it.

In the above embodiment, the rear wheel 15 is the first member 11
Is provided at the connection point P6 of the first connection link 10 and is not necessarily limited to that case, and it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect even if it is provided in the vicinity thereof. For example, as can be seen from FIG. 1, it may be provided near the upper end of the first connecting link 10 or in the vicinity of the connecting point P6 with another member interposed.

In the wheelchair A shown in FIG. 1, a cargo bed 23 is provided at the bottom. The loading platform 23 includes a rear loading platform 23a and a front loading platform 23b.
Composed of. By providing such a bed 23, articles can be transported together with a disabled person or an elderly person. Rear cargo bed 23
The side edge portion of a is the first member 11 of the cross link C of the rear leg B.
And a connecting point P5 of the second member 12 and a connecting point P8 of the second member 12 and the second connecting link 13 are rotatably attached. Similarly, the front cargo bed 23b is rotatably attached to the connection points P8 and P9, respectively. Therefore, the rear legs B are deployed in synchronization with the extension. Further, since it fits within the side outline of the rear wheel 15 when folded, it can be stored compactly.

Utilizing between the rear legs B and below the seat,
Batteries, motors, control boards, etc. can be placed on the wheelchair. The power of the motor is preferably such that the wheelchair A is allowed to run by itself, but an assisting action that assists the caregiver in pushing is also sufficient. In the case of the assist action, it is preferable to generate a power proportional to the pushing force. Further, it is preferable that the control circuit automatically applies the brake when the force for pushing the wheelchair is relaxed, particularly when the force for pushing the wheelchair is relaxed, such as a braking function utilizing the regenerative current of the motor.

In the above embodiment, when the seat stopper is removed for folding, if the grip 17 is not held sufficiently, the seat 1 and the backrest 3 may be suddenly folded due to their own weight. In order to prevent this, a gas spring, a spring, or a shock absorber using a gas cylinder or an oil cylinder and an orifice may be interposed between the links of the pantograph-shaped rear legs B. For example, as shown by an imaginary line 33 in FIG. 9, a shock absorber is provided between the connecting point P14 at the rear end of the actuation link 8 and the connecting point P17 at the front end (rear end in FIG. 9) of the first member 11. preferable.
In that case, the position of the connecting point P between the first member 11 and the first connecting link 10 during use should be located behind the line segment connecting the connecting point P6 between the operating link 8 and the first connecting link 10. Is preferred.

That is, when used, the line segment connecting the connection point P14 at the rear end of the actuating link 8 and the connection point P5 at the middle of the cross arm C and the connection point P17 at the front end of the first member 11 are " Because of the positional relationship of the letter "U", the distance between the connecting points P14 and P17 once becomes long when folded, and then becomes short after the connecting points P14, P5, P17 are aligned. Therefore, if the shock absorber 33 is provided between the connection point P14 at the rear end of the actuation link 8 and the connection point P17 at the front end of the first member 11, it is possible to prevent sudden folding.

In the above embodiment, the casters 16 are connected to the front legs 2, but the casters 16 may be fixed to the lower surface of the front legs B or the like. Thereby, there is an effect that the wheelchair can be prevented from inclining in the front-rear direction when folded.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the footrest 18 includes the seat portion 1 and the front legs 2.
Although it is configured to rotate in synchronization with the change in the angle, it may be configured to rotate independently.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the folding car is applied to a wheelchair has been described. However, the folding car of the present invention can be applied to a stroller, a wheelbarrow for transportation, etc. in addition to a wheelchair. Substantially the same effect can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view in a use state showing an embodiment in which a folding car of the present invention is applied to a wheelchair.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the wheelchair.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the wheelchair.

4A and 4B are a side view and a link configuration diagram of a main part of the wheelchair, respectively.

5a and 5b are a skeleton diagram and a simplified skeleton diagram of the wheelchair linkage, respectively, and FIG. 5c is a skeleton diagram of an upper portion of the wheelchair.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an essential part showing a backrest of the wheelchair.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an essential part showing an armrest of the wheelchair.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the folding process of the wheelchair.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the folded state of the wheelchair.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a folded state of the wheelchair.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view showing the folded state of the wheelchair.

[Explanation of symbols]

A wheelchair 1 seat 1a Frame material 1b Plate material 1c L-shaped metal fittings 1d Seat front end P1 Seat and front leg connection 2 front legs Connection point between P2 seat and backrest 3 backrest Connection point between P3 seat and rear leg B hind legs P4 Connecting point between front and rear legs 4 armrests 2a metal fittings 2b stay 16 casters 32 Connection member 23 loading platform 23a Rear loading platform 23b front loading platform 3a Frame material 3b Plate material 17 Handle 9 Rear link 14 Lower link C cross link P5 Crosslink center connection point 11 First member 12 Second member 10 First connection link 13 Second connection link P6 1st connection link and 1st member connection point P7 Connection point of 1st connecting link and rear link P8 Connection point between second connecting link and second member P9 Connection point between the second connecting link and the lower link 9a Front of rear link 11a Rear end surface of first member Connection point between P10 rear link and second armrest link 15 rear wheels P11 Connection point between backrest and backrest link P12 Connection point between backrest link and armrest link 8 working links P13 Connection point between armrest link and actuation link Connection point between P14 actuation link and first connection link Connection point between the P15 armrest and the second armrest link 6 armrest links 7 Second armrest link Connection point between P16 actuation link and second armrest link 24 handles 19 seat stopper 19a bar part 19b suspension arm 19c axis 20 Rear wheel stopper 21 lever 21a contact rod 22 spring 21b grip bar 18 foot rest 18a support rod 18b plate material 18c rear 30 Support stay 31 Rear leg stopper P17 Connection point between first member and lower link 33 shock absorber

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A foldable vehicle such as a wheelchair, wherein a seat portion on which a person or an object is placed, front legs rotatably connected to a front end of the seat portion, and left and right outer sides of the seat portion are disposed, A pair of left and right pantograph rear legs, one end of which is rotatably connected to the middle portion of the seat portion and the other end of which is rotatably connected to the lower ends of the front legs, and left and right attached to the rear legs. A foldable vehicle having a pair of rear wheels. 2. The folding car according to claim 1, wherein an armrest for lowering the position of the rear leg while rotating in the forward direction is connected to the rear leg in synchronization with the folding of the rear leg. 3. The folding vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a backrest that is folded in conjunction with folding of the seat is connected to a rear end and a rear leg of the seat. 4. The foldable vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper mechanism provided between the rear leg and the seat to prevent the stopper from returning to the folded state. 5. The foldable vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the pantograph-shaped rear legs are provided with rear leg locks for restraining different members adjacent to each other so as not to spread when used. 6. A rear leg has a stopper rotatably connected to it so as to maintain two stop positions, and the stopper fixes the rotation of the rear wheel at the first stop position when in use. 4. The dual-purpose stopper that functions as a rear wheel stopper that also functions as a folding stopper that restrains the backrest from moving in the second stop position to prevent the backrest from expanding to the deployed state when the wheelchair is folded. Foldable car. 7. The foldable vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a battery, a motor for driving the rear wheels, and a control device are mounted between the left and right rear legs and below the seat portion. 8. One link forming the pantograph of the rear leg has four connecting points, and the positional relationship between three adjacent connecting points is the position of the connecting points of other members forming the pantograph shape. The foldable vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the foldable vehicle has a shape similar to the relationship, and an upper end of the link and an intermediate portion of the seat portion are rotatably connected.