JP2010166975A - Camber angle regulating device and wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a camber angle adjusting device that enables adjusting a camber angle of a conventional wheelchair and a wheelchair including the same.
A camber angle adjusting device includes a first fixing portion, a second fixing portion, and a connecting portion. The first fixing portion 81 has a through hole 81A, and can be fixed to the main body frame 10 by inserting the bolt 74 into the through hole of the main body frame 10 and the through hole 81A of the first fixing portion 81 and tightening with the nut 75. It has become. The second fixing portion 82 also has a through hole, and can be fixed to the rear wheel 22 by inserting the axle of the rear wheel 22 into the through hole of the second fixing portion 82 and tightening with a nut. The second fixing portion 82 rotates around the connecting portion 83, and when the inclination of the rear wheel 22 reaches a predetermined angle, a part of the second fixing portion 82 becomes the first fixing portion 81. It won't move.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a camber angle adjusting device for adjusting a camber angle of a wheelchair and a wheelchair provided with the same.

  In recent wheelchairs, for example, a device for adjusting the position of an axle or adjusting a camber angle is often provided for the purpose of improving user convenience (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . However, older types of wheelchairs often do not have such a convenient device. Even in modern wheelchairs, cheap ones often do not have such a convenient device.

JP 2001-224633 A

  In the past, even an old type wheelchair or an inexpensive wheelchair did not cause much inconvenience to the user, although the user felt inconvenience. However, in recent years, accidents have occurred in which the user's wheelchair falls laterally in some time, the user falls from the wheelchair, and is injured. Such an accident could be, for example, trying to take something while the user himself is operating a wheelchair without the help of caregivers such as nurses or attendants. Often caused by loss of balance.

  As a method for preventing the wheelchair from falling sideways, for example, the wheel rotation surface of the wheelchair is not parallel to the vertical plane, and the upper part of the wheel is tilted toward the user side to give a camber angle. Conceivable. In order to give a camber angle to a wheel, it is necessary for the wheelchair to be provided with a device that can freely adjust the camber angle. However, it is practically impossible to adjust the camber angle in a wheelchair in which such a device is not provided, and it is necessary to purchase a wheelchair in which such a device is provided again. As a result, there has been a problem that high purchase costs are required to take measures to prevent falling. In addition, with the purchase of a new wheelchair, it has been necessary to discard the wheelchair that has been used for a long time, and there has been a problem that the disposal cost is increased. Further, for a person who sells a conventional wheelchair, when the need for the conventional wheelchair disappears, it is necessary to discard the wheelchair, which causes a cost of disposal.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camber angle adjusting device that makes it possible to adjust the camber angle of a conventional wheelchair and a wheelchair including the same.

  The first camber angle adjusting device of the present invention adjusts the camber angle of a wheelchair provided with a rear wheel and a main body frame. In the wheelchair in which the camber angle adjusting device is used, the rear wheel has an axle having a thread formed at least at the tip and a hub formed to be rotatable with respect to the axle. It has a first through hole into which an axle can be inserted. The camber angle adjusting device includes a first fixing portion, a second fixing portion, and a connecting portion that connects them. The first fixing part has a second through hole having a central axis in the first direction, and further inserts a predetermined bolt into the first through hole and the second through hole and tightens it with the first nut. It can be fixed to the frame. The second fixing portion has a third through hole having a central axis in the second direction intersecting the first direction, and further inserting the axle into the third through hole and tightening the second wheel with the second nut. Can be fixed.

  The second camber angle adjusting device of the present invention adjusts the camber angle of a wheelchair provided with a rear wheel and a main body frame. In the wheelchair in which the camber angle adjusting device is used, the rear wheel has an axle having a thread formed at least at the tip and a hub formed to be rotatable with respect to the axle. It has a first through hole into which an axle can be inserted. The camber angle adjusting device includes a first fixing portion, a second fixing portion, and a connecting portion. The first fixing part has a second through hole, and can be fixed to the main body frame by inserting a predetermined bolt into the first through hole and the second through hole and tightening with the first nut. It has become. The second fixing portion has a third through hole, and further, the rear wheel can be fixed by inserting the axle into the third through hole and fastening with the second nut. The connecting portion is configured to connect the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion in a state where the second fixing portion is rotatable with respect to the first fixing portion.

  The wheelchair of the present invention includes the rear wheel and the main body frame. The wheelchair is further provided with the second camber angle adjusting device.

  In the first and second camber angle adjusting devices and the wheelchair of the present invention, the main body frame and the rear wheel are connected via the camber angle adjusting device. Here, the wheelchair in which the camber angle adjusting device is used has a configuration that can be used even if the first or second camber angle adjusting device is not interposed between the main body frame and the rear wheel. Specifically, the rear wheel can be rotated while the axle is fixed to the main body frame by inserting the axle into the first through hole and tightening with the first nut. Therefore, in a wheelchair fixed to the main body frame with the axle inserted into the first through hole, it is possible to give (or change) the camber angle by, for example, the following procedure. That is, first, the rear wheel is removed from the main body frame. Next, after preparing the first or second camber angle adjusting device, a predetermined bolt is inserted into the first through hole and the second through hole and tightened with the first nut, whereby the first fixing portion is attached to the main body frame. Fix it. Finally, the rear wheel is fixed to the second fixing portion by inserting the axle into the third through hole and tightening with the second nut. As a result, the camber angle becomes a predetermined size. As described above, the camber angle can be given (or changed) only by mounting the camber angle adjusting device between the main body frame and the rear wheel.

  According to the first and second camber angle adjusting devices and the wheelchair of the present invention, the main body frame and the rear wheel are connected via the first or second camber angle adjusting device. In a wheelchair in which a mechanism capable of freely adjusting the camber angle is not provided, the camber angle can be adjusted. As a result, for example, it is not necessary to purchase a wheelchair equipped with a mechanism for adjusting the camber angle in advance or to discard a conventional wheelchair. be able to.

It is a schematic block diagram of the wheelchair provided with the camber angle adjusting device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the external view and sectional drawing which expanded and represented the camber angle adjustment apparatus of FIG. It is the external view and sectional drawing which expanded and represented an example of the camber angle adjusting device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top surface block diagram of the camber angle adjusting device of FIG. It is the external view and sectional drawing which expanded and represented the other example of the camber angle adjusting device of FIG. It is a top surface block diagram of the camber angle adjusting device of FIG. It is the relationship figure showing the relationship between the camber angle | corner in the Example and a comparative example, a fall load, and the fall time.

The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The description will be given in the following order.

1. First embodiment (a type in which the second fixing portion 72 does not rotate)
2. Second embodiment (a type in which the second fixing portion 72 rotates)
3. Example

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a wheelchair 1 to which a camber angle adjusting device 70 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached. FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of an example of the configuration of the camber angle adjusting device 70 and its vicinity in the wheelchair 1. FIG. 2B shows an example of a cross-sectional configuration of the camber angle adjusting device 70 of FIG. 2A and the vicinity thereof. 1, 2 </ b> A, and 2 </ b> B are schematically illustrated and are not necessarily the same as actual dimensions and shapes.

  This wheelchair 1 is obtained by retrofitting a conventional wheelchair (a wheelchair without a mechanism capable of freely adjusting the camber angle) with a component (camber angle adjusting device 70) for adjusting the camber angle. is there. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the wheelchair 1 includes a main body frame 10, wheels 20, a seat 30, an armrest 40, a footrest 50, a grip 60, and a camber angle adjusting device 70. Here, the main body frame 10, the wheel 20, the seat 30, the armrest 40, the footrest 50, and the grip 60 correspond to components of a conventional wheelchair, and the camber angle adjustment is performed with respect to the components of the conventional wheelchair. A device 70 is added. Below, the component of the conventional wheelchair is demonstrated first, and the camber angle adjustment apparatus 70 is demonstrated after that.

[Previous wheelchair]
The main body frame 10 forms the skeleton of the wheelchair 1 and includes, for example, a back pipe 11, an arm pipe 12, a bottom pipe 13, a side pipe 14, and a foot pipe 15. The back pipe 11, the arm pipe 12, the bottom pipe 13, the side pipe 14, and the foot pipe 15 are formed of, for example, a metal pipe.

  The back pipe 11 holds a back sheet 31 (described later) corresponding to a backrest. The back pipe 11 is joined to, for example, the arm pipe 12 and is formed by two pipes that extend rearward of the wheelchair 1 and face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. At the tip of these two pipes, a grip 60 used when a person who cares for the user such as a nurse or an attendant operates the wheelchair 1 is attached. The grip 60 has the same shape as a handle used for a bicycle, for example, and is made of, for example, plastic.

  The arm pipe 12 supports an armrest 40 for placing an arm when a user of the wheelchair 1 sits on the wheelchair 1. The arm pipe 12 is joined to, for example, the back pipe 11 and the bottom pipe 13. The arm pipe 12 is provided between a bottom seat 32 (described later) constituting a seating surface when a user of the wheelchair 1 sits on the wheelchair 1 and a rear wheel 22 (described later) provided on both sides of the bottom seat 32. Is arranged. The arm pipe 12 includes, for example, a pipe bent into a U shape. At this time, the tip of the U-shaped pipe is joined to the bottom pipe 13, and the side seat 33 ( (To be described later).

  The bottom pipe 13 supports the bottom seat 32 that constitutes the seating surface. For example, the bottom pipe 13 is joined to the back pipe 11, the arm pipe 12, and the side pipe 14, and is disposed below the bottom sheet 32. The bottom pipe 13 includes, for example, two pipes that extend from the front to the rear of the wheelchair 1 and face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, and pipes (not shown) that support the two pipes. It consists of

  The side pipe 14 supports the wheel 20 rotatably. For example, a bottom pipe 13 and a foot pipe 15 are joined to the side pipe 14. The side pipe 14 is disposed between the bottom seat 32 and a rear wheel 22 (described later) provided on both sides of the bottom seat 32, and is disposed below the arm pipe 12. The side pipe 14 includes, for example, a boss that supports the wheel 20 and a pipe that supports the boss.

  Here, the boss that supports the rear wheel 22 is provided with a through hole 14A as shown in FIG. 2B, for example. The through hole 14 </ b> A has a central axis AX <b> 1 in the horizontal direction, for example, and has a diameter larger than the diameter of the axle 22 b of the rear wheel 22. That is, the through hole 14A has a structure that allows the axle 22b to be inserted in a direction parallel to the central axis AX1. Note that the central axis AX1 of the through hole 14A may face a direction different from the horizontal direction.

  The foot pipe 15 supports a footrest 50 for placing a foot when a user of the wheelchair 1 sits on the wheelchair 1. The foot pipe 15 is joined to, for example, the side pipe 14 and is formed by two pipes that extend forward of the wheelchair 1 and face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. A footrest 50 is attached to the ends of the two pipes. The footrest 50 has a shape similar to, for example, a pedal used for a bicycle or the like, and is formed of, for example, plastic. The footrest 50 may be configured to be rotatable about the central axis of the foot pipe 15 so that the user of the wheelchair 1 can move to both sides of the wheelchair 1 when getting off the wheelchair 1. .

  The wheel 20 includes, for example, a front wheel 21 and a rear wheel 22 as shown in FIG. The front wheel 21 assists the traveling of the wheelchair 1 and prevents the wheelchair 1 from tilting forward. For example, the front wheel 21 is rotatably connected to the side pipe 14 and includes a disk having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the rear wheel 22. The rear wheel 22 travels the wheelchair 1, and includes, for example, a tire 22a, an axle 22b, a spoke 22c, a hand rim 22d, and a hub 22e as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B. It consists of

  The tire 22a has, for example, a belt-like structure surrounding the outer peripheral surface of an annular rim (not shown), and forms a tread that rolls on the road surface or the ground. The tire 22a is made of rubber, for example. The axle 22b forms a rotation axis of the rear wheel 22, and is rotatably connected to the hub 22e. The axle 22b is formed of, for example, a rod-shaped metal, and is disposed so as to protrude toward the main body frame 10 side and at least the main body frame 10 side opposite to the main body frame 10 in relation to the rotation surface of the rear wheel 22. Yes. A thread is formed at the tip of the portion of the axle 22b that protrudes toward the main body frame 10 side. Note that the thread does not need to be formed only at the tip portion, and may be formed, for example, on the hub 22e side to some extent from the tip. Further, the axle 22b may be configured by a rod-like portion that is rotatably connected to the hub 22e, and a member having a screw thread that is connected to the tip of the rod-like portion.

  The spoke 22c supports a rim on which the tire 22a is mounted, is connected to the hub 22e and the rim, and is disposed between the hub 22e and the rim. The spoke 22c is formed of, for example, a thin metal and extends in a direction parallel to the radiation centered on the axle 22b. The hand rim 22 d is operated by a hand when the user of the wheelchair 1 drives the rear wheel 22. The hand rim 22d is formed of, for example, an annular plastic having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the rim. The hand rim 22d is connected to, for example, a rim. The hub 22e controls the rotation of the rear wheel 22. The hub 22e is rotatably connected to the axle 22b. The hub 22e has, for example, a cylindrical shape with the axle 22b as a central axis, and spokes 22c are connected to the outer peripheral surface thereof.

  The seat 30 softly supports the user's body when the user of the wheelchair 1 sits on the wheelchair 1. The sheet 30 includes, for example, the back sheet 31, the bottom sheet 32, and the side sheet 33 already described above. The back seat 31 supports the user's back of the wheelchair 1 and is connected to, for example, two pipes of the back pipe 11 to which the grip 60 is connected. The bottom seat 32 supports the buttocks of the user of the wheelchair 1 and is connected to the bottom pipe 13, for example. The side seat 33 prevents the clothes of the user of the wheelchair 1 from being entangled with the rear wheel 22, and is connected to the side pipe 14, for example.

[Camber angle adjusting device 70]
The camber angle adjusting device 70 adjusts the camber angle of the wheelchair 1 and is configured to be retrofitted to a conventional wheelchair. The camber angle adjusting device 70 is attached between the main body frame 10 and the rear wheel 22. The camber angle adjusting device 70 includes, for example, a first fixing portion 71, a second fixing portion 72, and a connecting portion 73, as shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B).

  The 1st fixing | fixed part 71 is connected with the main body frame 10, for example, is plate shape. The 1st fixing | fixed part 71 has 71 A (2nd through-hole), for example. The through hole 71A has a central axis AX2 in the thickness direction (first direction), and has a diameter that is the same as or larger than the diameter of the through hole 14A of the main body frame 10, for example. For example, the first fixing portion 71 can be fixed to the main body frame 10 by inserting a predetermined bolt 74 into the through hole 14A and the through hole 71A and tightening with a nut 75 (first nut).

  The second fixing portion 72 is connected to the rear wheel 22 and has, for example, a plate shape. The second fixing portion 72 has, for example, a through hole 72A (third through hole). The through hole 72A has a central axis AX3 in the thickness direction (second direction). The through hole 72A has, for example, a diameter that is the same as or larger than the diameter of the through hole 14A of the main body frame 10, and the axle 22b can be inserted. For example, the second fixing portion 72 can fix the rear wheel 22 by inserting the axle 22b into the through-hole 72A and tightening with the nut 76 (second nut).

  Here, the central axis AX3 of the through hole 72A faces the direction intersecting the central axis AX2 of the through hole 71A. Specifically, the direction in which the central axis AX3 intersects the central axis AX2 so that the upper part of the rear wheel 22 is inclined toward the user side of the wheelchair 1, that is, to give a negative camber angle to the rear wheel 22. Facing. Therefore, the second fixing portion 72 is in a state where the rear wheel 22 is inclined toward the main body frame 10 when the first fixing portion 71 is fixed to the main body frame 10 and the rear wheel 22 is fixed to the second fixing portion 72. The rear wheel 22 is supported. The angle (camber angle) θ formed by the central axis AX2 and the central axis AX3 is preferably one angle within a range of greater than 0 ° and less than or equal to 10 °. When the camber angle θ is within the above-described range, the user of the wheelchair 1 mistakenly suppresses the increase in the lateral width of the wheelchair 1 as compared with the case where the camber angle θ is 0 °. The possibility of falling in the lateral direction can be reduced.

  The connecting portion 73 connects the first fixing portion 71 and the second fixing portion 72. The connecting portion 73 fixes the positional relationship between the first fixing portion 71 and the second fixing portion 72 so that the second fixing portion 72 does not rotate with respect to the first fixing portion 71. The first fixing portion 71 and the second fixing portion 72 are integrally formed. The connecting portion 73 has a length that can ensure a gap between the main body frame 10 and the upper portion of the rear wheel 22.

  It is preferable that the 1st fixing | fixed part 71, the 2nd fixing | fixed part 72, and the connection part 73 are integrally formed by bending one metal plate in a U shape. When the camber angle adjusting device 70 has a rounded U shape, concentration of stress applied from the main body frame 10 and the rear wheel 22 can be avoided. Further, when the camber angle adjusting device 70 is U-shaped, when the U-shaped recess 70A faces downward as shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B), the camber The angle adjusting device 70 can also function as a suspension.

  The camber angle adjusting device 70 further includes a rotation preventing unit 77 as necessary. The rotation preventing portion 77 prevents the first fixing portion 71 from rotating with respect to the main body frame 10 when the first fixing portion 71 is fixed to the main body frame 10. The rotation preventing portion 77 has, for example, a U shape, and has a through hole 77A at the bottom of the U shape. The through-hole 77A has a diameter that is at least smaller than the diameter of the head of the bolt 74 and larger than the diameter of the threaded portion of the bolt 74. For example, the diameter is approximately the same as the diameter of the through-hole 71A. have. For example, when the bolt 74 is inserted into the through-holes 14A, 71A, 77A and tightened with the nut 75, the U-shaped extending portion sandwiches the first fixing portion 71 and the main body frame 10. It is like that. Thereby, when the 1st fixing | fixed part 71 is fixed to the main body frame 10, for example, the nut 75 becomes loose by the influence of the vibration at the time of use of the wheelchair 1, etc., and it can rotate with respect to the main body frame 10. Even in such a case, the U-shaped extension portion is caught by the first fixing portion 71, and the rotation of the first fixing portion 71 is restricted. Since the rotation preventing portion 77 is formed so as to sandwich the main body frame 10, even when the rotation preventing portion 77 can be rotated with respect to the main body frame 10, The extension portion of the rotation is caught by the main body frame 10, and the rotation of the rotation prevention unit 77 is restricted.

  In the wheelchair 1 provided with the camber angle adjusting device 70 of the present embodiment, the main body frame 10 and the rear wheel 22 are connected via the camber angle adjusting device 70. Here, the wheelchair 1 in which the camber angle adjusting device 70 is used is configured to be usable even if the camber angle adjusting device 70 is not interposed between the main body frame 10 and the rear wheel 22. Specifically, the rear wheel 22 can be rotated while the axle 22b is fixed to the main body frame 10 by inserting the axle 22b into the through hole 14A and tightening with the nut 76. Therefore, in the wheelchair fixed to the main body frame 10 with the axle shaft 22b inserted into the through hole 14A, it is possible to give (or change) the camber angle, for example, through the following procedure.

  That is, first, the rear wheel 22 is removed from the main body frame 10. Next, after the camber angle adjusting device 70 is prepared, the first fixing portion 71 is fixed to the main body frame 10 by inserting the bolts 74 into the through holes 14A and the through holes 71A and tightening them with the nuts 75. Finally, the rear wheel 22 is fixed to the second fixing portion 72 by inserting the axle 22b into the through hole 72A and tightening with the nut 76. As a result, the camber angle becomes a predetermined size.

  As described above, the camber angle can be given (or changed) only by mounting the camber angle adjusting device 70 between the main body frame 10 and the rear wheel 22. Therefore, for example, it is not necessary to purchase a wheelchair equipped with a mechanism for adjusting the camber angle in advance, or to discard a conventional wheelchair, so that measures to prevent falling can be taken without much cost. Can do.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the camber angle adjusting device 70 is mounted with the recess 70A facing downward, but, for example, the camber angle adjusting device 70 may be mounted with the recess 70A facing upward. However, in that case, it is necessary that the camber angle adjusting device 70 has such a shape that the camber angle becomes an appropriate value in a state where the concave portion 70A faces upward.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although center axis AX3 of 14 A of through-holes of the main body frame 10 faced the horizontal direction, you may face the direction different from a horizontal direction. Further, the side pipe 14 does not always have to extend in the vertical direction, and may be directed in a direction (for example, a horizontal direction) different from the vertical direction, for example.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of an example of the configuration of the camber angle adjusting device 80 and its vicinity in a wheelchair to which the camber angle adjusting device 80 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is attached. is there. FIG. 3B shows an example of a cross-sectional configuration of the camber angle adjusting device 80 of FIG. 3A and the vicinity thereof. FIG. 4 shows an example of the upper surface configuration in the vicinity of the camber angle adjusting device 80 in FIG. 3A, 3B, and 4 are schematically shown and are not necessarily the same as actual dimensions and shapes.

  The wheelchair according to the present embodiment is obtained by replacing the camber angle adjusting device 70 with a camber angle adjusting device 80 in the wheelchair 1 according to the first embodiment and the modification thereof. Therefore, in the following, differences from the above-described embodiment and its modifications will be mainly described, and description of points in common with the above-described embodiment and its modifications will be omitted as appropriate.

  The camber angle adjusting device 80 adjusts the camber angle of the wheelchair, and is configured to be retrofitted to a conventional wheelchair. The camber angle adjusting device 80 is attached between the main body frame 10 and the rear wheel 22. The camber angle adjusting device 80 includes, for example, a first fixing portion 81, a second fixing portion 82, and a connecting portion 83, as shown in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B).

  The first fixing portion 81 is connected to the main body frame 10 and is formed, for example, by bending a single metal plate into a U-shape. The first fixing portion 81 has, for example, a through hole 81A (second through hole). The through hole 81A has a central axis AX4 in the thickness direction, and has a diameter that is the same as or larger than the diameter of the through hole 14A of the main body frame 10, for example. For example, the first fixing portion 81 can be fixed to the main body frame 10 by inserting a predetermined bolt 74 into the through hole 14A and the through hole 81A and tightening with a nut 75 (first nut).

  The 2nd fixing | fixed part 82 is connected with the rear-wheel 22, for example, is formed by bending one metal plate in a U-shape. The second fixing portion 82 has, for example, a through hole 82A (third through hole). The through hole 82A has a central axis AX5 in the thickness direction. The through hole 82A has, for example, a diameter that is the same as or larger than the diameter of the through hole 14A of the main body frame 10, and the axle 22b can be inserted. The second fixing portion 82 can fix the rear wheel 22 by, for example, inserting the axle 22b into the through hole 82A and tightening the nut 76 (second nut).

  Here, when the first fixing portion 81 is fixed to the main body frame 10 and the rear wheel 22 is fixed to the second fixing portion 82, the second fixing portion 82 has a weight of the main body frame 10 or a person on the wheelchair. Due to the weight of the main body frame 10 and the person when the (user) is sitting, the rear wheel 22 is inclined toward the main body frame 10 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). For example, the second fixing portion 82 is configured to rotate about the connecting portion 83, and when the inclination of the rear wheel 22 reaches a predetermined angle, a part of the second fixing portion 82 (FIG. 3A). ) And (B), the vicinity of the portion where the through hole 82A is provided hits the first fixing portion 81 and stops moving. That is, a portion 81C of the first fixing portion 81 that contacts the second fixing portion 82 plays a role of restraining the change in the inclination of the rear wheel 22 when the inclination of the rear wheel 22 reaches a predetermined angle.

  The second fixing part 82 is rotatable in relation to the first fixing part 81. Therefore, after fixing the first fixing portion 81 to the main body frame 10 and fixing the rear wheel 22 to the second fixing portion 82, when a person lifts the wheelchair or applies force to the rear wheel 22, The 2nd fixing | fixed part 82 can be moved easily. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5 </ b> B, and 6, when the second fixing portion 82 is moved so that the rear wheel 22 is parallel to the side surface of the main body frame 10, the second fixing portion is used. A gap G is generated between the portion 81 </ b> C corresponding to 82 and the second fixing portion 82. As a result, the rear wheel 22 can be made parallel to the side surface of the main body frame 10 or tilted to the opposite side to the main body frame 10.

  However, while a person is sitting on the wheelchair, the rear wheel 22 is inclined toward the main body frame 10 due to the weight of the main body frame 10 and the weight of the person. Therefore, in this case, the portion 81C of the first fixing portion 81 that contacts the second fixing portion 82 is pressed against the second fixing portion 82, and the gap G as described above does not occur.

  By the way, the 1st fixing | fixed part 81 has a through-hole (not shown) further apart from 81 A of through-holes. The second fixing portion 82 also has a through hole (not shown) in addition to the through hole 82A. As will be described later, these through holes are for inserting the bolts of the connecting portion 83 and for defining the rotation axis of the second fixing portion 82. Therefore, the camber angle θ can be adjusted by changing the notch angle of the tip portion of the U-shaped extending portion 81B.

  The connecting portion 83 connects the first fixing portion 81 and the second fixing portion 82 in a state where the second fixing portion 82 is rotatable with respect to the first fixing portion 81. For example, the connecting portion 83 includes a bolt and a nut. For example, the connecting portion 83 is configured such that the bolt of the connecting portion 83 is connected to a through hole of the first fixing portion 81 (a through hole different from the through hole 81A) and a through hole of the second fixing portion 82 (another to the through hole 82A). The first fixing portion 81 and the second fixing portion 82 in a state in which the second fixing portion 82 is rotatable with respect to the first fixing portion 81 by being inserted into the through hole) and tightened with the nut of the connecting portion 83. Can be connected.

  When the first fixing portion 81 is formed by bending a single metal plate into a U shape, and the main body frame 10 is disposed at a position sandwiched between the extending portions of the U shape. The U-shaped extending portion 81B functions as a rotation preventing portion. In the case where the U-shaped extending portion functions as a rotation preventing portion, when the first fixing portion 81 is fixed to the main body frame 10, for example, the first fixing portion 81 is affected by vibration when the wheelchair is used. Even when the nut 75 is loosened by this and becomes rotatable with respect to the main body frame 10, the U-shaped extending portion 81B is caught by the main body frame 10, and the rotation of the first fixing portion 81 is restricted. .

  In the wheelchair provided with the camber angle adjusting device 80 of the present embodiment, the main body frame 10 and the rear wheel 22 are connected via the camber angle adjusting device 80. Here, the wheelchair 1 using the camber angle adjusting device 80 is configured to be usable even if the camber angle adjusting device 80 is not interposed between the main body frame 10 and the rear wheel 22. Specifically, the rear wheel 22 can be rotated while the axle 22b is fixed to the main body frame 10 by inserting the axle 22b into the through hole 14A and tightening with the nut 76. Therefore, in the wheelchair fixed to the main body frame 10 with the axle 22b inserted into the through-hole 14A, the camber angle θ can be given (or changed) through the following procedure, for example. .

  That is, first, the rear wheel 22 is removed from the main body frame 10. Next, after the camber angle adjusting device 80 is prepared, the first fixing portion 81 is fixed to the main body frame 10 by inserting the bolt 74 into the through hole 14 </ b> A and the through hole 81 </ b> A and tightening with the nut 75. Next, the rear wheel 22 is fixed to the second fixing portion 82 by inserting the axle 22 b into the through hole 82 </ b> A and tightening with the nut 76. Finally, if a person sits in a wheelchair, the camber angle θ becomes a predetermined size.

  Thus, the camber angle θ can be given (or changed) simply by mounting the camber angle adjusting device 80 between the main body frame 10 and the rear wheel 22. Therefore, for example, there is no need to purchase a wheelchair provided with a mechanism for freely adjusting the camber angle θ or to discard a conventional wheelchair. be able to.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a person lifts the wheelchair or applies a force to the wheel 22 by utilizing the fact that the second fixing portion 82 is rotatable in relation to the first fixing portion 81. For example, the rear wheel 22 can be made parallel to the side surface of the main body frame 10 by moving the second fixing portion 82. Thereby, for example, when a wheelchair is to be stored, a person lifts the wheelchair or applies a force to the rear wheel 22 so that the rear wheel 22 is parallel to the side surface of the main body frame 10 (that is, the camber). The width of the wheelchair can be made smaller than the width at the time of use.

[Example]
Next, examples of the above embodiments will be described in comparison with comparative examples. A wheelchair with a camber angle θ of 5 degrees and 10 degrees was prepared as a present example, and a wheelchair with a camber angle θ of 0 degrees was prepared as a comparative example. With each wheelchair, the load (falling load) and time (falling time) required to fall in the lateral direction were measured, and the results are shown in FIG. In the measurement, a subject having a height of 167 cm and a weight of 61 kg was put on each wheelchair, and a lateral load was applied to the wheelchair so that the subject got out of the wheelchair laterally. FIG. 7 shows the values obtained by measuring the falling load and the falling time three times for each wheelchair and taking the average.

  From FIG. 7, as the camber angle θ increases, the overturning load increases, and the overturning load when the camber angle θ is 10 degrees is 1.67 times the overturning load when the camber angle θ is 0 degrees. . This value (1.67 times) is sufficiently large from the viewpoint of preventing falls, so that the fall can be sufficiently prevented by setting the camber angle θ to 10 degrees and its vicinity. all right. Further, the overturning time when the camber angle θ was 10 degrees was 3.31 times the overturning load when the camber angle θ was 0 degrees. This value (3.31 times) is sufficiently large from the viewpoint of preventing falls, and the safety of the wheelchair can be sufficiently enhanced by setting the camber angle θ to 10 degrees and the vicinity thereof. I understood.

  Of course, it is possible to make the camber angle θ larger than 10 degrees. However, if the camber angle θ is expanded to an angle (12 ° to 20 °) applied to a sports wheelchair, the type of wheelchair with the camber angle θ fixed (the wheelchair of the first embodiment). Then, the width of the wheelchair becomes too wide, and the space for storing the wheelchair must be increased. Therefore, in a wheelchair of a type in which the camber angle θ is fixed, it is preferable to set the camber angle θ to a minimum angle (10 degrees and the vicinity thereof) that can sufficiently obtain the effect of falling. On the other hand, in the type of wheelchair capable of changing the camber angle θ to 0 degrees (the wheelchair according to the second embodiment), the above-described problem does not occur. Therefore, in a type of wheelchair in which the camber angle θ can be changed to 0 degrees, the camber angle θ is set to the minimum angle (10 degrees and its vicinity) that can sufficiently obtain the effect of preventing the fall. Alternatively, the angle may be set larger than that.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, its modifications, and examples, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the like, and can be variously modified. For example, the wheelchair brakes are not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, etc., but when adjusting the camber angle θ, the existing brakes are replaced with brakes having improved shapes and sizes, if necessary. Also good.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Wheelchair, 10 ... Main body frame, 11 ... Back pipe, 12 ... Arm pipe, 13 ... Bottom pipe, 14 ... Side pipe, 14A, 71A, 72A ... Through-hole, 15 ... Foot pipe, 20 ... Wheel, 21 ... Front wheel , 22 ... rear wheel, 22a ... tire, 22b ... axle, 22c ... spoke, 22d ... hand rim, 22e ... hub, 30 ... seat, 31 ... back seat, 32 ... bottom seat, 33 ... side seat, 40 ... armrest, 50 ... footrest, 60 ... grip, 70, 80 ... camber angle adjusting device, 70A ... recess, 71, 81 ... first fixing part, 72, 82 ... second fixing part, 73, 83 ... connecting part, 74 ... bolt, 75 , 76 ... Nut, 77 ... Anti-rotation part, AX1 to AX5 ... Central axis, θ ... Camber angle.

Claims (12)

A rear wheel having an axle having a screw thread formed at least at a tip thereof and a hub formed to be rotatable with respect to the axle, and a main body frame having a first through hole into which the axle can be inserted. A camber angle adjusting device for adjusting a camber angle of a wheelchair,
A second through hole having a central axis in the first direction, and a predetermined bolt is inserted into the first through hole and the second through hole and fixed to the main body frame by tightening with a first nut; Possible first fixing part,
A third through hole having a central axis in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and fixing the rear wheel by inserting the axle into the third through hole and tightening with a second nut; A camber angle adjusting device comprising: a second fixing portion capable of connecting the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion. The second fixing portion fixes the first fixing portion to the main body frame and the rear wheel while the rear wheel is inclined toward the main body frame when the rear wheel is fixed to the second fixing portion. The camber angle adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the camber angle adjusting device is configured to support a wheel. The said 1st fixing | fixed part, the said 2nd fixing | fixed part, and a connection part are mutually formed integrally by making one metal plate bend | curve in U shape. 2. The camber angle adjusting device according to 2. The rotation prevention part which prevents that the said 1st fixing | fixed part rotates centering around the center axis | shaft of the said 2nd through-hole in relation to the said main body frame is provided. The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Camber angle adjustment device. A rear wheel having an axle having a screw thread formed at least at a tip thereof and a hub formed to be rotatable with respect to the axle, and a main body frame having a first through hole into which the axle can be inserted. A camber angle adjusting device for adjusting a camber angle of a wheelchair,
A first fixing portion having a second through hole and capable of being fixed to the main body frame by inserting a predetermined bolt into the first through hole and the second through hole and tightening with a first nut; ,
A second fixing portion having a third through-hole and capable of fixing the rear wheel by inserting the axle into the third through-hole and tightening with a second nut; and A camber angle adjusting device comprising: a connecting portion that connects the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion while being rotatable with respect to the first fixing portion. When the second fixing portion fixes the first fixing portion to the main body frame and the rear wheel is fixed to the second fixing portion, the weight of the main body frame or a person sat on the wheelchair. The camber angle adjusting device according to claim 5, wherein the rear wheel is inclined toward the main body frame due to the weight of the main body frame and the person. The camber angle adjustment according to claim 6, wherein the first fixing portion is configured to stop a change in the inclination of the rear wheel when the inclination of the rear wheel reaches a predetermined angle. apparatus. The second fixing portion is configured such that when the inclination of the rear wheel reaches a predetermined angle, a part of the second fixing portion hits the first fixing portion and does not move. The camber angle adjusting device according to claim 7. The first fixing part and the second fixing part are each formed by bending a single metal plate into a U-shape. 9. The camber angle adjusting device according to item. The said 1st fixing | fixed part has a rotation prevention part which prevents that the said 1st fixing | fixed part rotates centering around the central axis of a said 2nd through-hole in relation to the said main body frame. The camber angle adjusting device according to any one of claims 8 to 9. A rear wheel having an axle having a thread formed at least at a tip and a hub formed to be rotatable with respect to the axle;
A body frame having a first through hole into which the axle can be inserted;
A camber angle adjusting device for adjusting the camber angle,
The camber angle adjusting device is
A first fixing portion having a second through hole and capable of being fixed to the main body frame by inserting a predetermined bolt into the first through hole and the second through hole and tightening with a first nut; ,
A second fixing portion having a third through-hole and capable of fixing the rear wheel by inserting the axle into the third through-hole and tightening with a second nut; and A wheelchair comprising: a connecting portion that connects the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion while being rotatable with respect to the first fixing portion. The wheelchair according to claim 11, wherein the main body frame includes a pipe in which the first through hole is formed.

Images