JP2000037421A - Footrest construction of wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To move a footrest between a service position and a receded position and to mount a footrest support while adjusting the errors of parts, etc., so that the footrest is securely fixed at the service position. SOLUTION: In the footrest construction of a wheelchair, a support underside locking part 17 in the form of a horizontal pipe is locked to the front of a chassis frame 10 and a locked part 26 in the form of a horizontal pipe is locked to the underside mid part of footrest support 23 in such a way as to be aligned with the support underside locking part 17 at a service position. A locking pin 19 is mounted in the support underside locking part 17. A locking lever 34 is provided with a locking hole 36b. A locking base 30 is fastened to the locked part 26 in such a way that its position is adjustable in a direction parallel to the locked part 26. The locking lever 34 is freely rotationally attached to the locking base 30 so that its position is adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the locked part 26 and so that the locking hole 36b moves up and down. At the service position, the locking hole 36b and the locking pin 19 are freely releasably engaged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a chassis for supporting a seat on which a user sits upward, a footrest support for supporting a foot plate on which a user places his / her foot at a lower portion, and a footrest for supporting the chassis frame. The present invention relates to a footrest structure for a wheelchair, which is mounted to be rotatable in a lateral direction so as to move between a front use position and a retreat position laterally outward of a chassis frame.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electric wheelchair is provided with a footrest on which a user places his / her feet, in front of and below a seat on which the user sits. This footrest is provided at the front of a chassis frame supporting the seat upward. It is supported under the attached footrest support. The footrest support generally has a detachable structure inserted into a support portion at the front of the chassis frame. The reason why such a detachable footrest structure is adopted is that a) when a severe user transfers between a wheelchair and a bed or the like, the wheelchair is more easily brought closer to the bed or the like, and b) the wheelchair is loaded on a transporter or the like. When the body becomes compact,
c) It is easy to modify the area around the footrest.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned detachable footrest structure, it is difficult for the user to attach and detach the footrest and the support, the help of a caregiver is required, and the detached footrest and the support are not required. There is a problem such as trouble in the location. In order to solve the drawbacks of the detachable footrest structure, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 0-118129, an openable / closable footrest structure in which a footrest support can be opened and closed with respect to a chassis frame has also been proposed. However, in order to securely fix the footrest to a predetermined position, parts are required to be high. If the precision is increased, the production cost increases, and if used for a long period of time, there is a problem in that the parts are worn and looseness occurs.

In view of such a problem, the present invention supports a footrest support in a laterally rotatable manner so as to move a footrest between a use position in front of a chassis frame and a retracted position in a laterally outward direction. It is another object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair footrest structure in which a part or a part can be easily adjusted for errors or play, and the footrest can be securely fixed to a use position.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a footrest support in which a foot plate on which a user places his / her feet is supported at a lower portion of a chassis frame on which a seat on which a user sits is supported is supported. Is rotatable between a vertical pipe-shaped or vertical bar-shaped support upper support portion fixed to the front portion of the chassis frame and a vertical pipe-shaped or vertical bar-shaped supported portion fixed to the upper portion of the footrest support. A wheelchair footrest structure rotatably mounted in a lateral direction so that the footrest can be moved between a use position in front of the chassis frame and a retracted position outside the chassis frame. At the front of the support, a horizontal pipe or horizontal bar-shaped support lower fixing part is fixed, and at the lower part of the footrest support, a horizontal pipe or The horizontal bar-shaped fixed portion is fixed so as to be aligned with the support lower portion fixing portion at the use position, and the support lower portion fixing portion and the fixed portion have an engaging convex portion and an engaging concave portion. The engaging projection or the engaging recess is provided on a lock mechanism that is adjustably attached to the support lower-side fixing portion or the fixed portion. I have.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the accuracy of parts or portions such as the support lower fixing portion of the chassis frame, the fixed portion of the footrest support, and the lock mechanism is low due to welding or the like, the support is low. By adjusting the mounting position of the lock mechanism on the lower fixing part or the fixed part, errors in parts or parts can be absorbed, and therefore, it is not necessary to use high-precision parts. Manufacturing costs can be reduced. Also, by adjusting the mounting position of the lock mechanism to the support lower fixing portion or the fixed portion, it is possible to eliminate rattling due to long-term use.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2,
The lock mechanism includes a lock base fastened to the support lower support portion or the fixed portion so that the position can be adjusted in a direction parallel to the support lower support portion of the chassis frame or the fixed portion of the footrest support; A lock lever supported by a lock base so as to be position-adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the departure fixing portion or the fixed portion, and the lock lever is provided with a locking portion having an engaging concave portion or an engaging convex portion. ing. According to the second aspect of the invention, the mounting position of the lock mechanism can be easily adjusted so that the engaging concave portion and the engaging convex portion are securely engaged at the use position of the footrest support. .

Further, in the invention according to claim 3,
The lock base is formed in a U-shaped vertical cross-sectional shape which is laterally opened to fit into the support lower fixing portion of the chassis frame or the fixed portion of the footrest support, and the lock lever is provided with an engaging concave portion or an engaging concave portion. To move the convex part up and down and engage and disengage with the other, rotatably around a rotation axis parallel to the support lower part fixed part or the fixed part,
It is supported from both ends of the rotating shaft. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the footrest support can be fixed to the use position with high rigidity. Therefore, when lifting the vehicle body, the footrest support can be easily grasped and lifted by hand.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4,
The lock base is fastened to the fixed portion of the footrest support, and the lock lever moves a rotating shaft parallel to the fixed portion so as to move the engaging concave portion or the engaging convex portion up and down to disengage with the other. The lock lever is supported so as to be rotatable around the center, and the lock lever is provided such that the operating portion separates the engaging concave portion or the engaging convex portion from the other when the operation portion moves laterally outward. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the footrest support is rotated from the use position to the retracted position, the operating portion of the lock lever is operated only to move laterally outward, and the engagement with the engaging recess is achieved. It is possible to rotate the footrest support while rotating the footrest support by separating the joint projection from the joint projection.

Further, in the invention according to claim 5,
The lock portion of the lock lever is provided with an engagement recess,
The lock lever is moved around the rotation axis parallel to the support lowering fixed portion of the chassis frame or the fixed portion of the footrest support so as to move the engaging concave portion up and down to engage and disengage with the engaging convex portion. The lock portion is rotatably supported, and an inclined portion is provided at a lateral end of the lock portion so as to rotate the lock lever when the lock portion comes into contact with the engagement convex portion. According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, when the footrest support is rotated from the retracted position and fixed at the use position, the engagement recess and the engagement projection are formed by simply rotating the footrest support by hand. Engagement can secure the footrest support in the use position.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an electric wheelchair to which a footrest structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied,
It is a perspective view showing the state where the footrest support of an opening and closing type was in a use position. FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a footrest support portion in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a lock mechanism portion in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the footrest support portion of FIG. And
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the footrest support in FIG. 1 is at a retracted position.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electric wheelchair to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied is provided with a chassis frame 10 provided with a pair of left and right front wheels 1 and a rear wheel 3. The wheel 3 is configured to be rotatable and change the rolling direction via a caster 2, and the rear wheel 3 is configured to be rotationally driven by a driving device having a traction motor, a gear case, and the like. That is, the chassis frame 10
A caster support portion also serving as a vertical pipe-shaped support upper support portion 15 having upper and lower ends opened is fixed to a front portion of the caster 2. The upper end is rotatably inserted, and the caster 2 is supported rotatably in the lateral direction.

A seat 4 on which a user sits is supported above the chassis frame 10 via a seat frame 5, and a seat back 6 on which the user rests on the back is provided above and behind the seat 4. Armrests 8, 8 on which the user places their arms are supported via armrest supports 9, 9 on the left and right sides of the seat 4, supported by a seatback frame 7. Then, the footrests 20, 20 on which the user places his / her feet are positioned below the front of the seat 4 (in the case of the use position).
(Footrest holder), and a foot guard 29 to which a user's leg contacts is detachably mounted between the left and right footrest supports 23.

The footrest support 23 is formed in the shape of an oblique pipe, and has a footrest 20 in the form of a horizontal plate attached to the lower end thereof. And the footrest supports 23, 23 are
The use position in front of the chassis frame 10 (the state shown in FIG. 1) and the retracted position outside the chassis frame 10 (see FIG. 5).
), And is detachably and rotatably attached to the front portion of the chassis frame 10 so as to be moved between the above positions and fixed at the use position.

[0015] That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, at the upper end of the footrest support 23, there is provided a projecting portion 24 projecting outward in the horizontal direction. The supported portion 25 projects downward and is fixed. A vertical cylindrical collar 27 made of a soft material such as a synthetic resin is fitted around the supported portion 25. The supported portion 25 of the footrest support 23 is provided on the upper inner periphery of the support upper support 15 at the front of the chassis frame 10.
It is detachably and rotatably fitted through a collar 27.

On the lower side of the upper support portion 15 of the chassis frame 10, a lower support portion 17 in the form of a horizontal pipe projects forward and is fixed. A horizontal cylindrical collar 18 made of a soft material such as a synthetic resin is fitted around the outer periphery.
On the other hand, in the lower middle portion of the footrest support 23, a horizontal pipe-shaped fixed portion 26 is fixed by projecting rearward so as to linearly align in front of the lower support portion fixing portion 17 in the use position. ing. Then, the fixed portion 26 of the footrest support 23 and the support lower portion fixing portion 17 of the chassis frame 10 are in the use position at the lock base 3.
0, via a lock mechanism including a lock lever 34 and the like,
It is constituted so that it may be connected and disconnected freely.

That is, the lock base 30 is provided with a connecting portion 31 having a U-shaped vertical cross-section with an opening on the inner side, and the connecting portion 31 is fitted to the fixed portion 26 from the outer side to be fixed. It protrudes rearward from the fixing part 26 and is detachably fixed via base mounting screw holes 26a, 26a, bolts 26b, 26b, and mounting holes 31a, 31a. In the use position, the connecting portion 31 has the rear protruding portion fitted to the lower support portion fixing portion 17 so as to be freely detachable from the lateral outside,
It is configured to straddle the fixed part 26 and the support lower part fixing part 17.

The support lower fixing portion 17 and the collar 18 are provided with vertical pin mounting holes 17b, 18b vertically penetrating therethrough so as to be aligned with each other. 18b, a vertical bar-shaped lock pin 19 is provided.
(Engagement convex portion) is fixed so as to project vertically from the collar 18. Pin entry cutouts 31b, 31b are provided in the upper and lower portions of the rear protruding portion of the connecting portion 31 of the lock base 30 (the fitting portion with the support lowering portion fixing portion 17) so as to open laterally inward. , Pin entry notch 31b, 3
1b is configured to engage with the upper and lower ends of the lock pin 19 at the use position.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lock lever 34 has a horizontal flat plate-shaped lock portion 36 projecting inward from a horizontal cylindrical supported portion 35, and a vertical bar-shaped operation portion 3 as shown in FIGS.
7 is formed in an L-shaped vertical sectional shape protruding upward. A lock hole 36b (engaging concave portion) is provided in the center of the lock portion 36 in the vertical direction.
At the lateral inner end of 6, an inclined portion 36a facing obliquely upward is provided. Further, on the upper part of the connecting portion 31 of the lock base 30, two lever support portions 32, 32 of a vertical plate shape are provided.
Are arranged so as to sandwich the inner part of the pin entry notch 31b so as to protrude laterally outward and are fixed, and a spring engaging portion 33 is formed between the upper end portions of the lever support portions 32,32.

The supported portion 35 of the lock lever 34
A horizontal cylindrical spacer 39 is rotatably inserted through the inner periphery of the lock lever 34. The lock lever 34 includes a spacer 39, lever mounting holes 32a, 32a, a bolt 32b, and a nut 32c.
The both ends of the rotation shaft are supported by lever support portions 32, 32 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the fixed portion 26 via the lever. The hole 36b is inserted into the lock pin 1 through the notch 31b.
9 and is configured to engage with the upper end portion so as to be detachable. A return spring 38 is provided on the outer periphery of the supported portion 35 via the spring engagement portion 33 so that the lock hole 36 b engages with the lock pin 19.
4 is attached so as to bias the same.

The mounting holes 31a, 31a of the connecting portion 31 of the lock base 30 are formed in an oblong shape, and the lock base 30 is parallel to the fixed portion 26 by loosening the bolts 26b, 26b. It is configured so that the mounting position can be adjusted in the lateral direction. In addition, the lock base 30
Lever support holes 32a, 32 of the lever support portions 32, 32
a is formed in an oval shape, and the lock lever 34 is
By loosening the bolt 32b, the mounting position can be adjusted in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the fixed portion 26. Therefore, when the footrest 20 is fixed at the use position, the mounting position of the lock base 30 and the lock lever 34 is adjusted so that the lock pin 19 and the lock hole 36b are securely engaged. Even if the accuracy of the portion 17, the fixed portion 26, and the like is low due to welding or the like, errors can be absorbed, and rattling due to long-term use can be eliminated.

In the footrest structure configured as described above, when the footrests 20 are moved from the use position (the state shown in FIG. 1) to the retracted position (the state shown in FIG. 5), the lock of the footrest support 23 is respectively made. The operation unit 37 of the lever 34 is operated so as to be pushed by hand and moved laterally outward. Then, the lock hole 36b of the lock lever 34 and the lock pin 19 are separated from each other, so that the fixed state of the footrest support 23 is released and the operation unit 37
, The footrest support 23 is turned laterally outward. Therefore, the lock lever 34
It is possible to easily move the footrests 20, 20 from the use position to the retracted position simply by the operation of (1).

When the footrests 20, 20 are moved from the retracted position and fixed at the use position,
The footrest support 23 is pushed by hand from the lateral outside and rotated laterally inward. Then, the inclined portion 3 of the lock lever 34
6a comes into contact with the lock pin 19, the lock lever 34 rotates against the return spring 38, and the lock hole 36b of the lock lever 34 and the lock pin 19 engage,
The footrest support 23 is fixed at the use position. Therefore, just by rotating the footrest support 23,
The footrest support 23 can be easily fixed without operating the lock lever 34.

When the footrest support 23 is fixed in the use position, the lower support fixing portion 17 and the fixed portion 26 are connected by a lock base 30 having a U-shaped vertical cross-sectional shape which fits into both of them. Further, since the lock lever 34 that maintains the connected state is supported at both ends of the rotation shaft via the lever support portions 32, 32, the footrest support 23 can be fixed with high rigidity. Therefore, when lifting the wheelchair, for example, when moving the stairs, the footrest supports 23 can be easily lifted by grasping them by hand.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a case where the footrest support of FIG. 4 is changed to a detachable structure. The description of the same parts as those in the above-mentioned opening and closing structure is omitted, and the same reference numerals are used.

As shown in FIG. 6, the footrest support 23 is configured such that the supported portion 25 and the support upper support portion 15 are detachably fitted to each other to thereby form the chassis frame 10.
The footrest 20 is fixed to a use position in front of the chassis frame 10 by connecting the fixed portion 26 and the support lower portion fixing portion 17 via a lock base 130. However, it is configured not to move in the lateral direction.

That is, the lock base 130 is formed in a U-shaped vertical cross-section opening downward, is fitted from the upper side to the fixed portion 26 of the footrest support 23, and has the mounting holes 31a, 31a,. Screw holes 26a for mounting the base,
26a, and bolts 26b, 26b,. The rear protruding portion of the lock base 130 is the chassis frame 1
It is configured to be detachably fitted to the support lower-side fixing portion 17 of No. 0 from above.

Further, a lateral pin mounting hole 17c is provided in the lower support fixing portion 17 so as to penetrate left and right. The pin mounting hole 18c is aligned with the pin mounting hole 17c by being fitted on the outer periphery of the departure fixing portion 17. Then, the pin mounting holes 17c, 1
8c, a lock pin 19 is fixed laterally so as to protrude left and right from the collar 18.

Pin entry notches 131b, 131b are provided on both lateral portions of the lock base 130 so as to open downward, and the pin entry notches 131b, 131b are
Both ends of the lock pin 19 are configured to engage. In addition, the lock base 130 is provided with the bolts 26b, 26
By loosening b, the mounting position can be adjusted in a direction parallel to the fixed portion 26 so that the pin entry notches 131b, 131b and the lock pin 19 are securely engaged at the use position.

Therefore, by replacing the lock base 30 attached to the fixed portion 26 of the footrest support 23 with the lock base 130, the footrest support 23 can be easily changed from the openable structure to the detachable structure. .

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, the lock base 30
And the lock mechanism including the lock lever 34 or the lock base 130 is fixed to the fixed portion 26 of the footrest support 23.
Although the description has been made of the case where the lock mechanism is mounted on the chassis frame, the lock mechanism may be mounted on the support lower side fixing portion side of the chassis frame.

[0032]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the support lower fixing portion of the chassis frame, the fixed portion of the footrest support, and the lock. Even if the accuracy of parts or parts such as the mechanism is low due to welding or the like, by adjusting the mounting position of the lock mechanism to the support lower fixing part or the fixed part, errors of the parts or parts can be absorbed, Therefore, since it is not necessary to use high-precision parts, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the periphery of the footrest. Also, by adjusting the mounting position of the lock mechanism to the support lower fixing portion or the fixed portion, it is possible to eliminate rattling due to long-term use.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is easy to adjust the mounting position of the lock mechanism so that the engaging concave portion and the engaging convex portion are securely engaged at the use position of the footrest support. Can be done.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the footrest support can be fixed to the use position with high rigidity. Therefore, when lifting the vehicle body, the footrest support can be easily lifted by grasping it by hand. Can be.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the footrest support is rotated from the use position to the retracted position, only the operation of moving the operation portion of the lock lever to the outside is performed. The engaging recess and the engaging projection are separated from each other so as to be rotatable, and the footrest support can be rotated.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the footrest support is rotated from the retracted position and fixed at the use position, the footrest support can be engaged with the engagement recess only by rotating the footrest support by hand. The footrest support can be fixed at the use position by engaging with the joint projection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric wheelchair to which a footrest structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, showing a state where a footrest support having an openable / closable structure is in a use position.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a footrest support portion in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a lock mechanism in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a footrest support part of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the footrest support in FIG. 1 is at a retracted position.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a case where the footrest support of FIG. 4 is changed to a detachable structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front wheel 2 Caster 3 Rear wheel 4 Seat 5 Seat frame 6 Seat back 7 Seat back frame 8 Armrest 9 Armrest support 10 Chassis frame 15 Support upper support part 17 Support lower side fixing part 17b, 17c Pin mounting hole 18 Collar 18a Pin mounting Hole 19 Lock pin (engagement projection) 20 Footrest 23 Footrest support 24 Overhang 25 Supported part 27 Collar 26 Fixed part 26a Base mounting screw hole 26b Bolt 29 Foot guard 30 Lock base (lock mechanism) 31 Connecting part 31a Mounting hole 31b Pin entry notch 32 Lever support portion 32a Lever mounting hole 32b Bolt 32c Nut 33 Spring engaging portion 34 Lock lever (lock mechanism) 35 Supported portion 36 Lock portion 36a Inclined portion 3 6b Lock hole (recess for engagement) 37 Operation part 38 Return spring 39 Spacer 130 Connecting member 131b Pin entry notch

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A vertical frame in which a footrest support supporting a foot plate on which a user places his / her feet at a lower part is fixed to a front part of the chassis frame. A pipe-shaped or vertical bar-shaped support upper support portion and a vertical pipe-shaped or vertical bar-shaped supported portion fixed to the upper portion of the footrest support are rotatably fitted to each other, and the footrest is mounted on the chassis. To move between the use position in front of the frame and the retracted position on the outside of the chassis frame,
In a footrest structure of a wheelchair attached rotatably in a lateral direction, a support lower fixing part in the form of a horizontal pipe or a horizontal rod is fixed to a front part of the chassis frame, and a lower part of the footrest support is fixed to a lower part of the footrest support. Is fixed so that the horizontal pipe-shaped or horizontal bar-shaped fixed portion is aligned with the support lower-portion fixing portion at the use position, and the support lower-portion fixing portion and the fixed portion have an engaging portion. The convex portion and the concave portion for engagement are provided so as to be releasably engageable with each other at the use position, and the convex portion for engagement or the concave portion for engagement is provided on the support lower portion fixing portion or the fixed portion. A wheelchair footrest structure, which is arranged on a lock mechanism which is attached to a part so as to be adjustable. 2. The lock mechanism is fastened to the support lower portion fixing portion or the fixed portion so that the position can be adjusted in a direction parallel to the support lower portion fixing portion of the chassis frame or the fixed portion of the footrest support. A lock base, and a lock lever supported by the lock base so as to be position-adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the support lower-side fixing portion or the fixed portion, and the lock lever includes an engagement recess or The footrest structure for a wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein a lock portion having an engagement protrusion is provided. 3. The lock base is formed to have a U-shaped vertical cross-sectional shape that is laterally open and fits into a support lower fixing portion of the chassis frame or a fixed portion of the footrest support from the side, and the lock lever is provided with a lock lever. In order to move the joint concave portion or the engaging convex portion up and down so as to disengage with the other, the turning portion is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the support lower portion fixing portion or the fixed portion. The footrest structure for a wheelchair according to claim 2, wherein the footrest structure is supported from both ends of the moving shaft. 4. A lock base is fastened to a fixed portion of the footrest support, and a lock lever is connected to the fixed portion such that the engaging concave portion or the engaging convex portion is moved up and down to be disengaged from the other. The lock lever is supported so as to be rotatable about a parallel rotation axis, and the lock lever is provided such that when it is moved laterally outward, the engaging concave portion or the engaging convex portion is separated from the other. The wheelchair footrest structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the footrest structure is provided. 5. A lock portion of the lock lever is provided with an engagement recess, and the lock lever supports the chassis frame so as to move the engagement recess up and down to engage and disengage with the engagement protrusion. The lock portion is supported rotatably about a rotation axis parallel to the fixed portion of the lower portion or the fixed portion of the footrest support. 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the lock lever is provided so as to rotate when contacted.
5. The footrest structure of the wheelchair according to 3 or 4.