JP2022135983A - Rollator braking device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a rollator braking device for enabling a user to walk without being disturbed near feet and without causing a problem while preventing generation of rotation force due to a one-sided effect of right and left brake pads by abolishing a link which is extended in a lateral direction in the neighborhood of right and left rear wheels.SOLUTION: Braking levers 41 for respectively and individually braking right and left rear wheels 22L, 22R via right and left brake pads by a pull-up operation are arranged on a lower side of right and left grip parts 14 of a handle frame 11 as a rollator braking device 4. A connection arm 7 is arranged on a lower side of the handle frame 11. The connection arm connects both of the braking levers 41 via an operation plate 42 so as to allow both of the braking levers to be nearly equally pulled-up by a pull-up operation of at least one of the braking levers 41 in a state where both of the grip parts 14, 14 are gripped. Both of the braking levers 41 can perform a locking operation to lock the right and left rear wheels 22L, 22R to be a braking state by a pull-down operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a braking device for a walker suitable for use by elderly people who have difficulty walking.

This type of rollator includes a handle frame formed in a substantially U-shape by bending portions that bend rearward from left and right ends of a linear portion extending in the left-right direction, and the substantially U-shaped handle frame. Left and right grips provided at both left and right ends, respectively, a pair of left and right steering frames extending downward from both left and right sides of the handle frame, and a pair of left and right steering frames provided at the lower ends of the left and right steering frames so that the left and right front wheels can roll freely. Conventionally, there is provided a pair of left and right front leg frames for supporting and a pair of left and right rear leg frames provided at the lower ends of the left and right steering frames and supporting the left and right rear wheels in a rollable manner. known (see Patent Document 1).

By the way, in such a braking device for a walker, braking levers for braking the left and right rear wheels are provided below both grips by pulling them upward with the front ends of the grips as fulcrums. is provided. The left and right brake levers are provided below the grip and are individually connected to the left and right rear wheels via wires.

In that case, if the walker is provided with a brake lever that is braked by pulling upward on both grips, even an elderly person who is unable to walk due to old age can enjoy the feeling of riding a bicycle that they were familiar with when they were young. It is possible to operate the brake lever with a natural movement without discomfort.

However, the left and right brake levers are pulled up at the same time while gripping both grips instead of the grips, so that the left and right rear wheels are individually braked. At this time, when an elderly person with a walking disability uses the rollator, if the left and right brake levers cannot be operated in the same way at the same time, the braking operation such as the braking operation speed and the amount of braking operation of the left and right brake levers will be affected. a difference arises. With this, there is a risk that a turning force will be generated due to the one-sided effect of the left and right brake pads, which rotates the other rear wheel around the fulcrum of one rear wheel where the braking operation speed is fast or the amount of braking operation is large. For elderly people with disabilities, walking with peace of mind is a concern.

Therefore, the brake pads provided near the rear wheels of the left and right rear wheels are connected by a link extending in the left and right direction, and even if there is a difference in the braking operation of the left and right brake levers, the difference is transferred to the left and right wheels via the link. To enable an elderly person with a walking disability to walk with peace of mind by preventing the generation of turning force due to the one-way action of left and right brake pads by acting on the brake pads in a substantially equalized state. is proposed.

JP 2019-141432 A

However, in the above proposal, if the left and right braking devices are connected by a link extending in the left-right direction, this link extends in the vicinity of the left and right rear wheels in the left-right direction. For this reason, there is a risk that the link will get in the way near the user's feet, causing an obstacle to walking.

The present invention has been made in view of this point, and its object is to eliminate the link extending in the left and right direction near the left and right rear wheels, and to quickly generate turning force due to the one-sided effect of the left and right brake pads. To provide a braking device for a walker capable of walking without hindrance in the vicinity of one's feet while preventing it from being disturbed.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a handle frame that is formed in a substantially U-shape by bending portions that are bent rearward from left and right ends of a straight portion extending in the left-right direction, and the substantially U-shape. A pair of left and right steering frames extending downward from both the left and right sides of the handle frame, and a pair of left and right steering frames provided at the lower ends of the left and right steering frames, respectively, to hold the left and right front wheels. a pair of left and right front leg frames that are rotatably supported; a pair of left and right rear leg frames that are provided at the lower ends of the left and right steering frames and rotatably support the left and right rear wheels; and left and right brake pads for braking the rear wheels of the rollator. Further, a brake lever is provided below the grips for individually braking the left and right rear wheels by the left and right brake pads when the grip is pulled upward to approach the grips, and A connecting arm is provided for connecting both brake levers in the vicinity of the handle frame. Further, when at least one of the braking levers is pulled up while both gripping portions are gripped, both of the braking levers are substantially evenly pulled up via the connecting arm.

In addition, a notch formed in a substantially triangular shape in a side view at the front end of each brake lever, a horizontal pin extending in the left-right direction from each of the holding portions and in sliding contact with the periphery of each notch, a rear an actuating plate extending forward with both of the braking levers rotatably supported at end portions thereof, and having a midway portion thereof rotatably supported about a horizontal axis extending in the left-right direction from each of the gripping portions; , when the brake lever is pulled up, the peripheral edge of the notch slides around the horizontal pin in accordance with the rotation of the working plate about the horizontal axis, and the connecting arm moves between the two working plates. may be integrally connected to the front end of the

Further, both the brake levers can be locked to a lock position where the left and right rear wheels are locked in a braking state, and when at least one of the brake levers is locked, both of the brake levers can be moved to the connecting arm. The lock operation may be performed via

Further, the locking operation of both the brake levers may be performed by a pull-down operation of moving the brake levers away from the grips.

In addition, a rear frame extending in the left-right direction and connecting the respective middle positions is provided in the middle position of each of the rear leg frames. left and right bent portions extending forward from the rear ends of the rear frame, which are respectively connected to the front sides of the middle positions of the respective rear leg frames, and bent inward in the left and right direction while extending forward; A connecting portion may be provided for connecting the inner ends of both bent portions.

Further, both grips may be provided with armrests extending rearward from the grips and on which the elbows can be placed.

Further, each operating plate may be integrally connected to both left and right ends of the connecting arm in advance when connecting the rear end to the front end of each brake lever.

Further, each of the operating plates may extend rearward with its front end integrated with both the left and right ends of the connecting arm.

Further, the rear ends of the respective operating plates may be connected to the front ends of the braking levers by threaded members inserted from the sides.

In short, just like a familiar bicycle, when braking, the brake levers provided on the lower side of the left and right grips can be pulled up. Both the left and right braking levers are pulled up by a connecting arm that connects the two. Therefore, even if there is a difference in the braking operation of the left and right brake levers, the difference is quickly and substantially equalized via the connecting arm, preventing the generation of turning force due to the one-sided effect of the left and right brake pads, thereby making it difficult to walk. Even elderly people with freedom can walk with peace of mind.

In that case, by providing a connecting arm that connects the left and right braking levers to each other near the handle frame, the link that extends in the left and right direction near the left and right rear wheels and connects the left and right brake pads is unnecessary, and the user's feet are not required. The link will no longer be a hindrance in the vicinity, and you can walk without obstacles near your feet.

In addition, an operation plate extending forward with its rear end rotatably supported by both brake levers and having a middle portion rotatably supported around the horizontal axis of the grip is provided, and when the brake lever is pulled up, the operation plate extends forward. By sliding the peripheral edge of the cut-out portion around the horizontal pin of the grip according to the rotation of the operating plate around the horizontal axis, the operation of pulling up the left and right braking levers rotating around the horizontal pin is performed by each operating plate and connecting It is possible to smoothly transmit the force through the arm, and it is possible to smoothly equalize the difference in the braking operation caused by the pull-up operation of the left and right braking levers.

Further, by locking operation of at least one of both brake levers that can be locked, both brake levers are locked via the connecting arm, so that if one brake lever is locked, both brake levers are locked. As a result, it is possible to ensure safety during the locking operation. Moreover, when both brake levers are operated to lock, the left and right brake pads are pressed against the rear wheels by their respective operating forces, and a locked state can be obtained with a higher braking force.

Furthermore, by performing a locking operation of both brake levers by a pull-down operation that separates them, contrary to a pull-up operation that brings them closer to both grips, it is possible to avoid erroneous lock operations during braking operations using both brake levers. Erroneous operation of the braking lever can be reliably prevented.

In addition, the middle position of each rear leg frame is used as a rear frame extending in the left and right direction, and the left and right folds are bent inward in the left and right direction while extending forward from the front side of the middle position of each rear leg frame. By connecting the inner ends of the curved portions with the connecting portion, it is possible to connect the intermediate positions of the respective rear leg frames further forward. As a result, the space around the feet can be effectively secured as compared with the case where the middle positions of the respective rear leg frames are directly connected in the left-right direction.

Furthermore, by providing armrests extending rearward from both grips, it is possible to walk with the elbows resting on the rollator while walking, thereby reducing the burden on the user during walking. It will be very useful above.

Further, when connecting the rear ends of the operating plates to the front ends of the brake levers, the operating plates are integrally connected to the left and right ends of the connecting arm in advance. For this reason, when connecting the rear ends of the operating plates to the front ends of the brake levers, the operating plates having the front ends connected to the left and right ends of the connecting arm are used. This eliminates the need to connect the front ends of the operating plates to the left and right ends of the connecting arm while the rear ends of the brake levers are connected to the front ends, thereby improving the efficiency of the braking device assembly work.

Further, each working plate extends rearward, the front end of which is integrated with the left and right ends of the connecting arm. Therefore, when both brake levers are operated, the periphery of the notch slides around the horizontal pin and the working plate rotates around the horizontal axis, and the rotation of the working plate is directly transmitted to the connecting arm. become. As a result, it becomes difficult for the operation amounts and operation timings of both brake levers to be out of sync, and the reliability of the operation by both brake levers can be effectively improved.

Furthermore, by connecting the rear end of the operating plate of the connecting arm to the front ends of both brake levers by screwing the screw members inserted from the side, the connection between the both ends of the operating plate and the front ends of the both brake levers can be made laterally. This can be easily done by screwing the threaded member from the threaded member, and the efficiency of the assembling work of the braking device can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rollator using a braking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the front with left and right braking levers in an unoperated state; It is the side view which looked the walker of FIG. 1 from the side. It is the front view which looked the walker of FIG. 1 from the front. It is the perspective view which looked at the walker of FIG. 1 from diagonally forward in the braking operation state by the brake lever on either side. FIG. 5 is a side view of the walker of FIG. 4 as seen from the side; FIG. 5 is a front view of the walker of FIG. 4 as viewed from the front; It is the perspective view which looked at the walker of FIG. 1 from the front diagonally in the lock operation state by the brake lever on either side. FIG. 8 is a side view of the walker of FIG. 7 viewed from the side; FIG. 8 is a front view of the walker of FIG. 7 viewed from the front; FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the walking vehicle of FIG. 1 with the braking device cut away and viewed from the right side; FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the walking vehicle of FIG. 4 with the braking device cut away and viewed from the right side; FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the walking vehicle of FIG. 7 with the braking device cut away and viewed from the right side; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a rollator using a braking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as seen obliquely from the front in an unoperated state of each braking lever; FIG. 14 is a side view of the walker of FIG. 13 viewed from the side; FIG. 14 is a front view of the walker of FIG. 13 viewed from the front; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a connecting arm of the braking device of the rollator of Figure 13; FIG. 14 is an inner side view of the braking device of the walker of FIG. 13 as seen from the inside; FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 17; FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 17; FIG. 18 is a sectional view along line CC of FIG. 17; FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the walking vehicle of FIG. 13 with the braking device cut away and viewed from the right side; FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the braking device of the walker of FIG. 13 as seen from the right side in a cutaway state during braking operation of the braking lever; FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the braking device of the walker of FIG. 13 as seen from the right side in a cutaway state when the braking lever is operated to lock; FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the braking device of the walker of FIG. 13 with the cover lid removed; Figure 25 is a side view of the rollator of Figure 24;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A braking device for a walker according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rollator using a braking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the front in a state in which it can run, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the rollator of FIG. 1 as viewed from the side. FIG. 3 shows a front view of the walker of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the walker 1 has a handle frame 11 at its upper end. The handle frame 11 is formed in a substantially U-shape by bent portions 13, 13 bent rearward from both left and right ends of a straight portion 12 extending in the left-right direction. Right and left grip portions 14, 14 extending rearward are integrally provided at both left and right ends of the substantially U-shaped handle frame 11, that is, at the rear ends of the left and right bent portions 13, 13, respectively.

The handle frame 11 is provided with a pair of left and right steering frames 15, 15 extending downward from left and right bent portions 13, 13, respectively. Front leg frames 16 are provided at the lower ends of the left and right steering frames 15, 15, respectively. Left and right front wheels 17L and 17R are rotatably supported at the lower ends of the pair of left and right front leg frames 16 and 16, respectively. Brackets 18 are fixed to the upper ends of the front leg frames 16, respectively. Near the lower ends of the front leg frames 16 (above the front wheels 17L, 17R) are connected by a front frame 19 extending in the left-right direction.

A pair of left and right rear leg frames 21, 21 are rotatably supported on brackets 18 at the lower ends of the left and right steering frames 15, 15 via horizontal pins 20 extending in the left-right direction. Left and right rear wheels 22L, 22R are rotatably supported at the lower ends of the left and right rear leg frames 21, 21, respectively. Approximately midway portions of the rear leg frames 21 are connected by a rear frame 23 extending in the left-right direction.

The rear frame 23 has left and right bent portions 25 that bend forward and inward in the left and right direction while the rear ends are connected to the front sides of the respective rear leg frames 21 in the vicinity of substantially intermediate portions. , 25, and a connecting portion 26 connecting the inner ends of the bent portions 25, 25 to each other. The rear frame 23 is formed from near the middle portion of each rear leg frame 21 by bending portions 25 that bend forward and inward in the left-right direction from near the middle portion of each rear leg frame 21 . are also connected in the left-right direction at the front. A connecting arm 24 extending in the left-right direction is connected to the front ends of the left and right brackets 18 , 18 . Reference numeral 29 denotes a seat frame that is supported so that it can be raised and lowered. 1 to 6) so as not to interfere with the

Each of the front leg frames 16 is placed between the substantially middle portion of the left and right front leg frames 16, 16 (immediately above the rear frame 23) and the substantially middle portion of the left and right rear leg frames 21, 21. A pair of left and right link mechanisms 3, 3 are provided to support each rear leg frame 21 in a foldable manner. Each link mechanism 3 includes a front link 31 rotatably supported by the front leg frame 16 and extending rearward, a rear link 32 rotatably supported by the rear leg frame 21 and extending forward, and a front leg. A horizontal pin 33 that extends in the left-right direction and supports the front and rear links 31 and 32 so as to be rotatable is provided at a substantially intermediate position in the front-rear direction between the body frame 16 and the rear leg frame 21 .

4 is a perspective view of the walker 1 of FIG. 1 as seen obliquely from the front in a braking operation state using left and right brake levers, FIG. 5 is a side view of the walker 1 of FIG. 4 as seen from the side, and FIG. 1 is a front view of the walker 1 viewed from the front.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the left and right grip portions 14, 14 of the handle frame 11 are provided with support brackets 40 extending downward from the respective front ends while straddling the upper end of the steering frame 15. there is Braking devices 4 having braking levers 41 for braking the left and right rear wheels 22L and 22R are provided below the grips 14 and 14, respectively. The left and right braking levers 41, 41 are adapted to brake the rear wheels 22L, 22R by pulling upward while gripping the grip portion 14, respectively.

At the lower end of each rear leg frame 21, brake pads 51 for braking the rear wheels 22L and 22R by pressing against their outer peripheral surfaces when the braking levers 41 are operated are rotatable via braking wheel arms 52, respectively. supported by Each brake wheel arm 52 is rotatably supported at the lower end of each rear leg frame 21 via a horizontal shaft 53 at its longitudinally extending intermediate portion. Brake wires 56 (shown in FIGS. 1 to 6) are connected between the left and right brake levers 41, 41 and the front ends of the left and right brake wheel arms 52, 52, respectively.

7 is a perspective view of the walker 1 of FIG. 1 in a state of being locked by the left and right brake levers 41, as seen obliquely from the front, FIG. 8 is a side view of the walker 1 of FIG. 7, and FIG. The front view which looked at the walker 1 of 7 from the front is shown, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the left and right brake levers 41, 41 can be operated to lock the rear wheels 22L, 22R in the locked state, respectively. The locking operation of both the brake levers 41, 41 is performed by a pull-down operation of separating the both brake levers 41, 41 from the grips 14, 14. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 shows an explanatory view of the walker 1 of FIG. 1 with the braking device 4 cut away and viewed from the right side. As shown in FIG. 10, each braking device 4 has an arm-shaped operating plate 42 extending in the front-rear direction. Each operating plate 42 is rotatably supported at its longitudinal middle portion (middle portion) via a horizontal shaft 43 extending in the left-right direction from the upper end portions of the left and right steering frames 15 , 15 . The front ends of the left and right brake levers 41 are rotatably supported by the rear ends of the operating plates 42 (closer to the horizontal shaft 43 than the connection point with the brake wire 56) via a horizontal shaft 44. As shown in FIG. Horizontal shafts 43 and 44 are housed inside support bracket 40 . Each brake wire 56 is connected to the rear end of the operating plate 42 and is connected to the braking lever 41 via the operating plate 42 . At this time, the horizontal shaft 43 is provided to the left and right grip portions 14 , 14 via the support brackets 40 and the steering frame 15 .

Each braking device 4 has a substantially triangular notch 61 at the front end of each braking lever 41 when viewed from the side. and a horizontal pin 62 extending in the horizontal direction. The peripheral edge of each notch 61 slides around the horizontal pin 62 according to the rotation around the horizontal shaft 43 via the operating plate 42 when each brake lever 41 is operated. At this time, the horizontal pin 62 is provided via each support bracket 40 with respect to the holding parts 14 and 14 on either side.

The periphery of each notch 61 includes a curved surface 63 having a substantially quarter arc shape, a first linear surface 64 having one end (upper end in FIG. 10) continuous with one end (upper end in FIG. 10) of this curved surface 63, and this One end (right end in FIG. 10) is continuous with the other end (lower end in FIG. 10) of the first straight surface 64, and the other end (left end in FIG. 10) is connected to the other end (lower end in FIG. 10) of the curved surface 63. 2 rectilinear planes 65 are provided. A recess 66 for accommodating the horizontal pin 62 is provided at the connection point between the other end of the first straight surface 64 and one end of the second straight surface 64 . When each brake lever 41 is not operated (the state shown in FIG. 10), the horizontal pin 62 is positioned at the connecting point between one end of the curved surface 63 on the periphery of each notch 61 and one end of the first straight surface 64. Braking of the rear wheels 22L and 22R via the brake wire 56 is prohibited.

FIG. 11 shows an explanatory view of the walker 1 of FIG. 4 with the braking device 4 cut away and viewed from the right side. As shown in FIG. 11 , when each brake lever 41 is operated for braking, the horizontal pin 62 positioned at one end of the curved surface 63 (the connection point with one end of the first straight surface 64 ) moves from the curved surface 63 due to the braking operation. rotates around the horizontal axis 43 via the operation plate 42 so as to be positioned at the other end (connection point with the other end of the second straight surface 65). At this time, the brake wire 56 is pulled up by the rotation of the operating plate 42 around the horizontal shaft 43, and the rear wheels 22L and 22R are braked via the brake wheel arm 52 rotating around the horizontal pin 53.

FIG. 12 shows an explanatory diagram of the walker 1 in FIG. 7 with the braking device 4 cut away and viewed from the right side. As shown in FIG. 12, when the brake levers 41 are locked (the state shown in FIG. 12), the brake levers 41 are positioned at one end of the first straight surface 64 due to the lock operation when the brake levers 41 are not operated. The horizontal pin 62 rotates around the horizontal axis 43 via the operating plate 42 so that the horizontal pin 62 is positioned at the other end of the first straight plane 64 (the connection point with one end of the second straight plane 65). At this time, the brake wire 56 is pulled up by the rotation of the operating plate 42 around the horizontal shaft 43, and the horizontal pin 62 enters a locked state in which the horizontal pin 62 is housed in the recess 66. The rear wheels 22L, 22R are kept in a braking state.

The left and right operation plates 42, 42 protrude forward from the respective support brackets 40, and both ends of the connecting arm 7 extending in the left-right direction are integrally connected to the front ends (protruding ends) thereof. The connecting arm 7 is formed in a substantially U-shape by bent portions 72, 72 bent rearward from both left and right ends of a straight portion 71 extending in the left-right direction. The connecting arm 7 is arranged below the handle frame 11 so as to be difficult to see due to the handle frame 11 .

The connecting arm 7 is arranged such that both brake levers 41, 41 are pulled up substantially equally by a braking operation in which at least one of the brake levers 41, 41 is pulled up in a state in which both gripping portions 14, 14 are gripped. , 41 are connected to each other via an operating plate 42, respectively. Further, the connecting arm 7 is designed such that both braking levers 41, 41 are pulled down substantially equally by a locking operation of pulling down at least one of them.

At this time, the connecting arm 7 swings downward from the normal position around the horizontal shaft 43 in accordance with the braking operation or locking operation by at least one of the braking levers 41, 41, and the swinging motion is substantially the same. However, even if the connecting arm 7 is operated to swing downward instead of each braking lever 41, neither braking nor locking occurs.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when braking, the lower brake levers 41, 41 can be pulled up while gripping the left and right grip portions 14, 14 like a familiar bicycle. , 41 is pulled up, the two brake levers 41, 41 are pulled up by the connecting arm 7 that connects the two brake levers 41, 41 via the operating plate 42, respectively. Therefore, even if there is a difference in the braking operation of the left and right brake levers 41, 41, the difference is substantially equalized by the connecting arm 7 via the operating plate 42, thereby preventing turning force from being generated due to one-sided effect. Even elderly people with walking disabilities can walk with peace of mind.

In this case, since the connecting arm 7 connecting the left and right braking levers 41, 41 is provided on the lower side of the handle frame 11, the left and right brake pads 51 extend in the left and right direction near the left and right rear wheels 22L, 22R. , 51 is no longer necessary, and the link does not become an obstacle in the vicinity of the user's feet, so that the user can walk without being disturbed in the vicinity of the user's feet.

Further, since the connecting arm 7 is integrally connected to the front ends of the operating plates 42 which connect the rear ends of the brake levers 41 and 41 and protrude forward from the support brackets 40, the operating plates 42 are respectively connected. Through the operation plates 42 and the connecting arm 7, the operation of pulling up the left and right braking levers 41 rotating around the horizontal shaft 43 can be smoothly transmitted. As a result, the pull-up operation by the left and right brake levers 41, 41 is directly transmitted to the connecting arm 7, and the difference between the braking operations of the left and right brake levers 41, 41 can be substantially equalized more smoothly.

In addition, when at least one of the two brake levers 41, 41 capable of being locked is locked, both are locked via the operating plate 42 and the connecting arm 7, so one of the brake levers 41 must be locked. If so, both braking levers 41, 41 can be locked, and safety can be ensured during the locking operation.

Moreover, when both brake levers 41, 41 are operated to lock, the left and right brake pads 51, 51 are pressed against the rear wheels 22L, 22R by their respective operating forces, thereby obtaining a locked state with a higher braking force. be able to.

Furthermore, by performing a locking operation of both the brake levers 41, 41 by a pull-down operation to move away from the holding portions 14, 14, contrary to the pull-up operation during braking, which brings the grip portions 14, 14 closer to each other, the braking operation by the both brake levers 41, 41 is performed. Occasionally, erroneous locking operation can be avoided, and erroneous operation of both braking levers 41, 41 can be reliably prevented.

In addition, a rear frame 23 extending in the left-right direction near the approximate middle portion of each rear leg frame 21 extends forward from the front side near the approximate middle portion of each rear leg frame 21 in the left-right direction. Since the inner ends of the left and right bent portions 25, 25 that are bent inward are connected to each other by the connecting portion 26, the intermediate positions of the respective rear leg frames 21 are connected by the rear frame 23 forwardly thereof. It becomes possible to As a result, the space around the feet can be effectively secured compared to the rear frame in which the middle positions of the rear leg frames 21 are straightly connected in the left-right direction.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, the configurations of the support bracket, the operating plate and the connecting arm are changed. Since the structure other than the support bracket, the operating plate and the connecting arm is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the walker 1 using the braking device 4 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the front with the braking levers 41 not operated. 14 is a side view of the walker 1 of FIG. 13 viewed from the side, and FIG. 15 is a front view of the walker 1 of FIG. 13 viewed from the front. Furthermore, FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the connecting arm of the braking device 4 of the rollator 1 of FIG. In this case, the walker 1 is suitable for use by elderly people who have difficulty walking, especially elderly people whose degree of freedom of walking has decreased.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the connecting arm 8 connecting the two brake levers 41, 41 is formed by bent portions 82, 82 bent rearward from left and right ends of a straight portion 81 extending in the left-right direction. It is formed in a substantially U-shape.

The connecting arm 8 has left and right operating plates 83, 83 whose front ends are connected to the rear ends of the left and right bent portions 82, 82 and whose rear ends are connected to the front ends of the braking levers 41, respectively. I have. Each actuation plate 83 is made of the same material (for example, stainless steel or steel material) as the connecting arm 8, and when connecting the rear end to the front end of each brake lever 41, the bent portions 82 on the left and right of the connecting arm 8 are formed. , 82 are integrally connected at their front ends to their rear ends. That is, each operating plate 83 extends rearward with its front end integrated with the rear end of each bent portion 82 of the connecting arm 8 .

Further, each bent portion 82 of the connecting arm 8 is bent at an angle wider than a right angle with respect to the straight portion 81, and the interval between the left and right operation plates 83, 83 widens toward the tip side (rear end side). ing. At this time, the connecting arm 8 is arranged below the handle frame 11 so as to be difficult to see due to the handle frame 11 .

17 is an inner side view of the braking device 4 of the walker 1 of FIG. 13 viewed from the inside, FIG. 18 is a sectional view along the line AA of FIG. 17, FIG. 19 is a sectional view along the line BB of FIG. 17, and FIG. 17A and 17B respectively show cross-sectional views taken along line CC of FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of the braking device 4 of the walker 1 of FIG. 13 cut away and viewed from the right side, and FIG. Explanatory views seen from the right side in a notched state are shown, respectively. Furthermore, FIG. 23 shows an explanatory view of the braking device 4 of the walker 1 of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 17 to 23, a brake wire 56 is connected to the rear end of each operating plate 83. As shown in FIGS. In addition, each operating plate 83 is rotatably supported at its longitudinally intermediate portion with respect to each support bracket 9 and each steering frame 15 via a horizontal shaft 84 extending in the left-right direction. Each support bracket 9 and each steering frame 15 are provided with lateral insertion holes 91 and 151 through which the horizontal shaft 84 is inserted. At this time, the horizontal shaft 84 is formed of a screw member, and is inserted through the left-right insertion holes 91 and 151 from the outside of each support bracket 9 to rotatably support the front-rear middle portion of each working plate 83 . is screwed to the nut member 95 inside each support bracket 9. In this case, the horizontal shaft 84 is provided to the left and right grips 14 , 14 via the support brackets 9 and the steering frame 15 .

The rear end of each operating plate 83 (closer to the horizontal shaft 84 than the connection point with the brake wire 56) is rotatably supported by the front end of each braking lever 41 via a horizontal shaft 85 extending in the left-right direction. there is Left-right direction insertion holes 411 and 831 through which the horizontal shaft 85 is inserted are provided at the front end of each brake lever 41 and the rear end of each operation plate 83, respectively. The horizontal shaft 85 is also made of a screw member, and the rear end of each working plate 83 is rotatable with respect to the front end of each brake lever 41 by inserting it from the outside of each support bracket 9 through the left-right direction insertion holes 411 and 831 . It is screwed in a state where it is supported by Either of the horizontal shafts 84 and 85 may be threaded first as long as the brake wire 56 is connected to the rear end of each operating plate 83 .

The periphery of the notch 61, that is, the curved surface 63 and the first and second straight surfaces 64, 65 are formed according to the rotation of the connecting arm 8 around the horizontal axis 84 of each operating plate 83 when the braking levers 41, 41 are operated. It slides around the horizontal pin 62 . Further, each actuation plate 83 is moved to the rear through the brake wire 56 by a biasing spring (not shown) that biases the braking wheel arm 52 to a non-braking state in which the brake pad 51 is separated from the rear wheels 22L, 22R. It is biased to pull the ends downward.

Furthermore, the lower end of each support bracket 9 is provided with front-rear through-holes 92 , 92 penetrating in the front-rear direction. Front and rear through-holes 152 , 152 corresponding to the through-hole 92 , respectively, are provided. The tip (rear end) of each operating plate 83 of the connecting arm 8 extends from the front-rear through-hole 92 of each support bracket 9 to the front-rear through-holes 152, 152 of each steering frame 15 and the rear-rear through-holes 152 and 152 of each steering frame 15. It is inserted through the direction through holes 92 in order and supported by the front end of each braking lever 41 via a horizontal shaft 85 .

Each bent portion 13 of the handle frame 11 is provided with a through-hole 111 penetrating in the left-right direction, and a screw member 86 is inserted through an opening (not shown) opening outwardly of each support bracket 9 . is threaded through the through hole 111 of each bent portion 13 , thereby securing each support bracket 9 to each bent portion 13 of the handle frame 11 . At this time, by unscrewing the screw member 86, each support bracket 9 is rotatable with respect to each bent portion 13 of the handle frame 11 around the axis extending in the longitudinal direction of each bent portion 13. there is

Thin plate-like cover members 93, 93 are attached to the rear portion of each support bracket 9 to cover the rear portion from both the inside and the outside. Each cover member 93 is positioned near the rear end of each actuation plate 83 .

FIG. 24 is a side view of the walker 1 of FIG. 13 with the cover lid of the braking device 4 removed, and FIG. 25 is a side view of the walker of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the outer surface of each outer cover member 93 is provided with a notch hole 90 opening rearward. This notch hole 90 is provided at a position corresponding to the horizontal shaft 85, and a cover lid 94 that slides in the front-rear direction is detachably attached to this notch hole 90. As shown in FIG. The cover lid 94 is removed when the rear end of each working plate 83 and the front end of each braking lever 41 are rotatably screwed together by the horizontal shaft 85 , and the rear end of each working plate 83 is attached to the front end of each braking lever 41 . The screwing work can be performed smoothly.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the rear end of each working plate 83 is connected to the front end of each braking lever 41, the front end of each working plate 83 is aligned with the rear end of the left and right bent portions 82, 82 of the connecting arm 8. are preliminarily connected to each other. Therefore, when the rear end of each operating plate 83 is connected to the front end of each braking lever 41, the operating plates 83, 83 with their front ends connected to the rear ends of the bent portions 82 of the connecting arm 8 are not connected. Used. This eliminates the need to connect the front end of each operating plate 83 to the rear end of each bent portion 82 of the connecting arm 8 while the rear end of each brake lever 41 is connected to the front end of the brake lever 41 . Work efficiency can be improved.

Each operating plate 83 extends rearward with its front end integrated with the rear end of each bent portion 82 of the connecting arm 8 . Therefore, when each braking lever 41 is operated, the peripheral edge of the notch 61 (curved surface 63, first and second straight surfaces 64, 65) slides around the horizontal pin 62, and each operating plate 83 slides along the horizontal axis. 84 , and the rotation of this operating plate 83 is directly transmitted to the connecting arm 8 . As a result, deviations in the operation amounts and operation timings of both brake levers 41, 41 are less likely to occur, and the reliability of operation by both brake levers 41, 41 can be effectively enhanced.

Furthermore, with the cover lid 94 on the outer surface of each support bracket 9 removed, the rear end of each operating plate 83 of the connecting arm 8 and the front end of each brake lever 41 are aligned with the horizontal axis from the outer side of each support bracket 9 . It is attached by 85 screws. In addition, the horizontal shaft 84 is inserted through the lateral insertion holes 91 and 151 from the outside of each support bracket 9 , so that the front and rear intermediate portions of the operation plates 83 are rotatably supported. It is screwed onto the nut member 95 . As a result, the connection between the rear end of each operating plate 83 and the front end of each braking lever 41, and the support between the front-rear middle portion of each operating plate 83 and each support bracket 9 are supported by the horizontal shafts 85 and 84 from the outside. This can be easily done by screwing, and the efficiency of the assembling work of the braking device 4 can be improved.

Moreover, each support bracket 9 is rotatable about the axis of each bent portion 13 of the handle frame 11 by releasing the threaded member 86 from the screw. Therefore, if it is difficult to insert the front ends (rear ends) of the left and right operation plates 83, 83 through the front-rear direction through-holes 92 of the support brackets 9 at the time of mounting the connecting arm 8, the screw member 86 is unscrewed. After that, each support bracket 9 may be rotated around the axis of each bent portion 13 . As a result, it is possible to move the front-rear through holes 92 of the support brackets 9 to positions where the front ends of the operating plates 83 can be easily inserted. It is possible to easily insert the tip of each working plate 83 into each front-rear direction through-hole 152 at the upper end of 15 .

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but includes various other modifications. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the connecting arm 7 is provided on the lower side of the handle frame 11, but the connecting arm may be provided on the front side of the handle frame, anywhere in the vicinity of the handle frame. good.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the rear frame 23 connects the rear leg frames 21 in the vicinity of their approximate middle portions. It may be connected, and in that case, it is necessary to secure a sufficient space around the feet.

Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the handle frame 11 is composed of the straight portion 12, the left and right bent portions 13, 13, and the left and right grip portions 14, 14. Armrests may be provided which extend rearwardly and allow the respective elbows to be placed thereon. In this case, it is possible to walk with the user's elbows resting on the user when walking with the walker, which is extremely advantageous in terms of reducing the burden on the user during walking.

Further, in the second embodiment, the horizontal shafts 84 and 85 are inserted from the outside of the support bracket 9, but each horizontal shaft may be inserted from the inside of the support bracket.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the cover lid 94 that slides in the front-rear direction is detachably attached to the notch hole 90 in the outer surface of each outer cover material 93, but the cover material is detachable by a screw member or the like. Needless to say, it may be attached to the .

Further, in the second embodiment, each operating plate 83 extends rearward with its front end integrated with the rear end of each bent portion 82 of the connecting arm 8. The front end of each actuation plate may be integrally connected to the rear end of the section. In short, when connecting the rear end of each working plate to the front end of each brake lever, it is sufficient that the front ends of the respective working plates are previously integrally connected to the left and right ends of the connecting arm.

Further, in the second embodiment, each operating plate 83 is made of the same member as the connecting arm 8, but each operating plate and the connecting arm may be made of the same member. When connecting the rear end of each working plate to the front end of the braking lever, it is necessary to integrally connect the front end of each working plate to the left and right ends of the connecting arm in advance.

1 walker 11 handle frame 12 straight portion 13 bent portion 14 grip portion 15 steering frame 16 front leg frames 17L, 17R
Left and right front wheels 21 Rear leg frames 22L, 22R
Left and right rear wheels 23 Rear frame 25 Bent portion 26 Connecting portion 4 Braking device 41 Braking lever 42 Operating plate 43 Horizontal shaft 51 Brake pad 61 Notch 62 Horizontal pin 7 Connecting arm 8 Connecting arm 83 Operating plate 85 Horizontal shaft (screw Element)

Claims (9)

A handle frame formed in a substantially U-shape by bending portions bent rearward from left and right ends of a linear portion extending in the left-right direction, and left and right provided at both left and right ends of the substantially U-shaped handle frame. a pair of left and right steering frames extending downward from both left and right sides of the handle frame; and a pair of left and right front legs provided at the lower ends of the left and right steering frames for supporting the left and right front wheels in a rollable manner. a body frame, a pair of left and right rear leg frames provided at the lower ends of the left and right steering frames and supporting the left and right rear wheels in a rollable manner, and left and right brake pads for braking the left and right rear wheels. A braking device for a walker comprising:
Braking levers are provided on the lower sides of the grips for individually braking the left and right rear wheels with the left and right brake pads when the grips are pulled upward to approach the grips. ,
A connecting arm is provided for connecting both braking levers in the vicinity of the handle frame,
A walker characterized in that both of the braking levers are pulled up substantially equally through the connecting arm when at least one of the braking levers is pulled up while both gripping portions are gripped. braking device. a substantially triangular notch in a side view at the front end of each braking lever;
a horizontal pin extending in the left-right direction from each of the gripping portions and slidably contacting the periphery of each of the cutouts;
an operating plate extending forward with both the braking levers rotatably supported at the rear end thereof, and having a midway portion supported rotatably about a horizontal axis extending in the left-right direction from the both gripping portions;
with
a peripheral edge of the notch slides around the horizontal pin according to the rotation of the operating plate around the horizontal axis when the braking lever is operated;
2. A braking device for a rollator according to claim 1, wherein said connecting arm is integrally connected to the front ends of said two working plates. Both brake levers can be locked to a lock position where the left and right rear wheels are locked in a braking state, and when at least one of the brake levers is locked, both of the brake levers move the connecting arm. 3. The braking device for a walker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking operation is performed through the wheel. 4. The braking device for a walker according to claim 3, wherein the locking operation of the both brake levers is performed by a downward pull-down operation for separating the both brake levers from the both grips. A rear frame extending in the left-right direction and connecting the respective middle positions is provided at the middle position of each of the rear leg frames,
The rear frame includes left and right bent portions that bend inward in the left and right direction while extending forward from rear ends that are respectively connected to the front sides of the middle positions of the rear leg frames. The braking device for a walker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a connecting portion that connects inner ends of the curved portions. The braking of the walker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the gripping portions has an armrest portion extending rearward from the gripping portions and on which an elbow can be placed. Device. The operating plate according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein each operating plate is integrally connected in advance to both left and right ends of the connecting arm when connecting the rear end to the front end of each brake lever. Braking device for the walker described. 8. A braking device for a walker according to claim 7, wherein each of said operating plates extends rearward in a state in which front ends thereof are integrated with both left and right ends of said connecting arm. The rollator according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the rear ends of the working plates are connected by screwing screw members inserted from the sides into the front ends of the braking levers. braking device.

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