JP2004230967A - Handcart - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a handcart with excellent operability allowing to fold a seat part by folding a handle frame. <P>SOLUTION: A third link bar pivotally supported by the handle frame at one end thereof energizes pivotal support parts of a first link bar and a second link bar for connecting a front wheel frame and a rear wheel frame to each other in the folding direction by folding the handle frame along the rear wheel frame, and the front wheel frame and the rear wheel frame are folded till a front side travelling wheel and a rear side travelling wheel are nearly brought in contact with each other, and while a fourth link bar for receiving a seat receiver frame is pushed downward so that the seat receiver frame is folded in the front wheel frame direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wheelbarrow suitably used for safely walking a person with weak legs such as the elderly, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The main body can run freely on the ground and floor by the front and rear running wheels provided at the lower end, and even people with weak legs such as the elderly can run the main body while supporting the body with the operation handle by hand, Wheelchairs, which are also referred to as silver cars or walking aids, are provided on the market, which allow them to walk safely and have a seat so that they can sit in place of a chair when the user is tired of walking.
In the case of such a wheelbarrow, a large-sized handrail is provided on both sides of the seat portion (see Patent Document 1), a handrail is not provided, the width is narrow, the weight is light, and it is easy to carry and handle. Various types have been proposed, such as a simplified version (see Patent Document 2).
[0003]
By the way, in the above-described handcart, generally, a front wheel frame provided with a front running wheel at a lower end and a rear wheel frame provided with a rear running wheel at a lower end contact the front running wheel and the rear running wheel with each other. By folding the seat along the front wheel frame, the thickness in the front-rear direction is slim, so that it is not bulky when not in use. In some small-sized ones, a handle frame provided with an operation handle can be folded along the rear wheel frame so that the height direction can be made compact.
[0004]
However, in the conventional wheelbarrow in which the handle frame can be folded as described above, since the handle frame and the seat need to be individually folded, the work at the time of folding and assembling is complicated. There is.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-91577 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-224462
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a handcart with excellent operability in which a seat portion can be folded at the same time by performing an operation of folding a handle frame.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a handcart according to the present invention has a front wheel frame having a front running wheel at a lower end and a rear wheel frame having a rear running wheel at a lower end provided at a top end thereof. The support portion is pivotally supported so that the rear traveling wheel and the front traveling wheel can be relatively separated from and separated from each other, and a handle frame having an operation handle at one end is freely foldable along the rear wheel frame. At least one of the upper end of the rear wheel frame is pivotally supported at the other end, and at least one of the front wheel frame, the rear wheel frame, and the handle frame such that the seat receiving frame that receives the seat is foldable along the front wheel frame. A first link bar pivotally supported at one end, one end pivotally supported at an intermediate position between the pivot portion of the front wheel frame and the front running wheel, and the pivot link portion of the rear wheel frame at one end. A second link bar pivotally supported at an intermediate position between the running wheels is pivotally supported at other ends between the front wheel frame and the rear wheel frame, and a third link bar is pivotally pivoted at one end to the handle frame. When the handle frame is rotated in the direction along the rear wheel frame, the other ends of the first link bar and the second link bar are urged to urge the first link bar and the second link bar in the folding direction. And a fourth link bar for supporting the seat receiving frame such that the seat portion is substantially parallel to the running surface of the front and rear running wheels when the handle frame is in a used state. One end is pivotally supported by the other end of the seat receiving frame, and the other end of the first link bar, the second link bar, and the third link bar is located near the pivot between the first link bar and the second link bar and in the vicinity thereof. At least one It is characterized in that it is supported.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments.
1 to 9 show an embodiment of a wheelbarrow according to the present invention.
[0009]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the handcart 1 includes a front wheel frame 2, a rear wheel frame 3, a handle frame 4, and a seat receiving frame 5.
The front wheel frame 2 includes a front wheel frame main body 21 made of a metal pipe and two front running wheels 22.
[0010]
The front wheel frame main body 21 has a lowering portion 211 at the upper end, a side frame portion 212 extending in parallel from both ends of the lowering portion 211, and a connecting portion for connecting slightly above the lower end of the both side frame portions 212. 213.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 4, both front running wheels 22 each include a running wheel main body 221 and a supporting portion 222 of the running wheel main body 221, and the running wheel main body 221 is rotatably supported by the supporting portion 222. The support portion 222 is rotatably supported around the side frame portion 212 at the lower end of the side frame portion 212. The two support portions 222 are connected at both ends via connection bars 223 pivotally supported by the support portions 222, so that the traveling directions of both traveling wheel main bodies 221 are always in the same direction. I have. The support portion 222 is urged by a coil spring 224 having one end fixed at a position shifted from a pivotal support portion of the connecting bar 223 to the support portion 222 so that the two traveling wheel main bodies 221 always face the forward direction. .
[0012]
In the vicinity of the lowering portion 211 of each of the side frame portions 212, a locking metal member 23 having a hook-shaped concave portion 231 of the engaging / disengaging lever 43 described later is attached.
As shown in FIG. 5, one end of the first link bar 24 of the front wheel frame 2 is pivotally supported at an intermediate position between the both side frame portions 212.
[0013]
The rear wheel frame 3 includes a rear wheel frame main body 31 made of a metal pipe and two rear running wheels 32.
The rear wheel frame main body 31 includes two side frame portions 311 pivotally supported on the front wheel frame 2 side and two side frame portions 311 at the upper end at an intermediate position between the side frame portions 212 of the front wheel frame 2. A connecting portion 312 for connecting the lower end portions of the side frame portions 311 so as to rotate integrally and to keep the interval between the both side frame portions 311 constant is provided.
[0014]
The rear running wheels 32 are attached to the lower ends of the side frame portions 311 so as to run freely.
As shown in FIG. 5, one end of the second link bar 33 of the rear wheel frame 3 is pivotally supported at an intermediate position between the both side frame portions 311.
[0015]
The handle frame 4 includes an operation handle 41, a side frame portion 42, and an engagement / disengagement lever 43.
The operation handle 41 is formed integrally with the side frame portion 42 by bending a metal pipe into a substantially U-shape, and the surface is covered with a resin.
[0016]
The lower end of the side frame portion 42 is rotatably supported in the direction of the rear wheel frame 3 slightly above the rear wheel frame support portion of the side frame portion 212 of the front wheel frame 2, as shown in FIG. When not in use, it can be folded along the rear wheel frame 3.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, both ends of the engagement lever 43 are inserted into slit-shaped slide grooves 44 provided in the side frame portions 42, respectively, and are slidable along the slide grooves 44. At the same time, the coil spring 45 constantly urges the side frame 42 toward the pivot.
[0017]
That is, when the engaging / disengaging lever 43 is slid toward the lowering hand portion 211 by grasping with the hand with the lowering hand portion 211 or the like, the engaging lever 43 is disengaged from the hook-shaped concave portion 231 of the locking metal member 23 and locked by the locking metal member 23. When the handle frame 4 is released from the folded state and returned to the use state, the both ends of the engagement / disengagement lever 43 are locked by the urging force of the coil spring 45. The handle frame 4 is kept in a used state by being fitted into the portion.
In the handle frame 4, one end of a third link bar 46 is pivotally supported at an intermediate position between the both side frame portions 42.
[0018]
The seat receiving frame 5 is made of a metal pipe, has a substantially U-shape including a front frame portion 51 and side frame portions 52 extending in parallel from both ends of the front frame portion 51. The portion is pivotally supported by a shaft 54 supported between the side frame portions 212 of the front wheel frame 2 near the pivotal support portion of the handle frame 4, and the shaft 54 is stopped to be rotatable.
In the seat receiving frame 5, one end of the fourth link bar 55 is pivotally supported at an intermediate position between the both side frame portions 52, the shopping basket locking metal 7 is pivotally supported, and the article storage member 6 is detachable. It has become.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 8, the article storage member 6 has an article storage section 61 made of a flexible material, and is rotatably provided at one edge of the article storage section 61 to open and close the upper opening of the article storage section 61. A lid 62 serving as a seat, a locking tongue 63 extending from a portion corresponding to the front frame 51, both side frame 212 and the shaft 54 of the seat receiving frame 5 at the upper edge of the article storage 61. The front tongue 51, both side frame 212 and the shaft 54 of the seat receiving frame 5 are rolled up from above by the locking tongues 63, and the female hooks 631 of each locking tongue 63 are attached to the outer wall surface of the article storage portion 61. By being fitted to a male hook (not shown) provided, the upper opening of the article storage portion 61 is held open by the seat receiving frame 5, and the lid 62 is received by the seat receiving frame 5 from below. Use as a seat Door will be able to.
[0020]
The shopping basket locking bracket 7 has a substantially U-shaped frame portion 71 whose open end is pivotally supported outside the side frame portion 52 of the seat receiving frame 5, and extends from an intermediate portion of the frame portion 71. 3 and FIG. 9, the tip is located at a position higher than the upper surface of the lid 62, and as shown in FIG. And a cage engaging portion 72 that enters the storage portion 61.
The other end portions of the first link bar 24 to the fourth link bar 55 are integrally pivoted by one pivot pin 8 as shown in FIG.
[0021]
In the drawing, 47 is a brake operating lever, 37 is a brake for the rear running wheel 32, 48 is a wire for transmitting the movement of the brake operating lever 47 to the brake 37, 38 is an umbrella receiver, and 39 is a rear running wheel 32. The stopper 27 is a lever for preventing rotation of the support portion of the front running wheel 22.
[0022]
The wheelbarrow 1 is configured as described above. In the use state shown in FIG. 1, similarly to the conventional wheelbarrow, the user holds the operation handle 41 by hand and pushes the wheelbarrow 1 to run. When walking while supporting the body with the wheelbarrow 1 and walking and tired, the rear running wheel 32 is fixed by the stopper 39 so as not to rotate, and the user can sit down on the lid 62 and rest. In addition, when the lid 62 is opened, the purchased goods can be put in the article storage unit 61.
[0023]
On the other hand, the lowering portion 211 and the engagement lever 43 are simultaneously grasped, and the engagement and release lever 43 is slid toward the lowering portion 211 to release the engagement with the hook-shaped recess 231. If the handlebar 4 is rotated along the wheel frame 3, the third link bar 46 acts to push down the pivot pin 8 with the rotation of the handle frame 4. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the pivot pin 8 is pushed down, the first link bar 24 and the second link bar 33 are folded, and the rear wheel frame 3 is centered on the front wheel frame 2 around the pivot portion. At the same time, the front running wheel 22 and the rear running wheel 32 rotate to the state where they substantially contact each other, and at the same time, the seat receiving frame 5 rotates around its pivotal support along the front wheel frame 2, as shown in FIG. 2. It becomes a state folded compactly.
[0024]
On the other hand, if the handle frame 4 is raised in the use position direction from the folded state shown in FIG. 2, the third link bar 46 is raised with the lifting. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the pivot pin 8 is also raised, and the front wheel frame 2 and the rear wheel frame 3 spread until the first link bar 24 and the second link bar 33 are aligned. Then, the seat receiving frame 5 is rotated to a position parallel to the running surface, and is in a use state.
[0025]
That is, the handcart 1 can be assembled and folded by only one operation of rotating the handle frame 4 about the pivot.
In use, the first link bar 24 to the fourth link bar 55 enter between the front wheel frame 2 and the rear wheel frame 3, and the rear end of the seat receiving frame 5 is pivotally supported by the front wheel frame 2. Since the receiving frame 5 does not protrude behind the rear wheel frame 3, the seat receiving frame 5 or a bag provided behind the seat receiving frame 5 does not disturb the user when walking, and the user can walk easily and safely. High.
[0026]
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the frame portion 71 of the shopping basket locking metal fitting 7 is tilted in the forward direction of the handcart 1, and the lid 62 is closed. The locking portion 72 can prevent the shopping basket B from slipping in the forward direction.
Further, since the front running wheels 22 are connected by the connecting bar 223, the running angle can be changed while the front running wheels 22 are always kept in a parallel state, so that the front running wheels are individually rotated. As in the case of, the problem that the rotating shafts of both front wheel running wheels intersect and the running wheel is locked is eliminated and safety is achieved.
[0027]
The handcart according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the article storage member 6 is detachable from the lid receiving frame, but may be integrated by sewing or the like. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the article storage section is provided, but only the seat section may be provided. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the shopping basket locking fitting is provided, but may be omitted.
Further, in the above embodiment, the engagement lever is attached to the side frame of the handle frame. However, the upper end of the third link bar is extended above the pivotal support with the handle frame, and this extension is attached to this extension. The engagement lever may be supported.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
Since the handcart according to the present invention is configured as described above, the seat can be folded at the same time by performing the operation of folding the handle frame, which is excellent in operability. Moreover, since the handle frame can be folded, not only the thickness in the front-back direction but also the height direction can be made compact.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a wheelbarrow according to the present invention, showing a use state thereof.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wheelbarrow of FIG. 1 in a folded state.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the handcart of FIG. 1 in a state where an article storage member is removed.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are enlarged views of a main part illustrating movements of a first link bar to a fourth link bar of the wheelbarrow of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 5A shows a use state, and FIG. It represents the state.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of an engagement / disengagement lever portion of the handcart shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an article storage member portion in a state where a lid of the wheelbarrow of FIG. 1 is opened.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a use state of the wheelbarrow of FIG. 1 on which a shopping basket is placed.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 wheelbarrow 2 front wheel frame 22 front running wheel 24 first link bar 3 rear wheel frame 32 rear running wheel 33 second link bar 4 handle frame 41 operating handle 46 third link bar 5 seat frame 55 fourth link bar 62 Lid (seat)

Claims (1)

A front wheel frame with a front running wheel at the lower end,
A rear wheel frame having a rear running wheel at a lower end is pivotally supported by a pivot portion provided at an upper end portion so that the rear running wheel and the front running wheel can be relatively separated from and separated from each other,
A handle frame having an operation handle at one end, the other end is pivotally supported on at least one of the upper ends of the front wheel frame and the rear wheel frame so as to be freely foldable along the rear wheel frame,
A seat frame for receiving the seat portion is pivotally supported at one end by at least one of a front wheel frame, a rear wheel frame and a handle frame so as to be foldable along the front wheel frame,
A first link bar, one end of which is pivotally supported at an intermediate position between the pivot portion of the front wheel frame and the front traveling wheel, and a second end, one end of which is pivotally supported at an intermediate position between the pivot portion of the rear wheel frame and the rear traveling wheel. The link bar is pivotally supported at the other end between the front wheel frame and the rear wheel frame,
One end of the third link bar is pivotally supported by the handle frame, and when the handle frame is rotated in a direction along the rear wheel frame, the third link bar urges the first link bar and the second link bar in the folding direction. The other end is pivotally supported at or near a pivot portion between the first link bar and the second link bar,
When the handle frame is used, a fourth link bar supporting the seat frame such that the seat portion is substantially parallel to the running surface of the front and rear running wheels has one end pivotally connected to the other end of the seat frame. A wheelbarrow that is supported and has the other end pivotally supported by at least one of the first link bar, the second link bar, and the third link bar at and near a pivot portion between the first link bar and the second link bar.

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