TWM678783U - A mobility aid equipped with a braking device - Google Patents

Abstract

A walking aid with braking devices includes a frame, a wheel set, two handlebars, and two braking devices. The frame includes two uprights extending along a height direction and spaced apart in a left-right direction perpendicular to the height direction, and two housings respectively connected to the top of the uprights. Each upright has a tube extending along the height direction and a top opening formed at the top end of the tube. Each braking device includes a sway member, a brake member, a brake pad, and a brake cable. The brake cable passes through the tube of the corresponding upright and one end passes through the top opening into a movable space of the housing; the two ends of the brake cable are respectively connected to the brake pad and the sway member. This improves operational smoothness and protects the brake cables.

Description

A walking aid equipped with a braking system.

This invention relates to a special-purpose transport vehicle, and more particularly to a walking aid equipped with a braking device.

Referring to Figure 1, a handcart 1 disclosed in Republic of China Patent Announcement No. M442305 includes a branch pipe 11, a handle 12 connected to the end of the branch pipe 11, a positioning housing 13 connected to the branch pipe 11, a swing rod 14 hinged to the positioning housing 13, a cable 15 that bends out from the side of the branch pipe 11 and connects to the swing rod 14, and a pull handle 16 operably hinged to the positioning housing 13 and abutting against the swing rod 14. When the pull handle 16 is moved up and down, it pushes the swing rod 14 and pulls the cable 15 to achieve the purpose of braking. In addition, when the handle 16 is pressed down, one corner 161 of the handle 16 will engage with a locking groove 141 of the swing rod 14, so that the handle 16 and the swing rod 14 are fixed to each other to achieve the effect of parking the vehicle.

However, the top end of the cable 15 is exposed outside the branch pipe 11, making the cable 15 susceptible to damage from external impacts.

Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide a walking aid with a braking device that can improve the smoothness of operation and protect the brake cable.

Therefore, the new type of walking aid with braking devices includes a frame, a wheel set, two handlebars, and two braking devices.

The frame includes two uprights extending along a height direction and spaced apart along a left-right direction perpendicular to the height direction, and two shells respectively connected to the top of the uprights. Each upright has a tube extending along the height direction and a top opening formed at the top end of the tube. Each shell forms a space communicating with the tube space and has a retaining groove communicating with the space. The wheelset is rotatably mounted on the underside of the frame. The grips extend along a front-rear direction perpendicular to both the height and left-right directions and are respectively connected to the shells.

These braking devices are disposed on both sides of the frame in the left-right direction and are used to prevent the wheelset from rotating. Each braking device includes a sway member, a brake member, a brake pad, and a brake cable. The sway member is hinged to a corresponding housing and located within the movable space. The brake member is hinged to the sway member and has a hinge portion hinged to the sway member, an operable handle portion exposed from the corresponding housing, and a cam member for engaging a limiting groove in the housing. The brake element can swing between a normal state and a parked state relative to the housing. In the normal state, the cam is disengaged from the limiting groove; in the parked state, the cam is engaged with the limiting groove. The brake block is adjacent to the wheelset. The brake cable passes through the tube channel of the corresponding upright and one end passes through the top opening into the movable space of the housing. The two ends of the brake cable are respectively connected to the brake block and the swing element.

The advantages of this invention are: by utilizing the component configuration relationship between the oscillating member and the braking member of the braking device, the smoothness of operation is improved, and by passing the brake cables through the corresponding pipe channels respectively, the tops of the brake cables are not exposed, thereby protecting the brake cables.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, an embodiment of the new type of walking aid with braking device is shown. The walking aid with braking device includes a frame 2, a wheel set 3, two handlebars 4, two braking devices 5, a seat 6, and an assistive element 7. This embodiment is a wheeled rolling aid that allows people with limited mobility to walk while holding onto it; however, in some embodiments, it can also be made into a transport chair for moving people with mobility impairments.

The frame 2 includes two bottom bars 20 extending along a front-rear direction X and spaced apart, two uprights 21 respectively fixed to the bottom bars 20 and extending along a height direction Z and spaced apart along a left-right direction Y perpendicular to the height direction Z and the front-rear direction X, and two shell seats 22 respectively connected to the top of the uprights 21.

Referring to Figures 2, 4 and 5, each of the uprights 21 has a pipe channel 210 extending along the height direction Z, and a top opening 211 formed at the top end of the pipe channel 210.

In this embodiment, each housing 22 has an outer housing 23 connected to the corresponding support rod, and an inner housing 24 housed within the outer housing 23. Each outer housing 23 is hollow and has a handle connection portion 231, a rod connection portion 232 for connecting to the corresponding upright rod 21, and a receiving groove portion 233 connecting the handle connection portion 231 and the rod connection portion 232. Each inner housing 24 is housed in the receiving groove portion 233 of its respective outer housing 23, forming a movable space 240. Each inner casing 24 has a top wall 242 extending in the front-rear direction X, a limiting groove 241 opposite to the top wall 242 in the height direction Z and spatially connected to the movable space 240, a through groove 243 opposite to the top wall 242 in the height direction Z and connected to the movable space 240, and a connecting portion 244 lower than the top wall 242 and higher than the limiting groove 241 in the height direction Z. The through groove 243 intersects the limiting groove 241. The movable space 240 of each inner casing 24 is connected to the space of the pipe channel 210 of the corresponding upright 21 through the through groove 243. A centerline C is defined, extending along the height direction Z and passing through the center of the pipe channel 210. The connecting portion 244 is located in front of the centerline C in the front-rear direction X, and the limiting groove 241 is located behind the centerline C in the front-rear direction X. In this embodiment, the limiting groove 241 is composed of a groove bottom surface 245 extending along the front-rear direction X, and two groove side surfaces 246 extending upward and obliquely in opposite directions from two opposite sides of the groove bottom surface 245. However, in some variations, the limiting groove 241 can be a groove of other shapes, such as, but not limited to, an arc-shaped groove.

The wheelset 3 is rotatably mounted on the underside of the frame 2. In this embodiment, the wheelset 3 includes a plurality of wheels 31 respectively disposed on the front and rear sides of the bottom rail 20.

The handles 4 extend along the front-rear direction X and respectively pass through the handle connecting portions 231 fixed to the housings 22.

The braking devices 5 are disposed on both sides of the frame 2 along the left-right direction Y, and are used to prevent the rotation of the wheelset 3. Each braking device 5 includes a brake block 51, a sway member 52, a brake member 53, and a brake cable 54. Each brake block 51 is adjacent to one of the wheels 31.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the oscillating member 52 is located within the movable space 240 and is hinged to the corresponding inner shell 24. The oscillating member 52 is lower than the top wall 242 of the inner shell 24 in the height direction Z, that is, the top wall 242 is located between the oscillating member 52 and the handle 4. The oscillating member 52 has a front end portion 521 hinged to the connecting portion 244 of the inner shell 24, a middle portion 522 extending rearward from the front end portion 521, and a rear end portion 523 extending rearward from the middle portion 522.

The actuator 53 is hinged to the oscillating member 52 and has a hinge portion 531 hinged to the middle portion 522 of the oscillating member 52, an operable handle portion 532 exposed from the corresponding housing 22, a cam member 533 located in the front-rear direction X between the hinge portion 531 and the handle portion 532 for engaging with the limiting groove 241 of the housing 22, and a through groove 534 adjacent to the cam member 533. The handle portion 532 is located behind the centerline C in the front-rear direction X. The cam member 533 is located between the hinge portion 531 and the handle portion 532 in the front-rear direction X. In this embodiment, the cam member 533 is two rollers. The through groove 534 is located between the hinge portion 531 and the handle portion 532 in the front-rear direction X, and is superimposed and connected to the through groove 243.

The brake cable 54 passes through the pipe channel 210 of the corresponding upright 21, and one end (i.e., the top end) passes through the top opening 211 and the through groove 243 of the housing 22 into the movable space 240 of the housing 22, then passes through the through groove 534 of the brake member 53 and connects to the rear end 523 of the swing member 52. The other end (i.e., the bottom end) of the brake cable 54 is connected to the brake block 51 (see Figure 2).

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the seat 6 is mounted between the uprights 21 and extends in the left-right direction Y. In some variations, for example, when the user walks standing up, the seat 6 can be omitted. In this embodiment, the auxiliary element 7 has a storage box 71 detachably mounted to the frame 2 and a support strap 72. The support strap 72 prevents the user from leaning forward or backward while sitting on the seat 6. In some variations, the auxiliary element 7 may consist only of the storage box 71 or the support strap 72, or even be omitted entirely.

Referring to Figures 4 and 7, the actuator 53 is rotatable relative to the housing 22 between a normal state (as shown in Figure 4) and a parked state (as shown in Figure 7). As shown in Figure 4, in the normal state, the cam 533 disengages from the limiting groove 241. As shown in Figure 7, in the parked state, the cam 533 enters the limiting groove 241.

Referring to Figures 4 and 8, in the normal state, pressing the handle portion 532 of the brake member 53 upward will cause the brake member 53 to lift the rear end portion 523 of the swing member 52, and move the brake cable 54 upward to achieve the braking effect.

Referring to Figure 7, when parking, press down on the handle 532 of the brake 53 so that the cam 533 enters the limiting groove 241, restricting the brake 53 and the swing member 52 from rotating freely. Therefore, after releasing, the rear end 523 of the swing member 52 will still remain in the state of being raised and tightening the brake cable 54, achieving the parking effect.

In summary, the new type of walking aid with a braking device improves operational smoothness through the component configuration relationship between the oscillating member 52 and the braking member 53 of the braking device 5. Furthermore, each brake cable 54 is threaded through the corresponding tube channel 210 of the upright 21, and the top end of each brake cable 54 is inserted into the movable space 240 of the housing 22, preventing the top ends of the brake cables 54 from being exposed and thus protecting them. Therefore, the purpose of this invention is indeed achieved.

However, the above description is merely an embodiment of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of its implementation. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification shall still fall within the scope of this utility model.

2: Frame 20: Bottom bar 21: Stem bar 210: Tube channel 211: Top opening 22: Shell 23: Outer shell 231: Handlebar connection 232: Bar connection 233: Recess 24: Inner shell 240: Movement space 241: Limiting groove 242: Top wall 243: Through groove 244: Connector 245: Groove bottom 246: Groove side 3: Wheelset 31: Wheel 4 5: Grip 5: Brake 51: Brake pad 52: Swing 521: Front end 522: Middle part 523: Rear end 53: Brake 531: Connector 532: Handle 533: Cam 534: Through slot 54: Brake cable 6: Seat 7: Auxiliary element 71: Storage box 72: Support belt Z: Height direction X: Forward/backward direction Y: Left/right direction C: Centerline

Other features and effects of this invention will be clearly shown in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a known handcart disclosed in Republic of China Patent Publication No. M442305; Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the walking aid with a braking device of this invention; Figure 3 is a top view of the embodiment; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3, illustrating a brake member in a normal state in the embodiment; Figure 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of the embodiment; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 4; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 4, but the brake member is in a parked state; and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 4, illustrating the brake element in a braking state.

2: Chassis

20: Base Rod

21: Pole erection

22: Shell

23: Outer casing

231: Handle Connection Part

232: Rod Connector

233: Container Section

3: Wheelset

31: Wheels

4: Grip

5: Braking system

51: Brake block

53: Braking components

54: Brake Line

6: Seats

7: Auxiliary Components

71: Storage Box

72: Support belt

Z: Height direction

X: Forward/Backward Direction **X:** Forward/Backward Direction **Yoga:** Forward/Backward Direction **X ...

Y: Left/Right direction

Claims (10)

A walking aid with braking devices includes: a frame including two uprights extending along a height direction and spaced apart along a left-right direction perpendicular to the height direction, and two housings respectively connected to the top of the uprights, each upright having a tube channel extending along the height direction and a top opening formed at the top end of the tube channel, each housing forming a movable space communicating with the tube channel space, and having a limiting groove communicating with the movable space space; a wheel set rotatably mounted on the bottom side of the frame; two handles extending along a front-rear direction perpendicular to the height direction and the left-right direction and respectively connected to the housings; and two braking devices disposed on both sides of the frame along the left-right direction and used to prevent rotation of the wheel set, each braking device including: A sway member, hinged to the corresponding housing and located within the movable space; a brake member, hinged to the sway member and having a hinge portion hinged to the sway member, an operable handle portion exposed from the corresponding housing, and a cam member for engaging the limiting groove of the housing; the brake member is swaying relative to the housing between a normal state and a parked state; in the normal state, the cam member disengages from the limiting groove; in the parked state, the cam member enters the limiting groove; a brake block, adjacent to the wheelset; and A brake cable is threaded through the pipe channel of the corresponding upright and one end passes through the top opening into the movable space of the housing. The two ends of the brake cable are respectively connected to the brake block and the oscillating component. The walking aid with a braking device as described in claim 1, wherein the cam of each braking device is a roller and is located between the hinge and the handle in the front-rear direction. The mobility aid with a braking device as described in claim 1, wherein each brake actuator of the braking device further has a through slot for the brake cable to pass through, the through slot being located in the front-rear direction between the hinge and the handle. The walking aid with a braking device as described in claim 1, wherein each housing has an outer housing that connects the corresponding upright and the corresponding handle, and an inner housing that is received within the outer housing and for the swing member to be connected, the inner housing forming the movable space and the limiting groove. The walking aid with a braking device as described in claim 4, wherein each of the outer shells has a handle connection for connecting to a corresponding grip, a rod connection for connecting to a corresponding upright, and a receiving portion connecting the handle connection and the rod connection, the receiving portion being for receiving the inner shell. The walking aid with a braking device as described in claim 4, wherein each inner shell has a top wall extending in the front-rear direction and located between the oscillator and the handle, and a through groove in the height direction opposite to the top wall and communicating with the movable space, the through groove intersecting the limiting groove. The walking aid with a braking device as described in claim 6, wherein the inner shell further has a connecting portion for connecting the corresponding pivot portion of the oscillating member, defining a centerline extending along the height direction and passing through the center of the tube, the connecting portion being located in front of the centerline in the front-rear direction, and the handle portion of the brake being located behind the centerline in the front-rear direction. The walking aid with a braking device as described in claim 1, wherein the limiting groove is composed of a groove wall extending along the front-rear direction and two groove side surfaces extending upward and obliquely in opposite directions from two opposite sides of the groove wall. The mobility aid with braking device as described in claim 1 further includes a seat mounted between the uprights and extending in the left-right direction. The mobility aid with braking device as described in claim 1 further includes an auxiliary element detachably mounted to the frame, the auxiliary element being a storage box or a support belt.