| 摘要 |
<p>PURPOSE:To smoothly change over flatland running by front and rear wheels and staircase running by a caterpillar, by a method wherein a rear wheel slide mechanism and an extensible mechanism are operated when a wheelchair comes near a staircase to form such a state that the earth surface of the caterpillar and the staircase are brought into contact with each other and the wheelchair is supported by the caterpillar. CONSTITUTION:When rear wheels 21 impinge on the rising part of a staircase 5 from a flatland running state, a rear wheel slide mechanism 15 is driven and a rear wheel extending and contracting mechanism 16 is moved forwardly. Continuously, the rear wheel extending and contracting mechanism 16 is driven and rear wheels are slid upwardly until a caterpillar 26 is brought into contact with the surface of the staircase. The rear wheel extending and contracting mechanism 16 is driven even after the caterpillar 26 is brought into contact with the surface of the staircase and the rear wheels 21 are raised to a position not engaging with the corner part 6 of the staircase 5. Thereafter, the caterpillar 26 begins to drive and the wheelchair is moved upwardly. When the wheelchair reaches the uppermost stage of the staircase, the rear wheel slide mechanism 15 is again driven and the rear wheel extending and retracting mechanism 16 is slid rearwardly. Succeedingly, the caterpillar 36 is driven and front wheels ascend the staircase up to the uppermost stage.</p> |
