US20200031376A1 - Folding wagon having fold-down seats - Google Patents
Folding wagon having fold-down seats Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20200031376A1 US20200031376A1 US16/043,819 US201816043819A US2020031376A1 US 20200031376 A1 US20200031376 A1 US 20200031376A1 US 201816043819 A US201816043819 A US 201816043819A US 2020031376 A1 US2020031376 A1 US 2020031376A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wagon
- basket
- frame
- seat
- support rack
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 claims 3
- 230000032258 transport Effects 0.000 description 23
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 10
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000035622 drinking Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000021178 picnic Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 2
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000881 depressing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
- B62B3/007—Coaster wagons
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
- B62B3/02—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible
- B62B3/025—Foldable roll containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B5/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
- B62B5/06—Hand moving equipment, e.g. handle bars
- B62B5/064—Hand moving equipment, e.g. handle bars adaptable for different users, e.g. by means of pivoting elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B5/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
- B62B5/06—Hand moving equipment, e.g. handle bars
- B62B5/067—Stowable or retractable handle bars
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B5/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
- B62B5/08—Children's seats ; Seats or supports for other persons
- B62B5/082—Children's seats
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B7/00—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators
- B62B7/008—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators for two or more children
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B7/00—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators
- B62B7/04—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators having more than one wheel axis; Steering devices therefor
- B62B7/06—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators having more than one wheel axis; Steering devices therefor collapsible or foldable
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B2202/00—Indexing codes relating to type or characteristics of transported articles
- B62B2202/02—Cylindrically-shaped articles, e.g. drums, barrels, flasks
- B62B2202/023—Beverage holders, e.g. for a cup, tin or bottle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B2205/00—Hand-propelled vehicles or sledges being foldable or dismountable when not in use
- B62B2205/06—Foldable with a scissor-like mechanism
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B2205/00—Hand-propelled vehicles or sledges being foldable or dismountable when not in use
- B62B2205/20—Catches; Locking or releasing an articulation
- B62B2205/24—Catches; Locking or releasing an articulation to hold in the folded position
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B7/00—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators
- B62B7/004—Carriages supporting a hammock-style seat
Definitions
- This invention relates to a folding wagon that is capable of being folded between an expanded open configuration at which a variety of articles or children are carried in a basket of the wagon and a compact collapsed configuration at which to facilitate the storage or transport of the wagon when it is not being used.
- a pair of fold-down seats are carried inside the basket of the wagon to transport small children. The seats are rotatable from a vertical upright position to a horizontal flat position at which the wagon can be folded to its compact collapsed configuration.
- Wagons are known which are capable of being folded between open and collapsed configurations.
- Some folding wagons have a fabric basket that is sized to carry a variety of articles or small children when the wagon is unfolded for use in its open configuration.
- One example of such a folding wagon is available by referring to my U.S. Pat. No. 9,145,154 entitled FOLDING WAGON which issued Sep. 29, 2015.
- My patented folding wagon has a fabric basket that is sized to transport both small children as well as articles such as sporting goods, picnic supplies, business inventory and the like.
- any children being carried in the wagon basket are subject to being jostled and tossed about, especially when the wagon moves over rough or steep terrain.
- articles and children are being transported in the basket at the same time, they might be thrown together which could result in injury to the children and damage to the articles.
- my folding wagon it would be desirable to modify my folding wagon to include fold-down seats in which children being transported in the wagon basket can be restrained while still permitting the wagon to be folded after the children have been removed from their seats and the seats have been folded flat against the bottom of the basket.
- a folding wagon which includes a flexible basket.
- the folding wagon transports a variety of articles and/or children that are located in the wagon basket.
- the folding wagon also includes a frame and a basket support rack above which the basket is supported and held up by the frame.
- the frame and the rack are adapted to be folded so that the wagon is correspondingly folded from an expanded open configuration during use to a compact collapsed configuration to facilitate transport and/or storage of the wagon when it is not in use.
- the wagon includes pairs of front and rear wheels attached to the wagon frame to roll over a surface in response to a pulling or a pushing force that is applied to a wagon transport handle.
- a pair of fold-down seats are carried by the wagon at opposite ends of the wagon basket.
- Each fold-down seat has a horizontal seat portion to support the weight of a seated individual and a back portion extending upwardly from the seat portion to support the individual's back.
- the seat portion of the seat is surrounded by a seat support frame having legs that are pivotally connected to the basket support rack lying below the basket.
- the back portion of the seat is surrounded by a back support frame having legs that are also pivotally connected to the basket support rack.
- the seat and back support frames are rotatable with one another relative to the basket support rack from a vertically upright position standing upwardly within the basket and a horizontally flat position lying against the bottom of the basket at which the wagon can be folded to its collapsed configuration.
- a foot pocket extends downwardly from the bottom of the wagon basket through a foot extension opening in the basket support rack within which to receive the feet of the seated individual and thereby provide the individual with additional leg room.
- the wagon transport handle is pivotally connected to the wagon frame at the front of the folding wagon.
- the handle is adapted to be rotated relative to the frame between a first position lying inside the wagon basket to shorten the length of the wagon and a second position lying outside and extending from the front of the basket at which to receive the pulling or pushing force.
- a handlebar is pivotally connected to the wagon frame at the rear of the folding wagon by means of a pair of handlebar uprights.
- the handlebar is adapted to be rotated relative to the pair of handlebar uprights between a first position extending horizontally outward from the handlebar uprights at which to receive a pushing or a pulling force for causing the wagon to roll on its wheels and a second position extending substantially vertically downward to lie alongside the handlebar uprights and thereby further shorten the length of the wagon to facilitate its transport or storage.
- An optional utility basket is detachably connected to the wagon at the pair of handlebar uprights thereof.
- An optional table is detachable connected to the folding wagon so as to extend laterally across the wagon basket.
- a pair of hollow table mounting pipes extend upwardly from the basket support rack to run vertically along opposite sides of the basket.
- a corresponding pair of mounting posts which extend downwardly from opposite sides of the table are removably received within respective ones of the mounting pipes by which to hold the table in place across the basket.
- a pair of cup receptacles are located in the table to receive and retain conventional drinking cups therewithin.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a folding wagon in an expanded open configuration and having a pair of fold-down seats in an upright position and located at opposite ends of a basket of the wagon;
- FIG. 2 shows the folding wagon of FIG. 1 in a compact closed configuration
- FIG. 3 shows the folding wagon in its expanded open configuration of FIG. 1 with the pair of fold-down seats rotated to a horizontal flat position lying against the bottom of the wagon basket;
- FIG. 4 shows one of the pair of fold-down seats in its upright position standing upwardly from and pivotally connected to a basket support rack of the folding wagon;
- FIG. 5 shows the bottom of the folding wagon in its expanded open configuration with a pair of foot pockets lying underneath the wagon basket and extending below the basket support rack;
- FIG. 6 shows a seat belt and shoulder harness assembly attached to one of the fold-down seats carried by the folding wagon
- FIG. 7 shows a wagon transport handle pivotally connected to the front of the wagon and rotatable relative to a basket supporting frame thereof;
- FIG. 8 shows the wagon transport handle of FIG. 7 after being rotated relative to the frame so as to lie inside the wagon basket
- FIG. 9 shows the wagon transport handle after being rotated relative to the frame outside the wagon basket so as to extend from the front of the folding wagon
- FIG. 10 shows a handlebar pivotally coupled to a pair of handlebar uprights located at the rear of the folding wagon after the handlebar is rotated downwardly to a substantially vertical position lying alongside the handlebar uprights;
- FIGS. 11-13 show details of a push-button actuated coupler by which the handlebar of FIG. 10 is pivotally coupled and rotatable relative to the pair of handlebar uprights located at the rear of the folding wagon;
- FIG. 14 shows an optional utility basket detachably connected to the rear of the folding wagon at the pair of handlebar uprights thereof;
- FIG. 15 shows an optional table having drinking cup receptacles to be detachably connected to the folding wagon so as to extend laterally across the wagon basket;
- FIG. 16 shows the table of FIG. 15 after being detachably connected to the folding wagon across the wagon basket.
- FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings there is shown a folding wagon 1 that is adapted to be folded between an expanded open configuration during use and a compact collapsed configuration at which to facilitate its storage or transport when not in use.
- Folding wagons like that shown in FIG. 1 are generally known.
- FIG. 1 shows and describes one example of a folding wagon of the kind in which the improvements to be described below can be incorporated. Therefore, the teachings of a folding wagon as disclosed in my aforementioned patent are incorporated herein by reference, and only a brief description of the folding wagon 1 will be provided below.
- the folding wagon 1 includes a fabric basket 3 within which to carry a variety of articles including, but not limited to, sporting and camping goods, picnic supplies and business inventory.
- the fabric basket 3 is open at the top and closed along the bottom, front, rear and sides.
- the basket 3 sits upon and stands upwardly from a flat basket support rack 5 that lies at the bottom of the wagon 1 .
- the basket 3 is attached to and held above the rack 5 by a folding wagon frame.
- the basket support rack 5 has opposite ends 7 and 8 that are pivotally connected together at a joint 9 and capable of being rotated towards one another so as to lie face-to-face in response to an uplifting pulling force applied thereto when the wagon is being folded to its compact collapsed configuration (best shown in FIG. 2 ).
- the folding frame of the folding wagon 1 is manipulated to enable the wagon to be correspondingly folded from its expanded open configuration of FIGS. 1 and 3 at which articles are carried in the basket 3 to its compact collapsed configuration (shown in FIG. 2 ) at which the frame and the basket 3 are collapsed and the wagon is suitable for transport or storage.
- the folding frame Prior to it being folded, the folding frame holds the basket 3 up so as to be seated on and stand above the basket support rack 5 .
- each side of the wagon frame which lies adjacent one side of the wagon basket 3 includes an identical first pair of diagonally extending side support arms 10 and 11 and an identical second pair of diagonally extending side support arms 12 and 13 .
- the first pair of diagonal side support arms 10 and 11 are connected to one another at first ends thereof by means of an upper pivot coupling 14 , so that the support arms 10 and 11 project upwardly to make an angle of about 90 degrees.
- the second pair of diagonal side support arms 12 and 13 are also connected to one another at first ends thereof by means of a lower pivot coupling 16 , so that the support arms 12 and 13 project downwardly to make an angle of about 90 degrees.
- the diagonally extending side support arms 10 and 12 are coupled to one another about midway between the first and opposite ends thereof by means of a pivot coupling 18
- the diagonally extending side support arms 11 and 13 are coupled to one another about midway between the first and opposite ends thereof by means of a pivot coupling 20 .
- the opposite end of the side support arm 11 of the first pair of side support arms 10 and 11 is connected to one end of a rear wheel support track 22 (best shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 ).
- the rear wheel support track 22 is spaced from and located behind the basket support rack 5 at which a pair of rear wheels 24 of the folding wagon 1 are mounted.
- Each rear wheel 24 is pivotally connected to the rear wheel support track 22 .
- the opposite end of the side support arm 10 of the first of the pair of side support arms 10 and 11 of the wagon frame bends continuously around the front of the folding wagon 1 at which to form a front wheel support track 28 (best shown in FIG. 2 ).
- the front wheel support track 28 is spaced from and located ahead of the basket support rack 5 at which a pair of front wheels 30 of the folding wagon 1 are mounted.
- Each front wheel 30 is pivotally connected to the front wheel support track 28 .
- a horizontal extension 34 of the side support arm 12 of the second pair of side support arms 12 and 13 of the wagon frame bends continuously around and runs across the front of the folding wagon 1 .
- the front of the wagon basket 3 is folded over and around the extension 34 of the side support arm 12 to help hold the basket 3 up so as to lay on and stand above the basket support rack 5 when the wagon 1 is in its expanded open configuration.
- a horizontal extension 36 of the side support arm 13 of the second pair of side support arms 12 and 13 of the wagon frame bends continuously around and runs across the rear of the folding wagon 1 .
- the rear of the wagon basket 3 is folded over and around the extension 36 of the side support arm 13 to help hold the basket 3 up so as to lay on and stand above the basket support rack 5 when the wagon is in its expanded open configuration.
- an articulating wagon transport handle 38 is pivotally connected by way of a tapered handle housing 40 to the basket support extension 34 which runs across the front of the folding wagon 1 .
- a pulling force or a pushing force is applied to the wagon transport handle 38 by a user to cause the pairs of rear and front wheels 24 and 30 to roll over a surface by which the wagon 1 can be transported from place-to-place in a forward or backward direction.
- the pairs of front and rear wheels 30 and 24 are rotated towards one another so as to lay on the ground, and the wagon transport handle 38 is rotated downwardly to also lay on the ground, so that a stand is created for holding the folded wagon upright on the ground.
- the operation and advantages of the wagon transport handle 38 will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.
- a rotatable handlebar assembly 42 that is located at the rear of the folding wagon 1 is connected to the wagon frame by way of a pair of handlebar uprights 44 that extend from opposite ends of the handlebar assembly 42 to respective ones of the diagonal side support arms 11 located at opposite sides of the wagon basket 3 .
- a pushing or pulling force applied to the handlebar assembly 42 will cause the wagon to roll on its pairs of front and rear wheels 30 and 24 so as to move in a forward or rearward direction.
- the operation and advantages of the rotatable handlebar assembly 42 will also be explained in greater detail hereinafter.
- the folding wagon 1 herein disclosed has a pair of fold-down seats 48 that are located inside the wagon basket 3 and in opposite facing alignment at the front and rear of the wagon so that small children can be seated in the seats 48 and transported alone or with other articles being carried inside the basket 3 .
- the fold-down seats 48 are rotatable between an upright position shown in FIG. 1 standing vertically upwardly from the bottom of the wagon basket 3 to a flat position shown in FIG. 3 lying horizontally against the bottom of basket 3 .
- one of the identical pair of fold-down seats 48 is shown in its upright position pivotally connected to the basket support rack 5 so as to stand upwardly above the bottom of the wagon basket 3 shown in FIG. 1 .
- the fold-down seat 48 includes a horizontal seat portion 50 attached to and surrounded by a U-shaped seat support frame 52 .
- a back portion 54 stands vertically upward from the seat portion 54 and is attached between a pair of rotatable legs 56 from a back support frame.
- the rotatable back support frame legs 56 of the fold-down seat 48 are pivotally connected by pivots 57 to respective L-shaped brackets 58 which are fixedly connected to opposite sides of the basket support rack 5 at the bottom of the folding wagon 1 (best shown in FIG. 4 ).
- the front corners of the U-shaped seat support frame 52 are pivotally connected by pivots 59 to first ends of a pair of rotatable front support legs 60 .
- the opposite ends of the rotatable front support legs 60 are pivotally connected by pivots 61 to respective L-shaped brackets 62 which are fixedly connected to the basket support rack 5 in front of the L-shaped brackets 58 .
- the rear ends of the U-shaped seat support frame 52 are pivotally connected by pivots 63 to the rotatable back support frame legs 56 approximately midway along the length thereof.
- Arm rests 64 are mounted on respective horizontal arm rest support bars 66 above opposite sides of the seat portion 50 of the fold-down seat 48 .
- First ends of the arm rest support bars 66 are pivotally connected by pivots 67 to the rotatable back support frame legs 56 above the pivots 63 .
- Opposite ends of the arm rest support bars 66 are coupled by means of collars 68 to first ends of respective vertically upstanding rotatable arm rest braces 70 .
- the opposite ends of the rotatable arm rest braces 70 are pivotally connected by the aforementioned pivots 59 to be joined to the front corners of the U-shaped seat support frame 52 and the first ends of the rotatable front support legs 60 .
- either one or both of the fold-down seats 48 at opposite ends of the folding wagon 1 can be rotated inside the basket 3 at pivots 57 , 59 , 61 , 63 and 67 between their vertically upright and horizontally flat positions depending upon whether the seats 48 will be occupied by one riding in the basket 3 .
- the back portions 54 thereof rotate downwardly through an angle of about 90 degrees in the direction of the reference arrows shown in FIG. 1 . That is, each vertical back portion 54 is initially rotated towards a horizontal seat portion 50 which then rotate together towards the bottom of the wagon basket 3 .
- the folding wagon 1 is ideally suited to be folded into its compact collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 2 .
- foot extension opening 74 formed through the basket support rack 5 below the wagon basket 3 and in front of each of the pair of fold-down seats 48 (only one seat being shown).
- the seats 48 rotated to their vertical upright position of FIG. 4 , one seated in either one of the seats 48 can move his feet towards the bottom of the basket 3 for receipt through the foot extension opening 74 in order to have more leg room and thereby improve his comfort while riding.
- foot pockets 76 communicate with and extend downwardly from the bottom of the wagon basket 3 so as to lie below the basket support rack 5 for receipt through each of the foot extension openings 74 of FIG. 4 .
- Each foot pocket 76 creates a deep enclosure to surround and retain the feet of the seated individual so as to prevent his feet from dragging against the ground while the wagon 1 is in motion.
- FIG. 6 of the drawings illustrates one of a pair of identical push-button actuated seat belt and shoulder harness assemblies that are attached to the fold-down seats 48 (only one of which being shown) of the folding wagon 1 and used to surround the shoulders and waist and thereby restrain small children when the seats are in their upright position.
- each seat belt and shoulder harness assembly includes a conventional 3-point seat belt 78 that is connected by way of a central 3-point coupler 80 to a pair of shoulder retention straps 82 from a shoulder harness. That is, first ends of the shoulder retention straps 82 are detachably connected to the central coupler 80 by means of respective clips 84 .
- the opposite ends of the shoulder retention straps 82 run through the back portion 54 of the seat 48 to be anchored in place at the outside of the basket 3 of the wagon 1 (not shown).
- a pair of outstretched waist retention straps 86 - 1 and 86 - 2 of the 3-point seat belt 78 of the seat belt assembly are affixed (e.g., stitched) at the first ends thereof to the back portion 54 of the seat 48 .
- the opposite ends of the waist retention straps 86 - 1 and 82 - 2 of the seat belt 78 are detachably connected to opposite sides of the 3-point coupler 80 .
- the coupler 80 surrounds a manually operated push-button 88 that is activated to release the detachable connection of the straps 86 - 1 and 86 - 2 to the coupler 80 .
- An intermediate leg retention strap 86 - 3 of the seat belt 78 is affixed (e.g., stitched) at one end thereof to the seat 48 atop the seat portion 50 thereof.
- the opposite end of the intermediate leg retention strap 86 - 3 is fixedly connected to the 3-point coupler 80 between the pair of outstretched waist retention straps 86 - 1 and 86 - 2 .
- the straps By depressing the push-button 88 that is surrounded by the central 3-point coupler 80 to which the pair of outstretched waist retention straps 86 - 1 and 86 - 2 of the seat belt 78 are detachably connected, the straps will be detached from the coupler 80 .
- the shoulder retention straps 82 of the shoulder harness can be separated from the coupler 80 by detaching the clips 84 thereof from the coupler.
- the 3-point seat belt 78 is now opened to enable the child being transported in the wagon to be removed from his seat 84 .
- FIGS. 8-10 of the drawings illustrates details of the articulated wagon transport handle 38 to which a pulling or pushing force is applied to cause the wagon 1 to roll from place-to-place.
- the wagon transport handle 38 includes a coupled portion 92 and a force receiving portion 94 that are pivotally connected together at opposing first ends thereof to a push-button actuated elbow 96 .
- Located at the opposite end of the coupled portion 92 of the wagon handle 38 is the aforementioned tapered handle housing 40 .
- the handle housing 40 is pivotally coupled in surrounding engagement with the horizontal extension 34 (best shown in FIG. 3 ) that runs across the front of the wagon 1 between the side support arms 12 at opposite sides of the wagon basket 3 .
- the handle can be rotated in opposite directions relative to the wagon frame around the horizontal extension 34 through an angle of at least 180 degrees between a first position lying entirely inside the wagon basket 3 (best shown in FIG. 9 ), at which it can be grasped by a child being transported in the back of the wagon to give him the feeling of being able to steer the wagon, and a second position, lying entirely outside and extending from the front of the wagon basket 3 (best shown in FIG. 10 ), at which to receive a pulling or a pushing force at a gripping handle 98 located at the opposite end of the force receiving portion 94 thereof.
- the handle housing 40 includes a tapered surface 99 that enables the handle 38 to be rotated completely around the horizontal extension 34 to a location deep within the basket 3 .
- the coupled and force receiving portions 92 and 94 of the wagon handle 38 are locked end-to-end so as to be axially aligned with one another by the elbow 96 which is located at approximately the midpoint of the handle.
- the elbow 96 includes a user actuated push-button 100 that is depressed in order to release the end-to-end locking connection of the coupled and force receiving portions 92 and 94 .
- the force receiving portion 94 can now be rotated in the direction of the reference arrow shown in FIG. 8 through an angle of about 180 degrees relative to the coupled portion 94 so as to lie alongside the coupled portion 92 .
- the folded wagon handle 38 can be rotated at the handle housing 40 around the horizontal extension 34 so as to lie inside the wagon basket 3 and thereby achieve a more compact configuration that is ideal for the wagon to be carried by some motor vehicles without first having to fold the wagon to its collapsed configuration.
- the handlebar assembly 42 includes a U-shaped gripping bar 104 (best shown in FIG. 14 ) which is pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof by means of a pair of push-button activated couplers 106 to respective handlebar uprights 44 that run substantially vertically upward from the wagon frame to lie above the wagon basket 3 (best shown in FIG. 11 ). As is best shown in FIG.
- the gripping bar 104 of the handlebar assembly 42 is rotatable in the opposite directions indicated by the reference arrows relative to the handlebar uprights 44 at the push-button couplers 106 through an angle of about 235 degrees between a horizontal position (as shown in FIG. 1 ) extending outwardly from the handlebar uprights 44 at which to receive a pushing or pulling force and a substantially vertical position (as shown in FIG. 10 ) extending downwardly and lying alongside the handlebar uprights 44 at which the overall length of the wagon is reduced to facilitate its transport and storage.
- Each one of the pair of push-button actuated couplers 106 includes upper and lower gear drive housings 108 and 110 .
- a tubular upper handle arm 112 extends from the upper gear housing 108
- a tubular lower handle arm 114 extends from the lower gear housing 110 .
- the tubular upper handle arm 112 is sized to receive therewithin and be attached to one end of the U-shaped gripping bar 104 .
- the tubular lower handle arm 114 is sized to receive therewithin and be attached to one end of one handlebar upright 44 , whereby the gripping bar 104 and the upright 44 are held end-to-end one another at the coupler 106 .
- a stationary circular gear drive 116 is located inside the upper gear drive housing 108 .
- a similar gear drive 117 is located inside the lower gear drive housing 110 in opposite facing alignment with gear drive 116 .
- Located between the upper and lower gear drive housings 108 and 110 is a disc shaped gear wheel 118 that is mounted on and slidable along a cylindrical gear wheel shaft 120 that extends from the lower gear drive housing 110 through a hole 121 in the center of the wheel 118 .
- a set of teeth 119 extend around the gear wheel 118 .
- a (e.g., coil) spring 122 is located between one face of the gear wheel 118 and the opposing lower gear drive housing 110 .
- the gear drives 116 and 117 of the upper and lower gear drive housings 108 and 110 have sets of teeth 123 and 124 running therearound and adapted to be meshed together with the teeth 119 of the gear wheel 118 .
- the gear wheel 118 is initially biased along the shaft 120 by the spring 122 so as to lie partially within each of the gear drives 116 and 117 of the upper and the lower gear drive housings 108 and 110 .
- the teeth 119 of the gear wheel 118 are meshed together with the teeth 123 and 124 from each of the opposing gear drives 116 and 117 , whereby the position of the gripping bar 104 of the rotatable handlebar assembly 42 is locked in place by the gear wheel 118 relative to the handlebar uprights 44 .
- a manually operated push-button 125 is received within a cavity 126 that is formed in the top of the upper gear drive housing 108 of each of the pair of couplers 106 .
- the push-button 125 , the center hole 121 through the gear wheel 118 , and the gear wheel shaft 120 are all arranged within each one of the couplers 106 to lie in axial alignment with one another.
- the gear wheel 118 is therefore pushed by the push-button 125 out of the upper gear drive housing 108 so as to be located entirely inside and surrounded by the gear drive 117 of the lower gear drive housing 110 such that the teeth 119 of gear wheel 118 are now completely meshed with the teeth 124 of the lower gear drive housing 110 .
- the U-shaped gripping bar 104 of the handlebar assembly 42 that is coupled to the pair of handlebar uprights 44 is now unlocked and free to rotate at the pair of push-button actuated couplers 106 to any angle between its aforementioned horizontal and vertical positions.
- each push-button 125 of each push-button actuated coupler 106 is terminated.
- the spring 122 located between wheel 118 and housing 110 will expand, and the push-button is automatically returned to its initial at-rest position.
- the gear wheel 118 is pushed outwardly from the lower gear drive housing 110 and moved along shaft 120 towards the upper gear drive housing 108 so as to once again be partially received by both housings 108 and 110 and meshed with the teeth 123 and 124 of the gear drives 116 and 117 thereof.
- the U-shaped gripping bar 104 is correspondingly locked in place to prevent any further rotation thereof.
- Each of the pair of push-button actuated couplers 106 has been described when referring to FIGS. 11-14 as controlling the rotation of the gripping bar 104 of the handlebar assembly 42 .
- this same push-button actuated coupler i.e., 106
- the push-button actuated elbow 96 that is shown in FIG. 7 by which the coupled and force receiving portions 92 and 94 of the wagon transport handle 38 are pivotally connected end-to-end and rotatable relative to one another.
- FIG. 14 of the drawings also shows an optional add-on utility basket 128 to be carried at the rear of the folding wagon 1 in which to transport any of a variety of articles including those that may be used by the child being transported by the wagon in one of the fold down seats 48 .
- a cross bar 130 extends horizontally between the vertical handlebar uprights 44 that extend upwardly along opposite sides of the wagon basket 3 .
- a collar 132 which is attached to each end of the cross bar 130 is coupled in surrounding engagement to each one of the handlebar uprights 44 .
- a pair of similar collars 134 are coupled in surrounding engagement with the cross bar 130 at opposite ends thereof.
- a mounting sleeve 136 projects outwardly and rearwardly from each of the collars 134 that surround the cross bar 130 .
- the utility basket 128 is supported around the open top thereof by a generally “D” shaped frame 138 such that the basket is suspended by and hangs downwardly from the frame.
- a pair of mounting posts 140 project outwardly and forwardly from opposite sides of the basket frame 138 .
- the basket 128 is detachably connected to the rear of the wagon 1 when the pair of mounting posts 140 are slidably and removably received within respective ones of the mounting sleeves 136 which extend from the collars 134 that surround the cross bar 130 .
- the utility basket 128 Prior to the gripping bar 104 of handlebar assembly 42 being rotated at couplers 106 to its vertical position shown in FIG. 11 , the utility basket 128 is first detached from the wagon by removing the mounting posts 140 of the basket frame 138 from the mounting sleeves 136 of cross bar 130 .
- an optional table 142 is shown to be detachbly connected to the folding wagon 1 so as to extend laterally across the top of the wagon basket 3 .
- a pair of table mounting pipes 144 extend upwardly from the basket support rack 5 so as to run vertically along opposite sides of the basket 3 .
- a corresponding pair of table mounting posts 146 extend downwardly from opposite sides of the table 142 .
- the table is detachably connected to the wagon 1 and held in place across the basket 3 thereof when the table mounting posts 146 are removably received within respective ones of the table mounting pipes 144 .
- a pair of cup receptacles 148 are formed in the table 142 within which to receive and retain a pair of conventional drinking cups (not shown).
- FIGS. 15 and 16 also show a pair of optional fold-over side flaps 150 that are folded over opposite sides of the wagon basket 3 .
- the side flap 150 are attached inside the basket 3 and extend therefrom so as to lie along the outside of the basket.
- Each side flap 150 has a pocket 152 running longitudinally therealong in which a variety of articles can be transported with the wagon 1 .
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a folding wagon that is capable of being folded between an expanded open configuration at which a variety of articles or children are carried in a basket of the wagon and a compact collapsed configuration at which to facilitate the storage or transport of the wagon when it is not being used. A pair of fold-down seats are carried inside the basket of the wagon to transport small children. The seats are rotatable from a vertical upright position to a horizontal flat position at which the wagon can be folded to its compact collapsed configuration.
- Wagons are known which are capable of being folded between open and collapsed configurations. Some folding wagons have a fabric basket that is sized to carry a variety of articles or small children when the wagon is unfolded for use in its open configuration. One example of such a folding wagon is available by referring to my U.S. Pat. No. 9,145,154 entitled FOLDING WAGON which issued Sep. 29, 2015.
- My patented folding wagon has a fabric basket that is sized to transport both small children as well as articles such as sporting goods, picnic supplies, business inventory and the like. However, any children being carried in the wagon basket are subject to being jostled and tossed about, especially when the wagon moves over rough or steep terrain. In the case where articles and children are being transported in the basket at the same time, they might be thrown together which could result in injury to the children and damage to the articles. Accordingly, it would be desirable to modify my folding wagon to include fold-down seats in which children being transported in the wagon basket can be restrained while still permitting the wagon to be folded after the children have been removed from their seats and the seats have been folded flat against the bottom of the basket.
- In general terms, disclosed herein is a folding wagon which includes a flexible basket. The folding wagon transports a variety of articles and/or children that are located in the wagon basket. The folding wagon also includes a frame and a basket support rack above which the basket is supported and held up by the frame. The frame and the rack are adapted to be folded so that the wagon is correspondingly folded from an expanded open configuration during use to a compact collapsed configuration to facilitate transport and/or storage of the wagon when it is not in use. The wagon includes pairs of front and rear wheels attached to the wagon frame to roll over a surface in response to a pulling or a pushing force that is applied to a wagon transport handle.
- A pair of fold-down seats are carried by the wagon at opposite ends of the wagon basket. Each fold-down seat has a horizontal seat portion to support the weight of a seated individual and a back portion extending upwardly from the seat portion to support the individual's back. The seat portion of the seat is surrounded by a seat support frame having legs that are pivotally connected to the basket support rack lying below the basket. The back portion of the seat is surrounded by a back support frame having legs that are also pivotally connected to the basket support rack. The seat and back support frames are rotatable with one another relative to the basket support rack from a vertically upright position standing upwardly within the basket and a horizontally flat position lying against the bottom of the basket at which the wagon can be folded to its collapsed configuration. A foot pocket extends downwardly from the bottom of the wagon basket through a foot extension opening in the basket support rack within which to receive the feet of the seated individual and thereby provide the individual with additional leg room.
- The wagon transport handle is pivotally connected to the wagon frame at the front of the folding wagon. The handle is adapted to be rotated relative to the frame between a first position lying inside the wagon basket to shorten the length of the wagon and a second position lying outside and extending from the front of the basket at which to receive the pulling or pushing force. A handlebar is pivotally connected to the wagon frame at the rear of the folding wagon by means of a pair of handlebar uprights. The handlebar is adapted to be rotated relative to the pair of handlebar uprights between a first position extending horizontally outward from the handlebar uprights at which to receive a pushing or a pulling force for causing the wagon to roll on its wheels and a second position extending substantially vertically downward to lie alongside the handlebar uprights and thereby further shorten the length of the wagon to facilitate its transport or storage. An optional utility basket is detachably connected to the wagon at the pair of handlebar uprights thereof.
- An optional table is detachable connected to the folding wagon so as to extend laterally across the wagon basket. A pair of hollow table mounting pipes extend upwardly from the basket support rack to run vertically along opposite sides of the basket. A corresponding pair of mounting posts which extend downwardly from opposite sides of the table are removably received within respective ones of the mounting pipes by which to hold the table in place across the basket. A pair of cup receptacles are located in the table to receive and retain conventional drinking cups therewithin.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a folding wagon in an expanded open configuration and having a pair of fold-down seats in an upright position and located at opposite ends of a basket of the wagon; -
FIG. 2 shows the folding wagon ofFIG. 1 in a compact closed configuration; -
FIG. 3 shows the folding wagon in its expanded open configuration ofFIG. 1 with the pair of fold-down seats rotated to a horizontal flat position lying against the bottom of the wagon basket; -
FIG. 4 shows one of the pair of fold-down seats in its upright position standing upwardly from and pivotally connected to a basket support rack of the folding wagon; -
FIG. 5 shows the bottom of the folding wagon in its expanded open configuration with a pair of foot pockets lying underneath the wagon basket and extending below the basket support rack; -
FIG. 6 shows a seat belt and shoulder harness assembly attached to one of the fold-down seats carried by the folding wagon; -
FIG. 7 shows a wagon transport handle pivotally connected to the front of the wagon and rotatable relative to a basket supporting frame thereof; -
FIG. 8 shows the wagon transport handle ofFIG. 7 after being rotated relative to the frame so as to lie inside the wagon basket; -
FIG. 9 shows the wagon transport handle after being rotated relative to the frame outside the wagon basket so as to extend from the front of the folding wagon; -
FIG. 10 shows a handlebar pivotally coupled to a pair of handlebar uprights located at the rear of the folding wagon after the handlebar is rotated downwardly to a substantially vertical position lying alongside the handlebar uprights; -
FIGS. 11-13 show details of a push-button actuated coupler by which the handlebar ofFIG. 10 is pivotally coupled and rotatable relative to the pair of handlebar uprights located at the rear of the folding wagon; -
FIG. 14 shows an optional utility basket detachably connected to the rear of the folding wagon at the pair of handlebar uprights thereof; -
FIG. 15 shows an optional table having drinking cup receptacles to be detachably connected to the folding wagon so as to extend laterally across the wagon basket; and -
FIG. 16 shows the table ofFIG. 15 after being detachably connected to the folding wagon across the wagon basket. - Referring initially to
FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, there is shown afolding wagon 1 that is adapted to be folded between an expanded open configuration during use and a compact collapsed configuration at which to facilitate its storage or transport when not in use. Folding wagons like that shown inFIG. 1 are generally known. For example, reference can be made to my U.S. Pat. No. 9,145,154 which shows and describes one example of a folding wagon of the kind in which the improvements to be described below can be incorporated. Therefore, the teachings of a folding wagon as disclosed in my aforementioned patent are incorporated herein by reference, and only a brief description of the foldingwagon 1 will be provided below. - The folding
wagon 1 includes afabric basket 3 within which to carry a variety of articles including, but not limited to, sporting and camping goods, picnic supplies and business inventory. Thefabric basket 3 is open at the top and closed along the bottom, front, rear and sides. Thebasket 3 sits upon and stands upwardly from a flatbasket support rack 5 that lies at the bottom of thewagon 1. Thebasket 3 is attached to and held above therack 5 by a folding wagon frame. Thebasket support rack 5 hasopposite ends joint 9 and capable of being rotated towards one another so as to lie face-to-face in response to an uplifting pulling force applied thereto when the wagon is being folded to its compact collapsed configuration (best shown inFIG. 2 ). - However, it is to be understood that the advantages of this invention that will be described in greater detail hereinafter are also applicable to wagons which do not fold. In that case, the
basket support rack 5 will remain flat such that the opposing ends 7 and 9 thereof remain stationary and will not rotate towards and away from one another. - The folding frame of the
folding wagon 1 is manipulated to enable the wagon to be correspondingly folded from its expanded open configuration ofFIGS. 1 and 3 at which articles are carried in thebasket 3 to its compact collapsed configuration (shown inFIG. 2 ) at which the frame and thebasket 3 are collapsed and the wagon is suitable for transport or storage. Prior to it being folded, the folding frame holds thebasket 3 up so as to be seated on and stand above thebasket support rack 5. Reference may also be made to my aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 9,145,154 for details to explain the attachment of thebasket 3 to the folding wagon frame so that thebasket 3 is held above thebasket support rack 5. - Briefly, each side of the wagon frame which lies adjacent one side of the
wagon basket 3 includes an identical first pair of diagonally extendingside support arms side support arms side support arms upper pivot coupling 14, so that thesupport arms side support arms lower pivot coupling 16, so that thesupport arms side support arms pivot coupling 18, and the diagonally extendingside support arms pivot coupling 20. - The opposite end of the
side support arm 11 of the first pair ofside support arms FIGS. 15 and 16 ). The rearwheel support track 22 is spaced from and located behind thebasket support rack 5 at which a pair ofrear wheels 24 of thefolding wagon 1 are mounted. Eachrear wheel 24 is pivotally connected to the rearwheel support track 22. - The opposite end of the
side support arm 10 of the first of the pair ofside support arms folding wagon 1 at which to form a front wheel support track 28 (best shown inFIG. 2 ). The frontwheel support track 28 is spaced from and located ahead of thebasket support rack 5 at which a pair offront wheels 30 of thefolding wagon 1 are mounted. Eachfront wheel 30 is pivotally connected to the frontwheel support track 28. - A
horizontal extension 34 of theside support arm 12 of the second pair ofside support arms FIG. 3 ) bends continuously around and runs across the front of thefolding wagon 1. The front of thewagon basket 3 is folded over and around theextension 34 of theside support arm 12 to help hold thebasket 3 up so as to lay on and stand above thebasket support rack 5 when thewagon 1 is in its expanded open configuration. - Likewise, a
horizontal extension 36 of theside support arm 13 of the second pair ofside support arms FIG. 3 ) bends continuously around and runs across the rear of thefolding wagon 1. The rear of thewagon basket 3 is folded over and around theextension 36 of theside support arm 13 to help hold thebasket 3 up so as to lay on and stand above thebasket support rack 5 when the wagon is in its expanded open configuration. - As is best shown in
FIG. 3 , an articulating wagon transport handle 38 is pivotally connected by way of a taperedhandle housing 40 to thebasket support extension 34 which runs across the front of thefolding wagon 1. A pulling force or a pushing force is applied to the wagon transport handle 38 by a user to cause the pairs of rear andfront wheels wagon 1 can be transported from place-to-place in a forward or backward direction. In the case where the folding wagon is folded to its compact closed configuration as shown inFIG. 2 , the pairs of front andrear wheels - A
rotatable handlebar assembly 42 that is located at the rear of thefolding wagon 1 is connected to the wagon frame by way of a pair ofhandlebar uprights 44 that extend from opposite ends of thehandlebar assembly 42 to respective ones of the diagonalside support arms 11 located at opposite sides of thewagon basket 3. As with thewagon transport handle 38, a pushing or pulling force applied to thehandlebar assembly 42 will cause the wagon to roll on its pairs of front andrear wheels rotatable handlebar assembly 42 will also be explained in greater detail hereinafter. - As an important improvement relative to conventional wagons, the
folding wagon 1 herein disclosed has a pair of fold-downseats 48 that are located inside thewagon basket 3 and in opposite facing alignment at the front and rear of the wagon so that small children can be seated in theseats 48 and transported alone or with other articles being carried inside thebasket 3. As represented by the directional arrows inFIG. 1 , the fold-downseats 48 are rotatable between an upright position shown inFIG. 1 standing vertically upwardly from the bottom of thewagon basket 3 to a flat position shown inFIG. 3 lying horizontally against the bottom ofbasket 3. - Referring in this regard to
FIG. 4 of the drawings, one of the identical pair of fold-downseats 48 is shown in its upright position pivotally connected to thebasket support rack 5 so as to stand upwardly above the bottom of thewagon basket 3 shown inFIG. 1 . The fold-downseat 48 includes ahorizontal seat portion 50 attached to and surrounded by a U-shapedseat support frame 52. Aback portion 54 stands vertically upward from theseat portion 54 and is attached between a pair ofrotatable legs 56 from a back support frame. The rotatable backsupport frame legs 56 of the fold-downseat 48 are pivotally connected bypivots 57 to respective L-shapedbrackets 58 which are fixedly connected to opposite sides of thebasket support rack 5 at the bottom of the folding wagon 1 (best shown inFIG. 4 ). The front corners of the U-shapedseat support frame 52 are pivotally connected bypivots 59 to first ends of a pair of rotatablefront support legs 60. The opposite ends of the rotatablefront support legs 60 are pivotally connected bypivots 61 to respective L-shapedbrackets 62 which are fixedly connected to thebasket support rack 5 in front of the L-shapedbrackets 58. The rear ends of the U-shapedseat support frame 52 are pivotally connected bypivots 63 to the rotatable backsupport frame legs 56 approximately midway along the length thereof. - Arm rests 64 are mounted on respective horizontal arm rest support bars 66 above opposite sides of the
seat portion 50 of the fold-downseat 48. First ends of the arm rest support bars 66 are pivotally connected bypivots 67 to the rotatable backsupport frame legs 56 above thepivots 63. Opposite ends of the arm rest support bars 66 are coupled by means ofcollars 68 to first ends of respective vertically upstanding rotatable arm rest braces 70. The opposite ends of the rotatable arm rest braces 70 are pivotally connected by theaforementioned pivots 59 to be joined to the front corners of the U-shapedseat support frame 52 and the first ends of the rotatablefront support legs 60. - Accordingly, it may be appreciated that either one or both of the fold-down
seats 48 at opposite ends of thefolding wagon 1 can be rotated inside thebasket 3 atpivots seats 48 will be occupied by one riding in thebasket 3. When theseats 48 are rotated to their flat position, theback portions 54 thereof rotate downwardly through an angle of about 90 degrees in the direction of the reference arrows shown inFIG. 1 . That is, eachvertical back portion 54 is initially rotated towards ahorizontal seat portion 50 which then rotate together towards the bottom of thewagon basket 3. With the seat andback portions seats 48 laying flat against one another and the bottom of thebasket 3 as shown inFIG. 3 , thefolding wagon 1 is ideally suited to be folded into its compact collapsed configuration shown inFIG. 2 . - As shown in
FIG. 4 , there is a foot extension opening 74 formed through thebasket support rack 5 below thewagon basket 3 and in front of each of the pair of fold-down seats 48 (only one seat being shown). With theseats 48 rotated to their vertical upright position ofFIG. 4 , one seated in either one of theseats 48 can move his feet towards the bottom of thebasket 3 for receipt through the foot extension opening 74 in order to have more leg room and thereby improve his comfort while riding. As shown inFIG. 5 of the drawings, foot pockets 76 communicate with and extend downwardly from the bottom of thewagon basket 3 so as to lie below thebasket support rack 5 for receipt through each of thefoot extension openings 74 ofFIG. 4 . Eachfoot pocket 76 creates a deep enclosure to surround and retain the feet of the seated individual so as to prevent his feet from dragging against the ground while thewagon 1 is in motion. -
FIG. 6 of the drawings illustrates one of a pair of identical push-button actuated seat belt and shoulder harness assemblies that are attached to the fold-down seats 48 (only one of which being shown) of thefolding wagon 1 and used to surround the shoulders and waist and thereby restrain small children when the seats are in their upright position. In particular, each seat belt and shoulder harness assembly includes a conventional 3-point seat belt 78 that is connected by way of a central 3-point coupler 80 to a pair of shoulder retention straps 82 from a shoulder harness. That is, first ends of the shoulder retention straps 82 are detachably connected to thecentral coupler 80 by means of respective clips 84. The opposite ends of the shoulder retention straps 82 run through theback portion 54 of theseat 48 to be anchored in place at the outside of thebasket 3 of the wagon 1 (not shown). - A pair of outstretched waist retention straps 86-1 and 86-2 of the 3-
point seat belt 78 of the seat belt assembly are affixed (e.g., stitched) at the first ends thereof to theback portion 54 of theseat 48. The opposite ends of the waist retention straps 86-1 and 82-2 of theseat belt 78 are detachably connected to opposite sides of the 3-point coupler 80. Thecoupler 80 surrounds a manually operated push-button 88 that is activated to release the detachable connection of the straps 86-1 and 86-2 to thecoupler 80. An intermediate leg retention strap 86-3 of theseat belt 78 is affixed (e.g., stitched) at one end thereof to theseat 48 atop theseat portion 50 thereof. The opposite end of the intermediate leg retention strap 86-3 is fixedly connected to the 3-point coupler 80 between the pair of outstretched waist retention straps 86-1 and 86-2. - By depressing the push-
button 88 that is surrounded by the central 3-point coupler 80 to which the pair of outstretched waist retention straps 86-1 and 86-2 of theseat belt 78 are detachably connected, the straps will be detached from thecoupler 80. The shoulder retention straps 82 of the shoulder harness can be separated from thecoupler 80 by detaching theclips 84 thereof from the coupler. The 3-point seat belt 78 is now opened to enable the child being transported in the wagon to be removed from hisseat 84. -
FIGS. 8-10 of the drawings illustrates details of the articulated wagon transport handle 38 to which a pulling or pushing force is applied to cause thewagon 1 to roll from place-to-place. The wagon transport handle 38 includes a coupledportion 92 and aforce receiving portion 94 that are pivotally connected together at opposing first ends thereof to a push-button actuatedelbow 96. Located at the opposite end of the coupledportion 92 of the wagon handle 38 is the aforementioned taperedhandle housing 40. As earlier described, thehandle housing 40 is pivotally coupled in surrounding engagement with the horizontal extension 34 (best shown inFIG. 3 ) that runs across the front of thewagon 1 between theside support arms 12 at opposite sides of thewagon basket 3. - By virtue of the pivotal connection of the wagon handle 38 to the front of the
wagon 1, the handle can be rotated in opposite directions relative to the wagon frame around thehorizontal extension 34 through an angle of at least 180 degrees between a first position lying entirely inside the wagon basket 3 (best shown inFIG. 9 ), at which it can be grasped by a child being transported in the back of the wagon to give him the feeling of being able to steer the wagon, and a second position, lying entirely outside and extending from the front of the wagon basket 3 (best shown inFIG. 10 ), at which to receive a pulling or a pushing force at agripping handle 98 located at the opposite end of theforce receiving portion 94 thereof. Thehandle housing 40 includes a taperedsurface 99 that enables thehandle 38 to be rotated completely around thehorizontal extension 34 to a location deep within thebasket 3. - The coupled and
force receiving portions elbow 96 which is located at approximately the midpoint of the handle. Theelbow 96 includes a user actuated push-button 100 that is depressed in order to release the end-to-end locking connection of the coupled andforce receiving portions force receiving portion 94 can now be rotated in the direction of the reference arrow shown inFIG. 8 through an angle of about 180 degrees relative to the coupledportion 94 so as to lie alongside the coupledportion 92. With the coupled andforce receiving portions handle 38 lying one against the other, the folded wagon handle 38 can be rotated at thehandle housing 40 around thehorizontal extension 34 so as to lie inside thewagon basket 3 and thereby achieve a more compact configuration that is ideal for the wagon to be carried by some motor vehicles without first having to fold the wagon to its collapsed configuration. - Turning now to
FIGS. 11-15 of the drawings, details are provided of therotatable handlebar assembly 42 that is located behind thewagon basket 3 at the rear of thefolding wagon 1. Thehandlebar assembly 42 includes a U-shaped gripping bar 104 (best shown inFIG. 14 ) which is pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof by means of a pair of push-button activatedcouplers 106 torespective handlebar uprights 44 that run substantially vertically upward from the wagon frame to lie above the wagon basket 3 (best shown inFIG. 11 ). As is best shown inFIG. 7 , the grippingbar 104 of thehandlebar assembly 42 is rotatable in the opposite directions indicated by the reference arrows relative to thehandlebar uprights 44 at the push-button couplers 106 through an angle of about 235 degrees between a horizontal position (as shown inFIG. 1 ) extending outwardly from thehandlebar uprights 44 at which to receive a pushing or pulling force and a substantially vertical position (as shown inFIG. 10 ) extending downwardly and lying alongside thehandlebar uprights 44 at which the overall length of the wagon is reduced to facilitate its transport and storage. - Each one of the pair of push-button actuated
couplers 106 includes upper and lowergear drive housings upper handle arm 112 extends from theupper gear housing 108, and a tubularlower handle arm 114 extends from thelower gear housing 110. As is best shown inFIG. 11 , the tubularupper handle arm 112 is sized to receive therewithin and be attached to one end of the U-shapedgripping bar 104. The tubularlower handle arm 114 is sized to receive therewithin and be attached to one end of onehandlebar upright 44, whereby thegripping bar 104 and the upright 44 are held end-to-end one another at thecoupler 106. - As is best shown in
FIG. 13 , a stationarycircular gear drive 116 is located inside the uppergear drive housing 108. Asimilar gear drive 117 is located inside the lowergear drive housing 110 in opposite facing alignment withgear drive 116. Located between the upper and lowergear drive housings gear wheel 118 that is mounted on and slidable along a cylindricalgear wheel shaft 120 that extends from the lowergear drive housing 110 through ahole 121 in the center of thewheel 118. A set ofteeth 119 extend around thegear wheel 118. A (e.g., coil)spring 122 is located between one face of thegear wheel 118 and the opposing lowergear drive housing 110. The gear drives 116 and 117 of the upper and lowergear drive housings teeth teeth 119 of thegear wheel 118. - That is, with the push-button actuated
coupler 106 in its assembled configuration ofFIGS. 11 and 12 , thegear wheel 118 is initially biased along theshaft 120 by thespring 122 so as to lie partially within each of the gear drives 116 and 117 of the upper and the lowergear drive housings teeth 119 of thegear wheel 118 are meshed together with theteeth gripping bar 104 of therotatable handlebar assembly 42 is locked in place by thegear wheel 118 relative to the handlebar uprights 44. - A manually operated push-
button 125 is received within acavity 126 that is formed in the top of the uppergear drive housing 108 of each of the pair ofcouplers 106. The push-button 125, thecenter hole 121 through thegear wheel 118, and thegear wheel shaft 120 are all arranged within each one of thecouplers 106 to lie in axial alignment with one another. When the push-button 125 of onecoupler 106 is initially at rest and no pushing force is being applied thereto, thespring 122 positioned between the lowergear drive housing 110 and thegear wheel 118 is relaxed and expanded, and theteeth 119 of thegear wheel 118 are partially meshed with theteeth gear drive housings gripping bar 104 of therotatable handlebar assembly 42 which is joined at opposite ends thereof to the pair ofcouplers 106 by way of respectiveupper handle arm 112 is locked in place. - However, when a pushing force is manually applied to one of the push-
buttons 125 from one of thecouplers 106, the push-button is moved through thecoupler cavity 126 formed in the uppergear drive housing 108 towards thegear wheel 118. Accordingly,gear wheel 118 is pushed by the push-button 125 along thegear wheel shaft 120 towards the lowergear drive housing 110, such that thespring 122 lying between thegear wheel 118 and the lowergear drive housing 110 will be compressed. - The
gear wheel 118 is therefore pushed by the push-button 125 out of the uppergear drive housing 108 so as to be located entirely inside and surrounded by the gear drive 117 of the lowergear drive housing 110 such that theteeth 119 ofgear wheel 118 are now completely meshed with theteeth 124 of the lowergear drive housing 110. Inasmuch as thetoothed gear wheel 118 has been completely removed from the uppergear drive housing 108, the U-shapedgripping bar 104 of thehandlebar assembly 42 that is coupled to the pair ofhandlebar uprights 44 is now unlocked and free to rotate at the pair of push-button actuatedcouplers 106 to any angle between its aforementioned horizontal and vertical positions. - Once the gripping
bar 104 has been rotated to a position to suit the needs of the user, the pushing force applied to each push-button 125 of each push-button actuatedcoupler 106 is terminated. Thespring 122 located betweenwheel 118 andhousing 110 will expand, and the push-button is automatically returned to its initial at-rest position. At the same time, thegear wheel 118 is pushed outwardly from the lowergear drive housing 110 and moved alongshaft 120 towards the uppergear drive housing 108 so as to once again be partially received by bothhousings teeth gripping bar 104 is correspondingly locked in place to prevent any further rotation thereof. - Each of the pair of push-button actuated
couplers 106 has been described when referring toFIGS. 11-14 as controlling the rotation of thegripping bar 104 of thehandlebar assembly 42. However, this same push-button actuated coupler (i.e., 106) can also be substituted for the push-button actuatedelbow 96 that is shown inFIG. 7 by which the coupled andforce receiving portions -
FIG. 14 of the drawings also shows an optional add-onutility basket 128 to be carried at the rear of thefolding wagon 1 in which to transport any of a variety of articles including those that may be used by the child being transported by the wagon in one of the fold down seats 48. Across bar 130 extends horizontally between thevertical handlebar uprights 44 that extend upwardly along opposite sides of thewagon basket 3. Acollar 132 which is attached to each end of thecross bar 130 is coupled in surrounding engagement to each one of the handlebar uprights 44. A pair ofsimilar collars 134 are coupled in surrounding engagement with thecross bar 130 at opposite ends thereof. A mountingsleeve 136 projects outwardly and rearwardly from each of thecollars 134 that surround thecross bar 130. - The
utility basket 128 is supported around the open top thereof by a generally “D” shapedframe 138 such that the basket is suspended by and hangs downwardly from the frame. A pair of mountingposts 140 project outwardly and forwardly from opposite sides of thebasket frame 138. Thebasket 128 is detachably connected to the rear of thewagon 1 when the pair of mountingposts 140 are slidably and removably received within respective ones of the mountingsleeves 136 which extend from thecollars 134 that surround thecross bar 130. Prior to thegripping bar 104 ofhandlebar assembly 42 being rotated atcouplers 106 to its vertical position shown inFIG. 11 , theutility basket 128 is first detached from the wagon by removing the mountingposts 140 of thebasket frame 138 from the mountingsleeves 136 ofcross bar 130. - Referring now to
FIGS. 15 and 16 of the drawings, an optional table 142 is shown to be detachbly connected to thefolding wagon 1 so as to extend laterally across the top of thewagon basket 3. A pair oftable mounting pipes 144 extend upwardly from thebasket support rack 5 so as to run vertically along opposite sides of thebasket 3. A corresponding pair oftable mounting posts 146 extend downwardly from opposite sides of the table 142. The table is detachably connected to thewagon 1 and held in place across thebasket 3 thereof when thetable mounting posts 146 are removably received within respective ones of thetable mounting pipes 144. A pair ofcup receptacles 148 are formed in the table 142 within which to receive and retain a pair of conventional drinking cups (not shown). -
FIGS. 15 and 16 also show a pair of optional fold-over side flaps 150 that are folded over opposite sides of thewagon basket 3. Theside flap 150 are attached inside thebasket 3 and extend therefrom so as to lie along the outside of the basket. Eachside flap 150 has apocket 152 running longitudinally therealong in which a variety of articles can be transported with thewagon 1.
Claims (25)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/043,819 US10562556B1 (en) | 2018-07-24 | 2018-07-24 | Folding wagon having fold-down seats |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/043,819 US10562556B1 (en) | 2018-07-24 | 2018-07-24 | Folding wagon having fold-down seats |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20200031376A1 true US20200031376A1 (en) | 2020-01-30 |
US10562556B1 US10562556B1 (en) | 2020-02-18 |
Family
ID=69179008
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/043,819 Active US10562556B1 (en) | 2018-07-24 | 2018-07-24 | Folding wagon having fold-down seats |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US10562556B1 (en) |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10766517B2 (en) * | 2018-03-16 | 2020-09-08 | Strova, Inc. | Stroller assembly |
WO2021188636A1 (en) * | 2020-03-17 | 2021-09-23 | Dynamic Motion, Llc | Wagon for carrying children |
CN114040871A (en) * | 2019-08-30 | 2022-02-11 | 雷德福来尔有限公司 | Push-pull type cart |
CN114056411A (en) * | 2020-08-03 | 2022-02-18 | 明门瑞士股份有限公司 | Double bassinet frame and frame folding mechanism thereof |
US11318973B2 (en) * | 2019-11-08 | 2022-05-03 | Phillip Earl Kelly | Beach wagon |
CN114701561A (en) * | 2022-03-04 | 2022-07-05 | 好孩子儿童用品有限公司 | Children hand buggy |
US11414114B2 (en) * | 2019-05-08 | 2022-08-16 | Morf, Llc | Electric utility and play vehicle |
US11465664B1 (en) * | 2021-12-08 | 2022-10-11 | Bran-New International | Baby wagon with improved ease of use |
US11518423B2 (en) * | 2020-10-23 | 2022-12-06 | Xiangshan Zhang | Folding picnic cart |
US11572091B1 (en) * | 2022-04-26 | 2023-02-07 | Sapphire premium (shenzhen) technology co., ltd | Foldable wagon |
US20230054291A1 (en) * | 2021-08-18 | 2023-02-23 | Chris Robison | Bedside Storage Assembly |
US20230192167A1 (en) * | 2021-12-18 | 2023-06-22 | Qingdao Zhengtao Tool CO., LTD | Folding wagon with folding table |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9908552B2 (en) * | 2016-05-31 | 2018-03-06 | Thule Canada Inc. | Passenger transport carriers |
CN210478755U (en) * | 2019-09-03 | 2020-05-08 | 吴培武 | Camp vehicle |
US11465665B2 (en) * | 2019-10-09 | 2022-10-11 | Radio Flyer Inc. | Wagon with recline seatback |
US11225277B1 (en) * | 2021-01-11 | 2022-01-18 | Zhejiang Pride Leisure Products Co., Ltd. | Double-cross cart |
KR102415226B1 (en) * | 2021-11-15 | 2022-06-29 | 최예진 | Baby wagon with improved ease of use |
USD991612S1 (en) * | 2022-08-29 | 2023-07-04 | Ningbo Greentime Co., Ltd. | Collapsible beach wagon cart |
Family Cites Families (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070284900A1 (en) * | 2006-06-12 | 2007-12-13 | Grow'n Up Limited, Hong Kong | Foldable wagon |
US7487977B2 (en) * | 2006-09-30 | 2009-02-10 | Radio Flyer Inc. | Multiple configuration children's wagon |
US8851503B2 (en) * | 2008-09-29 | 2014-10-07 | Robert L. Tyson, III | Dual-chair beach wagon |
US8388015B2 (en) | 2008-10-10 | 2013-03-05 | Bam Brokerage, Inc. | Folding wagon with seats |
US8011686B2 (en) | 2008-10-10 | 2011-09-06 | Zhaosheng Chen | Folding wagon |
US8955855B2 (en) * | 2011-01-03 | 2015-02-17 | Radio Flyer Inc. | Infant wagon |
WO2014193967A2 (en) * | 2013-05-29 | 2014-12-04 | Radio Flyer Inc. | Foldable wagon |
US9333977B2 (en) * | 2013-09-20 | 2016-05-10 | Radio Flyer Inc. | Multipurpose wagon |
US10077062B2 (en) * | 2014-07-29 | 2018-09-18 | Veer Gear, Llc | Wagon with adapter for installing child seat |
US9469324B2 (en) * | 2014-07-29 | 2016-10-18 | Dragonfly Gear, LLC | Wagon with displaceable wall for installing child seat |
US9145154B1 (en) | 2014-09-19 | 2015-09-29 | Brian Horowitz | Folding wagon |
KR101573235B1 (en) * | 2015-07-03 | 2015-12-02 | 최예진 | Baby wagon with improved ease of use |
US9623890B1 (en) * | 2016-04-18 | 2017-04-18 | Brian Horowitz | Folding wagon having a cooler and a removable table connected thereto |
US10583852B2 (en) * | 2016-11-02 | 2020-03-10 | Radio Flyer Inc. | Foldable wagon |
CN108725527B (en) * | 2017-04-13 | 2023-08-15 | 陈昭胜 | Folding vehicle |
US11577766B2 (en) * | 2017-05-09 | 2023-02-14 | Brian Horowitz | Folding wagon |
US10099711B1 (en) * | 2017-06-09 | 2018-10-16 | Blue Ridge Recreational Gear, LLC | Translational collapsible wagon |
US10703399B2 (en) * | 2017-09-26 | 2020-07-07 | Radio Flyer Inc. | Folding trailer for a wagon |
US10300934B2 (en) * | 2017-09-27 | 2019-05-28 | Radio Flyer Inc. | Wagon with folding seats |
-
2018
- 2018-07-24 US US16/043,819 patent/US10562556B1/en active Active
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10766517B2 (en) * | 2018-03-16 | 2020-09-08 | Strova, Inc. | Stroller assembly |
US11414114B2 (en) * | 2019-05-08 | 2022-08-16 | Morf, Llc | Electric utility and play vehicle |
CN114040871A (en) * | 2019-08-30 | 2022-02-11 | 雷德福来尔有限公司 | Push-pull type cart |
US11318973B2 (en) * | 2019-11-08 | 2022-05-03 | Phillip Earl Kelly | Beach wagon |
WO2021188636A1 (en) * | 2020-03-17 | 2021-09-23 | Dynamic Motion, Llc | Wagon for carrying children |
CN114056411A (en) * | 2020-08-03 | 2022-02-18 | 明门瑞士股份有限公司 | Double bassinet frame and frame folding mechanism thereof |
US11518423B2 (en) * | 2020-10-23 | 2022-12-06 | Xiangshan Zhang | Folding picnic cart |
US20230054291A1 (en) * | 2021-08-18 | 2023-02-23 | Chris Robison | Bedside Storage Assembly |
US11465664B1 (en) * | 2021-12-08 | 2022-10-11 | Bran-New International | Baby wagon with improved ease of use |
US20230192167A1 (en) * | 2021-12-18 | 2023-06-22 | Qingdao Zhengtao Tool CO., LTD | Folding wagon with folding table |
US11919557B2 (en) * | 2021-12-18 | 2024-03-05 | Qingdao Zhengtao Tool CO., LTD | Folding wagon with folding table |
CN114701561A (en) * | 2022-03-04 | 2022-07-05 | 好孩子儿童用品有限公司 | Children hand buggy |
US11572091B1 (en) * | 2022-04-26 | 2023-02-07 | Sapphire premium (shenzhen) technology co., ltd | Foldable wagon |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US10562556B1 (en) | 2020-02-18 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10562556B1 (en) | Folding wagon having fold-down seats | |
US5125674A (en) | Unitary infant care apparatus | |
JP6790059B2 (en) | Folding wagon | |
US4620711A (en) | Multi-function child carrier | |
US4586721A (en) | Convertible stroller | |
US5544904A (en) | Convertible stroller | |
US6598898B2 (en) | Folding cart | |
US6155579A (en) | Folding child stroller and frame carrier | |
US4865346A (en) | Collapsible cart assembly | |
US8444171B2 (en) | Convertible double stroller | |
US8282119B1 (en) | Two-level travel stroller for children | |
US20170158219A1 (en) | Stroller with telescopic and locking members | |
US8366141B2 (en) | Transporter | |
US20070045972A1 (en) | Modular stroller | |
US3459435A (en) | Baby strollers | |
US5071146A (en) | Convertible infant stroller | |
US5224731A (en) | Combination wheel chair and walker | |
US20060255564A1 (en) | Steerable wheeled cart | |
KR20130028064A (en) | Multi-purpose wheeled conveyance | |
US4487428A (en) | Convertible stroller | |
US20050161912A1 (en) | Placement rack on baby cart | |
US20110095510A1 (en) | Infant stroller | |
US10293843B2 (en) | Juvenile stroller | |
WO2015065534A1 (en) | Stroller with expandable cargo area | |
EP3489110A1 (en) | Sibling board |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO SMALL (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: SMAL); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: SURCHARGE FOR LATE PAYMENT, SMALL ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M2554); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YR, SMALL ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M2551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY Year of fee payment: 4 |