CA1235165A

CA1235165A - Perambulator

Info

Publication number: CA1235165A
Application number: CA000468103A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Dieter Glaser
Original assignee: Peg Perego Pines SpA
Current assignee: Peg Perego Pines SpA
Priority date: 1984-02-28
Filing date: 1984-11-16
Publication date: 1988-04-12
Also published as: IT8422529A0; IT1196244B; DE3407231C1

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure The invention relates to a perambulator comprising a frame and a push bar assembly pivotally connected to both sides of the frame for pivotal movement between a forward pos-ition and a rearward position. In a known perambulator of the type defined above, pivoting of the push bar assembly requires manual operation of a number of catch hooks, thus involving a considerable risk of faulty operation and consequent injury. In contrast thereto, the perambulator according to the invention is provided with two stop members on each side of the frame for limiting the pivoting movement of the push bar assembly, and a manually operable locking member disposed at an intermediate position there-between for preventing the push bar assembly from being pivoted from one position to the other in its rest position.

Description

~Z35165 1 Description ___________ The invention relates to a perambulator having a frame and a push bar assembly pivotal connected to the frame on 5 both sides thereof and adapted to be locked at a forward position and a rearward position.

From practical use there is already known a perambulator of the type defined above, in which the pivotal mounted 10 push bar assembly is adapted to be locked in each of its end positions by manually operable hooks pivotal mounted on both sides of the frame. The hooks are engage able with bolts secured to the push bar assembly at lateral posy itchiness This construction of the push bar assembly requires 15 a number of manual operations to be carried out by the user for pivoting the push bar assembly between its forward and rearward positions. There is thus a corresponding numb bier of possibilities that the push bar assembly is not properly and safely locked at its end position due to 20 faulty operation. There is also the danger of the hoots becoming disengaged from the bolts during use of the perambulator, with the result of considerable risk of accidents being incurred.

25 It is an object of the present invention to provide a perambulator of the type set forth in the introduction, which is of simple construction and operation, and which is adjustable to different riding positions for travel in opposite directions by simply pivoting the push bar assume-30 lye between two end positions without requiring additional complicated manipulations to this purpose.

In order to attain this object, the invention provides that two stop members for limiting the pivotal movement of 35 the push bar assembly are provided on each said of the frame, a manually operable looking element adapted in its rest position to prevent the push bar assembly from being moved from one position to the other being disposed at an inter-mediate location.
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1 The perambulator according to the invention offers consider-able advantages over prior art. The pivotal movement of the push bar assembly is limited at the end positions by simple stop members, so that the user does not have to 5 lock the push bar assembly in its end positions. Any accidental pivoting of the push bar assembly from one end - position to the other is positively precluded by a locking member disposed between the limiting stop members so US to prevent in its rest position the push bar assembly from 10 being pivoted in a reliable manner and without the inter-mention of the user. The danger of the push bar assembly being released from its respective end positions during use of the perambulator is thus positively excluded.

15 In an advantageous embodiment of the perambulator, the in-mention provides that the locking element is adapted to be displaced transversely of the pivoting plane of the push bar assembly for the release thereof. As a result of this provision, the locking element positively and reliably 20 prevents the push bar assembly from being pivoted under the action of forces transmitted there through to the frame of the perambulator during use thereof.

According to a further advantageous aspect of the invent-25 ion, the locking element is secured to a center portion ox a guide rod connecting the stop members to one another, so that its end portions project into the pivoting path of the push bar assembly. This construction ensures a particularly reliable guidance of the push bar assembly 80 while improving the stability of the stop members and reducing the danger of injuries by exposed corners and edges. The centered mounting of the locking element favors an extremely lightweight and compact construction of the perambulator.
In another preferred embodiment of the perambulator accord-in to the invention, the locking element comprises a plate-shaped member pivotal connected to the frame inter-mediate the stop members and biased by spring to its rest ' 1235~65 1 position perpendicular to the pivoting plane of the push bar assembly. This construction is particularly simple and space-saving. The number of components is reduced to a minimum, and the danger of faulty handling by an unskilled 5 user is practically eliminated.

In another advantageous embodiment of the perambulator according to the invention, the locking element is of U-shaped cross-sectional configuration straddling the 10 guide rod. This construction reliably eliminates the danger of a child occupying the perambulator getting its fingers caught in the mechanism with the resultant injury as the push bar assembly is pivoted from one end position to the other.
Preferred embodiments of the invention showing further characteristics and advantages thereof shall now be de-scribed by way of example with reference to the accomp-awning drawings, wherein: -fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a perambulator its. 2 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a locking element, fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the locking element, and fig 4 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the locking element.

A perambulator shown in fig. 1 comprises a frame 1 having a push bar assembly 2 pivotal connected to both sides thereof. Push bar assembly 2 is mounted for pivotal move-35 mint between a forward and a rearward position. This pivotal movement of the push par assembly is limited by stop members 3 provided on both sides of frame 1. A locking ` element 4 is disposed intermediate of stop members 3.
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~351654 1 Shown in fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of locking element lo Two stop members 3 secured to frame 1 are interconnected by a guide row 5. Locking element is secured to guide rod 5 at a center location thereof.
5 Locking element 4 is of symmetrical design and has a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The legs of this U-section are dimensioned so as to straddle guide rod 5.
In a top plan view of locking element 4, the two end port-ions thereof are of substantially triangular shape. The 10 end portion of locking element 4 facing towards push bar assembly 2 may be laterally displaced for releasing the push bar assembly, so that the latter can be pivoted to its other end position. As soon as push bar assembly has arrived at the center of locking element 4, it starts to 15 ride up on the other end portion thereof to cam it out of its pivoting path. As soon as push bar assembly engages the respective stop member 3, the end portion of locking bar 4 snaps back to its rest position in which it prevents push bar assembly 2 from being pivoted back to its first 20 position.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the locking element 4 according to the invention. Two stop members 3 are again secured to frame 1 for limiting the pivotal movement of 25 push bar assembly 2. The two stop members 3 are inter-connected by a guide rod 5. Secured to the center portion of guide rod 5 is a locking element 4 having a wire-like cross-sectional shape, the end portions of locking element 4 being angularly bent to a substantially triangular con-30 figuration as seen in a top plan view. The ends of locking element 4 extend through openings 6 formed in guide rod 5.
In its rest position locking element 4 prevents push bar assembly 2 from being pivoted. Depressing the end portion of locking element 4 facing towards push bar assembly 2 35 results in the latter being released for pivotal movement.
During such depression, the end of locking element 4 is guided in the respective opening 6 of guide rod 5. After .
push bar assembly 2 has been pivoted to its other position, 1~35~65 l locking element 4 returns to its rest position so as to lock push bar assembly 2 in position.

A third embodiment of the locking element according to 5 the invention shown in jig. 4 comprises a pair of stop members 3 secured to frame 1. The locking element if disk posed intermediate of the two stop members 3 comprises a plate-shaped member pivotal connected to frame 1 with its longer side. At least one spring 7 is provided for lo biasing plate-shaped locking element 4 to its rest position - perpendicular to the pivoting plane of push bar assembly 2.
Push bar assembly 2 may be released from its locked posy it ion by pivoting plate-shaped locking element 4 downwards against the action of spring 7. As soon as push bar assembly 15 has then reached a position adjacent the opposite stop member 3, spring 7 causes locking element 4 to return to its rest position.

The invention it not restricted to the embodiments shown 20 and described by way of example. Numerous other configure anions of the locking element 4 as well as a wide selection of materials to be employed for the locking element are conceivable within the scope of the invention. It is also possible to provide a push bar assembly of two-piece 25 construction and/or to vary the mounting location of the push bar assembly and/or of the stop members 3 on the frame 1 in any suitable manner.

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Claims

Thy embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A baby carriage comprising:
a frame;
a seat coupled to the frame adapted to receive a child;
a push bar assembly pivotally connected to both sides of said frame and adapted to be locked at a forward position and a rearward position;
two stop members for limiting the pivotal movement of said push bar assembly provided on each side of same frame; and a manually operable elongated locking element adapted in its rest position to prevent said push bar assembly from being pivoted from one position to the other and longitudinally interposed at an intermediate location between said two positions, said locking element being coupled to a center portion of a guide rod connecting said stop members and having end portions projecting into the pivoting path of said push bar assembly,

Claim 1 cont.
said locking element being of V-shaped configuration between said end portions, and each of said end portions of said locking element being adapted to be alternately displaced transversely towards said guide rod for the release of said push bar assembly.
2. A baby carriage according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking element is formed of a synthetic resin.
3. A baby carriage according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking element is formed of metal.

4. A baby carriage comprising:
a frame;
a seat coupled to the frame adapted to receive a child;
a push bar assembly pivotally connected to both sides of said frame and adapted to be locked at a forward position and a rearward position;
two stop members for limiting the pivotal movement of said push bar assembly provided on each side of said frame;
a guide rod connecting said two stop members; and
Claim 4 cont.
a manually operable elongated locking element coupled to said guide rod and adapted in its rest position to prevent said push bar assembly from being pivoted from one position to the other and longitudinally interposed at an intermediate location between said two positions, said locking element having a wire-like cross-sectional shape and being formed with angularly bent end portions the free ends of which project through openings formed in said guide rod.

5. A baby carriage comprising:
a support frame;
a seat connected to the frame adapted to support an infant;
an elongated push bar coupled to the frame for pivotal movement on a path of travel between a first and second position; and means connected to the frame for releasably locking said push bar in either said first or second positions including, an elongated locking element normally disposed in said path of travel between said first or second positions, said locking element having a pair of spaced-apart end portions for alternatively engaging said push bar in said first or second position,
Claim 5 cont.

said locking element being shiftable from said path of travel to permit pivotal movement of the push bar from one position to the other position, said locking element having a central connection joining a pair of generally triangularly-shaped, push-bar-engageable, legs, and the locking element being transversely shiftable relative to said push bar to permit pivotal movement of said pushbar.
6. A baby carriage in accordance with claim 5, the locking element being configured for transverse shifting of the leg adjacent said push bar to permit pivotal movement of the push bar along said path of travel to a location adjacent said central connection, further pivotal movement of said push bar cammingly engaging the locking element to cause transverse shifting thereof.