EP1374742A1 - Child care device having a seat, the angle between the seat and the backrest being variable, and corresponding hammock - Google Patents

Abstract

The child's chair has a seat and a back (2) which are connected by a pivot (63). The front edge of the seat is attached to a frame (3) by a second pivot (32). The back has a cylindrical mounting (4) on its rear side which fits over the top of frame. A plate (41) attached to the mounting slides in vertical guides (21) on the back, allowing its slope to change.

Description

The field of the invention is that of childcare, and in particular of childcare devices in which a child can be installed in position seat, such as baby strollers, or deckchairs. More precisely, the invention relates to a childcare device with a tilting and angled hammock seat variable according to its inclination.

We already know many hammock strollers, or carrycot, reclining. Conventionally, the hammock is mounted on the stroller chassis, and various means are provided, on the chassis, to guide, set up and hold the hammock in the desired position.

An improvement has been proposed by the holder of this request for patent. It is in particular described in patent document EP-99 460 003 and consists in varying the opening angle of the seat of the hammock, depending on its tilt.

So when the hammock is in an upright position (sitting position), the angle formed by the seat element and the back element of the hammock, or the seat is of the order of 110 °, so as to form an armchair, with backrest. Conversely, when the hammock is in the lying position, the angle formed by the seat hammock opens strongly (around 160 °). In this way, the child is comfortably seated when the hammock is seated, and lying down when the hammock is in the lying position. Intermediate positions can of course be planned.

To obtain this result, the hammock presents, seen from the side, a structure in deformable triangle. The hypotenuse of this triangle is formed by the armature of the hammock. The other two sides (seat part and back part) are two stiffening elements (conventionally plastic boards) articulated at their common summit. The frame is designed so that its length may vary. Variations of this length automatically the opening or closing of the angle formed by the seat part and the part of folder.

More specifically, in a seated position, the frame has a length minimum, and when lying down, maximum length. For this, the frame is designed in two parts, an upper part and a lower part, the part upper which can telescopically penetrate a portion of the part lower.

This telescope is very effective in theory. However, it poses many problems in practice. It requires very precise adjustment, and remains unreliable over time. The slightest defect, the slightest deformation and / or body stranger can disturb or even block the relative movement of a part by compared to each other.

Furthermore, maintaining the hammock at a given inclination, and with the opening of the desired seat angle can be ensured by means of a game of rods integral with the stroller chassis. However, such a mechanism is relatively complex, both in terms of its assembly, during manufacturing of the stroller, that its use. It is particularly very impractical in the case the hammock is designed to be used alternately in position seated facing the road and in a seated position facing the mother.

• nombre de pièces mobiles important ;
• temps de montage important,

qu'en ce qui concerne son utilisation :

• manipulation peu aisée ;
• difficultés en cas de hamac réversible (position face à la route et position face à la mère) ;
• problèmes de sécurité, dus au fait que l'enfant peut agir sur les éléments de réglage de l'inclinaison.

More generally, the known systems have numerous drawbacks, both with regard to their manufacture

• large number of moving parts;
• significant assembly time,

that with regard to its use:

• difficult handling;
• difficulties in the case of a reversible hammock (position facing the road and position facing the mother);
• safety problems, due to the fact that the child can act on the tilt adjustment elements.

In the aforementioned patent document, an improvement is proposed, according to which the hammock includes, on each of its sides, a guide piece integral with one of said parts of the frame and having an oblong lumen in which circulates a guide lug secured to the other part of the frame, the displacement of said guide pin in said oblong lumen making it possible to control said length of the frame and the inclination of said hammock.

Thus, the means ensuring and controlling the positioning and the opening of the angle of the seat are only attached to the hammock (and therefore independent of the frame). The guide piece is in one piece, and can easily be manufactured and mounted on the stroller. The manufacturing cost is therefore reduced compared to known techniques.

However, despite the significant improvement brought by this solution by compared to the prior techniques, the other drawbacks remain.

Indeed, there remain difficulties during assembly of the assembly, in particular due to the precise adjustment that is necessary to obtain a satisfactory operation.

In addition, as already mentioned, the principle of the armature composed of two parts that can slide relative to each other generate regularly problems: sliding parts wear and / or get dirty, which can lead to blockages of the mechanism, to the point of rendering the manipulations of the painful, if not impossible, hammock for the user.

In addition, such a stroller remains relatively expensive to manufacture and ascend.

The invention particularly aims to overcome these different disadvantages of the state of the art.

More specifically, a first objective of the invention is to provide a childcare device, with reclining hammock and seat opening angle variable, which is more reliable and simpler than the technical devices known.

The object of the invention is therefore in particular to provide such a device including the mechanism for tilting the hammock and varying the angle of the seat is not or hardly subject to blocking phenomena.

The invention also aims to provide such a device, the cost price is lowered, compared to conventional strollers of the same type.

More specifically, the invention aims to provide such a device, whose manufacturing costs as well as assembly costs are reduced. In particular, an object of the invention is to provide such a device including the inclination and control of the seat angle are provided by a number of reduced parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device, the hammock can be put in the desired position in a simple and safe way, preferably by a person staying in the back of the stroller, and without the child can interact on this position itself.

• désolidarisation / solidarisation aisée du hamac sur le châssis de la poussette ;
• hamac réversible, sans manipulations lourdes et complexes ;
• usage facilité d'équipements optionnels solidaires du hamac.

Yet another objective of the invention is to conserve the advantages of the solution described in document EP-99 460 003, and in particular:

• easy detachment / attachment of the hammock to the stroller frame;
• reversible hammock, without heavy and complex manipulations;
• easy use of optional equipment attached to the hammock.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, have been achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a childcare device comprising a hammock with a seat made up of two parts, a seat and a backrest, articulated with respect to each other and mounted each articulated on a frame intended to be secured to the chassis of said childcare device, characterized in that at least one of said seat parts is linked to said reinforcement using securing means which can take at least two distinct positions with respect to said seat part and fixed with respect to said frame, so that the angle formed between said seat and said back can be amended.

This gives a childcare device with a tilting hammock and angle opening of the variable seat more reliable and simpler than the devices of the known techniques.

Indeed, the mechanism of tilting the hammock and varying the angle of the seat does not implement the classic principle of a frame composed of two pieces sliding relative to each other. We therefore avoid the disadvantages linked to this principle, namely risks of blocking or malfunction due to deformation or wear of the sliding parts or the presence foreign bodies between them.

In addition, the difficulties associated with mounting and adjustment of sliding parts.

According to a preferred solution, said joining means being able to take at least two distinct positions are associated with the back of said seat.

Preferably, said securing means are linked to said part seat by a sliding pivot type connection.

Advantageously, said frame is mounted on the other of said parts of seat using a pivot connection and in that the length of the frame portion which extends between said sliding pivot link and said pivot link is fixed.

It is therefore clear that the childcare device according to the invention dispenses with any telescopic mechanism.

Of course, the integration into the device of telescopic parts can of course be considered, for example to adjust the position a footrest or a headrest. However, the functioning of the mechanism inclination of the hammock and variation of the angle of the seat overcomes the recourse to any telescopic part, unlike the solutions of the prior art.

According to an advantageous solution, said means of securing have at least one part forming a housing for a cylindrical portion of said frame 3, in which said cylindrical portion is movable in rotation, and at least one part forming a sliding plate, with respect to at least one guide and / or holding element formed on said seat part.

In this case, said sliding plate is preferably guided and / or held by two slides.

According to an advantageous solution, said seat comprises means indexing the position of said securing means relative to said seat part.

We therefore have the means to modify, according to different predetermined positions, the tilt of the hammock and the seat angle.

Preferably, the indexing means comprise at least two recesses.

Of course, other means of indexing are possible in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and in particular any male / female type connection.

According to a preferred solution, the childcare device comprises means for locking said means for securing with respect to said part seat. In this case, said locking means are advantageously operated, at least for unlocking, by a single handle.

Preferably, said handle is mounted in the upper part of said backrest, so as to allow the unlocking and the control of the inclination of said backrest hammock, with one hand.

The device according to the invention is therefore particularly simple and practical. use.

Advantageously, said handle is mounted on said plate.

Preferably, said locking means comprise recall means automatically returning them to a locked position.

This provides essential security in the field of childcare, this level of security being achieved by automatic means avoiding carrying out a succession of gestures on the part of the user such as this is often necessary with conventional solutions.

According to an advantageous solution, said seat is secured to said armature, free to rotate, in the vicinity of its free end.

Advantageously, said frame defines a closed perimeter essentially rectangular.

According to a preferred solution, said armature is pivotally mounted on said chassis.

In this case, the device preferably implements two sets similar linkage mounted on said chassis and articulated relative to the latter, said connecting assemblies also being pivotally mounted on said reinforcement, on the one hand, and on at least one of said seat parts on the other hand, of such that the pivoting of said frame relative to said chassis modifies the angle between said seat 1 and said backrest.

Advantageously, said handle also makes it possible to control the adjustment. of the position of said frame relative to said chassis.

According to another characteristic, said hammock is reversible with respect to said frame.

According to an advantageous application of the invention, the device for childcare is a stroller for children.

The invention also relates to a hammock intended to equip a device of childcare as described above.

• les figures 1 et 2 sont deux vues en perspective d'un hamac selon l'invention, en position assise, respectivement de devant et de derrière ;
• les figures 2 et 3 sont deux vues en perspective d'un hamac selon l'invention, en position couchée, respectivement de devant et de derrière ;
• les figures 5 à 7sont des vues des moyens d'indexation équipant un hamac selon l'invention

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an embodiment given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example and of the drawings among which:

• Figures 1 and 2 are two perspective views of a hammock according to the invention, in a seated position, respectively from the front and from behind;
• Figures 2 and 3 are two perspective views of a hammock according to the invention, in the supine position, front and rear respectively;
• Figures 5 to 7 are views of the indexing means fitted to a hammock according to the invention

The invention therefore presents a new solution making it possible to vary efficiently and simply the angle formed by the seat and back of a hammock for a childcare device.

A hammock according to the invention is described below, intended to equip a stroller.

Note, however, that the invention can be applied to other childcare devices, such as in particular deckchairs, chairs, car seats ...

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the hammock of a stroller has a seat formed of a seat 1 and a backrest 2, articulated with respect to each other, such so that the angle between the seat and the backrest can be changed between two configurations, one in which the child occupies a sitting position and the other in which he occupies a lying position.

Such a hammock also includes a frame 3 on which are pivotally mounted the seat and the backrest as will be explained later.

This frame 3, defining an essentially rectangular perimeter, is intended, according to an advantageous embodiment, to be secured to the chassis a child's stroller.

According to the present embodiment of the invention, a cylindrical portion of the frame 3 is housed mobile in rotation in a housing 4 secured to a plate 41, capable of sliding along slides 21 formed on the backrest 2.

The housing 4 and the plate 41 thus form securing means can take, according to the invention, distinct positions with respect to one of the parts of the seat (here the backrest), while they occupy a fixed position relative to to frame 3.

Such a connection, of the sliding pivot type, makes it possible to modify the angle between seat and backrest, without the need for a frame telescopic. We note indeed that the length of the portion of reinforcement, which extends between the sliding pivot link with the backrest and the pivot link 31 with the seat, is fixed.

It is specified that, according to other possible embodiments, the securing means linking the frame 3 and the backrest 2 could also, or alternatively, be provided between the frame and the seat.

The handle 5 is mounted in the upper part of the backrest 2, thus allowing the user to obtain the unlocking and the control of the tilting of the hammock, with one hand.

Figures 5 and 6 are views of means for indexing the position of the plate 41, and therefore of the housing 4, relative to the file 2.

In FIG. 5, the device is in the locked position, the handle 5 being in the rest position. Locking is achieved through locks 52 actuated using pins 521 which can circulate in inclined lights 511. The latches 52 and the pins 521 are coupled to each other so that the movement of the pins causes that of the locks.

In such a position of the handle 5, these latches 52 interact with the slides 411 so as to block the sliding of the plate 41 by report on file 2.

Of course, in such a configuration, it is not possible to modify the tilt of the hammock or the angle of the seat.

To obtain the unlocked position illustrated in FIG. 6, the handle 5 is pulled up, which causes the pins 521, which move in the lights 511, from the position they occupy in FIG. 5 towards the position they occupy in FIG. 6. In other words, the pins 511 move one towards the other, so as to disengage the latches 52 of the slides 411. The plate 41 can then slide freely in relation to the backrest 2.

The hammock can thus be tilted and the seat angle modified according to different possible positions, the locked position in the desired position being obtained simply by releasing the handle 5 which automatically returns to the position illustrated in FIG. 5 by means of return means (not shown) to which it is coupled.

In addition, the position of the plate 41 along the back 2 is indexed, that is to say that indexing means are provided so that the plate 41 can occupy predetermined positions corresponding to as many slopes separate from the hammock.

To do this, the slides 411 of the plate 41 have recesses 412 forming housings for the locks 52.

Thus, by acting on the handle 5 as indicated above, we disengages the latches 52 from one or other of the recesses 412, the plate 41 is moved along the backrest 2, then, by releasing the handle 5, the latches 52 come to engage in another recess 412 to ensure the locking of the hammock in a new predetermined configuration.

According to the operation which has just been described, it is therefore understood that the handle allows, with one hand, to unlock the plate relative to the backrest, then, keeping the handle pulled upwards, to modify the inclination hammock as well as the seat angle.

As indicated above, the frame 3 is advantageously mounted on the chassis of a child's stroller, using two connecting assemblies 6 each having a recess 61 designed to accommodate an element integral with the frame, so that the frame can pivot relative to the frame of the stroller.

These linkage assemblies are designed to be easily mounted and disassembled from the stroller frame, either to orient the hammock facing the road or, conversely and reversibly, facing the adult pushing the stroller.

According to the present embodiment, the connection assemblies 6 are free rotating relative to the arm on the one hand using pivot connections 62 and, on the other hand, compared to the file 2 using a pivot link 63.

In this way, the pivoting of the armature relative to the chassis modifies automatically the angle between the seat 1 and the backrest 2, as will be explained in more detail later.

The operation which allows the modification of the inclination of the hammock relative to the stroller frame, as well as that of the angle between the seat and the case will now be explained.

Let us take the hypothesis where the frame and the seat occupy a position of straightened start, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, in which the child occupies a sitting position, and suppose the user wants to change the position of the hammock to bring the child to a lying position.

From this upright position, the user actuates the handle 5, causing the unlocking of the plate 41 with respect to the backrest 2 (like this has been described above), and authorizing the pivoting of the armature 3 relative to to the stroller chassis (note, however, that unlocking the frame with respect to the chassis may have been carried out beforehand by the user, using additional, and / or independent commands).

Keeping the handle 5 actuated, and accompanying it towards the bottom, the user supports the tilting of the armature 3 to a position such than that illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

During this movement, the armature 3 rotates inside its housing 4 while the plate 41 moves along the slides 21 of the backrest 2, to come in a position such as that shown in Figure 4.

Simultaneously, the link assemblies 6 pivot around the link 62 relative to the frame to gradually come to occupy a position in which they extend substantially along the frame 3, as it appears in figure 3.

As this maneuver progresses, and thanks to the pivot links 62, 63, 31 combined with the sliding pivot link between the frame 3 and the backrest 2, the angle between the seat 1 and the backrest 2 opens gradually, to finally occupy a position allowing the child to lie down, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

Note that points 4, 31, 7 and 63 therefore define a quadrilateral deformable, allowing the hammock to be adjusted according to the invention.

The user then releases the handle 5, which, thanks to its return means, locks the hammock in the desired position.

Of course, the user can release the handle at any time intermediate position, this being facilitated by the presence of the indexing means.

The transition from the lying position to the sitting position is obtained by proceeding in reverse order of the steps which have just been described.

Claims (21)

Childcare device, comprising a hammock having a seat formed of two parts, a seat (1) and a backrest (2), articulated with respect to each other and each mounted articulated on a frame (3) intended to be secured to the chassis of said childcare device,
characterized in that at least one of said seat parts is linked to said frame (3) by means of fastening means (4) which can take at least two distinct positions relative to said seat part and fixed relative to said frame,
so that the angle formed between said seat (1) and said backrest (2) can be modified. Child care device according to claim 1, characterized in that said securing means (4) which can take at least two distinct positions are associated with the backrest (2) of said seat. Child care device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the said securing means (4) are linked to the said seat part by a sliding pivot type connection. Child care device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said frame (3) is mounted on the other of said seat parts by means of a pivot connection and in that the length of the the portion of armature which extends between said pivot link (31) and said pivot link is fixed. Childcare device according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that said securing means (4) have at least one part forming a housing for a cylindrical portion of said frame (3), wherein said cylindrical portion is movable in rotation, and at least one part forming a sliding plate (41), with respect to at least one guide and / or holding element formed on said seat part. Child care device according to claim 5, characterized in that said sliding plate (41) is guided and / or held by two slides (21). Child care device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said seat comprises means for indexing the position of said securing means (4) relative to said seat part. Child care device according to claim 7, characterized in that said indexing means comprise at least two recesses (412). Child care device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises locking means (52) of said means for securing with respect to said seat part. Child care device according to claim 9, characterized in that said locking means (52) are actuated, at least for unlocking, by a single handle (5). Child care device according to claim 10, characterized in that said handle (5) is mounted in the upper part of said backrest (2), so as to allow the unlocking and the control of the inclination of said hammock, with one hand. Child care device according to claims 2, 10 and any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said handle (5) is mounted on said plate (41). Child care device according to any one of Claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the said locking means (52) comprise return means which automatically bring them back into a locked position. Child care device according to any one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that said seat (1) is secured to said frame (3), free to rotate, in the vicinity of its free end. Child care device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said frame (3) defines a closed perimeter which is essentially rectangular. Child care device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said frame (3) is pivotally mounted on said chassis. Child care device according to claim 16, characterized in that it implements two similar connection assemblies (6) mounted on said chassis and articulated with respect to the latter, said connection assemblies (6) also being pivotally mounted on said frame (3), on the one hand, and on at least one of said seat parts on the other, so that the pivoting of said frame (3) relative to said frame modifies the angle between said seat (1) and said file (2). Child care device according to claim 17 and any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that said handle (5) also makes it possible to control the adjustment of the position of said frame (3) relative to said chassis. Child care device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that said hammock is reversible relative to said frame. Child care device according to any one of Claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it is a stroller for children. Hammock intended to equip a childcare device according to one any of claims 1 to 20.

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