FR2777253A1 - Child's folding pushchair - Google Patents

Abstract

The pushchair, made with a folding frame and hammock seat (25) has the upper ends of the hammock attached to the side bars (8a) of the handle (9a) by sliding bushes (30a). The bushes are able to move along a predetermined section of the side bars and are fixed to the hammock by a tie passing round the bushes and the back of the hammock. The inner surfaces of the bushes have guides which interact with corresponding projections or grooves on the handle side bar sections tie is of variable length to allow the angle of the hammock to be adjusted.

Description

Stroller for children, anti-folding safety in the presence of a

  child, and corresponding device.

  The field of the invention is that of strollers for children. More precisely,

  the invention relates to the safety of a child transported in a folding stroller.

  A number of folding children's strollers are already known. In general, the main objective of the designers of such folding strollers is to

  provide a stroller with a small footprint when folded.

  A first technique, illustrated for example by patent document FR-1 507 446, consists in folding the stroller in the form of a bundle, the front wheels being at one end of the bundle and the rear wheels at the other end , near the handles. In the folded position, the spacing between the front wheels and the rear wheels is increased, relative to the deployed position. In other words, if folding reduces the overall volume of the stroller, it still results in an increase in

its longitudinal dimension.

  A more effective technique has been developed by the Applicant. It is presented in particular in patent document FR-2 693 162. According to this technique, described in more detail below in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2, the four wheels (or sets of wheels) are grouped together, in position folded back, at one end of a bundle opposite the end presenting the push arm (s) used to guide the

stroller.

  Such a stroller provides folding in a very compact volume, by

  compared to other known techniques.

  In this patent document is also described an advantageous technique of locking the stroller in the deployed position and unlocking to allow return to the folded position. According to this technique, simply rotate a portion of the handlebar of the stroller, then push on the handlebars so that the stroller folds completely. This locking technique is particularly ergonomic and simple to use. However, it introduces a risk of unintentional manipulation of the unlocking mechanism, causing inadvertent folding of the stroller, when a child is

still present in the hammock.

  This situation can moreover generally occur with any locking system. Depending on the case, it can be caused by the person pushing the stroller, temporarily distracted or who acts for example on the inclination of the stroller, or by a child (carried in the stroller or mounted on the back of the stroller). -this). Such untimely folding may also be due to the fact that, following any problem, the system

lock jumps or loose.

  In all cases, it is clearly understood that the risks for the child present in the basket are significant. It may end up being crushed between the elements of the chassis, and pinching or jamming your hands or lower limbs. Although such untimely folding is rare in practice, the risks exist and can, in

  some exceptional cases lead to serious trauma.

  The invention particularly aims to overcome this drawback of the state of the art.

  More specifically, the objective of the invention is to provide a stroller for children which keeps the latter safe, in the event of untimely unlocking of the device of the

  holding the stroller in the deployed position.

  Another object of the invention is to provide such a stroller, the safety device of which does not affect the normal operation of folding and unfolding. In other words, the invention aims to provide a security device whose

  operation is transparent to the user.

  In particular, an objective of the invention is to provide such a device which does not make unfolding more complex, which does not risk introducing friction, or even blocking during folding or unfolding, and which does not require any additional manipulation.

for the user.

  Yet another objective of the invention is to provide such a security device,

  which does not affect the size of the stroller, in the folded position.

  The invention also aims to provide such a device which is little

  expensive to manufacture, and simple to manufacture, to assemble and to implement.

  These objectives and others which will appear subsequently are achieved according to the invention using a folding stroller, of the type having two push arms capable of sliding substantially parallel to the chassis legs of said stroller, between two extreme positions: - a deployed position, in which said push arms are deployed, said stroller developing a hammock ready to receive a child; and - a folded position, in which said push arms are at least partially brought back along said legs, so as to reduce the size of said stroller, said stroller comprising safety means preventing complete folding of said stroller when child is present in said hammock, comprising at least two locking elements mounted respectively on one of the push arms and on the corresponding base, and being able to take at least two positions: - a safety position, in which said locking elements cooperate to prevent, or limit over a predetermined portion, the sliding of said pusher arm along said base, when a child is present in said hammock; - A release position, in which said elements do not interact, allowing the sliding of said pusher arm along said

  underframe, when there is no child in said hammock.

  In other words, when a child is present in the hammock, folding the stroller is impossible, even if an untimely unlocking of the fastening means is carried out. Child safety is therefore ensured simply and

  automatically, without any additional manipulation compared to the prior art.

  Advantageously, the presence of a child is detected by the weight applied by this

last on the hammock.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said blocking elements comprise: - a fixed element, mounted on the base or on the push arm respectively; - a mobile element, mounted on the push arm or on the base

  respectively, and being able to pivot around the axis defined by said arm-

pusher or said base.

  Depending on the placement of the mobile element, the stroller is either in the

  security, either in the release position.

  Advantageously, said movable element can thus comprise a stop bearing bearing against said fixed element, in the safety position, and being offset with respect to

  to said fixed element, so as to allow folding, in the release position.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, said movable element is mounted at

  the end of one of said push arms. f could also be mounted on the base.

  Advantageously, said movable element comprises return means, tending to return said movable element to the release position. The restoring force is such that it

  cannot counteract the force applied to the hammock by the child's weight.

  Preferably, said movable element has an opening or a notch cooperating with a rod for supporting and guiding said hammock. The sliding of this

  rod optimizes the size and positioning of the hammock.

  According to an advantageous embodiment, said safety position corresponds to an intermediate folding position of said stroller, a clearance being provided so as to

  allow the stroller to be unlocked and locked in the deployed position.

  This allows the user to visualize the folding attempt, and therefore to draw his attention. However, it can also be provided that the locking means do not

  allow no play, the stroller remaining in the deployed position.

  Advantageously, said fixed element is a stop pad placed on one of said legs so as to allow the corresponding push arm to slide on a

  predetermined and limited portion of said base.

  The invention also relates to the anti-folding safety device for a

such stroller, as such.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on

  reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention,

  given by way of simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and of the accompanying drawings, among which: - Figure 1 is an elevational view of a stroller according to the invention, in the deployed position; - Figure 2 is a rear view of the stroller of Figure 1 - Figure 3 is an enlarged partial view of the elements forming the safety device of the invention; - Figures 4A and 4B show the movable element of the safety device of Figure 3 seen from above, in release and safety positions respectively. The anti-folding safety device of the invention can be adapted to most folding type pushchairs. By way of example, we present in FIGS. 1

  and 2 a folding stroller equipped with such a device.

  The folding principle is similar to that described in the patent document FR-2 693 162 already mentioned. We do not therefore describe in detail the principle of

  operation of this chassis. Reference will be made, if necessary, to the aforementioned document.

  It is recalled, however, that, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the stroller according to the invention has two lateral chassis assemblies la. We describe, in relation to Figure 1, the side assembly indexed a. The other side frame assembly includes

the same elements, indexed b.

  The lateral chassis assembly comprises a front base 2a and a rear base 3a, carrying at their lower ends a wheel, or a wheel block, 5a and 6a respectively. These wheels or set of wheels can conventionally receive

  suspensions, braking means, and possibly be pivotally mounted.

  The lateral chassis assembly also has a push arm 8a, ending at its upper end with a bent gripping zone 9a. The two gripping zones 9a, 9b (handles) can be connected together by a connecting element, so as to form a handlebar 10. Advantageously, this handlebar can also be used as a means of locking and controlling the folding and / or of the unfolding of the

  stroller, for example according to the principle described in document FR-2 693 162.

  In addition, an articulated X-shaped frame element, formed of two

  braces 12 and 13, connects the two rear legs 3a and 3b.

  A connecting rod 21a is also provided. It is articulated on the one hand at its upper end on an axis integral with the lower end of the push-arm 8a, and on the other hand on an axis integral with the lower part of the rear base 3a. More specifically, the upper part of the connecting rod 21a is mounted on an element of

  termination 24a, fixed at the lower end of the push-arm 8a.

  These various elements are for example produced in the form of tubes

  metal and / or flat iron rods.

  A connecting sleeve 18a secures the front legs 2a and rear 3a and the pusher arm 8a. The upper end of the front base 2a is fixedly held by a through axis 19a. The upper end of the rear base 3a is pivotally mounted on an axis 20a, so that during folding the rear wheel can approach the front wheel. The push arm 8a can slide freely in this sleeve

  link, parallel to the front base 2a.

  The hammock, or nacelle, 25 is secured at its upper part, to a slider 30a which can slide freely along the upper part of the push arm 8a, on a predetermined part thereof extending from the handle 9a to 'at a position

  lower, allowing the transport of a child.

  The sliding zone is defined on the pusher arm, for example by a hollow boss, or a groove. The internal shape of the slide 30a is defined by

  so as to cooperate with this boss 131 a.

  The upper part of the hammock is for example linked to the slider 30a by a link 132. Advantageously, this link 132 passes through the two sliders 30a and 30b and circulates in a loop behind the hammock. The length of this link is preferably adjustable, from

  so as to allow the tilting of the hammock to be adjusted.

  The hammock 25 has two flaps 33a and 33b, which partially cover the push arm and the slide (these flaps are voluntarily shown lowered in Figure 2, so as to leave the slides visible). The link 32 for holding and adjusting

  tilt can be attached to the end of these flaps.

  Two rods 36a and 36b substantially parallel to the pusher arm and to the front base extend along the hammock. They are held by their lower and upper ends by housings provided for this purpose in the hammock. A passerby 35a united

  the hammock with the rod, substantially at the level of the seat.

  According to the invention, the stroller comprises safety means to prevent inadvertent unfolding of the stroller when a child is present in the hammock. These safety means are designed so that they strongly prevent or limit the sliding of the push arms 8a and 8b along the corresponding legs 2a and 2b, when a child is present in the hammock, on the other hand being unable to not disturb at all

  this sliding otherwise.

  Such systems can be implemented in several ways. We describe

  now in more detail a particular embodiment, illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4.

  In the following description, a single set of means is presented.

  safety, associated with one of the side element indicated - a of the stroller. A single device of this type is a priori sufficient. However, we can of course equip the two symmetrically

sides of the stroller.

  The lower end of the push arm 8a is therefore a safety element 31. In Figure 3, the stroller is in the deployed position. In this position, the security element 31 is located in the vicinity of the connecting sleeve 18a (or in contact

  with this one). It can thus play the role of stop.

  The security element 31 comprises 2 parts: - a fixed part 311 which corresponds to the end of the pusher arm;

  - A part 312 movable in rotation around the pusher arm 8a.

  In other words, the mobile part 312 is mounted on the pusher arm 8a, between the sleeve 18a, against which it can abut, and the fixed end part 311 of

which it is united.

  The rotational movement of the movable part 312 is limited between 2 extreme positions, for example using a fixed stud (not shown) mounted on the push arm

  and circulating in an oblong hole (not shown) made in the movable part.

  The mobile part 312 comprises a planar extension 313 (appearing more clearly in FIGS. 4A and 4B, which show the mobile part seen from above) extending

  perpendicular to the axis defined by the push arm 8a.

  This extension 313 has in particular: - an opening 314 (which could be a simple notch) and in which

  fits the rod 36a carrying the hammock (through the passer-by 35a.

  Of course, the strap and / or the hammock can be fixed in a different way, for example directly on the safety element 31, without the rod; a stop 315, intended to come into contact with the stud 32 placed for this purpose on the base 2a, in the safety position (the stud 32 a is shown

  dotted to illustrate the fact that it is at the rear of the base 2a).

  The opening 314 advantageously allows the sliding of the rod 36a, in order to ensure the guiding of the hammock (during folding, unfolding and modification of

the tilt of the hammock).

  Return means (not shown) are provided in the security element 31. These return means are mounted between the fixed part 311 and the movable part 312, so as to apply a return force bringing the part 312 back to a position such as the

  stop 315 is no longer located opposite pad 32 (FIG. 4A).

  The restoring force is defined so that: - it is sufficient to return the movable part 312 to the release position, in which the stop is no longer opposite the stud, despite the weight of the hammock, when the latter is empty (release position: Figure 4A); - but that it is insufficient to fight against the force applied by the

  weight of a child in the hammock (safety position: Figure 4B).

  These return means comprise for example a helical spring. The restoring effect can also be obtained by the use of a suitable elastic material, or any other restoring means. The calibration of the return means is carried out so that, by

  example, any weight greater than 3 kg prevents folding.

  The operation of the safety device is therefore as follows. When an unlocking is ordered (for example by action on the handlebars 10), the base 8a begins to slide inside the sleeve 18a, up to the level of the pad 32. The play thus introduced corresponds to the play necessary for setting implement means of

  locking / unlocking, which allows you to view the start of unlocking.

  When a child is present in the hammock, its weight, via the loop 35a and the rod 36a, keeps the mobile part 312 in the safety position (arrow 42). The stop 315 then comes into contact with the pad 32, and the sliding of the arm is interrupted. The hammock thus retains its integrity, and the child therefore does not run any risk. In the absence of a child, or after the latter has been removed, the restoring force acts in the direction of arrow 41, to bring the moving part 312 into the release position, in which the stop 315 does not found more next to plot 32. The

  sliding of the arm 8a pusher can then continue, and folding ends.

  The device described above can be adapted to other folding strollers. Furthermore, other embodiments can be envisaged for producing the security means, since the latter can take 2 positions, the release position and

  the safety position, depending on whether or not a child is in the hammock.

Claims (10)

  1. Folding stroller, of the type having two pusher arms capable of sliding substantially parallel to the chassis legs of said stroller, between two extreme positions: - a deployed position, in which said pusher arms are deployed, said stroller developing a hammock ready to receive a child; and - a folded position, in which said push-arms are at least partially brought back along said legs, so as to reduce the size of said stroller, characterized in that it comprises safety means preventing complete folding of said stroller when a child is present in said hammock, comprising at least two locking elements mounted respectively on one of the push arms and on the corresponding base, and being able to take at least two positions: - a safety position, in which said elements blocking cooperate to prevent, or limit on a predetermined portion, the sliding of said pusher arm along said base, when a child is present in said hammock; - A release position, in which said elements do not interact, allowing the sliding of said pusher arm along said   underframe, when there is no child in said hammock.   2. Folding stroller according to claim 1, characterized in that the presence of a   child is detected by the weight applied by the latter to the hammock.   3. Folding stroller according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in   that said blocking elements comprise: - a fixed element, mounted on the base or on the pusher arm respectively; - A mobile element, mounted on the pusher arm or on the base respectively, and which can pivot around the axis defined by said pusher arm or said base. 4. Folding stroller according to claim 3, characterized in that said movable element 11 comprises a stop bearing against said fixed element, in the safety position, and being offset relative to said fixed element, so as to allow folding, in the release position.   5. Folding stroller according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in   that said movable member is mounted at the end of one of said push arms.   6. Folding stroller according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in   that said movable member comprises return means, tending to bring said   mobile element in release position.   7. Folding stroller according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in   that said movable member has an opening or a notch cooperating with a   support and guide rod for said hammock.   8. Folding stroller according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in   that said safety position corresponds to an intermediate folding position of said stroller, a clearance being provided so as to allow unlocking and   locking the stroller in the deployed position.   9. Folding stroller according to claim 8, characterized in that said fixed element is a stop stud placed on one of said legs so as to allow sliding of the   corresponding push arm on a predetermined and limited portion of said base.   10. Anti-folding safety device for a stroller of the type having two push arms capable of sliding substantially parallel to the chassis legs of said stroller, between two extreme positions: - a deployed position, in which said push arms are deployed , said stroller developing a hammock ready to receive a child; and - a folded position, in which said push arms are at least partially brought back along said legs, so as to reduce the size of said stroller, characterized in that it comprises safety means preventing the complete folding of said stroller when a child is present in said hammock, comprising at least two locking elements mounted respectively on one of the push arms and on the corresponding base, and being able to take at least two positions: a safety position, in which said elements blocking cooperate to prevent, or limit over a predetermined portion, the sliding of said pusher arm along said base, when a child is present in said hammock; - A release position, in which said elements do not interact, allowing the sliding of said push arm along said   underframe, when there is no child in said hammock.