FR2810954A1 - Foldable carriage for transporting child has locking device for detachable handle with half-shells engaging either side of break in frame tube - Google Patents

Abstract

The two portions of the steering arm tube (13) are butted together and are surrounded by a longitudinally-split sleeve or locking member (20). The two halves (251) have semi-cylindrical center portions and ends of increased diameter. An inner cylindrical sleeve (21) fits over the butted-together ends of the two tubes and is closely surrounded by a slightly larger-diameter sleeve (22). The inner sleeve has two longitudinal slits (212) at its end and the outer tube has two corresponding diagonal slits (222). There is a sprung locking device (41) on one end of the sleeves. Release may be effected by pulling on the end of a wire (24).

Description

Locking device for a folding stroller The present invention

  relates to a folding stroller and, more particularly, to a locking device for a folding stroller, which can be easily folded up at the press of a button provided on the device

blocking.

  A folding stroller is handy for transporting children over a long distance. In addition, a stroller is designed to be easily folded and locked

  in the folded position when not in use.

  A typical folding stroller is shown in Figure 1: this stroller comprises two sub-frames, front and rear, with four sets of wheels, mounted on these around an axis to make the stroller mobile, a handle having a part ergonomic grip, to allow the user to push the stroller with a certain degree of comfort, and a seat sub-frame to receive the passenger of the stroller, in which these components are interconnected by a number of hinges, so that this stroller can

  move on the floor when fully extended.

  We can see from the above that joints

  are planned on the interconnections of the

  frames, that is to say generally halfway up the stroller. Therefore, an adult usually has to bend to unlock the locking mechanism provided in the joint, using both hands to fold the stroller. From this point of view, it is not practical to fold the stroller by extending the arms. In addition, such an unlocking process generally requires, on the part of

  the user, to exert considerable force.

  A German patent No. DE 198 33 857 Ai describes a

  improvement to remedy the aforementioned defect.

  The patent is characterized in that a locking device 114 is provided on the handle, connected to a joint 112 forming an interconnection mechanism. In this way, the folding stroller is maneuvered simply by a manipulation (that is to say an unlocking) of the locking device 114. In detail, the mechanism 112 comprises coupling means 704, provided with 'a tube, pivotable relative to the handle 204 and fixed to the front sub-frame 706, and locking means 702 comprising a locking mechanism. The locking means 702 can be slid on the front sub-frame using the locking mechanism, by means of a spring which exerts a force on the locking means 702 when the handle 204 and the sub-frame before 706 are fully extended. Then, the locking means 702 are fixed to the front sub-frame 706, in which the locking mechanism is fixed to the locking device 114 by a cable placed between them, so that the locking means 702 and the entire mechanism are able to be released from the front sub-frame 706 by manipulation

  (i.e. an unlocking) of the locking device 114.

  As a result, the handle can pivot relative to the

  front sub-frame 706 and allow the stroller to be folded up.

  The above patent is advantageous in that it modifies the position of the locking device for a practical position allowing the user to fold the stroller. However, this is not satisfactory for the following reasons. We see that two cables are involved in the fixing established between the blocking device at one end and the blocking means 702 and the blocking mechanisms provided on two sides of the stroller, at the other end, when we unlock the locking device to fold the stroller. In summary, such a mechanism is complex at the level of these components and, therefore, the user must exert considerable force on this mechanism to force the handle to disengage from the front sub-frame. Therefore, it is quite impractical, and even difficult, to perform the maneuver for women and / or other people who

are not very strong.

  It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a locking device for a folding stroller, which is easily folded up by a simple pressure.

  on a button provided on the locking device.

  The advantages of the present invention are achieved by means of a folding stroller comprising articulations provided on the frame and locking devices on the handle which are connected to the articulations, in which a coupling pin is provided in the articulation for fixing the frame in operating position. The coupling pin is connected to the locking device by means of a cable, so that the locking device is moved to a non-locked position, by pivoting the locking device relative to the handle, so to fold the stroller. In summary, the stroller is folded simply by exerting a relatively small force to activate the

  coupling pin in a non-locked position.

  Other advantages and results of this

  invention will appear on reading the description

  detailed given below. However, it must be understood

  as the detailed description and specific examples,

  while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications in the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent from

  a person skilled in the art on reading this description

Detailed.

  The present invention will be better understood on reading

  of the detailed description given below as

  illustrative only, not limiting of the present invention, and in view of the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional stroller; Figure 2 is a side view of a stroller of the present invention; FIG. 3A is a fragmentary view, on a large scale, of a part of the articulation of the stroller shown in FIG. 2; Figure 3B is an operating view of Figure 3A, showing an unblocked position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a locking device of the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective and partial view of Figure 4, the upper part of half of the housing being removed; Figure 6 is an exploded view of Figure 4; Figure 7A is a sectional view along line VII-VII of Figure 4, illustrating a locked position; Figure 7B is a view similar to Figure 7A, illustrating an unlocked position; Figure 8A is a sectional view along line VIII-VIII of Figure 4, illustrating a locked position; and FIG. 8B is a view similar to FIG. 8A,

  showing an unblocked position.

  In Figures 2, 3A and 3B, a stroller constructed according to the invention is shown. Frame 1 of the stroller consists of a plurality of interconnected sub-frames such as front sub-frame 11 and sub-frame

  rear 12, a handle 13 and a seat sub-frame 14.

  A joint 15, provided on one side of the frame 1 of the stroller, consists of a first body 151 and a

  second body 152, pivoting relative to one another.

  Respectively, the first body 151 is fixed to the handle 13 and to the rear subframe 12 and the second body 152 is fixed to the front subframe 11. In the first position (that is to say the operating position) (FIG. 3A), a coupling pin 153, in the locked position, prevents the first and second bodies, 151 and 152, from pivoting relative to one another. The coupling pin 153 can pass to a second position (that is to say a folded position of the stroller) (FIG. 3B), so that the first and second bodies, 151 and 152, are free to pivot l relative to each other when the coupling pin 153 is in the non-locking position). Consequently, the front and rear sub-frames, 11 and 12, and the handle 13 can be folded away easily. In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a locking device 20 generally provided on the central part of the handle 13, is shown. . The locking device 20 comprises an inner tube 21 sheathed by the handle 13 (at the ends of the inner tube 21), and an outer tube 22 placed so as to be able to rotate around the inner tube 21, in which the inner tube 21 and the handle 13 are fixed together with a screw 30, a rivet or all

  other suitable fasteners.

  A first hole 211 is provided on the cylindrical inner tube 21, and two elongated axial slots, 212 and 212 ′, are spaced from each other on the inner tube 21. A second hole 221, corresponding to the first hole 211, is provided on the cylindrical outer tube 22, and two elongated oblique slots, 222 and 222 ', corresponding respectively to the slots 212 and 212', are spaced from each other on the outer tube 22. Locking rods, 23 and 23 ', are inserted respectively through the elongated oblique slots, 222 and 222', and the elongated axial slots, 212 and 212 '. One end of the cable 24 (or 24 ') is fixed to the locking rod 23 (or 23'), while the other end of the cable 24 (or 24 ') is fixed to the coupling pin 153. From the so, the locking rods, 23 and 23 ', can move along the slots 222 and 222', as well as along the slots 212 and 212 ', when the outer tube 22 pivots relative to the inner tube 21, a first position to a position

  selected arbitrarily (as described below).

  Consequently, the coupling pin 153 is moved to a second position in order to unlock the first and

  second body, 151 and 152, of the joint 15.

  As indicated above, the first and second holes, 211 and 221, are provided respectively on the inner tube 21 and the outer tube 22. Such a design is intended to prevent the outer tube 22 from rotating, which in turn would cause folding of the frame 1 of the stroller into the operating position, following inadvertent contact with the outer tube 22. In addition, according to the invention, a coupling device 40 is provided to prevent such inadvertent contact be done. The coupling device 40 comprises a ring 41 passed over the outer tube 22, and a spring 42 mounted under pressure between the ring 41 and the outer tube 22, in which a stud 411 is provided on the inner surface of the ring 41 and this pin 411 is introduced into the first and second holes, 211 and 221, using the uncompressed spring 42, when it is in the locked position. Consequently, the pin 411 can prevent the inner tube 21 and the outer tube 22 from pivoting with respect to each other (as detailed in FIGS. 7A

and 7B).

  Referring to Figures 7A and 7B, they show a cross-sectional view along the line

  VII-VII of Figure 4, respectively. As shown below

  above, the blocking or not of the blocking device 20 is controlled by the relative position of the coupling device 40 relative to the outer tube 22. In other words, the stud 411 is introduced into the first hole 211 of the inner tube 21 and in the second hole 221 of the outer tube 22, under the effect of the uncompressed spring 42, when one is in the locked position. Consequently, the pin 411 can prevent the outer tube 22 from rotating (FIG. 7A). On the contrary, the ring 41 rises by a predetermined distance, which, in turn, causes the release of the stud 411 from the first and second holes, 211 and 221, when a downward force is exerted on the spring. 42. Consequently, the outer tube 22 is free to rotate relative to the tube

interior 21 (FIG. 7B).

  In Figures 8A and 8B, there are shown sectional views along line VIII-VIII of Figure 4, respectively. As indicated above, the outer tube 22 is free to rotate relative to the inner tube 21 when the stud 411 emerges from the first and second holes, 211 and 221. In addition, as we have seen above, the displacements of the locking rods, 23 and 23 ′, are guided by elongated oblique slots, 222 and 222 ′, of the outer tube 22. In this way, this only requires exerting a relatively weak force on the outer tube 22 for the rotate, in order to change the positions of the locking rods, 23 and 23 ', in the slots 222 and 222', which, in turn, modifies the positions of the locking rods 23 and 23 'in the elongated axial slots, 212 and 212 ', of the inner tube 21. Consequently, the cables 24 and 24', fixed respectively to the locking rods 23 and 23 ', are moved. One end of the cable 24 (or 24 ') is fixed to the annular element 26 of the locking rod 23 (or 23'), while the other end of the cable 24 (or 24 ') is fixed

to the coupling pin 153.

  In the first position (the operating position) (Figure 8A), the outer tube 22 does not rotate under the effect of an external force, the cables 24 and 24 'being fixed to the joint 15 to allow the spindle coupling 153 to remain in a position which prevents the frame 1 of the stroller from folding. We see that the locking rods 23 and 23 'have positions with

  which the locking device 23 is locked.

  However, in the second position (that is to say the folded position) (FIG. 8B), the position of the locking rods 23 and 23 ′ is changed by the rotation of the outer tube 22 under the action of a force. external. Consequently, the coupling pin 153 does not interfere with the movement of the frame 1 of the stroller, because this coupling pin 153 is deactivated by the rods.

  locking 23 and 23 'which are fixed to cables 24 and 24'.

  In summary, the folding of the frame 1 of the stroller is simply carried out by manipulating the locking device on the handle 13. That is to say that one hand is necessary to pull the cables 24 and 24 'located on two opposite sides of the joint 15. In addition, the user must simply stand upright, in an upright posture, without having to bend his body, to carry out the folding and unfolding operations, since the locking device 20 is provided on the handle 13. Therefore, this

  design is quite practical and simple.

  Referring again to Figures 5 and 8A, while the locking device 20 is able to achieve the goal of blocking the frame 1 of the stroller, according to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a cylindrical housing 25, generally hollow , on the outer tube 22, because the elongated oblique slots 222 and 222 ', provided on the locking rods 23 and 23' of the outer tube 22, can adversely affect the exterior appearance of the stroller. The housing 25 consists of a part 251 constituting the upper half and of a part 251 'constituting the lower half in which two screws 50 are screwed to fix the part 251' constituting the lower half of the housing 25 to the part 251 constituting the upper half of the housing 25. A cavity 252 is provided on the part 251 constituting the upper half of the housing 25, and a projection 223, corresponding to the cavity 252, is provided on the outer tube 22, respectively. In this way, the projection 223 is housed in the cavity 252 when the part 251 constituting the upper half of the housing 25 is placed on the outer tube 22, thereby allowing the housing 25 to move together with the outer tube 22, a after the outer tube 22 has been turned. In addition, a button 412 protrudes in relief from the outer surface of the ring 41, in order to facilitate the insertion of the coupling device 40 by the user, which allows the inner tube 21 to be released from the outer tube 22. From similarly, a hole 253 is provided on the part 251 constituting the upper half of the housing 25, in order to allow the button 412 to pass through it. Consequently, the user can press the button 412, which protrudes relative to the surface of the housing 25, in order to disengage the inner tube 21 from the tube

exterior 22.

  The invention having been thus described, it is obvious that it can be modified according to different variants. Such variants should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all of these variants, as would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are considered to be included in the field of

appended claims.

Claims (11)

RESELL I CAT IONS   1. A folding stroller, comprising a front sub-frame (11), a rear sub-frame (12) and a handle (13), which can be transformed between an operating position and a folded position, characterized in that it comprises: a joint (15), consisting of a first body (151), fixed to the handle (13) and to the sub-frame   rear (12), and a second body (152), attached to the   front frame (11), which can be pivoted relative to the first body (151), so that the first body (151) is placed in a first position to limit the pivoting of the first and second bodies (151 and 152 ) relative to each other, by locking a coupling pin (153), and the coupling pin (153) being capable of being moved from the first position to a second position to leave the first body (151) and the second body (152) free to pivot relative to each other when the coupling pin   (153) is unlocked, so as to fold the sub-   front and rear frames (11, 12); and locking means, comprising an inner tube (21) sheathed by the handle (13), an outer tube (22) positioned so as to be able to rotate around the inner tube (21), and a cable (24, 24 ') , one end of which is fixed to the outer tube (22) and the other end of which is fixed to the coupling pin (153), so as to cause the rotation of the outer tube (22) relative to the inner tube (21), to pull the cable (24, 24 '), in order to move the coupling pin (153) from the first position at the second position.   2. Folding stroller according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one elongated axial slot (212, 212 '), spaced on the inner tube (21), at least one elongated oblique slot (222 , 222 '), each corresponding to one of the elongated axial slots (212, 212'), placed spaced apart on the outer tube (22), and at least one locking rod (23, 23 '), each rod being inserted into one of the elongated oblique slots (222, 222 ') and one of the corresponding elongated axial slots (212, 212'), and in that each of the locking rods (23, 23 ') can be moved along one of the elongated oblique slits (222, 222 ') and one of the corresponding elongated axial slits (212, 212'), when the outer tube (22) pivots relative to the tube interior (21).   3. Folding stroller according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a first hole (211), provided on the inner tube (21), a second hole (221) corresponding to the first hole (211), provided on the outer tube (22), and coupling means (40), comprising a ring (41), passed over the outer tube (22), a spring (42), constrained between the ring (41) and the outer tube (22), and a stud (411) provided on an inner surface of the ring (41), in which the stud (411) is introduced into the first and second holes (211, 221) under the action uncompressed spring (42) in the locked position to prevent the inner tube (21) and the outer tube (22) from pivoting relative to each other, and in that the ring (41) rises by a predetermined distance, which in turn causes the nipple (41) to disengage from the first and second holes (211, 221) when a downward force is applied s ur the spring (42), to allow the outer tube (22) to rotate relative to the inner tube (21), in a position not locked.   4. Folding stroller according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a housing (25)   wrapping the outer tube (22).   5. Folding stroller according to claim 4, characterized in that the housing (25) comprises a part (251) constituting the upper half and a part (251 ') constituting the lower half.   6. Folding stroller according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of screws which, screwed, fix the part (251 ') constituting the lower half to the part (251) constituting the upper half. 7. Folding stroller according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a cavity (252), provided on the part (251) constituting the upper half of the housing (25), and a projection (223) corresponding to the cavity (252), provided on the outer tube (22), so that the projection (223) can be housed in the cavity (252) when the part (251) constituting the upper half of the housing (25) is placed on the outer tube (22), so as to allow the housing (25) to move together with the outer tube (22), after the inner tube (21) has been rotated. 8. Folding stroller according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises a button (412), projecting relative to the outer surface of the ring (41).   9. Folding stroller according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a rivet, for fixing the inner tube (21) and the handle (13) together, laterally. 10. Folding stroller according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a bolt, for fixing the inner tube (21) and the handle (13) together, laterally5 11. Folding stroller according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an element   annular, to fix together one end of the cable (24, 24 ') and the locking rod (23, 23').