GB2045694A - A framework for a pushchair or folding chair - Google Patents

Abstract

Two lower members 2 and 3 (interconnected to form an X); a horizontal member 5; a vertical member 4; a first linking member 6 are interconnected to enable folding in the vertical plane to take place. A seat and backrest are supported from points 8 and 10 and panniers may be attached to hang behind vertical member 4 and under horizontal member 5. This framework has the advantage of stability, even when the panniers are loaded with goods, and of being capable of being folded without unloading such goods from the panniers, and of being able to carry such goods whilst folded. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pushchair-carrier/folding-chair This invention covers a revolutionary method of assembling a series of rigid long thin members to form an extended open structure which uniquely folds to a compact unit having members returning to upright positions and to all structures employing this new method.

This system of assembly is particularly applicable when used as a pair for construction of pushchairs offering the advantage of having facility for containers for carring articles which can be used in the extended and closed forms without the need for removal from the structure when transferring from the closed to extended form or vice versa. The containers can be permanent fixtures or be removable from the structure. Pushchairs employing this invention have the additional advantage of being able to be stood unaided in the upright (vertical) position with or without containers attached when either extended or folded. The assembled structure can be set and fixed at more than one angle offering the added advantage of pushchairs having facility to carry the occupant at differing positions. e.g. sitting, laying, and also facility to change the handle height.

This invention benefits from an essentially vertical member protruding above the inclined upper handle/front wheel member there-by ensuring that the occupants seat is situated in a position such that the weight of the occupant and articals carried is distributed between the wheel footprint.

The configuration and manufacturing techniques of pushchair construction are commonly known but they suffer from being complicated structures and expensive to produce.

This new method of assembly simplifies construction and being economic on the use of materials reduces weight and cost.

The materials for construction of the structural framework can consist of long thin members comprising of conventional materials such as metal in tube, rod, angle, or bar etc forms or similar section non-metallic materials, or combinations used separately or together.

In particular 5/," dia aluminium tube having 16 s.w.g. wall is ideally suited. Straight members can be used but inclusion of cut, distorted bent or hinged members can be used to facilitate improved characteristics e.g. for a more compact folded unit/distribution of weight/connection of members etc. The length of members and points of connection can be adjusted to suit the application. In the case of the pushchair one suitable set of dimentions are given in the accompanying diagrams (Fig. 7).

This invention as a pushchair consists of pairs of members, one side-structure of which comprises of the following: An upper member 'd' of between 1 2 8 40" long and ideally 23". This member has connection points for (i) member 'e' situated at between 0 8 3" and ideally 2" from one end, and (ii) member 'g' situated at between T 8 14" and ideally 7T" from the same end.

A front lower member 'e' of between 1 2 a 40" long and ideally 22". This member has connection points for (i) member 'd' situated at between 0 a 3" and ideally < " from an end, and (ii) member 'f' situated at between 2 a 14" and ideally 7+" from the same end, and (iii) member 'h' situated at between 2 8 14" and ideally 72" from the same end.

Members 'f' and 'h' can be connected to member 'e' at the same point but not necessarily so. One of the connections of members 'f' and 'h' to member 'e' can be omitted.

A rear lower member 'f' of between 1 2 a 40" long and ideally 22". This member has connection points for (i) member 'h' situated at between 2 8 20" and ideally 7+" from one end, and (ii) member 'e' situated at between 2 8 14" and ideally 72" from the same end, and (iii) member 'i' situated at between 0 8 6" and ideally 2+" from the same end. Members 'h' and 'e' can be connected to member 'f' at the same point but not necessarily so. One of the connections of members 'h' and 'e' to member 'f' can be omitted.

An essentially upright (vertical) member 'g' of between 6 8 30" long and ideally 17".

This member has connection points for (i) member 'h' situtated at between 0 a 5" and ideally 2" from one end, and (ii) member situated at between 0 a 18" and ideally 2" from the same end, and (iii) member 'd' situated at between 2 a 18" and ideally 10" from the same end.

An essentially horizontal lower member 'h' which can be omitted but assists to simplify the folding action. This member 'h' if included is between 6 a 30" long and ideally 1 7".

This member has connection points for (i) member 'g' situated at between 0 a 5" and ideally i" from one end, and (ii) member 'f' situated at between 2 818" and ideally 10" from the same end, and (iii) member 'e' situated at between 2 a 18" and ideally 10" from the same end. Members 'f' and 'e' can be connected to member 'h' at the same point but not necessarily so. One of the connections of members 'f' and 'e' to member 'h' can be omitted.

The structure is ideally stabilised by an essentially horizontal member 'i' of between 6 a 20" long and ideally 13". This member has connection points for members 'g' and 'f' at points at each end situated at between 0 a 3" and ideally 2" from the ends. Other sites for stabilising member/additional stabilising members either rigid or hinged can be used.

Similar members of two side-structures can be connected by cross-members. Ideal sidestructure connection points are at (i) the far top end of member 'd' to act as a handle for pushing the chair and, (ii) the far top end of member 'g' from which to suspend the seat/ carrier upper suspension support and, (iii) the far top end of member 'f' to act as a handle support for the chair occupant and as a handle to carry the chair when folded and, (iv) at the far lower ends of members 'f' and 'e'.

These cross-members can be the wheel axles, and (v) at points between 0 a 10" and ideally 3" from the extreme lower ends of members 'e' and 'f' for the occupants foot-rest. Other positions for cross-members can be used and some of the above cross-member positions (i) to (v) can be omitted.

Cross-members can be separate members connected to the side-structures or be continuous by being constructed from a single member which forms both the cross-member and the two side structure elements (with bends included). Cross-members are essentially rigid members and can be hinged to facilitate three dimentional folding of the unit or for certain functions can be flexible e.g. foot-rest.

Seat and container suspension points are ideally situated at locations on members 'g' and 'h' but locations on other members can be used.

Wheels are ideally situated at points on the lower extremes of members 'e' and 'f'.

For construction of a pushchair seat and containers (containers for carrying articals e.g.

shopping) conventional materials can be used.

Natural or synthetic fabrics can be used in conjunction with board (e.g. hard board, plastic, etc.) and metal are especially suitable, used separately or together.

Pushchair container locations are ideally situated at positions behind and/or underneath the seat. Containers situated in either of these positions will return to upright situations when the structure is folded or vice-versa.

Additional fittings can also be incorporated for locking members in the extended and/or closed and/or intermediate positions and also in the case of a pushchair, wheels, brake(s), hood, apron, etc.

Wheels or pairs of wheels added for pushchair transportation are again most suitably of conventional fitting and construction. Wheels of differing diameters can be used-large rear wheels e.g. 6" dia for improved service characteristics and smaller front wheels e.g. 3" dia for contribution to compact folding can be used.

This basic configuration of members can be used to form a folding chair e.g. adults garden chair. The dimentions of the members can be adjusted accordingly. The need for a handle(s) is not required and member 'd' for example can be reduced to eiliminate the portion extending above the connection point of member 'd' to member 'g'. Similarly crossmember positions are required at different locations.

This invention as a pushchair is illustrated by way of the accompanying diagrams-Figs.

1 to 7 inclusive Diagram Notes.

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the general configuration of members indicating their relationship and connection points.

Figure 4 shows the configuration set-up as a pushchair. The broken lines show the seat and container points. The members marked with a * are each members joined to similar members on the opposite side of the structure with a cross-member. The cross-members add stability to the structure. Cross-member X serves as a handle to push the pushchair and cross-member Y serves to carry the pushchair in the folded state and for the infant to hold when riding in the extended chair.

Figure 5 shows the pushchair in the folded state.

Figure 6 shows a general view of a pushchair employing this invention.

Figure 7shows one set of dimensions suitable for construction of a pushchair.

Claims (20)

1. A framework for a carrier comprising, on each side, two lower members interconnected, to form an X, either directly or indirectly via separate connections, to a horizontal member, the bottom part of said lower members making contact with the ground directly or through wheels, the lower members being interconnected and/or connected to the horizontal member about one third of their length from their tops, the horizontal member is attached to one or both lower members in the same area as that at which the two lower members cross, and are connected at a point along the length of the said horizontal member such that about one third of the length of the horizontal member projects in front of the said connection, an essentially vertical member is connected to the rear end of the said horizontal member and projects above it, the upper extremity of said vertical member being above a point essentially within the base footprint, as herein defined, of the carrier, a first linking member connecting the top of the lower member, which forms the front support where it contacts the ground, with the vertical member and normally extending beyond the said vertical member, the said linking member being connected to the vertical member about two thirds of the way up the said vertical member, and finally a second linking member connecting the top of the lower member which forms the rear support, where it contacts the ground, to the lower part of the vertical member, all of the said connections being arranged to allow the members to hinge in the vertical plane.

2. A framework according to claim 1 wherein one of the essentially horizontal mem bers, as described in the open configuration, is omitted.

3. A framework as described by claims 1 and 2 in which the linking member connecting the top of the lower member, which forms the front support where it contacts the ground, with the vertical member, dose not essentially protrude beyond the rear of the vertical member.

4. A framework as claimed in claims 1 to 3 wherein the lower members make contact with the ground either directly or indirectly vis. wheels or caps.

5. One or more framework as described in claims 1 to 4 used separately or together.

6. A framework according to claims 1 to 5 wherein two or more similar members are linked by cross-members.

7. A framework according to claim 6 wherein the cross-members are formed from extentions of side members.

8. A framework as described by claims 1 to 7 wherein members are cut, bent, distorted or adjustable.

9. A framework according to claims 6 to 8 wherein the cross-members form handles for pushing or carrying the framework, a support for a footrest, axles for wheels, supports for a seat, or supports for containers etc.

1 0. A framework according to claims 6 to 9 wherein cross-members are hinged or flexible.

11. A framework as claimed in any claims 1 to 10 bearing a seat.

1 2. A framework as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 bearing one or more, fixed or removeable containers for goods.

1 3. A framework as described in claims 1 to 1 2 wherein additional components are incorporated.

1 4. A framework as claimed in claims 8 and 1 3 wherein the position of the seat is modified or adjustable.

1 5. A framework as claimed in claims 1 to 14 made from metal.

1 6. A framework as claimed in claim 1 5 wherein the metal is aluminium or steel.

1 7. A framework as claimed in claims 1 to 1 4 made from non-metallic materials.

1 8. A framework as claimed in claim 1 7 wherein the construction material is plastic or wood.

1 9. A framework as claimed in claims 1 to 14 made from a combination of metallic and non-metallic materials.

20. A framework as herein described, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.