GB2213779A - Chassis for child transporter - Google Patents

Abstract

A chassis for a child transporter is adjustable so as to be usable either with a pushchair body on the one hand or with a pram or carrycot body on the other. The chassis includes support means for the rear end of a carrycot or pram body, a respective side member 20, 40 extending longitudinally along each side of the chassis, a respective slider 100 mounted on each side member 20, 40 for sliding movement therealong, a respective strut 116, 118 pivotally coupled to the chassis adjacent to the front end of the corresponding side member 20, 40 and a front support member 108 for the carrycot or pram body pivotally connected at its rear end to the slider 100 and pivotally connected at an intermediate point therealong to the opposite end of the strut 116, 118. Each slider 100 can be positioned so that the corresponding strut 116, 118 is either vertical or almost horizontal so as to position the corresponding front support member 108 at either of two alternative heights. <IMAGE>

Description

Chassis for Child Transporter This invention relates to a chassis for a child transporter of the type which can be adjusted so as to be usable either with a pushchair body on the one hand or with a pram or carrycot body on the other. The invention is particularly concerned with a chassis of this type having separate longitudinally spaced support means for the front and rear of the carrycot, pram, or pushchair body, as the case may be.

It is necessary for the front support means of a chassis of this type to be capable of supporting a pushchair body in a position such that the seat of the pushchair is suitably spaced from a footrest which, in turn, is suitably spaced from the ground. Similarly, it is desirable for a pram or pushchair body to be mounted somewhat higher that an adult user does not need to bend unduly in order to reach a baby occupying the pram or pushchair body. The invention aims to provide a chassis meeting both these requirements without the use of detachable components.

According to the invention, a chassis of the foregoing type includes a respective side member extending longitudinally along each side of the chassis, each side member having a slider mounted thereon for sliding movement therealong, means for securing the slider in alternative positions on the side member, a strut pivotally coupled to the chassis adjacent to the front end of the side member and a front support member pivotally connected at one end to the slider and pivotally connected at an intermediate point therealong to the opposite end of the strut.

In use, if the slider is moved rearwardly to the maximum extent, the strut and front support member both lie approximately parallel to the side member and the front end of the support member is in a lower position suitable for supporting the front of a pushchair body.

On the other hand, if the slider is moved forwardly, the strut pivots towards a vertical position in which the front end of the support member is at a suitable height for supporting a carrycot or pram body.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from one side of a twin pushchair chassis having a pram body mounted on one side and a pushchair body mounted on the other side; Figure 2 is a perspective view from the other side of the chassis shown in Figure 1 but with the pushchair body removed.

Referring to the drawings, a pushchair chassis comprises three longitudinally extending frame portions, each of which consists of a lower front member 10, 30, 50 connected by a pivot joint 12, 32, 52 to an upper front member 14, 34, 54 which carries a handle 16, 36, 56 on its upper end. A rear member 18, 38, 58 has its upper end pivotally connected to an intermediate point on the upper frame member 14, 34, 54. A bottom member 20, 40, 60 has its ends pivotally connected to intermediate points on the lower front member 10, 30, 50 and the rear member 18, 38, 58. The front members 10, 30, 50 each have respective pairs of front wheels 22, 42, 62, journaled on to their lower ends. Respective pairs of rear wheels 24, 44, 64 are journaled on to the lower ends of the rear members 18, 38, 58.The central frame has a second bottom member 70 extending parallel to the bottom member 40 for a purpose to be explained hereinafter.

Each of the lower front members 10 and 50 of the outer frame portions is pivotally connected to one end of a horizontal X-frame member 72, 74, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the rear frame member 38 of the central frame portion. Similarly each of the rear members 18, 58 of the outer frame portions is pivotally connected to one end of a second horizontal Xframe member 76, 78, the other end of which is connected to the lower front support member 30 of the central frame. The first X-frame member 70, 74 of each pair is pivotally connected at its mid-point to the corresponding second horizontal X-frame member 76, 78.

Similarly, the rear support members 18 and 58 of the outer frame portions are connected by respective pairs of vertical X-frame members 80, 82 and 84, 86 to the rear member 38 of the central frame. Respective struts, 88 and 90 extend between the central rear member 38 and the outer rear members 18 and 58 respectively.

The struts 88 and 90 have over-centre pivot joints at their mid points. Respective footrests 92 and 94 of rubber, webbing or similar flexible material extend between the central lower front member 30 and the outer lower front members 10 and 50.

If the struts 88 and 90 are folded at their central pivot joints and at the same time, the pivotal connections 12, 32 and 52 are pushed towards the rear wheels, the entire chassis folds so that the front wheels 22, 42, and 62 are closely adjacent to one another and to the handles 16, 36 and 56 and the rear wheels 24, 44 and 64 are also closely adjacent to one another. Pushchair chasses which fold in this manner are well known.

In accordance with the invention, each of the four bottom frame members 20, 40, 60 and 70 carries a respective slider 100, 102, 104 and 106. Respective front body support members 108, 110, 112, 114 have their rear ends pivotally connected to the sliders 100, 102, 104 and 106. Each of the front body support members has a respective strut 116, 118, 120, 122 attached at one end to an intermediate point thereon, the other end of such strut being pivotally attached to the pivotal connection between the corresponding lower front member 10, 30, 50 and bottom member 20, 40, 60.

Each of the sliders 102, 104, 106 and 108 can be secured against sliding movement either in a rearward position in which the corresponding front body support member lies parallel to its associated bottom frame member, as illustrated for the front support members 110 and 114 or with its corresponding strut in a substantially vertical position, as illustrated for the front body support members 108 and 112.

The front ends of the front body support members 108 and 112 are generally horizontal and are level with horizontal portions 130 on the upper portions of the vertical X-frame members 80 and 82. They are consequently suitably positioned to support a pram body 132 which is secured in position by respective clips 134, 136, 138 and 140.

On the other hand, the other pair of front body support members 114 and 120, the corresponding struts for which are substantially horizontal, have their front ends in a lower position which is suitably spaced from the corresponding footrest 94 to support the front of a fabric pushchair body 142 (Figure 1). The pushchair body 142 has tape loops such as the loop 144 which may be threaded over the handles 36 and 56, and sewn pockets (not shown) which receive the front ends of the front body support members 110 and 114.

It is, of course, necessary to remove the pram body 130 before the chassis can be folded. It is possible to fold the chassis with the pushchair body 140 in place.

It will be appreciated that the chassis illustrated can alternatively be used with pram bodies on both sides or with pushchair bodies on both sides. If it is used with one pram body as illustrated, the pram body could be located on the adult users right hand side, instead of on the left hand side as illustrated.

The invention is also applicable to chasses which fold about a single axis parallel to the axes of the wheels.

Claims (2)

1. A chassis for a child transporter which is adjustable so as to be usable either with a pushchair body on the one hand or with a pram or carrycot body on the other, the chassis including support means for the rear end of a carrycot or pram body, a respective side member extending longitudinally along each side of the chassis, a respective slider mounted on each side member for sliding movement therealong, means for securing each slider in alternative positions on its side member, a respective strut pivotally coupled to the chassis adjacent to the front end of the correspnoding side member and a front support member for the carrycot or pram body pivotally connected at its rear end to the slider and pivotally connected at an intermediate point therealong to the opposite end of the strut.

2. A chassis for a child transporter which is adjustable so as to be usable either with a pushchair body on the one hand or with a pram or carrycot body on the other, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.