GB2244029A - Convertible pushchair - Google Patents

Abstract

A pushchair which is convertible for use over rough terrain is provided with a single forward wheel 15 and rear wheels 19 which are pivotably mounted so that they may be moved to lie against the front frame member 12. In this mode the pushchair may be pushed along on the single front wheel, and a harness is provided on the handlebars which may be looped around the shoulders of the person pushing the chair when it is in this mode. Also provided is a bucket-type seat 18, constructed of a durable fabric, with a security harness for the child attached across the frame members 10. The handlebar structure 10 is foldable, and the rear-wheels 19 framework 13 is height adjustable to suit persons of varying stature. <IMAGE>

Description

THE MOUNTAIN BUGGY THIS INVENTION RELATES TO A WHEELED HAND PROPELLED CARRIAGE FOR TRANSPORTING YOUNG CHILDREN LONG DISTANCES OVER DIFFICULT TERRAIN.

It is found difficult for parents who have young children to indulge in the pastime of country walks, rambles or hill treking because being able to take young children on such exercises imposes too great a physical strain to have to carry them.

The parent or parents give up their enjoyment of such country jaunts because they have no easy means of transporting their children.

According to the present invention there is provided a light weight, wheel-barrow concept carriage for the safe and easy transportation of young children over long or short distances on ground which is rugged, undulating and without roads, carriage ways or tracks. The single wheeled carriage dispenses with the back-pack means of transport and enables both parents or other persons to share the transport problem.

The framework is of light metal tubing or in suitably reinforced plastic material and provides a substantial pram type handle which carries a fabric or plastic bucket type seat suspended between it and the single front wheel.

The frame work also supports a pivoted and adequately braced undercarriage which can have an additional, but smaller diameter, pair of wheels attached to enable the 'buggy' to be used as a push chair. The undercarriage is movable about fulcrum points along the main framework, but the outward travel is limited by twin section links. The said links can pivot from THE MOUNTAIN BUGGY a position along the single wheel framework and extend angularly to a maximum position or they may fold from the centre to allow the two-wheeled undercarriage to fold against the underside of the handle framework. The under-carriage framework can be height-adjusted and releasably secured at any selected height to suit the adult who may be, at the time, pushing the 'buggy'.

Accroutrements comprise a harness to releasably secure the child's safety within the fabric bucket-seat and a strap which may be placed over the shoulders of the adult 'in charge' of the buggy to ease the load aspect when journeying long distances.

The spread of the under-carriage wheels would approximate 460 mm and the handle frame would approximate 350mm the total weight (without the child) would be around ........ kgs.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the MOUNTIAN BUGGY in front and side view.

Figure 2 gives more detail of the under-carriage mounting.

(2 sheets) Figure 3 shows the MOUNTAIN BUGGY in use.

Figure 4 illustrates alternative folding facilities.

MOUNTAIN BUGGY In Figure 1 a main frame 10 includes a tubular metal or reinforced plastic, horizontally positioned handle 10a slightly turned to a level elevationfor ease of gripping and holding.

The main frame 10 is braced across by a horizontal strut 11 sited below the handle but above the attachment of the fabric or other material bucket type seat 18. The two side members of the main frame 10 extend down in an angular mode - (in the Figure 1 illustration) - to pass into and through to the end of the junction brackets 29- of which there are obviously two.

Reference should be made to Figure 2 for more detail of these junction brackets 29.

Extending away from, but fixedly secured within the two brackets 29 are the two tubular side members 12 which converge to provide axle 16 support for the single wheel 15. In the preferred embodiment this single wheel 15 is constructed with a rigid plastic hub and a relatively soft rubber or resilient foam tyre. Any other embodiment might employ any appropriate hub and pneumatic tyre or any combination of materials to provide an appropriate wheel. It can therefore be seen that the main framework 10 comprises of two sections - the upper section 10 with handle 10a and the lower section 12 which converges to support wheel 15. The two sections 10 and 12 fit within junction brackets 29.

THE MOUNTAIN BUGGY Pivoted to each of the junction - brackets 29 are the two tubular members 13 which form the under-carriage and to which are attached two smaller diameter, semi-soft tyred wheels 19. The two tubular members 13 are separately braced from the lower half of side members 12 by two half-links 22 which hinge on pivot pin 23 to fold upwards when it is considered necessary to retract the under carriage 13.

The junction bracket 29 is provided in alternative styles, the details of which are more clearly defined and described with reference to Figure 2 and 4.

The junction bracket 29 also provides for the handle section 10/10a to fold downwards from pivot pins 30 (one each side) so that in its totally collapsed state it could fit easily into the luggage boot of any motor car. It is also then in an easily transportable mode.

The fabric bucket-type seat 18 is fixedly secured to both tubular frame sections, the upper 10/10a and the lower section 12. The fabric is wrapped around the tubular sections and secured by appropriate stitching or other means.

Positioned on the two under-carriage members 13 at predetermined locations above the two-link brace pivot points 25 are two 'stop' collars 26. These said 'stop' collars act as a limit to the traverse of the two members 13 when slid through pivot bracket 28, fulcrumed at each side of the two junction brackets 29.

THE MOUNTAIN BUGGY In the operative mode, when a child is being pushed either on one wheel or three, the upper tubular frame 10/10a is releasably secured within the junction brackets 29 by a catch handle 33. This is more clearly indicated in Figures 2 and 4.

At the upper extremity of both tubular members 13 of the under-carriage a horizontal cross brace 14 ties the two members together to stabilise and offer lateral support to these said members. The cross brace 14 would also offer hand attachment for any young child who could grip such a 'hand-rail'.

Another tubular cross brace 17 is fitted between the two side members 13 of the under-carriage framework.

This cross brace is positioned horizontally and in line with the pivot point of the two half links 22. It is therefore an integral strut member of the under-carriage framework.

On the underside of the junction bracket 29 is the pivot point 30 for the handle section 10/10a. Also sited along the underside of the two junction brackets 29 is a catch gaff or slot 31 which will provide anchorage for the handle-catch 27. When the under-carriage 13 is in the folded mode, the handle-catch 27 can enter the gaff or slot 31 and releasably secure the said under-carriage in the closed mode.

Referring to Figure 2 (sheet 2) the under-carriage 13 with the two smaller wheels 19 is shown in the raised position with the 'stop' collars 26 slid up through pivot bracket 28 to the upper limit.

The wheels 19 and the side frame of the under-Carriage 13 THE MOUNTAIN BUGGY can then pivot forward as indicated by the arrowed arc line 34. The two half-links 22 are folds upwards and will collapse forward as the side frame members 13 pivot on fulcrum pin 28.

Figure 4 shows the two designs available for the 'MOUNTAIN BUGGY' under-carriage 13. The design previously described in this specification is illustrated as View 4a and it comprises the junction bracket 29 with the two ends of the two sections of framework 10/10a and 13 firmly captive within the said junction bracket. It is clearly indicated that one tubular section lies above the other.

The lower of the two being the handle section 10/10a and this is pivoted at point 30. The method of securement is also clearly shown with catch handle 33 firmly in place.

View 4b shows a modified alternative method of mounting the under-carriage 13 with the two smaller diameter wheels 19 mounted on pivoted members 34 which are releasably captive in 'U' brackets 35.

The 'U' bracket 35 is fixedly secured to the shortened tubular under-carriage member 13a. The two half-links 22a are pivoted above 'U' brackets 35 and can fold upwards as previously described.

The two pivoted members 34 are releasably secured within the two 'U' brackets 35 by two cranked handles 36 or by serrated plastic knob 37 threaded internally to the screw on to and against the sides of the 'U' brackets 35.

THE MOUNTAIN BUGGY At the lower extremity of the round tubular sections 13a two skid buttons 38 are inserted. These said buttons can be used to rest the 'buggy' at an angled position as and when desired.

In the folded mode for transportation the sections comprising 13a, 35, 34, and 19 fold forward towards a single wheel frame work 12. The two half-links 22a fold upwards to permit this latter movement and the handle section 10/10a folddownwards acting on pivot pin 39.

Irrespective of which method of mounting the under-carriage of the 'MOUNTAIN BUGGY' is preferred, the concept remains the same.

In reference to Figure 3 the 'MOUNTAIN BUGGY' is shown in use. The under-carriage wheels 19 are in the 'push-chair' mode. The 'person' is making use of the shoulder strap 40 to aid and support of the 'child' being transported. It is unlikely the shoulder strap 40 would be required when the 'MOUNTAIN BUGGY' is being used as a 'push-chair', but more often when the under-carriage 13 is collapsed or folded as in Figure 2 view 2b and when transportation by one wheel or 'Wheel-barrow' mode is necessary.

It is considered unnecessary to provide a separate diagram illustrating this latter method as the description already provided should make this clear.

Claims (6)

1. C L A I H S.

   2. A 'Mountain Buggy' of lightweight construction,which is foldable and comprised of tubular steel or other material which will enable young persons to be transported with ease over rough,undulating terrain with little discomfort to the person responsible.The Mountain Buggy has one forward wheel mounted in the principle framework and two rear wheels carried in a pivotal framework which is height adjustable. The handlebar framework provides support for a shoulder harness which can free the hands when the 'Mountain Buggy' is being used in wheel-barrow fashion.
2. 2. A 'Mountain Buggy' as claimed in 1 which is comprised of a height adjustable framework for the two rear wheels enabling persons of differing stature to conveniently and easily convert the single wheel mode to a 'push-chair' type conveyance.
3. 3. A 'Mountain Buggy' as claimed in 1 and 2 in which the handle bar handle may be released from the two side junction brackets and folded forward for compact transportation.
4. 4. A 'Mountain Buggy' as claimed in 1,2 and 3 which comprises a security harness for any young person being transported in the 'bucket-type seat between the two side frames.
5. 5. A 'Mountain Buggy' as claimed in 1,2,3 and 4 which comprises of cross-bracing between the side members forming the basic tubular framework.
6. 6. A 'Mountain Buggy' substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings 1 to 5.

   6. A 'Mountain Buggy' as claimed in 1 which comprises of a single forward wheel which can be pneumatic,solid rubber,composite material,plastic or any other material and which has two smaller diameter wheels in rear and spaced adequately and supportively on pivotal struts which are braced to the forward wheel framework.