GB2318100A

GB2318100A - Shock absorbing suspension for a pushchair

Info

Publication number: GB2318100A
Application number: GB9621331A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ming-Tai Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-10-12
Filing date: 1996-10-12
Publication date: 1998-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-12
Also published as: GB2318100B; GB9621331D0; FR2754510B3; DE29618469U1; FR2754510A3

Abstract

A shock absorbing suspension for a pushchair between curved tubes 21 of a wheeled portion (20 figure 3) and cross links 11 attached to a frame (12 figure 3) of a seat portion (10 figure 3) comprises a number of shock absorbing devices 30, each comprising first and second arcuate parts 31, 32, said first part having a tongue 315 with protrusions 18 on each lateral side thereof extending from curved shoulders 314 at the distal end of the first part inserted in a second slot 321 in a first end of the second part with the protrusions 18 inserted in holes 323 in the second part 32. Lugs 320 on either side of the second slot 321 in the second arcuate part have curved ends 322 rotatably contacting the curved shoulders 314. The two arcuate parts are attached to the links 11 and curved tubes 21 through slots (311 figure 4) and 325, plates 111 and 213 and rivets 40, 41 respectively.

Description

SHOCK ABSORBING DEVICE FOR A STROLLER The present invention relates to a shock absorbing device and more particularly, to a shock absorbing device of a stroller.

Fig. 1 shows a stroller which is composed of a seat portion 80 and a wheeled portion 86 wherein the seat portion 80 includes a seat 84 supported by a frame 82 and two pairs of cross links 81 and a handle 83 are respectively connected to the frame 82, the wheeled portion 86 includes a base which has two curved tubes 87 respectively extending from a front end and a rear end thereof, and four wheels 88 rotatably disposed to the base. A shock absorbing device composed of four springs 85 is disposed between the curved tubes 87 of the roller portion 86 and the cross links 81. Each of the distal ends of the cross links 81 and each of the distal ends of the curved tubes 87 has the spring 85 disposed therebetween such that a shock can be absorbed by a deformation of the springs 85. Fig. 2 shows another type of stroller which is also equipped with the spring-type shock absorbing device 96. However, the springs disposed in both of the two strollers are positioned by hooking two ends thereof to the corresponding elements of the strollers thus a user may ahve a finger nipped by the springs 85/96. Furthennore, the springs 85/96 are disposed in an expanded status such that manufacturers must expand the springs 85/96 when assembling the shock absorbing device and this needs skilled workers to proceed with care.

The present invention intends to provide a shock absorbing device of a stroller and which is safe when operated so as to mitigate and/or obviate the above-mentioned problems.

The present invention provides a shock absorbing device of a stroller which includes a seat portion and a wheeled portion, the shock absorbing device being connected between the seat portion and the wheeled portion. The shock absorbing device comprises a first arcuate part having a first end and a second end, the first end thereof having a first slot defined therein so as to form two first lugs separated by the first slot and each of the first lugs having a first hole defined transversely therein so as to be pivotally connected to the seat portion. The second end of the first arcuate part has a tongue extending therefrom which has a protrusion extending laterally and inclinedly from each one of two sides thereof. The second end of the first arcuate part has two curved shoulders between which the tongue extends.

A second arcuate part has a first end and a second end, the first end thereof having a second slot defined therein so as to form two second lugs separated by the second slot and each of the second lugs having a second hole defined transversely therein such that the tongue is inserted in the second slot and the protrusions are inserted into the second holes respectively. Each of the second lugs has a second curved end formed thereto which rotatably contacts the curved shoulders. The second end of the second arcuate part has a third slot defined therein so as to form two third lugs separated by the third slot. Each of the two third lugs has a third hole defined transversely therein so as to be pivotally connected to the wheeled portion.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shock absorbing device of a stroller and which has a simple structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shock absorbing device of a stroller and which will not hurt a user's fingers.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one type of a stroller equipped with a conventional shock absorbing device; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of another type of a stroller equipped with the conventional shock absorbing device; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a stroller equipped with a shock absorbing device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the shock absorbing device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the stroller equipped with the shock absorbing device, and Fig. 6 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the shock absorbing device in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 3 through 6, a stroller comprises a seat portion 10 and a wheeled portion 20, the seat portion 10 including a frame 12 on which a padded member 14 is mounted which has a cover 15 pivotally connected thereto. Two pairs of cross links 11 are attached to a bottom of the frame 12 and a handle 13 is connected between the two pairs of cross links 11. Each of the cross links 11 has a first plate 111 formed to a distal end thereof and a first central hole 112 is defined in each of the first plates 111. The wheeled portion 20 includes a bracket 23 which has four wheels 22 rotatably disposed to both sides thereof. The wheeled portion 20 has two curved tubes 21 extending from each one of two ends thereof and each of the curved tubes 21 has a second plate 213 formed thereto in which a second central hole 214 is defined. A shock absorbing device 30 is connected between each one of the cross links 11 and the corresponding curved tube 21.

The shock absorbing device in accordance with the present invention generally includes a first arcuate part 31 and a second arcuate part 32, the first arcuate part 31 having a first end and a second end, the first end thereof having a first slot 311 defined therein so as to form two first lugs 310 separated by the first slot 311 and each of the first lugs 310 having a first hole 313 defined transversely therein. Each of the first plates 111 of the cross links 11 is inserted into the corresponding first slot 311 of the first arcuate part 31 and a first rivet 40 extends through the first central hole 112 defined in the first plate 111 and the first hole 313 defined in each of the first lugs 310. The second end of the first arcuate part 31 has a tongue 315 extending therefrom which has a protrusion 318 extending laterally and inclinedly from each one of two sides thereof. The second end of the first arcuate part 31 has two curved shoulders 314 formed thereto between which the tongue 315 extends.

The second arcuate part 32 has a first end and a second end, the first end thereof having a second slot 321 defined therein so as to form two second lugs 320 separated by the second slot 321 and each of the second lugs 320 having a second hole 323 defined transversely therein such that the tongue 315 is inserted in the second slot 321 and the protrusions 318 are respectively inserted into the second holes 323. Each of the second lugs 320 has a second curved end 322 formed thereto which is shaped to suitably and rotatably contact the curved shoulders 314. The second end of the second arcuate part 32 has a third slot 325 defined therein so as to form two third lugs 326 separated by the third slot 325, each of the two third lugs 326 having a third hole 327 defined transversely therein such that the second plate 213 of each of the curved tubes 21 is inserted into the corresponding third slot 325. A second rivet 41 extends through the second central hole 214 and the third hole 327 such that the second part 32 is pivotally connected to the corresponding one of the curved tubes 21 of the wheeled portion 20.

The first arcuate part (31) and the second arcuate part (32) are made of flexible material such that when a shock is transmitted from the ground to the shock absorbing device, the first arcuate part 31 and the second arcuate part 32 are respectively pivoted about an axis of each of the first rivet 40 and the second rivet 41 with the protrusions 318 inserted in the second holes 323, and an engagement between the second curved ends 322 and the curved shoulders 314 provides a smooth mutual movement therebetween. Therefore, the shock can be absorbed by the movement of the shock absorbing device.

Accordingly, the device has no springs exposed so as to prevent injury to users and the device includes a simple structure such that manufacturers can easily assemble the device to the stroller.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A shock absorbing device (30) of a stroller which has a seat portion (10) and a wheeled portion (20), said shock absorbing device (30) connected between said seat portion (10) and said wheeled portion (20), said shock absorbing device (30) comprising: a first arcuate part (31) having a first end and a second end, said first end thereof having a first slot (311) defined therein so as to form two first lugs (310) separated by said first slot (311) and each of said first lugs (310) having a first hole (313) defined transversely therein, said second end of said first arcuate part (31) having a tongue (315) extending therefrom which has a protrusion (318) extending laterally and inclinedly from each one of two sides thereof, said second end of said first arcuate part (31) having two curved shoulders (314) formed thereto between which said tongue (315) extends, and a second arcuate part (32) having a first end and a second end, said first end thereof having a second slot (321) defined therein so as to form two second lugs (320) separated by said second slot (321) and each of said second lugs (320) having a second hole (323) defined transversely therein such that said tongue (315) is inserted in said second slot (321) and said protrusions (318) are inserted into said second holes (323) respectively, each of said second lugs (320) having a second curved end (322) formed thereto which rotatably contacts said curved shoulders (314), said second end of said second arcuate part (32) having a third slot (325) defined therein so as to form two third lugs (326) separated by said third slot (325), each of said two third lugs (326) waving a third hole '327) defined transversely therein.

2. The shock absorbing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first arcuate part (31) and said second arcuate part (32) are made of flexible material.

3. The shock absorbing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.