GB2333269A

GB2333269A - Device for achieving a lockable rotatable connection between each handgrip of a foldable push-chair and the push-chair frame

Info

Publication number: GB2333269A
Application number: GB9801180A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pietro Catelli
Original assignee: Artsana SpA
Current assignee: Artsana SpA
Priority date: 1998-01-20
Filing date: 1998-01-20
Publication date: 1999-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-20
Also published as: GB2333269B; CH692551A5; FR2774055A3; FR2774055B3; GB9801180D0

Abstract

A device (5) for achieving a lockable rotatable connection between each handgrip (4) of a foldable push-chair and the push-chair frame (1), said frame (1) comprising tubular elements (3) supporting corresponding handgrips (4) which are able to rotate about said elements (3) and be locked in predefined positions about these latter. Associated with each handgrip and with the relative tubular element, there are provided locking means (17) arranged to cooperate with projections (21) associated with said handgrip (4) and with said element (3), this cooperation with both projections locking the handgrip on said tubular element, control means (36) being provided to move said locking means (17) along the longitudinal axis (W) of said element against the action of elastic means (16) so as to separate it from the projections on the handgrip (4) and to enable this latter to rotate about said axis (W) and hence about the corresponding tubular element.

Description

DEVICE FOR ACHIEVING A LOCKABLE ROTATABLE CONNECTION BETWEEN EACH HANDGRIP OF A POLDABLE PUSH-CHAIR AND THE PUSH-ç;AIR FRAME This invention relates to a device in accordance with the introduction to the main claim.

For some time, foldable push-chairs have been knawn provided with handgrips selectively rotatable about corresponding tubular pushchair frame elements which support them. By virtue of this characteristic the overall dimensions of such push-chairs can be varied on the basis of reguirements, for example te requirement of limiting the space occupied by them when transported in a vehicle.

The facility for selectively rotating sald handgrips (or of rotating them into particular and predefined utì'!ization positions) is often achieved by devices of complilca.ed construction and complex implementation. Moreover, suc known devices enable the handgrip to be arranged in ony a small number of positions about the corresponding tubular element.

An object of the present invention is to provide en improved device for achieving a selectively lockable rotatable connect ion between each handgrip and the frame of a push-chair.

A particular object of the invention is to provided a device of the stated type which is of simple construction, easily used by the easly user, and of low cost.

A further object is to provide a device which enables the push chair handgrip to be rotated into and locked in a large number of positions about the corresponding tubular element with which it is associated.

These and further objects which will be apparent' to the expert of the art are attained by a device in accordance with the accompanying claims.

The present invention will be more apparent Xromithe accompanying drawing, which is provided by way of non-limiting example and in which: Pigure 1 is a rear view of a push-chair provided with the device of the invention; and Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

With reference to said figures, B foldable push-dhair, for example of buggy type, comprises a frame 1 mounted on wheels 2 and provided with lateral tubular elements 3 with which handgrips 4 are associated. The device 5 of the invention is provided in correspondence with these latter.

More specifically, with each tubular element 3 there is associated a hollow cylindrical component 6 having one end 7 (the upper end in the figures) substantially of socket shape. The component 6 internally accommodates the upper end 8 of the tubular element 3 and a usual member 10 movable along the longitudinal axis W of this latter against the action of a spring 11. At a free end 12, this spring rests against the socket part 7 of the component 6.

Through a hole 13 in this socket part there passe's a pin 15 about which there are mounted a spring 16 and a member 7 movable within the cavity 18 of the socket part 7. The pin 15 is fixed to a flat part 19 of the handgrip 4.

On its lateral wall 20, the socket part 7 comprises a plurality of projections 21 extending longitudinally, ie parallel to the axis W of the element 3. These projections (which can be considered as defining a sort of toothing projecting from the wall 20) are arranged to cooperate with corresponding proJections or toothing 23 projecting from a lateral wall 2 of the member 17 resting on the spring 16. This latter penetrates into a cavity 26 provided in the member 17, coaxial with the axis of the pin 15, and rests by one end 16A on said member. The other end 165 of said spring rests on the base 27 of the socket part 7.

The toothing 23 of the member 17 is arranged to cooperate with projections (not shown) projecting from a wall 31 of an inner cavity 32 of the handgrip 4 present above the cavity 18 of the socket part 7. These projections, defining a sort of toothing in the cavity 32, extend parallel to the axis W of the clement 3.

A pushbutton 36 is movable within a through hole 35 in the handgrip 4 to act on the member 17, and has an end portion at least partly flanged at 37 to cooperate, when the pushbutton is in its rest position, with an undercut 38 in the handgrip 4.

The device of the invention is used as follows. 'When the pushbutton 36 is in its rest position, the member 17 (acting as the member for blocking rotation of the handgrip IG about the element 3) cooperates with the projections of 'oQ.Ih the handgrip 4 and the socket part 7. In this manner, said member or toothed coupling 17 rigidly locks said handgrip on the element 3. On now pressing the pushbutton 36, the member or toothed coupling 17 moves against the spring 16 within the cavity 18 in the socket part 7 towards the base 27 of this latter, by sliding along the projections 21 of this part. In this manner, the member 17 withdraws from the projections of the handgrip 4 (which project from the wall 31 of its cavity 32), to enable the handgrip 4 to be rotated about the element 3. Hence, while the pushbutton is pressed, the handgrip can be rotated about this latter into an angular position different from its initial position. On attaining the desired position, the pushbutton 36' is released with the result that the projections of the handgrip 4 and of the socket part 7 again mutually engage to again bloc thcir relative rotation.

The device of the invention is of simple construttion and utilization and enables the handgrip b to be positioned in a plurality of different angular positions about the element 3, depending on the number of projections provided bn said handgrip.

This is independent of the number of projections 21 and 23 provided respectively on the part 7 and on the ember 17, and which for example can be two in number positioned ;80" apart.

Alternatively, for example, in place of the projdstions 21 or of those on the member 17, there can be provided a single projection associated with the member 17 and cooperating with a recess present in the other part (7) so as to guide thelmovement of said member along the axis w and maintain the handgrip locked.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described.

Others are however possible while remaining within the scope of the present document. For example the member 17 can be provided with a single projection arranged to cooperate with the interspaces between the projections on the handgrip and with a longitudinal recess in the part 7. This embodiment also falls within the present document.

Claims

Claims: 1. A device for achieving a lockable rotatable connection between each handgrip (4) of a foldable push-chLr and its frame (1), said frame (1) comprising lateral tubular elements (3) supporting corresponding handgrips (4) which are'sal to rotate about said elements (3) and be locked in predefited positions about these latter, characterised by comprising, associated with each handgrip and with the relative tubular element, locking means (17) arranged to cooperate with locking counter-means (21) associated with said handgrip (4) and with said $lement (3), said cooperation with both counter-means locking the handgrip on said tubular element, control means (36) being providssd to move said locking means (17) along the longitudinal axis (w) of said element (3) against the action of elastic means (16) so hs to separate it from the locking counter-means of the handgrip (4) and to enable this latter to rotate about said axis (W) and hence about the corresponding tubular element.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising, within the tubular element (3) and the relative handgrip (4), cavities (18, 32) in which the locking means (,7) move along the longitudinal axis (W) of said element, there projecting into the cavity (32) of the handgrip (14) the countermeans for locking this latter.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterIsed in that the locking means are a coupling member (17) provided: with at least one projection (2 ) arranged to cooperate with the counter-means for locking together the handgrip (4) and the tubular element (3).
4. A device as claimed in the preceding claims, characterised in that the counter-means for locking the handgrip are projections jutting from a wall (31) of the cavity (32) within which the member or coupling (17) moves.

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5. A device as claimed in claim 1, charactersed in that the counter-means for locking the tubular element art projections (21) jutting from a wait (20) of the cavity (18) within which the member or coupling (17) moves.

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6. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the counter-means for locking the tubular element are a recess provided in the wall (20) of the cavity (18) within which the member or coupling (17) moves.
7. A device as claimed in claim 3, characteised in that the member or coupling (17) moves along a pin (15) inserted through the cavities (18, 32) in the tubular element (3) and handgrip (4), about said pin there being mounted a spring (16) against which said member (17) acts during its movement within said cavities.
8. A device as claimed in claims 2 and 7, characterised in that with the tubular element (3) there is associated a hollow cylindrical component (6) containing the cavity within which the member or coupling (17) moves, said cavity being provided in a socket part (7s of said component (6) which defines the cavity (18) facing the handgrip cavity (32) within which said member or coupling (17) moves.
9. A device as claimed in claim 1, characteCised in that the control means are a pushbutton (36) cooperating with th member or coupling (17) and movable within a hole (35) prodded in the handgrip (4) and communicating with the cavity (L) in this latter.
10. A device as claimed in claim 9, characterpsed in that the pushbutton has an at least partly flanged end (37p cooperating with an undercut (38) in the handgrip.
11. A device for achieving a lockable rotatable connection between each handgrip of a foldable push-chair and its frame, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.