GB2410928A

GB2410928A - Collapsible frame assembly for pushchair or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2410928A
Application number: GB0503052A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hung-Chung Hou; Chia-Hui Wang
Original assignee: Link Treasure Ltd
Current assignee: Link Treasure Ltd
Priority date: 2004-02-12
Filing date: 2005-02-14
Publication date: 2005-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-14
Also published as: TWM256320U; DE202005001296U1; GB0503052D0; GB2410928B

Abstract

A folding structure for umbrella strollers has a single-handed release device 3 connecting to a linkage member 4 to drive a latch sleeve 24, to control folding of an umbrella stroller frame. When folding the umbrella stroller frame, the latch sleeve is moved through the single-handed release device, and an escape device 6 is provided to aid the latch sleeve to escape from an anchor seat 22 so that users can push a handle bar 14 to collapse the umbrella stroller. The latch sleeve is located above the anchor seat. When there is a child sitting on the seat of the umbrella stroller frame, the weight of the child moves the latch sleeve to return to the original position, to latch on the anchor seat when the single-handed release device is released. Therefore the child may be protected from risks.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR PUSHCHAIR OR THE LIKE

The present invention relates to a collapsible frame assembly for folding pushchairs (strollers) and the like.

s Pushchairs (strollers) are designed to carry and transport young children.

Some of the conventional strollers are foldable to reduce size to facilitate transportation or storage.

The conventional folding strollers have varying designs and styles.

According to the mode of collapsing, they can be classified as fabric strollers, or to umbrella folding strollers. An umbrella folding stroller has a frame which includes two cross bracing tubes to fold the brackets on two sides like an umbrella so that the size of the frame may be reduced to make transportation and storing easier.

The conventional umbrella folding stroller usually has a folding assembly on the rear side of the frame to control folding of the umbrella stroller frame. The folding assembly generally is made of steel, and is actuated by foot to extend the folding assembly upwards. This is inconvenient. US patent publication No. US2002/0113414 A1 discloses an umbrella folding frame that mainly includes a handle in a folding assembly. When the handle is pulled a linkage member connecting to the handle is driven to release an articulated structure, and the folding assembly also is driven to collapse the umbrella frame. It is quite easy to fold the frame for users. However, in actual use the easiness of folding could cause incidental collapse of the frame if the user operates inadvertently. This results in a risky condition to the child sitting on the stroller.

The primary object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional folding structure that could result in erroneous collapse of the stroller frame caused by unfamiliar operation of users and create the risk of dropping the child sitting in the stroller.

The invention is defined in the independent claims.

In one embodiment a single-handed release device has a linkage member so (e.g. a cable) connecting to a latch sleeve of a latch assembly, the latch sleeve being located above an anchor seat so that when a child is seated in the seat of the umbrella stroller, the weight of the child prevents the latch sleeve from escaping from the anchor seat to achieve a safety effect. Preferably an escaping device is included to aid the single-handed release device.

The preferred embodiment includes an umbrella stroller frame, which has a single-handed release device to actuate a latch assembly mounted onto a handle bar. The latch assembly has a latch sleeve, which may be driven by the single-handed release device to slide and escape from an anchor seat. Through an escape device, the latch sleeve can fully escape from the anchor seat so that the user can push the handle bar to form a collapsed condition. When the single o handed release device, through a linkage member (e.g. a cable), pulls the latch sleeve located above the anchor seat to escape, the escape device can aid collapse of the frame. When there is a child sitting in the umbrella stroller, the weight of the child compresses the escape device and the latch sleeve cannot fully escape from the anchor seat, therefore users cannot fold the stroller frame Is at will, and a safety effect is accomplished.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description and drawings serve only a illustrative purpose, and are not a limitation of the invention.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the above embodiment from the rear; Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the single-handed release device of the above embodiment; Fig. 5 is a side view of the above embodiment with the umbrella stroller frame in a collapsed condition; Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing an operating condition; and so Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing another operating condition.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the invention mainly aims to provide a folding structure that enables users to fold an umbrella stroller easily and also takes the safety of children into account. it includes an umbrella stroller frame 1, a latch assembly 2, a single-handed release device 3 and an escape device 6.

The umbrella stroller frame 1 is a frame which may be extended in an extended condition for using, and be folded transversely and longitudinally in a collapsed condition for storing. The frame includes a front leg tube 11, a rear leg tube 12, a handle bar 14, a seat tube 15, a rear folding assembly 16, and a lower cross tube 18. The lower cross tube 18 and the rear folding assembly 16 are to respectively and pivotally coupled on a lower side and a rear side between two sides of the umbrella stroller frame 1 to brace the umbrella stroller frame 1, and drive the left side and the right side of the frame to fold transversely and longitudinally while the umbrella stroller frame 1 is collapsed.

The latch assembly 2 includes a latch sleeve 21 and an anchor seat 22.

is The latch sleeve 21 is located on a lower portion of the handle bar 14 in a sliding manner. The anchor seat 22 is fastened to the front leg tube 11 below the handle bar 14. The latch sleeve 21 maintains a latched condition with the anchor seat 22 through a returning spring 23, so that other coupling tubes are maintained steady without fuming and the umbrella stroller frame 1 is extended to the extended condition. At the same time, the latch sleeve 21 may escape from the anchor seat 22 to pull the rear folding assembly 16, to fold the umbrella stroller frame 1 into a collapsed condition (referring to Fig. 5).

Referring to Fig. 4, the single-handed release device 3 aims to be operated by a user single-handed. It is mounted on the rear folding assembly 16, and includes an anchor tray 31, a driving disk 32, a cap 33 and a turning knob 34. The turning knob 34 is coupled with the driving disk 32. The driving disk 32 is connected to one end of two linkage members (cables) 4. The linkage members 4 have another end connecting to the latch sleeve 21. The driving disk 32 may be driven by the turning knob 34 to rotate and to move the latch sleeve so 21 on the handle bar 14 through the linkage members 4. In this embodiment, the single-handed release device 3 directly drives the latch sleeve 21 through the linkage members 4, thus the user is at an easy operating position, for instance, he/she can stand on the backrest or either of the two lateral sides (not shown in the drawings) of the stroller. The above release device also can be operated with both hands.

In a variant with two driving members (not shown) located on the handle bar that are connected to the latch sleeve 21 through the linkage members 4, the latch sleeve 21 may be moved by pulling the two driving members.

The escape device 6 aims to enable the latch sleeve 21 to fully escape from the anchor seat 22 so that when the single-handed release device 3 is Jo released, no latch condition is formed again. Thereby, the user can easily push the handle bar 14 to fold the umbrella stroller frame 1. When the user moves the latch sleeve 21 through the single-handed release device 3, the latch sleeve 21 escapes from the anchor seat 22, but is still located on a linear position relative to the anchor seat 22. Hence when the single-handed release device 3 is released, the latch sleeve 21 could return to the latch condition due to the elastic force of the returning spring 23.

Therefore, after the single-handed release device 3 has moved the latch sleeve 21, the latch sleeve 21 must be moved away form the linear position without fomming the latch condition with the anchor seat 22, to enable the user to so fold the umbrella stroller frame 1 smoothly.

In this embodiment, the escape device 6 is a V-shape elastic blade 6 having a projecting portion 61 (see Figures 2 and 7). The V-shape elastic blade 6 is located in the front leg tube 11. When the frame 1 is extended, the handle bar 14 presses downwardly against an upwardly projecting portion 61 of the V shaped elastic blade 6. After the latch sleeve 21 has escaped from the anchor seat 22 (as shown in Fig. 6), the elastic force of the V- shaped elastic blade 6 pushes projection 61 against the lower end of the handle bar 14 to rotate it clockwise (as shown by curved arrow) to move the latch sleeve 21 out of alignment with the anchor seat 22 (as shown in Fig. 7), so that the latch sleeve Jo 21 cannot latch on the anchor seat 22 again, even if it returns (i.e. slides back on handle bar 14). Then the user can fold the umbrella stroller frame 1 smoothly.

The escape device 6 of the embodiment mainly enables the handle bar 14 to begin turning, to prevent the released latch sleeve 21 from latching with the anchor seat 22 again. A torsional spring device may additionally or alternatively be used to provide a relative turning between two tubular members, such as the rear leg tube 12 and the seat tube 15, so that the umbrella stroller frame 1 may be partially collapsed through the elasticity of the torsional spring to enable the user to fold the umbrella stroller frame 1 smoothly.

In addition, the described embodiment uses the single-handed release device 3 mainly to move the latch sleeve 21, and initially turns the handle bar 14 to through the escape device 6 so that the latch sleeve 21 is moved away from alignment with the anchor seat 22. The latch sleeve 21 is located above the anchor seat 22. Hence when a child sits on the umbrella stroller frame 1, the weight of the child holds the handle bars 14 against the underlying front leg tubes 11 and stops the escape device 6 from functioning. Thus even if the single s handed release device 3 is actuated and the latch sleeve 21 escapes from the anchor seat 22, the weight of the child prevents the handle bar 14 from turning, so that the latch sleeve 21 is maintained on the linear latched position relative to the anchor seat 22. When the single-handed release device 3 is released, the latch sleeve 21 will still slide in the anchor seat 22 to form the latched condition, achieving a safety effect.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments, which do not depart from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A collapsible frame assembly for a pushchair or the like, the

frame assembly comprising: s an umbrella folding frame having an extended condition and a collapsed condition; a latch assembly including a latch sleeve and an anchor seat, the latch sleeve being coupled on a handle bar of the umbrella folding frame, the anchor seat being fastened to a front rack of the umbrella folding frame to control to extension anchoring and releasing for allowing folding of the umbrella folding frame; a singlehanded release device located on the umbrella folding frame to connect to the latch sleeve through a linkage to move the latch sleeve; and an escape device located on the umbrella folding fame to aid the latch sleeve to escape the anchor seat when the single handed release device moves the latch sleeve to facilitate folding of the umbrella folding frame.
2. A collapsible frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the umbrella folding frame includes a front leg tube, a rear leg tube, a handle bar, a seat tube, so a rear folding assembly and two lower cross tubes that are pivotally coupled with one another, the lower cross tubes and the rear folding assembly being pivotally coupled on a lower side and a rear side respectively between two lateral sides of the umbrella folding frame to brace the umbrella folding frame, and drive the hvo lateral sides to fold transversely and longitudinally when collapsing the frame as assembly.
3. A collapsible frame assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the latch sleeve is urged by a spring to maintain a latched and anchored condition on the anchor seat.
4. A collapsible frame assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the anchor seat is fastened to a front leg tube.
5. A collapsible frame assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the latch sleeve is located above the anchor seat.
6. A collapsible frame assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the single-handed release device is located on a rear folding assembly.

lo
7. A collapsible frame assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the single-handed release device includes an anchor tray, a driving disk, a cap and a turning knob, the turning knob being coupled with the driving disk, the driving disk being connected to one end of the linkage whose other end is connected to the latch sleeve, the latch sleeve being driven by the turning knob Is via the driving disk and the linkage to move on the handle bar.
8. A collapsible frame assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the escape device is a V-shaped resilient member.
9. A collapsible frame assembly according to claim 8, wherein the Vshaped resilient member is located below the handle barto be compressed by the handle bar when the umbrella stroller is extended, the V-shaped resilient member pushing the handle bar away when the latch sleeve escapes from the anchor seat to allow the handle bar to be turned.
10. A collapsible frame assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the escape device is a torsional spring located on the umbrella folding frame to provide an elastic force to turn the handle bar when the latch sleeve has escaped from the anchor seat. He
11. A collapsible frame assembly according to claim 10, wherein the torsional spring is located between a rear leg tube and a seat tube of the umbrella folding frame.

s
12. A collapsible frame assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said linkage comprises at least one cable.
13. A collapsible frame assembly for a pushchair or the like, the frame assembly having a latch which is operable by a single-handed release device to to initiate collapsing of the frame assembly.
14. A collapsible frame assembly according to claim 13 wherein the latch connects two frame members which are disposed side by side and urged apart to initiate folding by an escape device which is released by said latch when Is operated by said release device.
15. A collapsible frame assembly for a pushchair or the like, the collapsible frame assembly being substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
16. A pushchair or the like incorporating a collapsible frame assembly as claimed in any preceding claim.