GB2482246A

GB2482246A - Damped link mechanism for a baby carriage

Info

Publication number: GB2482246A
Application number: GB1112583.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aiko Inaba
Original assignee: Nifco Inc
Current assignee: Nifco Inc
Priority date: 2010-07-22
Filing date: 2011-07-22
Publication date: 2012-01-25
Also published as: JP2012025258A; CN102343931A; GB201112583D0

Abstract

A link mechanism for a baby carriage comprises two connecting members, such as a pushing handle 28 and a leg on a bracket 30, that are turnably connected to one another by a turning axle or shaft 32, and a damper 76 that is provided at the turning axle and brakes turning of the connecting members when the connecting members are operated to turn relative to one another.

Description

LINK MECHANISM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a link mechanism, and particularly relates to a link mechanism that is used in a baby caniage or the like.

Related Art [0002] As a link mechanism of this type heretofore, for example, a link mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2005-88803 has been known.

This link mechanism is used in a baby carriage. An anchoring hook, which is provided at a pushing handle of the baby carriage and serves as one of link devices, is selectively engaged with anchoring protrusions provided at a front side portion and a rear side portion of a main body of the baby carriage when the pushing handle is in a rear side pushing state or a face-to-face pushing state.

[0003] A soft material is attached to at least a swinging direction distal end portion of the anchoring hook. Thus, when the pushing handle is switched to the rear side pushing state or the face-to-face pushing state, an impact when the anchoring hook strikes against the anchoring protrusion is absorbed.

SUMMARY

[0004] However, with the above link mechanism, when the pushing handle is switched between the rear side pushing state and the face-to-face pushing state, during movement of the anchoring hook before the anchoring hook strikes against the anchoring protrusion, the pushing handle moves in an operation direction at a speed that is dependent on an operation force during the switch. Therefore, care is necessary for clothing or the like to not be trapped by the pushing handle.

[0005] In consideration of the situation described above, a subject of the present invention is to provide a link mechanism that may prevent trapping of clothing or the like.

[0006] A link mechanism of a first aspect of the present invention includes: two connecting members that are tumably connected to one another by a turning axle; and a damper that is provided at the turning axle and brakes turning of the connecting members when the connecting members are operated to turn.

[0007] In the link mechanism of the first aspect, when the two connecting members that are turnably connected to one another by the turning axle are operated by turning, the damper provided at the turning axle brakes the turning of the connecting members. Consequently, trapping of clothing or the like between the connecting members when the connecting members are operated to turn may be prevented.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is the link mechanism of the first aspect in which the damper brakes the turning of the connecting members when the connecting members are operated to turn in directions in which an opening angle between one and the other of the connecting members becomes smaller than a predetermined angle.

[0009] In the link mechanism of the second aspect, when the two connecting members are operated to turn in the directions such that the opening angle between the one and the other of the two connecting members becomes smaller than the predetermined angle, the damper brakes the turning of the connecting members. Therefore, the turning of the connecting members may be braked by the damper only when the opening angle between the one and the other of the two connecting members is smaller than the predetermined angle, when the likelihood of clothing or the like being trapped is higher.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is the link mechanism of the second aspect in which the damper includes: a protrusion portion provided at the one of the connecting members; and a turning damper including a housing at which an abutting portion that abuts against the protrusion portion is disposed in a turning path of the protrusion portion, and a rotor that is turnably accommodated inside the housing and is fixed to the other of the connecting members, wherein the damper brakes the turning of the connecting members when the connecting member at which the protrusion portion is provided and the connecting member at which the rotor is provided turn in the directions in which the opening angle therebetween becomes smaller than the predetermined angle and the protrusion portion abuts against the abutting portion.

[0011] In the link mechanism of the third aspect, when the connecting member at which the protrusion portion is provided and the connecting member at which the rotor of the turning damper is provided are turned in the directions in which the opening angle becomes smaller than the predetermined angle, the protrusion portion abuts against the abutting portion.

When the protrusion portion abuts against the abutting portion, the turning of the connecting members is braked by relative rotation between the housing of the turning damper at which the abutting portion abutting against the protrusion portion is provided and the rotor that is turnably accommodated inside the housing. Consequently, turning of the connecting members may be braked only when the likelihood of clothing or the like being trapped is high, with a simple structure. Furthermore, a braking range may be set to an arbitrary range by adjustment of an abutting position between the protrusion portion and the abutting portion.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the link mechanism of the first aspect in which the damper is a turning damper including: a housing that is fixed to one of the connecting members; and a rotor that is turnably accommodated inside the housing and is fixed to the other of the connecting members [0013] In the link mechanism of the fourth aspect, turning of the connecting members is braked by relative rotation between the housing of the damper fixed to the one connecting member and the rotor of the turning damper that is turnably accommodated inside the housing and fixed to the other connecting member. Consequently, structure of the damper is simple.

[0014] A link mechanism of a fifth aspect of the present invention includes: two connecting members that are turnably connected to one another by a turning axle; a first gear that is provided at one of the connecting members, with a circular arc shape centered on the turning axle; and a turning damper that is fixed to the other of the connecting members and includes a second gear that meshes with the gear.

[0015] In the link mechanism of the fifth aspect, the circular arc gear that is provided at the one of the connecting members and centered on the turning axis meshes with the second gear of the turning damper that is fixed to the other of the connecting members. Turning of the connecting members is braked by the second gear of the turning damper being turned by the circubr arc gear. Consequenfly, trapping of dothing or the like between the connecting members when the connecting members are operated to turn may be prevented.

[0016] A baby caniage of a sixth aspect of the present invention includes a link mechanism according to any of the first to fifth aspects, and the connecting members are turned and folded up.

[0017] In the baby carriage of the sixth aspect, because the connecting members that turn to be folded up are provided in the link mechanism of one of the first to fifth aspects, trapping of clothing or the like during a folding operation of the baby carriage may be prevented and safety is improved.

[0018] A baby caniage of a seventh aspect of the present invention includes a link mechanism of any of the first to fifth aspects, the one of the connecting members being a pushing handle that is turnable between a rear side pushing position and a face-to-face pushing position.

[0019] In the baby caniage of the seventh aspect, the one of the connecting members is a pushing handle that is movable between the rear side pushing position and the face-to-face pushing position, and the link mechanism of one of the first to fifth aspects is provided.

Therefore, trapping of clothing or the like during an operation of turning the pushing handle to the rear side pushing position or the face-to-face pushing position may be prevented and safety is improved.

[0020] Because the link mechanism of the first aspect has the structure described above, trapping of clothing or the like may be prevented.

[0021] Because the link mechanism of the second aspect has the structure described above, turning of the connecting member may be braked only when a probability of trapping of clothing or the like is high.

[0022] Because the link mechanism of the third aspect has the structure described above, turning of the connecting member may be braked only when a probability of trapping of clothing or the like is high, with a simple structure. Moreover, the range of braking may be set to an arbitrary range.

[0023] Because the link mechanism of the fourth aspect has the structure described above, structure of the damper may be simple.

[0024] Because the link mechanism of the fifth aspect has the structure described above, trapping of clothing or the like may be prevented.

[0025] Because the baby carriage of the sixth aspect has the structure described above, safety during a folding operation may be improved.

[0026] Because the baby carriage of the seventh aspect has the structure described above, safety during an operation of turning the pushing handle to the rear side pushing position or to the face-to-face pushing position may be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: [0027] Fig. 1 is a right side view illustrating a state in which a pushing handle of a baby carriage employing a link mechanism relating to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is at a rear side pushing position; Fig. 2 is a right side view illustrating a state in which the pushing handle of the baby carriage employing the link mechanism relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is at a face-to-face pushing position; Fig. 3 is a perspective diagram illustrating a turning axle portion of the pushing handle of the baby carriage employing the link mechanism relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating the turning axle portion of the pushing handle of the baby carriage employing the link mechanism relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a left side view illustrating a usage state of the baby caniage employing the link mechanism relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a left side view illustrating a folded state of the baby caniage employing the link mechanism relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective diagram illustrating a folding turning axle portion of the baby carriage employing the link mechanism relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating the folding turning axle portion of the baby caniage employing the link mechanism relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is an operation description diagram illustrating the folding turning axle portion of the baby caniage employing the link mechanism relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating the baby carriage employing the link mechanism relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from diagonally right and forward; Fig. 11 is a left side view illustrating a usage state of a baby carriage employing a link mechanism relating to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 12 is a magnified perspective diagram illustrating principal elements of the baby carriage employing the link mechanism relating to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] -First Exemplary Embodiment -A folding-type baby carriage in which a link mechanism relating to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is employed is described in association with Fig. 1 to Fig. 10. Herein, the arrow FR in the drawings represents a forward direction of the baby carriage in a usage state (a deployed state) in which a pushing handle is disposed at a rear side pushing position, the arrow UP represents the upward direction and the arrow IN represents an inward direction in the width direction.

[0029] -Overall Structure of Baby Carriage -As illustrated in Fig. 10, a baby carriage 10 is provided with a pair of left and right arm rests 12. An upper end portion 14A of each of a pair of left and right rear legs 14 is turnably connected to a front end portion 12A of each arm rest 12, and respective wheels 16 are rotatably attached to lower end portions 14B of the pair of rear legs 14. An upper end portion 18A of each of a pair of left and right front legs 18 is also turnably connected to the front end portion 12A of each arm rest 12, and respective wheels 16 are rotatably attached to lower end portions 18B of the pair of front legs 18.

[0030] The baby carriage 10 is provided with a pair of left and right connection rods 20.

An upper end portion 20A of each connection rod 20 is turnably connected to a rear end portion 12B of each arm rest 12. Up-down direction middle portions 1 8C of the front legs 18 are connected with lower end portions 20B of the connection rods 20 via a pair of left and right side frames 24.

[0031] The baby carriage 10 is provided with a pushing handle 28 that extends in a substantial "U" shape. Two end portions (lower end portions) 28A of the pushing handle 28 are connected with the lower end portions 20B of the connection rods 20. The pushing handle 28 may be moved between the rear side pushing position illustrated in Fig. 1 and a face-to-face pushing position illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0032] As illustrated in Fig. 10, the baby carriage 10 is provided with a pair of left and right brackets 30. The lower end portion 20B of each connection rod 20 and each lower end portion 28A of the pushing handle 28 are turnably connected to an upper portion 30A of each bracket 30. A lower end portion 30B of each bracket 30 is turnably connected to an up-down direction middle portion 14C of each rear leg 14 by a pin 31. Herein, a turning axis (turning center) between the bracket 30 and the connection rod 20 coincides with a turning axis between the bracket 30 and the pushing handle 28.

[0033] The baby carriage 10 is provided with a foot rest 38 that connects between the lower end portions 18B of the pair of left and right front legs 18, and a front side upper connection stay 40 that connects between the up-down direction middle portions 1 8C of the pair of left and right front legs 18. The baby carriage 10 is further provided with a back rest support frame 44 formed in a substantial "U" shape. The back rest support frame 44 is swingably provided at a rear end portion of the side frames 24, and a baby seat 46 is provided extending through a region enclosed by the side frames 24, the front side upper connection stay 40 and the back rest support frame 44. Reclining adjustment members 48 are provided at the rear side of the back rest support frame 44. The reclining adjustment members 48 are fixed between the pair of left and right connection rods 20. A reclining angle of the back rest support frame 44 may be adjusted by adjustment of the lengths of the reclining adjustment members 48.

[0034] As illustrated in Fig. 2, a lock member 50 that engages with the upper portion 30A of each bracket 30 in the usage state and maintains the deployed state is provided at the lower end portion 20B of each connection rod 20. The lock member 50 is provided to be slidable along the length direction of the connection rod 20. The lock member 50 is provided with an operation plate 52 that protrudes outward. A lock release member 56 is provided at the lower end portion 28A of the pushing handle 28. The lock release member 56 includes a lock release pin 54 that engages with the operation plate 52 of the lock member 50. A remote operation device 58 is provided at a length direction central position of a lateral portion 28B of the pushing handle 28. Each lock release member 56 slides upward along the pushing handle 28 in response to operation of the remote operation device 58.

[0035] Accordingly, when the lock release member 56 is pulled up, the lock release pin 54 engages with the operation plate 52 and the lock member 50 is lifted upward, and the engagement, which is not illustrated, between the lock member 50 and the bracket 30 is released.

[0036] Anchoring members 60 are provided at the pushing handle 28, and anchoring protrusions 62 are provided at the upper end portions 20A of the connection rods 20. Each anchoring protrusion 62 engages with the anchoring member 60 and constrains turning of the pushing handle 28 at the rear side pushing position as illustrated in Fig. 1. An anchoring protrusion 64 is provided at the front end portion 12A of each arm rest 12. The anchoring protrusion 64 engages with the anchoring member 60 and constrains turning of the pushing handle 28 at the face-to-face pushing position as illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0037] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the pushing handle 28 is fixed in the rear side pushing state by the anchoring members 60 and the anchoring protrusions 62 engaging and anchoring one anotheL At this time, the pushing handle 28 is substantially parallel with the connection rods 20. When the engagement of the anchoring members 60 with the anchoring protrusions 62 is manually released and the pushing handle 28 is turned forward (in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1), the anchoring members 60 and the anchoring protrusions 64 engage and anchor one another as illustrated in Fig. 2. Consequently, the pushing handle 28 is fixed in the face-to-face pushing state, and the pushing handle 28 is substantially parallel with the rear legs 14.

[0038] -Link Mechanism for Braking Turning of the Pushing Handle -As illustrated in Fig. 3, a link mechanism is formed at the right side face of the baby carriage 10. A connection portion between the pushing handle 28, which serves as one of two connecting members, and the connection rod 20, which serves as the other of the two connecting members, is constituted by a shaft 32 that serves as a turning axle.

[0039] As illustrated in Fig. 4, one end portion 32A of the shaft 32 is formed as a large diameter portion that prevents disengagement, and a male thread is formed at the other end portion 32B. A base portion 32C with a circular cross section is formed along the axial direction of the shaft 32 at the end portion 32A side thereof A distal end vicinity portion 32D with a D-cut cross section is formed along the axial direction of the shaft 32 at the end portion 32B side thereof A D-cut shape penetrating hole 66 is formed in the lower end portion 20B of the connection rod 20. The distal end vicinity portion 32D of the shaft 32 is inserted through the penetrating hole 66. A penetrating hole 69 with a circular cross section is formed in the upper portion 30A of the bracket 30 that is disposed at the right side of the baby carriage 10. A penetrating hole 70 with a circular cross section is formed in the lower end portion 28A of the pushing handle 28, and the base portion 32C of the shaft 32 is inserted into the penetrating hole 70.

[0040] The end portion 32B of the shaft 32 protrudes from the lower end portion 20B of the connection rod 20. A nut 77 is threaded onto the end portion 32B of the shaft 32, such that the shaft 32 will not fall out.

[0041] A tubular frame cover 72 fits round an outer periphery portion of the lower end portion 28A of the pushing handle 28. A penetrating hole 74 with a circular cross section is formed in the frame cover 72 at a position that is coaxial with the penetrating hole 70. The base portion 32C of the shaft 32 is inserted into the penetrating hole 74. A plate-form protrusion portion 72A is formed toward the bracket 30 from the frame cover 72. A turning damper 76 that serves as a damper is provided between the connection rod 20 and the frame cover 72. The turning damper 76 is provided with a housing 78 and a rotor 79 that is turnably accommodated inside the housing 78. Herein, the structure of the turning damper 76 is a widely known structure that brakes relative rotation between the housing 78 and the rotor 79 by viscous resistance of a damping oil charged thereinside or the like, so a detailed

description thereof is not given.

[0042] The turning damper 76 is inserted into the penetrating hole 69 of the bracket 30. A pair of upper and lower leg portions 78B are formed protruding from a portion of an outer periphery portion 78A at an axial direction middle region of the housing 78. The leg portions 78B abut against the protrusion portion 72A of the frame cover 72. A penetrating hole 81 in a D-cut shape is formed at an axial center portion of the rotor 79 of the turning damper 76. The dista' end vicinity portion 32D of the shaft 32 penetrates through the penetrating hole 81. Thus, the housing 78 of the turning damper 76 turns integrally with the frame cover 72, turning about the shaft 32, and the rotor 79 is fixed with the connection rod via the shaft 32.

[0043] Thus, when the pushing handle 28 is operated to turn from the rear side pushing position illustrated in Fig. 1 to the face-to-face pushing position illustrated in Fig. 2, or to move from the face-to-face pushing position illustrated in Fig. 2 to the rear side pushing position illustrated in Fig. 1, the turning of the pushing handle 28 is braked due to relative rotation between the housing 78 and rotor 79 of the turning damper 76.

[0044] -Link Mechanism for Braking Turning During Folding -As illustrated in Fig. 7, the bracket 30 that is disposed at the left side of the baby carriage structures one of two connecting members and the connection rod 20 serves as the other of the two connecting members. A connection portion between the bracket 30 and the connection rod 20 is constituted a link mechanism with a shaft 80, which serves as a turning axle.

[0045] As illustrated in Fig. 8, a male thread is formed at one end portion 80A of the shaft 80. The end portion 80A side of the shaft 80 is a first intermediate portion 80B with a square cross section, and a second intermediate portion 80C that is adjacent to the first intermediate portion 80B has a circular cross section. A third intermediate portion 80D that is adjacent to the second intermediate portion 80C has a square cross section, and a fourth intermediate portion 80E that is adjacent to the third intermediate portion 80D has a circular cross section.

A male thread is also formed at the other end portion 80F of the shaft 80.

[0046] A penetrating hole 82 with a square cross section is formed in the lower end portion 20A of the connection rod 20. The first intermediate portion 80B of the shaft 80 penetrates through the penetrating hole 82. A penetrating hole 84 with a circular cross section is formed in the upper portion 30A of the bracket 30. The second intermediate portion 80C of the shaft 80 penetrates through the penetrating hole 84. A penetrating hole 86 with a circular cross section is formed in the lower end portion 28A of the pushing handle 28. The fourth intermediate portion 80E of the shaft 80 penetrates through the penetrating hole 86.

[0047] A tubular frame cover 88 fits round an outer periphery portion of the lower end portion 28A of the pushing handle 28. A penetrating hole 90 with a circular cross section is formed in the frame cover 88 at a position that is coaxial with the penetrating hole 86. The fourth intermediate portion 80E of the shaft 80 is inserted through the penetrating hole 90. A turning damper 92 that serves as a damper is provided between the upper portion 30A of the bracket 30 and the frame cover 88. The turning damper 92 is provided with a housing 93 and a rotor 94 that is turnably accommodated inside the housing 93. Herein, the structure of the turning damper 92 is a widely known structure that brakes relative rotation between the housing 93 and the rotor 94 by viscous resistance of a damping oil charged thereinside or the like, so a detailed description thereof is not given.

[00481 A flange portion 93B with a circular arc shape is formed at a portion of an outer periphery portion 93A of the housing 93 of the turning damper 92. The flange portion 93B is formed to protrude along a circumferential direction of the housing 93. A long hole 98 with a circular arc shape is formed in the flange portion 93B along the length direction of the flange portion 93B. The flange portion 93B of the housing 93 may have a structure in which a separate member is assembled to the housing 93.

[0049] A penetrating hole 99 with a square cross section is formed in an axial center portion of the rotor 94 of the turning damper 92. The third intermediate portion 80D of the shaft 80 is inserted through the penetrating hole 99. A trace pin 100, which is provided standing from an up-down direction middle portion 30C of the bracket 30, is inserted into the long hole 98 of the housing 93. The trace pin 100 serves as a protrusion portion that structures a damper. A lower end 98A and an upper end 98B of the long hole 98 serve as abutting portions against which the trace pin 100 abuts.

[0050] The end portion 80A of the shaft 80 protrudes from the upper end portion 20A of the connection rod 20, and a nut 83 is threaded onto the end portion 80A. The end portion 80F of the shaft 80 protrudes from the frame cover 88. A nut 102 is threaded onto the end portion 80F, such that the shaft 80 will not fall out.

[00511 Therefore, as illustrated in Fig. 9, when the bracket 30 turns and the trace pin 100 abuts against the upper end 98B of the long hole 98, the housing 93 of the turning damper 92 turns integrally with the trace pin 100, turning about the shaft 80. Meanwhile, the rotor 94 of the turning damper 92 is fixed with the connection rod 20 via the shaft 80.

[0052] As illustrated in Fig. 5, when the pushing handle 28 moves upward (in the direction of arrow E in Fig. 5) at a time of folding of the baby carriage 10, the bracket 30 turns upward (in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 6) about the shaft 80.

[0053] According'y, when the baby carriage 10 switches from the usage state (dep'oyed state) illustrated in Fig. 5 to the folded state illustrated in Fig. 6, the bracket 30 turns in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 6 relative to the connection rod 20. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the trace pin 100 turns from the position at the lower end 98A of the long hole 98, shown by the single-dot chain line in Fig. 9, toward the upper end 98B (in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 9). When an opening angle between the bracket 30 and the connection rod 20 (81 in Fig. 6) becomes smaller than a predetermined angle, the trace pin 100 turns further upward (in the direction of arrow D in Fig. 9) as illustrated by the two-dot chain lines in Fig. 9 from the position at which the trace pin 100 abuts against the upper end 98B of the long hole 98, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 9, and the housing 93 turns integrally with the trace pin 100, turning about the shaft 80. Consequently, turning of the bracket 30 is braked due to relative turning between the housing 93 and rotor 94 of the turning damper 92. When the baby carriage 10 switches from the folded state illustrated in Fig. 6 to the usage state (deployed state) illustrated in Fig. 5 too, turning of the bracket 30 is braked due to relative rotation between the housing 93 and rotor 94 of the turning damper 92.

[0054] -Operation and Effects -Next, operation and effects of the present exemplary embodiment are described.

Firstly, operational effects when the pushing handle 28 of the baby carriage 10 is operated to turn from the rear side pushing position illustrated in Fig. 1 to the face-to-face pushing position illustrated in Fig. 2 are described.

[0055] From the state in which the pushing handle 28 is at the rear side pushing position illustrated in Fig. 1, each lock release member 56 is slid upward along the pushing handle 28 by the remote operation device 58 of the pushing handle 28 being operated. Hence, the lock release member 56 is lifted up and the lock release pin 54 illustrated in Fig. 2 engages with the operation plate 52 and lifts the lock member 50 upward. Thus, engagement of the lock member 50 with the bracket 30 is released.

[0056] Then, when the engagement of the anchoring members 60 with the anchoring protrusion 62 is manually released and the pushing handle 28 moves forward, the pushing handle 28 turns forward (the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1), turning about the shafts 32 and 80.

At this time, the frame cover 72 provided at the pushing handle 28 illustrated in Fig. 4 and the housing 78 of the turning damper 76, at which the leg portions 78B abut against the protrusion portion 72A of the frame cover 72, turn forward (the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1).

On the other hand, the connection rods 20 do not turn. Therefore, the shaft 32 that is fixed by the D-cut distal end vicinity portion 32D to the D-cut penetrating hole 66 of the connection rod 20 does not turn, and the rotor 79 of the turning damper 76 that is fixed by the D-cut distal end vicinity portion 32D of the shaft 32 does not turn.

[0057] Thus, when the pushing handle 28 is being operated to turn from the rear side pushing position illustrated in Fig. 1 to the face-to-face pushing position illustrated in Fig. 2, turning of the pushing handle 28 is braked due to relative rotation between the housing 78 and rotor 79 of the turning damper 76.

[0058] When the pushing handle 28 reaches the face-to-face pushing position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the anchoring members 60 and the anchoring protrusions 64 engage and anchor one another. Thus, the pushing handle 28 is fixed in the face-to-face pushing state. In addition, the lock members 50 and the brackets 30 engage.

[0059] Similarly, when the pushing handle 28 is being operated to turn from the face-to-face pushing position illustrated in Fig. 2 to the rear side pushing position illustrated in Fig. 1, the turning of the pushing handle 28 is braked by the turning damper 76.

[0060] Therefore, when the pushing handle 28 of the baby carriage 10 is operated to turn between the rear side pushing position and the face-to-face pushing position, turning of the pushing handle 28 is braked in response to an operation force. Therefore, rapid operation of the pushing handle 28 is prevented, trapping of clothing or the like between the pushing handle 28 and the arm rests 12 or the like may be prevented, and safety of the baby caniage is improved.

[00611 In the present embodiment, turning of the pushing handle 28 is braked by relative rotation between the housing 78 of the turning damper 76, which is fixed to the pushing handle 28 via the frame cover 72, and the rotor 79 of the turning damper 76, which is fixed to the connection rod 20 via the shaft 32. Therefore, structure of the damper is simple.

[0062] Further, in the present embodiment, because the turning damper 76 is provided at the shaft 32 that is the turning axle between the pushing handle 28 and the connection rod 20, trapping of clothing and the like may be prevented without the overall size of the baby carriage 10 and sizes of the connection rods 20, the pushing handle 28 and the like becoming larger than ordinary.

[0063] Next, operation during folding of the baby carriage 10 is described.

If the pushing handle 28 is at the face-to-face pushing position as illustrated in Fig. 2, the pushing handle 28 must be moved from the face-to-face pushing position to the rear side pushing position illustrated in Fig. 5 before the folding operation.

[0064] Then, from the state in which the pushing handle 28 is disposed at the rear side pushing position, the engagement of each bracket 30 with the lock member 50 illustrated in Fig. 2 is released by the remote operation device 58 being operated and, via the lock release member 56, the lock member 50 being slid. Next, the pushing handle 28 is temporarily lifted upward and rearward (in the direction of arrow E in Fig. 5), and is then pushed downward. As a result, the brackets 30 are turned downward (in the direction of arrow F in Fig. 5) relative to the rear legs 14.

[0065] In association with this operation, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the arm rests 12 and the side frames 24 turn downward (in the direction of anow G in Fig. 6) about the respective rotation axles at the upper sides thereof. As a result of this operation, the pushing handle 28 and the front legs 18 are disposed to be substantially parallel in side view, and the position at which the pushing handle 28 is disposed is lowered.

[0066] In the present embodiment, when the baby carriage 10 is switched from the usage state (deployed state) illustrated in Fig. 5 to the folded state illustrated in Fig. 6, the brackets turn in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 6 relative to the connection rods 20. At this time, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the trace pin 100 turns from the position at the lower end 98A of the long hole 98, shown by the single-dot chain line in Fig. 9, toward the upper end 98B (in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 9). During this, the housing 93 of the turning damper 92 and the rotor 94 do not turn relative to one another. When the opening angle between the bracket 30 and the connection rod 20 (81 in Fig. 6) becomes smaller than the predetermined angle, the trace pin 100 turns further upward (in the direction of anow D in Fig. 9) as illustrated by the two-dot chain lines in Fig. 9 from the position at which the trace pin 100 abuts against the upper end 98B of the long hole 98, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 9. Thus, the penetrating hole 90 turns integrally with the trace pin 100, turning about the shaft 80, while the rotor 94 of the turning damper 92 is integrated with the connection rod 20 by the shaft 80.

[0067] Therefore, when the brackets 30 of the baby carriage 10 are being operated to turn during folding, turning of the brackets 30 is braked in response to an operation force, due to re'ative rotation between the housing 93 and rotor 94 of the turning damper 92 in a period before the baby caniage 10 is completely in the folded state.

[0068] Thus, during the folding operation, turning of the brackets 30 is braked only when the likelihood of clothing or the like becoming trapped between the brackets 30 and the connection rods 20 or between the brackets 30 and the rear legs 14 or the like is high, that is, in the period before the baby carriage 10 goes completely into the folded state illustrated in Fig. 6. Therefore, safety during the folding operation of the baby calTiage 10 may be improved without greatly increasing a duration of the folding operation.

[0069] A procedure to switch the baby carriage 10 from the folded state illustrated in Fig. 6 to the deployed state illustrated in Fig. 5 is the reverse of the folding operation. During this too, turning of the brackets 30 may be braked by the turning damper 92, with the housing 93 and rotor 94 of the turning damper 92 relatively turning, in a period before the baby carriage goes completely into the usage state (deployed state).

[00701 In the present embodiment, the turning of the brackets 30 may be braked by the turning damper 92 only when the likelihood of clothing or the like being trapped is high, with a simple structure based on the trace pin 100 and the long hole 98. Moreover, the positions of abutting between the trace pin 100 and the long hole 98 may be adjusted and a range of braking by the turning damper 92 can be set to an arbitrary range.

[00711 Further in the present embodiment, because the turning damper 92 is provided at the shaft 80 that serves as a rotation axle, trapping of clothing and the like may be prevented without the overall size of the baby carriage 10 and sizes of the connection rods 20, the brackets 30 and the like becoming larger than ordinary.

[0072] -Second Exemplary Embodiment -A folding-type baby caniage in which a link mechanism relating to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is employed is described in association with Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Members that are the same as in the first exemplary embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals and are not described.

[0073] As illustrated in Fig. 11, in the present embodiment, a fan-shaped gear 120 that serves as a portion of the damper is fixed, via an attachment bracket 121, to the upper portion 30A of one of the brackets 30. A teeth portion 120A formed at the outer periphery of the gear 120 forms a circular arc centered on the shaft 80. The gear 120 may be integral with the bracket 30, and the gear 120 may be attached to the side portion frame 24, which is one of the connecting members.

[0074] As illustrated in Fig. 12, a turning damper 122 that serves as the damper is provided at an inner side face of the connection rod 20. The turning damper 122 is provided with a housing 124 that is fixed to the connection rod 20 and a rotor 126 that is turnably accommodated inside the housing 124. Herein, the structure of the turning damper 122 is a widely known structure that brakes relative rotation between the housing 124 and the rotor 126 by viscous resistance of a damping oil charged thereinside or the like, so a detailed

description thereof is not given.

[0075] A gear 128 is fixed to the rotor 126 of the turning damper 122. The gear 128 meshes with the teeth portion 120A of the gear 120. Note that the gear 120 and the gear 128 are covered by a cover 130.

[0076] -Operation and Effects -Next, operation and effects when the baby carriage 10 is being folded are described.

[0077] In the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the pushing handle 28 is temporarily lifted upward and rearward (the direction of arrow E in Fig. 11) and is then pushed downward. As a result, the brackets 30 are turned downward (the direction of arrow F in Fig. 11) relative to the rear legs 14.

[0078] In association with this operation, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the arm rests 12 and the side frames 24 turn downward (the direction of arrow G in Fig. 6) about the respective rotation axles at the upper sides thereof. As a result of this operation, the pushing handle 28 and the front legs 18 are disposed to be substantially parallel in side view, and the position at which the pushing handle 28 is disposed is lowered.

[0079] In the present embodiment, when the baby carriage 10 is switched from the usage state (deployed state) illustrated in Fig. 11 to a folded state similar to Fig. 6, the brackets 30 turn in the direction of arrow H in Fig. 12 relative to the connection rods 20. At this time, the gear 128 meshing with the teeth portion 120A of the gear 120 turns in the direction of aiTow J in Fig. 12, the rotor 126 of the turning damper 122 to which the gear 128 is fixed turns, and braking force is produced.

[0080] Therefore, during folding of the baby carriage 10, turning of the brackets 30 is braked due to relative rotation between the housing 124 and rotor 126 of the turning damper 122.

[0081] Thus, during the folding operation, clothing or the like may be prevented from being trapped between the brackets 30 and the connection rods 20 or between the brackets 30 and the rear legs 14 or the like. Therefore, safety during the folding operation of the baby carriage 10 may be improved.

[0082] The teeth portion 120A of the gear 120 may be formed only at two end portions of the circular arc shape of the gear 120, such that the turning of the brackets 30 is braked in a period before the baby carriage 10 goes completely to the folded state or a period before the baby carriage 10 goes completely to the usage state (deployed state). Furthermore, the range of braking by the turning damper 122 may be set to an arbitrary range by adjusting a range of formation of the teeth portion 120A.

[0083] -Other Embodiments -In the above descriptions, the present invention has been described using particular exemplary embodiments, but the present invention is not to be limited to the above exemplary embodiments and it will be clear to those skilled in the art that numerous other embodiments are possible within the technical scope of the present invention. For example, in the first exemplary embodiment described above, the long hole 98 whose end portions serve as abutting portions against the housing 93 of the turning damper 92 is formed as illustrated in Fig. 7. However, the abutting portions are not limited to end portions of a long hole; other structures are possible, such as protrusions, lugs and the like. Furthermore, the protrusion portion is not limited to the trace pin 100; other structures such as lugs and the like are possible.

[0084] The exemplary embodiments described above may be employed in combination as appropriate. For example, a structure that uses the gear 120 and turning damper 122 of the second exemplary embodiment may be applied to a link mechanism that brakes the turning of the pushing handle 28, with the gear 120 being provided at one of the pushing handle 28 and connection rod 20 that serve as the two connecting members and the turning damper 122 being provided at the other.

[0085] Beside the baby carriage 10, the link mechanism of the present invention is also applicable to folding chairs, desks, beds and so forth.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A link mechanism comprising: two connecting members that are turnably connected to one another by a turning axle; and a damper that is provided at the turning axle and brakes turning of the connecting members when the connecting members are operated to turn relative to one another.
2. The link mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the damper brakes the turning of the connecting members when the connecting members are operated to turn in directions in which an opening angle between one and the other of the connecting members becomes smaller than a predetermined angle.
3. The link mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the damper comprises: a protrusion portion provided at the one of the connecting members; and a turning damper including a housing at which an abutting portion that abuts against the protrusion portion is disposed in a turning path of the protrusion portion, and a rotor that is turnably accommodated inside the housing and is fixed to the other of the connecting members, wherein the damper brakes the turning of the connecting members when the connecting member at which the protrusion portion is provided and the connecting member at which the rotor is provided turn in the directions in which the opening angle therebetween becomes smaller than the predetermined angle and the protrusion portion abuts against the abutting portion.
4. The link mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the damper comprises a turning damper including: a housing that is fixed to one of the connecting members; and a rotor that is tumably accommodated inside the housing and is fixed to the other of the connecting members.
5. A link mechanism comprising: two connecting members that are turnably connected to one another by a turning axle; a first gear that is provided at one of the connecting members, with a circular arc shape centered on the turning axle; and a turning damper that is fixed to the other of the connecting members and includes a second gear that meshes with the gear.
6. A baby carriage comprising a link mechanism according to any one of claim 1 to claim 5, wherein the connecting members are turned and folded up.
7. A baby carriage comprising a link mechanism according to any one of claim 1 to claim 5, the one of the connecting members being a pushing handle that is turnable between a rear side pushing position and a face-to-face pushing position.