GB2482418A

GB2482418A - Infant carrier apparatus and its adjusting method

Info

Publication number: GB2482418A
Application number: GB201112989A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shun-Min Chen; Zong-Wang Cui
Original assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co Ltd Hong Kong
Current assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co Ltd Hong Kong
Priority date: 2010-07-29
Filing date: 2011-07-27
Publication date: 2012-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-27
Also published as: DE102011108860B4; CN102343929A; GB201112989D0; CN102343929B; DE102011108860A1; GB2482418B

Abstract

An infant carrier apparatus comprises a support frame (102), a seat board (104) assembled with the support frame (102), a backrest assembly (106), and at least a bar linkage (136). The seat board (104) has a lengthwise axis extending from a front end to a rear end of the seat board (104), and first and second latch structures (126A,126B) respectively provided adjacent to the rear and front ends. The backrest assembly (106) includes a backrest frame (131), and a holder socket (133) movably mounted with the backrest frame (131). The bar linkage (136) has two opposite ends respectively connected pivotally with the holder socket (133) and the seat board (104). The holder socket (133) is thereby adjustable toward the rear end of the seat board (104) for locking engagement with the first latch structure (126A), and toward the front end of the seat board (104) for locking engagement with the second latch structure (126B). In other embodiments, a method of adjusting the infant carrier apparatus is also described.

Description

INFANT CARRIER APPARATUS AND ITS ADJUSTING METHOD

[0001] This application claims priority of China patent application no. 201010241519.0 filed on July 29, 2010.

100021 The present invention relates to infant carrier apparatuses, and more particularly to an infant carrier apparatus and its adjusting method.

10003] Strollers are a type of infant carrier apparatuses that are commonly used to walk a child. In most strollers, the child is placed facing forward, and the parent can push the stroller in movement from the rear of the stroller. Accordingly, the seated child usually cannot see the parent when the stroller is pushed in movement. However, it is known that the sight of the parent can contribute to comfort the child. To remedy this issue, certain strollers currently available on the market may have a construction that allows to seat the child facing either forward or rearward. These strollers usually have a backrest that is adjustable to incline rearward to seat the child facing forward, or to incline forward to seat the child facing rearward. To permit forward and rearward seating configurations, the stroller also has front and rear seat portions connected with each other, which makes it have a total seating surface that is larger than conventional strollers with only one forward seating configuration. As a result, the conventional stroller with forward and rearward seating capabilities has a substantially greater size, which may not be convenient to store and package.

[00041 Therefore, there is a need for an improved infant carrier apparatus that is more compact and addresses at least the foregoing issues.

100051 The present application describes an infant carrier apparatus and its adjusting method. The infant carrier apparatus can include a backrest assembly that is adjustable along the lengthwise axis of the seat to change the infant carrier apparatus from a forward-facing to rearward-facing seating configuration.

[00061 in one embodiment, the infant carrier apparatus comprises a support frame, a seat board assembled with the support frame, and a backrest assembly. The seat board has a lengthwise axis that extends from a front end to a rear end of the seat board, and a first latch structure and a second latch structure respectively disposed adjacent to the rear end and the front end. The backrest assembly includes a backrest frame, at least a holder socket movably mounted with the backrest frame, and at least one bar linkage having two ends respectively connected pivotally with the holder socket and the seat board, whereby the holder socket is adjustable to a first position adjacent to the rear end of the seat board and in locking engagement with the first latch structure, and a second position adjacent to the front end of the seat board and in locking engagement with the second latch structure.

[00071 In another embodiment, the infant carrier apparatus can comprise a support frame, a seat board assembled with the support frame, and a backrest assembly.

The seat board has a lengthwise axis extending from a front end to a rear end of the seat board, wherein the support frame includes first and second latch structures respectively provided adjacent to the rear and front ends of the seat board. The backrest assembly includes a backrest frame, at least a holder socket movably mounted with the backrest frame, and at least one bar linkage having two opposite ends respectively connected pivotally with the holder socket and the sUpport frame, whereby the holder socket is adjustable to a first position adjacent to the rear end of the seat board and in locking engagement with the first latch structure, and a second position adjacent to the front end of the seat board and in locking engagement with the second latch structure.

[00081 Furthermore, the present application also provides a method of adjusting s the infant carrier apparatus. The method comprises releasing a locking engagement between the backrest assembly and the seat board, moving the backrest assembly from a first end of the seat board toward a second end of the seat board, and locking the backrest assembly adjacent to the second end of the seat board.

[00091 Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: [00101 Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of an infant carrier apparatus; [0011] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the infant carrier apparatus; [00121 Figure 3 is a schematic enlarged view illustrating a backrest assembly of the infant carrier apparatus adjusted to a position adjacent to a rear end of the seat board; [00131 Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along section 4 shown inFigure3; [00141 Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along section 5 shown in Figure 3 to show the construction of a first latch structure provided on the seat board; [00151 Figure 6 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary operation of the first latch structure; [0016] Figures 7 and 8 are schematic views illustrating intermediate positions of the backrest assembly when it is adjusted toward a front end of the seat board; [0017] Figure 9 is a schematic view illustrating the backrest assembly held adjacent to a front end of the seat board; [0018] Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along section 10 shown in Figure 9; and [0019] Figure 11 is a schematic side view illustrating another embodiment of an infant carrier apparatus.

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective and side views illustrating one embodiment of an infant carrier apparatus 100. The infant carrier apparatus 100 can be exemplary a stroller apparatus including a support frame 102, a seat board 104, assembled with the support frame 102, and a backrest assembly 106. The support frame 102 can include a front leg frame 110, a rear leg frame 112, two armrests 114, a plurality of wheels 116, and a handle 118. The armrests 114 can be respectively assembled with upper ends of the front and rear leg frames 110 and 112 at left and right sides of the seat board 104. The wheels 116 can be respectively mounted at lower ends of the front and rear leg frames 110 and 112. The handle 118 can be formed from 20.a generally U-shaped assembly of tubular elements. The handle 118 can have left and right segments respectively passed through rear ends of the armrests 114 and connected with the upper ends of the rear leg frame 112. Moreover, each of the left and right sides of the support frame 102 can be respectively provided with a linkage 119 that has front and rear ends respectively connected with the front and rear leg frames 110 and 112.

[0021] The seat board 104 can be disposed between the front and rear leg frames 110 and 112. The seat board 104 can have a lengthwise axis X that extends from a rear end 104A to a front end 104B of the seat board 104. In addition, the seat board 104 can have an upper surface 1 04C, and left and right side edge surfaces I 04D connected with the upper surface 104C. Left and right side portions of the upper surface 1 04C proximate to the two side edge surfaces 1 04D can respectively have oblong slots 124. Each of the left and right side edge surfaces 104D can respectively include two latch structures 1 26A and I 26B respectively disposed adjacent to the rear and front ends 1 04A and 1 04B. The latch structures I 26A and 1 26B may be affanged symmetrical on the left and right side edge surfaces 1 04D. The backrest assembly 106 can be locked with a rear portion of the seat board 104 by engaging with the latch structures 126A (as better shown in Figures 1 and 2), and with a front portion of the seat board 104 by engaging with the latch structures 126B (as better shown in Figure 7).

Moreover, the latch structures 1 26A and 1 26B can be operable to release the locking engagement between the backrest assembly 106 and the seat board 104, after which the backrest assembly 106 can be desirably adjusted forward or rearward.

L00221 Figure 3 is a schematic enlarged view illustrating the backrest assembly 106 adjusted to a position adjacent to the rear end 104A of the seat board 104, and Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along section 4 shown in Figure 3.

Referring to Figures 1, 3 and 4, the backrest assembly 106 can include a backrest frame 131, two holder sockets 133, and two latching elements 134 having a cylindrical shape.

In one embodiment, the backrest frame 131 can be formed as a generally U-shaped assembly of tubular elements having left and right side segments 131A.

100231 Each of the holder sockets 133 can have a first sidewall I 33A and a second sidewall 133B parallel to each other, and a gap 135 delimited between the first and second sidewalls 133A and 133B. Each side segment 131A of the backrest frame 131 can be pivotally mounted through the gap 135 of one associated holder socket 133.

Each of the holder sockets 133 can also be movably mounted with the seat board 104 via two bar linkages 136 that can be generally parallel to each other. The two bar linkages 136 can have first ends connected pivotally with the first sidewall 13 3A of the associated holder socket 133, and opposite second ends respectively connected pivotally with the seat board 104 at pivot joints Ri and R2. Each of the holder sockets 133 can be operable to move forward and rearward relative to the seat board 104 and the support frame 102. In one embodiment, the holder sockets 133 can be respectively placed through the oblong slots 124. In particular, the second ends of the two bar linkages 136 can be respectively placed through the oblong slots 124 to pivotally connect with the inner side surface of the associated holder socket 133.

[00241 While the aforementioned construction uses two bar linkages for movably connecting each holder socket 133 with the seat board 104, it is worth noting that each holder socket 133 may also be connected with the seat board 104 via a single bar linkage.

[0025] Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, each side segment 131A of the backrest frame 131 can include an elongated slot 137 extending generally along a lengthwise axis Z of the backrest frame 131. A pivot pin 139 can be respectively passed through the elongated slot 137 of each side segment 131A so as to define a pivot axis Y about which the backrest frame 131 can rotate relative to the holder socket 133, and also a sliding connection allowing the backrest frame 131 to move along the lengthwise axis Z. [0026] In addition, each side segment 131A of the backrest frame 131 can have a distal end mounted with a spring 141. The spring 141 can have a first end connected with an anchor protrusion 143 at an inner side of the side segment 131A, and a second end connected with the pin 139.

[0027] Each latching element 134 can be respectively affixed with one associated side segment 131A of the backrest frame 131 so as to be movable synchronously with the backrest frame 131. The latching element 134 can have studs respectively protruding in two opposite lateral directions toward the first and second sidewalls 133A and 133B of the associated holder socket 133. Each of the first and second sidewalls 13 3A and 13 3B can respectively have a top edge provided with a plurality of grooves 147 that are disposed in different radial directiOns, and front and rear sides respectively forming shoulder portions 149. The positions of the shoulder portions 149 can be located above the pivot connections that respectively join the bar linkages 136 with the first sidewall I 33A of the holder socket 133. The grooves 147 and shoulder portions 149 can be formed symmetrical on the first and second sidewalls 133A and 133B of the holder socket 133. The grooves 147 can be used to lock the backrest frame 131 at multiple inclinations to accommodate different seating configurations. In turn, the shoulder portions 149 can hold the backrest frame 131 in horizontal positions. When the side segments 131 A of the backrest frame 131 are pulled in movement, the studs 145 of the latching elements 134 can be urged to disengage from the grooves 147 and compress the springs 141. Once the backrest frame 131 is adjusted to a desired inclination and the pulling force on the side segments 131A is released, the springs 141 can bias side segments 131A to move along the lengthwise axis Z to engage the studs 145 of the latching elements 134 with an associated pair of the grooves 147, or with the shoulder portions 149 to lock the backrest frame 131 in place.

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along section 5 shown in Figure 3 to show the construction of the latch structure 1 26A. The latch structure 1 26A can be respectively provided on each of the left and right side edge surfaces 1 04D at a position adjacent to the rear end 104A of the seat board 104. The latch structure 1 26A can include a first catch hole 151 A, and an actuator element 153 on an outer side of the seat* board 104. The side edge surface 1 04D can be affixed with a mount element 155 at a location corresponding to the first catch hole 151 A. The actuator element 153 can be movably assembled through the mount element 1'55 and operable to slide into the first catch hole 151A. A restore spring 157 can also be connected with the actuator element 153.

[0029] The second sidewall 133B of each holder socket 133 can have an opening 159, and a detent 161 joined with a rim of the opening 159 and projecting toward an interior of the opening 159. The detent 161 can have an interference protrusion 163. The holder socket 133 can be fastened with either of the latch structures 1 26A and 1 26B by locking engagement of the interference protrusion 163 so as to hold the backrest assembly 106 at either of the rear end 104A and the front end 104B of the seat board 104, respectively.

[00301 As shown in Figure 5, when the backrest assembly 106 is held adjacent to the rear end 1 04A of the seat board 104, the detent 161 on the left and right sides of the seat board 104 can be positioned at the inner side of the side edge surface I 04D, and the interference protrusion 163 can engage with the first catch hole 151 A of the latch structure I 26A to block movement of the backrest assembly 106. In this configuration, a child can be seated on the seat board 104 facing forward.

[00311 Figure 6 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary operation of the latch structure I 26A. When the backrest assembly 106 is to be adjusted, the actuator elements 153 on the left and right sides of the seat board 104 can be pressed to compress the associated restore springs 157 and push the interference protrusions 163 toward the inner side of the seat board 104. Once the interference protrusions 163 have disengaged from the first catch holes 151 A of the seat board 104, the holder sockets 133 can be moved relative to the seat board 104 via the connection the bar linkages 136. Once the holder sockets 133 have moved away from the first latch structures I 26A, the restore springs 157 can bias the actuator elements 153 to recover their initial normal position.

[0032) Figures 7 and 8 are schematic views illustrating intermediate positions of the backrest assembly 106 when it is adjusted toward the front end 1 04B of the seat board 104. As the backrest assembly 106 (comprising the backrest frame 131 and the holder sockets 133) is moving generally parallel to the seat board 104 along the lengthwise axis X, the bar linkages 136 movable through the oblong slots 124 can respectively rotate about the pivot joints RI and R2 relative to the seat board 104, whereby the backrest frame 131 and the holder sockets 133 can be kept in a generally vertical orientation.

10033] Figure 9 is a schematic view illustrating the backrest assembly 106 held adjacent to the front end I 04B of the seat board 104, and Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along section 10 shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, each of the latch structures 1 26B provided on the left and right sides of the seat board 104 can be substantially similar to the latch structure 126A in construction, including a second catch hole 15 1B, and an actuator element 153 provided at an outer side of the seat board. 104. The side edge surface 104D of the seat board 104 can likewise include a mount element 155 at a location corresponding to each second catch hOle 151B. The actuator element 153 can be movably assembled through the mount element 155 and is operable to move through the second catch hole 15 lB. The actuator element 153 can also be connected with a restore spring 157.

[0034] As each holder socket 133 passes through the corresponding oblong slot 124 and approaches the front end 104B of the seat board 104, the detent 161 can be deformed by contact with the seat board 104. Once the interference protrusion 163 reaches a position aligned with the second catch hole 151 B of the associated latch structure 1 26B, the detent 161 can elastically urge the interference protrusion 163 to engage the second catch hole 151 B from the inner side of the side edge surface 1 04D.

Accordingly, the backrest assembly 106 can be locked with the seat board 104 at a position adjacent to the front end 104B. Subsequently, the backrest frame 131 can be adjusted to a desired inclination so that the seat board 104 and the backrest frame 131 can provide a seating configuration facing rearward.

[0035] For disengaging the interference protrusions 163 from the second catch hole l5lB, the actuator elements 153 on the left and right sides can be pressed simultaneously to compress the associated restore springs 157 and push the interference protrusions 163 toward the inner side of the seat board 104. Once the interference protrusions 163 have disengaged from the respective second catch holes IS1B, the holder sockets 133 can be moved relative to the seat board 104, and the restore springs 157 can bias the actuator elements 153 to recover their respective initial positions.

10036] Figure 11 is a schematic side view illustrating another embodiment of the infant carrier apparatus 100. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in the placement of the latch structures 126A and 126B, which are respectively provided on the support frame 102 adjacent to the rear end 104A and the front end 104B of the seat board 104. The holder sockets 133 can be respectively mounted between the left and right outer sides of the seat board 104 and the support frame 102, so that no oblong slots 124 are needed on the upper surface 1 04C of the seat board 104. Each bar linkage 136 can have two opposite ends pivotally connected with the associated holder socket 133 and the support frame 102, respectively. Accordingly, each bar linkage 136 can rotationally drive the associated holder socket 133 for adjustment toward the rear end I 04A or front end 1 04B of the seat board 104 and locking engagement with the latch structures 126A or 126B.

100371 With the above construction, the backrest assembly 106 can be desirably adjusted to lie adjacent to the rear end 104A or. front end 104B of the seat board 104 to turn the infant carrier apparatus 100 to a seating configuration facing forward or seating configuration facing rearward. Moreover, another advantage is the ability to provide forward and rearward facing configurations without increasing the seat board 104.

While a stroller embodiment has been described, it will be understood that the features and advantages described herein can be applied in other types of infant carrier apparatuses, such as infant seats, swing apparatuses, and the like.

[0038] Realizations in accordance with the present invention therefore have been described only in the context of particular embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided for components described herein as a single instance. Structures and functionality presented as discrete components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An infant carrier apparatus comprising: a support frame; a seat board assembled with the support frame, wherein the seat board has a lengthwise axis that extends from a front end to a rear end of the seat board, and a first latch structure and a second latch structure respectively disposed adjacent to the rear end and the front end; and a backrest assembly including: a backrest frame, and at least a holder socket movably mounted with the backrest frame; and at least one bar linkage having two ends respectively connected pivotally with the holder socket and the seat board, whereby the holder socket is adjustable to a first position adjacent to the rear end of the seat board and in locking engagement with the first latch structure, and a second position adjacent to the front end of the seat board and in locking engagement with the second latch structure.
2. The infant carrier apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seat board includes a slot adapted to receive the holder socket.
3. The infant carrier apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the slot is disposed adjacent to a side edge surface of the seat board, and the first and second latch structures are respectively provided on the side edge surface and respectively include first and second catch holes.
4. The infant carrier apparalus according to claim 3, wherein the holder socket includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the second sidewall having a detent provided with an interference protrusion adapted to engage with the first or second catch holes.
5. The infant carrier apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first latch structure further includes an actuator element adapted to move through the first catch hole to push the interference protrusion out of engagement with the first catch hole.
6. The infant carrier apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the bar linkage is assembled through the slot, and has one end pivotally connected with the first sidewall of the holder socket.
7. The infant carrier apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first sidewall has front and rear ends respectively forming shoulder portions, a pivot connection between the bar linkage and the first sidewall is located below the shoulder portions.
8. The infant carrier apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the holder sOcket is pivotally connected with the backrest frame.
9. The infant carrier apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the backrest frame is pivotally connected with the holder socket via a pivot pin, and the holder socket having a plurality of grooves disposed at multiple radial directions, and backrest frame is mounted with a latching element adapted to engage with any of the grooves to hold the backrest frame at an inclination relative to the seat board.
10. The infant carrier apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the pivot pin passes through an elongated slot of the backrest frame.
11. The infant carrier apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the backrest frame has an anchor protrusion and a spring, the spring having a first end connected with the pivot pin, and a second end connected with the anchor protrusion.
12. A method of adjusting an infant carrier apparatus, wherein the infant carrier apparatus includes a support frame, a seat board, a backrest assembly and a bar linkage, the bar linkage having two ends respectively connected pivotally with the backrest assembly and the seat board, the method comprising: releasing a locking engagement between the backrest assembly and the seat board; moving the backrest assembly from a first end of the seat board toward a second end of the seat board; and locking the backrest assembly adjacent to the second end of the seat board.is
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the seat board includes first and second catch holes respectively provided adjacent to the first and second ends, the backrest assembly includes a detent provided with an interference protrusion adapted to engage with the first or second catch holes.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the seat board further includes an actuator element adjacent to the first catch hole, and the step of releasing the locking engagement between the backrest assembly and the seat board includes pressing the actuator element to push the interference protrusion out of engagement with the first catch hole.
15. An infant carrier apparatus comprising: a support frame; a seat board assembled with the support frame, the seat board having a lengthwise axis extending,from a front end to a rear end of the seat board, wherein the support frame includes first and second latch structures respectively provided adjacent to the rear and front ends of the seat board; and a backrest assembly including: a backrest frame, and at least a holder socket movably mounted with the backrest frame; and at least one bar linkage having two opposite ends respectively connected pivotally with the holder socket and the support frame, whereby the holder socket is adjustable to a first position adjacent to the rear end of the seat board and in locking engagement with the first latch structure, and a second position adjacent to the front end of the seat board and in locking engagement with the second latch structure
16. An infant carrier apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawings.
17. A method of adjusting an infant carrier apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawings.