GB2507507A

GB2507507A - A ratchet and pawl mechanism for the folding handle of a stroller

Info

Publication number: GB2507507A
Application number: GB1219556.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Russell Anthony Clifton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-31
Filing date: 2012-10-31
Publication date: 2014-05-07
Also published as: GB201219556D0

Abstract

A pushchair or stroller, particularly one comprising a first frame (1, figure 1) and a second frame (3) having a pair of pivots 5 mounted between the frames to enable them to rotate with respect to one another between two fixed positions, one position being an open deployed position the other position being a closed position, wherein in the closed position the second frame is within the first frame, is characterised in having a handle (13) as part of the rear frame and connected to another first frame part (8) by a pivot 15. The pivot has a pawl and ratchet mechanism, the pawl 455 being connected to the handle and the ratchet 453 to the other frame member, the pawl has teeth 456 distributed around its periphery and the ratchet comprises teeth projecting inwards from a cylindrical case 451, the teeth on the pawl can be engaged with or disengaged from the teeth of the ratchet by means of pressing spring (462, figure 3) biased button 454.

Description

Handle pivot mechanism for pushchairs (including buggies).

[0001] This invention relates to handle mechanisms for pushchairs. Throughout this specification the word "pushchairs" includes buggies and wheeled paediatric chairs.

[0002] Many pushchairs exist but have recently become more flexible.

W0201 1/098791 (Clifton). incorporated herein by reference, describes a pushchair which folds flat. The pushchair comprises a first or rear frame with a second frame pivotally mounted with respect to the rear frame, and in which the second frame may assume one of two stable positions with respect to the rear frame, one position being a locked, open, position with the second frame projecting forwards and slightly downwards with respect to the rear frame and the second, folded, position with the second frame substantially inside the rear frame when the pushchair is folded. Pivots between the two frames enable the second frame to rotate within the rear frame.

[0003] It is desired in such a pushchair to have a handle that can be set at various heights above the ground and at various angles to the pushchair.

[0004] Acwrding to the prent, the handle for such a pushchair is connected to each of the upperfirst frame members by a pivot having a pawl and ratchet mechanism, the pawl being connected to the handle and the ratchet to the upper first frame member concerned, the pawl has teeth distributed around its periphery and the ratchet comprises teeth projecting inwards from a cylindrical housing, the teeth on the pawl can be engaged with or disengaged from inward projecting teeth of the ratchet. By disengaging the pawl teeth from the ratchet, rotating the handle about the pivot and then releasing the pawl to re-engage with the ratchet the handle can assume any angle with respect to the upper first frame members.

[0005] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, the mechanism of the invention and possible additional features will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0006] Hgure 1 shows a perspeGtive view of the pushchair with a handle pivot according to the present invention in an unfolded state ready to carry a child (for clarity the seat, and any optional bag and any optional cover are not shown) [0007] Figure 2 shows a side view of one of the handle pivots with the cover removed; and [0008] Figure 3 shows the same view with the pawl and button removed.

[0009] Referring to figures 1 the pushchair comprises a rear frame 1 and a second frame 3 pivotally mounted about the rear frame 1 on pairs of pivots each lockable in two positions, one with the pushchair open, the other with the pushchair closed.

[0010] The rear frame 1 itself arcuate in side view, and comprises pairs of tubular first frame members 7 and 8, each lowerfirst frame member 7slotting into and capable of sliding within a corresponding upperfirst frame member 8.

Upperfirst frame members 8 are mounted within the pairs of pivot 5, the lowerfirst frame members 7 are of reduced cross section to be received and slide wfhin the upper first frame members 8 which are mounted within the pivots. First members 7 and 8 are arcuate when seen from the side. A splined hollow transverse bar 2, which is hollow and contains a bolting mechanism as described below with reference to figures 3 to 5 extends between the pair of pivots 5.

[0011] Brackets 10 are mounted at the Lcttoms of each of the lower first frame member. The two rear wheels 11 of the pushchair are mounted on the brackets 10, and a transverse bar 9 joins the brackets 10. The brackets 10 contain the braking mechanism operated by a brake bar 14 (the brake arrangements are conventional and not shown in detail here).

[0012] Handle pivots 15 are mounted at the tops of the upperfirst frame members 8. The handle pivots 15 receive the ends of the handle 13 and are able to assume multiple positions with respect to the upper first frame members 8, to enable the effective handle height and angle to be adjusted (as described with reference to figures 9A and 9B).

[0013] The rear frame 1 thus comprises the two lowerfirst frame member 7 joined through the brackets 10 by bar 9 and slotting into the two upper first frame members 8, which in turn, are linked though pivots 15 by the handle 13.

[0014] The second frame 3 is generally U-Shaped and, when the pushchair is open, extends generally forwards and at an angle downwards from the pivots 5 From the side the second frame is arcuate; such that when the pushchair is folded the curved shape of the second trame 3 exactly matches the arcuate form of the rear trame 1 and is contained within the rear trame when the pushchair is folded. A pair of forward wheels 4 is mounted at the front of the second frame 3. These wheels 4 are pivotally mounted on a secondary moulded support 6 mounted on the second frame at the middle of the U shape of the second frame 3. The forward wheels 4 are mounted bayonet couplings onto a secondary bar 6 bridging the inside of the U shaped bottom of second frame 3.

[0015] The fame members 3, 7 and 8 are made of extruded aluminium (or aluminium alloy for lightness. The cross section of the frame members is generally elliptical with tie major semi-axes aligned front to back of the pushchair to provide maximum strength. If necessary further strengthening may be added within part of the frame subject to particularly heavy loads by inserts fixed within those parts of the hollow frame members.

[0016] A rain/sun protection cover may be clipped on the upperfirst frame members 8 using clips. Any cover can be folded back when not needed.

[0017] Mounts 18 for magnetic catches on an optional bag are mounted on the outside of the upperfirst frame members 8-The lower part of the rucksack or bag may be clipped to a transverse bag bar 12 extending across main frame 1 -If the bag is a rucksack, when the pushchair is folded and frame 3 is completely within frame 1, the frame 1 acts as a support frame for the bag enabling it to be conveniently carried on a person's back.

[0018] The brackets 10 each have an inwardly directed lip or trigger 24 at the upper ends, each lip forms a trigger 24 for operation of a latch as described in co-pending patent applications 3B12195511 and GB12 19553.3.

[0019] Facing into the frame are holes 25 in lower first frame members 7, to receive a bolt as described in co-pending patent applicationsGBl 2195511 and OB1 219553-a To support the bolts'MThin the lower Mst frarru members eeves are rround Wthin the loerfirstfrarre members using screws passing through smaller holes 26.

[0020] In figures 2 and 3, the handle pivot iSis shown in more detail. Its cover has been removed to shows a ratchet 453 around the inside of a cylindrical case 451 which is attached to the end of upper first side member 8 by a sleeve 452. Spring loaded button 454 is upstanding from a circular pawl 455, the pawl having teeth 456 on its circumference engaging ratchet 453. The pawl 455 has cut outs 457 around cylindrical blocks 458 receiving the screws 459 which hold the cover (removed) in place. The blocks 458 have a step 461 to allow movement of the pawl teeth 456 into and out of engagement the ratchet 453. A spring 462 around a central peg 463 urges the button 454 back into positicn after it is pressed and released. The cylindrical blocks 458, and central peg 463 are mounted on a cylindrical back plate 464 which itself has a sleeve 465 mounted on the end of handle 13. When button 454 is depressed, the pawl teeth 455 disengage from the ratchet 453 allowing cylindrical back plate 464 to rotate with respect the cylindrical case 451 and thus handle 13 to rotate with respect to the upper first side member 8. The handle pivot 15 thus allows the handles to be set at various angles and relative heights for comfort.

Claims

Claims 1 -A pushchair comprising a first frame and a second frame having pair of pivots mounted between a first frame and a second frame to enable the frames to rotate with respect to one another between two fixed positions, one position being an open deployed position the other position being a closed wherein in the close folded position the second frame is within the first frame characterised in having the handle (13) as part of the rear frame and connected to anotherfirst fame pan (8) of The firstframe pushchair frame by a pivot (14) having a pawl and ratchet mechanism, the pawl (455) being connected to the handle (13) and the ratchet to another frame member (8), the pawl has teeth (456) distributed around its periphery and the ratchet cccnprises (453) teeth projecting inwards from a cylindrical case (451), the teeth on the pawl (455)can be engaged with or disengaged from the teeth (453) of the ratchet.
2. A pushchair according to claim 1 characterised in that a spring (462) urges the paw (454) into engagement with the ratchet (453), and a button (454) pushed pawl (455) out of engagement with the ratchet (453).
3 A pushchair according to claim 2 characterised in that the cylindrical case (451) has a sleeve (452) by which the case is mounted on the upper first frame member (8).
4. A pushchair according to claim 3 characterised in that the pawl has cut outs (457), cut outs (457) being around bocks (458) upstanding from a back plate (465), said pack plate having adjoined to it a sleeve (465) by which handle (13) is joined to the back plate.
5. A pushchair substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.