GB2518278A

GB2518278A - Safety joint device

Info

Publication number: GB2518278A
Application number: GB1412272.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jialiang Yuan; Ganqing Fang
Original assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co Ltd Hong Kong
Current assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co Ltd Hong Kong
Priority date: 2013-07-11
Filing date: 2014-07-10
Publication date: 2015-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-10
Also published as: GB2518278B; GB201412272D0; DE102014213458A1; CN104273980A; CN104273980B

Abstract

A safety joint for bearing an infant carrier comprising first 70A and second 70B joint parts which can pivot respect to each other between a folded and unfolded position, a bearing base to receive an infant carrier mounted on the joint parts, a trigger button 30 positioned on the bearing base such that it can move from a relief position where it is hidden in the bearing base and a blocking position wherein it protrudes from the base, a joining part 20 linked to the trigger part and movably disposed in the bearing base such that movement of the trigger to the relief position moves the joining part 20 to a locking position which prevents pivoting of the joint parts 70A and 70B and wherein the joint parts have a safety arrangement wherein a groove 711 is provided so that the joining part 20 can only be moved to the locking position when the joint parts are in an unfolded position.

Description

SAFETY JOINT DEVICE

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a safety joint device, and especially relates to a safety joint device suitable for bearing an infant carrier.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As society and economy develops progressively, the living standard of people improves. Infant carriers start to be classified out of furniture and get into a special market field.

In addition to common toys and clothes, more and more parents start to buy infant carriers more suitable for their children.

Therein, various infant carriers are on the market. For example, infant carry cots include conventional grass woven carry cots and also carry cot bodies capable of being used in child safety seats. The infant carry cots show benefits and adaptability whether in carrying by hand or being carried in cars. The infant carry cots offer a good solution to a problem of in the past, infants can only be held in the arms for going out, and the infants cannot be put down even when the arms are tired". Therefore, the infant carry cots offer much convenience to the parents when going out.

As infant carriers are used more and more widely, people demand convenience and quickness in use increasingly. The infant carriers need special supporting frames to place.

However, there are various infant carriers on the market. In order to make one supporting frame available for as many as infant carriers, a connection mechanism is usually designed to detachably connect the supporting frame with the infant carriers. Furthermore, in order to store and carry the supporting frame conveniently, the supporting frame is also designed to be foldable. Though the infant carriers can be engaged to or disengaged from the supporting frame, the engagement is complicated and time-consuming, and further has a lack of safety. Furthermore, during an engagement, it may be due to negligence or design defect that the supporting frame for the infant carrier foids suddenly or is under an unstable state, so that the safety to an infant on the infant carrier cannot be assured.

Therefore, for overcoming the above issues, a safety joint device that can assure the usage safety of the infant carriers is deeply needed.

Summary of the Invention

An objective of the invention is to provide a safety joint device that can assure the usage safety of infant carriers.

For achievement of the above objective, the invention provides a safety joint device suitable for bearing an infant carrier. The safety joint device includes a first joint part, a second joint part, a bearing base, a trigger part, a joining part, and a safety module. The second joint part is pivotally connected to the first joint part about a pivot axis. The first joint part and the second joint part are selectively operable to rotate to an unfolded status or a folded status. The bearing base is disposed on the first joint part and the second joint part and used for the infant carrier to be installed on and detached from. The trigger part is movably disposed on the bearing base and selectively operable to move to a relief position or a blocking position. Therein, the trigger part is hidden in the bearing base when the trigger part moves to the relief position, so that the infant carrier is capable of being detached from the bearing base; the trigger part is exposed out of the bearing base when the trigger part moves to the blocking position, so that the infant carrier is prevented from being installed to the bearing base. The joining part is movably disposed on the bearing base and linked to the trigger part. In response to the trigger part moving to the relief position, the joining part moves to a locking position to prevent the first joint part from relatively rotating. In response to the trigger part moving to the blocking position, the joining part moves to an unlocking position to allow the first joint part to relatively rotate.

The safety module is formed on the first joint part and includes a receiving component and a constraint component. The receiving component is formed in response to the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotating to the unfolded status, so that the receiving component receives the joining part to be located at the locking position to allow the trigger part to be located at the relief position. The constraint component is formed in response to the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotating to the folded status, so that the constraint component constrains the joining part to be located at the unlocking position to constrain the trigger part to be located at the blocking position.

Preferably, the first joint part and the second joint part are pivotally connected to the bearing base.

Preferably, the bearing base includes a first casing and a second casing. The first casing communicates with the second casing. The first joint part and the second joint part are accommodated in the first casing. The trigger part is selectively operable to move to the relief position, where the trigger part is hidden in the second casing, or the blocking position, where the trigger part is exposed out of the second casing. The joining part is movably disposed between The first casing and the second casing.

Preferably, the safety joint device of the invention further includes a first elastic part. The first elastic part elastically abuts against the trigger part so that the trigger part has a tendency to move to the blocking position.

Preferably, the safety joint device of the invention further includes a second elastic part. The second elastic part elastically abuts against the joining part so that the joining part has a tendency to move to the unlocking position.

Preferably, the safety joint device of the invention further includes a first supporting part and a second supporting part. The first supporting part is connected to the first joint part. The second supporting part is connected to the second joint part. The first supporting part and the second supporting part are exposed out of the bearing base.

Preferably, when the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotate to the unfolded status, the first supporting part and the second supporting part are away from each other. When the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotate to the folded status, the first supporting part and the second supporting part are close together.

Preferably, the trigger part includes a guiding surface for guiding the infant carrier.

Preferably, the trigger part is disposed on the bearing base movably along a direction parallel to the pivot axis.

Preferably, the joining part is disposed on the bearing base movably along a direction intersecting with the pivot axis.

Preferably, the joining part is disposed on the bearing base movably along a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis.

Preferably, a moving direction of the trigger part and a moving direction of the joining part intersect with each other.

Preferably, the moving direction of the trigger part and the moving direction of the joining part are perpendicular to each other.

Preferably, the joining part is disposed on the bearing base movably along a direction parallel to the pivot axis.

Preferably, a moving direction the trigger part and a moving direction of the joining part are parallel to each other.

Preferably, the trigger part has a first surface. The joining part has a second surface. The second surface interferingly abuts against the first surface.

Preferably, the first surface and the second surface are slanted surfaces or curved surfaces.

Preferably, the trigger part and the joining part are a single integral structure.

Preferably, the first joint part has a first slot hole.

The first slot hole forms the receiving component in response to the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotating to the unfolded status. The first slot hole aligns with the joining part for the joining part to be engaged in.

The joining part is engaged in the first slot hole when the joining part moves to the locking position.

Preferably, the first joint part has a first wall. The first wall forms the constraint component in response to the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotating to the folded status. The first wall aligns with the joining part for the joining part to abut against. The joining part abuts against the first wall when the joining part moves to the unlocking position.

Preferably, the joining part also prevents the second joint part from relatively rotating when the joining part moves to the locking position.

Preferably, the joining part also allows the second joint part to relatively rotate when the joining part moves to the unlocking position.

Preferably, the safety module is also formed on the second joint part. The first joint part has a first slot hole. The second joint part has a second slot hole. The first slot hole and the second slot hole forns the receiving component in response to the first joint part and the second joint part

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relatively rotating to the unfolded status. The first slot hole and the second slot hole align with the joining part for the joining part to be engaged in. The joining part is engaged in the first slot hole and the second slot hole when the joining part moves to the locking position.

Preferably, the safety module is also formed on the second joint part. The first joint part has a first wall. The second joint part has a second wall. The first wall and the second wall form the constraint component in response to the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotating to the folded status. The first wall and the second wall align with the joining part for the joining part to abut against.

The joining part abuts against the first wall and the second wall when the joining part moves to the unlocking position.

Preferably, the joining part prevents the second joint part from relatively rotating when the joining part moves to the unlocking position.

Preferably, the second joint part has a second slot hole.

The joining part is movably inserted in the second slot hole.

The joining part keeps engaging in the second slot hole when the joining part moves between the locking position and the unlocking position.

In the safety joint device of the invention, only when the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotate to the unfolded status, the infant carrier on the bearing base can drive the trigger part to push against the joining part to move to the locking position to prevent the first joint part from relatively rotating. Only when the infant carrier is detached away, the joining part can move to the unlocking position to allow the first joint part to relatively rotate so that the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotate from the unfolded status to the folded status. Therefore, the safety joint device of the invention can assure the usage safety of the infant carrier and enhance the safety to an infant on the infant carrier. In addition, the safety joint device of the invention has an advantage of simple and compact structure.

These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an infant carrier assembled to a safety joint device of a first embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the portion A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of FIG. 2 in another view point.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the safety joint device of the first embodiment in another view point.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the inner structure of the safety joint device of the first embodiment according to the invention when a first joint part and a second joint part of the safety joint device relatively rotate to a folded status and a constraint component of the safety joint device constrains a joining part in an unlocking position and constrains a trigger part of the safety joint device in a blocking position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the inner structure of the safety joint device of the first embodiment according to the Invention when the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotate to an unfolded status and the joining part is not received by a receiving component yet.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the inner structure of the safety joint device of the first embodiment according to the invention when the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotate to the unfolded status and the joining part is received by the receiving component.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a safety joint device of a second embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the portion B in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the status of a first joint part and a second joint part of the safety joint device of the second errbodiment according to the invention when the first joint part and the second joint part are not relatively rotated to an unfolded status yet.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the status of a first joint part and a second joint part of the safety joint device of the second embodiment according to the invention when the first joint part and the second joint part are relatively rotated to the unfolded status.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the inner structure of the safety joint device of the second embodiment according to the invention when the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotate to an unfolded status and the joining part is not received by a receiving component yet.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the inner structure of the safety joint device of the second embodiment according to the invention when the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotate to the unfolded status and the joining part is received by the receiving component.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a safety joint device of a third embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the safety joint device of the third embodiment according to the invention with removing a bearing base partially.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a safety joint device of a fourth embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the portion C in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating the safety joint device of the fourth embodiment according to the

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invention with removing a bearing base partially.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating the safety joint device of the fourth embodiment according to the invention with removing the bearing base and a first joint part.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating the safety joint device of the fourth embodiment according to the invention with removing a second joint part, a joining part, and the partial bearing base.

Detailed Description

Please refer to FIGS. 1 through 8, which illustrate a safety joint device 100 of a first embodiment according to the invention. The safety joint device 100 includes a first joint part 70a, a second joint part 7Gb, a bearing base 10, a trigger part 30, a joining part 20, and a safety module (not indicated by a label specifically in the figures) . The second joint part 70b is pivotally connected to the first joint part 70a about a pivot axis (i.e. the axial center line of a pivot shaft 60 in FIG. 7) . The first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b are selectively operable to relatively rotate to an unfolded status as shown by FIG. 4 or a folded status as shown by FIG. 6. That is, the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb can relatively rotate between the unfolded status and the folded status so that the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b can be unfolded and folded for storage.

The bearing base 10 is disposed on the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb. The bearing base 10 is used for an infant carrier 200 to be installed on and detached from.

Preferably, in the embodiment, the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb are pivotally connected to the bearing base 10 so that the supporting to the infant carrier by the bearing base 10 is more reliable and the pivoting configuration of the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b is more reasonable. A preferable way to realize the pivotally connection of the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb with the bearing base 10 is: the safety joint device 100 of the embodiment further includes a pivot shaft for the bearing base 10, the first joint part 70a, and the seoond joint part 70b to pivotally connect with one another.

The pivot shaft 60 passes through the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb and two ends of the pivot shaft are fixed on the bearing base 10, so that the bearing base 10, the first joint part 70a, and the second joint part 7Gb rotate about the same axis.

The trigger part 30 is movably disposed on the bearing base 10. The trigger part 30 is selectively operable to move to a relief position as shown by FIG. 8 or a blocking position as shown by FIG. 6. Therein, the trigger part 30 is hidden in the bearing base 10 when the trigger part 30 moves to the relief position, so that the infant carrier 200 capable of being detached from the bearing base 10. The trigger part 30 is exposed out of the bearing base 10 when the trigger part moves to the blocking position, so that the infant carrier is prevented from being installed to the bearing base 10.

The joining part 20 is movably disposed on the bearing base and linked to the trigger part 30 (i.e. a movement of the trigger part 30 will drive a movement of the joining part 20, so that the joining part 20 and the trigger part 30 moves in coordination) . Therein, in response to the trigger part 30 moving to the relief position as shown by FIG. 8, the joining part 20 moves to the locking position as shown by FIG. B to prevent the first joint part 70a from relatively rotating.

In response to the trigger part 30 moving to the blocking position as shown by FIG. 6, the joining part 20 moves to the unlocking position as shown by FIG. 6 to allow the first joint part 70a to relatively rotate. In the embodiment, when the joining part 20 moves to the unlocking position as shown by FTG. 6, the joining part 20 further allows the secoud joiut part 70b to relatively rotate so that the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb relatively rotate.

The safety module is formed on the first joint part 70a.

The safety module includes a receiving component 40a and a constraint component 40b. The receiving component 40a is formed in response to the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b relatively rotating to the unfolded status, to that the receiving component 40a receives joining part 20 to be located at the locking position to allow the trigger part 30 to be located at the relief position, as shown by FIG. 8. The constraint component 40b is formed in response to the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b relatively rotating to the folded status, so that the constraint component 4Gb constrains the joining part 20 to be located at the unlocking position to constrain the trigger part 30 to be located at the blocking position, as shown by FTG. 6.

In the embodiment, the first joint part 70a has a first slot hole 711. In response to the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb relatively rotating to the unfolded status as shown by FIG. 4 or FTG. 7, the first slot hole 711 forms the receiving component 40a. The first slot hole 711 aligns with the joining part 20 for the joining part 20 to be engaged in.

At the moment, the infant carrier 200 is installed on the bearing base 10 so that the infant carrier 200 on the bearing base 10 drives the trigger part 30 to move to the relief position to simllltaneously drive the joining part 20 to move to the locking position to extend in and engage with the first slot hole 711, as shown by FIG. 8. Thereby, the infant carrier is correctly installed on the bearing base 10. Therein, the receiving component 40a is structurally simplified.

Furthermore, the first joint part 70a has a first wall 712.

In response to the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b relatively rotating to the folded status, the first wall 712 forms the constraint component 40b. The first wall 712 aligns with the joining part 20 for the joining part 20 to abut against. When the joining part 20 moves to the unlocking position, the joining part 20 abuts against the first wall 712. At the moment, if the infant carrier 200 is placed on the bearing base 10, because the joining part 20 is blocked by the first wall 712 so that the joining part 20 blocks the trigger part 30 from moving from the blocking position to the relief position, the infant carrier 200 cannot be correctly installed on the bearing base 10. More details will be described in the following.

Preferably, the bearing base 10 includes a first casing ha and a second casing llb. The first casing ha communicates with the second casing llb by their accommodating space. The first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b are accommodated in the first casing ha. The trigger part 30 is selectively operable to move to the relief position, where the trigger part 30 is hidden in the second casing llb, or the blocking position, where the trigger part 30 is exposed out of the second casing lib. The joining part 20 is movably disposed between the first casing ISa and the second casing hlb. Thereby, the structure of the safety joint device 100 of the embodiment is simplified and reasonable and compact.

Specifically, the trigger part 30 includes a guiding surface 32 for guiding the infant carrier 200, so that the infant carrier 200 can more smoothly push against the trigger part to move. Preferably, the trigger part 30 is disposed on the bearing base 10 movably along a direction parallel to the pivot axis (i.e. the axial center line of the pivot shaft 60) The joining part 20 is disposed on the bearing base 10 movably along a direction intersecting with the pivot axis. Preferably, the joining part 20 is disposed on the bearing base 10 movably along a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis, so that the moving direction of the trigger part 30 and the moving direction of the joining part 20 intersect with each other.

In detail, the moving direction of the trigger part 30 and the moving direction of the joining part 20 are perpendicular to each other, so that the trigger part 30 pushes against the joining part 20 in an intersectional movement way to move, leading to a change of the driving direction to the joining part 20. Furthermore, the trigger part 30 includes a first surface 31. The joining part 20 includes a second surface 21.

The second surface 21 interferingly abuts against the first surface 31, so that the mechanism for the trigger part 30 driving the joining part 20 is simplified. Preferably, the first surface 31 and the second surface 21 are slanted surfaces or curved surfaces, so that the trigger part 30 can push against the joining part 20 to move more reliable. Therein, in order to make the structure of the safety joint device 100 of the embodiment more proper and reduce dust or the like into the structure so that the safety joint device 100 of the embodiment operates reliably, the bearing base 10 further includes an outer cover assembly 14. The outer cover assembly 14 clasps on the two opposite sides of the second casing lib.

Furthermore, the safety joint device 100 of the embodiment includes a first elastic part 50a. the first elastic part 50a elastically abuts against the trigger part 30 so that the trigger part 30 has a tendency to move to the blocking position as shownby FIG. 6, whichmakes a returnmovement of the trigger part 30 more convenient and quicker. In the embodiment, the first elastic part 50a elastically abuts against between the trigger part 30 and the bearing base 10. Preferably, the first elastic part 50a elastically abuts against between the trigger part 30 and the second casing llb of the bearing base 10.

Certainly, the first elastic part 50a also can elastically abut against between the trigger part 30 and the first casing ISa of the bearing base 10. Therefore, the disposition of the first elastic part 50a is not limited thereto and can be designed in another form according to an actnal use for achieving the same effect. Similarly, the safety joint device of the embodiment further includes a second elastic part SOb. The elastic part SOb elastically abuts against the joining part 20 so that the joining part 20 has a tendency to move to the unlocking position as shown by FIG. 7. Preferably, in the embodiment, the second elastic part 5Gb elastically abuts against between the joining part 20 and the bearing base 10. Preferably, the second elastic part SOb elastically abuts against between the joining part 20 and the second casing lAb of the bearing base 10. Certainly, the second elastic part SOb also can elastically abut against between the joining part and the first casing iSa of the bearing base 10, which makes a return movement of the joining part 20 more convenient and quicker. If the trigger part 30 is provided without the first elastic part SOa so that no force by the first elastic part 50a is applied to the trigger part 30, the return movement of the trigger part 30 is achieved as the joining part 20 returns to its original position under the restoring force provided by the second elastic part SOb. Therefore, the disposition of the second elastic part SOb is not limited thereto and can be designed in another form according to an actual use for achieving the same effect.

Furthermore, the safety joint device 100 of the embodiment includes a first supporting part 80a and a second supporting part 8Db. The first supporting part 80a is connected to the first joint part 70a. The second supporting part BOb is connected to the second joint part 70b. The first supporting part 80a and the second supporting part 80b are exposed out of the bearing base 10. Preferably, the first supporting part BOa and the second supporting part 8Db are exposed out of the first casing ha of the bearing base 10, which is conducive to a reliable supporting by the first supporting part BOa and the second supporting part BOb to the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb and makes the connecting portion of the first joint part 70a with the first supporting part 80a and the connecting portion of the second joint part 7Gb and the second snpporting part 8Gb hidden in the bearing base leading to a smooth appearance. Specifically, the first supporting part 80a and the second supporting part 8Gb are formed in tube structure for simplifying the structure of the safety joint device 100 of the embodiment. When the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb relatively rotate to the unfolded status, the first supporting part 80a and the second supporting part 8Gb are away from each other, as shown by FIG. 1. When the first joint part 7Cc and the second joint part 7Gb relatively rotate to the folded status, the first supporting part 80a and the second supporting part 8Gb are close together. Therein, when the infant carrier 200 is detached away, for the convenient folding of the first supporting part 80a and the second supporting part 8Gb, the first supporting part 80a and the second supporting part 8Gb are pivotally connected to two carry cot tubes. Ore end of each carry cot tube 81 is pivotally connected to each other; the other end of each carry cot tube 81 is pivotally connected to the first supporting part 80a and the second supporting part 8Gb respectively.

As shown by FIGS. 3 through 8, for a more convenient and quick connection of the infant carrier 200 with the bearing base 10, the bearing base 10 further includes at least one sliding slot 13. The sliding slot 13 is preferably movably disposed on the second casing llb of the bearing base 10 is disposed along the moving direction of the joining part 20.

Pci engagement base 90 of the infant carrier 200 has at least one sliding rail 91 in coordination with the at least one sliding slot 13. The trigger part 30 is preferably located in one sliding slot 13. The sliding rail 91 pushes against the trigger part 30 in the sliding slot 13 so that the infant carrier 200 can drive the trigger part 30 to move conveniently.

Certainly, in other embodiments, the mechanism of the engagement base 90 of the infant carrier 200 pushing against the trigger part 30 of the bearing base 10 is not limited thereto and can be designed in another form flexibly according to an actual use.

Please refer to FIGS. 9 through 14, which illustrate a safety joint device 100' of a second embodiment according to the invention. The structure of the safety joint device 100' of the embodiment and the structure of the first safety joint device 100 of the first embodiment are substantially The same.

The differences therebetween are described in the following.

First, the safety joint device 100' of the embodiment is provided without the first elastic part 50a on the trigger part 30 for restoring the trigger part 30. So the return movement of the trigger part 30 is produced only by a pushing force produced by the joining part 20 under a restoring force produced by the second elastic part 50b.

Second, the safety module of the safety joint device 100' of the embodiment is formed on the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b. The safety module of the first embodiment is formed on the first joint part 70a. Therefore, when the joining part 20 of the embodiment moves to the locking position as shown by FIG. 14, the joining part 20 also prevents the second joint part 7Gb from relatively rotating. In the embodiment, the second joint part 7Gb further has a second slot hole 721. In response to the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb relatively rotating to the unfolded status, the first slot hole 711 and the second slot hole 721 forms the receiving component 40a. The first slot hole 711 and the second slot hole 721 align with the joining part 20 for the joining part 20 to be engaged in. When the joining part 20 moves to the locking position, the joining part 20 is engaged in the first slot hole 711 and the second slot hole 721. Furthermore, the second joint part 70b has a second wall 722. In response to the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb relatively rotating to the folded status, the first wall 712 and the second wall 722 forms the ccnstraint component 40b. The first wall 712 and the second wall 722 align with the joiningpart 20 for the joining part 20 to abur against.

When the joining part 20 moves to the unlocking position, the joining part 20 abuts against the first wall 712 and the second wall 722. Except for the above differences, the other details of the structure of the safety joint device 100' is the same as the safety joint device 100 of the first embodiment and will not be repeated herein.

Therein, because the receiving component 40a of the safety module of the embodiment is formed by the first slot hole 711 and the second slot hole 721, only when the first supporting part 80a and the second supporting part BOb are unfolded completely, the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a matches with the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 70b to form the receiving component 40a, so that the joining part 20 is capable of being engaged in the first slot hole 711 and the second slot hole 721 (as shown by FIG. 14) Therefore, the locking of the safety joint device 100' of the embodiment is more safe and reliable. If one or two of the first supporting part BOa and the second supporting part BOb is not unfolded completely, the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a and the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 7Gb mis-match with each other due to a mis-alignment, so that the joining part 20 abuts against the first wall 712 of the joint part 70a and/or the second wall 722 of the second joint part 70b; that is, the joining part 20 is blocked by the first joint part 70a and/or the second joint part 7Gb.

The trigger part 30 is also blocked by the joining part 20 and cannot be pressed by the sliding rail 91 of the engagement base 90 of the infant carrier 200, so that the engagement base cannot be engaged with the bearing base 10 and the infant carrier 200 cannot be instalied. Furthermore, the safety joint device 100' of the embodiment also prevents the first snpporting part BOa and the second supporting part BOb from being folded accidently, so that the infant carrier 200 on the safety joint device 100' can be assured.

Please refer to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, which illustrate the safety joint device of a third embodiment according to the invention. The structure of the safety joint device 100''of the embodiment and the structure the safety joint device 100' of the second embodiment are substantially the same. The differences therebetween are described in the following.

First, the joining part 20 of the safety joint device 100' of the enbodiment is disposed on the bearing base 10 movably along a direction parallel to the pivot axis (i.e. the axial center line of the pivot shaft 60), so that the moving direction of the trigger part 30 and the moving direction of the joining part 20 are parallel to each other. When the joining part 20 moves to the unlocking position, the joining part 20 also prevents the second joint part 7Db from relatively rotating and the joining part 20 is movably inserted in the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 70b. When the joining part moves between the locking position and the unlocking position, the joining part 20 keeps engaging in the second slot hole 721, which simplifies the disposition of the joining part 20 on the second joint part 70b.

Second, the trigger part 30 and the joining part 20 of the safety joint device 100'' of the embodiment are a single integral structure, so it is unnecessary to dispose the first elastic part 50a for restoring the trigger part 30. The second elastic part 50b elastically abuts against between the joining part 20 and the bearing base 10 and is disposed preferably along a direction parallel to the pivot axis. Therefore, the return movement of the trigger part 30 is produced by a pushing force produced by the joining part 20 under a restoring force produced by the second elastic part 50b. Furthermore, the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 70b passes through the second joint part 7Gb along a direction parailel to the pivot axis for the joining part 20 to pass through the second joint part 70b and be engaged in the first joint part 70a.

The second elastic part 50b abuts against an end of the joining part 20 so that the joining part 20 keeps engaging in the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 70b. Therefore, when the first supporting part 80a and the second supporting part BOb are unfolded completely, the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a matches with the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 70b to form the receiving component 40a. At the moment, the joining part 2Ois capable being engaged in the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a after an end of the joining part 20 passes through the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 70b.

Third, the formation of the constraint component 40b of the safety module of the embodiment is different to that of the constraint component 40b of the safety module of the second embodiment. This is because the second elastic part 5Gb abuts against the end of the joining part 20 of the embodiment so that the joining part 20 is engaged in the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 7Gb. The constraint component 40b of the safety module of the embodiment is formed by the first wall 712 of the first joint part 70a; on the contrary, the constraint component 40b of the second embodiment is formed by the first wall 712 of the first joint part 70a and the second wall 722 of the second joint part 70b. Therefore, when one or two of the first supporting part 80a and the second supporting part BOb of the embodiment is unfolded completely, the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a and the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 70b mis-match with each other due to a mis-alignment, so that the joining part 20 abuts against the first wall 712 of the first joint part 70a (i.e. the joining part 20 being blocked by the first joint part 70a) . Therefore, the trigger part 30 cannot be pressed by an inner wall 92 of the infant carrier 200, so that the engagement base 90 cannot be engaged with the bearing base leading to failing to install the infant carrier 200.

Fourth, the bearing base 10 of the safety joint device 100'' of the embodiment is not provided as the first casing 10a and the second casing lOb of the second embodiment.

Except for the above differences, the other details of the structure of the safety joint device 100' is the same as the safety joint device 100' of the second embodiment and will not be repeated herein.

Please refer to FIGS. 17 through 21, which illustrate a safety joint device of a fourth embodiment according to the invention. The structllre of the safety joint device 100''' of the embodiment and the structure of the second safety joint device 100' of the first embodiment are substantially the same.

The differences therebetween are described in the following.

First, the joining part 20 of the safety joint device 100' of the embodiment is movably inserted into the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 70b. When the joining part moves between the locking position and the unlocking position, the joining part 20 keeps engaging in the second slot hole 721, so that the joining part 20 also prevent the second joint part 70b from relatively rotating when the joining part 20 moves to the unlocking position. On the contrary, when the joining part 20 of the second embodiment moves to the unlocking position, the joining part 20 is disengaged from the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 7Db so that the second joint part 7Db is allowed to relatively rotate.

Second, the first joint part 70a of the embodiment has two first slot holes 711 for the joining part 20 to be engaged in. Correspondingly, the joining part 20 thereon has an engagement block extending toward the first joint part 70a along a direction parallel to the pivot axis and coordinating with the first slot hole 711, so that the locking operation of the joining part 20 is more convenient and quicker. On the contrary, the first joint part 70a of the second embodiment has only one first slot hole 711.

Third, the formation of the constraint component 40b of the safety module of the embodiment is different to that of the constraint component 40b of the safety module of the second embodiment. This is because the joining part 20 is movably inserted in the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 70b, so that when the joining part 20 moves between the locking position and the unlocking position, the joining part 20 keeps engaging in the second slot hole 721. The constraint component 40b of the safety module of the embodiment is formed by the first wall 712 of the first joint part 70a; on the contrary, the constraint component 40b of the second embodiment is formed by the first wall 712 of the first joint part 70a and the second wall 722 of the second joint part 70b. Therefore, when the first supporting part 80a and the second supporting part 80b of the embodiment are unfolded completely, the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a and the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 70b match with each other to form the receiving component 40a. At the moment, an engagement block 22 of the joining part 20 is capable of being engaged in the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a. When the first supporting part BOa and the second supporting part BOb are not unfolded completely, the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a and the ergagement block 22 of the joining part 20 mis-match with each other due to a mis-alignment, so that the engagement block 22 of the joining part 20 abuts against the first wall 712 of the first joint part 70a; that is, the joining part 20 is blocked by the first joint part 70a. The trigger part 30 cannot be pressed by the inner wall 92 of the engagement base 90 of the infant carrier 200, so that the engagement base 90 cannot be engaged with the bearing base 10 leading to failing to install the infant carrier 200.

Fourth, the bearing base 10 of the safety joint device 100''' of the embodiment is not provided as the first casing lOa and the second casing lOb of the second embodiment.

Fifth, the safety joint device 100''' of the embodiment is provided with a first elastic part bOa more than the safety joint device 100' of the second embodiment. So the return movement of the trigger part 30 is produced by the resilient force provided by the first elastic part 50a and also by a pushing force produced by the joining part 20 under a restoring force produced by the second elastic part 50b.

Except for the above differences, the other details of the structure of the safety joint device 100''' is the same as the safety joint device 100' of the second embodiment and will not be repeated herein.

Please refer to FIGS. 1 through 8, which illustrate the actuation mechanism in detail of the safety joint device 100 of the first embodiment. As shown by FIG. 1, when the infant carrier 200 (e.g. carry cot) needs tobe installed on the safety joint device 100 of the embodiment, the first supporting part BOa and the second supporting part 80b are unfolded to drive the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b to relatively rotate to the unfolded status in advance, as shown by FIG. 4 until the first supporting part BOa and the second supporting part 80b are unfolded completely. At the moment, the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b are located as the unfolded status as shown by FIG. 4, so that the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a right face the joining part 20. At the moment, the engagement base 90 of the infant carrier 200 is engaged to the bearing base along the direction in which the sliding rail 91 engages with the sliding slot 3, so that when the sliding rail 91 of the engagement base 90 is cooperatively sliding into the sliding slot 13 of the bearing base 10, the sliding rail 91 pushes against the guiding surface 32 of the trigger part 30 to drive the trigger part 30. The trigger part 30 when moving pushes against the second surface 21 of the joining part 20 by the first surface 31, so that the joining part 20 is driven to extend into the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a to move to the locking position as shown by FIG. 8.

Accordingly, the first joint part 70a is prevented from relatively rotating, which realizes the locking of the first supporting part 80a with the second supporting part 8Gb, as shown by FTG. 8. When the infant carrier 200 needs to be detached, the engagement base 90 of the infant carrier 200 is disengaged from the bearing base 10. The trigger part 30 is pushed by the first elastic part 50a and the joining part to automatically return its original position; the joining part 20 is driven by the second elastic part 50b to automatically return its original position. The joining part departs from the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a and moves to the unlocking position as shown by FIG. 7. Accordingly, the first joint part 70a is allowed to relatively rotate, so that the first supporting pac 80a and the second supporting part 80b can be folded up. Then, the carry cot tube 81 is pulled up to drive the first supporting part BOa and the second supporting part 8Gb to be folded.

Therefore, the purpose of folding the safety joint device 100 of the embodiment is achieved.

Please refer to FIGS. 9 through 14, which illustrate the actuation mechanism in detail of the safety joint device 100' of the second embodiment. The difference between the safety joint device 100' of the invention and the safety joint device of the first embodiment is that the trigger part 30 of the safety joint device 100' of the embodiment is disposed without the first elastic part 50a for restoring the trigger part 30. So the return movement of the trigger part 30 is produced only by a pushing force produced by the joining part under a restoring force produced by the second elastic part 50b. Furthermore, the safety module of the embodiment is also formed on the second joint part 7Gb, so that the first slot hole 711 and the second slot hole 721 form the receiving component 40a only when the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb relatively rotate to the unfolded status. The receiving component 40a aligns with the joining part 20 for the joining part 20 to be engaged in. The joining part 20 is engaged in the first slot hole 711 and the second slot hole 721 so that the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b are prevented from relatively rotating. When the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb relatively rotate to the folded status, the first wall 712 and the second wall 722 form the constraint component 40b for the joining part to abut against. At the moment, the joining part 20 abuts against the first wall 712 and the second wall 722, so that the joining part 20 is prevented from moving to the locking position and the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb are allowed to relatively rotate. Except for the above differences, the other details of the actuation mechanism of the safety joint device 100' is the same as the safety joint device 100 of the first embodiment and will not be repeated herein.

Please refer to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, which illustrate the actuation mechanism in detail of the safety joint device 100' of the third embodiment. The difference between the safety joint device 100'' of the embodiment and the safety joint device 100' of the second embodiment is that the joining part of the safety joint device 100' of the embodiment is disposed on the bearing base 10 movably along a direction parallel to the pivot axis, so that the moving direction of the trigger part 30 and the moving direction of the joining part 20 are parallel to each other. Furthermore, the trigger part 30 and the joining part 20 are a single integral structure.

The joining part 20 is movably inserted in the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 70b. When the joining part moves between the locking position and the unlocking position, the joining part 20 keeps engaging in the second slot hole 721. Therefore, when the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb relatively rotate so that the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a matches with the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 7Gb, the first slot hole 711 and the second slot hole 721 form the receiving component 40a to align with the joining part 20. Then the infant carrier 200 on the bearing base 10 can push against the trigger part 30 to drive the joining part 20, so that an end of the joining part 20 extends out the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 7Gb and is engaged in the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a, which prevents the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb from relatively rotating.

When the infant carrier 200 is detached from the bearing base 10, the single integral structure of the trigger part 30 and the joining part 20 returns to its original position under the restoring force produced by the second elastic part 50b, so that the end of the joining part 20 retracts back in the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 7Gb, so that the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb are allowed to relatively rotate for the reguirement of folding.

When the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b relatively rotate toward the folded status, the first wall 712 of the first joint part 70a aligns with the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 7Gb gradually so that at last, the first wall 712 of the first joint part 70a forms the constraint component 4Gb to prevent the joining part 20 from extending in the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a, so that the first joint part 70a is allowed co rotate relative to the second joint part 7Db. Except for the above differences, the other details of the actnation mechanism of the safety joint device 100' is the same as the safety joint device 100' of the second embodiment and will not be repeated herein.

Please refer to FIGS. 17 throngh 21, which illustrate the actuation mechanism in detail of the safety joint device 100' of the fonrth embodiment. The difference between the safety joint device 100''' of the embodiment and the safety joint device 100' of the second embodiment is that the joining part of the embodiment is movably inserted in the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 70b. When the joining part moves between the locking position and the unlocking position, the joining part 20 keeps engaging in the second slot hole 721. Therefore, when the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b relatively rotate so that the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a matches with the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 7Gb, the first slot hole 711 and the second slot hole 721 form the receiving component 40a to align with the joining part 20. Then the infant carrier 200 on the bearing base 10 can push against the trigger part 30 to drive the joining part 20, so that an end of the joining part 20 extends out the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 7Gb and is engaged in the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a, which prevents the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb from relatively rotating.

When the infant carrier 200 is detached from the bearing base 10, the trigger part 30 automatically returns its original position under a resilient force produced by the firso elastic part 50a and under a pushing force produced by the joining part 20 due to the second elastic part 5Gb. At the same time, the joining part 20 automatically returns its original position under influence by the seccnd elastic part 5Gb, so that the end of the joining part 20 retraots back in the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 7Gb, so that the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Db are allowed to relatively rotate for the requirement of folding. When the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Db relatively rotate toward the folded status, the first wall 712 of the first joint part 70a aligns with the second slot hole 721 of the second joint part 7Gb gradually so that the first wall 712 of the first joint part 70a forms the constraint component 40b to prevent the joining part 20 from extending in the first slot hole 711 of the first joint part 70a, so that the first joint part 70a is allowed to rotate relative to the second joint part 7Db. Except for the above differences, the other details of the actuation mechanism of the safety joint device 100''' is the same as the safety joint device 100' of the second embodiment and will not be repeated herein.

In the safety joint devices lOG, 100', 100'', 100''' of the invention, only when the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 7Gb relatively rotate to the unfolded status, the infant carrier 200 on the bearing base 10 can drive the trigger part 30 to push against the joining part 20 to move to the locking position to prevent the first joint part 70a from relatively rotating. Only when the infant carrier 200 is detached away, the joining part 20 can move to the unlocking position to allow the first joint part 70a to relatively rotate so that the first joint part 70a and the second joint part 70b relatively rotate from the unfolded status to the folded status. Therefore, the safety joint device 100, 100', 100'', 100''' of the invention can assure the usage safety of the infant carrier 200 and enhance the safety to an infant on the infant carrier 200. Tn addition, the safety joint device 100, 100', 100'', 100''' of the inventionhas anadvantageof simple and compact structure.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention.

Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is: 1. A safety joint device suitable for bearing an infant carrier, the safety joint device comprising: a first joint part; a second joint part pivotally connected to the first joint part about a pivot axis, the first joint part and the second joint part being selectiveiy operable to rotate to an unfolded status or a folded status; a bearing base disposed on the first joint part and the second joint part and used for the infant carrier to be installed on and detached from; a trigger part movably disposed on the bearing base and selectively operable to move to a relief position or a blocking position, the trigger part being hidden in the bearing base when the trigger part moves to the relief position, so that the infant carrier is capable of being detached from the bearing base, the trigger part being exposed out of the bearing base when the trigger part moves to the blocking position, so that the infant carrier is prevented from being installed to the bearing base; a joining part movably disposed on the bearing base and linked to the trigger part, the joining part moving to a locking position to prevent the first joint part from relatively rotating in response to the trigger part moving to the relief position, the joining part moving to an unlocking position to allow the first joint part to relatively rotate in response to the trigger part moving to the blocking position; and a safety module formed on the first joint part, the safety module comprising: a receiving component, the receiving component being formed in response to the first joint par and the second joint part relatively rotating to the unfolded status, so that the receiving component receives the joining part to be located at the locking position to allow the trigger part to be located at the relief position; and a constraint component, the constraint component being formed in response to the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotating to the folded status, so that the constraint component constrains the joining part to be located at the unlocking position to constrain the trigger part to be located at the blocking position.
2. The safety joint device of claim 1, wherein the first joint part and the second joint part are pivotally connected to the bearing base.
3. The safety joint device of claim 1, wherein the bearing base comprises a first casing anda second casing, the first casing communicates with the second casing, the first joint part and the second joint part are accommodated in the first casing, the trigger part is selectively operable to move to the relief position, where the trigger part is hidden in the second casing, or the blocking position, where the trigger part is exposed out of the second casing, and the joining part is movably disposed between the first casing and the second casing.
4. The safety joint device of claim 1, further comprising a first elastic part, the first elastic part elastically abutting against the trigger part so that the trigger part has a tendency to move to the blocking position.
5. The safety joint device of claim 1, further comprising a second elastic part, the second elastic part elastically abutting against the joining part so that the joining part has a tendency to move to the unlocking position.
6. The safety joint device of claim 1, further comprising a first supporting part and a seoond supporting part, the first supporting part being connected to the first joint part, the second supporting part being connected to the second joint part, the first supporting part and the second supporting part being exposed out of the bearing base.
7. The safety joint device of claim 6, wherein when the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotate to the unfolded status, the first supporting part and the second supporting part are away from each other, and when the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotate to the folded status, the first supporting part and the second supporting part are close together.
8. The safety joint device of claim 1, wherein the trigger part comprises a guiding surface for guiding the infant carrier.
9. The safety joint device of claim 1, wherein the trigger part is disposed on the bearing base movably along a direction parallel to the pivot axis.
10. The safety joint device of claim 1, wherein the joining part is disposed on the bearing base movably along a direction intersecting with the pivot axis.
11. The safety joint device of claim 10, wherein the joining part is disposed on the bearing base movably along a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis.
12. The safety joint device o claim 1, wherein a moving direction of the trigger part and a moving direction of the joining part intersect with each other.
13. The safety joint device of claim 12, wherein the moving direction of the trigger part and the moving direction of the joining part are perpendicular to each other.
14. The safety joint device of claim 1, wherein the joining part is disposed on the bearing base movably along a direction parallel to the pivot axis.
15. The safety joint device of claim 1, wherein a moving direction the trigger part and a moving direction of the joining part are parailel to each other.
16. The safety joint device of claim 1, wherein the trigger part has a first surface, the joining part has a second surface, and the second surface interferingly abuts against the first surface.
17. The safety joint device of claim 16, wherein the first surface and the second surface are slanted surfaces or dllrved surfaces.
18. The safety joint device of claim 1, wherein the trigger part and the joining part are a single integral structure.
19. The safety joint device of claim 1, wherein the first joint part has a first slot hole, the first slot hole forms the receiving component in response to the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotating to the unfolded status, the first slot hole aligns with the joining part for the joining part to be engaged in, and the joining part is engaged in the first slot hole when the joining part moves to the locking position.
20. The safety joint device of claim 1, wherein the first joint part has a first wall, the first wall forms the constraint component in response to the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotating to the folded status, the first wall aligns with the joining part for the joining part to abut against, and the joining part abuts against the first wall when the joining part moves to the unlocking position.
21. The safety joint device of claim 1, wherein the joining part also prevents the second joint part from relatively rotating when the joining part moves to the locking position.
22. The safety joint device of claim 21, wherein the joining part also allows the second joint part to relatively rotate when the joining part moves to the unlocking position.
23. The safety joint device of claim 22, wherein the safety module is also formed on the second joint part, the first joint part has a first slot hole, the second joint part has a second slot hole, the first slot hole and the second slot hole forms the receiving component in response to the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotating to the unfolded status, the first slot hole and the second slot hole align with the joining part for the joining part to be engaged in, and the joining part is engaged in the first slot hole and the second slot hole when the joining part moves to the locking position.
24. The safety joint device of claim 22, wherein the safety module is also formed on the second joint part, the first joint part has a first wall, the second joint part has a second wall, the first wall and the second wall forms the constraint component in response to the first joint part and the second joint part relatively rotating to the folded status, the first wall and the second wall align with the joining part for the joining part to abut against, and the joining part abuts against the first wall and the second wall when the joining part moves to the unlocking position.
25. The safety joint device of claim 21, wherein the joining part prevents the second joint part from relatively rotating when the joining part moves to the unlocking position.
26. The safety joint device of claim 25, wherein the second joint part has a second slot hole, the joining part is movably inserted in the second slot hole, and the joining part keeps engaging in the second slot hole when the joining part moves between the looking position and the unlocking position.