JP2013237446A - Wheel assembly for infant carrier apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved wheel assembly simple in structure, because a stroller includes a plurality of wheel assemblies including elastic elements such as springs, but in the current configuration, an elastic element is disposed between a mounting base of the wheel assembly and a support leg of the stroller, and there is a case not convenient for assembling.SOLUTION: A mounting base 102 includes a connection element 110 and a rotary element 112 rotatably connected to the connection element 110. The connection element 110 has a first end having an opening 114 into which a frame part is inserted and firmly fixed. A shock absorbing device 104B is directly connected to the mounting base 102 and a wheel 106 to provide a buffer action during the movement of an infant carrier apparatus.

Description

The present invention relates to a wheel assembly for an infant carrier.
《Cross-reference to related applications》
The present application was filed on Chinese Patent Application No. 201010512513.2 filed on Oct. 8, 2010, Chinese Patent Application No. 2011010099594.0 filed on Apr. 14, 2011, and on Jul. 29, 2011. Claims priority based on Chinese Patent Application No. 20121202732488.7.

  The infant stroller device includes a plurality of wheel assemblies including elastic elements such as springs. The elastic element may provide a cushioning action so that the child can comfortably sit on the stroller device when the wheel rolls on the ground. However, in the current configuration, it is usually not convenient to install and assemble the elastic element between the mounting base of the wheel assembly and the support leg of the stroller.

  Accordingly, there is a need for an improved wheel assembly that is simple in construction and addresses at least the above problems.

  This application describes a wheel assembly for an infant carrier. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly includes an impact absorber and one or more wheels pivotally coupled to the impact absorber. The shock absorbing device is integrally formed as a single body including a first arm, a second arm, and a connecting portion connected between the first arm and the second arm. The wheel is rotatably coupled to the connecting portion of the shock absorber. In some embodiments, the infant carrier device is an infant stroller device.

  At least one advantage of the wheel assembly is the ability to provide an impact absorbing device with a mounting structure that can be directly coupled to the wheel shaft. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced.

  The above is a summary and should not be construed to limit the scope of the claims. The operations and structures disclosed herein may be implemented in a number of ways, and such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention and its aspects. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the invention as defined by the claims are set forth in the detailed description below.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows embodiment of the wheel assembly for infant carrier apparatuses. It is an expanded view of the wheel assembly shown in FIG. It is the elements on larger scale of the wheel assembly shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the wheel assembly shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an impact absorbing device provided in the wheel assembly shown in FIG. 1. It is the schematic which shows the effect | action of the latch element with which the wheel assembly shown in FIG. 1 is provided. It is the schematic which shows the stroller embodiment of the infant conveyance apparatus provided with the wheel assembly shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a wheel assembly. It is the schematic which shows embodiment of the impact-absorbing device with which the wheel assembly shown in FIG. 8 is provided. It is the schematic which shows the modification structural example of an impact-absorbing device. It is the schematic which shows the wheel assembly which concerns on another embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the assembly of the shock absorber of the wheel assembly shown in FIG. 11, and a brake element. It is the schematic which shows the impact-absorbing device with which the wheel assembly shown in FIG. 11 is provided. It is a perspective view which shows the stroller embodiment of the infant conveyance apparatus provided with the wheel assembly shown in FIG.

  1 to 4 are a schematic perspective view, a developed view, a partially enlarged view, and a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a wheel assembly 100 for an infant carrier. The wheel assembly 100 includes a mounting base 102, an impact absorbing device 104, and one or more wheels 106 (two wheels 106 are illustrated in the present embodiment). A frame portion 101 (shown by a broken line) can be attached to the mounting base 102. The shock absorbing device 104 is directly connected to the mounting base 102 and the wheel 106 and provides a buffering action when the infant carrier is moving. In this example, the wheel assembly 100 may be a front wheel assembly.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the mounting base 102 includes a connecting element 110 and a rotating element 112 rotatably connected to the connecting element 110. The coupling element 110 may be a tubular element having a first end with an opening 114 into which the frame portion 101 is inserted and secured. As shown in FIG. 2, the second end opposite to the first end of the coupling element 110 is formed with a central opening 116, and one or more slots 118 (in this embodiment, two slots 118 are the second ends). With an outer surface provided on both sides).

  Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotating element 112 may have a shape extending generally perpendicular to the connecting element 110. The rotating element 112 may have a first end 112A located below the connecting element 110, and a second end 112B coupled to the first end 112A and protruding outward from the outer surface of the connecting element 110. As shown in FIG. 2, the first end 112 </ b> A has an opening 120 corresponding to the position of the central opening 116, and can be pivotally connected to the connecting element 110 via a bearing 122.

  With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, in one embodiment, the bearing 122 may typically include a shaft portion 122A and a bearing ring 122B. The shaft portion 122A passes through the central opening 116 and is firmly attached to the connecting element 110. The bearing ring 122B passes through the opening 120 and is firmly attached to the rotating element 112, and rotates around the shaft portion 122A. As a result, the connecting element 110 and the rotating element 112 are rotationally connected, and the rotating element 112 can rotate about the rotational axis Y with respect to the connecting element 110.

  Referring back to FIG. 2, the second end 112 </ b> B of the rotating element 112 may include a latch element 126. The latch element 126 may be pivotally connected to the second end 112B via a pivot link 127. This allows the latch element 126 to rotate relative to the rotating element 112 and the connecting element 110. As shown in FIG. 4, the end of the latch element 126 corresponding to the slot 118 has a protrusion 128 that selectively engages the slot 118 and locks the rotating element 112 in place with respect to the coupling element 110. It's okay. Therefore, the direction of the wheel 106 can be locked.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the shock absorbing device 104. The shock absorbing device 104 may be formed as a single body from a solid material having elastic properties to absorb shock and vibration. Examples of suitable materials for the shock absorber 104 include, but are not limited to, a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE), such as the EI DuPont de Nemours and Company (E. TPEE sold by I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. The shock absorbing device 104 may have a generally V-shape or U-shape having first and second arms 104A, 104B and a connecting portion 104C coupled therebetween. The first and second arms 104A and 104B each have a distal end having mounting holes 132A and 132B, and the connecting portion 104C has a mounting hole 132C. In order to increase the elasticity of the shock absorbing device 104, the first and second arms 104A, 104B may have a plurality of cavities 134. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the cavities 134 are not limited in shape or arrangement, and may be distributed in a honeycomb shape in the shock absorber 104, for example. The cavity 134 may be an opening, through hole, recess, blind hole, or similar structure adapted to increase the resiliency of the shock absorber 104.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a fastening element (not shown) is engaged through the mounting holes 132A, 132B and the distal ends of the first and second arms 104A, 104B and the first and second ends of the rotating element 112. 112A and 112B are combined. In one embodiment, rivets may be used to pivotally connect the first and second arms 104A, 104B to the first and second ends 112A, 112B at a certain rotational angle. Further, since the wheel shaft 136 is passed through the wheel 106 and the mounting hole 132C of the shock absorber 104, the wheel 106 is directly coupled to the shock absorber 104 and can rotate around the rotation axis X with respect to the shock absorber 104. . In operation, when the wheel 106 rolls on a non-flat surface, the shock absorber 104 is elastically deformed and can absorb vibration. With the above structure, the number of parts necessary for mounting the wheel assembly 100 is reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, since the shock absorbing device 104 is connected to the mounting base 102 at two ends, the buffering action is more stable.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the latch element 126. When the projection 128 of the latch element 126 is engaged with the slot 118 as shown in FIG. 4, the rotating element 112 is blocked in place and cannot rotate relative to the connecting element 110. Accordingly, the orientation of the rotating element 112, the shock absorbing device 104, and the wheel 106 is locked with respect to the connecting element 110. As a result, the direction of the wheel 106 is locked, and the infant carrier moves linearly. When it is necessary to change the orientation of the infant carrier device, the latch element 126 can be pushed down to release the protrusion 128 from the slot 118. As a result, the latch element 126 switches from the locked state shown in FIG. 4 to the unlocked state shown in FIG. 6, and the rotating element 112, the shock absorbing device 104, and the wheel 106 are joined together around the rotation axis Y to the connecting element 110. It becomes possible to rotate.

  With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the latch element 126 may also include two restricting ribs 138 </ b> A, 138 </ b> B, and the rotating element 112 may include a stop rib 140. As the latch element 126 rotates relative to the rotating element 112 toward the locked position, the restraining rib 140 abuts the limiting rib 138A to hold the latch element 126. When the latch element 126 rotates relative to the rotating element 112 toward the unlocked position, the restraining rib 140 abuts the limiting rib 138B to limit the range of rotation of the latch element 126 relative to the rotating element 112.

  The wheel assembly 100 can be used in various types of infant transport devices, such as infant strollers, playards, and the like. FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating an infant conveyance device 200 including the wheel assembly 100. The infant transport apparatus 200 is an infant stroller apparatus including a support frame 202, a handle 204, an armrest 206, and a backrest frame 208. The support frame 202 includes a front leg frame 210 and a rear leg frame 212. The wheel assembly 100 can be mounted on one or more lower ends of the front leg frame 210. In other words, the lower end of the front leg frame 210 can be inserted into the opening 114 of the connecting element 110 and fixed to the mounting base 102. If necessary, the latch element 126 can be switched to a locked state or an unlocked state, allowing the infant carrier device 200 to change orientation or move linearly.

  The assembly of the shock absorbing device 104 and the wheel 106 is not limited to the mounting base 102. In another embodiment, the shock absorber 104 and the wheel 106 may be combined with a mounting base that does not have the latching element 126 and the rotating element 112. Since the shock absorbing device 104 and the wheel 106 are directly connected to each other, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, the wheel assembly 100 can be configured to have various structures that adjust its elasticity according to the use conditions, so that the infant carrier apparatus 200 can provide a comfortable seat during movement.

  8 and 9 are schematic views showing another embodiment of the wheel assembly 100A and the shock absorbing device 304 provided in the wheel assembly 100A. The wheel assembly 100 </ b> A includes a mounting base 102, an impact absorbing device 304, and a wheel 106. The mounting base 102 is similar in structure to the mounting base and may include a tubular coupling element 110 and a rotating element 112 pivotally connected to the coupling element 110. The frame portion can be inserted into the opening 114 of the connecting element 110 and fixed. The first end 112 </ b> A of the rotating element 112 can be pivotally connected to the central opening 116 of the coupling element 110 via a bearing 122. The bearing 122 may include a shaft portion 122A and a bearing ring 122B. The shaft portion 122A is securely mounted through the central opening 116 of the connecting element 110. The bearing ring 122B is securely mounted and combined with the opening 120 of the rotating element 112, and rotates around the shaft portion 122A. As a result, the connecting element 110 and the rotating element 112 are rotationally connected, and the rotating element 112 can rotate about the rotational axis Y with respect to the connecting element 110.

  The second end 112 </ b> B of the rotating element 112 may include a latch element 126. The latch element 126 may be pivotally connected to the second end 112B via a pivot link 127. This allows the latch element 126 to rotate relative to the rotating element 112 and the connecting element 110. The end of the latch element 126 corresponding to the slot 118 may have a protrusion 128 that selectively engages the slot 118 and locks the rotating element 112 in place relative to the coupling element 110. Therefore, the rotation of the wheel 106 can be prevented. To limit the displacement range of the latching element 126, the latching element 126 may include two limiting ribs 138A, 138B, and the rotating element 112 may include a stop rib 140 positioned between the two limiting ribs 138A, 138B. . As the latch element 126 rotates relative to the rotating element 112 toward the locked position, the restraining rib 140 abuts the limiting rib 138A to hold the latch element 126. When the latch element 126 rotates relative to the rotating element 112 toward the unlocked position, the restraining rib 140 abuts the limiting rib 138B to limit the range of rotation of the latch element 126 relative to the rotating element 112.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the shock absorbing device 304 is a solid material having an elastic property that provides a buffering action, such as a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE), such as EI Dupont under the trade name Hytrel®. Can be integrally formed from TPEE sold by EI du Pont de Nemours and Company. The shock absorbing device 304 may have a generally V-shape or U-shape having first and second arms 304A, 304B and a connecting portion 304C connected therebetween. The first and second arms 304A, 304B have ends that form connecting ends 306A, 306B with mounting holes 308A, 308B, respectively, for mating with the first and second ends 112A, 112B of the rotating element 112. Further, the wheel shaft 136 is passed through the wheel 106 and a mounting hole 308 </ b> C provided in the connecting portion 304 </ b> C of the shock absorbing device 304. Accordingly, the wheel 106 is coupled to the shock absorber 304 and can rotate around the rotation axis X with respect to the shock absorber 304. As shown in FIG. 8, the rotation axis X of the wheel 106 may deviate from the rotation axis Y and may be disposed at a position between two connection points with the rotation element 112 of the first and second arms 304A and 304B.

  In order to provide adequate cushioning, the first arm 304 A of the shock absorber 304 may have a slightly curved shape with a cavity 314. The second arm 304B may include a plurality of elongated cavities 316 (three cavities 316 in the present embodiment) extending linearly and spaced apart from each other and aligned radially. The cavity 316 may be a blind hole that is typically elongated. The cavity 316 may be a through hole opened on both side surfaces of the second arm 304B. In some embodiments, each cavity 316 may have a shape that is geometrically symmetric and has a major axis, such as an ellipse (shown) having a major axis L and a minor axis S, a diamond, a rectangle, and the like. In other embodiments, each cavity 316 may have a circular shape. Other structures can be used so that the deformation of the second arm 304B occurs mainly along the extending direction and concentrates on the portion between the connection end 306B and the coupling portion 304C.

  In some embodiments, the portion of the second arm 304B provided with the cavity 316 has opposite side surfaces that form a corrugated surface 318 that matches the shape of the cavity 316. In addition, the material thickness 316A separating each cavity 316 from the outer surface (ie, the corrugated surface 318) of the second arm 304B may be smaller than the material thickness 316B between two adjacent cavities 316. One or more of these features facilitate the deformation of the second arm 304B.

  By arranging the cavity 316 along the length of the second arm 304B, the second arm 304B can be uniformly deformed in the length direction, and buckling fracture due to local excessive deformation can be prevented.

  Due to the above-described structure example, the second arm 304B can have a larger deformation range in order to provide an appropriate buffering capacity. As a result, when the wheel assembly 100A is attached, the second arm 304B is deformed to provide a cushioning action in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a modified structure example of the shock absorbing device 404. The shock absorbing device 404 may have a generally V shape or U shape having first and second arms 404A, 404B and a connecting portion 404C connected therebetween. The first and second arms 404A, 404B have distal ends with mounting holes 410A, 410B, respectively, for mating with the rotating element 112 (shown in FIG. 8). The connecting portion 404C includes a mounting hole 410C that is rotatably combined with the wheel 106 (same as described above).

  In one embodiment, the first arm 404A of the shock absorber 404 may have a slightly curved shape and may include an elongated shaped blind slot 414. The second arm 404B of the shock absorbing device 404 includes a cavity 416 that is separated from each other by two parts curved with respect to each other. Therefore, the second arm 404B of the shock absorber 404 has a larger elastic deformation range and can provide a buffering effect.

  The structure of the shock absorber is not limited to the above example. For example, although the above embodiments comprise two or three cavities, any number of cavities are possible. Thus, in one alternative embodiment, the second arm may have a shock absorber with a single cavity. Another embodiment may provide a wheel assembly in which the support frame of the infant carrier device is directly mounted on the shock absorbing device without a mounting base. An example of an impact absorbing device to which the support frame is directly attached will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a wheel assembly 500 according to another embodiment. The wheel assembly 500 includes a shock absorber 501, a brake element 504, and one or more wheels (two wheels 506 are shown in this embodiment). In this example, the wheel assembly 500 is provided as a rear wheel assembly. The shock absorber 501 has a front end attached directly to the frame portion 602 (shown better in FIG. 14). The frame portion 602 may be a tube portion, for example. The shock absorbing device 501 can be pivotally connected to the wheel 506 on both sides. Each wheel 506 is provided with a hub 508 mounted between the tire of the wheel 506 and the shock absorbing device 501 inside. The hub 508 may have a circular outer surface with a plurality of recesses 508A arranged in different radial directions.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an assembly of the shock absorbing device 501 and the brake element 504. The shock absorbing device 501 and the wheel 506 are interconnected so as to be rotatable via a wheel shaft 507 mounted away from the frame portion 602. The brake element 504 can be attached to the rear end of the shock absorbing device 501. As shown in FIG. 11, the brake element 504 is rotatably connected to the impact absorbing device 501 at a rotation point 510 and rotates between the braking position and the release position with respect to the impact absorbing device 501. The brake element 504 can be pushed down to the braking position and engaged with one of the recesses 508A in the hub 508 to prevent rotation of the wheel 506. To allow the wheel 506 to rotate, the brake element 504 is pulled upward until it reaches the release position away from the recess 508A.

  In connection with FIG. 12, FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an impact absorbing device 501. The shock absorbing device 501 is formed as a single body including the mounting structure 502 and the buffer structure 519. The shock absorbing device 501 may be made of TPEE, for example, TPEE sold under the trade name Hytrel (registered trademark). In one embodiment, the shock absorber 501 may have a shape that generally forms four sides. The first side of the shock absorbing device 501 can be formed by a tubular first mounting portion 502A having an opening 512 into which the frame portion 602 is inserted and fixed. After the frame portion 602 is inserted into the opening 512, a fastening element (not shown) is passed through and engaged with the first mounting portion 502A and the frame portion 602 so that the frame portion 602 is firmly fixed to the first mounting portion 502A. Good.

  The second side of the shock absorbing device 501 opposite to the first mounting portion 502A includes second and third mounting portions 502B and 502C that are adjacently connected to each other. The third mounting portion 502C is located above the second mounting portion 502B. The first, second, and third mounting portions 502A, 502B, and 502C constitute a mounting structure 502. The third mounting portion 502C is adjacent to the second mounting portion 502B. The second mounting portion 502B may include a hole 514 in which the wheel shaft 507 is inserted along the rotation axis X1 and the wheel 506 is rotatably combined.

  The third mounting portion 502C includes a slot 516 in which the rear portion of the shock absorbing device 501 is opened. Both side walls of the slot 516 may include a peripheral edge having a restraining structure for holding the brake element in the braking position and the release position, for example, the locking grooves 518A, 518B shown in FIGS. A portion of the brake element 504 is received in the slot 516. Rivets or pins are passed through the side walls of the slot 516 and the brake element 504, and the brake element 504 is pivotally connected to the third mounting portion 502C, whereby the rotation axis X2 of the brake element 504 is defined.

  The shock absorbing structure 519 of the shock absorbing device 501 is connected between the first and third mounting portions 502A and 502C. More specifically, the buffer structure 519 may include a first arm 520 coupled to the upper ends of the first and third mounting portions 502A and 502C. The first arm 520 may include a plurality of cavities 522 arranged along the extending direction thereof. The cavity 522 may be a hole having an arbitrary shape such as an ellipse, a diamond, a rectangle, or a circle. In some embodiments, one or more cavities 522 may be distributed in a honeycomb. In other embodiments, the cavities 522 may be arbitrarily distributed. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the upper and lower surfaces of the first arm 520 may be formed as corrugated surfaces to facilitate elastic deformation.

  The second mounting portion 502B can be coupled to the first mounting portion 502A via the second arm 524. A gap 528 is formed between the second arm 524 and the first arm 520, and the first arm 520 may be deformed differently from the second arm 524.

  The brake element 504 may be formed as a single body including the actuator portion 532 and the latch portion 534. The portion of the brake element 504 proximate to the third mounting portion 502C may include a protruding stud 536. The actuator portion 532 and the latch portion 534 are arranged in different radial directions with respect to the rotation axis X2 of the brake element 504. When the user operates the actuator unit 532, the latch unit 534 is rotationally driven with respect to the shock absorbing device 501. In one embodiment, the latch portion 534 may be formed as a cylindrical protrusion that protrudes outward from both side surfaces of the shock absorber 501. This can engage and brake one of the recesses 508A of the hub 508.

  When the brake element 504 is in a braking state, the latch portion 534 is engaged with one of the recesses 508A of the hub 508. The stud 536 can engage the lock groove 518A to keep the brake element 504 in a braking state.

  In order to stop the braking state, the actuator portion 532 is operated to rotate the brake element 504 upward, whereby the stud 536 is separated from the lock groove 518A and the latch portion 534 is separated from the recess 508A. Also, the stud 536 can be engaged with another lock groove 518B to keep the brake element 504 in a released state.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a stroller embodiment of an infant carrier apparatus 600 including a wheel assembly 500. The infant carrier 600 may include a support frame 602, a handle 604, an armrest 606, and a back frame 608. The support frame 602 includes a front leg 610 and a rear leg 612 to which a wheel assembly is attached at the lower end. According to one embodiment, the wheel assembly 500 described above can be attached to the lower end of each rear leg 612. In other words, the lower end of the rear leg 612 can be inserted into the first mounting portion 502A of the shock absorber 501.

  In the wheel assembly 500, the brake element 504, the wheel 506, and the rear leg 612 can be directly combined with the shock absorber 501. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced and manufacturing can be simplified.

  At least one advantage of the wheel assembly described herein is the ability to provide an impact absorbing device that includes a mounting structure that can be directly coupled to a wheel shaft. In some embodiments, the shock absorber mounting structure can be configured to mount other elements, such as a brake element to prevent wheel rotation. Therefore, the number of parts is reduced.

  The practice of the present invention has been described using only specific embodiments. These embodiments are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements are possible. Thus, there can be multiple examples for a component described as a single example. Structures and functions presented as individual components in a typical configuration may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Wheel assembly 101 Frame part 102 Mounting base 104 Shock absorber 106 Wheel 110 Connection element 112 Rotating element 200 Infant carrier 202 Support frame

Claims (9)

A wheel assembly for an infant carrier,
A shock absorber integrally formed in a single body including a first arm, a second arm, and a connecting portion connected between the first arm and the second arm;
One or more wheels rotatably coupled to the connecting portion of the shock absorber;
A wheel assembly comprising:   2. The wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm each have a distal end connected to a mounting base assembled to a frame portion of the infant conveying apparatus.   The wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein a wheel shaft is passed through the wheel and the connecting portion to rotatably couple the wheel to the shock absorber.   The wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the buffer structure is substantially V-shaped or U-shaped.   The wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second arm has a plurality of cavities arranged along an extending direction of the second arm.   The wheel set according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of cavities has a geometric shape including a circular shape, a rectangular shape, an elliptical shape, a diamond shape, and a symmetrical shape having a major axis and a minor axis. Solid.   The wheel assembly according to claim 5, wherein a material thickness between each of the plurality of cavities and an outer surface of the second arm is smaller than a material thickness between two adjacent cavities.   The wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the impact absorbing device is made of a thermoplastic polyester elastomer. A support frame;
The wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support frame is mounted;
An infant stroller characterized by comprising:

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