TWI847647B - Baby stroller - Google Patents

Abstract

A baby stroller 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a front leg 11; a rear leg 12; a connecting rod L1 connected to the front leg 11 and the rear leg 12 at a connecting point CP1; a connecting rod L2 rotatably connected to the connecting rod L1 at a connecting point CP2 located further rearward than the connecting point CP1; a connecting rod L3 rotatably connected to the connecting rod L2 at a connecting point CP3 located further rearward than the connecting point CP2; a connecting rod L4 rotatably connected to a middle portion 11c of the front leg 11; and a connecting rod L5 rotatably connected to a middle portion 12c of the rear leg 12. At least one of the front leg 11 and the rear leg 12 is rotatably connected relative to the connecting rod L1, the connecting rod L3 is rotatably connected to at least one of the connecting rods L4 and L5, the connecting rod L4 is rotatably connected to at least one of the connecting rods L3 and L5, and the connecting rod L5 is rotatably connected to at least one of the connecting rods L3 and L4.

Description

Baby stroller

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a baby stroller.

Previously, a baby stroller having a foldable baby stroller body (frame) was known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a baby stroller having a body frame that can switch between an unfolded state and a folded state that is shorter in the front-rear direction than the unfolded state. [Prior Technical Document] [Patent Document]

Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-56897

[The problem the invention is trying to solve]

In the above-mentioned stroller, in order to improve the comfort of infants and young children riding in the stroller, there is a demand to expand the riding space in the unfolded state as much as possible. As one of the solutions to this demand, one of the requirements for the stipulated riding space, namely, the armrest, is extended. However, in the stroller of the previous structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the armrest is simply extended, the following two problems will arise. The first problem is that the front-to-back width of the armrest in the folded state is increased, and the overall front-to-back dimension of the stroller in the folded state is correspondingly enlarged, and there is a risk that the stroller cannot be compactly stored. The second problem is that if the armrest is extended, the connecting rod member connected to the rear end of the armrest must also be extended accordingly. Therefore, the posture of the baby stroller in the folded state becomes unstable, and there is a risk that the baby stroller cannot stand on its own.

The purpose of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a baby stroller that can ensure compactness and self-standing stability in the folded state, and expand the riding space in the unfolded state. [Technical means for solving the problem]

The baby stroller of one aspect of the present disclosure is configured to be foldable from an unfolded state to a folded state; and comprises: a front leg having a lower end portion provided with a front wheel; a rear leg having a lower end portion provided with a rear wheel; a first connecting rod connected to the upper end portions of the front leg and the rear leg at a first connecting point; a second connecting rod rotatably connected to the first connecting rod at a second connecting point located further rearward than the first connecting point in the unfolded state; and a third connecting rod rotatably connected to the second connecting rod at a third connecting point located further rearward than the second connecting point in the unfolded state. The first connecting rod is rotatably connected to the front leg; the fourth connecting rod is rotatably connected to the middle part between the lower end and the upper end of the front leg; and the fifth connecting rod is rotatably connected to the middle part between the lower end and the upper end of the rear leg; at least one of the front leg and the rear leg is rotatably connected to the first connecting rod; the third connecting rod is rotatably connected to at least one of the fourth connecting rod and the fifth connecting rod; the fourth connecting rod is rotatably connected to at least one of the third connecting rod and the fifth connecting rod; the fifth connecting rod is rotatably connected to at least one of the third connecting rod and the fourth connecting rod.

According to one aspect of the baby stroller disclosed herein, when the baby stroller is in an unfolded state and viewed from the left side, the fifth link is rotated clockwise relative to the rear leg, the second link and the fourth link are rotated clockwise relative to the third link, and the rear leg is rotated relative to the front leg in such a manner that the front wheel and the rear wheel approach each other, so that the baby stroller can be placed in a folded state. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned baby stroller, the armrest previously formed by one link member is divided into a first link and a second link that are connected and rotatable with each other. According to the above structure, in the unfolded state, the part where the first link and the second link are combined can function as an armrest, so the armrest is larger than the previous situation where the armrest is composed of one link member, and the riding space is easily expanded. In addition, in the folded state, by rotating the second link relative to the first link, the first link and the second link can be compactly folded. Therefore, compared with the previous situation where the armrest that integrates the first link and the second link is used (that is, the part corresponding to the first link does not rotate relative to the part corresponding to the second link), the size of the baby stroller in the front and rear direction in the folded state can be made smaller. Furthermore, even if at least one of the first link and the second link is extended and the third link is extended in order to extend the entire armrest, the first link is bent relative to the second link in the folded state, so that the baby stroller can be stabilized so that it can stand on its own. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned baby stroller, compactness and self-standing stability in the folded state can be ensured, and the riding space in the unfolded state can be expanded.

One of the front leg and the rear leg may be connected to the first connecting rod so as to be rotatable, and the other of the front leg and the rear leg may be connected in a manner that the front leg and the rear leg are not rotatable relative to the first connecting rod. If both the front leg and the rear leg are rotatable relative to the first connecting rod, the postures of the front leg and the rear leg relative to the first connecting rod are not uniquely determined, and therefore the positional relationship of each component when switching between the unfolded state and the folded state is not uniquely determined, and there is a risk that the switching action between the unfolded state and the folded state will become unstable. In contrast, by connecting only one of the front leg and the rear leg so as to be rotatable relative to the first connecting rod, the switching action between the unfolded state and the folded state can be stabilized. Furthermore, the self-standing stability of the baby stroller in the folded state can be improved.

The front leg can be connected to the first connecting rod in a rotatable manner, and the rear leg can be connected in a non-rotatable manner relative to the first connecting rod. According to the above structure, the height position of the second connection point in the folded state can be lowered when the rear leg is rotatable relative to the first connecting rod and the front leg is non-rotatable relative to the first connecting rod. In this way, in the folded state, the center of gravity of the baby stroller body including the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod can be lowered, and the self-standing stability in the folded state can be effectively improved.

The rear leg can be connected to the first connecting rod so as to be rotatable, and the front leg can be connected to the first connecting rod in a manner that it cannot rotate. According to the above configuration, the length of the portion where the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are combined in the folded state can be shortened in the front-to-back direction compared to the configuration in which the front leg can rotate in the first connecting rod and the rear leg cannot rotate in the first connecting rod. In this way, the size of the baby stroller in the folded state in the front-to-back direction can be more effectively miniaturized.

In the unfolded state, the second connection point may also be located above the straight line connecting the first connection point and the third connection point. According to the above structure, since the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are arranged between the first connecting point and the third connecting point in a manner of protruding upward, the height of the side armrests (the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod) for protecting the infant riding in the baby stroller in the unfolded state can be appropriately ensured, and the safety of the infant can be improved.

The distance between the second connection point and the third connection point may also be longer than the distance between the first connection point and the second connection point. According to the above structure, the length of the portion where the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are combined in the folded state in the front-back direction can be appropriately shortened. Thereby, the compactness of the baby stroller in the folded state can be improved. [Effect of the invention]

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a baby stroller can be provided that can ensure compactness and self-standing stability in a folded state and expand the riding space in an unfolded state.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the following description, the same symbols are used for the same or equivalent elements and repeated descriptions are omitted.

The stroller 1 of this embodiment is described using FIGS. 1 to 4 . The stroller 1 is foldable. That is, the stroller 1 is switchable between the unfolded state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the folded state shown in FIG. 3 . The unfolded state means a state in which the stroller body 2 is expanded (unfolded) so that a baby can sit in the stroller 1 . The folded state means a state in which the stroller body 2 is folded in order to compactly store the stroller 1 .

In this specification, the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "up", "down", "front-rear direction", "left-right direction", and "up-down direction" with respect to the stroller 1, unless otherwise specified, mean the "front", "rear", "left", "right", "up", "down", "front-rear direction", "left-right direction", and "up-down direction" based on the infant sitting in the unfolded stroller 1. When the ground contact surface of the stroller 1 is a horizontal plane, the "front-rear direction" is the forward and backward direction of the stroller 1 parallel to the ground contact surface. In addition, the "up-down direction" is a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and perpendicular to the ground contact surface. In addition, the "left-right direction" is a direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.

In FIGS. 1 to 4 , the “front-rear direction” is represented as the X-axis direction, the “left-right direction” is represented as the Y-axis direction, and the “up-down direction” is represented as the Z-axis direction. The negative direction of the X-axis direction is equivalent to the “front”, and the positive direction of the X-axis direction is equivalent to the “back”. Furthermore, the positive direction of the Y-axis direction is equivalent to the “right”, and the negative direction of the Y-axis direction is equivalent to the “left”. Furthermore, the positive direction of the Z-axis direction is equivalent to the “up”, and the negative direction of the Z-axis direction is equivalent to the “down”. In addition, in the “left-right direction”, the side closer to the infant riding in the stroller 1 (the center of the stroller 1 in the left-right direction) is called the inner side, and the side away from the infant is called the outer side.

As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, the baby stroller 1 has a deformable baby stroller body 2. The baby stroller body 2 has a body frame 10, a handle 20 connected to the body frame 10, and a seat support 30. In addition, as shown by a two-point chain in Fig. 2, a cushioning seat material, i.e., a seat 3, is detachably mounted on the seat support 30 of the baby stroller body 2. The infant sits or lies horizontally on the seat 3.

The seat support part 30 supports the seat 3 in a reclining manner (see FIG. 2 ). The seat support part 30 includes a seat support frame 31 , a back support frame 32 , a base seat 33 (only shown in FIG. 2 ), an upper frame 34 , and a connecting frame 35 .

The seat support frame 31 is a frame member located below the buttocks of the infant riding in the stroller 1. The backrest support frame 32 is a portion rotatably (swingably) connected to the seat support frame 31 and located behind the back of the infant riding in the stroller 1. For example, the seat support frame 31 and the backrest support frame 32 each have a U-shape as a whole, and can be made of, for example, a bent metal pipe.

The base seat 33 is a fabric member stretched between the seat support frame 31 and the back support frame 32. The seat support frame 31 and the portion of the base seat 33 supported by the seat support frame 31 form a seat support portion that supports the seat portion of the seat 3 (the portion that supports the buttocks of the infant). The back support frame 32 and the portion of the base seat 33 supported by the back support frame 32 form a back support portion that supports the back portion of the seat 3 (the portion that faces the back of the infant).

The upper frame 34 is a U-shaped frame member disposed above the back support frame 32 and substantially parallel to the back support frame 32. The connecting frame 35 is a frame member connecting the back support frame 32 and the upper frame 34. The upper frame 34 and the connecting frame 35 support a portion of the seat 3 (including a portion that functions as a headrest to protect the head of an infant).

The main body frame 10 has a pair of front legs 11, a pair of rear legs 12, a pair of connecting rods L1 (first connecting rod), a pair of connecting rods L2 (second connecting rod), a pair of connecting rods L3 (third connecting rod), a pair of connecting rods L4 (fourth connecting rod), and a pair of connecting rods L5 (fifth connecting rod) respectively arranged on the left and right sides. The main body frame 10 can be formed of, for example, a metal pipe, a resin molding, etc. The front legs 11, the rear legs 12, and the connecting rods L1 to L5 function as connecting rods constituting the main body frame 10 that can be folded and unfolded.

The connecting rod L1 and the connecting rod L2 extend in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) in the unfolded state. The connecting rod L1 and the connecting rod L2 function as an armrest in the unfolded state. That is, the baby stroller 1 has a structure in which the armrest previously composed of one connecting rod member is divided into two connecting rod members (connecting rods L1 and L2) that can rotate with each other. Between the pair of connecting rods L1, relative to the pair of connecting rods L1, a protective member 38 with flexibility for preventing an infant riding in the baby stroller 1 from flying forward is detachably provided.

The front leg 11 has a lower end 11a where the front wheel 13 is provided, an upper end 11b connected to the connecting rod L1, and a middle portion 11c connected to the connecting rod L4. The middle portion 11c is located between the lower end 11a and the upper end 11b. Between the pair of front legs 11, a front connecting member 15 is provided to connect the portions near the lower end 11a of the pair of front legs 11 to each other.

The rear legs 12 have a lower end 12a provided with a rear wheel 14, an upper end 12b connected to the connecting rod L1, and a middle portion 12c connected to the connecting rod L5. The middle portion 12c is located between the lower end 12a and the upper end 12b. Between the pair of rear legs 12, a rear connecting member 16 is provided to connect the portions near the lower end 12a of the pair of rear legs 12 to each other. The front connecting member 15, the rear connecting member 16, and the center connecting member 17 described later are used to suppress deformation (e.g., generation of strain, etc.) of the stroller 1 in the width direction (Y-axis direction).

The upper end 11b of each front leg 11 is connected to the connecting rod L1 at the connection point CP1 (first connection point), and the connecting rod L1 is arranged on the side (left side or right side) corresponding to each front leg 11. Similarly, the upper end 12b of each rear leg 12 is connected to the connecting rod L1 at the connection point CP1, and the connecting rod L1 is arranged on the side (left side or right side) corresponding to each rear leg 12. In this embodiment, the connection point CP1 is located at the front end of the connecting rod L1.

At least one of the front leg 11 and the rear leg 12 is connected to the connecting rod L1 at the connection point CP1 so as to be rotatable. For example, one of the front leg 11 and the rear leg 12 is connected to the connecting rod L1 so as to be rotatable (swingable), and the other of the front leg 11 and the rear leg 12 is connected to the connecting rod L1 in a manner that does not rotate. In this embodiment, the front leg 11 is connected to the connecting rod L1 so as to be rotatable, and the rear leg 12 is connected to the connecting rod L1 in a manner that does not rotate.

In the unfolded state (refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 ), the connecting rod L2 is rotatably connected to the connecting rod L1 at the connecting point CP2 (the second connecting point) located further behind the connecting point CP1. In the unfolded state, the connecting rod L3 is rotatably connected to the connecting rod L2 at the connecting point CP3 (the third connecting point) located further behind the connecting point CP2. In this embodiment, the connecting point CP3 is located at the rear end of the connecting rod L2. In addition, the connecting point CP2 is located at the rear end of the connecting rod L1 and the front end of the connecting rod L2. As an example, in the unfolded state, the connecting point CP2 is located above the connecting point CP1, and the connecting point CP3 is located above the connecting point CP2. 2, in the unfolded state, the connection point CP2 is located above the straight line L connecting the connection point CP1 and the connection point CP3. That is, in the unfolded state, the connecting rods L1 and L2 are connected to each other in a manner of forming an upwardly protruding bow.

For example, in the unfolded state, the connection point CP2 is located on the side closer to the connection point CP1 than the connection point CP3. That is, the connection point CP2 is located further forward than the middle position between the connection point CP1 and the connection point CP3. In other words, the length from the front end to the rear end of the connecting rod L2 (that is, the distance between the connection point CP2 and the connection point CP3) is longer than the length from the front end to the rear end of the connecting rod L1 (that is, the distance between the connection point CP1 and the connection point CP2). In this embodiment, the length from the front end to the rear end of the connecting rod L2 is about twice the length from the front end to the rear end of the connecting rod L1. According to the above-mentioned structure, the length of the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) of the portion where the connecting rods L1 and L2 are combined in the folded state can be appropriately shortened. In this way, the compactness of the stroller 1 in the folded state can be improved. More specifically, by appropriately setting the height position of the connection point CP3, the posture of the connecting rod L2 in the folded state can be adjusted to a certain extent (for example, the tilt angle relative to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) when viewed from the left and right direction (Y-axis direction)). That is, by adjusting the height position of the connection point CP3 according to the length of the connecting rod L2, in the folded state, the connecting rod L2 can be adjusted in a manner that the connecting rod L2 is as far as possible along the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) (that is, in a manner that the length of the connecting rod L2 in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) is shortened as much as possible). In this way, by making the connecting rod L2, which is easier to adjust the length in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) in the folded state, longer than the connecting rod L1, the enlargement of the size of the stroller 1 in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) in the folded state can be suppressed, and the part where the connecting rods L1 and L2 are combined (that is, the part that functions as an armrest) is enlarged, and the riding space in the unfolded state is enlarged.

The connecting rod L4 is rotatably connected to the middle portion 11c of the front leg 11. For example, a portion of the seat support frame 31 constituting the seat support portion 30 (the portion extending in the front-rear direction in the unfolded state) functions as the connecting rod L4. The connecting rod L5 is rotatably connected to the middle portion 12c of the rear leg 12.

The connecting rod L3 is rotatably connected to at least one of the connecting rod L4 and the connecting rod L5. The connecting rod L4 is rotatably connected to at least one of the connecting rod L3 and the connecting rod L5. The connecting rod L5 is rotatably connected to at least one of the connecting rod L3 and the connecting rod L4. In this embodiment, as described later, the connecting rods L3 to L5 use the same shaft member 50 (see FIG. 4) and are rotatably connected to each other.

Using Figure 4, the connection structure example of connecting rods L3 to L5 is described in detail.

The connecting rod L3 has a body L3a extending in a straight line and a connecting member L3b fixed to the upper end of the body L3a. The body L3a includes, for example, a metal pipe. The connecting member L3b includes, for example, a resin molded object. In the unfolded state, the connecting rod L3 is supported from below by a supporting member 12d (see FIG. 3 ) fixed to the rear leg 12. That is, in the unfolded state, the connecting rod L3 is supported by the supporting member 12d in a manner that does not rotate clockwise relative to the rear leg 12 in FIG. 2 .

The connecting rod L4 is composed of the seat support frame 31 mentioned above, the front connecting member 41 and the rear connecting member 42 fixed to the seat support frame 31. The front connecting member 41 and the rear connecting member 42 include, for example, a resin molded object. The seat support frame 31 has a side portion 31a (i.e., a portion constituting the main portion of the connecting rod L4) extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), and a connecting portion 31b that connects the front ends of a pair of side portions 31a to each other and extends in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). One end of the front connecting member 41 is rotatably connected to the front leg 11, and the other end of the front connecting member 41 is fixed near the front end of the side portion 31a. The rear connecting member 42 is fixed to the rear end of the side portion 31a. Between the pair of rear connecting members 42, a central connecting member 17 extending in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) is provided.

In this embodiment, the right side connecting rod L4 is formed by the side portion 31a located on the right side of the seat support frame 31, and the front connecting member 41 and the rear connecting member 42 fixed to the right side portion 31a. Similarly, the left side connecting rod L4 is formed by the side portion 31a located on the left side of the seat support frame 31, and the front connecting member 41 and the rear connecting member 42 fixed to the left side portion 31a.

The connecting rod L5 has a main body L5a rotatably connected to the rear leg 12 and an end L5b fixed to the upper end of the main body L5a. The main body L5a includes, for example, a metal pipe. The end L5b includes, for example, a resin molding. The main body L5a is rotatably connected to the middle part 12c of the rear leg 12 at its lower end. The end L5b is rotatably connected to the connecting rod L3 and the connecting rod L4.

The connecting rods L3 to L5 use the same shaft member 50 and are connected to each other rotatably. The shaft member 50 passes through the main body L3a of the connecting rod L3, the end L5b of the connecting rod L5, and the rear connecting member 42 of the connecting rod L4. Thereby, the connecting rods L3 to L5 are configured to be rotatable with each other around the axis AX that is consistent with the central axis of the shaft member 50. In addition, the rear connecting member 42 of the connecting rod L4, the end L5b of the connecting rod L5, and the main body L3a of the connecting rod L3 are arranged in order from the inside to the outside in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). Furthermore, as described above, since the main body L3a of the link L3 is arranged at a position abutting against the rear leg 12, the links L4 and L5 are located further inward than the rear leg 12 and the link L3 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

The handle 20 is rotatably connected to the main body frame 10 constructed as described above. As shown in FIG. 1 , the handle 20 is formed in a U-shape. In the back-pushing state shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (i.e., the state in which the operator (protector) holds the handle 20 from the back side of the infant riding in the stroller 1 and operates the stroller 1), each part at both ends of the handle 20 is connected to the connecting rod L3 on the side (left side or right side) corresponding to each part in a manner of maintaining a state parallel to the connecting rod L3. The handle 20 can be configured so that the hand-held part of the handle 20 is moved to the front of the infant riding in the stroller 1, and can be rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 2 relative to the main body frame 10. In this case, the operator can operate the stroller by holding the handle 20 from the front leg 11 side facing the baby. That is, the stroller 1 can be moved in a manner that the rear leg 12 side of the stroller 1 is in front of the travel direction. In this face-to-face push state, the handle 20 and the connecting rod L3 are not parallel.

An operating portion 20a for switching between the unfolded state and the folded state is provided at the center of the handle 20. By operating the operating portion 20a, a locking state for maintaining the unfolded state or the folded state and an unlocking state for switching between the unfolded state and the folded state can be switched. In addition, the switching between the unfolded state and the folded state is performed in the back-pressed state (i.e., the state in which the handle 20 is located on the back side).

As described below, the stroller 1 can be folded from an unfolded state (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ) to a folded state (see FIG. 3 ) by rotating the components.

When the baby stroller 1 in the unfolded state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is to be folded, the operating portion 20a is operated to be set to the unlocked state, and the handle 20 is first pulled upward and then pressed downward. Accompanying the above folding operation, the connecting rod L3 and the connecting rod L5 (end L5b) leave the rear leg 12, and the connecting rod L5 rotates clockwise in FIGS. 2 and 3 relative to the rear leg 12. In addition, accompanying this action, the connecting rod L2 and the connecting rod L4 rotate clockwise in FIGS. 2 and 3 relative to the connecting rod L3, and the rear leg 12 rotates relative to the front leg 11 in a manner that the front wheel 13 and the rear wheel 14 approach each other. In addition, since the connecting rod L3 is arranged in parallel with the handle 20 , it is hidden inside the handle 20 in FIGS. 2 and 3 .

As shown in FIG3 , the stroller 1 can be folded by the folding operation. By setting the stroller 1 to the folded state, the size of the stroller 1 in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) can be made smaller than the size of the stroller 1 in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) in the unfolded state. In addition, when the stroller 1 is to be unfolded from the folded state, the operation opposite to the folding operation can be performed.

According to the above-described stroller 1, when the stroller 1 is in the unfolded state (see FIG. 2 ) viewed from the left side, the connecting rod L5 is rotated clockwise relative to the rear leg 12, so that the connecting rod L2 and the connecting rod L4 are rotated clockwise relative to the connecting rod L3, and the rear leg 12 is rotated relative to the front leg 11 in such a manner that the front wheel 13 and the rear wheel 14 approach each other, and the stroller 1 is in the folded state (see FIG. 3 ). Furthermore, in the stroller 1 , the armrest previously formed by one connecting rod member is divided into connecting rods L1 and L2 that are rotatably connected to each other. According to the above structure, in the unfolded state (refer to FIG. 2 ), the combined part of the connecting rods L1 and L2 can function as an armrest, so the armrest is larger than the previous situation in which the armrest is generally composed of one connecting rod component, and the passenger space is easily expanded.

Furthermore, in the folded state (see FIG. 3 ), by rotating the connecting rod L2 relative to the connecting rod L1, the connecting rods L1 and L2 can be compactly folded. Therefore, compared with the conventional use of an integrated armrest (i.e., a structure in which the portion corresponding to the connecting rod L1 does not rotate relative to the portion corresponding to the connecting rod L2), the size of the stroller 1 in the folded state in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) can be miniaturized. Furthermore, even if at least one of the link L1 and the link L2 is extended and the link L3 is extended in order to extend the entire armrest, the link L1 can be bent relative to the link L2 in the folded state, so that the posture of the stroller 1 can be stabilized so that the stroller 1 can stand on its own. Therefore, according to the stroller 1, compactness and self-standing stability in the folded state can be ensured, and the riding space in the unfolded state can be expanded.

The above-mentioned effects are explained in more detail using Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5(A) is a diagram schematically showing the unfolded state of the baby stroller of the first comparative example by means of a model, and Figure 5(B) is a diagram schematically showing the folded state of the baby stroller of the first comparative example by means of a model. Figure 6 is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship of each component when the baby stroller of the first comparative example is transformed from the unfolded state (the state shown in Figure 6(A)) to the folded state (the state shown in Figure 6(C)). Figure 7 is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship of each component when the baby stroller of comparative example 2 is transformed from the unfolded state (the state shown in Figure 7(A)) to the folded state (the state shown in Figure 7(C)). FIG. 6(B) and FIG. 7(B) show an intermediate state during the transition from the unfolded state to the folded state.

As shown in FIG5 , the baby stroller of the first comparative example (hereinafter referred to as the “first comparative example”) is different from the baby stroller 1 of the present embodiment in that a connecting rod L12 including one connecting rod member as in the previous embodiment is provided instead of the connecting rods L1 and L2. Therefore, in the first comparative example, there is no joint portion corresponding to the connection point CP2. As shown in FIG6 , in the first comparative example, the connection point CP3 can move along the circumference of a circle C1 centered at the connection point CP1 and having the length of the connecting rod L12 as a radius. Furthermore, the connection point CP4 (corresponding to the position of the shaft member 50 of the present embodiment) between the connecting rod L3 and the connecting rod L5 can move along the circumference of a circle C2 centered at the middle portion 12c and having the length of the connecting rod L5 as a radius.

In the first comparative example, in order to make the front-to-back dimensions of the baby stroller compact in the folded state, the lengths of the armrest (connecting rod L12) and the connecting rod L3 are appropriately set. That is, as shown in FIG6 , by the folding operation, the lower end of the connecting rod L3 and the upper end of the connecting rod L5 (connection point CP4) leave the rear leg 12, and the connecting rod L5 rotates clockwise relative to the rear leg 12. In addition, accompanying this action, the connecting rod L12 and the connecting rod L4 rotate clockwise along the circumference of the circles C1 and C2, respectively (rotates clockwise relative to the connecting rod L3). As a result, in the first comparative example, the length d2 of the connecting rod L12 in the folded state in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length d1 of the connecting rod L12 in the unfolded state in the front-rear direction.

Next, the second comparative example in which the handrail (connecting rod L12) is further extended than the first comparative example is described. In the second comparative example, the portion of the length of the connecting rod L12 is extended, and accordingly the radius of the circle C1 is larger than that of the first comparative example (FIG. 6). In addition, since this portion increases the distance between the end of the connecting rod L12 (connection point CP3) and the connection point CP4, the length of the connecting rod L3 must be extended.

FIG7(A) shows the positional relationship of each component in the unfolded state of the second comparative example in which the connecting rod L12 and the connecting rod L3 are extended to be longer than the first comparative example as described above. In the second comparative example, by extending the connecting rod L12 and the connecting rod L3 further than the first comparative example, the riding space in the unfolded state can be expanded. However, when the unfolded state is converted to the folded state as shown in FIG7(A)→(B)→(C), due to the effect of extending the connecting rod L12 and the connecting rod L3, as shown in FIG7(C), before the connection point CP3 moves fully downward (that is, before the length of the connecting rod L12 in the front-to-rear direction is fully shortened), the lower end of the connecting rod L3 abuts against the rear foot 12. Therefore, in the second comparative example, the front-rear dimension of the baby stroller cannot be sufficiently miniaturized because the baby stroller is in the folded state. In addition, in the second comparative example, before the baby stroller is fully folded (i.e., before the front-rear length of the link L12 is sufficiently shortened), the link L3 interferes with the rear leg 12, so there is a risk that the baby stroller cannot be folded to a position where the baby stroller can stand stably.

As described above, in the case where the armrest is constituted by one link member (link L12), if the armrest (link L12) is simply extended to expand the riding space in the unfolded state, as in the modification from the first comparative example to the second comparative example, the compactness and self-standing stability in the folded state are impaired. In contrast, according to the stroller 1 having links L1 and L2 that are rotatably connected to each other instead of the link L12, the link L2 can be bent relative to the link L1 in the folded state as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 7 (C). Thus, before the connecting rod L3 interferes with the rear leg 12, the stroller 1 can be folded to the armrest (i.e., the portion where the connecting rods L1 and L2 are combined) to be sufficiently shortened in the front-rear direction and become a self-standing posture.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, one of the front leg 11 and the rear leg 12 is connected to the connecting rod L1 so as to be rotatable, and the other of the front leg 11 and the rear leg 12 is connected to the connecting rod L1 so as not to be rotatable. If both the front leg 11 and the rear leg 12 are rotatable relative to the connecting rod L1, the postures of the front leg 11 and the rear leg 12 relative to the connecting rod L1 will not be uniquely determined, and therefore the positional relationship of each component when switching between the unfolded state and the folded state will not be uniquely determined, and there is a risk that the switching action between the unfolded state and the folded state will become unstable. In contrast, by making only one of the front leg 11 and the rear leg 12 rotatably connected to the connecting rod L1, the switching action between the unfolded state and the folded state can be stabilized. In addition, the self-standing stability of the baby stroller 1 in the folded state can also be improved.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front leg 11 is connected to the connecting rod L1 so as to be rotatable, and the rear leg 12 is connected to the connecting rod L1 so as not to be rotatable. According to the above configuration, the height position of the connection point CP2 in the folded state can be further reduced compared to the configuration in which the rear leg 12 is rotatable relative to the connecting rod L1 and the front leg 11 is not rotatable relative to the connecting rod L1 (variation described later). More specifically, when the unfolded state (FIG. 2) is switched to the folded state (FIG. 3), by rotating the connecting rod L1 clockwise relative to the front leg 11 as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the position of the connection point CP2 in the folded state can be moved downward, compared with the case where the connecting rod L1 cannot be rotated relative to the front leg 11. In this way, in the folded state, the center of gravity of the stroller body 2 including the connecting rods L1 and L2 can be lowered, and the self-standing stability in the folded state can be effectively improved.

As shown in FIG. 2 , in the present embodiment, in the unfolded state, the connection point CP2 is located above the straight line L connecting the connection point CP1 and the connection point CP3. According to the above configuration, since the connecting rods L1 and L2 are arranged between the connection point CP1 and the connection point CP3 in a manner protruding upward, the height of the side armrests (i.e., the portion where the connecting rods L1 and L2 are combined) for protecting the infant riding in the baby stroller 1 can be appropriately ensured in the unfolded state, thereby improving the safety of the infant.

The above is an explanation of one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. The materials and shapes of each component are not limited to the above materials and shapes, and various materials and shapes can be used.

For example, the structure of the stroller body 2 of the above-mentioned embodiment is only an example, and the stroller body 2 may have a frame structure different from that of the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the rear leg 12 may be connected to the connecting rod L1 in a rotatable manner, and the front leg 11 may be connected to the connecting rod L1 in a non-rotatable manner, as in the stroller 1A of the variation shown in FIG8 . The structure of the stroller 1A other than the above-mentioned is the same as that of the stroller 1. However, the size of each component of the stroller 1A (such as the connecting rods L1 to L5, etc.) may also be different from the size of each component of the stroller 1 according to the difference in the mechanism of the stroller 1. According to the above-mentioned stroller 1A, when the front leg 11 is configured to rotate relative to the connecting rod L1 and the rear leg 12 is configured to not rotate relative to the connecting rod L1 (i.e., the stroller 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment), the length of the portion where the connecting rods L1 and L2 are combined in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) in the folded state can be shortened. That is, in the folded state, the connecting rod L1 does not rotate relative to the front leg 11, and the angle formed by the connecting rod L1 and the front leg 11 in the folded state becomes the same as the angle in the unfolded state. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 , the tilt angle of the connecting rods L1 and L2 relative to the horizontal plane can be made larger than the tilt angle of the connecting rods L1 and L2 shown in FIG. 3 . As a result, the distance between the connection point CP1 and the connection point CP3 in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) can be shortened. As described above, according to the stroller 1A, the size of the stroller 1A in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) in the folded state can be more effectively miniaturized.

1,1A: Stroller 2: Stroller body 3: Seat material 10: Body frame 11: Front leg 11a: Lower end 11b: Upper end 11c: Middle part 12: Rear leg 12a: Lower end 12b: Upper end 12c: Middle part 12d: Support member 13: Front wheel 14: Rear wheel 15: Front connecting member 16: Rear connecting member 17: Central connecting member 20: Handle 20a: Operation part 30: Seat support part 31: Seat support frame 31a: Side part 31b: Connecting part 32: Backrest support frame 33: Base seat 34: Upper frame 35: Connecting frame 38: Protective member 41: Front connecting material 42: Rear connecting material 50: Axis AX: Axis C1: Circle C2: Circle CP1: Connection point (1st connection point) CP2: Connection point (2nd connection point) CP3: Connection point (3rd connection point) CP4: Connection point d1: Length d2: Length L: Straight line L1: Connecting rod (1st connecting rod) L2: Connecting rod (2nd connecting rod) L3: Connecting rod (3rd connecting rod) L3a: Body L3b: Connecting material L4: Connecting rod (4th connecting rod) L5: Connecting rod (5th connecting rod) L5a: Body L5b: End L12: Connecting rod

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of a baby stroller of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the baby stroller of FIG. 1 in an unfolded state. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the baby stroller of FIG. 1 in a folded state. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a portion of the baby stroller of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 (A) and (B) are diagrams schematically showing the unfolded state and folded state of the baby stroller of the first comparative example. FIG. 6 (A) to (C) are diagrams schematically showing the positional relationship of each component when the baby stroller of the first comparative example is converted from the unfolded state to the folded state. Figures 7 (A) to (C) schematically show the positional relationship of each component when the baby stroller of the second comparative example is transformed from the unfolded state to the folded state. Figure 8 is a side view showing the folded state of the baby stroller of the variation example.

1: Baby stroller

2: Baby stroller body

10: Ontology framework

11: Front foot

11a: Lower end

11b: Upper end

11c: Middle part

12: Back foot

12a: Lower end

12b: Upper end

12c: Middle part

12d: Support components

13:Front wheel

14: Rear wheel

20:Handle

38: Protective components

50: shaft components

CP1: Connection point (1st connection point)

CP2: Connection point (second connection point)

CP3: Connection point (3rd connection point)

L1: Connecting rod (1st connecting rod)

L2: Connecting rod (2nd connecting rod)

L3: Connecting rod (3rd connecting rod)

L4: Connecting rod (4th connecting rod)

L5: Connecting rod (5th connecting rod)

Claims (6)

A baby stroller is configured to be foldable from an unfolded state to a folded state; and comprises: a front leg having a lower end provided with a front wheel; a rear leg having a lower end provided with a rear wheel; a first connecting rod connected to the upper end of each of the front leg and the rear leg at a first connecting point; a second connecting rod rotatably connected to the first connecting rod at a second connecting point located further rearward than the first connecting point in the unfolded state; a third connecting rod rotatably connected to the second connecting rod at a third connecting point located further rearward than the second connecting point in the unfolded state; a fourth connecting rod rotatably connected to the lower end and the upper end of the front leg; The middle part between the first and second connecting rods is rotatably connected; and the fifth connecting rod is rotatably connected to the middle part between the lower end and the upper end of the rear leg; at least one of the front leg and the rear leg is rotatably connected to the first connecting rod; the third connecting rod is rotatably connected to at least one of the fourth connecting rod and the fifth connecting rod; the fourth connecting rod is rotatably connected to at least one of the third connecting rod and the fifth connecting rod; the fifth connecting rod is rotatably connected to at least one of the third connecting rod and the fourth connecting rod; in the unfolded state, the second connecting point is located above the straight line connecting the first connecting point and the third connecting point. A baby stroller as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the front leg and the rear leg is rotatably connected relative to the first connecting rod; and the other of the front leg and the rear leg is connected in a non-rotatable manner relative to the first connecting rod. A baby stroller as claimed in claim 2, wherein the front leg is rotatably connected relative to the first connecting rod; and the rear leg is connected in a non-rotatable manner relative to the first connecting rod. A baby stroller is configured to be foldable from an unfolded state to a folded state; and comprises: a front leg having a lower end provided with a front wheel; a rear leg having a lower end provided with a rear wheel; a first connecting rod connected to the upper end of each of the front leg and the rear leg at a first connecting point; a second connecting rod rotatably connected to the first connecting rod at a second connecting point located further rearward than the first connecting point in the unfolded state; a third connecting rod rotatably connected to the second connecting rod at a third connecting point located further rearward than the second connecting point in the unfolded state; and a fourth connecting rod rotatably connected to the lower end and the upper end of the front leg. The middle part between the first and second connecting rods is rotatably connected; and the fifth connecting rod is rotatably connected to the middle part between the lower end and the upper end of the rear leg; at least one of the front leg and the rear leg is rotatably connected to the first connecting rod; the third connecting rod is rotatably connected to at least one of the fourth connecting rod and the fifth connecting rod; the fourth connecting rod is rotatably connected to at least one of the third connecting rod and the fifth connecting rod; the fifth connecting rod is rotatably connected to at least one of the third connecting rod and the fourth connecting rod; the rear leg is rotatably connected to the first connecting rod; and the front leg is connected in a non-rotatable manner relative to the first connecting rod. A baby stroller as claimed in claim 4, wherein in the unfolded state, the second connection point is located above the straight line connecting the first connection point and the third connection point. A baby stroller as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the distance between the second connection point and the third connection point is longer than the distance between the first connection point and the second connection point.