US1076087A - Folding child's carriage. - Google Patents

Description

A. T. WANNENWETSCH. FOLDING GHILDS CARRIAGE;

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 1912.

1,076,087, Patented 001;. 21, 1913.

3 SHEETB-SHEET l.

A. 1'. W ANNENWETSGH.

FOLDING GHILDS CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 1912.

1 0'76 087. Patented 0ct. 21,1913. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0,,WASHINU'ION, 04 c4 A. T. WANNENWETSOH.

FOLDING GHILDS CARRIAGE.

API PLIOATION FILED JUNEB, 1912. 1 07 037, Patented 001;. 21, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I a 77 ifirefsy COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH C0-.WASH|NOTON. Ii c ANDREW T. WANNENWETSCH, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

FOLDING CHILDS CARRIAGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

Application filed June 8, 1912. Serial N 0. 702,400.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ANDREW T. WANNEN- wnTsoH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Childrens Carriages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a folding childs carriage which is so designed that when folded it will have the general appearance of a'traveling bag or satchel but which can be readily and quickly unfolded so as to serve as a carriage for transporting a child.

It is the object of this invention to provide a childs carriage of this character which is comparatively light and simple in construction and which can be readily unfolded for use or folded for transportation.

In the accompanying drawings consisting of 3 sheets: Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved childs carriage showing the same folded into the form of a traveling bag or satchel when the same is not in use and in condition to be carried in the hands. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sect-ion of the folded carriage taken in line 22, Fig. 5. Fig. 3 is a similar view taken on the same line but showing the parts unfolded. Fig. at is a front elevation of the carriage unfolded and one of the side compartments shown in section. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the carriage in its folded condition. Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, taken in line 66, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section taken in line 7-7, Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section, taken in line 88, Fig. 5 and showing the carriage in its folded condition. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken in line 99, Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal section, taken in line 1010, Fig. 9.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The body of this carriage comprises a horizontal lower Section or bottom 1, 'two upright longitudinal end sections 2, 2 projecting upwardly from opposite ends of the bottom, a front section 3 adapted to extend across the front of the space between the end sections, a rear section 4 adapted to extend across the rear of the space between the end sections and top sections 5, 6 adapted to extend across the space between the end sections and front and rear sections at the upper edges of the latter so that in the folded condition of these members of the body an inclosed compartment will be formed between the same in which parts of the carriage are stowed away as will presently appear when the carriage is folded.

The bottom of the body is constructed to form an upper receptacle 7 and a lower receptacle or pocket 8. The upper side of the upper receptacle is constructed to form a seat 9 which is hinged at its rear edge to the body so that the seat may be raised for rendering this upper receptacle accessible when it is desired to stow in the same toilet articles, clothing and the like. The lower compartment or pocket of the bottom section is open on its underside and is adapted to receive part of the running gear of the carriage whereby the same may be rolled about on the ground or floor in the manner which will be hereinafter described.

The front section 3 of the body is pivoted at its lower edge by hinges 10 to the bottom section so that the same can either be swung upwardly into an upright position for folding the carriage, as shown in Fig. 8, or the same can be swung forwardly and downwardly into an inclined posit-ion so that the same forms the leg rest of the carriage. At its outer or free edge the leg rest or front body section is provided with the laterally projecting front top section 5 which forms a foot rest for the child seated in the carriage and also forms the front part of the top of the body when the carriage is folded.

The rear body section 4 is pivotally connected at its lower edge with the rear edge of the bottom section by means of hinges 11 so that this rear section may be either swung forwardly into an upright position for folding the carriage, as shown in Fig. 8, or the same may be swung rearwardly into an inclined position, as shown in Fig.7, so as to form a back rest for the child seated in the carriage. The rear section 6 of the top is pivoted at its rear edge by means of hinges 12 to the upper edge of the back rest or rear wall section so that the same may be either swung downwardly and forwardly into a substantially horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 8, so that the same forms together with the front upper section a closure for the space in the upper part of the body when the carriage is folded, or this upper rear part 6 may be swung upwardly and rearwardly into an inclined position, as shown in Fig. 7, so as to serve as a head rest for the child seated in the carriage.

As shown in Figs. at, 7 and 8 the inner sides of the bottom, front section, rear section and the rear part of the top are cushioned or upholstered so as to render the child seated in the same more comfortable. lVhen the front and rear body sections and the front and rear parts of the top are closed or folded the same are held in this position by fastening means which may be of any suitable construction those shown in the drawings consisting of two catches 13 applied to the cooperating edges of the front and rear parts of the top. For convenience in carrying the folded. carriage the outer side of the rear part of the top is provided with a handle 14. which is preferably constructed similar to that usually found on traveling bags or grips.

Various means may be employed for holding the leg and foot rest and the back and head rests in their proper position when the carriage unfolded for use but those shown in the drawings are suitable and constructed as follows: 15, 15 represent two upright side bars arranged at opposite vertical edges of the leg rest and each connected at its lower or outer edge with the adjacent end of the foot rest while its inner end is connected with the leg rest adjacent to the hinged edge of the leg rest, thereby forming side guards or rails which prevent the legs of the child from slipping sidewise off the leg rest. At opposite ends of the seat are arranged two collapsible retaining bars each of which consists of two sections 16, 17 which are slidably connected with each other at their opposing ends while their opposite extremities are connected respectively with a part of the foot and leg rest and with a part on the back rest. As shown in the drawings, the front section 16 of each collapsible bar is pivoted at its front end to the inner part of the adjacent side bar 15 while the rear end of the rear section of this collapsible bar is pivotally connected with the adjacent vertical edge of the back rest near the lower hinge thereof, as shown at 18 in Figs. 7 and 8. The slidable connection between the two sections of each collapsible retaining bar is preferably effected by providing each of these bars with a longitudinal slot 19 which receives a guide pin 19 on the other slotted bar. The front section of each collapsible bar is preferably bent downwardly, shown at 20, and in the unfolded position of the carriage the front sections of the collapsible retaining bars rest upon the front part of the seat, as shown in Fig. 7. By this means the back rest and the parts connected therewith and the leg and foot rests are held reliably in their unfolded position when the carriage is ready for use, as shown in Fig. 7, but the foot and leg rests and the back and head rests may be swung upwardly toward each other into their folded position, as shown in Fig. 8.

The head rest may be held in place in its unfolded position by various means but preferably by the means which are shown in the drawings which have been found suitable and which comprte a brace 21 pivoted at its lower end to one of the vertical edges of the back rest while its upper end is provided with a pin 22 which slides in a slot formed in the adjacent vertical edge of the head rest, as shown in Fig. 3. hen the head rest is unfolded the sliding pin of the brace 22 is arranged at the lower end of the slot 23, as shown in Fig. 8, but when the head rest is folded relatively to the back rest said pin slides toward the opposite end of this slot, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 8.

The handle whereby the carriage is operated may also be made in various ways but that shown in the drawings is suitable and comprises an upper cross bar 21 and two foldable sectional side bars each of which consists of two sections 25, 26 which are pivotally connected with each other at their opposing ends while their opposite ends are connected respectively with the body of the carriageand the cross bar. As shown in the drawings the lower or inner section 25 of each side bar is pivoted to the inner side of an end section of the body adjacent to the rear side thereof while the upper end. of the upper section 26 is rigidly secured to the cross bar 2 L. ien unfolded the two sections of each side bar may be held in this position by any suitable means, for instance, by means of a locking sleeve 27 slidably mounted on the upperside bar section and engaging over an upwardly projecting tail 28 on the lower side bar section, as shown in Fig. 7. lVhen the handle is unfolded and arranged in its operative position the same projects upwardly from the body adjacent to the back and head rests and the same may be held in this position by a fastening device of any suitable construction, the means for this purpose shown in the drawings be ing suitable and consisting of two catches or latches 29 each of which is pivoted on the lower section of one of the handle side bars and adapted to engage over a pin or projection 30 on the inner side of the adjacent end section of the body. lVhen it is desired to fold the handle the catches 29 and locking sleeves 27 are released, thereby permitting the side bars to be folded forwardly relatively to each other and the adjacentparts of the carriage, so that the handle will be wholly arranged within the space of the body formed by the bottom, top, end and front and rear walls thereof, as shown in Fig. 8.

The end sections of the body are preferably made hollow and in the upper part of each of these sections is arranged a vertically sliding drawer 31 the top of which is closed so as to form an arm rest while the inner side of this drawer is provided with an opening which is exposed when this drawer is lifted to permit various toilet articles to be placed within this drawer but which is closed by the adjacent inner wall of this end section when the drawer is pushed down and thereby conceals the contents of this drawer.

Although various means may be provided for running this carriage on the floor or ground those shown in the drawings comprise two front supporting wheels 32 and a rear steering wheel 33 which wheels are so mount ed that they may be folded into hollow parts of the body of the carriage when the same is to be folded into the form of a traveling bag or grip or the same may be unfolded so that they project downwardly from the upper side of the body and form a rolling support therefor. The front or supporting wheels are normally arranged below the front parts of the end pockets 34. formed by the lower parts of the spaces or compartments in the end body sections which latter open clown.- wardly and the rear steering wheel is normally arranged in a vertical position below the central rear part of the bottom of the body and the central lower pocket thereof. Each of the front wheels is pivoted at the lower or outer end of a leg or fork 35 which latter is pivoted at its upper or inner end to the body of the carriage within the lower front part of one of the pockets 3%, so that this wheel can either be swung downwardly below the body into its normal operative position, as shown in Fig. 3, or can be swung upwardly into its respective pocket, as shown in F ig. 2. The two supporting wheels are preferably operatively connected so that they move in unison, the means for this purpose which are preferred and shown in the drawings comprising a horizontal rock shaft 36 journaled transversely in the lower part of the body adjacent to the lower rear oorner thereof, two rock arms 37 secured at their rear ends to opposite ends of the rock shaft and arranged within the lower parts of the end pockets 3%, and two links 38 each of which connects the front end of one of the rock arms with the free end of the adjacent fork which pivotally supports one of the front wheels. Upon turning this rock shaft so that its rock arms move downwardly and forwardly the front forks are moved downwardly into a vertical position so that the front wheels project below the body and in a position to form a rolling support therefor, but when the rock shaft is swung in the opposite direction its arms cause the links to draw the front forks and the wheels mounted thereon upwardly into the end pockets, as shown in Fig. 2. While the front wheels are in their normal operative position they are rigidly held in place and prevented from folding by a fastening device which preferably comprises two L- shaped latches or catches 39 pivoted on the lower part of the body and each provided with a laterally projecting nose 40 which is adapted to engage over the top of one of the rock arms when the latter is in its horizontal operative position, as shown in Figs. 3, 7, 9 and 10, thereby preventing the adjacent front wheel from being raised. The two latches 39 are connected with opposite ends of a crank shaft 41 which is journaled in suitable bearings on the adjacent part of the body and has its crank engaged by a spring 42 which constantly operates to turn this crank shaft in a direction which will keep the latches in the path of the rock arms. Upon swinging the rock arms downwardly the same engage with inclined faces l3 on the noses of the latches and deflect the same forwardly but after the rock arms clear these latches and assume their horizontal operative position the spring 42 through the medium of the crank shaft swings the latches so that their noses engage over the upper sides or edges of the rock arms and thereby lock the same and the front wheels in their normal operative position. By thus providing the latches with the inclined faces &3 on the noses thereof the latter do not present a square face to the arms 37 and therefore ease the unfolding movement of said arms.

The rear or steering wheel is pivoted in the lower end of a steering leg or fork 44 which latter is pivoted by means of an upright bolt 45 to a bracket 46 projecting forwardly from the central part of the rock shaft so that the steering wheel can turn horizontally for directing the course of the carriage. The lower part of the steering fork or leg is bent or deflected rearwardly so that the steering wheel will always trail from the vertical pivot which connects the steering fork with the bracket in the manner of a caster. The extent of horizontal rotation of the steering fork and wheel is preferably limited by means of a stop pin 9L7 projecting rearwardly from the upper end of the fork into a notch or recess 18 formed in the lower rear part of the body of the carriage, as shown in Fig. 7, thereby preventing the steering wheel from being entirely reversed which otherwise would reduce the spread of the wheel base on the ground or floor and render the carriage liable to tip over easily.

The bracket 46 is preferably secured to the rock shaft so that upon folding the front wheels into the end pockets of the body the steering fork and wheel will also be folded into the central pocket formed in the lower part of the body underneath the seat. lVhile the steering fork and wheel are thus turned upwardly with the rock shaft the steering fork is also turned about its steering pivot so that it lies flatwise or horizon tally in the central pocket below the seat, as shown in Fig. 5, and during this movement its stop pin i7 is disengaged from the stop notch 48 of the body.

In order to hold the wheels in their folded position a fastening device is provided which preferably comprises a horizontally sliding bar 49 mounted on the front part of the body within the central pocket by llltlllS of a pin and slot connection 50, as shown in Fig. 5 and provided with two locking forks 51.. 52 either one of which may be engaged with the adjacent part of the steering wheel for holding the same in a folded position. W hen the steering wheel is turned. into its pocket in one direction the same may be engaged by one of the locking forks and upon turning the steering wheel into the opposite direction into its pocket the same may be engaged by the other locking fork. It is therefore immaterial whether the operator folds the steering wheel into its pocket in one or the other direction inasmuch as the same may be locked against unfolding by means of one or the other forks. lVhile locking the steering wheel against unfolding this incidentally also locks the front supporting wheels in their folded position inasn'iuch as all of the wheels are mounted on the rock shaft.

In addition to the lock bar 49 the front wheels may be additionally held securely within their pockets when folded by providing the forks of the front wheels with laterally projecting locking pins 43 which are engaged by the noses -10 whereby the latches 39 hold the front wheels either in their unfolded position by engaging the noses 4-0 over the arms 37, as shown in Figs. 3 and 10, and also in their folded position by engaging said noses with the undersides of the pins 4-3 on the forks 35, as shown in Figs. 2 and For the purpose of preventing a child from falling forwardly out of the carriage a safety strap 53 of the kind usually employed in carriages may be detachably connected with the inner walls of the end body sections, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7.

It will be noted that this folding carriage is comparatively simple and inexpensive in construction considering the function which it is designed to perform and that the me is not only light but can also be operated very easily and conveniently and aside from providing a carriage for a child when it is desired to so use the same it also provides convenient receptacles in which may be carried the various articles or accessories for the nursery.

I claim as my invention:

1. A folding childs carriage comprising a body having a lower section, an end section rising from opposite ends of the lower section, a leg rest pivoted on the front end of the lower section between the end sections and having a foot rest, a back rest pivoted on the rear end. of the lower section, and m ans for holding said leg rest and back rest in place comprising two collapsible bars each of which is adapted to rest on said seat and is composed of two sections which have their opposing ends slidably connected while their extremities are pivoted respectively to the back rest and the leg rest.

2. A folding childs carriage comprising a body having a lower section, end sections rising from opposite ends of the lower section, a leg rest pivoted on the front end of the lower section between the end sections and having a foot rest, a back rest pivoted on the rear end of the lower section, a head rest pivoted on the back rest and having a slot, and a brace pivoted on said back rest and having a pin engaging said slot.

3. A folding childs carriage comprising a body having a lower section, end sections rising from opposite ends of the lower section, a leg rest pivoted on the front end of the lower section between the end sections and having a foot rest, a back rest pivoted on the rear end of the lower section and a folding handle having a cross bar and two side bars each of which is composed of two sections which have their opposing ends pivotally connected and one of which is rigidly connected with the cross bar while the other is pivoted on the body.

4t. r1 folding childs carriage comprising a body having a lower section. end sect-ions rising from opposite ends of the lower section. a leg rest pivoted on the front end of the lower section between the end sections and having a foot rest, a back rest pivoted on the rear end of the lower section. a folding handle having a cross bar and two side bars each of which is composed of two sections which have their opposing ends pivotally connected and one of which is rigidly connected with the cross bar while the other is pivoted on the body, means for holding the sections of each bar in an unfolded position relatively to each other. and means for holding said bars in an unfolded position relatively to the body.

5. A folding childs carriage comprising a body having a lower section, end sections rising from opposite ends of the lower section, a leg rest pivoted on the front end of the lower section between the end sections and having a foot rest, a back restpivoted on the rear end of the lower section, a folding handle having a cross bar and two side bars each of which is composed of two sections which have their opposing ends pivotally connected and one of which is rigidly connected with the cross bar while the other is pivoted on the body, means for holding the sections of each bar in an unfolded position relatively to each other comprising a tail formed on one of said bar sections and a locking sleeve sliding on the other section and engaging with said tail, and means for holding said bars in an unfolded position relatively to the body comprising a latch pivoted on each of said bars and engaging with a projection on the body.

6. A folding childs carriage comprising a hollow lower section which is provided with an upper cover forming a seat, hollow end sections arranged at opposite ends of the lower section and forming arm rests, vertically sliding drawers arranged in said end sections, and back and leg rests pivoted on the bottom sect-ion.

7. A folding childs carriage comprising a body provided on the underside of its ends with downwardly opening pockets, legs pivoted on the body and adapted to swing vertically into and out of said pockets, wheels mounted on said legs, and means for causing said legs to turn together comprising a rock shaft journaled on the body, rock arms secured to said shaft and arranged in said pockets, and links connecting said arms with said legs.

8. A folding childs carriage comprising a body provided on the underside of its ends with downwardly opening pockets, legs pivoted on the body and adapted to swing vertically into and out of said pockets, wheels mounted on said legs, and means for causing said legs to turn together comprising a rock shaft journaled on the body, rock arms secured to said shaft and arranged in said pockets, links connecting said arms with said legs and means for holding said wheels in their operative position comprising latches each provided with a nose engaging over one of said rock arms, a crank shaft journaled on the body and connected with said latches, and a spring which turns said crank shaft in a direction for engaging said latches with said rock arms.

9. A folding childs carriage comprising a body provided on the underside of its ends with downwardly opening pockets, legs piv-' oted on the body and adapted to swing vertically into and out of said pockets, wheels mounted on said legs, and means for causing said legs to turn together comprising a rock shaft journaled on the body, rock arms secured to said shaft and arranged in said pockets, links connecting said arms with said legs, a bracket mounted on said shaft, a steering leg pivoted on said bracket and a steering wheel pivoted on said last steering leg and adapted to be folded against the underside of the body.

10. A folding childs carriage comprising a body provided on the underside of its ends with downwardly opening pockets, legs pivoted on the body and adapted to swing vertically into and out of said pockets, wheels mounted on said legs, and means for causing said legs to turn together comprising a rock shaft journaled on the body, rock arms secured to said shaft and arranged in said pockets, links connecting said arms with said legs, a bracket mounted on said shaft, a steering leg pivoted on said bracket, a steering wheel pivoted on said last steering leg and adapted to be folded against the underside of the body and a stop pin arranged on said steering leg and projecting into a recess in the body.

11. A folding childs carriage comprising a body provided on the underside of its ends with downwardly opening pockets, legs pivoted on the body and adapted to swing vertically into and out of said pockets, wheels mounted on said legs, and means for causing said legs to turn together comprising a rock shaft j ournaled on the body, rock arms secured to said shaft and arranged in said pockets, links connecting said arms with said legs, a bracket mounted on said shaft, a steering leg pivoted on said bracket, a steering wheel pivoted on said last steering leg and adapted to be folded against the underside of the body and a catch arranged on the body and adapted to engage said steering wheel for holding the same in an inoperative folded position.

l/Vitness my hand this 4th day of June, 1912.

ANDREWV T. l/VANNENlVETSCI-l.

Witnesses:

THEo. L. Porr, ANNA HEIGIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. O.

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