US1807235A - Collapsible carriage for children - Google Patents

Description

GOLLAPS IBLEC'ARRIAGE FOR CHILDREN Filed Def. 9, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 1- ih R May 26, 1931. R. H. BROWN -COLLAP$IBLE CARRIAGE FOR CHILDREN Tiled Oct. '9, 1926 4 Sheet"sSheet 2-" ay :R; H. BROWN 1,807,235 COLLAPS/IBLE manners FORCHILDREN 1 Filed Oct. 9, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet}- May 26, 1931.- R. H. BROWN" 1,807,235

COLLAPSIBLE CARRIAQE FOR CHILDREN- FiiedOct. 9. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 furnish a seat with arm rests and a back and foot well, so that the child can sit up there- Patented May 26, 1931 UNITED STATES REINHARDT H. BROWN, 01 LA. FORTE, INDIANA COLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE EOB- CHILDREN Application filed October 9, 1926. Serial No. 140,585.

- My invention is concerned'with collapsible carriages for children, of the type in which the carriage can assume any one of three positions, i. e., (1) completely extended so as to in; (2) partially extended so that the child can lie horizontally therein at full length; and (3) completely collapsed so that it can be conveniently carried by hand, and is designed to produce a carriage of the class described that shall be comparatively simple in its construction, and easily manipulated.

To these ends, it consists of various elements combined and cooperating in a novel manner, as will be described at length in the body of the specification, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

To illustrate my invention, I annex hereto fou'r sheets of drawings in which the same reference characters are used to designate identical parts in all the figures, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a carriage embodying my invention in its completely extended position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same substantially in its completely collapsed position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a portion thereof in its partially extended position;

Fig. 1 is an inverted plan view of the same in its completely collapsed position;

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views, on an enlarged scale, on the lines 5-5 and 6-6 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is a central vertical section showing a modification.

As will be readily apparent, this carriage consists of a metallic framework with a flexible body, and the metallic framework will first be described in detail, after which the construction of the flexible body applied thereto will be described.

hat I maycall the main frame 10 is preferably made of strap metal and is substantially U-shaped in its general outline, with the frame extending substantially horizontally in the erected position of the carriage. Toward its closed end it has pivoted thereto by the rivets 11 the handle frame 12 which is of the same general constructionand material, and is substantially U-shaped with the closed end slightly widened by the offsets at 13, so that the handle can fold over the top and body portions as well as the framework when it is collapsed, as seen in Fig. 2. Pivoted to the forward or open end of the main frame 10 by the rivets or bolts 14: is the front wheel frame 15, of generally similar and construction to the main frame 10 and handle frame 12, and generally U-shaped in its outline, except for the ofisets 16, best seen in Fig. 1, whichare employed to narrowl the space between the front wheels 17 as compared with that between the rear wheels 18, so that when the parts are collapsed, as seen in Fig. 4, the front wheels 17 will fold between the rear wheels 18. The front wheels are preferably supported by having their hubs journaled on the ends of the tubular shaft 19 outside of the frame 15 through which it extends and by which it is supported. The rear wheels 18 are journaled on the horizontally extending ends 20 of the rear wheel supporting members 21, functioning partly as limbs, and partly as levers and which are preferably formed of tubular metal, depressed at two points so that the flattened portions thereof can be pivotally connected by rivets -22 to the lower end of the handle frame 10' and by rivets 23 toward the closed end of the rear wheel supporting frame 24:, which is also U-shaped in its general outline and constructed of materials like the main frame 10 and the handle frame 12, and has its open end journaled to the open ends of the main frame 10 and the front wheelframe 15 by the common rivets or bolts 14. The lower open end of the handle frame 12 and the intermediate portion of the front wheel frame 15 are connected by the links 25, which utilize the common rivets '22 to connect them to the handle frame and the rivets' 26 to connect them to the front wheel frame. Secured to the inner sides of the main frame 10 near its center by the rivets 27 and 28 are the sheet metal brackets 29, and pivoted to the said brackets 29 below' the main frame 10 by the rivets 30 are the open ends of the U-shaped locking frame 31, which is likewise constructed of materials similar Too to the other U-shaped frames. This locking frame 31 has Ushaped recesses 32 therein located in the upper edge toward the center of the sides in position to cooperate with the pins 33 rigidly secured to and projecting inwardly from the handle frame 12 between the rivets 11 and 22, and thus limit the upward movement of the locking frame 31 due to the pull of the short helically coiled contractile springs 34 at the sides, which are connected at their upper ends to the main frame 10' and at their lower ends to the locking frame 31 to hold it yieldingly in the position shown in Fig. 1 in which it serves to lock the parts in their completely extended position. WVhen the parts are to be released to collapse the carriage, the hand or foot is placed on the rear transverse portion of the locking frame 31 and the same is rocked about the pivot to release its recess32 from the pin 33, after which the handle 17 can'be swung toward the front to bring the parts to the position shown in Fig. 2. Excessive downward movement of the frame 33 during this unlocking depression is prevented by having the inwardly turned flanges 38 on the bottoms of the brackets 29. lVhen this forward movement of the handle 12 takes place, it will be obvious that the links 25 will draw the front wheels to the rear while the action of the supports 21 as levers of the first class about the rivets 23 as fulcra willswing the rear wheels 18 forward and upward so that the entire mechanism will collapse into the position shown in Fig. 2.

The brackets 29 above the main frame 10 are provided with the substantially vertical slots-37 through which extend the short pins 39 rigidly secured in and projecting outwardly from the open ends of the generally U-shaped back frame 40, which may be made of materials similar to the other U-shaped frames.

The lower end of this frame is provided with the recess 41 therein, as best seen in Fig.

2, which, when the back frame is fully extended, as shown in Fig. 1, cooperates with the pins or rivets 28 which are extended inwardly for this purpose, as best seen in Fig.

. 6. When the back. frame 40 is to. be lowered,

as shown in Fig. 3, it is first necessary to lift it sufficiently to disengage the notches 41 in its ends from the pins 28, the slots 37 permitting thismovement, after which the back frame can be turned down. Pivoted to the front open end of the main frame 10 by the same rivets 14 is a foot well frame42, which.

may likewise be composed of strap metal, and which is U-shaped :in its general outline, although as will be best seen from Fig. 1, the lower and forward portion thereof. is curved, as seen at43. The extieme top portions 44 are turned at right angles, and near these portions 44 the foot well frame 42'is connected 7 by the rivets 45 to the arm rest links 46 which as seen in Fig. 3. The front portion thereof is secured, as at 50, to the transverse portion of the foot wellframe 42, while portions of its sides are likewise secured, as at 51, to the inside of the arm rest links 46, one of the rivets employed for this purpose being shown at 52 in Fig. 1.: The rear upper end of the flexible body is secured to. the transverse portion of the back rest framefas at 53.. The bottom portion of this flexible body has securedtherein at 54 a plate or sheet ,of any desired rigid material to form the bottom of the foot well on which the infants feet rest whenit is sitting up in the position of the carriage shown.

in Fig. 1, while at 55a larger, and preferably padded, board or plate is provided for a seat. When the parts are extended, as seen in Fig. 3, these stiffened portions of the bottom will not interfere with its being used as a cradle, as it were. To support the forward end of this seat portion 55 in a horizontal position.

when the parts are adjusted as shown in Fig.

1, I employ a pair of links 56, connected at their upper ends by rivets to the ends of the horizontal portions-44 of the foot well. frame 42,. while their lower ends are connected to the. flexible body portion at the edges of'and near the. forward. end of the seat plate. or pad 55,. and I preferably form these links 56 of some flexible material like the bod-y material proper. As the parts are swung from the position shown in Fig. 3 to thatshown in Fig; 1, the rear'end of the seat board 55. isnecessarily elevated,.and without the links 56 and the lifting of the same by bringing the portions 44 of .the foot well frame toward. their horizontal positions, and the resultant relative lifting of the forward endof the seat board 55, said seat board would slant clownwardly toward the front, which wouldbe highly objectionable. The same general construction is employed to keepthe foot rest board 54 horizontal by securing the similar flexible links 36 to the-short horizontal arms Fig. 1, it will be understood is controlled.- by

for the bottom piece 54of the foot well, when the device is fully extended, as seen in Figs. 1 and 7, just beyond the inclined offsets 16 of the front wheel frame 15, I form the olfsets 57 at right angles to the sidesof the wheel frame and rivet thereto the cross piece 58,-which alone would support the bottom piece 54, but I preferably increase the area of the support by riveting to the cross piece 58 a pair of forwardly extending arms 59, upon.

which is riveted the sheet-metal supporting plate 60, which materially increases the area of the positive support for the bottom piece 54. of the foot well.

In Fig. 7 I illustrate a possible modification in which the wheel supporting membersQ-l become only links 21 in the lower ends of which is mounted the axlerod 20, which also passes through and is further supported by the rear wheel supporting frame 24, so that the operation of this simplified construction is not substantially different from that heretofore described.

Another feature of my invention resides in the employment upon the rear of the flexible body 49 of a pocket 61, consisting, as best seen in Fig. 7, of a piece of flexible material, preferably like that of the body 49, a portion 62 of which preferably extends forward beneath the seat board 55v and is secured at its edges to said body 49 so as to support and confine the seat board 55 in its place. The main portion 63 of the pocket piece is made wider, and has its edges secured to the body portion so as to form. a pocket that can be distended therefrom, as seen in Fig. 7 or collapsed against it and fastened thereto to close the pocket by the plurality of snap fasteners 64.- secured to the upper edge thereof.

lVhile I have herein shown and described a flexible body that can assume a trough-like shape to accommodate a child lying down at full length, or that of a seat for a child with a back rest and a foot well, together with a suitable framework and supporting means for said framework, all of which. can

be collapsed for ready transportation by hand, I do not herein claim the same generically, but only specifically, as the generic claims to such a structure are reserved for my prior application No. 7 54,256, filed December 6, 1924.

vYVhile I have shown and described my invention as embodied in the form which I at present consider best adapted to carry out its purposes, it will be understood that it is capable of modifications, and that I donot desire to be limited in the interpretation of the following claims except as may be necessitated by the state of the prior art.

What I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is r 1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main frame, of a handle frame fulcrumed thereon, a front wheel supporting frame pivoted to the main frame, links connecting the lower ends of the handle frame with the intermediate portions of the front wheel frame, rear wheel supporting members pivoted to the lower ends of the handle frame, and a rear-wheel supporting frame pivoted at its forward end to the forward end of the main frame and near its rear end to the intermediate portions of the rear wheel supporting members.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main frame, of a handle frame operating in collapsing as a lever of the first class fulcrumed thereto toward its rear end, a front wheel supporting frame pivoted at its upper end on the forwardend of the main frame, rear wheel supporting members pivoted at their upper ends to the lower ends of the handle frame and having the wheels journaled on their lower end-s, members pivotally connected at their forward ends to the forward end of the main frame, and toward their rear ends pivotally connected toand acting as fulcrums for the rear wheel supporting members, and means connecting said front wheel supporting frame with the handle frame to collapse it when the handle frame is swung forward.

3. In a device'of the class described, the combination with a main frame, of a handle frame operating in collapsing as a lever of thefirst class fulcrumed thereto toward its rear end, a front wheel supporting frame pivoted at its upper end on the forward end of the main frame, rear wheel supporting members pivoted at their upper ends to the lower ends of the handle frame and having the wheels journaled on their lower ends, members pivotally connected at. their forward ends to the forward end of themain frame, and toward their rear ends pivotally connected to and acting as fulcrums for the rear wheel supporting members, and links connecting the front wheel supporting frame With the lower ends of the handle frame.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main frame, of a handle frame operating in collapsing as a lever of the first class fulcrumed thereto toward its.

' frame.

the pins in the recesses.

porting members, and means connecting said front wheel supporting frame with the handle frame to collapse it when the handle frame is swung forward.

:5. In a device of the'class described, the combination with a main frame, of a handle frame fulcrumed thereon, a front wheel supporting frame pivoted to the main frame, links connecting the lower ends of the handle frame with the intermediate portions of the front wheel frame, rear wheel supporting members pivoted to the lower ends of the handle frame, a rear-wheel supporting frame pivoted at its forward end to the forward end of the main frame and near its rear end to the intermediate portions of the rear wheel supporting members, and a locking frame pivoted to the central portion of the main frame below it and having locking connections with the handle frame below the main 6. In a device of the cla'ssdescribed, the combination with a main frame, of a handle frame fulcrumed thereon, a front wheel supporting frame pivoted to the main frame, links connecting the lower ends of the handle frame with the intermediate portions of the front wheel. frame, rear wheel supporting members pivoted to the lower ends of the handle frame, a rear-wheel supporting frame plX'OtGd at its forward end to the forward end of the main frame and near its rear end to the intermediate portions of the rear wheel supporting members, a lockingframe pivoted to the central portion of the main frame below it and having locking connections with the handle frame below the main frame, said locking connections consisting ofrecesses in the upper edges of the sides of the locking frame cooperating with pins projecting horizontally from the handle frame, and means for holding the locking frame normally with 7 In a device of the class described, the

combination with a main frame having its forward end open, of a foot well frame having its upper end open pivoted at its central portion to the forward open end of the main frame, a back rest frame having its lower end open pivoted by slots and pins near said open lower end to the sidesof the main frame toward their central portion, links connecting the open upper end of the foot well frame to the central portions of the sides of the back rest frame, and locking connections between the back rest frame and the main frame to hold the former in its erected position, said connections consisting of open'ended slotlike recesses in the bottomof the back rest frame cooperating with pins projecting horizontally from the main frame 8. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main frame having its forward end open, of a generally U-shaped foot Well frame having its-upper end open pivoted at its central portion to the forward open end of the main frame, a generally U-shaped back rest frame having itS'lOWGl end open pivoted at said open lower end to the sides of the main frame toward their central portion, links connecting the open upper end of the foot well frame to the centions' of the foot-well and back rest frames, and at its sides to the links, andlinks connecting the upper ends of the foot well" frame with the bottom of the body adjacent the front corners of the seat board. 1

9. In a device of the class'described', the

combination with a main frame, of a handle frame fulcrumed thereon, rear wheel supporting members pivoted to the handle frame below the main frame, a rear-wheel supporting frame upon which the rear wheel supporting members are fulcrumed pivoted on the main frame and adapted to hold the rear wheel supporting levers from sidewise movement, a front wheel supporting frame pivoted to the main frame, and links connecting the front wheel supporting frame and the lower ends of the handle frame.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main frame, of wheel supporting framework associated therewith, a foot well frame pivoted to the main frame,

a back supporting frame pivoted to the mainthe body thereof, and connections between said foot well frame and back rest frame whereby the body can beheld as a horizontal hammock or as a seat with a back-and foot well, said connections including links connected to the upper ends of the foot well frame and to the forward corners of the rigid seat portion of the flexible body, and lock-' ing means to hold the back rest frame in its erected, position. 7

11. In a device of the classdescribed, the combination with a horizontal main frame, of a front wheel supporting frame pivoted to the forward portion thereof, a handle frame operatingin collapsing as a lever of the firstclass fulcrumed to the rear portion ofthe combination with running gears, of an ad j ustable body supporting mechanlsm carried thereby, and a flexible body supported thereby and adapted to be shaped as a trough or as a foot well, seat and back rest, depending on how the body supporting mechanism is adjusted, said running gears including a generally U-shaped front wheel supporting frame having its lower portion narrowed by horizontal offsets connected by a cross piece adapted to support the bottom of the foot well when it is so adjusted.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination with running gears, of an adjustable body supporting mechanism carried thereby, and a flexible body supported thereby and adapted to be shaped as a trough or as a foot well, seat and back rest, depending on how the body supporting mechanism is adjusted, said running gears including a generally U-shaped front wheel supporting frame having its lower portion narrowed by horizontal offsets connected by a cross piece adapted to support the bottom of the foot well when it is so adjusted, said cross piece having an extension riveted thereto to widen the same.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main frame, of a handle frame fulcrumed thereon, a front wheel sup porting frame pivoted to the main frame, links connecting the handle frame with the front wheel supporting frame, a rear wheel supporting frame pivoted to the main frame, members connecting said rear wheel supporting frame with the handle frame, a locking frame pivoted to the central portion of the main frame below it, and locking connections between the locking frame and the handle frame.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main frame, of a handle frame fulcrumed thereon, a front wheel supportingframe pivoted to the main frame, links connecting the handle frame with the front wheel supporting frame, a rear wheel supporting frame pivoted to the main frame, members connecting said rear wheel supporting frame with the handle frame, a looking frame pivoted to the central portion of the main frame below it, and locking connections between the locking frame and the handle frame, said lockingconnections consisting of recesses in the upper edges of the sides of the locking frame co-operating with pins projecting horizontally from the handle frame, and means for holding the locking frame normally with the pins inthe recesses.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main frame, of a handle frame fulcrumed thereon, a front wheel supporting frame pivoted to the main frame, links connecting the handle frame with the front wheel supporting frame, a rear wheel supporting frame pivoted to the main frame,

members connecting said rear wheel supporting frame with the handle frame, a locking frame pivoted to the central portion of the mainframe below it, and locking connections between the locking frame and the handle frame, said locking connections consisting of recesses in the upper edges of the sides ofthe locking frame co-operating with pins projecting horizontally from the handle frame, and means for holding the locking frame normally with the pins in the recesses,

said means consisting of helically-coiled contractile springs connecting the sides of the main frame with the sides of the locking frame.

17 In a childs conveyance, the combination with a main frame, of a foot-well frame,

a back-rest frame, a flexible body receptacle connecting said foot-well and back-rest frames and adapted to have its bottom horizontal to form a hammock, or to have its front portion lowered with the foot-well frame and horizontal to form a hammock or to have its front portion lowered with the foot-well frame and its rear portion raised with the back-rest frame, and connections between said back-rest frame and the central portion of said flexible body-receptacle so that as the back-rest frame is raised said central'portion will also be raised to form a'seat that is elevated toward the main frame; I

19. Ina childs conveyance, the combination with a main frame, of a, footwell frame fulcrumed toward its center to the main frame, a back-rest frame fulcrumed to the main frame, a flexible body receptacleconnecting said foot-well and backrest frames and adapted to have its bottom horizontal to form a hammock or to have its front portion loweredwith the foot-well frame and its rear portion raised with the back-rest frame, and straps connecting the upper ends of the footwell frame with the flexible body receptacle where the front part of the seat begins, to raise the seat as the foot-rest frame is lowered.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main frame having its forward end open, of a generally U-shaped foot-well frame having its upper end open and pivoted at its central portion to the forward open end of the main frame, a generally U-shaped back-rest frame having its lower end open pivoted at said open lower end to the sides of the main frame toward its central por- ,tion, links connecting the openupper end of the foot-well frame to the central portions of the sides of the back-rest frame, locking connections between the back-rest frame and the main frame to hold the former in its erected position, and a generally trough-shaped flexible body connected at itsends to-the transverse portions of the foot-well and the backrest frames, and at its sides to the links, the elements being so designed and connected that when the back-rest frame is swung downward l5 the foot-well frame is swung upwardly, and the rear part of the flexible body descends and its front part ascends to support per se the child lying in a horizontal position.

21. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a main frame having its forward end open, of a generally U-shaped foot-well frame having its upper end open and pivoted at its central portion to the forward open end of themain frame, a generally U-shaped back-rest frame having its lower end open pivoted at said open lower end to the sides of the main frame toward its central portion, links connecting the open upper end of the foot-well frame to the central portions of the, sides of the back-rest frame, locking 7 connections between the back-rest frame and the main frame to hold the former in its erected position, and a generally troughshaped flexible body having foot-well and seat boards secured in the bottom thereof, connected at its ends to the transverse portions of the foot-well and the back-rest frames, and at its sides to the links, the elements being so designed and connected that when the back-rest frame isswung downward the foot-well frame is swung upwardly, and the rear part of the'flexible body descends and its front part per se the child lyingina V ascendsto support horizontal position. 7 V v In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of October, 1926.

, REINHARDT H. BROWVN,

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