US718056A - Folding baby-carriage. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED JAN. 6, 1903.

' J. MEHLFERBER.

FOLDING BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.15, 1902.

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No. 718,056. PATENTED JAN. 6, 1903. J. MEHLFERBER.

FOLDING BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15,1902.

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J. MEHLFERBBR. FOLDING BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15, 1902.

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NITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MEHLFERBER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF THREE- FOURTHS TO ANDREW KOSOTSOH, CHARLES ARELT, AND MARTIN MAT- TIAS, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING BABY-CARRIAG E.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 718,056, dated January 6, 1903. Application filed March 15, 1902. Serial No. 98,414. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known/that I, JOHN MEI-ILFERBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Baby-Carriages, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to collapsible babycarriages, the object of the same being to provide novel means whereby the carriage may be laterally contracted and means whereby the spring-supported body may bedropped down into the space between the wheels.

The details of my invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side'elevation of acollapsible baby-carriage constructed in accordzo ance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the carriage in collapsed condition. Fig. 4. is a plan view of the carriage with the parts in the positions shown in Fig.

3. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the spring connection between one of the axles and the body. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the look by means of which the spring is connected to the body. Fig. 7 is a cross-section 0 of the carriage, showing in dotted lines the relative positions of the diiferent parts of the axle when the carriage is in collapsed condition. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the two inner sections of one of the axles and the lock cooperating therewith. Figs. 9 and 10 are views of details of construction.

Like reference-numerals indicate'like parts in the difierent views.

The body 1 of my improved carriage may 40 be made of any suitable material and may be ornamented in any manner that may be desired. The sides 2 2 thereof, which have been shown as made up of vertical strips or slats, are connected at their lower ends by 5 the longitudinally-extending parallel rods 3 4. The ends 5 of the body are made up of the parallel rods or bars 6 7, which are hinged to each other, as shown at 8, and are also hinged at their outer ends, as shown at 9, to the cor 5o ner-uprights 10 01? the frame. The joints 8 between the rods 6 and 7are rule-joints, which provide for the inward movement of the carriage ends and prevent the outward movement thereof. The bottom 11 of thebody 1 is hinged upon the rod 3, eyes 12 being provided on said bottom, which encircle said rod. Along the opposite side edge of the bottom 11 the same is provided with hooks 13, which are adapted to embrace the rod 4, so as to maintain the bottom in horizontal position when the parts of the device are assembled. The bottom 11 extends from the forward end of the body 1 to a point slightly 'to the rear of the center, and at its rear edge it has hinged thereto the board 14, to which in turn is hinged or pivoted the board 15, which constitutes the carriage-seat. The rear edge of the seatboard 15 is supported upon the rear end of the carriage-body in any suitable manner. By this construction it will be seen that the boards 15 and 14 may be folded down upon the bottom 11 and that the latter may be swung up into upright position on its hinged connection with the longitudinal rod 3. The ends 5 of the body 1 may then be moved inwardly, as shown inFig. 4 of the drawings, the rods 6 and 7 swinging on their hinged connections 9 with the uprights 10 and on the hinges 8. The two sides 2 of the carriagebody are thus caused to approach each other, and the width of the carriage-body is contracted to the desired degree.

The body 1 is spring-supported on the front and rear axles, and to provide for the lateral contraction of the vehicle as a whole it is of course necessary that means be provided for contracting said axles. To accomplish this,

I construct each of the axles of the four sections 16, 17, 18, and 19, which are pivoted to each other, as shown at 20, 21, and 22. The outer sections 16 and 19 are made with the spindles 23, on which the wheels 24 are mounted, and the inner sections 17 and 18 are provided with the upwardly-curved inner ends 25. These parts or sections of the axle 5 are normally held in horizontal position by means of a lock consisting of an arm 26, pivoted to the section 18 and having a tooth 27 on its free end. The free end of said arm is also provided with the shoulder 28 adjacent rev to the tooth 27 and has a spring 29 thereon which acts upon the section 18 of the axle and serves to hold the free end of the arm 26 raised. The tooth 27 on the arm 26 fits within a notch or recess 30 in the axle-section 17, as clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. When the parts are in the positions just described, the tooth 27, acting upon the shoulder formed in the notch or recess 30, serves to prevent the collapse of the difierent sections of the axle.

Cooperating with the locking-arm 26 on each axle is a releasing device consisting of a rock-shaft 31, mounted in brackets 32 on the front and rear axles and having a handle 33, by means of which it may be turned. The ends of the rock-shaft 31 are provided with lateral projections or flanges 34, adapted to engage the shoulders 28 on the arms 26 of the front and rear axles. 'When the shaft 31 is rocked in its bearings, the projections or flanges 34 will be moved into engagement with the shoulders 28, and the locking-arms 26 will be moved downwardly, so as to disengage the teeth 27 thereon from the notches or recesses 30, in which they fit. Upon now applying pressure to the curved end portions 25 of the axle-sections 17 and 18 the axles may be collapsed and thrown down into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7 of the drawings. At the same time the wheels 24 on the spindles 23 are caused to approach each other, and a space for the reception of the contracted carriagebody 1 is provided between said wheels. This space is defined by the axlesections 17 and 18, which serve as supports for the body 1 when the latter is moved downwardly.

The springs 35 and 36 on which the body 1 is supported are secured to the rear and front axles, respectively, the springs 35 being connected to the sections 16 and 19 of the rear axle and the springs 36 to the corresponding sections of the front axle. Each of the springs 35 is attached to the upper side of the section 16 or 19, is then curved forwardly, downwardly, rearwardly,npwardly,and forwardly, and each of the springs 36 is connected to the section 16 or 19 of the front axle and is curved forwardly, upwardly, and rearwardly. The upper free ends of each pairof springs 35 and 36 are connected by the longitudinally-extending rods or straps 37, which are provided with handles 38, by means of which the carriage may be grasped and carried. When the carriage-body is in its raised position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the same is connected with and supported upon the springs 35 36. When the carriage-body is in its lowered position, however, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the same is disconnected from said springs.

In order to provide means for readily connecting and disconnecting the carriage-body and its supporting-springs, I secure to each of the longitudinally-extending rods 3 and 4 an outwardly-extending latch-plate 39, having a slot 40 therein. One of the plates 39 is located beneath the upper free end of each of the springs 35 36. Connected with each of said springs at its free end, extending downwardly therefrom and adapted to fit within the slot 40 in the plate 39, is a latchbar 41, having a beveled end and a notch 42 therein. The notch 42 in the latch-bar 41 is adapted to receive the spring-actuated keeper 43, the same consisting of a sliding plate secured to or forming part of the longitudinally-movable rod 44, mounted in lugs 45 and acted upon by a spring 46 for maintaining the same normally in looking position, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The rear end of the rod 44 has connected with it an operating-lever 47, which is fulcrumed upon the rear end of the body 1, as shown at 48, and is provided with a handle 49 on its free end. By this construction it will be seen that when the latch-bar 41 is seated in the slot 40 in the plate 39 and the keeper 43 is in engagement with the notch 42 the carriagebody will be sustained in raised position on the springs 35 36. 'When it is desired, however, to lower the carriage-body into the space between the wheels 24, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, it is simply necessary to draw out the free end of the operating-lever 47 ,when thelower end thereof will be forced forwardly, carrying with it the keeper 43 and disengaging the same from the notch 42. The carriage-body is thereby released from its supporting- springs 35 and 36 and may be lowered into the space between the wheels and be supported upon the axlesections 17 18.

The front and rear axles are connected by the two braces 50, the same being attached to the inner axle-sections 17 and 18 and extended rearwardly beyond the rear axle, as shown. The rear ends of these braces are provided with sockets 51 for the reception of the handles 52 of the carriage.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that I have provided a simple and effective means whereby a baby-carriage may be folded or contracted, so that it may be stored away in a narrow hallway or other part of a house without obstructing the passage therethrough. I have also provided means consisting of the handle 38, whereby the carriage may be conveniently moved when in collapsed condition from point to point. When it is desired to collapse the carriage, it is merely necessary to fold down the boards 14 and 15 onto the bottom 11, raise said bottom and the boards 14 and 15 thereon to upright position and fold inwardly the rods 6 and 7 of the ends 5, as shown in Fig. 401? the drawings. At the same time, however, the rockshaft 31 is turned in its bearings so as to bring the projections 34 thereon into engagement with the shoulders 28 on the arms 26. This releases the teeth 27 on the arms 26 from the notches 0r recesses 30 in which they fit, and by the application of pressure to the inner ends of the axle-sections 17 and 18 the axles may be folded down and contracted, as is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7 of the drawings. Pressure is now applied to the handle 49 of the operating-lever 47 and the upper free end of the latter is drawn outwardly. This action forces forwardly the lower end of said lever, whichcarries with it the rod 44, having the keeper .43 thereon. Said keeper by this movement is disengaged from the notch 42, the body 1 is disengaged from the springs 35 36, and the same may then be lowered into the space between the wheels 24 and be supported upon the axle-sectionsl'? and 18.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A body for a folding baby-carriage comprising sides, ends and a bottom, the bottom being hinged to the lower edge of one of the sides, capable of swinging upwardly and adapted to be supported in operative position by the other of said sides, each end being made in sections hinged to each other and to said sides and capable of folding inwardly, and a seat consisting of two boards, one of which is hinged to said bottom, and the other of which is hinged to the first and is adapted to be supported at the rear end of said body, both of said boards being adapted to fold downwardly on said bottom and upwardly therewith.

2. A body for a folding baby-carriage, comprising sides, ends and a bottom, the bottom being hinged to the lower edge of one of the sides, capable of swinging upwardly and adapted to be supported in operative position by the other of said sides, each end being made in sections hinged to each other and to said sides and capable of folding inwardly, and a seat consisting of two boards, one of which is hinged to the bottom and the other of which is hinged to the first and adapted to be supported at the rear end of said body, both of said boards being adapted to fold downwardly on said bottom.

3. A body for a folding baby-carriage, comprising sides, ends and a bottom, the sides having longitudinally-extending rods along their lower edges, each end having rods along its lower edge hinged to each other and to the sides so that they are capable of folding inwardly, and the bottom being hinged to the rod along the lower edge of one of said sides, and provided with hooks or engaging portions cooperating with the rod along the lower edge of the other of said sides, whereby said bottom is supported in horizontal position, but may be swung upwardly, and a seat consisting of two boards, one of which is hinged to the bottom, and the other of which is hinged to the first and is adapted to be supported at the rear end of said body, both of said boards being adapted to fold downwardly on said bottom.

4:. In a folding baby-carriage, a laterallycontractible body, springs for supporting said i body in operative position, means for disengaging said body from said springs whereby the same may be lowered, and sectional contractible axles constituting supports for said body independent of said springs when said body is lowered.

5. In a folding baby-carriage, a body and axles, both of which are capableof lateral contraction, springs secured to said axles and serving to support said body when the carriage is in operative position, and means for disengaging said 'body from said springs, whereby the same may be lowered into the space between the wheels, the said axles supporting said body when lowered independent of said springs. i

6. In a folding baby-carriage, a body capable of lateral contraction, axles made in sections adapted to be folded downwardly at the center to constitute supports for the body when the carriage is in folded condition, springs upon which the body is supported in raised position, and means for disconnecting the body from said springs, whereby the same may be lowered into the space between the wheels and be supported upon said axles.

7. In a folding baby-carriage, the combination with a body capable of lateral contraction, of axles made in sections, pivoted to each other,springs secured to said axles upon which said body is supported when in raised position, and means for disconnecting said body from said springs, the inner sections of said axles being capable] of being folded downwardly to constitute supports for the body when the device is in its folded condition.

8. In a folding baby-carriage, a body capable of lateral contraction, axles made in sections adapted to be folded downwardly at the center to constitute supports for the body when the carriage is in folded condition, springs upon which the body is supported in raised position, means for disconnecting the body from said springs, whereby the same may be lowered into the space between the wheels and be supported upon said axles, and alock for maintaining said axles in operative position.

9. In a folding baby-carriage, the combination with a laterally-contractible body adapted to be lowered from its normal position, of axles made up of a series of pivoted sections, the outer sections of each axle having spindles thereon on which the wheels are mounted,

and the inner sectionsof each axle having their adjacent ends curved upwardly, and adapted to be folded downwardly to constitute supports for the body, one of said inner sections having a notch or shoulder thereon, a lockingarm pivoted to the other of said sections and having a tooth thereon adapted to engage said notch or shoulder, and a spring for normally maintaining said locking-arm in operative position.

10. In a folding baby-carriage,the combination with a laterally-contractible body adapted to be lowered from its normal position, of

axles made up of a series of pivoted sections, the outer sections of each axle having spindles thereon on which the wheels are mounted, and the inner sections of each axle having their adjacent ends curved upwardly, and adapted to be folded downwardly to constitute supports for the body, one of said inner sections having a notch or shoulder thereon, a locking-arm pivoted to the other of said sections and having a tooth thereon adapted to engage said notch or shoulder, a spring for normally maintaining said locking-arm in operative position, and means for disengaging the free end of said locking-arm from said notch or shoulder.

11. In a folding baby-carriage, the combination with a laterally-contractible body adapted to be lowered from its normal position, of axles made up of a series of pivoted sections, the outer sections of each axle having spindles thereon on which the wheels are mounted, and the inner sections of each axle having their adjacent ends curved upwardly, and adapted to be folded downwardly to constitute supports for the body, one of said inner sections having a notch or shoulder thereon, a locking-arm pivoted to the other of said sections and having a tooth thereon adapted to engage said notch or shoulder, a spring for normally maintaining said locking-arm in operative position, and a longitudinally-extending rock-shaft having lateral projections or flanges thereon adapted to engage the free end of the locking-arm on each axle for dis engaging the same from the notch or shoulder with which it cooperates.

12. In a folding baby-carriage,the combination with the axles and the body thereof, both of which are capable of lateral contraction, of curved springs secured, to said axles and extending upwardly therefrom,and means for connecting and disconnecting said springs from said body, the same consisting of latchbars carried by the upper free ends of said springs, each of which has a notch or shoulder therein, and spring-actuated keepers on said body cooperating with the notches or shoulders in said latch-bars for locking the body to said springs.

13. In a folding baby-carriage,the combination with the axles and the body thereof, both of which are capable of lateral contraction, of springs secured to said axles and extending upwardly therefrom, latch-bars carried by the upper free ends of said springs having notches or shoulders therein, and extending downwardly therefrom,slotted latch-plates secured to the body and adapted to receive said latch-bars, and spring-actuated keepers on the under sides of said plates, adapted to engage the notches or shoulders in said latchbars for locking the body to said springs.

14. In a folding baby-carriage,the combination with the axles and the body thereof, both of which are capable of lateral contraction, of springs secured to said axles and extending upwardly therefrom, straps having handles thereon connecting the free ends of the springs on each side of the vehicle, latchbars secured to said springs having notches or shoulders therein, and extending downwardly therefrom,slotted latch-plates on said body adapted to receive said latch-bars, and spring-actuated keepers on the under sides of said plates adapted to engage said notches or shoulders,for locking the body to said springs.

15. In afolding baby-carriage,the combination with the axles and the body thereof, both of which are capable of lateral contraction, of springs secured to said axles and extending upwardly therefrom, latch-bars carried by said springs having notches or shoulders therein and extending downwardly therefrom, slotted latch-plates on said body adapted to receive said latch-bars, keepers on the under side of said plates adapted to engage said notches or shoulders for locking the body to said springs,longitudinally-extending springactuated rods secured to said keepers and extending rearwardly along the under side of the body and operatinglevers fulcrumed to the rear of said body and pivoted to said rods whereby said keepers may be released from their engagement with said latch-bars,as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Witnesses:

ANDREW KOSOTSCH, WM. M. STOCKBRIDGE.

JOHN MEHLFERBER.

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