WO2013037845A2

WO2013037845A2 - Wheeled box unit and arrangement with standing board

Info

Publication number: WO2013037845A2
Application number: PCT/EP2012/067867
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jöran Lundh
Original assignee: Lundh Joeran
Priority date: 2011-09-14
Filing date: 2012-09-12
Publication date: 2013-03-21
Also published as: WO2013037845A3

Abstract

A wheeled box unit has a base (110) with wheels (112, 114), a body (120) associated with the base (110), and a lid (142) connected to the body (120). The body (120) defines a space for accommodating toys, food stuff, and the like. The box unit (100) is equipped with a handle assembly (130, 134) for moving the box unit (100) on said wheels (112, 114). The upper surface of the lid (142) constitutes a seat portion (146) for a child or the like. The wheeled box unit (100) can be connected to a standing board attached to a stroller.

Description

WHEELED BOX UNIT AND ARRANGEMENT WITH STANDING BOARD

Technical field

The present invention relates to a wheeled box unit and a combination of such a box unit with a standing board for children.

Background

Different carrying units on wheels are today well known. Such units may be used for different purposes, such as suitcases, shopping bags, etc. Many of these types of products are often used when a family with children is going on vacation, out for a picnic, to school or kindergarten or to the supermarket.

When going out, parents with small children usually need to bring both a stroller and some sort of carrying means. This is heavy and ungainly to manage at the same time, especially if there is only one parent present. Families with more than one child mean more luggage and less space in the stroller. So if the children get tired of walking they have to switch places in the stroller and most probably then one of the children has to be carried.

Travelling with small children and luggage is a challenge to many parents. Various suitcase related devices have been suggested in order to facilitate such travelling, for instance in EP-A- 1,402,797 and US 2007/0145700. However, these known devices have certain disadvantages. The suitcases are tilted for movement which is uncomfortable for the child being carried. Furthermore, the wheels are often damaged by high loads which lead to malfunctions.

In view of the prior art discussed above, there is room for improvements.

Summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new arrangement which is improved over prior art and which mitigates the above mentioned drawbacks. A special object of the invention is to provide an improved multi-purpose box unit which is mobile and easy to handle.

These objects are achieved according to the invention by means of a box unit and an arrangement having the features set forth in the appended independent claims; preferred embodiments being defined in the related dependent claims.

Several advantages are obtained by the new wheeled box unit and the inventive arrangement. A very versatile product is achieved which serves multiple purposes. Loading and unloading goods into or out of the box unit is easy, and in a preferred embodiment this can even be performed while a child is seated. The preferred devices for connecting the box unit to a standing board are easy to operate and provide for smooth handling. Furthermore, the handle assembly and the ingenious wheel arrangement provide several modes of operation and moving directions which facilitates the use of the box unit either separately or in combination with the standing board. Since the handle assembly can be tilted to a transportation mode, the box unit - when used separately - does not need to be tilted for movement. This means that the wheels will stay in rolling contact with the ground/floor during operation which leads to secure movements and transportation which is comfortable to a child being carried.

In an aspect, there is provided a wheeled box unit comprising: a lower base having wheels; a body associated with the base; and an upper member connected to the body. The body defines a space and the box unit further comprises a handle assembly for moving the box unit on the wheels. The upper member comprises a seat portion for a child or the like.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wheeled box unit according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view from the back of the box unit shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a front view of the box unit of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a view from the back of the box unit of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a side view of the box unit of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 6 shows the box unit of Fig. 1 in an open state,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the wheeled box unit of Fig. 1 in a state where a handle is pulled out and tilted,

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a box unit combined with a standing board, Fig. 9 shows the arrangement of Fig. 8 with the box unit open at the front,

Fig. 10 is a schematic cross sectional view of the arrangement of Fig. 9, Figs 11-12 show details of Fig. 10,

Figs 13-15 show on a larger scale a standing board connected to a box unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 16 shows the handle assembly of the box unit, Figs 17-18 show on a larger scale details of the handle assembly, and

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a box unit according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of embodiments

With reference to Figs 1-5, a box unit 100 according to an embodiment of the invention includes a lower base 110 with a set of wheels 112, 114, a body 120 defining a storage space 50 (see Figs 9-10), a handle assembly 130, 132, 134, 136 and an upper member 140. The box unit 100 is adapted to store various goods or objects to be transported. In Figs 1-5 the handle assembly 130, 132 is in its upright position extending adjacent the body 120 of the box unit 100.

The base 110 comprises four wheels located at the corners of the base 110 which in this embodiment is of rectangular shape. The two rear wheels 112a, 112b of the base 110 are journalled on horizontal shafts 113a, 113b, whereas the two front wheels 114a, 114b are castors. These castors 114a, 114b are journalled on horizontal shafts 115a, 115b and mounted offset on vertical shafts 117a, 117b shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. Since the castors 114a, 114b are freely rotatable about the vertical shafts 117a, 117b which makes the wheeled box unit 100 is easy to move.

The body 120 above the base 110 comprises four walls: a front wall 122, a back wall 124 and two side walls 126 extending upwards from the base 110. The walls 122, 124, 126 are mounted to the base 110 by means of suitable fastening means (not shown). The front wall 122 is attached to the two side walls 126 by means of two strips 128 extending along the entire side of the walls being attached to each other.

On the side opposite the base 110 an upper member 140 is attached to the body 120 by means of suitable fastening means (not shown). The base 110, the body 120 and the upper member 140 define the storage space 50 for accommodating food stuff, toys, clothes, etc.

The upper member 140 constitutes a lid 142 which may be opened and closed (see Fig. 6). When the lid 142 is opened it is easy for the user to place goods in the space 50. The lid 142 is pivotally connected to an edge or wall of the body 120. The upper member 140 also comprises two side handles 144a, 144b for lifting the entire box unit 100. On top of the lid 142 there is a seat portion 146, preferably adapted for a child. The seat portion 146 has a curved surface which defines one or more recesses 147, 148 matching the legs and bottom of a child C (see Fig. 5). Thus the seat portion 146 gives the child a comfortable ride. The upper member 140 further comprises a strap system 150 adapted to surround the child's body and to secure the child in place on the seat portion 146. The strap system 150 comprises a vertical rod element 152, a rigid back portion 154, two lateral strap portions 156a, 156b, a flexible front strap portion 158 and a clamp or buckle 159.

The rod element 152 comprises a first end 153 and a second end 155, where the first end 153 is connected to the edge or side of the long side of the upper member 140 extending perpendicular from said long side. At the second end 155 of the rod element 152, the back portion 154 is attached. The back portion 154 is perpendicular to the rod element 152. At the two ends of the back portion 154 the ends of the lateral strap portions 156a, 156b are attached. The lateral strap portions 156a, 156b form together a loop around the child when seated (see Fig. 5). The free end of each lateral strap portion 156a, 156b can be connected to the clamp or buckle 159 to which the free end of the front strap portion 158 can be connected as well. The front strap portion 158 is fastened to and extends from the upper member 140at a location such that the child will have one leg on each side of the front strap portion 158.

The handle assembly 130, 132 (see Fig. 7) includes a telescopic tube unit 132 with a first tube 134 and a second tube 136 as well as a handle 130 at the upper end of the first tube 134. The telescopic tube unit 132 extends from the base 110, where it is connected by means of at least one pivot (not shown), and upwards to the handle 130.

Fig. 6 shows the box unit 100 of Figs 1-5 with the lid 142 in its opened state. To open the lid 142 the user simply grabs it and swings it open by means of a pivot connection (not shown). The strap system 150 on the top of the lid 142 is then folded back against the rigid back portion 154. Now the user may place whatever he/she likes in the box unit 100 before pulling back the lid 142 to close it.

Fig. 7 shows the box unit 100 in a position where the handle 130 has been pulled out to its maximum. The box unit 100 is easy to move also with the handle 130 in its down position (see Fig. 1), but it is even easier to move it when the handle 130 is pulled out to a walking mode. Thanks to the tilting feature of the handle assembly 130, 132 the wheels 112, 114 will stay in contact with the ground or floor which leads to smooth and comfortable movements and transportation. The box unit is not "tilted" which means that the seated child is not "tilted" either. This leads to a more comfortable ride than has been the case with prior art devices.

The telescopic tube unit 132 comprises two tubes, where the first tube 134 is slidable within the second tube 135. The handle 130 is connected to the upper end of the first tube 134. Furthermore, the telescopic tube unit 132 has a locking device 160 (see Fig. 10) including a locking housing 168, a locking button 161, a locking rod 163, a pin steering device 165 and at least one pin 167. The locking device 160 is mounted inside the telescopic tube unit 132. These features are shown in Figs 16-18.

The tubes 134, 135 may have a square cross section, and the first tube 134 has a smaller square cross section than the second tube 135 so that the first tube 134 may be inserted into the second tube 135. The length of the two tubes 134, 135 may vary but in this embodiment the tubes 134, 135 are approximately of the same length. When the first tube 134 has been pulled out to the preferred length, the first tube 134 is fixed by means of the locking device 160. When the first tube 134 has been fixed, the telescopic tube unit 132 and the handle 130 may then be tilted towards the user, away from the child C sitting on the seat portion 146 so that the user easily may push the box unit 100 in front of her/him or pull it behind her/him.

The telescopic tube unit 132 is tilted to a preferred angle and position away from the box unit 100 and locked in the tilted position by means of an interconnecting member 138. In this embodiment the member 138 is pivotally connected to the upper member 140 and it has two recesses (not shown) in which the telescopic tube unit 132 can be set. In other embodiments the member 138 may have more recesses which mean that the user may choose among more than two positions for the telescopic tube unit 132 corresponding to various tilting angles.

In another embodiment, the first tube 134 comprises a rod or other similar elements which does not have a hole running through the element (not shown).

In the shown embodiment, the base 110, the wheels 112, 114, the handle 130, the upper member 140, the rigid back portion 154, the clamp 159 and the

interconnecting member 138 are made of plastic. The wheels 112, 114 may be made of PUR material, whereas the front wall 122, the back wall 124 and the two side walls 126 may be made of fabric. The straps of the lateral strap portions 156 and the front strap portion 158 may be made of polyamide. Further the strips 128, the rod element 152 and the first 134 and second tube 135 may be made of anodized aluminum. The materials used in this embodiment of the invention are only preferred materials and do therefor not limit the choices of other materials.

Figs 8 and 9 show an arrangement 300 according to the invention where the box unit 100 described above is connected to a wheeled standing board 200. Preferred standing boards are Lascal's BuggyBoard Maxi ® or standing boards of the type shown in US 2007/0090619 and US 2008/224432. The combination 300 of a box unit 100 and a standing board 200 makes it possible for the user to connect the arrangement 300 to for example a stroller 400 (schematically shown in Fig. 8) which makes it easier for the user to maneuver when transporting both children and goods or the like.

Fig. 8 shows the box unit 100 connected to the standing board 200 thereby forming the arrangement 300 connected to a stroller 400 or similar device. The arrangement 300 further comprises connecting means (not shown) by means of which the box unit 100 may be connected to the standing board 200. When connecting the box unit 100 to the standing board 200, the box unit 100 may be inserted from the side or from above into the connecting means (not shown).

To make sure that the box unit 100 is securely fastened to the standing board 200 the arrangement 300 further comprises a locking device 160 shown in Figs 10-18.

Figs 10-12 show the locking device 160 in its locked state. The locking device 160 is arranged within the telescopic tube unit 132 and comprises a pivotally connected spring biased hook element 162. To lock the locking device 160 the handle assembly 130, 132 must be in its upright position. Then the user presses down the handle 130 until the locking device 160 locks the hook element 162 to the standing board 300. To lock the hook element 162 the locking housing 168 has to be pressed down on the hook element 162 which is pivotally mounted in the telescopic tube unit 132. When the locking housing 168 is pressing on the hook element 162, the hook element 162 rotates around the pivot until it is connected to an engagement portion 166 of the standing board 200. This portion 166 can be an edge or rib portion of the standing board 200.

When the hook element 162 is engaged with the rib 166 the locking device 160 is locked by means of the locking button 161, the locking rod 163, the pin steering device 165 and the pins 167 showed in Figs 16-18. Thus the hook element 162 stays connected with the rib 166 and the box unit 100 stays locked to the standing board 200.

Figs 13-15 show how the hook element 162 is moved from an unlocked state to a locked state, i.e. when the box 100 unit is locked onto the standing board 200. The initial state of the hook element 162 is shown in Fig. 13. The hook element 162 is then hidden inside the telescopic tube unit 132 and the handle assembly 130, 132 has not yet started to press on the hook element 162.

When the handle assembly 130, 132, especially the first tube 134, the handle 130 and the locking device 160, starts to move down, by means of the user pushing down the handle assembly 130, 132 the locking housing 168 starts pressing on the hook element 162 which then starts to rotate around its pivotally connection. This state of the hook element 162 is shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 15 finally shows the hook element 162 in its locked state where it grabs on to the rib 166 on the standing board 200. The hook element 162 will stay in its locked state until the user unlocks the handle assembly 130, 132 and the hook element 162 by means of a spring (not shown) moves back into the telescopic tube unit 132.

Figs 16-18 show the arrangement of the locking device 160 in its different positions. Fig. 16 shows how the locking device 160 is arranged within the telescopic tube unit 132. Starting from the top of the telescopic tube unit 132 the locking button 161 can be seen by the user in the bottom of the handle 130. The locking button 161 is connected to the locking rod 163 which extends through the first tube 134 down to the locking housing 168 which contains the pin steering device 165 and at least one spring biased pin 167. Fig. 6 shows when the first tube 134 and the handle 130 have been pulled out of the second tube 136. This position is preferred when the user wants to transport the wheeled box unit 100 with a child sitting on it. To optimize the length of the handle assembly the user may choose from at least two different locking positions.

Fig. 17 shows the locking device 160 in a position where the locking housing 168 presses on the hook element 162 (see Figs 13-15), and the box unit 100 is locked onto the standing board 200. To lock the hook element 162 to the rib 166 of the standing board 200 the user first has to press down the handle 130 so that the hook element 162 grabs onto the rib 166. Then the user must press down the locking button 161 so that the locking rod 163 presses on the pin steering device 165 which then pushes on the at least one pin 167. When the pin steering device 165 pushes on the pins 167 they move perpendicularly to the pressing direction, out through a hole from the first tube 134 and the second tube 136. When the pins 167 are pushed through the hole, the first tube 134 and the handle 130 are in a locked position.

Fig. 18 shows another locking position, when the handle assembly is in an upright position, shown in Figs 1-5. In this position - with the box unit 100 separated from the standing board 200 - it is possible to tilt the handle assembly 130, 132 as shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 shows a modified box unit 100 which may be opened not only at the top by means of the lid 142 but also at the front. The front wall 122 is shown open which allows the user to place whatever she/he likes into the box unit 100 without first having to remove the child from the seat portion 146. The user may slide the wall 122 to the side, along one of the side walls 126, up below the upper member 140 or down over the base 110. The front wall 122 can alternatively be opened in the same way as a door is opened (not shown). Another example is that the front wall 122 is a flexible screen wound on a roller (not shown). When the user wishes to close the box unit 100 she/he pulls out the screen from the roller and attach it on the other side of an opening O'. Yet another example of opening the front wall 122 is that it can be removed from the box unit 100. Fig. 9 only illustrates an example where the front wall 122 has been opened but any of the walls 122, 124, 126 can have similar opening means (not shown).

In Fig. 19 a modified version of the box unit 100' is shown. This box unit 100' is equipped with two footrests 180a, 180b which are pivotably mounted and which can be swung up to an idle position by means of associated straps 182a, 182b. By means of clamps 184a, 184b the straps 182, 182b can be locked so that the footrests 180a, 180b are kept in the upright idle position close to the body 120 of the box unit 100'. In addition thereto, the box unit 100' is equipped with two side pockets 190a, 190b which are detachably fastened to the body 120 or the side handles 144a, 144b. This modified version of the box unit 100' also has a release button 192 for operating the retraction- pull out movements of the handle assembly 130, 132. Furthermore, the front strap portion 158 has means (not shown) for automatic retraction of the strap portion 158 towards a roller unit (not shown) provided in the upper member 140. Hence, when the front strap portion 158 is released from the buckle 159 it is automatically pulled down to its idle position.

It should be mentioned that the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments and variants described above, and several modifications are feasible within the scope of the appended claims defining the invention. For instance, the number of wheels of the box unit may vary. Although a rectangular box unit base has been described herein, other shapes are feasible. Alternatively, a triangular base can be used in which case there may be one front castor and two regular rear wheels.

Furthermore, alternative handle assemblies as well as locking means may be used.

Claims

1. A wheeled box unit, comprising: a lower base (110) having a set of wheels (112, 114); a body (120) which is associated with the base (110) and which defines a storage space (50); an upper member (140) of the body (120) which comprises a seat portion (146) for a child or the like; and a handle assembly (130, 132) for moving the box unit (100) on said wheels (112, 114); wherein said box unit (100) is configured to be opened from the top and/or from the side; and wherein the handle assembly (130, 132) is moveable from a first upright position to a second tilted position in which the handle assembly (130, 132) forms an angle with said body (120).

2. The box unit according to claim 1, wherein the upper member (140) comprises a lid (142) pivo tally connected to an edge or side portion of the body (120).

3. The box unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the seat portion (146) has at least one curved surface, preferably forming a recess.

4. The box unit according to claim 3, wherein the seat portion (146) comprises two curved surfaces matching a sitting child.

5. The box unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (120) comprises: a front wall (122), a back wall (124), and two side walls (126), said walls (122, 124, 126) defining said storage space (50); wherein at least one of said walls (122, 124, 126) is configured to be opened or removed for storage purposes.

6. The box unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower base (110) comprises at least three wheels (112, 114) and wherein at least one of the wheels is a castor (114).

7. The box unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower base (110) is substantially rectangular and comprises four wheels (112, 114) provided at the corners of the base (110), and wherein at least two of the wheels are castors (114).

8. The box unit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a strap system (150) configured to surround the child's body and to secure the child in place on the seat portion (146).

9. The box unit according to claim 7, wherein the strap system (150) comprises: a rigid back portion (154) connected to a rod element (152) extending perpendicular from said body (120); two lateral strap portions (156) configured to form a loop around the child; and a front strap portion (158) extending from said loop to the upper member (140).

10. The box unit according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the strap system (150) comprises a clamp (159) by means of which said lateral strap portions (156) are connected to said front strap portion (158).

11. The box unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle assembly (130, 132) comprises a handle (130) at the free end of the assembly and a telescopic tube unit (132) attached to the base (110).

12. The box unit according to claim 11 , wherein the telescopic tube unit (132) of the handle assembly is extended when in said tilted position thereby providing a transportation mode of the box unit (100).

13. The box unit according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising an interconnecting member (138) configured to be detachably connected between the body (120) and the telescopic tube unit (132) in order to secure the handle assembly (130, 132) in said tilted position.

14. An arrangement comprising a standing board (200) and a box unit (100) according to any of the preceding claims, said box (100) unit being connectable or connected to said standing board (200).

15. The arrangement according to claim 14, further comprising two connecting means where the first connecting means is arranged on the box unit (100) and the second connecting means is arranged on the standing board (200).

16. The arrangement according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising a locking device (160) included in the handle assembly (130, 132), said locking device (160) being configured to lock the box unit (100) to the standing board (200).

17. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the handle assembly is of telescopic structure and wherein the locking device (160) is activated when the handle assembly (130, 132) is retracted for locking purposes.

18. The arrangement according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the locking device (160) is configured to lock the handle assembly (130, 132) in different positions.