WO2013051948A1

WO2013051948A1 - Latching hinge for a folding buggy

Info

Publication number: WO2013051948A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2012/000176
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Richard Andrews
Original assignee: Phil And Teds Design Limited
Priority date: 2011-10-03
Filing date: 2012-10-02
Publication date: 2013-04-11

Abstract

A hinge for a child buggy and a foldable child buggy including the hinge or hinges, where the hinge is attached between frame members of the buggy. The hinge including a fixed plate attached to a first frame member, a rotatable plate attached to a second frame member wherein the rotatable plate is rotatable relative to the fixed plate about a plate axis, a spigot rigidly attached to the fixed plate, a pawl rotatably attached to the rotatable plate, a bias means attached to the pawl and the rotatable plate and at least one pawl movement actuator. Wherein the hinge automatically and releasably locks the buggy frame members in a hinge locked position, by engaging the spigot with the pawl and rotatable plate, upon opening or unfolding of the buggy. Locking of the members occurs in one action and this locking action may occur with one hand.

Description

LATCHING HINGE FOR A FOLDING BUGGY

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application derives priority from New Zealand patent application number 595530 incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The application relates to a latching hinge for a folding buggy. More specifically there is described a latching hinge that may be used to link different sections of a child buggy frame to enable folding and unfolding of the buggy. Further, the buggy may be releasably locked into an open or unfolded position via the linking hinge or hinges.

BACKGROUND ART

Most existing child buggies are designed with foldable frames that collapse when not in use into more compact configurations. Reducing the size may be useful when the buggy is stored or when the buggy is to be inserted into a vehicle for transport.

Important factors in the design of hinge mechanisms are ease of use and the ability to secure the buggy in an open configuration to avoid accidental collapse during use, particularly when the buggy is being used to transport a child or children.

Ease of use can often be compromised by use of complicated latching mechanisms requiring two hands or multiple steps to engage.

Using two hands to unlatch a foldable child buggy can be cumbersome as the buggy also requires manipulation to fold or unfold the frame while the hinges are disengaged. It should be appreciated that having a latching hinge mechanism that is operable with one hand may greatly simplify the task of folding and unfolding a child buggy.

As noted above, another key design issue is securing the buggy in an open configuration particularly when the buggy is used to transport a child or children. If the buggy is not secure before use, the frame could collapse and result in injury to the child passenger and/or to the adult user. Ideally multiple actions of securing are avoided to lower the risk of overlooking a securing action.

Besides the above design issues, it can be helpful for the user to receive some form of positive feedback that the hinge mechanism has been safely engaged and the child buggy is safe to use. Many existing hinge designs do not have a positive feedback mechanism or only provide a very subtle form of feedback such as a relatively quiet click noise.

Further aspects and advantages of the latching buggy hinge of this application will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

SUMMARY

The application broadly relates to a latching hinge on a buggy or child transport device that may be used to link different sections of a child buggy frame to enable folding and unfolding of the child buggy. The hinge may also secure the buggy in an open position in one action and provides a positive audible click noise confirming engagement of the securing

mechanism.

In a first embodiment there is provided a hinge attached between frame members of a foldable child buggy including:

a fixed plate attached to a first frame member;

a rotatable plate attached to a second frame member wherein the rotatable plate is rotatable relative to the fixed plate about a plate axis;

a spigot rigidly attached to the fixed plate;

a bias means attached to the pawl and the rotatable plate;

at least one pawl movement actuator;

and wherein the hinge releasably locks the frame members in a fixed position by engaging the spigot with the pawl and rotatable plate.

In a second embodiment there is provided a child buggy that includes at least one hinge used to fold the buggy frame, the hinge or hinges including:

a fixed plate attached to a first frame member;

a spigot rigidly attached to the fixed plate;

a pawl rotatably attached to the rotatable plate;

a bias means attached to the pawl and the rotatable plate;

at least one pawl movement actuator;

and wherein the hinge or hinges releasably lock the frame members in a fixed position by engaging the spigot with the pawl and rotatable plate of each hinge.

In a third embodiment there is provided a method of releasably collapsing a buggy from a locked open configuration to a closed or folded configuration by the steps of:

a. manufacturing a buggy with a hinge or hinges substantially as described above; b. locking the buggy into an open or unfolded configuration by aligning the buggy frame members attached to the hinge fixed plate and hinge rotating plate to engage the hinge spigot or spigots with the hinge pawl and rotatable plate; c. moving the buggy to a closed or folded configuration by disengaging the pawl from the spigot via at least one pawl movement actuators and moving the frame members about the plate axis.

The above latching hinge on a child buggy provides automatic latching of the hinge in one action when the user unfolds the buggy. Automatic latching avoids multiple interactions and lowers the risk of the user overlooking a securing action. This functionality improves the safety of the child buggy by preventing accidental collapse of an improperly unfolded buggy.

The latching hinge allows for single-handed release, which provides the user with the advantage of releasing the hinge with one hand while folding the buggy frame with a free hand. As may be appreciated, having a latching hinge mechanism that is operable with one hand may greatly simplify the task of folding and unfolding the child buggy. The latching hinge provides positive feedback in the form of an audible click indicate that it has been safely engaged and the buggy is safe to operate.

The latching hinge is compact in design. The discreet nature of this component does not distract from the aesthetics of the buggy. The minimal size allows this component to fit easily into the buggy assembly.

Further, the hinge mechanism avoids the use of parts that could catch and cut or crush a finger or any part of an adult or child who might be operating the hinge. For example, round shape hinge plates may be used with the catches/ moving parts safely housed within a discrete area, or at least easily contained within a simple plastic housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an art buggy and hinge in a fully latched or open configuration;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of an art buggy and hinge in a fully closed or

unlatched configuration;

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a buggy showing one embodiment of the hinge of the present application in the fully latched or open configuration;

Figure 4 illustrates a detail side view of the hinge of the application in a fully open or buggy in use configuration with covers removed and the rotatable front hinge shown using hidden lines for clarity;

Figure 5 illustrates a detail side view of the hinge of the application in a fully closed or buggy folded configuration with covers removed and the rotatable front hinge shown using hidden lines for clarity;

Figure 6 illustrates a detail side view of the hinge of the application in a first partly closed configuration with covers removed and the rotatable front hinge shown using hidden lines for clarity; and

Figure 7 illustrates a detail side view of the hinge of the application in a second partly closed configuration with covers removed and the rotatable front hinge shown using hidden lines for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, the application broadly relates to a latching hinge on a buggy or child transport device that may be used to link different sections of a child buggy frame to enable folding and unfolding of the child buggy. The hinge may also secure the buggy in an open position in one action and provides a positive audible click noise confirming engagement of the securing mechanism.

For the purposes of this specification, the term 'child buggy', 'buggy', 'perambulator' and grammatical variations thereof may be used interchangeably and refer to child carrying and supporting products used to transport one or more children. The child/children may be babies or toddlers.

The term 'lock' or grammatical variations thereof refers to the hinge or hinges preventing movement of the buggy frame members about the hinge axis.

The term 'open configuration' or 'unfolded configuration' and grammatical variations thereof are used interchangably and refer to the buggy being in an in-use configuration with the buggy frame members aligning so as to form a continuous frame within which the child or children may be carried for example wihtin a seat supported by the frame.

The term 'closed configuration' or 'folded configuration' and grammatical variations thereof are used interchangably and refer to the buggy being in an storage configuration with the buggy frame members folded relative to eachother. Folding may be any degree of turn about the hinge axis from 1 degree to 360 degrees although envisaged embodiments have the folded position finishing a a point between approximately 140, or 45, or 150, or 155, or 60, or 165, or 170, or 175, or 180, or 185, or 190, or 195, or 200, or 205, or 210 degrees of rotation from the unfolded or open configuration.

The term 'storage' refers to the buggy being folded so as to reduce the size of the buggy in a way that allows for easier storage and/or transport of the buggy for example in the boot or trunk of a vehicle.

The term 'fold' and grammatical variations refer to the process of bringing a buggy into a compact form by bending and laying parts together.

The term 'comprise' and grammatical variations thereof shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements.

The term 'about' or 'approximately' and grammatical variations thereof mean a quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 % to a reference quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.

The term 'substantially' or grammatical variations thereof refers to at least about 50%, for example 75%, 85%, 95% or 98%.

a fixed plate attached to a first frame member;

a spigot rigidly attached to the fixed plate;

a bias means attached to the pawl and the rotatable plate;

at least one pawl movement actuator;

and wherein the hinge releasably locks the frame members in a hinge locked position by engaging the spigot with the pawl and rotatable plate.

a fixed plate attached to a first frame member;

a spigot rigidly attached to the fixed plate;

a pawl rotatably attached to the rotatable plate;

a bias means attached to the pawl and the rotatable plate;

at least one pawl movement actuator;

and wherein the hinge or hinges releasably lock the frame members in a hinge locked position by engaging the spigot with the pawl and rotatable plate of each hinge.

In a third embodiment there is provided a method of releasably collapsing a buggy from a locked open configuration to a closed or folded configuration by the steps of: a. manufacturing a buggy with a hinge or hinges substantially as described above; b. locking the buggy into an open or unfolded configuration by aligning the buggy frame members attached to the hinge fixed plate and hinge rotating plate to engage the hinge spigot or spigots with the hinge pawl and rotatable plate; c. moving the buggy to a closed or folded configuration by disengaging the pawl from the spigot via at least one pawl movement actuator and moving the frame members about the plate axis.

The plates may be formed from two interposed discs linked together about a central point, one disc linking to one frame member and the other disc linking to the other frame member.

Linkages may be from projections off the discs at points offset from the central axis.

In the above embodiments, the plate axis is defined by a mechanical fastener centrally located between each plate. The mechanical fastener may be a bolt, rivet or another type of fastener that allows rotation.

The hinge plate axis may be substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the buggy when the buggy is in use. This design allows the buggy to fold in upon itself to a contracted form so that the top or handle portion of the buggy frame finishes generally close to the front wheel(s) of the buggy when the buggy is folded.

The hinge may allow the buggy to be moved from a locked open position to a folded position by rotation of the frame members about the plate axis.

The plates may have a circular or semi-circular shape. This shape is useful for both aesthetics and as a means to suitably house the various parts between the plates and avoid sharp edges that may catch on other items such as fingers or loose clothing.

The spigot, pawl, bias means and at least one distil end of the actuator may be contained between the plates. Containing these parts may be useful to prevent accidental damage through knocks and prevents other items such as fingers or clothing catching on the smaller moving parts during folding and unfolding.

The pawl axis of rotation may be offset from the plate axis of rotation. In one embodiment, the pawl axis may be located on the fixed plate. In another embodiment, the pawl axis may be located on the rotatable plate.

In the above embodiments, the pawl may have a cam surface such that the cam surface maintains sliding contact with the spigot during at least part of the opening or closing movement of the hinge. In an optional configuration, the cam surface may be shaped such that the side of the pawl facing away from the plate axis maintains sliding contact with the spigot during at least part of the opening or closing movement of the hinge. Alternatively, the cam surface may be shaped such that the side of the pawl facing towards the central plate axis maintains sliding contact with the spigot during at least part of the opening or closing movement of the hinge.

In the above embodiments, the bias means may be attached to the pawl such that it biases the pawl outwards from a pawl axis linking the pawl and rotating plate. The bias means may be a torsion spring. In an optional configuration, the bias means may be an alternative type of spring, elastic material or other resistive device.

In the above embodiments, the pawl movement actuator or actuators, when placed in tension, may apply a force on the pawl against the bias action acting on the pawl about the pawl axis of rotation. Rotation of the pawl about the pawl axis unlatches the pawl from the spigot thereby permitting rotation of the rotating plate and release of the pawl from a hinge locked position i.e. unlocking the hinge.

The pawl movement actuator or actuators may be a cable and/or lever. The cable and/or lever may be placed under tension when actuated. Optionally, the actuator may be a button, knob or screw-type actuation device communicating a tension force on the pawl. The actuator may be located on or adjacent the frame of the child buggy. The actuator may be located on or within the hinge housing. The pawl movement actuator may include a secondary lock to prevent accidental release. Alternatively, the actuator may be designed to require a specific minimum force before actuation occurs therefore preventing accidental release.

In the above embodiments, the action of the pawl striking the spigot via the bias action when locked may produce an audible sound. The rotatable plate may include a recess that strikes the spigot when the rotatable plate is moved to a locked position. In this embodiment, when the recess strikes the spigot, an audible sound may be produced. The audible sound may be in the form of a single click or multiple clicks, which indicate(s) that the hinge is securely latched.

The rotatable hinge plate may include a projection that acts as a stop and abuts the spigot when the child buggy is in the open or fully unfolded position. The rotatable hinge plate may also include a projection that acts as a stop and abuts the spigot when the child buggy is in the closed or folded position. The projections may act to prevent hyper-extension of the child buggy frame in either the fully unfolded or the fully folded position.

The hinge mechanism also includes a self-locking action. When the hinge is in the open configuration, it automatically locks as noted above. Any effort to move the hinge against the lock action without use of the actuator results in the lock action binding further thereby preventing movement of the rotating plate relative to the fixed plate. In one embodiment, this may be achieved by a force applied to open the hinge being transferred into a compression force on the pawl between the points of contact with spigot and the pawl rotation axis such that any moment generated on the pawl is counteracted by the friction between the top surface of the pawl and the spigot. The moment generated on the pawl (by attempting to open the hinge) is also counteracted by the bias means. The action is however simple to disengage via the pawl movement actuator or actuators.

In the above embodiments, the hinge may lock the frame members into a substantially aligned position such that the frame members define a continuous member. In one embodiment, the top frame member of the buggy frame is attached to either the fixed or rotatable plate and may abut the bottom frame member of the buggy frame that is attached to the opposing plate.

The hinge may include a second pawl and spigot that act to lock the hinge in a frame member closed or folded configuration. In this configuration, the hinge may lock the members into a substantially non-aligned position such that the frame members are broken and correspond to a buggy closed configuration. The second pawl axis of rotation may be offset from the plate axis of rotation.

The buggy may include two hinges located on opposite sides of the buggy frame. In an open configuration, the hinges may lock open retaining the frame members in a position where the frame members define a continuous path. The lock may be disengaged and the buggy folded to a closed configuration.

The buggy may include one or more further hinge points allowing the buggy to have multiple fold points. In one embodiment, a second fold point may be located about a buggy handle frame section. In an alternate embodiment, the second fold point may be located about the foot section of the frame.

As noted above, the hinge mechanism avoids the use of parts that could catch and cut or crush a finger or any part of an adult or child who might be operating the hinge. For example, round shape hinge plates may be used with the catches/ moving parts safely housed within a discrete area, or at least easily contained within a simple plastic housing.

The embodiments described above may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the embodiments relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as of individually set forth,

Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The above described hinge, buggy, and method of use are now described by reference to a working example illustrating one embodiment and variations thereof.

WORKING EXAMPLES

The hinge of the application is now described with reference to the art and a subsequent detailed description of various embodiments of the application hinge and its use with a child buggy.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an art hinge 200 used to fold and open and secure a buggy 300 is illustrated. Figure 1 shows the art buggy 300 in an open configuration while Figure 2 illustrates the closed position. The art buggy 300 illustrated uses two opposing hinges 200 to break the frame into two sections about a hinge axis of rotation. The hinge 200 axis is defined by two rotating discs that rotate about a bolt at the centre of the rotating plates (discs). The discs are locked into position (closed or open) by use of latches located on the discs that lift to release and push down against the discs to lock in position. Securing the frame into an open (or closed) position is relatively simple using the latches. However, the securing process does not occur automatically and the latches introduce extra steps into the securing process requiring operation with two hands. Ideally, securing particularly into the open configuration would occur automatically and without the need for the user to engage handles or latches.

Figure 3 illustrates the hinge(s) 1 of the present application when used on a buggy 100 frame in an open configuration. As can be seen, the hinge 1 from the exterior appears similar to the art, but no latches are used.

The hinge 1 is now described in further detail with reference to the detail images shown in Figures 4 to 7. Any casing(s) over the hinge 1 are removed for clarity in these Figures. The rotating plate 5 has been drawn as if transparent and in dashed lines also for clarity to allow viewing of the parts otherwise obscured. The following description is provided illustrating an embodiment where the hinge acts to lock the buggy 100 in an open or unfolded position however it should be appreciated that the configuration may be reversed and the hinge 1 locking action may be to lock the buggy 100 into a closed or folded configuration.

Figure 4 illustrates the hinge 1 in a buggy 100 open configuration being locked and ready for use. The hinge 1 includes a fixed plate 4 and a rotating plate 5 linked about a central plate rotation axis 9. The interposed disc shaped plates 4,5 may be sized relative to the loadings and durability desired although the relative sizes shown in Figure 3 represent a size that the applicant considers provides an acceptable durability based on use of a steel hinge and plastic cover assembly. The plate rotation axis 9 may be defined by a mechanical fastener such as a bolt or rivet (not shown). The fixed plate 4 is linked to one frame member 2 (in this example being the bottom portion of the frame) and the rotating plate 5 is linked to another frame member 3 (in this example being the top part of the frame). As shown in Figure 4, the open configuration has both frame members 2, 3 aligned together so as to define a continuous frame member across the hinge 1 point. The hinge 1 further includes a pawl 7, a spigot member 6 and a bias means 8. The pawl 7 is connected to rotating plate 5 via the pawl rotation axis 12. The spigot member 6 is shown as a cylindrical projection from the fixed plate although may also be formed from other shapes e.g. a square or oblong cross-section rod. In the embodiment shown, the bias means is a peg spring 8 acting as a torsion spring 8 with legs (not shown) that extend into apertures (not shown) on the pawl 7 and rotating plate 5. In the open position, the pawl 7 nose projection 10 is biased via the bias means 8 about pawl rotation axis 12 to a locked position abutting one side of the spigot member 6. The pawl 7 rotation axis 12 is offset from the plate axis 9. The pawl 7 nose 10 is located at one distil end of the pawl 7 away from the pawl rotation axis 12. A first projection or first lip 11 of the rotating plate 5 acts as a stop and abuts the opposing side of the spigot member 6. The pawl 7 includes a cable 13 attached to the pawl 7 at or about the distil end of the pawl 7 away from the pawl rotation axis 12 that, when pulled, reverses the bias action of the bias means 8. This cable 13 is pulled for example by the user (not shown) directly or by an actuator such as a button (not shown) or lever (not shown) to release the lock on the hinge 1. As noted, the actuator may be a button, knob or screw-type actuation device (not shown) communicating a tension force on the pawl 7. The actuator (not shown) may be located on or adjacent the frame of the child buggy 100. The actuator may be located on or within the hinge 1 housing (not shown). The cable 13 and/or actuator (not shown) may include a secondary lock to prevent accidental release. Alternatively, the cable 13 and/or actuator may be designed to require a specific minimum force before actuation occurs therefore preventing accidental release. The rotating plate 5 also includes a second projection or second lip 14 that acts as a stop when the buggy 100 is folded together and which is discussed further below. Finally, the pawl 7 includes a spigot 6 cammed surface 15 that assists the locking process. This is again described further below.

Referring now to Figure 5, the hinge 1 is shown in a buggy 100 folded or closed configuration. The buggy 100 frame members 2,3 now lie parallel to one another offset by the axis of rotation of the hinge 1. In effect, the buggy 100 is split into two sections via this hinging and folding step as shown in the embodiment of Figure 5. In the folded configuration, the rotating plate 5 has moved approximately 180 degrees in direction Z relative to the fixed plate 4 about plate axis 9 so that the second lip 14 of the rotating plate 5 now strikes the spigot 6 defining an end point of rotation. As should be appreciated, by moving the position of the second lip 14 or spigot 6, the degree of rotation may be adjusted. In a further variation, the fixed plate 4 may include another spigot (not shown) that limits movement of the rotating plate 5 by striking the second lip 14 at an earlier point along the axis of rotation. The pawl 7 is released from the locked position of Figure 5 by pulling on the cable 13 which in turn pulls back the pawl 7 from the spigot 6 against the bias action of the bias means 1 1. Once the pawl 7 moves away from the spigot 6 in direction AA (shown in Figure 4), the cable 13 may be released to allow the pawl 7 to move back to a biased position as shown in Figure 5. In the folded configuration of Figure 5, the first lip 1 and pawl 7 nose 10 no longer engage any other items having rotated along with the rotating plate 5. Note that the pawl 7 and bias means 11 are attached to the rotating plate 5 so that they move along with the rotating plate 5.

Figure 6 illustrates a position intermediate the fully open configuration of Figure 4 and the fully folded configuration of Figure 5. In Figure 6 the buggy 100 is in a partly open position with the frame member 2,3 at an approximately 90 degree angle to each other. For the purposes of this description, Figure 6 is described in terms of the buggy 100 opening process i.e. rotation of the rotating plate about axis Y to a buggy 100 open position. It should be appreciated that the opposite process would occur if closing the buggy 100 to a folded configuration. As the rotating plate 5 moves about axis 9, the spigot 6 strikes the outwardly extending portion of the pawl 7. This surface may have a smooth contour such as that shown by the spigot 6 cammed surface 15 on the pawl 7. The cammed surface 15 acts to assist movement of the spigot 6 along the pawl 7 cammed surface 15 in direction AA (shown in Figure 4). As the spigot 6 travels along cammed surface 15, the pawl 7 is moved against the bias action to align with the rotating plate 5 edge.

Figure 7 illustrates an almost engaged position where the hinge 1 is about to enter a locked position or the reverse, just leaving a locked position. The spigot 6 has moved along cammed surface 15 to a point where the spigot 6 rides up the pawl 7 nose 10 if moved in direction Y to a locked or fully open configuration. If the buggy 100 is fully opened to the configuration shown in Figure 3, the pawl 7 makes an audible noise such as a click when the locked or fully open position is reached. The noise may be from the nose 10 springing past the spigot 6 as the bias means 1 1 forces the pawl 7 nose 10 about the spigot 6. The noise may also in part or in full be from the first projection or first lip 11 of the rotating plate 5 striking the spigot 6. This audible noise provides the user (not shown) with positive feedback that the buggy 100 frame members 2,3 are locked into an open position and the buggy 100 is then safe to use. As should also be appreciated, the hinge 1 mechanism automatically locks the buggy 100 frame members 2,3 when opened i.e. when the rotating plate 5 is moved over the fixed plate 4 unlike art mechanisms that require the user to engage further levers to lock the buggy 100 into a desired configuration. Expressed in terms of a closing process, when in a fully closed configuration, the cable 13 is pulled in tension by the user (not shown) that moves the pawl 7 in a direction against the bias means 11 action moving the pawl 7 nose 10 from the spigot 6. This allows movement of the rotating plate about axis 9 and Figure 7 illustrates the position of the various items as the pawl 7 noses passes over the spigot 6 and any pulling action by the user on the cable 13 is released allowing the pawl 7 to return to a biased position. As is shown, the pawl 7 nose 10 has passed over the spigot 6 and is free to rotate further to a folded configuration about axis 9.

The hinge 1 may also include a self-locking action. When the hinge 1 is in the open configuration, the hinge 1 automatically locks. Any effort to move the hinge 1 against the lock action without disengaging the lock mechanism results in the lock action binding further thereby preventing closure of the buggy or hinge without use of the actuator. To describe this in more detail - any force applied to open the hinge 1 is transferred into a compression force on the pawl 7 between the points of contact with spigot 6 and the pawl 7 rotation axis 12 such that any moment generated on the pawl 7 is counteracted by the friction between the top surface of the pawl 7 and the spigot 6. The moment generated on the pawl 7 (by attempting to open the hinge 1 ) is also counteracted by the bias means 8, in this case a torsion spring. The action is however simple to disengage via the pawl 7 movement actuator or actuators e.g. a cable 13.

As noted above, the hinge 1 utilises round shaped hinge plates 4,5 with moving parts safely housed between the hinge plates 4,5. The hinge 1 may also be enclosed within a simple plastic housing (not shown).

The buggy 100 may also be locked into a folded configuration via use of an additional spigot (not shown) and second pawl (not shown).

Further, while the above description is made towards a buggy 100 that folds approximately in half, the hinge 1 or hinges 1 may be positioned on other parts of the frame in order to fold different portions of the frame e.g. a handle or handles, and multiple hinges 1 may be used to effect two or more different hinge 1 points. One example may be to hinge 1 both a central portion of the buggy 100 frame as well as a handle portion of the frame thereby allow folding action in two parts of the frame.

Aspects of the hinge have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A hinge attached between frame members of a foldable child buggy including:

a fixed plate attached to a first frame member;

a spigot rigidly attached to the fixed plate;

a pawl rotatably attached to the rotatable plate;

a bias means attached to the pawl and the rotatable plate;

at least one pawl movement actuator;

2. The hinge as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hinge plate axis is substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the buggy when the buggy is in use.

3. The hinge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the hinge allows the buggy to be moved from a locked open position to a folded position by rotation of the frame members about the plate axis.

4. The hinge as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the plates have a circular or semi-circular shape.

5. The hinge as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the spigot, pawl, bias means and at least one distil end of the actuator are contained between the plates.

6. The hinge as claimed in any one of the above claims where the pawl axis of rotation is offset from the plate axis of rotation.

7. The hinge as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the bias means is attached to the pawl such that it biases the pawl outwards from an axis linking the pawl and rotating plate.

8. The hinge as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the pawl movement actuator, when placed in tension, applies a force on the pawl against the bias action acting on the pawl about the pawl axis of rotation and thereby unlatches the hinge, permitting rotation of the hinge and release of the pawl from a hinge locked position.

9. The hinge as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the pawl movement actuator is a cable and/or a lever.

10. The hinge as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein a force against the hinge locked position without use of the actuator results in the lock action binding further preventing movement of the rotating plate relative to the fixed plate.

11. The hinge as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the action of the pawl striking the spigot via the bias action when locked produces an audible sound.

12. The hinge as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the rotatable plate includes a recess that strikes the spigot when the rotatable plate is moved to a locked position.

13. The hinge as claimed in claim 8 wherein, when the recess strikes the spigot, an audible sound is produced.

14. The hinge as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the rotatable hinge plate includes a projection that acts as a stop and abuts the spigot when the child buggy is in the fully unfolded position.

15. The hinge as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the rotatable hinge plate includes a projection that acts as a stop and abuts the spigot when the child buggy is in the fully folded position.

16. The hinge as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the hinge locks the members into a substantially aligned position such that the frame members define a continuous member.

17. The hinge as claimed in claim 12 wherein the hinge includes a second pawl and spigot that act to lock the hinge in a frame member folded or broken configuration.

18. A child buggy that includes at least one hinge used to fold the buggy frame, the hinge or hinges including:

a fixed plate attached to a first frame member;

a spigot rigidly attached to the fixed plate;

a pawl rotatably attached to the rotatable plate;

a bias means attached to the pawl and the rotatable plate;

at least one pawl movement actuator;

and wherein the hinge or hinges releasably lock the frame members in a hinge locked position by engaging the spigot with the pawl and rotatable plate.

19. The child buggy as claimed in claim 14 wherein the buggy includes two hinges located on opposite sides of the buggy frame and wherein, in an open configuration, the hinges lock the frame members in a position where the frame members define a continuous path and wherein, when the lock is disengaged, the buggy may be folded to a closed configuration.

20. The child buggy as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the buggy includes one or more further hinge points allowing the buggy to have multiple fold points.

21. A method of releasably collapsing a buggy from a locked open configuration to a closed or folded configuration by the steps of:

a. manufacturing a buggy with a hinge or hinges as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13;

b. locking the buggy into an open or unfolded configuration by aligning the buggy frame members attached to the hinge fixed plate and hinge rotating plate to engage the hinge spigot or spigots with the hinge pawl and rotatable plate;

c. moving the buggy to a closed or folded configuration by disengaging the pawl from the spigot via at least one pawl movement actuator and moving the frame members about the plate axis.

22. The method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the hinge or hinges used include a second pawl and spigot and the buggy is then locked in a folded configuration via the second pawl and spigot.