WO2014097249A2

WO2014097249A2 - Book-like foldable frame in particular for baby strollers

Info

Publication number: WO2014097249A2
Application number: PCT/IB2013/061197
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lucio Clemente PEREGO
Original assignee: Peg Perego S.P.A.
Priority date: 2012-12-21
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2014-06-26
Also published as: WO2014097249A3; CN205417723U; ITMI20122222A1

Abstract

A book-like foldable frame (10) in particular for baby strollers, comprising a pair of front legs (11), respectively a right front leg and a left front leg which are laterally spaced from each other and which are associated with each other so as to form a single body, a pair of rear legs (13), respectively a right rear leg and a left rear leg which are laterally spaced from each other and which are associated with each other so as to form a single body, a pair of handle rods (15), respectively a right handle rod e a left handle rod which are laterally spaced from each other and which are associated with each other so as to form a single body, a pair of articulation groups (17), respectively a right articulation group which articulates the right front leg (11), the right rear leg (13) and the right handle rod (15) with each other and a left articulation group which articulates the left front leg (11), the left rear leg (13) and the left handle rod (15) with each other for the book-like closure of the frame (10), wherein the pair of handle rods (15) and the pair of front legs (11) rotate each as a single body respectively about a first axis (A) and a second axis (B) relative to the pair of rear legs (13) or wherein the pair of handle rods (15) and the pair of rear legs (13) rotate each as a single body respectively about a first axis (A) and a second axis (B) relative to the pair of front legs (11) and wherein the first and second axes (A, B) are parallel to each other and to the supporting ground of the frame (10) and orthogonal to the advancement direction of the frame (10), and that is characterised in that it comprises an attaching base (30) of a baby seat unit which is associated through a cylindrical rotary coupling (31) with the pair of front legs (11) or with the pair of rear legs (13) so as to be able to rotate about a third rotation axis (C) parallel to the first and second axes (A, B), blocking means (35) of the rotation of the attaching base (30) about the third rotation axis (C) which are movable between a blocking position and a de-blocking position of the rotation of the attaching base (30), a control handle (36) which is hinged to the attaching base (30) so as to be able to rotate about a hinging axis (D) parallel to the third rotation axis (C), and a stop element (37) of the rotation of the control handle (36) with respect to the attaching base (30) which is associated with the control handle (36) in a movable manner between a stop position and a release position of the rotation of the control handle (36) with respect to the attaching base (30), wherein the movement of the blocking means (35) from the blocking position to the de-blocking position of the rotation of the attaching base (30) is controlled by the rotation of the control handle (36) about the respective hinging axis (D) or by the movement of the stop element (37) between the stop position and the release position of the rotation of the control handle (36).

Description

BOOK-LIKE FOLDABLE FRAME IN PARTICULAR FOR BABY STROLLERS

The present invention refers to a "book-like" foldable frame in particular for baby strollers and to baby strollers incorporating such a frame.

In the field of baby strollers different types of foldable frames are known, among which, in particular, the so-called "umbrella-like" frames, which can be folded upon themselves both in the longitudinal direction and in the transversal direction, and the so- called "book-like" frames, which can be folded up upon themselves only along the longitudinal direction.

Foldable "umbrella-like" frames are, for example, known from EP1232927.

Foldable "book-like" frames are, on the other hand, known, for example, from US6,105,998, from US6,095,548 and from US 7 , 077, 420.

In these last "book-like" foldable frames of the known type, the opening and closing of the frame occur upon the relative movement between the front uprights, the back uprights and the handle rods, wherein such a movement can be a combined rotation and relative translation movement, like that for example described in US6, 105, 998, or only a rotation movement, as for example described in US6,095,548 or in US7,077,420.

These last "book-like" foldable frames of the known type have small bulk and can be opened and folded even with a single hand and do not require excessive strength by the user.

There is however the felt requirement of having an alternative "book-like" foldable frame structure that makes it possible to increase its safety and stability when it is in the open configuration, so as to prevent it from accidentally closing, while ensuring it is easy to open and close by a user at the same time also when using a single hand and without requiring excessive strength .

In particular, the purpose of the present invention is to propose a "book-like" foldable frame, in particular for baby strollers, that is particularly stable and safe when it is in the open configuration.

Another purpose of the present invention is that of making a "book-like" foldable frame, in particular for baby strollers, which is particularly simple and functional .

These purposes according to the present invention are achieved by making a "book-like" foldable frame in particular for baby strollers as outlined in claim 1.

Further features are provided in the dependent claims .

The features and the advantages of a "book-like" foldable frame in particular for baby strollers according to the present invention shall become clearer from the following description, given as an example and not for limiting purposes, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

figure 1A is a schematic and axonometric view of a "book-like" foldable frame for baby strollers according to the present invention and in the open configuration; figure IB is a schematic view of the left portion of the frame of figure 1A in the closed configuration and seen from inside;

figure 2 is a schematic and axonometric view from above of the attaching base of the frame of figure 1A; figure 3 is a schematic axonometric view from below of the attaching base of the frame of figure 1A;

figure 4 is a schematic exploded view of figure 3 ; figure 5 is a side view of the attaching base of figure 2 ;

figure 6 is a schematic section view according to the plane A-A of figure 5 ;

figure 7 is a schematic plan view from above of the attaching base of figure 5;

figure 8 is a schematic axonometric view of a detail relative to the pair of rear legs of the "booklike" frame according to the present invention;

figures 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D show, a side view, on the central section plane B-B and on the two different section planes C-C and D-D- as indicated in figure 6 and a partially broken view, respectively, of a detail of the frame of figure 1A in the completely open position;

figures 10A, 10B, IOC and 10D show, a side view, on the central section plane B-B and on two different section planes C-C and D-D as indicated in figure 6 and a partially broken view, respectively, of a detail of the frame of figure 1A in a first closing step;

figures 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D show, a side view, on the central section plane B-B and on two different section planes C-C and D-D as indicated in figure 6, respectively, of a detail of the frame of figure 1A in a second and subsequent closing step;

figures 12A and 12B are two axonometric views, and respectively in a partially broken view and in section according to a vertical middle plane, of one of the two articulation groups of the frame of figure 1A in the open configuration.

With reference to the attached figures, reference numeral 10 wholly indicates a frame of the "book-like" foldable type for baby strollers.

It is worth noting that in the present description adjectives such as "first" and "second", just like adjectives such as "front" and "rear", "right" and "left" or "inside" and "outside" and adverbs such as "high" and "low" refer to the conditions of use of a baby stroller by a user and are used only for the sake of clarity of the description and must not be used for limiting purposes.

The frame 10 comprises:

- a pair of front legs 11, respectively a right front leg and a left front leg which are laterally spaced from each other and which are associated with each other so as to form a single body and each of which has a first end 11a which can be associated with a front wheel 12 and a second end lib opposite to the first end 11a,

- a pair of rear legs 13, respectively a right rear leg and a left rear leg which are laterally spaced from each other and which are associated with each other so as to form a single body and each of which has a first end 13a which can be associated with a rear wheel 14 and a second end 13b which is opposite to the first end 13a,

- a pair of handle rods 15, respectively a right handle rod and a left handle rod which are laterally spaced from each other and which are associated with each other so as to form a single body and each of which has one end 15a which is distant from and one end 15b which is near to a handgrip 16 of the type of a single handlebar,

- a pair of articulation groups 17, respectively a right articulation group which articulates the right front leg 11, the right rear leg 13 and the right handle rod 15 with each other and a left articulation group which articulates the left front leg 11, the left rear leg 13 and the left handle rod 15 with each other for the book-like closure of the frame 10.

The front legs 11 are joined to each other through one or more front cross pieces 18; the rear legs 13 are joined to one another by one or more rear cross pieces 19.

It is worth noting that the right and left front legs 11, just like the right and left rear legs 13 or the same right and left handle rods 15, can be made up of respective tubular elements that are joined to one another so as to form a single body through cross pieces or the like or they can be made up of tubular elements that are made as a single U-shaped body.

It is, moreover, worth noting, that the right and left front legs 11 could be associated with a same central front wheel 12.

Since the structure of the frame 10 is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing by the longitudinal middle axis of the frame 10 itself, i.e. the axis coinciding with the direction of advancement Z of the baby stroller, in the rest of the description reference will be made to one of the two semi-portions of the frame 10.

As already mentioned, the frame 10 is of the "book- like" foldable type in which that is, with particular reference to the embodiment represented in the attached figures, the pair of handle rods 15 and the pair of rear legs 13 rotate, each as a single body, respectively about a first axis A and a second axis B relative to the pair of front legs 11, in which the first axis A and the second axis B are parallel to each other and to the supporting ground of the frame 10 and orthogonal to the advancement direction Z.

In one possible alternative embodiment, the pair of handle rods 15 and the pair of front legs 11 rotate, each as a single body, respectively about a first axis A and a second axis B relative to the pair of rear legs 13.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, each articulation group 17 comprises a main body 20 which is associated with the second end lib of the respective front leg 11 and that supports a first pin 21 and a second pin 22 the axes of which, respectively A and B, are parallel to one another and are orthogonal with respect to a vertical plane, i.e. to the plane on which the front 11 and rear 13 legs rest .

The end 15a of the handle rod 15 distant from the handgrip 16 is articulated about the first pin 21 in a rotating manner.

The second end 13b of the rear leg 13 is articulated about the second pin 22 in a rotating manner .

Each articulation group 17, moreover, comprises transmission means 23 of the rotation between the respective handle rod 15 and the respective rear leg 13 which, in the represented embodiment, are of the flexible cable type 24, even if alternative embodiments in which the transmission means can be of the geared or cam type are not excluded.

The transmission means 23 comprise a first discshaped body 25 which is formed in a block 26 fixed to the end 15a of the handle rod 15 distant from the handgrip 16. The first disc-shaped body 25 is articulated with the main body 20 in a rotating manner about the first pin 21, so that the handle rod 15 can rotate about the axis A defined by the latter.

The transmission means 23 further comprise a second disc-shaped body 27 which is obtained in a block 28 fixed to the second end 13b of the rear leg 13. The second disc-shaped body 27 is articulated with the main body 20 in a rotating manner about the second pin 22, so that the rear leg 13 can rotate about the axis B defined by the latter.

The flexible cable 24, of the cord type or the like and in any case not of the extensible type, is at least partially wound around the first disc-shaped body 25 and the second disc-shaped body 27.

In particular, the flexible cable 24 is constrained at at least one point to both the first disc-shaped body 25 and the second disc-shaped body 27, so as to act as an element for pulling or drawing them.

For such a purpose, the flexible cable 24 has two or more elements 29 for anchoring to the first discshaped body 25 and to the second disc-shaped body 27.

In particular, the flexible cable 24 is of the open type and has two ends, each of which is provided with a respective element 29 for anchoring in two opposite points of the second disc-shaped body 27 and an intermediate portion provided with a further element 29 for anchoring to the first disc-shaped body 25.

The two branches of the flexible cable 24 which extend between the first disc-shaped body 25 and the second disc-shaped body 27 cross one another.

According to the present invention, the frame 10 comprises an attaching base 30 of a baby seat unit, like for example a seat unit or a carrycot, the attaching base 30 being associated through a cylindrical rotary coupling 31 with the pair of front legs 11 or with the pair of rear legs 13 so as to be able to rotate about a third rotation axis C that is parallel to the first and to the second axis A and B and different from them, i.e. not coinciding with the first and the second axis A and B.

Advantageously, the attaching base 30 is articulated with the other one of the pair of front legs 11 and the pair of rear legs 13 by means of at least one connecting rod 32 so as to form a group of compasses-like levers for strengthening and stabilising the frame 10 when the latter is in the open configuration .

In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the attaching base 30 is associated through a cylindrical rotary coupling 31 with the pair of front legs 11 and it is articulated with the pair of rear legs 13 by means of a pair of connecting rods 32. Each connecting rod 32 has one end that is articulated about a corresponding articulation axis E parallel to the third axis C with a corresponding bracket 33 that projects beneath the attaching base 30 and the opposite end that is articulated about a corresponding articulation axis F parallel to the third axis C with a corresponding articulation body 34 that is fixed to one of the rear cross pieces 19 that connect the rear legs 13 with each other. It should be noted that the articulation bodies 34 form a single body with the rear legs 13 without the possibility of any relative movement with respect to them, in particular without any possibility of relative rotation.

The frame 10 subject matter of the present invention further comprises:

- blocking means 35 for blocking the rotation of the attaching base 30 with respect to the third rotation axis C, said blocking means are movable between a blocking position and a de-blocking position of the rotation of the attaching base 30 with respect to the pair of front legs 11,

- a control handle 36 which is hinged to the attaching base 30 so as to be able to rotate about a hinging axis D that is parallel to the third rotation axis C and is advantageously different from it, in which the rotation of the control handle 36 controls the movement of the blocking means 35 from the blocking position to the deblocking position of the rotation of the attaching base 30, and

- a stop element 37 for stopping the rotation of the control handle 36 with respect to the attaching base 30, said stop element 37 being associated with the control handle 36 in a movable manner between a stop position and a release position of the rotation of the control handle 36 with respect to the attaching base 30. Advantageously, each of the two, right and left, articulation groups 17 further comprises a stop device 38 which is movable between a stop position and a release position of the relative rotation of the handle rod 15, respectively right and left, and of the rear leg 13, respectively right and left, with respect to the front leg 11, respectively right and left, which, in the embodiment represented in the attached figures, acts as a fixed body with respect to which the pair of handle rods 15 and the pair of rear legs 13 rotate for opening and closing the frame 10 in a "book-like" manner .

In the case in which, on the other hand, the pair of rear legs 13 acts as a fixed body with respect to which the pair of handle rods 15 and the pair of front legs 11 rotate, the stop device 38 is movable between a stop position and a release position of the relative rotation of the handle rod 15, respectively right and left, and of the front leg 11, respectively right and left, with respect to the rear leg 13, respectively right and left.

In the embodiment represented in the attached figures, the stop device 38 is connected by means of a kinematic chain to the stop element 37, the movement of the stop element 37 from the respective stop position to the respective release position of the rotation of the control handle 36, simultaneously controls the movement of the stop device 38 of each of the two articulation groups 17 between the respective stop position and the respective release position of the relative rotation between the respective handle rod 15 and the respective rear leg 13. As clear from the attached figures, the blocking means 35, the stop element 37 and the stop devices 38 are separate from one another and, as shall become clearer in the rest of the description, they act in cascade and can be manoeuvred from outside by a user with just one hand.

In greater detail, the control handle 36 is made up of a "C or U"-shaped body, the arms of which have a respective through hole 39 at the free end.

On the free end of each of the two arms of the control handle 36 a respective sleeve 40 is mounted provided with a through hole 41 which matchingly overlaps the through hole 39 of the respective arm of the C or U-shaped body.

A respective articulation pin 42 is inserted through the pair of through holes 39 and 41 matchingly overlapped one another so as to be inserted in a corresponding housing hole 43 obtained in the corresponding side of the attaching base 30 so as to define the hinging axis D of the control handle 36 with respect to the attaching base 30.

The rod 44 of the control handle 36 that connects the two arms of the C or U-shaped body to one another defines a gripping point for the user.

The stop element 37 is provided with a handgrip which is mounted in a movable manner on the control handle 36 in order to control the movement of the stop element 37 between the stop position and the release position of the rotation of the control handle 36 with respect to the attaching base 30.

In greater detail, the stop element 37 of the rotation of the control handle 36 with respect to the attaching base 30 comprises a slider or a slide which is associated with the control handle 36 in a sliding manner and which has a handgrip 45 and at least one tooth 46 that can be inserted in a corresponding seat 47 obtained in the attaching base 30.

The stop element 37 -and, with it, the handgrip 45- therefore, rotates as a unit with the control handle

36.

In particular, the stop element 37 comprises a pair of bushings 48 each of which is mounted in a sliding manner on a corresponding arm of the C or U-shaped body that forms the control handle 36 between the rod 44 and the respective sleeve 40.

The two bushings 48 are fixedly attached with one another by means of a crosspiece that defines the handgrip 45.

Each of the two bushings 48 has, on the side facing the other one, a respective tooth 46 that projects inwards or towards the central middle plane of the frame 10.

Between the control handle 36 and the stop element

37 first elastic means are interposed that are suitable for retaining the stop element 37 in the stop position of the rotation of the control handle 36 with respect to the attaching base 30, in which the teeth 46 are inserted in the respective seats 47.

The first elastic means are made up of springs 49 that are fitted on each of the two arms of the C or U- shaped body that makes up the control handle 36, with one end resting on an abutment element 50 that is attached to the control handle 36 and the opposite end resting on an abutment surface obtained inside the respective bushing 48 and not visible in the attached figures .

The blocking means 35 of the rotation of the attaching base 30 about the third rotation axis C comprise at least one first hook 51 which is hinged to the attaching base 30 in a rotating manner about a hinging axis G that is parallel to the third rotation axis C and which hooks to a respective pin 52 that is fixed to the pair of rear legs 13 or to the pair of front legs 11. It should be noted that the pins 52 are fixed to the pair of rear legs 13 so as to form a single body with them, without the possibility of any relative movement with respect to them, in particular without any possibility of relative rotation.

As it should be clear from the figures, the blocking means 35 act between the attaching base 30 and the pair of rear 13 or front 11 legs, different from that to which the same attaching base 30 is hinged about the third rotation axis C.

In greater detail, in the embodiment represented in the attached figures, the blocking means 35 comprise a pair of first hooks 51 which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central middle plane of the frame 10 at the opposite sides of the attaching base 30.

Each first hook 51 is articulated to the corresponding side of the attaching base 30 by means of a respective pin 53; the two pins 53 are aligned and coaxial with each other and define the hinging axis G.

Each first hook 51 hooks to a respective pin 52 which is fixed to the pair of rear legs 13; advantageously, the pins 52 are obtained in the articulation bodies 34 of the connecting rods 32. Such articulation bodies 34 are fixed to the crosspiece 19 that connects the rear legs 13.

Second elastic means are provided for holding the blocking means 35 in their blocking position of the rotation of the attaching base 30 with respect to the pair of front legs 11. In the embodiment represented in the attached figures, such second elastic means comprise, for each of the two first hooks 51, a torsion spring 54 that has one end that is fixed to the attaching base 30 and the opposite end that is fixed to the respective first hook 51.

As indicated above and with reference to the embodiment represented in the attached figures, the rotation of the control handle 36 about the hinging axis D controls the movement of the blocking means 35 from the blocking position to the de-blocking position of the rotation of the attaching base 30 with respect to the pair of front legs 11 about the third axis C.

For such a purpose, the stop element 37, which rotates as a unit with the control handle 36, has an abutment shoulder 55 for abutting a corresponding portion 56 of the blocking means 35 for dragging the latter in movement between the blocking position and the de-blocking position of the rotation of the attaching base 30 during the rotation of the control handle 36 about its own hinging axis D.

In particular, on each of the two bushings 48 of the stop element 37 a box-shaped portion 57 is obtained that is closed on the side facing outside with respect to the frame 10 and that is open on the side facing towards the centre of the frame 10.

In the cavity of each box-like portion 57 a respective abutment shoulder 55 is obtained that defines a plane that is inclined with respect to the supporting ground of the frame 10.

Each of the two first hooks 51 in turn comprises a protuberance that projects outwards with respect to the frame 10 and that defines the portion 56, which is housed in the cavity of the corresponding box-like portion 57 and on which, upon rotation of the control handle 36 and, with it, of the stop element 37, the respective abutment shoulder 55 comes to rest.

As mentioned above and with particular reference to the embodiment represented in the attached figures, the movement of the stop element 37 from the respective stop position to the respective release position of the rotation of the control handle 36, which is thus free to rotate, simultaneously controls the movement of the stop device 38 of each of the two articulation groups 17 between the respective stop position and the respective release position of the relative rotation between the respective handle rod 15 and the respective rear leg 13.

For such a purpose, the stop element 37 is connected to the stop device 38 of each of the two articulation groups 17 by means of a respective kinematic chain.

In such a case, only after the movement of the stop element 37 from the stop position to the release position of the rotation of the control handle 36, it is possible to rotate the latter about the respective hinging axis D controlling, in such a way, the movement of the blocking means 35 from the blocking position to the de-blocking position of the rotation of the attaching base 30 about the respective third rotation axis C. As shall become clearer in the rest of the description, the stop element 37 and the control handle 36 can be manoeuvred by a user with just one and the same hand. With reference to the embodiment represented in the attached figures, the stop device 38 of each of the two articulation groups 17 comprises a second hook 58 which is associated, in a rotating manner about a respective rotation axis H which is parallel to the first axis A and to the second axis B, with the second end 13b of the respective right and left rear leg 13.

A gripping element 59 for the second hook 58 - and that, in the represented embodiment, is made up of a pin - is fixed to the end 15a that is distant from the handgrip 16 of the respective right and left handle rod 15.

Third elastic means 63 (figure 8) are interposed between each second hook 58 and the respective rear leg 13 to keep the respective second hook 58 in the gripping configuration of the corresponding gripping element 59, so as to block the relative rotation between the respective right and left handle rod 15 and the respective right and left rear leg 13 when the frame 10 is in the open configuration.

Each second hook 58 is connected to the stop element 37 by means of a respective transmission cable 60.

In particular, each transmission cable 60 has an end that is fixed to the respective second hook 58 and the opposite end that is fixed in a corresponding attachment seat 61 obtained inside each box-like portion 57. Advantageously, the sleeves 40 have a channel for the passage 62 of the respective transmission cable 60.

However, there can also be alternative embodiments of stop devices 38 which, for example, could comprise sliders instead of hooks.

In an alternative embodiment, not represented in the attached figures, the stop element 37 (i.e. the group made up of the bushings 48 and of the crosspiece that joins them forming the handgrip 45), moving from the stop position to the release position of the rotation of the control handle 36 about the respective hinging axis D, controls the movement of the blocking means 35 (i.e. of the first hooks 51 that engage on the pins 52) from the blocking position to the de-blocking position of the rotation of the attaching base 30 about the axis C with respect to the front legs 11. In such a case the shoulders 55 are configured so as to intercept the protuberances 56 of the first hooks 51 following the translation of the stop element 37 itself.

In such an alternative embodiment, moreover, the stop device 38 is connected through a kinematic chain to the control handle 36 and not to the stop element 37; in such a case, it is the rotation of the control handle 36 about the respective hinging axis D that controls the movement of such a stop device 38 between the stop position and the release position of the relative rotation of the handle rods 15 with respect to the rear 13 or front 11 legs.

As can be easily understood by a man skilled in the art, in such a case each transmission cable 60 has one end that is associated with the second hooks 58 and the opposite end that is fixed to the control handle 36 and the attaching base 30 is provided with guides for sliding such transmission cables 60.

In such an alternative embodiment, thus, the stop devices 38 are associated by means of a kinematic chain to the control handle 36, whereas the stop element 37, by moving from the stop position to the release position of the rotation of the control handle 36 about the respective hinging axis D, simultaneously controls the movement of the blocking means 35 from the blocking position to the de-blocking position of the rotation of the attaching base 30 with respect to the third axis C.

In such a case, therefore, only after the movement of the stop element 37 from the stop position to the release position of the rotation of the control handle 36, it is possible to rotate the latter about the respective hinging axis D in such a way controlling the movement of the stop devices 38 from the respective stop position to the respective release position of the relative rotation of the handle rods 15 and of the rear 13 or front 11 legs. Also in such a case, the stop element 37 and the control handle 36 can be manoeuvred by a user by using a single and same hand.

With reference to the embodiment represented in the attached figures 1A, IB and from 9A to 11D, the operation of the frame 10 according to the present invention will be described, the operation of the alternative embodiment as described above being immediately clear to a man skilled in the art without any effort .

As it is clear from figures 1A and IB, the right and left handle rods 15 can rotate together as a single body between an extended configuration, in which they extend at the back with respect to the respective right and left articulation group 17 and upwards, and a folded configuration, in which they extend at the front with respect to the respective right and left articulation group 17 and are respectively brought near to the right and left front leg 11.

Correspondingly, the right and left rear legs 13 can rotate together as a single body between an extended configuration, in which they extend at the back with respect to the respective right and left articulation group 17 and downwards spaced apart from the respective right and left front leg 11, and a folded configuration, in which they are respectively brought near to the right and left front leg 11.

The flexible cable 24 transmission means 23 are configured so as to set in rotation the respective right and left rear leg 13 between the respective extended and folded configurations, and vice versa, when the corresponding right and left handle rod 15 rotates between the respective extended and folded configurations, and vice versa.

Figures 9A to 9D show the detail relative to the attaching base 30 of the frame 10 when this is in the completely open configuration.

In such a configuration, the compasses-like levers made up of the attaching base 30 and by the connecting rods 32 are completely open and extended.

The articulation axis E lies below the line that joins the articulation axis F and the third axis C.

The stop element 37 is in the stop position of the rotation of the control handle 36 with respect to the hinging axis D; in such a position the teeth 46 are inserted in the corresponding seats 47 and are held there by the thrust action that the springs 49 exert on the stop element 37.

The blocking means 35 are in the blocking position of the rotation of the attaching base 30 with respect to the third axis C; in such a position the first hooks 51 are held locked on the respective pin 52 by the torsion springs 54 and the abutment shoulders 55 are spaced apart from the protuberances 56.

It should be noted that, considering a vertical plane passing by the articulation axis E, the blocking means 35 and the rotation axis C are arranged on opposite sides.

The stop devices 38 are in the stop position of the relative rotation of the handle rods 15 and of the rear legs 13 with respect to the front legs 11; in such a position the second hooks 58 are held by the respective third elastic means in a gripping position on the respective gripping element 59.

It should be noted, therefore, that in the position of complete opening the frame 10 is provided with a plurality of safety blocks/stops that prevent it from accidentally closing.

In order to close the frame 10 bringing it into the folded configuration, it is sufficient to act with a single hand and in sequence on the stop element 37 and on the control handle 36 as explained in the rest of the description.

By holding the handgrip 45 and by exerting, on the stop element 37, a pulling action towards the rod 44 of the control handle 36 in contrast with the thrust action exerted by the springs 49, the stop element 37 is made to slide with respect to the control handle 36 between the stop position and the release position of the rotation of the latter.

In practice, the sliding of the stop element 37 coming closer to the rod 44 of the control handle 36 frees the teeth 46 from the respective seats 47.

In such a way, by holding the stop element 37 in the release position, the control handle 36, and with it the same stop element 37, is free to rotate with respect to the hinging axis D.

The sliding of the stop element 37 between the stop position and the release position of the rotation of the control handle 36 simultaneously generates the pulling of the transmission cables 60 which bear the stop devices 38 in the release position of the relative rotation of the handle rods 15 and of the rear legs 13 with respect to the front legs 11.

In practice, the transmission cables 60 make the second hooks 58 rotate around the respective rotation axis H freeing them from the respective gripping element 59.

In such a way, the pair of handle rods 15 and the pair of rear legs 13 are free to rotate with respect to the pair of front legs 11.

Following the sliding of the stop element 37 between the stop position and the release position of the rotation of the control handle 36, the abutment shoulders 55 are brought in abutment against corresponding portions 56 of the first hooks 51.

It should be noted that in such an intermediate opening step (figures lOA-lOC) , in which the control handle 36 has not yet been rotated about its own hinging axis D, the blocking means 35 are still held.

By now making the control handle 36 rotate, and with it the stop element 37 held in the release position, thanks to the thrust action exerted by the abutment shoulders 55 on the portions 56 of the first hooks 51, the latter are made to rotate about the respective hinging axis G in contrast with the action exerted on them by the torsion springs 54 until they are released by the respective pins 52 (figures 11A- 11D) .

In such a position, all the safety blocks and stops are free and it is possible, also by only lifting the frame 10 upwards, to bring the latter in the folded configuration completely closed (figure IB) .

The handle rods 15, indeed, rotate, due to their weight, as a single body, at the front moving close to the front legs 11.

The rotation is transmitted to the rear legs 13 by the transmission means 23 by means of the flexible cable 24. The rear legs 13 rotate, as a single body, at the back moving closer to the front legs 11.

The opposite rotation occurs when the frame 10 is opened starting from its closed configuration.

The "book-like" foldable frame subject matter of the present invention, thanks to the presence of a plurality of safety blocks and stops operating in cascade (the stop element of the control handle, the stop devices of the handle rods and the blocking means of the attaching base), has the advantage of safely ensuring that the open configuration is maintained and, at the same time, it has the advantage of being easily opened and closed by using even a single hand by a user and without requiring particular strength.

The "book-like" foldable frame subject matter of the present invention, moreover, has the advantage of being compact and having low weight.

The "book-like" foldable frame in particular for baby strollers thus conceived can undergo numerous modifications and variants, all covered by the invention; moreover, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

For example, the first and the second disc-shaped body could be replaced by arc-shaped sectors.

In practice the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to the technical requirements .

Claims

1) Book-like foldable frame (10) in particular for baby strollers, comprising:

- a pair of front legs (11), respectively a right front leg and a left front leg which are laterally spaced from each other and which are associated with each other so as to form a single body,

- a pair of rear legs (13), respectively a right rear leg and a left rear leg which are laterally spaced from each other and which are associated with each other so as to form a single body,

- a pair of handle rods (15), respectively a right handle rod and a left handle rod which are laterally spaced from each other and which are associated with each other so as to form a single body,

- a pair of articulation groups (17), respectively a right articulation group which articulates said right front leg (11), said right rear leg (13) and said right handle rod (15) with each other and a left articulation group which articulates said left front leg (11), said left rear leg (13) and said left handle rod (15) with each other for the book-like closure of said frame (10), wherein said pair of handle rods (15) and said pair of front legs (11) rotate each as un single body respectively about a first axis (A) and a second axis (B) relative to said pair of rear legs (13) or wherein said pair of handle rods (15) and said pair of rear legs (13) rotate each as a single body respectively about a first axis (A) and a second axis (B) relative to said pair of front legs (11), and wherein said first and second axes (A, B) are parallel to each other and to the supporting ground of said frame (10) and orthogonal to the advancement direction of said frame (10) and wherein each of said right articulation group (17) and said left articulation group (17) comprises a stop device (38) which is movable between a stop position and a release position of the relative rotation of said right or left handle rod (15) and of said right rear leg (13) with respect to said right or left front leg (11) or of said right or left handle rod (15) and of said right or left front leg (11) with respect to said right or left rear leg (13),

characterised in that it comprises

- an attaching base (30) of a baby seat unit, attaching base which is associated through a cylindrical rotary coupling (31) with said pair of front legs (11) or with said pair of rear legs (13) so as to be able to rotate about a third rotation axis (C) parallel to said first and second axes (A, B) and different from said first and second axes (A, B) ,

- blocking means (35) of the rotation of said attaching base (30) about said third rotation axis (C) which are movable between a blocking position and a de-blocking position of the rotation of said attaching base (30) and that are different from said stop devices (38),

- a control handle (36) which is hinged to said attaching base (30) so as to be able to rotate about a hinging axis (D) parallel to said third rotation axis (C) , and

- a stop element (37) of the rotation of said control handle (36) with respect to said attaching base (30), stop element which is associated with said control handle (36) in a movable manner between a stop position and a release position of the rotation of said control handle (36) with respect to said attaching base (30) and that is separate from said blocking means (35) and from said stop devices (38),

- wherein said stop element (37) is connected to said stop devices (38) by means of a kinematic chain in order to control the movement of said stop devices (38) between said stop position and said release position and wherein the movement of said blocking means (35) from said blocking position to said de-blocking position is controlled by the rotation of said control handle (36) about the respective hinging axis (D) after the movement of said stop element (37) from said stop position to said release position with the simultaneous movement of said stop devices (38) into the respective release position, or

- wherein said control handle (36) is connected to said stop devices (38) by means of a kinematic chain in order to control the movement of said stop devices (38) between said stop position and said release position and wherein the movement of said blocking means (35) from said blocking position to said de-blocking position is controlled by the movement of said stop element (37) between said stop position and said release position and the movement of said stop devices (38) from said stop position to said release position is controlled by the rotation of said control handle (36) about the respective hinging axis (D) after the movement of said stop element (37) from said stop position to said release position.

2) Frame (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that said attaching base (30) is articulated to the other one of said pair of front legs (11) and of said pair of rear legs (13) by means of at least one connecting rod (32) thus forming a compasses-like lever mechanism .

3) Frame (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each of said right articulation group (17) and of said left articulation group (17) further comprises transmission means (23) of the rotation between said right or left handle rod (15) and the respective right or left rear leg (13) or the respective right or left front leg (11).

4) Frame (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said stop element (37) can be manoeuvred from outside by a user with the same hand engaging said control handle (36) .

5) Frame (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said stop element (37) is associated with a handgrip (45) which is associated in a movable manner with said control handle (36) .

6) Frame (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said stop element (37) of the rotation of said control handle (36) with respect to said attaching base (30) comprises a slider which is associated in a sliding manner with said control handle

(36) and which has a handgrip (45) and at least one tooth (46) insertable in a corresponding seat (47) obtained in said attaching base (30), wherein first elastic means (49) are interposed between said control handle (36) and said stop element (37), elastic means (49) which are suitable for retaining said stop element

(37) in said stop position wherein said at least one tooth (46) is inserted in said corresponding seat (47) .

7) Frame (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said blocking means (35) of the rotation of said attaching base (30) about said third rotation axis (C) and said third rotation axis (C), when said frame (10) is in the open configuration, are arranged on opposite sides with respect to a transversal vertical middle plane of said frame (10) .

8) Frame (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said blocking means (35) of the rotation of said attaching base (30) about said third rotation axis (C) act between said attaching base

(30) and the pair of rear (13) or front (11) legs, different from that with which said attaching base (30) is associated with said cylindrical rotary coupling

(31) .

9) Frame (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said blocking means (35) of the rotation of said attaching base (30) about said third rotation axis (C) comprise at least one first hook (51) which is hinged to said attaching base (30) in a rotating manner about a hinging axis (G) parallel to said third rotation axis (C) and which hooks to a respective pin (52) fixed to said pair of rear legs (13) or to said pair of front legs (11) .

10) Frame (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said stop element (37) comprises an abutment shoulder (55) for a corresponding portion (56) of said blocking means (35) of the rotation of said attaching base (30) about said third rotation axis (C) for dragging said blocking means (35) in movement between said blocking position and said de-blocking position of the rotation of said attaching base (30) upon rotation of said control handle (36) about said hinging axis (D) or upon movement of said stop element (37) between said stop position and said release position.

11) Frame (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of said stop devices (38) comprises a second hook (58) which is associated with said respective right and left rear leg (13) or with said respective right and left front leg (11) in a rotating manner about a respective rotation axis (H) parallel to said first and second axes (A, B) , a gripping element (59) for said second hook (58) and which is fixed to the respective right and left handle rod (15), third elastic means arranged to retain said second hook (58) in the gripping position of said gripping element (59) and a movement transmission cable (60) having an end associated with said stop element (37) or with said control handle (36) and the opposite end associated with said second hook (58) .

12) Baby stroller (100), comprising a book-like foldable frame (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims.