GB2161759A

GB2161759A - Folding push-chair

Info

Publication number: GB2161759A
Application number: GB08418001A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aldo Grossi
Original assignee: RAFFAELE GIORDANI SpA
Current assignee: RAFFAELE GIORDANI SpA
Priority date: 1984-07-16
Filing date: 1984-07-16
Publication date: 1986-01-22
Also published as: GB8418001D0

Abstract

A folding metal frame (2) has two foldable first rods (3), supporting at least one respective front wheel (13), and two second rods (17) hinged, at the top, to the top ends of the said first rods (3) and, at the bottom, to the bottom ends (8) of the said first rods (3) by means of two first bars (27) arranged in crosswise manner; the said second rods (17) being hinged to two fourth bars (51) hinged together in crosswise manner and having their respective top ends hinged to respective fourth couplings (53) sliding respectively along one of the said second rods (17) each of which supports at least one rear wheel (24). Bars 34, 42 support a seat, the bar 42 being slidable with respect to rods 17 by means of 58, 55. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Perfected push-chair The present invention relates to a perfected push chair.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a push-chair that can be folded up easily to make it smaller to carry and which is cheap to manufac ture.

With this aim in view, the present invention re lates to a perfected push-chair, characterised by the fact that it comprises a foldable frame having two first metal rods, parallel to each other and, when in use, converging with the supporting sur face at an acute angle, and each having a top and bottom portion hinged to each other so that, when folded, the said top portion turns clockwise round the hinge point with the said bottom portion sup porting at least one front wheel; two second metal rods, parallel to each other and converging with the supporting surface at an angle close to 90O, each being coplanar with one of the said first rods and each having a top end, hinged to a respective lever to which is hinged part of the respective said top portion, and a bottom end supporting at least one rear wheel;; two first bars hinged to each other in crosswise manner and having their front ends hinged to re spective first brackets, supported close to the said bottom ends of the said bottom portions, and their rear ends hinged to respective second brackets supported close to the said bottom ends of the said rods; a seat having a base supported on two second parallel bars housed in cavities on the sides of the base and hinged at the rear end round a respective first pin supported on a respective first coupling engaging a respective part of the said second rod close to its said bottom end; having two concer tina-type side walls supported on the said top por tions of the said first rods, and having a backrest supported at the sides by two third bars having the respective bottom end hinged to a respective sec ond coupling engaging the centre part of each of the said second bars; two third couplings, each sliding along the mid part of the said second rods and each supporting one of the said third bars by means of a first metal segment; two second metal segments, each hinged, at a first end, to a respective second pin supported on each of the said first couplings, and, at a second end, to the same first plate designed to move up wards when in use; two third metal segments, each hinged, at a first end, close to the top end of the said first rods and, at a second end, to the same second plate de signed to move upwards when in use; and two fourth bars hinged to each other in cross wise manner and having their bottom ends hinged to the said second pins, supported on the said first couplings, and their top ends hinged to two third pins, each supported on a respective fourth cou pling sliding respectively along one of the said second bars.

A preferred arrangement of the present invention will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which Figure 1 shows a side view of a push-chair according to the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 show a front and rear view respectively of the Fig. 1 push-chair; Figure 4 shows a rear view of the Fig. 1 pushchair with the frame being folded; Figure 5 shows a rear view of the Fig. 1 pushchair with the frame practically folded.

Number 1 in Fig. 1 indicates a perfected pushchair with a frame 2, that can be folded up smaller for carrying. Frame 2 comprises two parallel metal rods, 3, converging with the supporting surface at an acute angle. Each rod 3 is made in two portions, 4 and 5, so that, when frame 2 is being folded, top portion 4 moves over bottom portion 5, essentially parallel to it. In more detail, the bottom end of top portion 4 and the top end of bottom portion 5 are housed inside and hinged to the side portions of a U-shaped plate 6. During normal use of push-chair 1, the longitudinal axes of portions 4 and 5 are essentially parallel and plate 6 ensures longitudinal continuity of rod 3 of which portions 4 and 5 form part. The top end of top portion 4 is bent in a half-circle towards the front of push-chair 1 and housed inside coupling 7 of the same shape and designed to act as a grip.The bottom end, 8, of bottom portion 5 is bent so that its axis is essentially perpendicular to the supporting surface.

As shown in Fig.2, each end 8 is housed inside coupling 9 with its axis perpendicular to the supporting surface. Coupling 9 forms part of an element, 10, having a second coupling, 11, with its axis parallel to the supporting surface and housing a rotary shaft, 12, supporting a front wheel, 13, at each end. Element 10 thus connects end 8 and shaft 12 supporting the two wheels 13. A point worth noting is that the assembly formed of wheels 13 and element 10 is designed to turn round the axis of end 8. Close to the latter, portions 5 are fitted with respective brackets, 14, which, in turn, are fitted with a foldable strip, 15, which, in use, acts as a footrest for the child's feet.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, frame 2 also comprises two parallel metal rods, 17, having their longitudinal axes converging with the supporting surface at an angle close to 90', when push-chair 1 is open.

Each rod 17 has a corresponding rod 3 the longitudinal axis of which is coplanar with the axis of the corresponding rod 17. The top end of each rod 17 is hinged to two side portions of a U-shaped plate, 18, embracing part of top portion 4 of rod 3, the said part of portion 4 also being hinged to the side portions of plate 18. In the plane defined by its own axis, rod 17 also has a bottom end, 21, bent outwards of push-chair 1 and fitted inside a first coupling connected to a second coupling, 22, with its axis parallel to the supporting surface. Coupling 22 houses a rotary shaft, 23, supporting a rear wheel, 24, at each end. At each coupling 22, pushchair 1 is provided with a known type of movable lever, 25, one end of which provides for locking rotation of shaft 23 and, consequently, also of wheels 24.In more detail, when braking action is applied, the end of lever 25 engages with the rims on wheels 24. In a plane parallel to the supporting surface, frame 2 comprises two bars, 27, arranged in crosswise manner and hinged to each other, in the mid part, round a pin, 28, engaging two holes, one in top bar 27 and the other in bottom bar 27.

Bars 27 connect the bottom parts of rods 3 and 17.

In more detail, the front ends of bars 27 are hinged to a first portion of a respective L-shaped bracket 31 (Fig.1), a second portion of which is hinged to the corresponding rod 3 near bottom end 8, while the rear ends are hinged to a first portion of a respective bracket, similar to bracket 31 and a second portion of which is hinged to the corresponding rod 17 near its bottom end 21. On account of the way in which they are hinged together and connected to rods 3 and 17, bars 27 are slightly arched.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, push-chair 1 is provided with a seat, 33, supported on frame 2 and, in particular, on rods 3 and 17 and two further rods, 34, parallel to each other and each associated with one of rods 3 and 17. The rear end of each rod 34 is hinged to a pin, 35 (Fig.1), supported on a coupling, 36, fitted on to rod 17 near its bottom end 21. From rod 17, rod 34 extends past rod 3 where it is housed in a cavity on the side of base 37 on seat 33. The longitudinal axes of rods 34 therefore lie in the plane defined by the said base 37. The smaller middle part of each rod 34 is housed integral inside a coupling, 38 (Fig.1), from which extends vertically upwards an appendix, 41, on to which is hinged the bottom end of bar 42 engaging cavities on the side of backrest 43 on seat 33.The latter also has two concertina-type side walls, 44, which can be folded up for setting seat 33 in two different positions : a first walking position, i.e.

with backrest 43 straight up (Fig.2) and a second rest position, i.e. with backrest 43 turned down (Fig.1). The position of backrest 43 depends on the position of bars 42. Side walls 44 have a portion, 45, turned round part of top portions 4 on rods 3.

As shown in Fig.3, a lattice structure, 46, is hinged straight on to bars 42, the said structure comprising a number of metal segments hinged together so that, when push-chair 1 is open, backrest 43 rests on them and is prevented from slumping and, when push-chair 1 is folded, the segments fold up compactly as shown in Fig.5.

As shown in Fig.s 1 and 3, in the plane defined by both the axes of rods 17, frame 2 comprises two bars, 51, arranged in crosswise manner and hinged together at the mid point on a pin, 52, engaging two boles, one in outer bar 51 and the other in inner bar 51. The bottom ends of bars 51 are hinged on respective pins projecting outwards from the said couplings 36, while the top ends of bars 51 are hinged on respective pins, each supported on a respective coupling 53. Each coupling 53 slides along a corresponding rod 17 and has two diametrically opposed slots, 59, at the bottom. When in use, the said slots 59 are engaged by respective tabs 60, on rods 17, which prevent couplings 53 from sliding downwards. The maximum aperture of the cross defined by bars 51 (Figs. 2 and 3) depends on the interaction of slots 59 on couplings 53 and tabs 60.The minimum aperture of the said cross depends on the minimum distance between rods 17 when push-chair 1, or rather, frame 2 is folded up. In such a position, couplings 53 slide up rods 17 so as to release tabs 60. When backrest 43 on push-chair 1 is in the straight-up position already mentioned, couplings 53 engage with two couplings, 55, also designed to slide along rods 17.

In more detail, each coupling 55 has an appendix, 56, at the bottom, which, when backrest 43 is in the straight-up position, engages a slot, 57, on the top of coupling 53. Each coupling 55 is hinged to the first end of a metal segment, 58, the second end of which is hinged to the corresponding bar 42. Each coupling 55 is also fitted with a tab, 68, extending outwards at right-angles to the axis of rod 17. When push-chair 1 is open, couplings 55 may assume two different positions the first of which, engaging with couplings 53, has already been described and corresponds to backrest 43 in the straight-up position. In this position (Fig.2) backrest 43 is supported by couplings 55 with the aid of segments 58. By means of tabs 68, couplings 55 (Fig.1) can be slid upwards into a second position in which they no longer engage couplings 53.When this is done, backrest 43 moves from the straight-up position to the rest position in which bars 42 rest on the cross defined by bars 51. In other words, the position of backrest 43 is determined by the position of bars 42 which is controlled, via segments 58, by appropriate sliding of couplings 55.

As shown in Fig.s 3, 4 and 5, the pins projecting from the two couplings 36, to which bars 51 are hinged, are hinged to the first ends of two metal segments, 61, the second ends of which are both hinged to a plate, 62, usually made of plastic. The two metal segments, 61, are coaxial when pushchair 1 is open (Fig.3) and converge in an intermediate axis between rods 17 when frame 2 is folded (Fig.s 4 and 5). Plate 62 thus also acts as a grip which, when pulled up, brings rods 17 together.

Near the top end, rods 3 are hinged to the first end of a respective second metal segment, 63, similar to segment 61. In fact, the second end of both segments 63 is hinged to a plastic plate, 64, similar to plate 62. The two segments 63 and plate 64 operate in the same way as the two segments 61 and plate 62, except that they provide for bringing together rods 3. In other words, rods 17 and rods 3 are brought together by sliding plates 62 and 64 upwards respectively. One segment 63 is fitted to the first end of a spring, 65(Fig.s 1 and 2), the second end of which is fitted to a coupling, 66, on rod 3 to which the said segment 63 is hinged. The function of spring 65 is to prevent the corresponding segment 63 from turning round the hinge point on rod 3. From coupling 66, a pin, 67, extends outwards, the said pin being designed to engage with a flexible lever, 69, fitted to one of rods 3 near bottom end 8. In more detail, when frame 2 on push chair 1 is completely folded (Fig.5), lever 69 is engaged by pin 67 so as to lock together portions 4 and 5 of rod 3.

To fold up push-chair 1, i.e. to fold frame 2, plates 62 and 64 are simply pushed up, while at the same time bringing rods 3 and rods 17 together by turning portions 4 round the hinge point in plates 6. When this is done, the ends of bars 27 and bars 51 come together, while couplings 53, being designed to slide along respective rods 17, slide upwards taking couplings 55 up with them. If top portions 4 of rods 3 are then turned further clockwise over bottom portions 5, the latter are caused to turn anticlockwise round brackets 31 until they contact bars 27. Furthermore, rods 17 are forced by respective top portions 4 of rods 3 to turn clockwise round the brackets supporting the rear ends of bars 27 until they contact the said top portions 4, while bars 34 also turn clockwise until they contact bars 27. Bars 34 will thus come together causing backrest 43 and base 37 on seat 33 to fold up as shown in Fig.s 4 and 5.

The advantages of the present invention consist in providing for a push-chair, 1, comprising a frame, 2, that can be folded up easily for bringing about a considerable reduction in size; in providing for a solid frame, 2, that needs no special servicing; and, finally, in providing for low manufacturing cost, on account of the simplicity of the component parts on push-chair 1.

To those skilled in the art it will be clear that changes can be made to push-chair 1 as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Perfected push-chair, characterised by the fact that it comprises a foldable frame (2) having two first metal rods (3) parallel to each other and, when in use, converging with the supporting surface at an acute angle, and each having a top (4) and bottom (5) portion hinged to each other so that, when folded, the said top portion (4) turns clockwise round the hinge point with the said bottom portion (5) having a bottom end (8) supporting at least one front wheel (13); two second metal rods (17) parallel to each other and converging with the supporting surface at an angle close to 90 , each being coplanar with one of the said first rods (3) and each having a top end, hinged to a respective lever (18) to which is hinged part of the respective said top portion (4), and a bottom end (21) supporting at least one rear wheel (24);; two first bars (27) hinged to each other in crosswise manner and having their front ends hinged to respective first brackets (31), supported close to the said bottom ends (8) of the said bottom portions (5), and their rear ends hinged to respective second brackets supported close to the said bottom ends (21) of the said second rods (17); a seat (33) having a base (37) supported on two second parallel bars (34) housed in cavities on the sides of the base and hinged at the rear end round a respective first pin (35) supported on a respective first coupling (36) engaging a respective part of the said second rod (17) close to its said bottom end (21); having two concertina-type side walls (44) supported on the said top portions (4) of the said first rods (3); and having a backrest (43) supported at the sides by two third bars (42) having the respective bottom end hinged to a respective second coupling (38) engaging the centre part of each of the said second bars (34); two third couplings (55), each sliding along the mid part of the said second rods (17) and each supporting one of the said third bars (42) by means of a first metal segment (58); two second metal segments (61), each hinged, at a first end, to a respective second pin supported on each of the said first couplings (36), and, at a second end, to the same first plate (62) designed to move upwards when in use; two third metal segments (63), each hinged, at a first end, close to the top end of each of the said top portions (4) of the said first rods (3) and, at a second end, to the same second plate (64) designed to move upwards when in use; and two fourth bars (51) hinged to each other in crosswise manner and having their bottom ends hinged to the said second pins, supported on the said first couplings (36), and their top ends hinged to two third pins, each supported on a respective fourth coupling (53) sliding respectively along one of the said second rods (17).

2. Push-chair according to Claim 1, characterised by the fact that, in the working position, each of the said bottom ends (8) of the bottom portions (5) converges with the supporting surface at an angle close to 90 and is connected to a first hub (12) at the opposite ends of which are fitted the two said front wheels (13).

3. Push-chair according to Claim 1 andlor 2, characterised by the fact that each of the said bottom ends (21) of the said second rods (17) is connected to a second hub (23) at the opposite ends of which are fitted the two said rear wheels (24).

4. Push-chair according to at least one of the foregoing Claims, characterised by the fact that, from the said third couplings (55), a respective tab (68) extends outwards and which may be operated for sliding the said third couplings (55) into two different positions, so that the said third bars (42) are supported by the said first segments (58) in two different positions, in the first of which, called the rest position, the said backrest (43) is lowered almost parallel with the supporting surface and the said third bars (42) rest on the said fourth bars (51), and in the second of which, called the walking position, the said backrest (43) is straight up almost perpendicular with the supporting surface and the said third couplings (55) engage with the said fourth couplings (53).

5. Push-chair according to at least one of the foregoing Claims, characterised by the fact that, to the said third bars (42) is directly hinged a lattice structure (46) of the type comprising a number of metal plates hinged together so as to enable its overall size to be reduced as required; the said lat tice structure (46) supporting the said backrest (43).

6. Push-chair according to Claim 4 and/or 5, characterised by the fact that the top end of each of the said fourth couplings (53) has a first slot (57) designed to house an appendix (56) extending downwards from each of the said third couplings (55), when the said fourth (53) and third (55) couplings come into mutual contact, i.e. when the said backrest (43) is in the straight-up position.

7. Push-chair according to Claim 6, characterised by the fact that the maximum aperture of the cross defined by the said fourth bars (51) depends on the engagement of the said fourth couplings (53) and respective tabs (60)supported on the said second rods (17).

8. Push-chair according to Claim 7, characterised by the fact that the said fourth couplings (53) have at least one second slot (58), at the bottom, designed to be engaged by one of the said tabs (60) when the said frame (2) is in the working position.

9. Push-chair according to at least one of the foregoing Claims, characterised by the fact that the top end of the said top portions (4) of the said first rods (3) is bent frontwards in a half-circle and covered by a plastic element (7) acting as a grip.

10. Push-chair according to at least one of the foregoing Claims, characterised by the fact that it comprises a fifth coupling (66) fitted to the said top portion (4); the said fifth coupling (66) being fitted with the first end of a spring (65) the second end of which is fitted to one of the said third metal segments (63).

11. Push-chair according to at least one of the foregoing Claims, characterised by the fact that the said base (37) and the said backrest (43) on the said seat (33) are foldable so as to enable the said frame (2) to be folded up.

12. Perfected push-chair as described and illustrated with reference to the attached drawings.