GB2310172A

GB2310172A - Perambulator

Info

Publication number: GB2310172A
Application number: GB9619998A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Klaus Feyler
Original assignee: Hauck GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Hauck GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1996-02-16
Filing date: 1996-09-25
Publication date: 1997-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2016-09-25
Also published as: FR2744975A1; FR2744975B1; DE29602814U1; GB2310172B; GB9619998D0

Description

PERAMBULATOR The invention relates to a perambulator, particularly a doll's perambulator according to the preamble to claim 1.

Such a perambulator is known e.g. from DE 38 30 752 C2 or DE 35 32 594 C2, or also DE 37 09 712 Al. These perambulators are each characterised by a foldable chassis comprising two frame spars articulated together in two parallel vertical planes, e.g. arranged in scissors fashion, and a U-shaped handle, corresponding frame spars of the two frames each forming a pair, and by a seat mount having a seat surface and a back rest.

Further, all known perambulators have on each side frame spars extending as a rule obliquely from the back and the top to the forward and below, each defining the upper limit of the chassis on both sides of the perambulator.

There are further quite generally known children's seat pods including a carrier handle whose legs are articulated laterally on the carrier pod in such a way that the carrying handle is pivotable from an approximately vertical carrying position into a base support position and vice versa as well as if necessary further intermediate positions. In this respect reference is made by way of example to US-A 4, 986, 599 or US-A 5, 011, 221. These known children's seat carrier pods whose seating and reclining sides include upholstery, also serve as a child's seat. For this purpose, according to Buropean regulations they are anchored by means of seat belts present in the vehicle, as a rule on the rear seat of the motor vehicle, and usually in such a way that the back rest is oriented forwards, i.e. that the child sitting or lying in the carrier pod is looking to the rear.

The object underlying the present invention is now to provide a perambulator which may also be used as a doll's perambulator, and which is so designed that it is suitable to receive a carrier pod of the type named, so that the carrier pod may be placed on the perambulator and the child or the doll in the carrier pod is movable with the perambulator. The unit "carrier pod/child" is thus to be retained unaltered irrespective of whether the child is transported in the vehicle, with the perambulator, or by hand.

The invention provides a perambulator according to claim 1. Accordingly the perambulator is fitted with support bearings for a carrier pod. The support bearings are detachably connected to the frame spars of the perambulator and in particular in such a way that they can be hooked on or snap-connected. Thus it is also possible to remove the support bearings from the perambulator again as soon as the child, particularly a baby, has grown out of the carrier pod.

Alternatively, the support bearings may be also positively or frictionally connected, particularly securely clamped to the associated frame spars.

The support bearing according to claims 9 and 10 preferably has aconstructionally simple resilient engagement arrangement, which prevents the support bearing from falling off the frame spars of the child's or doll's perambulator, if the latter is transported in a car or the like.

Furthermore, a locking system for the support bearings on the associated frame spars of the perambulator is preferably provided.

The constructional design of the support bearings according to claims 2 to 6 is particularly simple as regards handling. The carrier pod need only be deposited on the support bearings or on the support plates of the perambulator arranged thereon. The carrier pod is preferably supplied at both sides with a pivot bearing, which on the one hand enables the carrying handle to be pivoted into various positions, and on the other hand serves to attach the carrier pod to the support bearing or the support plate. According to the constructional design in claims 13 and 14, the carrier pod is sufficiently rigidly attached via the pivot bearings to the support bearings of the perambulator so that the carrier pod mounted on the support bearings cannot execute any tilting or swinging movements. This also ensures that the carrier pod is not released from the support bearings even during jerky movements of the perambulator. Each carrier pod pivot bearing includes an easily-handled resilient engagement mechanism which fixes the carrying handle of the carrier pod in a defined desired position. For this purpose both the portions of the pivot bearings secured laterally to the carrier pod and the portions of the carrying handle associated with the pivot bearings each have an engagement disc rotatable relative to one another, whose surfaces facing one another have mutually corresponding engagement projections on the one side and engagement recesses on the other side. By means of a clamping mechanism, the resilient engagement discs facing one another are simply fixed and released again from one another, if a different position of the carrying handle is desired.

In order further to secure the carrier pod on the support bearings, it is also recommended that the latter be retained by means of a strap in such a way that in no case can the carrier pod drop out of the support bearings, not even if the perambulator should tip over. The retaining strap is preferably attached to the support bearings and adjustable for length. For securing purposes the retaining strap is passed over the carrier pod, particularly over the foot portion of the same, securing the pod to the perambulator, and locked by means of a previously known locking mechanism.

An embodiment of a child's or doll's perambulator designed according to the invention and of an associated carrier pod will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the annexed drawing, which shows: Figure 1: a carrier pod for receiving a baby or a doll as a portion of the perambulator/carrier pod system according to the invention, in perspective elevation; Figure 2: a side elevation of a perambulator fitted according to the invention with support bearings, in combination with a carrier pod according to Fig.1; Figure 3: a plan view of the side of a support bearing facing the perambulator, or lying inwards in the assembled condition, and Figure 4: a diagrammatic view of a support plate of the support bearing to a carrier handle pivot bearing arranged on the carrier pod, in a perspective, exploded view.

The carrier pod shown in Figure 1 serves as a child's or doll's seat or recliner, depending on the angle at which the back rest is adjusted relative to the horizontal. The carrier pod according to Figure 1 is primarily used as a child's or doll's seat, and for transport in a car. The carrier pod according to Figure 1 is identified by the reference numeral 10. It comprises an ergonomically shaped plastics hard shell 11, whose seat or recliner side is provided with upholstery 12. Furthermore, the seat and recliner side has associated therewith a triangular security strap 13 with strap closure 14.

Articulated to both sides of the hard shell 11 is a carrier handle 15. The carrier handle 15 may be pivoted out of an approximately vertical carrying position into a basic support position according to Figure 1 and vice versa, and into other angled positions. In Figure 1 only one pivot bearing is shown and identified with the reference numeral 60. As Figure 4 also shows, the pivot bearing comprises a cylindrical pivot bearing housing 60a, which is disposed laterally on the carrier pod 10. Associated with this housing 60a is a cap-shaped end 60b on the leg of the carrier handle 15. Associated with the pivot bearing thus designed is also a resilient engagement mechanism, in order to hold the carrying handle 15 in desired angular positions. The mechanism is fixed in a desired resilient engaged position by means of an actuating button 60c effectively connected with the resilient engagement mechanism. The resilient engagement mechanism associated with the pivot bearing will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figure 4. In the position according to Figure 1, the carrier pod may be placed on the ground, support on the one hand being provided by the carrier handle 15 already mentioned and on the other hand by the lower edge 18 of a foot support 19 formed on the carrier pod 10. The carrier pod 10 is designed in the manner of a seat shell, i.e. with lateral support walls 20, 21.

The carrier shell described is intended among other things to be secured to the chassis of a perambulator, particularly a doll's perambulator as indicated in Figure 2. This child's or doll's perambulator is identified in Figure 2 by the reference numeral 22.

The chassis of this perambulator includes two spar constructions extending at a horizontal spacing apart from one another, and parallel in vertical planes to one another, between which there is disposed a seat portion 23 with a seat surface 24 and a back rest 25.

Each spar construction has a main spar 26 extending obliquely from the top rear to the front bottom and, articulated thereto (joint 28), a support spar 27 extending obliquely backwards and downwards. Disposed between the support spar 27 and main spar 26 is also a connecting strut 29. In order that the perambulator can be folded, the connecting strut 29 has two strut sections, connected together by a joint 30. Otherwise, the ends of the strut sections respectively facing away from the joint 30, are articulated to the main spar 26 on the one hand and to the support spar 27 on the other hand (joints 31, 32). When the connecting struts 29 are raised in the region of the joint connection 30 in the direction of arrow 33, the connecting strut 29 folds in a scissors fashion with the result that the support spar 27 can also be folded on to the main spar 26, in the direction of arrow 34.

Mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis 36 on the lower ends of main spar 26 and support spar 27 is a respective runner wheel 35. The forward runner wheels 36 may also be mounted to pivot about a vertical axis 37. As in this respect a known runner wheel construction is involved, no further description of these is required at this point.

As Figure 2 shows, there is connected to the two main spars 26 respectively in the region between the articulation 28 of the support spar 27 on the one hand and the articulation 31 of the connecting strut 29 on the other hand, a support bearing 50 for the carrier pod 10, in a method which may be secured by hooking and resilient connection. For this purpose, the support bearing 50 is a component which may be mounted on the respectively associated main spar 26, with a discshaped support plate 51, which extends upwards parallel to the planes extended by the main spar 26 and support spar 27 on each side of the perambulator (see also Figure 3). The associated cylindrical pivot bearing housing 60a of the pivot bearing 60 of the carrier handle 15 is placed on this support plate 51 of the support bearing 50 in accordance with Figure 2.

The mentioned support bearing component has two inlet openings or slots 54 and 55 for receiving laterally outwardly projecting retainer pins 42 and 43 on the main spar 26 or on a brace 44 rigidly connected to the main spar 26. In the assembled condition of the support bearing 50 or of the associated component, the associated main spar 26 extends through a complementary longitudinal groove in the support bearing component.

This longitudinal groove is open in a downward direction, so that the support bearing component may be mounted from above on the main spar 26 and displaced downwards for assembly until the said retaining pins 42, 43 are fully inserted into the inlet openings or slots 54 and 55. The inlet openings or slots 54, 55 are provided on the external side with laterally projecting covers, which cover the laterally projecting retainer pins in the assembled condition, in order to prevent injury on the laterally projecting retainer pins 42 and 43.

In the assembled embodiment shown, the inlet openings 54 and 55 are downwardly open in a direction parallel to the associated main spar 26, so that in normal operation the support bearing 50, under the influence of gravity, is automatically held in contact with the retainer pins 42 and 43. Thus the support bearing 50 is substantially secured on the main spars 26.

A different type of locking or blocking of the support bearing 50 on the associated main spar 26 however may be imagined.

Thus a locking procedure for the support bearing on the frame spar 26 may be provided, e.g. in the form of a locking bolt, which, in the position of the support bearing 50 shown in Figure 2, may be passed transversely through the associated component and the lateral brace 44.

As already mentioned, a frictional-locking, particularly positive and frictional-locking fixing of the support bearing 50 on the main spar 26 and its lateral brace 44 may be envisaged.

In concrete terms, the support bearing 50 is connected to the main spar 26 in addition to the friction-locking security described above by means of a clamping or resilient engagement device, in order to prevent the support bearings 50 from being unintentionally released from the retaining pins 42 and 43 and thus from the main spar 26, for example during transport of the child's or doll's perambulator. The inlet openings or slots 54 and 55 each have resilient engagement means in the form of two mutually-opposite projections 56, which project into the inlet openings or slots 54, 55 and reduce the clearance thereof. If necessary a single projection projecting into the inlet openings or slots may if necessary serve as a resilient connection means.

The essential feature is that the clearance of the inlet openings or slots, reduced by the resilient attachment means, is slightly less than the diameter of the retaining pins 42 and 43. During assembly of the support bearing 50, the latter is "snapped on", overcoming the abovementioned constriction, on to the retaining pins 42 and 43. In order to simplify this "snap-on" action, the projections 56 are rounded.

The carrier pod 10 is placed between the frame spars 26, 27 defining the two vertical planes or the lateral limit of the perambulator, on to the support bearing, the pivot bearings 60 of the carrier pod being set on to the said support plates 51. For this purpose the pivot bearings 60 or their housing 60a associated with the carrier handle 15 are designed to be opened downwards, so that the support plates 51 may be introduced from below into the housings of the pivot bearings. In order to connect the pivot bearing housings 60a of the carrier pod 10 in a non-rotary fashion with the support plates 51, there are provided respectively on the support plates 51 two upwardly-open slit-shaped recesses 52, which pass into engagement with two corresponding web elements 63 disposed in each pivot bearing housing 60a, and oriented downwards.

For non-rotational and anti-tilt connection between the support plates 51 and the associated pivot bearing housings 60a it is also sufficient if the support plates 51 each have only one single upwardly-open slitshaped recess 52, which corresponds with a downwardlyoriented web member 63 of the pivot bearing housings 60a.

Conversely, the support plate 15 may also have upwardly directed retaining pins or web members, each of which is received in complementary downwardly-open receiving openings of the pivot bearing housing 60a associated with the carrier handle 15.

In order to provide further support of the pivot bearing housing 60a on the support plate 51, the latter has on its peripheral edge a radially projecting projection 53, which is held in contact with the pivot bearing housing 60a or with its peripheral edge 62, as soon as the support plate 51 has passed fully into engagement with the pivot bearing housing 60a.

By virtue of the fact that the carrier pod 10 attached to the support plate 51 is additionally supported on the seat surface 24 of the perambulator, involuntary pivoting of the carrier pod against the support plate 50 forwards or backwards is quite reliably prevented.

For additional security of the carrier pod 10 there are attached to the support bearings 50 retainer straps 44 (not shown), which if necessary can be passed and locked over the carrier pod 10, securing it to the perambulator 22, the locking procedure being effected in a previously known way. As already mentioned, each pivot bearing 60 has a resilient engagement mechanism by means of which the desired angular position of the carrier handle 15 of the carrier pod 10 may be adjusted and secured. The resilient engagement mechanism includes two resilient engagement discs 61 and 67, rotatable relative to one another, of which one disc 61 is a part of the pivot bearing housing 60a, and the other disc 67 as a part of the carrier handle 15 or of the cap-shaped end 60b of each carrier handle leg. The two surfaces of the resilient engagement discs 61 and 67 facing one another have on the one hand corresponding engagement projections 66 and on the other hand engagement recesses 64. The engagement recesses 64 are located on the resilient engagement disc 61 associated with the pivot bearing housing 60a, and are uniformly distributed along the periphery of the disc 61, or are disposed equidistant both from the centre of the disc and from one another. The engagement projections 66 are likewise disposed along the periphery of the engagement disc 67 of each carrier handle leg in a corresponding way. The angular spacing between adjacent engagement projections 66 or engagement recesses 64 determines the smallest angular displacement of the carrier handle. The two engagement discs 61 and 67 are fixed by means of an axiallyeffective clamping mechanism. For this purpose the engagement disc 61 on the side of the pivot bearing housing has a centrally outwardly projecting threaded pin 65, which extends through a central aperture 68 of the cap-shaped end 60a of the carrier handle 15. The centrally projecting threaded pin 65 defines the axis of rotation about which the engagement discs 61 and 67 of the pivot bearing housing 60a and of the end 60b of each carrier handle leg are rotatable relative to one another. An actuating knob 60c or the like, in the form of a nut, may be screwed on to the end of the threaded pin 65 projecting through the central aperture 68, said knob serving to fix the two engagement discs 61 and 67 relative to one another. In the assembled condition, the actuating knob 60c is placed within the outwardly open recess of the cap-like end 60b of each carrier handle leg.

When the carrier handle 15 is fixed in a specific angular position, the spacing between the engagement discs 61 and 67 is reduced until the engagement projections 66 of the engagement disc 67 on the carrier handle side are pressed into the corresponding engagement recesses 64 of the engagement disc 61 on the side of the pivot bearing housing, so that rotation of the engagement discs relative to one another is prevented. When rounded or universal joint-type engagement projections 66 and correspondingly rounded engagement recesses 64 are used, it is not necessary to align the engagement discs to one another during fixing, in such a way that the engagement projections 66 are located directly above the engagement recesses 64. By means of this constructional measure, then, the engagement projections 66 are caused to slide into the corresponding engagement recesses, when the projections and recesses are disposed partly off-set to one another.

The two upper ends of the main spars 26 are connected together by a connecting strut, which together with the main spar 26 defines a U-shaped carrying handle 54.

Alternatively, the upper ends of the main spars 26 may also be formed as separate handles.

It should also be pointed out that Figure 2 shows the carrier pod set on to the support bearings or on to the support plate 51 associated therewith. The support bearings 50 are already secured on the respectively associated main spars 26, so that the perambulator is ready to receive the carrier pod 10.

The support bearings 50 are each made from plastics.

They are removable, as soon as the child has grown out of the carrier pod 10; in this circumstance, the support bearings 50 may also be omitted. Thereafter the perambulator may be used in a previously known way.

The same applies to doll's perambulators.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A perambulator comprising a chassis which includes frame spars extending in two parallel vertical planes and a handle, and further comprising a seat portion having a seat surface and a back rest1 wherein a support bearing for a carrier pod or the like is detachably connected to each frame spar so as to be hooked on and resiliently connected thereto.
2. A perambulator according to claim 1, wherein each support bearing includes a support plate for receiving the carrier pod.
3. A perambulator according to claim 2, wherein each support plate is substantially disc-shaped and extends parallel to the plane defmed by the respective frame spar when mounted thereon.
4. A perambulator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each support plate has at least one upwardly-open slot-shaped recess.
5. A perambulator according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each support bearing has at least two inlet openings or slots for receiving laterally outwardly projecting retaining pins on the associated frame spar.
6. A perambulator according to claim 5, wherein the inlet openings or slots for receiving the retaining pins are downwardly or obliquely downwardly open when the support bearings are mounted on the frame spars, so that during normal operation each support bearing is automatically gravitationally held in contact with the retaining pins.
7. A perambulator according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support bearings may be locked on the respective frame spars.
8. A perambulator according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support bearings for the carrier pod may be positively and/or frictionally connected, or securely clamped, to the respective frame spars.
9. A perambulator according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the inlet openings or slots each have a resilient engagement device.
10. A perambulator according to claim 9, wherein the resilient engagement device includes at least one, preferably two opposing, projections projecting into the inlet opening or slot, the clearance of the inlet opening or slot reduced by the projection or projections being slightly smaller than the diameter of the retaining pins.
11. A perambulator according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the carrier pod may be placed between the frame spars defining the two vertical planes or lateral limit of the perambulator, and above the seat surface, the carrier pod being supported on the support bearings connected to the frame spars and if necessary with additional support on the seat surface of the perambulator.
12. A perambulator according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the carrier pod includes a carrier handle whose legs are laterally articulated by pivot bearings on the carrier pod in such a way that the carrier handle may be pivoted out of an approximately vertical carrying position into a ground support position, and vice versa, and into other angular positions, the pivot bearings on either side of the carrier pod simultaneously serving to support the carrier pod on the support bearings attached to the frame spars of the perambulator.
13. A perambulator according to claims 4 and 12, wherein the pivot bearings each have at least one downwardly directed web member which, when the carrier pod is attached to the perambulator, corresponds with the upwardly open receiving slots of the support plates of the support bearings mounted on the frame spars of the perambulator.
14. A perambulator according to claim 12, wherein the pivot bearings each have at least one downwardly open receiving opening for receiving upwardly directed corresponding retainer pins or web members formed on the support bearings.
15. A perambulator according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the angular position of the carrier handle of the carrier pod may be adjusted and secured by a resilient engagement mechanism.
16. A perambulator according to claim 15, wherein the resilient engagement mechanism includes two engagement discs rotatable relative to one another, one said disc being a part of the carrier handle and the other said disc being a part of the pivot bearing, the surfaces of the discs facing one another having on the one hand engagement projections and on the other hand corresponding engagement recesses.
17. A perambulator according to claim 16, wherein the engagement projections and engagement recesses are uniformly distributed along the periphery of the respective engagement discs, the angular spacing between adjacent engagement projections or engagement recesses defining the smallest angular displacement of the carrier handle.
18. A perambulator according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the two engagement discs may be fixed relative to one another by an axially-acting clamping mechanism.
19. A perambulator according to claim 18, wherein the innermost engagement disc includes a central outwardly projecting threaded pin which passes through the outermost engagement disc, said threaded pin defining the axis about which the two engagement discs are rotatable relative to one another, a nut or the like being screwable on to the free end of the threaded pin, said nut serving to press the outermost engagement disc against the innermost engagement disc.
20. A perambulator according to one of claims 1 to 19 in combination with a baby carrier, wherein there is connected to the frame spars or the support bearings an adjustable retainer strap which may be passed and locked over the baby carrier to secure the baby carrier to the perambulator
2 1. A perambulator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A perambulator according to one of claims 1 to 19, wherein there is connected to the frame spars or the support bearings an adjustable retainer strap which may be passed and locked over the carrier pod to secure the carrier pod to the perambulator 21. A perambulator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been flled as follows A fizz perambulator comprising a chassis which includes frame spars extending in two parallel vertical planes and a handle, and further comprising a seat portion having a seat surface and a back rest, wherein a support bearing for a baby carrier is detachably connected to each frame spar.

2 A perambulator according to claim 1, wherein each support bearing includes a support plate for receiving the baby carrier A A perambulator according to claim 2, wherein each support plate is substantially disc-shaped and extends parallel to the plane defined by the respective frame spar when mounted thereon.

4. A perambulator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each support plate has at least one upwardly-open slot-shaped recess.

5. A perambulator according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each support bearing has at least two inlet openings or slots for receiving laterally outwardly projecting retaining pins on the associated frame spar.

6. A perambulator according to claim 5 wherein the inlet openings or slots for receiving the retaining pins are downwardly or obliquely downwardly open when the support bearings are mounted on the frame spars, so that during normal operation each support bearing is automatically gravitationally held in contact with the retaining pins.

7. A perambulator according to one of claims I to 6, wherein the support bearings may be locked on the respective frame spars.

8. A perambulator according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support bearings for the baby carrier may be positively and;or frictionally connected, or securely clamped, to the respective frame spars.

9. A perambulator according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the inlet openings or slots each have a resilient engagement device.

10 A perambulator according to claim 9. wherein the resilient engagement device includes at least one, preferably two opposing, projections projecting into the inlet opening or slot, the clearance of the inlet opening or slot reduced by the projection or projections being slightly smaller than the diameter of the retaining pins.

11. A perambulator according to one of claims 1 to 10 in combination with a baby carrier, wherein the baby carrier may be placed between the frame spars defining the two vertical planes or lateral limit of the perambulator, and above the seat surface, the carrier pod being supported on the support bearings connected to the frame spars and if necessary with additional support on the seat surface of the perambulator.

12. A perambulator according to one of claims 1 to 11 in combination with a baby carrier, wherein the baby carrier includes a carrier handle whose legs are laterally articulated by pivot bearings on the baby carrier in such a way that the carrier handle may be pivoted out of an approximately vertical carrying position into a ground support position, and vice versa, and into other angular positions, the pivot bearings on either side of the baby carrier simultaneously serving to support the baby carrier on the support bearings attached to the frame spars of the perambulator.

13. A perambulator according to claims 4 and 12 in combination with a baby carrier, wherein the pivot bearings each have at least one downwardly directed web member which, when the baby carrier is attached to the perambulator, corresponds with the upwardly open receiving slots of the support plates of the support bearings mounted on the frame spars of the perambulator 14. A perambulator according to claim 12, wherein the pivot bearings each have at least one downwardly open receiving opening for receiving upwardly directed corresponding retainer pins or web members formed on the support bearings.

15 > A perambulator according to one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the angular position of the carrier handle of the baby carrier may be adjusted and secured by a resilient engagement mechanism.

16. A perambulator according to claim 15, wherein the resilient engagement mechanism includes two engagement discs rotatable relative to one another, one said disc being a part of the carrier handle and the other said disc being a part of the pivot bearing, the surfaces of the discs facing one another having on the one hand engagement projections and on the other hand corresponding engagement recesses 17 A perambulator according to claim 16, wherein the engagement projections and engagement recesses are uniformly distributed along the periphery of the respective engagement discs, the angular spacing between adjacent engagement projections or engagement recesses defining the smallest angular displacement of the carrier handle.

18 A perambulator according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the two engagement discs may be fixed relative to one another by an axially-acting clamping mechanism.

19. A perambulator according to claim 18, wherein the innermost engagement disc includes a central outwardly projecting threaded pin which passes through the outermost engagement disc, said threaded pin defining the axis about which the two engagement discs are rotatable relative to one another, a nut or the like being screwable on to the free end of the threaded pin, said nut serving to press the outermost engagement disc against the innermost engagement disc.