NL2012559B1 - A coupling joint for coupling a stroller accessory to a stroller, a wheeled board assembly and a stroller. - Google Patents
A coupling joint for coupling a stroller accessory to a stroller, a wheeled board assembly and a stroller. Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NL2012559B1 NL2012559B1 NL2012559A NL2012559A NL2012559B1 NL 2012559 B1 NL2012559 B1 NL 2012559B1 NL 2012559 A NL2012559 A NL 2012559A NL 2012559 A NL2012559 A NL 2012559A NL 2012559 B1 NL2012559 B1 NL 2012559B1
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- Prior art keywords
- stroller
- slot
- coupling joint
- plunger
- pin
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B9/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for children's carriages or perambulators
- B62B9/28—Auxiliary dismountable seats ; Additional platforms for children in standing-up position
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C11/00—Pivots; Pivotal connections
- F16C11/04—Pivotal connections
- F16C11/10—Arrangements for locking
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B5/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
- B62B5/08—Children's seats ; Seats or supports for other persons
- B62B5/087—Platforms to stand upon
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Carriages For Children, Sleds, And Other Hand-Operated Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
A coupling joint 300, a wheeled board assembly and a stroller are provided. The coupling joint is for coupling a stroller accessory to a stroller and comprises a first part 304 and a second part 302. The second part is coupled to the first part and is rotatable with respect to the first part around a first rotation axis 306. The second part comprises a curved surface. The first part comprises a plunger 320 and a resilient element 322 arranged to force the plunger towards the curved surface. The curved surface comprises a first slot 312 for receiving the end of the plunger. The first slot is a recess in the curved surface and a width of a cross-sectional shape of the recess in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis is at least one and a half times a width of the end of the plunger.
Description
A COUPLING JOINT FOR COUPLING A STROLLER ACCESSORY TO A STROLLER, A WHEELED BOARD ASSEMBLY AND A STROLLER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of coupling joints that may be used in strollers for carrying a child or a baby. More in particular, the coupling joint may be used to couple a stroller accessory to the stroller. The invention further relates to wheeled boards and to strollers.
BACKGROUND ART
Published US patent US6827356B2 discloses a rear carrying board assembly for a stroller. The rear carrying board allows a child to stand on the board (and holding the stroller) such that a second child can be transported as well. The rear carrying board comprises a board supported by two wheels. The board is coupled with two joints to two straddle arms, respectively. The straddle arms connect the rear carrying board to a frame of the stroller. The two joints are designed to allow a user to rotate the board with respect to the straddle arms and fix the board in a specific position with respect to the straddle arms. A cylindrical inner surface of the joints comprises engaging teeth in between which recesses are present. The joints comprise two press blocks that have a locking tooth that may engage with the recesses in between the engaging teeth to fix the carrying board in a specific relative angular position with respect to the straddle arms. A spring in between the press block presses the two press blocks of a single joint towards the engaging teeth. A user has to press the two press blocks in an inward direction for disengaging the locking teeth from the engaging teeth to be able to rotate the rear carrying board assembly with respect to the straddle arms. A disadvantage of the joints of the rear carrying board is that the user has to press the press blocks into an inward direction to allow a rotation of the rear carrying board with respect to the straddle arms - it would be more convenient when a user is able to tilt the rear carrying board to change the relative position of the rear carrying board with respect to the straddle arms. Furthermore, when the stroller with rear carrying board is driving, it is inconvenient when the rear carrying board has a fixed position with respect to the straddle arms: for example, when the road has some roughness or when one drives with the stroller from the sidewalk onto the road (and vice versa), it is much more convenient when the joint would allow a free rotation of the rear carrying board with respect to the stroller. However, such a free rotation might be contradictory to some safety regulations. A specific safety regulation requires that when a child is standing on such a rear carrying board and the child applies a vertical force that is lower than or equal to 50 Newton to the handlebar of the stroller, the stroller should not tilt with respect to the rear carrying board and the stroller / rear carrying board combination should not collapse such that they move towards each other. In other words, when the stroller should only tip over when the handle bar receives a vertical force that is larger than 50 Newton.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One of the objects of the invention is to provide a coupling joint for an accessory for a stroller that fulfills safety regulations while still providing a convenient use of the stroller and/or accessory.
An aspect of the invention provides a coupling joint as defined in the claims. A further aspect of the invention provides a wheeled board as defined in the claims. Another aspect of the invention provides a stroller as defined in the claims. Embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
The coupling joint for coupling a stroller accessory to a stroller comprises a first part and a second part. The first part provides a coupling to one of the stroller accessory and the stroller and the second part provides a coupling to another one of the stroller accessory and the stroller. The second part is coupled to the first part and is rotatable with respect to the first part around a first rotation axis. The second part comprises a curved surface that is at least partially arranged around the first rotation axis. The first part comprises a plunger and a resilient element. The resilient element is arranged to force or push the plunger towards the curved surface to obtain contact between an end of the plunger and the curved surface. The curved surface comprises a first slot for receiving the end of the plunger. The first slot being a recess in the curved surface and a width of a cross-sectional shape of the recess in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis is at least one and a half times a width of the end of the plunger. The width of the plunger is also measured in the imaginary plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis.
Thus, the first part may rotate with respect to the second part, and more in particular, if the end of plunger of the second part engages with the first slot of the curved surface of the first part, then the first part may freely rotate with respect to the second part already when a relatively small moment is received by the first part of by the second part. Because the width of the recess is larger than the width of the end of the plunger, the end of the plunger may move within the recess / the first slot and, thus, the first part and the second part may freely rotate with respect to each other within the boundaries defined by the side-walls of the recess. Thus, when the coupling joint is, for example, used to couple a wheeled board for carrying a child to a stroller, the wheeled board may move within some angular range defined by the width of the recess when the road is bumpy (or a curbstone must be overcome) thereby providing a convenient road behavior for the wheeled board and the stroller. Furthermore, when the child applies a force to the handlebar of the stroller, the stroller does not immediately tip over / collapse towards the child and the wheeled board because the side-walls of the recess prevent that the end of the plunger can move out of the recess when only a relatively small moment is received.
In the prior art the width of the slots / recesses is always equal to the width of the end of the plunger. The skilled person wants in general to use clearance / backlash free couplings to prevent unwanted movements between an accessory and a stroller and therefore he is biased against the use of recesses that have a wider with than the end of the plunger.
Optionally, the a surface of the first slot has a shape to allow a rotation of the first part relatively to the second part within predefined angular range if the first slot receives the end of the plunger, and to allow a rotation of the first part relatively to the second part in a first angular direction to a relative angular position outside the predefined angular range only if a value of a moment for obtaining the rotation in the first angular direction as received by the first part and/or by the second part exceeds a first threshold value, wherein the first threshold value is at least three times larger than a minimum value of a moment that must be received by the first part or the second part for obtaining the rotation within the predefined angular range. The predefined angle is at least 10 degrees. Optionally, the predefined angle is at least 15 degrees.
Thus, the first part may rotate with respect to the second part, and more in particular, if the end of plunger of the second part engages with the first slot of the curved surface of the first part, then the first part may rotate with respect to the second part already when a relatively small moment is received by the first part of by the second part. However, if the end of plunger of the second part engages with the first slot of the curved surface of the first part and the received moment is smaller than the first threshold moment, the first part cannot rotate in the first angular direction outside the predefined angular range with respect to the second part. Thus, when the coupling joint is, for example, used to couple a wheeled board for carrying a child to a stroller, the wheeled board may move within the predefined angular range when the road is bumpy (or a curbstone must be overcome) thereby providing a convenient road behavior for the wheeled board and the stroller. Furthermore, when the child applies a force to the handlebar of the stroller, the stroller does not immediately tip over / collapse towards the child and the wheeled board because this is prevented by the shape of the first slot which has the effect that only a relatively large moment can be used to tip over the stroller. Thus, the coupling joint provides a convenient and safe coupling of the accessory to the stroller.
In other words, within the predefined angular range, the shape of the first slot is such that the end of the plunger does not receive much resistance from curved surface in the first angular direction or in a second, opposite, angular direction and, thus, the first part can easily rotate with respect to the second part within the predefined angular range. Thus, when the first part or the second part receives a relatively low moment (e.g. smaller than 3 Nm) the first part rotates with respect to the second part. This also means that the combination of the plunger and the resilient member is arranged such that, within the predefined angular range and when the end of the plunger touches the curved surface, the moment in the first and the second angular direction, which is received by the plunger from the curved surface (and, in this specific case: the surface of the first slot) in response to the force that is applied by the plunger to the curved surface, is relatively small.
The curved surface is attached to the second part and, more in particular, the curved surface has a fixed position with respect to the second part. In other words, if the first part rotates with respect to the second part, then the curved surface moves together with the second part.
The first slot of the curved surface is a recess in the curved surface (seen from a point of view of the plunger). This means that when the curved surface faces the first rotation axis, the surface of the first slot within the predefined angular range is further away from the first rotation axis than other sections of the curved surface. When the curved surface faces away from the first rotation axis, the surface of the first slot within the predefined angular range is closer to the first rotation axis than other sections of the curved surface.
In the above embodiment of the coupling joint, the first threshold value is at least three times larger than the minimum moment that must be applied to the first part or to the second part to obtain a relative movement of the first part with respect to the second part within the predefined angular range. In another embodiment, the first threshold value is at least five times larger than the minimum moment. In another embodiment, the first threshold value is at least ten times larger than the minimum moment. For example, the first threshold value is 5 Nm.
Optionally, the first slot comprises a central portion and comprises a first neighboring portion and a second neighboring portion both being arranged adjacent to the central portion. When the end of the plunger is in contact with the central portion, then the first part is arranged with respect to the second part at an angular position within the predefined angular range. The first neighboring portion is arranged at a side of the central portion where, when the first part is rotated relatively to the second part in the first angular direction, the end of the plunger touches the first neighboring portion at a boundary of the predefined angular range. A cross-sectional shape in the imaginary plane of the central portion is arranged to, when the resilient member presses the end of the plunger against the central plunger, provide to the end of the plunger a moment in the first angular direction or in a second angular direction that is smaller than 3Nm. the second angular direction being opposite the first angular direction. A cross-sectional shape of first neighboring portion in the imaginary plane is arranged to, when the end of the plunger is in contact with the first neighboring portion, provide to the end of plunger, in response to receiving a force from the end of the plunger, a moment in the second angular direction having a value substantially equal to the first threshold value. Such an optional shape of the first slot is relatively easy to manufacture (e.g. by means of injection molding) and may be easily configured to provide by means of the first neighboring portion a high enough moment to prevent that the first part rotates (in the first angular direction) with respect to the second part outside the predefined angular range if the moment received by the first part and/or the second part is not large enough. Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the first neighboring portion is arranged such that, when the end of plunger presses against the first neighboring portion at a specific position, a tangent of the cross-sectional shape at a specific position is not oriented perpendicular to the direction in which the plunger presses towards to the curved surface. Optionally, the shape of the surface of the first slot is further arranged to allow a rotation of the first part relatively to the second part in the second angular direction to a relative angular position outside the predefined angular range only if a value of a moment for obtaining the rotation in the second angular direction as received by the first part and/or by the second part exceeds a second threshold value, and a cross-sectional shape of second neighboring portion is arranged to, when the end of the plunger is in contact with the second neighboring portion, provide to the end of plunger a moment in the first angular direction having a value substantially equal to the second threshold value in response to receiving a force from the end of the plunger. Optionally, the second threshold value is at least ten times larger than the minimum value of the moment to be received by the first part or the second part for obtaining the relative rotation within the predefined angular range. Optionally, the second threshold value is at least twenty times larger than the minimum value. The second threshold value is at least one hundred times larger than the minimum value. Thus, the second threshold value is relatively large compared to the first threshold value. If the second threshold value is relatively large it is difficult to move the first part with respect to the second part in the second angular direction.
Optionally, the curved surface comprises a second slot for receiving the end of the plunger, wherein the second slot has a shape for fixating the angular position of the first part with respect to the second part at a second reference angle outside the predefined angular range if the second slot receives the end of the plunger and if a value of a moment received by the first part and/or by the second part does not exceed a third threshold value. Optionally, the curved surface comprises a third slot for receiving the end of the plunger, wherein the third slot has a shape for fixating the angular position of the first part with respect to the second part at a third reference angle outside the predefined angular range if the third slot receives the end of the plunger and if a value of a moment received by the first part and/or by the second part does not exceed a fourth threshold value. In particular, the second slot and the third slot do not provide a freedom to rotate the first part relatively to the second part as long as a received moment is smaller than the third threshold moment and the fourth threshold moment, respectively - this is termed fixating. It also means that there is about no clearance or backlash between the first part and the second part when the second slot (of the third slot) receives the end of the plunger. This means that the shape of the second slot and the third slot is about equal to the shape of the end of the plunger, or that the second slot and the third slot do not have exactly the same shape as the end of the plunger, but have such a shape such that the end of the plunger clamps in the second slot or the third slot as long as the moment received by the first part or the second part is smaller than the respective threshold values. In practical embodiments, the width (seen in the imaginary plane) of the second slot and the third slot is similar, or slightly smaller, than the width of the end of the plunger. The second slot and the third slot provide means to position the accessory in a specific angular position such that, in normal use, it does not automatically moves towards another angular position. In the context of a wheeled board for carrying a child behind a stroller, the second slot and/or the third slot provide means to fold up the wheeled board in a specific position such that, during normal use of the stroller, the wheeled board remains in its folded position.
The fourth threshold value may be different from the third threshold value, or they may be equal to each other. It depends on the use cases of the coupling joint to determine what the values for the threshold values should be. In practical embodiments, the higher the respective threshold values are, the more difficult it is to move the first part with respect to the second part from a position where the plunger engages with the second slot or the third slot to a position outside the respective slots. This effect may be used when it must be prevented that, for example, a child is able to move specific accessories into another relative position. Optionally, the second threshold value and/or the third threshold value are 12 Nm.
Optionally, a border of the predefined angular range is a first reference angle defining a reference angular position of the first part with respect to the second part. Seen in the first angular direction, an angle between the first reference angle and the second reference angle is about 45 degrees, and, optionally, an angle between the second reference angle and the third reference angle is about 31 degrees such that an angle between the first reference angle and the third reference angle is about 76 degrees. This optional embodiment allows the positioning of the accessory at about 45 and about 76 degrees with respect to e.g. a normal operative position at the first reference angle for, e.g., folding up the accessory.
Optionally, the predefined angular range is smaller than 30 degrees. In other words, when the second slot and the third slot are arranged at a first side of the first reference angle, the predefined angular range extends at a second opposite side of the first reference angle for less than 30 degrees. The predefined angular range of the coupling joint is large enough to provide enough moving freedom to the accessory with respect to the stroller. When the coupling joint is used to couple a wheeled board to the stroller, the coupling joint provides enough freedom for the wheeled board to move freely with respect to the stroller such that normal height differences available on the public road can be overcome, such as, for example, a curbstone. In an embodiment, the predefined angular range is smaller than 25 degrees. In yet a further embodiment, the predefined angular range is smaller than 20 degrees.
Optionally, the plunger comprises a rolling element and the rolling element is arranged at the end of the plunger. The rolling element is arranged rotatably around a second rotation axis substantially parallel to the first rotation axis. The rolling element is arranged to contact with the curved surface of the second element. The rolling element has a circular cross-sectional shape in the imaginary plane. The inventors have found that when a sort of wheel or ball is arranged at the end of the plunger such that the plunger contacts the curved surface with the round surface, the life time of the coupling joints increases because the end of the plunger does not rub along the curved surface, but rolls along the curved surface. The end of the plunger and the curved surface are subject to less wear. Optionally, the rolling element has a cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the rolling element has a spherical shape. In this optional embodiment, the width of the end of the plunger is about equal to the radius of the rolling element.
Optionally, the curved surface is made of a first material and the rolling element is made of a second material being different from the first material. Optionally, the first material is one of nylon or POM and the second material is the other one of nylon and POM. If surfaces of the curved surface and of the rolling element are made of different materials, and more in particular of the presented materials, the rolling element is able to move along the curved surface without e.g. generating annoying noise. Furthermore, nylon and POM are low friction materials and as such the life time of the curved surface and the end of the plunger are increased. POM is the known abbreviation for Polyoxymethylene.
Optionally, the resilient element is a spring and is optionally a coil spring. Springs are effective means to push the plunger towards the curved surface and springs can be easily integrated in a relatively compact coupling joint. An additional benefit of a coil spring is that it may be partly arranged around the plunger.
According to another aspect of the invention, a wheeled board assembly is provided which comprises a wheeled board and the coupling joint according to any one of the above discussed embodiments. The wheeled board comprises a wheel for supporting the wheeled board, is arranged to be coupled behind the stroller and is arranged to carry a child. The coupling joint is arranged to couple the wheeled board to a stroller. Optionally, the coupling joint is attached to the wheeled board. All the previously discussed advantages of the coupling joint in particular apply to coupling a wheeled board to a stroller. In order to be able to conveniently use the stroller to which a wheeled board is coupled, it is better when the wheeled board is able to move relatively easy with respect to the stroller within the predefined angular range, however, it should be prevented that the stroller collapses towards the wheeled board when a child that stands on the wheeled board grabs (and hangs with its weight on) the handle bar of the stroller. Optionally, the wheeled board may comprise a seat for the child. Having a seat on the wheeled board is convenient for the child that is carried on the wheeled board. Optionally, the wheeled board comprises two coupling joints according to any one of the above discussed embodiments of the coupling joints. If two coupling joints are used, then the forces received by the wheeled board can be distributed over the two coupling joints, which also means that a user has to provide a moment equal to or larger than two times the first threshold value to move the angular position of the wheeled board towards a position outside the predefined angular range. Thus, more safety is provided.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a stroller for carrying a child or baby is provided. The stroller comprises the coupling joint according to any one of the embodiments of the coupling joint. The coupling joint may be used to couple an accessory to the stroller. Optionally, the stroller comprises a wheeled board for being coupled behind the stroller via the coupling joint to a frame of the stroller, the wheeled board comprises a wheel for supporting the wheeled board and is arranged to carry a child.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. In the drawings,
Fig. 1a schematically presents a cross-sectional view of a first example of a coupling joint,
Fig. 1b schematically presents a cross-sectional view of a second example of a coupling joint,
Fig. 2 schematically presents a side-view of a stroller,
Fig. 3a schematically shows at the left side a three dimensional view of an embodiment of the coupling joint and at the right side a side view of the embodiment,
Fig. 3b schematically shows an exploded view of the embodiment of the coupling joint,
Fig. 4a schematically presents a cross-sectional view of the coupling joint along a plane A-A’ indicated in Fig. 3a,
Fig. 4b schematically presents a cross-sectional view of the second part of the coupling joint,
Fig. 5 schematically presents, in a series of cross-sectional views, different arrangements of the first part with respect to the second part, and
Fig. 6 schematically presents how the first neighboring portion of the first slot provides a moment in the second angular direction.
It should be noted that items which have the same reference numbers in different Figures, have the same structural features and the same functions, or are the same signals. Where the function and/or structure of such an item has been explained, there is no necessity for repeated explanation thereof in the detailed description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1a schematically presents a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a coupling joint 100. The coupling joint 100 comprises a first part 104 and a second part 102. The first part 104 comprises a plunger 120 that is provided with resilient element 122. The second part comprises a curved surface 110 that comprises a first slot 112. The resilient element 122 presses the plunger towards the curved surface 110 such that the end 121 of the plunger contacts the curved surface 110. The first part 104 is rotatably arranged with respect to the second part 102 and they are rotatable around a first rotation axis 106 that is arranged perpendicular to the plane of the figure (i.e. to the plane along which the cross-sectional view is taken). The first slot 112 is a recess in the curved surface and has a specific shape. This shape is such that, when the end 121 of the plunger engages with a portion of a surface of the first slot 112, the first part 104 easily rotates within a predefined angular range with respect to the second part 102 when the first part 104 or the second part 102 only receive a relatively low moment. However, when the first part 104 has to rotate with respect to the second part to an angular position outside the predefined angular range c^, the shape of the first slot 112 prevents such a rotation when the moment received by the first part 104 or the second part 102 is lower than a first threshold value. When the moment received by the first part 104 or the second part 102 is larger than the first threshold value, the first slot 112 allows the movement of the first part 104 with respect to the second part to an angular position outside the predefined angular range ai. The predefined angular range is at least 10°.
In an embodiment, one of the ends of the predefined angular range is a first reference angle βι which is assigned (for reference) a value of 0°. In an embodiment, the predefined angular range is smaller than 30°, i.e. < 30°. In another embodiment, < 25°. In a further embodiment, <= 20°.
In Fig. 1a are also introduced a first angular direction 198 and an opposite second angular direction 199. The indication direction refers to a relative rotational movement of the first part 104 with respect to the second part 102.
For example, within the predefined angular range, the surface of the first slot 112 substantially follows a virtual circle 108 around the first rotation axis 106. The portion of the first slot 112 that substantially follows this virtual circle 108 is termed a central portion of the first slot 112. Substantially following the virtual circle 108 means that the shape of the central portion may deviate from the virtual circle 108 to such an extent that by applying a relatively small movement (i.e. a moment smaller than 25% of the first threshold value) to the first part 104 or to the second part 102, the first part 104 may already rotate with respect to the second part 102.
When at specific positions of the central portion of the first slot 112 tangents are drawn to the surface, the tangent is substantially perpendicular to a line from that point to the center of the first rotation axis 106. This means that the force that the end 121 of the plunger provided to the central portion of the first slot 112 is perpendicular to the tangent as well, and, thus, the reaction force that the central portion provides back is also perpendicular to the tangent. Then the end of the plunger does not receive a force in either the first angular direction 198 or the second angular direction 199 from the central portion in response to the force that is applied by the plunger to this central portion. When there is no force in the first or second angular direction 198, 199, there is no moment received by the first part from the second part within the central portion of the first slot 112. This paragraph does not relate to possible friction that is received by the end 121 of the plunger 120 but only relates to the reaction force that is provided by the curved surface to the end 121 of the plunger 120.
The first slot 112 has neighboring portions adjacent to the central portion that, in the example of Fig. 1a, extend in a direction away from the first rotation axis (and, thus, in a direction away from the virtual circle 108). In other words, when tangents are drawn at specific points of the neighboring portions, the tangents are not oriented perpendicular to a line between the first rotation axis 106 and the point where the tangent touches the surface of the neighboring portion. If the end 121 of the plunger 120 is in contact with the neighboring portion, it applies a force to the neighboring portion, however, the surface is not perpendicular to the direction in which the force is received, and, thus, a reaction force provided by the surface of the neighboring portion has a resultant in either the first angular direction 198 or in the second angular direction 199 (depending the neighboring portion). Thus, as the result of this resultant force, the first part receives from the second part a moment in a specific direction and to overcome this moment, the first part or the second part should receive from an external source a moment that is higher in order to rotatably move the first part with respect to the second part to a position outside the predefined angular range ai. In other words, seen in an angular direction, the neighboring portions of the first slot 112 forms hills for the end of the plunger and, in order to climb up to the hill, a large enough moment must be received.
In an embodiment, the first part 104 comprises an arm 105 for coupling the coupling joint 100 to one of a stroller or an accessory and, optionally, the second part 102 comprises an arm 103 for coupling the coupling joint 100 to another one of the stroller or the accessory. In an optional embodiment (now shown), when the first part 104 is arranged at the first reference angle βϊ with respect to the second part 102, an angle between the arm 105 of the first part 104 and the arm 103 of the second part 102 is about 180°. About means, in this context, ±5%, or, in a further limited embodiment, ±2%.
Optionally, the curved surface 110 comprises a second slot 114 at a second reference angle β2 and, optionally, comprises a third slot 116 at a third reference angle β3. The second slot 114 and the third slot 116 are both, in the example of Fig. 1a, recesses in the curved surface 110 and the recesses have a shape that corresponds to or is similar to the shape of the end 121 of the plunger 120. When the end 121 of the plunger 120 engages with the second slot 114 or with the third slot 116, the angular position of the first part 104 with respect to the second part 102 is locked to the second reference angle β2 or to the third reference angle β3, respectively. Only a large enough moment, e.g. larger than a second threshold value or larger than a third threshold value, respectively, that is received by either the first part 104 or by the second part 102 may move the end of the plunger out of the second slot 114 or the third slot 116, respectively. The angular distance between the first reference angle β! and the second reference angel β2 is indicated by a2 and may have a value in between 40 en 50 degrees, and, is optionally about equal to 45°. The angular distance between the second reference angle β2 and the third reference angel β3 is indicated by a3 and may have a value in between 25 en 35 degrees, and, is optionally about equal to 31°.
Fig. 1b schematically presents a cross-sectional view of second embodiment of a coupling joint 150. The coupling joint 150 comprises a first part 154, which optionally comprises an arm 155, and a second part 152 which optionally comprises an arm 153. The first part 154 is rotatably coupled to the second part 152 and the first part 154 is rotatable relatively to the second part 152 around a first rotation axis 156. The second part 152 comprises a curved surface 160 that faces towards the first rotation axis 156 and the curved surface 160 comprises a first slot 162. Seen from the first rotation axis 156, the first slot 162 is a recess in the curved surface 160. The first part 154 comprises a plunger 170 and a resilient element 172 to which the plunger 170 is coupled. The resilient element 172 presses the plunger towards the curved surface 160. Also in Fig. 1b, the first part 154 can be easily rotated relatively to the second part 152 within a predefined angular range ai when the plunger falls in the first slot 162. One of the ends of the predefined angular range cii is a first reference angle βι. The shape of the first slot 162 is such that, when a user want to rotate the first part 154 relatively to the second part 152 from inside the predefined angular range ai to an position outside the predefined angular range a!, the user has to apply a moment to the first part 154 or to the second part 152 that is larger than a first threshold value. Although not explicitly shown in Fig. 1b, the curved surface 160 may comprise other slots as well that are, for example, similar to the second slot 114 and the third slot 116 of Fig. 1a.
It is to be noted that the shapes of the first slots 112, 162 of Figs. 1a and 1b is about symmetrical. This means that in whatever angular direction the first part 104, 154 is rotated with respect to the second part 102, 152, at both ends of the predefined angular range a large enough moment, higher than the first threshold value, must be applied to rotate the first part 104, 154 with respect to the second part 102, 154 to an angular position outside the predefined angular range α·\.
Both Figs. 1a and 1b are cross-sectional views taken along a plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis 106. In Fig. 1 b the width Wp of the end of the plunger and the width Ws of the first slot 162 is also indicated.
Fig. 2 schematically presents a side-view of a stroller 200 to which a wheeled board 250 is coupled. The stroller 200 comprises a frame 208 to which, at a front side of the stroller 200, are coupled one or two front wheels 206 to the frame. The front wheels 206 are, for example, swivel wheels. At a back side of the stroller 200 are provided two rear wheels 212 that are coupled to the frame 208 and between which a rear wheel axis 210 is provided. The frame 208 also comprises at a back side of the stroller 200 a handle bar 202 which is configured to be operated by a user, for example, to push the stroller 200 in a forward direction. The frame 208 may further comprise coupling parts 204 which might be used to couple a seat for a child to the stroller frame 208 or for coupling a crib to the stroller frame 208. The wheeled board is also provided for carrying a child. More in particular, when the stroller is used with a wheeled board 250, a child may be transported by the wheeled board 250. The wheeled board 250 comprises a board 256 that is supported by a wheel 258, for example, a swivel wheel. The wheeled board 250 may optionally comprise a seat 252 on which the child can sit. The wheeled board 250 also comprises one or two arms 254 that extend into the direction of the stroller, and more in particular, towards the rear wheel axis 210. A coupling joint 230 couples the wheeled board to the rear wheel axis 210. The coupling joint 230 may have a structure according to previously or subsequently discussed embodiments of a coupling joints. The provided coupling joint 230 may comprises one arm that is directly coupled to the arm 254 of the wheeled board 250 and many comprise one arm that is directly coupled to the rear wheel axis 210. However, it is not necessary that the coupling joint 230 comprises two arms, because one of the parts of the coupling joint 230 may also be coupled to the rear wheel axis 210 without the use of an arm. The wheeled board 250 may be coupled with two coupling joints 230 to the stroller 200. In Fig. 2 the stroller 200 with wheeled board 250 is shown as if they are arranged on a flat surface. In previous embodiments of the coupling joint, an angular position between a first part and a second part of the coupling joint 230 has been defined by defining a first reference angle. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the first part and the second part of the coupling joint 230 are arranged at the first reference angle with respect to each other.
In Fig. 2 it has been indicated by arrow 232 that a child may grasp the handle bar 202 and apply a downwards oriented forced to the handle bar 202. According to specific safety regulations, when this force is smaller than 50 Newton, the stroller 200 should not tip over / should not tilt towards the wheeled board 250 as indicated by arrow 234. The moment applied to the handle bar 202 results in a moment that is received by the coupling joint 230. The moment received by the coupling joint 230 is not exactly equal to the moment received by the handle bar 202, because the stroller 200 itself also provides a moment to the coupling joint 230. The moment provided by the stroller 200 itself is in another direction than the moment received by the handle bar 202. Thus, when the geometry and the weight distribution of the stroller 200 is known, the safety requirement of 50 Newton in a downwards direction may be translated into a moment that will be received by the coupling joint 230 and for which the coupling joint must compensate to prevent a tipping over of the stroller 200. If stroller 200 and wheeled board 250 are arranged in the configuration as shown, and if the handle bar 202 receives a downwards oriented force smaller than 50 Newton, then the coupling joint should provide a high enough moment that compensates the moment that is received by the handle bar 202 to prevent the tipping over of the stroller 200 towards the wheeled board 250. This high enough moment has the value of the first threshold value. A specific embodiment of the coupling joint 230 will be discussed hereinafter.
Fig. 3a schematically shows at the left side a three dimensional view of an embodiment of the coupling joint 300 and at the right side a side view of the embodiment. The coupling joint 300 comprises a first part 304 which comprises an arm 305 for coupling the coupling joint 300 to, e.g., a wheeled board. The coupling joint 300 also comprises a second part 302 that is rotatably mounted to the first part 304 and both parts 302, 304 are rotatable with respect to each other around a rotation axis 306. In Fig. 3a a first angular direction 398 and a second angular direction 399 are indicated - the indicated angular direction relate to a possible movement direction of the first part 304 with respect to the second part 302. In the side-view also a portion 329 of the second part 302 is indicated with number 329. The portion 329 is arranged for coupling the coupling joint to an interface element (not shown) that may be coupled to a rear wheel axis of a stroller, such as, for example, rear wheel axis 210 of Fig. 2. Several embodiments of the interface element may be coupled to the portion 329 and each individual embodiment of the interface elements may be arranged for use with a specific type of stroller (that, for example, each have a different rear wheel axis).
Fig. 3b schematically shows an exploded view of the embodiment of the coupling joint 300. In addition to the first part 304 with the arm 305, the second part 302 and the first rotation axis, a coil spring 322, a plunger 320, and a curved surface 310 are shown. The plunger 320 is provided with the coil spring 322 in the first element 304 and the coil spring 322 presses the plunger 320 towards the curved surface 310. An end 321 of the plunger is brought in contact with the curved surface 310. The curved surface 310 comprises a first slot 312, a second slot 314 and a third slot 316.
Fig. 4a presents a cross-sectional view of the coupling joint along a line A-A’ of Fig. 3a. Most element of Fig. 4a have been discussed in the context of Figs. 3a and 3b. In addition to the discussion of Figs. 3a and 3b, we would like to emphasis that the spring coil 322 and the plunger 320 are partly provided within the arm 305 of the first part 304. In addition: at the end of the plunger 320 is provided a cylindrical element 324 which is rotatably coupled to the plunger 320 by means of a second rotation axis 323. The cylindrical element 324 is capable of rotating around the second rotation axis 324 when its rolls along the curved surface when the first part 305 rotates with respect to the second part 302. The radius of the cylindrical element 324 is a width of the end of the plunger 320.
In Fig. 4a the end of the plunger 320 touches the curved surface within the first slot 312. A significant large moment must be provided to the first part 304 or to the second part 302 to rotate the first part 304 with respect to the second part 302 to move the end of the plunger from the first slot 312 into the second slot 314 or subsequently into the third slot 316.
Fig. 4b presents a cross-sectional view of the second part 302 of the coupling joint 300 of Figs. 3a, 3b and 4a.The second part 302 comprises the curved surface 310 that comprises the first slot 312, the second slot 314 and the third slot 316. The second slot 314 and the third slot 316 have a shape that partly follows a circle and is arranged for receiving the cylindrical element 324 (see Fig. 4a). When the second slot 314 engages with the cylindrical element 324, a relatively large moment larger than a third threshold value must be applied to the first part 304 or the second part 302 to move the cylindrical element 324 towards the first slot 312 or the third slot 316. When the third slot 316 engages with the cylindrical element 324, a relatively large moment larger than a fourth threshold value must be applied to the first part 304 or the second part 302 to move the cylindrical element 324 towards the first slot 312 or the second slot 316. The third threshold value and the fourth threshold value may be equal to each other when the shape of the second slot 314 and the third slot 316 are equal to each other.
The shape of the first slot 312 is different. The first slot 312 comprises a central portion 4120, a first neighboring portion 4121 and a second neighboring portion 4122. In previous embodiments the central portion 4120 exactly followed a virtual circle around the first rotation axis 306. However, in the presented embodiment, this virtual circle is not exactly followed. The central portion 4120 is relatively flat and a distance from the first rotation axis 306 to the surface of the central portion 4120 does not vary much within the central portion 4120. This means that the shortest distance from the central portion 4120 to a center of the first rotation axis 306 is not more than 10% shorter than the longest distance from the central portion to the center of the first rotation axis 306. In an embodiment, the shortest distance is not more than 8% shorter than the longest distance. Described in other words: tangents that can be drawn at specific points of the surface of the central portion 4120 make an angle in a range from 85° to 95° with the direction in which the plunger applies a force to the surface the central portion 4120, optionally, this angle is in a range from 87° to 93°. The effect of such a central portion 4120 of the first slot 312 is that, when a central portion 4120 of the first slot 312 is in contact with the cylindrical element 324 of the plunger 320, the first part 304 can relatively easy move with respect to the second part 302 without having the need to apply a relatively large moment to the first part 304 or the second part 302. The parts move already with respect to each other when the applied moment is smaller than, for example, 3 Nm. This easy rotation of the first part 304 with respect to the second part 302 is possible within the predefined angular range ai. One of the borders of the predefined angular range ai is defined as a first reference angle βϊ and in the context of Fig. 4b this angle is defined as 0°. The second neighboring portion 4122 is almost a wall with a slope of about 90 degrees when seen in the second angular direction 399. Thus, when the cylindrical element 324 is in contact with the central portion 4120 and the cylindrical element 324 moves towards the second neighboring portion 4122, the cylindrical element 324 is blocked by the second neighboring portion 4122 and a very high moment must be applied to the first part 304 or the second part 302 to allow the cylindrical element 324 to pass the second neighboring portion 4122. The first neighboring portion 4121 has, when seen from the central portion 4120 and seen in the first angular direction, a slope that that is less than about 90 degrees and which is designed such that, if the cylindrical element 324 is in contact with the first neighboring portion 4121, the first part 304 or the second part 302 has to receive a high enough moment in order to allow the cylindrical element 324 to move from the first slot 312 towards the second slot 314. This high enough moment must be larger than a first threshold value. The first threshold value is determined by the force that the coil spring 322 applies to the plunger and the slope of the first neighboring portion 4121. One may locally measure the slope of the first neighboring portion 4121 by drawing a line from the first rotation axis 306 towards the surface of the second neighboring portion 4121 and measure the angle between the surface of the second neighboring portion 4121 and a normal to this line at the location where the line crosses the surface of the second neighboring portion 4121. More information is provided in the description of Fig. 6.
Fig. 4a and 4b present cross-sectional views along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first rotational axis 306. In Fig. 4b the width Ws of the first slot 312 in the imaginary plane is schematically indicated.
Fig. 5 presents, in a series of cross-sectional views (i) to (vi), different arrangements of the first part 304 with respect to the second part 302. In cross-sectional view (i) the first part 304 is arranged at a neutral position with respect to the second part 302. In this arrangement, the first part 304 is at the first reference angle β! (as introduced in Fig. 4b). In cross sectional view (ii) it has been shown that the first part 304 may be rotated with respect to the second part 302 in a counter clockwise direction, i.e. the second angular direction. The movement from (i) to (ii) may be performed by only applying a relatively small moment to either the first part 304 or the second part 302. When the coupling joint is used in the stroller configuration of Fig. 2, the freedom to move from (i) to (ii), and vice versa, may be used to compensate for uneven parts of a road on which the stroller with wheeled board is used. Cross-sectional views (iii) and (iv) show a situation in which the first part receives a moment M that is larger than the first threshold moment Mthi and then the first part 304 may move in a clockwise direction with respect to the second part 302 towards an angular position outside the predefined angular range ai of Fig. 4b. Cross-sectional view (iii) shows an angular movement along about 10° in the clockwise direction (calculated from the neutral position of cross-sectional view (i)). Cross-sectional view (iv) shows an angular movement along about 20° in the clockwise direction (calculated from the neutral position of cross-sectional view (i)). Cross-sectional view (v) shows a configuration in which the end of the plunger engages with the second slot of the curved surface. This configuration can be used to fold up, for example, the wheeled board of the stroller configuration of Fig. 2 at about 45°. Cross-sectional view (vi) shows a configuration in which the end of the plunger engages with the third slot of the curved surface. This configuration can be used to fold up, for example, the wheeled board of the stroller configuration of Fig. 2 at about 76°. To be able to move the first part 304 towards the configurations of cross-sectional views (v) or (vi), a relatively large moment must be applied to either the first part 304 or the second part 302. In order to overcome the wall of the first slot, the provided moment must be larger than the first threshold value, and to overcome the walls of the second slot, the moment must be larger than the second threshold value. In order to move the second part 304 form the configuration (vi) into, for example, the configuration (v), an opposite relatively large moment must be applied to either the first part 304 or the second part 302 that is larger than the third threshold value.
Fig. 6 schematically presents how the first neighboring portion 4121 of the first slot provides a moment M2 in the second angular direction. Only a few elements of the cross-sectional view of the coupling joint 300 of Fig. 4a are presented. Element 306 represents the first rotation axis. Only the surface of the first neighboring portion 412 is drawn. Furthermore, from the first part are only drawn the plunger 320 and the cylindrical element 324 that is at a specific point 604 in contact with the surface of the first neighboring portion 4121. The plunger 320 is pressed by the resilient element towards the surface of the first neighboring portion 4121 and applies a force Fpi to the surface of the first neighboring portion 4121. A tangent 602 of the surface of the first neighboring portion 4121 at the specific point 604 is arranged with an angle Θ to the force FP|. Angle Θ is different from 90 degrees. Thus, the reaction force that is provided by the surface of the first neighboring portion 4121 to the cylindrical element has a resultant force F,2 into the second angular direction (which is a direction perpendicular to an arm d from the first rotation axis 306 to the specific point 604). This force is the basis for the moment M2 in the second angular direction that the first part receives from the second part when the end of the plunger 320 is in contact with the surface of the first neighboring portion. The value of the moment M2 is the product of the length of the arm d and the value of force F,2. For example, the cylindrical element 324 presses with a force Fpi of 200 Newton to the surface of the first neighboring portion 4121; the angle between the force Fp, and the tangent is 60 degrees and the length of arm d is 24 mm. Then the resultant force Fr2 is about 115.5 Newton and, thus, the moment is 2772 Nmm. Thus, the first threshold value of the coupling joint for this specific example is 2.77 Nm. As discussed in the context of Fig. 2, the stroller 200 itself provides a certain moment in the second angular direction to the coupling joints (which depends on its point of gravity and its weight), a child may apply a force to the handle bar which also results in applying a specific moment provided to the coupling joint in the first angular direction. The first threshold value should be large enough to compensate for the difference of the moment provided by the stroller itself and the moment that is received from the child that grasps the handle bar.
The application provides the subsequent embodiments: 1. A coupling joint (100, 150, 300) for coupling a stroller accessory to a stroller, the coupling joint (100, 150, 300) comprising a first part (104, 154, 304) for providing a coupling to one of the stroller accessory and the stroller, a second part (102, 152, 302) for providing a coupling to another one of the stroller accessory and the stroller, the second part (102, 152, 302) being coupled to the first part (104, 154, 304) and being rotatable with respect to the first part (104, 154, 304) around a first rotation axis (106, 156, 306), the second part (102, 152, 302) comprising a curved surface (110, 160, 310) provided at least partially around the first rotation axis (106, 156, 306), wherein the first part (104, 154, 304) comprises a plunger (120, 170, 320) and a resilient element (122, 172, 322), the resilient element (122, 172, 322) being arranged to force the plunger (120, 170, 320) towards the curved surface (110, 160, 310) to obtain contact between an end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320) and the curved surface (110, 160, 310), the curved surface (110, 160, 310) comprises a first slot (112, 162, 312) for receiving the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320), the first slot (112, 162, 312) being a recess in the curved surface (110, 160, 310) and a width (Ws) of a cross-sectional shape of the recess in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis (106, 156, 306) is at least one and a half times a width (Wp) of the end of the plunger. 2. A coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to embodiment 1, wherein a surface of the first slot (112, 162, 312) has a shape to allow a rotation of the first part (104, 154, 304) relatively to the second part (102, 152, 302) within a predefined angular range (a1) in the imaginary plane when the first slot (112, 162, 312) receives the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320), and to allow a rotation of the first part (104, 154, 304) relatively to the second part (102, 152, 302) in a first angular direction (198, 398) to a relative angular position outside the predefined angular range (a1) only if a value of a moment for obtaining the rotation in the first angular direction (198, 398) as received by the first part (104, 154, 304) and/or by the second part (102, 152, 302) exceeds a first threshold value, wherein the first threshold value is at least three times larger than a minimum value of a moment that must be received by the first part (104, 154, 304) or the second part (102, 152, 302) for obtaining the rotation within the predefined angular range (a1), the predefined angular range (a1) being at least 10 degrees. 3. A coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to embodiment 2, wherein the first slot (112, 162, 312) comprises a central portion (4120) and a first neighboring portion (4121) and a second neighboring portion (4122), the first neighboring portion (4121) and the second neighboring portion (4122) being adjacent to the central portion (4120), when the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320) is in contact with the central portion (4120), then the first part (104, 154, 304) is arranged at an angular position with respect to the second part (102, 152, 302) within the predefined angular range (a1), the first neighboring portion (4121) is arranged at a side of the central portion (4120) where, when the first part (104, 154, 304) is rotated relatively to the second part (102, 152, 302) in the first angular direction (198, 398), the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320) touches the first neighboring portion (4121) at a boundary of the predefined angular range (a1), a cross-sectional shape of the central portion (4120) in the imaginary plane is arranged to, when the resilient element (122, 172, 322) presses the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320) against the central portion (4120), provide to the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320) a moment in the first angular direction (198, 398) or in a second angular direction (199, 399) that is smaller than 3Nm, the second angular direction (199, 399) being opposite the first angular direction (198, 398), a cross-sectional shape of first neighboring portion (4121) in the imaginary plane is arranged to, when the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320) is in contact with the first neighboring portion (4121), provide to the end (121, 321) of plunger (120, 170, 320) a moment (M2) in the second angular direction (199, 399) having a value substantially equal to the first threshold value in response to receiving a force (Fpl) from the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320). 4. A coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to embodiment 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the first neighboring portion (4121) is arranged such that, when the end (121, 321) of plunger (120, 170, 320) presses against the first neighboring portion (4121) at a specific position, a tangent of the cross-sectional shape at the specific position is not oriented perpendicular to the direction in which the plunger (120, 170, 320) presses towards to the curved surface (110, 160, 310). 5. A coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to any one of the above presented embodiment 3 or 4, wherein the shape of the surface of the first slot (112, 162, 312) is further arranged to allow a rotation of the first part (104, 154, 304) relatively to the second part (102, 152, 302) in the second angular direction to a relative angular position outside the predefined angular range (a1) only if a value of a moment for obtaining the rotation in the second angular direction (199, 399) as received by the first part (104, 154, 304) and/or by the second part (102, 152, 302) exceeds a second threshold value, a cross-sectional shape of second neighboring portion (4122) is arranged to, when the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320) is in contact with the second neighboring portion (4122), provide to the end (121, 321) of plunger (120, 170, 320) a moment in the first angular direction (198, 398) having a value substantially equal to the second threshold value in response to receiving a force from the end of the plunger, wherein the second threshold value is at least three times larger than a minimum value of a moment that must be received by the first part (104, 154, 304) or the second part (102, 152, 302) for obtaining the rotation within the predefined angular range (a1). 6. A coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to embodiment 5, wherein the second threshold value is at least ten times larger than the minimum value of the moment to be received by the first part (104, 154, 304) or the second part (102, 152, 302) for obtaining the relative rotation within the predefined angular range (a1). 7. A coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the curved surface (110, 160, 310) comprises a second slot (314) for receiving the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320), wherein the second slot (314) has a shape for fixating the angular position of the first part (104, 154, 304) with respect to the second part (102, 152, 302) at a second reference angle (β2) outside the predefined angular range (a1) when the second slot (314) receives the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320) and when a value of a moment received by the first part (104, 154, 304) and/or by the second part (102, 152, 302) does not exceed a third threshold value, the third threshold value being equal to or larger than the first threshold value. 8. A coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to embodiment 7, wherein the curved surface (110, 160, 310) comprises a third slot (316) for receiving the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320), wherein the third slot (316) has a shape for fixating the angular position of the first part (104, 154, 304) with respect to the second part (102, 152, 302) at a third reference angle (β3) outside the predefined angular range (a1) when the third slot (316) receives the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320) and when a value of a moment received by the first part (104, 154, 304) and/or by the second part (102, 152, 302) does not exceed a fourth threshold value, the fourth threshold value being equal to or larger than the first threshold value. 9. A coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to any one of the above presented embodiments 7 or 8, wherein, a border of the predefined angular range (a1) is a first reference angle (β1) defining a neutral reference angular position of the first part (104, 154, 304) with respect to the second part (102, 152, 302), when referring to embodiment 7, an angle between the first reference angle (β1) and the second reference angle (β2) in the imaginary plane is about 45 degrees, when referring to embodiment 8, an angle between the first reference angle (β1) and the second reference angle (β2) in the imaginary plane is about 45 degrees, an angle between the second reference angle (β2) and the third reference angle (β3) in the imaginary plane is about 31 degrees and an angle between the first reference angle (β1) and the third reference angle (β3) in the imaginary plane is about 76 degrees. 10. A coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the predefined angular range (a1) is smaller than 30 degrees. 11. A coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the plunger (120, 170, 320) comprises a rolling element (324), the rolling element (324) is arranged at the end (121, 321) of the plunger (120, 170, 320), is arranged to rotate around a second rotation axis (323) substantially parallel to the first rotation axis (106, 156, 306) and is arranged to contact with the curved surface (110, 160, 310), the rolling element (324) having a circular cross-sectional shape in the imaginary plane. 12 A coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the resilient element (122, 172, 322) is a spring, optionally, a coil spring (322). 13. A wheeled board assembly comprising a wheeled board (256) and the coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, the wheeled board (256) comprising a wheel (258) for supporting the wheeled board (256), being arranged to be coupled behind the stroller (200) and being arranged for carrying a child, wherein the coupling joint (100, 150, 300) is arranged to couple the wheeled board (256) to a stroller (200) and, optionally, the coupling joint (100, 150, 300) being attached to the wheeled board (256). 14. A wheeled board assembly according to embodiments 13, wherein the wheeled board (256) comprises a seat (252) for the child and optionally the wheeled board (256) comprises two coupling joints according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 12. 15. A stroller (200) for carrying a child or baby comprising the coupling joint (100, 150, 300) according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 12. 16. A stroller (200) according to embodiment 15, wherein the stroller (200) comprises a wheeled board (256) for being coupled behind the stroller via the coupling joint (100, 150, 300) to a frame of the stroller (200), the wheeled board (256) comprises a wheel (258) for supporting the wheeled board (256) and is arranged to carry a child.
In summary, the application provides a coupling joint, a wheeled board assembly and a stroller are provided. The coupling joint is for coupling a stroller accessory to a stroller and comprises a first part and a second part. The second part is coupled to the first part and is rotatable with respect to the first part around a first rotation axis. The second part comprises a curved surface. The first part comprises a plunger and a resilient element arranged to force the plunger towards the curved surface. The curved surface comprises a first slot for receiving the end of the plunger. The first slot is a recess in the curved surface and a width of a cross-sectional shape of the recess in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis is at least one and a half times a width of the end of the plunger.
It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments.
In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
Claims (8)
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2012559A NL2012559B1 (en) | 2014-04-03 | 2014-04-03 | A coupling joint for coupling a stroller accessory to a stroller, a wheeled board assembly and a stroller. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2012559A NL2012559B1 (en) | 2014-04-03 | 2014-04-03 | A coupling joint for coupling a stroller accessory to a stroller, a wheeled board assembly and a stroller. |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NL2012559A NL2012559A (en) | 2016-01-13 |
| NL2012559B1 true NL2012559B1 (en) | 2016-03-08 |
Family
ID=50981804
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2012559A NL2012559B1 (en) | 2014-04-03 | 2014-04-03 | A coupling joint for coupling a stroller accessory to a stroller, a wheeled board assembly and a stroller. |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| NL (1) | NL2012559B1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5547256A (en) * | 1993-12-30 | 1996-08-20 | D'antuono; Robert A. | Child's seating device |
| US5687985A (en) * | 1994-11-04 | 1997-11-18 | Graco Children's Products, Inc. | Stroller, reclining and canopy tensioning mechanisms thereof |
| US6616367B2 (en) * | 2001-06-20 | 2003-09-09 | Pao-Hsien Cheng | Position adjusting means for a back of a stroller |
| JP2004204948A (en) * | 2002-12-25 | 2004-07-22 | Nokia Corp | Hinge device with angle holding function and folding type electronic apparatus with this hinge device |
| US8696016B2 (en) * | 2010-04-01 | 2014-04-15 | Nuna International, B.V. | Collapsible stroller apparatus |
-
2014
- 2014-04-03 NL NL2012559A patent/NL2012559B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NL2012559A (en) | 2016-01-13 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MM | Lapsed because of non-payment of the annual fee |
Effective date: 20180501 |