US1184364A - Folding go-cart. - Google Patents

Description

E. LOSHBOUGH. FOLDING GO-CART.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1910.

Patented May 23, 1916.

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.l. E. LOSHBOUGH.

FOLDING GO-CART.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1910.

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J. E. LOSHBOUGH.

FOLDING GO-CART.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1910.

1 ,1 84,364, Patented May 23, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH .50., WASHINGTON, D. c-

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J. E. LOSHBOUGH.

FOLDING (SO-CART.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1910.

Patented May 23,1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

J.E.LOSHBOU'GH.

FOLDING GO-CART.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10. 1910.

1,1 84,364. Patented May 23, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

aizgy's- JAMES E. LOSHBOUGH, OF ELKIIART, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WILLIAM S. FERRIS, 0F ELKHART, INDIANA, AND ALEXANDER B. L-EITH, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, TRUSTEES.

FOLDING GO-GAR'I.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1916.

To all'whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES E.'LosHBoUeH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elkhart, in the county of Elkhart and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Go-Carts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in folding go-carts in which the wheels fold under the running gear frame while the handle is adapted to fold downwardly or over the frame and substantially lengthwise thereof, and one of the objects 'of the invention is to provide improved means whereby the folding operation of the handle Wlll automatically fold the wheels sequentially, and the unfolding movement of the handlewlll unfold the wheels and lock them in position for use, thereby rendering it possible to open or unfold the cart in one operation by grasping the handle and raislng the cart from the ground or floor sufficiently high to permit the running gear frame to unfold with respect to the handle, or by giving the handle a slight and sudden jerk.

A further object is to provide improved means for locking the structure in posltion for use, and improved means for releasing the locking means.

A further object is toprovide improved means for mounting the wheel supports.

A further object is to provide an improved seat structure having side arms, and improved means for attaching flexible members to the side arms to prevent the arms of the occupant from projecting beyond the seat.

A further object is to provide an improved device of this character which will be simple, durable and cheap in construction, one which may be readily and compactly folded, and one whichwill be effective and efficient in operation.

To the attainment'of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects, as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating an exemplification of the invention, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of an improved cart of this character constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention with parts broken away and parts in section. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional View on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 4. Fig. 1 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 5, showing some of the parts in dotted lines in an adjusted position. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of a cart unfolded and in position for use. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 7'7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 88 of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a side'elevation of a cart in a partially folded or collapsed condition. Fig. 10 is a detail view partly in section, on line 1010, Fig. 1', looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the wheel supports in partially folded position. Fig. 11- is a view similar to Fig. 10, showing the wheel supports in a folded position. Fig. 12 is a sectional view on line 12-12 of Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a sectional view on line 1313 of Fig. 12.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and in the present exemplification of the invention, the running gear frame comprises spaced side members 20 which are connected at their forward ends'by across bar or member 21. This latter member may be formed integrallywith the side members if desired, or maybe constructed separately and attached thereto. The rear extremities are connected by a cross bar or member 22, and this member 22 also serves as a means whereby the handle 23 may be pivotally connected to the running gear frame. The wheelsupports preferably comprise spaced members 24. which are connected together and arch over the wheels 25, the wheels being connected to the members by means of the axles 26. The wheel supports 24 on each side of the frame may be connected for simultaneous movement by means of a bar or member 27, which is secured in any desired or suitable manner to the inner faces of the spaced members of the wheel supports, such as by means of brazing or otherwise. The extremities of these members 27 project beyond the wheel supports and are journaled in suitable bearings 28, preferably in the form of brackets, which latter are secured to the respective side members 20 of the frame in any desired or suitable manner, referably by means of fastening devices 29. hese members 27 are preferably spaced from the side members 20 of the frame. If desired, and in order to brace the wheel supports, an additional member 30 may be provided, which may be secured to the wheel supports on the respective sides of the frame. The members '30 are spaced from the members 27, and if desired, a suitable connection 31 may be provided between the members 27 and the members 30. The rear extremities of the members 30 preferably project beyond the rear wheel supports 24 and are deflected as at 32 (shown more clearly in Fig. 5). Secured to the members 30 and cooperating with the deflected extremities 32 thereof, are members 33 which are deflected in the opposite direction to form catches into which the locking bail 34 for securing the wheel supports in position is adapted to pass, and which bail is preferably of a U- shaped formation and is pivotally connected as at 35 by its upper extremities to the side bars 20 of the frame, so that the bail will depend below the frame for free pivotal movement with respect to the frame into and out of engagement with the catches formed on the members 30. If desired, this bail 34 may be reinforced by means of a brace 36.

Secured to? the members 30 adjacent the forward wheel supports are members 37 similar to the members 33. A support 38 is pivoted intermediate its ends as at 39 to the side members 20 of the running gear frame,

so that the upper end thereof will project above the frame; The lower portion of the support 38 projects below the running gear frame, as at 40, and these depending .portions are connected by means of a cross bar 41, which latter may be formedeither integrally with the depending portions 40, as shown, or may be formed separate there from, and attached to the depending portions. The bar or connecting portion 41 is deflected as at 42 to form a cam surface for a purpose to be set forth. The connecting bar or portion 41 is located a suitable distance from the pivots 39, so that when the support 38 is moved into an upright position or position for use, the depending portions 40 thereof Will engage the catches formed by the members 37 to lock the front wheel supports in position for use. i

In order to cause the simultaneous operation of the locking bail 34 and the depending portions 40 of the upright 38, a suitable connection may be provided, preferably in the form of a bar or member 43, which is pivotally connected at one end as at 44, to a sup port 45 on the connecting bar or member 41. The other end thereof is connected to a support 46 on the locking bail'34 at its other extremity by means of a pin and slot connec tion 47, 48, so that the bail 34 will be permitted to move into and out of engagement with the catches and in order to permit the bail to be folded flat with respect to the running gear frame when the cart is folded or collapsed, and to permit the wheels to be folded under the frame and in close proximity thereto.

Pivotally connected to the upper extremi ties of the supports 38 by means ofthe pivotal connections 49, are side arms or bars 50 which form the arm rests for the seat 51, and the other extremities of these arm rests are pivotally connected'as at 52 to the handle 23,

so that when the handle 23 is folded forwardly and downwardly, the supports 38 will be rocked about their pivots 34,which in turn will move the depending portions 40 out of engagement with the catches formed by the members 37 and 33 and the side bars or members 30. This motion will in turn be communicated to the locking bail 34 through the medium of the connecting bar 43 to simultaneously unlock both the front and rear wheel supports. Likewise, when the handle 23 is unfolded or moved upwardly, or away from the running gear frame, the locking bails or members will be moved in the opposite direction to simultaneously lock the wheel supports in position for use.

' The seat 51 may be yieldingly supported on the running gear frame in any desired or suitable manner, but in the present exemplifieation of the invention the forward end of the seat is shown as being supported by means of an elastic member, preferably in the form of a flat or leaf spring '53, the ends of which are secured to the bottom of the seat and its intermediate portion is secured, as at 54 (see Fig. 10) to a support 55, which latter may be of a rigid or flexible construction. This support 55 extends transversely of the running gear frame, and is secured by its extremities as at 56, to the side bars or members 20 of the frame. The rear end of the seat is yieldingly supported by means of elastic members 57 which are spaced laterally from each other, one extremity of the members being secured to the bottom of the seat and the other extremity being arched as at 58 and secured to the cross bar 22, which forms the pivotal connection between the handle 23 and the side bars or members 20 of the running gear frame.

lines.

A foot rest designated generally by the reference numeral 59 is provided, and is preferably formed of flexible material, one end of the foot rest being preferably supported by the seat 51 and the other end is secured to an adjustable support or frame designated generally by the reference numeral 60 by means of which latter the foot rest may be lifted from the position shown in the drawings, so as to form an extended substantially flat surface for the occupant when in a reclining position, and is lowered to the position shown in the drawings when the occupant assumes a sitting position. This adjustable support for the foot rest, however, forms no part of the present invention.

The seat is provided with a back 61 which is supported by and is pivotally connected to the seat, as at 62, so that the back may be adjusted from the position shown in full lines in Fig. t to that shown in dotted The upper portion of the back of the seat may be supported in any desired or suitable manner, but preferably by means of a substantially U-shaped member 62, the side arms 63 of which are adapted to pass through tubular guides 64, which latter are preferably pivotally mounted upon the side bars or arms 50 of the seat adjacent the point of pivotal connection 52 of the bars or arms with the handle 23. The body portion of the member 62 is adapted to move in a guide 65 which is secured to and spaced from the rear face of the seat back 61. The side members 63 are provided with heads or shoulders 66 and elastic members 67 are provided which surround the side arms with one extremity engaging the head or shoulder, and the other extremity resting against a shoulder on the tubular portion (not shown). WVith this construction it will be apparent that by moving the body portion of the member 62 in the guide 65 from the position shown in Fig. 4 in full lines, the back may be lowered to the position shown in dotted lines, and when so lowered, the elastic members 67 will yieldingly support the back. When the back is in an elevated position or the position shown in full lines, the elastic members 67 will draw the side arms 62 through the tubular members 6% to hold the member 62 in position and against rattling.

The side arms 50 of the seat are preferably formed of sheet metal and are U-shaped, as shown more clearly in Fig. 6. The pivots 49 which connect the supports 38 with the side arms 50 pass through the supports and also through the support or projection 67 which is secured within the channel formed by the side arms. The sides of the seat are preferably formed of flexible material 68, and are connected to the side arms by means of a bar or member 69 which passes through a loop 70 formed in the material. This member 69 is located within the channel formed by the arms 50, and is provided with a deflected extremity 71 adapted to pass through a suitable aperture in the support 67 The other extremity of the member 69 rests upon a support 7 2 (see Fig. 1) preferably in the form of a pin or bolt which passes through the sides of the arms 50, so that the member 69 will be removably held in position and will not only be protected by the arms 50, but will permit the sides 68 of the seat to be readily detached when desired.

In order to cause the wheel supports on the opposite sides of the cart to fold sequentially, any suitable means may be provided whereby the folding operation of the handle will accomplish this result. A suitable and efficient means for accomplishing this end comprises cam shaped projections 7 3, '74:, which are preferably secured to the bars or members 27 which connect the wheel supports. One of these cam shaped projections is located in advance of the other, and so'positioned that when the supports 38 are moved about their pivots during the folding operation of the cart, the depending portion 40 thereof will engage the cam shaped members 73, 74 at different times, and by the engagement therewith the wheel supports will be caused to fold sequentially under the running gear frame when the-members a0 are moved still farther in the same direction. When the wheel supports are folded into the position shown in Fig. 11, the connecting bar or member 41 between the depending portions 40 of the supports 38 will assume a position across the members 30 which connect the wheel supports on the respective sides of the cart; so that when the portions 40 are moved in the opposite direction by the unfolding movement of the handle, the connecting portion or bar 41 will engage the members 30 to open or unfold the wheel supports, and as this member 11 is offset or shaped to form the cam surface 42, the wheel supports will be sequentially unfolded to positions for use.

The structure is locked in position for use by means of deflectable braces, two of which are provided, and comprise the members 75 and 76. One of these members, preferably the member 76, is pivotally connected by one extremity to the member 75 adjacent the ex tremity 77 of the latter member. The point of pivotal connection between these two members is preferably formed by a pin and slot connection 78, 79 (see Fig.7), so as to permit the independent movement of one of the members with respect to the other. The other extremity 7 8 of the member 75 is pivotally connected as at 79 to the support 67.

The free extremity of the member 76 is pivotally connected as at 80 to the bar or member 20 of the running gear frame. The extremity 77 of the member 75 is provided with a downwardly opening notch 81 (see Fig. 9), which is adapted to engage over the cross bar or member 22, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4. In order to hold this notched portion 81 in engagement with the cross bar an elastic member 82 is provided for each of the braces, one extremity of which is secured as at 83 to the member 76, and the other extremity is secured as at Set to the member 75, and these elastic members are adapted to exert their tension upon the members 75 to hold the pin 78 at the end of the slot 79 to prevent accidental disengagement of the member 75 from the cross bar rod 22. During the unfolding operation, the elastic member will yield when the extremity 77 of the member 75 engages the cross bar to permit the members to pass over the bar and when the notches 81 are in position over the bar, the springs will move the members 7 5 into locking positions.

When it is desired to unlock the structure to permit the latter to be folded, all that is necessary is to disengage the notches 81 from the cross bar 22 and then fold the handle 23 downwardly and forwardly. Any suitable means may be provided for simultaneously releasing the members 75 and for this purpose there is provided a treadle 85, shown more clearly in Fig. 2, which is pivotally mounted upon the cross bar 22 and is provided with deflected portions 86. These deflected portions 86 are adapted to project under the members 75, so that when the treadle is rocked, the portions 86 will engage the members 75 and move them about their pivots sufliciently to disengage the notches 81 from the bar or rod and against the ten sion of the elastic members 82.

The treadle 85 is arranged in any suitable position convenient for the operator to engage the same with the foot to rock it about its point of pivotal support and an elastic member 87 may be provided which preferably surrounds the cross bar member 22 with one of its ends engaging a fixed support and the other engaging the treadle. The spring is so arranged that 1ts normal tendency is to hold the deflected portions 86 against the running gear frame and out of engagement with the members 75 when the latter are in locked positions. The spring also serves as a means for preventing the treadle from rattling. After the member 75 has been released by rocking the treadle the structure may be molded, and when the foot is removed from the treadle, the elastic member 87 will return the treadle to its normal position, the position for use.

With this improved construction it will be apparent that the structure may be unfolded and locked in a single operation, and may also be unlocked and folded in a single operation. During the folding and unfolding movements, the wheel supports will be positively adjusted in' both directions, that is, one of the locking bails will engage the cams 73, 74 to cause the wheel frames to fold sequentially. After the structure has been folded, the wheel frames will be unfolded positively by the engagement of one of the locking bails or members with the members 30.

In order that the invention might be fully understood, the details of the foregoing embodiment thereof have been thus specifically described, but

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a folding go-cart the combination of a running gear frame, wheel supports pivotally secured with relation to the frame and adapted to fold under the frame, said wheel supports being connected together in pairs, a cam projection connected with each pair of wheel supports, a brace supported for pivotal movement with respect to the frame, and into the path of the movement of which in one direction, the cam projection extends, to be engaged by the brace to fold the supports against the frame, longitudinal bars also supported by the respective pairs of wheel supports and a cam carried by the brace adapted to engage said bars to unfold the wheel supports, the said bars and cam projections being free from the brace, the wheel supports being folded and unfolded sequentially.

2. In a folding go-cart the combination of a running gear frame, wheel supports pivotally secured with relation to the frame and adapted to fold under the frame, said supports being connected together in pairs, a cross brace supported for pivotal movement with relation to the frame, cam projections connected with the pairs of wheel supports and projecting into the path of movement of the brace in one direction to be engaged thereby to fold the wheel supports under the frame, bars extending from one to the other of the wheel supports of the respective pairs of wheel supports and adapted to project across the brace when the supports are folded so as to stand in the path of movement of the brace in the opposite direction to be engaged by the brace to unfold the support, an independent brace cooperating with the brace for locking the.

wheel supports in position for use.

3. In a folding go-cart the combination of a running gear frame, wheel supports pivotally secured with relation to the frame and adapted to fold under the frame, a cross bar supported for pivotal movement with respect to the frame to swing downwardly below the plane of the frame, and having a cam portion formed therein, said supports being connected in pairs, cam projections connected with said pairs and projecting into the path of movement of the cross bar in one direction to be engaged thereby to fold the wheel supports sequentially, means also connected with the pairs of wheel supports adapted to be projected when the supports are folded into the path of movement of the cam portion of the cross bar whereby when the cross bar is moved in the opposite direction the cam portion thereof will engage said means to unfold the supports sequentially, and a cam surface on said bar to cause the wheel sup ports to unfold sequentially.

4. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a running gear frame, wheel supports pivotally secured with relation to the frame and adapted to fold under the frame, a cross bar supported for pivotal movement with respect to the frame and adapted to swing downwardly below the plane of the frame, said supports being connected in pairs, cam projections connected with said pairs and projecting into the path of movement of the cross bar in one direction to be engaged thereby to fold the wheel supports sequentially, means also connected with the pairs of wheel supports adapted to be projected when the supports are folded into the path of movement of the cross bar in the opposite direction to be engaged by the bar to unfold the supports, a cam portion formed in said cross bar to cause the wheel supports to unfold sequentially, a hinged handle operatively connected with the cross bar for shifting the latter by the handle, and means connected with the wheel supports with which the said cross bar cooperates for limiting the unfolding movement of the wheel supports.

5. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a running gear frame, wheel supports pivotally secured with relation to the frame and adapted to fold under the frame, said supports being connected in pairs, braces supported for pivotal movement with respect to the frame, one of saidbraces being located adjacent the forward and the other adjacent the rear wheel support and adapted to swing downwardly below the plane of the frame, means free from and adapted to be engaged by one of the braces to fold the pairs of wheel supports sequentially, means also adapted to be engaged by said brace to unfold the pairs of wheel supports sequentially, and a link member pivotally connected to the braces to cause the latter to move in unison.

6. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a running gear frame, wheel supports pivotally secured with relation to the frame and adapted to fold under the frame, said supports being connected in pairs, braces supported for pivotal movement with respect to the frame, one of said braces being located adjacent the forward and the other adjacent the rear wheel support and adapted to swing downwardly below the plane of the frame, means free from and adapted to be engaged by one of the braces to fold the pairs of wheel supports sequentially, means also adapted to be engaged by said brace to unfold the pairs of wheel supports sequentially, and a link member pivotally connected to the braces to cause the latter to move in unison, said member being arched longitudinally to permit the parts to fold compactly with respect to the frame.

7. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a running gear frame, wheel supports pivotally secured with relation to the frame and adapted to fold under the frame, a brace pivotally supported by and adapted to be projected below the frame, means connected with the wheel supports free from the brace and adapted to be engaged by the brace to fold the wheel supports when the brace is moved about its pivot in one direction, means also connected with the wheel supports and adapted to be engaged by said brace when the latter is moved about its pivot in the opposite direction to unfold the wheel supports, the last said means being also free from the brace, a separate and independent brace, a link connecting said braces together for operation in unison; and an open catch carried by the wheel supports and adapted to receive a portion of the said separate brace for locking the wheel supports.

8. The'herein described improvement in collapsible go-carts comprising a main, substantially rectangular frame, in combination with two side frames pivoted upon opposite sides of the main frame and each bearing two wheels; two substantially U-sl1aped bails piyoted upon the main frame and normally hanging below the same; means linking the free ends of said bails together, for simultaneous operation; one of said bails serving to hold apart the forward ends of said side frames and the other serving to hold apart the rear ends of said side frames; and a pivoted superstructure, including a handle, and constituting means whereby said bails are simultaneously actuated, in collapsing and in opening the go-cart.

9. In a baby carriage the combination of a frame, inwardly folding wheel hangers hinged to the sides of said frame, a forwardly folding handle pivoted to the rear part of the frame, rearwardly folding U- shaped stays pivoted to the sides of said frame and adapted when unfolded to lock said hangers adjacent to both front and rear Wheel hearings in Working position, links name to this specification, in the presence connecting the upwardly extended ends of of two subscribing Witnesses, on this 4th the front stay With the sides of the handle day of March, A. D. 1910. V l and a link connecting the cross piece at the J. E. LOSHBOUGH. lower end of the front stay With the cross Witnesses: piece at the lower end of the rear stay. P. C. KENDALL,

In testimony whereof I have signed my JOSEPH L. BATTORFF.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G.

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