Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21784G4
STROLLER WITH SHOCX ABSORBING DEVICE FOR MOUNTING
A SEAT MEMBER ON A STROLLER FRAME
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
l. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a stroller, more
particularly to a stroller with a shock absorbing
device for mounting a seat member on a stroller frame.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional stroller includes a stroller frame
and a seat member on the stroller frame. The stroller
frame has a bottom end provided with casters, and
includes a handle unit for pushing the stroller frame.
Brake devices, direction guiding devices and devices
for guarding against untimely folding of the strollers
are usually installed to ensure safety of a child
seated on the stroller. It is noted that movement of
the stroller along a rough surface can cause discomfort
to the child on the stroller. Therefore, some strollers
have front casters which incorporate a shock absorbing
device to reduce the vibrations that result when the
stroller is in motion. However, the vibrations
experienced by the stroller do not come entirely from
the front casters. Thus, the shock absorbing effect in
such conventional strollers is severely limited.
The seat member may be formed as an integral part of
the stroller frame. Alternatively, the seat member may
be formed as a separate device which is mounted
2178~64
,
securely on the stroller frame. Thus, the seat member
cannot be conveniently disassembled from the stroller
frame of the conventional stroller for cleaning
purposes.
Most strollers are seldom used when the wind is
blowing in a direction facing the child on the
conventional stroller to prevent the child from
catching a cold. This is due to the drawback that the
seat member cannot be turned relative to the stroller
frame to shield the child from the wind since the seat
member is mounted securely on the stroller frame.
However, there is a stroller frame with a modified
handle unit which can be pivoted so as to extend
forwardly or rearwardly according to the wind direction
in order to shield the child from the wind.
Unfortunately, a change in the direction of the handle
unit results in a change in the positions of the front
and rear casters on the stroller frame. This results in
ineffective operation of the direction guiding devices
on the front casters and in inconvenient operation of
the latch mechanisms on the rear casters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to
provide a stroller with a shock absorbing device that
is capable of effectively absorbing shock when the
stroller is in motion.
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More particularly, the object of the present
invention is to provide a stroller with a shock
absorbing device which mounts a seat member on a
stroller frame so as to effectively absorb shock when
s the stroller is in motion.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide a stroller with a detachable seat member which
can be conveniently mounted on the stroller frame in
either of two opposing directions.
According to the present invention, a stroller
includes a wheeled stroller frame with a handle unit
for pushing the stroller frame, and a seat member
mounted on the stroller frame. The stroller frame has a
pair of horizontal linking plates on two sides of the
seat member. A shock absorbing device includes a frame
unit disposed between the linking plates and mounted
swingably on the linking plates, and a spring unit. The
frame unit is movable relative to the linking plates in
a first direction, wherein the frame unit swings
forwardly and downwardly, and in a second direction,
wherein the frame unit swings rearwardly and upwardly.
The spring unit interconnects the frame unit and the
linking plates and biases the frame unit in the second
direction. The seat member has a seat portion with a
bottom side that is provided with a mounting unit for
mounting the seat member on the frame unit of the shock
absorbing device.
- 2178~64
The frame unit includes parallel front and rear rod
members which extend between the linking plates. Each
of the front and rear rod members has a pair of bent
leg portions connected pivotally and respectively to
the linking plates. The frame unit further includes two
side plate members, each of which has two ends
connected respectively to the front and rear rod
members.
The spring unit includes two extension springs, each
of which has a first end connected to a respective one
of the linking plates and a second end connected to the
front rod member of the frame unit.
Preferably, the mounting unit on the seat portion of
the seat member mounts detachably the seat member on
the frame unit, and includes at least one hook unit for
engaging one of the front and rear rod members of the
frame unit. The mounting unit further includes a
spring-loaded retaining device for engaging releasably
the other one of the front and rear rod members of the
frame unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent in the following
detailed description of the preferred embodiments with
reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Figure 1 is a partly exploded, perspective view of
the first preferred embodiment of a stroller according
2178~4
to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a partly exploded, schematic view of the
first preferred embodiment;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a shock absorbing
5device of the first preferred embodiment;
Figure 4 is a schematic view which illustrates the
assembly of the shock absorbing device;
Figure 5 is an exploded view of a spring-loaded
retaining device of the first preferred embodiment;
10Figure 6 is a partly sectional, schematic view of
the retaining device when in an engaging state;
Figure 7 is a partly sectional, schematic view of
the retaining device, taken along line VII-VII in
Figure 6;
15Figure 8 is a partly sectional, schematic view of
the retaining device when in a disengaging state;
Figure 9 is a partly sectional, schematic view of
the retaining device, taken along line IX-IX in Figure
8;
20Figure 10 is a schematic view which illustrates the
operation of the shock absorbing device when the
stroller is in motion;
Figure 11 is a schematic view of the second
preferred embodiment of a stroller according to the
25present invention; and
Figure 12 is a schematic view of the third preferred
embodiment of a stroller according to the present
217846 1
lnventlon .
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before the present invention is described in greater
detail, it should be noted that like elements are
denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the
disclosure.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the first preferred
embodiment of a stroller according to the present
invention is shown to comprise a stroller frame 1, a
seat member 3, and a shock absorbing device 2 for
mounting the seat member 3 on the stroller frame 1.
The stroller frame 1 is foldable and is generally
similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,417,450
by the applicant. The stroller frame 1 includes two
front support members 11, two rear support members 13,
and two connectors 12, each of which connects pivotally
one of the front support members 11 to one of the rear
support members 13. Front and rear axles 111, 131
extend between the front and rear support members 11,
13, respectively. A caster 14 is mounted rotatably on
each end of the front and rear axles 111, 131. Each of
two pivot shafts 16 has a bottom end provided with a
slide piece 15 which straddles a respective one of the
rear support members 13. Each of two horizontal linking
plates 17 has a first end connected to one of the pivot
shafts 16 and a second end connected to the top end of
one of the rear support members 13. The seat member 3
21784~
.
is to be disposed between the linking plates 17. Each
of two connecting plates 161 has a first end connected
to one of the front support members 13 and a second end
connected to one of the pivot shafts 16. Each of the
linking plates 17 has a horizontal portion 171 which
extends between the rear support member 13 and the
pivot shaft 16, a forwardly and upwardly inclining
portion 172 which extends from a front end of the
horizontal portion 171 and which is connected pivotally
to the rear support member 13, and a rearwardly and
upwardly inclining portion 173 which extends from a
rear end of the horizontal portion 171 and which is
connected pivotally to the pivot shaft 16. The stroller
frame 1 further includes a handle unit 18 with lower
end portions connected pivotally and respectively to
the slide pieces 15. A catch mechanism 19, similar to
that employed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No.
5,417,450, is installed to retain releasably the
stroller frame 1 in an unfolded position, thereby
avoiding accidental folding of the stroller frame 1.
As shown in Figure 3, the shock absorbing device 2
is disposed between the linking plates 17 and includes
a frame unit 20, a spring unit constituted by two
springs 21, and two cover pieces 22.
The frame unit 20 includes parallel front and rear
rod members 23, 24 which extend between and which are
transverse to the linking plates 17. The front rod
- 2178~6 1
member 23 has a pair of bent leg portions 231, each of
which is connected pivotally to a front part of the
horizontal portion 171 of a respective one of the
linking plates 17 by means of a corresponding rivet 25.
The rear rod member 24 has a pair of bent leg portions
241, each of which is connected pivotally to a rear
part of the horizontal portion 171 of a respective one
of the linking plates 17 by means of a corresponding
rivet 26. The frame unit 20 further includes two side
plate members 28, each of which has two ends provided
with a respective connector 27 for connection with one
of the front and rear rod members 23, 24. Each
connector 27 has a sleeve portion 271 to be sleeved on
the corresponding one of the front and rear rod members
23, 24 and is formed with a slot 272 for receiving one
end of the respective one of side plate members 28.
Pins 281 secure the connectors 27 onto the side plate
members 28.
Each of the springs 21 has a first hook end portion
211 which engages the front rod member 23 and a second
hook end portion 212 which engages an intermediate part
of the horizontal portion 171 of a respective one of
the linking plates 17. Each of the cover pieces 22
covers a respective one of the linking plates 17 and
has an inner side formed with a projection 221 that
rests on top of an adjacent one of the side plate
members 28. When installed, the frame unit 20 is
2178464
swingable relative to the linking plates 17 in a first
direction, wherein the frame unit 20 swings downwardly
and forwardly, and a second direction, wherein the
frame unit 20 swings upwardly and rearwardly.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the seat member 3 is
installed on the frame unit 20 of the shock absorbing
device 2. The seat member 3 has a seat portion 31, a
backrest portion 32 connected pivotally to a rear end
of the seat portion 31, and a pair of armrests 33
disposed respectively on opposite sides of the seat
portion 31. A guard rail 331 has two ends connected to
front ends of the armrests 33 for safety purposes. The
seat portion 31 has a bottom side with a front part
which is provided with a pair of hook units 311 (only
one is shown). Each hook unit 311 has a slit 312 for
engaging one of the front and rear rod members 23, 24.
The bottom side of the seat portion 31 further has a
rear part provided with a spring-loaded retaining
device 34 for engaging the other one of the front and
rear rod members 23, 24. The hook units 311 and the
retaining device 34 constitute a mounting unit for
mounting detachably the seat member 3 on the frame unit
20.
Referring to Figure 5, the retaining device 34
includes a housing 341 which is mounted on the rear
part of the bottom side of the seat portion 31 by means
of bolts 340. The housing 341 includes a rectangular
2178~G 4
base plate 3411, a surrounding wall 3412 which extends
upwardly from a periphery of the base plate 3411, and a
transverse partition wall 3413 which extends between
front and rear portions of the surrounding wall 3412 so
as to divide the space cooperatively confined by the
base plate 3411 and the surrounding wall 3412 into left
and right chambers 3414. Each of a pair of retaining
blocks 342 is disposed in a respective one of the
chambers 3414. Each of the chambers 3414 further has a
first spring member 343, a press piece 344 and a second
spring member 345 disposed therein.
The front portion of the surrounding wall 3412 is
formed with a pair of front notches 3415 on two sides
of the-partition plate 3413. The base plate 3411 is
formed with two pairs of slits 3416 which are parallel
to and which are disposed on two sides of the partition
plate 3413. Each of the slits 3416 extends rearwardly
from the respective one of the front notches 3415. The
surrounding wall 3412 further has opposite side
portions which are respectively formed with a side
notch 3417. The base plate 3411 is further formed with
a pair of upwardly extending contact plates 3418, each
of which is disposed adjacent to a respective one of
the side notches 3417 in the surrounding wall 3412.
Each of the retaining blocks 342 has a rear portion
which is formed with a blind bore 3421 and a front
portion 3422 which extends through a respective one of
2178464
the front notches 3415 in the surrounding wall 3412 and
which has an upwardly curving bottom face 3423. Each of
the retaining blocks 342 is further formed with a pair
of guide projections 3424 which slidably engage a
respective pair of slits 3416 in the base plate 3411.
The front portion 3422 of each of the retaining blocks
342 has a top face formed with a widthwise extending
groove 3425 for engaging the other one of the front and
rear rod members 23, 24.
lo The rear portion of each of the retaining blocks 342
is further formed with a sideward hook projection 3426
that extends toward an adjacent one of the side notches
3417 in the surrounding wall 3412. The hook projection
3426 has a first inclined face 3427 and a first
shoulder 3428 on an innermost end of the first inclined
face 3427.
Each first spring member 343 has a first end portion
which extends into the blind bore 3421 in a respective
one of the retaining blocks 342, and a second end
portion which abuts against the rear portion of the
surrounding wall 3412.
Each press piece 344 has an engaging portion
adjacent to a respective one of the contact plates 3418
and formed with a blind bore 3441. Each second spring
member 345 has a first end portion which abuts against
a respective one of the contact plates 3418 and a
second end portion which extends into the blind bore
217~g6~ .
-
3441 of a respective one of the press pieces 344. Each
press piece 344 further has an operating portion 3442
wider than and opposite to the engaging portion
thereof. The engaging portion of each press piece 344
is formed with a second inclined face 3440 that abuts
against the first inclined face 3427 of the hook
projection 3426 on the respective one of the retaining
blocks 342 and a second shoulder 3443 on an innermost
end of the second inclined face 3440 for engaging the
first shoulder 3428 of the hook projection 3426.
Referring to Figures 4 and 6, when installing the
seat member 3 in a first direction, the seat member 3
is provided on top of the frame unit 20 of the shock
absorbing device 2 and is pulled rearwardly such that
the hook units 311 engage the front rod member 23. The
seat member 3 is then pressed downwardly to enable the
retaining device 34 to engage releasably the rear rod
member 24, thereby mounting the seat member 3 on the
stroller frame 1.
As shown in Figures 4, 6 and 7, when the seat mémber
3 is disposed on the frame unit 20, the rear rod member
24 initially abuts against the bottom faces 3423 of the
front portions 3422 of the retaining blocks 342. Thus,
when the seat member 3 is pressed.downwardly, the rear
rod member 24 moves along the bottom faces 3423 and
pushes the retaining blocks 342 into the housing 341
against biasing action of the first spring members 343.
217846 i
Once the rear rod member 24 has moved past the bottom
faces 3423, the first spring members 343 expand such
that the rear rod member 24 is retained within the
grooves 3425 in the top faces of the front portions
3422 of the retaining blocks 342.
Referring to Figures 6, 8 and 9, when it is desired
to detach the seat member 3 from the stroller frame 1,
the press pieces 344 are pressed inwardly against
biasing action of the second spring members 345. At
this time, the second inclined faces 3440 on the press
pieces 344 move along the first inclined faces 3427 of
the hook projections 3426 on the retaining blocks 342,
thereby resulting in movement of the retaining blocks
342 inwardly of the housing 341 against the biasing
action of the first spring members 343. The second
shoulders 3443 on the press pieces 344 eventually
engage the first shoulders 3428 of the hook projections
3426, and the retaining blocks 342 cease to engage the
rear rod member 24. The seat member 3 can be lifted
from the frame unit 20 at this time. When the seat
member 3 is lifted from the frame unit 20, the rear rod
member 24 once again abuts against the bottom faces
3423 of the front portions 3422 of the retaining blocks
342 and pushes the retaining blocks 342 further into
the housing 341 against the biasing action of the first
spring members 343. The second shoulders 3443 disengage
the first shoulders 3428, thereby permitting expansion
217~64
of the second spring members 345 to return the press
pieces 344 to their normal positions. When the rear rod
member 24 ceases to abut against the bottom faces 3423,
the first spring members 343 expand to return the
retaining blocks 342 to their normal positions, i.e.
from the positions in Figure 8 to the positions in
Figure 6. At this time, the seat member 3 can be
mounted on the stroller frame 1 in an opposite
direction, wherein the hook units 311 engage the rear
rod member 24 while the retaining device 34 engages
releasably the front rod member 23. The steps for
mounting the seat member 3 on the stroller frame 1 in
the opposite direction are similar to those described
beforehand and will not be repeated herein.
Referring once more to Figure 4, when a child is not
seated on the seat member 3, the springs 21 bias the
frame unit 20 in the second direction, i.e. the frame
unit 20 swings upwardly and rearwardly. As shown in
- Figure 10, when a child is seated on the seat member 3
and the stroller moves along a rough surface, the shock
experienced by the stroller frame 1 results in swinging
of the frame unit 20 about the rivets 25, 26 in the
first direction. Since the springs 21 provide
resistance to swinging of the frame unit 20, the shock
that is transmitted to the seat member 3 by the
stroller frame 1 can be minimized.
14
217846 1
Figure 11 illustrates the second preferred
embodiment of a stroller according to the present
invention. The second preferred embodiment is generally
similar to the first preferred embodiment, the main
difference residing in the configuration of the
stroller frame 4. The stroller frame 4 includes two
front support members 41, two rear support members 43,
and two connectors 42, each of which connects pivotally
one of the front support members 41 to one of the rear
support members 43. Front and rear casters 411, 431 are
mounted rotatably on bottom ends of the front and rear
support members 41, 43, respectively. The two ends of a
handle unit 45 are mounted on connecting seats 44 which
are respectively provided at the top end of each of the
front support members 41. Each of a pair of rear
linking rods 46 interconnects one of the connecting
seats 44 and one of the rear support members 43. Each
of a pair of front linking rods 48 has a first end
connected pivotally to a respective one of the rear
support members 43. Each of a pair of linking plates 47
connects pivotally one of the connecting seats 44 and a
second end of one of the front linking rods 48.
Installation of the shock absorbing device 2 on the
linking plates 47, and of the seat member 3 on the
shock absorbing device 2 are similar to those of the
first preferred embodiment and will not be described
further.
217~46 1
Figure 12 illustrates the third preferred embodiment
of a stroller according to the present invention. The
third preferred embodiment is generally similar to the
previous embodiments, the main difference residing in
the configuration of the stroller frame 6. The stroller
frame 6 includes left and right frame parts 61 and a
handle unit 62. Each of the frame parts 61 includes a
base frame member 611, a pair of connectors 612
provided respectively on upwardly curving ends of the
base frame member 611, and forwardly and rearwardly
extending frame members 613, 614 connected pivotally at
intermediate portions thereof. Each of the frame
members 613, 614 has a lower end connected pivotally to
one of the connectors 612. A linking plate 615 has two
ends connected pivotally to upper ends of the frame
members 613, 614. The handle unit 62 is connected to
the upper ends of the rearwardly extending frame
members 614 of the frame parts 61. Front and rear axles
617 interconnect the base frame members 611 of the left
and right frame parts 61. A caster 618 is mounted
rotatably on each end of the axles 617. Installation of
the shock absorbing device 2 on the linking plates 615,
and of the seat member 3 on the shock absorbing device
2 are similar to those of the first preferred
embodiment and will not be described further.
Note that the specific configuration of the stroller
frame is not critical to the present invention. The
16
21784G I
shock absorbing device 2 can be used with any stroller
frame, as long as there are two linking plates on
opposite sides of the seat member. In addition,
although the retaining device 34 in the disclosed
embodiments includes a pair of retaining blocks 342, a
pair of press pieces 344, a pair of first spring
members 343 and a pair of second spring members 345, a
retaining device with only one retaining block, one
press piece, one first spring member and one second
spring member may be used to achieve the same purpose.
While the present invention has been described in
connection with what is considered the most practical
and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments
but is intended to cover various arrangements included
within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and equivalent arrangements.
17
