Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02186064 1999-09-22
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The present invention relates to child carriers, and
particularly to strollers, carriages, and the like. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a child carrier
which has a frame supported on wheels and a seat that is
capable of moving relative to the frame if desired by a user
of the child carrier.
Strollers and carriages are used by caregivers to
transport infants and young children from one place to
another. Typically, carriages include flat mattress-like
surfaces for supporting infants while strollers include chair-
like seats for supporting toddles. A stroller or carriage
typically includes a frame having a push handle, wheels
mounted on the frame, and a child-receiving mattress or seat
mounted on the frame.
2 ~ ~ ~ 2Patent
Strollers and ca~'riages are well known in the art.
See, for examples of stroller's, Chinese Patent No. 93220881.9
to Yu; U.S. Patent Nos. 2,523,567 to Grant; 3,871,701 to
Oesslein; 4,733,882 to Kassai; 5,257,799 to Cone et al.;
4,544,178 to A1-Sheikh et al.; and 4,280,716 tv vonsbaek et
al.
Cxrant (U.9. Patent No. 2,523,567) describes a baby
carriage including an inner swinging basket having means for
transmitting movement of a crank which is movably connected to
the reap' wheel for swinging or rocking the basket. Yu
(Chinese Patent No. 93220882.9) describes a baby carriage
including a swinging seat driven Say an electric motor.
In Chinese Utility Model Application 9221.5144.X,
published October 7.4, 1992, an arc-shaped or curved mounting
is provided at the lower portion of the baby carriage Frame to
add a cradle function to the baby carriage. When the carriage
is to be used as a cradle, the wheels are Folded upward to
make the axe-shaped or curved mounting land on the ground to
rack the carriage. Where the carriage is to be used as a
hand-pushed baby carr~.age, the wheels are lowered and locked
so that the curved mounting is in a suspended state. However,
due to the presence of a pair of curved mountings, complicated
manufacturing processes are involved in the making of this
type o~ baby carriage with a cradle function, resulting in an
incx'eased manufacturing cast. Moreover, it is inconvenient to
use this type of baby carriage because the changeover from a
hand-pushed carriage to a rocking carriage requires raising or
lowering the wheels.
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There are mt~ny examples of child carriers and seats
which can be folded from their use positions to their storage
positions. See, for example, L1.S. Patent Nos. 5,257,799 to
Cone et al.; ~,5~4,176 to A1-Sheikh et al.; and 4,280,716 to
Vonsbaek et al.
~E$~~'_..~F_~'HE INVEN'fTON'
What is needed is a child carrier having a child-
receiving seat that is able to rock or glide relative to the
l0 child carrier frame or to be lacked into a stationary position
relative to the child carrier frame at the election of a user
of the child carrier. Caregivers who use child carx'iers to
move infants or toddlers about would be pleased with a child
carrier that could be adjusted easily to release a child
receiving seat normally fixed in a stationary position
relative to the child carrier frame sa that the seat could
gently rock or glide relative to the child carrier frame in
such a way as to soothe a baby riding on the seat while the
child carrier is being pushed by the caregiver. Preferably,
2o the released child carrier seat could also be moved back and
forth manually by a caregiver relative to the child carrier
frame to soothe the baby passenger while the ch~.ld carrier
frame remains stationary relative to the ground.
Child caregivers would also appreciate a child
carrier having a child-receiving seat that could be removed
easily from the child carrier frame for use as a bassinet
apart from the child carrier. Qreferably, the seat can then
be installed an the child carrier frame in either a rear
facing orientatio~z ar a front-facing orientation to provide a
rear--facing carriage far infants ax a front-facing stroller
for toddlers. It is also preferred that the child-receiving
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seat could be converted easily by a caregiver between a flat-
down bed-like carriage position well-suited to accommodate a
sleeping infant and an upright chair-like stroller position
well-suited to accommodate an active toddler.
In a first aspect, the present invention features a
child carrier which includes a frame, wheels disposed at the
lower portion of said frame for travelling on a supporting
surface, a handbar joined to the frame for manually pushing
the frame, a seat, and means coupled to the seat and frame for
(a) supporting the seat, and (b) allowing and controlling the
swinging movement of the seat relative to the frame when the
frame is moving or remains stationary relative to the
supporting surface. Optionally, a locking device is provided
which locks the swinging unit to the frame when engaged and
unlocks the swinging unit from the frame when disengaged.
This locking device enables a caregiver to transport a child
in the child carrier without exposing the child to any rocking
or gliding motion.
In a second aspect, the present invention features a
child carrier includes a frame, wheels disposed at the lower
portion of said frame for travelling on a supporting surface,
a handbar joined to the frame for manually pushing the frame,
and a seat whose orientation in relation to the push bar is
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reversible to provide either a forward or rearward facing
stroller or carriage.
In a third aspect, the present invention features a
child carrier which includes a frame, wheels disposed at the
lower portion of said frame for travelling on a supporting
surface, a handbar joined to the frame for manually pushing
the frame, and a seat which is removable from the frame to
provide a bassinet.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention features a
child carrier which includes a frame, wheels disposed at the
lower portion of said frame for travelling on a supporting
surface, a handbar joined to the frame for manually pushing
the frame, a seat, whereby the child carrier is configured to
fold from a stroller or carriage position to a collapsed
storage position.
This invention also features a child carrier having
all the above mentioned features, including, but not limited
to, a versatile seat and seat support mechanism designed to
enable a caregiver to convert the seat to a front- or rear-
facing position so as to provide a front-facing stroller for
toddlers or a rear-facing carriage for infants, to select a
rocking, gliding, or stationary position for the seat relative
to the frame, and to lift the seat away from the frame for use
as a bassinet.
Additional objects, features, and advantages of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon consideration of the following detailed description of
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preferred embodiments exemplifying ways of carrying out the
invention, and from the drawings and the claims.
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Patent
Brief DesCrigtion of the ~Drawing~
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a child carrier
according to the present invention showing the child Carrier
including a frame, a push bar coupled to the frame, a seat
supported by the frame and oriented in a forward-facing
stroller position facing away from the push bax, and wheels
connected to the bottom of the frame;
Fig. 2 is a partial side elevational view, with
portions broken away, showing the child carrier further
including a swing unit connecting the seat to the frame, the
swing unit including a seat-coupling bar connected to the seat
and fore and rear U-shaped swing arms pivotably connected to
the seat-coupling bar and frame, and the seat-coupling bar
being formed to include spaced-apart first and second slots
1S configured to receive First and second seat attachment pins
connected to the seat and a rear swing arin adjustment slot
configured to receive the rear U-shaped swing arm;
Figs. 3 and 4 are partial side elevaticnal vzews
similar to Fig. a showing the rear U-shaped swing arm fixed in
a rear position within the rear swing arm adjustment slot in
Fig. 3 and a forward position within rear swing a.rm adjustment
slot in Fig. 4, when the rear U-shaped swing arm is fixed in
the rear position within rear swing arm adjustment slot the
seat moves in a "rocking° motion relative to the frame, and
when the rear U-shaped swing arm is fixed in the forward
position within rear swing arm adjustment slot the seat moves
in a "gliding' motion relative to the frame,
Fig. 3 is a partial aide elevational view similar to
Fig. 2 showing the fore and rear swing arms connected to the
3o frame at upper swing arm attachment points, the rear swing arm
situated in the rear position within rear swing arm adjustment
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slot, and rocking mot~.on of the seat relative to the frame as
the fore and rear swing arms, seat-coupling bar, and seat are
permitted to rotate relative to the frame about the upper
swing arm attachment points;
F'ig. 4 is a partial side eleuational view similar to
Fig. 3 showing the rear swing arm situated in the forward
position within rear swing arm adjustment slot and gliding
motion of the seat relative to the frame as the fore and rear
swing arms, seat-coupling bar, and seat are permitted to
1o rotate relative to the frame about the upper swing arm
attachment points;
Fig. 5 is a partial rear elevational view, with
portions cutaway, of the child carrier of Fig. 1 showing a
movable release bar situated to lie adjacent to the seat back
and movable re3.ative to the seat back to adjust the
orientation the seat back relative to the seat bottom;
Fig. 6 is a partial sectzvnal view taken. along line
5-5 of Fig. 5 showing the child Carrier further including a
seat back frame Configured to support the seat back, a seat
bottom frame configured to support the seat bottom, and a seat
back orientation device connected to the seat back fxame and
the seat bottom frame, the seat back orientation device being
formed to include a curved slot having a plurality of spaced-
apart notches, the movab7.e release bar including a detent
Connected to a spring for biasing the detent into one of the
plurality of spaced-apart notches;
Figs. 7 and 8 are partial side elevational views,
with portions cut away, showing the seat further including an
extendible front bar and a pivotable foot rest connected to
the seat bottom frame and movable between a plurality of
positions;
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Fig. 7 is a partial side elevational view, with
pox'tions cut away, showing the extendible front bar in axe.
extended position, a user actuating a front bar release
mechanism sa that the extendible front bar may be moved
relative to the seat bottom frame between a plurality of
positions, the extendible front bar being formed to include a
plurality of zxpertures configured to receive a detent formed
on the front bar release mechanism so that the position of the
extendible front bar may be fixed relative to the seat bottom
Zb frame, and the foot zest being situated in a lowered,
downwardly-extending position;
Fig. 6 is a partial side elevational view, with
portions cut away, ahQwing the extendible front bar in a
retracted position and the footrest in an upright position
adjacent to the retracted extendible front bar;
gigs. 9 and 20 show the child carrier in a carriage
positiox~ as opposed to the stroller position shown in Fig. 1,
the child carrier is in the stroller position whey: the
extez~d~.ble front bar is in its extended or retracted position
and the foot zest is in its lowered, downwardly-extending
position, as showr~ ix~ Fig. 7, and the seat back is elevated to
lie in an upright position relative to the seat bottom as
shown in Fig. 2, and the child carrier is in the carriage
position when the extendible front bar ig in its retracted
position and the footrest is in its upright position adjacent
to the retracted extendible front bar, as shown in Fig. 8, and
the seat back is ox'ien.ted to lie in the same plane as the seat
bottom as shown in Fig. 10;
Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the child carrier i,n
the carriage position;
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Fig. 10 is a partial side elevational ~riew of the
child carrier in the carriage position;
Fig. Z1 is a perspective view of the seat removed
from stroller so Chat the seat can be used as a stand alone
bassinet;
Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of the seat showing
the orientation of the seat bottom frame, seat back frame,
moveabJ.e release bar, and seat attachment pins;
Fig. 13 is a rear elevational view of one of the
i0 seat-coupling bans showing seat attachment pins of the seat
secured within the first and second slots formed in the seat-
coupling bar and a seat-locking device coupled to the seat-
coupling bar, the seat-locking device includes a rotatable
pin-retaining rneChanism and an actuatox (shown ira phantom on
Z5 the opposite side of the seat-coupling bar), and the rotatable
pin-retaining mechanism includes an arm configured to trap and
retain the second seat attachment pins in the second slot
formed in the seat-coupling bar;
Figs. 14-17 are partial side elevational views of
2o the seat-coupling bar of Fig. 13 shawing the procedure and
steps for removing the seat from the seat-coupling bar;
Fig. 24 is a partial side elevational view showing
the opposite side of the seat-coupling bar shown in Fig. ~.3
and the First and second seat attachment pins of the seat
25 secured within the first and second slots farmed in the seat-
coupling bar;
Fig. 15 is a partial side elevational view similar
to Fig, 14 showing the rotatable pin-retaining mechanism being
rotated by the actuator to release the second seat attachment
30 pin from the second slot formed in the rotatable pin-retaining
mechanism;
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Patant
Fig. 16 is a partial side elevational view t~im~.lar
to Fig. 15 showing the seat being lifted upwardly so that the
second seat attachment pin slides out of the second slot
formed in the seat-coupling bar;
5 Fig. 17 is a partial side elevational view similar
to F~.g. 16 showing the seat being moved at an angle forward
and upward away from the seatTcoupling bar so that the first
seat attachment pin slides out o~ the first slut formed in the
seat-coupling bar;
10 Fig. 17A is a partial side elevational view of the
rotatable pin-retaining mechanism and a seat attachment pin
trapped within a slot formed in the rotatable pin-retaining
mechanism;
Fig, z8 is a perspective view of the child carrier
showing the child carrier in a carriage position and the seat
coupled to the seat so that the seat faces rearward toward the
push bar as opposed to the seat facing forward away from the
push bar as shown, for example, in Sags. 2, 8, and 10;
Fig. Z9 is a side elevational view showing various
orientations of the seat (in solid or phantom) relative to the
frame and show~.ng that the seat can be coupled tc~ the seat-
coupling bar so that the seat back faces backward toward the
push bar or forward away from the push bar, the seat back can
be situated in a plurality of orientations relative to the
seat bottom, the extendible front box can be extended or
retracted, and the foot rest can be situated in its lowered,
downwardly~extending position, its upright position, or an
intermed~.ate position between the lowered and upright
positions;
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Patent
Fig. 20 is a side elevat~.onal view of the child seat
in an intermediate position between its unfolded position as
shown, for example, in Figs. l, 9, 10, and 19 and its
collapsed folded position;
Fig. 21 is a side elevational view of the child
carrier in its collapsed folding position;
Figs. 22 and 23 are partial side elevatzonal views
of a child carrier folding device situated within a folding
device housing having a first housing section connected to a
l0 first frame section and a second hrausi~zg section connected to
a second frame section, the child carr~.ex folding device
permitting a user to fold the child carrier to its collapsed
folding position shaven in Fig. 21;
Fig. 22 is a partial side elevational view Qf the
child eaxrier folding device connected to the first housing
section, the child carrier folding device including a movable
decent situated within a notch formed in the second housing
section to prevent the first housing section and first frame
sectzon from moving relative to the second housing section and
the second frame section;
Fzg. 23 is a partial side elevational view similar .
to Fig. 22 showing a user pressing an actuator of the child
carrzer folding device to move the decent of the child carrier
folding device out of the notch formed in the second housing
section to permit the first frame section to move relative to
the second frame section so that the child carrier may be
folded to its folded collapsed position shown in Fig. 2~.;
Fig. 24 is a side. elevational view of a second
embodiment of a child carrier aecvrding to the present
invention showing the child carrier having a seat that is
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Patent
capable of swinging (solid and phantom lines? relative to the
child carrier frame;
Fig. 25 is bottom plan ~riew of the seat of the child
carrier of Fig. 24, with portions cutaway, showing a locking
device used to couple the seat to the frame;
Fig. 26 is a side elevational view of a third
embodiment of a child carrier according to the present
inver~tipn showing the child carrier having a frame and a swing
unit used to connect a seat (not shown) to the frame;
Fig. 27 is a top plan view of the Chi7.d carrier of
Fig. 26;
Fig. 28 is a partial side elevational view of the
child carrier of Fig. 26 showing a portion of a seat frame
having spaced-apart pins, the swing unit including a front
25 rocking bar, a rear rock~.x~g bar, and a seat base connected to
the front and rear rocking bars, the seat base being formed to
include s~.ots to receive the pins of the seat frame, and a
locking connection bar connected to the seat base az~d movable
between a pin-retaining position (solid lines) and a pin-
releasing position (phantom lines);
Fig. 29 is a partial side elevati.onal view similar
to Fig. 28 showing the frame having a rear leg and a latching
hook pivotably connected to the rear leg and capable of
coupling the frame and swing unit so that the swing unit may
not move relative to the frame;
Figs. 30-32 are partial sectional views of three
embodiments of a locking dewiee that permits a user to fold
the child carrier to its collapsed folded position;
Fig. 30 is a partial sectional view of the frame
showing the frame having a front leg and a front supporting
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rod and a locking device situated to lie between the front leg
and f ront support ing rod;
Fig. 31 is a partial sectional view similar to
Fig. 30 showing a second embodiment of a locking device
situated to lie between the front leg and the front supporting
rod of the frame; and
Fig. 32 is a partial sectional view similar to
Figs. 30 and 31 showing yet another embodiment of a locking
device situated to lie between the front leg and front
supporting rod of the frame.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In this application, "swinging" includes "rocking"
and "gliding" motions. By "rocking" is meant the motion of a
swing (e. g. a bench on a trapeze) where the top remains still
while the bottom moves back and forth, the swaying motion of
the arm of the metronome where the bottom remains still while
the top moves back and forth, or the rolling motion of a
cradle. By "gliding" is meant the horizontal back-and-forth
motion of a backyard bench glider. In the scope of this
application, the horizontal gliding of the swinging unit may
be accompanied by some vertical lifting and dropping, albeit
the ratio of vertical movement/horizontal movement is much
smaller than that of a pendulum-style swing. In preferred
embodiments, the amount of vertical movement is no more than
30~, 200, 10%, 5$ or 10 of that of the horizonal movement.
Means for controlling the swinging movement of the
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child seat may include one, two or a plurality of arms each
having one end pivotably connected to the frame and the other
end capable of rocking or gliding relative to the frame. Such
means may also comprise a track built on the frame and a
crossbeam roller which rolls back and forth along the track.
In preferred embodiments of the present invention,
the child carrier includes a swinging unit connecting the seat
and the frame. The swinging unit has a switching device which
allows the caregiver to manually switch the swinging motion of
the swing unit from a rocking to gliding motion, and vice
versa.
For example, the swinging unit includes a seat-
coupling bar and a fore swing arm and a rear swing arm
pivotably connected to the frame. The pivotable connection
between the swinging unit and the frame permits the seat to
move relative to the frame in a gliding or rocking motion.
One of the swing arms is adjustable to change the
orientation of the two swing arms relative to each other. By
changing the orientation of the two swing arms relative to
each other, the user of the child carrier can select between a
gliding motion of the seat relative to the frame and a rocking
motion of the seat relative to the frame. In one embodiment,
the switching device controls the motion of the swinging unit
by adjusting the distance between the fore and rear swing
arms. For example, the unit essentially glides back and forth
horizontally when the distance is adjusted so that the swing
arms are parallel with each other, and the unit essentially
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rocks when the distance is adjusted so that the swing arms
diverge from or converge toward each other.
In a preferred embodiment, the switching device is
in the form of an adjustment slot in the seat coupling bar. A
swing arm passes through the slot and can be adjusted to a
plurality of positions along the slot to change the distance
between the two swing arms. To retain the swing arm at a
particular location along the slot, a flexible tab is provided
which has one detent and extends into the swing arm adjustment
10 slot to form an attachment location. When the swing arm is
pressed against the detent, the tab flexes to permit the swing
to pass through.
In another preferred embodiment, the switching
device is a swing arm adjustment slot provided at the lower
portion of the seat in the forward and backward direction.
One end of one of the fore and rear swing arms passes through
the adjustment slot to support the seat and is capable of
moving back and forth along the slot. The other one of the
fore and rear swing arms is also joined to the seat to support
the seat. A push-and-pull handle can be provided at the
bottom of the seat with one end joined to the swing arm
passing through the adjustment slot and the other end movably
joined to a pivot at the bottom of the seat.
A long slot is provided on the push-and-pull handle
at the junction of the handle and the pivot, for the pivot to
glide in the forward and backward direction. The pivot passes
that long slot to join the push-and-pull handle. A damping
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device is also provided between the pivot and the wall of the
long slot. The slot width at both end portions of the long
slot is slightly larger than the diameter of the pivot while
the slot width in the middle portion of the long slot is
slightly less than the diameter of the pivot. A parallel
stripe slot is provided adjacent to the long slot to make the
slot wall of the long slot elastic.
The pivot could also be joined to a locking rod
moving handle which is able to swivel around that pivot. On
the locking rod moving handle in the front and rear of the
pivot are hinged two transverse locking rods. The outer end
points of those two locking rods are aligned with the locating
holes on the two sides of the frame.
Also in preferred embodiments of the present
invention, the child carrier includes an anti-swing latch
capable of coupling the frame and the swing unit so that the
seat is prevented from moving relative to the frame. If the
user of the child carrier wants the seat to remain stationary
relative to the frame, the user simply couples the frame and
swing unit together using the anti-swing latch. If the user
of the child carrier wants the seat to move relative to the
frame in the above-mentioned rocking or gliding motion, the
user simply uncouples the locking bar from the swing unit.
In another preferred embodiment, the seat is
removable from the swing unit and frame to be used as a stand
alone bassinet. When the seat is part of the child carrier,
the seat is connected to the swing unit. A seat locking
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device is provided to permit a child carrier user to easily
remove the seat from the swing unit. For example, a seat
attachment pin is provided at the lower portion or the bottom
of the seat and the seat locking device has a seat-coupling
bar linked to the frame which includes a slot having an open
end configured to receive the seat attachment pin. The seat-
locking device may have a pin-retaining device configured to
move between a seat-locking position blocking the open end of
the slot and a seat-unlocking position opening the open end of
the slot and means for moving the pin-retaining device so that
the seat can be removed from the seat-coupling bar by moving
the pin-retaining device from the seat-locking position to the
seat-unlocking position. A spring may be provided to bias the
pin-retaining device toward the seat-locking position.
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In addition, the seat can be connected to the swing
unit in one of two posit~.ons so that the seat faces forward
away from the user pushing the ohild carrier or the seat faces
rearward toward the user pushing the child carrier.
furthermore, the seat may have two seat attachment
pins spaced apart from each other, and the seat-coupling bar
may have two slots spaced apart from each other and each
having an open end configured t4 receive either one of said
seat attachment pins, and the two slots are conf~.gured to
receive said two attachment pins at the same time in either
forward or backward orientation sa that the seat may be
coupled to the frame in either a forwaxd-facing orientation or
a rearward-facing orientation.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the child
5 carrier' may be configured in a carriage position or a stroller
position. The seat further includes a seat bottom and a seat
back that is movable zelative to the seat bottom. The seat
back may be situated in a lowered position where the seat back
and seat bottom lie in substantially the same plane to form a
2o flat surface or in one of a plurality of upright positions
where the seat back is upright relative to the seat bottom.
The seat further includes an extendible front bar
movable between a retracted position and an extended position,
a foot rest movable between an upright position and a lowered,
25 downwardly-extending position, a front end, and a rear end.
Both the extendible front bar and the foot rest are connected
to the seat bottom adjacent to the front end of the seat.
In the carriage position, the extendible front bar
is placed in its retracted position and the foot rest is
3a placed in its upright position adjacent to the retracted
extendible front bar. Situating the extendible front bar in.
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its retracted position and the foot rest in its upright
position closes the front end of the seat so that an infant
lying in the seat will not fall out of the seat. In the
carriage position, the seat back is placed in its lowered
position relative to the seat bottom so that the seat back and
seat bottom form a flat surface on which the infant lies.
In the stroller position, the foot rest is placed in
its lowered, downwardly-extending position away from the
extendible front bar and the extendible front bar may be
placed in its retracted or extended position depending on the
size of the toddler sitting in the child carrier. Situating
the foot rest in its lowered, downwardly-extending position
opens the front end of the seat to permit a toddler's legs to
extend out of the opened front end and his feet and lower legs
to be supported by the foot rest. In the stroller position,
the seat back is situated upright relative to the seat bottom
so that the seat back supports the toddler's back and the seat
bottom supports the toddler's bottom.
In another preferred embodiment, the frame is
collapsible and movable between an unfolded use position and a
folded storage position. When the user is finished using the
child carrier, the user can fold the child carrier into the
folded storage position so that the child carrier into the
folded storage position so that the child carrier may more
easily fit into a car trunk, closet, or other confined spaces.
The following description of the preferred
embodiments refers to and describes three embodiments of a
child carrier, baby carriage, or rocking stroller according to
the present invention. The first embodiment illustrates and
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19
describes a child carrier 10. The second embodiment
illustrates and describes a cradle type baby carriage.
Embodiment 1:
A child carrier 10 according to the present
invention is shown in Fig. 1. Child carrier 10 includes a
frame 12, a seat 14, and a swing unit 16 connecting frame 12
and seat 14 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Swing unit 16 permits
seat 14 to move relative to frame 12 in a rocking motion as
shown in Fig. 3 and a gliding motion as shown in Fig. 4.
Child carrier 10 further includes an anti-swing latch 18
having a first end 20 pivotably connected to frame 12 and a
second end 22 that can be connected to swing unit 16 if a user
does not want seat 14 to swing relative to frame 12. An early
version of a rocking and gliding child carrier seat is
disclosed in Mr. Zheng Huan Song's U.S. Patent Application No.
08/598,771, filed on February 9, 1996, which application is
hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Child carrier 10 can be configured in either a
stroller position, as shown in Fig. 1, or a carriage position
as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Several portions of seat 14 are
movable to change child carrier 10 configuration between the
stroller and carriage positions.
Frame 12 includes a push bar or handbar 24 that a
user grasps and pushes when pushing child carrier 10. Seat 14
may be oriented relative to frame 12 so that seat 14 faces
forward away from push bar 24 as shown, for example, in Figs.
1 and 9-12 or rearward toward push bar 24 as shown in Fig. 18.
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Patent
when a user is finished using chzld carrier 10, the
user may fold child carrier 1Q into its collapsed position as
shown in Figs. 20 and 21. Folding child carrier 20 into its
collapsed position makes storing child carrier 10 easiex.
5 Frame 12 includes fore legs 26, rear legs 28, and
several cross braces 30 connecting fore and xear legs 26, 28
as shown in Fig. 1. Child carrier 10 further includes wheels
34 connected to the bottom end of fore and reax legs 26, 28,
and a basket 36 connected to fore and rear legs 26, 28 and
Zo situated under seat 14.
Seat 14 includes a seat back 38, a seat bottom 40, a
seat back frame 42 configured to support seat back 38, a seat
bottom f rams 44 configured to support seat bottom 40, an
extendible fxont bar 46 connected to seat bottom frame 44, and
15 a foot rest ~k8 connected to seat bottom fxame 44 as shown in
Figs. 1, 2, 7, and 8. Several of these components are movable
to change the orientation of child carrier 10 between the
stroller position and the carriage position as shown. for
example, in Fig. 29.
2p Swing unit lb includes first z~nd second seat-
coupling bars 50, 52, a fore U-shaped swing arm 54 connected
and arranged to extend between frame 12 and seat-coupling bars
50, 52, and a rear U-shaped swing ax~m 55 spaced apart from
fore U-shaped swing arm 54 and connected and arranged to
a5 extend between frame 12 and seat-coupling bars 50, 52 as shown
in gigs. 1-4 and 11. Child carrier 10 further includes a left
side 58 and a right side 60. Seat-coupling bar 50 is situated
on left side 58 of child carrier la and seat-Coupling bar 52
is situated an right side 60 of child carrier 1o as shown in
3 0 Fig . ~.1 .
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Patent
Seat 14 is connected to seat-coupling bars 50, 52 as
shown in Fig. 2. Seat 14 includes first and second seat
attachment pins 62, 64 connected to seat bottom f~:ame 44 and
arranged to face toward first seat-coupling bar 5b and third
and fourth seat attachment pins 66, 68 connected to seat
bottom frame 44 and arranged to face toward second seat-
coupling bar 52 as shown in Fig. 12. Each o~ first and second
seat-coupling bars 50, 52 is formed to include first and
second seat attachment pin-receiving slots 70, '72 having an
open end 74 configured to receive seat attachment pine 62, 64,
e5, 68 as shown in Figs. 2 and 13-7.7. A seat locking device
76 is connected to each of seat-coupling bars 50, 52 and
configured to close open end 74 of first seat attachment pin-
receiving slot 70 to trap a seat attachment pin 62, 64, 66, 68
in each of seat~coupling bars 50, 52.
Frame 12 further includes a left frame side 78 on
left side 58 of child carrier 10 and a right frame side 80 on
right s~.de 60 of child carrier 10. Fore and rear U-shaped
swing arms 54, 56 each include a first end 82 connected to
left frame side 78 of frame 12, a second end 84 connected to
right frame side s0 of frame 1,2, a first arm portion 86
extending downwardly from first end 82 toward seat-coupling
bar 50, a second arm portion 88 extending dowz~wardly from
second end 84 toward seat-coupling bar 52, and a third arm
portion 90 connecting arid extending between first and second
arm portions 86, 88 as shown, for example, in Figs. 2-5 and
21.
Fix'st and second ends 82, 84 0~ fore and rear U-
shaped swing arms 54, 55 are pivotably connected to frame 12
at swing arm upper attachment locations 92 so tr~at ~ore and
rear U-shaped swing arms 54, 56 may rotate about swing arm
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Patent
upper attachment locations 92 in direction 94 as shown in
Figs. 3 and 4. More specifically, first and second ends 82,
84 of fore U-shaped Swing arm 54 axe pivotably connected to
fore legs 26 of frame 22 and first and second ends 82, s4 of
rear U-shaped swing arm 56 are pivotably connected to rear
legs 28 of frame 12 as Shawn, ~ox example, in Fig. 2.
Beat-coupling bars 50, 52 are formed to include
swing arm-receiving apertures 9~ through which third arm
portion 90 of fore U-shaped swing arm 54 extends to connect
fore U-shaped swing axm 54 to seat-coupling bars 50, 52 at
foxe U-shaped swing arm lower attachment locations 98. Seat-
coupling bars 50, 52 are also formed to include a rear swing
arm adjustment slot 110 through which third arm portion 90 of
rear U-shaped swing arm 56 extends to connect rear U-shaped
swing arm 56 to seat-coupling bars 50. 52. Rear swing arm
adjustment slot 110 extends between a first end 112 and a
second end 114 spaced apart from first end 112.
Seat-coupling bare 50, 52 further include a first
tab 115 having a First detent 118 situated adjacent to first
end 112 and arranged to extend into rear swing arm adjustment
slot 110, a second tab 120 having a second detent 122 situated
adjacent to second end 114 and arranged to extend into rear
swing arm adjustment slot 110, a third detent 124 facing into
rear swing arm adjustment slot 110 toward first detent 118,
and a fourth detent 126 facing into rear swing arm adjustment
slot 110 toward second decent 122 as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and
13-17. First and third detents 118, 124 define a first rear
swing arm lower attachment location 228 adjacent to first end
112 and second and fourth detents 122, lz6 defir_e a second
rear swing ax'rn iawer attachment location 13o adjacent to
second end 114 as shown in Figs. 2-4 and 13-17.
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Rear U-shaped swing arm 56 is movable between first
and second rear swing arm lower attachment locations 228, 130.
When rear U-shaped swing arm 56 passes into first rear swing
arm lower attachment location 128, f~.rst tab 116 flexes
downward to permit rear U-shaped swing arm 56 to pass by first
and third detents 11.8, 124 which extend into rear awing arm
adjustment slat 110. When rear U-shaped swing arm 56 passes
into second rear swing arm lower attachment location 230,
second tab 120 flexes downward to permit rear U-shaped swing
arm 56 to pass by second and faurth detents 122, 126 which
extend into rear swing arm adjustment slot 110.
when rear U-shaped swing arm 56 is situated in first
rear swing arm lower attachment location 12e, first and second
arm portions 86, 88 of ~ore and rear U-shaped swing arms 54,
56 are para11e1. When fore and rear U-shaped swing arms 54,
56 are parallel to each other, seat 24 moves in a horizontal
back-and-forth motion in direction 132 relative to Frame 12 ar
what herein will be referred to as "gl~.ding" as shown in Fig.
4.
VChen rear U-shaped swing arm 56 is situated ~.n
second rear swing arm lower attachment point 130, the distance
between the tore and rear swing arm lower attachment locations
98, 13o is greater than the distance between swing arm upper
attachment locations 92 of Fore and rear U-shaped swing arms
54, 56 so that the First and second arm portions 85, 88 of
fore and rear U-shaped swing arms 54, 55 are in the shape of a
trapezoid as shown in ~'ig. 3. The greater distance between
the fore and rear' swing ax'm lower attachment locations 98, 230
causes seat 14 to move in an approximate pendulum type motion
in direction 134 relative to frame 22 or what herein will be
referred to as "rocking" as shown in Fig. ~k.
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Patent
If the user of child carrier 10 wants acct 14 to
swing relative to frame 12, the user may select the gliding
motion of seat 24 relative to frame 12 by placing rear u-
shaped swing arm 56 in tirst rear swing arm lower attachment
location 228 of rear swing arm adjustment slot 110.
A3ternatively, the user of child carrier to may select the
rocking motion of seat 14 relative to frame 12 by placing rear
U-shaped swing arm 56 in second rear swing arm lower
attachment location 130 of rear swing arm adjustment slot 120.
If the user does not want seat 14 to swing relative
to frame 12, then the user may conneot second end 22 of anti-
swing latch 18 to swing unit 16 as shown in Fig. 2. Second
end 22 of anti-swing latch 18 is formed to include a slot 13&
and fore U-shaped swing arm 54 is situated within slot 136 to
connect anti-swing latch 18 to swing unit 16. Anti-awing
latch 18 also includes a finger tab 138 for a user to grab
when moving anti-swing latch 16.
Ag discussed earlier, child carrier 10 may be
2o configured in the stroller position, as shown in Fig. 1, or
the carriage position as shown in Figs. 9 and l0. Several
components of seat 14 are adjusted to move child carrier 10
between the stroller and carriage positions.
Seat back 38 is movable about a seat back ratation
axis 24o between a plurality of positions relative to seat
bottom 40. Seat 12 includes a movable release bar 142
situated adjacent to seat back 38 and first and second seat
back orientation devices 144, 146 as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and
12. Movable release bar X42 includes a grip portion 248, a
locking bar 150, and first and second connection bars 152, 15g
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extending between and connecting grip portion 148 and locking
bar 150 as shown in Figs. 5 and 12,
First seat back orientation device 144 is sa.tuated
on left side s8 of child carrier 10 and second seat back
orientation device ~.g6 is situated on right side 60 of child
carrier 10. Each of the first and second seat back
orientation devices 144, 146 art connected to Seat back frame
42 and seat bottom frame 44 and are formed to include a curved
slot 156 having four notches 158 as shown in Fig. 6. Locking
bar 150 includes a first end 160 situated to lie in c~srved
slot 156 of first seat back orientation device x.44 and a
second end 162 situated to lie inn curved slot 156 of second
seat back orientation device 246 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. A
first spring 164 is connected to first end 160 of lock~.ng bar
150 to bias first end 160 0~ looking bar 150 into one of
notches 158 of fixst seat back orientation device 144 and a
second spring 166 is Connected to second end 162 of locking
bar 250 to bias second end 162 of locking bar 150 into a notch
158 of second seat back orientation device 146.
To adjust the orientation of seat back 38 xelative
to seat bottom 40, a user grabs grip portion 148 of movab~.e
release bar 142 and pulls upwardly ~.n direction 168 away from
seat bottom 40 until locking bar 150 disengages from the notch
158 that it is lying within. once locking bar 150 disengages
notch x.58, the user can rotate seat back 3s about seat back
rotation axis 140 to the desired looation relative to seat
bottom 40 and release grip portion 148 to permit first and
second springs 16~, 166 to bias first and second ends 160, 162
of locking bar 150 into a different notch 158. Seat back 38
may be oriented in foux different positions x'elative to seat
bottom 40 by using movable release bar 242 to situate first
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and seCOnd ends 1s0, 162 of locking bar 1S0 in one of the four
notches 158 of seat back orientation devices 144, 146. Seat
back 38 may be situated to lie flat in the same plane as seat
bottom 40 as shown, for example, in figs. ~ and 20 or in one
of threE upright positions relative to seat bottom 40 as
shown, for example, in Figs. 1 and 2. Seat back 38 is moved
relative to seat bottom 40 when seat 14 is adjusted between
the stroller position, shown in Fig. 1, and the carriage
position shown in Figs. 9 and 20.
Extendible franc bar 46 is another component of seat
14 that may move when Child carrier 10 is adjusted between the
stroller position and carriage position. Seat bcttorn 40
includes a seat bottom portion 170 and spaced-apart first and
second side walls 172, 174 having a lower end 176 connected to
seat bottom portion 170 and an ui~per end 17e spaced apart from
lower end 176. Seat bottom frame 44 includes a first franc
bar housing x.80 extending along upper end 178 of first side
wall 172 and a second front bar hauling ~s2 extending along
upper end 178 Qf second side wall 174 as shown in Fzgs. 7-9.
Extendible front bar 46 includes a restraining portion 184 and
first and second extension portions 186, 188 appended to
restraining portion 184 and configured to extend into first
and second front bar housings 180, 282 as shown in Figs. 7 and
8.
2g Seat 14 further includes identical first and second
front bar release mechanisms 190, 192 connected to first and
second front bar housings 280, 182, respectively, as shown in
Figs. 7 and 8. First and second extension portions 186, 188
are formed to include apertures 194 spaced along the length of
first and second extension portions 7.86, 188. Front bar
release mechanisms 190, 192 include a detent 196 sized to
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extend into one of apertures 194 formed in first and second
extension portions 1$6, 188, a finger tab 198 configured to
rotate detent 196 about a ~ront bar release mechanism rotation
axis 220, and a spring 27.2 eonEigured to bias detent 196 into
one o~ apertures 194 as shown in Figs, 7 and 8.
When a child caregiver wants to move extendible
front bar 46 between one of its extended positions, shoran in
Fig. 7, and its retracted position, shown in Fig. 8, the child
caregiver pushes on finger tabs 198 of first and second front
bar release mechanisms 190, 192 in direction 224 to rotate
detents 196 about grant bar release mechanism rogation axis
220 and out of apertures 194 formed i.n first and second
extension portions 186, 188 as shown in Fig. 7. Once detents
a,96 are removed from apertures X94, the child caregiver slides
Z5 extendible front bar 46 relative to seat bottom 4 0 until the
desired position of extendible front bar 46 is obtained and
then releases finger tabs 198 to permit springs :?12 to bias
detents 196 aboutr front bar release mechanism rotations, axis
210 in direction 216 into one of apertures 194 farmed in first
and second extension portion 186, 188 as shown in Fig. 8.
Footrest 48 also moves when child carrier 10 is
adjusted between its stroJ.ler position and carriage position.
footrest 48 includes an L-shaped footrest frame member 218
pivotably cannected to seat bottom frame 44, fir~9t and second
footrest guides 220 (only one shown) connected t~o L-shaped
footrest frame member 218, and a U-shaped footrest position
linkage 224. Faotrest 48 may be situated in one of a lowered,
downwardJ.y-extending position, shown in Fig. ~, an upright
position adjacent to extendible front bar 46, shown in Fig. 8,
and an intermediate paaition shown in Fig. 19.
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patent
First and second footrest gui.dee 22o are identical.
First Footrest guide 220 is situated on right s~.da 60 of child
carrier 10 and second footrest guide tnot shown) is situated
on left side 58 of child carrier 10. Fach of first and second
footrest guides 220 are formed to include a slot 226 having
first and second ends 228, 230 and being sized to receive U-
shaped footrest position J~inkage 224. Footrest guides 220
fv.rther include a decent 232 extending into slat 226 between
first and second ends 228. 230 of slot 226 as shown in Fi.ga. 7
and 8. Detent 23z includes an angled flat side wall 234
facing towaxd.second end 230 of slot 226 and a C-shaped side
wall 236 facing toward first end 228 of slot 226.
Footrest position linkage 224 travels through slots
225 formed in Footrest guides 220 as footrest 48 moves between
its lowered position, intermediate position, and upright
position. Mare importantly, footrest position linkage 224 and
footrest guides 220 interact to control the movement of
footrest 48. When Footrest 48 is in its lowered, downwardly-
extending position, footrest position linkage 22~~ is situated
adjacent to second end 230 of slots 225 formed in footrest
guides 220 to maintain footrest 48 in its lowex'ed position as
shown in Fig. 7. When footrest ~ks is in its intermediate
position, footrest position linkage abuts C-shaped sidewall
236 of decent 232 of footrest guides 220 to main~~ain footrest
48 in its intermediate position. when footrest ~48 is in its
upright position, footrest position linkage 224 is situated
close to first end 228 of slot 226 as shown in Fig. 8.
Footrest 48 is held in its upright position by extendible
f~'ont bar 96 in its retracted pos~.tion.
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Patent
To move footrest 48 to its upright position,
footrest 48 is folded upwardly in dix'ection 23$ toward its
upright position while extendible (rant bar 46 is in one of
its extended positions. Once footrest 48 is situated in its
upright position, extendible front bar 46 ~,a moved to its
retracted position to engage and retain footrest 48 in its
upright position.
Child carrier s0 is shown in its carriage position
in Figs. 9 and Z0. To adjust child carrier 10 to its carriage
position, seat back 38 is moved to its lowered position to lie
in the same plane as seat bottom 40, extendible front bar 46
is moved to its retracted position, and Footrest 48 is moved
to its up~'ight position as shown i.n Figs. 9 and 10. To adjust
child carrier 10 from its carriage position to its stroller
I5 positipn, shown in Fig. z, seat back 38 is moved to one of its
upr~.ght positions to lie upright relative to seat bottom 40,
footrest 48 is moved to its lowered, downwardly-extending
position, and extendible front box 46 may be moved to one of
its extended positions depending an the size of the child
sitting in child carrier 10.
Seat 14 further includes a back end 237 situated
adjacent to push bar 24 and a front end 239 spaced apart from
back end 237 as shown an Figs. 1, 9, and 10. In the stroller
position, front end 239 of seat 14 is open to permit a
toddler's legs to extend out of the opened front end 239 as
shown in Fig. 1. In the carriage position, front end 239 of
seat 14 is closed so that an infant lying in sear 1.4 will. not
fall out of seat 14.
Seat locking device 76 permits seat 14 to be removed
from first and second seat-coupling bars 50, 52 as shown in
Figs. 13-1'7. Once seat 14 is removed fzom seat-coupling bars
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50, 52, seat s4 can be used ae a stand alone bassinet as shown
in Fig. 11. Seat 14 further includes a stabilizing bar 32
pivotably connected to seat back frame 42 as ahowiz in Figs. 5,
11, and 12. Stabilizing bar 42 is rotated away from seat back
38 when seat 24 is removed from seat-coupling bars 50, 52 to
stabilize and support seat 14 as shown in Fig. 11.
Seat Zocking device 76 includes a first rotatable
pin-retaining device 240 and a first actuator 242 connected to
seat-coupling bar 50, a sncand ratatable pin-retaining device
1.0 244 and a second actuator 246 connected to Second seat-
caupling bar 52, and a rod 24B ratatably coupling ~ix~st and
second pin-retaining devices 240, 244 and first and second
actuators 242, 246 as shown in Figs. 11 and 13-17. Rod 248
extends substantially parallel to third arm portions 90 of
fore and rear V-shaped swing arms 54, 5& as Shawn in Fig. 11.
Rod 248 is situated close enough to rear U-shaped swing arm 56
that when a child caregiver maven rear U-shaped swing arm 56
between first anal second rear swing arm lower attachment
locations 128, 13Q within rear swing arrn adjustment slot 110,
z0 the ch~.ld caregiver may use rod 248 to help move rear U-shaped
swing arm 56.
First and second pin-retaining deva,ces 240, 244 axe
rotatable about a seat locking device rotatian a:cis 252
between a seat-locking position and a seat-unlocking position.
Each o~ first and second rotatable pin-retaining devices 240,
244 includes an arm 250 and a stop face 251. In the seat-
locking position, arm 250 closes open end 74 0~ second seat
attachment pin-receiving slots 72 formed in seat-coupling bars
50, 52 to trap and retain a seat attachment pin &2, 64, 66, 68
within each of second seat attachment pin-receiving slots 72
as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. seat coupling bars 50, 52
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Patent
further include a post 253 extending inwardly toward seat ~.4.
Stop face 2S1 of pin-retaining devices 240, 244 engages post
253 when pin-retaining devices 240, 244 are in the seat
locking position as shown in Figs. 13, 24, 16, and 17.
To remove seat 24 ~rom seat-coupling bars 50, 52, a
user rotates eithex first or second actuator 242, 245 about
seat-locking device rotation axis 252 to rotate first and
second pin~retaining devices 240, 244 so that arms 250 of pin-
reta~.ning devices 240, 244 no longer block open end 74 of
second seat attachment pin-receiving slots 72 formed in seat-
coupling bans 50, 52 as shown in Fig. 15. Next, a user lifts
second and ~ourth seat attachment pins 64, 68 out of second
seat attachment pin-receiving slots ~2 Formed in seat-coupling
bars 50, 52 in direction 255 as shown in Fig. 16. Finally, a
user lifts first and third seat attachment pins 62, 66 out of
first seat attachment pin-receiving slots 70 formed in seat-
coupling bars 5a, 52 in d~rectz.on 25~ as shown in Fig. 1~. To
reconnect seat 14 to seat-coupling bars 50, 52, the child
caregiver need only insert seat attachment pins 62, 64, 66,
2p 58, into seat attachment pin-receiving slots 70, 72 and push
down on seat ~xttachment pine 62, 54, 66. 6s until p~.n-
retaining devices 240, 244 rotate about seat-loch.ing rotation
axis 252 so that arms 250 of pin-retaining devices 240, 244 no
longer block open end 74 of second seat attachment pin-
receiving slots 72 and seat attachment pins 62, t~4, 66, 68 Can
slide into seat attachment pin-receiving slots 70, '72. Arms
250 of pin-retaining devices 240, 244 include a tapered top
side 261, and a curved bottom aide 263 as shown, far example,
in Figs. 17 and 17A. When seat attachment pins 62, 64, 56, 68
engage tapered top side 263 of arms 250, the seat attachment
pins 62, 64, 66, 68 act on pin-retaining devices 240, 244 to
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force pin-retaining devices 240, 244 to rotate about seat-
locking rotation axis 252 so that arms 250 of pin-retaining
devices 240, 244 no longer block open end 74 of second seat
attachment pin-receiving slots 72. Seat locking device 76
further includes a spring device that biases pin-retaining
devices 240, 244 toward the seat-locking position.
Each of pin-retaining devices 240, 244 are formed to
include a slot 265 defined by bottom side 263 of arms 250 and
a side wall 267 extending substantially parallel to bottom
side 263 as shown, for example, in Fig. 17A. Seat attachment
pins 62, 64, 66, 68 are situated in slot 265 when pins 62, 64,
66, 68 are trapped by arms 240 in pin-receiving slots 70, 72
of seat coupling bars 50, 51. The bottom side 263 of arms 250
and side wall 267 are curved about a radial distance 269, 271,
respectively, from seat-locking device rotation axis 252 as
shown in Fig. 17A. The distance between bottom side 263 of
arms 250 and side wall 267 is approximately equal to the
diameter 273 of pins 62, 64, 66, 68.
Seat 14 can be connected to seat-coupling bars 50,
52 so that seat 14 faces rearward toward push bar 24 as shown,
for example, in Fig. 18 or forward away from push bar 24 as
shown in Figs. 1 and 9-12. Seat 14 is positioned to face
forward away from push bar 24 situating first and third seat
attachment pins 62, 66 in first seat attachment pin-receiving
slots 70 and second and fourth seat attachment pins 64, 68 in
second seat attachment pin-receiving slots 72. Seat
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Patent
14 is positioned to face rearward toward push bar 24 by
situating second and fourth seat attachment pins 64, 68 in
first seat attachment pin-receiving slots 70 and first and
third seat attachment pins 62, 66 in second seat attachment
pin-receiving slots 72.
When the child caregiver is finished using child
carrier 10, child carrier i0 can be folded into a collapsed
position sQ that child carrier la may be stored in a c~.oset or
vehicle more easily as shown in Figs 20 and 22. Child carrier
10 includes first and second frame housings 254, 256 connected
to and covexing portions of fore J.egs 2&, rear legs 28, and
push bar 24, a first child carrier folding device 257 situated
caithin and connected to first frame housing 254, and a second
child carrier folding device 25B situated within and connected
to second frame housing 256 sho~m in Figs. 22 and 23. First
frame housing 254 is situated on left frame side 78 and second
frame housing 256 is situated on right frame side 80. Each of
frame housings 254, 256 includes a first frame section 260
connected to push bar 24 and a second frame section, 26z
2U connected to fore legs 26.
First and second child carrier folding devices 257,
25s are identical. Chi7.d carrier folding devices 257, 258 are
connected to first frame section 260 and second frame section
262 is formed to include a notch 264 sized to receive a
portion of child carrier folding device 257, 258.
Child cax'rier folding devices 257. 258 include a
rotatable body 266 rotatable about a child cax'rier folding
device rotation axis 269, a slidable latch 27o connected to
rotatable body 266, and a spring 272 having a first end 274
connected to rotatable body 266 and a second end 276 connected
to slidable latch 270 as shown in Figs. 22 and 23. Rotatable
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Patent
body 266 includes a finger grip 278, a post 28o connected to
first end 274 of spring 272, and an inclined wall 282.
Slidable latch 270 includes a post 284 connected to second end
276 of spring 272, a yoke 286 connected to poet 284 and
arranged to engage inclined side wall 282 of xatatable body
266, first and Second slots 288, 290, and a detent 292
configured to fit within natch 2s4 formed in second frame
section 262.
Child carrier folding device 257, 258 further
includes first and second pegs 294, 296 connected to first
frame section 260. First peg 294 extends through first slot
288 formed in slidable latch 270 and second peg 296 extends
through second slot 290 farmed in slidable latch 270 and is
cozlnected to rotatable body 266. .
When child carrier 10 zs in its unfolded position,
detent 292 of slidable latch 270 is situated within notch 264
formed in second frame section 262 to lock child carrier 10 in
its unfolded position. To fold child carrier I0, a child
caregiver grasps finger grip 278 of rotatable body 2ss and
presses upward in direction 298 as shown in Fig. 22. Pressing
upward an finger grip 278 causes yoke 286 of slidable latch
270 to ride downward on inclined wall 282 of rotatable body
266. As yoke 286 rides downward on inclined wall 282,
slidable later. 270 moves away from second frame section 262 so
that detent 292 of slidable latch 270 is no longer situated in
notch 264 and push bar 24 may be folded relative to fore legs
26 in direction 310 as shown in Figs. 20 and 23.
Other connections such as the connection between
rear legs 28 and frame housing 32 at point 312 are pivotable
connections so that child carrier 10 is permitted to fold into
a compact folded position as shown in Figs. 20 and 22. Child
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Patent
carrier 10 further includes a locking latch 3z4 that is
canfxgured to extend between and connect rear leas 28 and fore
legs 26 when child carrier 10 is in its folded position to
maintain ch~.ld carrier 10 in its folded position as shown in
Fig. 2~.. To place child carrier ~o in its unfolded position
from its unfolded position, a child caregiver may place their
foot on one of crass braces 30 of frame 12 and pull upward on
push bar 24 until detent 292 of slidable latch z;0 "snaps"
into notch 264 formed in second frame section 262. Ratatable
body 256 further includes spaced-apart retaining walls X26,
318 that limit the movement of rotatable body 26Ey relative to
slidable latch 274.
~mbodi nt 2:
Another example in accordance with the present
invention is a baby carrier which has a pair of swing arms, a
fore swing arm and a back swing arm. mhe upper ends of the
swing arms arc pivotally connected to the frame cy the carrier
at fixed positions; preferably, the tore swing a:rm is
2o pivotally connected to the front of the frame and the back
swing arm ~.s pivotally connected to the rear of the frame.
The lower ends of the swing arms can swing trans,~rersely along
the frame. A seat, ox' a support structure for a seat, is
movably joined to the lower ends of the swing arms. Owing to
the seat or the support structure being in suspension on the
fore and rear swing arms, the seat or the support structure is
capable of rocking or gliding with the lower ends of the swing
arms to simulate the action of a cradle. The child carrier
may also be called a baby carriage.
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Patent
In a preferred embodiment, a support s~ructure for a
seat is used and a detachable seat can be put on and removed
from the support structure. In an example, a first locking
device is provided to secure the detachable seat to the
support structure. Tri a ~urther preferred embodiment, the
detachable seat can he positioned either forward or rear-
facing on the support structure.
in another preferred embodiment, a second locking
device is provided which when engaged will keep the lower ends
of the swing arms from rocking or gliding. Such a locking
device is easily di9en.gaged by an operator to free the lower
ends of the swing ax'ms. In an example, the second locking
device locks the seat or the support structure for a seat to
the frame when. engaged. W'lhen the locking mechanism is
Z~ engaged, the carriage of the present invention is used as a
common hand-pushed baby carriage.
In yet another preferred embodiment, a distance
adjusting desrice is provided in the sent or the support
structure for a seat. This device allows an operator to
adjust the distance between the lower ends of the swing arms
s4 as to change the movement of the seat or the support
structure from gliding to rockixzg, and vice versa. In az~
example, an adjusting long slot is provided in the seat or the
support structure for a seat for a swing arm. A plurality of
positions are provided along the adjusting long slot for
positioning the lower end of the swing arm.
An embodiment is described below with reference to
Figures 24 and 25, which includes the following parts:
Cross beam (401); bracing diagonal (402); folding
connections (403) rear legs (404); fore legs (405);
connecting rods (406?; seat (407); rear swing arm
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Patent
(408); fore swing az'm (409); wheels (4101; cross
beam rear hole (411?; cross beam fore hole 1:412);
long adjustment slot (413); pivot (414); pusah-and-
pull handle (415); long slot (416); locking rod
mavind handle (417); locking rods (428); and hand
push bar (420) .
Referring to Figure 24, the frame ~,s transversely
symmetric. The frame includes cross beams 401, f=ore legs 405,
connecting rods 406, x'ear legs 404, folding connections
(connection members) 403, and bracing diagonals ~E02. The
upper ends of said faxe legs 405 and the rear legs 404 axe
movably joined to the fore portions of the crQSS beams 402.
One end of the folding coxmections 403 is mavabl;r joined to
the rear legs 404, the other end is movably joined to one end
portion of the bracing diagonals 402. The other end portion
of the bracing diagonals 402 is movably joined to the rear
portion of the cross beams 401. One end of the connecting
rods 406 is movably joined to the fore legs 405, the other end
of the connecting rods 406 is movably joined to i~he fold~.ng
connections 403.
In an alternative to the mode as shown in Figure 24,
the upper end portions of said foxe legs 405 and rear legs 404
can be joined to the cross beams 401 with the end portion of
the fore legs 405 in the front, and the and portion o~ the
z5 rear legs 404 in the xear. In another alternative, the end
portions of the fore legs 405 and the rear legs 404 can be
hinged at the same position on the cxoss beams 401. In other
alternatives, the upper end portions of the foxe legs 405 can
be hinged to the upper portions of the rear legs 404 while the
ends of the rear legs 404 z~re hinged to the crass beams 401,
or the upper end portions of the fore legs 405 are hinged to
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38
the cross beams 401 while the upper portions of the rear legs
404 are hinged to the upper portions of the fore legs 405.
The above-mentioned changeovers of position of the upper end
portions of the fore legs 405 and the rear legs 404 all belong
to an equivalent replacement.
The wheels 410 are respectively disposed at the
lower portions of the fore legs 405 and the rear legs 404.
The hand-pushed bar 420 is joined to the bracing diagonals
402.
The fore swing arm 409 and the rear swing arm 408
are hinged on the cross beams 401 of the frame through the
cross beam fore hole 412 and the cross beam rear hole 411.
Other modes of movable joining are also possible. For
instance, the upper portion of the rear swing arm 408 or fore
swing arm 409 is again hinged to the end of a section of the
connecting rod, the upper end portion of the connecting rod is
again hinged to the cross beam 401; on the exterior of the
cross beams 401 is provided a protecting hood, said protecting
hood is used to cover the hinges of the cross beams to insure
the safety of the baby on the seat 407.
In another example, in the front and rear of the
frame are respectively hinged the fore swing arm 409 and the
rear swing arm 408. The lower ends of the said fore swing arm
409 and rear swing arm 408 are respectively movably coined to
the bottom portion of the lower portion of the seat 407.
The state of the seat 407, when being able to be
rocked forward and backward, is shown by double dotted lines
60724-2430
2186064
39
in Figure 24.
At the lower end portions of said fore swing arm 409
and rear swing arm 408 is provided a distance adjusting
device. Generally, when the fore and rear swing arms are
parallel to each other, the seat 407 makes an approximate
horizontal motion (i.e., gliding). By increasing the distance
between the lower end portions of the fore swing arm 409 and
rear swing arm 408, the fore and rear swing arms will be in
the shape of a trapezoid which enables the seat 407 to change
from horizontal gliding to an approximate pendulum type
rocking.
Said distance adjustment is made possible by an
adjusting long slot 413 in the forward and backward direction
provided at the bottom portion or lower portion of the rear
end of said seat 407 for the back and forth gliding. The
lower end of the rear swing arm 408 passing through the
ad~usting long slot 413 is used to support the rear portion of
the seat 407. The lower end of the fore swing arm 409,
movably joined (for instance, a hinge joint is used in Figure
24) to the bottom portion or lower bottom portion of the front
end of the seat 407 , is used to support the f ront port ion of
the seat 407. The backward and forward gliding of the lower
portion of the rear swing arm 408 in the adjusting long slot
413 can adjust the distance between the lower portions of the
fore and rear swing arms. The long adjusting slot can also be
provided on the seat 407 at both lower portions of the fore
swing arm 409 and rear swing arm 408 to allow simultaneously
60724-2430
CA 02186064 1999-09-22
adjusting the distance between the lower portions of the fore
swing arm 409 and the rear swing arm 408.
The distance adjusting device can also be provided
at the upper ends of the fore swing arm and the rear swing arm
5 for adjusting the distance between the upper end portions of
the fore and rear swing arms.
Referring to Figure 25, at the bottom portion of
said seat 407 is provided a push-and-pull handle 415. The
rear portion of the push-and-pull handle 415 is joined to the
10 rear swing arm 408. The fore portion of the push-and-pull
handle 415 is movably joined on the pivot 414 of the bottom of
the seat 407. By pushing and pulling of the push-and-pull
handle 415, the rear swing arm 408 is made to slide in the
adjusting long slot 413 to locate respectively at position I
15 or position II in Figure 24, thereby adjusting the distance
between the lower end portions of the fore and rear swing
arms.
When moving back and forth, the push-and-pull handle
415 is also required to move relative to the pivot 414.
20 Therefore, a long slot 416 is made on the push-and-pull handle
at the junction of said push-and-pull handle 415 and the
pivot, for the pivot 414 to be able to slide in the forward
and backward direction. The pivot 414 passes through that
long slot 416 to join the handle 415.
25 In order to make the rear swing arm 408 relatively
2186064
40a
stable in position I or II in the adjusting long slot 413, a
damping device is provided between the pivot 414 and the slot
wall of the long slot 416. Namely, the slot width at both end
portions of the long slot 416 is slightly larger than the
diameter of the pivot 414 while the slot width in the middle
portion of the long slot 416 is slightly less than the
diameter of the pivot 414. A parallel stripe slot is provided
ad~acent to the long slot 416 to make the slot wall of long
slot 416 have elasticity such that the elasticity of the long
60724-2430
41 ~ ~ ~'~~~~~ 221f03a
patent
slot 416 wall is utz,lized to tightly press the pivot 424 and
to prevent it from gliding during the rocking of the seat 407.
That damping device can also be provided in the long adjusting
slot 413,
A locking device i9 prQVided between said seat 407
and the frame, namely a locking rod moving handle 417 joined
to said pivot 4~.4. The locking rod moving handle 427 is able
to swivel around said pivot 414. Two transverse locking rods
418 are hinged respectively on the locking rod moving handle
417 along the fore and rear positions of the pivot 414, the
outer end point of these two lacking rods are aligned wzth the
locating holes on the two aides of the frame. The lateral
moving of the locking rod moving handle 417 can either insert
the lock~.ng rods 418 into the locating holes or pull them out
of the locating holes, thereby locking or unlocking the seat
407 relative to the frame.
~.dimeat 3:
A third exemplary child carrier in accordance with
2p the present invention is constructed so that the two side
supports are connected by a horizox~,tal connecting rod, and the
side support is such that the front part of the (rant
supporting rod is flexibly connected to the upper part of the
front leg, and a lacking device is arranged where they are
connected; the rear paxt of the front supporting rod is
flexibly connected to the upper part of the rear leg; a basket
frame is hinged to the front leg and the rear leg; the wheels
are arranged on the fzont and rear legs; the push bar is
connected to the front supporting rod; the upper end of the
front rocking bar is pivotally connected to the front
supporting xod or the front leg, while the upper end of the
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rear rocking bar i$ pivotally connected to the front
supporting rod or the rear leg; and the lower parts of said
front rocking bar and rear rocking bar axe movably COnneCted
to the lower ~rarts of the seat,
This child carrier includes the following features:
(1) The body frame, consisting of the front leg, the
front supporting rod, the rear leg, and the basket frame is
simple in structure, When unfo7.ded, the body frame exhibits a
stable triangular structure; when folded from the position
shown in Figure 28, its front leg rotates in the
counterclockwise direction while its front supporting rod
rotates in the clockwise direction, so that the body frame can
be folded upward and downward, which is convenient for a user
with a child held in one hand to operate.
(2) T$e front racking bar and the rear rocking bar
can be rocked back and forth ao that the seat can be moved
like a cradle.
The following is a further description o~ the
present child carrier in association with Figures 2~-32:
z0 (501) wheels; (502) front leg; (503) basket frame;
(504) seat base; (505) front rocking bar; (506) seat
frame; (507) front supporting rod; (508) pushing
bar; (509) rear rocking bar; (510) latching hock;
(51I) rear leg; (S12) locking connecting bar; (513?
retaining slot; (514) pin; (525) pin; (516) pin;
(5z~) catch; (518) retaining slot; (519) spring;
(520) handle; (521) return spring; (522) tension
spring; (523) tab; (524) incline; (525) incline;
(526) long groove; (527) pin; (528) gin; (529)
return spring; (530) rotating shaft; (531) slide
block; (532) hasp; (533) return spring.
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The two sides of the frame are connected through a
horizontal connecting bar. Of the aide supports, the front
part of front supporting rod {507) and the upper part of the
front leg (502) are flexibly connected; and there is a locking
device arranged where they are connected. The rear part of
the front supporting rod (507) and the upper part of the rear
leg (52~) are pivotally connected. The basket frame (503) is
hinged to the front leg (502) and rear leg (511). The wheels
(501) are arranged on the front leg (502) and the rear leg
(511). The push bar (508) and the front supporting rod (507)
are connected. The upper end of the front rocking bar (505)
is pivotally Connected t0 the front supporting read (507) or
the front leg (502), while the upper end of the rear rocking
bar (509) as pivotally connected to the front supporting rod
(507) or the rear leg (511). The lower parts of the
aforementioned front rocking bar (505) and the aforementioned
rear rocking bar (509) are movably connected to the seat.
~ distance adjusting device is arranged between the
upper or lower ends of the aforementioned front rocking bar
{505) and the aforementioned rear rocking bar (509). The
distance adjusting device is a long groove for adjustment at
the rear of the seat which is for the rear rooking bar (509)
to slide forward and backward, and the lower end of the rear
rocking bar {509) is located inside said long groove tar
2S adjustment, and the lower end of said front rocking bar (505)
is connected tp the front part of the seat so as tp support
the front part of the seat. Alternatively, the distance
adjusting device is a long groove for adjustment at the front
of the seat which is for the front rocking bar (505) to slide
forward and backward, and the lower end of the front rocking
bar (505) is located inside said long groove for adjustment,
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and the lower end of the rear rocking bar (509) is connected
to the rear part of the seat so as to support the rear part of
the seat. The long gxoove for adjustment is an elongated slot
for baGk~and-fox'th movement which is open at the lower part of
the seat.
Thexe is a swivel joint on the elongated slot where
the front rocking box (SOS) or the rear rocking :bar (509?
passes through. At the swivel joint, the distance between the
lower ends of the front and rear racking bars is equal to the
distance between the uppex ends of the front and rear rocking
bars.
There is an elastic device arranged on the upper or
lower side of the elongated slot. The elastic device has an
open groove an the long strip groove neighboring the wall, and
the elongated slot wall between the elongated slot and the
neighboring strip groove is elastic. The lower parts of the
front rocking bar (505) and the rear racking bar (509) are
movably connected to the lower parts of the seat.
A basket is arranged beneath said basket frame
(503).
The rear rocking bar (509) is U-shaped, with its
upper ends pivotally connected to the rear parts of the two
side support frames, while its lower ends pass through the
seat and are horizontally connected in the form of a cross bar
Z5 under the seat. The fxont rocking bar (505) is U-shaped, with
ite upper ends pivotaJ.ly connected to the front parts of the
two side support frames, while its lower ends pass through the
seat and are horizontally connected in the form of a cross bar
under the seat. For the rear rocking bar (509) arranged in
3o front of the cross bar undex the seat there is also a
hQxizontal bar which is connected to the seat. The long
SSSD/19675. v01
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45 ~ ~ 221/030
Patent
groove for adjustment is located on, the seat base (504). The
horizontal bar set in front o~ the rear xocking bar for
horizontal connection to the seat i.s a horiaontal bar
connecting catches (517} on either aide. The front rocking
bar (505} or rear rocking bar (509} can comprise a number of
rods which are joined together (e.g. in a chain}, or it may
Comprise a rod in a single piece, or a flexible rod (such as a
cable}; the rocking bar referred to in the present patent can
be nQt only a rigid rod but also a flexible xod as described
above.
Refer to Figure 26, the front end of the front
supporting rod (507) of the present utility model is pivotally
connected with the upper end of the front leg (502) (or it may
be joined together with other flexible connections}, and a
locking device xs arranged where they are connected.
Far the locking device, please refex t~~ the three
structures shown in Figuxe 30, Figure 3~., and Figure 32. In
Figure 30, the locking device arranged between the front leg
(502) and the front supporting rod (507) includes a handle
(520} With one end joined to the front supporting rQd (507), a
slide block (525) which is in contact with the incline of the
handle (520), the tension spring (522) between the slide block
and the front supporting rod (507), the return spring (521)
between the handle (520} and the front supporting rod (507).
A tab (523) is arranged in the front of the slide block. 'the
tab t523) staxs in the notch of the front 7,eg (502} . There is
an incline (524} an the side of the notch.
When the handle (520} rotates aountexcZockwise
against the pressure of the return spring (521), the inc7,ine
(525) on the handJ.e (5.20) pushes the slide block to slide
against the force of the tension spring (522), and the tab
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Patent
(523) at the end of the slide block disengages from the notch
of the front leg (502) so that the fz~ont leg (5C2) and the
front supporting xod (507) can rotate and be folded. zn the
locl~ed pasiti,on, the tab (523) slides into the notch along the
incline (524) on the front leg (502) so that the front leg
(502) and the front supporting rod (507) are locked together.
Figure 31 provides a structural view of another
locking device, in which the front leg (502) and the front
supporting rod (507) axe not located along a straight line,
and locking of the two is realized when the retaining slot
(528) on the clamping slide block (532y which is connected to
the front supporting rod (507) is stuck on the fxont leg
(502). When the locking device is released, the clamping
slide block (531) is pulled toward the right, so that the
25 retaining slot (528) disengages from the end of v~he front leg
(502) and the front supporting rod (50'1) rotates clockwise
about the rotating s~.aft (530) to accomplish the folding
motion.
Figure 32 provides a third example of :Locking
device. After the hasp (532) presses the return spring (533)
and disengages from the front leg (502), the locl~:ing device is
released, and the front supporting rod (507) rotates clockwise
about the rotating shaft (530) to accomplish the folding
motion. In Figure 32 the front supporting rod (~~0~) and the
front leg (502) are also not located along a straight line.
Refer to figure 26, the basket frame (503) is hinged
to the front leg (502) and rear leg (511), and a basket can be
set on the basket frame (503). Wheels (501) are set on the
front legs (502) and rear legs (5~,1). The push bax (508) and
the front supporting rod (507) are connected. The push box
(508) can be either of the folding type or the telescope
SSSD/19675. v01
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47 221/O~P
Patent
zooming type, and the push bar (508) can also be connected
indirectly to the (rant supporting rod (507).
The upper end of the front rocking bar (505) is
pivotally connected to the front supporting xod (507) or tre
front leg (502), while the upper end of the rear rock~.ng bar
(509) is pivotally connected to the front supporting rod (507)
ax the rear leg (5z1). and the loner parts of said front
rocking bar (505) and the rear rocki,z~g bar (509) are movably
cvn.nected to the lower part of the seat; in th~.s way the seat
can be rocked back and forth. The front sunnortiria rnr~ l~n~~
and the front leg (502) after connection farms a convex arc or
a straight. line. A triangular frame is formed by the front
leg (502) in connection with the front supporting rod 1507),
the rear leg (52z), and the basket frame (503), The
triangular fxame referxed to here means triangular in the
broad sense of the word, and the front leg (502) and the front
supporting rod (507) can have an arched or linear shape, and
it can also have a nonlineax' connection as shown in Figure 33
and Figure 32. Here the connection formed by the front
supporting rod (507) and the front leg (502) is always
con$idered one side of the triangular frame. The seat
includes the seat base (504) and the seat frame (506), where
said seat base (S0~) ~.s movably connected to the lower parts
of the front rocking bar (505) and the rear rocking bar (509),
the seat frame (505) is movably connected to the seat base
(504), and a seat can be arranged on the seat frame.
Refer to Figure 28 and Figure 29, there is a
retaining slot (5~3) and retaining slot (51~.) set in the front
part and the rear part of the seat base (504), pin (514) and
3o pin (515) are placed i,n the front part and the rear part of
the seat frame (506), and the pin (514) is inserted in the
SSSD/1957~, v01
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patent
retaining slot (513), and the pin (525) is inserted ~.n the
retaining slat (518). A locking device is arranged between
said pin and retaining slot. The locking device includes a
catch (517) which is connected with a pin joint to the seat
base (504), and a spring (509), the two ends of which are
connected to the seat base (504) and the catch (517). A
diagonal retaining slot is arranged on the catch (517). The
retaining slot is arranged an the pin of the seat f rams (506).
The two said side catches (517) are connected through a
horizontal locking connecting bar (512) which passes through
the bottom of the seat frame (506).
When the locking connection bar (512) is pulled
counterclockwise, the diagonal. retaining slot cttt on the catch
(517) disengages from the pin {515), and the seat frame (506)
and the seat connected to the seat frame (506) can be taken
off and removed from the stroller. The location where Said
front leg (502) and front supporting rod (507) are flexibly
connected ig between the point where the front supporting rod
(507) and the rear leg (511) meet and the point where the
front leg (502) and the basket frame (503) meet. There is a
locking device arran.gea between the body frame comprising the
front supporting rod f507), the front leg (502), the basket
frame (503), and the rear leg (511) and the seat comprising
the front rocking bar (505), the x-ear rocking bar (509), the
seat base 1504), and the seat frame (506).
Figure 29 provides a locking device which comprises
the latching hook (520) The locking device can include the
latching hook (52o) placed on the rear leg (51.1) or the front
leg. The franc hook part of said latching hook (510) hooks
onto the seat base (504), and the latching hook in Figure 29
hooks onto the horizontal bar of the rear rocking bar (509).
SSSD/19675. vo1
** TOTAL PAGE.02 **
49
2patent
Although this invention has been descz~ibed ix~ detail
with reference to certain embodiments, vaxiationa and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the
invention as described and defined in the following claims.
SSSD/19d75. v01
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