Infant carrier

Abstract

This invention provides an infant carrier, comprising: a carrier body; and an anchor for connecting to a vehicle seat. The anchor is pivotally connected to the carrier body and is pivotally movable between a folded position and an unfolded position. One of the carrier body and the anchor has a connecting portion, and the other has a limiting portion. When the anchor is pivoted to the folded position, the connecting portion engages with the limiting portion to confine the anchor to the folded position. The limiting portion is a limiting groove. The connecting portion includes a connecting pin and a connecting spring. The connecting pin can protrude from or retract from the carrier body and the anchor, and the connecting spring tends to cause the connecting pin to protrude from the carrier body and the anchor to engage with the limiting groove. The infant carrier according to this invention not only facilitates the release of the anchor but also provides reliable locking of the anchor, preventing it from easily coming loose.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an infant carrier. [Previous Technology]

[0002] An infant carrier is a portable, safe sleeping and transportation tool designed specifically for newborns and infants. It typically has a basket-like structure with comfortable padding and a handle, used to carry and protect infants during short indoor rests, travel, or vehicle journeys. A standard infant carrier is usually mounted to a vehicle seat using a vehicle safety seat base, with the vehicle safety seat removably attached to the base. The seat base can be attached to the vehicle seat using a seatbelt and / or a pair of anchors. Once the seat base is installed in the vehicle seat, the infant carrier can be detachably connected to it.

[0003] Currently, some baby carriers also have anchors installed on the carrier body. However, existing baby carriers are not convenient for storing anchors, which affects the user's operating experience. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] According to a solution of the present invention, an infant carrier is provided, comprising: a carrier body; an anchor for connecting a vehicle seat, the anchor being pivotally connected to the carrier body and capable of pivoting between a folded position and an unfolded position, wherein one of the carrier body and the anchor is provided with a connecting portion and the other with a limiting portion, wherein when the anchor is pivoted to the folded position, the connecting portion can engage with the limiting portion to restrict the anchor to the folded position, wherein the limiting portion is a limiting groove, the connecting portion includes a connecting pin and a connecting spring, the connecting pin being able to protrude from or retract from one of the carrier body and the anchor, and the connecting spring tending to cause the connecting pin to protrude from one of the carrier body and the anchor so as to engage with the limiting groove.

[0005] In one embodiment, the engagement end of the engagement pin into the limiting groove is tapered, and the opening edge of the limiting groove is provided with a first guide slope so that the engagement pin can disengage from the limiting groove when the anchor is driven to pivot.

[0006] In one embodiment, the engagement end of the engagement pin that engages with the limiting groove is tapered, and the other of the basket body and the anchor is provided with a second guide slope at the edge that contacts the engagement pin, so that when the anchor is driven to pivot toward the retracted position, the engagement pin retracts into the other of the basket body and the anchor.

[0007] In one embodiment, the anchor includes a straight anchor joint at its free end and a curved anchor connection at its pivot end, the anchor joint being connectable to the vehicle seat, the anchor connection being pivotally connected to the basket body and curved toward the retracted position, wherein the limiting groove or the engaging pin is provided in the anchor connection.

[0008] In one embodiment, the basket body is provided with a storage groove, and the anchor, which is pivoted to the closed position, can be accommodated in the storage groove, wherein the limiting groove is provided on the side of the storage groove facing the anchor, and the engaging pin is provided on the side of the anchor facing the storage groove.

[0009] In one embodiment, the infant carrier includes two anchors connected by a connecting rod. The connecting rod is provided with a connecting rod gear. The carrier body is provided with a support device, which includes a pivotable support rod and a support rod gear fixedly connected to the pivot end of the support rod. The support rod gear meshes with the connecting rod gear such that the pivoting direction of the support rod is opposite to that of the anchors. When the anchors are in the retracted position, the support rod is located on one side of the vertical line passing through the pivot axis of the support rod. When the anchors are in the extended position, the support rod is located on the other side of the vertical line.

[0010] In one embodiment, the engagement pin is disposed on the anchor, and the limiting groove and the second guide ramp are disposed on the basket body; the anchor is configured such that when the anchor is in the unfolded position, the engagement pin abuts against the second guide ramp to prevent the anchor from pivoting toward the retracted position.

[0011] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the baby carrier according to the present invention is not only easy to release the anchor, but also has reliable positioning of the anchor and is not easy to loosen.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Implementation Method

[0015] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the invention is readily adaptable to various modifications and alternatives, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings. However, the invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but rather, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the embodiments.

[0016] Figures 1 to 7 illustrate an infant carrier 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The infant carrier 1 includes a carrier body 100 and an anchor 200. The anchor 200 is pivotally connected to the end of the carrier body 100 corresponding to the infant's foot and is pivotally movable relative to the carrier body 100. The anchor 200 is used to connect the infant carrier 1 to a vehicle seat (not shown). Specifically, the engagement port of the anchor 200 can engage with anchoring points such as connecting rods, connecting rings, and anchoring interfaces on the vehicle seat, thereby making the connection of the infant carrier 1 to the vehicle seat more convenient and the structure simpler. For example, the anchor 200 may be an ISOFIX connector.

[0017] In order to enable the infant carrier 1 to be connected to different vehicles, the anchor 200 is configured to pivot relative to the carrier body 100 between a folded position (see FIG. 2) and an unfolded position (see FIG. 1).

[0018] When it is not necessary to connect the infant carrier 1 to the vehicle seat, the user can pivot the anchor 200 to the folded position to reduce the portion of it protruding from the carrier body 100, thereby facilitating the carrying and moving of the infant carrier 1.

[0019] When it is necessary to connect the infant carrier 1 to the vehicle seat, the user can pivot the anchor 200 to the unfolded position so as to engage with the corresponding accessory on the vehicle seat.

[0020] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 9, the anchor 200 is provided with a connecting portion 210, and the basket body 100 is provided with a limiting portion 110. When the anchor 200 pivots to the retracted position, the connecting portion 210 can engage with the limiting portion 110, thereby restricting the anchor 200 to the retracted position and preventing the anchor 200 from unexpectedly leaving the retracted position due to its own weight. Through the engagement of the connecting portion 210 and the limiting portion 110, the anchor 200 can be reliably limited and is not easily loosened.

[0021] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the basket body 100 may be provided with a storage groove 130, and the anchor 200 pivoted to the folded position can be accommodated in the storage groove 130. A limiting part 110 may be provided on the side of the storage groove 130 facing the anchor 200, and a connecting part 210 may be provided on the side of the anchor 200 facing the storage groove 130. Of course, the limiting part 110 and the connecting part 210 may also be provided at other positions on the basket body 100 and the anchor 200, respectively.

[0022] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 9, the limiting portion 110 may be a limiting groove, and the engaging portion 210 may include an engaging pin 220 and an engaging spring 230. As shown in Figures 3, 8 and 9, the engaging pin 220 may protrude from or retract into the anchor 200, and the engaging spring 230 tends to cause the engaging pin 220 to protrude from the anchor 200 so as to engage with the limiting groove 110 (see Figure 3).

[0023] In the embodiment shown in FIG9, the anchor 200 may include an anchor housing 201 away from the basket body 100 and an anchor inner housing 202 close to the basket body 100. An inner housing opening 203 is provided on the anchor inner housing 202, and the engaging pin 220 passes through the inner housing opening 203 and can protrude from or retract into the anchor 200.

[0024] To ensure that the engaging pin 220 moves along a specified trajectory, a cylindrical limiting ring 240 may be provided on the inner wall of the anchor housing 201, and the engaging pin 220 is configured to move within the limiting ring 240. Furthermore, the limiting ring 240 facilitates the installation and limiting of the engaging spring 230. For example, in the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 5, the engaging pin 220 is movably accommodated within the limiting ring 240, and the engaging spring 230 is mounted such that one end abuts against the interior of the engaging pin 220, and the other end abuts against the bottom of the limiting ring 240.

[0025] To facilitate the user's movement of the anchor 200 away from the retracted position, as shown in FIG3, the engagement end 221 of the engaging pin 220 into the limiting groove 110 is tapered. Correspondingly, the opening edge of the limiting groove 110 may be provided with a first guide slope 111, which is configured such that when the anchor 200 is driven away from the retracted position by the user, the first guide slope 111 interacts with the engagement end 221, causing the engaging pin 220 to overcome the elastic force of the engaging spring 230 and retract into the anchor 200. Thus, the engaging pin 220 disengages from the limiting groove 110, allowing the anchor 200 to pivot from the retracted position toward the extended position. This configuration allows the user to easily unlock the anchor.

[0026] On the other hand, to facilitate the user's movement of the anchor 200 into the retracted position, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, when the engagement end 221 of the engagement pin 220 is tapered, a second guide ramp 120 is provided at the edge of the basket body 100 that contacts the engagement pin 220. This second guide ramp 120 is configured such that when the anchor 200 is driven by the user to pivot toward the retracted position, the second guide ramp 120 interacts with the engagement end 221, causing the engagement pin 220 to overcome the elastic force of the engagement spring 230 and retract back into the anchor 200. Thus, the anchor 200 can pivot to the retracted position, and the engagement pin 220 engages with the limiting groove 110, thereby restricting the anchor 200 to the retracted position. With this configuration, the user can easily limit the position of the anchor.

[0027] By setting the magnitude of the elastic force of the engagement spring 230, the force required to drive the anchor 200 out of or into the retracted position can be controlled.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 9, the anchor 200 may include a straight anchor joint portion 200A at its free end and a curved anchor connection portion 200B at its pivot end. The anchor joint portion 200A is used for connection with the vehicle seat, and the anchor connection portion 200B is pivotally connected to the basket body 100 and curved towards the folded position. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0029] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 8 and 9, the engagement pin 220 is provided at the anchor connection portion 200B, which makes the distance between the engagement pin 220 and the pivot axis of the anchor 200 relatively short. Therefore, the resistance torque generated by the engagement pin 220 and the engagement spring 230 to prevent the anchor 200 from entering or leaving the retracted position is small. As a result, the user can drive the anchor 200 into or out of the retracted position with a smaller force, making the operation easier. Furthermore, the engagement pin 220 is located on the anchor connector 200B, which also allows the engagement pin 220 to be concealed. If the engagement pin 220 were located on or near the anchor connector 200A, the protruding engagement pin 220 might scratch the leather cover of the vehicle seat when the anchor 200 engages with the anchoring point on the vehicle seat. Conversely, this situation can be avoided if the engagement pin 220 is located on the anchor connector 200B.

[0030] In addition, the anchor connector 200B is configured to bend toward the retracted position, so that when the anchor connector 200A connected thereto is in the retracted position, the torque length of the weight of the heavier anchor connector 200A relative to the pivot axis of the anchor 200 is shorter, thereby preventing the anchor 200 from being accidentally unlocked due to bumps when the baby carrier 1 is moved.

[0031] In another embodiment, the engagement end 221 of the engagement pin 220 to the limiting groove 110 may not be tapered, the opening edge of the limiting groove 110 may not be provided with the first guide slope 111, and the edge of the basket body 100 that contacts the engagement pin 220 may not be provided with the second guide slope 120. Instead, an engagement pin operating member (not shown) is provided on the anchor 200, which can be operated by the user to drive the engagement pin 220 to retract back into the anchor 200.

[0032] In another embodiment, the limiting portion 110 and the engaging portion 210 may adopt other mating structures. For example, the engaging portion 210 may be a blocking protrusion provided on the basket body 100, and the limiting portion 110 may be the edge of the anchor 200. When the anchor 200 is pivoted to the retracted position, the blocking protrusion abuts against the edge of the anchor 200 to prevent the anchor 200 from leaving the retracted position.

[0033] In another embodiment, the positions of the joint 210 and the limiting part 110 can be interchanged. For example, the limiting part 110 can be provided on the anchor 200, and the joint 210 can be provided on the basket body 100. This method can also achieve the technical effect of limiting the anchor 200 to the folded position.

[0034] When the user drives the anchor 200 away from the retracted position, the anchor 200 falls rapidly to the extended position under the action of gravity, which may cause an impact or noise. In order to avoid this situation, the second embodiment of the present invention also proposes the following solution.

[0035] As shown in Figure 10, the baby carrier 1 includes two anchors 200, which can be connected and pivot synchronously via a connecting rod 300. The connecting rod 300 is provided with a connecting rod gear 310. The rotation axis of the connecting rod 300 and the rotation axis of the connecting rod gear 310 coincide, so that the anchors 200, the connecting rod 300 and the connecting rod gear 310 can rotate synchronously.

[0036] The basket body 100 is provided with a support device, which includes a pivotable support rod 400 and a support rod gear 410 fixedly connected to the pivot end 401 of the support rod 400. The pivot axis of the support rod 400 and the rotation axis of the support rod gear 410 coincide, so that the two can rotate synchronously.

[0037] Moreover, the meshing of the support rod gear 410 and the connecting rod gear 310 causes the pivoting direction of the support rod 400 to be opposite to that of the anchor 200.

[0038] As shown in Figure A of Figure 11, when the anchor 200 is in the retracted position, the support rod 400 is located to the left of the vertical line L (hereinafter referred to as "vertical line L") passing through the pivot axis of the support rod 400 (in Figure A, the support rod 400 is blocked by the basket body 100 and cannot be seen).

[0039] As shown in Figure B of Figure 11, the anchor 200 pivots clockwise to the middle position. Because the support rod gear 410 and the connecting rod gear 310 mesh, the pivoting direction of the support rod 400 is opposite to that of the anchor 200, so the support rod 400 pivots counterclockwise. At this time, the support rod 400 is still located to the left of the vertical line L.

[0040] As shown in Figure C of Figure 11, when the anchor 200 continues to pivot to the unfolded position in the clockwise direction in the figure, the support rod 400 pivots to the right side of the vertical line L in the counterclockwise direction in the figure.

[0041] When the anchor 200 is in the unfolded position, the support rod 400 is located to the right of the vertical line L. This structure can produce two beneficial effects:

[0042] 1. When the infant carrier 1 is secured to the vehicle seat, the anchor 200 pivots to the unfolded position and engages with the anchor point of the vehicle seat. The support rod 400 is located on the right side of the vertical line L, away from the carrier body 100, and together with the bottom of the carrier body 100, abuts against the vehicle seat surface M (see C in Figure 11). Since the support rod gear 410 meshes with the connecting rod gear 310, when the support rod 400 abuts against the vehicle seat surface M, it can fix the position of the anchor 200, thereby preventing the anchor 200 from pivoting counterclockwise towards the folded position and causing the carrier body 100 to fall upside down onto the back of the vehicle seat.

[0043] 2. During the process of the anchor 200 continuing to pivot clockwise from the position shown in Figure B of Figure 11 to the position shown in Figure C of Figure 11, the pivoting direction of the support rod 400 and the anchor 200 is opposite due to the meshing of the support rod gear 410 and the connecting rod gear 310. Therefore, the support rod 400 pivots from the left side of the vertical line L to the right side in the counterclockwise direction shown in the figure. Moreover, after passing the vertical line L, its center of gravity is raised, which helps to slow down the rapid fall of the anchor 200.

[0044] To ensure that the support rod gear 410 and the connecting rod gear 310 can engage in a clean environment and avoid contamination by foreign objects that could cause transmission failure, in the embodiment shown in FIG10, the support device includes a gearbox 420, in which the support rod gear 410 and the connecting rod gear 310 can be housed. The gearbox 420 is mounted on the basket body 100. Furthermore, the gearbox 420 provides support for the support rod 400 and the support rod gear 410.

[0045] Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0046] In another embodiment, the support device may not include the gearbox 420, and the support rod 400 and the support rod gear 410 may be connected by a pivot (not shown) provided on the basket body 100 and rotate synchronously around the pivot.

[0047] In addition, when the anchor 200 is in the extended position, the engagement pin 220 on the anchor 200 can abut against the second guide ramp 120 to prevent the anchor 200 from pivoting toward the retracted position, which can prevent the anchor 200 from shaking due to the bumps of the baby carrier 1 during movement. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0013] The drawings are included herein to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and form a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the following description, serve to illustrate the concept of the invention.

[0014] In the accompanying drawings: FIG1 is a perspective view of an infant carrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG2 is a side view of an infant carrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the anchor is in the folded position. FIG3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG2 and a partially enlarged view thereof. FIG4 is another side view of an infant carrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the anchor is in the unfolded position. FIG5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG4 and a partially enlarged view thereof. FIG6 is yet another side view of an infant carrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the anchor is in the unfolded position. FIG7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG6 and a partially enlarged view thereof. FIG8 is a perspective view of the anchor and connecting rod according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG9 is a partially exploded perspective view of the anchor and connecting rod according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG10 is a partially exploded perspective view of an infant carrier according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the pivot position of the anchor of the infant carrier according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A baby carrier, comprising: The basket itself; An anchor for connecting a vehicle seat, the anchor is pivotally connected to the basket body and pivotable between a folded position and an extended position. One of the basket body and the anchor has a connecting portion, and the other has a limiting portion. When the anchor is pivoted to the folded position, the connecting portion engages with the limiting portion to confine the anchor to the folded position. The limiting portion is a limiting groove. The connecting portion includes a connecting pin and a connecting spring. The connecting pin can protrude from or retract from one of the basket body and the anchor. The connecting spring tends to cause the connecting pin to protrude from one of the basket body and the anchor so as to engage with the limiting groove. The engaging end of the connecting pin engaging with the limiting groove is tapered. The opening edge of the limiting groove has a first guide slope so that the connecting pin can disengage from the limiting groove when the anchor is driven to pivot. A second guide ramp is provided at the edge of the other of the basket body and the anchor that contacts the engaging pin, such that when the anchor is driven to pivot toward the retracted position, the engaging pin retracts into one of the basket body and the anchor; the engaging pin is disposed on the anchor, and the limiting groove and the second guide ramp are disposed on the basket body; the anchor is configured such that when the anchor is in the extended position, the engaging pin abuts against the second guide ramp to prevent the anchor from pivoting toward the retracted position.

2. The infant carrier as described in claim 1, wherein, The anchor includes a straight anchor joint at its free end and a curved anchor connection at its pivot end. The anchor joint is capable of being connected to the vehicle seat, and the anchor connection is pivotally connected to the basket body and curved toward the retracted position. The limiting groove or the engaging pin is provided in the anchor connection.

3. The infant carrier as described in claim 1, wherein, The basket body is provided with a storage groove, and the anchor, when pivoted to the closed position, can be accommodated in the storage groove. The limiting groove is provided on the side of the storage groove facing the anchor, and the engaging pin is provided on the side of the anchor facing the storage groove.

4. The infant carrier as described in claim 1, wherein, The infant carrier includes two anchors connected by a connecting rod with a connecting rod gear. The carrier body has a support device comprising a pivotable support rod and a support rod gear fixedly connected to the pivot end of the support rod. The support rod gear meshes with the connecting rod gear such that the pivoting direction of the support rod is opposite to that of the anchors. Furthermore, when the anchors are in the retracted position, the support rod is located on one side of a vertical line passing through the pivot axis of the support rod; when the anchors are in the extended position, the support rod is located on the other side of the vertical line.

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