Foldable trolley (variant)

Abstract

This invention relates to a lightweight, foldable stroller for children. The foldable stroller includes a frame (1) and two pairs of legs with wheels (2), each pair of legs including a front leg (3), a rear leg (4), and a connecting device. Lateral elements (9) of the frame (1) are configured with vertical slots. Bottom and top elements of the frame (1) are provided with perforated lugs (10) that interact with a spring-loaded button (11) via a locking member (12). The frame (1) is housed within a housing (13), in which the legs (3, 4) can be accommodated. A groove is provided on the upper surface of the first housing (13) for accommodating a handle provided on an extendable handle (14) of the stroller. A folding seat (15) and elements for attaching shoulder straps are attached to the frame (1). One side of the housing (13) forms the backrest of the stroller. A groove is provided at the lower part of the shell (13) to accommodate the wheels (2) when the trolley is folded. In addition, when folded, the wheels can be accommodated in the groove (17) of the backpack body (16). Thus, the structure is simplified and the functionality and ease of use are improved.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to children's strollers, and more specifically, to lightweight, foldable strollers designed for use in long-distance walking and active movement.

[0002] A system and device (US20140091559) are known in the prior art, configured to provide functionality for transporting strollers, bags, and backpacks for children. The system includes a frame comprising: a right center hub rotatably attached to a right front support leg, a right rear support leg, and mechanically connected to a right push handle; a left center hub rotatably attached to a left front support leg, a left rear support leg, and mechanically connected to a left push handle; a rear bottom horizontal support mechanically connected to the right and left rear support legs; a left soft strap mechanically connected to the left push handle, and a left adjustable strap, wherein the left adjustable strap is also mechanically connected to the left center hub; a right soft strap mechanically connected to the right push handle, and a right adjustable strap, wherein the right adjustable strap is also mechanically connected to the right center hub; a backrest mechanically connected to the right and left handles; a seat mechanically connected to the backrest; and a top compartment bag attached to the backrest. The right front leg, right rear leg, left front leg, and left rear leg can be in the open position, allowing the seat to be moved away from the backrest and enabling the child to sit in it, thus allowing the system to be used as a stroller. The right front leg, right rear leg, left front leg, and left rear leg can also be in the folded position, moving the seat closer to the backrest, allowing the system to be carried by the adjustable straps on both sides, thus using it as a backpack. The device can also be placed in the upper compartment bag, allowing the system to be used as a bag.

[0003] The known drawback of the system is its large size and inconvenience of use. This is because the strap is attached to the handle, meaning it needs to be wide enough to rest comfortably on the shoulder, resulting in the trolley's width relative to its wheelbase not decreasing when folded. This undiminished width causes discomfort when carried, making it unsuitable for extended periods of folded carrying and only suitable for short-distance transport. Furthermore, when folded, all parts of the trolley remain exposed and press against the user's back.

[0004] The closest comparable invention to the claimed invention is a children's stroller (RU 2599738) comprising: a right frame and a left frame, each frame including a front support rotatably connected to a rear support at a frame joint, wherein the front support of each frame is a telescopic tube assembly consisting of an outer tube extending from an end of the front support to the frame joint, an inner tube assembly partially inserted into and protruding from the outer tube, and a groove extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the outer tube; a connecting device including at least two substantially rigid elements connecting the right and left frames, wherein the rigid elements are attached to the front support at a right sliding joint and a left sliding joint, and the joint is located within the groove of the outer tube; and a frame drive mechanism connected to the right or left frame, wherein the front and rear supports of both frames are movable from an open position to a closed position by the drive mechanism, and the transition of the stroller from the open to the closed position causes the sliding joint to move downward along the groove of the outer tube. The trolley may include: a storage assembly in the form of a storage bag; at least one rope fixedly attached to the right frame and at least one rope fixedly attached to the left frame; and a flexible connector for attaching the ropes to the bag. The storage assembly is designed such that the bag remains in the unfolded position when the frames move from the open position to the retracted position.

[0005] This type of trolley is characterized by its complex design due to the large number of structural components. Furthermore, when folded, its size only decreases in width, and the height change caused by the inner and outer tubes is extremely small (the folded length exceeds one meter), requiring the user to perform many steps to fold or unfold the trolley. Additionally, when the trolley is folded, the user's hands are still occupied when moving it, and using a foldable trolley that is only slightly smaller than its unfolded state is only reasonable when, for example, transporting the trolley in a car.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to develop a foldable trolley that eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages and is characterized by its simple design, enhanced functionality, and ease of use.

[0007] The technical result of the invention according to the first variant is achieved by the following fact: the foldable trolley includes: a trapezoidal frame 1 with its larger base facing downwards; two pairs of legs with wheels 2, each pair including a front leg 3 and a rear leg 4, both of which are mounted on a locking half-shaft 5; and connecting members, each consisting of two rigid elements 6 and 7 pivotally connected to each other for connecting the front leg 3 and the rear leg 4. These elements are designed to move from an open position to a folded position, thereby moving the locking half-shaft 5 from a lower position to an upper position via a vertical groove 8 formed on a lateral element 9 of the frame 1, thus enabling the trolley to transition from an unfolded state to a folded state. The top and bottom elements of the frame 1 are equipped with perforated lugs 10, which are located at the top and bottom of the lateral elements 9 of the frame 1, respectively. These lugs interact with a spring-loaded button 11 to secure the half-shaft 5 at the top and bottom positions using a locking member 12, thereby securing the legs at the open and folded positions, respectively. Frame 1 is arranged within housing 13, and the structure of the housing allows legs 3 and 4 to be placed within housing 13 when the trolley is folded. The top of housing 13 has a recess for receiving a handle, which is part of a retractable handle 14 mounted within the frame 1. Additionally, a folding seat 15 and elements for attaching shoulder straps are attached to the frame. One side of housing 13 forms the backrest of the trolley, while the bottom of housing 13 contains a recess for receiving wheels 2 when the trolley is folded. Housing 13 is preferably made of plastic.

[0008] The technical result of the invention according to the second variation is achieved by the following fact: the foldable trolley includes: a trapezoidal frame 1 with its larger base facing downwards; two pairs of legs with wheels 2, each pair including a front leg 3 and a rear leg 4, both of which are mounted on a locking half-shaft 5; and connecting members, each consisting of two rigid elements 6 and 7 pivotally connected to each other for connecting the front leg 3 and the rear leg 4. These members are designed to move from an open position to a folded position, thereby moving the locking half-shaft 5 from a lower position to an upper position via a vertical groove 8 along a lateral element 9 of the frame 1, thus enabling the trolley to transition from an unfolded state to a folded state. The top and bottom elements of the frame 1 are equipped with perforated lugs 10, which are located at the top and bottom of the lateral elements 9 of the frame 1, respectively. These lugs interact with a spring-loaded button 11 to secure the half-shaft 5 at the top and bottom positions using a locking member 12, thereby securing the legs at the open and folded positions, respectively. Frame 1 is arranged within housing 13, and when the trolley is folded, the structure of the housing allows legs 3 and 4 to be placed within housing 13. The top of housing 13 has a recess for receiving a handle, which is part of a retractable handle 14 mounted within the frame 1. Additionally, a folding seat 15 and elements for attaching shoulder straps are attached to the frame. One side of housing 13 forms the backrest of the trolley, while its opposite side is connected to a backpack body 16, which has a recess 17 on its bottom facing housing 13 for receiving wheels 2 when the trolley is folded. Preferably, housing 13 and backpack body 16 are connected to each other by a threaded joint and are made of plastic.

[0009] This invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein, Figure 1 An overall view of the foldable trolley is shown, and Figure 2 The cross-section at the fixed position of the handcart's outriggers is shown.

[0010] The foldable trolley according to the first variant includes: a trapezoidal frame 1 with its larger base facing downwards; two pairs of legs with wheels 2, each pair consisting of a front leg 3 and a rear leg 4, the legs mounted on a locking half-shaft 5. The wheelbase width of the front leg 3 is smaller than that of the rear leg 4. Each connecting device of the trolley consists of two rigid elements 6 and 7 pivotally connected to each other and operates according to the scissor principle, such that the rigid elements 6 and 7, engaged at a rotatable central connector, rotate as the trolley changes from a folded position to an unfolded position, thereby bringing the ends of the rigid elements 6 and 7 closer together. The connecting device connects the front leg 3 and the rear leg 4, which are designed to move from an open position to a folded position. Therefore, the trolley changes from an unfolded state to a folded state by moving the locking half-shaft 5 from a lower position to an upper position along a vertical groove 8 formed on a lateral element 9 of the frame 1. The bottom and top elements of frame 1 are equipped with perforated lugs 10 located at the top and bottom of the side elements 9 of frame 1. These lugs interact with spring-loaded buttons 11 to lock the half-shaft 5 in the bottom and top positions using locks 12, thereby securing the support legs in the open and folded positions, respectively. Frame 1 is housed within a housing 13, preferably made of plastic. Housing 13 is configured such that support legs 3 and 4 are located within the housing when the trolley is folded. The top of the first housing 13 has a recess for receiving a handle, which houses a retractable handle 14 of the trolley mounted within the frame 1. A folding seat 15 and elements for attaching shoulder straps are also attached to the frame. The retractable, foldable handle is equipped with a locking mechanism with a button that secures the handle in the folded and unfolded positions. The tilt angle of the trolley seat is limited by ropes located on both sides of the seat. One side of housing 13 serves as the backrest of the trolley. The bottom of the housing 13 has a recess for accommodating the wheels 2 when the stroller is folded. The front support legs 3 are equipped with footrests to support the child's legs; the front wheels can rotate 360 ​​degrees around their axles, and the rear wheels are equipped with parking brakes.

[0011] In a second variant of the trolley, the design is similar to the first variant, except that the housing 13 does not have recesses for accommodating the wheels 2. In this case, when the trolley is folded, the wheels are placed in recesses 17 on the bottom of the backpack body 16, facing the side of the housing 13. In this case, the housing 13 is connected to the body 16 by a detachable connector (e.g., a threaded joint). The housing 13 and the backpack body 16 are made of plastic.

[0012] To use the stroller to transport a child and unfold it, press the two spring-loaded buttons 11 at the top positions of the housing 1, then fully extend the legs 3 and 4 out of the housing 13 until they reach the bottom stop. At this point, the bottom lock 12 engages the locking half-shafts 5 of the foldable legs and secures them in the bottom position. Next, alternately extend the legs 3 and 4 on each side of the stroller outward in opposite directions until the connection is fully open. The stroller should be placed on a solid, level surface, and the button on the retractable handle 14 should be pressed and pulled upward until its locking mechanism automatically engages. Due to its trapezoidal shape, the frame 1, despite its compact size, can create a large wheelbase area by separating the wheeled legs after unfolding. The wheelbase width of the front leg 3 is smaller than that of the rear leg 4, a difference that allows the stroller to be folded to a degree with the rear leg outside the front leg. This design achieves excellent stability and maneuverability.

[0013] If the trolley needs to be transported in its assembled state, to fold the trolley, the button on the retractable handle 14 should be pressed and pushed into the housing 13 until its locking mechanism automatically engages. Alternatively, the left and right support legs 3 and 4 of the trolley should be slid toward each other until the connecting mechanism is fully folded. Then, the two bottom position buttons 11 at the bottom of the housing 13 should be pushed, and the support legs 3 and 4 should be pushed into the housing 13 as far as possible, alternating on each side of the trolley, until they can be pushed no further. At this point, the upper locking mechanism 12 will engage the half-shafts 5 of the support legs and lock them in the top position. The front left and rear left support legs, as well as the front right and rear right support legs, fold parallel to each other and slide within the frame along the vertical grooves 8 on the lateral elements 9 of the frame 1 until the top locking point. In the first and second variations of the trolley, the wheels 2 are located in grooves 17, which are respectively provided in the housing 13 or the backpack body 16. Therefore, the legs 3 and 4, along with the handle 14 and frame 1 with the trolley handle, are concealed within the housing 13, while the wheels 2 are also hidden within the housing 13 or the backpack body 16, ensuring the trolley remains compact and minimizes its size when folded. Simultaneously, the rigidly connected plastic housing 13 and the backpack's plastic body 16 form a single structure, resembling a seamless backpack in appearance. The housing 13 can have a maximum thickness of 45mm and a maximum weight of 4kg. In a second variation of the trolley, when folded and unfolded, the user can also choose to carry personal items directly in the backpack. This provides additional convenience due to its suitable overall size, for example, when used as carry-on luggage on an airplane.

[0014] Therefore, compared to known similar inventions, the claimed trolley is a compact and simple design containing a small number of easily manufactured parts, which increases its strength and reliability. At the same time, the trolley is easy to use in both unfolded and folded states, and its functionality is enhanced by allowing the user to carry the trolley in its folded state, similar to using a regular backpack, by placing the adjustable strap on the user's back.

Claims

1. A foldable handcart, comprising: The frame 1 is trapezoidal in shape, with its larger base facing downwards; Two pairs of outriggers with wheels 2, each pair of outriggers including a front outrigger 3 and a rear outrigger 4, both the front outrigger and the rear outrigger are mounted on a locking half shaft 5; Each of the connecting members consists of two rigid elements 6 and 7 pivotally connected to each other for connecting the front outrigger 3 and the rear outrigger 4; The element is designed to move from an open position to a folded position, thereby moving the locking half shaft 5 from a lower position to an upper position by means of a vertical groove 8 formed on the lateral element 9 of the frame 1, thereby changing the trolley from an unfolded state to a folded state. The top and bottom elements of the frame 1 are equipped with perforated lugs 10, which are disposed at the top and bottom of the side elements 9 of the frame 1. The lugs interact with a spring-loaded button 11 to fix the half shaft 5 in the top and bottom positions using a locking member 12, thereby fixing the support leg in the open and retracted positions respectively. The frame 1 is arranged inside the housing 13. When the trolley is folded, the structure of the housing allows the legs 3 and 4 to be placed inside the housing 13. The top of the housing 13 has a groove for receiving a handle, which is part of the retractable handle 14 of the trolley mounted within the frame 1; In addition, a folding seat 15 and elements for attaching shoulder straps are attached to the frame; One side of the housing 13 forms the backrest of the trolley, and the bottom of the housing 13 includes a groove for accommodating the wheels 2 when the trolley is folded.

2. The handcart according to claim 1, wherein, The housing 13 is made of plastic.

3. A foldable handcart, comprising: The frame 1 is trapezoidal in shape, with its larger base facing downwards; Two pairs of outriggers with wheels 2, each pair of outriggers including a front leg 3 and a rear leg 4, both the front outrigger and the rear outrigger are mounted on a locking half shaft 5; Each of the connecting members consists of two rigid elements 6 and 7 pivotally connected to each other for connecting the front outrigger 3 and the rear outrigger 4; The element is designed to move from an open position to a folded position, thereby moving the locking half-shaft 5 from a lower position to an upper position by means of a vertical groove 8 formed on the lateral element 9 of the frame 1, thereby allowing the trolley to be converted from an unfolded state to a folded state. The top and bottom elements of the frame 1 are equipped with perforated lugs 10, which are disposed at the top and bottom of the side elements 9 of the frame 1. The lugs interact with spring buttons 11 to fix the half shaft 5 at the top and bottom positions using locking members 12, thereby fixing the support legs at the open and retracted positions respectively. The frame 1 is arranged inside the housing 13. When the trolley is folded, the structure of the housing allows the legs 3 and 4 to be placed inside the housing 13. The top of the housing 13 has a groove for receiving a handle, which is part of the retractable handle 14 of the trolley mounted within the frame 1; In addition, a folding seat 15 and elements for attaching shoulder straps are attached to the frame; One side of the housing 13 forms the backrest of the trolley, while its opposite side is connected to the backpack body 16. The backpack body has a groove 17 on its bottom facing the housing 13, which is used to accommodate the wheels 2 when the trolley is in the folded state.

4. The handcart according to claim 3, wherein, The shell 13 and the backpack body 16 are connected to each other by threaded connectors.

5. The handcart according to claim 3, wherein, The shell 13 and the backpack body 16 are made of plastic.

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