Folding child learning tower

Abstract

A foldable children's learning tower includes a front leg assembly, a rear leg assembly, and a learning platform. The front leg assembly and the rear leg assembly are pivotally connected by a pivot mechanism. The learning platform is disposed between the front leg assembly and the rear leg assembly. The pivot mechanism includes a two-difference-axis rotating rod, two first pivot portions disposed on the front leg assembly, and two second pivot portions disposed on the rear leg assembly. The two-difference-axis rotating rod has a third pivot portion and a fourth pivot portion. The third pivot portion of the two-difference-axis rotating rod is pivotally connected with the corresponding two first pivot portions to form a first axis, and the fourth pivot portion of the two-difference-axis rotating rod is pivotally connected with the corresponding two second pivot portions to form a second axis. The front leg assembly and the rear leg assembly are synchronously rotated about the first axis and the second axis between a folded position and an unfolded position. Thus, the learning tower is easy to operate, has a small material volume, and has an improved appearance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an innovative folding mechanism design for a folding children's learning tower, and more particularly to a pivot mechanism that specifically designs the children's learning ladder with dual pivot components to form a superior folding form, different from previous techniques, thereby achieving a folding method that can further reduce the folding volume and make operation easier. Background Technology

[0002] The known folding technology for children's learning towers consists of three main components: a front leg assembly, a learning platform, and a rear leg assembly. For example, a typical folding children's learning tower is disclosed in US Patent Publication No. US20220386790A1, published on December 8, 2022. The front and rear leg assemblies are connected by the same pivot. The learning platform is pivotally fixed to the front leg assembly, and the fixing pins on both sides of the learning platform are embedded in the slide rails of the rear leg assembly. Folding is achieved by applying torque to the learning platform along the pivot, causing the fixing pins to move along the guide rails. However, known children's folding ladders, after folding, cannot be folded into an equilateral rectangle. For example, a typical children's folding ladder, when unfolded, has a right-angled scalene triangle structure. The rear leg is usually longer than the front leg, and they share the same pivot. This causes the rear leg to protrude when brought together, resulting in an uneven surface when folded. Consequently, it cannot stand upright after folding, and the volume in one direction actually increases when folded. That is, the overall volume cannot be effectively reduced when folded, thus occupying a large storage space. Furthermore, when unfolded, because the front leg is shorter than the rear leg, the rear leg interferes with the ground when folding towards the front leg. Therefore, the entire ladder must be raised above the length of the rear leg to fold smoothly, making folding laborious. Finally, this known mechanism cannot be easily operated with one hand, and its folded volume is large.

[0003] Therefore, in view of the shortcomings of the aforementioned prior art, there is a need for a new type of mechanism that can be folded with one hand and is smaller in size and easier to store after folding. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a foldable children's learning tower that is easy to operate, reduces the folded volume, and improves the overall aesthetics after folding. The technical solution to achieve this purpose includes a front leg assembly, a rear leg assembly, and a learning platform. The front leg assembly and the rear leg assembly are pivotally connected by a pivot mechanism, with the learning platform spanning between the front and rear legs. The pivot mechanism includes two differential axis rotating rods, two first pivots on the front leg, and two second pivots on the rear leg. The two differential axis rotating rods have a third pivot and a fourth pivot. The third pivot of the two differential axis rotating rod is pivotally connected to the corresponding two first pivots to form a first axis, and its fourth pivot is pivotally connected to the corresponding two second pivots to form a second axis, allowing the front and rear legs to rotate synchronously around the first and second axes, relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position.

[0005] Preferably, the front leg (10a) has a first stop (380) and a second stop (381) at the first pivot (36); the first stop (380) and the second stop (381) are respectively the two side walls of a V-shaped notch (38); the differential shaft rod (31) is rotatably embedded in the notch (38); when the front leg (10a) and the rear leg (20a) are in the retracted position, the differential shaft rod (31) abuts against the first stop (380); when the front leg (10a) and the rear leg (20a) are in the unfolded position, the differential shaft rod (31) abuts against the second stop (381).

[0006] Preferably, the bottom corner and the top section of the V-shaped notch (38) have a first arc groove (382) and a second arc groove (383), respectively. The ends of the first end (32) and the second end (33) of the differential shaft rotating rod (31) have a first arc portion (320) and a second arc portion (330), respectively. The first arc groove (382) and the first arc portion (320) have the same arc, and the second arc groove (383) and the second arc portion (330) have the same arc. When the front leg (10a) and the rear leg (20a) are in the retracted position, and the differential shaft rotating rod (31) abuts against the first stop portion (380), the second arc portion (330) is fitted into the second arc groove (383).

[0007] Preferably, the differential shaft rod (31) has a uniform thickness, and the V-shaped notch has a uniform depth, the thickness and the depth being the same.

[0008] Preferably, the third pivot (34) of the two differential shaft rotating rods (31) is located between the two first pivots (36), and the two second pivots (37) are located between the fourth pivots (35) of the two differential shaft rotating rods (31).

[0009] Preferably, a child safety rail assembly (50) is pivotally connected to the top section (10b) of the front stand (10a); the child safety rail assembly (50) includes two crossbars (51) and two longitudinal bars (52) respectively connected to the two ends of the two crossbars (51); when the front stand (10a) and the rear stand (20a) are in the folded position, the child safety rail assembly (50) rotates relative to the front stand (10a) so that the two crossbars (51) are vertically distributed and located on a vertical plane; when the front stand (10a) and the rear stand (20a) are in the unfolded position, the child safety rail assembly (50) rotates relative to the front stand (10a) so that the two crossbars (51) are vertically distributed and located on a vertical plane; when the front stand (10a) and the rear stand (20a) are in the unfolded position, the child safety rail assembly (50) rotates relative to the front stand (10a) so that the two crossbars (51) are vertically distributed and located on a vertical plane; The tripod is rotated so that the two horizontal bars (51) are distributed front and back and located on a horizontal plane, and above the learning platform (40); a third arc groove (520) is recessed on one side of the end of the two vertical bars (52) that is pivotally connected to the front tripod (10a), and a third arc portion (24) is provided at one end of the top section (20b) of the rear tripod (20a); the arc of the third arc groove (520) is the same as that of the third arc portion (24), and when the front tripod (10a) and the rear tripod (20a) are in the folded position, the third arc portion (24) is fitted into the third arc groove (520).

[0010] Preferably, it further includes a drawing board (70), the top section of which is provided with at least one drawing board hook (71) for hooking onto one of the two crossbars (51), so that the drawing board (70) is suspended and rests against the front stand (10a).

[0011] Preferably, the two opposite ends of the learning platform (40) are a third end (401) and a fourth end (402); the third end (401) is rotatably pivotally connected to the front leg (10a), and the fourth end (402) is slidably and rotatably connected to the rear leg (20a); the front leg (10a), the rear leg (20a), the differential shaft rotating rod (31) and the learning platform (40) constitute a four-bar linkage; in the four-bar linkage, there is a rotating pair between the front leg (10a) and the differential shaft rotating rod (31), a rotating pair between the rear leg (20a) and the differential shaft rotating rod (31), a rotating pair between the front leg (10a) and the learning platform (40), and a sliding pair between the rear leg (20a) and the learning platform (40).

[0012] Preferably, the fourth end (402) of the learning platform (40) has a through groove (403) forming a handle (41); the handle (41) allows a user to apply an upward lifting force, and through the action of the sliding pair, the fourth end (402) slides from a low point to a high point of the rear leg (20a), and the rear leg (20a) folds from the unfolded position to the folded position relative to the front leg (10a).

[0013] Preferably, an anti-tipping device assembly (60) is provided at one bottom end of the front leg (10a), the anti-tipping device assembly (60) is provided with an anti-tipping side support assembly (601), the anti-tipping side support assembly (601) and the bottom end of the front leg (10a) are in contact with a plane simultaneously.

[0014] The advantages of this utility model are:

[0015] This invention is easy to operate, reduces the folded material volume, and improves the overall aesthetics after folding. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention in its unfolded position;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention in the folded position;

[0018] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the main components of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the detailed component designations of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a side perspective view of the present invention in its unfolded position;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a side perspective view of the present invention in the folded position;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the installation of the drawing board external attachment of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the installation of the drawing board external attachment from another perspective of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 9 This is a side perspective view of the installation of the drawing board external attachment of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Please refer to Figures 1 to 9As shown, a specific embodiment of the foldable children's learning tower of this utility model includes a front leg assembly 10, a rear leg assembly 20, a pivoting mechanism 30, a learning platform 40, a children's guardrail assembly 50, and an anti-tipping device assembly 60. The front leg assembly 10 includes a front leg 10a, which is composed of a front upper structural beam 101 and a front rear structural beam 102. The rear leg assembly 20 includes a rear leg 20a, which is composed of a rear learning platform support beam 201 and a step 202. The anti-tipping device assembly 60 includes an anti-tipping side support assembly 601. A top section 10b of the front leg 10a and a top section 20b of the rear leg 20a of the rear leg assembly 20 are rotatably pivotally connected to each other via the pivoting mechanism 30. The learning platform 40 spans between the front leg 10a and the rear leg 20a. The main technical feature of this utility model is that the pivoting mechanism 30 includes two differential shaft rotating rods 31, two first pivots 36 coaxially mounted on the front leg 10a, and two second pivots 37 coaxially mounted on the rear leg 20a. The two opposite ends of the two differential shaft rotating rods 31 are a first end 32 and a second end 33, respectively. The first end 32 and the second end 33 are respectively provided with a third pivot 34 and a fourth pivot 35. The third pivot 34 of the two differential shaft rotating rods 31 is pivotally connected to the corresponding two first pivots 36 to form a first axis, and the fourth pivot 35 of the two differential shaft rotating rods 31 is pivotally connected to the corresponding two second pivots 37 to form a second axis, so that the front leg 10a and the rear leg 20a rotate synchronously about the first axis and the second axis, and rotate relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position. By utilizing the rotation of the pivot and the distance difference between the axes (first axis and second axis), the rear leg assembly 20 can be raised relative to the front leg assembly 10 when folded, so that the bottoms of the front leg assembly 10 and the rear leg assembly 20 are flush when folded, thus reducing the folded volume. In the example shown, the finished product of this utility model can be assembled by combining the child guardrail pivot 11, the front leg folding pivot 12, the platform pivot 13, the anti-tipping device pivot 14, and the rear leg folding pivot 21.

[0026] As shown in the example, in a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a V-shaped notch 38 is recessed at the first pivot 36 on the front leg 10a, and the differential shaft rod 31 is rotatably embedded in the notch 38. The two side walls of the notch 38 respectively form a first stop 380 and a second stop 381. When the front leg 10a and the rear leg 20a are in the folded position, the differential shaft rod 31 abuts against the first stop 380. When the front leg 10a and the rear leg 20a are in the unfolded position, the differential shaft rod 31 abuts against the second stop 381.

[0027] As shown in the example, in a preferred embodiment of this invention, the bottom corner and top section of the V-shaped notch 38 each have a first arc groove 382 and a second arc groove 383, respectively. The ends of the first end 32 and the second end 33 of the differential shaft 31 each have a first arc portion 320 and a second arc portion 330, respectively. The first arc groove 382 and the first arc portion 320 have the same arc degree, and the second arc groove 383 and the second arc portion 330 have the same arc degree. When the front leg 10a and the rear leg 20a are in the retracted position, and the differential shaft 31 abuts against the first stop portion 380, the second arc portion 330 is engaged with the second arc groove 383. More preferably, the differential shaft 31 has a uniform thickness, and the V-shaped notch 38 has a uniform depth, the thickness and the depth being the same dimension.

[0028] As shown in the example, in a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the third pivot 34 of the two differential shaft rotating rods 31 is located between the two first pivots 36. The two second pivots 37 are located between the fourth pivots 35 of the two differential shaft rotating rods 31.

[0029] As shown in the example, the child safety rail assembly 50 includes two horizontal bars 51 and two vertical bars 52 respectively connected to the two ends of the two horizontal bars 51. When the front leg 10a and the rear leg 20a are in the folded position, the child safety rail assembly 50 rotates relative to the front leg 10a so that the two horizontal bars 51 are vertically distributed and located on a vertical plane. When the front leg 10a and the rear leg 20a are in the unfolded position, the child safety rail assembly 50 rotates relative to the front leg so that the two horizontal bars 51 are front-to-back distributed and located on a horizontal plane, and above the learning platform 40. Preferably, a third arc groove 520 is recessed on one side of the end of the two vertical bars 52 that is pivotally connected to the front leg 10a. One end of the top section 20b of the rear leg 20a has a third arc portion 24. The arc of the third arc groove 520 and the arc of the third arc portion 24 are the same. When the front leg 10a and the rear leg 20a are in the folded position, the third arc portion 24 is fitted into the third arc groove 520.

[0030] like Figures 7 to 9 As shown, in a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a drawing board 70 is further provided. At least one drawing board hook 71 is provided on the top section of the drawing board 70. The at least one drawing board hook 71 is used to hook onto a crossbar 51 of the child safety rail assembly 50, so that the drawing board 70 is suspended and rests against the front leg 10a. Through the different correspondences between the differential pivot rod 31, the first stop 380, the second stop 381, the positioning pin 42, and the guide rail 22, the front leg assembly 10 is tilted towards the rear leg assembly 20 to form a drawing board usage configuration.

[0031] As shown in the example, in a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the learning platform 40 has a third end 401 and a fourth end 402 at opposite ends. The third end 401 is rotatably pivotally connected to the front leg 10a, and the fourth end 402 is slidably and rotatably connected to the rear leg 20a. The front leg 10a, the rear leg 20a, the differential shaft lever 31, and the learning platform 40 constitute a four-bar linkage. In this four-bar linkage, there is a rotating pair between the front leg 10a and the differential shaft lever 31, a rotating pair between the rear leg 20a and the differential shaft lever 31, a rotating pair between the front leg 10a and the learning platform 40, and a sliding pair between the rear leg 20a and the learning platform 40. More preferably, the fourth end 402 of the learning platform 40 has a through groove 403, which forms a handle 41. The handle 41 allows a user to apply an upward lifting force, which, through the action of the sliding pair, causes the fourth end 402 to slide from a low point to a high point on the rear leg 20a, folding the rear leg 20a relative to the front leg 10a from the unfolded position to the folded position. That is, the handle 41 drives the pivot of the learning platform 40 to rotate, which in turn drives the positioning pin 42 to the end of the guide rail 22, pushing the differential shaft rod 31 to rotate until it abuts against the first stop 380. This is a continuous movement. The bottom end of the front leg assembly 10 is the only fulcrum when the mechanism is folded, enabling the mechanism to be unfolded and folded with one hand.

[0032] As shown in the example, in a preferred embodiment of this utility model, an anti-tipping device assembly 60 is provided at one bottom end of the front stand 10a. The anti-tipping device assembly 60 is provided with an anti-tipping side support assembly 601. The anti-tipping side support assembly 601 and the bottom end of the front stand 10a simultaneously contact a plane.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 5 As shown, when in the unfolded position, the positioning pin 42 of the fourth end 402 of the learning platform 40 is located at the bottom end of the guide rail 22 on the rear leg 20a (i.e., a low point relative to the rear leg 20a), and the differential shaft lever 31 abuts against the second stop portion 381. If a fixed vertical downward force is applied to the learning platform 40 or the step 202, the differential shaft lever 31 will continue to press against the second stop portion 381 due to torque. At this time, the four-bar linkage consisting of the front leg 10a, the rear leg 20a, the differential shaft lever 31, and the learning platform 40 will be in a stable state.

[0034] When this invention is applied, if the height of the front leg assembly 10 and the rear leg assembly 20 is designed to be relatively large, that is, if the length of the front leg 10a and the rear leg 20a is relatively long, the entire learning tower will be in the shape of a long ladder, allowing children to climb to a greater height. When the height of the front leg assembly 10 and the rear leg assembly 20 is designed to be relatively small, that is, when the length of the front leg 10a and the rear leg 20a is relatively short, the entire learning tower is shaped like a stool, allowing children to climb to a lower height. In addition, a crossbar 51, such as the child guardrail assembly 50, is added to the top of the front leg 10a or the rear leg 20a. When the learning tower is not in use and is in the folded position, it can be hung on the door of the cabinet using the crossbar 51. The learning tower will not touch the ground, and the cabinet door can be opened normally without interference. When the learning tower needs to be used, it is opened to the unfolded position, with the bottom of the front leg 10a and the rear leg 20a touching the ground. Children can then climb up to a height where their hands can reach the top of the cabinet to do things, and thus learn to help with housework.

[0035] The above description is a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and the technical principles applied thereto. For those skilled in the art, any obvious changes such as equivalent transformations or simple substitutions based on the technical solution of the present utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A foldable children's learning tower, comprising a front leg assembly (10), a rear leg assembly (20), and a learning platform (40); a top section (10b) of a front leg (10a) of the front leg assembly (10) and a top section (20b) of a rear leg (20a) of the rear leg assembly (20) are rotatably pivotally connected to each other by a pivoting mechanism (30); the learning platform (40) spans between the front leg (10a) and the rear leg (20a); characterized in that, The pivoting mechanism (30) includes two differential shaft rotating rods (31), two first pivots (36) coaxially mounted on the front leg (10a), and two second pivots (37) coaxially mounted on the rear leg (20a); the two opposite ends of the two differential shaft rotating rods (31) are a first end (32) and a second end (33), and the first end (32) and the second end (33) are respectively provided with a third pivot (34) and a fourth pivot (35); The third pivot (34) of the two differential pivot rod (31) is pivotally connected to the corresponding two first pivots (36) to form a first axis, and the fourth pivot (35) of the two differential pivot rod (31) is pivotally connected to the corresponding two second pivots (37) to form a second axis, so that the front leg (10a) and the rear leg (20a) rotate synchronously with the first axis and the second axis as the pivot, and rotate relative to each other between a retracted position and an extended position.

2. The foldable children's learning tower as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The front leg (10a) is provided with a first stop (380) and a second stop (381) at the first pivot (36); the first stop (380) and the second stop (381) are respectively the two side walls of a V-shaped notch (38); the differential shaft rod (31) is rotatably embedded in the notch (38); when the front leg (10a) and the rear leg (20a) are in the retracted position, the differential shaft rod (31) abuts against the first stop (380); when the front leg (10a) and the rear leg (20a) are in the unfolded position, the differential shaft rod (31) abuts against the second stop (381).

3. The foldable children's learning tower as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom corner and top section of the V-shaped notch (38) are respectively provided with a first arc groove (382) and a second arc groove (383). The ends of the first end (32) and the second end (33) of the differential shaft rotating rod (31) are respectively provided with a first arc portion (320) and a second arc portion (330). The first arc groove (382) and the first arc portion (320) have the same arc degree, and the second arc groove (383) and the second arc portion (330) have the same arc degree. When the front leg (10a) and the rear leg (20a) are in the retracted position, and the differential shaft rotating rod (31) abuts against the first stop portion (380), the second arc portion (330) is fitted into the second arc groove (383).

4. The foldable children's learning tower as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The differential shaft (31) has a uniform thickness, and the V-shaped notch has a uniform depth, the thickness and the depth being the same.

5. The foldable children's learning tower as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The third pivot (34) of the two differential shaft rotating rods (31) is located between the two first pivots (36), and the two second pivots (37) are located between the fourth pivots (35) of the two differential shaft rotating rods (31).

6. The foldable children's learning tower as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The top section (10b) of the front stand (10a) is pivotally connected to a child safety rail assembly (50); the child safety rail assembly (50) includes two horizontal bars (51) and two vertical bars (52) respectively connected to the two ends of the two horizontal bars (51); when the front stand (10a) and the rear stand (20a) are in the folded position, the child safety rail assembly (50) rotates relative to the front stand (10a) so that the two horizontal bars (51) are vertically distributed and located on a vertical plane; when the front stand (10a) and the rear stand (20a) are in the unfolded position, the child safety rail assembly (50) rotates relative to the front stand. Rotate until the two horizontal bars (51) are distributed front and back and located on a horizontal plane, and above the learning platform (40); a third arc groove (520) is recessed on one side of the end of the two vertical bars (52) that is pivotally connected to the front leg (10a), and a third arc portion (24) is provided at one end of the top section (20b) of the rear leg (20a); the arc of the third arc groove (520) is the same as that of the third arc portion (24), and when the front leg (10a) and the rear leg (20a) are in the retracted position, the third arc portion (24) is fitted into the third arc groove (520).

7. The foldable children's learning tower as described in claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a drawing board (70), the top section of which is provided with at least one drawing board hook (71), the at least one drawing board hook (71) being used to hook onto one of the two crossbars (51), so that the drawing board (70) is suspended and rests against the front stand (10a).

8. The foldable children's learning tower as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The learning platform (40) has a third end (401) and a fourth end (402) at opposite ends. The third end (401) is rotatably pivoted to the front leg (10a), and the fourth end (402) is slidably and rotatably connected to the rear leg (20a). The front leg (10a), the rear leg (20a), the differential shaft rotating rod (31), and the learning platform (40) constitute a four-bar linkage. In the four-bar linkage, there is a rotating pair between the front leg (10a) and the differential shaft rotating rod (31), a rotating pair between the rear leg (20a) and the differential shaft rotating rod (31), a rotating pair between the front leg (10a) and the learning platform (40), and a sliding pair between the rear leg (20a) and the learning platform (40).

9. The foldable children's learning tower as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The fourth end (402) of the learning platform (40) has a through slot (403) which forms a handle (41); the handle (41) allows a user to apply an upward lifting force, and through the action of the sliding pair, the fourth end (402) slides from a low point to a high point of the rear leg (20a), and the rear leg (20a) folds from the unfolded position to the folded position relative to the front leg (10a).

10. The foldable children's learning tower as described in claim 1, characterized in that, An anti-tipping device assembly (60) is provided at one bottom end of the front leg (10a). The anti-tipping device assembly (60) is provided with an anti-tipping side support assembly (601). The anti-tipping side support assembly (601) and the bottom end of the front leg (10a) are in contact with a plane simultaneously.

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