Arrangement of modular elements to form two types of children's vehicles on wheels

Abstract

Arrangement of modular elements for constructing two types of children's vehicles with wheels, comprising a platform (1) with wheels (2), a seat base assembly (3) and a handlebar (4); wherein the platform (1) with wheels at its front forms a first connecting means (5) for mounting the seat sub-assembly (3); the seat subassembly (3) forms a second connecting element (14) which is suitable for cooperating with the first connecting element (5) to mount the seat subassembly (3) to the platform (1); the handle (4) forms a third connecting means (16) at its lower end for mounting this handle (4) to the platform (1) with wheels, and the arrangement of the elements includes a fourth connecting element (6) which is suitable to cooperate with the third connecting element (16) to mount the handle (4) to the platform (1) with wheels; characterized by the fact that - the seat sub-assembly (3) and the second connecting element (14) are formed by two separate parts (10, 11), of which a first part (10) forms a seat part (12) for the child and the second part (11) forms the second connecting element (14), wherein these parts (10, 11) are pivotably connected to each other, wherein the first part (10) is pivotable with respect to the second part (11) between i) a first position of the first part (10) in relation to the second part (11), which, after the assembly of the seat sub-assembly (3) on the platform (1) with wheels, corresponds to an extended position of the seat part (12) in which the seat part (12) extends substantially parallel to the platform (1) with wheels and is suitable for riding, thus corresponding to the design of the aforementioned first vehicle type, and ii) a second position of the first part (10) in relation to the second part (11), which, after the assembly of the seat sub-assembly (3) on the platform (1) with wheels, corresponds to a folded position of the seat part (12) in which the seat part (12) extends over the front of the vehicle, which corresponds to the design of the aforementioned second vehicle type, and - the fourth connecting element (6) is formed either on the platform (1) or on the second part (11) in such a position that, when the third connecting element (16) engages with this fourth connecting element (6), the handle (4) forms an obstacle to pivoting the first part (10) into the extended position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement of modular elements with which two types of children's vehicles on wheels can be formed.

[0002] European patent no. EP3705372B1 describes such an arrangement. As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1 of this earlier patent, a first type of vehicle that can be built with this arrangement is suitable for being ridden by a child and includes a rear handlebar that allows the device to be driven by a parent. As shown in Figure 1 of this earlier patent, a first type of vehicle that can be built with this arrangement is suitable for being ridden by a child and includes a rear handlebar that enables the device to be driven by a parent. Fig. As can be seen in paragraph 4 of this patent, a second type of vehicle that enables this arrangement is a scooter-type device, i.e., a vehicle with a handlebar attached to the front of a platform with wheels.

[0003] Out of Fig. Paragraph 2 of the same earlier patent indicates that the arrangement of elements essentially comprises the platform with wheels, a seat subassembly forming a saddle and a front handle, and the handlebar. The platform with wheels forms a mounting recess at its front. The seat subassembly forms a mounting lug at its front end for receipt in this recess. The seat subassembly also forms a cavity at its rear end for receiving a lower end of the handlebar, and this lower end is otherwise suitable for receipt in this recess. In the arrangement of the first type of the aforementioned device, the front end of the seat subassembly is received in the recess of the platform. The lower end of the handlebar can be received in the rear cavity formed by this seat subassembly for the purpose of controlling the device by a parent.In the arrangement of the second type of the aforementioned device, the lower end of the handle is received in the shaft.

[0004] The arrangement of the elements described in this earlier patent is satisfactory in practice, but still capable of improvement. Forming either of the two aforementioned vehicle types requires a series of steps that can be somewhat difficult for a parent, especially if that parent already has one hand occupied carrying a bag or other toys belonging to the child.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage by providing an arrangement of elements as described above which does not require complex manipulations to form either of the two types of vehicles, and does so without adding elements to said arrangement and / or without giving the elements of the arrangement a complex structure to manufacture.

[0006] This problem is solved by an arrangement according to claim 1. Special embodiments are the subject of further claims.

[0007] The arrangement comprises, in a manner known per se, a platform with wheels, a seat base assembly, and a handle. The platform with wheels forms a first connecting element at its front for mounting the seat base assembly. The seat base assembly forms a second connecting element suitable for cooperating with the first connecting element to mount the seat base assembly to the platform. The handle forms a third connecting element at its lower end for mounting this handle to the platform with wheels, and the arrangement of elements includes a fourth connecting element suitable for cooperating with the third connecting element to mount the handle to the platform with wheels.

[0008] According to the invention, - the seat sub-assembly and the second connecting element are formed from two separate parts, the first part forming a seat for the child and the second part forming the second connecting element, these parts being pivotably connected relative to each other, the first part being pivotable relative to the second part between i) a first position of the first part in relation to the second part, which, after the assembly of the seat sub-assembly on the platform with wheels, corresponds to an extended position of the seat part in which the seat part extends substantially parallel to the platform with wheels and is suitable for riding, which corresponds to the design of the aforementioned first vehicle type, and ii) a second position of the first part in relation to the second part, which, after the assembly of the seat sub-assembly on the platform with wheels, corresponds to a folded position of the seat part in which the seat part extends over the front of the vehicle, corresponding to the arrangement of the aforementioned second vehicle type, and - the fourth connecting element is formed either on the platform or on the second part in such a position that, when the third connecting element engages with this fourth connecting element, the handle bar forms an obstacle to pivoting the first part into the extended position.

[0009] To get from the first vehicle type to the second vehicle type, the parent simply needs to swivel the seat from the unfolded position to the folded position and attach the handle to the platform with wheels or to the second part, whereby this attachment holds the seat in this folded position and enables the formation of the second vehicle type.

[0010] The result is that the number of handling steps required to change from one vehicle type to another is significantly reduced, and the steps are easier, without the need to add additional elements to such an arrangement of modular elements and / or without the elements of the arrangement having a complex manufacturing structure.

[0011] It is understood that in the following and throughout this entire arrangement, the terms ‘front’, ‘rear’, ‘top’ and ‘bottom’ or similar terms are to be understood in relation to the vehicle standing on the ground and in relation to the forward direction of that vehicle.

[0012] It is also understood that the position of the fourth connecting element is determined taking into account the distance that the fourth connecting element must have from the pivot axis of the first part in relation to the second part after assembly, this distance being determined by the thickness of the seat part formed by the first part.

[0013] According to one possible embodiment of the invention, the fourth connecting element is formed in the platform with wheels. Thus, both the first and the fourth connecting elements are formed on the platform with wheels.

[0014] According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the fourth connecting element is formed on the second part. The platform with wheels then comprises only the first connecting element.

[0015] Preferably, the second part has a longitudinal groove into which the handle engages when the handle is mounted on the platform with wheels.

[0016] This groove makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the seat part in the area of ​​this second part, which is intended to come close to the handle in the folding position.

[0017] Preferably, the first part comprises a fifth connecting element suitable for cooperating with the third connecting element so that the handle can be connected to the first part to protrude from the first part at the rear of the vehicle.

[0018] The handlebar thus makes it possible, if the vehicle is of the first type mentioned above, to form a rear bar for steering this vehicle by a parent.

[0019] The invention is well understood, and further features and advantages of the invention become apparent with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, which, as non-limiting examples, shows several possible forms and embodiments of the arrangement of elements in question. Fig. Figure 1 is a highly schematic side view of the three elements or subgroup of elements that form the arrangement in question, in a state in which these elements or subgroup of elements are disassembled; Fig. 2 is a similar view of the three elements or subgroups of elements in an assembled state which makes it possible to obtain a vehicle of a first type intended to be ridden by a child; Fig. 3 is a similar view of the three elements or a subarrangement of elements in an assembled state which makes it possible to obtain a vehicle of a second type, namely a kick scooter; Fig. 4 is a side view of an element and a subarrangement of elements according to an implementation variant in a state in which the element is separated from the subarrangement of elements; Fig. 5 is a similar view of the same variant in a state where the element is composite with respect to the subset of elements; Fig. Figure 6 is a side view of another implementation variant in a state where one element is separated from a subset of elements; Fig. 7 is a side view of the same design variant in a state where this element is separated from this subset of elements; Fig. Figure 8 is a very schematic side view of another variant; Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment that is closer to a specific embodiment, wherein the elements or subgroup of elements that form the arrangement of elements in question are in a disassembled state; Fig. 10 is a side view of these elements and subassemblies in a disassembled state; Fig. Figure 11 is a view of the elements in the assembled state in a section through a longitudinal median plane of the vehicle, wherein the assembly of the elements makes it possible to form a first vehicle type; Fig. 12 is a view of the elements similar to that in Fig. 11, wherein the assembly of the elements enables a second type of vehicle; and Fig. 13 is a view of the elements similar to Fig. 12, from the side and from the outside, which resembles a vehicle similar to the one in Fig. The 12 shown, however, with one seat section removed.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 shows an arrangement of modular elements that enable two types of children's wheeled vehicles, namely a first type of vehicle that is in Fig. 2 is shown and on which a child can ride, and a second type of vehicle which is in Fig. 3 is shown and is of the type of scooter.

[0021] The arrangement of elements includes a platform 1 with wheels 2, a seat sub-assembly 3 and a handle 4.

[0022] The platform 1 comprises a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels or a pair of front wheels 2 and a single rear wheel 2. Inside it, at its front, it forms a shaft 5 for mounting the seat sub-assembly 3, and behind and near this shaft 5, a shaft 6 for mounting the handle 4, this shaft being aligned with the shaft 5 in a longitudinal median plane of the platform 1.

[0023] The seat sub-assembly 3 is formed by two different and separate parts 10 and 11, which are pivotally connected to each other. Part 10 forms a seat 12 for a child and a front handle 13, which is suitable for the child to grasp when riding the seat 12. Part 11 forms an end piece 14 at one free end, which is suitable for engaging appropriately in the shaft 5, as shown in Fig. 2 shown to mount the seat sub-assembly 3 on platform 1.

[0024] In this embodiment, part 10 and part 11 are directly connected to each other by a transverse pin that forms a pivot joint, allowing one part to pivot relative to the other. This pivoting enables: i) one in Fig. 2 shown extended position of part 10, in which, after the mounting of the seat sub-assembly 3 on the platform 1, the seat part 12 formed by this part 10 extends substantially parallel to the platform 1 and is suitable for riding, and ii) one in Fig. Figure 3 shows the folded position of part 10, in which, also after mounting the seat sub-assembly 3 on the platform 1, the seat section 12 and the handle 13 extend to the front of the vehicle, the seat section 12 being substantially perpendicular to the platform 1.

[0025] The rod 4 has a crossbar 15 at its upper end, which forms a handle suitable for a child standing on the platform 1 if the vehicle is a kick scooter. At its lower end, the rod 4 forms an end section 16 designed to engage precisely in the shaft 6, as shown in Fig. 3 can be seen to form the vehicle type scooter.

[0026] With reference to Fig. It is evident from Figure 3 that the shaft 6 is positioned on the platform 1 in such a way that the seat section 12, when in the aforementioned folded position, does not obstruct the engagement of the end section 16 of the handle 4 in the shaft 6 and thus does not impede the mounting of the handle 4 on the platform 1. It is also evident that, in this mounting position, the handle 4 does not prevent the return of the part 10 to the aforementioned extended position.

[0027] The position of shaft 6 on the platform is determined taking into account the horizontal distance that the axis of this shaft 6 must have in relation to the pivot axis of part 10 in relation to part 11, whereby this distance must be slightly greater than the thickness of the seat part formed by this part 10.

[0028] To get from the in Fig. 2 riding vehicles shown, to the one in Fig. To access the scooter-like vehicle shown in Figure 3, the parent simply needs to pivot part 10 from the unfolded position to the folded position and mount the rod 4 on the platform 1 by inserting the end piece 14 into the shaft 6.

[0029] This means that the number of handling steps required to change from one vehicle type to another is significantly reduced, and that these handling steps are facilitated without requiring any elements other than those mentioned above, and without these elements having a complex structure to manufacture.

[0030] The Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows an embodiment in which part 11 forms a console 20 facing the rear of part 11, in which the shaft 6 is arranged. The platform 1 then comprises only the shaft 5. In the same way as before, the position of the shaft 6 on the console 20 is determined taking into account the distance that the axis of the shaft 6 must have from the pivot axis of part 10 with respect to part 11, this distance being determined by the thickness of part 10.

[0031] To increase the compactness of the vehicle, part 10 has a longitudinal groove 21 into which the rod 4 in the Fig. The arrangement is positioned as shown in section 5.

[0032] The Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows another embodiment in which part 11 also forms a console 20, which, however, faces the front of part 11 and directly pivots to receive part 10, and in which the shaft 6 is formed by a part of part 11 that is located behind this console 20.

[0033] Another version is available in Fig. Figure 8 shows that the part 10 has a recess 26 behind the seat part 12 which is suitable to receive the end section of the handle bar 4 in a snug fit, so that this bar 4 is suitable to be connected to the part 10 and thus makes it possible to form a rear bar for steering the vehicle by a parent.

[0034] The Fig. Figures 9 to 13 show a further embodiment of the arrangement of elements, which is closer to a concrete implementation than the previously described, very schematic embodiments. For the sake of simplicity, the same numerical reference symbols are used to denote the elements already described, which are found in the same or a similar way in this embodiment.

[0035] In the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 essentially comprise the platform 1 with wheels 2, the seat sub-assembly 3, the handle 4, which forms the end section 16, the shaft 5, the part 10, which forms the seat part 12, the part 11, which forms the end piece 14 and the shaft 6, the front handle 13 and the rear recess 26.

[0036] In this embodiment, part 11 is bent such that on one side of the bend it forms the shaft 6 and the mounting section for parts 10 and 13, and on the other side of the bend it forms the end piece 14. The latter is also able to pivot in the shaft 5, so that by this pivoting the handle 4, when mounted on part 11, can be folded down along the platform 1, similar to how it is described in the applicant's French patent application No. FR3042466.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, part 10 is pivotably mounted relative to part 11 via part 13, with part 10 and part 13 having pivot bores suitable for aligning and being traversed by a pin (not shown) forming the pivot axis. At its lower part, part 13 has a bolt 27 for mounting the assembly of part 10 / part 13 to part 11, which is suitable for passing through one or more of a series of three holes in part 11. This series of holes allows for height adjustment of the seat part 12, which forms part 10. j depending on the child's age. The row of holes is positioned on the front of part 11, and thus in front of shaft 6, to allow part 10 to be inserted into the Fig. The position shown in Figure 12 releases the opening of shaft 6, so that the end section 16 of the rod 4 can be inserted into this shaft 6.

[0038] In the Fig. 9 and Fig. In the example shown in Figure 10, the handle 4 is telescopic and can be locked in a certain extended position of the inner telescopic element relative to the outer telescopic element by means of a lever clamping system known per se and therefore not specifically described in the circumferential direction.

[0039] Fig. Figure 11 shows the unfolded position of part 10, in which the seat part 12 can be ridden by a child. In the example shown in this figure, the bar 4 is inserted into the rear recess 26.

[0040] Fig.Figure 12 shows the folded position of part 10, in which the rod 4 engages in the recess 6, with the rod 4 fitting into the longitudinal groove 21 formed by part 10. As can be seen from the foregoing, the invention provides an arrangement of modular elements which, compared to corresponding prior art arrangements, has the decisive advantages that it does not require complex manipulations to form either of the two aforementioned types of vehicles, and this without adding elements to the said arrangement and / or without giving the elements of the arrangement a complex structure that is difficult to manufacture. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3705372B1

[0002] FR 3042466

[0036]

Claims

[1] Arrangement of modular elements for constructing two types of children's vehicles with wheels, comprising a platform (1) with wheels (2), a seat base assembly (3) and a handlebar (4); wherein the platform (1) with wheels at its front forms a first connecting means (5) for mounting the seat sub-assembly (3); the seat subassembly (3) forms a second connecting element (14) which is suitable for cooperating with the first connecting element (5) to mount the seat subassembly (3) to the platform (1); the handle (4) forms a third connecting means (16) at its lower end for mounting this handle (4) to the platform (1) with wheels, and the arrangement of the elements includes a fourth connecting element (6) which is suitable to cooperate with the third connecting element (16) to mount the handle (4) to the platform (1) with wheels; characterized by , that - the seat sub-assembly (3) and the second connecting element (14) are formed by two separate parts (10, 11), of which a first part (10) forms a seat part (12) for the child and the second part (11) forms the second connecting element (14), wherein these parts (10, 11) are pivotably connected to each other, wherein the first part (10) is pivotable with respect to the second part (11) between i) a first position of the first part (10) in relation to the second part (11), which, after the assembly of the seat sub-assembly (3) on the platform (1) with wheels, corresponds to an extended position of the seat part (12) in which the seat part (12) extends substantially parallel to the platform (1) with wheels and is suitable for riding, thus corresponding to the design of the aforementioned first vehicle type, and ii) a second position of the first part (10) in relation to the second part (11), which, after the assembly of the seat sub-assembly (3) on the platform (1) with wheels, corresponds to a folded position of the seat part (12) in which the seat part (12) extends over the front of the vehicle, which corresponds to the design of the aforementioned second vehicle type, and - the fourth connecting element (6) is formed either on the platform (1) or on the second part (11) in such a position that, when the third connecting element (16) engages with this fourth connecting element (6), the handle (4) forms an obstacle to pivoting the first part (10) into the extended position. [2] Arrangement of elements according to claim 1, characterized by, that the fourth connecting element (6) is formed on the platform (1) with wheels; whereby the first and the fourth connecting element (5, 6) are both formed on the platform (1) with wheels. [3] Arrangement of elements according to claim 1, characterized by , that the fourth connecting element (6) is formed on the second part (11); whereby the platform (1) with wheels comprises only the first connecting element (5). [4] Arrangement of elements according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the second part (10) has a longitudinal groove (21) into which the handle (4) engages when this handle is mounted on the platform (1) with wheels. [5] Arrangement of elements according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the first part (10) has a fifth connecting element (26) which is suitable to cooperate with the third connecting element (16) so that this handle (4) can be connected to the first part (10) so that it projects from this first part (10) at the rear of the vehicle.

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