A set of modular elements allowing the construction of two types of wheeled vehicles for children.
A modular set with pivotally connected seat parts and handle rod assembly simplifies the conversion between wheeled vehicle types, reducing assembly complexity and operations without additional elements or structure complexity.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DESIGN OFFICE
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing modular sets for constructing wheeled vehicles for children require complex manipulations, especially when a parent is carrying additional items, making assembly difficult.
The set includes a seat sub-assembly with two pivotally connected parts that can switch between deployed and folded positions, and a handle rod assembly that allows conversion between vehicle types without additional elements or complex structure.
Facilitates the conversion between vehicle types with reduced operations, ensuring easy assembly and manufacturing simplicity.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Set of modular elements allowing the construction of two types of wheeled vehicles for children
[0001] The present invention relates to a set of modular elements allowing the construction of two types of wheeled vehicles for children.
[0002] European patent No. EP3705372B1 describes such an assembly; as can be seen in [Fig.1] of this earlier patent, a first type of vehicle which this assembly makes possible is suitable to be ridden by a child and includes a rear handle rod allowing the vehicle to be driven by a parent; as can be seen in [Fig.4] of this patent, a second type of vehicle which this assembly makes possible is a scooter-type vehicle, that is to say a vehicle comprising a handle rod mounted on the front of a wheeled platform.
[0003] It appears on [Fig.2] of the same prior patent that the set of elements essentially comprises said wheeled platform, a seat sub-assembly forming a saddle and a front handle, and said handle rod; the wheeled platform forms, on its front side, an assembly well; the seat sub-assembly forms, at its front end, an assembly end fitting intended to be received in this well; the seat sub-assembly also forms, at its rear end, a cavity for receiving a lower end of the handle rod, and this lower end is also suitable for being received in said well.For the construction of the first type of equipment mentioned above, the front end of the base sub-assembly is received in the platform well; the lower end of the handle rod can be received in the rear cavity formed by this base sub-assembly, for operation of the equipment by a parent; for the construction of the second type of equipment mentioned above, the lower end of the handle rod is received in the well.
[0004] The set of elements described by this prior patent is satisfactory in practice but can nevertheless be improved. Indeed, the construction of either of the two types of devices mentioned above involves a certain number of manipulations, which can be somewhat difficult for a parent to perform, particularly when that parent already has one hand occupied carrying a bag or other toys for the child.
[0005] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback by providing a set of elements as above, not involving complex manipulations to constitute either of the two types of equipment, and this without adding elements to said set and / or without giving the elements of the set a complex structure to manufacture.
[0006] The assembly in question comprises, in a manner known per se, a wheeled platform, a seat sub-assembly, and a handle rod; the wheeled platform forms, on its front side, a first assembly means for mounting the seat sub-assembly; the seat sub-assembly forms a second assembly means adapted to cooperate with said first assembly means for mounting the seat sub-assembly on the platform; the handle rod forms, at its lower end, a third assembly means for mounting this rod on the wheeled platform, and the assembly of elements comprises a fourth assembly means adapted to cooperate with said third assembly means for mounting the handle rod on the wheeled platform.
[0007] According to the invention,
[0008] - the seat sub-assembly and the second assembly means are formed by two two separate pieces, the first of which forms part of the seat for the child and the second of which forms the second means of assembly, these pieces being connected in a pivotal manner relative to each other, the first piece being able to pivot relative to the second piece between (i) a first position of the first part relative to the second part which, after mounting the seat sub-assembly on the wheeled platform, corresponds to an deployed position of the seat part, in which the seat part extends substantially parallel to the wheeled platform and is suitable for straddling, which corresponds to the constitution of the first type of machine mentioned above, and
[0009] ii) a second position of the first part relative to the second part which, after mounting the seat sub-assembly on the wheeled platform, corresponds to a folded position of the seat part, in which the seat part extends over the front side of the machine, which corresponds to the constitution of the second type of machine mentioned above, and
[0010] - the fourth assembly means is formed either on the platform or on said second piece, in a position such that, when the third assembly means is engaged with this fourth assembly means, the handle rod forms an obstacle to the pivoting of said first piece towards said deployed position.
[0011] Thus, to go from the first type of device mentioned above to the second type of device mentioned above, the parent simply has to rotate the seat part from said deployed position to said folded position and to assemble the handle rod on the wheeled platform or on said second piece, this assembly ensuring that the seat part remains in this folded position and allowing the second type of device mentioned above to be formed.
[0012] As a result, the number of operations to be carried out to switch from one type of machine to another is significantly reduced and these operations are facilitated, without it being added additional elements to such a set of modular elements, and / or without giving the elements of the set a complex structure to manufacture.
[0013] It will be understood that, in the foregoing, as well as throughout this description, the terms "front", "rear", "upper" and "lower", or similar terms, are to be taken with reference to the machine placed on the ground and with reference to the forward direction of that machine.
[0014] It is also understood that the position of the fourth assembly means is determined in consideration of the distance that, after assembly, this fourth assembly means must have with respect to the pivot axis of said first part with respect to said second part, this distance being determined by the thickness of the seat part formed by first part.
[0015] According to one possible embodiment of the invention, said fourth assembly means is formed in the wheeled platform; the first and fourth assembly means are therefore both formed in the wheeled platform.
[0016] According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the fourth assembly means is formed on said second part; the wheeled platform then comprises only said first assembly means.
[0017] Preferably, said second part has a longitudinal groove in which the handle rod engages when mounting this rod on the wheeled platform.
[0018] This groove makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the seat part at the level of the area of this second piece which is intended to come, in said folding position, close to the handle rod.
[0019] Preferably, said first part includes a fifth assembly means capable of cooperating with said third assembly means, so that this handle rod can be assembled to the first part, so as to protrude from this first part on the rear side of the machine.
[0020] The handle rod thus makes it possible to constitute, when the device is of the first type mentioned above, a rear steering rod for this device by a parent.
[0021] The invention will be well understood, and other features and advantages thereof will become apparent, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, which represents, by way of non-limiting examples, several possible forms and variant embodiments of the set of elements concerned.
[0022] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a side view, very schematic, of the three elements or subset of elements constituting the set in question, in a state of disassembly of these elements or subset of elements;
[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a similar view of the three elements or subset of elements in an assembled state allowing the creation of a vehicle of a first type, intended to be ridden by a child;
[0024] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a similar view of the three elements or subset of elements, in an assembly state allowing the obtaining of a device of a second type, namely a scooter;
[0025] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a side view of an element and a subset of elements, according to an alternative embodiment, in a state of disassembly of the element with respect to the subset of elements;
[0026] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a similar view of this same variant, in an assembly state of this element with respect to this subset of elements;
[0027] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a side view of another variant embodiment, in a disassembled state of an element with respect to a subset of elements;
[0028] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a side view of this same variant, in a state assembly of this element in relation to this subset of elements;
[0029] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a very schematic side view of yet another variant embodiment.
[0030] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of a closer embodiment of a concrete realization, the elements or subset of elements constituting the set of elements in question being in a state of disassembly;
[0031] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a side view of these elements and sub-assembly, in a state of disassembly;
[0032] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a view of the elements in the assembled state, in section passing through a longitudinal median plane of the machine, the assembly of the elements allowing to constitute a first type of machine;
[0033] [Fig.12] [Fig.12] is a view of the elements similar to [Fig.11], the assembly of the elements allowing for the creation of a second type of machine; and
[0034] [Fig.13] [Fig.13] is a view of the elements similar to [Fig.12], from the side and outside, showing a device similar to that shown on [Fig. 12] but with the removal of a base piece.
[0035] Fig. 1 represents a set of modular elements allowing the construction of two types of wheeled vehicles for children, namely a first type of vehicle, shown in Fig. 2, suitable for being ridden by a child, and a second type of vehicle, shown in Fig. 3, of the scooter type.
[0036] The set of elements includes a platform 1 with wheels 2, a seat sub-assembly 3, and a rod 4 with a handle.
[0037] 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. It forms inside on its front side, a well 5 for mounting the seat sub-assembly 3, and, behind this well 5, and close to it, a well 6 for mounting the handle rod 4, this well being aligned with the well 5 in a longitudinal median plane of the platform 1.
[0038] The seat sub-assembly 3 is formed by two separate parts 10, 11, which are pivotally connected to each other. Part 10 forms a seat portion 12 for a child and a front handle 13 that can be grasped by the child when straddling the seat portion 12. Part 11 forms, at one free end, an end piece 14 that can be fitted snugly into the well 5, as shown in [Fig. 2], for mounting the seat sub-assembly 3 onto the platform 1.
[0039] In this embodiment, part 10 and part 11 are directly connected to each other by a transverse pin forming a pivot, allowing one part to pivot relative to the other; this pivoting allows (i) an deployed position of part 10, visible in [Fig. 2], in which, after mounting the seat sub-assembly 3 onto the platform 1, the seat portion 12 formed by this part 10 extends substantially parallel to the platform 1 and is suitable for straddling, and
[0040] ii) a folded position of part 10, visible in [Fig.3], in which, also after mounting of the seat sub-assembly 3 on the platform 1, the seat part 12 and the handle 13 extend on the front side of the machine, the seat part 12 being substantially perpendicular to the platform 1.
[0041] The rod 4 has a transverse rod 15 at its upper end, forming a handle suitable, when the device is of the scooter type, to be grasped by a child standing on the platform 1. At its lower end, the rod 4 forms an end piece 16 intended to be engaged in a snug manner in the well 6, as seen in [Fig.3], so as to constitute the scooter type device.
[0042] With reference to [Fig.3], it is understood that the well 6 is arranged in a location of the platform 1 such that the seat part 12, when in said folded position, does not obstruct the engagement of the end 16 formed by the handle 4 in the well 6, and therefore does not obstruct the mounting of the rod 4 on the platform 1; it is also understood that, in this mounting position, the rod 4 forms an obstacle to the return of the part 10 to said deployed position.
[0043] The position of the well 6 on the platform is determined in consideration of the horizontal distance that the axis of this well 6 must have with respect to the pivot axis of the part 10 with respect to the part 11, this distance having to be slightly greater than the thickness of the seat part formed by this part 10.
[0044] It thus appears that, in order to go from the ride-on vehicle shown in [Fig.2] to the scooter-type vehicle shown in [Fig.3], the parent simply has to rotate part 10 from the deployed position to the folded position and to mount the rod 4 on the platform 1, by inserting the tip 14 into the well 6.
[0045] As a result, the number of operations to be carried out to go from one type of machine to another is significantly reduced and these operations are facilitated, without requiring any elements other than those mentioned above and without giving these elements a complex structure to manufacture.
[0046] Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment in which part 11 forms a bracket 20 turned towards the rear side of this part 11, in which the well 6 is arranged; the platform 1 then comprises only the well 5. In the same way as before, the position of the well 6 on the bracket 20 is determined by consideration of the distance that the axis of this well 6 must have with respect to the pivot axis of part 10 with respect to part 11, this distance being determined by the thickness of this part 10.
[0047] To increase the compactness of the device, the part 10 has a longitudinal groove 21 in which the rod 4 is engaged in the assembly position shown by [Fig.5].
[0048] Figures 6 and 7 show another variant embodiment, in which part 11 also forms a bracket 20 but turned towards the front side of part 11 and directly receiving the pivoting part 10, and in which the well 6 is formed by a part of part 11 located behind this bracket 20.
[0049] Another alternative embodiment is shown in [Fig.8], in which the part 10 includes, at the rear of the seat part 12, a cavity 26 suitable for receiving in a fitted manner the end 16 formed by the rod 4 with handle, so that this rod 4 is suitable for being assembled to the part 10 and thus makes it possible to constitute a rear steering rod for the machine by a parent.
[0050] Figures 9 to 13 represent another embodiment of the set of elements, closer to a concrete realization than the highly schematic embodiments described previously. For the sake of simplicity, the same numerical references are used to designate the elements already described, which are found in an identical or equivalent form in this embodiment.
[0051] In figures 9 and 10, we therefore find essentially the platform 1 with wheels 2, the seat sub-assembly 3, the rod 4 with handle, forming the end piece 16, the well 5, the part 10 forming the seat part 12, the part 11 forming the end piece 14 and the well 6, the front handle 13 and the rear cavity 26.
[0052] In this embodiment, part 11 is bent so as to form, on one side of the bend, the well 6 and the mounting part of parts 10 and 13, and, on the other side of the elbow, the tip 14. The latter is also able to pivot in the well 5, so that, by this pivoting, the handle 4, when mounted on the part 11, can be folded down along the platform 1, as described in French patent application No. FR3042466 in the name of the applicant.
[0053] In the embodiment shown, part 10 is pivotally mounted relative to part 11 by means of part 13. Both part 10 and part 13 have pivot holes designed to coincide and to be passed through by a pin (not shown) forming a pivot axis. At its lower end, part 13 has a bolt 27 for mounting the part 10 / part 13 assembly onto part 11. This bolt is designed to pass through any one of the holes in a series of three holes in part 11. This series of holes allows the height of the seat portion 12 formed by part 10 to be adjusted according to the child's age. The series of holes is arranged on the front side of part 11, and therefore in front of well 6, sufficiently so that part 10, in the position shown in [Fig.12], allows the opening of well 6 to be cleared so that the tip 14 of rod 4 can be inserted into this well 6.
[0054] In the example shown in these figures 9 and 10, the handle 4 is telescopic and can be locked in a determined extension position of the inner telescopic element relative to the outer telescopic element, by means of a circumferential clamping system by lever, well known in itself and therefore not particularly described.
[0055] Figure 11 shows the deployed position of part 10, in which the seat portion 12 is suitable for a child to straddle. In the example shown in this figure, the rod 4 is placed in the rear cavity 26.
[0056] Fig. 12 shows the folded position of part 10, with the rod 4 engaged in the well 6, this rod 4 taking its place in the longitudinal groove 21 formed by part 10.
[0057] As can be seen from the above, the invention provides a set of modular elements which, compared to the homologous sets of the prior art, has the decisive advantages of not involving complex manipulations to constitute either of the two types of equipment mentioned above, and this, without adding elements to said set and / or without giving the elements of the set a complex structure to manufacture.
Claims
1. Demands A modular assembly of elements for constructing two types of wheeled children's vehicles, comprising a wheeled platform (1) (2), a seat sub-assembly (3), and a handle rod (4); the wheeled platform (1) forms, on its front side, a first assembly means (5) for mounting the seat sub-assembly (3); the seat sub-assembly (3) forms a second assembly means (14) adapted to cooperate with said first assembly means (5) for mounting the seat sub-assembly (3) onto the platform (1); the handle rod (4) forms, at its lower end, a third assembly means (16) for mounting this rod (4) onto the wheeled platform (1), and the assembly of elements includes a fourth assembly means (6) adapted to cooperate with said third assembly means (16) for mounting the handle rod (4) onto the wheeled platform (1); characterized in that - The seat sub-assembly (3) and the second assembly means (14) are formed by two separate parts (10, 11), of which a first part (10) forms a seat portion (12) for the child and the second part (11) forms the second assembly means (14), these parts (10, 11) being pivotally connected to each other, the first part (10) being able to pivot relative to the second part (11) between (i) a first position of the first part (10) relative to the second part (11) which, after mounting the seat sub-assembly (3) on the wheeled platform (1), corresponds to a deployed position of the seat part (12), in which the seat part (12) extends substantially parallel to the wheeled platform (1) and is capable of being straddled, which therefore corresponds to the constitution of the first type of machine mentioned above, and ii) a second position of the first part (10) relative to the second part (11) which, after mounting the seat sub-assembly (3) on the wheeled platform (1), corresponds to a folded position of the seat part (12), in which the seat part (12) extends over the front side of the machine, which corresponds to the constitution of the second type of machine mentioned above, and - the fourth assembly means (6) is formed either on the platform (1) or on said second part (11), in a position such that, when the third assembly means (16) is engaged with this fourth assembly means (6), the handle rod (4) forms an obstacle to the pivoting of said first part (10) towards said deployed position.
2. Assembly of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that said fourth assembly means (6) is formed in the wheeled platform (1); the first and fourth assembly means (5, 6) are therefore both formed in the wheeled platform (1).
3. Assembly of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that the fourth assembly means (6) is formed on said second part (11); the wheeled platform (1) then comprises only said first assembly means (5).
4. Assembly of elements according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said second part (10) has a longitudinal groove (21) in which the handle rod (4) engages when mounting this rod on the wheeled platform (1).
5. Assembly of elements according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said first part (10) comprises a fifth assembly means (26) adapted to cooperate with said third assembly means (16), so that this rod (4) with handle can be assembled to the first part (10), so as to protrude from this first part (10) on the rear side of the machine.