Childcare appliance or handcart

Abstract

To minimize a fear that a foreign matter may adhere to a caster shaft at a time of connecting a rotation body and a fixation body and a fear that a lubricant of the caster shaft may adhere to a user.SOLUTION: A baby buggy 10 includes legs 14 and 15, caster fixation bodies 40 fixed to the legs 14 and 15, caster rotation bodies 50, caster shafts 60, and connection members 70. The caster rotation body 50 can rotate relative to the caster fixation body 40 about a rotation axis Ac extending in a vertical direction. The caster shaft 60 includes a first part 62 fixed to one of the caster fixation body 40 and the caster rotation body 50, and a second part 63 about which the other one of the caster fixation body 40 and the caster rotation body 50 relatively rotates. The connection member 70 is attached to the second part 63 so that the connection member can relatively rotate about the second part 63 of the caster shaft 60, and connected to the other one of the caster fixation body 40 and the caster rotation body 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a childcare device or push cart. [Background technology]

[0002] Casters have traditionally been attached to the legs of push carts and childcare equipment such as strollers, rocking chairs, and pet carts. Casters are used as a mechanism for holding wheels so that the wheels can rotate around their rotation axes, and also so that the wheels and the axles that support the wheels can rotate around caster axes that extend intersecting the rotation axes. Casters for push carts rotate the wheels and axles around the caster axes in response to the direction of the propulsive force applied to the push cart by the operator. This allows the operator to turn the push cart as intended.

[0003] For example, in the stroller disclosed in Patent Document 1, the caster has a fixed body fixed to the legs of the stroller and a rotating body that rotatably supports the wheel and is rotatable relative to the fixed body around the caster axis. The fixed body and the rotating body are connected via a caster axle that defines the caster axis. The rotating body slides and rotates around the caster axle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-014894 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] From the viewpoint of transportation efficiency and storage costs, it is desirable to pack childcare equipment and push carts compactly. For this reason, packaging the rotating body separated from the fixed body has been considered. In this case, the user of the childcare equipment or push cart attaches casters to the legs.

[0006] When the rotating body is separated from the fixed body, part of the caster axle is exposed. The surface of the caster axle is coated with a lubricant to ensure smooth sliding of the rotating body. When a user connects the rotating body to the fixed body, there is a concern that foreign matter such as dust or sand grains may adhere to the lubricated caster axle. If foreign matter adheres to the caster axle, the smooth sliding of the rotating body will be hindered. There is also a concern that the lubricant on the caster axle may stain the user's hands or clothes when connecting the rotating body to the fixed body.

[0007] The present invention has been made taking the above points into consideration, and aims to reduce the risk of foreign matter adhering to the caster shaft when connecting the rotating body and the fixed body, and the risk of the lubricant on the caster shaft adhering to the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention relates to the following [1] to [9].

[0009] [1] Legs and a caster fixing body fixed to the leg; a caster rotating body that can rotate relative to the caster fixed body around a rotation axis that extends along the vertical direction; a caster axle defining the rotation axis, the caster axle having a first portion fixed to one of the caster fixed body and the caster swivel, and a second portion around which the other of the caster fixed body and the caster swivel rotates relatively, the second portion being coated with a lubricant; a connecting member attached to the second portion of the caster shaft so as to be relatively rotatable around the second portion, and connected to the other of the caster fixed body and the caster swivel body; A childcare device or push cart equipped with the above.

[0010] [2] The childcare equipment or push cart described in [1], wherein the connecting member is connected to the other of the caster fixed body and the caster rotating body so as not to be rotatable relative to the other.

[0011] [3] the other of the caster fixed body and the caster swivel body has a connected portion to which the connecting member is connected, one of the connecting member and the connected portion has a rotation restricting protrusion, the other of the connecting member and the connected portion has a rotation restricting recess that accommodates the rotation restricting protrusion, the rotation restricting recess is defined by a pair of rotation restricting surfaces facing each other in a circumferential direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis, [2] The childcare equipment or push cart described in [2], wherein the rotation restricting protrusion is positioned between the pair of rotation restricting surfaces, so that the connecting member cannot rotate relative to the other of the caster fixed body and the caster rotating body.

[0012] [4] a movement direction of one of the connecting member and the connected portion relative to the other when connecting the one of the connecting member and the connected portion to the other is along a vertical direction; The rotation restricting recess extends in the vertical direction, the other of the connecting member and the connected portion has an alignment recess on the upstream side of the rotation restricting recess in the movement direction; the alignment recess is connected to the rotation restriction recess, The childcare equipment or push cart described in [3], wherein the dimension of the alignment recess in the circumferential direction decreases toward the direction of movement.

[0013] [5] the other of the caster fixed body and the caster swivel body has a connected portion to which the connecting member is connected, A childcare device or a push cart described in any one of [1] to [4], wherein one of the connecting member and the connected portion has a connection recess formed therein to accommodate the other of the connecting member and the connected portion.

[0014] [6] the other of the caster fixed body and the caster swivel body has a connected portion to which the connecting member is connected, The childcare implement or the push cart according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the connected portion is provided with a locking portion that can interfere with the connecting member in the vertical direction.

[0015] [7] the locking portion is movable relative to the connected portion in a direction intersecting with the up-down direction, The childcare device or push cart described in [6], wherein the locking portion is movable between a locking position in which it faces at least a part of the connecting member in the vertical direction and a non-locking position in which it is offset from the connecting member when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0016] [8] [7] The childcare device or push cart described in [7] further comprises a biasing member provided between the connected portion and the locking portion, which biases the locking portion in a direction from the non-locking position toward the locking position.

[0017] [9] The second portion of the caster shaft is provided with a flange portion extending from the second portion in a direction intersecting the rotation axis, The childcare equipment or push cart according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein at least a part of the connecting member is located between one of the caster fixed body and the caster rotating body and the flange portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the risk of foreign matter adhering to the caster shaft when connecting the rotating body and the fixed body, and the risk of the lubricant on the caster shaft adhering to the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view for explaining the overall configuration of a stroller. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the stroller of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the stroller of FIG. 1 in a folded state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the caster shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of a portion of the caster shown in FIG. 2 surrounded by a two-dot chain line. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connecting member and the caster shaft. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rotor. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a connecting member and a rotating body. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a connecting member and a rotating body. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 and is a diagram for explaining a method of connecting the fixed body and the rotating body. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 and is a diagram for explaining a method of connecting the fixed body and the rotating body. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 and is a diagram for explaining a method of connecting the fixed body and the rotating body. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 and is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the caster. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 13, and is a diagram for explaining a method of connecting the fixed body and the rotating body of the caster shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 12 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a stroller and casters according to the present invention.

[0021] Of these, Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of a stroller 10. The stroller 10 shown in Figure 1 has a stroller body 11 and casters 30 attached to the stroller body 11. Of these, the stroller body 11 has a body frame 12 having a pair of front legs 14 and a pair of rear legs 15, and a handle 18 connected to the body frame 12. Casters 30 are attached to each of the front legs 14 and each of the rear legs 15.

[0022] In the stroller 10 of this embodiment, the handle 18 is swingable relative to the main body frame 12. The handle 18 is swingable between a first position (backward pushing position, rearward position) shown by a solid line in Fig. 2 and a second position (facing-to-front pushing position, forward position) shown by a dashed-dotted line in Fig. 2. This allows the operator (guardian) to grip the handle 18 from behind the baby and steer the stroller 10 so that the baby faces forward in the direction of travel, or to grip the handle 18 from a position on the front legs facing the baby and steer the stroller 10 so that the rear legs of the stroller 10 face forward in the direction of travel.

[0023] The structure that allows the handle 18 to swing relative to the main body frame 12 may be a known structure, such as the structure disclosed in JP2008-254688A, and therefore further detailed description will be omitted in this specification.

[0024] In this embodiment, the stroller 10 is configured to be foldable as shown in Fig. 3, as is widely used. The configuration for making the stroller 10 foldable can also be a known configuration, such as the configuration disclosed in the above-mentioned JP2008-254688A. Therefore, further detailed explanation will be omitted in this specification.

[0025] In this specification, the terms "front," "rear," "upper," and "lower" used with respect to the stroller 10 and its components refer to the "front," "rear," "upper," and "lower" relative to an infant riding in the stroller 10 in an unfolded state, unless otherwise specified. Therefore, the "front-to-rear direction" corresponds to the direction connecting the lower left and upper right of the page in FIG. 1. Unless otherwise specified, "front" refers to the side toward which an infant riding in the stroller faces, which is the lower left of the page in FIG. 1. On the other hand, the "up-to-down direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and perpendicular to the surface (ground) on which the stroller 10 is placed. Therefore, when the surface on which the stroller 10 is placed is a horizontal plane, the "up-to-down direction" refers to the vertical direction. Furthermore, the "lateral direction" and "width direction" refer to directions perpendicular to both the "front-to-rear direction" and the "up-to-down direction." Furthermore, the terms "right" and "left" refer to the "right" and "left" in the lateral and width directions, respectively, relative to an infant riding in the stroller 10. As shown in the figure, the stroller 10 is generally symmetrical overall with respect to a widthwise center plane extending along the front-rear direction.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the caster 30 will be described mainly with reference to Figs. 4 to 9. First, the overall configuration of the caster 30 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the caster 30. Fig. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of a portion surrounded by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 2.

[0027] In this embodiment, each caster 30 includes a caster fixed body 40 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "fixed body 40"), a caster swivel body 50 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "swivel body 50"), a caster axle 60, and a retaining member 90. In the illustrated example, the fixed body 40 is fixed to the legs 14, 15. The caster axle 60 is fixed to the fixed body 40. A portion of the caster axle 60 extends downward from the fixed body 40. The swivel body 50 rotates around the caster axle 60. The caster axle 60 defines a rotation axis Ac of the swivel body 50. Hereinafter, the rotation axis Ac will also be referred to as the "caster axis Ac." The retaining member 90 rotatably holds the wheel 35. Hereinafter, the rotation axis Ar will also be referred to as the "wheel axis Ar." The wheel axis Ar is not parallel to the caster axis Ac. The caster axis Ac is parallel to the vertical direction. The wheel axis Ar is parallel to the horizontal direction. The holding member 90 is attached to the rotating body 50. The holding member 90 and the wheel 35 are rotatable together with the rotating body 50 around the caster axis Ac.

[0028] Incidentally, a lubricant is applied to the surface of the caster shaft 60 so that the rotating body 50 can rotate smoothly around the caster shaft 60. In order to make the stroller 10 compact for transportation and storage, it is being considered to not only fold the stroller 10 as shown in FIG. 3 but also to detach the wheels 35 together with the rotating body 50 from the stroller body 11. In this case, the stroller 10 is delivered to the user with the rotating body 50 separated from the stroller body 11 (more specifically, from the stationary body 40), and the user then connects the rotating body 50 to the stationary body 40.

[0029] However, when the rotating body 50 is separated from the fixed body 40, a portion of the caster axle 60 is exposed. The lubricated caster axle 60 is prone to attracting foreign matter such as dust and sand. If the rotating body 50 is connected to the fixed body 40 with foreign matter still adhering to the caster axle 60, smooth rotation of the rotating body 50 relative to the fixed body 40 will be hindered. There is also a risk that the lubricant on the caster axle 60 will adhere to the user's hands or clothing.

[0030] Taking these points into consideration, the stroller 10 of this embodiment is devised to prevent the caster shaft 60 from being exposed when the fixed body 40 and the rotating body 50 are separated from each other. Specifically, the stroller 10 includes a connecting member 70. Each element that makes up the caster 30 will be described in detail below.

[0031] First, the fixed body 40 will be described. The fixed body 40 is fixed to the lower end of the leg 14 or 15 of the stroller 10. The fixed body 40 has a fixed portion 41 and a main body portion 42. The fixed portion 41 is the portion that is attached to the leg 14 or 15. The main body portion 42 is the portion that supports the caster shaft 60. The fixed body 40 is formed, for example, from a resin molded product.

[0032] 5, a vertical hole S60 extending in the up-down direction is formed in the main body 42 of the fixed body 40. The caster shaft 60 is inserted into the vertical hole S60 from below.

[0033] Next, the caster axle 60 will be described. The caster axle 60 extends in the vertical direction. The caster axle 60 is formed as a metal pipe-shaped member. The caster axle 60 is hollow, which allows the caster axle 60 to be lightweight. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the caster axle 60 and the connecting member 70.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6 , the caster shaft 60 has a cylindrical main body portion 61 and a flange portion 65. The cylindrical main body portion 61 extends in the vertical direction. The cylindrical main body portion 61 has a first portion 62 that is inserted into the vertical hole S60 of the fixed body 40, and a second portion 63 that extends downward from the fixed body 40. In the illustrated example, the first portion 62 is the upper portion of the cylindrical main body portion 61. The second portion 63 is the lower portion of the cylindrical main body portion 61.

[0035] The flange 65 extends from the cylindrical main body 61 in the radial direction of a circle centered on the axis of the cylindrical main body 61. In other words, the caster shaft 60 expands in diameter at the flange 65. The flange 65 is provided on the second portion 63. In the illustrated example, the flange 65 is provided at the lower end of the cylindrical main body 61.

[0036] The caster axle 60 is fixed to the fixed body 40. The caster axle 60 is fixed to the fixed body 40 by a fixing pin P60 passing through the fixed body 40 and the caster axle 60. For this reason, a hole is formed in the first portion 62 of the cylindrical main body 61 to allow the fixing pin P60 to pass through.

[0037] The rotating body 50 rotates around the cylindrical main body 61. Therefore, the cylindrical main body 61 and the vertical hole S60 into which the cylindrical main body 61 is inserted define a caster axis Ac in the axial direction. The caster axis Ac is parallel to the up-down direction. A lubricant G is applied to the surface of the cylindrical main body 61 (particularly the second portion 63).

[0038] Next, a description will be given of the connecting member 70. The connecting member 70 connects the caster shaft 60 and the rotating body 50. Therefore, the rotating body 50 is connected to the fixed body 40 via the connecting member 70 and the caster shaft 60.

[0039] The connecting member 70 is attached to the second portion 63 of the cylindrical main body 61 of the caster axle 60. The connecting member 70 has a cylindrical shape as a whole. A through-hole 70a is formed in the connecting member 70, through which the cylindrical main body 61 is inserted. The connecting member 70 surrounds the second portion 63 of the cylindrical main body 61. This makes it possible to prevent the caster axle 60 (in particular, the portion 63 extending from the fixed body 40) from being exposed when the rotating body 50 is separated from the fixed body 40.

[0040] The connecting member 70 is rotatable around the cylindrical main body 61. The connecting member 70 is rotatable around the caster axis Ac. As described above, the lubricant G is applied to the surface of the cylindrical main body 61. This allows the connecting member 70 to rotate smoothly around the cylindrical main body 61.

[0041] The connecting member 70 includes a portion disposed between the flange 65 of the caster axle 60 and the fixed body 40. This portion overlaps with the flange 65 when viewed in the direction along the caster axis Ac. In other words, at least a portion of the connecting member 70 interferes with the flange 65 in the vertical direction. The upper surface of the flange 65 abuts against a portion of the connecting member 70 from below, restricting the vertical movement of the connecting member 70 relative to the caster axle 60. This reduces the risk of the connecting member 70 unintentionally falling off the caster axle 60. Furthermore, because the upper surface of the flange 65 is covered by the connecting member 70, exposure of the caster axle 60 when the rotating body 50 is separated from the fixed body 40 can be further reduced. In the illustrated example, the entire connecting member 70 is disposed between the flange 65 of the caster axle 60 and the fixed body 40.

[0042] 6, by inserting the caster axle 60 into the through-hole 70a from below the connecting member 70, the connecting member 70 surrounds the cylindrical main body 61. Furthermore, by fixing the caster axle 60 to the fixed body 40 after inserting it into the through-hole 70a, the connecting member 70 can be disposed between the fixed body 40 and the flange 65 of the caster axle 60.

[0043] The connecting member 70 will be described in further detail in the description of the connection structure between the connecting member 70 and the rotating body 50, which will be described later.

[0044] Next, the rotating body 50 will be described. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the rotating body 50 has a main body portion 51 and a support portion 58. In the illustrated example, the main body portion 51 constitutes a connected portion to which the connecting member 70 is connected. The support portion 58 is a portion that supports a holding member 90 that holds the wheel 35. The rotating body 50 is formed, for example, from a resin molded product.

[0045] As described above, the main body 51 is connected to the connecting member 70. As shown in Fig. 5 , the main body 51 is provided with a locking portion 80 that locks the connecting member 70. By locking the connecting member 70 to the main body 51 with the locking portion 80, the risk of the rotating body 50 being unintentionally separated from the fixed body 40 is reduced.

[0046] The rotating body 50 is rotatable around the caster shaft 60. In the illustrated example, the rotating body 50 is connected to the connecting member 70 so as not to rotate. In a state in which the rotating body 50 and the fixed body 40 are connected, the rotating body 50 is rotatable around the caster shaft 60 together with the connecting member 70.

[0047] The rotating body 50 supports the holding member 90 by the fixing pin P90 penetrating the support portion 58 and the holding member 90. The support portion 58 is formed with a hole through which the fixing pin P90 passes.

[0048] The rotating body 50 will be described in further detail in the description of the connection structure between the connecting member 70 and the rotating body 50, which will be described later.

[0049] Next, the holding member 90 will be described. The holding member 90 connects the wheel 35 and the rotating body 50. In the illustrated example, the holding member 90 extends in the vertical direction as a whole. The holding member 90 is connected to the rotating body 50 at its upper end. The holding member 90 rotatably holds the wheel 35 at its lower end. A hole is formed at the upper end of the holding member 90 to allow the fixing pin P90 to pass therethrough. A hole is formed at the lower end of the holding member 90 to allow the rotation shaft 38 of the wheel 35 to pass therethrough.

[0050] Next, the connection configuration between the connecting member 70 and the rotating body 50 will be described. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the rotating body 50. Figs. 8 and 9 are views of the rotating body 50 as seen from above. To facilitate understanding of the positional relationship between the rotating body 50 and the connecting member 70, Figs. 8 and 9 show a cross section of the connecting member 70 together with the rotating body 50. Fig. 8 shows the rotating body 50 connected to the connecting member 70, and Fig. 9 shows the rotating body 50 in the middle of being connected to the connecting member 70.

[0051] 6, the connecting member 70 includes a cylindrical main body portion 71 and a rotation restricting protrusion 72. In the illustrated example, the connecting member 70 further includes a first expanded diameter portion 75 connected to the upper end of the main body portion 71 and a second expanded diameter portion 77 connected to the lower end of the main body portion 71.

[0052] In the illustrated example, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 is located outside the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 71. In the illustrated example, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 extends downward from the lower surface of the first expanded diameter portion 75. In the illustrated example, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 71. As shown in FIG. 8 , when the rotating body 50 is connected to the connecting member 70, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 is accommodated in a rotation restricting recess S72 of the rotating body 50, which will be described later, thereby restricting relative rotation between the rotation restricting protrusion 72 and the rotating body 50.

[0053] In the illustrated example, the connecting member 70 includes a plurality of rotation-restricting protrusions 72. The plurality of rotation-restricting protrusions 72 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of a circle centered on the caster axis Ac. More specifically, the connecting member 70 includes four rotation-restricting protrusions 72.

[0054] In the illustrated example, each rotation restricting protrusion 72 is spaced apart from the second expanded diameter portion 77. In other words, a gap 79 is formed between the lower end of each rotation restricting protrusion 72 and the upper surface of the second expanded diameter portion 77.

[0055] 5 and 7, a connection recess S70 that houses the connection member 70 together with the caster shaft 60 is formed in the main body 51 of the rotating body 50. In the illustrated example, the connection recess S70 is open on the upper surface 51a of the main body 51. The rotating body 50 is connected to the connection member 70 by moving the rotating body 50 from below to above with respect to the connection member 70 and inserting the connection member 70 into the connection recess S70.

[0056] When the rotating body 50 is to be separated from the connecting member 70, the rotating body 50 is moved downward relative to the connecting member 70.

[0057] The main body 51 has a peripheral wall 51b and a bottom 51c that define the connection recess S70. The inner surface of the peripheral wall 51b is cylindrical as a whole. The axis of the inner surface (hereinafter also referred to as the "axis of the peripheral wall 51b") coincides with the caster axis Ac when the rotating body 50 is connected to the fixed body 40.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 7, a rotation restricting recess S72 is formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 51b. As shown in Fig. 8, the rotation restricting recess S72 accommodates the rotation restricting protrusion 72 when the fixed body 40 and the rotating body 50 are connected. The rotation restricting recess S72 is defined by a pair of rotation restricting surfaces A72, B72 that face in the circumferential direction 50RD of a circle centered on the axis of the peripheral wall portion 51b. The rotation restricting protrusion 72 accommodated in the rotation restricting recess S72 faces the pair of rotation restricting surfaces A72, B72 in the circumferential direction, thereby preventing rotation of the rotating body 50 relative to the connecting member 70 in the circumferential direction 50RD.

[0059] In the illustrated example, a plurality of rotation restricting recesses S72 are formed in the peripheral wall portion 51b. The plurality of rotation restricting recesses S72 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction 50RD. The number of rotation restricting recesses S72 formed in the peripheral wall portion 51b is an integer multiple of the number of rotation restricting protrusions 72. The number of rotation restricting recesses S72 may be twice or more the number of rotation restricting protrusions 72. In the illustrated example, eight rotation restricting recesses S72 are formed in the peripheral wall portion 51b. In this case, when the rotating body 50 is connected to the connecting member 70, only a portion of the plurality of rotation restricting recesses S72 may accommodate the rotation restricting protrusions 72.

[0060] Each rotation restricting recess S72 is open upward. Therefore, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 can be inserted into the rotation restricting recess S72 from above. The rotation restricting protrusion 72 can be pulled out upward from the rotation restricting recess S72. Therefore, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 can be accommodated in the rotation restricting recess S72 at the same time that the connecting member 70 is accommodated in the connection recess S70 of the rotating body 50. Furthermore, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 can be pulled out of the rotation restricting recess S72 at the same time that the connecting member 70 is pulled out of the connection recess S70 of the rotating body 50.

[0061] Furthermore, alignment recesses S73 are formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 51b. The same number of alignment recesses S73 as the rotation restricting recesses S72 are formed on the peripheral wall portion 51b. The alignment recesses S73 are located above the rotation restricting recesses S72. The alignment recesses S73 are open upward. The alignment recesses S73 are connected to the rotation restricting recesses S72 at their lower ends. The alignment recesses S73 communicate with the rotation restricting recesses S72. The alignment recesses expand upward. The width of the lower end of the alignment recess S73 (the dimension along the circumferential direction 50RD) is the same as the width of the rotation restricting recess S72 (the dimension along the circumferential direction 50RD). Therefore, the width of the upper end of the alignment recess S73 (the dimension along the circumferential direction 50RD) is greater than the width of the rotation restricting recess S72. The distance between the pair of surfaces A73, B73 defining each alignment recess S73 narrows downward. In the illustrated example, the pair of surfaces A73, B73 are inclined with respect to the circumferential direction 50RD. The pair of surfaces A73, B73 are inclined in opposite directions relative to each other. In other words, the surfaces A73, B73 approach each other as they approach the adjacent rotation restricting recess S72. Such alignment recess S73 facilitates connection of the connecting member 70 to the rotating body 50. That is, even if the upper ends of the rotation restricting protrusions 72 and the rotation restricting recesses S72 are not aligned in the vertical direction when the connecting member 70 is inserted into the connection recess S70 of the rotating body 50, the surface A73 or B73 of the alignment recess S73 can automatically guide the rotation restricting protrusions 72 toward the rotation restricting recess S72 as the connecting member 70 enters the connection recess S70. 9 shows how surface B73 of alignment recess S73 guides rotation restricting protrusion 72 toward rotation restricting recess S72. In the example shown in FIG. 9, rotation restricting protrusion 72 moves on surface B73 in the direction indicated by the thick arrow. As rotation restricting protrusion 72 is guided by surface A73 or B73, the entire connecting member 70 rotates around caster shaft 60.

[0062] As described above, the main body 51 of the rotating body 50 is provided with the locking portion 80. The locking portion 80 is housed in a hole S80 formed in the peripheral wall 51b. The hole S80 opens to the connection recess S70. The locking portion 80 is movable within the hole S80. The locking portion 80 is movable relative to the main body 51 in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The locking portion 80 is movable between a locking position where the connecting member 70 can be locked within the connection recess S70 and an unlocking position where the connecting member 70 can be released from the connection recess S70. When the locking portion 80 is positioned in the locking position, a portion of the locking portion 80 interferes with a portion of the connecting member 70 in the vertical direction, thereby reducing the risk of unintended separation between the connecting member 70 and the rotating body 50.

[0063] In the illustrated example, the locking portion 80 has a base 81 and a locking end portion 82 extending from the base 81. In the unlocked position, the entire locking portion 80 is housed within the hole S80. In the locked position, the base 81 is housed within the hole S80, but the locking end portion 82 protrudes from the peripheral wall portion 51b into the internal space of the connection recess S70. When the locking portion 80 is disposed in the locked position, the locking end portion 82 interferes with a portion of the connection member 70 in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the rotating body 50 from separating from the connection member 70. More specifically, when the locking portion 80 is disposed in the locked position, the locking end portion 82 faces the upper surface of the second enlarged diameter portion 77 of the connection member 70, thereby preventing the rotating body 50 from separating from the connection member 70.

[0064] In the illustrated example, a handle 81a that is accessible from the outside of the peripheral wall 51b is provided on the base 81. By operating the handle 81a, the locking portion 80 can be moved between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0065] A biasing member 84 such as a spring is disposed within the hole S80 between the base 81 and the peripheral wall 51b. The biasing member 84 biases the locking portion 80 in a direction from the non-locking position toward the locking position. Therefore, the biasing member 84 is disposed in the locking position when no force is applied. By operating the handle 81a, the locking portion 80 can be moved to the non-locking position against the biasing force of the biasing member 84.

[0066] The upper surface of the locking end 82 includes an inclined surface 83. The inclined surface 83 slopes downward toward the tip of the locking end 82. Since the locking end 82 includes such an inclined surface 83, when the connecting member 70 is inserted into the connection recess S70, the locking portion 80 can be automatically moved from the locked position to the unlocked position, as described below. The lower surface of the locking end 82 is generally along a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. Therefore, even if an upward force is applied from the connecting member 70 to the lower surface of the locking end 82, there is little risk that the locking portion 80 will move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0067] As described above, a gap 79 is formed between the lower end of each rotation restricting protrusion 72 and the second expanded diameter portion 77. As shown in FIG. 5 , in the locked position, the locking end portion 82 is disposed in this gap 79. The presence of the gap 79 between the rotation restricting protrusion 72 and the second expanded diameter portion 77 reduces the risk that the movement of the locking portion 80 from the unlocked position to the locked position will be obstructed by the rotation restricting protrusion 72. This improves the degree of freedom in the connection between the connecting member 70 and the rotating body 50.

[0068] Here, a method for connecting the fixed body 40 and the rotating body 50 of the caster 30 configured as described above will be described.

[0069] First, as shown in FIG. 10 , when the fixed body 40 and the rotating body 50 are separated, the caster axle 60 extends downward from the fixed body 40. The connecting member 70 surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the caster axle 60. This reduces the risk of foreign matter adhering to the caster axle 60. It also reduces the risk of the lubricant on the caster axle 60 adhering to the user of the stroller 10. The connecting member 70 is disposed between the fixed body 40 and the flange portion 65 of the caster axle 60. This reduces the risk of the connecting member 70 unintentionally coming off the caster axle 60. The locking portion 80 of the rotating body 50 is disposed in the locking position.

[0070] The fixed body 40 is connected to the rotating body 50. Specifically, the rotating body 50 is moved relative to the connecting member 70, and the connecting member 70 is inserted into the connection recess S70 of the rotating body 50 together with the caster shaft 60. As shown in FIG. 11 , when the connecting member 70 enters the connection recess S70, the second enlarged diameter portion 77 of the connecting member 70 comes into contact with the inclined surface 83 of the locking portion 80. As the connecting member 70 moves downward, the force applied by the second enlarged diameter portion 77 to the inclined surface 83 causes the locking portion 80 to move to the unlocking position and sink into the hole S80. That is, as the connecting member 70 enters the connection recess S70, the locking portion 80 automatically moves to the unlocking position.

[0071] When the connecting member 70 further enters the connection recess S70 and the second enlarged diameter portion 77 is positioned below the locking portion 80 as shown in Fig. 12, the locking portion 80 moves from the unlocked position to the locked position due to the biasing force of the biasing member 84. As a result, the locking end portion 82 of the locking portion 80 faces the upper surface of the second enlarged diameter portion 77 as shown in Fig. 5, preventing the connecting member 70 from coming off the connection recess S70. This connects the fixed body 40 and the rotating body 50.

[0072] 10 to the position shown in FIG. 12, the rotation-restricting protrusion 72 of the connecting member 70 is first accommodated in the alignment recess S73 and then accommodated in the rotation-restricting recess S72. In the alignment recess S73, the rotation-restricting protrusion 72 is guided toward the upper end of the rotation-restricting recess S72 by surface A73 or B73 of the alignment recess S73. At this time, the entire connecting member 70 rotates around the caster shaft 60. The rotation-restricting protrusion 72, which is vertically aligned with the upper end of the rotation-restricting recess S72, is accommodated in the rotation-restricting recess S72 as the connecting member 70 further enters the connecting recess S70.

[0073] Next, a method for separating the fixed body 40 and the rotating body 50 will be described.

[0074] First, the handle 81a of the locking portion 80 is operated to move the locking portion 80 from the locking position shown in FIG. 5 to the unlocking position shown in FIG. 12. In this state, the rotating body 50 is moved downward relative to the connecting member 70, and the connecting member 70 is pulled out from the connection recess S70 of the rotating body 50. At this time, the locking portion 80 is placed in the unlocking position, thereby preventing interference between the locking portion 80 and the second enlarged diameter portion 77 of the connecting member 70. In this manner, the fixed body 40 and the rotating body 50 are separated from each other.

[0075] <Modification> In the above-described example, the caster axle 60 is fixed to the fixed body 40, but this is not limiting. As shown in FIG. 13 , the caster axle 60 may be fixed to the rotating body 50. In this example, a vertical hole S60 extending in the up-down direction is formed in the main body 51 of the rotating body 50. The caster axle 60 is inserted into the vertical hole S60 from above. The first portion 62 of the caster axle 60 is inserted into the vertical hole S60. The caster axle 60 is fixed to the rotating body 50 by a fixing pin P60 passing through the rotating body 50 and the caster axle 60.

[0076] 13, the first portion 62 is a lower portion of the cylindrical main body 61. The second portion 63 is an upper portion of the cylindrical main body 61. The second portion 63 of the caster shaft 60 extends upward from the rotating body 50. The flange portion 65 is provided at the upper end of the cylindrical main body 61.

[0077] Next, the connecting member 70 will be described. The connecting member 70 connects the caster axle 60 and the fixed body 40. The connecting member 70 surrounds the second portion 63 of the caster axle 60. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the connecting member 70 is connected to the fixed body 40 so as to be unable to rotate relative to the fixed body 40. In the example shown in FIG. 13, when the rotating body 50 is connected to the fixed body 40, the caster axle 60 fixed to the rotating body 50 is rotatable relative to the connecting member 70 and the fixed body 40.

[0078] The connecting member 70 includes a portion that is disposed between the flange 65 of the caster axle 60 and the rotating body 50. This prevents the connecting member 70 from unintentionally coming off the caster axle 60. In the illustrated example, the entire connecting member 70 is disposed between the flange 65 of the caster axle 60 and the rotating body 50.

[0079] 13, the first expanded diameter portion 75 is connected to the lower end of the main body portion 71. The second expanded diameter portion 77 is connected to the upper end of the main body portion 71. The rotation restricting protrusion 72 extends upward from the upper surface of the first expanded diameter portion 75.

[0080] 13 , the rotation restricting protrusions 72 are also spaced apart from the second expanded diameter portions 77. In other words, a gap 79 is formed between the upper end of each rotation restricting protrusion 72 and the lower surface of the second expanded diameter portion 77.

[0081] 13, the connection recess S70 is formed in the main body 42 of the fixed body 40. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the main body 42 of the fixed body 40 constitutes the connected portion to which the connecting member 70 is connected. The connection recess S70 is open on the lower surface 42a of the main body 42. The fixed body 40 is connected to the connecting member 70 by moving the fixed body 40 from above downward relative to the connecting member 70 and inserting the connecting member 70 into the connection recess S70.

[0082] 13, the main body 42 of the fixed body 40 has a peripheral wall 42b and a top wall 42c. The inner surface of the peripheral wall 42b is cylindrical as a whole. The axis of this inner surface (hereinafter also referred to as the "axis of the peripheral wall 42b") coincides with the caster axis Ac when the rotating body 50 is connected to the fixed body 40.

[0083] 13, the rotation restricting recess S72 is formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 42b. The rotation restricting recess S72 accommodates the rotation restricting protrusion 72 of the connecting member 70 when the fixed body 40 and the rotating body 50 are connected.

[0084] In the example shown in FIG. 13 , the rotation restricting recess S72 is open downward. Therefore, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 can be inserted into the rotation restricting recess S72 from below. The rotation restricting protrusion 72 can be pulled out downward from the rotation restricting recess S72. Therefore, the connecting member 70 can be accommodated in the connection recess S70 of the rotating body 50, and the rotation restricting protrusion 72 can be accommodated in the rotation restricting recess S72 at the same time. Furthermore, the connecting member 70 can be pulled out from the connection recess S70 of the rotating body 50, and the rotation restricting protrusion 72 can be pulled out from the rotation restricting recess S72 at the same time.

[0085] In the example shown in FIG. 13, the alignment recess S73 is formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 42b. The alignment recess S73 is located below the rotation restricting recess S72. The alignment recess S73 opens downward. The alignment recess S73 is connected to the rotation restricting recess S72 at its upper end. The alignment recess S73 is in communication with the rotation restricting recess S72. The alignment recess S73 widens downward. The width of the upper end of the alignment recess S73 is the same as the width of the rotation restricting recess S72. Therefore, the width of the lower end of the alignment recess S73 is greater than the width of the rotation restricting recess S72. The distance between the pair of surfaces A73, B73 that define each alignment recess S73 narrows upward. In the example shown, the pair of surfaces A73, B73 are inclined with respect to the circumferential direction 50RD. The pair of surfaces A73, B73 are inclined in opposite directions relative to each other. In other words, surfaces A73, B73 approach each other as they move toward the adjacent rotation restricting recess S72. Such alignment recess S73 makes it possible to easily connect the connecting member 70 to the fixed body 40. That is, even if the rotation restricting protrusion 72 and the lower end of the rotation restricting recess S72 are not aligned in the vertical direction when the connecting member 70 is accommodated in the connection recess S70 of the rotating body 50, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 is automatically guided toward the rotation restricting recess S72 by surface A73 or B73 of the alignment recess S73 as the connecting member 70 enters the connection recess S70.

[0086] In the example shown in FIG. 13, the locking portion 80 is provided on the main body 42 of the fixed body 40. The locking portion 80 is housed in a hole S80 formed in the peripheral wall 42b. The hole S80 opens to the connection recess S70. The locking portion 80 is movable within the hole S80. The locking portion 80 is movable relative to the main body 42 in a direction intersecting the up-down direction. The locking portion 80 is movable between an locked position where it faces at least a portion of the connecting member 70 in the up-down direction, and an unlocked position where it is displaced from the connecting member 70 when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0087] 13 , the entirety of the locking portion 80 is accommodated within the hole S80 in the unlocked position. In the locked position, the base 81 is accommodated within the hole S80, but the locking end 82 protrudes from the peripheral wall 42b into the internal space of the connection recess S70. When the locking portion 80 is arranged in the locked position, the locking end 82 interferes with a portion of the connecting member 70 in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the fixed body 40 from separating from the connecting member 70. More specifically, when the locking portion 80 is arranged in the locked position, the locking end 82 faces the underside of the second enlarged diameter portion 77 of the connecting member 70, thereby preventing the fixed body 40 from separating from the connecting member 70.

[0088] A biasing member 84 such as a spring is disposed in the hole S80 between the base 81 and the peripheral wall 42b. The biasing member 84 biases the locking portion 80 in a direction from the unlocked position toward the locked position.

[0089] In the example shown in FIG. 13 , the inclined surface 83 is provided on the underside of the locking end 82. In this example, the inclined surface 83 slopes upward toward the tip of the locking end 82. Since the locking end 82 includes such an inclined surface 83, when the connecting member 70 is inserted into the connection recess S70, the locking portion 80 can be automatically moved from the locked position to the unlocked position, as described below. The upper surface of the locking end 82 is generally along a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. Therefore, even if a downward force is applied from the connecting member 70 to the upper surface of the locking end 82, there is little risk that the locking portion 80 will move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0090] Next, a method for connecting the fixed body 40 and the rotating body 50 of the caster 30 configured as described above will be described.

[0091] First, as shown in FIG. 14 , when the fixed body 40 and the rotating body 50 are separated, the caster axle 60 extends upward from the rotating body 50. The connecting member 70 surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the caster axle 60. This reduces the risk of foreign matter adhering to the caster axle 60. It also reduces the risk of the lubricant on the caster axle 60 adhering to the user of the stroller 10. The connecting member 70 is disposed between the rotating body 50 and the flange portion 65 of the caster axle 60. This reduces the risk of the connecting member 70 unintentionally falling off the caster axle 60. The locking portion 80 of the rotating body 50 is disposed in the locking position.

[0092] The fixed body 40 is connected to the rotating body 50. Specifically, the fixed body 40 is moved relative to the connecting member 70, and the connecting member 70 is inserted into the connection recess S70 of the fixed body 40 together with the caster shaft 60. When the connecting member 70 enters the connection recess S70, the second enlarged diameter portion 77 of the connecting member 70 comes into contact with the inclined surface 83 of the locking portion 80, moving the locking portion 80 to the unlocked position.

[0093] When the connecting member 70 further enters the connection recess S70 and the second enlarged diameter portion 77 is positioned above the locking portion 80, the biasing force of the biasing member 84 moves the locking portion 80 from the unlocked position to the locked position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13 , the locking end 82 of the locking portion 80 faces the underside of the second enlarged diameter portion 77, preventing the connecting member 70 from coming off the connection recess S70. This connects the fixed body 40 and the rotating body 50.

[0094] Next, a method for separating the fixed body 40 and the rotating body 50 will be described.

[0095] First, the handle 81a of the locking portion 80 is operated to move the locking portion 80 from the locking position shown in Fig. 13 to the unlocking position. In this state, the fixed body 40 is moved upward relative to the connecting member 70, and the connecting member 70 is pulled out from the connection recess S70 of the fixed body 40.

[0096] <Further variations> The above-described caster 30 can be applied to childcare equipment other than strollers. For example, the caster 30 may be applied to a rocking chair or a walker. The above-described caster 30 can also be applied to a push cart other than strollers. For example, the caster 30 may be applied to a pet cart.

[0097] Furthermore, in the caster 30 described above, after the rotating body 50 is connected to the fixed body 40, the rotating body 50 can be separated from the fixed body 40, but this is not limited to this. After the rotating body 50 is connected to the fixed body 40, the rotating body 50 may not be separated from the fixed body 40. In this case, the locking portion 80 may not be provided with the handle 81a. Furthermore, the rotating body 50 may be fixed to the fixed body 40 by a fixing member such as a screw or an adhesive.

[0098] In the above-described example, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 is provided on the connecting member 70, and the rotation restricting recess S72 is provided on the connected portion 51 or 42, but this is not limited to this. The rotation restricting recess S72 may be provided on the connecting member 70, and the rotation restricting protrusion 72 may be provided on the connected portion 51 or 42.

[0099] In the example described above, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 is provided between the first expanded diameter portion 75 and the second expanded diameter portion 77 of the connecting member 70, but this is not limited to this. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 may extend downward from the bottom surface of the connecting member 70. In this case, a rotation restricting recess S72 into which the rotation restricting protrusion 72 is inserted from above may be provided in the bottom portion 51c of the rotating body 50. In the example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 may extend upward from the top surface of the connecting member 70. In this case, a rotation restricting recess S72 into which the rotation restricting protrusion 72 is inserted from below may be provided in the top wall portion 42c of the fixed body 40.

[0100] 1 to 12, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 may extend upward from the bottom 51c of the rotating body 50. In this case, a rotation restricting recess S72 into which the rotation restricting protrusion 72 is inserted from below may be provided on the bottom surface of the connecting member 70. Also, in the example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 may extend downward from the top wall 42c of the fixed body 40. In this case, a rotation restricting recess S72 into which the rotation restricting protrusion 72 is inserted from above may be provided on the top surface of the connecting member 70.

[0101] Furthermore, in the caster 30 described above, the connection recess S70 is formed in the connected portion 51 or 42, but this is not limited to this. For example, a connection recess that accommodates a part of the connected portion 51 or 42 may be formed in the connecting member 70. In this case, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 or the rotation restricting recess S72 may be provided on the inner surface of the connecting member 70, and the rotation restricting recess S72 or the rotation restricting protrusion 72 may be provided on the outer surface of the connected portion 51 or 42.

[0102] Furthermore, in the caster 30 described above, the rotation restricting convex portion 72 and the rotation restricting concave portion S72 prevent relative rotation between the connecting member 70 and the rotating body 50, or prevent relative rotation between the connecting member 70 and the fixed body 40, but this is not limited to this. Any method can be used to connect the connecting member 70 and the rotating body 50 so as to prevent relative rotation, and any method can be used to connect the connecting member 70 and the fixed body 40 so as to prevent relative rotation.

[0103] In the embodiment and its modified examples described above, the child care device or push cart 10 includes legs 14, 15, a caster fixed body 40, a caster swivel 50, a caster axle 60, and a connecting member 70. The caster fixed body 40 is fixed to the legs 14, 15. The caster swivel 50 is rotatable relative to the caster fixed body 40 about a rotation axis Ac extending in the vertical direction. The caster axle 60 defines the rotation axis Ac. The caster axle 60 has a first portion 62 fixed to one of the caster fixed body 40 and the caster swivel 50, and a second portion 63 around which the other of the caster fixed body 40 and the caster swivel 50 rotates relative to the first portion 62. A lubricant G is applied to the second portion 63. The connecting member 70 is attached to the second portion 63 of the caster axle 60 so as to be rotatable relative to the second portion 63. The connecting member 70 is connected to the other of the caster fixed body 40 and the caster swivel body 50. In this case, exposure of the caster axle 60 can be suppressed when the swivel body 50 is separated from the fixed body 40. As a result, when connecting the swivel body 50 and the fixed body 40, the risk of foreign matter adhering to the caster axle 60 and the risk of the lubricant G of the caster axle 60 adhering to the user can be reduced.

[0104] In the embodiment and its modified example described above, the connecting member 70 is connected to the other of the caster fixed body 40 and the caster rotatable body 50 so as to be unable to rotate relative to the other. In this case, the rotation of the rotatable body 50 about the caster shaft 60 is stabilized.

[0105] In the embodiment and its modified example described above, the other of the caster fixed body 40 and the caster swivel body 50 has a connected portion 42 or 51 to which a connecting member 70 is connected. One of the connecting member 70 and the connected portion 51 or 42 has a rotation-restricting protrusion 72. The other of the connecting member 70 and the connected portion 51 or 42 has a rotation-restricting recess S72 that houses the rotation-restricting protrusion 72. The rotation-restricting recess S72 is defined by a pair of rotation-restricting surfaces A72, B72 that face each other in the circumferential direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis Ac. By disposing the rotation-restricting protrusion 72 between the pair of rotation-restricting surfaces A72, B72, the connecting member 70 is unable to rotate relative to the other of the caster fixed body 40 and the caster swivel body 50.

[0106] In the embodiment and its modified example described above, when connecting one of the connecting member 70 and the connected portion 42 or 51 to the other of the connecting member 70 and the connected portion 42 or 51, the movement direction of the one relative to the other is along the vertical direction. The rotation restricting recess S72 extends in the vertical direction. The other of the connecting member 70 and the connected portion 42 or 51 has an alignment recess S73 upstream of the rotation restricting recess S72 in the movement direction. The alignment recess S73 is connected to the rotation restricting recess S72. The dimension of the alignment recess S73 in the circumferential direction decreases toward the movement direction. In this case, when connecting the rotating body 50 and the fixed body 40, the rotation restricting protrusion 72 can be easily inserted into the rotation restricting recess S72.

[0107] In the embodiment and its modified example described above, the other of the caster fixed body 40 and the caster swivel body 50 has a connected portion 42 or 51 to which a connecting member 70 is connected. One of the connecting member 70 and the connected portion 42 or 51 has a connection recess S70 that accommodates the other of the connecting member 70 and the connected portion 42 or 51.

[0108] In the embodiment and its modified example described above, the connected portion 42 or 51 is provided with a locking portion 80 that can interfere with the connecting member 70 in the vertical direction. In this case, the locking portion 80 can maintain the connection between the rotating body 50 and the fixed body 40. In other words, the risk of the rotating body 50 being unintentionally separated from the fixed body 40 is reduced.

[0109] In the embodiment and its modified example described above, the locking portion 80 is movable in a direction intersecting the vertical direction relative to the connected portion 42 or 51. The locking portion 80 is movable between a locking position where it faces at least a portion of the connecting member 70 in the vertical direction, and an unlocked position where it is displaced from the connecting member 70 when viewed in the vertical direction. In this case, the rotating body 50 can be detachably connected to the fixed body 40.

[0110] In the embodiment and its modified examples described above, the child care implement or push cart 10 further includes a biasing member 84 provided between the connectable portion 42 or 51 and the locking portion 80. The biasing member 84 biases the locking portion 80 in a direction from the non-locking position toward the locking position. In this case, the locking portion 80 can be maintained in the locking position unless the biasing member 84 is operated.

[0111] In the embodiment and its modified example described above, the second portion 63 of the caster axle 60 is provided with a flange 65 that extends from the second portion 63 in a direction intersecting the rotation axis Ac. At least a portion of the connecting member 70 is located between the flange 65 and one of the caster fixed body 40 and the caster rotating body 50. In this case, the risk of the connecting member 70 unintentionally falling off the caster axle 60 is reduced.

[0112] Although several modifications of the above-described embodiment have been described, it is of course possible to combine a plurality of modifications as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 10. Baby Stroller 11 Stroller body 12 Main frame 14 Front legs 15 Hind legs 18 Handle 30 Caster 35 wheels 40 Caster fixed body 41 Fixed part 42 Main body 50 Caster swivel 60 Caster shaft 61 Cylindrical main body 62 Part 162 63 Part 2 65 Collar 70 Connecting member 71 Main body 72 Rotation restriction protrusion 75 1st enlarged diameter section 77 Second enlarged diameter section 80 Locking part 84 biasing member 90 Retaining member S70 connection recess S72 Rotation restriction recess A72, B72 rotation restriction surface S73 Alignment recess

Claims

1. Legs and a caster fixing body fixed to the leg; a caster rotating body that can rotate relative to the caster fixed body around a rotation axis that extends along the vertical direction; a caster axle defining the rotation axis, the caster axle having a first portion fixed to one of the caster fixed body and the caster swivel, and a second portion around which the other of the caster fixed body and the caster swivel rotates relative to one another, the second portion being coated with a lubricant; a connecting member attached to the second portion of the caster shaft so as to be relatively rotatable around the second portion, and connected to the other of the caster fixed body and the caster swivel body; A childcare device or push cart equipped with the above.

2. The childcare equipment or push cart according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is connected to the other of the caster fixed body and the caster rotating body so as to be unable to rotate relative to the other.

3. the other of the caster fixed body and the caster swivel body has a connected portion to which the connecting member is connected, one of the connecting member and the connected portion has a rotation restricting protrusion, the other of the connecting member and the connected portion has a rotation restricting recess that accommodates the rotation restricting protrusion, the rotation restricting recess is defined by a pair of rotation restricting surfaces facing each other in a circumferential direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis, 3. The childcare equipment or push cart according to claim 2, wherein the rotation restricting protrusion is disposed between the pair of rotation restricting surfaces, so that the connecting member cannot rotate relative to the other of the caster fixed body and the caster rotating body.

4. a movement direction of one of the connecting member and the connected portion relative to the other when connecting the one of the connecting member and the connected portion to the other is along a vertical direction; The rotation restricting recess extends in the vertical direction, the other of the connecting member and the connected portion has an alignment recess on the upstream side of the rotation restricting recess in the movement direction; the alignment recess is connected to the rotation restriction recess, The childcare equipment or push cart according to claim 3 , wherein the dimension of the alignment recess in the circumferential direction decreases in the direction of movement.

5. the other of the caster fixed body and the caster swivel body has a connected portion to which the connecting member is connected, 2. The childcare implement or push cart according to claim 1, wherein one of the connecting member and the connected portion has a connection recess formed therein for accommodating the other of the connecting member and the connected portion.

6. the other of the caster fixed body and the caster swivel body has a connected portion to which the connecting member is connected, The childcare implement or push cart according to claim 1 , wherein the connected portion is provided with a locking portion that can interfere with the connecting member in the vertical direction.

7. the locking portion is movable relative to the connected portion in a direction intersecting with the up-down direction, 7. The childcare implement or push cart according to claim 6, wherein the locking portion is movable between a locking position in which it faces at least a part of the connecting member in the vertical direction and a non-locking position in which it is offset from the connecting member when viewed in the vertical direction.

8. The childcare implement or push cart according to claim 7, further comprising a biasing member provided between the connected portion and the locking portion, for biasing the locking portion in a direction from the unlocked position toward the locked position.

9. The second portion of the caster shaft is provided with a flange portion extending from the second portion in a direction intersecting the rotation axis, The childcare equipment or push cart according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the connecting member is located between one of the caster fixing body and the caster rotating body and the flange portion.

Images