Child stroller apparatus

Abstract

To provide a child stroller apparatus that can be folded and unfolded in a smooth convenient way.SOLUTION: A third side segment 106A is respectively connected pivotally to a first side segment 102A and a second side segment 104A. The third side segment 106A is connected pivotally to the first side segment 102A via an articulation 114. A support bar 132 is respectively connected pivotally to the first side segment 102A and the second side segment 104A. A slider 134 is coupled to a seat assembly 108 and is slidably connected to the support bar 132. A frame link 136 is pivotally connected to the slider 134. The slider 134 slides along the support bar 132 during folding and unfolding of the child stroller apparatus 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210101200.0 filed on January 27, 2022, Chinese Patent Application No. 202210486837.6 filed on May 6, 2022, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202210632422.5 filed on June 6, 2022. [Technical Field]

[0002] The present invention relates to a child stroller device. [Background technology]

[0003] Child strollers are commonly used to transport young children. Child strollers generally include a metal frame formed from an assembly of metal and plastic components and a fabric material connected to or covering the metal frame. When not in use, the child stroller can be folded for convenient storage or transportation. Existing child strollers can have various types of frame structures that allow for folding and unfolding operations. From a caregiver's perspective, an important factor to consider is the ability to conveniently fold and unfold the child stroller during use. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application describes a child stroller device that can be folded and unfolded in a smooth and convenient manner.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a child stroller device includes a first leg frame having a first side segment, a second leg frame having a second side segment, a handle frame having a third side segment, a seat assembly coupled to the first side segment, and a linkage including a support bar, a slider, and a frame link. The third side segment is pivotally connected to the first and second side segments, respectively, and the third side segment is pivotally connected to the first side segment via a joint. The support bar is pivotally connected to the first and second side segments, respectively, the slider is coupled to the seat assembly and slidably connected to the support bar, and the frame link is pivotally connected to the slider, so that the slider slides along the support bar during folding and unfolding of the child stroller device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a child stroller device. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the child stroller device of FIG. 1, viewed from a different angle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the child stroller device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the child stroller device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the child stroller device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection area between a backrest frame and a slider in the child stroller device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the configuration of a slider in the child stroller device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a perspective view showing the detailed configuration of part of the interior of a pivotal connection portion of a backrest frame in the child stroller device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 9]2 is a perspective view showing the detailed configuration of a part of a backrest locking mechanism and a frame locking mechanism in the child stroller device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 10] 2A to 2C are side views illustrating an exemplary folding operation of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] 2 is a perspective view showing the child stroller device of FIG. 1 in a fully folded state. FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the fasteners that engage with the slider in the child stroller device of FIG. 1 when the child stroller device is fully folded. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a side view showing another embodiment of the child stroller device. [Figure 14] 14 is a schematic diagram showing the child stroller device of FIG. 13 in a state where no soft goods member is attached. FIG. [Figure 15] 14 is a schematic diagram showing some construction details of a soft goods member suitable for use in the child stroller device of FIG. 13. [Figure 16] 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of the child stroller device shown in FIG. [Figure 17] 17 is a perspective view of the child stroller device of FIG. 16, viewed from a different angle. [Figure 18] FIG. 17 is a side view of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 19] FIG. 17 is a rear view of the child stroller device shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 21] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion of the child stroller device shown in FIG. [Figure 22] 21 is an enlarged bottom view of a portion of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 20. FIG. [Figure 23] 20 is an enlarged rear view of a portion of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 19. FIG. [Figure 24] 17 is an enlarged view showing a part of the configuration of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 16. FIG. [Figure 25] 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a connecting region of a seat portion, a backrest frame, and a slider in the child stroller device shown in FIG. 16. FIG. [Figure 26] 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the unlocked state of the frame lock mechanism in the child stroller device of FIG. 16. FIG. [Figure 27] 17 is a partial cross-sectional view showing further details of the configuration of the drive unit within the pivotal connection portion of the backrest frame in the child stroller device of FIG. 16. FIG. [Figure 28] 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the detailed configuration of a part of a safety lock mechanism included in the child stroller device of FIG. 16. FIG. [Figure 29] 29 is a cross-sectional view showing the safety lock mechanism of FIG. 28 in an unlocked state. FIG. [Figure 30] 17A and 17B are side views illustrating an exemplary folding operation of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of the child stroller device shown in FIGS. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of a portion of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 31. [Figure 33] 32 is an enlarged bottom view of a portion of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 31. FIG. [Figure 34] FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of a part of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 31. [Figure 35] 32 is an enlarged view showing a part of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 31 as viewed from another angle. FIG. [Figure 36] 32 is a perspective view showing a part of a seat assembly in the child stroller device of FIG. 31. FIG. [Figure 37] 32 is a cross-sectional view showing a safety lock mechanism included in the child stroller device of FIG. 31. FIG. [Figure 38] 37 is a cross-sectional view showing the safety lock mechanism of FIG. 36 in an unlocked state. FIG. [Figure 39] 32 is a perspective view showing an exemplary folding of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 31. FIG. [Figure 40]32 is a side view illustrating an exemplary folding of the child stroller device shown in FIG. 31. FIG. [Figure 41] FIG. 32 is a side view showing the child stroller device of FIG. 31 in a fully folded state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Various embodiments of a child stroller device are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers used in the drawings refer to the same or similar elements.

[0008] 1 and 2 are perspective views showing one embodiment of a child stroller device 100 viewed from different angles. Fig. 3 is a side view of the child stroller device 100. Fig. 4 is a top view of the child stroller device 100. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the child stroller device 100. Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, the child stroller device 100 has a stroller frame 101 which can include two leg frames 102 and 104, a handle frame 106, a seat assembly 108, and two link mechanisms 110.

[0009] The leg frame 102 is illustratively a front leg frame and may be formed by a plurality of tubular segments. The leg frame 102 may include two side segments 102A disposed on the left and right sides of the child stroller device 100, respectively, and a cross section 102B connected to the two side segments 102A. A plurality of wheels 112A may be provided on a lower portion of the leg frame 102.

[0010] The leg frame 104 is illustratively a rear leg frame and may be formed by a plurality of tubular segments. The leg frame 104 may include two side segments 104A disposed on the left and right sides of the child stroller device 100, respectively, and a cross portion 104B connected to the two side segments 104A. A plurality of wheels 112B may be provided on a lower portion of the leg frame 104.

[0011] The handle frame 106 may be formed by a plurality of tubular segments. The handle frame 106 may include two side segments 106A disposed on the left and right sides of the child stroller device 100, respectively, and a cross segment 106B connected to the two side segments 106A.

[0012] Two identical symmetrical assembly structures may be provided on the left and right sides of the child stroller device 100 to connect the two leg frames 102 and 104 and the handle frame 106, respectively. According to one embodiment, the leg frame 102 and the handle frame 106 are pivotally connected to each other via two joints 114 located on the left and right sides thereof, respectively, so that the handle frame 106 is rotatable relative to the leg frame 102. Each joint 114 may include, for example, a joint portion 114A fixedly connected at its upper end to a corresponding one of the two side segments 102A of the leg frame 102 and a joint portion 114B fixedly connected at its lower end to a corresponding one of the two side segments 106A of the handle frame 106, and the two joint portions 114A and 114B are pivotally connected to each other such that the side segment 106A of the handle frame 106 is pivotally connected to the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102 via the joint 114. Furthermore, the leg frame 104 and the handle frame 106 are pivotally connected to each other such that the handle frame 106 is rotatable relative to the leg frame 104. For example, an upper end of the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104 may be pivotally connected to the side segment 106A of the handle frame 106 via a joint 116. The joints 114 and 116 connecting the handle frame 106 to the leg frames 102 and 104, respectively, may be spaced apart from each other. The joint 116 may be taller than the joint 114 when the child stroller device 100 is in the unfolded state.

[0013] 1-5 , the seat assembly 108 may be coupled to the side segments 102A of the leg frame 102 and two linkages 110. According to one embodiment, the seat assembly 108 may include two seat portions 118 and 120 and a back frame 122. The seat portions 118 and 120 are connected to each other and adapted to provide seating support for a child. The seat portions 118 and 120 may include, but are not limited to, rigid seat pans. The back frame 122 is pivotally connected to the seat portion 120 about an axis X and adapted to support the child's back. According to one example structure, the back frame 122 may include two side segments 122A disposed on the left and right sides of the seat assembly 108, respectively, and a cross portion 122B connected to the two side segments 122A. The back frame 122 may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of tubular segments. According to one embodiment, the seat portion 120 may be pivotally connected to side segments 122A of the back frame 122 via shafts 124, each of which may be fixedly connected to a pivot linkage 126, and the shafts 124 may be connected to the seat portion 120 and extend laterally along axis X through each pivot linkage 126 such that the back frame 122 and the pivot linkage 126 are rotatable about the shafts 124. Thus, the back frame 122 is rotatable about axis X relative to the seat portions 118 and 120 to adjust the tilt angle of the back frame 122 to provide a suitable backrest.

[0014] The two seat portions 118, 120 are pivotally connected to each other, the seat portion 118 is pivotally connected to the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102, and the seat portion 120 is connected to the two link mechanisms 110. According to an example structure, the seat portion 118 can be pivotally connected to the seat portion 120 via a joint 128 so that the seat portion 120 can rotate relative to the seat portion 118. The joint 128 can have any suitable structure. For example, the joint 128 can include a shaft disposed through pivot coupling portions provided on the seat portions 118 and 120 so that the seat portions 118 and 120 can rotate about the shaft. The end of the seat portion 118 opposite the joint 128 can be pivotally connected to each side segment 102A of the leg frame 102 via a joint 130 so that the seat portion 118 can rotate relative to the leg frame 102. The joint 130 can have any suitable structure. For example, the seat portion 118 may be pivotally connected to each side segment 102A of the leg frame 102 via a shaft that forms a joint 130. An end of the seat portion 120 opposite the joint 128 may be pivotally connected to two link mechanisms 110 on the left and right sides, respectively, so that the seat portion 120 is rotatable relative to the two link mechanisms 110. The link mechanisms 110 are configured so that the seat portions 118 and 120 are movably coupled to each other when the child stroller apparatus 100 is folded and unfolded, such that the seat portions 118 and 120 can be folded together to form an acute angle when the child stroller apparatus 100 is folded, and can be unfolded to extend along substantially the same plane when the child stroller apparatus 100 is unfolded. The side segment 102A of the leg frame 102 may further be provided with a leg support 131 disposed adjacent to the position where the side segment 102A connects to the seat portion 118. The leg supports 131 extend laterally between the left and right sides and can connect to the two side segments 102A, and can extend forward and downward to support the child's legs.

[0015] 1 to 5, two link mechanisms 110 are disposed on the left and right sides of the child stroller device 100, respectively. The link mechanism 110 disposed on one side (left or right) will be described in detail below, but the link mechanism 110 on the other side has the same configuration. The link mechanism 110 may include a support bar 132, a slider 134, and a frame link 136. The support bar 132 is pivotally connected to the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102 and the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104, respectively, so that the support bar 132 is rotatable relative to the leg frame 102 and the leg frame 104. The slider 134 is coupled to the seat assembly 108 and slidably connected to the support bar 132. For example, the slider 134 may be pivotally connected to the seat portion 120 of the seat assembly 108, and the seat portion 120 may be slidably connected to the support bar 132 so that the seat portion 120 is rotatable relative to the slider 134. The slider 134 can slide along the support bar 132 between its two pivot connections 138 and 140, and the support bar 132 is pivotally connected to the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102 via the pivot connection 138 and to the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104 via the pivot connection 140. The pivot connection 138 between the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102 and the support bar 132 can be located between the two joints 114 and 130, and the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102, the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104, the side segment 106A of the handle frame 106, and the support bar 132 can form a four-bar linkage.

[0016] According to one example of a structure, the child stroller device 100 may further include front guards 142 fixedly connected to the left and right support bars 132. When a child is seated in the child stroller device 100, the front guards 142 may protrude forward from the leg frame 102 above the seat portion 118 and extend in front of the child, whereby the front guards 142 are adapted to restrain the child and function as armrests.

[0017] 1-5 , the frame link 136 is pivotally connected to the slider 134 such that the slider 134 slides along the support bar 132 as the child stroller device 100 is folded and unfolded. The frame link 136 may be coupled to any suitable location on the stroller frame 101 such that sliding movement of the slider 134 along the support bar 132 toward the pivot connection 138 is coupled to folding movement of the stroller frame 101 via the frame link 136, and sliding movement of the slider 134 along the support bar 132 toward the pivot connection 140 is coupled to unfolding movement of the stroller frame 101 via the frame link 136. Examples of suitable locations on the stroller frame 101 for coupling to the frame link 136 include the joint 114, a location on the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102 adjacent the joint 114, and a location on the side segment 106A of the handle frame 106 adjacent the joint 114.

[0018] According to one example structure, the frame link 136 can be pivotally connected to the joint 114 and the slider 134, respectively. For example, the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102, the side segment 106A of the handle frame 106, and an end of the frame link 136 can be pivotally connected to one another coaxially at the joint 114 such that the side segments 102A and 106A and the frame link 136 can rotate relative to one another about the same axis. According to one embodiment, the frame link 136 can be a single connecting bar having a first end pivotally connected at the pivot connection 114 and a second end pivotally connected to the slider 134. The structure described herein allows the slider 134 to slide toward a position where the support bar 132 pivotally connects to the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102 during folding of the child stroller device 100, and toward a position where the support bar 132 pivotally connects to the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104 during unfolding of the child stroller device 100.

[0019] The seat portion 120 can be pivotally connected to the back frame 122 and the slider 134, respectively, about the same axis or different axes, and the seat portion 120 can be pivotally connected to the back frame 122 and the slider 134 via one or more shafts such that the seat portion 120 is rotatable relative to the slider 134 and the back frame 122. According to one embodiment, the seat assembly 108 is pivotally connected to the slider 134 about axis X such that the seat assembly 108 is rotatable relative to the slider 134 about axis X. For example, the seat portion 120, the back frame 122, and the slider 134 can be pivotally connected to each other about the same axis X to provide a compact and conveniently maneuverable structure. Further details of an embodiment in which the seat portion 120, the back frame 122, and the slider 134 are pivotally connected to each other about the same axis X are described below.

[0020] 1-5, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection region between the back frame 122 and the slider 134, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing some structural details of the slider 134, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing some structural details inside the pivotal connection portion 126 of the back frame 122. Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the slider 134 can have a sliding connection portion 134A and a pivotal connection portion 134B fixedly connected to each other. According to one example structure, the slider 134, including the sliding connection portion 134A and the pivotal connection portion 134B, can be a single, integrally formed component. The sliding connection portion 134A can be slidably connected to the support bar 132 to allow the slider 134 to slide along the support bar 132. According to one example construction, the sliding connection portion 134A can have a hole in which the support bar 132 is disposed to slidably connect the slider 134 to the support bar 132. However, it will be understood that the sliding connection between the support bar 132 and the slider 134 is not limited to the example shown. According to another example construction, a guide track may be disposed along the support bar 132, and the sliding connection portion 134A of the slider 134 may be configured to slidably connect to the guide track.

[0021] The pivot connection portion 126 of the side segment 122A of the back frame 122 may be pivotally connected to the pivot connection portion 134B of the slider 134 such that the back frame 122 is rotatable about axis X relative to the slider 134. Furthermore, the shaft 124 may extend through the pivot connection portion 126 and be connected to the pivot connection portion 134B of the slider 134, and the seat portion 120 of the seat assembly 108 may be pivotally connected about the shaft 124 such that the seat portion 120 is pivotally connected to the shaft 124 and, therefore, to the slider 134 about axis X. Thus, the seat portion 120 is rotatable about axis X relative to the slider 134 and the back frame 122, and the seat portion 120 can rotate about the shaft 124. Thus, in the assembly described herein, the shaft 124 is carried with the slider 134 and can slide along the support bar 132 on each side thereof, the back frame 122 can rotate about the shaft 124 relative to the seat portion 120 and the slider 134, and the seat portion 120 can also rotate about the shaft 124 relative to the back frame 122 and the slider 134. When the child stroller device 100 is folded, the seat portions 118, 120 fold together and the slider 134 and shaft 124 slide together towards the point where the support bar 132 pivotally connects to the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102. When the child stroller device 100 is unfolded, the seat sections 118, 120 are unfolded relative to each other and the slider 134 and shaft 124 slide together toward the point where the support bar 132 pivotally connects to the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104.

[0022] 1 , 2 , 4 and 6-8 , the child stroller device 100 further includes a backrest locking mechanism 144 configured to lock the backrest frame 122 to the slider 134 to prevent rotation of the backrest frame 122 relative to the slider 134. The backrest locking mechanism 144 may include a locking portion 146, a resilient element 148, and a release actuator 150. The locking portion 146 may be slidably connected to the shaft 124 such that the locking portion 146 can slide along the shaft 124 between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking portion 146 engages with the pivot coupling portion 126 of the backrest frame 122 and the pivot coupling portion 134B of the slider 134 to prevent rotation of the backrest frame 122 relative to the slider 134. In the unlocked position, the locking portion 146 disengages from one of the pivot coupling portion 126 of the back frame 122 and the pivot coupling portion 134B of the slider 134 for rotation of the back frame 122 relative to the slider 134. The locking portion 146 may have a circumference provided with a plurality of protruding teeth, which may engage with the pivot coupling portion 126 of the back frame 122 and the pivot coupling portion 134B of the slider 134 in the locked position to prevent relative rotation between the pivot coupling portion 126 and the pivot coupling portion 134B. To facilitate a sliding connection between the locking portion 146 and the shaft 124, the locking portion 146 may have a hole 146A, and the shaft 124 may be positioned through the hole 146A, thereby allowing the locking portion 146 to slide along the axis X relative to the pivot connection portion 126 of the backrest frame 122 and the pivot connection portion 134B of the slider 134.

[0023] The elastic element 148 is connected to the locking portion 146 and configured to apply an elastic force to bias the locking portion 146 toward the locked position. The elastic element 148 may include, for example, a spring. According to an example structure, the locking portion 146 is disengaged from the pivot coupling portion 126 of the back frame 122 in the unlocked position, and the elastic element 148 is connected to the slider 134 and the locking portion 146, respectively.

[0024] The release actuator 150 is connected to the lock portion 146 and is operable to slide the lock portion 146 toward the unlocked position. According to one example configuration, the release actuator 150 may include an actuation portion 152 and an operating portion 154. The actuation portion 152 may be disposed inside the pivot connection portion 126 of the backrest frame 122 and may be in sliding contact with the lock portion 146. The operating portion 154 may be fixedly connected to the actuation portion 152, may extend outside the pivot connection portion 126 of the backrest frame 122, and may be slidably connected to the side segment 122A of the backrest frame 122 via the pivot connection portion 126. According to one example configuration, the release actuator 150 is slidable relative to the backrest frame 122 along a sliding direction extending approximately radially relative to the shaft 124, and the actuation portion 152 may be in sliding contact with an inclined surface 146B provided on the lock portion 146. The release actuator 150 is operable to bias the locking portion 146 to slide from the locked position to the unlocked position against the resilient force of the resilient element 148 .

[0025] According to one example of the structure, the aforementioned locking portion 146 and elastic element 148 can be provided on each of the left and right sides of the seat assembly 108, and the operating portion 154 of the release actuator 150 can be provided with the aforementioned actuating portion 152 on each of the left and right sides, whereby the release actuator 150 is operable to simultaneously unlock the two locking portions 146 on the left and right sides.

[0026] 1 and 6-8 , the child stroller device 100 may further include a frame locking mechanism 156 having a locked state and an unlocked state, where the frame locking mechanism 156 locks the slider 134 to the support bar 132 in the locked state and allows the slider 134 to slide along the support bar 132 in the unlocked state. The frame locking mechanism 156 may include a latch 158 that is movable to lock and unlock the slider 134 relative to the support bar 132. According to one example structure, the latch 158 is at least partially housed within the slider 134 and is movable relative to the slider 134 to engage and disengage with the support bar 132. The latch 158 engages with the support bar 132 in the locked state to prevent the slider 134 from sliding relative to the support bar 132, thereby locking the child stroller device 100 in the unfolded state. In the unlocked state, the latch 158 disengages from the support bar 132, allowing the slider 134 to slide along the support bar 132 to fold or unfold the child stroller device 100.

[0027] According to one example construction, the latch 158 is configured to slide relative to the slider 134 to engage and disengage with the support bar 132. More specifically, the shaft 124 may have a hollow interior, and the latch 158 may be positioned to slide along the hollow interior of the shaft 124 inside the slider 134. For example, the latch 158 may be slidably connected to the shaft 124, such that the latch 158 is slidable along the axis X relative to the shaft 124 and the slider 134 to engage and disengage with the support bar 132.

[0028] 1 and 6-8, the frame locking mechanism 156 can further include a latch actuator 160 and a resilient element 162. The latch actuator 160 is connected to the latch 158 and is operable to move the latch 158 relative to the slider 134 to disengage it from the support bar 132. According to one example construction, the latch actuator 160 and the latch 158 are configured to move simultaneously to engage and disengage the latch 158 with the support bar 132. This allows a caregiver to operate the latch actuator 160 to switch the frame locking mechanism 156 between a desired unlocked state and a desired locked state.

[0029] 1 and 6-8, the latch actuator 160 may include a shaft 124 and a handle 164. The handle 164 may be fixedly connected to the shaft 124 and may protrude from the shaft 124 in a substantially radial direction, allowing a caregiver to grasp the handle 164 with their hands and operate the latch actuator 160. According to one example of a structure, the latch actuator 160 has at least a portion configured to be rotatable about an axis X. For example, the shaft 124 may be pivotally connected to the pivot coupling portion 134B of the slider 134, thereby allowing the shaft 124 to rotate about the axis X relative to the slider 134. Thus, the latch actuator 160 is pivotally connected to the slider 134 about the axis X and can rotate about the axis X relative to the slider 134.

[0030] The latch 158 is slidably connected to the latch actuator 160 and is rotatable together with the latch actuator 160 about axis X. For example, the latch actuator 160 may have a guide slot 166 disposed on the shaft 124, and the latch 158 may have a protrusion 168 slidably connected thereto via the guide slot 166. The sliding connection between the guide slot 166 and the protrusion 168 allows the latch 158 and the latch actuator 160 to simultaneously rotate about axis X and allows the latch 158 to slide along axis X relative to the latch actuator 160. Furthermore, the latch 158 may be in sliding contact with an interaction surface 170 (better shown in FIG. 7 ) provided on the slider 134, at least one of the latch 158 and the interaction surface 170 having a ramped surface. Thus, rotation of the latch actuator 160 about axis X can simultaneously rotate and slide the latch 158 along axis X. According to one example structure, the interaction surface 170 is an inclined surface. An interaction surface 170 can be disposed within the pivot connection portion 134B of the slider 134 and about the shaft 124, and the protrusion 168 of the latch 158 can be in sliding contact with the interaction surface 170. According to another example configuration, a ramped surface can be provided on the latch 158, and the interaction surface 170 can be defined on the protrusion in sliding contact with the ramped surface, such that rotation of the latch actuator 160 about axis X can also simultaneously rotate and slide the latch 158 along axis X. Thus, the latch actuator 160 is operable to slide the latch 158 relative to the shaft 124 and slider 134 for engaging or disengaging with the support bar 132.

[0031] 6 , the resilient element 162 can be disposed inside the shaft 124 and can be connected to the latch 158. For example, the resilient element 162 can be a spring having opposite ends connected to the shaft 124 and the latch 158, respectively. The resilient element 162 can apply a resilient force adapted to maintain the latch 158 in sliding contact with the interaction surface 170.

[0032] 6, the shaft 124 may further include an abutment portion 172 that slides against the lock portion 146 of the backrest locking mechanism 144. The abutment portion 172 is, for example, fixedly connected to the shaft 124 and rotatable about the axis X together with the shaft 124. As shown in FIG. 9, the sliding contact between the abutment portion 172 and the lock portion 146 may be achieved via an inclined surface 174, thereby allowing the shaft 124 and the abutment portion 172 to simultaneously rotate about the axis X to slide the lock portion 146 toward the unlocked position. As a result, when a caregiver rotates the latch actuator 160 to switch the frame locking mechanism 156 to the unlocked state, the abutment portion 172 of the latch actuator 160 can simultaneously urge the lock portion 146 to slide toward the unlocked position. Thus, the backrest locking mechanism 144 can be conveniently unlocked without having to operate its release actuator 150, thereby allowing rotation of the backrest frame 122 about axis X to reduce the volume of the child stroller device 100.

[0033] According to one example structure, the aforementioned latches 158, elastic elements 162, and abutment portions 172 can be provided on each of the left and right sides of the seat assembly 108, and the latch actuator 160 is operable to simultaneously move the two latches 158 on the left and right sides to engage or disengage with the corresponding support bars 132 and simultaneously unlock the two locking portions 146 on the left and right sides.

[0034] 4 and 6 , the child stroller device 100 may further include a safety locking mechanism 176 configured to prevent accidental unlocking of the latch 158. The safety locking mechanism 176 may include a blocking portion 178, a resilient element 180, and a release portion 182. The blocking portion 178 may extend inside the handle 164 and be movable within the shaft 124 to engage with the latch 158. For example, the latch 158 may have an extension 158A located inside the shaft 124, and the blocking portion 178 may engage with the extension 158A to prevent the latch 158 from switching from the locked state to the unlocked state. According to one example structure, the blocking portion 178 may be slidably connected to the handle 164 for sliding movement in a generally radial direction relative to the shaft 124. The resilient element 180 may be connected to the blocking portion 178 and the handle 164, respectively, and the resilient element 180 is illustratively a spring. The resilient element 180 can apply a resilient force adapted to bias the blocking portion 178 to move into engagement with the latch 158. The release portion 182 is assembled to the handle 164 of the latch actuator 160 and connected to the blocking portion 178. According to one example construction, the release portion 182 can be a push button that protrudes outward from the handle 164 and is movable to retract into the handle. The release portion 182 is operable to move the blocking portion 178 out of engagement with the latch 158 to allow the latch 158 to switch from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0035] 1 to 9, reference will now be made to FIGS. 10 and 11 to explain the folding operation of the child stroller device 100. When the child stroller device 100 is in the unfolded state, the sliders 134 on each of the left and right sides are located adjacent to the positions where the support bars 132 are pivotally connected to the side segments 104A of the leg frame 104, the seat sections 118 and 120 extend along substantially the same plane, and the frame locking mechanism 156 is in a locked state so that the child stroller device 100 is locked in the unfolded state. To fold the child stroller device 100, a caregiver can hold the handle 164 of the latch actuator 160 with one hand and simultaneously press the release portion 182, which unlocks the safety locking mechanism 176. Then, the latch actuator 160 is rotated upward to switch the frame locking mechanism 156 to the unlocked state. Next, as shown in FIG. 134, the latch actuator 160 is lifted, sliding the slider 10 along the support bar 132 away from the position where the support bar 132 pivotally connects to the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104, thereby causing the seat portions 118 and 120 to fold toward each other and, via the frame link 136, the leg frames 102 and 104 and the handle frame 106 to fold.

[0036] 10 and 11, when the child stroller apparatus 100 is fully folded, the support bar 132 can be folded toward the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104, and the slider 134 can be positioned adjacent to the location where the support bar 132 pivotally connects to the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102. According to one embodiment, the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104 can have a fastener 184 configured to engage with the slider 134 when the child stroller apparatus 100 is in the folded state, which can help maintain the child stroller apparatus 100 in the folded state. According to one example design, the fastener 184 can be fixedly connected to the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104 and configured to elastically deform to engage or disengage with the slider 134. In relation to FIG. 11, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the fastener 184 engaging with the slider 134. 11 and 12, the fastener 184 may illustratively engage with the sliding coupling portion 134A of the slider 134 to hold the child stroller device 100 in the folded state. For example, the fastener 184 may have a hook 184A, and the sliding coupling portion 134A may have a protrusion 186 adapted to engage with the hook 184A.

[0037] 13 to 15 are schematic diagrams showing another embodiment of the child stroller device 100. In the child stroller device 100 of FIGS. 13 to 15, the seat assembly 108 does not have the seat portions 118 and 120 of the previous embodiment, and the remaining structure and operation of the previous embodiment are the same as those of the embodiment of FIGS. 13 to 15. Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, the seat assembly 108 of the child stroller device 100 includes a soft goods member 190 (shown by a dashed line in FIG. 13) connected to the back frame 122 and coupled to the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102. FIG. 13 shows the soft goods member 190 with phantom lines, FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the child stroller device 100 without the soft goods member 190 installed, and FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing some structural details of the soft goods member 190. The soft goods member 190 may include any suitable flexible material, such as a cloth material, a flexible pad, etc. According to one example structure, the soft goods member 190 can be configured to be fixed to the back frame 122 and the leg support 131, respectively. For example, the soft goods member 190 can have two ends with two pockets 190A and 190B respectively, and the back frame 122 can be at least partially received inside the pocket 190A such that the soft goods member 190 is fixed to the back frame 122 at one end, and the leg support 131 can be at least partially received inside the pocket 190B such that the soft goods member 190 is fixed to the leg support 131 at the other opposite end. For a secure connection, the soft goods member 190 may be further fixed to a shaft 124 and a cross bar 196 provided on the leg frame 102. The cross bar 196 may extend generally parallel to the shaft 124 from left to right adjacent the leg support 131 and may be fixedly connected to the two side segments 102A of the leg frame 102.The soft goods member 190 can be secured to the shaft 124 and the cross bar 196 via two strips 198A and 198B, respectively, which can be made of a flexible material and can extend below the soft goods member 190. The strip 198A can wrap around the shaft 124 and be attached to the soft goods member 190 at two opposing ends of the strip 198A, thereby restricting the position of the shaft 124 relative to the soft goods member 190. Similarly, the strip 198B can wrap around the cross bar 196 and be attached to the soft goods member 190 at two opposing ends of the strip 198B, thereby restricting the position of the cross bar 196 relative to the soft goods member 190. According to one example structure, strips 198A and 198B may be attached to soft goods member 190 in a similar manner, with one of the two opposing ends of each of strips 198A and 198B being permanently attached to soft goods member 190 (e.g., by sewing) and the other of the two opposing ends of each of strips 198A and 198B being removably connected to soft goods member 190 via one or more fasteners 199 (e.g., snap fasteners, buttons, etc.).

[0038] The soft goods member 190 does not necessarily need to be secured to both the leg support 131 and the cross bar 196 to connect the soft goods member 190 to the leg frame 102, but may be secured to only one of the leg support 131 and the cross bar 196. For example, an alternative embodiment could omit the leg support 131 and have the soft goods member 190 secured only to the cross bar 196 to connect the soft goods member 190 to the leg frame 102, or could omit the cross bar 196 and have the soft goods member 190 secured only to the leg support 131 to connect the soft goods member 190 to the leg frame 102.

[0039] When the soft goods members 190 are installed, they can define seat portions 194 between the side segments 102A of the leg frame 102 and the back frame 122 (particularly between the cross bar 196 and the shaft 124) that are adapted to provide seating support for a child. The soft goods members 190 can further include openings (not shown) that allow a caregiver to access and operate the handles 164. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13-15 , the seat assembly 108 is coupled to sliders 134 on each side, which are slidable along the support bars 132 as described above to fold and unfold the seat portions 194 defined by the soft goods members 190, and the sliding movement of the sliders 134 along the support bars 132 is coupled to the folding and unfolding movement of the stroller frame 101 via the frame links 136.

[0040] 1 to 12 may further include a soft goods member similar to the soft goods member 190 including two pockets 190A and 190B, which may be fixed to the back frame 122 and the leg support 131, respectively. To securely attach the soft goods member to the child stroller device 100, the soft goods member may have a flexible strip (not shown) that may be tied around the shaft 124 and / or the leg frame 102. Alternatively or in addition to using a flexible strip, the soft goods member may also be attached to the child stroller device 100 by a sewing method. It will be understood that the attachment of the soft goods member to the child stroller device 100 is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and other methods may be possible.

[0041] 16 to 30 are various views showing another embodiment of a child stroller device 100. Referring to Figures 16 to 30, the child stroller device 100 shown therein can have the same stroller frame 101 as the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, which includes two leg frames 102 and 104, a handle frame 106, a seat assembly 108, and two link mechanisms 110. Similarly, the seat assembly 108 includes two seat portions 118, 120 and a backrest frame 122, and each of the two link mechanisms 110 includes a support bar 132, a slider 134, and a frame link 136. The assembly and operation of the leg frames 102 and 104, the handle frame 106, the seat portions 118 and 120, the backrest frame 122, the support bar 132, the slider 134 and the frame link 136 may be similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, with each slider 134 being slidable along the corresponding support bar 132, the shaft 124 (better shown in Figure 24) being carried with the slider 134 so as to be slidable together with the slider 134 along the support bar 132, the backrest frame 122 being rotatable about the shaft 124 relative to the seat portion 120 and the slider 134, and the seat portion 120 also being rotatable about the shaft 124 and the axis X relative to the backrest frame 122 and the slider 134. 16-30, both ends of the shaft 124 may be fixedly connected to two sliders 134, respectively, so that the shaft 124 is fixed and does not move relative to the sliders 134. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, relative rotation between the seat portions 118 and 120 is associated with sliding movement of the sliders 134 along the support bars 132 for folding and unfolding the child stroller device 100.

[0042] 16-25, the child stroller device 100 includes a backrest locking mechanism 144 (better shown in FIG. 25) configured to lock the backrest frame 122 to the slider 134 to prevent rotation of the backrest frame 122 relative to the slider 134. The backrest locking mechanism 144 may include a locking portion 146, a resilient element 148, and a release actuator 150, which may be similar in structure and operation to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 described above. This allows the locking portion 146 to slide along the shaft 124 and the axis X between a locked position in which the locking portion 146 engages the pivot connection portion 126 of the back frame 122 and the pivot connection portion 134B of the slider 134 to prevent rotation of the back frame 122 relative to the slider 134, and an unlocked position in which the locking portion 146 disengages from the pivot connection portion 126 of the back frame 122 to allow rotation of the back frame 122 relative to the slider 134. The elastic element 148 can apply an elastic force to urge the locking portion 146 toward the locked position. The release actuator 150 is connected to the locking portion 146 and is operable to slide the locking portion 146 toward the unlocked position.

[0043] 16-25, the child stroller device 100 further includes a frame locking mechanism 256 that replaces the frame locking mechanism 156 of the previous embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-8. The frame locking mechanism 256 has a locked state and an unlocked state, and in the locked state, the frame locking mechanism 256 locks the slider 134 to the support bar 132, and in the unlocked state, the frame locking mechanism 256 allows the slider 134 to slide along the support bar 132. Referring to FIGS. 16-25, the frame locking mechanism 256 may include a latch 258 that is movable to lock and unlock the slider 134 relative to the support bar 132. According to one example structure, the latch 258 is at least partially housed within the slider 134 and is movable relative to the slider 134 to engage and disengage with the support bar 132. In the locked state, the latch 258 engages with the support bar 132 to prevent the slider 134 from sliding relative to the support bar 132, thereby locking the child stroller device 100 in the unfolded state. In the unlocked state, the latch 258 disengages from the support bar 132, allowing the slider 134 to slide along the support bar 132 to fold or unfold the child stroller device 100.

[0044] According to one example construction, the latch 258 is configured to slide relative to the slider 134 to engage and disengage with the support bar 132. More specifically, the shaft 124 may have a hollow interior, and the latch 258 may have an elongated portion disposed to slide along the hollow interior of the shaft 124 inside the slider 134. For example, the elongated portion of the latch 258 may be slidably connected to the shaft 124, such that the latch 258 is slidable along the axis X relative to the shaft 124 and slider 134 to engage and disengage with the support bar 132. FIG. 25 illustrates the latch 258 in a locked state, and FIG. 26 illustrates the latch 258 in an unlocked state.

[0045] 16 and 21-25, the frame locking mechanism 256 may further include a resilient element 260 and a latch actuator 262. The resilient element 260 may be disposed inside the shaft 124 and connected to the latch 258. According to one example structure, the resilient element 260 may be a spring having opposite ends respectively connected to the latch 258 and an anchor structure provided inside the shaft 124. The resilient element 260 may apply a resilient force adapted to slide the latch 258 into engagement with the support bar 132.

[0046] The latch actuator 262 is connected to the latch 258 and is operable to move the latch 258 relative to the slider 134 to disengage it from the support bar 132. According to one example construction, the latch actuator 262 and the latch 258 are configured to move simultaneously to engage and disengage the latch 258 with the support bar 132, and a caregiver can operate the latch actuator 262 to switch the frame locking mechanism 256 to an unlocked state.

[0047] 16-26 , the latch actuator 262 can be disposed adjacent to the axis X. The latch actuator 262 can extend from below the seat assembly 108 to above the seat assembly 108 and can operate to disengage the latch 258 from the support bar 132 and fold the seat portions 118 and 120 toward each other. The latch actuator 262 can include a drive unit 264 and an operating unit 266. According to one example of a structure, the latch actuator 262 has at least a portion configured to be rotatable about the axis X. For example, the drive unit 264 is connected to the latch 258 and is rotatable about the axis X for biasing the latch 258 to disengage from the support bar 132. According to one example of a structure, the drive unit 264 can be pivotally connected about the shaft 124 extending along the axis X, such that the drive unit 264 is rotatable about the axis X relative to the shaft 124. For example, the driver 264 can be a single component having a bore 264A through which the shaft 124 can be disposed such that the driver 264 can rotate about the shaft 124. The driver 264 is connected to the latch 258 such that rotation of the driver 264 about axis X causes the latch 258 to slide along axis X and disengage from the support bar 132. According to one example configuration, the latch 258 is slidably connected to the driver 264 such that the latch 258 and the driver 264 are movably coupled to one another, i.e., such that sliding of the latch 258 along axis X and rotation of the driver 264 about axis X occur simultaneously. For example, the driver 264 can have a guide slot 268, and a portion of the latch 258 that extends inwardly of the shaft 124 can have a pin 270 that protrudes outwardly through a slot 272 on the shaft 124 and is slidably connected through the guide slot 268 in the driver 264. The pin 270 is fixedly connected to the latch 258, for example, by fastening the pin 270 to the latch 258 or by forming the pin 270 integrally with the latch 258.The slot 272 in the shaft 124 can be an elongated slot extending generally along the axis X, and the guide slot 268 in the driver 264 at least partially overlaps the slot 272 in the shaft 124 and is inclined at an angle thereto. According to one example construction, the guide slot 268 in the driver 264 can include, but is not limited to, a helical slot. Due to the sliding connection between the guide slot 268 and the pin 270, sliding movement of the latch 258 along the axis X in a locking direction (i.e., to engage the support bar 132) corresponds to a rotation of the driver 264 in one direction about the axis X, and sliding movement of the latch 258 along the axis X in an unlocking direction (i.e., to disengage from the support bar 132) corresponds to a rotation of the driver 264 in the other, opposite direction about the axis X.

[0048] The operating member 266 is connected to the driver 264 and is operable to rotate the driver 264 and disengage the latch 258 from the support bar 132. According to one example configuration, the operating member 266 can be a flexible strip, which can include, but is not limited to, an operating strap. As shown in FIGS. 16-18 , 20-22 , and 24 , the operating member 266 can extend through the seat assembly 108 from a lower side to an upper side thereof at a location forward of the axis X. For example, the seat portion 120 of the seat assembly 108 can have an opening 274 at a location forward of the axis X, and the operating member 266 can extend from a lower side of the seat portion 120 through the opening 274 to an upper side of the seat portion 120. The operating portion 266 is configured to provide a convenient unlocking and folding operation, and a caregiver can pull the operating portion 266 upward above the seat portion 120 to rotate the drive portion 264, thereby urging the latch 258 to disengage from the support bar 132, and then lift the child stroller device 100 for folding. Because the operating portion 266 extends along a rear-to-front direction below the seat assembly 108, pulling the operating portion 266 upward can apply a forward force to the shaft 124, which can help displace the seat portion 120 and the slider 134 in the folding direction.

[0049] In relation to FIG. 25 , FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional view showing further structural details of the drive portion 264 inside the pivot connection portion 126 of the back frame 122. Referring to FIGS. 25 and 27 , the drive portion 264 can further have an abutment portion 276 that can make sliding contact with the lock portion 146 of the back locking mechanism 144. The abutment portion 276 can illustratively be fixedly connected at its distal end to the drive portion 264, thereby allowing the abutment portion 276 to rotate together with the drive portion 264 about axis X. As shown in FIG. 27 , the sliding contact between the abutment portion 276 and the lock portion 146 can be achieved via an inclined surface 278, thereby allowing the drive portion 264 and the abutment portion 276 to simultaneously rotate about axis X to slide the lock portion 146 toward the unlocked position. As a result, when a caregiver operates the latch actuator 262 to switch the frame lock mechanism 256 to the unlocked state, the abutting portion 276 of the latch actuator 262 can simultaneously urge the lock portion 146 to slide toward the unlocked position. Thus, the backrest lock mechanism 144 can be conveniently unlocked without having to operate its release actuator 150, thereby allowing rotation of the backrest frame 122 about the axis X to reduce the volume of the child stroller device 100.

[0050] According to one example of the structure, the aforementioned latches 258, elastic elements 260, and drive units 264 can be provided on the left and right sides of the seat assembly 108, respectively, and the operating unit 266 can extend laterally above the seat portion 120 and be connected to the two drive units 264 on the left and right sides of the seat assembly 108. As a result, the operating unit 266 is operable to simultaneously move the two left and right latches 258 to engage or disengage with the corresponding support bars 132, and further urge the two left and right locking units 146 to simultaneously unlock.

[0051] 21 , 22 , 24-26 , 28 and 29 , the child stroller device 100 may further include a safety lock mechanism 280 configured to prevent accidental unlocking of the latch 258. The safety lock mechanism 280 may include a blocking portion 282 and a release portion 284 connected to each other. The blocking portion 282 may engage with the drive portion 264 to prevent rotation of the drive portion 264, which would switch the latch 258 from a locked state to an unlocked state. The release portion 284 is operable to bias the blocking portion 282 to disengage from the drive portion 264, thereby allowing the drive portion 264 to rotate about axis X to bias the latch 258 from the locked state to an unlocked state. To facilitate engagement between the blocking portion 282 and the drive portion 264, the drive portion 264 may have an opening 285, and the blocking portion 282 may engage the opening 285 to prevent rotation of the drive portion 264 about axis X. According to one example structure, the blocking portion 282 and the release portion 284 can be assembled to the seat portion 120, the blocking portion 282 can be located adjacent to the drive portion 264, and the release portion 284 can be exposed on an upper surface of the seat portion 120 for manipulation by a caregiver. The blocking portion 282 and the release portion 284 can be movably connected to the seat portion 120, for example, the blocking portion 282 can be slidably connected to the seat portion 120, and the release portion 284 can be pivotally connected to the seat portion 120. The blocking portion 282 and the release portion 284 can be connected via a cable. For example, the safety lock mechanism 280 can include a cable 286 and a cable actuator 288. The cable 286 can have opposite ends connected to the blocking portion 282 and the cable actuator 288, respectively, and the cable actuator 288 can be located adjacent to the release portion 284. 26 and 29, the release portion 284 can bias the cable actuator 288 to move and pull the blocking portion 282 via the cable 286, thereby disengaging the blocking portion 282 from the driver portion 264. This allows the driver portion 264 to rotate about axis X, biasing the latch 258 to switch from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0052] The blocking portion 282 may further be connected to a resilient element 290. When no external force is applied to the release portion 284, the resilient element 290 may apply a resilient force that assists the blocking portion 282 in regaining engagement with the drive portion 264. The release portion 284 may also be connected to another resilient element 292 that may apply a resilient force adapted to assist the release portion 284 in returning to its initial position when no external force is applied to the release portion 284.

[0053] 16 to 30 will be referred to below to describe the folding operation of the child stroller device 100. Referring to FIGS. 16 to 25, when the child stroller device 100 is in the unfolded state, the slider 134 is disposed adjacent to the position where the support bar 132 is pivotally connected to the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104, the seat portions 118 and 120 extend along substantially the same plane, and the frame locking mechanism 256 is in a locked state so that the child stroller device 100 can be locked in the unfolded state.

[0054] To fold the child stroller device 100, a caregiver can press the release portion 284 to unlock the safety lock mechanism 280. Then, the caregiver can manually grasp and pull the operating portion 266 upward to switch the frame lock mechanism 256 to the unlocked state. The pulling action applied via the operating portion 266 can also pull the shaft 124 and slider 134 forward, causing each slider 134 to slide along the corresponding support bar 132 away from the position where the support bar 132 pivotally connects to the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104. This allows the seat portions 118, 120 to fold toward each other, as shown in FIG. 30 , and the connection of the frame link 136 to the sliders 134 on both the left and right sides can facilitate movement and folding of the leg frames 102, 104 and handle frame 106. When the child stroller apparatus 100 is fully folded, the support bar 132 can be folded toward the side segment 104A of the leg frame 104, and the slider 134 can be positioned adjacent to the location where the support bar 132 pivotally connects to the side segment 102A of the leg frame 102. The child stroller apparatus 100 may also be provided with a fastener 184, shown in Figure 12, which is engageable with the slider 134 to hold the child stroller apparatus 100 in the folded state.

[0055] 31-41 show modified embodiments of the child stroller device 100 shown in FIGS. 16-30. Referring to FIGS. 31-41, the child stroller device 100 shown therein may generally have the same stroller frame 101 described above, including two leg frames 102 and 104, a handle frame 106, a seat assembly 108, and two link mechanisms 110. Similarly, the seat assembly 108 includes two seat sections 118, 120 and a backrest frame 122, and each of the two link mechanisms 110 includes a support bar 132, a slider 134, and a frame link 136. The seat section 118 may include two bar segments 310 on the left and right sides, and the seat section 120 may also include two bar segments 312 on the left and right sides pivotally connected to the two bar segments 310 via two joints 128, respectively. The two bar segments 310 of the seat portion 118 can be pivotally connected to the two side segments 102A of the leg frame 102 via two joints 130, respectively, and the two bar segments 312 of the seat portion 120 can be pivotally connected to the shaft 124 via a bracket 314. Furthermore, the seat portions 118 and 120 can further include other elements, such as seat pans or soft goods elements (not shown), that can be connected to the bar segments 310 and 312 so that the seat portions 118 and 120 can provide seating support for the child. The assembly and operation of the leg frames 102 and 104, the handle frame 106, the seat portions 118 and 120, the backrest frame 122, the support bar 132, the slider 134 and the frame link 136 can be similar to the embodiments of Figures 1-5 and 16-30, with the relative rotation between the seat portions 118 and 120 being coupled to the sliding movement of the slider 134 along the support bar 132 on the left and right sides, respectively, for folding and unfolding the child stroller device 100.As with the previous embodiment, the child stroller device 100 of Figures 31-41 can include a latch actuator 262 including a drive portion 264 and an operating portion 266, which is operable to switch the frame lock mechanism 256 (better shown in Figures 25-27) to an unlocked state to fold the child stroller device 100.

[0056] 31-38, the child stroller device 100 may further include a safety lock mechanism 302 operable independently of the frame lock mechanism 256 (better shown in FIGS. 25-27) and configured to prevent accidental folding of the seat portions 118 and 120. The safety lock mechanism 302 includes a lock 304 and has a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the lock 304 creates an obstacle in the travel path of the seat portions 118 and 120 that prevents relative rotation between the seat portions 118 and 120 from the unfolded state to the folded state, and in the unlocked state, the lock 304 removes the obstacle, allowing relative rotation between the seat portions 118 and 120 from the unfolded state to the folded state. According to one example configuration, the lock 304 may be movably assembled with the seat portion 120 adjacent the joint 128 and is movable into and out of engagement with the seat portion 118. For example, the lock 304 can engage a recess 306 in the seat portion 118 while the seat portions 118, 120 are in the unfolded state to prevent relative rotation of the seat portions 118, 120 toward the folded state. The safety lock mechanism 302 can be switched to an unlocked state by disengaging the lock 304 from the recess 306 in the seat portion 118, thereby allowing relative rotation between the seat portions 118, 120 from the unfolded state to the folded state.

[0057] 31 to 38, recess 306 may illustratively be provided in each of two bar segments 310 of seat portion 118. Lock 304 may be movably disposed in the hollow interior of one of the two bar segments 312 adjacent to joint 128, and is movable so as to protrude outside bar segment 312 or retract toward the interior of bar segment 312.

[0058] The safety locking mechanism 302 may further include a resilient element 320 connected to the lock 304. The resilient element 320 is disposed inside the bar segment 312 supporting the lock 304 and is connected to the inner sidewalls of the lock 304 and the bar segment 312, respectively. According to one example structure, the lock 304 may have a cavity 304A, and the resilient element 320 may include a spring extending into the cavity 304A, with both ends of the spring connected to the inner sidewalls of the cavity 304A and the bar segment 312, respectively. The resilient element 320 may apply a resilient force that biases the lock 304, moving and protruding outward from the bar segment 310 to engage with the recess 306 in the bar segment 312.

[0059] It will be appreciated that the assembly of the lock 304 and the elastic element 320 is not limited to the foregoing example. Alternatively, the lock 304 and the elastic element 320 may be disposed within the bar segment 310, with the lock 304 being movable to engage and disengage with a recess provided in the bar segment 312 for locking and unlocking the safety locking mechanism 302.

[0060] To facilitate unlocking of the lock 304, the safety locking mechanism 302 may further include a release actuator 322 and a link 324. The release actuator 322 may illustratively be carried by the seat portion 118 and connected to the lock 304 via the link 324. According to one example of a structure, the seat portion 118 may include a resilient wire assembly 326 having two ends fixed to the two bar segments 310, respectively, and the release actuator 322 may be disposed on the resilient wire assembly 326. The resilient wire assembly 326 is adapted to provide seating support and can resiliently move up and down. The release actuator 322 may be disposed at any suitable position on the resilient wire assembly 326. For example, a housing 328 fixedly connected to the central region of the resilient wire assembly 326 may be provided, and the release actuator 322 may include a button pivotally connected to the housing 328. According to another example of a structure, the release actuator 322 may be an element slidably and / or pivotally connected to the housing 328. The link 324 may include a cable having one end 324A connected to the release actuator 322 and the other end 324B connected to the lock 304. The release actuator 322 is thus operable to move the lock 304 through the link 324, thereby disengaging the lock 304 from the recess 306 in the bar segment 310. According to one example construction, the same assembly of lock 304 and elastic element 320 may be provided on each of the two bar segments 312 (or bar segments 310), and the release actuator 322 may be connected to the two locks 304 via the two links 324, respectively.

[0061] 37 and 38 , the release actuator 322 can be connected to a resilient element 330 (e.g., a spring) disposed inside the housing 328. The resilient element 330 applies a resilient force that can bias the release actuator 322 toward its initial position. A caregiver can press the release actuator 322 to disengage the lock 304 from the recess 306 in the bar segment 310, which switches the safety locking mechanism 302 to an unlocked state. When the caregiver releases the release actuator 322, the release actuator 322 can resume its initial position under the biasing action of the resilient element 330.

[0062] 39-41 show an exemplary folding of the child stroller device 100, in conjunction with FIGS. 31-38. To fold the child stroller device 100, a caregiver operates the release actuator 322 of the safety lock mechanism 302 and the latch actuator 262 of the frame lock mechanism, respectively, to rotate the seat sections 118, 120 toward the folded state and slide the left and right sliders 134 along the corresponding support bars 132. The child stroller device 100 can then be lifted above the floor using the latch actuator 262, whereby the child stroller device 100 is folded as shown in FIGS. 39-41. When the child stroller device 100 is fully folded, the leg frame 102 and the handle frame 106 can be folded so as to be positioned generally on either side of the leg frame 104, respectively.

[0063] Because the safety lock mechanism 302 is a separate mechanism that operates independently, the safety lock mechanism 302 is limited to the specific structure of the frame lock mechanism. For example, the child stroller device 100 may include the safety lock mechanism 302 in combination with any of the previously described frame lock mechanisms 156 and 256. According to some alternative embodiments, the child stroller device 100 may omit the frame lock mechanisms 156 and 256 and be locked in the unfolded state by the safety lock mechanism 302, i.e., the safety lock mechanism 302 may function as a frame lock mechanism.

[0064] 34 and 36, a stopper 332 may be further provided to prevent excessive rotation of the seat portions 118 and 120 in the unfolded direction. The stopper 332 and the lock 304 may be located on opposite sides of the joint 128. According to one example structure, the stopper 332 may be fixedly connected to the bar segment 312. The stopper 332 may abut against the underside of the bar segment 310 when the seat portions 118 and 120 are in the unfolded state, and may be displaced away from the bar segment 310 when the seat portions 118 and 120 are folded. To facilitate the abutment of the stopper 332, the bar segment 310 may have a downward-facing recess 334, with which the stopper 332 may engage when the seat portions 118 and 120 are unfolded. It will be appreciated that the positions of the stopper 332 and the recess 334 may be interchanged, i.e., the stopper 332 may be located on the bar segment 310 and the recess 334 may be provided on the bar segment 312.

[0065] Advantages of the child stroller device described herein include the ability to smoothly fold and unfold the stroller frame in a safe manner, allowing for convenient one-handed folding.

[0066] Structural implementations are described only in the context of specific embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative, not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Thus, components described herein may be provided in multiple instances as a single instance. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in exemplary configurations may also be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A child stroller device (100), comprising: a first leg frame (102) and a second leg frame (104), wherein the first leg frame (102) includes a first side segment (102A) and the second leg frame (104) includes a second side segment (104A); a handle frame (106) including a third side segment (106A) pivotally connected to the first side segment (102A) and the second side segment (104A), respectively, the third side segment (106A) pivotally connected to the first side segment (102A) via a joint (114); a seat assembly (108) connected to the first side segment (102A); A linkage (110) including a support bar (132), a slider (134), and a frame link (136), the support bar (132) is pivotally connected to the first side segment (102A) and the second side segment (104A), respectively, the slider (134) is coupled to the seat assembly (108); and a linkage (110) slidably connected to the support bar (132), the frame link (136) pivotally connected to the slider (134), the slider (134) sliding along the support bar (132) during folding and unfolding of the child stroller device (100); A child stroller device (100) comprising:

2. the slider (134) slides toward a position where the support bar (132) pivotally connects to the first side segment (102A) during folding of the child stroller device (100), and slides toward a position where the support bar (132) pivotally connects to the second side segment (104A) during unfolding of the child stroller device (100); 2. The child stroller device (100) of claim 1.

3. The frame link (136) is a single connecting bar. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The frame link (136) is pivotally connected to the slider (134) and the joint (114), respectively. A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the first side segment (102A), the third side segment (106A), and the frame link (136) are coaxially pivotally connected at the joint (114); 5. The child stroller device (100) of claim 4.

6. The frame lock mechanism (156, 256) further includes a frame lock mechanism (156, 256) having a locked state and an unlocked state, the frame lock mechanism (156, 256) locking the slider (134) to the support bar (132) in the locked state and allowing the slider (134) to slide along the support bar (132) in the unlocked state. A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the frame locking mechanism (156, 256) includes a latch (158, 258) at least partially housed within the slider (134), the latch (158, 258) being movable relative to the slider (134) to engage or disengage with the support bar (132), the latch (158, 258) engaging with the support bar (132) in the locked state and disengaging from the support bar (132) in the unlocked state; 7. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 6.

8. the frame locking mechanism (156, 256) further includes a latch actuator (160, 262) connected to the latch (158, 258), the latch actuator (160, 262) operable to move the latch (158, 258) relative to the slider (134) to disengage it from the support bar (132); 8. The child stroller device (100) of claim 7.

9. the latch actuator (160, 262) and the latch (158, 258) are simultaneously movable to engage or disengage the latch (158, 258) with the support bar (132); 9. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 8.

10. the slider (134) is pivotally connected to the seat assembly (108) about an axis (X) such that the seat assembly (108) is rotatable about the axis (X) relative to the slider (134), and the latch actuator (262) is disposed adjacent to the axis (X) and extends from the underside of the seat assembly (108) to the upper side of the seat assembly (108); A child stroller device (100) according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The seat assembly (108) is pivotally connected to the slider (134) about an axis (X) such that the seat assembly (108) is rotatable about the axis (X) relative to the slider (134), and the latch (158, 258) is slidable along the axis (X) relative to the slider (134) to engage and disengage with the support bar (132). A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

12. the seat assembly (108) is pivotally connected to the slider (134) via a shaft (124) extending along the axis (X), the shaft (124) is carried together with the slider (134), and the latch (158, 258) is slidable along the shaft (124) relative to the slider (134) to engage and disengage with the support bar (132); 12. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 11.

13. the frame locking mechanism (156, 256) further includes a latch actuator (160, 262) connected to the latch (158, 258), the latch actuator (160, 262) having at least a portion configured to be rotatable about the axis (X), the latch actuator (160, 262) operable to slide the latch (158, 258) relative to the slider (134) to disengage it from the support bar (132); 13. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 12.

14. the latch (158) is slidably connected to the latch actuator (160) and rotatable together with the latch actuator (160) about the axis (X), the latch (158) being in sliding contact with an interaction surface (170) of the slider (134), whereby rotation of the latch actuator (160) about the axis (X) causes the latch (158) to slide along the axis (X); 14. A child stroller device according to claim 13.

15. the frame locking mechanism (156) further includes a resilient element (162) connected to the latch (158), the resilient element (162) applying a resilient force adapted to maintain the latch (158) in sliding contact with the interaction surface (170); 15. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 14.

16. the latch actuator (160) includes the shaft (124) and a handle (164) fixedly connected to the shaft (124), the shaft (124) being rotatable about the axis (X) relative to the slider (134), and the latch (158) being slidable along the hollow interior of the shaft (124); A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

17. a safety lock mechanism (176) including a release portion (182) and a blocking portion (178) connected to each other, wherein the release portion (182) is assembled to the handle (164), and the blocking portion (178) is movable to engage with the latch (158) via the shaft (124) to prevent the latch (158) from switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the release portion (182) is operable to disengage the blocking portion (178) from the latch (158) to allow the latch (158) to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state.

17. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 16.

18. the latch actuator (262) includes an operating portion (266) configured as a flexible strip, the operating portion (266) extending through the seat assembly (108) from its underside to its upper side at a position forward of the axis (X); A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 13 to 17.

19. the latch (258) is slidable along the hollow interior of the shaft (124), the latch actuator (262) further includes a drive portion (264) connected to the latch (258) and the operating portion (266), respectively, the drive portion (264) being rotatable about the shaft (124) to urge the latch (258) to disengage from the support bar (132); 20. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 18.

20. the frame locking mechanism (256) further includes a resilient element (260) connected to the latch (258), the resilient element (260) applying a resilient force adapted to slide the latch (258) into engagement with the support bar (132); 20. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 19.

21. the drive portion (264) has a guide slot (268), the latch (258) has a pin (270) that extends through a slot (272) on the shaft (124) and is slidably connected to the guide slot (268) of the drive portion (264); A child stroller device (100) according to claim 19 or 20.

22. the guide slot (268) of the drive portion (264) at least partially overlaps with the slot (272) of the shaft (124) and is inclined at an angle relative to the slot; 22. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 21.

23. the guide slot (268) of the drive portion (264) comprises a helical slot; A child stroller device (100) according to claim 21 or 22.

24. the seat assembly (108) includes a back frame (122) and a soft goods member (190) connected to each other, the soft goods member (190) being coupled to the first side segment (102A), and the soft goods member (190) defining a seat portion (194) between the back frame (122) and the first side segment (102A); A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 13 to 23.

25. the seat assembly (108) includes a back frame (122) and a first seat portion (118) and a second seat portion (120) pivotally connected to one another, the first seat portion (118) pivotally connected to the first side segment (102A) and the back frame (122), and the second seat portion (120) and the slider (134) pivotally connected to one another about the same axis (X); A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

26. the slider (134) has a sliding connection portion (134A) and a first pivot connection portion (134B) fixedly connected to each other, the backrest frame (122) is fixedly connected to the second pivot connection portion (126), the support bar (132) is slidably connected to the slider (134) via the sliding connection portion (134A), and the first pivot connection portion (134B) is pivotally connected to the second pivot connection portion (126), whereby the backrest frame (122) is rotatable about the axis (X) relative to the slider (134); 26. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 25.

27. the seat assembly (108) is carried with the slider (134) and is pivotally connected about a shaft (124) extending along the axis (X) and passing through the second pivot connection portion (126); 27. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 26.

28. and a frame lock mechanism (156, 256) having a locked state that locks the slider (134) to the support bar (132) and an unlocked state that allows the slider (134) to slide along the support bar (132), the frame lock mechanism (156, 256) including a latch (158, 258) at least partially housed within the slider (134) and movable relative to the shaft (124), the latch (158, 258) engaging the support bar (132) in the locked state and disengaging from the support bar (132) in the unlocked state.

28. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 27.

29. the frame locking mechanism (156, 256) further includes a latch actuator (160, 262) connected to the latch (158, 258), the latch actuator (160, 262) operable to move the latch (158, 258) to disengage it from the support bar (132); 29. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 28.

30. The latch actuator (160, 262) has at least a portion configured to be rotatable about the axis (X).

30. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 29.

31. The latch (158, 258) is slidable along the hollow interior of the shaft (124).

31. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 30.

32. the shaft (124) is fixedly connected to a handle (164) to form the latch actuator (160), the latch (158) is slidable along the axis (X) relative to the slider (134) and the shaft (124) to engage and disengage with the support bar (132), the latch actuator (160) is rotatable about the axis (X), and the latch actuator (160) is operable to slide the latch (158) relative to the slider (134) and the shaft (124) to disengage with the support bar (132); A child stroller device (100) according to claim 30 or 31.

33. the latch (158) is slidably connected to the latch actuator (160) and rotatable together with the latch actuator (160) about the axis (X), the latch (158) being in sliding contact with an interaction surface (170) of the slider (134), whereby rotation of the latch actuator (160) about the axis (X) causes the latch (158) to slide along the axis (X); 33. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 32.

34. the frame locking mechanism (156) further includes a resilient element (162) connected to the latch (158), the resilient element (162) applying a resilient force adapted to maintain the latch (158) in sliding contact with the interaction surface (170); 34. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 33.

35. The seat back locking mechanism (144) further includes a backrest locking mechanism (144) configured to lock the backrest frame (122) to the slider (134), the backrest locking mechanism (144) including a locking portion (146) slidably connected to the shaft (124) such that the locking portion (146) is slidable along the shaft (124) between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking portion (146) being slidably connected to the backrest frame (122) between a locked position and an unlocked position. 2) engages with the first pivot connection portion (134B) and the second pivot connection portion (126) in the locked position to prevent rotation of the back frame (122) relative to the slider (134), and the lock (146) disengages from one of the first pivot connection portion (134B) and the second pivot connection portion (126) in the unlocked position for rotation of the back frame (122) relative to the slider (134). A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 27 to 34.

36. the backrest locking mechanism (144) further includes an elastic element (148) connected to the locking portion (146), the elastic element (148) applying an elastic force to bias the locking portion (146) toward the locked position; 36. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 35.

37. the shaft (124) has an abutment portion (172) that slides against the lock portion (146), and the shaft (124) and the abutment portion (172) are simultaneously rotatable about the axis (X) so as to slide the lock portion (146) toward the unlocked position; A child stroller device (100) according to claim 35 or 36.

38. the backrest locking mechanism (144) further includes a release actuator (150) connected to the locking portion (146), the release actuator (150) operable to slide the locking portion (146) toward the unlocked position; A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 35 to 37.

39. the latch actuator (262) includes a drive (264) connected to the latch (258), the drive (264) rotatable about the shaft (124) to bias the latch (258) into disengagement from the support bar (132); A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 30 to 38.

40. the latch actuator (262) further includes an operating portion (266) configured as a flexible strip, the operating portion (266) connected to the drive portion (264) and extending through the seat assembly (108) from its lower side to its upper side at a position forward of the axis (X), the operating portion (266) operable to rotate the drive portion (264) to urge the latch (258) to disengage from the support bar (132); 40. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 39.

41. and a safety lock mechanism (280) including a release portion (284) and a blocking portion (282) connected to each other, wherein the release portion (284) is assembled to the seat assembly (108), the blocking portion (282) engages with the drive portion (264) to prevent the latch (258) from switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the release portion (284) is operable to bias the blocking portion (282) to disengage from the drive portion (264) so ​​that the drive portion (264) can rotate to bias the latch (258) to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 39 or 40.

42. The blocking portion (282) and the releasing portion (284) are connected to each other via a cable.

42. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 41.

43. a backrest locking mechanism (144) configured to lock the backrest frame (122) to the slider (134); the backrest locking mechanism (144) includes a locking portion (146) that is slidable along the axis (X) between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking portion (146) preventing rotation of the backrest frame (122) relative to the slider (134) in the locked position and allowing rotation of the backrest frame (122) relative to the slider (134) in the unlocked position; the drive portion (264) has an abutment portion (276) that slides against the lock portion (146), and the drive portion (264) and the abutment portion (276) are simultaneously rotatable about the axis (X) so as to slide the lock portion (146) toward the unlocked position; A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 39 to 42.

44. the backrest locking mechanism (144) further includes a resilient element (148) and a release actuator, the resilient element (148) biasing the locking portion (146) toward the locked position, and the release actuator (150) operable to slide the locking portion (146) toward the unlocked position; 44. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 43.

45. the seat assembly (108) includes a first seat portion (118) and a second seat portion (120) pivotally connected to one another, the first seat portion (118) pivotally connected to the first side segment (102A), the second seat portion (120) pivotally connected to the slider (134), and relative rotation between the first seat portion (118) and the second seat portion (120) is associated with sliding of the slider (134) along the support bar (132); A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

46. The safety lock mechanism (302) further includes a lock (304) having a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the lock (304) in the locked state creates an obstacle on a travel path of the first seat portion (118) and the second seat portion (120) that prevents relative rotation between the first seat portion (118) and the second seat portion (120) from the unfolded state toward the folded state, and removes the obstacle in the unlocked state to allow relative rotation between the first seat portion (118) and the second seat portion (120) from the unfolded state toward the folded state.

46. ​​A child stroller device (100) according to claim 45.

47. the first seat portion (118) includes a first bar segment (310), the second seat portion (120) includes a second bar segment (312) pivotally connected to the first bar segment (310) via a joint (128), and the lock (304) is movably disposed within a hollow interior of one of the first bar segment (310) and the second bar segment (312) adjacent the joint (128) and is movable to engage or disengage with the other of the first bar segment (310) and the second bar segment (312); 47. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 46.

48. the safety locking mechanism (302) further includes a resilient element (320) connected to the lock (304), the resilient element (320) exerting a resilient force that urges the lock (304) to move into engagement with the other of the first bar segment (310) and the second bar segment (312); 48. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 47.

49. the safety lock mechanism (302) further includes a release actuator (322) and a linkage (324), the release actuator (322) being carried with the first seat portion (118) and connected to the lock (304) via the linkage (324), the release actuator (322) being operable to bias the lock (304) to move and disengage from the other of the first bar segment (310) and the second bar segment (312); A child stroller device (100) according to claim 47 or 48.

50. the first seat portion (118) further includes a resilient wire assembly (326) attached to the first bar segment (310), the resilient wire assembly (326) providing seating support and adapted to resiliently move up and down, and the release actuator (322) disposed on the resilient wire assembly (326); 50. A child stroller device (100) according to claim 49.

51. the second side segment (104A) has a fastener (184) configured to engage with the slider (134) when the child stroller device (100) is in the folded state, thereby helping to retain the child stroller device (100) in the folded state; A child stroller device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

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