Folding-type frame with wheel and folding-type bag with wheel

Abstract

To provide a folding-type frame with a wheel and a folding-type bag with a wheel, which can be folded compact even while a structure is simple.SOLUTION: This folding-type frame with the wheel comprises: a foldable frame; and four wheels including a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels. The frame includes a pair of front wheel rods respectively connected to the front wheels, a pair of rear wheel rods respectively connected to the rear wheels, handle rods, and a pair of joining parts for connecting the rods. Each joining part includes a front wheel rod storage for storing each front wheel rod, a rear wheel rod storage which stores each rear wheel rod in contact with the rear side thereof and has an opening for enabling axial rotation of the rear wheel rod on the front side about each fixed axis when the frame is folded, and a handle rod storage which stores the handle rod in contact with the rear side thereof and has an opening for enabling axial rotation of the handle rod on the front side about each fixed axis when the frame is folded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding frame with wheels and a folding bag with wheels using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, more and more people are bringing wheeled bags to pack their purchases when shopping at supermarkets, etc., so that they can carry large quantities of items home. However, there is a demand for wheeled bags to be able to fold up compactly, for example, when loading them into a personal car or leaving them at home.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-113450 (Patent Document 1) discloses a bicycle bicycle having a first frame body with a pair of left and right first vertical frame parts with front wheels attached to the lower ends thereof, a second frame body with a pair of left and right second vertical frame parts with rear wheels attached to the lower ends thereof, bag placement sections connected to the lower ends of each of the first vertical frame parts and extending in the front-to-rear direction for placing a bag capable of containing shopping items, a reinforcing frame connecting the lower ends of each of the second vertical frame parts, and the first frame body and the second frame body being arranged in a generally X-shape when viewed from the side. The present disclosure discloses a shopping cart in which the first and second frame bodies are arranged so as to intersect with each other, and are rotatably connected at the intersection so as to be switchable between an unfolded state and a folded state, the first and second frame bodies are arranged above the intersection so as to straddle the first and second frame bodies and are positioned above the bag, and the shopping cart is equipped with a basket placement section on which a shopping basket can be placed, and the first and second frame bodies are switchable between an unfolded state in which the front wheels and the rear wheels are spaced apart from each other in the front and rear directions, and a folded state in which the front wheels and the rear wheels are close to each other in the front and rear directions.

[0004] However, the shopping cart in Patent Document 1 has a connector that connects an upper frame with a handle to a first frame body (lower frame) and rotatably connects the basket mounting section, resulting in a complex structure.In addition, the upper frame with a handle cannot be folded, so the cart is not sufficiently compact even when folded. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-113450 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wheeled folding frame that has a simple structure yet can be folded compactly, and a wheeled folding bag that uses the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Therefore, a wheeled folding frame according to one embodiment of the present invention is a wheeled folding frame having a foldable frame and four wheels consisting of a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, the frame includes a pair of front wheel rods respectively connected to the pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheel rods respectively connected to the pair of rear wheels, a handle rod, and a pair of joints joining the pair of front wheel rods, the pair of rear wheel rods, and the handle rods; Each joint is characterized by comprising a front wheel rod storage section for storing each front wheel rod, a rear wheel rod storage section for storing each rear wheel rod so that it abuts against the rear side of the rear wheel rod and having an opening on the front side that allows the rear wheel rod to rotate around each fixed axis when the frame is folded, and a handle rod storage section for storing each handle rod so that it abuts against the rear side of the handle rod and having an opening on the front side that allows the handle rod to rotate around each fixed axis when the frame is folded.

[0008] The cross section of the rear wheel rod storage section has a substantially U-shape such that the rear side of the inner surface has a shape substantially complementary to the surface of the rear wheel rod, The cross section of the handle rod storage section preferably has a substantially U-shape so that the rear side of the inner surface has a shape that is substantially complementary to the surface of the handle rod.

[0009] In order to provide resistance when the rear wheel rod stored in the rear wheel rod storage section rotates axially forward, protrusions are provided on the inside of both ends of the rear wheel rod storage section on the opening side, or the widths of both ends of the rear wheel rod storage section on the opening side are reduced, It is preferable that protrusions are provided on the inside of both ends of the handle rod storage section on the opening side, or that the widths of both ends of the handle rod storage section on the opening side are reduced, so as to provide resistance when the handle rod stored in the handle rod storage section rotates axially forward.

[0010] It is preferable that the center of the pair of rear wheels is located rearward of the center of the handle portion of the handle rod when viewed from the side.

[0011] It is preferable that, when the frame is folded, the handle rod is substantially parallel to the front wheel rod.

[0012] When the frame is unfolded, it is preferable that, when viewed from the side, the central axis of the handle rod and the central axis of the front wheel rod are approximately parallel and are separated from each other by at least the sum of half the frame width of the handle rod and half the frame width of the front wheel rod.

[0013] It is preferable to provide a front reinforcing frame connecting the lower ends of the pair of front wheel rods, and a rear reinforcing frame connecting the lower ends of the pair of rear wheel rods.

[0014] A foldable wheeled bag according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the above-described foldable wheeled frame and a bag body detachably attached to the frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The folding wheeled frame of the present invention achieves unfolding and folding by attaching the rear wheel rod and handle rod to a pair of joints that do not deform themselves and are axially rotatable, thereby enabling the frame to be unfolded and folded with a simple structure. Furthermore, the present invention provides a folding wheeled frame that not only has a simple structure but also allows the frame to be stably unfolded and folded compactly, and a folding wheeled bag using the same. Furthermore, a folding wheeled bag using the folding wheeled frame of the present invention has a simple structure, yet is able to maintain the frame in a stably unfolded state during use and can be folded even with the bag body attached. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a folding wheeled frame according to one embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded state. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the wheeled folding frame of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a side view showing the folding wheeled frame of FIG. 1 in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a handle rod storage section. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing a foldable wheeled bag of the present invention in an unfolded state; [Figure 9] 2 is a side view showing the foldable wheeled bag of FIG. 1 in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a side view showing a folding wheeled frame according to another embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded state. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A wheeled folding frame 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The wheeled folding frame 1 has a foldable frame 2 and four wheels consisting of a pair of front wheels 3, 3 and a pair of rear wheels 4, 4. The frame 2 has a pair of front wheel rods 21, 21 connected to the pair of front wheels 3, 3, respectively, a pair of rear wheel rods 22, 22 connected to the pair of rear wheels 4, 4, respectively, a handle rod 23, and a pair of joints 5, 5 joining the pair of front wheel rods 21, 21, the pair of rear wheel rods 22, 22 and the handle rod 23, Each joint 5 includes a front wheel rod storage section 51 for storing each front wheel rod 21, a rear wheel rod storage section 52 for storing each rear wheel rod 22 so as to abut against the rear side thereof and having openings 52b on the front side through which the rear wheel rod 22 can rotate around each fixed axis 52a when the frame 2 is folded, and a handle rod storage section 53 for storing each handle rod 23 so as to abut against the rear side thereof and having openings 53b on the front side through which the handle rod 23 can rotate around each fixed axis 53a when the frame 2 is folded.

[0018] Here, "forward" and "front side" refer to the side where the pair of front wheel rods 21, 21 are located, and "rear" and "rear side" refer to the side where the pair of rear wheel rods 22, 22 are located, and are the sides opposite to "forward" and "front side", respectively.

[0019] In this embodiment, a front reinforcing frame 6 is provided between the pair of front wheel rods 21, 21, connecting the lower ends of the respective rods, and a rear reinforcing frame 7 is provided between the pair of rear wheel rods 22, 22, connecting the lower ends of the respective rods. This prevents the front wheel rods 21, 21 and the rear wheel rods 22, 22 from rattling laterally due to impact from the front wheels 3 and rear wheels 4 when the bag is used as a wheeled bag.

[0020] As shown in Figure 8, the wheeled folding frame of the present invention can be used as a wheeled folding bag 100 by attaching a bag body 9 detachably attached to the frame 2 when the frame 2 is unfolded. In the wheeled folding bag 100 of this embodiment, the bag body 9 is attached to the frame 2 by passing the band 91 of the bag body 9 through the handle rod 23 of the frame 2 and placing the bottom of the bag body 9 on the front reinforcing frame 6 of the frame 2. As shown in Figure 9, the wheeled folding bag of the present invention can be folded with the bag body 9 attached to the frame 2.

[0021] The frame material used for the wheeled folding frame of the present invention may be a lightweight yet physically strong plastic or metal such as aluminum, titanium, or stainless steel.

[0022] The handle rod 23 has a handle portion 23a that is gripped by the user when the bag body is attached and used as a wheeled bag, and a pair of rod portions 23b, 23b provided on both ends of the handle. In this embodiment, the handle rod 23 further has a hook 8 provided between the pair of rod portions 23b, 23b. For example, by attaching the hook 8 to the front of a shopping cart basket, shopping can be carried out with the wheeled foldable bag of the present invention attached to the shopping cart.

[0023] Each rod portion 23b of the handle rod 23 is axially fixed by each fixed shaft 53a of each handle rod storage portion 53 so that the handle rod 23 can rotate forward about each fixed shaft 53a. As shown in Fig. 7, the handle rod storage portion 53 includes a handle rod storage main body portion 53c having an inner surface having a shape approximately complementary to the surface of the rod portion 23b, and a pair of handle rod storage open end portions 53d, 53d provided to form the opening 53b, and has an approximately U-shaped cross section as a whole.

[0024] Protrusions 53e, 53e are provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of handle rod storage open ends 53d, 53d of each handle rod storage section 53 to provide resistance when the rod portions 23b of the handle rod 23 stored in each handle rod storage section 53 rotate forward along their axes. This prevents the handle rod 23 from rattling inside the handle rod storage section 53 or jumping out of the handle rod storage section 53 due to impact or the like when used as a wheeled bag. As shown in FIG. 7, each protrusion 53e preferably has a convex shape extending in the axial direction of the rod portions 23b. The present invention is not limited to providing protrusions on the inner surfaces of the pair of handle rod storage open ends of each handle rod storage section. The width of the inner surfaces of the pair of handle rod storage open ends of each handle rod storage section may be reduced. In this case, the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of handle rod storage open ends of each handle rod storage section may also have a generally C-shaped cross section that reduces the width.

[0025] Each rear wheel rod 22 is axially fixed by a respective fixed shaft 52a of each rear wheel rod storage section 52 so that the rear wheel rod 22 can axially rotate forward around each fixed shaft 52a. Similar to the handle rod storage section 53, the rear wheel rod storage section 52 includes a rear wheel rod storage main body section 52c having an inner surface having a shape approximately complementary to the surface of the rear wheel rod 22, and a pair of rear wheel rod storage opening ends 52d, 52d provided to form an opening 52b, and has an approximately U-shaped cross section overall.

[0026] Protrusions 52e are provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of rod storage open ends 52d of each rod storage section 52 to provide resistance when the rear wheel rod 22 stored in each rod storage section 52 rotates forward along its axis. As shown in FIG. 5, each protrusion 52e is preferably curved and extends in the axial direction of the rear wheel rod 22. The present invention is not limited to providing protrusions on the inner surfaces of the pair of rod storage open ends of each rod storage section, and the width of the inner surfaces of the pair of rod storage open ends of each rod storage section may be reduced. In this case, the outer circumferential surface of the rod storage open end of each rod storage section may also have a narrow, generally C-shaped cross section.

[0027] Each front wheel rod 21 is stored in each front wheel rod storage section 51 in a state where it is fixed so as not to rotate on its axis like the rear wheel rod 22 and the handle rod 23. In the present invention, the method of fixing the front wheel rod to the front wheel rod storage section is not particularly limited, but as shown in Figure 5, the front wheel rod storage section 51 may be cylindrical, and the front wheel rod 21 may be stored in the cylindrical front wheel rod storage section 51 and fixed by a fixed shaft 51a.

[0028] When the frame 2 is unfolded and viewed from the side, the handle rod 23 is inclined obliquely upward and rearward so that the handle portion 23a is at the rear. Also, as described above, when the frame 2 is unfolded, the rod portion 23b of the handle rod 23 is stored in the handle rod storage portion 53 so that the rear side of the rod portion 23b of the handle rod 23 abuts against the inner surface of the handle rod storage main body portion 53c of the handle rod storage portion 53. Therefore, when the bag body is attached to the wheeled folding frame 1 and the bag is used as a wheeled bag, when the user puts their weight on the handle portion 23a of the handle rod 23, pressure is applied obliquely downward and rearward from the rear side of the rod portion 23b of the handle rod 23 to the inner surface of the handle rod storage main body portion 53c of the handle rod storage portion 53.

[0029] Furthermore, when the frame 2 is unfolded and viewed from the side, the rear wheel rod 22 is inclined obliquely downward and rearward so that the rear wheel rod 22 side is on the rear side. Furthermore, as described above, when the frame 2 is unfolded, the rear wheel rod 22 is stored in the rear wheel rod storage section 52 so that the rear side of the rear wheel rod 22 abuts against the inner surface of the rear wheel rod storage main body section 52c of the rear wheel rod storage section 52. Therefore, when the bag body is attached to the wheeled folding frame 1 and the user is using it as a wheeled bag, when the user puts their weight on the handle section 23a of the handle rod 23, pressure is applied obliquely downward and frontward from the inner surface of the rear wheel rod storage main body section 52c of the rear wheel rod storage section 52 of the joint 5 to the rear side of the rear wheel rod 22.

[0030] Therefore, when the bag body is attached to the wheeled folding frame 1 and the user puts their weight on the handle portion 23a of the handle rod 23, both the rear wheel rod 22 and the handle rod 23 are pressed in the direction of being stored in the rear wheel rod storage portion 52 and the handle rod storage portion 53, respectively, i.e., a force is applied to both the rear wheel rod 22 and the handle rod 23 to maintain the frame 2 in the unfolded state. Therefore, the wheeled folding frame of the present invention has a simple structure yet is capable of achieving high stability of the frame when in use.

[0031] As described above, the front wheel rod 21 is stored in the front wheel rod storage section 51 in a state where it is fixed so as not to rotate axially, the rear wheel rod 22 is stored in the rear wheel rod storage section 52 so as to be rotatable axially forward, the rear wheel rod 22 is stored in the rear wheel rod storage section 52 so as to be rotatable axially forward, and the handle rod 23 is stored in the handle rod storage section 53 so as to be rotatable axially forward. By doing so, the frame 2 can be folded as shown in FIG. 6 by rotating the rear wheel rod 22 axially forward and rotating the handle rod 23 axially forward. When the frame 2 is folded, it is preferable that the handle rod 23 is approximately parallel to the front wheel rod 21. The rear wheel rod 22 can be rotated axially until the portion at the lower end that connects to the rear wheel 4 abuts the portion at the lower end of the front wheel rod 21 that connects to the front wheel 3.

[0032] When the frame 2 is unfolded and viewed from the side, as shown in Fig. 2, it is desirable that the central axis of each rod portion 23b of the handle rod 23 and the central axis of each front wheel rod 21 are substantially parallel to each other and are separated from each other by at least the sum of half the frame width of the rod portion 23b and half the frame width of the front wheel rod 21. This makes it possible to rotate the handle rod 23 around its axis until it becomes substantially parallel to the front wheel rod 21 when the frame 2 is folded, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0033] In this embodiment, the front wheel rod storage section 51, rear wheel rod storage section 52, and handle rod storage section 53 of each joint 5 are formed as a single unit. This has the advantage of reducing the number of parts, allowing for a simple structure, and reducing the risk of malfunction. This embodiment also includes a connecting section that connects the opening 52b of the rear wheel rod storage section 52 to the front wheel rod storage section 51 so that the rear wheel rod 22 can move. The joints used in the wheeled folding frame of the present invention are not limited to the form of this embodiment, and can be in various forms within the technical concept of the present invention, including a combination of multiple parts. The material of the joints used in the wheeled folding frame of the present invention is preferably a plastic such as nylon.

[0034] A wheeled folding frame 1a according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 10. When viewed from the side, the center of the rear wheel 4 of the wheeled folding frame 1a shown in Figure 10 is located rearward of the center of the handle portion 23a of the handle rod 23. This increases stability when the wheeled folding frame 1a is used as a wheeled bag by attaching a bag body to it, preventing the wheeled bag from tipping backward even when the user puts their weight on the handle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1. Folding frame with wheels 2. Frame 21 Front wheel rod 22 Rear wheel rod 23 Handle rod 23a Handle 23b Rod section 3. Front wheel 4. Rear wheel 5...junction 51 Front wheel rod storage area 51a...Fixed axis 52 Rear wheel rod storage area 52a...Fixed axis 52b...Opening 52c Rear wheel rod storage unit 52d Rear wheel rod storage opening end 52e...Protrusion 53 Handle rod storage section 53a...Fixed axis 53b...Opening 53c Handle rod storage body 53d Handle rod storage opening end 53e...Protrusion 6. Front reinforcement frame 7 Rear reinforcement frame 8. Hook 9. Bag body 91...Band

Claims

1. A wheeled folding frame having a foldable frame and four wheels consisting of a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, the frame includes a pair of front wheel rods respectively connected to the pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheel rods respectively connected to the pair of rear wheels, a handle rod, and a pair of joints joining the pair of front wheel rods, the pair of rear wheel rods, and the handle rods; A folding frame with wheels, characterized in that each joint comprises: a front wheel rod storage section that stores each front wheel rod; a rear wheel rod storage section that stores each rear wheel rod so that it abuts against the rear side of the rear wheel rod and has an opening on the front side that allows the rear wheel rod to rotate around each fixed axis when the frame is folded; and a handle rod storage section that stores each handle rod so that it abuts against the rear side of the handle rod and has an opening on the front side that allows the handle rod to rotate around each fixed axis when the frame is folded.

2. The cross section of the rear wheel rod storage section has a substantially U-shape such that the rear side of the inner surface has a shape that is substantially complementary to the surface of the rear wheel rod, The folding frame with wheels according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross section of the handle rod storage section has an approximately U-shape so that the rear side of the inner surface has a shape that is approximately complementary to the surface of the handle rod.

3. In order to provide resistance when the rear wheel rod stored in the rear wheel rod storage section rotates axially forward, protrusions are provided on the inside of both ends of the rear wheel rod storage section on the opening side, or the widths of both ends of the rear wheel rod storage section on the opening side are reduced, 2. The folding frame with wheels according to claim 1, wherein protrusions are provided on the inside of both ends of the handle rod storage section on the opening side, or the widths of both ends of the handle rod storage section on the opening side are reduced, so as to provide resistance when the handle rod stored in the handle rod storage section rotates axially forward.

4. In order to provide resistance when the rear wheel rod stored in the rear wheel rod storage section rotates axially forward, protrusions are provided on the inside of both ends of the rear wheel rod storage section on the opening side, or the widths of both ends of the rear wheel rod storage section on the opening side are reduced, The folding frame with wheels according to claim 2, characterized in that protrusions are provided on the inside of both ends of the handle rod storage section on the opening side, or the widths of both ends of the handle rod storage section on the opening side are reduced, so as to provide resistance when the handle rod stored in the handle rod storage section rotates axially forward.

5. 5. The folding wheeled frame according to claim 1, wherein the centers of the pair of rear wheels are located rearward of the centers of the handle portions of the handle rods when viewed from the side.

6. 5. The folding frame with wheels according to claim 1, wherein the handle rod is substantially parallel to the front wheel rod when the frame is folded.

7. 7. The wheeled folding frame according to claim 6, wherein when the frame is unfolded and viewed from the side, the central axis of the handle rod and the central axis of the front wheel rod are approximately parallel to each other and are separated from each other by at least the sum of half the frame width of the handle rod and half the frame width of the front wheel rod.

8. A folding wheeled frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a front reinforcing frame connecting the lower ends of the pair of front wheel rods, and a rear reinforcing frame connecting the lower ends of the pair of rear wheel rods.

9. A folding wheeled bag comprising: a folding wheeled frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and a bag body detachably provided on the frame.

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