Childcare-related appliances

Abstract

To provide nursery equipment whose movable portion can be adjusted in position or shape by a simple structure.SOLUTION: Nursery equipment includes: a body (child car seat body (20)); an extended portion (ISOFIX (11)) extended from the child car seat body (20); and an adjustment mechanism (3) for adjusting the position or shape of the ISOFIX (11). The adjustment mechanism (3) includes a string (4) having one end connected to the child car seat body (20) and the other end held by the ISOFIX (11), a reel that is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions and that changes the position or shape of the ISOFIX (11) by winding up and feeding out the string (4), and a rotation lock mechanism that prohibits rotation of the reel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to child-rearing related appliances, and more particularly to a child-rearing related appliance including a fixed part, a movable part that is relatively movable with respect to the fixed part, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position or shape of the movable part.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, child-rearing related appliances such as child seats, strollers, high beds, baby carriers, etc. are provided with a movable part whose position can be changed with respect to a fixed part.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-290587 (Patent Document 1) discloses a child seat capable of adjusting the length of a shoulder belt according to the child's body. In this child seat, the length of the shoulder belt can be adjusted by simply pulling the front end portion of the shoulder belt located on the back side of the seat portion forward.

[0004] For example, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 7-4248 (Patent Document 2) discloses a stroller capable of adjusting the reclining angle by connecting a belt to a push bar and adjusting the length of the belt with a buckle attached to the back surface of the backrest portion.

[0005] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-162974 (Patent Document 3) discloses a baby carrier that can be used for both vertical and horizontal carrying. This baby carrier is provided with a shoulder belt that can be hung on the parent's shoulder, a waist belt that can be hung on the parent's waist, and a connecting belt that connects the child and the parent, and each belt is provided so that its length can be adjusted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

[0007] For the childcare-related apparatuses of Patent Documents 1 to 3, both hands were required to adjust the length of a body restraint belt such as a shoulder belt or the reclining angle, and the structure was complicated.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a childcare-related apparatus having a simple structure and capable of adjusting the position or shape of a movable part. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0009] A childcare-related apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention for this purpose is a childcare-related apparatus including a fixed part, a movable part relatively movable with respect to the fixed part, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position or shape of the movable part, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a string connecting the fixed part and the movable part, a reel rotatable in both forward and reverse directions, and configured to change the position or shape of the movable part by winding and feeding out the string, a one-way clutch mechanism that allows rotation of the reel in the winding direction of the string and prohibits rotation of the reel in the feeding-out direction of the string, and a lock release member that releases the rotation prohibition state of the reel by the one-way clutch mechanism and enables free rotation of the reel.

[0010] Preferably, the adjustment mechanism further includes a rotation operation member for operating the rotation of the reel.

[0011] Preferably, the adjustment mechanism includes a biasing member that biases the reel in the winding direction of the string.

[0012] Preferably, the adjusting mechanism further includes a holder that rotatably supports the reel, and the one-way clutch mechanism includes engaging teeth provided on either the reel or the holder, and an engaging claw that is attached to the other of the reel or the holder and is displaceable between an engaging position that engages with either the reel or the holder and a disengaged position that does not engage with either the reel or the holder. The unlocking member includes an operating portion that operates to bring the engaging claw to the disengaged position.

[0013] Preferably, the engaging teeth are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the reel that extends parallel to the rotation axis of the reel, the engaging claw is provided on the holder and is displaced in a direction orthogonal to the engaging teeth, and the unlocking member releases the rotation prohibition state of the reel by moving in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the reel.

[0014] Preferably, the engaging teeth are provided on the holder along the circumferential direction of the reel, the engaging claw is provided on the reel and is displaced in the horizontal direction with respect to the engaging teeth, and the unlocking member releases the rotation prohibition state of the reel by moving in the circumferential direction of the reel.

[0015] Preferably, the engaging teeth are provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the reel that extends in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the reel, the engaging claw is provided on the holder and is displaced in a direction orthogonal to the engaging teeth, and the unlocking member releases the rotation prohibition state of the reel by moving in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the reel.

[0016] Preferably, the childcare-related appliance is a child seat, the fixed portion is the seat, and the movable portion is a body restraint belt attached to the seat.

[0017] Preferably, the childcare-related appliance is a child seat, the fixed portion is the child seat body, and the movable portion is an ISOFIX attached to the child seat body.

[0018] The childcare-related apparatus according to another aspect includes a main body, an extension extending from the main body, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position or shape of the extension. The adjustment mechanism includes a string having one end connected to the main body and the other end held by the extension, a reel that is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions and changes the position or shape of the extension by winding and feeding out the string, and a rotation lock mechanism for prohibiting the rotation of the reel.

[0019] Preferably, the childcare-related apparatus is a childcare apparatus with a seat. The main body is a seat for receiving a child, the extension is a pair of shoulder belts extending from the seat to restrain the child's shoulders, a pair of strings are provided, and the pair of strings are respectively held at the ends of the pair of shoulder belts.

[0020] Preferably, the childcare-related apparatus is a childcare apparatus with a seat. The main body is a seat for receiving a child, the extension is a crotch belt extending from the seat part to restrain the child's crotch, and the string is held at the end of the crotch belt.

[0021] Preferably, the childcare-related apparatus is a child seat. The main body is the child seat main body, and the extension is an ISOFIX provided to extend rearward from the child seat main body.

[0022] Preferably, the childcare-related apparatus is a baby carrier. The main body is the baby carrier main body, and the extension is a movable part provided to extend from the baby carrier main body.

[0023] Preferably, the baby carrier main body includes a parent-side shoulder belt that wraps around the parent's shoulder and a parent-side waist belt that wraps around the parent's waist, and the extension is a part provided to extend from the parent-side shoulder belt or the parent-side waist belt.

[0024] Preferably, the baby carrier main body includes a child support part for supporting the child's body, and the extension is a part provided to extend from the child support part.

[0025] Preferably, it further includes a lock release member that releases the rotation prohibition state of the reel by the rotation lock mechanism and enables the free rotation of the reel.

[0026] A childcare-related appliance according to still another aspect includes a fixed part, a movable part that is movable relative to the fixed part, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position or shape of the movable part. The adjustment mechanism includes a string that connects the fixed part and the movable part, a reel that is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions and changes the position or shape of the movable part by winding and feeding out the string, a rotation operation member for operating the rotation of the reel, an operation transmission part that transmits the rotational movement of the rotation operation member to the reel, and an operation disconnection part that does not transmit the rotational movement of the reel to the reel.

[0027] Preferably, the rotation operation part is normally transmitted with a rotational movement to the reel by the operation transmission part, and when a certain load is exceeded, the rotational movement is not transmitted to the reel by the operation disconnection part.

[0028] Preferably, when the rotation operation part rotates in one direction, the rotational movement is transmitted to the reel by the operation transmission part, and when it rotates in the other direction, the rotational movement is not transmitted to the reel by the operation disconnection part.

[0029] Preferably, the reel includes a reel body that winds and feeds out the string, and a moving member provided between the reel body and the rotation operation member. The operation transmission part or the operation disconnection part includes a driving gear part provided on the rotation operation member and a driven gear part provided on the moving member.

[0030] Preferably, the moving member is biased in the direction toward the operation member.

[0031] Preferably, the driving gear part includes a first inclined part inclined in the winding direction from the reel toward the rotation operation member and a second inclined part inclined in the feeding direction from the reel toward the rotation operation member, and the angle of the first inclined part with respect to the winding direction is smaller than the angle of the second inclined part with respect to the feeding direction.

[0032] Another childcare-related device according to still another aspect includes a fixed part, a movable part that is movable relative to the fixed part and movable downward in the vertical direction, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position or shape of the movable part. The adjustment mechanism includes a string that connects the fixed part and the movable part, a reel that is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions and changes the position or shape of the movable part by winding and feeding out the string, a biasing member that biases the reel to rotate in the winding direction of the string, and a rotation lock member that prohibits the rotation of the reel. The biasing force of the biasing member is selected to be smaller than the biasing force that causes the movable part to move downward in the vertical direction.

[0033] Preferably, it further includes a one-way clutch mechanism that allows the rotation of the reel in the winding direction of the string and prohibits the rotation of the reel in the feeding direction of the string.

[0034] Preferably, the lock member includes a reel lock claw that is displaceable between a first position where it engages with a part that rotates with the reel to prohibit the rotation of the reel and a second position where it is separated from the part that rotates with the reel to allow the rotation of the reel.

[0035] Preferably, it further includes a lock release member that brings the lock member to the second position and enables the free rotation of the reel.

[0036] Preferably, the biasing member is a spring, one end of the spring is fixed to the reel, and the other end is fixed to the housing of the adjustment mechanism.

[0037] Preferably, the childcare-related device is a child seat, the fixed part is a seat, and the movable part is a body restraint belt attached to the seat.

Advantages of the Invention

[0038] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a childcare-related device with a simple structure that can adjust the position or shape of the movable part.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0039]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0041] First, an example of a childcare-related appliance equipped with the adjustment mechanism 3 will be described. Examples of childcare-related appliances in which the adjustment mechanism 3 is used include, for example, a stroller, a child seat, a baby carrier, a baby rack, a nursing chair, etc. Examples applied to a child seat, a stroller, and a baby carrier will be described.

[0042] <Outline of Childcare-Related Appliance> With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, an example of the childcare-related appliance 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0043] (Regarding the child seat) First, the case where the childcare-related appliance 1 is a child seat will be described. In the description of the child seat 1, the front-rear direction corresponds to the front-rear direction of the child seat 1, the left-right direction (width direction) corresponds to the left-right direction as viewed from the front of the child seat 1, and the up-down direction corresponds to the up-down direction of the child seat 1.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 1(A), the basic structure of the child seat 1 may be the same as that of a general child seat, and it is a device that is placed on the seat of an automobile to safely carry children such as infants and toddlers. The child seat 1 includes a base body 10 and a seat 20. The base body 10 and the seat 20 are the child seat body. The child seat body is the "fixed part" and also the "main body part" of the present embodiment.

[0045] The base body 10 is placed on the seat of a passenger car and supports the seat 20 from below. At the front end of the base body 10, a leg support (not shown) extending toward the floor of the passenger car is provided, and at the rear end of the base body 10, an ISOFIX 11 connected to the anchor of the seat of the passenger car is provided. This ISOFIX 11 is a portion protruding rearward from the child seat body (base body 10), and is the "movable part" and the "extension part" in this embodiment.

[0046] The seat 20 is attached above the base body 10 and is rotatably supported with respect to the base body 10. A state in which a soft cloth member, such as a cushion material, is attached on the seat 20 is shown.

[0047] The seat 20 includes a seat surface portion 21 and a backrest portion 22 rising from behind the seat surface portion 21. For a child to sit on the seat 20, the seat surface portion 21 supports the child's buttocks, and the backrest portion 22 supports the child's back. A cushion structure is detachably provided at the corner where the seat surface portion 21 and the backrest portion 22 meet.

[0048] A pair of shoulder belts 23 for restraining both shoulders of the child sitting on the seat 20 are provided on the backrest portion 22. Further, on the seat surface portion 21, a crotch belt 24 extending between the crotches (both thighs) of the child sitting on the seat 20 and a pair of waist belts 25 for restraining the child's waist are provided. These belts 23, 24, 25 are connected near the child's abdomen by a buckle 26 provided at the tip of the crotch belt 24. These belts 23, 24, 25 are so-called five-point belts. These belts 23, 24, 25 are body restraint belts for restraining the child's body, and are portions protruding forward from the child seat body (seat 20), and are the "movable part" and the "extension part" in this embodiment. Note that the body restraint belt is similarly applicable to other child-rearing related appliances.

[0049] Such a child seat 1 is provided with an adjustment mechanism 3. The adjustment mechanism 3 generally includes a string 4 and an adjustment mechanism main body 5 that winds and pulls out (feeds out) the string 4. First, the application of the adjustment mechanism 3 to the child seat 1 will be described.

[0050] (Regarding ISOFIX) As shown in FIGS. 1(A) to (D), the adjustment mechanism 3 of the child seat 1 of the present embodiment is used for adjusting the position of the ISOFIX 11. As shown in FIG. 1(A), the adjustment mechanism 3 is provided at the front position of the child seat main body (base main body 10).

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1(B) and (C), the ISOFIX 11 includes an ISOFIX main body portion 12, a storage portion 13 capable of storing the ISOFIX main body portion 12, and a spring portion 14 that biases the ISOFIX main body portion 12 outward. The ISOFIX main body portion 12 is connected to an anchor of a seat of a passenger car and fixed at an appropriate length.

[0052] With reference to FIGS. 1(C) and (D), a method of adjusting the position of the ISOFIX 11 by the adjustment mechanism 3 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1(C), the ISOFIX main body portion 12 of the ISOFIX 11 is pulled out from the storage portion 13. The ISOFIX main body portion 12 is connected to an anchor of a seat of a passenger car, and the child seat 1 is pushed toward the seat. The adjustment mechanism main body 5 is operated to wind up the string 4. Thereby, the child seat 1 and the seat of the passenger car can be connected without a gap, and fine adjustment of the interval between the child seat 1 and the seat of the passenger car can be performed.

[0053] In addition, to increase the length of the ISOFIX main body 12, the following multiple methods can be mentioned. That is, unlock the lock of the ISOFIX itself, operate the adjustment mechanism main body 5, and pull out the child seat main body in a direction away from the seat. As another method, the adjustment mechanism main body 5 can be operated to automatically lengthen it by the spring portion 14. As still another method, the adjustment mechanism main body 5 can be operated and the user can manually extend the ISOFIX main body 12. Thereby, the length adjustment of the ISOFIX 11 can be performed by a simple method.

[0054] (Regarding the length adjustment of the shoulder belt) As shown in FIGS. 2(A) to (C), the adjustment mechanism 3 of the child seat 1A of another embodiment is used for adjusting the length of the shoulder belt 23. As shown in FIG. 2(A), the adjustment mechanism 3 is fixed at a front position of the seat surface portion 21 of the child seat main body (seat 20). Note that FIGS. 2(B) and (C) are views in which only the shoulder belt 23 and the adjustment mechanism 3 are taken out from the child seat 1 shown in FIG. 2(A).

[0055] A pair of shoulder belts 23 are provided, and strings 4 are respectively fixed to their ends. That is, a pair of strings 4 are provided, and the pair of strings 4 are respectively held at the ends of the pair of shoulder belts 23.

[0056] To adjust the length of the shoulder belt 23, the adjustment mechanism 3 is operated. Specifically, to shorten the length of the shoulder belt 23, from the state shown in FIG. 2(B), the adjustment mechanism main body 5 is operated to wind up the string 4 to the state shown in FIG. 2(C). To increase the length of the shoulder belt 23, from the state shown in FIG. 2(C), the adjustment mechanism main body 5 is operated and the shoulder belt 23 is manually pulled out. Thereby, the adjustment of the shoulder belt 23 can be performed by a simple method.

[0057] Note that the adjustment mechanism main body 5 winds up a pair of strings 4 respectively held at the ends of the pair of shoulder belts 23, but the shoulder belt 23 itself may be directly wound up.

[0058] (Regarding the shoulder belt flipping-up mechanism) As shown in Figures 3(A) to (C), the adjustment mechanism 3 of the child seat 1B of another embodiment is used in a flip-up mechanism 27 of the shoulder belt 23. The flip-up mechanism 27 of the shoulder belt 23 is structured to flip up the shoulder belt 23 from a restraining position (Figure 3(B)) to a released position (Figure 3(C)) so that the shoulder belt 23 does not get in the way when a child is placed in the child seat 1B.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 3(B), the flip-up mechanism 27 of the shoulder belt 23 includes a rotating part 28 and a flip-up part 29 that can rotate around the rotating part 28 as a fulcrum. As shown in Fig. 3(C), the flip-up part 29 flips up, and the shoulder belt 23 also flips up. As shown in Fig. 3(A), the adjustment mechanism 3 is fixed to a front position of the seat surface part 21 of the child seat main body (seat 20). As shown in Fig. 3(B), one end of the string 4 is connected to the rotating part 28 of the flip-up mechanism 27.

[0060] A method of operating the flip-up mechanism 27 of the shoulder belt 23 by the adjustment mechanism 3 will be described. Specifically, to shift the shoulder belt 23 from the restraining position to the released position, the adjustment mechanism main body 5 is rotated from the state shown in Fig. 3(B) to wind up the string 4 and to the state shown in Fig. 3(C). To shift the shoulder belt 23 from the released position to the restraining position, the adjustment mechanism main body 5 is operated from the state shown in Fig. 3(C) to push the shoulder belt 23 downward and let out the string 4. This allows the flip-up mechanism 27 of the shoulder belt 23 to be operated in a simple manner.

[0061] An example in which the adjustment mechanism 3 is used in the child car seat 1 to 1B has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In addition, although the adjustment mechanism 3 of the embodiment 1 described below is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the adjustment mechanism of any embodiment can be used.

[0062] An adjustment mechanism may be used to adjust the length of the crotch belt that restrains the child's crotch. In this case, the end of the string 4 of the adjustment mechanism is held by the end of the crotch belt 24.

[0063] Further, when the headrest 22a that protects a child's head is an extension extending from the main body portion, an adjustment mechanism main body 5 may be used to adjust the shape of the headrest 22a. Specifically, the adjustment of the shape of the headrest 22a includes, for example, adjusting the height of the headrest 22a, adjusting the width of the standing wall 22b, and adjusting the distance between the pair of side walls 22c. In this case, one end of the string 4 may be connected to the movable portion of the headrest 22a, and the adjustment mechanism main body 5 may be fixed to the back surface of the backrest portion 22 which is the fixed portion.

[0064] Further, an adjustment mechanism 3 may be used to adjust the length of the leg support provided in front of the base main body 10. In this case, the string 4 may be connected to the end of the leg support, and the adjustment mechanism main body 5 may be fixed to the base main body 10 which is the fixed portion.

[0065] (Regarding the baby carrier) The case where the childcare-related appliance is a baby carrier will be described. The basic structure of the baby carrier may be the same as that of a general baby carrier, and it is an appliance for holding a child in the front or on the back.

[0066] The baby carrier includes a baby carrier main body, a parent-side shoulder belt that wraps around both shoulders of the user (for example, a parent), and a parent-side waist belt that wraps around the parent's waist. The baby carrier main body is a portion that occupies a large area of the baby carrier and holds the child's back or abdomen, and is the "fixed portion" and also the "main body portion" in the present embodiment. The parent-side shoulder belt and the parent-side waist belt are movable portions extending from the baby carrier main body, and are the "movable portions" and "extension portions" in the present embodiment. An adjustment mechanism main body 5 is provided to adjust the length or shape of such a shoulder belt or waist belt. In this case, one end of the string 4 may be connected to the end of the shoulder belt or the parent-side waist belt, and the adjustment mechanism main body 5 may be fixed to the back surface of the baby carrier main body which is the fixed portion.

[0067] Also, when the headrest for protecting a child's head is an extension extending from the baby carrier main body (main body part), an adjustment mechanism main body 5 may be used to adjust the height of the headrest according to the growth of the child. In this case, one end of the string 4 may be connected to the movable part of the headrest, and the adjustment mechanism main body 5 may be fixed to the back of the baby carrier main body which is the fixed part.

[0068] (Regarding other baby care related appliances) As mentioned above, as examples of baby care related appliances using the adjustment mechanism 3, the cases of a child seat, a stroller, and a baby carrier have been described. However, appliances where a child sits or lies, such as a baby rack, a baby chair, etc. can be mentioned. Also, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and as long as a main body part of a baby care related appliance and an extension extending from the main body part are provided, and the adjustment mechanism is for adjusting the position or shape of the extension, it is not limited to the above-described baby care related appliances.

[0069] The adjustment mechanism 3 used in such baby care related appliances will be described in detail.

[0070] <Embodiment 1> With reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the adjustment mechanism 3 in Embodiment 1 will be described. The adjustment mechanism 3 is attached to various parts of the baby care related appliance. In the following description, in the description of Embodiment 1, the vertical direction on the paper surface of FIGS. 4(C), 5, and 9 will be described as the vertical direction of the adjustment mechanism 3, and the horizontal direction on the paper surface will be described as the horizontal direction of the adjustment mechanism 3.

[0071] As described above, the adjustment mechanism 3 generally includes a string 4 and an adjustment mechanism main body 5. Particularly with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the adjustment mechanism main body 5 includes a holder 30, a rotation operation member 40, a moving member 50, a lock release member 60, a lock member 70, and a reel 80. The adjustment mechanism 3 can wind up the string 4 with the rotation operation member 40 and pull out (feed out) the wound-up string 4 by operating the lock release member 60.

[0072] The cord 4 connects a fixed part such as a child seat body or a baby carrier body and a movable part such as a shoulder belt. The cord 4 is wound around a reel 80 and is fixed to the fixed part via the reel 80. The cord 4 may be single or provided in plurality. When two movable parts are provided, both ends of a single cord 4 may be connected to the movable parts and the middle part thereof may be wound up by the reel 80, or one end of two cords 4 may be connected to the movable parts and the other end may be connected to the fixed part. Note that the reel 80 may be fixed to the movable part instead of the fixed part. In that case, both ends of the cord 4 are connected to the fixed part, and by winding up the cord with the reel 80, the width between the movable part and the fixed part may be reduced.

[0073] The cord 4 is a long member, meaning a member formed by braiding, knitting, or sewing together a thread, chemical fiber, metal, paper, etc., and includes, for example, a wire, a belt, etc.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the holder 30 rotatably supports the reel 80. The holder 30 includes an upper holder 31, a lower holder 34, and a partition plate 37 sandwiched between the upper holder 31 and the lower holder 34. The upper holder 31 includes an upper surface and a side surface protruding downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface. A through hole 32 is provided at a substantially central portion of the upper surface of the upper holder 31. The upper end of the reel 80 passes through this through hole 32. An operation hole 33 through which the operation portion 61 of the unlocking member 60 passes is provided in the side surface of the upper holder 31.

[0075] The lower holder 34 includes a lower surface and a side surface protruding upward from the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface. A recess 35 for holding the reel 80 is provided in the region surrounded by the lower surface and the side surface. Cord holes 36 through which the cord 4 passes are provided in a pair of side surfaces of the lower holder 34.

[0076] The partition plate 37 has a flat rectangular shape, and a through-hole 38 is provided at a substantially central portion thereof. This through-hole 38 is vertically aligned with the through-hole 32 of the upper holder 31. The upper end of the reel 80 penetrates through the through-hole 38. A plurality of rails for guiding the unlocking member 60 are provided on the upper surface of the partition plate 37. Further, a protruding portion 39 that protrudes upward is attached to a part of the outer peripheral edge of the partition plate 37.

[0077] The rotation operation member 40 is for operating the rotation of the reel 80. The rotation operation member 40 serves as a handle that can be grasped and rotated by the user. As shown in FIGS. 8(A) to 8(D), the rotation operation member 40 of the present embodiment has a knob shape and includes an upper surface 41 and a side surface 42 that protrudes downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface 41. A drive gear portion 43 that protrudes downward is provided on the back surface 41a of the upper surface 41. Further, slits may be provided at regular intervals on the side surface 42 for easy use by the operator.

[0078] Note that a foldable handle may be attached to the rotation operation member 40. The handle is, for example, a rod-shaped member, and preferably has a shape that protrudes upward during use and is folded along the upper surface 41 or the side surface 42 when not in use.

[0079] The moving member 50 is provided below the rotation operation member 40. The moving member 50 has a cylindrical shape with an open bottom and includes an upper surface 51 and an outer peripheral edge 52 that protrudes downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface 51. A driven gear portion 53 that rises upward is provided on the upper surface 51. This driven gear portion 53 engages with the drive gear portion 43 provided on the rotation operation member 40 described above. Note that a plurality of vertical slits for engaging with the link member 57 are provided on the outer peripheral edge 52.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 4(C), the link member 57 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a large-diameter portion 57a, a small-diameter portion 57b located below the large-diameter portion 57a, and a stepped portion 57c located between the large-diameter portion 57a and the small-diameter portion 57b. The small-diameter portion 57b is smaller than the through-hole 32 of the upper holder 31. Therefore, the link member 57 is held by the through-hole 32 of the upper holder 31 by the stepped portion 57c. Also, a ring 58 may be provided between the link member 57 and the upper holder 31. An urging member 56 is sandwiched between the moving member 50 and the link member 57. The urging member 56 is, for example, a spring, and urges the moving member 50 in a direction toward the rotation operation member 40.

[0081] The reel 80 is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions (one direction and the other direction). Referring to FIGS. 4(C) and 5, the reel 80 includes a string holding portion 81, a flange portion 84, a first connecting portion 85, and a second connecting portion 86 from bottom to top.

[0082] The string holding portion 81 is the portion where the string 4 is fixed, and is the portion for winding and feeding out the string 4. Referring to FIG. 7, the routing of the string 4 in the string holding portion 81 will be described. In the following description, the winding direction of the string 4 is indicated by T, and the feeding direction is indicated by S.

[0083] The string holding portion 81 has a fixing portion 81a for fixing the string 4, a string guiding portion 81b for guiding the string 4, and a rounded portion 81c provided between the fixing portion 81a and the string guiding portion 81b. The fixing portion 81a is provided at a substantially central position of the string holding portion 81, and the central position in the longitudinal direction of the string 4 is fixed. The string 4 fixed to the fixing portion 81a is wound back along the rounded portion 81c and exits the outside of the adjustment mechanism main body 5 from the string hole portion 36 of the lower holder 34 along the string guiding portion 81b.

[0084] The string running portion 81b and the rounded portion 81c are symmetric with respect to the fixed portion 81a. As a result, the string 4 is held by the string holding portion 81 in an inverted S shape in a plan view. Since the rounded portion 81c is formed at the portion where the string 4 is rewound, the string 4 is smoothly wound along the arc of the rounded portion 81c. Therefore, even when the string 4 is pulled and an excessive load is applied to the string 4, it is possible to prevent the string 4 from being worn at the corner portions.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 4(C), the flange portion 84 is located above the string holding portion 81 and abuts below the partition plate 37. The first connecting portion 85 is, for example, cylindrical. The diameter of the first connecting portion 85 is smaller than the diameter of the through hole 38 of the partition plate 37, and the first connecting portion 85 passes through the through hole 38. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6(A) and (B), the first connecting portion 85 is provided with engaging teeth 87 on an outer peripheral surface extending parallel to the rotation axis of the reel 80. The second connecting portion 86 passes through the through hole 65 of the unlocking member 60. Further, the upper end of the second connecting portion 86 is connected to the small diameter portion 57b of the link member 57 described above. Thereby, the reel 80 is fixed to the link member 57, and the link member 57 also rotates with the rotation of the reel 80. Note that the reel 80 and the link member 57 may be integrally formed members.

[0086] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6(A) and (B), the locking member 70 includes a pair of lock bodies 71, engaging claws 72 provided on the pair of lock bodies 71 respectively, a first pin 73 and a second pin 74 passing through the holes of the pair of lock bodies 71, and a biasing portion 75 that biases the pair of lock bodies 71.

[0087] The lock body 71 is displaceable between a locked position (FIG. 6(A)) where the engaging claw 72 engages with the engaging teeth 87 and an unlocked position (FIG. 6(B)) where the engaging claw 72 does not engage with the engaging teeth 87. The engaging claw 72 is formed at an end portion of the lock body 71 facing the reel 80. As shown in FIG. 5, two pin holes for passing the first and second pins 73 and 74 are formed in the lock body 71. This operation is performed by the unlocking member 60 sliding up and down.

[0088] As shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), the engaging claw 72 is displaced in a direction orthogonal to the engaging teeth 87 of the reel 80 and engages with the engaging teeth 87 of the reel 80. The angle of the engaging claw 72 is preferably a right angle, for example, but may be an acute angle. The engaging claw 72 is displaceable between a first position where it engages with the engaging teeth 87 that rotate with the reel 80 to prohibit the rotation of the reel 80 and a second position where it is separated from the portion that rotates with the reel 80 to allow the rotation of the reel 80. The first pin 73 fixes the biasing portion 75 and passes through the first hole 63 of the unlocking member 60. Further, the first pin 73 serves as a guide for the unlocking member 60 and a rotation fulcrum for the lock body 71. The second pin 74 passes through the second hole 64 of the unlocking member 60. The biasing portion 75 is, for example, a torsion spring and biases the engaging claw 72 of the lock body 71 in the direction (lock position) in which it engages with the engaging teeth 87 of the reel 80. The engaging claw 72 of the lock member 70 and the engaging teeth 87 of the reel 80 constitute a "rotation lock mechanism" that prohibits the rotation of the reel 80.

[0089] The unlocking member 60 releases the rotation prohibition state of the reel 80 and enables the free rotation of the reel 80. That is, by operating the unlocking member 60, it becomes possible to pull out the string 4 wound around the reel 80. FIG. 6(A) shows a state where the unlocking member 60 is not operated, in which the string 4 can be wound around the reel 80 but cannot be fed out. FIG. 6(B) shows a state where the unlocking member 60 is operated, in which the string 4 can be wound around the reel. The unlocking member 60 releases the rotation prohibition state of the reel by moving in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the reel 80.

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), the unlocking member 60 includes an operation portion 61, an unlocking body 62 that slides by operation on the operation portion 61, first and second holes 63, 64, a through hole 65, and a recess 66 provided in the unlocking body 62, and a biasing portion 67. Since the unlocking member 60 is provided separately from other members, it can have various shapes and the placement location is not limited, so the degree of freedom in design is high.

[0091] The operation unit 61 operates to bring the engaging claw 72 of the locking member 70 to the engaged position. As shown in FIG. 5, the operation unit 61 protrudes outward from the operation hole 33 of the upper holder 31 and is provided so as to be pressable inward. The unlocking member 60 is plate-shaped, and the first and second holes 63 and 64 are holes penetrating vertically. Specifically, the first hole 63 is a long hole extending in the operation direction. The second hole 64 is a hole having a substantially reverse L shape. The first and second holes 63 and 64 are provided symmetrically with respect to a point and are provided in the upper right part and the lower left part on the plane of FIG. 6(A).

[0092] The through hole 65 is provided substantially at the center of the unlocking body 62, and the upper end of the reel 80 penetrates therethrough. The recess 66 holds the biasing portion 67. The biasing portion 67 is, for example, a coil spring. The biasing portion 67 is located between the protruding portion 39 of the partition plate 37 and the convex portion 66. Thereby, the unlocking member 60 is biased to the state shown in FIG. 6(A) by the biasing portion 67. Although the biasing portion 67 is a member separate from the unlocking member 60, it may be provided integrally with the unlocking body 62 or may be provided on the side surface of the upper holder 31.

[0093] (Regarding the one-way clutch mechanism) Referring to FIG. 6, the one-way clutch mechanism will be described. The one-way clutch mechanism permits the rotation of the reel 80 in the winding direction of the string 4 and prohibits the rotation of the reel 80 in the feeding direction of the string. The one-way clutch mechanism is a mechanism that rotates easily in one direction but does not rotate in the other direction or does not rotate unless a certain load is applied. In the present embodiment, in FIG. 6(A), the reel 80 rotates in the winding direction T (clockwise) for winding the string 4 but does not rotate in the feeding direction S (counterclockwise).

[0094] The one-way clutch mechanism of the present embodiment includes engaging teeth 87 provided on the reel 80 and an engaging claw 72 that is attached to the partition plate 37 and is displaceable between an engaged position (FIG. 6(A)) where it engages with the reel 80 and a non-engaged position (FIG. 6(B)) where it does not engage with the reel 80.

[0095] The engaging teeth 87 of the reel 80 include a first inclined portion 87a and a second inclined portion 87b. The angle formed by the first inclined portion 87a and the second inclined portion 87b is preferably a right angle according to the engaging claw 72 of the locking member 70. Note that the engaging teeth 87 of the reel 80 and the engaging teeth 72 of the locking member 70 are not limited to the illustrated shapes, and may have an engaging shape like that of a general one-way clutch.

[0096] By providing the one-way clutch mechanism of the present embodiment, the reel 80 rotates only in the winding direction T and does not rotate in the feeding direction S. As a result, the winding of the string 4 is performed by rotating the rotation operation member 40, and the feeding of the string 4 is performed by operating the unlocking member 60 to pull the string 4, so that erroneous operations can be prevented. Furthermore, since the string 4 cannot be fed by the rotation of the rotation operation member 40, even if the rotation operation member 40 is erroneously operated, the string 4 will not be fed, improving safety.

[0097] Note that the one-way clutch mechanism of the present embodiment completely prohibits rotation in the feeding direction of the string, but it may also prohibit rotation to a certain extent. The one-way clutch mechanism of the present embodiment may have a configuration in which an operation transmission portion and an operation disconnecting portion are provided, such as the drive gear portion 43 and the driven gear portion 53 described later. In the case of such a one-way clutch mechanism, from the viewpoint of safety, it is preferably used to adjust the position or shape of the portion where no load is applied.

[0098] (Regarding the operation transmission portion and the operation disconnecting portion) With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation transmission portion and the operation disconnecting portion provided in the rotation operation member 40 and the moving member 50 will be described.

[0099] As shown in FIGS. 8(C) and 8(D), a drive gear portion 43 is provided on the back surface of the rotation operation member 40. As shown in FIG. 8(B), the drive gear portion 43 includes a first inclined portion 44 inclined in the feeding direction S from the moving member 50 side toward the back surface 41a of the rotation operation member 40, and a second inclined portion 45 inclined in the winding direction T from the moving member 50 side toward the back surface 41a of the rotation operation member 40. The angle θ44 formed between the back surface 41a and the first inclined portion 44 and the angle θ45 formed between the back surface 41a and the second inclined portion 45 are both acute angles, and the angle θ45 is set to be larger than the angle θ44 (θ45 > θ44).

[0100] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8(A), a driven gear portion 53 is provided on the upper surface of the moving member 50. As shown in FIG. 8(B), the driven gear portion 53 includes a first inclined portion 54 inclined in the winding direction T from the rotation operation member 40 side toward the upper surface 51 of the moving member 50, and a second inclined portion 55 inclined in the feeding direction S from the upper surface 51 of the moving member 50 toward the back surface 41a of the rotation operation member 40. The angle θ54 between the upper surface 51 and the first inclined portion 54 and the angle θ55 between the upper surface 51 and the second inclined portion 55 are both acute angles, and the angle θ55 is set to be larger than the angle θ54 (θ55 > θ54). Also, in the present embodiment, θ44 ≒ θ54, θ44 ≒ θ54, and the drive gear portion 43 and the driven gear portion 53 are engaged firmly.

[0101] When the rotation operation member 40 is rotated in the winding direction T, the second inclined portion 45 of the drive gear portion 43 with a large inclination angle meshes with the second inclined portion 55 of the moving member 50, and the moving member 50 (reel 80) also rotates around. The rotating state is shown in FIG. 9(A).

[0102] When the winding of the string 4 is completed, the moving member 50 (reel 80) cannot rotate, so a load (high torque) equal to or greater than a certain value is applied to the engagement between the second inclined portion 45 of the drive gear portion 43 and the second inclined portion 55 of the moving member 50. When the rotation operation member 40 is rotated in this state, the drive gear portion 43 overrides the driven gear portion 53, and only the rotation operation member 40 rotates. That is, when a load equal to or greater than a certain value is applied to the rotation operation member 40, the rotational movement of the rotation operation member 40 is not transmitted to the reel 80. This state is shown in FIG. 9(B). As shown in FIG. 9(B), the drive gear portion 43 overrides the driven gear portion 53, and the moving member 50 moves downward by a dimension L. Thus, when a load equal to or greater than a certain value is applied, the moving member 50 repeats vertical movement while the rotation operation member 40 rotates idly.

[0103] That is, the second inclined portion 45 of the drive gear portion 43 and the second inclined portion 55 of the moving member 50 are normally an "operation transmission portion" that transmits the rotational movement of the rotation operation member 40 to the reel, and when a load equal to or greater than a certain value is applied, they become an "operation disconnection portion" that does not transmit the rotational movement of the reel 80 to the reel.

[0104] In addition, the rotation operation member 40 has a one-way clutch structure that prevents the string 4 from being pulled out in order to improve operability. When the rotation operation member 40 is rotated in the feeding direction S, the first inclined portion 44 of the drive gear portion 43 and the first inclined portion 54 of the moving member 50 are engaged, but since it has a one-way clutch mechanism in which the reel 80 does not rotate in the feeding direction S (FIG. 6), the drive gear portion 43 of the rotation operation member 40 overrides the driven gear portion 53 of the moving member 50 and rotates idly. That is, when a load equal to or greater than a certain value is applied to the rotation operation member 40, the rotational movement of the rotation operation member 40 is not transmitted to the reel 80.

[0105] The adjustment mechanism 3 of this embodiment is provided with an operation transmission part and an operation disconnection part, and is set to rotate idly when the rotation operation member 40 is rotated in the feeding direction S, so that the operability can be improved. Further, when the string 4 has been completely wound up and the rotation operation member 40 is further rotated in the winding direction T, the rotation operation member 40 is set to rotate idly, so that it is possible to prevent pulling the string 4 tightly and to serve as a guide for the winding state of the string 4.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the drive gear part 43 is provided on the back surface of the upper surface 41 of the moving member 50, and the driven gear part 53 is provided on the upper surface 51 of the moving member 50. However, the driven gear part 53 may be provided in a direction (left-right direction) orthogonal to the rotation axis of the reel 80. Specifically, a configuration may be adopted in which the drive gear part 43 is provided on the back surface of the side surface 42 of the moving member 50 and the driven gear part 53 of the moving member 50 is provided. Thereby, when a load equal to or greater than a certain value is applied by the rotation of the rotation operation member 40, the moving member 50 repeats movement in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) while the rotation operation member 40 rotates idly.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the biasing member 56 that biases the moving member 50 toward the rotation operation member 40 is provided. However, a resin spring or the like may be integrally provided on the member where the driven gear part 53 is provided.

[0108] (Regarding the operation) The operation of the adjustment mechanism 3 of Embodiment 1 will be described. When it is desired to wind up the string 4, the rotation operation member 40 is rotated. When it is desired to feed out the string 4, the operation part 61 of the unlocking member 60 is pressed to pull the string 4.

[0109] Specifically, when it is desired to wind up the string 4, as shown in FIG. 6(A), the rotation operation member 40 is rotated in the winding direction T (clockwise). Then, by means of the one-way clutch mechanism, the engaging claw 72 of the lock member 70 rides up on the first inclined portion 87a of the engaging tooth 87 of the reel 80 and engages with the next engaging tooth 87, repeating such an operation, and the reel 80 also rotates clockwise, and the reel 80 winds up the string 4.

[0110] Also, when it is desired to feed out the string 4, as shown in FIG. 6(B), the operation portion 61 of the lock release member 60 is pressed toward the holder 30. Then, the lock release main body 62 slides upward on the plane of the paper in FIG. 6(B), the second pin 74 passing through the second hole 64 of the lock release main body 62 moves, the lock member 70 moves, and the engagement between the engaging claw 72 of the lock member 70 and the engaging tooth 87 of the reel 80 is disengaged. Thereby, the reel 80 becomes rotatable, and by pulling the string 4, it becomes possible to feed out the string 4.

[0111] (Modification 1) Referring to FIG. 10, the adjustment mechanism 3A in Modification 1 will be described. The reel 80A of the adjustment mechanism 3A in Modification 1 is a member in which the rotation operation member 40, the moving member 50, the link member 57, and the reel 80 in the above-described embodiment are integrally formed. Since the rotation operation member 40, the moving member 50, and the link member 57 are unnecessary in this Modification 1, the number of parts can be reduced, and a simpler configuration can be achieved. In this modification, since the rotation operation member 40 and the moving member 50 are integrally formed, an operation transmission portion and an operation disconnection portion are not provided.

[0112] (Modification 2) Referring to FIGS. 11(A) and (B), the adjustment mechanism 3B in Modification 2 will be described. FIG. 11(A) is a view showing a state where the lock release member 60 is not operated, and FIG. 11(B) is a view showing a state where the lock release member 60 is operated.

[0113] In the second modification, the engaging claw 72 of the adjustment mechanism 3B may be provided on the unlocking member 60 of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, an engaging claw 72B that protrudes inward of the through-hole 65B is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the through-hole 65B of the unlocking member 60B. By pressing the operation portion 61 of the unlocking member 60B in this way, the engagement between the engaging tooth 87 of the reel 80 and the engaging claw 72 is released, and the rotation inhibition state of the reel 80 is released. Also in the adjustment mechanism 3B of this third modification, since the locking member 70 is unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced, and a simpler configuration can be achieved.

[0114] <Second Embodiment> With reference to FIGS. 12 to 18, the adjustment mechanism 3C in the second embodiment will be described. Only the differences from the adjustment mechanism 3 shown in the first embodiment will be described in detail. The first embodiment and this embodiment are different in the unlocking member 60C and the one-way lock mechanism as a general rule. The adjustment mechanism 3 is attached to various locations of the childcare-related appliance. In the following description, the upper side on the paper surface of FIGS. 12(C) and 13 is defined as the upper side of the adjustment mechanism 3C, and the lower side on the paper surface is defined as the lower side of the adjustment mechanism 3C.

[0115] The adjustment mechanism 3C generally includes a string 4 and an adjustment mechanism main body 5C. Referring particularly to FIGS. 12 and 13, the adjustment mechanism main body 5C includes a holder 30C, a rotation operation member 40C, a moving member 50C, an unlocking member 60C, a locking member 70C, and a reel 80C. The adjustment mechanism 3C can wind up the string 4 with the rotation operation member 40C and pull out (feed out) the wound-up string 4 by operating the unlocking member 60C.

[0116] The holder 30C includes an upper holder 31C and a lower holder 34C. A through-hole 32C is provided in a substantially central portion of the upper surface of the upper holder 31C. The rotation operation member 40C passes through this through-hole 32C. A hole portion 33C through which the string 4 passes is provided on the side surface of the upper holder 31C. The lower holder 34C has a recess 35 for holding the locking member 70C in its substantially central portion.

[0117] The rotation operation member 40C is for operating the rotation of the reel 80C. Notches may be provided at regular intervals at the corner where the upper surface 41C and the side surface 42 of the rotation operation member 40 meet so that it is easy for the operator to use. Further, a through hole 46C is provided in a substantially central portion of the upper surface 41C of the rotation operation member 40C. The unlocking member 60C penetrates through this through hole 46C. Also, as shown in FIGS. 17(C) and (D), a drive gear portion 43 protruding downward is provided on the back surface of the upper surface 41C.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 13, the moving member 50C is provided below the rotation operation member 40C. A hole is provided in the upper surface 51C of the moving member 50C through which the unlocking body 62C of the unlocking member 60C penetrates. A driven gear portion 53 rising upward is provided on the outer peripheral edge 52 of the moving member 50C. This driven gear portion 53 engages with the drive gear portion 43 of the rotation operation member 40C described above.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 12(C), the link member 57C has a bottom portion 57aC and side portions 57bC rising upward from the bottom portion 57aC. A biasing member 56 is sandwiched between the moving member 50C and the link member 57C. The biasing member 56 is, for example, a spring, and biases the moving member 50C in a direction toward the rotation operation member 40C.

[0120] The reel 80C includes a string holding portion 81C and a flange portion 84C. The string holding portion 81C is provided above the flange portion 84C. Referring to FIG. 16, the handling of the string 4 in the string holding portion 81C will be described. The difference between the string holding portion 81C of the present embodiment and the string holding portion 81 of the first embodiment is the location where the string 4 is held. In the first embodiment, the string 4 was fixed at one fixing portion 81a provided at a substantially central position in the plan view of the string holding portion 81. In the present embodiment, the string 4 is fixed at two fixing portions 81aC provided at positions above and below the substantially central position in the plan view of the string holding portion 81C. This fixing portion 81aC is a cut portion and has a shape that can sandwich the end portion of the string 4. In the present embodiment, two strings 4 are provided instead of one string.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 12(C), the flange portion 84C extends in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis and abuts above the lower holder 34C. As shown in FIG. 15(C), engaging teeth 87C are provided on the back surface of the flange portion 84C.

[0122] As shown in FIGS. 12(C) and 15(C), the locking member 70C includes a lock body 71C, an engaging claw 72C provided on the upper surface of the lock body 71C, and a biasing member 75C that biases the lock body 71C. The lock body 71C is displaceable between an engaged position (FIG. 14(A)) where the engaging claw 72C engages with the engaging teeth 87C and a non-engaged position (FIG. 14(B)) where the engaging claw 72C does not engage with the engaging teeth 87C. The engaging teeth 87C are provided on an upper surface extending in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the reel 80C. The engaging claw 72C of the locking member 70C and the engaging teeth 87C of the reel 80C constitute a "rotation locking mechanism" that prohibits the rotation of the reel 80C.

[0123] The unlocking member 60C releases the rotation prohibition state of the reel 80C and enables the free rotation of the reel 80C. That is, by operating the unlocking member 60C, it becomes possible to pull out the string 4 wound around the reel 80C. FIG. 14(A) shows a state where the unlocking member 60C is not operated, and the string 4 can be wound around the reel 80C but cannot be fed out. FIG. 14(B) shows a state where the unlocking member 60C is operated, and the string 4 can be fed out from the reel 80C. The unlocking member 60C releases the rotation prohibition state of the reel 80C by moving in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the reel 80C.

[0124] Referring to these figures, the unlocking member 60C includes an operation portion 61C operated by the user, and an unlocking body 62C that slides vertically by operation on the operation portion 61C and extends in a rod shape in the vertical direction. The unlocking member 60C abuts above the locking member 70C. As a result, the unlocking member 60C is always biased to the unlocking position (upper side) by the biasing member 75C.

[0125] (Regarding the one-way clutch mechanism) Referring to FIG. 15, the one-way clutch mechanism will be described. In the above embodiment, the one-way clutch mechanism was performed by the locking member 70C moving in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, but in this embodiment, it is performed by the locking member 70C moving in a direction parallel to the rotation axis.

[0126] In this embodiment, the one-way clutch mechanism is performed by the engagement between the engagement teeth 87C provided on the reel 80C and the engagement claws 72C provided on the locking member 70C. The engagement claw 72C is displaceable between a first position where it engages with the engagement teeth 87C that rotate together with the reel 80C to prohibit the rotation of the reel 80C, and a second position where it separates from the portion that rotates together with the reel 80C to allow the rotation of the reel 80C. The engagement teeth 87C of the reel 80C include a first inclined portion 87aC and a second inclined portion 87bC. The angle formed by the first inclined portion 87aC and the second inclined portion 87bC is preferably, for example, a right angle. Also, the engagement claw 72C of the locking member 70C is preferably a right angle according to the shape of the engagement teeth 87C. The engagement claw 72C is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the engagement teeth 87C.

[0127] (Regarding the operation transmission part and the operation disconnection part) Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the operation transmission part and the operation disconnection part provided on the rotation operation member 40C and the moving member 50C will be described. Since the operation transmission part and the operation disconnection part are substantially the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, they will be briefly described with reference to the drawings.

[0128] As shown in FIGS. 17(C) and (D), a drive gear part 43 is provided on the back surface 41aC of the upper surface 41C of the rotation operation member 40C. As shown in FIG. 17(A), a driven gear part 53 is provided on the upper surface of the moving member 50.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 17(B), when the rotation operation member 40C is rotated in the winding direction T and the drive gear portion 43 and the driven gear portion 53 mesh and rotate, the moving member 50C (reel 80C) also rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotation operation member 40C. The state of rotation is shown in FIG. 18(A).

[0130] Furthermore, when the rotation operation member 40C continues to rotate in the winding direction T and the string 4 is completely wound up, the moving member 50C (reel 80C) can no longer rotate. In that case, if the rotation operation member 40C continues to rotate further in the winding direction T, a load greater than a certain level is applied to the meshing of the drive gear portion 43 and the driven gear portion 53. As shown in FIG. 18(B), the drive gear portion 43 overrides the driven gear portion 53 and only the rotation operation member 40C rotates. That is, when a load greater than a certain level is applied to the rotation operation member 40C, the rotational movement of the rotation operation member 40C is not transmitted to the reel 80C. This state is shown in FIG. 18(B). As shown in FIG. 18(B), when the drive gear portion 43 overrides the driven gear portion 53, the moving member 50 moves downward by a dimension L. Thus, when a load greater than a certain level is applied, the rotation operation member 40 rotates idly while the moving member 50 repeats vertical movement.

[0131] Also, the rotation operation member 40C has a one-way clutch structure that prevents the string 4 from being pulled out in order to improve operability. When the rotation operation member 40C is rotated in the feeding direction S, the drive gear portion 43 overrides the driven gear portion 53 and rotates idly. That is, when a load greater than a certain level is applied to the rotation operation member 40C, the rotational movement of the rotation operation member 40C is not transmitted to the reel 80C.

[0132] (Regarding the operation) The operation of the adjustment mechanism 3C of the second embodiment will be described. When it is desired to wind up the string 4, the rotation operation member 40C is rotated. When it is desired to feed out the string 4, the lock release member 60C is pressed to pull the string 4.

[0133] Specifically, when it is desired to wind up the string 4, the rotation operation member 40C is rotated in the winding direction. As shown in FIGS. 14(A) and 15(B), although the engaging teeth 87C of the reel 80C and the engaging claws 72C of the lock member 70C are engaged, due to the one-way clutch mechanism, the engaging teeth 87C of the reel 80C ride over the engaging claws 72C of the lock member 70C and engage with the next engaging teeth 87C. This operation is repeated, causing the reel 80C to rotate clockwise and wind up the string 4.

[0134] When it is desired to feed out the string 4, as shown in FIG. 14(B), the operation portion 61C of the unlocking member 60C is pressed downward. Then, the unlocking body 62C moves the moving member 50C downward, disengaging the engagement between the engaging claws 72C of the lock member 70C and the engaging teeth 87C of the reel 80C. As a result, the reel 80C becomes rotatable, and by pulling the string 4, it is possible to feed out the string 4.

[0135] In the present embodiment, although the rotation operation portion 40CC and the unlocking member 60C are provided at the same position, since the unlocking member 60C rotates and the operation portion 61C moves vertically, the operation directions are different. Therefore, the operability is improved and misoperation can be prevented.

[0136] (Modification 1) Referring to FIG. 19, the adjustment mechanism 3D in Modification 1 will be described. The adjustment mechanism 3D may be a member in which the unlocking member 60C and the lock member 70C of the above-described embodiment are integrally formed. That is, the unlocking member 60D has a function of locking or unlocking the rotation of the reel 80C. By operating the unlocking member 60D, the unlocking member 60D itself moves downward, and the reel 80C becomes rotatable. Thus, in the adjustment mechanism 3D according to this Modification 1, since the unlocking member 60C and the lock member 70C of the above-described embodiment are integrally molded, the number of parts can be reduced and a simpler configuration can be achieved.

[0137] (Modification 2) Referring to FIG. 20, the adjustment mechanism 3E in Modification 2 will be described. The adjustment mechanism 3E may be a member in which the rotary operation member 40C and the reel 80C in the above-described embodiment are integrally formed. That is, the reel 80E itself may be rotated to wind up the string 4. Thus, in the adjustment mechanism 3E according to this Modification 2, since the rotary operation member 40C and the lock member 70C are integrally molded, the number of parts can be reduced, and a simpler configuration can be achieved. In this modification, since the rotary operation member 40C and the moving member 50C in Embodiment 2 are integrally formed, the operation transmission portion and the operation disconnection portion are not provided.

[0138] <Embodiment 3> Referring to FIGS. 21 to 31, the adjustment mechanism 3F in Embodiment 3 will be described. Only the differences from the adjustment mechanisms 3 and 3C shown in Embodiments 1 and 2 will be described in detail. Although there are various differences between Embodiment 1 and this embodiment, generally, they differ in the unlocking member 60F and the lock member 70F. The adjustment mechanism 3F is attached to various parts of the childcare-related appliance. In the following description, the vertical direction on the paper surface of FIGS. 21(C) and 22 is defined as the vertical direction of the adjustment mechanism 3F, and the horizontal direction on the paper surface is defined as the horizontal direction of the adjustment mechanism 3F.

[0139] The adjustment mechanism 3F generally includes a string 4 and an adjustment mechanism main body 5F. Referring particularly to FIGS. 21 and 22, the adjustment mechanism main body 5F includes a holder 30F, a rotary operation member 40F, a moving member 50F, an unlocking member 60F, a lock member 70F, and a reel 80F. Similar to the above-described embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 3F can wind up the string 4 with the rotary operation member 40F and can pull out (feed out) the wound-up string 4 by operating the unlocking member 60F.

[0140] The holder 30F includes an upper holder 31F and a lower holder 34F. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the upper holder 31F has, on its upper surface, a through hole 32F provided on the left side and a pair of long holes 32fF provided obliquely above and below the through hole 32F.

[0141] In the through-hole 32F of the upper holder 31F, a pair of leg portions 57cF of the link member 57F penetrate from above, and the engaging claws 73F and 93F of the lock member 70F penetrate from below. Referring to FIG. 23, on the outer peripheral edge of the through-hole 32F, a rib 32aF protruding inward of the hole is provided. The rib 32aF includes an arc portion 32bF and engaging teeth 32cF provided at regular intervals along the arc portion 32bF. The engaging teeth 32cF are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 32F of the upper holder 31F along the circumferential direction of the reel 80F. The engaging teeth 32cF include a first inclined portion 32dF and a second inclined portion 32eF. The first inclined portion 32dF is substantially perpendicular to the arc portion 32bF, and the second inclined portion 32eF is formed to be an obtuse angle with respect to the arc portion 32bF. The engaging claws 73F and 93F of the lock member 70F and the engaging teeth 32cF of the upper holder 31F are a "rotation lock mechanism" for prohibiting the rotation of the reel 80.

[0142] As shown in FIGS. 21(A) and 22, on a pair of opposing side surfaces of the upper holder 31F, string holes 33F through which the string 4 penetrates are respectively provided. The pair of long holes 32fF are shaped along the arc shape of the through-hole 32F. A screw hole 68dF of a second release member 64F described later penetrates through the long hole 32fF.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 22, the lower holder 34F serves as a lower lid and is, for example, a rectangular plate-like member. Legs may be provided at the four corners of the lower holder 34F.

[0144] The rotation operation member 40F is for operating the rotation of the reel 80F. As shown in FIGS. 28(A) and 29(A), in a substantially central portion of the upper surface 41 of the rotation operation member 40F, a through-hole 46F is provided. A screw 47F penetrates through this through-hole 46F and supports the moving member 50F so as to be vertically movable. Further, as shown in FIG. 28(C), on the back surface 41a of the upper surface 41, a drive gear portion 43 protruding downward is provided.

[0145] In particular, as shown in FIGS. 28(A) and (B), the moving member 50F is provided below the rotating operation member 40F. The moving member 50F is provided with a driven gear portion 53F that is recessed downward from the upper surface 51aF. The driven gear portion 53F engages with the drive gear portion 43 of the rotating operation member 40F described above.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 29(A), the link member 57F includes an upper portion 57aF and a lower portion 57bF. The upper portion 57aF is in the shape of a cylinder that is open at the top. The upper portion 57aF holds the moving member 50F and the biasing member 56 inside. The lower portion 57bF includes a pair of legs 57cF that protrude downward. The pair of legs 57cF are connected to the reel 80F. As a result, the link member 57F and the reel 80F are fixed, and the rotation of the link member 57F is directly connected to the rotation of the reel 80F.

[0147] As shown in FIGS. 22 and 27, the reel 80F includes a string holding portion 81F and a flange portion 84F that rotatably holds the string holding portion 81F. In FIG. 27(B), the winding direction T and the feeding direction S of the string 4 are indicated by arrows. The handling of the string 4 in the string holding portion 81F is substantially the same as that of the string holding portion 81 in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, a fixing portion for fixing the string 4 to the reel 80F is not provided, but it may be fixed at a substantially central position in a plan view in the same manner as in Embodiment 1. Also, in Embodiment 1, the rounded portion 81c was provided only at the folding portion of the string 4 and was not in a symmetric shape, but in this embodiment, it is in a symmetric shape, and the rounded portion 81cF may be provided even at a location where the string 4 is not folded.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 22, the flange portion 84F of the reel 80F extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The flange portion 84F is located above the string holding portion 81F and is connected to the legs 57cF of the link member 57F. That is, the reel 80F is connected to the link member 57F, and the reel 80F also rotates as the link member 57F rotates.

[0149] Referring to FIGS. 22 to 26, the lock member 70F will be described. In the following description, particularly referring to FIG. 24(A), the lock member 70F of the present embodiment includes an upper slide member 71F, a lower slide member 91F provided to overlap the upper slide member 71F, and a spring 90F provided between the upper slide member 71F and the lower slide member 91F.

[0150] The upper slide member 71F includes a slide main body portion 72F, an engaging claw 73F protruding upward from the slide main body portion 72F, a support portion 74F protruding downward from the slide main body portion 72F, a first cutout hole 77F formed in the slide main body portion 72F, and a first hole 75F and a second hole 76F branching from the first cutout hole 77F.

[0151] The lower slide member 91F is provided substantially symmetrically with respect to the upper slide member 71F in the left - right direction. The lower slide member 91F includes a slide main body portion 92F, an engaging claw 93F protruding upward from the slide main body portion 92F, a support portion 94F protruding downward from the slide main body portion 92F, a first cutout hole 97F formed in the slide main body portion 92F, and a first hole 95F and a second hole 96F branching from the first cutout hole 97F. The engaging claws 73F, 93F penetrate through the through - hole 32F of the upper holder 31 described above. The engaging claws 73F, 93F are displaced in the horizontal direction with respect to the engaging teeth 32cF described above. Further, above the lower slide member 91F on the plane of the paper, a guide portion 98F extending in the left - right direction is provided to guide the left - right slide of the upper slide member 71F.

[0152] When the upper slide member 71F and the lower slide member 91F overlap vertically, the first holes 75F, 95F penetrate vertically, and the second holes 76F, 96F penetrate vertically. As shown in FIGS. 24(B) and (C), when the upper slide member 71F slides to the right and the lower slide member 91F slides to the left, the shapes of the first holes 75F, 95F and the second holes 76F, 96F change and become smaller.

[0153] A spring 90F is sandwiched between the support portion 74F of the upper slide member 71F and the support portion 94F of the lower slide member 91F. As a result, the upper slide member 71F and the lower slide member 91F are always biased in a separating direction.

[0154] Next, the operation of the lock member 70F will be described. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 25, the leg portion 57cF of the link member 57F penetrates through the first holes 75F, 95F and the second holes 76F, 96F of the lock member 70F. The leg portion 57cF of the link member 57F is connected to the reel 80F by screws. The lock member 70F is sandwiched between the link member 57F and the reel 80F. Thus, when the link member 57F is rotated in the winding direction T in FIG. 25(A), as shown in FIG. 25(C), the leg portion 57cF of the link member 57F pushes the first hole 75F of the upper slide member 71F to the right, and the leg portion 57cF of the link member 57F pushes the second hole 96F of the lower slide member 91F to the left. As a result, the upper slide member 71F moves to the right, the lower slide member 91F moves to the left, and the engaging claws 73F, 93F of the lock member 70F move inward.

[0155] FIGS. 26(A) to (D) are cross-sectional views taken along line XXVI in FIG. 21(C). Briefly speaking, it is a view showing a state in which an upper holder 31F is further stacked above FIGS. 25(B) to (D). The engaging claws 73F, 93F of the lock member 70F rotate while the interval therebetween expands and contracts due to the rotation of the link member 57F. Specifically, when rotating in the winding direction T in the state shown in FIG. 26(A), as shown in FIG. 29(B), the engaging claws 73F, 93F of the lock member 70F approach each other. When the link member 57F is further rotated, the engaging claws 73F, 93F of the lock member 70F engage with the next engaging teeth 32cF. In this way, the engaging claws 73F, 93F of the lock member 70F wind up the string 4 while rotating, for example, by 45 degrees each. Note that since it is a one-way clutch mechanism, it does not rotate in the feeding direction S for feeding out the string 4.

[0156] Referring to FIGS. 22, 30, and 31, the unlocking member 60F will be described. FIG. 31(A) shows the state where the unlocking member 60 is not operated, and FIG. 31(B) shows the state where the unlocking member 60 is operated. The left-side views in FIGS. 31(A) and (B) are plan views showing only the upper holder 31 and the second unlocking member 64F taken out, and the right-side views are drawings obtained by further superimposing the first unlocking member 61F and perspective-viewing the portion shown in FIG. 26. The unlocking member 60 releases the rotation prohibition state of the reel by moving in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the reel 80F. In FIGS. 30 and 31, for ease of understanding, the first unlocking member 64F is shown with faint ink.

[0157] Referring particularly to FIG. 22, the unlocking member 60F includes a first unlocking member 61F operated by a user, a second unlocking member 64F that slides in the vertical direction by the operation of the first unlocking member 61F, and a biasing portion 69F that biases the second unlocking member 64F in a direction opposite to the unlocking direction. The first unlocking member 61F and the second unlocking member 64F are configured to move integrally. The biasing portion 69F is, for example, a coil spring and biases the first unlocking member 61F and the second unlocking member 64F in a direction away from each other. Note that the first unlocking member 61F, the second unlocking member 64F, and the biasing portion 69F may be provided integrally without being constituted by separate members.

[0158] The first unlocking member 61F includes an unlocking main body 62F and a through hole 63F provided substantially at the center of the unlocking main body 62F. A pair of screw holes 62aF for the through hole are provided in the unlocking main body 62F. The unlocking main body 62F is substantially circular in plan view, but a part thereof protrudes to form an operation portion. A pair of leg portions 57cF of the link member 57F described above penetrate through the through hole 63F.

[0159] Referring to FIGS. 22 and 30, the second release member 64F includes a release body 65F and a protruding portion 66F protruding from the release body 65F. A through hole 67F is formed in the release body 65F at a substantially central portion, and a pair of screw holes 68dF are provided around the through hole 67F. A pair of leg portions 57cF of the link member 57F described above penetrate through the through hole 67F. Screws that penetrate through the screw hole 62aF of the first release member 61F penetrate through the pair of screw holes 68dF. A hole portion 66aF is provided in the protruding portion 66F. A pin member 69aF located at the end of the biasing member 69F penetrates through this hole portion aF. Thereby, the unlocking member 62F is biased in a direction opposite to the unlocking direction.

[0160] Next, the operation of the unlocking member 60F will be described. As shown in FIG. 31(A), when the first release member 61F of the unlocking member 60F is rotated counterclockwise (by about 45 degrees), the second release member 64F also rotates counterclockwise in the same manner. As shown in FIG. 31(B), the engaging teeth 32cF of the rib 32aF of the upper holder 31F are covered by the arc portion 67aF of the second release member 64F, the engaging claws 73F, 93F of the locking member 70F move inward, and the reel 80F connected to the locking member 70F becomes rotatable. In this way, by moving the unlocking member 60F in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the reel 80F, it becomes possible to release the engagement between the locking member 70F and the upper holder 31F.

[0161] (Regarding the one-way clutch mechanism) Referring to FIG. 26, the one-way clutch mechanism will be described. The one-way clutch mechanism of the present embodiment is performed by the locking member 70F moving in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis, similar to Embodiment 1.

[0162] The Wenway clutch mechanism of this embodiment is performed by the engagement between the engaging teeth 32cF provided on the upper holder 31F and the engaging claws 73F, 93F provided on the locking member 70F. The engaging claws 73F, 93F are displaced in a direction orthogonal to the engaging teeth 32cF. The engaging teeth 32cF of the upper holder 31F include a first inclined portion 32dF and a second inclined portion 32eF. The angle formed by the first inclined portion 32dF and the arc portion 32bF is preferably a right angle, for example. Also, the angle formed by the second inclined portion 32eF and the arc portion 32bF is preferably an obtuse angle, for example. As a result, the reel 80F can rotate in the winding direction T, but has a structure that cannot rotate in the feeding direction S.

[0163] (Regarding the operation transmission part and the operation disconnection part) With reference to FIGS. 25 and 26, the operation transmission part and the operation disconnection part provided between the rotation operation member 40F and the moving member 50F will be described. Since the operation transmission part and the operation disconnection part are substantially the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, the description will be made briefly with the attached drawings.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 28(C), a drive gear part 43 is provided on the back surface of the rotation operation member 40F. As shown in FIG. 28(A), a driven gear part 53F is provided on the upper surface of the moving member 50F.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 28(A), when the drive gear part 43 and the driven gear part 53F mesh and rotate, the moving member 50F (reel 80F) also rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotation operation member 40F. Further, when the rotation operation member 40F continues to rotate in the winding direction and the string 4 is completely wound up, the moving member 50F (reel 80F) cannot rotate. When a load greater than a certain level is applied to the meshing of the drive gear part 43F and the driven gear part 53F, and the rotation operation member 40F is further rotated, as shown in FIG. 28(B), the drive gear part 43 overrides the driven gear part 53F and only the rotation operation member 40F rotates. That is, when a load greater than a certain level is applied to the rotation operation member 40F, the rotational movement of the rotation operation member 40F is not transmitted to the reel 80C.

[0166] In addition, the rotary operation member 40F has a one-way clutch structure that prevents the string 4 from being pulled out in order to improve operability. When the rotary operation member 40F is rotated in the feeding direction, the drive gear portion 43 overrides the driven gear portion 53F and rotates idly. That is, when a load equal to or greater than a certain value is applied to the rotary operation member 40F, the rotational movement of the rotary operation member 40F is not transmitted to the reel 80C.

[0167] (Operation) The operation of the adjustment mechanism 3F of the third embodiment will be described. When it is desired to wind up the string 4, the rotary operation member 40F is rotated. When it is desired to feed out the string 4, the lock release member 60F is rotated to pull the string 4.

[0168] Specifically, when it is desired to wind up the string 4, as shown in FIG. 25(A), the rotary operation member 40F (reel 80F) is rotated clockwise. Then, as shown in FIGS. 26(A) to (D), due to the one-way clutch mechanism, the engagement between the engaging claws 73F and 93F of the lock member 70F and the engaging teeth 32cF of the upper holder 31F is disengaged, and the operation of rotating and engaging with the next engaging teeth 32cF is repeated, and the reel 80F also rotates clockwise, and the reel 80F winds up the string 4.

[0169] When it is desired to feed out the string 4, as shown in FIGS. 31(A) and (B), the first release member 61F of the lock release member 60F is rotated counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow). Then, the second release member 64F rotates, and the arc-shaped portion 67aF of the second release member 62F is superimposed on the engaging teeth 32cF of the upper holder 31F, and the engaging claws 73F and 93F of the lock member 70F do not engage with the engaging teeth 32cF of the upper holder 31F. As a result, the reel 80F can rotate freely, and by pulling the string 4, the string 4 can be fed out.

[0170] In this embodiment, the lock release member 60F and the lock release member 70F are formed as separate members, but they may be integrally formed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

[0171] (Modification 1) Referring to FIG. 32, the adjustment mechanism 3G in Modification 1 will be described. The adjustment mechanism 3G differs in the configuration of the operation transmission portion and the operation disconnecting portion. In Embodiment 3, the biasing member 56 was provided below the moving member 50F, and the moving member 50F was biased toward the rotation operation member 40F. However, in this modification, the rotation operation member 40G is biased toward the moving member 50G.

[0172] Specifically, the adjustment mechanism 3G further includes a lid portion 48G that fits into a recess 46G provided on the upper surface of the rotation operation member 40F. Between the recess 46G of the rotation operation member 40F and the lid portion 48G, a biasing member 56G that biases the rotation operation member 40G downward is provided. Thereby, when the rotation operation member 40G is rotated in a state exceeding a certain load, the drive gear portion 43 of the rotation operation member 40G rides over the driven gear portion 53 of the moving member 50G and rotates. In this modification, when the rotation operation member 40F idles, the rotation operation member 40F moves up and down.

[0173] <Embodiment 4> Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, the adjustment mechanism 3H in Embodiment 4 will be described. Only the differences from the adjustment mechanism 3C shown in Embodiment 2 will be described in detail. This embodiment is different in that no rotation operation member is provided, and a biasing member 110H that biases the reel 80C in the winding direction is provided. The adjustment mechanism 3H is attached to various locations of the childcare-related appliance. In the following description, the upper side on the paper surface of FIG. 33 is defined as the upper side of the adjustment mechanism 3H, and the lower side on the paper surface is defined as the lower side of the adjustment mechanism 3H.

[0174] The adjustment mechanism 3H of this embodiment includes a string 4, a holder 30C, a lock release member 60C, a lock member 70C, a reel 80C, and a biasing member 110H. The adjustment mechanism 3H can automatically wind up the slack string 4.

[0175] The biasing force of the biasing member 110H is set to be smaller than the biasing force that causes the movable part to move downward in the vertical direction. The biasing force will be described in detail in the operation explanation. The biasing member 110H is, for example, a spiral spring. One end of the biasing member 110H located on the inner side in the radial direction is fixed to the reel 80C, and the other end located on the outer side in the radial direction is fixed to the upper holder 31C. As a result, the reel 80C is always biased in the winding direction.

[0176] In this embodiment, a spiral spring is used as the biasing member 110H. However, the biasing member 110H may be any member that biases the reel 80C to rotate in the winding direction of the string 4. For example, it may be another spring, or other biasing members that exhibit elastic biasing force may also be used.

[0177] As described above, the locking member 70C is a one-way clutch mechanism that allows the rotation of the reel 80C in the winding direction of the string 4 and prohibits the rotation of the reel 80C in the feeding direction of the string 4. The one-way clutch mechanism may be configured such that an operation transmission part and an operation disconnection part are provided, similar to the drive gear part 43 and the driven gear part 53 described above, or may be the same as that described in Embodiment 2.

[0178] The engaging claw 72C of the locking member 70C is a reel locking claw that locks the rotation of the reel 80C. The reel locking claw is displaceable between a first position where it engages with a part that rotates with the reel 80C to prohibit the rotation of the reel 80C and a second position where it separates from the part that rotates with the reel 80C to allow the rotation of the reel 80C. This operation is performed by the locking member 70C sliding up and down, as shown in FIGS. 14(A) and (B).

[0179] Sliding the locking member 70C up and down is performed by the unlocking member 60C. The unlocking member 60C is a member that brings the locking member 70C to the second position and enables the free rotation of the reel 80C.

[0180] Referring to FIG. 33, the operation of the child seat 1C as a childcare-related appliance using the adjustment mechanism 3H in Embodiment 4 will be described. The basic configuration of the child seat 1C used in this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the child seat 1B in FIG. 3.

[0181] As shown in FIG. 34, an adjustment mechanism main body 5H is provided at the upper end of the backrest portion 22 of the child seat 1C. The string 4 is attached to the rotating portion 28 of the flipping-up mechanism 27 of the shoulder belt 23. The flipping-up mechanism 27 of the shoulder belt 23 is configured to fix the shoulder belt 23 so that the seat 20 can be opened when a child is placed on it, so that the shoulder belt 23 does not get in the way.

[0182] When the connection of the buckle 26 is released from the state of FIG. 34(A) and the shoulder belt 23 is moved upward as shown in FIG. 34(B), the string 4 connected to the rotating portion 28 is loosened. The adjustment mechanism 3H is provided with a biasing member 110H (FIG. 33) that biases the reel 80C in the winding direction. The biasing member 110H is set to be smaller than the biasing force that the shoulder belt 23 and the flipping-up mechanism 27 tend to move downward in the vertical direction due to their own weights. In other words, when the biasing force that the shoulder belt 23 and the flipping-up mechanism 27 tend to move downward in the vertical direction is no longer applied, the biasing member 110H rotates the reel 80C and winds up the string 4.

[0183] Since the biasing member 110H is biased in the winding direction, as shown in FIG. 34(C), the loosened string 4 is wound up by the reel 80C. As a result, the user can wind up the loosened string 4 without performing any operations, so that the child can be smoothly placed on and taken off the seat.

[0184] After placing the child on the child seat 1C, as shown in FIG. 34(D), operate the operation portion 61C of the unlocking member 60C to unlock the locking member 70C and the reel 80C. Since the biasing force of the biasing member 110H is smaller than the biasing force with which the shoulder belt 23 and the flipping-up mechanism 27 tend to move downward in the vertical direction, the string 4 is automatically pulled out by the weights of the shoulder belt 23 and the flipping-up mechanism 27. Finally, the shoulder belt 23 may be connected with the buckle 26.

[0185] In the present embodiment, the movable parts are the flipping-up mechanism 27 of the shoulder belt 23 and the shoulder belt 23, but any member that tends to move downward in the vertical direction by its own weight may be used. For example, in the reclining mechanism of a baby stroller, the backrest portion may be the movable part, or in the height adjustment of the headrest of a baby carrier, the headrest portion may be the movable part.

[0186] Also, although the movable part is assumed to move downward in the vertical direction, it may move not only vertically downward perpendicular to the horizontal plane but also downward at an angle with respect to the vertical direction. Furthermore, the force with which the movable part tends to move downward in the vertical direction may include not only the own weight of the movable part but also, for example, a biasing force that causes the movable part to move downward in the vertical direction by a spring or the like.

[0187] Also, in the present embodiment, the unlocking member 60C and the locking member 70C are separate members, but the unlocking member 60C and the locking member 70C may be integrally provided.

[0188] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made within the same scope or an equivalent scope as the present invention with respect to the illustrated embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0189] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C child seat (childcare-related appliance), 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H adjustment mechanism, 4 string, 10 base body, 11 ISOFIX, 23, 24, 25 belt, 30, 30C, 30F holder, 32cF, 87, 87C engaging tooth, 40, 40C, 40D, 40F, 40G rotary operation member, 43, 43F drive gear part, 50, 50C, 50F, 50G moving member, 53, 53F driven gear part, 56, 56G, 110H biasing member, 60, 60B, 60C, 60F unlocking member, 70, 70C, 70F locking member, 72, 72B, 72C, 73F, 93F engaging claw, 80, 80A, 80C, 80E, 80F reel, 90F biasing part.

Claims

1. A childcare-related device comprising a main body part, an extension part extending from the main body part, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position or shape of the extension part, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a string having one end connected to the main body part and the other end held by the extension part, a holder fixed in a state of being exposed to the main body part and having a string hole through which the string passes, a reel provided in the holder and rotatable in both forward and reverse directions, and configured to change the position or shape of the extension part by winding and unwinding the string, a rotation lock mechanism provided in the holder and configured to prohibit rotation of the reel. A childcare-related device.

2. The childcare-related device is a childcare device with a seat, the main body part is a seat for receiving a child, and the extension part is a pair of shoulder belts extending from the seat and restraining the shoulders of the child, A pair of strings are provided, and the pair of strings are respectively held at the ends of the pair of shoulder belts. The childcare-related device according to claim 1.

3. The childcare-related device is a childcare device with a seat, the main body part is a seat for receiving a child, and the extension part is a crotch belt extending from the seat and restraining the crotch of the child, The string is held at the end of the crotch belt. The childcare-related device according to claim 1.

4. The childcare-related device is a child seat, the main body part is a child seat main body, and the extension part is an ISOFIX provided to extend rearward from the child seat main body. The childcare-related device according to claim 1.

5. The childcare-related device is a baby carrier, the main body part is a baby carrier main body, and the extension part is a movable part provided to extend from the baby carrier main body. The childcare-related device according to claim 1.

6. The baby carrier main body includes a parent-side shoulder belt wound around the parent's shoulder and a parent-side waist belt wound around the parent's waist, The extension part is a part provided to extend from the parent-side shoulder belt or the parent-side waist belt. The childcare-related device according to claim 5.

7. The baby carrier main body includes a child support part for supporting the child's body, The extension part is a part provided to extend from the child support part. The childcare-related device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The childcare-related device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an unlocking member configured to release the rotation prohibition state of the reel by the rotation lock mechanism and enable free rotation of the reel.

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