Frame assembly of stroller

Abstract

Disclosed is a frame assembly of a stroller. The frame assembly comprises: a main supporting rod (11) having an upper end portion for mounting a grip portion (40) and a lower end portion for rotatable connection; a seat support portion (12) comprising first ends for rotatable connection and second ends opposite to the first ends; and a front wheel supporting rod (13) and rear wheel supporting rods (15). The frame assembly further comprises a folding mechanism (20), wherein the folding mechanism comprises a first part (21) and second parts (25) which can rotate relative to each other around a rotation axis A; the lower end portion of the main supporting rod is fixed to the first part, and a first end portion of each rear wheel supporting rod is fixed to the corresponding second part; the first part of the folding mechanism is provided with a primary pivot portion, and a rear end portion of the front wheel supporting rod is pivotally connected to the primary pivot portion; each second part of the folding mechanism is provided with a secondary pivot portion, and each rear end portion of the seat support portion is pivotally connected to the corresponding secondary pivot portion. The frame assembly solves the potential jamming problem during the folding or unfolding of the stroller, while reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly.

Description

Frame assembly of a stroller TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of strollers, and more particularly, to a foldable stroller. BACKGROUND

[0002] Strollers are essential means of transportation for children. In order to facilitate carrying, various types of folding strollers are available on the market. Such folding strollers change between a folded portable state and an unfolded state of use through a folding mechanism.

[0003] For a light folding stroller, a foldable frame assembly is usually included, which comprises a main support rod, support rods for mounting wheels, and support members for supporting seat pockets. These support rods and support members are movably connected together through a pivoting mechanism and a lever mechanism. Usually, part of the support members or support rods are configured as foldable segments.

[0004] However, during the state change of the stroller of this type, since the pivoting mechanism and the folding structure of the support members or support rods are independent of each other, the force transmission during folding is not smooth, which causes the folding or unfolding process to be stuck. On the other hand, the assembly of the support rods and support members of the existing frame assembly is complex, and the manufacturing efficiency is not high.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to improve the folding structure of the stroller so that the folding and unfolding process is smoother, and the assembly structure is simplified. SUMMARY

[0006] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a frame assembly for a stroller, which comprises a main support rod having an upper end portion for mounting a handle portion and a lower end portion for rotary connection, a seat pocket support portion comprising a first end for rotary connection and a second end opposite to the first end, and front and rear wheel support rods. The frame assembly further comprises a folding mechanism, which comprises a first portion and a second portion that can rotate relative to each other about a rotary axis A. The lower end portion of the main support rod is fixed to the first portion, and the first end portion of the rear wheel support rod is fixed to the second portion. The first portion of the folding mechanism is provided with a main pivoting portion, and the rear end portion of the front wheel support rod is pivotably connected to the main pivoting portion. The second portion of the folding mechanism is provided with a secondary pivoting portion, and the rear end portion of the seat pocket support portion is pivotably connected to the secondary pivoting portion.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present application, the first portion has a first body portion in a substantially cylindrical shape, a portion of the circumferential surface of the first body portion is radially recessed to form a first recess, and the main pivot portion is disposed in the first recess; the second portion has a second body portion in a substantially cylindrical shape, a portion of the circumferential surface of the second body portion is radially recessed to form a second recess, and the sub-pivot portion is disposed in the second recess.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present application, the second portions of the folding mechanism are disposed in pairs, the pairs of second portions are respectively mounted to the axial two sides of the first portion along the rotation axis A, and each of the second portions is provided with a sub-pivot portion.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present application, the seat pocket support portion includes left and right support rods, the left and right support rods are symmetrically arranged with respect to the main support rod and the front wheel support rod, and rear end portions of the left and right support rods are respectively inserted into the first recess and the second recess and connected to the sub-pivot portions.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present application, the left and right support rods are respectively pivotally connected to the two sides of the front wheel support rod.

[0011] According to still another aspect of the present application, the folding mechanism further includes a latching device mounted between the first portion and the second portion to lock or unlock the relative rotation of the first portion and the second portion.

[0012] According to still another aspect of the present application, the latching device includes a retaining pin mounted in the first portion, a latch plate mounted to the opposite surface of the second portion with respect to the first portion, and a return spring providing elastic force to the retaining pin; when the retaining pin is latched into the latch plate, the relative rotation of the first portion and the second portion is locked, and when the retaining pin is disengaged from the latch plate against the elastic force of the return spring, the relative rotation of the first portion and the second portion is unlocked.

[0013] According to still another aspect of the present application, the main support rod includes a first section and a second section, the first section is inserted into the second section and can be extended and retracted with respect to the second section; wherein when the lower end of the first section is provided with an actuating portion, when the first section is completely inserted into the second section, the actuating portion is engaged to the retaining pin and moves the retaining pin in a direction away from the metal latch plate.

[0014] According to still another aspect of the present application, the first portion has a first body portion in a substantially cylindrical shape and a first connecting portion integrally extended from a circumferential surface of the first body portion in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A, the first connecting portion being used for plug-in connecting the lower end portion of the main support rod; and the second portion has a second body portion in a substantially cylindrical shape and a second connecting portion integrally extended from a circumferential surface of the second body portion in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A, the second connecting portion being used for plug-in connecting the upper end portion of the rear wheel support rod.

[0015] According to still another aspect of the present application, the frame assembly has a folded state and an unfolded state, and the relative positions of the main pivot portion and the auxiliary pivot portion with respect to the rotation axis A remain unchanged when the frame assembly is in the folded state and the unfolded state.

[0016] Thus, the main pivot portion and the auxiliary pivot portion of the folding movement of the frame assembly are built into the relatively rotating portions of the folding mechanism, and each support rod constituting the frame assembly does not have a folding portion or a pivot portion itself, and the force transmission is carried out inside the folding mechanism, so that the folding process is not prone to be stuck.

[0017] In addition, the child stroller according to the present application integrates the plurality of pivot portions into the body portion of the folding mechanism, reduces the number of parts, facilitates the positioning and connection of each support rod, and also reduces the assembly steps. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] For a more complete understanding of the present application, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a child stroller according to a preferred embodiment of the present application, wherein the child stroller is in an unfolded state.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of a child stroller according to a preferred embodiment of the present application, wherein the child stroller is in a folded state.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a frame of a child stroller according to a preferred embodiment of the present application, wherein the frame is in an unfolded state.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows another perspective view of a frame assembly of a child stroller according to a preferred embodiment of the present application, wherein the frame is in a folded state.

[0023] FIGS. 5A-5C show schematic views of different states of a frame assembly of a child stroller in folding according to a preferred embodiment of the present application in sequence.

[0024] FIG. 6A shows a schematic view of a locking position of a locking device of a child stroller according to a preferred embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 6B shows a schematic view of the unlocked position of the locking device of the stroller according to a preferred embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 7A shows a schematic view of the latching pin and card engagement according to a preferred embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 7B shows a schematic view of the rear wheel support with the card engaged according to a preferred embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the frame assembly of the stroller according to a preferred embodiment of the present application.

[0029] List of Reference Numerals 1 stroller 10 frame assembly 11 main support 111 first section 112 second section 113 actuation portion 12 seat pan support portion 121 left support 122 right support 13 front wheel support 15 rear wheel support 20 folding mechanism 21 first portion 211 first body portion 212 first connecting portion 213 first recess 25 second portion 251 second body portion 252 second connecting portion 253 second recess 31 latching pin 32 card 40 handle portion 50 seat pan portion 60 bottom pan 71 front wheel 72 rear wheel 73 handle portion axis of rotation A DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present application is further described in the detailed description that follows, by reference to the drawings wherein:

[0031] In the following detailed description, terms of orientation such as "front", "rear", "top / upper", "bottom / lower" are defined with respect to the direction of the stroller when it is in its normal use state.

[0032] Figures 1 and 2 show two different states of a folding stroller 1 according to the present application, wherein Figure 1 shows the stroller 1 in its unfolded state (i.e. normal use state) for a child to sit in, and Figure 2 shows the stroller 1 in its collapsed state for easy carrying and storage. The stroller 1 mainly comprises a frame assembly 10 and a seat pan portion 50 supported by the frame assembly 10. The frame assembly 10 is mounted with front wheels 71, rear wheels 72 and a bottom pan 60 for storage at the bottom thereof. The soft seat pan portion 50 will be unfolded and collapsed with the unfolding and collapsing of the frame assembly 10.

[0033] As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, the frame assembly 10 comprises a main strut 11, a seat pan support 12, a front wheel strut 13 and a rear wheel strut 15, and a folding mechanism 20. The folding mechanism 20 integrates a plurality of pivoting portions to enable the mutual rotation of the main strut 11, the seat pan support 12, the front wheel strut 13 and the rear wheel strut 15, thereby achieving the unfolded and folded states of the stroller 1.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the main strut 11 has an upper end portion and a lower end portion, the upper end portion of the main strut 11 is provided with a handle portion 40, and the lower end portion of the main strut 11 is connected to the folding mechanism 20 to enable its rotation relative to other struts or members. The main strut 11 comprises a first section 111 and a second section 112, the first section 111 is inserted into the second section 112 from its lower end portion and is capable of extending and retracting relative to the second section 112. Both the first section 111 and the second section 112 are hollow tubes, the handle portion 40 is mounted on the upper end portion of the first section 111, and the lower end portion of the second section 112 is connected to the folding mechanism 20.

[0035] The seat pan support 12 of the frame assembly 10 comprises a left strut 121 and a right strut 122, which are symmetrically arranged with respect to the main strut 11 and the front wheel strut 13. Each of the left strut 121 and the right strut 122 comprises a front end portion and a rear end portion, the front end portions of the left strut 121 and the right strut 122 are attached to the seat pan portion 50 by means of a connecting portion, typically below the seat portion of the seat pan portion 50. When the stroller 1 is in the unfolded state, the left strut 121 and the right strut 122 are capable of holding and tensioning the seat pan portion 50. On the other hand, the rear end portions of the left strut 121 and the right strut 122 are attached to the folding mechanism 20. In addition, the left strut 121 and the right strut 122 are respectively pivotally connected to opposite sides of the front wheel strut 13 at a position close to the folding mechanism 20. According to the preferred embodiment of the present application, the left strut 121 and the right strut 122 of the seat pan support 12 are respectively integrally formed members.

[0036] The front wheel strut 13 of the frame assembly 10 extends from front to back, and a cross beam is provided at the front end portion of the front wheel strut 13, two front wheels 71 are respectively mounted to the two ends of the cross beam. The rear wheel strut 15 of the frame assembly 10 is arranged in pairs, i.e., the rear wheel strut 15 comprises a first rear wheel strut and a second rear wheel strut, which are symmetrically arranged with respect to the main strut 11 and the front wheel strut 13. Each of the first rear wheel strut and the second rear wheel strut comprises an upper end portion attached to the folding mechanism 20 and a lower end portion on which a rear wheel 72 is mounted. Preferably, the first rear wheel strut and the second rear wheel strut are respectively integrally formed members. In addition, in order to improve the stability of the frame assembly, the frame assembly 10 further comprises a transverse strut mounted between the rear wheels 72.

[0037] According to the present application, the folding mechanism 20 is particularly integrated with a plurality of pivot portions to provide relative rotation between the main support rod 11, the seat pocket support portion 12, the front wheel support rod 13 and the rear wheel support rod 15 of the frame assembly 10. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the folding mechanism 20 mainly comprises a first portion 21 and a second portion 25 which are relatively rotatable about the rotation axis A (see Fig. 4). The relatively rotatable first portion 21 and the second portion 25 constitute a pivot portion which mainly provides relative rotation between the main support rod 11 and the rear wheel support rod 15.

[0038] The first portion 21 has a first main body portion 211 which is substantially cylindrical or disc-shaped, and a first connecting portion 212 integrally extended from a circumferential surface of the first main body portion 211, wherein the first connecting portion 212 is extended substantially perpendicularly to the rotation axis A for connecting the lower end portion of the main support rod 11. The second portion 25 of the folding mechanism 20 is arranged in pairs, and each pair of the second portion 25 is mounted rotatably to the axial two sides of the first portion 21 along the rotation axis A. Each second portion 25 has a second main body portion 251 which is substantially cylindrical, and a second connecting portion 252 integrally extended from a circumferential surface of the second main body portion 251, wherein the second connecting portion 252 is extended substantially perpendicularly to the rotation axis A for connecting the upper end portion of the rear wheel support rod 15. Preferably, the first connecting portion 212 and the second connecting portion 252 are formed as receiving seats having hollow cavities, and the corresponding end portions of the main support rod 11 and the rear wheel support rod 15 are inserted into the receiving seats and fixed.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 8, the first portion 21 is provided with a main pivot portion which is preferably arranged in a first recess 213 recessed from a circumferential surface of the first portion 21, and the main pivot portion provides relative rotation between the main support rod 11 and the front wheel support rod 13. Specifically, the main pivot portion can be a pivot rod built in the first portion 21, and the lower end portion of the main support rod 11 is provided with a corresponding pivot hole through which the pivot rod is inserted to provide pivot movement.

[0040] Each of the two second portions 25 on the axial two sides of the first portion 21 is provided with a sub-pivot portion which is arranged in a second recess 253 (see Fig. 2) radially recessed from a circumferential surface of the second portion 25, to provide rotation of the left and right support rods of the seat pocket support portion 12 relative to the rear wheel support rod 15. The left support rod 121 and the right support rod 122 of the seat pocket support portion 12 are respectively in line with the rotation axis of the rear wheel support rod 15. The sub-pivot portion can be a pivot rod which can be a separate component inserted from a surface of the second portion 25 opposite to the first portion 21, and the rear end portions of the left support rod 121 and the right support rod 122 are provided with corresponding pivot holes through which the pivot rod is inserted to achieve pivot movement of the rear wheel support rod 15.

[0041] In addition, the folding mechanism 20 further comprises a latch device configured to lock or unlock the relative rotation of the first part 21 and the second part 25. Preferably, the latch device is installed between the first part 21 and the second part 25 of the folding mechanism 20.

[0042] In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the latch device comprises a limiting latch 31 and a card 32. The limiting latch 31 is installed in the first body portion 211 of the first part 21. In the preferred embodiment, the limiting latch 31 is arranged in pairs, i.e., comprising a left limiting latch and a right limiting latch. The card 32 is usually a metal piece installed on the second body portion of the second part 25 of the folding mechanism 20 opposite to the surface of the first part 21. In addition, the latch device further comprises a return spring providing an elastic force to the limiting latch 31, and the elastic force provided by the return spring keeps the limiting latch 31 engaged in the corresponding hole of the card 32, thereby preventing the relative rotation of the first part 21 relative to the second part 25; when the limiting latch 31 is disengaged from the metal card 32 against the elastic force of the return spring, the relative rotation of the first part 21 and the second part 25 is unlocked. The card 32 can be provided with two card holes to correspond to the unfolded state and the folded state of the stroller. In other alternative embodiments, the card 32 can also be replaced by a plurality of card holes integrally formed in the second part 25.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment, the unlocking of the latch device is actuated by the relative sliding of the two sections of the main support rod 11. Specifically, the lower end of the first section 111 of the main support rod 11 is provided with an actuating portion 113, when the first section 111 is fully inserted into the hollow cavity of the second section 112, as shown in FIG. 6B, the actuating portion 113 is engaged to the limiting latch 31, causing the limiting latch 31 to move in a direction away from the card 32, i.e., the two limiting latches 31 move inwardly towards each other, thereby disengaging from the engagement of the card 32.

[0044] In other alternative embodiments, a solution button can also be directly provided on the folding mechanism 20 to move the limiting latch 31 to unlock the relative rotation of the first part 21 and the second part 25 of the folding mechanism 20.

[0045] In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, a handle portion 73 is also provided on the first body portion 211 of the first part 21 of the folding mechanism 20 to facilitate the user to carry the stroller 1 in the folded state by hand. The handle portion 73 can be integrally formed on the first body portion 211 or fixed by fasteners.

[0046] Figures 5A to 5C show the folding process of the stroller 1 according to the present application. As shown in Figure 5A, the stroller 1 has started to fold, at this time, the first section of the main support rod 11 has been retracted into the hollow cavity of the second section, at this time, the actuating portion 113 at the lower end of the first section 21 engages the retaining pin 31 of the folding mechanism 20, causing the retaining pin 31 to disengage from the catch 32, and the main support rod 11 rotates about the rotation axis A towards the front wheel support rod 13. As shown in Figure 5B, as the folding process continues, the rear wheel support rod 15 also rotates about the rotation axis A towards the front wheel support rod 13, and at the same time, the front wheel support rod 13 and the two support rods of the seat pocket support 12 rotate towards the folded position by means of the main pivot portion and the secondary pivot portion, and finally fold into the collapsed state shown in Figure 5C.

[0047] In the folding process of the stroller 1 according to the present application, the pivoting movements of the support rods and the support rods of the frame assembly 10 are provided by the folding mechanism 20, i.e. by the main pivot portion and the secondary pivot portion built into the main body portions of the first section 21 and the second section 25 of the folding mechanism 20, and by the relative pivoting of the first section 21 and the second section 25, and the relative positions of the main pivot portion and the secondary pivot portion with respect to the rotation axis A do not change in the collapsed state and the unfolded state of the frame assembly 10. Thus, the main pivot portion and the secondary pivot portion are built into the relatively rotating portions of the folding mechanism 20, and the folding structure is not provided in the support rods themselves that make up the frame assembly 20, so that the folding process is not prone to jamming.

[0048] In addition, the stroller 1 according to the present application integrates multiple pivot portions into the main body portions of the folding mechanism, which reduces the number of parts, facilitates the connection of the support rods and the support rods, and simplifies the assembly steps.

[0049] Although the present application has been disclosed with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present application, and any person skilled in the art can make possible changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, any modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments in accordance with the technical essence of the present application, which does not depart from the technical solutions of the present application, falls within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A frame assembly for a child stroller, the frame assembly comprising: a main support rod having an upper end portion for mounting a handle portion and a lower end portion for rotational connection; a seat pocket support portion having a front end portion and a rear end portion for rotational connection; and a front wheel support rod having a front end portion and a rear end portion for rotational connection, and a rear wheel support rod having an upper end portion and a lower end portion for rotational connection; characterized in that the frame assembly further comprises a folding mechanism including a first portion and a second portion relatively rotatable about a rotational axis A, the lower end portion of the main support rod being connected to the first portion, and the upper end portion of the rear wheel support rod being fixed to the second portion, the first portion of the folding mechanism being provided with a main pivot portion, the rear end portion of the front wheel support rod being pivotably connected to the main pivot portion; the second portion of the folding mechanism being provided with a sub-pivot portion, the rear end portion of the seat pocket support portion being pivotably connected to the sub-pivot portion.

2. The frame assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the first portion has a first substantially cylindrical body portion, a portion of the circumferential surface of the first body portion being recessed to form a first recess, the main pivot portion being provided in the first recess; the second portion has a second substantially cylindrical body portion, a portion of the circumferential surface of the second body portion being recessed to form a second recess, the sub-pivot portion being provided in the second recess. the second portions of the folding mechanism are provided in pairs, the pairs of second portions being respectively rotatably mounted to axially opposite sides of the first portion along the rotational axis A, and each of the second portions being internally provided with the sub-pivot portion.

3. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein, the seat pocket support portion includes left and right support rods, the left and right support rods being symmetrically arranged with respect to the main support rod and the front wheel support rod, 4. The frame assembly of claim 3, wherein, and the rear end portions of the left and right support rods are respectively inserted into the second recesses of the second portions and connected to the sub-pivot portions. the left and right support rods are respectively pivotably connected to both sides of the front wheel support rod.

5. The frame assembly of claim 4, wherein, the folding mechanism further comprises a locking device mounted between the first portion and the second portion to lock or unlock relative rotation of the first portion and the second portion.

6. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein, the locking device includes:

7. The frame assembly of claim 6, wherein, a limiting pin mounted in the first portion; a locking plate mounted to an opposite surface of the second portion with respect to the first portion; and a return spring providing elastic force to the limiting pin; when the limiting pin is engaged into the locking plate, relative rotation of the first portion and the second portion is locked, and when the limiting pin is disengaged from the locking plate against the elastic force of the return spring, relative rotation of the first portion and the second portion is unlocked. the main support rod includes a first section and a second section, the first section being insertable within the second section and extendable and retractable with respect to the second section; 8. The frame assembly of claim 7, wherein, ​ The lower end of the first section is provided with an actuating portion which engages the retaining catch and moves the retaining catch in a direction away from the card when the first section is fully inserted into the second section.

9. The frame assembly of claim 2, wherein, The first portion has a first body portion which is substantially cylindrical and a first connecting portion which extends integrally from a circumferential surface of the first body portion in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A, the first connecting portion being for connecting the lower end of the main support rod; The second portion has a second body portion which is substantially cylindrical and a second connecting portion which extends integrally from a circumferential surface of the second body portion in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A, the second connecting portion being for connecting the upper end of the rear wheel support rod.

10. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein, The frame assembly has a collapsed state and an expanded state, in which the relative positions of the main pivot portion and the sub-pivot portion with respect to the rotation axis A remain unchanged.

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