The invention relates to a frame assembly for a backpack for carrying small children and to a backpack comprising such a frame assembly.
DE 40 29 705 A1 discloses an arrangement comprising a frame assembly for a backpack intended especially for carrying infants. The frame assembly comprises a back frame with support structure interconnected for relative pivoting by articulated fittings operable from both sides.
Articulated fittings operable from either side are disadvantageous in that the swinging in and out of the support requires the simultaneous use of both hands to manipulate the fittings on the two sides and to release the support for movement, leaving no hand free to support or hold the backpack itself. Backpacks of this kind may be intended for small children up to about 20 kgs. weight; if the small child is somewhat older, supporting and holding the backpack calls for some skill or the assistance of a second person to get the backpack to assume its upright position. In the handling of backpacks of this kind, there is some likelihood of the children carried in them sustaining injuries.
Against this background, it is the object underlying the invention is to provide a frame assembly which is relatively simple in structure, avoids the aforesaid drawbacks and is simple to operate.
This object is accomplished by the features recited in the main claim, advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention being recited in the dependent claims.
The above object is accomplished in a frame assembly for a backpack for carrying small children which comprises a back frame and a support stand. The support stand is connected with the back frame through articulated joints at both ends of the former. The articulated joints each comprise two housing members adapted to be placed in angled relative positions and having two end positions between which they can be flexed. One such articulated joint comprises between the two end positions means exerting a resistance that can be overcome from both end positions independently; the other joint comprises means exerting a resistance that can be overcome independently from the first end position while it can be overcome from the second end position by an externally acting force only.
A preferred embodiment of the frame assembly is characterized by the resistance means of one joint being formed by a ramp element slanted on both sides. The invention is not limited to a single ramp element. Rather, the resistance may be formed by a plurality of similarly configured ramp elements to be overcome simultaneously.
A preferred embodiment of the frame assembly is characterized by the resistance of the other joint being formed by a ramp element slanted on one side. The ramp element preferably has on one side a slanted ramp and on the other side a steep flank not susceptible to be overcome independently. The invention is not limited to a single ramp element. The resistance may be formed by a plurality of similarly configured ramp elements to be overcome simultaneously.
Another preferred embodiment of the frame assembly is characterized by the resistance means to be overcome being located in a housing member of each joint.
A preferred embodiment of the frame assembly is characterized by the joint housing members comprising a recess receiving a movable latching element.
The latching element preferably is fixed against rotation relative to said one housing member and is rotatable relative to the other joint housing member.
The latching element is preferably biased by spring means towards the recess of the opposite housing member. Such spring means may be a spiral spring, for example.
The other articulated joint preferably is designed so that the external force applied to overcome the resistance of the other joint acts upon the latching element in a direction opposite to the tension of the spring means.
The other articulated joint is preferably provided with a pressure element adapted to exert a force on the latching element of that joint.
The pressure element is preferably located on the housing element of the other articulated joint connected with the support stand of the frame assembly.
A preferred embodiment of the frame assembly is characterized by the housing members being provided with means by which each can be coupled with portions of the frame assembly.
Another preferred embodiment of the frame assembly is characterized by the support stand maintaining the backpack in its swung-out condition in an upright stable position when it stands on the floor.
A preferred embodiment of the frame assembly is characterized by the support stand moving substantially independently into its swung-in position after the resistance has been overcome. The resistance is preferably designed in such a manner that the support stand attains its swung-in position independently after the resistance has been overcome, but requires an externally applied force to move from the swung-in into the swung-out position. An advantage of this design is that the support stand cannot swing out accidentally while the frame assembly is being transported.
A particularly preferred embodiment of the frame assembly is characterized by the support stand being in the form of a U-shaped open loop of which the free ends are preferably connected each with the back frame by an articulated joint.
Further, there is provided a backpack for carrying small children, said backpack comprising at least one packing space and a seat for receiving a small child and an inventive frame assembly as described hereinabove.
Further advantages, features and details of the invention are explained and illustrated in the following description, which describes an embodiment example in detail under reference to the drawing.
A three-dimensional view of an articulated joint 5 is shown in
In the embodiment shown of articulated joint 5, the angle included by housing members 7, 7′ is shown to be maximum. In that example, the portions of frame assembly 1 which may be connected by means 17, 17′ include an angle of about 60°. In the swung-in condition, the connectable portions of frame assembly 1 extend substantially in parallel with each other. The two conditions apply to the end positions of joint 5 between which housing members 7, 7′ may be angled relative to each other.
The pivoting range of housing members 7, 7′ is not limited to angles of the aforesaid magnitude. In another embodiment of the frame assembly, it is possible for the articulated joints to comprise a resistance which may be overcome by applying a force to both joints, so that, as shown in
Latching element 14 is urged by the tension of a spring member 15 towards recess 12 of housing member 6′. In the embodiment shown, spring element 15 has the form of a spiral spring. Because of the tension of spring element 15, ramps 10, 10′ exert a resistance which has to be overcome as housing members 6, 6′ are rotated relative to each other. In the embodiment shown, ramps 10, 10′ are slanted in the direction of rotation on both sides. The slant on both sides of ramps 10, 10′ allows them to be overcome independently when housing members 6, 6′ are rotated relative to each other. In the case of this articulated joint 5, no force needs to be applied externally to be sure that latching element 14 is lifted over ramp elements 10, 10′.
On its outside, housing member 6′ is preferably provided with a cover 18. In the embodiment of articulated joint 4 shown in
As shown in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2010 051 137.4 | Nov 2010 | DE | national |