Patent Application
20140056638
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention related to a pivot joint for pivot two members of a stroller frame, especially to a pivot joint having two engagable portions to lock the stroller frame in an in-use configuration.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pivot joint is used to pivot the push bar and the front strut of a foldable stroller. By locking the pivot joint, the stroller can be kept in an in-use configuration. When the pivot joint is unlocked, the stroller is permitted to be folded in a compact configuration.
Traditional pivot joint for stroller frame has only one engagable portion inside for locking itself, the structure is weakened. Once the stroller is hit on an obstacle, or the user wants to level up the front wheels over an obstacle, the pivot joint may be broken and cause the stroller to fold in a sudden, and then endanger the little occupant in the stroller.
For improvement of the pivot joint and make it with a sturdy structure, the present invention provides a pivot joint for use in a stroller frame, includes a pivot joint 2, a locking mechanism 3 and a release mechanism 4. The pivot joint 2 has an upper joint part 22 and a lower pivot part 26 pivoted with each other. The lower pivot part 26 is featured by comprising a first plate 28 formed with a first engagable portion 30 and a downward extension 27 formed with a second engagable portion 40.
The locking mechanism 3 connects between the stroller frame 10 and the pivot joint 2 for locking the stroller frame 10 in an in-use configuration 100 by simultaneously engaging with the first engagable portion 30 and the second engagable portion 40.
The release mechanism 4 is operatively mounted on the stroller frame 10 for disengaging the locking mechanism 3 from the first engagable portion 30 and the second engagable portion 40 at the same time.
By this way, the pivot joint according to the present invention shall have two engaging points for enhancing the sturdiness of the pivot joint in the locking position.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Referring to
The pivot joint 2 has an upper joint part 22 and a lower pivot part 26 pivoted with each other. The lower pivot part 26 is featured by comprising a first plate 28 formed with a first engagable portion 30, and a downward extension 27 formed with a second engagable portion 40.
Referring to
The upper joint part 22 of the present invention includes a second plate 24 and an upward extension 23. The second plate 24 and the upward extension 23 may either be connected or formed integrally with each other. The upper joint part 22 is featured by having a through slot 25 formed in the second plate 24 and extended through the upward extension 23.
The locking mechanism 3 is connected between the stroller frame 10 and the pivot joint 2, and has one end retractably mounted in the through slot 25, so as to engage with the first engagable portion 30 and the second engagable portion 40 of the lower pivot part 26 thereby locking the stroller frame 10 in an in-use configuration 100 by simultaneously engaging with the first engagable portion 30 and the second engagable portion 40.
The locking mechanism 3 may include a first latch element 31 and a second latch element 33. The first latch element 31 is biased by a resilient element 32 and slidably and retractably mounted in the through slot 25. The first latch element 31 as a first position 34 to be engaged with the first engagable portion 30, and a second position 35 to be disengaged from the first engagable portion 30.
The second latch element 33 is connected with and protruded from the first latch element 31 and capable of engaging to and disengaging from the second engagable portion 40.
Both the first latch element 31 and the second latch element 33 are biased by the resilient element 32 for keeping the both to engage with the first engagable portion 30 and the second engagable portion 40 so as to lock the stroller frame 10 in the in-use configuration 100.
The release mechanism 4 is operatively mounted on the stroller frame 10 for disengaging the locking mechanism 3 from the first engagable portion 30 and the second engagable portion 40 at the same time. In this embodiment, the release mechanism 4 is associated with the first latch element 31 for pulling the first latch element 31 against the resilient element 32, so as to pull the first latch element 31 apart from the first position 34 to the second position 35 thereby disengaging the first latch element 31 and the second latch element 33 from the first engagable portion 30 and the second engagable portion 40.
Preferably, the release mechanism 4 may include a release actuator 41 and a connecting element 42. The release actuator 41 is operatively mounted on the stroller frame 10 and associated with the first latch element 31. The connecting element 42 is connected between the release actuator 41 and the first latch element 31. By operate the release actuator 41 on the push bar 11, a user is capable of unlocking the stroller frame 10 from the in-use configuration 100.
Referring to
Referring to
By the embodiment of this invention, the pivot joint 2 shall have two engaging points for enhancing the sturdiness of the same in using in a stroller frame.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications are possible that will achieve the same goals by substantially the same system, device or method, and where those systems, devices or methods still fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention disclosed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201220418190.5 | Aug 2012 | CN | national |
