U.S. patent application number 09/956891 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-21 for twin-type baby buggy.
Invention is credited to Ikuno, Tokihiko, Kaneko, Ryoichi, Yoshie, Toshiro.
Application Number | 20020033588 09/956891 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18770521 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020033588 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaneko, Ryoichi ; et
al. |
March 21, 2002 |
Twin-type baby buggy
Abstract
Arm rests 17a, 17b, 17c, and interconnection bars 224a, 24b,
24c, 24d are swung upward with respect to handle pipes 15a, 15b,
15c to thereby fold front leg 12a and a rear leg 14a to be
substantially parallel with each other. At least one joint
16a.sub.1, 16b.sub.1, 22a.sub.2, 22b.sub.1, 23a.sub.2, 23b.sub.1,
25a.sub.2, 25b.sub.1 are provided on one axial line, on the middle
portion of each of both sides of a push handle 16 with respect to
the interconnection of the intermediate handle pipe 15b with the
push handle 16, on the middle portion of each of front
interconnection bars 22a, 22b interconnecting the intermediate
front leg 12b and the left and right front legs 12a, 12c, on the
middle portion of each of rear interconnection bars 23a, 23b
interconnecting the intermediate rear leg 14b and the left and
right rear legs 14a, 14b, and on the middle portion of each of
upper interconnection bars 25a, 25b interconnecting the
intermediate interconnection bars 24b, 24c and the left and right
interconnection bars 24a, 24d.
Inventors: |
Kaneko, Ryoichi; (Tokyo-To,
JP) ; Ikuno, Tokihiko; (Tokyo-To, JP) ;
Yoshie, Toshiro; (Tokyo-To, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
18770521 |
Appl. No.: |
09/956891 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/650 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 7/08 20130101; B62B
9/245 20130101; B62B 2205/20 20130101; B62B 2205/24 20130101; B62B
2205/02 20130101; B62B 7/008 20130101; B62B 7/086 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/650 |
International
Class: |
B62B 007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 21, 2000 |
JP |
2000-286628 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A twin-type baby buggy comprising: a U-shaped push handle
interconnecting with three handles pipes extended parallel with
each other; front legs with front wheels mounted on; rear legs with
rear wheels mounted on; arm rests each having one end pivotally
connected to the corresponding handle pipe, the other end pivotally
connected to the corresponding front leg and the middle portion
connected to the corresponding rear leg; and interconnection bars
interconnecting the front legs to the respective corresponding
handle pipes, the arm rests and the interconnection bars being
swung upward with respect to the handle pipes to bring the front
legs and the rear legs substantially parallel with each other so as
to fold the baby buggy.
2. The twin-type baby buggy according to claim 1, wherein at least
one joint is provided on each side of an interconnection between
the push handle and the intermediate one of the handle pipes.
3. The twin-type baby buggy according to claim 2, further
comprising a pair of front interconnection bars provided between
the left front leg and the intermediate front leg, and between the
right front leg and the intermediate front leg; a pair of rear
interconnection bars provided between the left rear leg and the
intermediate rear leg, and between the right rear leg and the
intermediate rear leg; and a pair of upper interconnection bars
provided between a left interconnection bar and an intermediate
interconnection bar, and between a right interconnection bar and
the intermediate interconnection bar; and at least one joint being
disposed on each of the front interconnection bars, each of the
rear interconnection bars and each of the upper interconnection
bars in alignment with the corresponding joint provided on the push
handle.
4. The twin-type baby buggy according to claim 3, wherein a couple
of joints are provided on each side of the interconnection between
the push handle and the intermediate handle pipe, on each of the
front interconnection bars, on each of the rear interconnection
bars and on each of the upper interconnection bars.
5. The twin-type baby buggy according to claim 1, wherein lock
members for locking the left and the right rear legs to the left
and the right handle pipes are provided on the left handle pipe and
the right handle pipe.
6. The twin-type baby buggy according to claim 5, wherein operation
members for operating the lock members are provided slidably on the
left and the right handle pipes.
7. The twin-type baby buggy according to claim 2, wherein an
interlocking member is provided on one of the left and right front
legs for engaging said one of the left and the right front legs
with the other of the left and the right front legs when the baby
buggy is folded.
8. The twin-type baby buggy according to claim 7, wherein the hook
includes a hold projected therefrom, which is to be held when the
interlocking member is released from the other of the front
legs.
9. The twin-type baby buggy according to claim 1, wherein a guard
arm having a middle portion, and a left and a right portions, each
removably mounted on the front of the corresponding rest arm is
provided.
10. The twin-type baby buggy according to claim 9, wherein the
guard arm is divided in three segments, an intermediate segment of
the guard arm is removably mounted on the intermediate arm rest, a
left and a right segments of the guard arm removably connected to
the intermediate segment mounted on the left and the right arm
rests.
11. The twin-type baby buggy according to claim 10, wherein guard
joints which are to be inserted into the corresponding ends of the
intermediate segment of the guard arm are provided on free ends of
the left and the right segments of the guard arm, and the guard
joints have respective resilient engagement portions which are to
be engaged into openings formed in the intermediate segment of the
guard arm when the guard joints are inserted in the corresponding
ends of the intermediate segment of the guard arm.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a twin-type baby buggy,
more specifically to a twin-type baby buggy having two seats
horizontally juxtaposed.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Twin-type baby buggies, each having two seats horizontally
juxtaposed with each other for carrying two babies on both seats
have been conventionally marketed.
[0003] However, such conventional twin-type baby buggies have
considerably large lateral width, which has caused a disadvantage.
For example, it is difficult to carry or store the baby buggies.
Then, it has been proposed to fabricate baby buggies having
laterally extended connection bar foldable upward so as to make the
baby buggy laterally compact when the connection bar is folded.
Even such proposed baby buggies, which can be made laterally
compact, cannot have compact fore-and-aft width or height. To make
the baby buggies laterally compact, three handle pipes
corresponding to the respective front wheels and the respective
rear wheels are projected backward.
[0004] When the baby buggies are pushed, both arms of a human being
need to be wide spread to hold handle pipes on both sides, which
disadvantageously makes it difficult to apply well a pushing force.
When holding an intermediate handle pipe, it would be difficult to
steer the baby buggies in a right direction.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide, in
consideration of these disadvantages, a twin-type baby buggy which
can be folded compact enough for stowage, carriage and other
occasions.
[0006] The present invention relates to a twin-type baby buggy
comprising a U-shaped push handle interconnected with three handles
pipes extended parallel with each other; front legs with front
wheels mounted on; rear legs with rear wheels mounted on; arm rests
each having one end pivotally connected to the corresponding handle
pipe, the other end pivotally connected to the corresponding front
leg and the middle portion connected to the corresponding rear leg;
and interconnection bars interconnecting the front legs to the
respective corresponding handle pipes, the arm rests and the
interconnection bars being swung upward with respect to the handle
pipes to bring the front legs and the rear legs substantially
parallel with each other so as to fold the baby buggy.
[0007] The present invention relates to the twin-type baby buggy
comprising at least one joint provided on each side of an
interconnection between the push handle and the intermediate one of
the handle pipes.
[0008] The present invention relates to the twin-type baby buggy
comprising a pair of front interconnection bars provided between
the left front leg and the intermediate front leg, and between the
right front leg and the intermediate front leg; a pair of rear
interconnection bars provided between the left rear leg and the
intermediate rear leg, and between the right rear leg and the
intermediate rear leg; and a pair of upper interconnection bars
provided between a left interconnection bar and an intermediate
interconnection bar, and between a right interconnection bar and
the intermediate interconnection bar; and at least one joint being
disposed on each of the front interconnection bars, each of the
rear interconnection bars and each of the upper interconnection
bars in alignment with the corresponding joint provided on the push
handle.
[0009] The present invention relates to the twin-type baby buggy
comprising a couple of joints provided on each side of the
interconnection between the push handle and the intermediate handle
pipe, on each of the front interconnection bars, on each of the
rear interconnection bars and on each of the upper interconnection
bars.
[0010] The present invention relates to the twin-type baby buggy
comprising lock members for locking the left and the right rear
legs to the left and the right handle pipes, which are provided on
the left handle pipe and the right handle pipe.
[0011] The present invention relates to the twin-type baby buggy
comprising operation members for operating the lock members, which
are provided slidably on the left and the right handle pipes.
[0012] The present invention relates to the twin-type baby buggy
comprising an interlocking member provided on one of the left and
right front legs for engaging said one of the left and the right
front legs with the other of the left and the right front legs when
the baby buggy is folded.
[0013] The present invention relates to the twin-type baby buggy
comprising the hook including a hold projected therefrom, which is
to be held when the interlocking member is released from the other
of the front legs.
[0014] The present invention relates to the twin-type baby buggy
comprising a guard arm having a middle portion, and a left and a
right portions, each being removably mounted on the front of the
corresponding rest arm.
[0015] The present invention relates to the twin-type baby buggy
comprising the guard arm divided in three segments, an intermediate
segment of the guard removably mounted on the intermediate arm
rest, a left and a right segments of the guard arm being removably
connected to the intermediate segment mounted on the left and the
right arm rests.
[0016] The present invention relates to the twin-type baby buggy
comprising guard joints which are to be inserted into the
corresponding ends of the intermediate segment of the guard arm and
which are provided on free ends of the left and the right segments
of the guard arm, and the guard joints having respective resilient
engagement portions which are to be engaged into openings formed in
the intermediate segment of the guard arm when the guard joints are
inserted in the corresponding ends of the intermediate segment of
the guard arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a twin-type baby buggy
according to the present invention, which diagrammatically shows a
structure thereof.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the baby buggy shown in FIG.
1 with seats, shades, etc. mounted on.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a front view of the baby buggy folded with the
front legs and the rear legs substantially in parallel with each
other.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a front view of the baby buggy shown in FIG. 3
with the seats, shads, etc. mounted on.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the push handle.
[0022] FIG. 6A is a view explaining the positions of the rear
wheels of the baby buggy which is three-folded.
[0023] FIG. 6B is a view explaining the positions of the rear
wheels of the baby buggy which is five-folded.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a front view of the five-folded baby buggy.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a view of the hook for interlocking the left and
the right front legs.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the guard arm.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a view explaining the operation of attaching the
guard arm to the arm rest.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a view of the connection between the intermediate
guard arm segment to the left and the right guard arm segments.
BEST MODES OF PRACTICING THE INVENTION
[0029] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained
with reference to the drawings attached hereto.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a twin-type baby buggy
according to the present invention. The baby buggy has a couple of
seats S laterally juxtaposed with each other. The baby buggy
comprises three front legs 12a, 12b, 12c having front wheels 12a,
12b, 12c, three rear legs 14a, 14b, 14c having rear wheels 13, a
push handle 16 including three handle pipes 15a, 15b, 15c, and
three arm rests 17a, 17b, 17c, and a guard arm 18 detachably
mounted between the arm rests.
[0031] The arm rests 17a, 17b, 17c have one ends pivotally
connected to portions of the respective three handle pipes 15a,
15b, 15c near the ends thereof. The front legs 12a, 12b, 12c have
upper ends pivotally connected to the other ends of the respective
arm rests 17a, 17b, 17c. The rear legs 14a, 14b, 14c have upper
ends pivotally connected to middle portions of the respective arm
rests 17a, 17b, 17c. Brackets 19 bent in an L-shape have one ends
pivotally connected to middle portions of the rear legs 14a, 14b,
14c. The handle pipes 15a, 15b, 15c of the push handle 16 have
respective ends pivotally connected to the middle portions of the
respective brackets 19. In the unfolded state of the baby buggy,
lock members 20 slidably mounted on the lower end of the left and
the right handle pipes 15a, 15c are engaged with lock portions
formed on the other ends of the left and the right brackets 19, 19
to retain the baby buggy in the unfolded state.
[0032] The lock members 20 are interconnected to operation members
21 slidably provided on the upper ends of the handle pipes 15a, 15c
by an interconnection rods (not shown) passed through the handle
pipes 15a, 15c. The operation members 21 are normally urged
downward, and set in the locked state in which the lock members 20
are locked with the locking portions of the left and he right
brackets 19.
[0033] The front legs 12a, 12b and the front legs 12b, 12c are
interconnected respectively by front interconnection bars 22a, 22b.
The rear legs 14a, 14b and the rear legs 14b, 14c are
interconnected respectively by rear interconnection bars 23a, 23b.
Interconnection bars 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d have the front ends
pivotally connected to the middle portions of the respective front
legs 12a, 12b, 12c. The respective interconnection bars 24a, 24b,
24c, 24d have the rear ends pivotally connected to the brackets 19
and the ends of the handle pipes 15a, 15b, 15c. The interconnection
bars 24a, 24b have the respective middle portions interconnected by
an upper interconnection bar 25a, and the interconnection bars 24c,
24d have the respective middle portions interconnected by an upper
interconnection bar 25b. Reference number 26 represents a belt
which retains the seats S.
[0034] Thus, the lock members 20 provided on the lower ends of the
handle pipes 15a, 15c are engaged with the locking portions
provided on the upper ends of the brackets 19, whereby the baby
buggy is retained in the usable unfolded state as shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the baby buggy furnished with the
seats, shades, etc. which is in its unfolded state.
[0035] When the operation members 21 provided on the left and the
right handle pipes 15a, 15c are pulled up, the lock members 20 are
pulled up to disengage the lock members 20 from the brackets 19,
and the arm rests 17a, 17b, 17c, and the interconnection bars 24a,
24b, 24c, 24d can be made swingable upward around pivotal points
with respect to the handle pipes 15a, 15b, 15c. Accordingly, as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the push handle 16 is held and pushed
down, while the above members on the side of the front wheels 11
are moved upward, the front legs 12a, 12bm 12c and the rear legs
14a, 14b, 14c are swung to be substantially parallel with each
other. The baby buggy can be folded in a thin manner in the fore
and aft direction.
[0036] Joints 22a.sub.1, 22a.sub.2, 22b.sub.1, 22b.sub.2,
23a.sub.1, 23a.sub.2, 23b.sub.1, 23b.sub.2, 25a.sub.1, 25a.sub.2,
25b.sub.1, 25b.sub.2 are provided at two middle portions of the
respective front interconnection bars 22a, 22b, the rear
interconnection bars 23a, 23b and the upper interconnection bars
25a, 25b. These joints enable the baby buggy to be folded. As shown
in FIG. 5, the push handle 16 has two couples of joints 16a.sub.1,
16a.sub.2; 16b.sub.1, 16b.sub.2 provided respectively on both sides
of the interconnection of the push handle 16 between the
intermediate handle pipe 15b and the push handle 16. The respective
joints are arranged so that when the front legs 12a, 12b, 12c and
the rear legs 14a, 14b, 14c are folded parallel with each other,
the joints 16a.sub.1, 25a.sub.1, 22a.sub.1, 23a.sub.1, the joints
16a.sub.2, 25a.sub.2, 22a.sub.2, 23a.sub.2, the joints 16b.sub.1,
25b.sub.1, 22b.sub.1, 23b.sub.1, and the joints 16b.sub.2,
25b.sub.2, 22b.sub.2, 23b.sub.2 are positioned respectively on the
same axial lines, and the axial lines are parallel with each
other.
[0037] In such arrangement, the front legs 12a, 12b, 12c and the
rear legs 14a, 14b, 14c are folded in parallel with each other as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Then, the portions of the push handle 16
outside the joints 16a.sub.2, 16b.sub.1 are moved forward, and the
outer portions of the push handle 16, the upper interconnection
rods 25a, 25b, the front interconnection rods 22a, 22b and the rear
interconnection rods 23a, 23b, which are respectively outside the
joints 16a.sub.2, 25a.sub.2, 22a.sub.2, 23a.sub.2 and the joints
16b.sub.1, 25b.sub.1, 22b.sub.1, 23b.sub.1 are folded forward by
the joints the joints 16a.sub.2, 25a.sub.2, 22a.sub.2, 23a.sub.2
and the joints 16b.sub.1, 25b.sub.1, 22b.sub.1, 23b.sub.1. Thus,
the baby buggy can be triple-folded. FIG. 6A shows the positions
and orientations of the rear wheels 13 when the baby buggy is
triple-folded. The rear wheels are positioned at the summits of a
triangle, and an interval between the juxtaposed rear wheels 13, 13
is L.sub.1. The baby buggy get to have a reduced and compact
lateral width reduced compact.
[0038] Then, when both ends of the push handle 16 are further swung
toward the forward ends, the outer portions of the push handle 16,
the upper interconnection rods 25a, 25b, the front interconnection
rods 22a, 22b and the rear interconnection rods 23a, 23b are folded
so that the outer portions can be closer to each other to be
so-called quintuple-folded. In this way, the baby buggy can be
folded further compact. FIG. 7 shows the quintuple-folded state of
the baby buggy. FIG. 6B shows the positions and the orientations of
the rear wheels 13 when the baby buggy is quintuple-folded. The
rear wheels 13 are positioned at the summits of a triangle and
oriented in a radial direction. An interval between the rear wheels
13 is L.sub.2, which can be smaller in comparison with the interval
L1 at the time when the baby buggy is triple-folded. Furthermore,
when the baby buggy is stood in the above-described
quintuple-folded state on a floor or others, the baby buggy is
supported on the three radially oriented rear wheels 13 with
improved stability.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, a locking member 27 having a hook 27a
which is engageable with the front leg 12c is mounted on the front
leg 12a. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the locking member 27. The
hook 27a is formed in the shape of an arc which is engageable with
the front leg 12c. A hold member 27b which is to be held when the
front leg 12c is disengaged, is formed on the outer side of the
hook 27a integral with the hook 27a. After the baby buggy is
quintuple-folded as described above, the hook 27a of the locking
member 27 is engaged with the front leg 12c to thereby interconnect
the front legs 12a, 12c, whereby the fivefold state can be secured.
When the baby buggy is unfolded, the hold member 27b is held to
disengage the hook 27a from the front leg 12c, whereby the
quintuple-folded state of the baby buggy can be easily
released.
[0040] As indicated by the two-dot chain line in FGI. 1, a flexible
guard arm 18 is detachably mounted between the forward ends of the
respective arm rest 17a, 17b, 17c. As shown in FIG. 9. the guard
arm 18 is formed of two arcuate segments. The guard arm 18 has the
middle portion detachably mounted on the intermediate arm rest 17b
and has the left and the right end detachably mounted on the arm
rests 17a, 17c. Projections 30 are jutted on the upper portions of
the forward ends of the respective arm rests 17a, 17b, 17c, and
each projection 30 has locking pins 30a which are urged to project
in left and right directions. The guard arm 18 has openings in the
left and the right ends and the middle portion, into which the
projections 30 are inserted. The locking pins 30a engage into
circumferential grooves formed in the openings, whereby the guard
arm 18 is attached to the arm rests 17a, 17b, 17c at three points.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, slide levers 31 provided near the
respective openings in the guard arm 18 are pushed to thereby
disengage the locking pins 30a from the circumferential grooves in
the guard arm 18, and the guard arm 18 can be detached from the arm
rests 17a, 17b, 17c.
[0041] However, a conventional guard arm is formed in one piece,
and even when a baby is placed on one of the seats, at least the
middle portion and one of the ends of the guard arm need to be
detached from the arm rests. Thus, it is inconvenient to take the
baby on or out of the seat.
[0042] According to the present invention, however, the guard arms
18 consists of three segments which can be interconnected to each
other.
[0043] Specifically, the guard arm 18 has a relatively short
intermediate guard arm segments 18a attached to the middle arm rest
17b, and left and right guard arm segments 18b, 18c. FIG. 11 is a
perspective view showing interconnections between the segments 18a,
18b, 18c of the guard arm 18, which is viewed from below. Guard
joints 32 which can be inserted into holes 33 formed axially in the
intermediate guard arm segment 18a, are secured respectively to
forward ends of the guard arm segments 18b, 18c of the guard arm
18. The guard joints 32 respectively have resilient engagement
pieces 32a biased downwardly. On the other hand, openings 34 into
which the resilient engagement pieces 32a are engaged, are formed
in the intermediate guard arm segment 18a. Thus, when the guard arm
segment 18b or 18c is connected to the intermediate guard arm
segment 18a, the guard joint 32 of the guard arm segment 18b or 18c
is inserted into the hoe 33 in the intermediate guard arm segment
18a, and the resilient engagement piece 32a is engaged into the
opening 34, whereby the guard arm segments 18a, 18b, 18c are
connected. When the connection guard arm segments 18a, 18b, 18c are
separated from each other, the resilient engagement piece 32a is
pushed inward from the outside of the opening 34, the resilient
engagement piece 32a is disengaged from the opening 34, and the
guard arm segments 18b, 18c can be easily disconnected from the
intermediate guard arm segment 18a.
[0044] Thus, when a baby is taken on or out of one of the seats,
one of the guard arm segments 18b, 18c associated with the seat is
disengaged from the intermediate guard arm segment 18a and is
turned in a direction in which the guard arm segment is not
hindered. A baby can be thus easily placed on and off the seat.
[0045] As described above, the baby buggy according to the present
invention can be folded with the front legs and the rear legs
substantially in parallel with each other, and at least one joint
is provided on each side of the push handle outside the
interconnection the middle handle pipe and the push handle, on each
of the front interconnection bars interconnecting the middle front
leg and the left and right front legs, on each of the rear
interconnection bars interconnecting the middle rear leg and the
left and right rear legs, and on each of the upper interconnection
bars interconnecting the middle interconnection bar and the left
and right interconnection bars so that the joints are positioned on
the same axial line when the front legs and the rear legs are
folded substantially in parallel with each other. The respect
joints permit the baby buggy to be at least triple-folded, which
facilitates carrying and storing the baby buggy. Furthermore, in
the triple-folded state, the rear wheels are located at three
positions, which enables the baby buggy to stand stable by itself
on a floor or the like. The guard arm can be divided into three
segments. In a case where the intermediate guard arm segment is
detachable mounted on the middle armrest, and the left and the
right guard arm segments mounted respectively on the left and the
right arm rests are disengageably connected to the intermediate
guard arm segment, when a baby is placed only one of the seats, the
guard arm segment alone corresponding to the seat is detached,
which can facilitate attaching and detaching the guard arm and
accordingly can facilitate taking a baby on and out of the
seat.
* * * * *