U.S. patent application number 09/969162 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-03 for adjustable cable compensating knuckle for a stroller.
Invention is credited to Newhard, Daniel N..
Application Number | 20030062709 09/969162 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25515264 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030062709 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Newhard, Daniel N. |
April 3, 2003 |
ADJUSTABLE CABLE COMPENSATING KNUCKLE FOR A STROLLER
Abstract
An adjustable knuckle has a first knuckle member having a first
cable guide and a second knuckle member having a second cable
guide. The second knuckle member is rotatable relative to the first
knuckle member so that a plurality of angular positions can be
established between the first and second knuckle members. First and
second cable slack absorption members, such as pulleys, are
disposed on the first knuckle member in first and second
predetermined positions. The first and second cable slack
absorption members are located and dimensioned so that a cable,
passing from the first cable guide to the second cable guide, wraps
thereon when an angle between the first knuckle member and the
second knuckle member changes from a first angle, at which the
cable passes between the first and second cable absorption members
with a minimum of deflection by either of the first and second
cable absorption members, to a second angle.
Inventors: |
Newhard, Daniel N.; (Lititz,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Family ID: |
25515264 |
Appl. No.: |
09/969162 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/647 ;
280/47.38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 7/06 20130101; Y10T
403/32368 20150115; B62B 5/064 20130101; B62B 2205/18 20130101;
B62B 2205/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/647 ;
280/47.38 |
International
Class: |
B62B 003/00; B62B
001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable knuckle comprising: a first knuckle member having
a first cable guide; a second knuckle member having a second cable
guide, the second knuckle member being rotatable relative to the
first knuckle member so that a plurality of angular positions can
be established between the first and second knuckle members; and
first and second cable slack absorption members disposed on the
first knuckle member in first and second predetermined positions,
the first and second cable slack absorption members being located
and dimensioned so that a cable, passing from the first cable guide
to the second cable guide, wraps thereon when an angle between the
first knuckle member and the second knuckle member changes from a
first angle, at which the cable passes between the first and second
cable absorption members with a minimum of deflection by either of
the first and second cable absorption members, to a second
angle.
2. An adjustable knuckle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first
and second slack absorption members comprise first and second
pulleys rotatably supported on the first knuckle member in the
first and second predetermined positions, respectively, the first
and second pulleys each having a periphery about which the cable
wraps when the angle between the first knuckle member and the
second knuckle member changes from the first angle to the second
angle.
3. An adjustable knuckle as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising: a clutch mechanism operatively disposed between and
interconnecting the first knuckle member with the second knuckle
member and selectively locking the first and second knuckle members
in a selected one of the plurality of angular positions.
4. An adjustable knuckle as set forth in claim 2, wherein the
clutch mechanism comprises: a gear element; first gear teeth formed
in the first knuckle member; second gear teeth formed in the second
knuckle member; a spring which biases the gear element to a
position wherein the gear element simultaneously engages the first
gear teeth and the second gear teeth; and a manually operable
button operably engaged with the gear element and adapted to
transmit a manually applied force to the gear element and to move
the gear element out of engagement with one of the first gear teeth
and the second gear teeth.
5. An adjustable knuckle as set forth in claim 4, wherein the gear
element selectively engages the first gear teeth and the second
gear teeth to set the first and second knuckle members in the
plurality of angular positions.
6. A stroller comprising: a handle bar; a push arm; a lock element
disposed in the push arm; a manually operable actuator disposed on
the handle bar; a knuckle interconnecting the handle bar and the
push arm which permits angular adjustment of the handle bar with
respect to the push arm; a cable interconnecting the manually
operable actuator and the lock element, the cable passing through a
portion of the knuckle and through an interior of the push arm, the
cable having a length selected to permit an operative connection
between the manually operable actuator and the lock element and to
be essentially equal to a maximum path length between the manually
operable actuator and the lock element, which occurs when an angle
between the handle bar and the push bar assumes a maximum path
length angle; and first and second cable slack absorption members
disposed on the knuckle and arranged so that, when the handle bar
and the push bar are angled at the maximum path length angle, the
cable passes between the first and second slack absorption members
with the minimum amount of deflection and so that, as the angle
between the handle bar and the push bar changes from the maximum
path length angle, the amount of cable engaging a periphery of one
of first and second slack absorption members increases.
7. A stroller as set forth in claim 6, wherein the first and second
slack absorption members comprise first and second pulleys which
are rotatably supported on the first knuckle member.
8. A stroller as set forth in claim 6, wherein the knuckle
comprises a first knuckle member having a first cable guide, and a
second knuckle member having a second cable guide, the second
knuckle member being rotatable with respect to the first knuckle
member so that a plurality of angular positions can be established
between the first and second knuckle members; and wherein the first
and second slack absorption members comprise first and second
pulleys rotatably supported on the first knuckle member.
9. A stroller as set forth in claim 8, wherein the knuckle further
comprises: a clutch mechanism operatively disposed between and
interconnecting the first knuckle member with the second knuckle
member and selectively locking the first and second knuckle members
in a selected one of the plurality of angular positions.
10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the clutch
mechanism comprises: a gear element; first gear teeth formed in the
first knuckle member; second gear teeth formed in the second
knuckle member; a spring which biases the gear element to a
position wherein the gear element simultaneously engages the first
gear teeth and the second gear teeth; and a manually operable
button which is operably engageable with the gear element and
adapted to transmit a manually applied force to the gear element
and to move the gear element out of engagement with one of the
first gear teeth and the second gear teeth.
11. A method of assembly of a stroller handle having a handle bar
and a push bar connected by a knuckle which allows the angle of the
handle bar to be selectively adjusted with respect to the push bar,
a method of assembly comprising: providing a manually operable
actuator on the handle bar, the actuator including a cable; feeding
the cable through cable guides formed in the knuckle so that the
cable passes between a pair of slack absorption members in the
knuckle; connecting an end of the cable to a lock element;
disposing a pair of tongs through a hollow of a push arm so that
gripping elements of the tongs protrude out through a first end of
the push arm; gripping the lock element with the gripping elements
of the tongs; pulling the lock element into the hollow of the push
arm using the tongs; inserting the push arm into a socket formed in
the knuckle; and pulling the tongs out of the push arm until a
portion of the lock element protrudes from a second end of the push
arm.
12. An adjustable knuckle comprising: a first knuckle member having
a first cable guide; a second knuckle member having a second cable
guide, the second knuckle member being rotatable relative to the
first knuckle member so that a plurality of angular positions can
be established between the first and second knuckle members; and
first and second cable slack absorption members disposed on the
first knuckle member in first and second predetermined positions,
the first and second cable slack absorption members being located
and dimensioned so that a cable, passing from the first cable guide
to the second cable guide, passes between the first and second
cable slack absorption members.
13. The adjustable knuckle set forth in claim 12, wherein the first
knuckle member includes first and second studs on an inboard
surface thereof, and the first and second slack absorption members
comprise first and second pulleys mounted to the first and second
studs.
14. The adjustable knuckle as set forth in claim 12, further
comprising a cover mounted to the inboard surface of the first
knuckle member.
15. The adjustable knuckle as set forth in claim 13, wherein the
first and second pulleys are of equal diameter.
16. The adjustable knuckle as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
first and second slack absorption members are located and
dimensioned so that the cable contacts only one of the first and
second slack absorption members at one of the angular positions and
the cable contacts both the first and second slack absorption
members at another of the angular positions.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an adjustable
knuckle apparatus for a stroller or carriage. More specifically,
the present invention relates a cable-compensating adjustable
knuckle that can be used in connection with a pivotal or foldable
handle of a stroller or carriage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Foldable strollers are well known in the art. Foldable
strollers, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,740 to
Hartenstine and U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,284 to Kakuda, both
incorporated herein by reference, have a stroller frame that allows
the stroller to fold from an extended (use) configuration to a
collapsed (stow) configuration. These foldable strollers typically
have left- and right-side fold mechanisms, also known as hinge
locks, that allow the stroller to collapse from the extended
configuration to the collapsed configuration. U.S. Pat. No.
5,454,584 to Haut et al., incorporated herein by reference,
discloses details of suitable fold mechanisms that can be used on
such a foldable stroller.
[0003] In many folding strollers, the operator needs to use both
hands to unlock the two lock mechanisms. Using both hands can be
cumbersome and inconvenient, particularly when only one hand is
free. In addition, because the lock mechanisms are located between
the push arms of the stroller and the stroller's front legs, the
operator must walk to the front of the stroller and lean over to
grasp and pull the fold mechanisms to effect collapse of the
stroller. The need to lean over to reach the fold mechanisms can be
uncomfortable to operators suffering from back stress.
[0004] To alleviate some of these problems, U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,284
to Kakuda discloses a one-hand-fold actuator conveniently located
at the center of the handle bar. The one-hand-fold actuator makes
it simple and easy for an operator to simultaneously unlock the
fold mechanisms using only one hand. The actuator is wired via a
pair of cables to lock mechanisms on either side of the stroller,
one cable per side. Upon actuation, the actuator simultaneously
pulls the cables, which pass through the tubular members of the
handle bar, to release both lock mechanisms.
[0005] Another feature that is desirable on stroller is a handle
bar that can be adjusted to suit the height and stance of the
stroller operator. Examples of such arrangements are found in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,184,835 to Huang and U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,805 to Wang.
Including such an adjustable handlebar, however, makes it difficult
to provide a fold actuator on the handle bar when the cables, which
are used to operate the lock mechanism, are required to pass
through the tubular handle bar and push arms, as in the case of the
arrangement disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,284.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a stroller with an
adjustable handle bar and a remote fold actuator, where cabling
between the fold actuator and the fold mechanisms do not interfere
with, or impede, the handle bar adjustment mechanism.
[0007] The present invention provides an adjustable knuckle
comprising a first knuckle member having a first cable guide and a
second knuckle member having a second cable guide. The second
knuckle member is rotatable relative to the first knuckle member so
that a plurality of angular positions can be established between
the first and second knuckle members. The adjustable knuckle
further comprises first and second cable slack absorption members
disposed on the first knuckle member in first and second
predetermined positions. The first and second cable slack
absorption members are located and dimensioned so that a cable,
passing from the first cable guide to the second cable guide, wraps
thereon when an angle between the first knuckle member and the
second knuckle member changes from a first angle, at which the
cable passes between the first and second cable absorption members
with a minimum of deflection by either of the first and second
cable absorption members, to a second angle.
[0008] In this arrangement, the first and second slack absorption
members can comprise first and second pulleys which are rotatably
supported on the first knuckle member in the first and second
predetermined positions, respectively. The first and second pulleys
each have a periphery about which the cable wraps when the angle
between the first knuckle member and the second knuckle member
changes from the first angle to the second angle.
[0009] A second aspect of the invention resides in a stroller
comprising a handle bar; a push arm; a lock element disposed in the
push arm; a manually operable actuator disposed in the handle bar;
a knuckle interconnecting the handle bar and the push arm; a cable
interconnecting the manually operable actuator and the lock
element; and first and second cable slack absorption members
disposed on the knuckle. The knuckle permits angular adjustment of
the handle bar with respect to the push arm. The cable passes
through a portion of the knuckle and through the push arm. In
addition, the cable has a length selected to permit an operative
connection between the manually operable actuator and the lock
element and to be essentially equal to a maximum path length
between the manually operable device and the lock mechanism, which
occurs when an angle between the handle bar and the push arm
assumes a maximum path length angle. The first and second cable
slack absorption members are arranged so that, when the handle bar
and the push arm are angled at the maximum path length angle, the
cable passes between the first and second slack absorption members
with the minimum amount of deflection and so that, as the angle
between the handle bar and the push arm changes from the maximum
path angle, the amount of cable engaging a periphery of one of the
cable slack absorption members increases. No cable slack occurs due
to the increased engagement of the cable by the cable slack
absorption member.
[0010] A further aspect of the invention resides in a method of
assembly of a stroller handle having a handle bar and a push bar
connected by a knuckle which allows the angle of the handle bar to
be selectively adjusted with respect to the push bar. The method
comprises providing a manually operable actuator on the handle bar,
the actuator including a cable; feeding the cable through cable
guides formed in the knuckle so that the cable passes between a
pair of slack absorption members in the knuckle; connecting an end
of the cable to a lock element; disposing a pair of tongs through a
hollow of a push arm so that gripping elements of the tongs
protrude out through a first end of the push arm; gripping the lock
element with the gripping elements of the tongs; pulling the lock
element into the hollow of the push arm using the tongs; inserting
the push arm into a socket formed in a knuckle; and pulling the
tongs out of the push arm until a portion of the lock element
protrudes from a second end of the push arm.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention relates to an adjustable
knuckle comprising a first knuckle member having a first cable
guide and a second knuckle member having a second cable guide. The
second knuckle member is rotatable relative to the first knuckle
member so that a plurality of angular positions can be established
between the first and second knuckle members. The adjustable
knuckle also comprises first and second cable slack absorption
members disposed on the first knuckle member in first and second
predetermined positions. The first and second cable slack
absorption members are located and dimensioned so that a cable,
passing from the first cable guide to the second cable guide,
passes between the first and second cable slack absorption
members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The various merits and advantages of the present invention
will become more clearly appreciated as a detailed description of
the preferred embodiments of the invention are given with reference
to the appended drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of features of a stroller,
showing an adjustable knuckle located between a push bar and a
handle bar of the stroller;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the knuckle shown in FIG.
1;
[0015] FIGS. 3A-3E are side elevation views of an inboard side of
the knuckle, showing the interaction between pulleys and a cable
that extends between a manually operable fold actuator on the
handle bar and a lock element of a lock mechanism, where the
pulleys enable an appropriate length of cable to be provided
through the knuckle and absorb cable slack as it is produced at a
plurality of different knuckle articulation angles; and
[0016] FIGS. 4A-4C are perspective views of the handle bar and a
push bar of a stroller, showing an assembly technique used to
locate the lock element of the lock mechanism in its required
position in the push arm of the stroller.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows the use of an adjustable knuckle 100 according
the present invention for adjustment of the handle bar of a
foldable stroller relative to the push arms of the stroller. The
adjustable knuckle 100 enables a cable 110, which is associated
with an unlocking and fold mechanism of the stroller, to pass
therethrough, and the knuckle 100 appropriately absorbs slack
produced in the cable 110 as the knuckle 100 is bent and
straightened out during pivoting of the handle bar 112 with respect
to the push arms 106 of the stroller.
[0018] According to the present invention, a knuckle or
knuckle-type joint, which allows angular adjustment of a stroller
handle bar with respect to the stroller's push arms, is interposed
between a lock element 104 of a stroller fold mechanism and a
manually operable fold actuator, such as actuator 108 in FIG. 1.
The actuator cables 110 pass through the interior of each knuckle
100, thus concealing the cables completely within the tubular
handle bars, push arms, and knuckles. Passing the cables 110
through the knuckle 100 presented challenges. That is, as the
knuckle 100 articulates to fold the handle bar, the length of the
cable path between the actuator 108 and the fold mechanism changes
and reaches a maximum at a given angle between the handle bar 112
and push arm 106. Thus, a given amount of cable must be provided to
enable the knuckle 100 to bend past the angle at which a maximum
amount of cable is required. In other words, at a given angle, the
length of the path along which the cable must run from the manually
operable actuator 108 to the lock element 104 reaches a maximum.
This angle will be referred to as the maximum path length angle.
When the angle between the handle bar 112 and the push arm 106
changes from the "maximum path length angle," i.e., when the angle
between the handle bar 112 and the push arm 106 increases or
decreases on either side of this "maximum path length angle," the
cable path length decreases. This produces slack in the cable.
Slack in the cable renders it difficult to assure proper operation
of the lock element 104, irrespective of the angle at which the
handle bar 112 is set via adjustment of the knuckle 100.
[0019] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in order
to avoid cable slack, while still providing an adequate length of
cable to allow articulation of the knuckle between a straight
condition and a fully bent condition, two slack control members,
which can be in the form of a pair of rollers or pulleys, are
provided. The cable passes between the two pulleys, as will be
described below. When the knuckle is bent to the maximum path
length angle, requiring the maximum amount of cable, the cable has
little or no contact with either pulley. However, as the knuckle
angle increases or decreases with respect to this maximum path
length angle, the cable begins to wind about one or both of the two
pulleys, which thus consumes slack as it is produced.
[0020] For example, when the knuckle is fully folded, as shown in
FIG. 3E, described below, the cable 110 is wrapped about one of the
pulleys so that any slack is taken up by the pulley, and neither
slack nor excessive tension in the cable occurs. On the other hand,
when the knuckle is maximally opened, as shown in FIG. 3A,
described below, the cable 110 wraps serpentinely about both
pulleys to absorb slack in the cable. Accordingly, irrespective of
the knuckle angle, actuation of the manually operable actuator
induces essentially the same amount of cable movement to retract
the lock element. The present invention thus provides a stroller
with both an adjustable handle bar and a reliable remotely-actuated
fold mechanism.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, knuckle 100 is shown disposed between a
handle 102 and a push arm 106 of a stroller. FIG. 1 shows the
knuckle 100 of only the right-side of the stroller; however, it
will be understood that, in this embodiment, a similar knuckle
arrangement would be present on the left-side of the stroller. In
the arrangement of FIG. 1, a reciprocal lock element 104 is
disposed in one end of a push arm 106. The lock element 104 is
connected to a manually operable actuator 108 via a cable. Cable
110 for the left-hand knuckle and lock element is shown extending
from the left-side of the handle bar 112. In accordance with this
embodiment, the cable 110 passes through the handle bar 112 to
which the actuator 108 is operably mounted, through the knuckle
100, and through the hollow push arm 106. The cable 110 establishes
a connection between the actuator 108 and the lock element 104 in a
manner which allows the actuator 108 to be actuated (in this
embodiment, rotated similar to a motorcycle throttle) and to induce
the retraction of the lock element 104 back into the push arm 106.
This retraction, in turn, induces the release of the lock mechanism
and enables the stroller frame (not shown in full) to be collapsed.
It will be appreciated that the manually operable actuator 108 can
take any convenient form, such as a bicycle brake or the like.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows the knuckle 100 in exploded form. As will be
noted, this knuckle 100 includes first and second members or halves
114, 116. Both members 114, 116 are provided with circular portions
114A, 116A and tube receiving portions 114B, 116B. The tube
receiving portion 116B of the second member 116 includes a cavity
116C into which a gear element 118 seats and further includes
openings (not shown) through which legs 120A of a manually operable
button 120, protrude. These legs 120A engage the lower face (as
seen in FIG. 2) of the gear element 118 in a manner enables the
gear element 118 to be displaced, against the bias of a coil
compression spring 122, out of engagement with teeth 116D formed in
the cavity 116C and into a corresponding cavity (not shown), which
is formed in the circular portion 114A of the first knuckle member
114.
[0023] The cavity in the first member 114 also includes teeth which
engage with those formed on the gear element 118. This cavity is
sufficiently deep so that the gear element 118, which normally
engages the teeth in both cavities simultaneously, can be displaced
against the bias of the spring 122 to the degree that engagement
with the teeth 116D in the cavity 116C of the second knuckle member
116 is prevented. In such an instance, the two members 114, 116 are
rendered rotatable with respect to each other about an axis which
is coaxial with a rivet or other fastener (not shown) that extends
up through an elongate boss 116E formed in the second member 116.
The gear element 118 thus effectively acts a clutch element in
dog-tooth type clutch arrangement.
[0024] In the arrangement of FIG. 2, the ends of the legs 120A of
the button 120 are provided with barbed portions 120Ab which engage
with the interior of the circular portion 116A of the second member
116. The barbed portions 120Ab prevent the button 120 from
detaching from the second member 116, while providing sufficient
movement to induce the above mentioned gear disengagement to allows
adjustment of the angle between the first and second knuckle
members 114, 116. The head of the button 120 also encloses and
conceals the head of the rivet or other fastener which connects the
two knuckle members 114, 116.
[0025] The teeth on the gear element 118 and those formed in the
cavities of the first and second members 114, 116, in this
embodiment, are so configured that a limited number of angular
positions can be established between the first and second members
114, 116. While the invention is in no way effected by the number
of positions in which engagement and positional locking of the
knuckle can be produced, in this embodiment, the positions are each
separated by approximately 15 degrees.
[0026] The outer surface 114C of the first knuckle member 114 is
provided with two studs 114D which act as supports on which two
pulleys 124, 126 are rotatably disposed. In this embodiment, the
pulleys 124, 126 can be made of acetal. However, as will be
appreciated, the first knuckle member 114 and the studs 114D which
are unitarily molded therewith, can be formed of a different
material, such as nylon. There is no particular limitation on the
materials which are used, those mentioned being those which are in
widespread commercial use. In addition, the pulleys 124, 126 can be
of equal diameter, as illustrated in the figures.
[0027] A cover 114E covers the two pulleys 124, 126 and encloses a
chamber in which they are disposed. The cover 114E is, in this
embodiment, secured to the first member 114 by screws 114Es. The
cover 114E engages the tops of the studs 114D to retain the pulleys
124, 126 in their operative positions.
[0028] FIGS. 3A-3E show an inboard side of a left-side knuckle,
i.e., a knuckle opposite the one shown in FIG. 1. These figures
illustrate the interaction between pulleys 124, 126 and cable 100.
As will be seen, the pulleys 124, 126 enable an appropriate length
of cable 100 to be provided through the knuckle 100 and they absorb
cable slack as it is produced at a plurality of different knuckle
articulation angles. The first and second members 114, 116 are both
provided with cable guiding structures or guides 114F, 116F to
guide the cable 110 through the knuckle 100. When handle 102 is
fully open and the two knuckle members 114, 116 are in the
positions illustrated in FIG. 3A, the cable 110 engages the
periphery of both pulleys 124, 126 in a serpentine fashion in the
illustrated manner. However, as the handle 102 is folded and the
handle bar 112 assumes an angle of about 15 degrees with respect to
the longitudinal axis of the push arm 106, the knuckle 100 assumes
the condition shown in FIG. 3B. In this position, the cable 110
begins to pull away from the upper pulley 124. When the handle bar
112 is adjusted to an angle of 30 degrees relative to the
longitudinal axis of the push arm 106, the knuckle assumes another
position as shown in FIG. 3C. In this position, the cable 110 is
almost separated from the upper pulley 124, and the arrangement
assumes a state in which the available length of the cable 110 is
almost fully utilized.
[0029] FIG. 3D shows the knuckle position in which the handle 102
is rotated to an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the
push arm 106. At this angle, referred to as the maximum path length
angle, the full length of the cable 110 is utilized, and the cable
110 passes between the two pulleys 124, 126 with a minimum amount
of deflection. Conversely, when the knuckle is "fully closed,"
which occurs when the handle 102 is rotated to a fully closed
position relative to the push arm 106, such as shown in FIG. 3E,
the slack, which would otherwise be generated as the knuckle folds
from the position shown in FIG. 3D to that shown in FIG. 3E, is
continuously taken up by the increased amount of cable 110 that
becomes wrapped about approximately half of the external periphery
of the lower pulley 126.
[0030] The ability of the pulleys 124, 126 to rotate about the
studs 114D reduces sliding friction and therefore friction
resistance, which tends to resist actuator induced cable movement
and which undesirably increases the amount of force required to
withdraw the lock element 104 from its locked position in the lock
mechanism. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E, the rotation
of pulley 126 reduces sliding friction dramatically and thus avoids
the need for increased force to operate the actuator 108.
[0031] As will be appreciated, in the present invention, the length
of the cable 110 needs to be maintained at a length which is
essentially equal to the maximum path length of the cable so as to
ensure that no slack is produced, and no excessive tension is
developed, when the first and second members 114 116 are set at the
maximum path length angle. This requirement presents an assembly
problem in that cable 110 cannot be drawn out of the end of the
push arm 106 of the handle 102 for connection to the lock element
104. To overcome this, a process has been developed in conjunction
with the above disclosed knuckle 100 to facilitate assembly of the
handle 102 to the push arm 106 of the stroller.
[0032] More specifically, the end of the cable 110 is connected to
the lock element 104 prior to the push arm 106 being inserted into
the tube receiving portion 114B of the first knuckle member 114.
The lock element 104 is then gripped with a specially formed pair
of tongs 150, which have been inserted through the push arm 106 in
the manner illustrated in FIG. 4A. The lock element 104 is then
drawn partially into the push arm 106, which is then itself
inserted into the tube receiving portion 114B of the first knuckle
member 114. The lock element 104 is then drawn down to its
operative position, as shown in FIG. 4C, wherein a required amount
of the element 104 protrudes from the lower end of the push arm
106. A spring 104A, which is disposed on the lock element 104 and
is maintained in position by suitable barb elements 104B, then is
engaged by an element or elements (not shown) which is/are
stationary with respect to the push arm 106, so as to provide for
compression of the spring 104A when the lock element 104 is drawn
back into the push arm 106 by retraction of the cable 110.
[0033] Although the figures and description above describe a fold
actuator 108 mounted to the center of a handle bar 112, it will be
understood that the adjustable knuckle 100 of the present invention
can be employed with any actuator connected by cable to a fold
mechanism in which the actuator is located at a position above the
knuckle 100.
[0034] An adjustable knuckle for a stroller has been described
according to the present invention. Modifications and variations
may be made to the adjustable knuckle for a stroller described and
illustrated herein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the
structures described herein are illustrative only and are not
limiting upon the scope of the invention.
* * * * *