Abstract:
An infant carrier apparatus comprises a seat assembly, a backrest assembly including a first and second backrest frame, and a backrest holding mechanism. The first backrest frame includes first side and transverse segments, the second backrest frame includes second side and transverse segments, the first side segment being coupled with the seat assembly via a first pivot point. The backrest holding mechanism can be movably assembled between the first and second transverse segment, and include a latch element movable between a first and second position. The first position of the latch element causes the backrest holding mechanism to be in locking engagement with the first transverse segment to prevent rotation of the backrest assembly relative to the seat assembly, and the second position of the latch element removes the locking engagement of the backrest holding mechanism to permit rotation of the backrest assembly relative to the seat assembly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201010192115.7 filed on May 28, 2010. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to infant carrier apparatuses, and more particularly to an infant carrier apparatus having multiple configurations of use and its operating method. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A stroller apparatus typically comprises a support frame provided with wheels, a seat assembly, a backrest assembly and a handle. After a child is placed on the seat, the parent can use the handle to push the stroller in movement. In traditional strollers, the seat assembly is usually oriented toward the front of the stroller in its direction of displacement. Because the child does not face the parent when seated in the stroller, no interaction is permitted between the child and the parent. To remedy the aforementioned deficiency, some approaches propose a stroller construction that has different seating configurations facing forward and rearward. For this purpose, the backrest assembly may be adjustable forward or rearward to allow the child to be seated either facing rearward or forward. However, the adjustment and lock mechanism of the backrest assembly is usually placed at a position adjacent to the seat, which may not be convenient to operate for the adult. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is a need for an infant carrier apparatus that can have multiple seating configurations, is convenient to operate and address at least the foregoing issues. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present application describes an infant carrier apparatus having multiple configurations of use, and its operating method. The infant carrier apparatus has an adjustable backrest assembly that is held in place via a backrest holding mechanism provided at a top transverse region of the backrest assembly. Accordingly, the backrest assembly can be adjusted in a convenient manner for changing the direction in which a child can be seated or laid down in the infant carrier apparatus. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the infant carrier apparatus can comprise a seat assembly, a backrest assembly including a first and second backrest frame, and a backrest holding mechanism. The first backrest frame includes at least one first side segment and a first transverse segment, the second backrest frame include at least one second side segment and a second transverse segment, the first side segment being coupled with the seat assembly via a first pivot point. The backrest holding mechanism can be movably assembled between the first and second transverse segment, and include a latch element movable between a first and second position, wherein the first position of the latch element causes the backrest holding mechanism to be in locking engagement with the first transverse segment to prevent rotation of the backrest assembly relative to the seat assembly, and the second position of the latch element removes the locking engagement of the backrest holding mechanism with the first transverse segment to permit rotation of the backrest assembly relative to the seat assembly. 
         [0009]    At least one advantage of the apparatus and method described herein is the ability to arrange the backrest holding mechanism at a top transverse portion of the backrest assembly easily accessible to an adult. Accordingly, the backrest holding mechanism can be conveniently operated with one hand to unlock and adjust the backrest assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating a stroller embodiment of an infant carrier apparatus; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating the construction of a seat assembly, backrest assembly and backrest holding mechanism in the infant carrier apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the backrest holding mechanism; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating a variant embodiment in which the latch-engaging portion can be directly formed on the transverse segment of the first backrest frame; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the backrest holding mechanism in a locked state; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the backrest holding mechanism in an unlocked state; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view showing the infant carrier apparatus in a seating configuration facing forward; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view showing the infant carrier apparatus in a rearward reclined position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view showing the infant carrier apparatus in a seating configuration facing rearward; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view showing the infant carrier apparatus in a forward reclined position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The present application describes an infant carrier apparatus having multiple configurations of use, and its operating method. The infant carrier apparatus has an adjustable backrest assembly that can be locked in any desirable angular positions via a backrest holding mechanism provided at a top transverse region of the backrest assembly. Accordingly, the backrest assembly can be conveniently adjusted to change the direction in which a child can be seated or laid down in the infant carrier apparatus. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating a stroller embodiment of an infant carrier apparatus  100 . The infant carrier apparatus  100  can comprise a support frame  2 , a seat assembly  4 , a backrest assembly  6 , a backrest holding mechanism  8  that can hold the backrest assembly  6  at an adjusted position, and a generally U-shaped handle  48 . The support frame  2  can include a front leg frame  20 , rear leg frame  22 , two armrests  24  and a plurality of wheels  26 . The front and rear leg frames  20  and  22  can have upper ends respectively coupled with the armrests  24 , and lower ends respectively mounted with the wheels  26 . In turn, the seat assembly  4  is held and supported between the front leg frame  20  and the handle  48 , whereas the backrest assembly  6  is movably connected with the seat assembly  4 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating the construction of the seat assembly  4 , the backrest assembly  6  and the backrest holding mechanism  8 . The seat assembly  4  can include a seat board  40  having a front seat portion  40 A and a rear seat portion  40 B. A front end of the seat board  40  can have right and left side edges respectively provided with protruding joint portions  40 C through which the seat board  40  can be pivotally connected with the front leg frame  20 . A middle region of the seat board  40  can have right and left sides where first coupling brackets  42 , which may include ear-like protrusions, can respectively project upward in a symmetrical manner. According to one embodiment, a limit between the front seat portion  40 A and the rear seat portion  40 B can be defined by the position of the first coupling brackets  42 . Outer edge regions of the seat board  40  adjacent to the outer sides of the first coupling brackets  42  can be provided with second coupling brackets  44  that are also protruding upward in a symmetrical manner. The backrest assembly  6  can be pivotally connected with the seat assembly  4  at the first and second coupling brackets  42  and  44 , respectively. 
         [0023]    The handle  48  can be mounted to cross the width of the seat board  40 , such that the two side segments of the U-shaped handle  48  can be pivotally connected with the right and left sides of the seat board  40  via linkage arms  49 . In this manner, an adult can use the handle  48  to push the infant carrier apparatus  100  in movement. 
         [0024]    The backrest assembly  6  can comprise a first backrest frame  62 , and a second backrest frame  64  mounted at a position spaced apart from the first backrest frame  62 . In one example, the first and second backrest frames  62  and  64  can be constructed as tubular frames, the first backrest frame  62  providing main backrest support, the second backrest frame  64  providing right and left side support. According to one embodiment, the first backrest frame  62  can have a generally U-shape including a transverse segment  62 A, and two side segments  62 B that are respectively joined with right and left ends of the transverse segment  62 A and terminate into distal or lower end portions  62 C. The first backrest frame  62  can be constructed from one integral tube or the assembly of multiples tube sections. The two lower end portions  62 C at the right and left sides of the first backrest frame  62  can be pivotally connected at pivot points A with the first coupling brackets  42  at the right and left sides of the seat assembly  4 , respectively. In one embodiment, the pivot axis that couples the handle  48  with the linkage arms  49  can be aligned with the pivot axis of the pivot points A, such that the first backrest frame  62  and the handle  48  can respectively rotate about a same axis. 
         [0025]    The second backrest frame  64  can be constructed from one integral tube or the assembly of multiples tube sections to form a generally U-shape including a transverse segment  64 A, and two side segments  64 B that are joined with right and left side ends of the transverse segment  64 A and terminate into distal or lower end portions  64 C. The transverse and side segments  64 A and  64 B of the second backrest frame  64  can have a contour shape generally parallel to the transverse and side segments  62 A and  64 B of the first backrest frame  62 . The second backrest frame  64  can be mounted such that the side segments  64 B and distal or lower end portions  64 C thereof are respectively located at the outer side of the corresponding side segments  62 B and distal or lower end portions  62 C of the first backrest frame  62 , such that a distance between the two opposite side segments  64 B of the second backrest frame  64  can be greater than a distance between the two opposite side segments  62 B of the first backrest frame  62 . Like the first backrest frame  62 , the second backrest frame  64  can be mounted such that the distal or lower end portions  64 C can be pivotally connected at pivot points B with the second coupling brackets  44  at the right and left sides of the seat board  40 , respectively. Accordingly, each of the first and second backrest frames  62  and  64  is individually connected pivotally with the seat assembly  4 . 
         [0026]    The transverse segment  62 A of the first backrest frame  62  and the transverse segment  64 A of the second backrest frame  64  can be pivotally connected with the backrest holding mechanism  8 , respectively. Owing to the movable connection of the backrest holding mechanism  8 , the first and second backrest frames  62  and  64  can rotate in unison about their respective pivot points A and B and along approximately parallel paths. In one embodiment, the horizontal positions of the pivot points B can be above the horizontal positions of the pivot points A so that the first and second backrest frames  62  and  64  can rotate synchronously in a smooth manner. 
         [0027]    In conjunction with  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the backrest holding mechanism  8 . The backrest holding mechanism  8  can include a movable link element  82 , a release button  83 , a latch element  84  and a spring  85 . The link element  82  can be a hollow housing having a side provided with two flanges  821  spaced apart from each other along a horizontal direction, first holes  823  respectively formed coaxial through the flanges  821 , and a second hole  824  parallel to the first holes  823  formed through the link element  82  at another side. The link element  82  can be integrally formed from a rigid material (such as plastics), or constructed from the assembly of multiple housing parts. The transverse segment  62 A of the first backrest frame  62  can be pivotally assembled through the first holes  823  to form a first pivot axis X 1 . A pin P can engage through an elongated slot  822  of the link element  82  and the transverse segment  64 A to restrain the link element  82  from moving laterally (i.e., in right and left side directions) relative to the transverse segment  64 A. The transverse segment  64 A of the second backrest frame  64  can be pivotally assembled through the second hole  824  to form a second pivot axis X 2 . As the first and second backrest frames  62  and  64  respectively rotate about the pivot points A and B, the link element  82  can rotate about the first and second pivot axes X 1  and X 2  relative to the first and second backrest frames  62  and  64 , whereas the pin P can slide in the elongated slot  822 . As this movement occurs, a fixed distance D is kept between the first pivot axis X 1 /transverse segment  62 A and the second pivot axis X 2 /transverse segment  64 A. 
         [0028]    The transverse segment  62 A of the first backrest frame  62  can include a latch-engaging portion  86  at a location corresponding to a gap  825  delimited between the two flanges  821 . The position of the latch-engaging portion  86  relative to the seat assembly  4  can change as the first backrest frame  62  rotates. The latch-engaging portion  86  can have a generally cylindrical shape having an outer surface provided with a plurality of radial grooves  862 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the latch-engaging portion  86  can be formed as a cylindrical drum part that is affixed with the transverse segment  62 A at a location between the two flanges  821  of the link element  82 . In the illustrated embodiment, the radial grooves  862  can be divided into two spaced-apart sets that are distributed circumferentially on the outer surface of the latch-engaging portion  86 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating a variant embodiment in which the latch-engaging portion  86  can be directly formed on the transverse segment  62 A of the first backrest frame  62 . In this case, the radial grooves  862  can be directly formed on the outer circumferential surface of the transverse segment  62 A. 
         [0030]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , an inner cavity  826  can be provided inside the link element  82 . The inner cavity  826  can extend from a left side to a right side of the link element  82 , and pass through and communicate with an opening  827  provided at a central region of the link element  82 . Moreover, the inner cavity  826  can communicate with the gap  825  via channels  828  formed at left and right sides of the opening  827 . Each of the channels  828  is placed at a position facing the radial grooves  862 . 
         [0031]    The latch element  84  can be affixed with the release button  83 , and mounted through the inner cavity  826  of the link element  82 . In one embodiment, the latch element  84  can be formed in a single body, and include a plurality of connector prongs  842 , latch fingers  844  projecting at a side opposite the connector prongs  842 , and a transversal section  845  connected between the latch fingers  844 . Each of the springs  85  can have a first end anchored with one prong  842 , and a second end connected with an inner sidewall of the link element  82  (for example, a top inner sidewall of the inner cavity  826 ). 
         [0032]    The release button  83  can be connected with the transversal section  845  of the latch element  84 . Once the release button  83 , the latch element  84  and the spring  85  are assembled in the link element  82 , the latch fingers  844  can respectively pass through the channels  828  and face the radial grooves  862  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). A portion of the release button  83  can be exposed outward at the opening  827  for a user to operate the backrest holding mechanism  8 . It is worth noting that in alternate embodiments, the release button can have two sides provided with connector prongs and latch fingers that are respectively assembled with the springs and the link element in a manner similar to the previously described embodiment. In other embodiments, the latch element can also be constructed to include a joint portion that connects the connector prongs with the latch fingers and is provided with an operable portion that can be pushed by a user. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the backrest holding mechanism  8 . In  FIG. 5 , the backrest holding mechanism  8  is shown in a locked state. The springs  85  can bias the latch element  84  and the release button  83  to move toward the latch-engaging portion  86  to a first position where the latch fingers  844  engage with the radial grooves  862 . Owing to the engagement between the latch element  84  and the latch-engaging portion  86 , the link element  82  can lock with the transverse segment  62 A of the first backrest frame  62  to block the first backrest frame  62  from rotating about the first pivot axis X 1  relative to the link element  82 . Because the relative movement between the link element  82  and the first backrest frame  62  is blocked, the first and second backrest frames  62  and  64  cannot rotate about the pivot points A and B. Accordingly, the backrest assembly  6  can be locked in angular position relative to the seat assembly  4 . 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 6 , the backrest holding mechanism  8  is shown in an unlocked state. When the backrest assembly  6  is to be adjusted, the release button  83  can be pressed to squeeze the springs  85  and cause the latch element  84  to move to a second position away from the latch-engaging portion  86 . As the latch fingers  844  disengage from the radial grooves  862 , the locking engagement between the link element  82  and the first backrest frame  62  can be removed and the backrest holding mechanism  8  can be switched from the locked to unlocked state. While the backrest holding mechanism  8  is kept in the unlocked state, the first and second backrest frame  62  and  64  can be then rotated synchronously about the pivot points A and B to adjust the inclination of the backrest assembly  6  relative to the seat assembly  4 . As the first and second backrest frames  62  and  64  rotate, the transverse segments  62 A and  64 A can be kept parallel to each other and a distance D there between can be kept substantially constant. Moreover, the link element  82  can rotate about the first and second pivots X 1  and X 2  relative to the first and second backrest frames  62  and  64 , respectively. Once the backrest assembly  6  reaches a desired inclination, the pressure on the release button  83  can be released. As a result, the springs  85  can bias the latch element  84  to engage with another set of the radial grooves  862  to lock the backrest assembly  6  in position. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 7 through 10  are schematic views illustrating the backrest assembly  6  of the infant carrier apparatus  100  at different angular positions. In  FIG. 7 , the infant carrier apparatus  100  is shown in a seating configuration facing forward. In this configuration, the backrest assembly  6  (including the first and second backrest frames  62  and  64 ) is inclined rearward such that the backrest assembly  6  and the front seat portion  40 A of the seat assembly  4  can define a seating space facing forward. 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 8 , the infant carrier apparatus  100  is shown in a rearward reclined position. In this configuration, the backrest assembly  6  is adjusted rearward to a position substantially adjacent to the rear seat portion  40 B. The backrest assembly  6  and the front seat portion  40 A of the seat assembly  4  can accordingly define a resting area where a child can be laid down rearward in a substantially horizontal position, supported by the front seat portion  40 A and the backrest assembly  6 . As shown with phantom lines, the child thereby accommodated can have the feet oriented toward the front and the head oriented toward the rear of the infant carrier apparatus  100 . 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 9 , the infant carrier apparatus  100  is shown in a seating configuration facing rearward. In this configuration, the backrest assembly  6  is inclined forward such that the backrest assembly  6  and the rear seat portion  40 B of the seat assembly  4  can define a seating space facing rearward. 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 10 , the infant carrier apparatus  100  is shown in a forward reclined position. In this configuration, the backrest assembly  6  is adjusted forward to a position substantially adjacent to the front seat portion  40 A. The backrest assembly  6  and the rear seat portion  40 B of the seat assembly  4  can accordingly define a resting area where a child can be laid down rearward in a substantially horizontal position, supported by the rear seat portion  40 B and the backrest assembly  6 . As shown with phantom lines, the child thereby accommodated can have the feet oriented toward the rear and the head oriented toward the front of the infant carrier apparatus  100 . 
         [0039]    At least one advantage of the apparatus and method described herein is the ability to arrange the backrest holding mechanism  8  at a top transverse portion of the backrest assembly  6  easily accessible to an adult. Pressure can be applied on the release button  83  with one hand to conveniently unlock the backrest assembly  6  and adjust its angular position. The backrest holding mechanism  8  can lock the backrest assembly  6  at any desirable inclination. While the infant carrier apparatus  100  has been illustrated as a stroller embodiment, the mechanisms and structures described herein may be applicable to any types of infant carrier apparatuses, such as child seats, swing apparatuses, and the like. 
         [0040]    Realizations in accordance with the present invention therefore have been described only in the context of particular embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided for components described herein as a single instance. Structures and functionality presented as discrete components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.