IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A PRAM, SHOPPING TROLLEY OR THE LIKE

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement used at perambulators, shopping-carts or the like, comprising a chassis (2) having wheels and supporting a bed, a seat or a basket crib (11). The chassis (2) is constituted by two main sections, a front section (12) and a rear section (13), the latter (13) being arranged to carry out a swinging movement relatively to the front section (12) around a substantially vertical axis (14) for the purpose of improving the maneuverability of the car (1) in narrow spaces.

Description: Improvements in or relating to a pram, shopping trolley or the like The present invention relates to an arrangement in a pram, a shopping-cart or the like, comprising a chassis which is provided with wheels, supports a bed, a seat or a basket and is designed so as to permit that it can conveniently be manoeuvred also in narrow spaces thanks to it being provided with a waist- pivot steering. The prams today available on tha market are designed with a chassis having wheels which either are mounted for rotation on shafts which are rigidly connected with the chassis or, in certain cases, are individually swingable relatively the shafts, that design being especially used at the front wheel pair. However, such prams are both heavy and unwieldy and it is generally troublesome to steer such a pram in narrow spaces . The reason for this is that one has, using the handle-bar, to push downwards at the rear of the pram in order to lift up the front wheels from the flor surface so that a steering function can be performed, rn the way that either the left or right end of the handle-bar is pushed forwards with the front wheels maintained in their lifted position and by, at the same time, pushing the pram forwards . This involves that the back of the person handling the pram is exposed to considerable strain, especially during the phase during which the handle-bar is pressed down to lift the front wheels. This type of situa-tion is especially inappropriate for women who have recently given birth. The same problem arises with some types of shopping- carts or the like. The object of the present invention is consequently to provide a cart of the general type mentioned above at which the shortcomings of the presently known cart designs have been eliminated by use of a waist-pivot steering. The features characterizing the invention are set out in the claims. Thanks to the present invention there has now been provided a design which in an excellent manner satisfies the use requirements and at the same time can be manufactured in a simple, low-cost way. The waist-pivot steered cart has a chassis which is constituted by two sections, a front section and a rear section, which can be turned relatively each other around a substantially vertical axis. When the cart is driven forwards, the rear section will follow like a tail. This makes it very convenient to proceed and to manoeuvre the cart, especially in narrow spaces. In addition thereto this design is more ergonomic than the prior art designs thanks to the fact the back of the driving person will not be exposed to any strain when carrying out the moment required to change the direction of movement . A preferred embodiment will be described below, reference being made to the annexed drawing. Fig. 1 illustrates all of a pram designed according to the present invention showing all components used in that connection. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the pram illustrated in fig. 1 with its front facing the observer. Fig. 3 shows the chassis of the cart, the wheels being removed and the front section being disconnected from the rear section. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the chassis shown in fig. 3 in an assembled condition and with the wheels mounted, the rear section assuming a maximum angular position in relation to the front section. Fig. 5 corresponds to fig. 4 but shows the rear section in its opposite limit angular position. Fig. 6 shows the chassis illustrated in figs. 4 and 5 in a collapsed condition. Fig. 7 is a top view of the chassis in fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view showing the coupling between the rear and the front sections and also, in a larger scale, the pivot together with its locking and limiting means. Fig. 9 is a perspective view relating to another embodiment and showing the front section of the chassis, the wheels of which are removed . Fig. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention As appears from the drawings , there has been shown the present invention as applied to a pram 1, comprising a chassis 2 with wheels 5, 6, 7 and 8 mounted on shafts 3 and 4. The chassis 2 is constituted by two main sections, namely a front section 12 and a rear section 13, the latter being rotatably connected with the front section by means of a substantially vertical pivot 14. The chassis 2 does also comprise mounting means in the shape of two parallel support rods 9, 10 for a basket crib or a seat 11. The rear section 13 is swingably connected with a central por- portion of a cross bar 15 in the front section 12 interconnecting rods 16, 17 which extend upwards from the front wheels 5, 6 and which have their top ends 18, 19 interconnected by a handle-bar 20. The front section 12 , , in addition to the rods 16, 17 extending from the shaft 3 of the front wheels 5, 6 to the handle bar 20, have a so-called basket crib mounting which is constituted by two substantially horizontal support rods 9,10 which in turn are swingably connected with downwards directed rods 21, 22, which via joints 23, 24 at rods 16, 17 are connected with the cross bar 15. The rear section 13 is constituted by two rods 36, 37 attached to and converging from the rear shaft 4 fcr the wheels 1 , 8. They are interconnected at a predetermined angle and do ac their front connection point 25 exhibit at least one mounting plate 26 suupσrting pivot 14, which cooperats with and passes through a hole 27 in the cross bar 15. Pivot 14 has a position- fixing and limiting disk 23 provided with one or more holes 30 for the purpose of locking the rear section 13 in a desired angular position. This function is carried out by means of a pin holder 31, secured to cross bar 15, and a pin 32 which is displaceable in the holder and cooperates with holes 30. The disk 29 does also have blocks 33 limiting the swinging movement of the rear section in both directions . According to an alternative embodiment the cross bar 15 in the front section 12 is constituted by two converging rods 39 and 40 connected to rods 21 and 22 and attached to a member 41 provided with hole 27 which, cooperates with pivot 14. In Fig. 8 there is illustrated how the swinging position of the rear section 13 can be fixed with the aid of the position- fixing and limiting device 28. It is used to lock the chassis sections 12 and 13 in fixed relative positions in situations such as when the pram shall be passed down steps or into a vehicle. On the handle-bar 20 there is a control lever 34 which over a wire 35 actuates pin 32, the function of which is to lock the rear section 13' relatively the front section 12. Pin 32 is biassed downwards by a spring 38 which, in response to the position of the control lever 34, can lock the rear section 13 in desired angular positions. Disk 29 does also include the abovementioned blocks 33 limiting the maximum angular position of the rear section 13. As appears from Figs 6 and 7, chassis 2 can be collapsed to a position requiring a very small space. This is attained thanks to the joints between the rods. To minimize the space requirement in the collapsed position of chassis 2 also rods 16, 17 can have j oints approximately at their central , straight portions .

Claims: claims 1. Arrangement for a pram, a shopping-cart or the like, comprising a chassis (2) which is provided with wheels and supports a bed, a seat or a basket crib (11) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the chassis (2) is constituted by two main sections, a front section (12) and a rear section (13) which latter (13) is swingably connected to said front section (12) via an essentially vertical pivot (14) in order to increase the maneuverability of the cart (1) in narrow spaces. 2. Arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the rear section (13) is swingably connected at the central portion of a cross bar (15) laterally stabilizing the front section (12) and via support rods (9, 10) for the basket crib (11) supported by rods (16, 17), extending from the shaft (3) of the front wheel pair (5, 6) and at their top ends (18, 19) interconnected by a handle-bar (20) . 3. Arrangement as claimed in Claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the free ends of basket crib rods (9, 10) are in joint points (23, 24) swingably connected to rods (16, 17) via obliquely downwards directed rods (21, 22) . 4. Arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the rear section (13) is constituted by two, for the respective rear wheels (1 , 8) and a shaft (4) interconnecting them, converging rods (36, 37), which are interconnected at a predetermined angle and in their point of connection (25) has at least one mounting plate (26) supporting the pivot (14) , rota- tably mounted in a hole (27) in the cross bar (15) . 5. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that a position-fixing and limiting disk (29) is provided en the pivot (14) and comprising one or more holes (30) for the purpose of locking the rear section (13) in a desired angular position with the aid of pin holder (31) mounted on the cross bar (15) and a pin (32) displaceable therein and cooperating with said holes (30) . 6. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that said disk (29) also has blocks (33) limiting in both directions the maximum angular position of the rear section (13) relatively the front section (12) .

Inventors: AHMAD HASSAN, AHMAD, HASSAN
Applicants: AHMAD HASSAN, AHMAD, HASSAN
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B62B7
IPC codes: B62B3, B62B7