Abstract:
A child stroller is disclosed comprising two side frames bilaterally set, each side frame comprising a front leg, a rear leg, the upside of the rear leg being rotatably connected with the rear end of the front leg, and a handspike with the lower end connected to the upper end of the rear leg, a positioning device set at the joint of the handspike and the rear leg, a first crossbar set between the two front legs, a second crossbar set between the two side frames, a first locking mechanism set between the first and the second crossbar, the second crossbar being connected to either the handspike or the rear leg or to both. Being locked in unfolding state by the positioning device and the first locking mechanism, the side frame is mainly composed of a front leg, a rear leg and a handspike. The stroller frame is simple and little interference occurs when folding and unfolding the stroller frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is the U.S. national stage application of international application serial number PCT/CN2006/002567, filed 29 Sep. 2006, which claims priority to Chinese patent application no. 2005-10094952.5, filed 18 Oct. 2005, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    This invention relates to a child stroller. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    In the known art, a child stroller generally comprises of a stroller frame, front wheel groups and rear wheel groups set at the underside of the front and rear of the stroller frame respectively. The stroller frame is a folding one comprising two side frames bilaterally set and a plurality of crossbars set between the two side frames. Each said side frame comprises at least one handspike, one front leg and two rear legs. In order to ensure the stability of the child stroller, the side frame is usually mounted with connecting poles, for example, a pole may be rotatably set between the front leg and the rear leg, that is, the front end of the pole is rotatably connected with the front leg, while the rear end of the pole is rotatably connected with the rear leg or other components of the child stroller. However, since the child stroller is overburdened with poles, the interference between poles is serious when folding and unfolding the stroller frame. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a simple child stroller, when folding and unfolding the stroller frame, the interference between components is minimized. 
         [0007]    In order to achieve the object set forth, the present invention adopts the following schemes: 
         [0008]    A child stroller comprises a foldable stroller frame, at least one front wheel group mounted under the foreside of the stroller frame, at least two rear wheel groups mounted under the rearward of the stroller frame, the stroller frame including two side frames bilaterally set and a plurality of crossbars set between the two side frames. Each side frame comprises a front leg for mounting the front wheel group, a rear leg for mounting the rear wheel group, the upside of the rear leg being rotatably connected with the rear end of the front leg, a handspike with the lower end connected to the upper end of the rear leg, a positioning device set at the joint of the handspike and the rear leg, the positioning device having a locking state, in which the handspike and the rear leg are fixedly connected, and an unlocking state, in which the handspike and the rear leg are rotateably connected, a second crossbar extending transversely between the two side frames, the second crossbar being connected either to the handspike or the rear leg or to both, and a first locking mechanism set between the first crossbar and the second crossbar, when in the locking state, the first crossbar and the second crossbar are fixedly connected and the stroller frame is unfolded; when in the unlocking state, the first crossbar and the second crossbar are movable relative to each other. 
         [0009]    The first locking mechanism comprises a first locking member having a first hook, the first locking member being rotatably set at one component selected from the first crossbar and the second crossbar with the first hook detachably connected to the other component, when the first locking mechanism is in the locking state, the first hook hitches the other component, when in the unlocking state, the first hook is separated from the other component. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the first locking member is rotatably set at the second crossbar. The first locking mechanism further comprises a first spring mounted between the first locking member and the second crossbar, so that the first hook tends to hook tightly with the first crossbar. 
         [0011]    The extending direction of the pivotal axis of the first locking member is consistent with the transverse orientation of the child stroller. 
         [0012]    Either the first crossbar or the second crossbar is formed with a receiving flute for the reception of the other component, the other component lying in the receiving flute when the first locking mechanism is in the locking state. 
         [0013]    Still a second locking mechanism having a locking position and an unlocking position is set between the first crossbar and the second crossbar, when the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are both in the locking position, the first crossbar and the second crossbar are fixedly connected, the stroller frame is unfolded; when the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are both in the unlocking position, the first crossbar and the second crossbar are movable relative to each other. 
         [0014]    The second locking mechanism mentioned above includes a second locking member having a second hook, the second locking mechanism rotatably set at one component choosing from the first crossbar and the second crossbar with the second hook detachably connected to the other component, when the second locking mechanism is in the locking position, the second hook hooks the other component, when the second locking mechanism is in the unlocking position, the second hook is separated from the other component. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the second locking member is rotatably set at the second crossbar. The second locking mechanism further comprises a second spring mounted between the second locking member and the second crossbar, so that the second hook tends to hook tightly with the first crossbar. 
         [0016]    The extending direction of the pivotal axis of the second locking member formed across with (and/or with perpendicular with respect to) the transverse orientation of the child stroller. 
         [0017]    The first locking mechanism includes a first pole having a first locking protrusion, a second pole with the outer end rotatably connected to the second crossbar, the outer end of the first pole being rotatably connected to the first crossbar, a first locking member having a first locking flute, the first locking member being rotatably connected to the second crossbar, the first pole and the second pole are slidably connected, when the first locking mechanism is in the locking position, the first locking protrusion is inserted in the first flute, when in the unlocking position, the first locking protrusion is separated from the first flute. 
         [0018]    The second crossbar is the pivotal axle of the handspike and the rear leg. 
         [0019]    The first locking mechanism further includes a first spring set between the first locking member and the second crossbar, so that the first locking protrusion tends to hold tightly with the first flute. 
         [0020]    Compared with prior art, the present invention is advantageous in that being locked in the unfolding state by the positioning device and the first locking mechanism, the side frame is mainly composed of a front leg, a rear leg and a handspike, and the child stroller is simple with little interference between components during folding and unfolding processes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the unfolded child stroller in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the unfolded child stroller according to the first embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the unfolded child stroller according to the first embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is another schematic view of the unfolded child stroller according to the first embodiment while the upper handspike is collapsed relative to the handspike itself, 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the child stroller half folded according to the first embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is another schematic view of the child stroller half folded according to the first embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a schematic and folded view of the child stroller according to the first embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a view of  FIG. 7  seen from K direction; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the unfolded child stroller according to the second embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the folded child stroller according to the second embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a schematic view of the unfolded child stroller according to the second embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is the view of  FIG. 11  seen from M direction; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is the schematic view of the unfolded child stroller according to the second embodiment while the hand is backward oriented. 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a schematic view of the child stroller with a handbag mounted on the stroller frame according to the second embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a schematic view of the child stroller with a sleeping basket mounted on the stroller frame according to the second embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a schematic view of the child stroller with a seat mounted on the stroller frame according to the second embodiment; wherein 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 8 , the child stroller according to a first embodiment comprises a foldable stroller frame  1 , two front wheel groups  2  mounted under the foreside of the stroller frame  1 , two rear wheel groups  3  mounted under the rearward of the stroller frame  1 . The stroller frame  1  includes two side frames  4  bilaterally set and a plurality of crossbars set between the two side frames  4 . Each side frame  4  comprises a front leg  5  for mounting the front wheel group  2 , a rear leg  6  for mounting the rear wheel group  3 , the upside of the rear leg  6  being rotatably connected with the rear end of the front leg  5 , and a handspike  7  with the lower end connected to the upper end of the rear leg  6 , a positioning device  9  set at the joint of the handspike  7  and the rear leg  6 . The positioning device  9  has a locking state, in which the handspike  7  and the rear leg  6  are immovably connected, and an unlocking state, in which the handspike  7  and the rear leg  6  are rotateably connected. A second crossbar  11  extends transversely between the two side frames  4 , the second crossbar  4  being connected either to the handspike  7  or the rear leg  6  or to both. A first locking mechanism  8  is set between the first crossbar  10  and the second crossbar  11 . When in the locking state, the first crossbar  10  and the second crossbar  11  are fixedly connected and the stroller frame  1  is unfolded. When in the unlocking state, the first crossbar  10  and the second crossbar  11  are movable relative to each other. 
         [0038]    The first locking mechanism  8  comprises a first locking member  12  having a first hook  13 . The first locking member  12  is rotatably set at one component selected from the first crossbar  10  and the second crossbar  11  with the first hook  13  detachably connected to the other component. When the first locking mechanism  8  is in the locking state, the first hook  13  hitches the other component. When in the unlocking state, the first hook  13  is separated from the other component. Referring to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 8 , the first locking member  12  is rotatably connected with respect to the second crossbar  11 . As shown in the drawings, the first locking mechanism  8  further includes a first spring. The first spring is mounted between the first locking member  12  and the second crossbar  11 . When the first locking mechanism  8  is in the locking position, the first hook  13  aided by the first spring tends to hook the first crossbar  10  in a tight and stable fashion. 
         [0039]    The extending direction of the pivotal axis of the first locking member  12  is consistent with the transverse orientation of the child stroller. 
         [0040]    Either the first crossbar  10  or the second crossbar  11  is formed with a receiving flute  18  for the reception of the other component, the other component lying in the receiving flute when the first locking mechanism  8  is in the locking state. 
         [0041]    The second crossbar  11  can be selectively set between the two handspikes  7  or between the two rear legs. The second crossbar  11  can also be the pivotal axle of the handspike  7  and the rear leg  6 . 
         [0042]    With the positioning device  9 , the handspike  7  is provided with at least two working positions. In the first working position, the handspike  7  extends backward from bottom to top and is cornered with the rear leg  6  to form an angle. The rear leg  6  extends forward from bottom to top. In the second working position, the extending direction of the handspike  7  and that of the rear leg  6  are substantially the same. The positioning device  9  comprises two positioning grooves and sliding blocks slidably set about the two positioning grooves. When the positioning device  9  is in the locking position, the sliding blocks are inserted in the two positioning grooves respectively; when in the unlocking position, all the sliding blocks are inserted in one of the positioning grooves and the handspike  7  is rotatably with respect to the rear leg  6 . 
         [0043]    With reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , an upper handspike is slidably set at the handspike  7 . When the stroller frame  1  is unfolded, the upper handspike is retracted or withdrawn relative to the handspike  7  so as to provide more convenience for the operator; when the stroller frame  1  is folded, in order to cut the volume of the child stroller, the upper handspike  7  can be retracted or inserted relative to the handspike  7 . 
         [0044]    A handbag or a sleeping basket or a seat can be mounted between the two side frames  4 . 
         [0045]    Here, through the positioning device  9  and the first locking mechanism  8  the stroller frame  1  is locked in the unfolding position. Besides, a second locking mechanism  14  is set between the first crossbar  10  and the second crossbar  11  in pursuit of higher safety. The second locking mechanism  14  has a locking position and an unlocking position. When the second locking mechanism  14  and the first locking mechanism  8  are both in locking position, the first crossbar  10  is fixedly connected to the second crossbar  11 , and the stroller frame  1  is unfolded; when the second locking mechanism  14  and the first locking mechanism  8  are both in unlocking position, the first crossbar  10  is movable with respect to the second crossbar  11 . 
         [0046]    The second locking mechanism  14  includes a second locking member  15  having a second hook  16 , the second locking mechanism  14  rotatably set at one component choosing from the first crossbar  10  and the second crossbar  11  with the second hook  16  detachably connected to the other component. When the second locking mechanism  14  is in the locking position, the second hook  16  hooks the other component. When the second locking mechanism  14  is in the unlocking position, the second hook  16  is separated from the other component. 
         [0047]    With reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 8 , the second locking member  15  is rotatably set at the second crossbar  11 . The first crossbar  10  is formed with a second locking protrusion  17 . When the second locking mechanism  14  is in the locking position, the second hook  16  hooks the second locking protrusion  17 . When in the unlocking position, the second hook  16  is separated from the second locking protrusion  17 . The second locking mechanism  14  further comprises a second spring mounted between the second locking member  15  and the second crossbar  11 , so that the second hook  16  tends to hook tightly with the first crossbar  10 . 
         [0048]    The pivotal axis of the second locking member  15  extends in a direction cross about the transverse orientation of the child stroller. 
         [0049]    With reference to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 12 , the child stroller according to second embodiment comprises a foldable stroller frame  1 , two front wheel groups  2  mounted under the foreside of the stroller frame  1 , two rear wheel groups  3  mounted under the rearward of the stroller frame  1 , the stroller frame  1  including two side frames  4  bilaterally set and a plurality of crossbars set between the two side frames  4 . Each side frame  4  comprises a front leg  5  for mounting the front wheel group  2 , a rear leg  6  for mounting the rear wheel group  3 , the upside of the rear leg  6  being rotatably connected with the rear end of the front leg  5 , and a handspike  7  with the lower end connected to the upper end of the rear leg  6 . A positioning device  9  is set at the joint of the handspike  7  and the rear leg  6 , the positioning device  9  having a locking state, in which the handspike  7  and the rear leg  6  are immovably connected, and an unlocking state, in which the handspike  7  and the rear leg  6  are rotateably connected. A second crossbar  11  extends transversely between the two side frames  4 , the second crossbar  4  being connected either to the handspike  7  or the rear leg  6  or to both. A first locking mechanism  8  is set between the first crossbar  10  and the second crossbar  11 . When in the locking state, the first crossbar  10  and the second crossbar  11  are fixedly connected and the stroller frame  1  is unfolded; when in the unlocking state, the first crossbar  10  and the second crossbar  11  are movable relative to each other. 
         [0050]    The first locking mechanism  8  includes a first pole  20  having a first locking protrusion  22 , a second pole  21  with the outer end rotatably connected to the second crossbar  11 , a first locking member  23  having a first locking flute  24 , the outer end of the first pole  20  being rotatably connected to the first crossbar  10 . The first locking member  23  is rotatably connected to the second crossbar  11 . The first pole  20  and the second pole  21  being slidably connected to each other. When the first locking mechanism  8  is in the locking position, the first locking protrusion  22  is inserted in the first flute  24 . When in the unlocking position, the first locking protrusion  22  is separated from the first flute  24 . 
         [0051]    Here the second crossbar  11  is the pivotal axle of the handspike  7  and the rear leg  6 . The second crossbar  11  can be selectively set between the two handspikes  7  or the two rear legs  6 . 
         [0052]    The first locking mechanism  8  further includes a first spring set between the first locking member  23  and the second crossbar  11 , so that the first locking protrusion  22  tends to lock tightly with the first flute  24 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 11  shows the unfolded child stroller  1 . The first pole  20  and the second pole  21  both extend perpendicularly to the horizontal plane. The first crossbar  10  is set at the rearward of the front leg  5 . 
         [0054]    With reference to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 13 , with the positioning device  9 , the handspike  7  is provided with two working positions. In the first working position, the handspike  7  extends backward from bottom to top and is cornered with the rear leg  6  to form an angle. The rear leg  6  extends forward from bottom to top. In the second working position, the extending direction of the handspike  7  and that of the rear leg  6  are substantially the same. The positioning device  9  comprises two positioning grooves and sliding blocks slidably set about the two positioning grooves. When the positioning device  9  is in locking position, the sliding blocks are inserted in the two positioning grooves respectively; when in unlocking position, the sliding blocks are inserted in one of the positioning grooves. 
         [0055]    With reference to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , the first locking member  23  is formed with a flute  25  for receiving the first pole  20  when the stroller frame is unfolded. 
         [0056]    With reference to  FIG. 14 , a handbag  26  is mounted between the two side frames. 
         [0057]    With reference to  FIG. 15 , a sleeping basket  27  is mounted between the two side frames. 
         [0058]    With reference to  FIG. 16 , a seat  28  is mounted between the two side frames. 
         [0059]    An upper handspike is slidably set at the handspike  7  when the stroller frame  1  is unfolded, the upper handspike is unfolded relative to the handspike  7  so as to provide convenience for the operator; when the stroller frame  1  is folded, in order to cut the volume of the child stroller, the upper handspike  7  can be folded relative to the handspike  7 . 
         [0060]    The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. 
         [0061]    Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.