Abstract:
A single-handed remote controller is disclosed. Such a controller is installed at the handle of an accordion frame and is connected to a lock mechanism of the frame through a flexible element. As the remote controller rotates relative to the handle, the flexible element is coiled around the handle, changing the relative position between the lock mechanism and the handle. The frame is thus changed to make the folding much easier.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The invention relates to a single-handed remote controller, which is designed for an accordion frame to make the folding easier. 
     2. Related Art 
     The baby stroller is a moving carrier designed exclusively for babies and small children. The accordion stroller is especially convenient for carrying and storage because its volume can be minimized. 
     Conventional accordion strollers have various kinds of styles. When not in use, the stroller frame can be folded to minimize its volume during transportation or storage. As shown in FIG. 1, the frame  1  is comprised of front and rear wheel pipes  11 ,  12  with wheels installed at the bottom ends, a handle pipe  13  for the user to push and pull, and a chair frame pipe  14 . These components are connected through a lock mechanism  2 . After the frame  1  is unfolded, the lock mechanism  2  fixes the relative positions of them to form a stroller that can carry babies. 
     As described before, the conventional lock mechanism is installed at the joint place of the components, that is, about half height on both sides of the stroller. Consequently, normal adults have to bend down in order to disable the lock mechanism, and use both hands to operate the lock mechanism on both sides of the frame. From the operational point of view, the user&#39;s height is usually higher than the lock mechanism. Therefore, the user has to lower his/her body and even reach both hands behind the lock mechanism in order to operate the lock mechanism. 
     In view of the operational inconvenience, the Deutsche Pat. No. DE 198 33857 A 1 disclosed an improved structure of the lock mechanism. It is a special and practical design. The handle pipe is mounted with an element connecting to the lock mechanism. Therefore, the user only needs to control this element at the handle pipe, and the lock mechanism will react accordingly to remove the restriction on the frame. Nevertheless, this design has a very complicated structure. The user has to impose a large force to separate the front wheel pipe from the handle pipe. For users with less strength, the operation may be difficult and inconvenient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention provides a single-handed remote controller, so that the folding process of an accordion frame becomes simpler and easier. 
     The disclosed single-handed remote controller is installed at the handle of an accordion frame and is connected with a lock mechanism of the frame through a flexible element. As the remote controller rotates relative to the handle, the flexible element is coiled around the handle, changing the relative position between the lock mechanism and the handle. The frame is thus changed to make the folding much easier. 
     Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the stroller frame and the lock mechanism; 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views of the lock mechanism relative to the stroller frame in its extended and folded states; 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B are exploded and combinatorial view of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the fixed position of the cover in the invention; 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic views of the snap mechanism when the cover is in its fixed and mobile positions, respectively; and 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the mobile position of the disclosed cover. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows a lock mechanism  2  designed for the accordion frame  1  of a stroller. The stroller frame  1  consists of several pipes connected with joints. Such pipes include front and rear wheel pipes  11 ,  12  that are installed with wheels at the bottom ends, a handle pipe  13  and chair pipes  14 . One side of the frame  1  is mounted with a lock mechanism  2  that is comprised of two covers  21 ,  21 ′. The covers  21 ,  21 ′ are connected to the front and rear wheel pipes  11 ,  12  and the handle pipe  13 . It is normally in the lock position (see FIG. 2A) because of the lock axis  22  that limit the rotational motion of the covers  21 ,  21 ′. Therefore, the front and rear wheel pipes  11 ,  12  are locked in the extended state of the frame  1 . The lock axis  22  can be displaced to a release position that allows the covers  21 ,  21 ′ to rotate (FIG.  2 B). In this case, the front and rear wheel pipes  11 ,  12  and the handle pipe  13  can be rotated so that the frame  1  is folded up. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1,  3 A,  3 B,  4 ,  5 A, and  5 B, the handle  131  in the middle section of the handle pipe  13  is installed with a single-handed remote controller  3  that contains a rotator  31 , a flexible element  32 , and a cover  33 . 
     The rotator  31  is installed on the handle  131  (FIG.  3 B), connecting to the lock mechanism  2  through the flexible element  32  that goes through the through hole  1311  of the handle  131  (see FIGS.  2 A and  2 B). The rotator further has an engagement groove  311 . 
     The cover  33  is mounted at the handle  131 . It contains a first outer cover  331 , a second outer cover  332 , a connector  333 , and a snap mechanism  334 . The first outer cover  331  has an opening  3313 . Both the first outer cover  331  and the second outer cover  332  have an engagement groove  3311  and an engagement area  3312 . The two sides of the engagement groove  3311  are side-walls  3311  that engage with the engagement groove  311  of the rotator  31 . The connector  333  is installed at the handle  131  (FIG. 3) with an engagement area  3331 . The first outer cover  331 , the second outer cover  332 , and the connector  333  are then connected through their engagement areas  3312 ,  3331 . The first outer cover  331  and the second outer cover  332  are combined with the rotator  31  through their engagement grooves  3311 ,  311 , and then fastened by a screw (or rivet)  40 , as shown in FIG.  3 . The snap mechanism  334  limits the cover  33  to its fixed position or mobile position (FIGS.  5 A and  5 B). The snap mechanism  334  contains a lock ring  3341  mounted at the outer rim of the handle  131  and an elastic element  3342  sandwiched between the lock ring  3341  and the handle  131 . The lock ring further contains a pressure-bearing block  33411  and a post  33412  protruding from its surface. 
     When the cover  33  is in its fixed position, the lock ring  3341  is raised by the elastic element  3342  in its normal state. The pressure-bearing block  33411  pushes against the opening  3313  of the first outer cover  331  and the post  33412  sticks into the hole  1312  of the handle  131 , so that the cover  33  cannot rotate relative to the handle  131  (FIGS.  4  and  5 ). On the other hand, when the cover  33  is in its mobile position, the elastic element  3342  is depressed by a pressure. Therefore, the lock ring  3341  is displaced downwards. The post  33412  then leaves the hole  1312  s 0  that the cover  33  may rotate with the rotator  31  relative to the handle  131  by the engagement groove  311  and  3311 . The flexible element  32  changes the relative positions of the lock mechanism  2  and the rotator  31 . This is achieved by coiling the flexible element  32  around the handle  131 . The frame  1  state is hence changed (FIGS.  5 B and  6 ). 
     Effects of the Invention 
     The disclosed single-handed remote controller enables the user to directly change the frame state as he or she stands upright. By pressing a pressure-bearing block using a single hand, the cover can rotate relative to the handle. Therefore, the frame state can be changed by using one hand. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims