Abstract:
The invention relates to a jogger, in particular a child&#39;s rehabilitation jogger, with a framework ( 12 ) which comprises a front frame ( 14 ) with at least one front wheel ( 22 ) and a rear frame ( 16 ) with at least one rear wheel ( 28 ), a push rod ( 30 ) for pushing or pulling the jogger ( 10 ), a seat retainer ( 36 ) for accommodating a seat and a central element ( 38 ) which connects the front frame ( 14 ), the rear frame ( 16 ) and the push rod ( 30 ) locked and pivotably to one another, an actuating element ( 42 ) for releasing the central element ( 38 ) and a slider sleeve ( 56 ) which has a lock position, in which the front frame ( 14 ) is connected torque-proof to the rear frame ( 16 ) and a folding position, in which the front frame ( 14 ) can be pivoted relative to the rear frame ( 16 ). According to the invention it is provided for the central element ( 38 ) to have at least one slide element ( 82, 83 ) and the slider sleeve ( 56 ) to have a guide track ( 88 ) designed to slide away on the slide element ( 82, 83 ) such that rotating the slide elements ( 82 ) relative to the slider sleeve ( 56 ) about a central shaft ( 92 ) causes an axial shift of the slider sleeve ( 56 ) from the lock position to the folding position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a jogger, in particular a children&#39;s rehabilitation jogger, with a) a framework, which comprises (i) a front frame with at least one front wheel and (ii) a rear frame with at least one rear wheel, b) a push rod for pushing or pulling the jogger, c) a seat retainer for accommodating a seat and d) a central element, which (i) connects the front frame, the rear frame and the push rod together so they can lock and pivot, (ii) an actuation element for releasing the central element and (iii) a slider sleeve, which has a lock position, in which the front frame is connected torque-proof to the rear frame and a folding position, in which the front frame can be pivoted relative to the rear frame. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    This type of jogger, which can also be designated as a buggy, is known for example from WO 2006/031115 A2. The jogger described here can be varied with respect to the position of the push rod. To make the jogger lighter for transporting an additional mechanism is provided to convert the framework holding the wheels into a folded state. The disadvantage of the known jogger is its high mechanical complexity. Since operating elements such as knobs in particular can easily break down, the known jogger is error-prone. 
         [0005]    US 2007/0164538 A1 and EP 1 503 095 A1 disclose joints for strollers, both of which however infer considerable manufacturing expense. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The aim of the present invention is to propose a jogger which is easy to manufacture. 
         [0007]    The invention solves the problem via a generic jogger, in which the central element has a slide element and the slider sleeve has a guide track which is designed to slide on the slide element such that an axial shift of the slider sleeve from the lock position to the folding position can be effected by rotating the slide element relative to the slider sleeve about a central shaft. 
         [0008]    An advantage here is that merely by rotating the slide elements relative to the slider sleeve, therefore by rotating the slide element when the slider sleeve is still, by rotating the slider sleeve when the slide element is still or with simultaneous counter-rotating of slide element and slider sleeve, the slider sleeve can be moved from the lock position to the folding position. Such movement can easily be triggered for example by the push rod whenever the slide element or the slider sleeve are arranged on the push rod. When the jogger is being used the push rod is in a position inclined to the horizontal, making it pleasant to push the jogger. By moving the push rod for example over the horizontal and down the slider sleeve can be moved to the folding position. This is how an actuating element is spared compared to known joggers. This facilitates production and results in lower costs. At the same time such a jogger is less accident-sensitive, since is has fewer parts to operate from the outside. 
         [0009]    Since separate actuation elements for the folding mechanism can be omitted, the risk of soiling moving parts is also lower, potentially leading to functional breakdown. Further advantages are intuitive operabilility and a more appealing functional design. 
         [0010]    In terms of the following description reference is made to front wheels and rear wheels. Yet this is an arbitrary definition, as the jogger can be altered such that it can be pushed with the rear wheels to the front through appropriate swivelling of the push rod. 
         [0011]    It is understood by the feature of the front frame being pivoted relative to the rear frame, in particular according to common use of language, that either the front frame can be pivoted with the rear frame however staying still, or the rear frame can be pivoted with the front frame however staying still or the front frame and the rear frame can be pivoted. 
         [0012]    An actuating element is understood in particular as any device of the jogger, which can be actuated by hand and can take up at least two positions, specifically a rest position and a release position. The actuation element is advantageously pre-tensed in the rest position, for example by a spring, and can be moved by hand to a release position. Only in the release position can the push rod be pivoted about the central axis relative to the framework. Releasing the actuation element fixes the push rod in a new position relative to the framework. 
         [0013]    A slider sleeve is understood in particular to mean a component with substantially cylindrical base body. For function it is advantageous, though not mandatory, that the cylinder jacket is fully closed. In particular, the term “sleeve” does not mean that another object is always sheathed. 
         [0014]    A guide track is understood in particular as any structure on the slider sleeve, which is designed to cooperate with the slide element such that swivelling of slider sleeve and slide element relative to one another results in axial shift. The guide track can be described by a guide track function at least in sections, which assigns a height to a radial coordinate about the central shaft along the central shaft. This guide track function is preferably constant. It is particularly preferably smooth, that is, constantly differentiable at least in sections. 
         [0015]    According to a preferred embodiment the guide track is configured on an edge of the slider sleeve, resulting in particularly simple construction of the slider sleeve which can also particularly well absorb forces arising from the slide element slipping on the slider sleeve. 
         [0016]    It is also favourable to build the guide track on an axial outer edge of the slider sleeve, facing the slide element. It is preferable that the slider sleeve has a substantially cylindrical base body and the guide track is designed on a front end of the base body. This results in particularly minimal demands on tolerances of the slide elements. Alternatively the guide track can be designed in a curved slot, in which a slide element in the form of a stud engages. 
         [0017]    To ensure safe operation of the jogger the slider sleeve is preferably pre-tensed in the lock position. This prevents the slider sleeve accidentally moving to the folding position. 
         [0018]    According to a preferred embodiment it is provided for the slider sleeve to be arranged relative to the framework such that it is in the lock position a push rod angle between the push rod and a horizontal is greater than a preset folding angle when the jogger is being used. The folding angle can for example be 0°. The folding angle is thus the angle between the horizontal and the push rod and when this is exceeded the slider sleeve reaches the folding position. The folding angle is measured from the push rod to the horizontal. If the push rod is above the horizontal, as is usual for normal use of the jogger, the folding angle is thus always greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°. An angle of less than 0°, for example less than −35°, means that the push rod has been pivoted below the horizontal. 
         [0019]    Particularly intuitive operation results when the folding angle corresponds substantially to a front frame angle, at which the front frame runs relative to the horizontal and/or a rear frame angle, at which the rear frame runs relative to the horizontal. In this case the slider sleeve goes straight to the folding position whenever the push rod runs substantially parallel to the front frame or respectively to the rear frame. 
         [0020]    If the push rod angle is less than the folding angle the slider sleeve is preferably in the folding position, so that the front frame and the rear frame can be pivoted relative to one another and the jogger can be moved into a space-saving arrangement. 
         [0021]    According to a preferred embodiment the central element is connected via a front frame head element to the front frame, connected to the rear frame via a rear frame head element and connected to the push rod via a push rod head element, whereby the front frame head element, the rear frame head element, the push rod head element and the slider sleeve are swivel-mounted coaxially about the central shaft and the slide element is designed on the push rod head element. Pivoting the push rod thus actuates folding. The front frame head element, the rear frame head element and the push rod head element are arranged preferably next to one another with respect to the central shaft. 
         [0022]    A particularly simple possibility of moving the push rod to another push rod angle is for the push rod head element to comprise a control disc, which can be actuated by the actuating element, and at least one locking element which is pre-tensed for locking engagement in at least one locking pocket of the slider sleeve, whereby the control disc, the slider sleeve and the locking element are designed such that activating the actuation element disengages the locking element from the locking pocket so that the push rod can be pivoted relative to the framework. 
         [0023]    In this case if the actuating element is shifted from a rest position, in which it can be pre-tensed, to a release position both locking sleeve and locking element are disengaged and the push rod can be swivelled until the locking element snaps into the adjacent locking pocket. If the actuating element is held uninterruptedly in the release position any push rod angle can be set. If the actuation element is then released the push rod snaps into the next preset push rod angle position. 
         [0024]    An embodiment of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow in greater detail by means of the attached diagrams, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an inventive jogger without seat, 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a central element of the jogger according to  FIG. 1 , 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the central element according to  FIG. 2 , 
           [0028]      FIG. 4   a  is a plan view of a push rod head element of the central element according to  FIGS. 2 and 3  in a rest position, 
           [0029]      FIG. 4   b  is a plan view of the push rod head element of  FIG. 4   a  from the rear side of the rest position, and 
           [0030]      FIG. 4   c  is a view of the push rod head element according to  FIG. 4   a  in a release position, and 
           [0031]      FIG. 4   d  shows the push rod head element in the view according to  FIG. 4   b  in the release position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  shows the push rod head element from the side as in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   c  in a perspective view, 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  shows the push rod head element from the side as in  FIGS. 4   b  and  4   d  in a perspective view, 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  shows the push rod head element according to  FIG. 6  with removed control disc and removed locking elements, with two slide elements evident, 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective side elevation of a slider sleeve of the central element according to  FIG. 3 , 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  schematic illustrates the cooperation of a guide track of the slider sleeve and a slide element of the push rod head element, and 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  shows a cross-section through the central element according to  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0038]      FIG. 1  shows a jogger  10  which has a framework  12 , which in turn comprises a front frame  14  and a rear frame  16 . The front frame  14  comprises a front frame transverse spar  18  and two front frame-lateral spars  20 . 1 ,  20 . 2 , which are attached to the front frame transverse spar  18  to the side, as well as two front wheels  22 . 1 ,  22 . 2 . 
         [0039]    The rear frame  16  comprises a rear frame transverse spar  24 , which is attached to two rear frame longitudinal spars  26 . 1 ,  26 . 2  and on which two rear wheels  28 . 1 ,  28 . 2  are suspended. The front frame transverse spar  18  is shorter than the rear frame transverse spar  24 , so that both front wheels  22  can be pivoted between the rear wheels  28 . Reference numerals without a suffix always designate the respective object in general. 
         [0040]    The jogger  10  also comprises a push rod  30 , on which a grip  32  is provided and which helps with pushing. The jogger  10  also has seat retainer elements  34 . 1 ,  34 . 2 , which are jointly part of a seat retainer  36 , designed to accommodate and carry a seat, not shown here. 
         [0041]    Arranged adjacent to the seat retainer  36  is a central element  38  which connects the framework  12 , the seat retainer  36  and the push rod  30  to one another. The central element  38  comprises a first joint  40 . 1  and a second joint  40 . 2 , which are connected in each case to a front frame longitudinal spar  20 , a rear frame longitudinal spar  26 , a seat retainer element  34  and the push rod  30 . 
         [0042]    The first joint  40 . 1  and the second joint  40 . 2  are built identically for example mirror symmetric with respect to the components designated by the suffix “1”. 
         [0043]    The first joint  40 . 1  comprises an actuating element  42 , which has a finger grip  46  and an actuation rod connected to the finger grip  46  and not visible in  FIG. 1 . Pulling on the finger grip  46  moves the actuation rod (reference numeral  70 , see  FIGS. 4   a  to  4   d  below) in a direction of actuation B to the grip  32 . 
         [0044]    The push rod  30  forms a push rod angle α with a horizontal H when the jogger  10  is in the use position. The push rod angle α is greater than zero if the push rod  30  is above the horizontal H and is otherwise negative. The rear frame longitudinal spars  26  form a rear frame angle β of 45° with the horizontal H, which corresponds to a front frame angle γ, which the front frame longitudinal spars  20  form with the horizontal H. 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the first joint  40 . 1 . It is evident that the front frame longitudinal spar  20 . 1  terminates in a front frame head element  48 . 1  which is substantially discoid. In the same way the rear frame longitudinal spar  26 . 1  terminates in a rear frame head element  50 . 1  which likewise is designed discoid and together with the front frame head element  48 . 1  can be rotated about a central axis Z. The push rod  30  likewise terminates in a discoid push rod head element  52 . 1  which is arranged adjacent to the front frame head element  48 . 1  and the rear frame head element  50 . 1 . The second joint  40 . 2  ( FIG. 1 ) is built mirror symmetric, whereby the respective components bear the suffix “2”. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the first joint  40 . 1  which comprises a cap  54 . 1 , a slider sleeve  56 . 1  and a tensing element  58 . 1  in addition to the abovedescribed components. The tensing element  58 . 1  can also be called a slider sleeve and part of its purpose is to reduce the friction between the slider sleeve  56 . 1 , into which it is inserted, and a central shaft not shown in  FIG. 3  (reference numeral  92 , see  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0047]    The push rod head element  52 . 1  has a coupling section  60  presenting projections, which cooperates positively with the recesses (not shown) in the rear frame head element  50 . 1 , connecting the coupling section  60  to the rear frame head element  50 . 1 . The coupling section  60  is formed in one piece on a base body  62 . 1  of the push rod head element  52 . 1 . 
         [0048]    The rear frame head element  50 . 1  has inner ribbing  641  designed to cooperate with outer ribbing  66 . 1  of the slider sleeve  56 . 1 . 
         [0049]    The inner ribbing  64 . 1  of the rear frame head element  50 . 1  also corresponds to inner ribbing  66 . 1  of the front frame head element  48 . 1 . In a lock position the slider sleeve  56 . 1  with its outer ribbing  66 . 1  projects halfway into the inner ribbing  64 . 1  or respectively  68 . 1 , so that the rear frame head element  50 . 1  is connected torque-proof to the front frame head element  48 . In a folding position the outer ribbing  66  projects fully into the inner ribbing  68 . 1  of the front frame head element  48 , though not into the inner ribbing  64 . 1 , such that the rear frame head element  50 . 1  can be rotated. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 4   a  to  4   c  explain the mechanism by which the push rod angle α can be altered. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4   a  shows a view of the push rod head element  52 . 1  in a view from the left with respect to the view of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4   a  shows an actuation rod  70  which is connected to the finger grip  46  not shown in  FIG. 4   a  (cf.  FIG. 1 ). Pulling on the finger grip  46  draws the actuation rod  70  in the direction of actuation B. Using a coupling end  72  averted from the finger grip  46  (cf.  FIG. 1 ) the actuation rod  70  engages in a control disc  74 , for the most part covered over in  FIG. 4   a . If the actuation rod  70  moves in the direction of actuation B in  FIG. 4   a  the control disc  74  rotates counterclockwise. In  FIG. 4   a  the actuation rod  70  is shown in a rest position, in which it is pre-tensed by a spring, not shown here. 
         [0052]      FIG. 4   b  shows a view from the rear of the push rod head element  52 . 1  as per  FIG. 4   a . If the actuation rod  70  is pulled in the direction of actuation B the control disc  74  in  FIG. 4   b  rotates clockwise. Attached to the control disc  74  are two locking elements  76   a ,  76   b  which in the rest position shown in  FIG. 4   b  engage in each case in a locking pocket  78   a  or respectively  78   b  in the slider sleeve  56 . 1 . Since the locking elements  76   a ,  76   b  are guided by assigned guides  80   a ,  80   b , configured on the base body  62 . 1  (cf.  FIG. 3 ), any rotating of the slider sleeve  56 . 1  relative to the base body  62 . 1  (cf.  FIG. 3 ) of the push rod head element  52 . 1  is prevented. 
         [0053]      FIG. 4   c  shows the case where the actuation rod  70  has been pulled in the direction of actuation B, causing the control disc  74  to rotate counterclockwise. 
         [0054]      FIG. 4   d  shows that this pushes the locking elements  76   a ,  76   b  radially inwards so that they further rest on the assigned guides  80   a ,  80   b , however have disengaged from the locking pockets  78   a ,  78   b  of the slider sleeve  56 . 1 . In this situation the push rod  30  can be pivoted relative to the other elements of the first joint  40 . 1  (cf.  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  shows the push rod head element  52 . 1  in a perspective view in the state according to  FIG. 4   a.    
         [0056]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the push rod head element  52 . 1  in a perspective view in the position according to  FIG. 4   b.    
         [0057]      FIG. 7  shows another view of the push rod head element  52 . 2 , in which two slide elements  82 . 1 ,  83 . 1  are evident. The slide elements  82  are arranged on the base body  62 . 1  in a circular groove  84 . 1  which is designed such that the slider sleeve  56 . 1  ( FIG. 3 ) with a front end  86 . 1  can penetrate the latter. A guide track  88 . 1  shown in  FIG. 3 , configured on the front end  86 . 1  of the slider sleeve  56 . 1 , now makes contact with the slide elements  82 . 1 ,  83 . 1 . 
         [0058]    If the slide elements  82 . 1 ,  83 . 1  relative to the slider sleeve  56 . 1  are rotated the guide track  88 . 1  on the one hand and the slide elements  82 . 1 ,  83 . 1  on the other hand glance off from one another, resulting in an axial shift along the central axis Z ( FIG. 3 ) of the slider sleeve  56 . 1  relative to the push rod head element  52 . 1 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 8  shows the slider sleeve  56 . 1  with the guide track  88 . The guide track  88  can be described as a guide track function z(φ) if the central axis Z is construed as the z axis, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The slider sleeve  56 . 1  has a substantially cylindrical base body  90 , 1 , on the front end  86 . 1  of which the guide track  88 . 1  is designed such that two points opposite with respect to the central axis Z have the same z value on the z axis. The guide track  88 . 1  thus has two sections, a first section  88   a  and a second section  88   b , which follow each other with respect to the radial coordinate (φ). The locking pockets  78   a ,  78   b , . . .  78   e  are also designed in the base body  90 . 1 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  shows the guide track function z(φ) of the guide track  88 . 1 . The slide element  82 . 1  (cf.  FIG. 7 ) is schematically illustrated, when situated in three different rotary positions relative to the slider sleeve  56 . 1 . Corresponding positions a, b, c are also shown in  FIG. 8 . It is evident that the slide element  82  glances off the guide track  88 . 1  when the slider sleeve  56 . 1  is rotated. 
         [0061]      FIG. 10  shows a cross-section through the first joint  40 . 1  with the components arranged on a central shaft  92 . The slider sleeve  56 . 1  sits with cogging  94 . 1  rotatably on the central shaft  92  and can be shifted axially along the central axis Z. A spring  96 . 1  tenses the slider sleeve  56 . 1  via the tensing element  58 . 1  against the front frame head element  48 . 1  which is connected solidly to the central shaft  92 . 
         [0062]    If the base body  62 . 1  of the push rod head elements  52 . 1  pivots about the fixed central shaft  92  the slide elements  82 . 1 ,  83 . 1 , not shown in  FIG. 10 , (cf.  FIG. 7 ) slide away on the guide track  88 . 1  or respectively  88 . 2  and press the slider sleeve  56 . 1  inwards against the force of the spring  96 . 1 . In the process the outer ribbing  66 . 1  of the slider sleeve  56 . 1  disengages from the inner ribbing  64 . 1  of the rear frame head element  50 . 1 . The rear frame head element  50 . 1  can then be swivelled relative to the front frame head element  48 . 1 . This happens whenever the push rod angle α ( FIG. 1 ) is less than a folding angle α fold , which here corresponds to the rear frame angle ρ, and the front frame angle γ of in each case −45°. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , if the push rod angle α is greater than minus 45° the slider sleeve  56 . 1  is then in the lock position, so that its outer ribbing  66  meshes with the inner ribbing  64  of the rear frame head elements  50 . 1  and at the same time with the inner ribbing  68  of the front frame head element  48 . 1 , connecting both torque-proof to one another. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Legend 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 
                 jogger 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 framework 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 front frame 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 rear frame 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 front frame transverse spar 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 front frame longitudinal spar 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 front wheel 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 rear frame transverse spar 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 rear frame longitudinal spar 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 rear wheel 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 push rod 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 grip 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 seat retainer element 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 seat retainer 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 central element 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 joint firsts/seconds 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 actuation element 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 finger grip 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 front frame head element 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 rear frame head element 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 push rod head element 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 cap 
               
               
                   
                 56 
                 slider sleeve 
               
               
                   
                 58 
                 tensing element 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 coupling section 
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 base body 
               
               
                   
                 64 
                 inner ribbing 
               
               
                   
                 66 
                 outer ribbing 
               
               
                   
                 68 
                 inner ribbing 
               
               
                   
                 70 
                 actuation rod 
               
               
                   
                 72 
                 coupling end 
               
               
                   
                 74 
                 control disc 
               
               
                   
                 76 
                 locking element 
               
               
                   
                 78 
                 locking pocket 
               
               
                   
                 80 
                 guide 
               
               
                   
                 82, 83 
                 slide element 
               
               
                   
                 84 
                 groove 
               
               
                   
                 86 
                 front end 
               
               
                   
                 88 
                 guide track 
               
               
                   
                 90 
                 base body 
               
               
                   
                 92 
                 central shaft 
               
               
                   
                 94 
                 cogging 
               
               
                   
                 96 
                 spring 
               
               
                   
                 α 
                 push rod angle 
               
               
                   
                 β 
                 rear frame angle 
               
               
                   
                 γ 
                 front frame angle 
               
               
                   
                 B 
                 direction of actuation 
               
               
                   
                 Z 
                 central axis 
               
               
                   
                 H 
                 horizontal 
               
               
                   
                 z 
                 axial coordinate 
               
               
                   
                 φ 
                 radial coordinate 
               
               
                   
                 z (φ) 
                 guide track function