Patent Publication Number: US-2012025493-A1

Title: Baby Carriage

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a baby carriage, more particularly, to a frame-foldable baby carriage. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     The publication of patent application No. CN99239322.1 disclosed a foldable baby carriage, the carriage frame of which comprises side frames on both sides, and a supporting frame connecting the side frames. Each side frame on either side is composed of a four-bar mechanism composed of a front wheel bracket, a push rod, a seat rod and a back rod. The supporting frame comprises a bottom supporting frame disposed between the two front wheel brackets and the two back rods, and a back supporting frame disposed between the two push rods and the two back rods. It is noted that the numerous rods of the carriage frame greatly increase the production cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide a baby carriage of low cost. 
     In order to obtain one or more of these objects, the invention provides a baby carriage, comprising a carriage frame provided with an unfolded position and a folded position, front wheel assemblies, back wheel assemblies, and a locking mechanism disposed on the carriage frame for locking the carriage frame into the unfolded position, wherein, the carriage frame comprises:
         a first front wheel bracket with first front wheel assemblies arranged under the first front wheel bracket;   a first push rod, the lower end of which is rotatablely connected to the upper portion of the first front wheel bracket;   a first seat rod, the front portion of which is rotatablely connected to the first front wheel bracket;   a second front wheel bracket with second front wheel assemblies arranged under the second front wheel bracket;   a second push rod, the lower end of which is rotatablely connected to the upper portion of the second front wheel bracket;   a second seat rod, the front portion of which is rotatablely connected to the second front wheel bracket;   a transversely foldable bottom supporting frame, comprising a first bottom rod and a second bottom rod that intersect and rotatablely connect with each other at the intersection joint, whereby, the front end of the first bottom rod is rotatablely arranged to the first front wheel bracket through a first rotational joint, and the front end of the second bottom rod is rotatablely arranged to the second front wheel bracket through a second rotational joint;   a transversely foldable back supporting frame, comprising a first back rod and a second back rod that intersect and rotatablely connect with each other at the intersection joint, whereby, the upper end of the first back rod is rotatablely arranged to the first push rod through a fifth rotational joint, and the upper end of the second back rod is rotatablely arranged to the second push rod through a sixth rotational joint; wherein,   the back end of the first bottom rod is rotatablely connected to the back portion of second seat rod through a fourth rotational joint, and the back end of the second bottom rod is rotatablely connected to the back portion of the first seat rod through a third rotational joint;   the lower end of the first back rod is rotatablely connected to the back portion of the second seat rod through a eighth rotational joint, and the lower end of the second back rod is rotatablely connected to the back portion of the first seat rod through a seventh rotational joint;   first back wheel assemblies are disposed at either the lower end of the second back rod or the back end of the first seat rod or the back portion of the second bottom rod, and second back wheel assemblies are disposed at either the lower end of the first back rod or the back end of the second seat rod or the back portion of the first bottom rod.       

     The baby carriage described above can be folded in light of the following process: unlocking the locking mechanism, and then pushing the two push rod forward to actuate the back supporting frame folding transversely with the upper portion leaning forward synchronizely, and the bottom supporting frame folding transversely to finish the folding. 
     Preferably, the locking mechanism can be disposed on the back supporting frame. Preferably, the locking mechanism is composed of a transversely foldable cross piece disposed between the lower portion of the first back rod and the lower portion of the second back rod. 
     Preferably, the cross piece comprises a first locking rod with the outer end rotatablely connected to the lower portion of the first back rod, and a second locking rod with the outer end rotatablely connected to the lower portion of the second back rod, wherein, the inner end of the first locking rod is rotatablely connected to the inner end of the second locking rod. 
     The locking mechanism can also be disposed at the rotary connection joint between the two front wheel brackets and the two push rods. Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises a first locking mechanism disposed at the rotary connection joint between the first front wheel bracket and the first push rod, and a second locking mechanism disposed at the rotary connection joint between the second front wheel bracket and the second push rod. 
     The first locking mechanism comprises a first locking hook that is rotatablely arranged to the lower portion of the first push rod and is capable of grappling the upper end of the first front wheel bracket, and the second locking mechanism comprises a second locking hook that is rotatablely arranged to the lower portion of the second push rod and is capable of grappling the upper end of the second front wheel bracket. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first seat rod extends backwards and downwards from the rotary connection joint with the third rotational joint forming an extension portion of the first seat rod, and the second seat rod extends backwards and downwards from the rotary connection joint with the fourth rotational joint forming an extension portion of the second seat rod, whereby, the first back wheel assemblies are arranged at the extension portion of the first seat rod, and the second back wheel assemblies are arranged at the extension portion of the second seat rod. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the second back rod extends downwards from the rotary connection joint with the seventh rotational joint forming an extension portion of the second back wheel, and the first back rod extends downwards from the rotary connection joint with the eighth rotational joint forming an extension portion of the first back wheel, whereby, the first back wheel assemblies are arranged at the extension portion of the second back wheel, and the second back wheel assemblies are arranged at the extension portion of first back wheel. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment, the second bottom rod extends backwards and downwards from the rotary connection joint with the third rotational joint forming an extension portion of the second bottom rod, and the first bottom rod extends backwards and downwards from the rotary connection joint with the fourth rotational joint forming an extension portion of the first bottom rod, whereby, the first back wheel assemblies are arranged at the extension portion of the second bottom rod, and the second back wheel assemblies are arranged at the extension portion of the first bottom rod. 
     Preferably, the back portion of the first seat rod, the third rotational joint and the seventh rotational joint are rotatablely and coaxially connected, while the back portion of the second seat rod, the fourth rotational joint and the eighth rotational joint are rotatablely and coaxially connected. 
     The present invention has the advantages that, no additional rods are needed for arranging the two back wheel assemblies whether the first back wheel assemblies and the second back wheel assemblies are disposed on the first seat rod and the second seat rod respectively, or on the second back rod and the first back rod, or on the second bottom rod and the first rod. It is noted that the fewer rods of the carriage frame significantly reduce the production cost. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the baby carriage of the first preferred embodiment according to the present invention in an unfolded position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the baby carriage of the first preferred embodiment according to the present invention in a semi-folded position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the baby carriage of the first preferred embodiment according to the present invention in an unfolded position. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the baby carriage of the first preferred embodiment according to the present invention in a semi-folded position. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the baby carriage of the first preferred embodiment according to the present invention in a folded position. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the baby carriage of the second preferred embodiment according to the present invention in an unfolded position. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the baby carriage of the second preferred embodiment according to the present invention in a semi-folded position. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the baby carriage of the third preferred embodiment according to the present invention in an unfolded position. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the baby carriage of the fourth preferred embodiment according to the present invention in an unfolded position. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the baby carriage of the fifth preferred embodiment according to the present invention in an unfolded position. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the baby carriage of the sixth preferred embodiment according to the present invention in an unfolded position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments according to the invention are given as below with the accompanying drawings so that the benefits and features of the present invention are understood for those skilled in the art. 
     First preferred embodiment: As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , a baby carriage, comprises a carriage frame  1  provided with an unfolded position and a folded position, front wheel assemblies, back wheel assemblies, a locking mechanism disposed on the carriage frame  1  for locking the carriage frame  1  into the unfolded position, and a cloth cover (not depicted) jacketed on the carriage frame  1 . 
     The carriage frame  1  comprises a first front wheel bracket  11 , first front wheel assemblies  2  arranged under the first front wheel bracket  11 , a first push rod  12  with the lower end rotatablely connected to the upper portion of the first front wheel bracket  11 , a first seat rod  13  with the front portion rotatablely connected to the first front wheel bracket  11 , a second front wheel bracket  21 , second front wheel assemblies  3  arranged under the second front wheel bracket  21 , a second push rod  22  with the lower end rotatablely connected to the upper portion of the second front wheel bracket  21 , a second seat rod  23  with the front portion rotatablely connected to the second front wheel bracket  21 , a transversely foldable bottom supporting frame  30 , and a transversely foldable back supporting frame  40 . 
     The bottom supporting frame  30  comprises a first bottom rod  31  and a second bottom rod  32  that intersect and rotatablely connect with each other at the intersection joint. The front end of the first bottom rod  31  is rotatablely arranged to the first front wheel bracket  11  through a first rotational joint  33 , and the front end of the second bottom rod  32  is rotatablely arranged to the second front wheel bracket  21  through a second rotational joint  34 . The back supporting frame  40  comprises a first back rod  41  and a second back rod  42  that intersect and rotatablely connect with each other at the intersection joint. The upper end of the first back rod  41  is rotatablely arranged to the first push rod  12  through a fifth rotational joint  43 , and the upper end of the second back rod  42  is rotatablely arranged to the second push rod  22  through a sixth rotational joint  44 . 
     The back end of the first bottom rod  31  is rotatablely connected to the back portion of second seat rod  23  through a fourth rotational joint; and the back end of the second bottom rod  32  is rotatablely connected to the back portion of the first seat rod  13  through a third rotational joint  35 . 
     The lower end of the first back rod  41  is rotatablely connected to the back portion of second seat rod  23  through a eighth rotational joint  46 ; and the lower end of the second back rod  42  is rotatablely connected to the back portion of first seat rod  13  through a seventh rotational joint  45 . First back wheel assemblies  4  are disposed at the back portion of the first seat rod  13 , and second back wheel assemblies  5  are disposed at the back portion of the second seat rod  23 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the locking mechanism is a transversely foldable cross piece  50  which is disposed between the lower portion of the first back rod  41  and the lower portion of the second back rod  42 . The cross piece  50  comprises a first locking rod with the outer end rotatablely connected to the lower portion of the first back rod  41 , and a second locking rod with the outer end rotatablely connected to the lower portion of the second back rod  42 , wherein, the inner end of the first locking rod is rotatablely connected to the inner end of the second locking rod. A locking hook is disposed on the first locking rod which grapples the second locking rod when in the locking position to keep the rods in a line that can not be folded upwards. A limitation mechanism for preventing the rods to fold downwards is disposed between the first locking rod and the second locking rod. 
     The first seat rod  13  extends backwards and downwards from the rotary connection joint with the third rotational joint  35  forming an extension portion of the first seat rod. The second seat rod  23  extends backwards and downwards from the rotary connection joint with the fourth rotational joint  36  forming an extension portion of the second seat rod. The first back wheel assemblies  4  are arranged at the extension portion of the first seat rod, and the second back wheel assemblies  5  are arranged at the extension portion of the second seat rod. 
     The back portion of the first seat rod  13 , the third rotational joint  35 , and the seventh rotational joint  45  are rotatablely and coaxially connected. The back portion of the second seat rod  23 , the fourth rotational joint  36 , and the eighth rotational joint  46  are rotatablely and coaxially connected. 
     Second preferred embodiment: As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the difference from the previous embodiment mainly lies in the locking mechanism, i.e., the locking mechanism of the current embodiment comprises a first locking mechanism disposed at the rotary connection joint between the first front wheel bracket  11  and the first push rod  12 , and a second locking mechanism disposed at the rotary connection joint between the second front wheel bracket  21  and the second push rod  22 . The first locking mechanism comprises a first locking hook  14  which is rotatablely arranged to the lower portion of the first push rod  12  and is capable of grappling the upper end of the first front wheel bracket  11 , and the second locking mechanism comprises a second locking hook  24  which is rotatablely arranged to the lower portion of the second push rod  22  and which is capable of grappling the upper end of the second front wheel bracket  21 , whereby, the first locking hook  14  and the second locking hook  24  depart from the first front wheel bracket  11  and the second front wheel bracket  21  respectively by overcoming the elastic resistance thereof to unlock. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the difference of the third embodiment from the first embodiment mainly lies in the arrangement of the first back wheel assemblies  4  and the second back wheel assemblies  5 . The first back wheel assemblies  4  are disposed at the lower portion of the second back rod  42 , and the second back wheel assemblies  5  are disposed at the lower portion of the first back rod  41 , i.e., the second back rod  42  extends downwards from the rotary connection joint with the seventh rotational joint  45  forming an extension portion of the second back wheel, and the first back rod  41  extends downwards from the rotary connection joint with the eighth rotational joint  46  forming an extension portion of the first back wheel, wherein, the first back wheel assemblies  4  are arranged at the extension portion of the first back wheel, and the second back wheel assemblies  5  are arranged at the extension portion of first back wheel. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the difference of the fourth embodiment from the previous one lies in the locking mechanism provided with the same physical construction as the one in the second embodiment, which is omitted here for abbreviation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the difference of the fifth embodiment from the first embodiment also lies in the arrangement of the first back wheel assemblies  4  and the second back wheel assemblies  5 . The second bottom rod  32  extends backwards and downwards from the rotary connection joint with the third rotational joint  35  forming an extension portion of the second bottom rod, and the first bottom rod  31  extends backwards and downwards from the rotary connection joint with the fourth rotational joint  36  forming an extension portion of the first bottom rod, wherein, the first back wheel assemblies are arranged at the extension portion of the second bottom rod, and the second back wheel assemblies are arranged at the extension portion of the first bottom rod. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the difference of the current embodiment from the previous one lies in the locking mechanism provided with the same physical construction as the one in the second embodiment, which is obvious for those skilled in the art and omitted for abbreviation. 
     The orientations in the foregoing descriptions, for example “lower”, “upper”, “front”, and “back”, are defined according the carriage frame in the fully unfolded position, wherein, the location where the front wheel assemblies are arranged is defined as “front”, while the location where the back wheel assemblies are arranged is defined as “back”. 
     The above descriptions are meant to be exemplary only and are not limited to the examples shown in the drawings and described hereinbefore, and those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without department from the scope of the invention disclosed. Still other modifications varied in efficient manners within the scope of the present invention and their technical equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims.