Patent Publication Number: US-2022212708-A1

Title: Frame structure and baby stroller

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to a frame structure and a baby stroller including the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The baby stroller is provided to release the user&#39;s hands so as to alleviate the fatigue caused by holding a baby for a long time, and improves the comfort of the user. In addition, in order to facilitate carrying the baby stroller when going out, the baby stroller is usually foldable, and a main structure of the frame may be folded and retracted to reduce its volume and facilitate to be carried. 
     For example, a frame folding linkage mechanism is disclosed, in which, three points connection lines, i.e., the connection lines of a pivot point of a front stand and a rear stand, a pivot point of a basket tube and the rear stand, and a clamping point of the front stand of the basket tube, constitute a triangular structure, and with this stable triangular structure, a unfolded state of the frame of the baby stroller is stably kept. An engaging portion for engaging with the front stand is provided inside each of two side tubes of the basket tube, and an unlocking structure for driving the engaging portion to be detached from the front stand is provided inside the basket tube. An operating portion for controlling the unlocking structure is provided at a side of the basket tube away from the front stand, and the operating portion is located on the U-shaped bottom of the basket tube, so that the user can conveniently drive the operating portion to control ends of the two side tubes of the basket tube to be disengaged from the front stand, thereby realizing the folding of the frame. 
     For another example, when a folding baby stroller in an unfolded state is required to be folded, an upper enclosing rod is turned forwards and downwards to close to a pushing rod. Then, the pushing rod and the upper enclosing rod are turned rearwards and downwards. The upper enclosing rod, a side support rod, a sliding sleeve and a rear bracket constitute a crank-slider mechanism. During the upper enclosing rod is turned and closes to the rear bracket, an upper portion of the side support rod is brought to be turned rearwards, and the sliding sleeve moves upwards along the side support rod. The side support rod, the rear bracket, a basket rod and a sliding groove constitute another crank-slider mechanism. During a lower portion of the side support rod is turned forwards, the basket rod is pried to be turned, and a pin shaft connected to the lower portion of the side support rod slides forwards along the sliding groove. A front bracket, a rear bracket, a seat rod, and the basket rod constitute a four-bar linkage mechanism. A front portion of the basket rod brings a rear portion to be turned upwards, so that the front bracket and the rear bracket are turned and move closer to each other. The front bracket, the seat rod, a connecting rod, and an armrest constitute another four-bar linkage mechanism. The seat rod is turned so that the armrest and the connecting rod are turned and move towards the front bracket. After all of components are folded, the folding of the entire stroller is completed. 
     When the folding baby stroller in a reverse state is required to be folded, the push rod is turned rearwards firstly so that the folding baby stroller is switched to the unfolded state, and then the folding is performed according to the above steps. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included herein to provide a further understanding of the present invention, and are incorporated into this specification to constitute a part of this specification. The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention and are used together with the following description to explain a concept of the present invention. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a baby stroller according to the disclosure, showing that a seat portion is engaged forwards. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the baby stroller according to the disclosure, showing that the seat portion is engaged rearwards. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the baby stroller according to the disclosure, showing a state in which the seat portion is transformed into a sleeping box. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a frame structure according to the disclosure, in which the seat portion has been detached. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view specifically showing a connection structure of a fixing seat, a front leg, and a linkage rod of the frame structure according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the frame structure according to the disclosure, showing that the frame structure is in an unfolded state. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the frame structure according to the disclosure, showing that the frame structure is in a half-folded state. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the frame structure according to the disclosure, showing that the frame structure is in a fully folded state. 
         FIG. 9  is a side schematic view of the frame structure according to the disclosure, showing that the frame structure is in the unfolded state. 
         FIG. 10  is a side schematic view of the frame structure according to the disclosure, showing that the frame structure is in the half-folded state. 
         FIG. 11  is a side schematic view of the frame structure according to the disclosure, showing that the frame structure is in the fully folded state. 
     
    
    
     In the drawings: 
       1  frame structure 
       10  hand-gripping part 
       12  retracting handle 
       14  folding joint 
       16  sleeve tube 
       20  front leg 
       22  sliding rail 
       30  rear leg 
       40  basket tube 
       42  side rod 
       421  first end 
       422  second end 
       423  connecting mount 
       44  rear rod 
       50  fixing seat 
       52  sliding groove 
       54  connecting pole 
       60  seat bracket 
       70  linkage rod 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, its specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein, and instead, the present disclosure will cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the embodiments. 
     In the frame folding linkage mechanism of the related art, it is usually necessary to provide an engaging portion, an unlocking portion and an operating portion, causing a complex overall structure, and thereby increasing the manufacturing cost and the failure rate. Furthermore, the folding and deploying operation of the folding baby stroller of the prior art is complicated and inconvenient. 
     The disclosure mainly relates to various baby strollers including, but not being limited to baby carrier, children&#39;s umbrella handle car, or the like. The baby stroller according to the disclosure can be easily folded and unfolded, and has a simple structure. 
     Hereinafter, the baby stroller of the disclosure, and in particular, a frame structure  1  of the baby stroller will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Firstly, the description will be made with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , in which  FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a baby stroller according to the disclosure showing that a seat portion is engaged forwards;  FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a baby stroller according to the disclosure showing that the seat portion is engaged rearwards; and  FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a baby stroller according to the disclosure showing a state in which the seat portion is transformed into a sleeping box. The frame structure  1  according to the disclosure mainly includes a hand-gripping part  10 , a front leg  20 , a rear leg  30 , and a basket tube  40 . The hand-gripping part  10  may be used as a handle for pushing the baby stroller to move. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the hand-gripping part  10  includes a sleeve tube  16 , which facilitates an operator of the baby stroller to grip by hand. The hand-gripping part  10  further includes a retracting handle  12  and a folding joint  14 , and the hand-gripping part  10  and the front leg  20  are pivoted through the folding joint  14 . The locking state between the hand-gripping part  10  and the front leg  20  is unlocked by pulling the retracting handle  12 , so that the folding joint  14  may be folded, and the rear leg  30  is folded with respect to the front leg  20 . 
     The front leg  20  and the rear leg  30  are both pivotally connected with the hand-gripping part  10 , and the front leg  20  and the rear leg  30  are in a V-shape as a whole when they are unfolded. The basket tube  40  includes two side rods  42  and a rear rod  44  connected to both side rods  42 . The two side rods  42  and the rear rod  44  are respectively arranged on left, right and rear sides of the frame structure, so that the basket tube  40  is in a U-shape as a whole. A storage basket (not shown) may be attached on the basket tube  40  to facilitate carrying items that a child may be used. Viewed from the side, such as a right side shown in  FIG. 1 , one of the side rods  42  of the basket tube  40  includes a first end  421  and a second end  422 . The first end  421  is pivotally connected to the front leg  20 , and the second end  422  is pivotally connected to the rear leg  30 . Similarly, the other side rod  42  of the basket tube  40  also includes a first end  421  and a second end  422  respectively pivotally connected to the front leg  20  and the rear leg  30 . In this way, both ends of the rear rod  44  of the basket tube  40  are pivotally connected to the rear leg  30 . According to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the two side rods  42  and the rear rod  44  of the basket tube  40  are integrally formed, so that the basket tube  40  is in a U-shape as a whole. The basket tube  40  further includes a connecting mount  423 , and the first end  421  of each of the two side rods  42  of the basket tube  40  is pivotally connected to the front leg  20  through the connecting mount  423 . 
     The frame structure  1  according to the disclosure further includes a fixing seat  50 . The fixing seat  50  is slidably disposed on the front leg  20 , that is, the fixing seat  50  may slide up and down along the front leg  20 . The fixing seat  50  is to connect the seat bracket  60  to the front leg  20 . The seat bracket  60  forms a seat portion for a child to sit thereon. For example, the seat portion may be engaged forwards and rearwards as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The seat portion may also be transformed into a carrycot structure that is parallel to the ground, for a little baby. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the fixing seat  50  includes a connecting pole  54  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), and the seat bracket  60  may be connected to the fixing seat  50  through the connecting pole  54 . 
     In addition, the frame structure  1  according to the disclosure is further includes a linkage rod  70 . An end of the linkage rod  70  is pivotally connected to the basket tube  40 , and the other end is pivotally connected to the fixing seat  50 . According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the linkage rod  70  is a linkage iron sheet. The linkage rod  70 , the front leg  20  and the basket tube  40  form a triangular structure in the unfolded state. In addition, the front leg  20 , the basket tube  40  and the rear leg  30  also form a triangular structure in the unfolded state, so that the entire frame structure  1  can be firmly supported in the unfolded state. 
       FIG. 4  shows the frame structure  1  according to the disclosure more clearly, in which the seat portion has been detached. With further reference to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5  is a schematic view specifically showing a connection structure of a fixing seat  50 , a front leg  20 , and a linkage rod  70  of the frame structure according to the disclosure. The frame structure  1  according to the disclosure includes: two front legs  20  and two rear legs  30  respectively arranged symmetrically in a left-right direction; two fixing seats  50  respectively connected to the two front legs  20 ; and two linkage rods  70  respectively connected between the two front legs  20  and the basket tube  40 . The hand-gripping part  10  includes two retracting handles  12  and two folding joints  14  respectively connected to the two front legs  20 . The hand-gripping part  10  may be in a U-shape as a whole to form a handle portion for the operator to hold. Of course, the hand-gripping part  10  may also be formed into two handle portions respectively connected with the two retracting handles  12  and the two folding joints  14 . 
     According to the disclosure, the front leg  20  includes a sliding rail  22  along its longitudinal direction, and the fixing seat  50  includes a sliding groove  52  matched with the sliding rail  22 . In this way, the sliding rail  22  and the sliding groove  52  are matched so that the fixing seat  50  may slide up and down within a certain range along the front leg  20 . According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the front leg  20  includes a sliding groove along its longitudinal direction, and the fixing seat  50  includes a sliding block matched with the sliding rail  22 . Similarly, the sliding block and the sliding groove are matched so that the fixing seat  50  may slide up and down within a certain range along the front leg  20 . 
     A folding process of the frame structure  1  according to the disclosure will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 6-8 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the frame structure  1  according to the disclosure, showing that frame structure  1  is in an unfolded state;  FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the frame structure according to the disclosure, showing that the frame structure is in a half-folded state; and  FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the frame structure according to the disclosure, showing that the frame structure is in a fully folded state. When the folding is started, the retracting handle  12  is manipulated to unlock the locking state between the hand-gripping part  10  and the front leg  20 , so that the folding joint  14  begins to be bent. As the folding joint  14  is further bent, the rear leg  30  starts to be folded or retracted with relative to the front leg  20 . At this time, the fixing seat  50  starts to slide down along the sliding rail  22  of the front leg  20 , the linkage rod  70  and the basket tube  40  are pivoted along therewith, and finally, the front leg  20  and the rear leg  30  are fully folded or retracted. 
       FIGS. 9-11  shows the folding process of the frame structure  1  according to the disclosure in side views. As shown in  FIG. 9 , in the unfolded state of the frame structure  1 , the linkage rod  70 , the front leg  20  and the basket tube  40  form a triangular structure. In addition, the front leg  20 , the basket tube  40 , and the rear leg  30  also form a triangular structure, thereby ensuring the stability of the frame structure  1  in the unfolded state. As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , during the folding process, since the folding joint  14  starts to be bent, the triangular structure formed by the front leg  20 , the basket tube  40  and the rear leg  30  deforms. At this time, two parts of the folding joint  14  are bent with each other so as to form a four-bar linkage structure together with the front leg  20  and the rear leg  30 . The hand-gripping part  10  is further pressed, so that the four-bar linkage structure is further deformed, and finally the front leg  20  and the rear leg  30  are fully folded or retracted. 
     Specifically, in the frame structure  1  according to the disclosure, and in addition to the folding at the folding joint  14 , the fixing seat  50  also slides down along the sliding rail  22  of the front leg  20 , and brings the linkage rod  70  and the basket tube  40  to be pivoted and folded. Therefore, compared to the situation that the folding or retracting process can be performed only at the folding joint  14 , a distance between the front leg  20  and the rear leg  30  is further reduced, thereby enabling the folding to be more sufficient, and thus further reducing a volume after folded. 
     The frame structure  1  and the baby stroller according to the disclosure have simple structure, low manufacturing cost and failure rate, and the folding and unfolding operations of the frame structure are easy and convenient. 
     Since the features of the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the characteristics of the present invention, it should also be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are not limited to any details described above, unless otherwise noted, and should be broadly interpreted as falling within the scope defined by the appended claims. Therefore, all modifications and alterations falling within the scope and limit of the claims or equivalent solutions of such scope and limit shall be covered by the appended claims.