Patent ID: 7108443

Claim:
A coupling device for a foldable frame that includes a pair of elongate rod members, each of which has an engaging end portion, and a pivot portion connected to the engaging end portion, said coupling device being adapted to interconnect pivotally the pivot portions of the rod members such that the rod members are operable so as to move from an extended position, where the rod members are aligned with each other in a first direction, to a folded position, where the rod members are generally parallel to each other and extend in a second direction generally transverse to the first direction, said coupling device comprising: a coupling seat unit configured with an accommodating space and having a first open side and a second side opposite to each other in the second direction, and third and fourth open sides opposite to each other in the first direction and adapted to be connected pivotally and respectively to the pivot portions of the rod members such that the engaging end portion of each of the rod members extends into said accommodating space in the first direction via a respective one of said third and fourth open sides when the rod members are in the extended position and such that the engaging end portion of each of the rod members is disposed at the respective one of said third and fourth open sides; a spring-loaded latch unit mounted movably in said accommodating space of said coupling seat unit, said latch unit being operable from an engaging position, where said latch unit is adapted to engage the engaging end portions of the rod members so as to retain the rod members in the extended position, to a releasing position, where said latch unit is unable to engage the engaging end portions of the rod members so as to permit movement of the rod members from the extended position to the folded position; and an actuating member having a connecting portion that extends into said accommodating space of said coupling seat unit via said first open side and that is mounted movably on said coupling seat unit so as to be movable relative to said coupling seat unit in the second direction, and an actuating portion connected to said connecting portion, disposed at said first open side of said coupling seat unit, and operable externally of said accommodating space for moving said actuating portion in said accommodating space along the second direction such that said actuating portion drives said latch unit to move from the engaging position to the releasing position; wherein said coupling seat unit comprises: a hollow male seat body having said third and fourth open sides, said second side, and a fifth open side opposite to said second side in the second direction; and a hollow female seat body having said first open side, and a sixth open side opposite to said first open side in the second direction, said female seat body being sleeved on said male seat body such that said male seat body cooperates with said female seat body so as to confine said accommodating space.