ITPI20100067A1 - AUTOMATIC SAFETY BRAKE FOR PASSENGERS AND / OR WHEELCHAIRS FOR THE TRANSPORT OF CHILDREN. - Google Patents

Description

AUTOMATIC SAFETY BRAKE FOR STROLLERS AND / OR

WHEELCHAIRS FOR THE TRANSPORT OF CHILDREN.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a safety brake with automatic intervention intended for the sector of pushchairs and prams designed for transporting children.

STATE OF THE ART

As known, strollers and baby carriages include a frame with wheels, suitable for supporting the seat or the cradle, in which a handle is shaped, or a handle, which is grasped with the hands in order to push and guide the stroller or pram in the desired direction.

Depending on the model, the frame can have three or four wheels, with one or two of them pivoting to facilitate maneuvering in curved trajectories.

In the most recent constructions, at least one wheel is equipped with a parking brake, which is activated during the parking phases, usually with a pedal control, to avoid unwanted movements.

With the strollers and wheelchairs mentioned above, it may happen that the handle or grip is released and, due to distraction, illness or other, the parking brake is not promptly activated; in this situation the stroller or wheelchair is completely abandoned and is therefore potentially at risk of spontaneous movements if the support surface on the ground is inclined.

The release of the grip may also be due to an unexpected situation, with greater probability of occurrence when one hand is engaged and therefore only one hand remains available for handling.

As can be easily understood, very serious consequences can arise from such a situation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to propose an automatic safety brake for strollers and / or wheelchairs for the transport of children, shaped in such a way as to come into operation whenever, for any reason, the grip on the handle or grip is abandoned.

Another object of the invention is to propose an automatic brake for which an intentional maneuver is required to deactivate it in order to make the relative stroller or wheelchair mobile.

Another object of the invention consists in the desire to offer an automatic brake of simple design and of certain reliability, achievable with limited costs, such as not to significantly affect the total cost of the stroller or pram.

The aforesaid purposes are achieved by means of an automatic safety brake for strollers and prams designed for carrying children comprising

- braking elements capable of acting on at least one wheel of the stroller or wheelchair,

- actuation members of said braking elements automatically held in a first configuration in which the brake is activated, with consequent locking of the relative wheel,

- maneuvering means connected to said actuation members and adapted to be manually brought into a position useful for switching said actuation members into a second configuration in which the braking element is temporarily released, with consequent free rotation of the relative wheel ,

- return members associated with said actuation members and adapted to automatically return the latter to the aforementioned first configuration, of active braking, upon cessation of action on the maneuvering means.

Advantageously, the braking element is of the disc type and the actuation members are made up of at least one caliper that drives friction pads, while the return members comprise elastic members associated with the aforementioned caliper and adapted to automatically maintain it in said caliper. first configuration, in which the friction pads clamp the aforementioned disc integral with the wheel on which the braking element acts.

Still advantageously, the braking element is of the type comprising a pin movable axially in a direction transversal to the wheel rim, and the actuation members comprise a slide integral with the aforesaid pin and supported slidingly by a guide, while the return members comprise members elastic bands adapted to actuate the aforesaid slider so as to achieve the aforementioned first configuration, in which the pin itself is pushed towards the wheel rim, to interfere with it and prevent its rotation.

Still advantageously, the braking element is of the type comprising a pad that can move radially with respect to the external circumference of the wheel, and the actuation members comprise a slide integral with the aforementioned pad and supported slidingly by a guide, while the return members comprise elastic members adapted to actuate the aforesaid slider so as to achieve the aforementioned first configuration, in which the pad itself is pushed to intercept, by pressure, the tread of the wheel.

The maneuvering means are advantageously constituted by a lever articulated to a guide handle of the stroller or wheelchair, said lever being, in rest condition, spaced from the handle thanks to the action of said return members, while it is approached to the handle itself in active working condition, in which there is the temporary release of the braking element, following the action exerted on it while the stroller or wheelchair is being operated.

Still advantageously, the maneuvering means consist of a stem sliding axially with respect to a block fixed to a guide handle of the stroller or wheelchair, said stem resulting, in rest condition, leaning against a stop, obtained in the aforementioned block, thanks to the Action of said recall organs, while it is spaced from the stop itself in working condition, in which there is the temporary release of the braking element, following the action exerted on it and also following insertion of a pin, connected to the driver of said stroller or wheelchair, intended to block the same stem as long as the distance between the driver and the stroller or wheelchair remains within a predetermined value, as well as capable of spontaneously escaping when this value is exceeded.

The return members preferably comprise elastic members associated with the aforesaid stem and able to keep the latter in its rest position, in accordance with the action of elastic members present in the actuation members of the braking elements described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention will become evident from the following description of preferred embodiments of the automatic brake in question, provided as non-limiting examples, with the aid of the attached drawing tables, in which:

∠’Fig. 1 illustrates, in schematic view, a wheelchair equipped with the automatic brake kept disengaged to allow travel;

∠’Fig. 2 illustrates, in a view similar to Fig. 1, the wheelchair braked automatically if abandoned;

∠’Fig. 3 illustrates a first example of a braking element, in the automatic parking position;

∠’Fig. 3A illustrates a detail of Fig. 3 with the braking element in the set running position;

∠’Fig. 4 illustrates a second example of a braking element, in the automatic parking position;

∠’Fig. 4A illustrates a detail of Fig. 4 with the braking element in the set running position;

∠’Fig. 5 illustrates a third example of a braking element, in the automatic parking position;

∠’Fig. 5A illustrates a detail of Fig. 5 with the braking element in the set running position;

∠’Figs. 6 and 7 show a first form of maneuvering means associated with the guide handle of the wheelchair, to define respectively the parking and running conditions;

∠’Figs. 8 and 9 show a second form of maneuvering means associated with the guide handle of the wheelchair, to define respectively the running and parking conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MANUFACTURING FORMS

In the figures listed above, 20 indicates a wheelchair of a known type for transporting children, to which the automatic brake object of the present invention is associated, indicated as a whole with 100.

The automatic brake 100, also suitable for being associated with a conventional stroller not shown, comprises:

- at least one braking element 1, able to act on at least one wheel 2 of said wheelchair 20;

- actuation members 3, associated with said braking element 1, automatically maintained in a first configuration A in which the latter is activated, with consequent locking of the relative wheel 2;

- operating means 4, connected to said actuation members 3 by means of transmission members 5 and automatically maintained in a rest position R, corresponding to the aforementioned first position A of the actuation members 3, with the aforementioned operating means 4 also adapted to be brought into an active position L to switch said actuation members 3 into a second configuration B, and thus determine the temporary release of the aforementioned braking element 1, with consequent free rotation of the relative wheel 2;

- return members 6, associated with said actuation members 3, adapted to automatically return the latter to their respective first configuration A upon termination of said action on the same maneuvering means 4.

Preferably, said return members 6 are also located near and also act on the aforementioned maneuvering means 4, in order to automatically return the latter to their rest position R, in synchrony with the aforementioned return to the first configuration A of the actuation members 3, as better specified below.

The braking element 1, in a first example illustrated in Figs. 3 and 3A, is of the disc type 11, which can act on a single wheel 2, or on both those of an axle, if connected by means of a shaft 11A, partially illustrated in Fig. 3.

The actuation members 3 of the disc braking element 11 consist of a caliper 12 which actuates friction pads 13, while the return members 6 comprise elastic members 14, associated with the same caliper 12 and adapted to keep it automatically in said first configuration A (Fig. 3), in which the friction pads 13 clamp the disc 11.

The braking element 1, in a second example illustrated in Figs. 4 and 4A, is of the type comprising a pin 21, axially movable in a direction transverse to the rim 2A of the wheel 2.

Said actuation members 3, for this embodiment, comprise for example a slider 22, integral with the pin 21 and slidably supported by a guide 23.

The slider 22 is subjected to the action of the aforementioned return members 6, which include elastic members 24 able to operate it in such a way as to define the aforementioned first configuration A, in which the pin 21 is pushed towards the rim 2A, to interfere with it and prevent its rotation.

The aforementioned interference can occur with the engagement of the pin 21 in a corresponding seat of the rim 2A or inserted between one spoke and the other of the latter (Fig. 4).

The braking element 1, in a third example illustrated in Figs. 5 and 5A, is of the type comprising a pad 31, movable radially with respect to the outer circumference of the wheel 2.

The aforesaid actuation members 3, for this embodiment, comprise, for example, a slider 32, integral with the pad 31 and supported slidably by a guide 33, similarly to that described for the previous example.

Also in this case, the slider 32 is subjected to the action of the aforementioned return members 6, comprising elastic members 34 able to actuate it in such a way as to define the aforementioned first configuration A, in which the pad 31 is pushed to intercept, to pressure, the tread 2B of the wheel 2, preventing its rotation (Fig. 5).

Obviously further embodiments of the braking element 1 as well as of the associated actuation members 3 are possible.

The aforementioned maneuvering means 4, regardless of the conformation of the braking element 1 and of the actuation members 3, can be constituted, in a first embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, by a lever 41 articulated to the guide handle M shaped by the frame of the wheelchair 20.

The lever 41 is interconnected to the aforementioned actuation members 3 by means of the aforementioned transmission members 5, for example of the flexible type and consisting of a metal wire 50 inserted in a sheath 51.

In the absence of external stresses, the lever 41, thanks to the return members 6 associated with said actuation members 3, is maintained in the relative aforementioned rest position R (Fig. 6), in which it is spaced from the handle M; since said first configuration A of the actuation members 3 corresponds to this position, the braking element 1 is locked, as well as the wheelchair 20.

When the handle M is gripped to push the wheelchair 20, and the lever 41 is operated in the relative aforementioned active working position L, approaching it to the same handle M (Fig. 7), the metal wire 50 is stretched and acts on the actuation members 3 bringing them to their second configuration B (Figs. 3A, 4A, 5A).

In this way the braking element 1 is released, thus allowing the wheelchair 20 to move.

As soon as the lever 41 is released, the return members 6 automatically restore the previous condition in which the wheelchair 20 is locked.

In the example of embodiment referred to in the figures, the aforementioned return members 6 advantageously include further elastic members 42, located near the lever 41 and able to maintain the latter in its rest position R, in accordance with the action of the above described elastic members present in said actuation members 3.

Another embodiment of the maneuvering means 4 is illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, in which the latter consist of a stem 43, axially sliding with respect to a block 44 fixed to the guide handle M of the wheelchair 20.

The rod 43 is interconnected to the aforementioned actuation members 3 by means of said transmission members 5, for example of the same flexible type as mentioned above, and is movable between a relative aforementioned rest position R and a working position activates L.

The stem 43 is provided with a diametrical hole 43A which is coaxial with a hole 44A, made in the block 44, in correspondence with said active position L; in this situation it is possible to insert a pin 45 able to block the stem 43, as better specified below. In the absence of external stresses, the stem 43, thanks to the return members 6 associated with said actuation members 3, is kept in the relative aforementioned rest position R, in which it is placed against a stop 46 obtained in the block 44.

The said first configuration A of the actuation members 3 corresponds to this position, in which the braking element 1 is locked, as is the wheelchair 20; in this condition, the diametrical hole 43A of the stem 43 and the hole 44A of the block 44 are offset.

By manually exerting a traction on the stem 43, it is brought towards its active working position L, causing a translation of the metal wire 50 and the switching of the actuation members 3 to their second configuration B (Figs. 3A, 4A, 5A); this corresponds to the release of the braking element 1 and the movement of the wheelchair 20.

In the situation just described, as already said, the diametrical hole 43A of the stem 43 and the hole 44A of the block 44 are coaxial and it is possible to insert the pin 45 which locks the stem 43 in them.

The pin 45 is suitably tied, by means of a cord 47, or similar tensile-resistant element, of a predetermined length, preferably to the wrist of the driver of the wheelchair 20.

As long as the limb to which the pin 45 is connected remains at the distance allowed by the length of the cord 47, the wheelchair 20 is free to move (Fig. 8).

If, for any event, this distance increases and the traction exerted on the cord 47 causes the pin 45 to come out, the return members 6 automatically restore the previous condition in which the wheelchair 20 is blocked.

In the example of embodiment illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the aforementioned return members 6 advantageously include further elastic members 48, located in proximity to the stem 43 and able to maintain the latter in its rest position R, in accord with the action of the above described elastic members present in the actuation members 3.

Obviously, the return members 6 of the actuation members 3 can comprise elastic members located both at the actuation members and at the maneuvering means, as illustrated in the examples described, or they can comprise elastic members located only at the actuation members or only at the operating means, resulting in any case associated with the actuation members.

The constructive variants described up to now of the automatic safety brake concern completely mechanical technical solutions, which could be preferred for reasons of simplicity and / or reliability and / or cost. However, within the scope of the present invention, technical solutions that make use of hydraulic and / or electromechanical components or the like are not to be excluded.

From what has been said above, the positive characteristics of the automatic brake in question are extremely evident, such as to fully achieve all the purposes indicated in the introduction.

In particular, it should be noted that the release of the braking element must in any case take place with an intentional maneuver and the safety condition, with the brake locked and the wheelchair permanently parked, is automatically restored whenever, for any reason, the driver the pram or pushchair moves away and / or releases the grip of the handle.

The technical solutions with which it is possible to realize the automatic brake are of simple design and of limited cost, however such as not to significantly affect the total cost of the stroller or pram, especially if the benefits in terms of safety that it can be considered are considered. bring.

However, it is understood that what has been described above has an exemplary and non-limiting value, therefore any constructive variations and / or modifications of detail, in addition to what has already been said, are considered from now on to fall within the same protective scope defined by the following claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1) Automatic safety brake for strollers and / or baby carriages, characterized by the fact that it includes: ∠’at least one braking element (1), capable of acting on at least one wheel (2) of a relative stroller or pram (20); ∠’drive members (3), associated with said braking element (1), automatically maintained in a first configuration (A) in which said braking element is activated, with consequent locking of the relative wheel (2); - operating means (4), connected to said actuation members (3) by means of transmission members (5) and automatically maintained in a rest position (R), corresponding to the aforementioned first configuration (A) of the actuation members ( 3), said operating means (4) also being able to be brought into an active working position (L) to switch said actuation members (3) into a second configuration (B) and determine the temporary release of said element braking (1), with consequent free rotation of the relative wheel (2); - return members (6), associated with said actuation members (3), adapted to automatically return the latter to their respective first configuration (A) upon termination of the action exerted on the maneuvering means (4) to switch said drive members. 2) Automatic brake according to rev. 1, characterized by the fact that said braking element (1) comprises a disc (11) and friction pads (13), said actuation members (3) consist of a caliper (12) which drives said pads friction (13), and said return members (6) comprise elastic members (14), associated with said pincer (12) and adapted to maintain it automatically in the first configuration (A), in which the aforementioned friction pads (13 ) tighten the aforementioned disc (11). 3) Automatic brake according to rev. 1, characterized in that said braking element (1) comprises a pin (21) movable axially in a direction transverse to the rim (2A) of the aforementioned wheel (2), the aforementioned actuation members (3) comprise a slider (22), integral with the aforementioned pin (21) and supported slidingly by a guide (23), e said return members (6) comprise elastic members (24) adapted to actuate the aforementioned slider (22) so as to achieve the aforementioned first configuration (A), in which the same pin (21) is pushed towards said circle (2A) , to interfere with it and prevent its rotation. 4) Automatic brake according to rev. 1, characterized in that said braking element (1) comprises a pad (31) movable radially with respect to the outer circumference of the aforementioned wheel (2), the aforementioned actuation members (3) comprise a slide (32), integral with the aforementioned pad (31) and slidably supported by a guide (33), and said return members (6) comprise elastic members (34) adapted to actuate the aforementioned slider (32) so as to achieve the aforementioned first configuration (A), in which the same plug (31) is pushed to intercept, under pressure, the tread (2B) of the wheel (2). 5) Automatic brake according to rev. 1, characterized in that the aforementioned maneuvering means (4) consist of a lever (41), articulated to a guide handle (M) associated with said stroller or wheelchair (20), said lever (41) being spaced from the cited handle (M), in correspondence of the relative rest position (R), due to the action of said return members (6), as well as approached to the same handle, in correspondence of the aforementioned active working position (L), as a consequence of said action exercised on it. 6) Automatic brake according to rev. 5, characterized by the fact that the aforementioned return members (6) comprise elastic members (42), associated with said lever (41) and able to maintain the latter in its rest position (R), in accordance with the ™ action of elastic members present in said actuation members (3). 7) Automatic brake according to rev. 1, characterized by the fact that the aforementioned maneuvering means (4) consist of a stem (43), sliding axially with respect to a block (44) fixed to a guide handle (M) associated with said stroller or wheelchair (20) , said stem (43) being leaning against a stop (46) obtained in the aforementioned block (44) in correspondence with the relative rest position (R), due to the action of said return members (6), as well as spaced from the abutment itself, in correspondence with the aforementioned active working position (L), as a consequence of said action exerted on it. 8) Automatic brake according to rev. 7, characterized by the fact that said stem (43) is provided with a diametrical hole (43A) able to be coaxial with a hole (44A) made in the aforementioned block (44), in correspondence with said active working position (L) , with said holes (43A), (44A) provided to be simultaneously engaged by a pin (45), constrained to the driver of said stroller or wheelchair (20), intended to lock the same stem (43) as long as the distance between the driver and the stroller or wheelchair (20) remains within a predetermined value, as well as capable of spontaneously escaping when this value is exceeded. 9) Automatic brake according to rev. 7, characterized by the fact that the aforementioned return members (6) include elastic members (48), associated with said stem (43) and able to keep the latter in its rest position (R), in accordance with the ™ action of elastic members present in said actuation members (3). 10) Automatic brake according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned transmission members (5) consist of a metal wire (50) inserted in a sheath (51).