CN112009549B - Child cart - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a baby stroller, which comprises a stroller frame with an unfolding state and a folding state, a front wheel assembly, a rear wheel assembly and a locking mechanism for locking the stroller frame in the unfolding state, wherein the stroller frame comprises side brackets positioned at two sides, each side bracket respectively comprises a front bracket with the front wheel assembly arranged at the lower part, a rear bracket with the rear wheel assembly arranged at the lower part and a push rod frame, the front bracket, the rear bracket and the push rod frame are arranged in a relative rotating manner, any two of the front bracket, the rear bracket and the push rod frame are respectively provided with a sliding piece, the side brackets also comprise a connecting rod frame, the connecting rod frame is respectively connected with the sliding piece in a rotating manner, and when the stroller frame is folded, the sliding piece slides along the part which is connected in a sliding manner, and the front bracket, the rear bracket and the push rod frame are relatively rotated close. The child cart has a simpler and novel structure on the premise of excellent stability and small folding volume.

Description

A child stroller

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of children's products, and in particular to a children's stroller.

Background Art

In the prior art, a foldable stroller generally includes a foldable stroller frame, a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly. The foldable stroller frame generally includes a front bracket, a rear bracket and a push rod frame that can rotate relative to each other. An ideal stroller frame should meet the following requirements: good stability and comfort when in an unfolded state, easy folding operation, simple frame structure, small size and easy to carry after folding, etc. In addition, fashionable and novel features are also increasingly considered.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a child stroller with a simple and novel structure.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

A stroller for children, comprising a stroller frame with an unfolded state and a folded state, a front wheel assembly, a rear wheel assembly, and a locking mechanism for locking the stroller frame in the unfolded state, the stroller frame comprising side brackets located on both sides, each of the side brackets comprising a front bracket with the front wheel assembly disposed at the lower portion, a rear bracket with the rear wheel assembly disposed at the lower portion, and a push rod frame, characterized in that the front bracket, the rear bracket, and the push rod frame are rotatably arranged relative to each other and sliding members are respectively arranged on any two of them, the side brackets also comprise a connecting rod frame, the connecting rod frame is rotatably connected to the sliding member and to the parts of the front bracket, the rear bracket, and the push rod frame on which the sliding member is not disposed, and when the stroller frame is folded, the sliding members slide along the parts to which they are slidably connected, and the front bracket, the rear bracket, and the push rod frame are relatively rotated and brought together.

Preferably, when the cart frame is in the unfolded state, the rotation axes between the front bracket, the rear bracket and the push rod frame, and the rotation axes between the connecting rod frame and the sliding member and the push rod frame extend horizontally along the left and right directions of the cart. In this way, the front bracket, the rear bracket and the push rod frame can rotate relatively close to each other along the front and back directions, so that when the cart frame is folded, the folding operation is convenient, the folded volume is small and easy to carry.

According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the sliding members are respectively provided on the front bracket and the rear bracket (the two sliding members respectively provided on the front bracket and the rear bracket are also referred to as the first sliding member and the second sliding member in this application), and the connecting rod frame is rotatably connected with the first sliding member on the front bracket, the second sliding member on the rear bracket and the lower part of the push rod frame in sequence from front to back.

Furthermore, the connecting rod frame includes a lateral extension section and a longitudinal extension section extending rearward and upward from the rear end of the lateral extension section, the front end of the lateral extension section is connected to the first sliding member on the front bracket, the junction of the lateral extension section and the longitudinal extension section is rotatably connected to the second sliding member on the rear bracket, and the upper end of the longitudinal extension section is rotatably connected to the lower part of the push rod frame.

Preferably, when the cart frame is in the unfolded state, two triangular structures are formed between the front bracket, the rear bracket, the push rod bracket and the connecting rod bracket on each side, and the two triangular structures together form another triangular structure. Under this structure, the cart frame in the unfolded state is very stable.

According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the sliding members are respectively provided on the push rod frame and the rear bracket (the two sliding members respectively provided on the push rod frame and the rear bracket are also referred to as the first sliding member and the second sliding member in this application), and the connecting rod frame is rotatably connected with the front bracket, the second sliding member on the rear bracket and the first sliding member on the push rod frame in sequence from front to back.

Furthermore, when the cart frame is in the unfolded state, the connection between the connecting rod frame and the front bracket is located behind the axis of the front bracket, and the connection between the connecting rod frame and the second sliding member on the rear bracket is located in front of the axis of the rear bracket.

According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the sliding members are respectively provided on the front bracket and the push rod frame (the two sliding members respectively provided on the front bracket and the push rod frame are also referred to as the first sliding member and the second sliding member in this application), and the connecting rod frame is rotatably connected with the first sliding member on the front bracket, the rear bracket and the second sliding member on the push rod frame in sequence from front to back.

Furthermore, when the cart frame is in the unfolded state, the connection between the connecting rod frame and the rear bracket is located in front of the axis of the rear bracket.

Preferably, the upper end of the front bracket and the lower end of the push rod bracket are rotatably connected to the upper end of the rear bracket via a rotating shaft.

Further preferably, the rear bracket includes a rear bracket main rod and a connecting part located at the upper end of the rear bracket main rod and transverse to the rear bracket main rod, and the upper end of the front bracket and the lower end of the push rod frame are rotatably connected to the front and rear ends of the connecting part respectively.

More preferably, when the cart frame is in the unfolded state, the upper portion of the front bracket, the connecting portion and the lower portion of the push rod frame extend in the same direction.

According to a specific and preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first sliding member and the second sliding member are sliding sleeves respectively.

According to another specific and preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting rod frame is a rod.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rear bracket includes a rear bracket main rod and a connecting portion located at the upper end of the rear bracket main rod and transverse to the rear bracket main rod, the second sliding member is slidably arranged along the extension direction of the rear bracket main rod, the upper end of the front bracket and the lower end of the push rod frame are rotatably connected to the front and rear ends of the connecting portion respectively; the connecting rod frame includes a transverse extension section and a longitudinal extension section, the two ends of the transverse extension section are rotatably connected to the first sliding member and the second sliding member respectively, and the two ends of the longitudinal extension section are rotatably connected to the second sliding member and the lower part of the push rod frame respectively;

When the cart frame is in the unfolded state, the upper part of the front bracket, the connecting part and the lower part of the push rod frame extend in the same direction, and the transverse extension section, the upper part of the rear bracket and the upper part of the front bracket form a first triangular structure; the longitudinal extension section, the upper part of the rear bracket and the lower part of the push rod frame form a second triangular structure; the entire connecting rod frame, the upper part of the front bracket, the connecting part of the rear bracket and the lower part of the push rod frame form a third triangular structure.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, there may be only one locking mechanism, and the locking mechanism is disposed between the sliding member and the component to which it is slidably connected.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism includes a locking groove opened on the sliding member, a retractable locking tongue provided on at least one of the front bracket, the rear bracket and the push rod frame and matching the locking groove on the sliding member, and the locking tongue can be engaged in the locking groove to achieve locking.

Due to the application of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

The baby stroller of the present invention has excellent stability and a small folded volume, and its structure is more concise and novel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a side bracket on one side of a child stroller in Embodiment 1 of the present invention in an unfolded state;

FIG2 is an exploded view of the child stroller in Embodiment 1 of the present invention when the stroller frame is in an unfolded state;

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the child stroller in Embodiment 1 of the present invention when the stroller frame is in an unfolded state;

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an intermediate state of the child stroller in Embodiment 1 of the present invention when the stroller frame changes from an unfolded state to a folded state;

FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of FIG4;

FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of the child stroller in Embodiment 1 of the present invention when the stroller frame is in a folded state;

FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of FIG6;

FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the child stroller in Embodiment 2 of the present invention when the stroller frame is in an unfolded state;

FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a process in which the child stroller in Embodiment 2 of the present invention changes from an unfolded state to a folded state;

FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the child stroller in Embodiment 3 of the present invention when the stroller frame is in an unfolded state;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a process in which the child stroller in Embodiment 3 of the present invention changes from an unfolded state to a folded state.

In the figure: 1, front wheel assembly; 2, rear wheel assembly; 3, locking mechanism; 3a, locking groove; 3b, locking tongue; 4, front bracket; 5, rear bracket; 5a, rear bracket main rod; 5b, connecting part; 6, push rod frame; 7, first sliding member; 8, second sliding member; 9, connecting rod frame; 9a, lateral extension section; 9b, longitudinal extension section; 10, rotating shaft; 11, connecting seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

The present invention relates to an improvement on a baby stroller, and more specifically, to an improvement on a frame of a baby stroller. The improved baby stroller has a simpler and more novel structure while having excellent stability and a small folding volume.

Example 1

As shown in Fig. 1-7, a child stroller is shown, which includes a stroller frame with an unfolded state and a folded state, a front wheel assembly 1, a rear wheel assembly 2, and a locking mechanism 3 for locking the stroller frame in the unfolded state, wherein the stroller frame includes side brackets located on both sides, each side bracket includes a front bracket 4 with a front wheel assembly 1 disposed at the bottom, a rear bracket 5 with a rear wheel assembly 2 disposed at the bottom, and a push rod frame 6, and the front bracket 4, the rear bracket 5, and the push rod frame 6 are relatively rotatably arranged. In this example, the side bracket also includes a first sliding member 7 that can be slidably arranged along the extension direction of the front bracket 4, a second sliding member 8 that can be slidably arranged along the extension direction of the rear bracket 5, and a connecting rod frame 9, and the connecting rod frame 9 is rotatably connected to the first sliding member 7, the second sliding member 8, and the push rod frame 6. In this way, when the stroller frame is folded, the first sliding member 7 and the second sliding member 8 slide downward along the front bracket 4 and the rear bracket 5 respectively, and the front bracket 4, the rear bracket 5, and the push rod frame 6 rotate relatively and come close.

Furthermore, the first sliding member 7 and the second sliding member 8 are respectively sliding sleeves, and are correspondingly sleeved on the front bracket 4 and the rear bracket 5. Of course, the sliding members are not limited to the sliding sleeve form, and other structures can be used.

Furthermore, the rear bracket 5 includes a rear bracket main rod 5a and a connecting portion 5b located at the upper end of the rear bracket main rod 5a and transverse to the rear bracket main rod 5a, and the second sliding member 8 is slidably arranged along the extension direction of the rear bracket main rod 5a, and the upper end of the front bracket 4 and the lower end of the push rod frame 6 are respectively rotatably connected to the front and rear ends of the connecting portion 5b through the rotating shaft 10.

Furthermore, the connecting rod frame 9 is a rod, specifically including a lateral extension section 9a and a longitudinal extension section 9b extending rearward and upward from the rear end of the lateral extension section 9a, the front end of the lateral extension section 9a is connected to the first sliding member 7, the junction of the lateral extension section 9a and the longitudinal extension section 9b is rotatably connected to the second sliding member 8, and the upper end of the longitudinal extension section 9b is rotatably connected to the lower part of the push rod frame 6.

As shown in FIG1 , when the cart frame is in the unfolded state, the upper part of the front bracket 4, the connecting part 5b and the lower part of the push rod frame 6 extend in the same direction, the rotation axis between the front bracket 4, the rear bracket 5 and the push rod frame 6 extends horizontally along the left and right directions of the cart, and the rotation axis between the connecting rod frame 9 and the first sliding member 7, the second sliding member 8 and the push rod frame 6 also extends horizontally along the left and right directions of the cart. The lateral extension section 9a of the connecting rod frame 9, the upper part of the rear bracket 5 and the upper part of the front bracket 4 form a first triangular structure; the longitudinal extension section 9b, the upper part of the rear bracket 5 and the lower part of the push rod frame 6 form a second triangular structure; the entire connecting rod frame 9, the upper part of the front bracket 4, the connecting part 5b of the rear bracket 5 and the lower part of the push rod frame 6 form a third triangular structure. Under this structure, the cart frame in the unfolded state is not only stable, but also novel and fashionable in structure.

According to the present invention, the locking mechanism for locking the frame in the unfolded state can be arranged in a conventional locking mechanism arrangement manner in the art, without any particular limitation. In this example, the locking mechanism 3 is arranged between the second sliding member 8 and the rear bracket 5. More specifically, as shown in FIG3 , the locking mechanism 3 includes a locking groove 3a provided on the second sliding member 8 and a retractable locking tongue 3b provided on the upper part of the rear bracket 5. The locking of the cart frame is achieved by the locking tongue 3b being engaged in the locking groove 3a and limiting the second sliding member 8. When the cart frame is folded, the locking tongue 3b is pressed to disengage the locking tongue 3b from the locking groove 3a, and the cart frame is unlocked; when the cart frame is unfolded, the second sliding member 8 slides up to the locking tongue 3b, and the locking tongue 3b is embedded in the locking groove 3a, so that the cart frame is locked in the unfolded state.

The cart of this embodiment, when folding, press the lock tongue 3b, so that the lock tongue 3b disengages from the lock groove 3a, and then press the push rod frame 6 downward, the push rod frame 6 and the rear bracket 5 relatively rotate together and drive the second sliding member 8 to slide downward, the second sliding member 8 drives the first sliding member 7 to slide downward, the front bracket 4 and the rear bracket 5 are relatively rotated and close together under the action of the connecting rod frame 9, and finally the push rod frame 6, the front bracket 4 and the rear bracket 5 are folded together, so that the cart frame is kept in the folded state; when unfolding, lift the push rod frame 6 upward, the push rod frame 6 and the rear bracket 5 are relatively rotated and separated and drive the second sliding member 8 to slide upward, the second sliding member 8 drives the first sliding member 7 to slide upward, the front bracket 4 and the rear bracket 5 are relatively rotated and separated under the action of the connecting rod frame 9, and when the second sliding member 8 slides up to the lock tongue 3b, the lock tongue 3b is embedded in the lock groove 3a, and the cart frame can be locked in the unfolded state.

Example 2

In this embodiment, a child stroller is provided, as shown in Fig. 8-9, which is basically the same as the embodiment 1, except that the two sliding members are provided and connected to the connecting frame accordingly. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first sliding member 7 is provided on the push rod frame 6 and can slide along the extension direction of the push rod frame 6; the second sliding member 8 is provided on the rear bracket 5 and can slide along the extension direction of the rear bracket 5, and the connecting rod frame 9 is rotatably connected with the second sliding member 8 on the front bracket 4 and the rear bracket 5 and the first sliding member 7 on the push rod frame 6 in sequence from front to back. In this way, when the stroller frame is folded, the first sliding member 7 and the second sliding member 8 slide downward along the push rod frame 6 and the rear bracket 5 respectively, and the front bracket 4, the rear bracket 5, and the push rod frame 6 rotate relatively and come close.

Furthermore, when the pushcart frame is in the unfolded state, the connection between the connecting rod frame 9 and the front bracket 4 is located behind the axis of the front bracket 4, and the connection between the connecting rod frame 9 and the second sliding member 8 on the rear bracket 5 is located in front of the axis of the rear bracket 5. In this example, the front bracket 4 and the second sliding member 8 are respectively provided with a connecting seat 11, and the connecting seat 11 on the front bracket 4 is located behind the axis of the front bracket 4, and the connecting seat 11 on the second sliding member 8 is located in front of the axis of the rear bracket 5. The connecting rod frame 9 is rotatably connected with the connecting seat 11 of the front bracket 4, the connecting seat 11 on the second sliding member 8, and the first sliding member 7 on the pushrod frame 6 from front to back.

In this example, the locking mechanism 3 is arranged between the second sliding member 8 and the rear bracket 5. When the cart of this embodiment is folded, the locking tongue 3b is pressed to make the locking tongue 3b disengage from the locking groove (not shown in the figure), and then the push rod frame 6 is pressed downward, the push rod frame 6 and the rear bracket 5 rotate relatively close to each other and drive the first sliding member 7 and the second sliding member 8 to slide downward, and the front bracket 4 and the rear bracket 5 rotate relatively close to each other under the action of the connecting rod frame 9, and finally the push rod frame 6, the front bracket 4 and the rear bracket 5 are folded together, so that the cart frame is kept in the folded state; when unfolding, the push rod frame 6 is lifted upward, the push rod frame 6 and the rear bracket 5 rotate relatively separate and drive the first sliding member 7 and the second sliding member 8 to slide upward, and the front bracket 4 and the rear bracket 5 rotate relatively separate under the action of the connecting rod frame 9, and when the second sliding member 8 slides up to the locking tongue 3b, the locking tongue 3b is embedded in the locking groove, and the cart frame can be locked in the unfolded state.

Example 3

In the present embodiment, a child stroller is provided, as shown in FIGS. 10-11 , which is basically the same as the embodiment 1, except for the arrangement of two sliding members and the corresponding connection with the connecting frame. Specifically, the first sliding member 7 is arranged on the front bracket 4 and can slide along the extension direction of the front bracket 4; the second sliding member 8 is arranged on the push rod frame 6 and can slide along the extension direction of the push rod frame 6, and the connecting rod frame 9 is rotatably connected with the first sliding member 7 on the front bracket 4, the rear bracket 5 and the second sliding member 8 on the push rod frame 6 in sequence from front to back.

Furthermore, when the pushcart frame is in the unfolded state, the connection between the connecting rod frame 9 and the rear bracket 5 is located in front of the axis of the rear bracket 5. In this example, a connecting seat 11 is provided on the rear bracket 5 and the connecting seat 11 is located in front of the axis of the rear bracket 5. The connecting rod frame 9 is rotatably connected with the first sliding member 7 on the front bracket 4, the connecting seat 11 on the rear bracket 5 and the second sliding member 8 on the push rod frame 6 in sequence from front to back.

In this example, the locking mechanism 3 is arranged between the first sliding member 7 and the front bracket 4. When the cart of this embodiment is folded, the locking tongue 3b is pressed to make the locking tongue 3b disengage from the locking groove (not shown in the figure), and then the push rod frame 6 is pressed downward, the push rod frame 6 and the rear bracket 5 rotate relatively close to each other and drive the second sliding member 8 to slide downward, the front bracket 4 and the rear bracket 5 rotate relatively close to each other under the action of the connecting rod frame 9, and drive the first sliding member 7 to slide downward, and finally realize the folding of the push rod frame 6, the front bracket 4 and the rear bracket 5, so that the cart frame is kept in the folded state; when unfolding, the push rod frame 6 is lifted upward, the push rod frame 6 and the rear bracket 5 rotate relatively separate and drive the second sliding member 8 to slide upward, the front bracket 4 and the rear bracket 5 rotate relatively separate and drive the first sliding member 7 to slide upward, and when the first sliding member 7 slides up to the locking tongue 3b, the locking tongue 3b is embedded in the locking groove, and the cart frame can be locked in the unfolded state.

The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and their purpose is to enable people familiar with this technology to understand the contents of the present invention and implement them accordingly. They cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. A stroller for children, comprising a stroller frame having an unfolded state and a folded state, a front wheel assembly (1), a rear wheel assembly (2), and a locking mechanism (3) for locking the stroller frame in the unfolded state, the stroller frame comprising side brackets located on both sides, each of the side brackets comprising a front bracket (4) having the front wheel assembly (1) disposed at the lower part, a rear bracket (5) having the rear wheel assembly (2) disposed at the lower part, and a push rod bracket (6), characterized in that the front bracket (4), the rear bracket (5), and the push rod bracket (6) are arranged to rotate relative to each other and sliding members (7, 8) are respectively disposed on any two of them. The side bracket also includes a connecting rod frame (9), and the connecting rod frame (9) is rotatably connected to the sliding member (7, 8) and the parts of the front bracket (4), the rear bracket (5) and the push rod frame (6) on which the sliding member (7, 8) is not provided. The connecting rod frame (9) includes a transverse extension section (9a) and a longitudinal extension section (9b) extending backward and upward from the rear end of the transverse extension section (9a). When the cart frame is folded, the sliding members (7, 8) slide along the parts to which they are slidably connected, and the front bracket (4), the rear bracket (5) and the push rod frame (6) rotate relatively and come close to each other. 2. The stroller according to claim 1 is characterized in that: when the stroller frame is in the unfolded state, the rotation axis between the front bracket (4), the rear bracket (5), and the push rod frame (6), and the rotation axis between the connecting rod frame (9) and the sliding member (7, 8) and the push rod frame (6) respectively extend horizontally along the left and right directions of the stroller. 3. The stroller according to claim 1, characterized in that: the sliding members (7, 8) are respectively provided on the front bracket (4) and the rear bracket (5), and the connecting rod frame (9) is rotatably connected with the sliding member (7) on the front bracket (4), the sliding member (8) on the rear bracket (5) and the lower part of the push rod frame (6) in sequence from front to back; or, The push rod frame (6) and the rear bracket (5) are respectively provided with the sliding members (7, 8), and the connecting rod frame (9) is rotatably connected with the sliding members (8) on the front bracket (4), the rear bracket (5) and the sliding member (7) on the push rod frame (6) in sequence from front to back; or, The front bracket (4) and the push rod bracket (6) are respectively provided with the sliding members (7, 8), and the connecting rod bracket (9) is rotatably connected with the sliding member (7) on the front bracket (4), the rear bracket (5) and the sliding member (8) on the push rod bracket (6) in sequence from front to back. 4. The stroller according to claim 1, characterized in that: when the stroller frame is in an unfolded state, two triangular structures are formed between the front bracket (4), the rear bracket (5), the push rod bracket (6), and the connecting rod bracket (9) on each side, and the two triangular structures together form another triangular structure. 5. The stroller according to claim 1, characterized in that: the sliding members (7, 8) are respectively arranged on the front bracket (4) and the rear bracket (5), the front end of the transverse extension section (9a) is connected to the sliding member (7) on the front bracket (4), the intersection of the transverse extension section (9a) and the longitudinal extension section (9b) is rotatably connected to the sliding member (8) on the rear bracket (5), and the upper end of the longitudinal extension section (9b) is rotatably connected to the lower part of the push rod frame (6). 6. The stroller according to claim 3, characterized in that: the push rod frame (6) and the rear bracket (5) are respectively provided with the sliding members (7, 8), and when the stroller frame is in the unfolded state, the connection between the connecting rod frame (9) and the front bracket (4) is located behind the axis of the front bracket (4), and the connection between the connecting rod frame (9) and the sliding member on the rear bracket (5) is located in front of the axis of the rear bracket (5); or, The front bracket (4) and the push rod bracket (6) are respectively provided with the sliding members (7, 8). When the cart frame is in an unfolded state, the connection between the connecting rod bracket (9) and the rear bracket (5) is located in front of the axis of the rear bracket (5). 7. A child stroller according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the upper end of the front bracket (4) and the lower end of the push rod bracket (6) are rotatably connected to the upper end of the rear bracket (5) via a rotating shaft (10). 8. A stroller for children according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: the rear support (5) includes a rear support main rod (5a) and a connecting portion (5b) located at the upper end of the rear support main rod (5a) and transverse to the rear support main rod (5a), the upper end of the front support (4) and the lower end of the push rod frame (6) are rotatably connected to the front and rear ends of the connecting portion (5b), respectively, and when the stroller frame is in an unfolded state, the upper part of the front support (4), the connecting portion (5b) and the lower part of the push rod frame (6) extend in the same direction. 9. The stroller according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: the sliding members (7, 8) are respectively sliding sleeves; and/or the connecting rod frame (9) is a rod. 10. The stroller according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that there is only one locking mechanism (3), and the locking mechanism (3) is arranged between the sliding member (7, 8) and the component to which it is slidably connected.