GB2536548A

GB2536548A - Infant carrier device having a locking mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2536548A
Application number: GB1601121.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chen Ruibin
Original assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co Ltd Hong Kong
Current assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co Ltd Hong Kong
Priority date: 2015-01-21
Filing date: 2016-01-21
Publication date: 2016-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-21
Also published as: GB2536548B; CN105857381B; DE102016200811B4; GB201601121D0; DE102016200811A1; CN105857381A

Abstract

An infant carrier device 1 includes a carrier 10, a supporting frame (20, fig1) an adjusting engaging component 31 and a locking mechanism 40. The carrier includes a frame 11, a base 14, a connecting portion 142 fixed on a side of the base, and a fixing component 113 fixed on a side of the frame and pivoted to the connecting portion. The adjusting engaging component 31 is installed on the supporting frame and pivoted to the fixing component. The base is rotatable relative to the fixing component 113 for switching the infant carrier device between a bed mode and a seat mode. When the infant carrier device is switched from the bed mode to the seat mode, the connecting portion drives the locking mechanism 40 to move from a locking position where the fixing component is locked to a releasing position, such that the fixing component is rotatable relative to the adjusting engaging component for adjusting an angle of the carrier.

Description

INFANT CARRIER DEVICE HAVING A LOCKING MECHANISM

round of the Invention

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an infant carrier device, and more particularly to an infant carrier device having a locking mechanism.

_Dfscl-H7Linn of the Frier P.-rd Infant carrier devices have been already widely used in families that have infants. There are various infant carrier devices for allowing infants to sleep, eat or play thereon. When a conventional infant carrier device is in use, the infant carrier device can be equipped with a seat or a bed according to an actual requirement. When it is not required to use the infant carrier device, the seat or the bed can be removed from the infant carrier device, and then the infant carrier device can be folded for easy storage or transportation. However, carriers of the infant carrier device, such as a seat and a bed, are usually designed independently for different purposes, and both of the seat and the bed should be carried when the infant carrier device is in use for both purposes, which is inconvenience in transportation and storage.

In order to solve the aforementioned problem, there is another conventional infant carrier device, such as a stroller, having a carrier which is switchable between different modes, such as a bed mode and a seat mode, so that the infant carrier device has two operation modes and is not required to be equipped with an independent seat or an independent bed.

However, infants usually are energetic. When the infant carrier device is in the seat mode, an angle of the infant carrier device should be adjustable, which ensures sitting comfort of an infant who sits on the infant carrier device. When an infant needs to sleep, the infant carrier device has to be switched to the bed mode, and the angle of the infant carrier device should be locked, which ensures sleeping quality of the infant who lies on the infant carrier device.

Therefore, there is a need to design an infant carrier device which is switchable between a bed mode and a seat mode. Furthermore, an angle of the infant carrier device is adjustable when the infant carrier device is in the seat mode, and the angle of the infant carrier device is locked when the infant carrier device is in the bed mode.

Summary of L.,e ention

In order to solve the aforementioned drawbacks, the present invention aims at providing an infant carrier device switchable between a bed mode and a seat mode. Furthermore, an angle of a carrier relative to a supporting frame is adjustable when the infant carrier device is in the seat mode, and the angle of the carrier relative to the supporting frame is locked when the infant carrier device is in the bed mode.

According to the claimed invention, an infant carrier device includes a carrier, a supporting frame, an adjusting engaging component and a locking mechanism. The carrier includes a frame, a base, a connecting portion and a fixing component. The connecting portion is fixed on a side of the base. The fixing component is fixed on a side of the frame. The connecting portion is pivoted to the fixing component. The adjusting engaging component is installed on the supporting frame and pivoted to the fixing component. The locking mechanism is adjacent to the adjusting engaging component. The base is rotatable relative to the fixing component for switching the infant carrier device between a bed mode and a seat mode, and when the infant carrier device is switched from the bed mode to the seat mode, the connecting portion drives the locking mechanism to move from a locking position where the fixing component is locked to a releasing position, such that the fixing component is rotatable relative to the adjusting engaging component for adjusting an angle of the carrier relative to the supporting frame.

Preferably, the locking mechanism includes a restraining block movably disposed on the fixing component, and when the base rotates relative to the fixing component, the connecting portion drives the retraining block to engage with the adjusting engaging component or to disengage from the adjusting engaging component.

Specifically, an accommodating slot is formed on the fixing component and has two open ends. The restraining block is slidably disposed in the accommodating slot. A recess is formed on an upper portion of the connecting portion for allowing the restraining block to slide into. The infant carrier device further includes an abutting portion disposed on the adjusting engaging component and corresponding to the restraining block. The recess is misaligned with the corresponding open end of the accommodating slot when the infant carrier device is in the bed mode, such that the connecting portion pushes the restraining block to fasten between the accommodating slot and the abutting portion, and the recess is aligned with the corresponding opening of the accommodating slot when the infant carrier device is in the seat mode, such that an end of the restraining block slides into the recess, and the other end of the restraining block disengages from the abutting portion.

More specifically, the locking mechanism further includes a recovering component disposed between the accommodating slot and the restraining block, and the recovering component provides a resilient force for driving the restraining block to slide into the recess.

Furthermore, a long hole is formed on the restraining block. The long hole extends along a sliding direction of the restraining block. The fixing component further includes a blocking portion disposed inside the accommodating slot and inserted into the long hole. An end of the recovering component abuts against the blocking portion, and the other end of the recovering component abuts against an inner wall of an end of the long hole near the recess.

More specifically, the adjusting engaging component includes a protruding platform. A positioning slot Is sunken from a side wall of the protruding platform and communicated with the accommodating slot, and a side wall of the positioning slot is the abutting portion.

Furthermore, the protruding platform comprises a plurality of engaging portions.

More specifically, the base further includes an arc-shaped abutting surface disposed on the upper portion of the connecting portion, and a bottom surface of the recess is connected to the abutting surface.

Preferably, the carrier further includes a headrest, a backrest, and an engaging assembly. The headrest is pivoted to the frame. The backrest is pivoted to the headrest and the base. The engaging assembly is disposed on the backrest. The head rest, the back rest, the base and the frame are rotatable relative to one another for switching the infant carrier device between the bed mode and the seat mode. The base and the backrest are substantially located in a plane, and an included angle is formed between the plane and the headrest when the infant carrier device is in the bed mode. The backrest and the headrest are located in another plane, and another included angle is formed between the another plane and the base when the infant carrier device is in the seat mode, and the engaging assembly selectively engages with the base or the headrest.

Specifically, when the infant carrier device is in the bed mode, the engaging assembly engages with the base, and when the infant carrier device is in the seat mode, the engaging assembly engages with the headrest.

Specifically, the engaging assembly includes an engaging component slidably connected to the backrest, and the engaging component selectively engages with the base or the headrest.

More specifically, when the engaging component is located at a critical position where the engaging component disengages from the base and the headrest, the base, the backrest and the headrest are released to be rotatable for switching the infant carrier device between the bed mode and the seat mode.

Furthermore, when the engaging component is not located at the critical position and engages with the base or the headrest, the infant carrier device is in the bed mode or the seat mode.

More specifically, a first engaging hole and a second engaging hole are formed on the headrest and =he base respectively, and the engaging component selectively engages with the first engaging hole or the second engaging hole.

More specifically, the engaging assembly further includes an operating knob for driving the engaging component to slide.

Furthermore, a groove is formed on the engaging component and substantially perpendicular to a sliding direction of the engaging component. The engaging assembly further includes a connecting component slidably passing through the groove and fixed to the operating knob, and the operating knob rotates to drive the engaging component to slide by the connecting component and the groove.

Furthermore, the engaging component is formed in a T shape. Two ends of the engaging component are in a straight line and detachably engage with the base and the headrest respectively, and the groove is formed on the other end of the engaging component.

More particularly, a restraining slot is formed on the backrest, and the other end of the engaging component where the groove is formed is slidably received in the restraining slot.

More particularly, when the other end of the engaging component where the groove is formed is located at a middle portion of the restraining slot, the engaging component is located at the critical position, and the base, the backrest and the headrest are released to be rotatable for switching the infant carrier device between the bed mode and the seat mode.

More particularly, when the other end of the engaging component where the groove is formed is not located at the middle portion of the restraining slot, the engaging component engages with the base or the headrest, such that the infant carrier device is in the bed mode or the seat mode.

More specifically, the operating knob is a cam structure.

More specifically, the engaging assembly further includes a resilient component, and two ends of the resilient component are fixed on the backrest and the connecting component respectively.

Furthermore, when the engaging component is located at the critical position where the engaging component disengages from the base and the headrest, the resilient component is deformed with a maximum extension length, and the resilient component drives the engaging component to slide upwardly or downwardly and biases the engaging component to engage with the base or the headrest when the resilient component is not deformed with the maximum extension length.

Furthermore, when the resilient component with the maximum extension length moves toward a side by a predetermined distance, the resilient component drives the engaging component to slide upwardly or downwardly.

Preferably, the infant carrier device is an infant stroller.

Furthermore, the carrier includes two connecting portions and two fixing components. The two connecting portions are fixed on two sides of the base. The two fixing components are fixed on two sides of the frame. The two connecting portions are pivoted to the two fixing components respectively.

In summary, the infant carrier device of the present invention utilizes the base, the backrest and the headrest rotatable relative to one another for switching the infant carrier device between the bed mode and the seat mode. Furthermore, the infant carrier device of the present invention utilizes the locking mechanism for locking the fixing component when the infant carrier device is in the bed mode and releasing the fixing component when the infant carrier device is in the seat mode. Therefore, when the infant carrier device is in the bed mode, the fixing component cannot rotate relative to the adjusting engaging component, i.e., the angle of the carrier relative to the supporting frame is locked and not adjustable, which allows an infant to sleep better in the carrier. When the infant carrier device is in the seat mode, the fixing component can be rotated relative to the adjusting engaging component freely, such that the angle of the carrier relative to the supporting frame is adjustable, which allows an infant to sit more comfortably in the carrier.

These and other objectives of the pieeent invention ill no doubt become obvieu,, tG Lhde a cadinarlyeki-ln in the art after reading the following detailed descriptict of the preferred el-rib:Fitment that - the,,..rious figures and drawings.

of. of the FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an infant carrier device in a bed mode according to an embodiment of the preset invention.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are lateral diagrams of the infant carrier device at different operating angles in a seat mode according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are diagrams of a carrier of the infant carrier device shown in FIG. 1 at different views according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrams of the carrier of the infant carrier device shown in FIG. 2 at different views according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a backrest according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the backrest without illustrating a cover according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the carrier shown in FIG. 4 without illustrating the cover according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the carrier shown in FIG. 10 during adjustment according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the carrier shown in FIG. 6 without illustrating the cover according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the carrier in the bed mode at another view according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the carrier shown in FIG. 13 without illustrating one of two fixing components according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of the carrier shown in FIG. 14 at another view according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional diagram illustrating one of two restraining blocks as the carrier is in the bed mode according to the embodiment cf the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of the carrier in the seat mode without illustrating one of the two fixing components according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of the carrier shown in FIG. 17 at another view according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a partial sectional diagram illustrating one of the two restraining blocks as the carrier is in the seat mode according to the embodiment of the present invention.

E i lied. Description

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure (s) being described. The components of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an infant carrier device 1 in a bed mode according to an embodiment of the preset invention. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are lateral diagrams of the infant carrier device 1 at different operating angles in a seat mode according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the infant carrier device 1 includes a carrier 10, a supporting frame 20, two adjusting engaging components 31 and two locking mechanisms 40. The supporting frame 20 is connected to the carrier 10 for supporting the carrier 10 between a bed position and a seat position, such that the infant carrier device 1 is switchable between the bed mode, as shown in FIG. 1, and the seat mode, as shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, when the infant carrier device 1 is in the bed mode, i.e., the carrier 10 is located at the bed position, the two locking mechanisms 40 are located at locking positions to lock the carrier 10 on the supporting frame 20. Therefore, it is not allowed to move the carrier 10 or to adjust an angle of the carrier 10 relative to the supporting frame 20. When the infant carrier device 1 is in the seat mode, i.e., the carrier 10 is located at the seat position, the two locking mechanisms 40 are located at releasing positions. Therefore, it is free to rotate and position the carrier 10 relative to the supporting frame 20 at different angles. For example, the carrier 10 can rotate from a position, as shown in FIG. 2, to another position, as shown in FIG. 3.

Structure of the infant carrier device 1 switchable between the bed mode and the seat mode is described as follows. Please refer to FIG. 4 to FIG. 7. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are diagrams of the carrier 10 of the infant carrier device 1 shown in FIG. 1 at different views according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrams of the carrier 10 of the infant carrier device 1 shown in FIG. 2 at cifferent views according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, the carrier 10 includes a frame 11, two fixing components 113, a headrest 12, a backrest 13, a base 14 and two connecting portions 142. The headrest 12 is pivoted to the frame 11 and the backrest 13, and the base 14 is pivoted to the backrest 13 and the frame 11, such that the headrest 12, the backrest 13 and the base 14 are rotatable relative to one another.

When the carrier 10 is located the bed position, as shown in FIG. 4, the backrest 13 and the base 14 are substantially located in a horizontal plane. The backrest 13 and the base 14 are substantially parallel to the frame 11, and the headrest 12 is connected between the backrest 13 and the frame 11 vertically. When the carrier 10 is located at the seat position, as shown in FIG. 6, the backrest 13 and the headrest 12 are substantially located in another plane. The backrest 13 and the headrest 12 move toward the frame 11. The frame 11 is adjacent to an end of the base 14 away from the backrest 13 after rotation. An included angle about 90 degrees is formed between the backrest 13 and the base 14.

The frame 11 includes a front body 111 and a rear body 112. Each of the front body 111 and the rear body 112 is a U-shaped structure substantially. Two open ends of the front body 111 and the rear body 112 are fixedly connected to each other to form an encircled ring. The two fixing components 113 are respectively fixed on two joints where the front body 111 and the rear body 112 are connected to each other, i.e., the two fixing components 113 are fixed on two sides of the frame 11 and parallel to each other. The two connecting portions 142 protrude upwardly from two opposite sides of the base 14 respectively and corresponding to the two fixing components 113. The two connecting portions 142 are parallel to each other and pivoted to the two fixing components 113, such that the base 14 is rotatable relative to the two fixing components 113 for switching the infant carrier device 1 between the bed mode and the seat mode.

Specifically, the headrest 12, the backrest 13, the base 14, and the frame 11 are rotatable relative to one another for switching the carrier 10 between the bed position and the seat position. An end of the headrest 12 is pivoted to the rear body 112. The other end of the headrest 12 is pivoted to an end of the backrest 13. The other end of the backrest 13 is pivoted to a rear end of base 14. The backrest 13 includes a baseplate 131 and a cover 132 connected to each other.

Please refer to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a diagram of the backrest 13 without illustrating the cover 132 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The carrier 10 further Includes an engaging assembly 15, as shown in FIG. 9. The engaging assembly 15 is disposed between the baseplate 131 and the cover 132. The engaging assembly 15 selectively engages with the base 14 or the headrest 12. Specifically, when the carrier 10 is located at the bed position, the engaging assembly 15 engages with the base 14. When the carrier 10 is located at the seat position, the engaging assembly lo engages with the headrest 12.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, a first engaging hole 121 is formed on an end of the headrest 12 near the backrest 13. A second engaging hole 141 is formed on an end of the base 14 near the backrest 13. The engaging assembly 15 selectively engages with the first engaging hole 121 or the second engaging hole 141.

Please refer to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram of the backrest 13 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the engaging assembly 15 includes an operating knob 151, an engaging component 152, a resilient component 153 and a connecting component 154. The operating knob 151 is rotatably connected to the baseplate 131 and exposed out of a rear side of the backrest 13. The engaging component 152 is slidably connected to the baseplate 131. The operating knob 151 is connected to the engaging component 152 by the connecting component 154 for driving the engaging component 152 to slide so as to selectively engage with the second engaging hole 141 on the base 14 or the first engaging hole 121 on the headrest 12. An end of the resilient component 153 is fixed on the baseplate 131. The other end of the resilient component 153 is fixed on the operating knob 151 by the connecting component 154. The resilient component 153 biases the engaging component 152 to engage with the base 14 or the headrest 12.

When the engaging component 152 is located at a critical position where the engaging component 152 disengages from the base 14 and the headrest 12, the base 14, the backrest 13 and the headrest 12 are released to be rotatable relative to one another, such that the carrier 10 is switchable between the bed position and the seat position. When the engaging component 152 is not located at the critical position and engages with one of the base 14 and the headrest 12, the carrier 10 is locked at the bed position or the seat position.

As shown in FIG. 9, a sliding slot 1311 is formed on the baseplate 131 along a longitudinal direction of the baseplate 131. A restraining slot 1312 is formed on a side of the sliding slot 1311 and communicated with the sliding slot 1311. The engaging component 152 is slidably disposed inside the sliding slot 1311. The restraining slot 1312 is for restraining the engaging component 152. When the engaging component 152 is driven to slide by operating the operating knob 151, an end of the engaging component 152 stretches out of the baseplate 131 and selectively engages with the base 14 or the headrest 12. Specifically, an end of the engaging component 152 can stretch out of an end of the backrest 13 and detachably engage with the first engaging hole 121 on the headrest 12. Alternatively, the other end of the engaging component 152 can stretch out of the other end of the backrest 13 and detachably engage with the second engaging hole 141 on the base 14.

In this embodiment, the operating knob 151 can be a cam structure. A groove 1524 is formed on the engaging component 152 and perpendicular to a sliding direction of the engaging component 152. The connecting component 154 slidably passes through the groove 1524 and is fixed on an end of the operating knob 151 away from a rotating axis of the operating knob 151. The operating knob 151 rotates to drive the engaging component 152 to slide by cooperation of the connecting component 154 and the groove 1524. The resilient component 153 is fixed between the connecting component 154 and the baseplate 131. The resilient component 153 provides a resilient force for biasing the engaging component 152 to engage with the base 14 or the headrest 12.

Specifically, the engaging component 152 can be formed in a T shape. Two ends of the engaging component 152 are located in a straight line, and a first engaging end 1521 and a second engaging end 1522 are formed on the two ends of the engaging component 152 respectively. A driven connecting end 1523 is formed on the other end of the engaging component 152. The groove 1524 is formed on the driven connecting end 1523. The engaging component 152 is slidably disposed inside the sliding slot 1311 after installation. The first engaging end 1521 and the second engaging end 1522 are corresponding to the headrest 12 and the base 14 respectively. The driven connecting end 1523 is received in the restraining slot 1312. An end of the resilient component 153 is fixed on a side of the baseplate 131 away from the restraining slot 1312. The other end of the resilient component 153 is fixed on the connecting component 154. The connecting component 154 is slidable along the groove 1524.

Please refer to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. FIG. 10 is a diagram of the carrier 10 shown in FIG. 4 without illustrating the cover 132 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the carrier 10 shown in FIG. 10 during adjustment according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, the operating knob 151 drives the engaging component 152 to slide by the cooperation of the connecting component 154 and the groove 1524 when rotating the operating knob 151 on the rear side of the backrest 13. When the driven connecting end 1523 is located at a middle portion of the restraining slot 1312, the engaging component 152 is located at the critical position where the engaging component 152 disengages from the base 14 and the headrest 12. The connecting component 154 slides to a top end of the groove 1524, such that the resilient component 153 is deformed with a maximum extension length. At this moment, the base 14, the backrest 13 and the headrest 12 are released to be rotatable for switching the carrier 10 between the bed position and the seat position.

When the driven connecting end 1523 is not located at the middle portion of the restraining slot 1312, i.e., the engaging component 152 moves toward a lateral side by a predetermined distance, the resilient component 153 is not deformed with the maximum extension length, such that the resilient component 153 retracts to drive the engaging component 152 to slide upwardly or downwardly until the first engaging end 1521 engages with the first engaging hole 121 or until the second engaging end 1522 engages with the second engaging hole 141. Therefore, the resilient component 153 can provide a resilient force for biasing the engaging component 152 to engage with the base 14 for positioning the carrier 10 at the bed position or to engage with the headrest 12 for positioning the carrier 10 at the seat position. Furthermore, during a process that the engaging component 152 slides from an end of the baseplate 131 to the other end of the baseplate 131, the connecting component 154 slides along the groove 1524 back and forth.

As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 11 further includes a handrail 17 with two ends respectively fixed on the two joints where the front body 111 and the rear body 112 are connected to each other. The handrail 17 facilitates the carrier 10 to be used individually. When the carrier 10 is located at the seat position, the handrail 17 can be acted as an armrest.

Operational principle of the carrier 10 switchable between the bed position and the seat position is described as follows. As shown in FIG. 10, when the carrier 10 is located at the bed position, the base 14 and the backrest 13 are substantially located at a plane. The second engaging end 1522 of the engaging component 152 stretches out of the baseplate 131 to engage with the second engaging hole 141. At this moment, the driven engaging end 1523 of the engaging end 152 is located at an edge of the restraining slot 1312 near the base 14. The connecting component 154 is located at a bottom end of the groove 1524. The engaging component 152 can firmly engage with the second engaging hole 141 by operation of the resilient component 153 and the groove 1524.

When it is desired to switch the carrier 10 from the bed position to the seat position, the operating knob 151 is rotated from the rear side of the backrest 13 manually. The operating knob 151 rotates along a narrow direction D1 illustrated in FIG. 10 to drive the connecting component 154 to slide along the groove 1524, such that the engaging component 152 is driven to slide along a narrow direction D2 illustrated in FIG. 10 by the cooperation of connecting component 154 and the groove 1524.

Please refer to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram of the carrier shown in FIG. 6 without illustrating the cover 132 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, when the operating knob 151 rotates along the narrow direction D1 by 90 degrees, the end of the operating knob 151 away from the rotating axis of the operating knob 151 is substantially located at the middle portion of the restraining slot 1312. The connecting component 154 slides to the top end of the groove 1524. The engaging component 152 is located at the critical position, and the resilient component 153 is deformed with the maximum extension length. The second engaging end 1522 of the engaging component 152 disengages from the base 14 completely. The headrest 12, the backrest 13 and the base 14 are released to be rotatable relative to one another.

Afterwards, the base 14, the backrest 13 and the headrest 12 can be adjusted until the headrest 12 and the backrest 13 are substantially located in a plane, and the included angle about 90 degrees is formed between the backrest 13 and the base 14, such that the carrier 10 is located at the seat position. Furthermore, when the engaging component 152 departs from the critical position, i.e., the engaging component 152 moves from the critical position where the resilient component 153 is deformed with the maximum extension length toward the headrest 12 by a predetermined distance, the resilient component 153 retracts to drive the operating knob 151 to rotate along the narrow direction D1 illustrated in FIG. 11 for driving the engaging component 152 to slide along the narrow direction D2 illustrated in FIG. 11, such that the first engaging end 1521 engages with the first engaging hole 121. During the aforementioned process, the connecting component 154 slides and returns to the bottom end of the groove 1524. The driven connecting end 1523 slides to the other edge of the restraining slot 1312 near the headrest 12. At this moment, the engaging component 152 can firmly engage with the first engaging hole 121 by operation of the resilient component 153 and the groove 1524, as shown in FIG. 12.

When it is desired to switch the carrier 10 from the seat position to the bed position, the operating knob 151 is rotated reversely for driving the engaging component 152 to disengage from the first engaging hole 121, as shown in FIG. 11. Afterwards, the base 14, the backrest 13 and the headrest 12 can be adjusted until the backrest 13 and the base 14 are substantially located in another plane, and the headrest 12 is connected to the backrest 13 vertically. Furthermore, when the engaging component 152 moves from the critical position where the resilient component 153 is deformed with the maximum extension length toward the base 14 by a predetermined distance, the resilient component 153 retracts to drive the engaging component 152 to slide for engaging with the second engaging hole 141, as shown in FIG. 10.

Structure and operational principle of the infant carrier device 1, an operating angle of which is locked at the bed mode and is released to be adjustable at the seat mode, are described as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the two adjusting engaging components 31 and the two locking mechanisms 40 are located at two sides of the infant carrier device 1. The two adjusting engaging components 31 are pivoted to the two fixing components 113 located at the two sides of the frame 11 respectively. Specifically, two upper ends of the two fixing components 113 are fixed on the frame 11, and two lower ends of the two fixing components 113 are pivoted to the two connecting portions 142. The two adjusting engaging components 31 are pivoted to two middle portions of the two fixing components 113 between the two upper ends and the two lower ends of the two fixing components 113. The two adjusting engaging components 31 can be installed on the supporting frame 20. For example, the infant carrier device 1 further includes two installing bases 22 disposed on the supporting frame 20 for positioning the two adjusting engaging components 31. After the two adjusting engaging components 31 are connected to the carrier 10, an integral assembly of the carrier 10 and the two adjusting engaging components 31 is detachably installed on the two installing bases 22. After the two adjusting engaging components 31 are connected to the two installing bases 22, the two fixing components 113 are rotatable relative to the two adjusting engaging components 31, such that the carrier 10 is rotatable relative to the supporting frame 20 for adjusting an angle of the carrier 10 relative to the supporting frame 20.

Please refer to FIG. 13 tc FIG. 15. FIG. 13 is a diagram of the carrier 10 in the bed mode at another view according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram of the carrier 10 shown in FIG. 13 without illustrating one of the two fixing components 113 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram of the carrier 10 shown in FIG. 14 at another view according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 15, the two locking mechanisms 40 are adjacent to the two adjusting engaging components 31. Specifically, the two locking mechanisms 40 are located between the two fixing components 113 and the two adjusting engaging components 31. Each of the two locking mechanisms 40 includes a restraining block 41 movably disposed on the corresponding fixing component 113. When the base 14 rotates relative to the two fixing components 113, the two connecting portions 142 drive the two restraining blocks 41 to engage with the two adjusting engaging components 31 for locking the two fixing components 113 or to disengage from the two adjusting engaging components 31. Specifically, an accommodating slot 1132 is formed on an inner side of each of the two fixing components 113 and has two open ends. The two accommodating slots 1132 formed on the two fixing components 113 face to each other. Each of the two accommodating slots 1132 is located between a location where the corresponding fixing component 113 is pivoted to the corresponding connecting portion 142, and a location where the corresponding fixing comoonent 113 is pivoted to the corresponding adjusting engaging component 31. The two restraining blocks 41 are slidably disposed inside the two accommodating slots 1132. Two lower ends of the two restraining blocks 41 stretch out of the two lower open ends of the two accommodating slots 1132 and abut against two upper portions of the two connecting portions 142. Specifically, the base 14 further includes two arc-shaped abutting surfaces 1421 disposed on the two upper portions of the two connecting portions 142 and contacting with the two restraining blocks 41. Two recesses 1422 are formed on the two upper portions of the two connecting portions 142 for allowing the two lower ends of the two restraining blocks 41 to slide into. A bottom surface of each of the two recesses 1422 is connected to the corresponding abutting surface 1421. The two recesses 1422 are substantially formed in two triangles, respectively. Each of the two recesses 1422 has one bottom surface and one side surface. Two side surfaces of the two restraining blocks 41 contact with the two side surfaces of the two recesses 1422 when the two restraining blocks 41 slide into the two recesses 1422.

Each of the two adjusting engaging components 31 includes a protruding platform. 311 protruding toward the corresponding fixing component 113. A positioning slot 3111 is sunken from a side wall of each of the two protruding platform 311 and communicated with the corresponding accommodating slot 1132. The infant carrier device 1 further includes two abutting portions 3112 disposed on the two adjusting engaging components 31 and corresponding to the two restraining blocks 41. In this embodiment, the two abutting portions 3112 can be side walls of the two positioning slots 3111 near a front side of the infant carrier device 1. Two upper ends of the two restraining blocks 41 can stretch out of the two upper open ends of the two accommodating slots 1132 to enter into the two positioning slots 3111.

Please refer to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a partial sectional diagram illustrating one of the two restraining blocks 41 as the carrier 10 is in the bed mode according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, when the carrier 10 is installed on the supporting frame 20 and located at the bed position, the two recesses 1422 are misaligned with the two lower ends of the two accommodating slots 1132. The two abutting surfaces 1421 abut against the two restraining blocks 41, such that the two upper ends of the two restraining blocks 41 stretch into the two positioning slots 3111, and the two restraining blocks 41 fasten between two inner walls of the two accommodating slots 1132 and the two abutting portions 3112. At this moment, the two locking mechanisms 40 are located at the locking positions where the two fixing components 113 are locked. The two fixing components 113 are stopped from rotating relative to the two adjusting engaging components 31 clockwise or counterclockwise by the two restraining blocks 41. Therefore, the carrier 10 is fixed on the supporting frame 20, and the angle of the carrier 10 relative to the supporting cannot be adjusted, which allows an infant to sleep better in the carrier 10.

Please refer to FIG. 17 to FIG. 19. FIG. 17 is a diagram of the carrier 10 in the seat mode without illustrating one of the two fixing components 113 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a diagram of the carrier 10 shown in FIG. 17 at another view according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a partial sectional diagram illustrating one of the two restraining blocks 41 as the carrier 10 is in the seat mode according to the embodiment of the present invention. During a process that the carrier 10 is switched from the bed position to the seat position, the two connecting portions 142 rotate relative to the two fixing components 113. The two recesses 1422 formed on the two connecting portions 142 move close to the two lower open ends of the two accommodating slots 1132 gradually. When the carrier 10 is located at the seat position, the two recesses 1422 are aligned with the two lower open ends of the two accommodating slots 1132. The two lower ends of the two restraining blocks 41 slide into the two recesses 1422, such that the two upper ends of the two restraining blocks 41 depart from the two positioning slots 3111 and enter into the two accommodating slots 1132, and the two abutting portions 3112 are not stopped by the two restraining blocks 41 anymore. At this moment, the two locking mechanisms 40 are located at the releasing positions, such that the two fixing components 113 can rotate relative to the two adjusting engaging components 31 freely. When the two locking mechanisms 40 are at releasing positions, the angle of the carrier 10 relative to the supporting frame 20 can be adjusted, such that the carrier 10 can be positioned at different positions, such as positions Illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, which allows an infant to sit more comfortably in the carrier 10.

During a process that the carrier 10 is switched from the seat position to the bed position, two connections of the two bottom surfaces of the two recesses 1422 and the two abutting surfaces 1421 push the two restraining blocks 41 upwardly. When the carrier 10 is located at the bed position, the two lower ends of the two restraining blocks 41 contact with the two abutting surfaces 1421, and the upper ends of the two restraining blocks 41 return into the two positioning slots 3111 for being fastened between the two inner walls of the two accommodating slots 1132 and the two abutting portions 3112.

As shown in FIG. 18, each of the two protruding platforms 311 includes a plurality of engaging portions 3113 spaced from one another. In this embodiment, the infant carrier device 1 further includes two engaging structures disposed on the two fixing components 113. The two engaging structures cooperate with the plurality of engaging portions 3113 and selectively engage with the different engaging portions 3113, which allows the angle of the carrier 10 at the seat position relative to the supporting frame 20 to be adjusted. Specifically, the plurality of engaging portions 3113 is disposed inside each of the two positioning slots 3111 and arranged in a gear shape. Therefore, the angle adjustment of the carrier 10 can be achieved by the above-mentioned mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 19, each of the two locking mechanisms 40 further includes a recovering component 42 disposed between the corresponding accommodating slot 1132 and the corresponding restraining block 41, and the recovering component 42 provides a resilient force for driving the corresponding restraining block 41 to slide into the corresponding recess 1422. Along hole 411 is formed on each of the two restraining blocks 41. The two long holes 411 extend along sliding directions of the two restraining blocks 41.

Each of the two fixing components 113 further includes a blocking portion 1133 disposed inside the corresponding accommodating slot 1132 and inserted into the corresponding long hole 411. Ends of the two recovering components 42 abut against the two blocking portions 1133, and the other ends of the two recovering components 42 abut against inner walls of ends of the two long holes 411 near the two recesses 1422. The two recovering components 42 drive the two restraining blocks 41 to slide into the two recesses 1422 automatically when the two recesses 1422 are aligned with the two lower open ends of the two accommodating slots 1132, which is convenient in use. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the two recovering components 42 can be compressed springs, and the infant carrier 1 can be a stroller. The numbers and the configurations of the adjusting engaging component 31 and the locking mechanism 40 are not limited to this embodiment. For example, the infant carrier device 1 can include one adjusting engaging component 31 and one locking mechanism 40 located one side of the infant carrier device 1.

In contrast to the prior art, the infant carrier device of the present invention utilizes the base, the backrest and the headrest rotatable relative to one another for switching the infant carrier device between the bed mode and the seat mode. Furthermore, the infant carrier device of the present invention utilizes the locking mechanism for locking the fixing component when the infant carrier device is in the bed mode and releasing the fixing component when the infant carrier device is in the seat mode. Therefore, when the infant carrier device is in the bed mode, the fixing component cannot rotate relative to the adjusting engaging component, i.e., the angle of the carrier relative to the supporting frame is locked and not adjustable, which allows an infant to sleep better in the carrier. When the infant carrier device is in the seat mode, the fixing component can be rotated relative to the adjusting engaging component freely, such that the angle of the carrier relative to the supporting frame is adjustable, which allows an infant to sit more comfortably in the carrier.

Thoe skilled In the axt will readily observe Ii hat numerous modifications and alterations of the aence and method may be made while re-Laininq the teachings of the invent: on. Accordingly, the above disclosure shouild he construed as limited only by the mftes and bounds of the appended claims,

Claims

Claims Whc,b claimed H. 1. An infant carrier device comprising: a carrier comprising: a frame; a base; a connecting portion fixed on a side of the base; and a fixing component fixed on a side of the frame, the connecting portion being pivoted to the fixing component; a supporting frame; an adjusting engaging component installed on the supporting frame and pivoted to the fixing component; and a locking mechanism adjacent to the adjusting engaging component; wherein the base is rotatable relative to the fixing component for switching the infant carrier device between a bed mode and a seat mode, and when the infant carrier device is switched from the bed mode to the seat mode, the connecting portion drives the locking mechanism to move from a locking position where the fixing component is locked to a releasing position, such that the fixing component is rotatable relative to the adjusting engaging component for adjusting an angle of the carrier relative to the supporting frame.
2. The infant carrier device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a restraining block movably disposed on the fixing component, and when the base rotates relative to the fixing component, the connecting portion drives the retraining block to engage with the adjusting engaging component or to disengage from the adjusting engaging component.
3. The infant carrier device of claim 2, wherein an accommodating slot is formed on the fixing component and has two open ends, the restraining block is slidably disposed in the accommodating slot, a recess is formed on an upper portion of the connecting portion for allowing the restraining block to slide into, the infant carrier device further comprises an abutting portion disposed on the adjusting engaging component and corresponding to the restraining block, the recess is misaligned with the corresponding open end of the accommodating slot when the infant carrier device is in the bed mode, such that the connecting portion pushes the restraining block to fasten between the accommodating slot and the abutting portion, and the recess is aligned with the corresponding opening of the accommodating slot when the infant carrier device is in the seat mode, such that an end of the restraining block slides into the recess, and the other end of the restraining block disengages from the abutting portion.
4. The infant carrier device of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a recovering component disposed between the accommodating slot and the restraining block, and the recovering component provides a resilient force for driving the restraining block to slide into the recess.
5. The infant carrier device of claim 4, wherein a long hole is formed on the restraining block, the long hole extends along a sliding direction of the restraining block, the fixing component further comprises a blocking portion disposed inside the accommodating slot and inserted into the long hole, an end of the recovering component abuts against the blocking portion, and the other end of the recovering component abuts against an inner wall of an end of the long hole near the recess.
6. The infant carrier device of claim 3, wherein the adjusting engaging component comprises a protruding platform, a positioning slot is sunken from a side wall of the protruding platform and communicated with the accommodating slot, and a side wall of the positioning slot is the abutting portion.
7. The infant carrier device of claim 6, wherein the protruding platform comprises a plurality of engaging portions.
8. The infant carrier device of claim 3, wherein the base further comprises an arc-shaped abutting surface disposed on the upper portion of the connecting portion, and a bottom surface of the recess is connected to the abutting surface.
9. The infant carrier device of claim 1, wherein the carrier further comprises: a headrest pivoted to the frame; a backrest pivoted to the headrest and the base; and an engaging assembly disposed on the backrest; wherein the head rest, the back rest, the base and the frame are rotatable relative to one another for switching the infant carrier device between the bed mode and the seat mode, the base and the backrest are substantially located in a plane, and an included angle is formed between the plane and the headrest when the infant carrier device is in the bed mode, the backrest and the headrest are located in another plane, and another included angle is formed between the another plane and the base when the infa= carrier device is in the seat mode, and the engaging assembly selectively engages with the base or the headrest.
10. The infant carrier device of claim 9, wherein when the infant carrier device is in the bed mode, the engaging assembly engages with the base, and when the infant carrier device is in the seat mode, the engaging assembly engages with the headrest.
11. The infant carrier device of claim 9, wherein the engaging assembly comprises an engaging component slidably connected to the backrest, and the engaging component selectively engages with the base or the headrest.
12. The infant carrier device of claim 11, wherein when the engaging component is located at a critical position where the engaging component disengages from the base and the headrest, the base, the backrest and the headrest are released to be rotatable for switching the infant carrier device between the bed mode and the seat mode.
13. The infant carrier device of claim 12, wherein when the engaging component is not located at the critical position and engages with the base or the headrest, the infant carrier device is in the bed mode or the seat mode.
14. The infant carrier device of claim 11, wherein a first engaging hole and a second engaging hole are formed on the headrest and the base respectively, and the engaging component selectively engages with the first engaging hole or the second engaging hole.
15. The infant carrier device of claim 11, wherein the engaging assembly further comprises an operating knob for driving the engaging component to slide.
16. The infant carrier device of claim 15, wherein a groove is formed on the engaging component and substantially perpendicular to a sliding direction of the engaging component, the engaging assembly further comprises a connecting component slidably passing through the groove and fixed to the operating knob, and the operating knob rotates to drive the engaging component to slide by the connecting component and the groove.
17. The infant carrier device of claim 16, wherein the engaging component is formed in a T shape, two ends of the engaging component are in a straight line and detachably engage with the base and the headrest respectively, and the groove is formed on the other end of the engaging component.
18. The infant carrier device of claim 17, wherein a restraining slot is formed on the backrest, and the other end of the engaging component where the groove is formed is slidably received in the restraining slot.
19. The infant carrier device of claim 18, wherein when the other end of the engaging component where the groove is formed is located at a middle portion of the restraining slot, the engaging component is located at the critical position, and the base, the backrest and the headrest are released to be rotatable for switching the infant carrier device between the bed mode and the seat mode.
20. The infant carrier device of claim 18, wherein when the other end of the engaging component where the groove is formed is not located at the middle portion of the restraining slot, the engaging component engages with the base or the headrest, such that the infant carrier device is in the bed mode or the seat mode.
21. The infant carrier device of claim 15, wherein the operating knob is a cam structure.
22. The infant carrier device of claim 16, wherein the engaging assembly further comprises a resilient component, and two ends of the resilient component are fixed on the backrest and the connecting component respectively.
23. The infant carrier device of claim 22, wherein when the engaging component is located at the critical position where the engaging component disengages from the base and the headrest, the resilient component is deformed with a maximum extension length, and the resilient component drives the engaging component to slide upwardly or downwardly and biases the engaging component to engage with the base or the headrest when the resilient component is not deformed with the maximum extension length.
24. The infant carrier device of claim 23, wherein when the resilient component with the maximum extension length moves toward a side by a predetermined distance, the resilient component drives the engaging component to slide upwardly or downwardly.
25. The infant carrier device of claim 1, being an infant stroller.
26. The infant carrier device of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises: two connecting portions fixed on two sides of the base; and two fixing components fixed on two sides of the frame, the two connecting portions being pivoted to the two fixing components respectively.