# US 11,027,761 B2 · Foldable carriage

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,027,761 B2
- Document ID: US11027761B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/988,133
- Filed: 2020-08-07
- Published: 2020-11-19
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2013-11-01
- Assignees: Thule Sweden AB
- Applicants: Thule Sweden AB
- Inventors: Paramjit Singh; Wesley Justin Fleming; Miao Kaihua
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027761B2

## CPC

- B62B 3/02: involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible
- B62B 7/06: collapsible or foldable
- B62B 7/068: {by sliding a bushing along a rod, e.g. like folding means of an umbrella}
- F16C 11/10: Arrangements for locking
- F16C 2326/20: Land vehicles
- B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M)
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

A carriage having a frame which includes a plurality of elongated frame components. A first attachment point couples a first and second elongated frame component. A second attachment point couples a third and fourth elongated frame component. A transverse elongated frame component couples to the first and second attachment points. A rotation lock is disposed on the transverse elongated frame component. The rotation lock is configured to prevent rotation of the transverse elongated frame component in a locked configuration.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A carriage, comprising:
a frame comprising a plurality of elongated frame components and configured to fold between a use position and a storage position;
a first attachment joint coupling a first and second elongated frame component;
a second attachment joint coupling a third and fourth elongated frame component;
a rotation lock comprising a handle and a spring and disposed between the first and second attachment joints, wherein the rotation lock is configured to prevent rotation; and
a pivot lock for the first attachment joint configured to prevent the first and second elongated frame components from pivoting with respect to each other when the pivot lock is in a locked configuration,
wherein the spring is disposed between a first end of the handle and a second end of the handle, and
wherein overcoming a biasing force of the spring permits the handle to be rotated.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The carriage of claim 1, wherein the rotation lock comprises a lock mechanism and an actuator configured to unlock the lock mechanism.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The carriage of claim 2, wherein the actuator comprises the handle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The carriage of claim 1, wherein rotating the handle unlocks the pivot lock.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The carriage of claim 4, further comprising a transverse component coupled to the handle, wherein rotating the handle rotates the transverse component.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The carriage of claim 5, wherein the handle translates in a lengthwise direction of the transverse component to unlock the rotation lock.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The carriage of claim 1, wherein the handle is disposed around a center axis of a transverse component coupled to the first and second attachment joints.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The carriage of claim 7, wherein the transverse component is indirectly coupled to the first and second attachment joints.

### Claim 9

A carriage, comprising:
a frame configured to fold between a use position and a storage position;
a first attachment joint configured to attach a plurality of elongated frame components and a second attachment joint configured to attach a plurality of elongated frame components, wherein the frame is configured to fold at the first and the second attachment joints;
a pivot lock for the first attachment joint configured to lock the frame in the use position;
a transverse elongated component disposed at least partially between the first and the second attachment joints, wherein the pivot lock is configured to be operated by rotating the transverse elongated component; and
a rotation lock comprising a spring coupled to a pin and disposed between the first and the second attachment joints, wherein the pin is configured to unlock the rotation lock, and
wherein the pin is configured to move perpendicular to a center axis of the transverse elongated component.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The carriage of claim 9, further comprising a second pivot lock for the second attachment joint configured to lock the frame in the use position.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The carriage of claim 10, wherein the first and second pivot locks are operated simultaneously.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The carriage of claim 9, further comprising a pivot axis extending between the first and second attachment joints, wherein the frame is configured to fold about the pivot axis.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The carriage of claim 12, wherein the center axis of the transverse elongated component is parallel to the pivot axis.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The carriage of claim 13, wherein the center axis of the transverse elongated component is coaxial with the pivot axis.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The carriage of claim 9, wherein a first end of the transverse elongated component cooperates with the pivot lock.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The carriage of claim 15, wherein the first end of the transverse elongated component indirectly cooperates with the pivot lock.

### Claim 17 (depends on 9)

The carriage of claim 9, wherein the transverse elongated component is coupled to the first attachment joint.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The carriage of claim 17, wherein the transverse elongated component is coupled to the second attachment joint.

### Claim 19 (depends on 9)

The carriage of claim 9, wherein the rotation lock comprises a handle.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The carriage of claim 19, wherein the handle translates in a lengthwise direction of the transverse elongated component to displace the pin from a locked configuration.

### Claim 21

A method for folding a carriage from a use position to a storage position, comprising:
unlocking a rotation lock comprising a pin configured to prevent rotation of a handle coupled to a frame of the carriage;
rotating the handle, wherein rotating the handle unlocks a pivot lock of a first attachment joint of the carriage; and
folding the carriage from the use position to the storage position,
wherein a user unlocks the rotation lock and rotates the handle with a single hand without changing grip between unlocking the rotation lock and thereafter rotating the handle to unlock the pivot lock.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21, wherein the handle is disposed between the first attachment joint and a second attachment joint of the carriage.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21, wherein the handle is coupled to a transverse component of the carriage and the transverse component is coupled to the first attachment joint.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, wherein rotating the handle rotates the transverse component.

### Claim 25 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, wherein unlocking the rotation lock comprises sliding the handle in a longitudinal direction of the transverse component.

### Claim 26 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, wherein the transverse component is indirectly coupled to the first attachment joint.

### Claim 27 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21, wherein the pin is disposed between a first end of the handle and a second end of the handle.