# US 2013/0156490 A1 · Fold Latch and Fold Joint for a Stroller > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0156490 A1 - Document ID: US20130156490A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/717,224 - Filed: 2012-12-17 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-18 - Assignees: Graco Children's Products Inc. - Inventors: Brady Matthew Schroeder - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130156490A1 ## CPC - F16C 11/10: Arrangements for locking - B62B 7/08: in the direction of, or at right angles to, the wheel axis - B62B 2205/22: remotely controlled, e.g. from the handlebar - B62B 2205/24: to hold in the folded position - F16C 2326/20: Land vehicles - Y10T 403/32409: Members locked in axial alignment - Y10T 403/32426: Plural distinct positions - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A fold joint for a stroller has a first latch part fixed to a first frame element and a second latch part fixed to a second frame element. The latch parts are pivotable relative to one another about a pivot axis between an in-use orientation and a folded orientation. A latch shuttle is movable between a latched position locking the latch parts in the in-use orientation and an unlatched position unlocking the latch parts. A latch pin is carried by the latch shuttle. A track on the first latch part has a fold portion and a latch portion. A slot on the second latch part aligns with the latch portion in the in-use orientation. The latch pin is captured within the track and slot. When the latch shuttle is moved to the unlatched position, the latch pin is moved along the latch portion to the fold portion of the track. When the latch parts are pivoted toward the folded orientation, the latch pin moves along the fold portion of the track. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fold joint for a stroller comprising: a first latch part fixed to a first frame element; a second latch part fixed to a second frame element, the first and second latch parts pivotable relative to one another about a pivot axis between an in-use orientation and a folded orientation; a latch shuttle movable between a latched position locking the first and second latch parts in the in-use orientation and an unlatched position unlocking the first and second latch parts; a latch pin carried by the latch shuttle; a track on the first latch part and having a fold portion and a latch portion; and a slot on the second latch part that aligns with the latch portion in the in-use orientation, the latch pin captured within the track and the slot, wherein, when the latch shuttle is moved to the unlatched position, the latch pin is moved along the latch portion to the fold portion of the track, and wherein, when the first and second latch parts pivot toward the folded orientation, the latch pin moves along the fold portion of the track. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A fold joint according to claim 1, wherein the first frame element is a front leg of a frame assembly of the stroller and wherein the second frame element is a push arm of a handle assembly of the frame assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A fold joint according to claim 1, wherein the first latch part has a pair of plates that are spaced apart from one another and the pivot axis is defined through and generally perpendicular to the pair of plates, and wherein the second latch part has a puck sandwiched between the pair of plates. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A fold joint according to claim 1, wherein the first latch part has two of the tracks, a pair of plates that are spaced apart from one another, and the pivot axis is defined between the pair of plates, and wherein each plate of the pair of plates carries one of the tracks. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A fold joint according to claim 4, wherein the second latch part has a puck sandwiched between the plates and being pivotable about the pivot axis, and wherein the slot extends through the puck between the plates. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A fold joint according to claim 5, wherein the latch shuttle slidably extends through and across the puck perpendicular to and radially offset from the pivot axis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A fold joint according to claim 1, wherein the latch shuttle extends through part of the second latch part and is resiliently biased toward the latched position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A fold joint according to claim 1, wherein the first and second latch parts are coupled to and pivotable relative to one another about the pivot axis, wherein the fold portion is curved and spaced at a radius from the pivot axis, wherein the latch portion extends from one end of the fold portion, and wherein the slot has the same contour as the latch portion of the track. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A fold joint according to claim 8, wherein the slot and the latch portion of the track are linear, a portion of each being at a different radial distance from the pivot axis than the radius of the fold portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A fold joint according to claim 1, wherein, when the first and second latch parts pivot toward the folded orientation, the slot moves out of alignment with the latch portion of the track, retaining the latch shuttle in the unlatched position with the fold latch in the folded orientation. ### Claim 11 A fold joint for a stroller comprising: a first latch part fixed to a first frame element; a second latch part fixed to a second frame element, the first and second latch parts coupled to and pivotable relative to one another about a pivot axis between an in-use orientation and a folded orientation; a latch shuttle movable between a latched position locking the first and second latch parts in the in-use orientation and an unlatched position permitting the first and second latch parts to pivot to the folded orientation; a latch pin carried by and movable with the latch shuttle; a track on the first latch part and having a fold portion spaced at a radius from the pivot axis and having a latch portion at one end of the fold portion; and a slot on the second latch part aligned with the latch portion of the track in the in-use orientation, the latch pin extending through the track and the slot and spaced from the fold portion of the track with the latch shuttle in the latched position, wherein, when the latch shuttle is moved to the unlatched position, the latch pin is moved along the slot and the latch portion of the track to the one end of the fold portion of the track, and wherein, when the first and second latch parts are pivoted toward the folded orientation, the latch pin moves along the fold portion toward another end of the track. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A fold joint according to claim 11, wherein the fold portion of the track is curved and the latch portion is not curved. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A fold joint according to claim 11, wherein the latch shuttle slides perpendicular to and is spaced a distance from the pivot axis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A fold joint according to claim 11, wherein the latch pin is arranged parallel to and spaced from the pivot axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A fold joint according to claim 11, wherein the slot moves out of alignment with the latch portion of the track when the fold joint moves from the in-use orientation toward the folded orientation. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A fold joint according to claim 15, wherein the slot and the latch portion of the track are each generally linear and the fold portion is curved about the pivot axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) A fold joint according to claim 11, further comprising: the first latch part having a pair of plates spaced apart from one another; a pivot axis defined perpendicular to and between the pair of plates; one of the tracks carried on each of the pair of plates; the second latch part having a puck sandwiched between the pair of plates and pivotable about the pivot axis, and the slot extending through the puck between the plates. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A fold joint according to claim 17, wherein the latch shuttle slidably extends through the puck and a latching end of the latch shuttle engages the first latch part in the latched position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) A fold joint according to claim 11, wherein the latch shuttle extends through a portion of the second latch part, engages the first latch part in the latched position, and is resiliently biased toward the latched position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) A fold joint according to claim 11, further comprising: a cover that encloses and hides portions of the first and second latch parts including the latch pin, the track, the slot, and the latch shuttle.