Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21SlB2~
Stro I ler
5 Background Of The Invention
This invention relates to a stroller. More particularly, the invention relates
to a three-wheeled child's stroller that has a selectively lockable, 360 degree
pivoting front caster wheel and that folds conveniently and compactly for storage
or portability. The stroller's design and wheel size are more suitable for rougher
10 terrain and higher traveling speeds than a conventional stroller having small wheels. Further. the stroller is more compact and maneuverable than a
conventional "jogging stroller" having three large bicycle-type wheel~ and tires.
The invention also relates to a stroller having a convenient fold and automatic
spring-loaded side latches for locking the stroller in the unfolded configuration.
I~ Additionally, the invention relates to a stroller having a reclining seat back and a
child restraint seat belt.
There are a variety of types of conventional three-wheeied collapsible
strollers known. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,881,739 to Laune describes a
child's stroller having three wheels of a relatively small size, as are usually
20 associated with a conventional stroller. The front wheel is of a steerable, caster
type and has a brake and is lockable in a forward-only orientation. The strollerframe comprises of a pair of horizontal side elements pivoted on each other at
their front ends and having upright members at their rear ends. The front ends
meet at a front pivot point with articulated connections, which allow the side
25 elements and upright members to collapse upon each other to fold the stroller,
reducing the space occupied by the stroller. Footrests are provided on the fronttubes below the seat and above and behind the front wheel.
A disadvantage of the stroller described in the patent to Laune is that it is
limited to use only at relatively low speeds and only on relatively smooth
30 surfaces by the small wheel diameters -- a stroller with small wheels and tires is
difficult to maneuver on bumpy surfaces. Thus, a conventional small-wheeled
stroller is not well suited to some surfaces commonly encountered by users of
strollers, such as bumpy pavement, grass, or packed dirt.
Another disadvantage of this stroller is that although the stroller folds
35 longitudinally, bringing the two rear wheels in close proximity to each other, this
fold produces a lengthy and cumbersome end product -- the stroller in its foldedstate is necessarily at least as long as its wheelbase.
216182~
Accordingly, there exists a need both for a stroller that is operable on
slightly uneven or bumpy surfaces and a fold for such a stroller that will yield a
folded configuration which is compact for easy storage and/or portability.
Various bar linkages and fold patterns for strollers are known. Also,
various latches for latching a folding stroller frame in a fully unfolded operative
position are known. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,415,180 to Payne, Jr.
illustrates a folding stroller utilizing a latch member which is pivotally connected
to the first frame member and biased to a position wherein it embraces an end
of a second member. The latch member may be released by finger pressure
pivoting the latch member against the spring bias. The latch member has a cam
surface thereon. so that the end of the second member may contact the cam
surface and pivot the latch member whereby the second member will be
snapped into a latched position without finger manipulation. The latch member
pivots around a generally horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the tube axis.
1~ The conventional four-wheeled stroller disclosed in the patent to Payne,
Jr. also suffers from the disadvantage that it is limited for use only on relatively
smooth surfaces due to the small wheel diameters. This stroller also is not
suitable for use on the uneven or bumpy surfaces commonly encountered by
users of strollers.
'0 Another type of latch member for latching first and second frame
members into a parallel, unfolded position is known in which the latch is
mounted to and rotates about the longitudinal axis of one frame member. The
latch has a resilient portion defining a groove that snaps partially around and
onto the other frame member, to latch the frame members together.
A disadvantage of this design is that the latch must be manually rotated
and engaged and rotated and disengaged whenever the user wishes to foid or
unfold the stroller frame. Thus, when unfolding the frame (the latch is
disengaged when the frame is folded), the latch must be manually engaged
once the stroller is in its usable. unfolded configuration. Accordingly, this type of
latch suffers from the disadvantage that the user must manually engage the
latch by rotating it each time the stroller is unfolded.
U.S. Patent No. 5,188,389 to Baechler et al. discloses a foldable three-
wheeled "all-terrain" baby stroller of the type commonly referred to as a "jogging
stroller." This stroller is better equipped to accommodate higher speeds and
bumpy or uneven surfaces than a small-wheeled conventional stroller due to
the utilization of large wheels.
A disadvantage of the stroller disclosed in the Baechler et al. patent is
that the lower frame bars connecting the front and rear wheels do not fold --
therefore even when folded the stroller is necessarily at least as long as its
2161829
wheel base. Yet another drawback to the design is the absence of a
directionally pivoting front wheel, which makes the simple task of turning the
stroller an arduous one -- the operator must push down on the handle to raise
the front wheel off the ground to change direction.
Another "jogging stroller" is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,029,891 to
Jacobs. The stroller includes three large-diameter wheels arranged in a tricycleconfiguration, a foldable frame to which the wheels are attached, and an infant
holder made from flexible material supported by the frame. The frame includes
a pivotally connected upper portion and a lower portion, whereby the portions
10 may be folded against one another reducing the space occupied by the stroller.
The front wheel is centrally located directly in front of the child. A floor panel
intended for a foot rest is mounted to the front tubes and extends forward from
under the child's seat and a fender covering the back side of the front wheel isattached to the floor panel and front axle. ~~
1~ A disadvantage of the stroller disclosed in the Jacobs patent is that this
configuration places the occupants legs mostly or completely behind the front
wheel, again elongating the overall length of the stroller. Further. the Jacobs
patent depicts that the lower frame bars connecting the front and rear wheels donot fold -- therefore once again even when folded the stroller is necessarily at20 least as long as its wheel base, as in the Laune and Baechler et al patents.
Also, the provision of a floor panel and a separate fender increases the weight
and complexity of the stroller as compared to a single unitary footrest/fender
member. Another drawback in the stroller of the Jacobs patent is the
implementation of a non-pivoting front wheel, again making steering
'~ cumbersome and difficult, as in the stroller disclosed in the Baechler et al. patent.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a stroller combining the advantages
of a "jogging stroller" -- the ability to traverse somewhat bumpy and/or uneven
terrain -- with the advantages of a conventional stroller -- ease of
30 maneuverability, compactness and convenient and compact foldability.
Reclining seats for strollers are also known. For example, U.S. Patent
No. 4,836,573 to Gebhard discloses an apparatus for supporting a child in a
fully reclining (horizontal) position and in a sitting (generally upright) position.
The child support is pivotable from the first, generally horizontal position for use
35 as a bassinet to the second, generally upright or slightly tilted position for use as
a forward-facing stroller seat. In the first configuration, a first planar member
acts as a whole body support for a child to provide a bassinet or baby carriage
configuration. In the second configuration, the first planar member is provided
as a back rest and a second planar member is provided as a seat.
2161829
_
A disadvantage of the configuration described in the Gebhard patent is
that it does not provide for conversion between an upright seated position and areclined seated position -- rather it only provides for a choice between one
slightly reclined position or a fully Iying down position. Accordingly, there exists
a need for a stroller seat back that is conveniently adjustable between a
relatively upright, seated position, and a more inclined, reclining seated
position.
Another seat back recline is described as U.S. Patent No. 4,462,607 to
Nakao et al., in which the upper back section of a seating platform is suspended10 from the handle by an adjustable loop.
Wheel brakes employing a lever partially mounted to the stroller frame
and having a pin that engages radial teeth in the wheel to brake the wheel
when the lever is depressed are also known, as illustrated in U.S. Patent No.
5,257,799 to Cone et al.
1~ A disadvantage of the wheel brake of the type shown in the Cone et al.patent is that the brake must be manually set or released -- since it does not
automatically set when the stroller is folded, the user typically must set the brake
when unfolding the stroller if it has not been set before folding.
Seat belt assemblies for child and infant seats are also known. For
20 example, U.S. Patent No. 4,962,965 to Glover discloses a seat belt assembly for
use in a high chair comprising a pair of generally horizontally extending waist
straps each coupled at one end to a portion of the high chair seat, and having abuckle part at the other end, a crotch strap permanently secured to a front
central extent of the seat portion and having a free front end, and a main buckle
~5 permanently attached to the free end of the crotch strap with the main bucklealso having a pair of attachment mechanisms for removably receiving the
buckle parts of the ends of the waist straps.
Accordingly, there is a need for a three-wheeled collapsible stroller which
can be used on terrain that is more bumpy or uneven than the smooth terrain
30 suitable for a conventional small-wheeled stroller, but that is also more
maneuverable than a conventional three-wheeled "jogging stroller."
Furthermore, there is a need for such a stroller to be conveniently collapsible
into a compact form for transportation and storage. Additionally, there is a need
for a three wheeled stroller seat back that is quickly and conveniently adjustable
35 between reclined and upright seating positions. Moreover, there is a need for a
brake mechanism for the rear wheels of a folding stroller that automatically sets
the brakes of the rear wheels when the stroller is fully folded.
2161829
Summary Of The Invention
The invention solves the problems and avoids the drawbacks of the prior
art by providing a three-wheeled collapsible stroller which can be used on
terrain that is more bumpy or uneven than the smooth terrain suitable for a
conventional small-wheeled stroller, but that is also more maneuverable than a
conventional three-wheeled "jogging stroller.' The stroller has a folding frame
and automatic side latches so that it is conveniently collapsible into a compactforrn for transportation and storage. The stroller also has a seat back that is
quickly and conveniently adjustable between reclined and upright seating
10 positions, and that is capable of remaining in the same position when unfolded
and folded. The stroller also has a means for automatically setting the brakes of
the rear wheels when the stroller is fully folded.
In one aspect, the invention relates to a folding stroller having a-front
wheel: a front member having a front wheel supporting portion for supporting
1~ the front wheel. and a pair of front member ends; a rear handle member havinga handle portion and a pair of handle member ends; a pair of rear wheels; a
rear support member having a pair of rear wheel supporting portions. each rear
wheel supporting portion supporting a respective one of the rear wheels, and
the rear support member having a pair of rear support ends; a pair of side
20 members each having a first side member end and a second side member end.
The handle member ends are pivotally connected to the front member ends,
and the rear support member ends are pivotally connected to a medial portion
of the handle member, the first side member ends are pivotally connected to
portions of the front member and the second side member ends are pivotally
~5 connected to portions of the front member.
In another aspect, the invention relates to an automatic latch mechanism
having a first tube having a first longitudinal axis, a pivot mount location, and a
first end; and a second tube having a second longitudinal axis and a second
end. A pivot mount is attached to the first tube at the first pivot mount location
30 and has the second end pivotally mounted thereto the first and second tubes
are pivotally connected to one another and are movable from a folded position
where the first and second longitudinal axes are angled relative to each other to
an unfolded position where said first and second longitudinal axes are paralle
and offset. A latch handle is mounted about the first tube proximate to the first
3; end, and is rotatable around the first longitudinal axis of the first tube. The latch
handle defines a groove engagable with the second tube when the first and
second tubes are in the unfolded position. The latch is rotatable between a first,
engaging position wherein the groove engages the second tube, and a second,
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nonengaging position where the groove is not engaging the second tube, and
the latch handle has a camming surface adapted for camming contact with the
second tube when the tubes are in the unfolded angled position. A spring is
provided for biasing the latch handle towards the first, engaging position. In
another aspect the invention relates to a reclining seatback assembly, having a
first frame portion; a second frame portion spaced apart from the first frame
portion; and a generally rigid seatback portion.
A first flexible web extends between the first frame portion and the
seatback portion, and has a first extended configuration in which the seatback is
suspended in a first reclining position and a second, foreshortened
configuration in which the seatback is suspended in a second position more
upright than the first position. A second flexible web extends between the
second frame portion and the seatback portion, the second web also having a
first extended configuration in which the seatback is suspended in a first,
' ~ reclined position and a second. foreshortened configuration in which the
seatback is suspended in a second position more upright than the first position.The webs may be selectively foreshortened to move the seatback from the first
position to the second position.
In still another aspect, the invention relates to a foldable stroller having a
~0 folded configuration and an unfolded configuration having a first frame portion;
a wheel rotatably mounted to the first frame portion; and a brake lever pivotally
mounted to the first frame portion, the brake lever including a wheel engaging
portion being pivotable between a first position at which the wheel engaging
does not contact the wheel and a second position at which the wheel engaging
'5 portion engages the wheel to brake the wheel. A second frame portion is
connected to the first frame portion for relative movement with respect to the first
frame portion and the second frame portion contacts the brake lever to urge the
brake lever into the second position when the stroller is in the folded
configuration.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
Fig. 1 A is a perspective view of the stroller.
Fig. 1 B is a perspective view of an altemative embodiment of the stroller
with an access flap opened.
Fig. 1 C is a perspective view of the frame of the stroller with the seat
assembly removed.
2I 61 829
._
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the frame of the stroller with the seat
assembly removed.
Fig. 3A is a side view of the front end of the stroller.
Figs. 3B and 3C are bottom views of the front end of the stroller.
Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the seat back in an upright position.
Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the seat back in a reclined position.
Fig. 5A is a side partially cutaway/sectional view of an automatically
latching side latch mechanism.
Fib. 5B is an end view of the side latch mechanism in a locked position.
Fig. 5C is an end view of the side latch mechanism in an open unlocked
position.
Fig. 5D is a side cutaway/sectional view of the automatically-latchiag sidc
latch mechanism.
Figs. 6A and 6B are side and top views, respectively, of the side hinge
and side latch mechanism in a partially folded angled position.
Figs. 6C and 6D are side and bottom views, respectively, of the side
hinge and side latch mechanism in an intermediate partially folded angled
positlon.
Figs. 6E and 6F are side and bottom views, respectively, of the side hinge
and side latch mechanism in a completely unfolded and locked position.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the child restraint seatbelt.
Figs. 8A and 8B are side and top views, respectively, of a part of the
stroller in the fully folded position.
Fig. 8C is a side view of the part of the stroller shown in Fig. 8A in a
nearly fully folded position.
Fig. 9 is a rear view of the side hinge in the fully folded position.
Figs. 1 OA, 1 OB, 1 OC, 1 OD, 1 OE and 1 OF are schematic side views
representing the folding sequence of the stroller frame.
Figs. 1 1 A and 1 1 B are front and rear views of the fabric seating assembly
removed from the stroller frame and laid generally flat.
Detailed Description
Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments
of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
-- 7
21 6I 829
.
1. Overall Stroller Configuration
The overall stroller configuration will now be described. Several of the
features described briefly under this heading are described in more detail belowunder separate headings.
As shown in Figs. 1 A, 1 B. 1 C and 2 the stroller generally comprises a
foldable frame including a handle tube 20. front tubes 40, 45, a rear support
tube 30, and two seat tubes 50, 60. (The handle tube 20 may include a padded
grip portion 770. A front fork assembly 110 supports a front wheel assembly
320 which is selectively lockable into a straight-ahead position and releasable
to pivot in a caster-type fashion. Two rear axle mounting brackets 280, 290
support an axle tube 70 to which are mounted two rear wheels 260, 270 that are
independently removable. Each rear bracket 280. 290 fea;ures a brake
mechanism actuated by depressing a brake lever 300, 310. and releasable by
raising the brake lever 300,310.
A pivoting arched canopy wireframe 725 pivots on the handle tube 20 to
support a piece of canopy fabric 729 that may be flipped into an extended
canopy shading position or a retracted position.
A fabric seating assembly 800 (illustrated in more detail in Figs. 4A, 4~,
11 A and 11 B) is suspended between the handle tube 20 and the front tubes 40,
45 and includes a rigid seatback 801 suspended at its sides by fabric web 815,
820. The seatback 801 has a reclined position in which it is supported by the
side webs 815, 820 stretched taut (as best shown in Fig. 4B). The side webs
also each feature an extension web 900, 905 extending from a part of each side
web. A male clip 915 on the end of one extension web 905 and a female clip
910 on the other extension web 900 can be clipped together, thereby pulling the
side webs 815, 820 in behind the rigid back panel 801 to secure the seat back
in an upright position (as best shown in Fig. 4A).
The side fabric webs 815, 820 are attached to the handle tube 20 at
attachment points located near the canopy pivot, and near parts 120 and 130.
In the illustrated embodiment, the webs are attached to the tubes with hook and
loop fasteners. In another preferred embodiment the webs may be more
perrnanently attached to the handle tube by screws. The side webs 815, 820
and the front of the seat bottom 805 are also attached to the front tubes 40, 45 at
a location just above the pivoting connection of the seat tubes 50, 60 and the
lower portion of the front tubes 40, 45. Near the vertex of the seat bottom 805
with the seat back 801, the side webs 815.820 (and hence the seat bottom 805
and the seat back 801) are attached to the seat tubes in a sliding manner, ~,
by a strap 920, 925 passing outside and under the seat tubes 50, 60. This
sliding connection permits the stroller frame to be folded, while the seat back
- 8 --
2161829
' ~
remains in either the upright or reclining position, as described in more detailbelow with reference to the folding sequence.
Referring now particularly to Fig. 2, the handle tube 20 is pivotally
connected at its lower ends to the front tubes 40, 45 by means of an upper rightpivot mount 200 and an upper left pivot mount 190. The front tubes 40, 45 have
their vertex at a nearly vertical head tube 41 which has a conventional headset
assembly for mounting a fork shaft 780 of the fork 110 so that the fork 110 may
pivot along the longitudinal axis of the head tube, which is offset slightly back
from vertical. The front wheel 320 is mounted at the bottom of the fork 110. A
footrest 80 may be provided mounted to the lower front part of the front tubes 40,
45 over the front wheel 320 as shown and may include a decorative cap 82.
This footrest 80 also serves as a fender and a fairing over the front wheel 320.Left and right seat tubes 50, 60 are mounted to the front tubes 40, 45 by
right front seat tube pivot mount 180 and left front seat tube pivot mount 170 as
1~ shown. Both seat tubes 50, 60 are pivotally mounted at their other ends to the
rear tube 30 by left and right rear seat tube pivot mounts 750 and 755,
respectively. The rear tube 30 is generally U-shaped and is pivotally mounted
at its top ends to the handle tube 20 by means of a upper right pivot mount 230
and a upper left pivot mount 220. Right and left axle brackets 280, 290 are
~0 mounted at the lower corners of the rear tube 30. The right and left axle
brackets 280, 290 each have a hole for receiving an axle tube 70 that extends
therebetween and the left and right wheels 260, 270 are each mountable
detachably on stub axles 340, 350, respectively that fit in the left and right ends
of the axle tube 70, respectively. The ends of the axle tube may be fitted with
sleeves 420, 430.
Each of the left and right rear wheels 260, 270 includes a two-piece
center hub including an outer center hub 325. 330 and an inner center hub 360,
370 with a stub axle 340, 350 that can be inserted therethrough. The end of the
stub axles 340, 350, after being inserted through the wheels 260, 270 are
inserted into the ends of the axle tube 70. Spring-loaded pins 380, 390 engage
annular grooves 341, 351 in the stub axles 340, 350 to removably secure the
wheels in the axle tube 70. In this way the rear wheeis 260, 270 are each
removably attached. The stub axles 340, 350 each have a tapered end so that
when inserted they slidingly contact the end of the pin 380, 390 at an angle andpush it out against the spring force, perrnitting the stub axle 340, 350 to be fully
inserted. Once fully inserted, the pin 380, 390 engages the annular groove 341,
351 so as to secure the stub axle 340, 350. The wheel 260, 270 is disengaged
by simultaneously pulling out on a spring loaded pin 380, 390 and pulling off
the wheel.
2l6l829
A brake pedal 300, 310 is pivotally mounted to each axle bracket 280,
290 and is pivotable between two detented positions. In an upper position, the
brake pedal 300, 310 does not interfere with rotation of the wheel 260, 270.
However, when the brake pedal 300, 310 is depressed, a pin 301, 311
(depicted in Fig. 8A) extending outwardly from the brake pedal engages radial
teeth 361, 371 on the inner center hub 360. 370 to lock the wheel 260, 270 and
prevent it from rotating.
Returning again to the frame, optional right and left upper covers 120,
130 are provided over the lower portions of the handle tube and cover the
10 pivoting connection of the rear tube 30 and the handle tube 20. An inwardly
spring-biased pivoting latch 140, 150 on each side rotates about the
longidudinal axis of the front tubes 40, 45 and has an inner groove 141, 151 forengaging the handle tube 20 to hold the stroller in the fully unfolded position.Optional left and right lower covers 90, 100 cover the upper ends of the front
1~ ~ubes 40. 45 and also covers the pivoting connections of the front tubes 40, 45
to the handle tube 20. The construction and operation of the side latches 140,
150 and the folding sequence of the frame are both discussed in more detail
below.
Each of the wheels 260, 270, 320 has a foam rubber tire 261, 271, 321
~0 having an all-terrain type tread mounted on to a rim with a spoked intermediate
hub 262, 272, 322 and two-piece plastic center hub 325, 360, 330, 370, 323
and 324. On the front wheel 320. a conventional roller bearing type axle 329 is
provided and is mounted to the lower end of the fork 110. The rear wheels 260,
270 frictionally rotate on the stub axles 340, 350 that are inserted into sleeves
420, 430 on the ends of the axle tube 70, which is mounted to the rear tube 30
by the axle mounting brackets 280, 290. As noted above, each rear wheel 260,
270 has its own independently operable brake 300, 310.
At the front of the seat bottom, a leg rest flap 810 is provided that may be
flipped up as shown in Fig 1 B to provide access to a cargo compartment 999
located under the seat bottom. The cargo compartment 999 is a fabric basket
suspended from the lower part of the rear tube 30 just above the wheel
mounting brackets and attached to the front tubes 40, 45 underneath the footrest80.
2. Lockable Pivoting Front Caster
Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3A through 3C, the front fork
assembly 110 includes a body portion having a left fork 11 Oa, a right fork 11 Ob,
and a fork shaft 780. A shaft 780 extends into a conventional head set
assembly 42 in the center head tube 41, to secure the front fork assembly 110 to
. 10 -
21 6I 829
the front tubes 40, 45 so that the front fork assembly 110 is free to rotate 360degrees, in either direction. with respect to the frame of the stroller. The fork 110
also includes a swivel locking pin 525. ln this embodiment, the locking pin 525
is a conventional bolt which extends through the fork crown 790 and extends
outward from the fork crown 790.
The front wheel 320 is rotatably mounted to the front fork assembly 110
by a front axle assembly, which is a conventional axle assembly that includes a
ball bearing assembly, and a front axle 329 that extends through the axle bore
of the front wheel. Axle nuts are tightened over washers on the outside of the
10 fork to secure the wheel in place.
The front fork assembly 110 has a design that is similar to that of a
conventional caster in that when the stroller is traveling in the forward direction,
the axis of rotation of the front wheel is horizontally displaced rearward y from
the vertical rotational axis of swivel of the shaft 780. In other words when
1~ moving in the forward direction. the front wheel 320 will be urged by friction
between itself and the traveling sunace to swivel to a stable position in which
the front wheel trails the head assembly 42. This feature is accomplished by
constructing the front fork assembly 110 so that although the shaft 780 is
rotatably positioned to the stable position, the fork sides 11 Oa, 11 Ob depend
~0 from the crown 790 at a slight realward angle (with respect to the axis of rotation
of shaft 780). Furthermore, in this stable position. the locking pin 525 extendsrearward from the crown 790.
A footrest retainer 580 includes a body portion 581 which has left and
right arms 582. 583! which are generally "L" shaped and depend downward
'5 from body portion 581 along the inner sides and under the left and right sides of
the front tubes 40, 45 respectively. Left and right guide rails 585, 586 depend --
downward from the left and right arms 582, 583, respectively, and are oriented
so that the rail's longest sides are parallel with the forward and rearward
directions of motion of the stroller. In this embodiment, left guide rail 585
30 includes a rib 587 that protrudes from the outside surface. The front portion 584
of the body portion 581 is semi-circular shaped to mate with head tube 41.
Consequently, when the footrest retainer 580 is mounted, the body portion 581
rests on top of the front tubes 40. 45 with the front portion 584 abutting against
the head tube 41, while the arms 582, 583 extend down along the inside and
35 under the front tubes 40, 45.
The footrest 80 includes a body portion 81, a grooved feet receiving
portion 83, and right and left rear frame receiving portions 84a, 84b,
respectively. The footrest 80 is fastened to the footrest retainer 580 in any
conventional fashion such as by two screws (not shown), which extend through
2I 61829
the body portion 581 of footrest retainer 580 and into the underside of the
footrest 80. The right and left frame receiving portions 84a. 84b are shaped to
receive the upwardly extending portions of front tubes 40, 45 and act to preventfoot rest 80 from moving in a rearward direction.
Once the footrest retainer 580 and the footrest 80 are mechanically
coupled (by screws or any other conventional manner), the assembly (footrest
retainer 580 and footrest 80) is prevented from moving in an upwardly vertical
direction. with respect to the stroller frame, by the arms 582, 583 of footrest
retainer 580, which extend under the front tubes 40. 45. The assembly is
prevented from moving rearwardly because the right and left frame receiving
portions 84a, 84b of the footrest 80 abut against pivot mounts 170 and 180,
which are attached to the front tubes 40, 45. The assembly cannot move
downward since the body portion 581 of footrest retainer abuts against the top
sides of the front tubes 40, 45. Furthermore, the assembly cannot move in the
l~ forward direction because the semi-circular front portion 584 of the body portion
581 of the footrest retainer 580 abuts against the rear side of the head tube 41.
Consequently, once footrest 80 and footrest retainer 580 are mechanically
coupled (as with screws), they are fixed in position and cannot move in any
direction with respect to the stroller frame.
A swivel lock 600 includes a body portion 601 having a right slot 602 and
a left slot 603 which are sized and shaped to receive right and left guide rails586, 585, of footrest retainer 580, respectively. The left slot 603 has a first notch
604 and a second notch 605, which are sized and shaped to receive a rib 587
of the left guide rail 585. In addition, at least the left slot 603 has a handle 608
'5 that extends outwardly and downwardly from its forNard-most outside corner.
The body portion 601 also includes a locking groove 610 positioned between
left and right inwardly directed cam surfaces 616, 615, respectively. The groove610 is sized and shaped to receive the locking pin 525.
The swivel lock 600 is slidably fastened to the footrest retainer 580 by
screws 618, which extend through washers 619 and into the left and right guide
rails 586, 585, respectively. Therefore, the swivel lock 600 is prevented from
moving in the vertical direction by screws 618 and prevented from moving in a
horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal center-line of the
stroller because the slots 602, 603 are substantially the same width (and
3~ therefore do not allow the swivel lock 600 to slide laterally) as rails 585, 586,
respectively.
However, the swivel lock 600 can slide horizontally along a path that is
parallel to the longitudinal center-line of the stroller (and thus parallel with the
longer sides of guide rails 585, 586) between a first forward engaging position,
2161829
shown in Fig. 3C, and a second rearward non-engaging position, shown in Fig.
3B. In the first forward engaging position, locking pin 525 is disposed in locking
groove 610 and since swivel lock 600 cannot move laterally (as discussed
above~, groove 610 acts to hold locking pin 525 in the rearward position so thatthe front fork assembly 110 is locked in the stable forward position (and the front
wheel 320 is positioned for forward movement). Since the locking pin 525 is
fixed to the fork assembly 110, the front fork assembly 110 is prevented from
swiveling and is in a swivel lock mode. Furthermore, in the first forward
engaging position, the rib 587 of the left guide rail 585 engages the first notch
10 604 of the left slot 603 to provide resistance to the swivel lock 600 from
inadvertently sliding backward.
In the second rearward non-engaging position shown in Fig. 3B, the
swivel lock 600 is positioned rearwardly further away from front fork assembly
110 so that the swivel lock (and therefore the locking groove 610) does not
1' engage the locking pin 525. In this position, the front fork assembly is free to
rotate and is in a free swivel mode. Furthermore. in the second rearward non-
engaging position the rib 587 of the left guide rail 585 engages the second
notch 605 of the left slot 603 to provide resistance to the swivel lock 600 frominadvertently sliding forward.
~0 For transition from the free swivel mode to the swivel lock mode, the user
rotates the front wheel 320 (and therefore the front fork assembly 110) to
approximately the stable forward position, in which the front wheel is positioned
for forward movement of the stroller and the locking pin extends substantially
rearward of the fork 110. The user then slides swivel lock 600 fo~ard, utilizingthe handle 608. from the rearward nonengaging position to the forward
engaging position. If the locking pin 525 is perfectly aligned with the locking
groove 610, the locking pin 525 will simply gradually (as the user slides swivellock 600) extend into locking groove 610. If the locking pin 525 is not perfectly
aligned with the locking groove 610, the locking pin 525 will strike either right or
left inwardly directed cam surfaces 615, 616, respectively, which will commonly
direct the locking pin 525 into alignment with the locking groove 610. In eitherinstance, the front fork assembly will end up in the swivel lock mode.
For transition from the swivel lock mode to the free swivel mode, the user
simply slides the swivel lock 600 rearward, utilizing handle 608, from the
forward engaging position to the rearward nonengaging position. In this
position as discussed above, the locking pin 525 is no longer disposed in
locking groove 610 and therefore front fork assembly 110 is free to swivel.
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3. Seat Back Recline 2161829
The seat back recline will now be described making particular reference
to Figs. 4A, 4B,11 A and 11 B. Shown in FIG. 11 A is the front view of the overall
design of the components comprising the reclining stroller seat assembly The
seat assembly consists of a back rest portion 801 permanently attached to a
seat portion 805 which is permanently affached to a leg rest flap 810. Attached
along the periphery of the back rest portion 801 and the seat portion 805 are left
and right web sections 815. 820 which when attached to the frame of the strollerfunction as the sides of the stroller seat. Both left and right web sections B15,
10 820 contain apendages 825, 826 which are intended to fold around the handle
tube 20, fastened to the upper ponion of the handle tube 20 by the right and left
canopy mounts 735, 736, through holes 890, 895 in the web section, the lower
section of the web appendage fastened to the handle tube 20 by hool<-and-loop
type fasteners 865, 870, 875. 880. or alternatively, fabric retainers with screws.
Attached to the front of the back rest ponion 801 are right and left side
:~aist straps 835. 830. which may be attached by a horizontal strip 850. Stitched
to the seat ponion 805 is the center crotch portion 855. The back rest portion
801, the seat portion 805. and the leg rest flap 810 consist of a light weight rigid
backing, such as hard board. plywood or plastic, with a foam-like material
'0 attached to the front side for the comfort of the occupant.
Stitched to the back side of the left and right webs 815, 820 are the left
and right extension webs 900, 905. The extension webs 900, 905 are
appropriately angled inward from the top of the web sections 815, 820 to the
intersection of the back rest portion 801 and the seat ponion 805. Attached to
'5 the left extension web 900 via a fabric loop is a male buckle part 915 and
attached to the right extension web 905 via a fabric loop is a female buckle pan910. When the male 915 and female 910 buckle parts are joined, the seat back
portion 801 is positioned in the upright position (shown in Fig. 4A) and when
uncoupled lies in the reclined position (shown in Fig. 4E~). The seat portion 805
30 of the stroller seat remains in the same position and angle irrespective of the
position of the seat back 801. The back rest portion 801 pivots at the
intersection of the back rest portion 801 and the seat ponion 805.
Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the exterior webs 900, 905 serve
as a means for foreshortening the webs 815, 820 to pull the back rest panel 801
35 into a more upright position.
In alternative embodiments, the webs 815, 820 might be forshorrtened in
other ways. For example, the webs 815, 820 might each include a pair of zipper
halves arranged in V-configuration with part of the webs 815, 820 serving as a
gusset or dan between the zipper halves. When the zipper halves are
- 14 -
2161829
unzipped, the seat back rest panel 801 reclines, supported by the webs 815.
820. When the zippers are zipped. the seat back rest portion 801 is pulled up
into a more upright position. because the gusset or dart portions of the webs
815, 820 would be taken up as slack, and the webs 815, 810 are effectively
foreshortened by the distance between the unzipped zipper halves, which are
now zipped together
As illustrated by the rear view in FIG. 11 B, just below the intersection of
the back rest portion 801 and the seat portion 805 lies a horizontal strip to which
the right and left sliding seat mount straps 925, 920 are attached. At the end of
the left sliding seat mount strap 920 lies a conventional buckle consisting of two
seem-circular rings 935. The end of the right sliding seat mount strap 925 is
interwoven between the rings 935 at the end of the left sliding seat mount strap920 to couple the left and right sliding seat mount straps around the left and
right seat tubes 50 and 60. The loop formed by the left 920 and right 925 sliding
1~ seat mount straps around and under the left and right seat tubes 50, 60 slides
along the tubes during the folding process. This allows the seat back to remain
in the upright or reclined position when folded and unfolded.
As seen in Fig. 11 B. just below the intersection of the seat portion 805
and the leg rest flap 810 lies a horizontal strip 940 which extends beyond the
~0 length of the leg rest flap 810 in both directions. The ends of the horizontal strip
section 940 are attached to the left and right front tubes 40. 45 via screws near
the ~ncture of the front tubes 40, 45 and the handle tùbe 20. The leg rest flap
810 pivots about the intersection of the seat portion 805 and the leg rest flap
810.
'~ 4. Automatically Latching Side Frame Latches
The front tubes 40, and 45 have optional lower cover members 100, 90,
as well as spring-loaded latch handles 140, 150. When the frame is in the fully
extended, unfolded orientation, the lower grooves 141, 151 in the latch handles
140, 150 engage the handle tube 20 to hold the frame in the fully unfolded
position.
The left side latch handle 140 and its associated parts are illustrated in
detail in Figs. 5A through 6F. The right side latch handle 150 is symmetrically
opposite and operates in the same manner as the left side latch handle 140.
The latch handles 140, 150 are biased into this locked position by coil
torsion springs 670, 680, having one end 671 (spring 670 is shown in detail in
Fig. 5A) attached internally to the cover member 100, which is fixed to the front
tube 40 and the other end 672 connected to the latch handle 140. To release
the stroller from the fully unfolded loc~ed position. the latch handles 140, 150
- 15 -
2l6l829
are simultaneously rotated outward so that the inner grooves 141,151 clear the
handle tube 20. With the latch handles 140,150 so rotated outward, the handle
tube 20 may be pivoted downward relative to the front tubes 40,45 to begin the
folding procedure. The entire stroller frame may be then be folded in the
sequence shown in Figures 10A through 10F (the folding sequence is
discussed in more detail below).
To reconfigure the stroller from the folded position to the open unfolded
position, the handle tube 20 is pivoted relative to the front tubes 40,45 and will
move through a range of angled positions including the angled position shown
in Figures 6A and 6B. As the handle tube 20 continues to be pivoted, it reaches
the intermediate position shown in Figures 6C and 6D, at which point the lower
edges 142 of the latch handles 140,150 come into a sliding camming contact
with a portion of the handle tube 20. This camming contact urges the latch
handles 140.150 to be rotated outwardly, against the spring biased pressure.
I~ This permits the handle tube 20 to continue to be pivoted upwards relative to the
front tubes 40,45 until the handle tube 20 and the front tubes 40.45 are
substantially parallel as shown in Figures 6E and 6F. At this point, the side latch
handles 140, 150 are free to rotate inward so that the inner grooves 141,151
engage and entrap the handle tube 20. (The locked position with the latches
140. 150 rotated inward is shown in Fig. 5B, 6E and 6F.) The inward biasing
force on the latch handles 140, 150 that is provided by the torsional coil springs
670,680 urges the handles into this closed position. The stroller is now locked
in the completely unfolded operative position until both latch handles 140, 150
are simultaneously rotated outward (the latches are shown rotated outward in
'5 Fig. 5C) against the spring pressure again to permit folding of the stroller.
5. Seat Belt Restraint
Shown in Fig. 7 is a seat belt assembly constructed in accordance with
the present invention. The seat belt assembly of the present invention includes
a pair of waist straps 830, 835, that are permanently attached to a horizontal
strip 850 located on the front section of the back rest portion 801.
The forward ends of the waist straps 830, 835 are coupled to female
buckle parts 840, 845 adapted to engage with adjacent male buckle parts 856,
857 located on the main buckle 855 (male buckle 857 is hidden in Fig. 7).. Both
waist straps 830, 835 are adjustable at the intersection of the female buckle
parts 840, 845 and the corresponding waist straps 830, 835. This is to
accommodate children of smaller or larger sizes. As can be readily observed
from Fig. 7, both female buckle parts 840, 845 are attached to their
corresponding waist straps 830. 835 via weaving the waist strap 830. 835
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2l6l82~
through three parallel openings on the female buckle part 840, 845. The end of
each waist strap 830, 835 is folded over itself to prevent the waist straps 830,835 from completely disassociating themselves from their corresponding female
parts 840, 845.
The third component of the seat belt arrangement consists of a center
crotch strap 855 constructed to extend upwardly from the seat bottom 805 to the
waist straps 830. 835. The center crotch section 855 is positioned between the
legs of the child seated in the stroller. The crotch strap 855 has its remote end
permanently attached to the surface of the seat 805 through stitching. This
10 creates a permanent attachment therebetween to prevent removal of the crotch
strap 855 from the stroller seat 805.
As can be readily seen in Fig. 7, the male backle parts 856, 857 of the
seat belt assembly are permanently attached to a center crotch section 855 of
the restraining device by a stitched loop 858 of conventional strapping material1~ which is stitched to the material comprising the center crotch section 855. Thus,
the male buckle parts 856. 857 are always in position for use and always
attached to the crotch strap 855. This configuration prohibits use of the waist
straps 830, 835 without the center crotch strap 855 since the male buckle parts
856, 857 are permanently attached to the center crotch strap 855. The center
20 crotch strap 855 is constructed such that the material creates an envelope
surrounding the otherwise exposed male buckle parts 856. 857, said envelope
decreasing in width traveling down towards the seat 805.
In a preferred embodiment the envelope is stitched closed, allowing
sufficient room for the male buckle parts 856, 857 and the femalebuckle parts
'5 840, 845 to be completely covered when in the locked position. The overall
appearance of the center crotch strap 855, when viewed from the front of the
stroller is tapered as shown. The envelope is formed by folding a portion back
on itself and stitching the top of the free end of the center crotch material 855 to
its location of intersection with the remaining center crotch strap material 855. In
30 alternative embodiments, the envelope might partially cover the male and
female buckle parts or not cover them at all.
As illustrated in Fig. 7, each female buckle part 840, 845 has a receptacle
for receiving the free ends of the male buckle parts 856, 857 attached to the
center crotch strap 855. The female buckle parts 840, 845 are adapted to
35 receive the inwardly flexible resilient finger of their counterpart male buckle
parts 856, 857. The female buckle parts 840, 845 are rectangular in nature,
having an opening in the center allowing for direct access to the male parts 856,
857 by the user when the male parts 856, 857 are in the locked position, said
21 61 829
_
opening being the means by which the male 856. 857 and female parts 840.
845 are uncoupled.
As illustrated in FIG. 7. each male part 856, 857 has a central resilient
appendage movable by the operator for coupling and uncoupling with respect
to the female parts 840, 845.
When inserted, the resilient finger of the male buckle parts 856. 857 cams
downward towards the underside of the female parts 840. 845 due to the
inclination of the male appendage with respect to the female opening. When in
the locked position, the resilient finger will spring back to its original position,
effectively locking the male 856. 857 and female parts 840, 845 together until
the resilient finger is urged inwardly by the user so as to uncouple the seat belt.
The side straps 830, 835. horizontal strip 850, male part connecting strap
858, and the center crotch section 855 are fabricated in the preferred
embodiment of conventional strapping material.
i~ ~. Automatically Engaging Brake When Frame Folded
Turning now to Figures 8A through 8C. it will be seen that the handle
tube 20 and the rear tube 30 are arranged so that when the stroller frame is fully
folded, a portion of the handle tube 20 contacts each of the brake members 300,
310 and forces the brake levers 300, 310 downward so that they then engage a
~0 wheel tooth to lock the respective rear wheel 260, 270.
In this way, fully folding the stroller frame always locks both rear wheels.
Then. the brake 300, 310 is held in the locked position by the frictional contact of
the pins 301, 311 in the wheel teeth 361. 371 so that when the stroller is
unfolded, the rear wheels 260, 270 are already locked and remain locked. This
'-~ is advantageous. since this will prevent the stroiler from rolling away
immediately after it has been unfolded and also hold the stroller stable while, for
example, putting a child or other objects in the stroller. Also, since the rear
wheels 260, 270 are automatically locked when the stroller is fully folded, the
folded stroller may be set on its rear wheels 260, 270 and rested leaning
against a wall, for example, and the rear wheels will not roll out from under the
bottom of the stroller. After the stroller is unfolded, the brakes 300, 310 can be
easily released when desired, by manually raising both rear brake levers 300,
310.
7. Folding Sequence and Hinge Angles
The folding sequence will now be described making particular reference
to Figs.1 OA through 1 OF. Depicted in Fig. 1 OA is the stroller as it appears in the
fully unfolded position. Note the orientations and connections of the handle
2l6l829
tube 20, the rear support tube 30~ the left and right seat tubes 50 and 60 (onlytube 50 is visible), and the left and right front tubes 40 and 45 (only tube 45 is
visible). To commence the folding process, the spring loaded latches 140, 150
are rotated out away from the handle tube 20 by the user (in the manner shown
in Fig. 5c).
As illustrated in Fig. 10B. when the latches 140, 150 are disengaged, the
frame begins to fold about the intersection between the handle tube 20 and the
front tubes 40, 45 located just below the location of the latches 140, 150. While
the handle tube 20 rotates downward, the left and right front tube 40 are pulledupward, effectively puiling the front wheel 320 toward the rear wheels 260, 270.There is additional rotation at both the intersection of the left front tube 40 and
the le.ft seat tube 50 and at the intersection of the right front tube 45 and the right
seat tube 60 (only the right seat tube 60 is visible). The left and right seat tubes
50, 60 are pulled upward and toward the rear support tube 30 at this
l~ intersection. The left and right seat tubes 50, 60 also rotate about the
intersection with the rear support tube 30. The rotation is the same as that about
the intersections of the front tubes and the seat tubes: upward and towards the
rear.
As illustrated in Fig. 10C. as the frame collapses, the front tubes 40, 45,
~0 the handle tube 20, and the seat tubes 50, 60 all continue to rotate toward the
rear support tube 30 in the same fashion as described above. The ends of the
front tubes 40. 45, once connected to the handle tube 20, now lie in a plane
perpendicular to the horizontal. The handle tube grip 770, which was originally
angled upward. is now angled downward via rotation about the front tubes 40,
'~ 45 and the rear support tube 30. As further illustrated in Fig. 10C, the reclining
seat shifts its position as the rotation occurs. The reclining seat remains fixed at
the handle tube 20 intersection (via screws through holes 890, 895 in the seat
fabric webs 815, 820) and at the connections to the head tubes 40, 45 (via
screws through leg rest flap located just above the horizontal strap 940).
However, the seat bottom 805 slides along the left and right seat tubes 50, 60
during the folding process. As also illustrated in Fig.10C, the loop formed by the
coupling of the seat mount straps 920, 925 around the seat tubes 50, 60 slides
upward and towards the front of the stroller. The back rest portion 801 now lieson the other side of the handle tube 20, rotating about its connection with the
3~ seat portion 805. The seat portion 805 and the exposed end of the leg rest flap
810 are brought closer together throughout the folding process.
The sliding loop formed by the seat mount straps 920, 925 provides an
important advantage. (Of course other sliding or travelling connections might beused). Since the loop slides along the seat tubes as discussed above, the
19
2l6l82~
entire folding and unfolding process may be performed with the seat back in
either of the reclined or upright positions -- the stroller thus returns, when
unfolded, to the same seat back position ~reclined or upright) it had before
folding. Also, a rigid non-bending seat back may be utilized and still achieve
the fold described above.
Figure 1 OD illustrates the folding process near its most folded state. At
this stage, the back rest portion 801 extends through the handle tube 20 and
lies in nearly the same plane as the seat portion 805. The loop formed by the
coupled seat mount straps 920! 925 has substantially traversed the seat tubes
50, 60 toward the intersection of the seat tubes 50, 60 and the front tubes 40, 45.
The seat tubes 50, 60 protrude through the u-shaped space defined by the rear
support tube 30.
Figure 1 OE illustrates the completely folded state of the stroller with its
wheels attached. Note that the back rest portion 801 is bent backward in
relation to the seat portion 805. The seat tubes 50. 60 are in direct contact with
the rear of the back rest portion 801 and are protruding through the handle tube20. The horizontal aspects of all of the members are nearly parallel with one
another, with the exception of the bend in the front tubes 40. 45 and the fork
assembly 110.
As Figure 10F illustrates, the stroller can be compressed even further by
removing the wheels. which may optionally be laid flat between the rear portion
of the back rest 801 and the front fork assembly 110. Note that this folding
process may be accomplished whether the seat is in the upright or reclined
position.
As shown in Fig. 9. the handle tube 20 and the seat tube 40, which are
generally parallel when the stroller is fully unfolded, are angled in two planeswhen the stroller is folded. This is because the fold axis on both sides is the
same axis and is perpendicular to the center line of the stroller. This fold axis is
therefore similar to that of a four wheeled stroller having generally parallel sides
when both unfolded and folded. In such a stroller the fold axis is generally
perpendicular to the axis of the longitudinal axis of the tubes. However, in thecase of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the fold axis is not
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of tubes 40 and 20 as shown. The pivot
mount 190 and bushing 650 are shaped to account for the difference in angles
of the fold axis and the longitudinal axis of the tubes. The other fold axis of the
pivot points of the stroller fold are similarly perpendicular to the center line of the
stroller -- not necessarily perpendicular to the various tube members
themselves.
.20 -
