Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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STROLLER
Back,Eround
Modern child strollers typically include a frame, a child support or seat,
and four or more wheels. Several stroller models are collapsible during non-
use
for storage or for transport, such as in the trunk of a vehicle. One
collapsible
stroller is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,454,584, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference. Generally, the parent must use both hands to
collapse the stroller. Collapsing or folding mechanisms typically are located
at
either side of the child support seat, at the juncture of the stroller's front
legs and
the legs of the stroller push bar. It is not always convenient for the parent
to free
both hands to collapse the stroller. For example, the parent may need to carry
the
child while, at the same, trying to collapse the stroller. Moreover, once
collapsed,
the stroller becomes difficult to move. Even those strollers that may be
wheeled in
their collapsed position are somewhat awkward.
Another challenge for parents is to fmd a stroller that is comfortable to
push, i.e., a stroller that matches the parent's gait and height. To meet the
needs
of various consumers, strollers today have various push bar configurations.
Most
push bars include two parallel arms that attach to opposite sides of the front
of the
stroller and a transverse gripping section extending between the two parallel
arms.
While such a push bar is perfectly suitable for pushing the stroller, the push
bar
normally requires use of both hands to control, guide, and turn the stroller.
If one
hand of the parent is occupied with items or another child, pushing the
stroller can
be difficult. One solution to this problem is to form the push bar or a
portion of
the push bar in a Z-shape, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,845,916. The
middle leg of the "Z" serves as a one-hand gripper. To grip this section of
the
push bar, a parent must rotate his or her wrist 90° from its "normal"
orientation
during pushing (palm down, knuckles up). For some parents, a normal
orientation
is more comfortable.
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Another characteristic of strollers is that, during use, the parent may need
to carry various sundry items, including diapers, bottles, blankets, bibs, and
other
child-related items. Some modern strollers provide a storage basket under the
child seat. The parent must carry items that do not fit into the storage
basket.
Storage space therefore is a significant consideration in strollers.
Like the parent, the child sometimes carries items. Accordingly, strollers
often include a detachable child tray that provides a surface for the child to
place
toys, food, drink, and other objects. The child tray typically has a concave
or
recessed area in the tray's upper surface. The rim around this concave area
provides some protection against the items toppling off of the tray. However,
if
the stroller must be stopped abruptly, the momentum of the items on the tray
can
carry the items over the rim and onto the ground, where they may be lost or
stepped on and crushed. In addition, the child himself may knock or push the
items off of the child tray. Keeping the items in a confined space on the tray
provides a challenge for most parents.
The present invention addresses the above-described needs and represents
significant advancement in the art.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention is drawn to a stroller. One aspect of the present
invention resides in a stroller that can be collapsed with one hand. Another
aspect
resides in a stroller with increased storage space. A further aspect resides
in a
stroller having a child tray that includes, a shield to aid in retaining child
items,
such as drink boxes and toys, on the child tray. Yet another aspect resides in
a
stroller having a handle that can be steered with one hand.
A stroller according to one aspect of the present invention includes a
foldable stroller frame having a first fold lock mechanism for maintaining the
stroller in an open position for use. The stroller also includes a seat
attached to
the stroller frame and a stroller folding actuator that actuates the first
fold lock
mechanism. The stroller folding actuator has a handle positioned through the
seat
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and a linkage assembly positioned underneath the seat. The linkage assembly is
connected to the first fold lock mechanism.
The stroller frame can include first and second front legs, first and second
rear legs, and a push bar having first and second push bar arms. The first and
second push bar arms pivotally attach to the first and second front legs and
to the
first and second rear legs, respectively. In addition, the stroller frame
includes
first and second side support members that support the seat. The first side
support
member is pivotally mounted to the first front leg and the first rear leg, and
the
second side support member is pivotally mounted to the second front leg and
the
second rear leg. The stroller frame further includes a second lock mechanism.
In
this arrangement, the first lock mechanism pivotally connects the first front
leg and
the first push bar arm, and the second fold lock mechanism pivotally connects
the
second front leg and the second push bar arm.
The linkage assembly of the folding actuator according to the invention can
include a cross linkage, first and second linkages, and first and second push
rods.
The cross linkage is pivotally mounted to the first and second side support
members and has first and second ends fixedly mounted respectively to the
first
and second linkages. The first and second push rods are pivotally connected at
one
end thereof respectively to the first and second linkages. The handle of the
folding
actuator is connected to the cross linkage to pivot the cross linkage and thus
pivot
the first and second linkages to push the first and second push rods and
unlock the
first and second fold lock mechanisms. Accordingly, by pulling up on the
handle
with one hand, the first and second fold lock mechanisms can be actuated to
collapse the stroller.
In another aspect of the present invention, the stroller includes a stroller
frame having first and second front legs, first and second rear legs, a first
side
support member connected to the first front and rear legs, and a second side
support member connected to the second front and rear legs. The stroller also
includes a basket frame that connects to the first and second side support
members
and the first and second rear legs. The basket frame is mounted to the first
and
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second rear legs from outer sides thereof. The basket frame provides increased
storage space.
In a further aspect of the invention, the stroller includes a front tray and a
shield releasably mounted to the front tray. The shield can be formed of a
translucent plastic material. The shield aids in retaining child items, such
as drink
boxes and toys, on the child tray.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the stroller has a push bar with first
and second push bar arms connected by a push bar cross member. The stroller
includes a handle adjustably mounted to the push bar cross member, wherein the
handle is adapted to be operable with one hand. In an alternative
configuration,
the handle can be fixedly mounted to the push bar cross member to form a
closed
loop configuration with the push bar cross member.
These features, as well as other features, of the present invention will be
set forth in the description that follows.
Brief Description of the Drawings
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent from the following description, appended claims, and
accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly
described below.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a stroller according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the stroller frame of the stroller of Fig. 1.
Fig. 2A is a front view of a lower, front portion of the stroller frame.
Fig. 2B is a view of a linkage associated with a stroller folding actuator in
accordance with the invention.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of a portion of the stroller
folding actuator.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the stroller folding actuator.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of the stroller folding actuator acting on a
fold lock mechanism.
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Fig. SA is a side elevation view of a connecting bar that connects the basket
frame of the stroller to each side support member.
Fig. SB is a side elevation view of a bracket that pivotally connects a push
bar arm to a rear leg.
Fig. SC is a front elevation view, in partial cross section, of a pivoting
structure for pivotally connecting a rear leg, a side support member, and the
basket
frame of the stroller.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the stroller in a collapsed state.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a child tray with a shield
according to the invention.
Fig. 8 is a side view, in cross section, of the child tray and the shield.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a handle of the stroller in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 10 is a side view, in partial cross section, of a locking assembly for
the handle.
Fig. l0A is an end view of a collar of the locking assembly of Fig. 10.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged side view of an interlocking tooth and groove of the
locking assembly.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the stroller frame that shows the attachment
of a basket to the basket frame.
Detailed Description
Referring to the drawings, wherein identical numerals indicate like parts,
and particularly to Fig. 1, a stroller 10 comprises a stroller frame 20 (see
Fig. 2)
and a forward carriage portion or seat 12, attached to the stroller frame 20.
Fig. 2
shows the stroller 10 with the soft goods taken off to reveal the stroller
frame 20.
The stroller frame 20 includes first and second front legs 14A, 14B, each
having a
first end attached to a respective front wheel assembly FW and a second end
that
extends into a respective fold lock mechanism 16A, 16B. A front cross brace
18,
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as shown in Fig. 2A, extends between the front legs 14A, 14B. In addition,
molding 19 can be attached to the front legs 14A, 14B to provide a foot rest.
The stroller frame 20 also includes a push bar 22 having a push bar cross
member 24 and first and second push bar arms 26A, 26B, which extend from the
push bar cross member 24 into the respective fold lock mechanisms 16A, 16B.
The fold lock mechanisms 16A, 16B pivotally attach the push bar arms 26A, 26B
to the front legs 14A, 14B, respectively. These fold lock mechanisms 16A, 16B
allow the stroller 10 to fold to minimize storage space needed for the
stroller 10.
Suitable fold lock mechanisms include those disclosed in co-pending U.S.
patent
application Serial No. 09/178;461, filed October 23, 1998, the disclosure of
which
is incorporated herein by reference, and in U.S. Patent No. 5,454,584, issued
October 3, 1995, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The
fold lock mechanisms 16A, 16B supplement a one-hand stroller folding actuator
that will be discussed in detail below. The fold lock mechanisms 16A, 16B can
be
used to fold the stroller, for example, when it is just as convenient for the
parent to
use both hands.
The stroller frame 20 further includes first and second rear legs 28A, 28B,
each having a first end attached to a respective rear wheel assembly RW and a
second end pivotally attached to the respective push bar arms 26A, 26B by
brackets 30A, 30B or the like. The brackets 30A, 30B allow the rear legs 28A,
28B to pivot with respect to the push bar arms 26A, 26B, respectively. Bracket
30B and its connectivity to rear leg 28B and push bar arm 26B are shown in
detail
in Fig. SB. A rear cross brace (obscured by the rear legs 28A, 28B in Fig. 2)
can
extend between the rear legs 28A, 28B. In addition, a rear wheel axle 34
extends
between rear wheel assemblies RW.
Additionally, the stroller frame 20 has first and second side support
members 36A, 36B. The side support members 36A, 36B pivotally attach to the
respective front legs 14A, 14B and rear legs 28A, 28B via pivot connections
that
will be described below. A substantially U-shaped seat back frame member 38 is
pivotally attached to the side support members 36A, 36B. The seat back 40 of
the
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forward carriage portion 12 is mounted to the seat back frame member 38. The
seat back frame member 38 can be pivoted between a reclined position and an
upright position, and can be positioned therebetween, in a manner known to
those
skilled in the art.
According to one aspect the present invention, a basket frame 42 is
connected to the side support members 36A, 36B, and extends laterally
outwardly
of the front and rear legs 14A, 14B, 28A, 28B. Because of this configuration,
the
basket frame 42 can be made wider to increase storage space. Referring to Fig.
2,
the basket frame 42 partially encircles the stroller frame 20. Specifically,
the
basket frame 42 is a generally U-shaped and has side legs 44A, 44B spaced
from,
but connected to, the side support members 36A, 36B. The side support members
36A, 36B and the basket frame legs 44A, 44B are located on opposite sides of
the
rear legs 14A, 14B. The basket frame 42 extends behind the forward carriage
portion 12, and it can extend beyond the rear wheel assemblies RW. The
distance
is between the opposing legs 44A, 44B of the basket frame 42 is greater than
the
distance between the opposing side support members 36A, 36B. Thus, the basket
frame 42 provides a larger frame from which to suspend a basket than a
conventional "basket frame" formed by the side support members 36A, 36B,
which are connected inwardly of the rear legs 28A, 28B. In addition, since the
rear portion of the basket frame 42 extends closer to the rear wheel
assemblies RW
than the side support members 36A, 36B, a parent standing behind the stroller
10
can more easily access objects stored in a basket suspended from the basket
frame
42 than one suspended from side support members 36A, 36B.
Each basket frame leg 44A, 44B is connected to the side support members
2s 36A, 36B, preferably in at least two locations. Fig. sA shows a connector
46
suitable for connecting the basket frame 42 and the side support members 36A,
36B at one location. The connector 46 has a hole 48 into which the respective
basket frame leg 44A, 44B is inserted and a hole s0 with a groove sOG, through
which the respective side support member 36A, 36B is removably inserted. The
stroller 10 preferably includes two connectors 46, one for coupling each side
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support member 36A, 36B to the basket frame 42. The connector 46 allows the
basket frame 42 to be rotated a few degrees up or down with respect to the
side
support members 36A, 36B, to provide some limited flexibility between the
basket
frame legs 44A, 44B and the side support members 36A, 36B.
The basket frame 42 and the side support members 36A, 36B are pivotally
connected to the rear legs 28A, 28B. As shown in Fig. SC, the pivot 52, which
can be a pivot screw or rivet or the like, extends through the side support
member
36B, the rear leg 28B, and the basket frame leg 44B. A similar arrangement
appears on the other side, the 'A" side, of the stroller. The pivots 52 allow
the
side support members 36A, 36B and the basket frame 42 to pivot with respect to
the rear legs 28A, 28B as the stroller is moved between the fully-opened
position
and the collapsed position. The side support members 36A, 36B and the basket
frame legs 44A, 44B substantially move in tandem, as will become apparent
during the discussion below of the folding mechanism of the stroller.
Referring to Fig. 12, a basket 54 can be releasably mounted to the basket
frame 42. The basket 54 preferably is mounted along the entire U-shaped
portion
of the basket frame 42. The basket 54 also can attach to the front cross
member
18. The basket 54 is configured to fit around the connector 46 shown in Fig.
SA
and the pivot 52 shown in Fig. SC. For example, the basket 54 can include a
strap
to encircle each connector 46 and each pivot 52, or it can include a pair of
straps
to straddle each connector 46 and each pivot 52. The basket 54 can be mounted
to
the basket frame 42 and the front cross brace 18 in any number of ways,
including
snaps, Velcro'''", and other suitable fasteners. The basket frame 42 of the
present
invention thus provides an increased amount of storage space relative to same
sized
strollers.
In another aspect of the present invention, the stroller includes a one-hand
folding mechanism or actuator to fold the stroller 10 from a fully-opened
position
(see Fig. 1) to a collapsed position (see Fig. 6). The stroller folding
actuator
operates to actuate fold lock mechanisms 16A, 16B simultaneously to collapse
the
stroller 10. The folding actuator comprises a grip or handle 58 and a linkage
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assembly, which comprises a cross linkage 56, a pair of linkages 60A, 60B, and
a
pair of push rods 62A, 62B. The grip 58, preferably a flexible strap, extends
through the seat 64 of the forward carriage portion 12 (see Figs. 1 and 3).
The
cross linkage 56 is positioned underneath the seat 64. The cross linkage 56 is
connected to the grip 58 so that the grip can operate the cross linkage 56.
The
cross linkage 56 is pivotally mounted to the first and second side support
members
36A, 36B, respectively. The cross linkage 56 is fixedly mounted, for example,
welded, to the linkages 60A, 60B, which are rotatably disposed between the
side
support members 36A, 36B and the respective front legs 14A, 14B. The first and
second push rods 62A, 62B are connected to the cross linkage 56 via the
linkages
60A, 60B. Fig. 2B shows this connection through linkage 60B; a similar
connection occurs at linkage 60A. The push rods 62A, 62B are oriented
generally
parallel to the front legs 14A, 14B and extend into the first and second fold
lock
mechanisms 16A, 16B, as seen in Fig. 4.
The linkages 60A, 60B are rotatable, by rotating the cross linkage 56,
between a first position (see Fig. 4) and a second position (see Fig. 5). This
rotation moves the push rods 62A, 62B from a down position (see Fig. 4) to an
up
position (see Fig. 5) via linkages 60A, 60B to actuate and release the fold
lock
mechanisms 16A, 16B. Each fold lock mechanism 16A, 16B includes an upper
fold lock 68A, 68B and a lower fold lock 70A, 70B. During folding of the
stroller
10, the push rods 62A, 62B move up substantially parallel to the front legs
14A,
14B, pushing the upper fold locks 68A, 68B off of the lower fold locks 66A,
66B
to collapse the stroller 10 to the position shown in Fig. 6.
Operation of the one-hand folding mechanism will now be described
primarily with reference to Figs. 3-5. These figures depict one side of the
stroller
- the "B" side. It will be understood that the same structural
interconnections and
structural interrelationship occurs at the opposite side of the stroller - the
"A"
side.
Figs. 1 and 2 show the stroller 10 in the fully-opened position. In the
fully-opened position, the grip 58 can be seen extending through the seat 64.
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When the user desires to fold the stroller 10, the user pulls upwards on the
grip
58. The two strap ends 72A, 72B of the grip 58 are coupled to respective Z-
shaped regions of the cross linkage 56, where they are held in place by, for
example, rivets or snaps. As the parent pulls upwards on the grip 58 in the
direction of arrow A in Fig. 1, movement of the strap ends 72A, 72B rotates
the
cross linkage 56 in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 4. As the cross linkage
56
rotates, the linkages 60A, 60B rotate as well in the direction of arrow B' .
The linkages 60A, 60B pivot about the pivot axis P-P in Fig. 2B, defined at
the connection between the cross linkage 56 and the linkages 60A, 60B. This
pivotal movement lifts the end of the linkages 60A, 60B connected to the push
rods
62A, 62B in the direction of arrow B', which causes the push rods 62A, 62B,
which are pivotally connected to the linkages 60A, 60B, to move upwards from
the
first position (Fig. 4) to the second position (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5 shows movement of the linkage 60B from a first position (dashed
line), in which the stroller 10 is fully-opened, to a second position (solid
line), in
which the stroller 10 is collapsing. Fig. 5 also shows the movement of the
push
rod 62B from its first, down position (dashed line) to its second, up position
(solid
line). In the first position, as shown in Fig. 4, the top end 74 of the push
rod 62B
extends slightly outward from the top surface 76 of the lower fold lock 70B,
where
it fits into a recess 78 in the upper fold lock 68B and exerts a small force
against
the upper fold lock 68B. This small force is not strong enough to overcome the
downward bias force exerted by a spring (not shown) in the upper fold lock 68B
that keeps the upper fold lock 68B abutted against the lower fold Iock 70B.
The
top end 74 of the push rod 62B assists in maintaining the alignment of the
upper
and lower fold locks 68B, 70B.
In the partially-collapsed position shown in Fig. 5, the push rod 62B has
been lifted to the second, up position by the linkage 60B. The push rod 62B
moves in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 5. As the push rod 62B moves up, the
top end 74 of the push rod 62B pushes against the recess 78, overcoming the
downward bias of the spring, to cause the upper fold lock 68B to lift off of
the
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lower fold lock 70B and rotate out of the locking engagement. As a
consequence,
the front leg 14B is removed from the upper fold lock 68B, thereby allowing
the
stroller 10 to fold against itself. The push bar arm 26B pivots in the
direction of
arrow D around pivot pin 80 such that it rotates in a direction toward the
rear
s wheel assemblies RW:
As mentioned above, the rear legs 28A, 28B are pivotally connected to the
push bar arms 26A, 26B via brackets 30A, 30B. As shown in Fig. sB, the push
bar arm 26B is channeled through the bracket 30B, wherein it is' held in place
by a
pin 82. The rear leg 28B is also captured by the bracket 30B. The rear leg 28B
pivots about pin 84 in the direction of arrow E relative to the push bar arm
26B as
the stroller 10 collapses.
Further, as mentioned above, the stroller 10 of the present invention can
include the basket frame 42 as part of its frame structure. The basket frame
42 is
connected to the side support members 36A, 36B, as seen best in Fig. 2, by
is connectors 46. The basket frame 42 and the side support members 36A, 36B
are
pivotally attached to the rear legs 28A, 28B by pivots s2. As the stroller 10
is
moved towards the collapsed position, the side support members 36A, 36B and
the
basket frame 42 rotate around the pivots s2 that connect them to the rear legs
28A,
28B, so that they move from about a 4s° angular position with respect
to the rear
legs 28A, 28B to a more parallel position with respect to the rear legs 28A,
28B.
As illustrated in Fig. 6, when the stroller 10 is in the collapsed position,
the push
bar arms 26A, 26B, the front legs 14A, 14B, the rear legs 28A, 28B, the basket
frame 42, and the side support members 36A, 36B fold toward each other,
thereby
providing a compact stroller that can be stored in a relatively small space.
2s Moreover, in this position, the grip s8 can be used to pick up and carry
the stroller
10, as indicated by arrow F in Fig. 6.
The stroller can be maintained in the folded position with one or more
latches (not shown). To open the stroller 10 from the closed position, the
user
unlocks the latch to enable to stroller to open, which can be done by pulling
the
push bar arms 26A, 26B or the push bar cross member 24 upwardly. This action
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causes the upper fold locks 68A, 68B to rotate towards the lower fold locks
70A,
70B. Eventually, the front legs 14A, 14B seat themselves in the associated
openings in upper fold locks 68A, 68B, thereby locking, via the fold lock
mechanisms 16A, 16B, the stroller 10 in the fully-opened position.
The folding mechanism of the present invention allows the user to fold the
stroller frame 20 with one hand by pulling on the grip 58 extending through
the
child's seat 64. The parent need not use both of his/her hands to
simultaneously
pull upwards on fold lock mechanisms 16A, 16B on the right- and left-hand
sides
of the stroller. However, the fold lock mechanisms 16A, 16B are fully
operational
and can be used to collapse the stroller 10 at the option of the parent.
Specifically,
the user can manually pull upwards on both upper fold locks 68A, 68B in order
to
separate the upper fold locks 68A, 68B from the lower fold locks 70A, 70B.
Referring again to Fig. 6, a handle portion 86 of the stroller 10 can act as a
brace to hold the stroller 20 in a vertical orientation when the stroller is
in the
collapsed position. To operate as a brace, the handle portion 86 is positioned
so
that it is at an approximate 90° angle with respect to the push bar
arms 26A, 26B.
The handle portion 86 thus would be oriented parallel to the ground surface.
In another aspect of the present invention, a child tray 88 can be removably
mounted to the stroller frame 20. Figs. 7 and 8 show such a child tray 88. The
child tray 88 generally extends in front of the forward carriage portion 12 of
the
stroller 10. A child seated in the forward carriage portion 12 can use the
child
tray 88 to hold drinks, snacks, or play things. A recessed portion 90 of the
child
tray 88 is used to hold those objects in place. The child tray 88 also
prevents
inadvertent bumping of the child from the front.
Referring specifically to Fig. 7, the child tray 88 is removably mounted to
latch mechanisms 92A, 92B positioned on an exterior surface of each fold lock
mechanism 16A, 16B. The ends 94A, 94B of the child tray 88 can engage the
latch mechanisms 92A, 92B. In one embodiment, the latch mechanisms 92A, 92B
each include a button 96. The button 96 can include a flange that fits into an
indented area (not shown) of the respective tray end 94A, 94B to prevent the
child
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tray from inadvertently being disengaged from the stroller 10. Depressing the
button 96 disengages the tray end 94A, 94B from the respective latch mechanism
92A, 92B. Other ways of connecting the child tray 88 to the stroller 10 are
also
contemplated, such as connecting the child tray 88 to the stroller frame 20 at
the
front legs, the push bar arms, or the side support members.
A shield 98 can be releasably mounted to the child tray 88 in accordance
with the invention. In one configuration, the shield 98 can be snap-fit onto
the
front edge of the child tray 88. For example, the shield 98 can include
resilient
clips on the shield's lower edge that clip to the underside of the child
tray's front
edge. The shield 98 prevents the child from pushing or throwing objects over
the
front edge of the child tray 88. The shield 98 also prevents the objects from
spilling off the child tray 88 when the stroller 10 is abruptly stopped. In
addition,
the shield 98 can operate as a wind breaker or sunshield.
As shown in Fig. 8, the shield 98 extends a sufficient distance above the
child tray 88, so that any objects that spill out of the recessed portion 90
will be
blocked by the shield 98 and will fall back into the recessed portion 90. The
shield 98 is shown as having a greater height than the child tray 88, in order
to
keep objects within the child tray 88, as well as to maintain tall objects,
such as
baby bottles, in an upright manner within the child tray 88 during an abrupt
stop of
the stroller.10. Preferably, a 1-4 inch height difference between the shield
98 and
the child tray 88 will suffice, but a shield of any size higher than the
height of the
child tray 88 would fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. The
shield 98
is preferably made of a translucent, plastic material, and may be tinted, if
desired.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the stroller 10 can include a handle
86 that provides one-hand steering capability. The handle 86 is mounted to the
push bar cross member 24, as shown in Figs. 2 and 9. The handle 86 preferably
is
rotatably mounted to the push bar 22 and can be rotated to a plurality of
angular
positions relative to the push bar cross member 24. In another arrangement,
the
handle 86 can be fixedly mounted to the push bar cross member 24 to form a
closed loop configuration with the push bar cross member 24.
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Referring now to Figs. 9-12, the handle 86 includes a gripping body 100
that is mounted to the push bar cross member 24. The body 100 can have a
clamshell structure, where a first half portion and a second half portion come
together around the cross member 24. The body 100 can be formed integrally
with the cross member 24 during manufacture of the stroller 10.
The handle 86 includes a locking assembly (Fig. 10) mounted to the push
bar cross member 24 within the body 100. The locking assembly controls
positioning . of the handle 86 at the various angular positibns. The locking
assembly includes first and second fixed collars 104, 106 fixedly attached to
the
cross member 24, a movable collar 102 rotatably mounted to the cross member
24,
and a bias element, such as a spring 108, that biases the movable collar to
one of
the first and second fixed collars 104, 106. The movable collar 102 is non-
rotatably mounted to body 100, but the movable collar 102 can move axially
within the body 100 in the direction of arrow G, between locked and unlocked
positions. The first and second collars 104, 106 are fixedly mounted, such as
with
rivets, to the push bar cross member 24. In a dual-collar alternative
configuration,
the collars 104, 106 can be formed by a single piece having a barbell-like
structure, where the movable collar 102 is fit over the middle, narrow-portion
of
the barbell.
The first fixed collar 104 is configured to engage the movable collar 102 in
the locked position. The bias spring 108 biases the movable collar 102 in the
locked position in the direction of arrow G in Fig. 10. The movable collar 102
has
an actuator 110 that can be used to axially move the movable collar 102
between
the locked and unlocked positions. The actuator 110 extends through a slot in
the
body 100 so that the user can slide the actuator 110 along the slot 111 in the
direction of arrow H in Fig. 9 to unlock the lever 102 from the collar 104.
Referring to Fig. 10, the movable collar 102 is hollow and preferably
cylindrical and fits around the push bar cross member 24 to allow rotation of
the
movable collar 102 with respect to the push bar cross member 24. One end 112
of
the movable collar 102 has a plurality of teeth 114 that fit into
complementary
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grooves 116 formed by similar teeth 114' on the first fixed collar 104. Fig.
l0A
shows the fixed collar 104 with the grooves 116. The teeth 114 and the grooves
116 interlock, as shown in Fig. 11. The teeth 102 of the movable collar and
the
grooves 116 of the first fixed collar 104 preferably have complementary,
angled,
interlocking surfaces, as shown in Fig. 11, to encourage the teeth and grooves
114, 116 to center more easily. Although Fig. l0A shows the first fixed collar
104 having eight grooves, any feasible number can be used, 4-8 grooves 116
being
preferred.
As can be understood from Fig. 10, in a first, locked position, the teeth
114 of the movable collar 102 fit into the respective grooves 116 of the first
fixed
collar 104, and, in a second, unlocked position, the teeth 114 are retracted
from
the respective grooves 116. The movable collar 102 and thus the handle 86
cannot
be rotated in the first, locked position. The first, locked position is the
default
position of the lever 102 due to the biasing force of the spring 108 in the
direction
of arrow G.
When the user moves the actuator 110 to the right in Fig. 9, the teeth 114
disengage from the grooves 116, thereby allowing the movable collar 102, and
hence the handle 86, to be rotated with respect to the push bar cross member
24.
Once the handle 86 has been rotated to a desired angular position, the user
then
releases the actuator 110, and the spring 108 urges the teeth 114 back into
locked
engagement within the grooves 116. If the teeth 114 and grooves 116 are
slightly
misaligned, the user can rotate the handle 86 until the movable collar 102
locks in
place. The angled engaging surfaces of the teeth and grooves 114, 116 provide
positive locking engagement to lock the movable collar 102 in place.
As shown in Fig. 1, the stroller 10 can include additional features,
including a canopy 120 for the forward carriage portion 12 and a parent tray
122.
To mount the canopy 120 to the stroller frame 20, the stroller frame 20
preferably
includes a canopy rod (obscured by the canopy in Fig. 1) that is connected to
and
extends between the push bar arms 26A, 26B. A rear edge of the canopy 120 can
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be mounted to this canopy rod. The parent tray 122 can be releasably connected
to
the push bar arms 26A, 26B.
In addition, the forward carriage portion of the stroller 10 can include
either a three-point harness 124 or a five-point harness, such as. the five-
point
harness described in U.S. Patent No. 5,580,126. Further, to give the stroller
10 a
sleek look, plastic molding can be mounted over the stroller frame 20,
including
the front legs 12A, 12B, the rear legs 28A, 28B, the basket frame 42, and the
push
bar 22. The molding cats comprise a thermoplastic or thermosetting material.
As evident from the above description, the stroller according to the present
invention can offer several advantages. In particular, the stroller 10
provides
increased storage capacity; the stroller frame 20 is designed with a basket
frame 42
from which to suspend a large storage basket. In addition, the stroller can
also
include a stroller folding actuator that enables a parent to fold the stroller
from a
fully-opened position to a collapsed position easily with one hand. The
stroller 10
also can include a child's tray 88 with a front shield 98 to aid in retaining
child
items, such as drink boxes and toys, on the child tray 88. Further, the
stroller 10
can include a handle portion 86 adapted to provide one-hand steering
capability,
leaving the parent with a free hand to hold a second child or items that do
not fit
within the stroller's storage basket. Each of these features, individually and
in
combination with the other features, provide advancements in the stroller art.
Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in the art would
appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modifications within the
scope
and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, all modifications attainable
by
one versed in the art from the present disclosure within the scope and spirit
of the
present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present
invention. The scope of the present invention accordingly is to be defined as
set
forth in the appended claims.
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