Land vehicles – Wheeled – Extensible
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-08
2001-12-04
Mar, Michael (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Extensible
C280S650000, C280S062000, C297S045000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325406
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a stroller for transporting a child and more particularly to a three-wheel stroller having a generally triangular lower frame.
In recent years, strollers designed to allow an adult to jog or run while pushing a child and which are usable on uneven terrain have gained popularity. “Jogging strollers”, as they are commonly called, have more rugged frames and larger wheels than traditional strollers. These features are necessary to provide a stroller that is more stable in use at higher speeds and over uneven terrain. However, the rugged frames and larger wheels of jogging strollers also make them more difficult to collapse or disassemble. Indeed, several steps are typically required to collapse most jogging strollers. Moreover, most collapsed jogging strollers are still relatively bulky, which makes them harder to lift and prevents them from being easily stowed in a vehicle or a garage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects and features of the present invention may be noted the provision of a stroller capable of safely supporting a child while being pushed by a jogger; the provision of such a stroller that is easily collapsible; the provision of such a stroller that is relatively compact when it is in a collapsed position; and the provision of such a stroller that is usable over uneven terrain.
Briefly, this invention is directed to a collapsible stroller for transporting a child. The collapsible stroller comprises a single front wheel and a front wheel support mounting the front wheel for rotation on an axis extending transversely with respect to the stroller. Two generally horizontal side frame members extend in a generally rearward direction from the front wheel support. Each side member has a forward end pivotally connected to the front wheel support for pivoting about a generally vertical axis. Two rear wheels are each rotatably mounted on a respective side frame member adjacent its rearward end. A collapsible rear frame member extends between the side frame members generally between the rear wheels. An upper frame extends up from the side frame members for supporting a child seat and a child therein. A handle is attached to the upper frame. The rear frame member is lockable in an uncollapsed condition for holding the side frame members in a diverging relationship in which they diverge rearwardly from the front wheel support. The rear frame member is movable from the uncollapsed condition to a collapsed condition to permit the side frame members to be pivoted about their respective vertical axes.
In another aspect of the invention, the stroller includes a lower frame rotatably mounting a front wheel and two rear wheels in a triangular formation. The lower frame includes two horizontal side frame members diverging in a rearward direction from generally adjacent the front wheel to generally adjacent the rear wheels when the stroller is in an unfolded condition. The lower frame further includes a collapsible rear frame member extending between the side frame members generally between the rear wheels. First and second upright rear supports have lower ends pivotally connected to the lower frame. A first inclined side member has an upper end connected to an upper end of the first upright rear support and a second inclined side member has an upper end connected to an upper end of the second upright rear support. The first and second inclined side members slope downward and forward from respective first and second upright rear supports to the horizontal side frame members of the lower frame when the stroller is in the unfolded condition. Each inclined side member is pivotally connected to a respective horizontal side frame member. The rear frame member is lockable in an uncollapsed condition when the stroller is in its unfolded condition thereby to hold the horizontal side frame members in a diverging relationship and is movable to a collapsed condition for collapsing the lower frame in a lateral direction parallel to a plane defined by the horizontal side frame members.
Other objects and features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
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Ayre William H.
O'Shea Timothy J. C.
American Recreation Products, Inc.
Mar Michael
Senniger Powers Leavitt & Roedel
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