Stroller

Details Stroller Stroller

2001-08-10

2004-07-27

Lerner, Avraham (Department: 3611)

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Extensible

C280S650000, C280S047380

Reexamination Certificate

active

06767028

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a stroller and, in particular, to a stroller that can be folded for storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, many developments have been made with respect to strollers. In particular, the folding features and handleability of strollers have been improved and strollers have been developed for use while jogging or in-line skating, over rugged terrain and through snow and sand.
While some previously available strollers are foldable, many folding systems are complex both in terms of use and in terms of manufacture. The various cross members required to permit folding while maintaining stroller frame rigidity can increase the weight of the stroller to undesirable levels and add to the bulk of the folded trailer.
The use of strollers is often uncomfortable because the gripping portion of the stroller handle is at an incorrect height for the user. While some strollers include mechanisms for handle height adjustment, these mechanisms are often not user friendly. The mechanisms generally require the installation of an adjustment connection near the gripping portion which can weaken the handle and which complicates stroller construction, thereby increasing stroller cost.
A common problem with previous strollers is the tendency for their wheels to move out of alignment, thereby adversely affecting stroller tracking. In particular, the front wheel or wheels can become off-centre or out of parallel position relative to the rear wheels.
Many strollers do not provide a mechanism for adjusting the stroller's center of gravity, except by adjusting the position of the child or bags etc. loaded into the stroller. Therefore, the weight on the front forks can't be reliably adjusted and the performance of the stroller cannot be controlled in this respect.
A stroller is needed that overcomes at least some of these problems of previous strollers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The stroller of the present invention overcomes some of the problems set out above with respect to previous strollers. A stroller folding system is disclosed which is simple with respect to both use and manufacture and includes foldable cross members that are light-weight and durable. Stroller mechanisms are also disclosed for correcting tracking problems and to select handle height.
One stroller according to the present invention can be folded for storage and transport. The stroller includes three main structural units that pivot relative to each other at closely positioned pivotal axes. The pivotal axes are defined by a pair of brackets aligned one on each side of the stroller and into which each of the three main structural units are connected. This permits stroller construction to be simplified since only one pair of brackets is needed to be formed and mounted into the frame and many mechanical connections on the stroller are made through that pair of brackets. The procedure by which the stroller is folded is also simplified by use of the pair of aligned brackets in the present stroller.
In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stroller having a forward end and a rear end and a long axis extending through the forward end and the rear end, the stroller comprising: a plurality of wheels for supporting the stroller including at least one forward wheel positioned forward of the stroller's centre of gravity and rear wheels; a frame supported by the wheels having main frame members including front wheel supports for engaging the at least one front wheel, a handle bar for grasping and moving the stroller and rear wheel supports for engaging the rear wheels; a connecting bracket on each side of the frame having connected thereto the main frame members and at least two of the main frame members being pivotally moveable at their connection to the connecting brackets and the connecting bracket positioned to permit the at least two main frame members to pivot about the bracket such that the stroller can be manipulated between an upright position and a folded position; and a locking means for releasably locking the stroller in the upright position.
As will be appreciated, in a three-wheeled stroller there will generally be a single front wheel supported on front forks and a pair of rear wheels. In a four-wheeled stroller the frame will generally be supported on four wheels, with two forward and two at the rear. Generally, the rear wheel supports will be connected such that they pivot together during manipulation of the frame, as will the front wheel supports in a four-wheeled stroller.
In one embodiment, the front wheel supports are rigidly connected to the connecting brackets, while the handle and rear wheel supports are pivotally connected to the connecting brackets. This arrangement provides a compact configuration when the stroller is in the folded position. In addition, this has been found to particularly facilitate the unfolding operation of the stroller since by simply lifting the folded stroller by the front wheel supports, the rear wheel supports will rotate down and away and the stroller will automatically be in a configuration in which it can be supported on its wheels.
The frame of the stroller can be formed of various rigid materials including, but not limited to, aluminum or polymeric tubing, rods or bars. The frame can include frame cross members for providing locking the stroller into a rigid position or maintaining positioning of stroller components. These frame cross members can also be formed of aluminum or polymeric tubing, rods or bars or can alternately be formed of flexible cables, as will be discussed in more detail. The frame supports a seat for accepting one or more children and, if desired, a covering or sunshade to shelter the seat. In one embodiment, the seat includes a drink bottle pocket formed in the forward part of the seat, which is accessible by a child positioned in the seat. Preferably the pocket is positioned in the seat in the area between a child passenger's legs. In another embodiment, the sunshade includes a visor including a stiffening member permitting the visor to be set in a stationary in-use position. Preferably, the stiffening member is adjustable such that it can be moved between the stationary in-use position and a stored position.
The handle can be formed in any way to facilitate grasping and control of the stroller. Preferably, the handle is height adjustable to be comfortable for users of various height. In one embodiment, the connecting bracket includes a mechanism for handle height adjustment. Preferably, the mechanism is incorporated into the handle's pivotal connection to the connecting bracket.
To provide frame rigidity the rear supports can have extending therebetween a cross bar or an axle. The frame can also include other cross members such as one extending between the front wheel supports and the rear supports.
The wheels are selected to support the frame and permit it to be rolled as by pushing. The wheels can be of any desired size. Preferably, the wheels are mounted to rotate in planes parallel with the long axis of the stroller and are restricted from pivoting out of these planes. A relative wheel positioning mechanism can be mounted on the stroller to permit adjustment of relative wheel alignment and/or spacing for tracking or center of gravity adjustment.
The locking means can be any mechanism or part for locking frame members in an upright position. As an example, the locking means can be pins, fasteners, overcenter mechanisms, etc.
Another stroller according to the present invention includes at least one flexible elongate cross member extending to act between main frame members. The cross member is connected to act between main frame members to maintain or limit their spacing and is particularly useful for extending between main frame members that are pivotable relative to each other and for being placed in tension between main frame members. The flexible elongate cross member can in some applications replace a stiff cross member, thereby reduci

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