1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a baby stroller comprising a stroller frame and a baby seat (hereinafter, “seat” or “chair”) and more particularly to a baby stroller that cam be folded without removing the chair from the stroller frame to provide a simple, easy and quick operation. The chair may also be folded while on a stroller frame directly to reduce the storage volume of the baby stroller. In further embodiments, the baby stroller comprises a stroller frame and a chair, wherein the chair may be mounted on the stroller frame in either a forward facing position or a rearward facing position. Further, the chair may be rotatably connected to the stroller frame such that the chair may rotate relative to the stroller frame while the stroller frame is in a folded storage position. In further embodiments, the stroller frame may be folded with the chair connected in either the forward facing position or the rearward facing position.
The present invention also includes a chair capable of being connected to a stroller frame, wherein the chair comprises a folding joint. In a particular embodiment, the chair in a folded position is substantially half the length of the chair in the unfolded position.
With reference to
There is a need for a stroller that comprises a seat capable of rotating while connected to a stroller frame in a folded position such that the stroller may be folded while the stroller is in the forward facing position or the rearward facing position. There is a further need for a stroller seat that may be folded while still connected to the stroller to provide a more compact folded stroller that is more easily stored or carried.
Many conventional baby strollers comprise a frame with folding mechanisms on each side that allow the baby stroller to be converted from an unfolded in-use position to a folded position that has a reduced volume for ease of storage or transportation. Further, such conventional strollers are available in two different configurations, strollers that comprise seats that are permanently attached to the stroller frame and strollers that have seats that are removably connected to the frame allowing the seat to be connected in either a forward facing position or a rearward facing position. In a forward facing position, the child is seat in the stroller seat facing the direction that the stroller is advancing while in the rearward facing position the child is seated in the stroller seat facing the parent, guardian or other person who is pushing the stroller. Many children, especially young children, like to face their parents as they walk. However, conventional strollers with reversible seats may only be folded when the seat is in the traditional forward facing position. The frame of the seat in the rearward facing position may interfere with the stroller frame during the folding process or the stroller seat remains in an awkward position after folding, thus preventing the stroller frame from folding completely when the stroller seat is in the rearward facing position. If the seat is in the rearward facing position, the seat must be removed or reversed to the forward facing position prior to folding the baby stroller.
Embodiments of the baby stroller described herein comprise a stroller frame and a removably connected stroller seat or chair, wherein the stroller may be folded with the stroller seat facing in a forward facing position or with the stroller seat in the rearward facing position. The stroller frame comprises at least one frame latch and the chair comprises at least one seat latch that is capable of connecting with the frame latch to attach the chair in either the forward facing position or in the rearward facing position. In some embodiments, the stroller frame will comprise two frame latches and the stroller seat will comprise two seat latches. In some embodiments, either the stroller frame latch or the seat latch is rotatably connected such that the seat is capable or rotating relative to the stroller frame when the stroller frame is in a folded position and is not capable of rotating relative to the stroller frame when the stroller frame is in the unfolded position. In some embodiments, the stroller frame latch and/or the seat latch may rotate in a plane that is substantially parallel or a plane parallel to the plane of rotation of a portion of the stroller frame in the folding or unfolding process.
In such embodiments, the chair may rotate as the stroller frame is folded to prevent interference between frame members and allow a more compact folded position of the stroller. Typically, a stroller frame comprises at least one upper tube (or handle frame) 21, at least one lower tube (or front wheel frame) 22, and at least one rear wheel frame 23. Either the chair or the stroller frame may comprise a rotatable base comprising a latch. Embodiments of the invention include a stroller frame comprising a rotatable base comprising a latch capable of connecting a chair to the stroller frame. In such embodiments, the rotatable base comprises at least one stop that prevents the rotatable base from rotating relative to the stroller frame when the stroller is in the unfolded in-use configuration. This fixes the chair or seat to support the child in an upright position for use. The stops on the rotatable base may engage any portion of the stroller frame to prevent rotation of the chair, for example. The stops, however, do not prevent the chair from rotating relative to the stroller frame when the stroller frame is in the folded storage position. In embodiments, the rotatable base is capable of rotating when the stroller frame is in the folded configuration.
Further embodiments of the invention include a stroller chair comprising a rotatable base comprising a latch capable of connecting a chair to a stroller frame. In such embodiments, the stroller frame latch may be in a fixed position relative to the stroller frame. In further embodiments, the rotatable base comprises at least one stop that prevents the rotatable base from rotating relative to the stroller frame when the stroller is in the unfolded in-use configuration. The stops, however, do not prevent the chair from rotating relative to the stroller frame when the stroller frame is not in the unfolded in-use configuration. In embodiments, the rotatable base is capable of rotating when the stroller frame is in the folded configuration and/or during the folding process.
As used herein, “substantially” means that the property is within 20% of stared property, for example, if the two components are substantially parallel, the two components are within 18° of being parallel (20% of 90°); in more specific embodiments, the property is within 10% of the stated property.
Therefore, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a baby stroller that can be folded while connected to a chair to provide a simple, easy and quick operation.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a chair that can be folded while connected to a stroller frame to reduce the storage volume of the baby stroller.
In embodiments, the present invention provides a baby stroller comprising an independent stroller frame and a chair, wherein the stroller frame comprises a rotatable base, such that when the baby stroller is unfolded, the rotatable base abuts and positions the chair with the stroller frame automatically and when the baby stroller is folded, the chair is rotated together with the base, such that the chair can be folded and positioned together with the stroller frame directly.
In addition, the chair of the present invention includes a folding joint, so that the chair can be folded white connected to the stroller frame to provide a simple, easy and quick operation and achieve the effect of reducing the storage volume of the baby stroller.
The technical characteristics, structures and effects of the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of two preferred embodiments together with the illustration of related drawings as follows.
With reference to
For example, the embodiment of the baby stroller shown in
As shown, the rotatable base 3 is rotatably connected to the folding joint 24 by a fixing element 31 (such as a bolt, rivet, axle, pin or other connector capable of rotatably connect the rotatable base to the stroller frame or folding joint). The rotatable base 3 comprises a positioning element 32. The positioning element may be any component that is capable of preventing the rotatable base 3 from rotating when the stroller frame is in the unfolded in-use position. For example, as shown in the figures, the positioning element 32 may be installed on an external side at an upper end of the base 3 and in embodiments wherein the positioning element engages at least one tube of the stroller frame, the positioning element 32 may be a semicircular arc shaped stop block. It should be noted, however, that the positioning element may be any other shape or mechanism that allows the rotatable base 3 to rotate relative to the stroller frame in folded storage position and/or during the folding process but holds the rotatable base relatively fixed in the unfolded in-use position. For example, the same mechanism that unlocks the stroller frame may be used to unlock the rotatable base. Further, the positioning element may be formed as a unitary part of the rotatable base (as shown) or may be connected or attached as a separate component. In other embodiments, the positioning element may operate mechanically in conjunction with a locking element on the folding joint, for example.
Further embodiments of the baby stroller may comprise a rotatable component on the chair or chair frame instead of on the stroller or stroller frame. The rotatable component on the chair would function similarly to the rotatable base shown on the stroller frame or folding joint as shown in the drawings, such that the chair is held in a fixed position on the stroller frame with the stroller frame in an unfolded in-use position and is capable of rotating when the stroller frame is in a folded storage position or during the folding process. The chair mounted rotatable base may also comprise a positioning element 32 that is capable of engaging the stroller frame.
The mechanism may be any mechanism or the positioning element may be any component that may hold the rotatable base fixed in the unfolded in-use position and allow the rotatable base to rotate in the folded storage position. For example, the rotatable base may be on a frame or folding joint of an independent chair 4, having a sear latch 40 capable of being latched onto a stroller frame.
In the embodiment shown in
The chair 4 may also comprise an adjustable fool rest. For example, in the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown, when the baby stroller is unfolded, the positioning element 32 of the rotatable base 3 abuts and fixes the chair 4 relative to the stroller frame 2 as shown in
In short, the baby stroller comprises a rotatable base 3 on the stroller frame 2 or on the chair 4, so that when the baby stroller is unfolded, the rotatable base abuts a portion of the stroller frame 2 to position the chair in an in-use position; and when the baby stroller is folded, the rotatable base positions the chair 4 together with the stroller frame 2 in a folded position without interference of the stroller frame in either a forward or a rearward facing position.
From the description above, the present invention has one or more of the following advantages and effects, and obviously improves over the prior art.
1. The direction of the chair 4 can be changed simply and quickly.
2. The chair 4 can be folded while connected to the stroller frame, not only overcoming the problem of the conventional baby stroller that cannot be folded without removing the seat, but also simplifying the procedure of folding the baby stroller and providing a simple, easy and quick operation.
3. The chair 4 can be folded while connected to the stroller frame directly to avoid the step of separating the chair 4 and the stroller frame 2 or prevent missing components.
With reference to
The folding joint 24 may also comprise a lower link plate 55 installed within the joint cover 51 and coupled to the lower rube 22. The lower link plate 55 comprises a stop body 56 which also acts as stop for the rotatable base. The stop body 56 rotates with the lower link plate 55 as the stroller is folded or unfolded. In the unfolded in-use position, the stop body 56 engages a portion of the positioning element 32 to prevent the rotatable base 3 from rotating in the counterclockwise direction as shown in the view of
When the baby stroller is unfolded, a portion of the positioning element 32 of the base 3 is sandwiched between the bump 53 and the stop body 56 of the upper and lower link plates 52, 55. When the stroller frame 2 (which includes the upper and lower tubes 21, 22) is unfolded, the stroller frame 2 and rotatable base 3 are positioned automatically relative to each other as shown in
To further reduce the storage volume of the folded baby stroller, embodiments of the chair 4 comprises a folding joint 6 installed onto the chair 4 as shown in
Embodiments of the chair comprise at least one upper tube, at least one lower tube and a folding joint. The folding joint is capable of pivoting the upper tube and lower tube relative to each other from an unfolded in-use position to a folded storage position. See
The upper tube and lower tube of the chair are typically made from metal rubes such as aluminum tubes; however, the robes may be made of any material and any shape. The term “tube” is used to describe the frame members which may be made from a tubular or other structurally sufficient material and shape. The tubes may be made of a solid or structural plastic or composite material, for example.
The chair may comprise a folding joint capable of pivotally connecting the upper tube and the lower tube. In certain embodiments, the chair 4 may comprise a fabric seat 41 and upper tube 42 and lower tube 43, wherein the fabric seat is mounted onto the tubes 42 and 43. The folding joint 6 is connected between the upper tube and lower tube 42, 43 of the chair 4. In the embodiment shown, the folding joint comprises an upper joint 61 fixed to the bottom of the upper tube 42 of the chair 4 and a lower joint 64 fixed at an upper end of the lower tube 43 of the chair 4. The upper joint 16 and the lower joint 64 are rotatably connected to allow upper tube 42 and the lower tube 43 to be rotated relative to each other to move the chair into either a folded configuration (as shown in
Alternatively, either the upper frame 42 or the lower frame 43 may have n smaller length or width such that one frame may be folded to be within the other frame. In such embodiments, the folding joints would not necessarily comprise a longitudinal axis of an arm that is offset from a diameter parallel to the frame.
Embodiments of the seat folding joint may comprise a mechanism to lock the chair in at least an unfolded configuration, further, in additional embodiments, the seat folding joint may be able to be locked in a folded position. For example, the upper joint 61 further may comprise a notch 611 formed on an external side; two fixing members 62, installed in a notch 611 through a spring 621, so that the fixing member 62 is maintained at an upwardly disposed state; a press plate 63, installed on an external side of the upper joint 61, and having a breach 63 corresponding to the fixing member 62. The lower joint 64 may be integrated with a seat latch 40, and having a corresponding positioning slot 641 formed on an internal side of the lower joint 64 (as shown in.
With the aforementioned structure, when the chair 4 is unfolded as shown in
The chair 4 may comprise two folding joints for increased safety. For example, chair 4 may include left and right folding joints 6 that can be operated independently, so that users must operate both folding joints 6 at the same time for the operation to prevent a misuse by accident.
If the user does not apply forces to the press button 66, the fixing member 62 and the press plate 63 are rotated back to their original positions by the tension released from the spring 621. Now, the upper tube 42 of the chair 4 is lifted and unfolded, and the fixing member 62 will be latched to the notch 641 of the lower joint 64 automatically to unfold and position the chair 4 back to its original position as shown in
With reference to
When the chair 4 is unfolded, the fixing member 72 is engaged with a positioning slot 741 of the lower joint 74. If the user wants to fold the baby stroller, the user simply presses the press button 76, such that the slide slot 77 and the link element 78 pull the fixing member 72 to rotate, and the fixing member 72 moves inwardly to detach its connection with the positioning slot 741 of the lower joint 74, and then die upper rube 42 of the chair 4 is turned to fold the chair. 4 as shown in
In summation of the description above, the present invention achieves the expected objectives and effects and complies with the patent application requirements, and is thus duly filed for patent application.
This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/290,189 filed on Nov. 7, 2011.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 13290189 | Nov 2011 | US |
Child | 13418101 | US |