Patent Application
20200172142
The present invention relates to strollers for infants and children. In particular, the invention relates to strollers with collapsible frames that fold into a more compact configuration for ease of storage and portability, as well as accessories such as bassinets and snack trays for use with strollers of this type.
The different aspects addressed by the present invention will be set out below under separate subheadings to facilitate an understanding of the various improvements which the invention seeks to provide in relation to strollers.
Strollers, prams and push chairs (as they are sometimes known) are commonly used by parents to transport infants and children during pedestrian outings. However, due to their size, strollers can be inconvenient to store or transport in a vehicle. In light of this, strollers fold or ‘collapse’ into a more compact configuration when not in use.
To provide a more compact folded configuration, some collapsible strollers have particularly complex hinged and telescopic frame structures. While this allows the stroller to fold down into a smaller size, the complexity of the frame increases the production costs. Similarly, greater complexity of the frame tends to require a more complicated folding procedure. For example, retracting telescopic sections and locking or unlocking various frame hinges and so on require the user to follow a relatively protracted protocol of steps when folding or unfolding a stroller. However, parents of young children require this operation to occur as quickly and simply as possible.
Australian Registered Designs 336,075, 336,076 and 336077 show a collapsible stroller of the type that has a single main hinge that connects a handle frame, a rear wheel frame and a front wheel frame. In the folded configuration, the handle, front wheel and rear wheel frames all rotate about in the single hinge to overlay each other in the folded configuration. While this form of collapsible stroller is adequate for many parents, a more compact folded configuration can be achieved through the use of a so-called ‘Z-folding’ frame assembly. Australian patent application AU 2012268804 is an example of a Z-fold collapsible stroller which uses at least two hinges, ie. an upper hinge and a lower hinge, so that the folded frame assembly is significantly shorter than that possible with a single hinged frame assembly.
As discussed above, the added complexity of a Z-folding frame assembly increases the production costs. Similarly, the more complex frame has a more involved folding and unfolding process. For example, the stroller frame disclosed in the above referenced AU '804 application is devised such that the stroller will only move to its fully folded position after a specified series of manual actions. Firstly, the user presses their palms on side projections extending from opposite sides of the stroller. Then a pair of handle triggers are drawn upwards. This in turn draws a push rod upwards to simultaneously unlock the lower frame hinge and the upper frame hinge. The user needs to stoop to reach the handle triggers, and any weight placed on the handle frame tends to cause the frame to collapse more quickly than expected once the upper and lower hinges have been simultaneously unlocked. Furthermore, the rear wheel frame must then be separately unlocked via a manual lock release handle to complete the folding process. The rear wheel frame pivots about an axis which is slightly offset from the lower hinge axis which, strictly speaking, gives the stroller three (rather than two) hinge axes, to achieve the required ‘Z-fold’. Offsetting these hinge axes from each other reduces the compactness of the folded configuration.
With these issues in mind, the present invention provides a frame assembly for a collapsible stroller, the frame assembly being selectively configurable in an unfolded configuration for carrying a child or infant, or a folded configuration for compact storage or transport in a vehicle, the frame assembly comprising:
a front wheel frame with a front wheel assembly;
a rear wheel frame with a rear wheel assembly;
a lower hinge for hingedly connecting the front wheel frame to the rear wheel frame,
a seat frame hingedly connected to the lower hinge;
an upper hinge connected to the seat frame at a position spaced from the lower hinge;
a handle frame connected to the upper hinge,
a manual release for user actuation; and
a mechanical link between the upper and lower hinges; wherein
the lower hinge is lockable to hold the seat frame, the front wheel frame and the rear wheel frame in the unfolded configuration, and unlockable to allow relative rotation of the seat frame, the front wheel frame and the rear wheel frame into the folded configuration; and
the upper hinge is lockable to hold the handle frame and the seat frame in the unfolded configuration, and unlockable to allow rotation of the handle frame relative to the seat frame into the folded configuration; such that,
user actuation of the manual release unlocks the upper hinge for rotation of the handle frame relative to the seat frame, and the mechanical link unlocks the lower hinge in response to a predetermined angular rotation of the handle frame relative to the seat frame.
By incorporating a mechanical link between the upper and lower hinges, the invention allows the frame assembly to collapse with a Z-fold mechanism without having to actuate multiple release mechanisms in a specified sequence. A single user actuated release initiates the Z-folding process, and this initial step in the folding process is the trigger for unlocking the remaining steps of the folding process. This allows the stroller to have a Z-folding mechanism for a particularly compact folded configuration, while avoiding a complicated set of steps to unlock each of the frame elements. The user need only actuate a single release mechanism instead of a series of releases to complete separate stages of the folding process. The present Applicants have utilised the early stages of the folding process itself to unlock subsequent stages. This multi-stage approach to unlocking and collapsing the frame assembly provides the user with a safer and more controlled process compared to the simultaneous unlocking of the both the upper and lower hinges offered by some of the prior art strollers.
Preferably, the handle frame supports the user actuated release for unlocking the upper hinge.
Placing the user actuated release on the handle is convenient and avoids any bending or stooping. Furthermore, the user can continue to hold the handle as it rotates relative to the seat frame until the lower hinge is unlocked. This provides the user with greater control of the first stages of the folding process.
In some embodiments, the handle frame has two spaced apart, generally upright frame members connected at their upper ends via a cross member forming a handle, and the user actuated release has a pair of retractable triggers, one of the retractable triggers being positioned on each of the spaced apart frame members respectively, proximate the handle. Preferably, the handle frame is telescopic such that simultaneous retraction of both the retractable triggers allows the handle to telescope towards the upper hinge such that a portion of the user actuated release housed within the handle frame interacts with the upper hinge to unlock the upper hinge.
Preferably, the handle frame is rotatable towards the rear-wheel frame in response to unlocking the upper hinge.
Optionally, the handle frame is approximately parallel to the wheel base (i.e. approximately horizontal), when at the predetermined angular rotation between the handle frame and the seat frame, at which point the mechanical link between the upper hinge and the lower hinge unlocks the lower hinge such that the seat frame is rotatable towards the front wheel frame.
Preferably, the frame assembly further comprises a latch for releasably securing the front wheel frame, the rear wheel frame, the seat frame and the handle frame in the folded configuration, wherein during use the latch automatically secures the frame assembly upon movement to the folded configuration.
Preferably, the latch comprises a spigot extending from the seat frame, a hook formation extending from the handle frame and a hasp extending from the rear wheel frame wherein the hook engages the spigot at a mid point, and the hasp engages with an end of the spigot.
Preferably, the spigot is mounted for movement between a frame secured position and a frame released position, wherein the spigot is biased to the frame secured position, and manual actuation of the spigot to the release position allows the frame assembly to move to the unfolded configuration. Preferably, the hook engages the spigot upon rotation of the handle frame and the seat frame to overlay the front wheel frame. Preferably, the frame assembly is configured such that user lifting of the handle upwards after the hook engages the spigot draws the lower hinge upwards to rotate the rear wheel frame towards the front wheel frame via gravity. In a further preferred form, suspending the frame assembly by the handle above the ground, after the hook has engaged the spigot, allows the rear wheel frame to rotate adjacent to the front wheel frame where the hasp automatically engages the end of the spigot, such that the frame assembly is secured in the folded configuration.
It will be appreciated that folding the collapsible stroller is comparatively simple for the user. The release triggers are pulled, and pressing down on the handle allows it to telescope into the two spaced and generally upright frame members. This action pushes part of the release actuator into the upper hinge to move a biased locking pin to an unlocked position. Then the handle naturally drops towards the rear wheel frame until the lower hinge unlocks and the user continues to allow the handle frame and the seat frame to hinge downwards and forwards towards the front wheel frame. At the front wheel frame, the hook on the handle frame automatically engages the spigot extending from the seat frame at which point the user stops lowering the handle and starts to lift the handle. With the handle frame, and the seat frame now locked in the folded configuration, lifting the handle draws the lower hinge upwards so that the rear wheel frame naturally falls towards the front wheel frame as the folded frame members adopt a more vertical configuration hanging from the handle. As the frame assembly is lifted from the ground, the rear wheel frame is adjacent the front wheel frame which, in turn, is adjacent to the seat frame. The hasp on the rear wheel frame locks over the spigot to hold the rear wheel frame and the front wheel frame from rotating back away from the seat frame and the handle frame. In essence, the folding process simply involves allowing the frame to collapse towards the ground in a controlled way using the handle, the lifting back off the ground by the handle to complete the folding process.
The unfolding process is also straight forward. Upon releasing the latch, the handle is lifted to rotate the seat frame away from the front wheel frame and towards the rear wheel frame. The lower hinge locks the front wheel frame and the seat frame in a predetermined relative position and subsequently the upper hinge locks at a predetermined angular position of the handle frame relative to the seat frame. Finally, the handle is used to push downwards so that the rear wheel assembly rolls away from the front wheel assembly, until the lower hinge locks the rear wheel frame in the unfolded configuration.
Preferably, the frame assembly further comprises a safety bar for hinged attachment to the handle frame wherein during use the safety bar extends forward to surround and protect a child sitting in the stroller seat.
Preferably, the safety bar is configured to be folded upwards to lie flush against the handle frame such that the frame assembly can be moved to its folded configuration without first detaching the safety bar.
Preferably, the frame assembly further comprises a retractable hood pivotally attached to the handle frame to extend above the seat for weather and sun protection. Preferably, the retractable hood can be retracted to lie flat against the handle frame such that the frame assembly can be moved towards its folded configuration.
The seat base may advantageously include a footrest extending from a hinge mechanism at a front edge of the seat base. Preferably, the hinged mechanism for the foot rest allows the footrest to adopt one of a predetermined range of different angles relative to the plane of the seat wherein the footrest can remain in any one of the predetermined range of different angles as the frame assembly is moved to the folded configuration.
In a preferred embodiment, the handle frame includes telescopic frame members to allow the handle to move closer to the upper hinge when the frame assembly is in the folded configuration.
In some embodiments, the frame assembly can support a snack tray having a tray with at least one shallow recess for holding snacks during use of the stroller, and a snap locking formation positioned to one side of the tray for snap locking engagement with the safety bar. Preferably, the snack tray is configured such that the snap locking formation is capable of snap locking the snack tray to the safety bar such that the tray selectively extends forward of the safety bar, or extends rearward of the safety bar. Preferably, the snack tray is also configured for snap locking with the handle. Preferably, the snap locking formation is configured for selectively snap locking the snack tray to the handle such that the snack tray extends forward of the handle or rearward of the handle. Optionally, the handle has a mounting sleeve for engagement with the snap locking formation. Optionally, the safety bar has a mounting sleeve for engagement with the snap locking formation.
A stroller, and in particular the above described z-frame stroller embodiments, may also be used to transport babies and infants that are not yet able to sit. These very young infants lie in a bassinet when being carried by the stroller.
Normally, a pair of spaced adaptors snap lock to either side of the seat frame for releasably mounting the bassinet to the stroller. Bassinets provide a padded cot for the infant with a handle for portability, even while the infant sleeps. Usually, the bassinet will also have a retractable hood to shade the infant when necessary.
Product safety laws place high design standards on bassinets. In particular, bassinets for transporting babies must be very robust. The strength and structural rigidity is provided by the bassinet frame that is mostly concealed within the soft outer components.
While not as large as strollers, bassinets still occupy a considerable space, even with the hood in a retracted position. Constructing a bassinet such that it folds into a smaller configuration is problematic as the specified minimum strength and stiffness require the frame members to be excessively large. The size and strength of a central folding hinge for the bassinet would require a construction that is impractically large and/or cost prohibitive.
In view of the above considerations, a bassinet has been developed which folds to a more compact folded configuration using a folding bassinet frame assembly comprising:
a bed board having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion from being hinged together and configured to unfold to provide a support surface for an infant;
a first rim and a second rim spaced from the bed board when in an unfolded configuration, the first and second rim configured to support a side wall formed by soft components of the bassinet, the side wall extending upwards from a peripheral region of the bed board to encircle the infant;
a support strut assembly connecting the first rim and the second rim to the bed board; and
a pair of central side mounts, each of the central side mounts connecting to the first rim and the second rim on either side of the bassinet frame assembly; wherein
each of the central side mounts has a first hinge spaced from a second hinge and a locking mechanism to lock the first and second hinges such that the first and second rims are fixed relative to the bed board, and simultaneously unlock both the first and second hinges such that the first rim and the second rim rotate together with the first portion and the second portion of the bed board into a folded configuration.
By designing the bassinet frame assembly such that it does not rely on a single, central hinge, the individual structural components can be smaller and individually less robust. Notwithstanding this, distributing the loads through two hinges on each side of the folding frame assembly still provides an overall structural strength and rigidity that meets the rigorous design standards set for baby bassinets
In some embodiments, each of the central side mounts has mounting formations for releasable inter-engagement with complementary mounting formations attached to or forming part of components of a child stroller, in particular a child stroller comprising a z-foldable frame as disclosed herein.
In a preferred form, each of the locking mechanisms is configured such that they cannot unlock when the central side mounts are inter-engaged with the complementary mounting formations on the stroller.
Optionally, the first and second hinges in each of the central side mounts, have a first and second rim mount for rotation about the first and second hinge axes respectively, each of the first and second rim mounts configured to securely attach to the first and second rims respectively, and having first and second locking abutments respectively, the first and second locking abutments configured to abut the locking mechanism such that the first and second rim mounts are unable to rotate about the first and second hinge axes respectively. In some forms, the locking mechanism is a movable member with a pair of opposed locking surfaces for simultaneous engagement with the first and second locking abutments.
In a particularly preferred form, each of the central side mounts has an inner plate and an outer plate for mounting the first and second rim mounts and the locking plate therebetween. Optionally, each of the central side mounts has a slide button for manually moving the movable member to simultaneously disengage the locking surfaces from the first and second locking abutments.
Preferably, each of the central side mounts has a release button for interaction with the slide button such that depressing the release button is required before the slide button is able to move the movable member. In a particularly preferred form, the slide button is configured to abut the complementary mounting formations on the stroller such that the slide button is not able to move the movable member regardless of whether the release button is depressed, when the bassinet is mounted on the stroller.
Preferably, the bassinet further includes a retractable canopy hinged to the bassinette frame assembly for rotating to an extended position providing weather and sun protection, and retracting to a retracted position, the canopy comprising a supporting frame and a covering of flexible material which folds in a concertina fashion when moving to the retracted position.
Preferably, the canopy incorporates a visor proximate a leading edge wherein the visor moves between a retracted position lying flat against an underside of the flexible material of the canopy, and an extended position extending generally downwards to shade an infant lying in the bassinette from light shining a low incident angle. Preferably, the visor is configured to be selectively adjustable between a range of incrementally stepped positions between the retracted position and the extended position.
Bassinets will often have a retractable canopy to shield the infant from the elements. As bassinets also require a handle for lifting and carrying, it is efficient to integrate the canopy together with the handle. Normally, the retractable canopy will have the ability to partially extend or retract and stay at any one of a number of positions between retracted and extended. However, the handle also needs to safely and securely lock in its extended or ‘carrying’ position. This can be achieved by hinging the handle to a pair of lockable hubs on each side of the bassinet. Both hubs have a lock for securing the handle in the extended position. Between the retracted and extended positions, the handle is unlocked and therefore the canopy will sit at intermediate positions. During the early morning or late afternoon, the low angle of the sun will often shine under the canopy onto the baby, even in its extended position. In light of this, it is known to add a sun visor which hangs down from the canopy to shield the baby.
It would be advantageous if this visor were also conveniently adjustable like the canopy, but this requires a second set of inter-engaging formations in each of the hubs, which then become impractically large.
The retractable canopy described below has been developed with these concerns in mind.
Accordingly, there is provided a retractable canopy for a bassinet, the retractable canopy comprising:
a first hub for attachment to one side of the bassinet;
a second hub for attachment to an opposite side of bassinet;
a handle hingedly connected to the first and second hubs, the handle being movable between a retracted position and an extended position;
a visor rib for supporting a sun visor, the visor rib being hingedly connected to the first hub and the second hub for rotation relative to the handle; wherein the first hub has a handle lock assembly to releasably lock the handle in the extended position; and
the second hub has inter-engaging visor formations defining a plurality of predetermined positions for the visor rib relative to the handle and, inter-engaging handle formations defining a plurality of predetermined positions for the handle between the retracted position and the extended position.
This provides a handle lock that can be incorporated into only one of the side hubs, while the other hub incorporates two sets of inter-engaging formations that define the incrementally stepped positions for the handle, and the visor. Thus each side hub is smaller than if both hubs had a lock for the handle and the mechanism for defining the incremental step locations for both the handle and the visor. By keeping the side hubs small enough, it becomes practical to provide the visor with the incrementally stepped position function rather than a visor that is simply fully deployed from the canopy (and typically held in place by gravity) or otherwise retracted into the canopy, with no intermediate positioning possible.
Preferably, the first hub has a visor hold feature resiliently biased to hold the visor rib in any one of the plurality of predetermined positions while permitting user adjustment of the visor rib between the predetermined positions against the resilient bias.
Advantageously, the first hub can have a first frame attachment piece for connection to the side of a bassinet frame, a first handle mount rotatably connected to the first frame attachment piece for attachment to a first end of the handle, and the handle lock has a movable locking element for locking the first handle mount and the first frame attachment piece when in a locked position, and allowing rotation of the handle mount and the attachment piece when in an unlocked position.
Preferably, the movable locking element is biased to the locked position. Optionally, the handle lock has a release actuator mounted to the first handle mount for rotation therewith, the release actuator being configured for user actuation to move the locking element to the unlocked position against the bias.
Preferably, the retractable canopy can further comprise at least one canopy rib for supporting flexible canopy material extending between the bassinet and the handle.
Preferably, the canopy rib is hingedly attached to the first handle mount.
Advantageously, the second hub can incorporate a second frame attachment piece for attachment to the other side of the bassinet, and a second handle rotatably connected to the second attachment piece, the second handle mount being attached to a second end of the handle, and, the inter-engaging formations in the second hub are a pair of complementary toothed rings with one toothed ring of the pair on the second frame attachment piece and the other toothed ring of the pair on the second handle mount.
Preferably, the first and second hubs have first and second visor mounts respectively for rotatable connection to first and seconds ends of the visor rib respectively, the inter-engaging visor formations being a second pair of complementary toothed rings, one of the second pair being formed on the second visor mount and the other of the second pair being formed on the frame attachment piece.
Advantageously, the second hub has a resilient element to bias the second handle mount away from the second visor mount, wherein the second handle mount and the second visor mount are rotatably connected to each other such that the first and second pair of toothed rings are configured for relative rotation of each toothed ring within each of the pairs, where successive engagement and disengagement of opposing teeth in each of the pairs correspond to the predetermined positions for the handle or the visor.
Preferably, the toothed rings on the second frame attachment piece are arranged coaxially with an aperture for the resilient element extending between the second handle mount and the second visor mount.
It can be convenient to provide a snack tray on the stroller to hold a small quantity of snacks for consumption during the journey. However the position of the snack tray on the stroller can sometimes be problematic. For example, if the child is to serve themselves from the snack tray, the tray will typically be attached to the safety bar extending around the seat of the stroller. However with the child strapped into the seat by a 5 point safety harness, there is restricted ability to lean forward and reach into a snack tray if it is an uncomfortable distance away. Furthermore, young children typically have less developed fine motor skills which make an awkwardly positioned snack tray even more frustrating.
Children will typically use a stroller for several years during which time they grow significantly. Therefore a snack tray position that was once conveniently positioned may become non-ergonomic as the child grows.
In some circumstances, the parent or carer may not wish to allow the child access to the snack tray but would rather administer any snacks to the child themselves.
With the above issues in mind, a snack tray has been developed for use with a child's stroller and in particular the collapsible stroller frame described herein.
Accordingly, there is provided a snack tray for selective attachment to, and removal from, a child's stroller, the snack tray comprising:
a tray having a least one shallow recess; and
a snap locking formation of resilient material for releasable engagement with at least one frame section of the child's stroller such that the tray is held in a generally horizontal configuration with the shallow recess facing upwards; wherein,
the snap locking formation is configured to selectively engage the frame section in a first orientation and a second orientation, such that in the first orientation, the position of the tray relative to the frame section differs from the position of the tray relative to the frame section in the second orientation.
Preferably, the snap locking formation is rotated 180° in the second orientation relative to the first orientation, and the snap locking formation is secured to the tray at an offset position.
The snack tray is designed to employ the convenience of snap locking attachment to the safety bar of the stroller while off-setting the tray position so the snack tray can be detached, rotated 180° and re-attached to be closer or further from the child. In this way, the tray can be adjusted to a more ergonomic position as the child grows, or an older sibling uses the chair. Furthermore, if the parent or carer decides that the child should not be helping themselves from the snack tray, it can simply be removed from the bumper, and attached to the handle.
Optionally, the tray has a plurality of the shallow recesses and further comprises hinged lids for closing each of the shallow recesses respectively. Preferably, the hinge axis for each lid is configured transverse to the frame section such that the lids do not obstruct the child's access to the shallow recess regardless of whether the snack tray is in the first orientation or the second orientation.
Preferably, the hinged lids and the tray have complementary formations configured to engage for lightly holding each of the lids open for unobstructed access to the recesses.
Preferably, the at least one frame section is provided by a mounting a sleeve fixed about the frame of the stroller, the mounting sleeve having external surface formations for engagement with corresponding formations on the snap locking formation.
Preferably, the snap locking formation has a resilient tongue formed to define a frame recess for receiving the mounting sleeve, the surface formations on the snap locking formation including a rotation anchor extending into the frame recess for engagement with an anchor cavity formed in the surface of the mounting sleeve.
In a further preferred form, the resilient tongue has internal barbed clips for engagement with a surface channel on the mounting sleeve to positively locate the snap locking formation relative to the mounting sleeve during attachment of the snack tray.
Preferably the snap locking formation is detachable from the tray, and may incorporate a tray supporting base, wherein the tray has a mounting spigot for engaging a mounting cavity in the tray supporting base.
The snap locking formation may advantageously comprises locating features for engagement with a side flange extending from one side of the tray such that engagement between the locating features and locating apertures formed in the side flange assist insertion of the mounting spigot into the mounting cavity.
In a preferred form, the tray is formed from a dishwasher safe polymer.
A child will often need to use a stroller for several years and during this time, the child will grow significantly. When the child is an infant and unable to sit, it can be carried in the bassinet discussed above. When the child first starts sitting in the stroller, its relatively short legs may barely reach the front edge of the seat. As the child grows, their legs extend further over the front edge which can press into the ankles or calves. For comfort an adjustable foot rest may be used to support their legs more ergonomically at they grow. Initially, the adjustable foot rest will be relatively horizontal and extend forward of the seat. This reduces any additional pressure on the back of the ankles or calves by the front edge of the seat.
As the child grows, the footrest can be adjusted to rotate downwards as their legs hang further over the front of the seat. Unfortunately, the footrest may be adjusted to positions where it is prone to damage (or cause damage) when the stroller is collapsed into its folded configuration. Adjusting the footrest to a position suitable for folding to stroller adds a further step to the folding and unfolding process.
Older children may not need to the footrest at all, and it in fact becomes an inconvenience. At this stage, the footrest may be completely removed. Once removed, the foot rest or its fixing elements risk being lost. Similarly, if the stroller is shared between siblings, the foot rest must be reattached for the younger child.
In view of this, a collapsible stroller has been developed with an adjustable footrest designed with the above problems in mind.
Accordingly, there is provided a collapsible stroller comprising:
a frame assembly selectively configurable in a folded configuration or an unfolded configuration, the frame assembly having
a seat frame with a seat base and
an adjustable footrest hingedly connected to the seat base, the footrest and the seat base each have mutually inter-engaging formations defining a range of predetermined footrests at which the footrest extends at different angles relative the seat base;
wherein the predetermined foot rest positions are all positions at which the foot rest does not impede the foot assembly from moving to the folded configuration.
By restricting the positions that the adjustable footrest can adopt to positions that do not impede the smooth folding or unfolding action of the stroller, there is no risk of damage to the footrest or stroller frame. However the footrest remains adjustable between a range of positions for the comfort of the child.
Preferably the footrest and the seat base together define a selectively lockable hinge assembly providing the mutually inter-engaging formations about a hinge axle at a front edge of the seat base. Preferably the mutually inter-engaging formations are inwardly facing seat splines provided about the hinge axle and inwardly facing footrest splines, both configured for engagement with a movable spline gear for axially displacement about the hinge axle.
Preferably the spline gear has a complementary splines which engage both the seat splines and the foot rest splines when the adjustable footrest is locked in one of the range of predetermined footrest positions, and the spline gear is axially displaceable along the hinge axis to disengage the footrest splines allowing rotation of the footrest about the hinge axis.
Preferably, one of the predetermined footrest positions is a fully retracted position in which the footrest extends beneath the seat base.
Preferably, the seat base provides a pair of outwardly facing hinge axles at either side of the front of the seat base to define the hinge axis, with inwardly facing seat splines provided about both the hinge axles, and a pair of spline gears mounted for axially displacement about both of the hinge axles respectively, with a pair of the inward facing footrest splines provided for engagement with each of the spline gears respectively.
Preferably, the spline gears are each biased into the locked position, and the hinge assembly further comprising a lock release actuator for manually displacing the spline used to the unlocked position against the bias.
Advantageously, the hinge assembly further comprises a full retraction actuator for user actuation together with the lock release actuators in order to move the footrest to the fully retracted position.
The seat back on a child's stroller is usually able to recline so that the child sits more upright when awake but may recline to a flatter position when asleep. Often the child will drift off to sleep while sitting upright and the parent will endeavour to gently recline the seat into a better sleeping position for the child. Reclining the seat back must be done carefully so as not to wake the sleeping child. However the seat reclining mechanisms will often involve zips or straps on both sides of the stroller. Reclining one side of the seat back before the other can introduce a twist that is awkward of uncomfortable and risks waking the child.
The above issues have resulted in the development of a child's stroller comprising:
a handle for pushing the stroller;
a seat base and a seat back, the seat back being movable between an upright position and a reclined position;
a pair of frame elements, one frame element of the pair extending from each end of the handle respectively along each side of the seat back;
a first seat reclining strap and a second seat reclining strap for attachment to each of the frame elements respectively to support the seat back, and
a seat clamp; wherein,
the seat clamp has a body to receive the first and second reclining straps from each of the frame elements, the body defining a strap path in which each of the first and second seat reclining straps are folded and brought into an overlapping relationship with each other, the seat clamp further having a moveable clamp element for simultaneously clamping both the first and second seat reclining straps against movement through the body, and configured for manual release of both the first and second seat reclining recliner straps for synchronized movement through the clamp body to adjust the length of each strap between the clamp body and the side frame, to thereby move the seat back between the upright and reclined positions.
the clamp body together with the recliner straps provide an elegantly simple seat reclining mechanism allowing the seat back to recline gently and evenly by manually releasing the seat clamp. Releasing the seat clamp allows both the straps to feed through the clamp body in a synchronised way so that there is no twist or uneven motion as the seat back reclines. This helps to prevent waking a child that that has fallen asleep in the upright position. Successfully transferring the child to a more reclined position without first being roused prolongs the sleep.
Preferably, the seat back has a rigid panel for supporting a padded outer covering and the seat clamp is mounted to the back of the rigid panel. Preferably the clamp body has a first friction surface for engaging the first seat reclining strap and a second friction surface for engaging the second seat reclining strap such that the movable clamp element simultaneously presses both the first and second seat reclining straps onto the first and second friction surfaces respectively.
Preferably, the seat clamp has a manual actuator for moving the movable clamp element away from the first and second friction surfaces to simultaneously release the first and second seat reclining straps for movement through the clamp body.
Advantageously, the movable clamp element and the first and second friction surfaces can be configured such that tensile force on the overlapping first and second seat reclining straps extending from the seat clamp, moves the movable clamp element away from the first and second friction surfaces such that the first and second seat reclining straps are drawn through the seat clamp, and the seat back moves toward the upright position, but tensile pulling applied to the first and/or second seat reclining straps extending individually from the seat clamp remain clamped against movement relative to the body to prevent the seat back moving the reclining position in the absence of manually releasing the movable clamp element.
In this way, the parent is able to lift or recline the seat back using a single hand. Lifting the seat back simply requires pulling on the two overlapping straps extending from the seat clamp while gently reclining the seat back is a matter of carefully using the manual release to move the clamp element. With single handed operation, the parent need not stop pushing the stroller to raise or lower the seat back. This is not only more convenient and time efficient but avoids interrupting the continuous motion of the stroller which may be enough to rouse a child that has just fallen asleep.
In some embodiments, the movable clamp element has a wedge body with a first strap wedge surface arranged in angled relation to a second strap wedge surface and the first and second strap friction surfaces are arranged in a corresponding angle such that the first and second strap wedge surfaces simultaneously urge the first and second seat reclining straps onto the first and second strap friction surfaces respectively.
Preferably, the manual actuator has a retraction slide surface for engaging the wedge body to move the movable clamp against the resilient bias.
Preferably, the manual actuator has a lift lever hingedly mounted to the clamp body for mechanical advantage when displacing the movable clamp against the bias.
Advantageously, the first and second seat reclining straps extend from the seat clamp at generally right angles to the overlapping first and second seat reclining straps.
Illustrative embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings
Referring to
The stroller frame assembly 100 has four sub-frames:
handle frame 1;
seat frame 2;
front wheel frame 31; and
rear wheel frame 32.
Hinging these sub-frames together is an upper hinge 4 and a lower hinge 5.
The front wheel frame 31 extends forward from the lower hinge 5 and has a front wheel assembly 120 in the form of a pair of spaced castors. These castors are spring mounted to give some suspension for enhanced ride comfort.
Rear wheel frame 32 supports a rear wheel assembly in the form of two spaced apart wheels 118. Rear wheels 118 can be locked using a foot brake 126 with a pedal actuator of the type known in this field. Extending between the front wheel frame 31 and the rear wheel frame 32 is hinged cross-bracing 77, 78 and 79. Straight section 78 is hinged to the front wheel frame 31 and curved section 79 is hinged to the rear wheel frame 32. Sections 78 and 79 are connected at hinge 77. The curved section 79 is curved or bent so that the hinge 77 bends towards the lower hinge 5 (ie. upwards as shown in
The seat frame 2 supports the seat 70 together with an adjustable footrest 73 hinged at the front edge of the seat 70. The seat back is provided by an upper panel 74 connected to a lower panel 75 along hinge connection 122. The hinge connection 122 substantially aligns with the axis of the upper hinge 4 so that the seat back folds together with the rest of the frame assembly.
The upper hinge 4 and the lower hinge 5 are spaced apart by a pair of tubular seat frame members 128. Within the tubular frame members 128 is a mechanical link operatively connecting the upper hinge 4 to the lower hinge 5 (described in more detail below).
The handle frame 1 includes a handle 102 covered with a grip. The handle 102 extends between two spaced apart inner handle frame elements 106. The inner handle frame elements 106 are telescopically received within a respective pair of outer handle frame elements 108. On the underside of the handle 102 is a button 104 which allows the handle height to be adjusted for better ergonomics.
A snap on cover 102a fits over the central part of the handle 102 above the button 104. The snap on cover 102a can be detached and replaced with a snap on snack tray described below with reference to
At the upper end of the outer handle frame elements 108 is a curved cross-bracing 124 to provide structural rigidity and a smoother telescoping action for the handle frame 1.
The curved cross-bracing 124 is mounted to sleeves 130 and 131 fixed to the top of the outer handle frame elements 108 respectively. The sleeve 131 differs from the opposing sleeve 130 in that it has an integral hook 110 forming part of the latch that holds the stroller frame in its folded configuration (described in more detail below).
The sleeves 130 and 131 also hold release actuators in the form of retractable triggers 19. These triggers initiate the process of unlocking the upper hinge 4.
Referring to
As discussed above, the height of the handle 102 is adjustable by sliding the inner handle frame members 106 relative to the outer handle frame members 108. User actuation of the button 104 on the underside of the handle 102 allows the handle height to be adjusted between set positions. With the handle in its lowest adjustable height position, the user can simultaneously pull both the triggers 19 upwards. This draws the retractable snib 13 out of the aperture 136 against the bias of spring 16. The internal hinge actuator 10 is mounted within the inner handle frame elements 106 and outer handle frame elements 108. The lower end of the inner handle frame element 106 pushes against abutment 134 of the hinge actuator 10, while the sliding guide 17 partially protrudes from the hole 138 to slide within the slot 18 of the outer handle frame element 108.
The actuator rod bracket 46 holds an actuator rod 47 so that its lower end extends from the outer handle frame element 108, and into the upper hinge 4. A pin (not shown) extending through the outer handle frame element 108 at the hole 140 abuts against the lower end of the return spring 15 held within the actuator rod bracket 46.
Unlocking the upper hinge 4 will now be described with particular reference to the schematic section views shown in
Telescoping the inner handle frame elements 106 into the outer handle frame elements 108 pushes the hinge actuator 10 downwards against the return bias of the spring 15 pushing against the pin 151. At the lower end of each of the outer handle frame elements 108, is a handle hinge disc 41. The handle hinge disc 41 fits within a slot defined by the seat hinge disc 42 fixed to the upper end of the tubular seat frame members 128.
As best shown in
As shown in
In turn, the hinge actuator rod 47 pushes the locking rod 49 towards the lower end of the hinge passage 412.
As best shown in
Unlocking the lower hinge 5 is described with reference to
The mechanical link is biased upwards relative to the tubular seat frame member 128 by the return spring 23 which compresses against a pin 203 extending through the hole 207. At the lower end of the mechanical link 20 are a pair of spaced apart retaining posts extending from both sides of a bottom bracket 209. The upper retaining post 24 extends through a post guide slot while a pin 211 slides within the lower bracket guide slot 203 when the lower hinge locks and unlocks.
As schematically shown in
When the lower hinge 5 is locked, the retaining posts 24 abut corresponding abutment faces 54 formed in the front and rear frame discs 51 and 52 respectively. Pushing the mechanical link 20 downwards disengages the retaining posts 24 from their respective abutment surfaces 54 so that the lower hinge 5 unlocks and front and rear frame discs are free to rotate relative to the central hinge disc 50.
When the stroller is moving from its folded to unfolded configuration, the front and rear frame discs 51 and 52 respectively have ramped guide surfaces 58 for sliding engagement with the retaining posts 24. The ramped guide surfaces 58 cam the retaining posts downwards until the predetermined unfolded configuration is reached and the retaining posts 24 snap upwards under the bias of the return spring 23 to once again engage the abutment surfaces 54, thereby locking the lower hinge 5.
The latch assembly for latching the stroller frame assembly 100 in the folded configuration will now be described with particular reference to the main stages of the folding process shown in
At the predetermined angle α between the handle frame 1 and the seat frame 2, the lower hinge 5 unlocks. This allows the user to continue folding the handle frame 1 towards the seat frame 2 while the seat frame rotates about the lower hinge 5 towards the front wheel frame 31. The hinged connectors between the seat 70, the seat frame 2 and the front wheel frame 31, ensure the seat 70 is generally parallel to the seat frame 2 and front wheel frame 21 in the folded configuration.
Engaging the hook 110 with the spigot 112 is the cue for the user to lift the frame assembly upwards by the handle. This draws the lower hinge 5 upwards so that the front wheel frame 31 and the rear wheel frame 32 are drawn together by gravity. The hasp 114 extending from the rear wheel frame 32 rotates into automatic engagement with the top of the spigot 112 via an inwardly facing barbed formation. This secures the rear wheel frame 32 to the seat frame 2. The front wheel frame 32 is trapped between the rear wheel frame 32 and the seat frame 2 so that it is also secured in the folded configuration.
To unfold the stroller fame assembly, the user holds the handle so that the frame members are in a generally vertical configuration as shown in
Combining the hinge mount for the safety bar 62 and the hood support ribs 63 allows the safety bar to easily retract beneath the hood thereby taking the safety bar out of service without removing it from the stroller. Removing components from the stroller risks misplacing those components and the attachment/detachment process can be generally inconvenient and more time consuming than simply rotating the safety bar 62 such that it is concealed beneath the hood.
By retracting the safety bar 62 out of service, it does not form an obstruction when placing the toddler in the stroller or lifting them out of the seat. With the safety bar in the extended position it may be necessary to lift the toddler into the stroller seat and thread their legs beneath the safety bar 62. Similarly, removing the toddler from the stroller requires their legs to be threaded back through the gap between the safety bar 62 and the seat base 71 (see
For safety reasons, the hood frame hinge mounts 60 are configured such that hood support ribs 63 are wider than the safety bar connectors 61 (and the safety bar 62) to avoid an finger pinch points.
Despite having the option of retracting the safety bar 62 out of service beneath the hood, detachable connectors 64 are provided at either end of the safety bar the user wish to have it completely detached.
Newborns and young babies are not yet able to sit. These infants require a bassinet in which they lie while travelling the stroller. While bassinets are not as large as strollers, they still occupy a substantial amount of space and can be inconvenient to store or transport in a vehicle. In light of this, a folded bassinet has been developed which now be described with reference to
To carry the bassinet on the stroller, a pair of bassinet adaptors 30 are detachably mounted to the seat frame 2 of the stroller 100 (see
The folding bassinet frame assembly is shown without any of its soft components in
Above the bassinet is a retractable hood frame 291 together with a handle frame 2 for attachment to each side of the first rim 20 adjacent the central side mounts 1. The retractable hood and handle are described in greater detail below.
An inner plate 10 and an outer plate 11 hingedly mount a first rim mount 14 and second rim mount 142 for rotation about spaced hinge axes. It will be appreciated that the tubular ends of the first rim and the second rim attach to the corresponding extensions of the first and second rims mounts respectively. These extensions protrude from between the inner and outer plates 10 and 11. The inner and outer plates together form the mounting tongue 36 which, as discussed above, plugs into the mounting aperture 32 of the bassinet adaptors 30.
To remove the bassinet from the stroller, the user presses the lock release button 19 to the right (as shown in
The process of folding the bassinet frame will now be described with particular reference to the exploded perspective shown in
The first and second rim mounts 14 and 142 are hingedly mounted between the inner and outer plates 10 and 11. The hinge axis for the first rim mount is spaced from that of the second rim mount 142. Between these hinge axes is a locking plate 130 with a pair of mutually opposed locking facets 144 for contacting respective locking abutments 145 extending from each of the first and second rim mounts 14 and 142. The abutment between the locking facets 144 and the locking abutments 145 prevent the first rim mount 14 and the second rim mount 142 from rotating such that the first and second rims 20 and 21 can fold downwards. Furthermore, the first and second rim mounts 14 and 142 are prevented from rotating upwards (as shown in
To unlock the first and second rim mounts 14 and 142, the user must first depress the slide release button 12 and then move the wedge slide button downwards to draw the locking facets 144 of the locking plate 130 out of engagement with the locking abutments 145. The slide release button 12 and the wedge slide button 13 are made up of a depressible button barrel 120, a button housing with retaining flanges 122, a button return spring 121 and a slide plate 132 with a button aperture 133.
The diameter of the depressible button barrel 120 is sized such that it will pass through the wide portion of the key hole slot 15 but not the narrow portion extending downwards from the wide portion. The wide portion of the keyhole slot 15 corresponds to the locking position of the locking plate 130 where the locking facets 144 engage the locking abutments 145. Locking plate bias springs 131 ensure that the locking plate 30 is urged into the locking position and therefore the depressible button barrel 120 is resiliently held at the wide portion of keyhole slot 15.
By depressing the button barrel 120 through the wide portion of the keyhole slot 15, the user can then press the slide plate 132 downwards using the thumb press flange 135. This in turn draws the locking plate 130 downwards against the bias of the locking plate springs 131. Once the locking facets 144 disengage from the locking abutments 145, the first and second rim mounts 14 and 142 are free to rotate downwards (using the orientation shown in
On opposing sides of the locking plate 130 are curved slide surfaces 143 which ensure a smooth folding and unfolding action. Furthermore, the skilled worker in this field will appreciate that folding the first and second rims 20 and 21 downwards also forces the first and second portions (25 and 26) of the bed board to fold in a corresponding manner.
In the folded configuration, the first and second portions (25 and 26) of the bed board lie flat against each other, and sandwiched between the first and second rims (20 and 21). A clasp or simple tether provided on the soft components of the bassinet (not shown) retains the bassinet in the folded configuration during storage or transport in a vehicle.
The retractable canopy attached to the bassinet will now be described with reference to
Some known bassinet canopies also have a sun visor for additional shade protection. These visors extend from the canopy where they are simply hanged to shade the infant. It would be beneficial if the sun visor could also be positioned at a range of different extensions to provide greater flexibility of use. However incorporating additional sets of opposed toothed rings within the existing canopy hubs would make the hubs impractically large. The retractable bassinet canopy shown in
In both
Referring to
Pressing the lock release button 4 pushes the movable locking element 2 out of the lock recess 31 against the bias of the lock spring 13 such that it is completely within the corresponding lock recess 12. In this unlocked position, relative rotation between the first handle mount 30 and the first frame attachment piece 10 is possible. Having pushed the movable locking element to the unlocking position within the corresponding lock recess 12, and rotated the handle out of the extended or retracted position, the user can release the lock release button 4 which will automatically return to the locked position when the equi-spaced radial arms 21 once more align with the lock recess 31 in the first handle mount 30. This is configured to occur in either the extended position or retracted position of the handle 11.
The first hub 57 is also provided with an auxiliary visor hold mechanism to bolster the operation of the inter-engaging toothed rings in the second hub 58 primarily responsible for defining the incrementally stepped visor positions (described below).
As best shown in
The second handle mount 35 has a central boss extending into a central aperture 50 through the fixed handle toothed ring 52 and the fixed visor toothed ring 53. A second hub spring 51 biases the second visor mount 36 away from the second handle mount 35 which are both connected together to allow a small degree of relative movement. In this way, the second handle mount 35 and the second visor mount 36 have some axial displacement to accommodate the sequential engagement and disengagement of the opposing toothed rings (30 and 52, 53 and 38).
It will be appreciated that the first and second hubs 57 and 58 further include a pin (not shown) providing a hinge axle for each of the hubs respectively. Furthermore the skilled worker will readily understand that the canopy rib 15 is freely hinged to the apertured lugs extending from the side of the first handle mount 30 and the second handle mount 35.
The adjustable foot rest will now be described in detail with a particular reference to
The front edge of the seat base 1 has a pair of outwardly facing hinge axles 11 (only one hinge axle visible) which together define the hinge axis about which the footrest 2 rotates. Each hinge axle 11 is fixed in a tubular housing extending along the front edge of a seat base 1 such that it is tangential with the sitting surface. Within the tubular housing 14 and 15 are inwardly facing fixed spline formations 10 as best shown in
Likewise the footrest rim mount 25 also has fixed footrest spine formations 20. These fixed spline formations 10 and 20 are configured to mesh with the splines 31 on the footrest spline gear 3. The spline gear 3 is mounted for rotation on the hinge axle 11 and biased into a locking position where the splines 31 partially engage the seat splines 10 and partially engage the footrest splines 20 to lock the footrest against rotation.
To adjust the footrest 2, lock release buttons 20 provided on both the footrest rim mounts 25 are simultaneously pushed axially inwards. As best shown in
This sliding engagement between the two tapered sections precisely positions the footrest 2 at one of the predetermined positions at which the footrest will not impede the smooth folding or unfolding of the stroller.
The angular travel of the footrest 2 is limited by the angular travel stop 24 sliding within the slot 21 of the footrest rim mounts 25 and within the asymmetric hinge axle aperture 32 of the spline gear 3 (best shown in
When the child is older and physically big enough to no longer need the adjustable footrest, the footrest can be moved to a retracted position extending beneath the seat base 1. In this position it does not contact the child's legs who now place his or her feet on the tread surface above the front wheel assembly.
To move the footrest 2 to the fully retracted position, the user must first press the retraction lock button 42 best shown in
At the fully retracted position, the full retraction abutment 4 once again slides past the camming abutment 28 as the retraction button spring 40 pushes the slide plate 41 outwards. This allows the retraction lock button 42 to resiliently extend back throughout the slide button aperture 13 so that the footrest 2 is held in the fully retracted position, not just by the inter-engaging splines, but also the full retraction abutment 4 and the camming abutment 28. In this way the footrest does not need to be removed when it is outgrown. This avoids the risk of a detachable footrest being lost or misplaced.
The seat reclining mechanism for the collapsible stroller will now be described with particular references to
Referring briefly back to
The first and second straps 64 and 65 enter the seat clamp 3 through apertures on opposing sides. The seat clamp 3 has a clamp body made up of a first body portion 10 and second body portion 11. Within the clamp body, the first and second straps wrap around respective folding edges (discussed below) to provide a pair of overlapping straps 63. At the end of the overlapping straps 63 is a lifting loop 66 for the user to grip. A portion of the lifting loop 66 will always protrude from the combined strap aperture 16 of the seat clamp 3. Seat clamp 3 is rigidly attached to the rear of the upper seat back panel 62 by the mounting plate 5 (see
Referring to
This brings both straps into overlapping relationship and extending along feed chute 19 defining a path to the wedge clamp 2. The wedge clamp 2 has a wedge body 22 with a first strap wedge surface 20 positioned at an angle to the second strap wedge surface 21. Similarly the first body portion 10 has a first strap friction surface 12 and the second body portion 11 has a second strap friction surface 13 configured at an angle corresponding to that of the first and second strap wedge surfaces (20 and 21).
Clamping bias springs 23 press into respective spring housings 24 formed on either side of the wedge body 22. This urges the wedge body 22, and in particular the first and second strap wedge surfaces 20 and 21, towards the first and second strap friction surfaces 12 and 13. It will be appreciated that the wedge surfaces 20 and 21, and the friction surfaces 12 and 13, have surface formations and/or coatings for enhanced grip on the first and second straps. The overlapping first and second straps divide to pass over either side of the wedge body 22, then reunite as they exit the combined strap apertures 16.
Seat clamp 3 has a manual release actuator in the form of a lift lever 30 hinged to the clamp body. Torsion spring 4 places a rotational bias on the lift lever 30 to press the support feet 31 into the upper seat back panel 62 through apertures formed in the first body portion 10. The lift lever 30 also has retraction slide surfaces 32 which engage complementary slide surfaces 26 formed on the spring housings 24 of the wedge clamp 2.
By lifting the lift lever 30 against the bias of the torsion spring 4, the retraction slide surfaces 32 slide over the complementary surfaces 26 to push the wedge clamp away from the first and second strap friction surfaces 12 and 13 against the bias of clamping springs 23. With the clamping pressure on the first and second straps removed, or reduced, the first and second straps can be drawn in through the aperture 16 and fed out the opposing sides of the seat clamp 3 to move the seat back to the reclined position.
As the lift lever 30 is in effect a ‘second class’ lever (i.e. the load is applied between the fulcrum and the lift force), it provides a mechanical advantage when moving the wedge clamp 2 against the bias of the clamping springs 23. This mechanical advantage reduces the lift force required and allows operation of the seat clamp with a single hand, possibly while continuing to push the stroller without interrupting the motion of the stroller. This reduces the chance of disturbing a child that has only just fallen asleep.
Similarly the seat back can be moved to the upright position using a single hand by pulling on the lifting loop 66 of the overlapping straps 63 extending from the combined strap aperture 16. The tension applied to the first and second straps 64 and 65 extending on each side of the wedge body 22 moves the wedge clamp to out of clamping engagement against the bias of the clamping springs 23. The seat back is lifted to its upright position using only one hand pulling on the lifting loop 66 while the stroller is pushed with the other hand.
A detachable snack tray 44 is shown in
As best shown in
As shown in
It will appreciated that the curved end of the resilient tongue 11 can be used to pry the snap locking formation of the sleeve to detach the snack tray 44 so that it can be turned 180° and reattached to the sleeve such that the internal barbed clips 16 engage the surface channel 33 on the opposing half of the sleeve 3. As best shown in
The tray 2 is attached to the snap locking formation 1 by inserting the mounting spigot 21 into the mounting cavity 12 so that the curved side flange 22 slides over the locating features 14 until they snap into the locating apertures 23. It will be appreciated that the tray is offset to one side of the snap locking formation 1 and generally cantilevered out from the sleeve 3. Accordingly, the curved side flange 22 and mounting spigot 21 need to be robust enough to withstand the normal loading that a child might apply to the outer cantilever side of the tray 2.
The hinged lids 4 are configured such their hinge axis extend generally towards the child so that the lid does not obstruct access to the tray recesses 20 regardless of which position the snack tray 44 is attached to the mounting sleeve 3. Furthermore, as best shown in
The hinged lids 4 also have a lid latch 40 for co-operative engagement with a latch detent 24 formed in the outer rim of the tray 2. The lid latch 40 provides a more secure closure for the lid and may be used to restrict access to snacks within the tray particularly if the child is a toddler or very young.
It will appreciated that the tray 2 can be made of dishwasher safe plastic and easily removed from the snap locking formation for the purposes of cleaning. Similarly, the entire snack tray 44 may be detached and turned three 180°, the reattached such that the tray is closer or further from the child. This allows the ergonomics of the tray position to be optimised for the age of the child.
Similarly, the snack tray 44 can be removed from the safety bar 62 (see
The inventive aspects of the collapsible stroller and folding bassinet have been described herein by way of example only. Skilled workers in this field will readily recognise many variations and modifications of the specific mechanisms disclosed herein, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of any broad inventive concepts.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201510544566.X | Jul 2016 | CN | national |
| 201610544569.3 | Jul 2016 | CN | national |
| 201620729112.5 | Jul 2016 | CN | national |
| 201620729113.X | Jul 2016 | CN | national |
| 201620729357.8 | Jul 2016 | CN | national |
| 201620729358.2 | Jul 2016 | CN | national |
| 201620872619.6 | Aug 2016 | CN | national |
| 2016903527 | Sep 2016 | AU | national |
| 2016903528 | Sep 2016 | AU | national |
| 2016903529 | Sep 2016 | AU | national |
| 2016903530 | Sep 2016 | AU | national |
| 2016903531 | Sep 2016 | AU | national |
| 2016903533 | Sep 2016 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2017/050715 | 7/12/2017 | WO | 00 |
