GB2471289A

GB2471289A - Pushchair with a storage compartment

Info

Publication number: GB2471289A
Application number: GB0910814A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nina Bains
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-23
Filing date: 2009-06-23
Publication date: 2010-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-23
Also published as: GB2471289B; GB0910814D0

Abstract

A pushchair frame is disclosed, comprising: a base unit 100 comprising at least one storage recess 114; at least one wheel rotatably connected to said base unit; a seat support 106 disposed to cover said storage recess in at least a stowed state; and a stowable spine 102 comprising a handle 104; wherein, in a stowed state, said frame can be wheeled using said handle (figure 2). The pushchair frame may be provided with two small wheels 110 and two large wheels 112, the latter being in contact with the ground when the frame is wheeled in the stowed state. The seat support may be slidably attached to the spine so that the seat height may be adjusted. The spine may stow flat into a recess in underside of the base unit, or it may be telescopically stowed with the base. A child seat may be attached to the seat support by means of foldable arms 16 and attachment means 117.

Description

Pushchair frame with towable storage compartment

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to pushchairs for babies and toddlers, and in particular to storage compartments in such pushchairs.

[2] Many pushchairs, strollers and the like comprise storage compartments, most of which collapse when the pushchair collapses and thus cannot be used when the pushchair is collapsed.

[3] Means for removing the storage compartment of a pushchair before the pushchair is folded, such that the storage compartment can be carried, are known in the art.

[4] GB 2450964 to Chen discloses a coupling device including a coupling base and a coupled member with the coupling base mounted on a side of a stroller. The coupled member is mounted on a side of a storage unit comprising a soft bag, and includes an engaging part formed with a groove for slidably coupling with the guide rail and a flexible member with a hole which locates over a protruding part. In this way, the storage unit can be removed before the stroller is folded.

[5] US 2007241524 to Dotsey discloses a stroller includes a frame assembly, an occupant seat supported by the frame assembly, and a storage container removably supported from the frame assembly under the occupant seat. In some cases the frame assembly includes a spine. The spine has an underside surface with one or mcre brackets or hcoks. The brackets are arranged along a main axis of the spine. As a resultr each bracket is equidistant from each of a pair of wheels to center the suspended item between the pair of wheels. The storage container comprises a soft bag having a shoulder strap, similar to a conventional nappy bag.

[6] US 2007075510 to Hei discloses a basket for use alone or in conjunction with a stroller or similar device. The basket is detachable from the stroller and is constructed so that it can be crushable for storage. The basket includes a two-piece handle that, when mated together, can slide into a track of the stroller. The two piece handle separates to open the basket. In a fully open configuration, the basket can lay flat.

[7] It is known in the art to have a wheeled storage container such as a suitcase, which also functions as a pushchair or stroller.

[8] US 2008164667 to Fegler discloses a convertible suitcase stroller apparatus comprising a suitcase openable an at least one side; a retractable handle assembly having two handle stems each having an upper end; a handgrip portion disposed between said upper ends; crushable fabric seatback material disposed between said two handle stems when said handle assembly is in a non retracted state; a child seatbelt securable around a child seated directly on said suitcase; and at least two wheels on a lower portion of said suitcase; wherein a back of said child seated directly an said suitcase is supported against the fabric seatback material. In this way, the convertible suitcase stroller apparatus is convertible between: a space saving configuration, a suitcase toting configuration and a suitcase-and-child toting configuration.

[9] US 5722594 to Farr discloses a convertible child stroller/package carrier having a wheeled frame, a child seat which can be removably fastened to the frame to provide a child stroller, and a package holder which can be likewise removably fastened to the frame to provide a package carrier. The wheeled frame ordinarily has four ILegs, with a wheel assembly on each.

Two additional legs with wheel assemblies can be attached on the rear of the wheeled frame to provide additional stability when carrying heavy packages. The wheeled frame is preferably hinged to permit folding of the child stroller/package carrier for ease of transporting, either by carrying by hand or by placement in an automobile or other vehicle. The package holder is preferably a weather resistant bag or a mesh bag and is preferably provided with a drawstring for closing of the bag when the package carrier is removed from the wheeled frame.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[10] It can be seen from the forgoing that a need has arisen to carry items while also transporting a child, with the pushchair both in use and in a collapsed state.

[11] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pushchair frame which maintains a wheeled storage compartment both in use to transport a child, and in a collapsed state.

[12] To this end, disclosed is a pushchair frame comprising: a base unit comprising at least one storage recess; at least two wheels rotatabiLy connected to said base unit; a seat support disposed to cover said storage recess in at least a stowed state; and a stowable spine comprising a handle; wherein, in a stowed state, said frame can be wheeled using said handle.

[13] An advantage of the present invention is that items can be stored in the storage compartment and do not have to be removed when the pushchair is collapsed. This is advantageous for example, when traveling in a car and then in a shopping mall, since the pushchair is first collapsed in the car, then upright in the mall, then collapsed in the car again, with the requirement to carry luggage existing at all times. This is particularly advantageous for travel on public transport such as a bus, where pushchair users are often required to collapse the pushchair (thereby usually collapsing the storage compartment also) leaving both child and luggage items to be held.

[14] A further advantage is that the frame can be used with a purpose built child seat or a car seat.

[15] A further advantage of the invention is that the frame is usable as a wheeled suitcase-style apparatus without a child seat.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [16] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [17] Figure 1 shows the first embodiment of the invention in a pushchair state.

[18] Figure 2 shows the first embodiment of the invention in a stowed state.

[19] Figure 3 shows the second embodiment of the invention with a chair attached to the frame.

[20] Figure 4 shows the child seat of the second embodiment of the invention in the collapsed state.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[21] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in figures 1 and 2, a pushchair frame is disclosed, comprising: a base unit 100 comprising at least one storage recess 114; at least two wheels rotatably connected to said base unit; a seat support 106 disposed to cover said storage recess in at least a stowed state; and a stowabiLe spine 102 comprising a handle 103; wherein, in a stowed state, said frame can be wheeled using said handle.

[22] In the following description, the term pushchair state' is used to refer to the frame being used as a pushchair, to push a child, as shown in Figure 1. The term stowed state is used to refer to the frame when collapsed with the child seat or car seat removed and the frame being wheeled along in a suitcase-like manner as shown in Figure 2.

[23] Said base unit is preferably shaped as shown in Figures 1 and 2, having two large wheels 112 rotationally mounted to the rear, and two smaller wheels 110 rotationally mounted to the front. Thus when in a pushchair state, all four wheels are used to push the pushchair, assisting pushing since the weight is well distributed. When in a stowed state, the large wheels will be on the ground being used to wheel the frame, while the smaller wheels will be disposed towards the top of the frame and will not impede the use of the frame due to their small size. Thus this configuration enables easy pushing in a pushchair state and a stowed state.

[24] Alternatively there may be back wheels only, or even one wheel only, advantages being weight and cost savings. Struts may be provided as known in the art to enable the pushchair to stand unaided. The wheels may be any size and may be the same or different sizes.

[25] The wheels are preferably ABS injection moulded castor wheels with ruggedized rubber tyres or treads although they may also be pneumatic tyres or any type of wheel or tyre.

[26] The base unit 100 comprises at least one storage recess 114 which is preferably substantially circular in cross section, as shown in the figure, although it may be any shape. The storage recess may or may not be compartmentalized and preferably occupies substantially all the depth of the base unit, aLLowing a small amount for a bottom of the recess. Alternatively, the recess may occupy only part of the depth of base unit. The recess may or may not be lined and may or may not comprise removable sections.

[27] The base unit is preferably rigid and comprises gas injection moulded polypropylene as described below to provide extra structural strength in a pushchair state and protection for the contents in a stowed state. However it may also be flexible in part or whole, for example the storage recess may comprise flexible canvas or other material to accommodate slightly larger volumes of luggage when necessary.

[28] Preferably, the base unit comprises a spine recess 115 on its underside into which the spine folds when stowed.

[29] The stowable spine is preferably long member of substantially constant cross section along its length (with the exception of the area close to the base from which the seat support disengages as described below), which has a telescoping part 118 at its top to enable the handle height to be adjusted as known in the art. Preferably, it comprises a handle 104 at its top, shaped as shown in the figures, which preferably further comprises a non-slip material cover 119 such as rubber for easy gripping, and which may be ergonomically shaped. Alternatively the handle may be any shape or two handles may be disposed at the top of the spine. Any material or shape of handle may be used as known in the art. Preferably the height of the handle is adjustable by means of the spine telescoping, as known in the art. The angle and other features of the handle or handles may also be adjustable as known in the art.

[30] The bottom of the spine is connected to the rear of the base unit. Preferably, the bottom of the spine is hinged at the connection to the base unit via a hinge as known in the art to allow it to fold underneath the base unit such that the handle end protrudes from beneath the front of the base unit in a stowed state. The handle can be picked up from here and the base unit towed on its large rear wheels while its small front wheels are suspended in the air and do not encumber the user. A spine recess may be disposed in the underside of the base unit to flatly contain the spine, as disclosed above. An advantage of this is that the overall dimensions of the frame in a stowed state are more uniform. However, the available depth of the storage recess is reduced to accommodate the spine recess. Alternatively the spine may simply sit beneath the base unit in a stowed state. An advantage of this is that the storage recess can be deeper or conversely for the same depth of storage recess, the base can be thinner. Furthermore, it simplifies the shape of the base unit which reduces manufacture costs.

[31] Alternatively, the spine may telescope into the base unit or into a spine-shaped recess beneath the base unit. In this case it may be preferable to have large wheels at the front of the base unit and small wheels at its rear in order to ensure that the large wheels meet the ground when in a stowed state and the small wheels assist pushing in a pushchair state but are raised up into a position where they do not impede use in a stowed state. As a further alternative, any means known in the art may be used to stow the spine in the base unit in such a way that the handle can be used to tow the frame in a stowed state.

[32] The spine is preferably aluminium extrusion although any suitable material or manufacture process may be used.

[33] The seat support 106 is preferably substantially the same shape as the top of the storage recess,. order to cover and provide a lid for the storage recess in at least a stowed state.

Thus in the preferred embodiment, the seat support is preferably circular. An advantage of the seat support (and therefore recess) being circular is that it facilitate designing the pushchair to enable rotation of the child seat or car seat from an outward-facing position to a carer-facing position.

[34] The seat support is preferably substantially thin, of the order of a few centimeters, and preferably lifts substantially vertically upwards in a pushchair state in order to enable access to the storage recess and furthermore to raise the height of the chair to a convenient height for putting in a child. In a preferred embodiment, the seat support is mounted to the spine via a mounting claw 108 shaped to fit around the spine, which and moves up and down the spine on a ratchet 103 or via any other mechanism known in the art. An advantage of this is that the seat height can be adjusted. Preferably a handle, latch, or other hand-operated mechanism known in the art is provided to adjust the seat support height.

[35] Preferably, when the seat support is in the stowed state, that is, in its lowest position, it disengages from the spine to allow the spine to fold beneath the base unit.

Preferably the mounting claw slides along a runner or runners along the length of the spine, which runner or runners end before the base of the spine, allowing the mounting claw to disengage when the seat support is in its lowest position. Alternatively, the spine may comprise another change to its cross section at its base, for example a thinned or hollow part, such that the mounting claw slides off the spine at its base, to disengage and allow the spine to fold.

[36] However, the seat support may not move between stowed and pushchair states and may remain flat against the storage recess with a child seat or car seat directly on it. In the case where it does not move it may be thick and may be of the order of half a metre thick in order that the child seat is at a convenient height when placed on the seat support.

[37] The seat support further comprises means for attaching a child seat, car seat or the like. In a preferred embodiment, such means comprise two arms 116 which fold flat into the seat support in a stowed state, and are hinged at their outer edge to lift up substantially vertically into a pushchair state as can be seen from the figures. Alternatively the arms may not fold flat but may sit on top of the seat support in a stowed state. The arms comprise chair attachment means 117 at their tops or at any location along their lengths, which may be hooks, catches, slots, clips or other means to correspond with parts of bespoke or other car seats or child seats. Many such mechanisms are known in the art and widely used to enable child seats and car seats to clip into and out of both purpose-built and universal frames, and it is not necessary to describe them in detail. Any such mechanism may be used to enable at least one seat -which may be a bespoke seat or a particular seat and preferably a variety of types of child seats and car seats of different brands -to attach to and detach from the frame.

[38] Alternatively, there may be only one arm or more than two arms for attaching and detaching the seat, and furthermore there may be no arms and the seat support itself may comprise other attachment means as known in the art, for attaching the seat or variety of seats to the frame.

[39] In particular, the seat support and attachment arms may be designed to attach to a specific seat from a specific known model of pushchair, or a specific known model of car seat. The frame may be designed to fit more than one specific model of child seat or car seat or may be adjustable to fit many or all car seats or child seats.

[40] The frame may further comprise a footrest 122 as shown in the figures, which may comprise a gap as shown to accommodate the spine in a stowed state.

[41] Preferably, the base unit and seat support comprise gas injection moulded polypropylene, having a plain outer layer to provide a smooth surface finish, and a glass filled inner layer to provide strength and rigidity. Alternatively, other materials or manufacture processes may be used.

[42] In a second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 3, the pushchair frame further comprises a bespoke child seat designed to attach to the frame of the invention.

[43] The seat preferably comprises a chair portion 200, padding 202, a harness 204, a canopy 206 and attachment means 208, all of which are preferably as shown in the figure but may alternatively be any known in the art. The seat may also comprise a frame 210 and a crossbar 212, which are also preferably as shown in the figure but may be any known in the art.

[44] Preferably, the seat detaches from the frame using the attachment means and can be folded. The child seat is preferably collapsible and preferably collapses as shown in Figure 4.

[45] Alternatively, the bespoke child seat may comprise any seat known in the art being dimensioned to attach to the frame of the present invention using any attachment means known in the art.

Claims

Claims 1. A pushchair frame comprising: a base unit comprising at least one storage recess; at least one wheel rotatably mounted on said base unit; a seat support disposed to cover said storage recess in at least a stowed state; and a stowable spine comprising at least one handle; wherein, in a stowed state, said frame can be wheeled using said handle.
2. The pushchair frame of claim 1 wherein said at least one wheel comprises: at least two large wheels; and at least two small wheels; whereby said small wheels assist pushing in a pushchair state and do not impede use in a stowed state.
3. The pushchair frame of claim 1 wherein said seat support is siLidably mounted cii said spine, wherein a height of a seat being supported can be adjusted.
4. The pushchair frame of claim 1 wherein said seat support is substantially circular.
5. The pushchair frame of claim 1 wherein said seat support further comprises at least one arm for attaching a seat, and at least one arm recess; wherein said arm folds substantially flat into said arm recess.
6. The pushchair frame of claim 1 wherein said base comprises a spine recess, wherein said spine stows substantially flatly into said spine recess.
7. The pushchair frame of claim 1 wherein said spine stows telescopically within said base unit.
8. The pushchair frame of claim 1 further comprising a footrest.
9. The pushchair frame of claim 1 further comprising a child seat.
10. The pushchair frame of claim 9 wherein said child seat comprises: a chair portion; chair padding; a harness; a canopy; and attachment means for attaching to said frame.
11. The pushchair of claim 9 wherein said child seat is collapsible.Amended claims have been filed as follows:-Claims 1. A pushchair frame comprising: a base unit comprising at least one storage recess; at least one wheel rotatably mounted on said base unit; a seat support disposed to cover said storage recess in at least a stowed state; and a spine comprising at least one handle wherein said spine is movable between extended and stowed states; and wherein, when the spine and seat support are in a stowed state, said frame can be wheeled using said handle.2. The pushchair frame of claim 1 wherein said at least one wheel comprises: at least two large wheels; and at least two small wheels; whereby said small wheels assist pushing in a pushchair state and do not Q impede use in a stowed state. C)Q 20 3. The pushchair frame of claim 1 wherein said seat support is slidably mounted on said spine, wherein a height of a seat being supported can be adjusted.4. The pushchair frame of claim 1 wherein said support is substantially circular.5. The pushchair frame of claim 1 wherein said seat support further comprises at least one arm for attaching a seat, and at least one arm recess, wherein said arm folds substantially flat into said arm recess.6. The pushchair frame of claim 1 wherein said base comprises a spine recess, wherein said spine stows substantially flatly into said spine recess.7. The pushchair frame of claim 1 wherein said spine stows telescopically within said base unit.8. The pushchair frame of claim 1 further comprising a footrest.9. The pushchair frame of claim 1 further comprising a child seat.10. The pushchair frame of claim 9 wherein said child seat comprises: a chair portion; chair padding; a harness; a canopy; and attachment means for attaching to said frame.Q 15 11. The pushchair of claim 9 wherein said child seat is collapsible. (0 C)