GB2538053A

GB2538053A - Ambulatory devices

Info

Publication number: GB2538053A
Application number: GB1507157.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Mcmaster David
Original assignee: BIKENETIC Ltd
Current assignee: BIKENETIC Ltd
Priority date: 2015-04-28
Filing date: 2015-04-28
Publication date: 2016-11-09
Also published as: GB201507157D0

Abstract

An ambulatory device (10, fig.1) convertible between a seat having stowed-away wheels 51, which can be affixed to a bicycle (See fig.2); and a pushchair or stroller device with deployed wheels and a handle (See fig. 3). The device comprises a seat (12) and a support frame (14) to which the seat is affixed; the support frame comprising a first connector (40) pivotally connected to the seat; a rear undercarriage portion (18) rigidly connected to the first connector; a front undercarriage portion (16) pivotally connected to the first connector; and a handle 20 pivotally connected to the seat. The handle is operatively connected to the first connector by a first linkage 50, and to the front undercarriage portion by a second linkage 100,101,102. Rotation of the handle actuates the device between buggy and child seat configurations (transition shown in figs 4 to 7).

Description

Title: Ambulatory devices

Description:

This invention relates to ambulatory devices, and in particular, strollers or pushchairs that convert into child bicycle seats, or vice-versa, that is to say, child bicycle seats that convert into strollers or pushchairs.

Child bicycle seats are well known and generally comprise a formed plastics seat that connects to a bicycle, usually at a location behind the bicycle's saddle and above its rear wheel, via a supporting framework. The supporting framework usually comprises a series of clevises or bolting arrangements that enable the seat's framework to be rigidly, and semi-permanently affixed to the bicycle's frame. The child seat usually comprises a seat and backrest portion, and for purposes of constraining the child safely during use, leg restraints or footrests and armrests. The child can be strapped into the child seat using a suitable harness, and can thus be transported in relative safety on the back of bicycle. Other types of bicycle child seats are known that affix to the bicycle's crossbar or handlebars, but in any case, they comprise a seat that is rigidly and semi-permanently affixed to the bicycle in normal use.

A problem that exists with known child bicycle seats is that of what to do with the child at the end of the bicycle journey. In known arrangements, the bicycle can be supported on a stand or bicycle rack whereupon the child can be un-strapped from the seat. Until the child is placed back in the child seat, therefore, the child must walk or be carried. In many cases, this is acceptable, but if, say, a parent intends to take their child shopping for an extended period, the child may quickly tire or bore of walking, in which case the excursion may need to be cut short to return the child to the bicycle child seat, or the child may need to be carried, which is inconvenient.

The above problem could be addressed if the parent were able to transport a pushchair or buggy with them, which the child could ride in between bicycle journeys. However, luggage space on a bicycle, as well as a bicycle's maximum practical payload, is limited -bearing in mind that the cyclist may need to cycle up hills, or the bicycle's brakes may not be adequate to cope with downhill braking when the bicycle is heavily-loaded. These constraints therefore rule-out, or render highly impractical, the option of taking a separate pushchair or buggy on a bicycle.

A need therefore exists for a solution to one or more of the above problems. A need also exists for an improved and/or alternative child seat for a bicycle.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an ambulatory device for a child comprising a child seat that is convertible between a child seat for a bicycle and a pushchair.

A second aspect of the invention provides an ambulatory device comprising: a seat and a support frame to which the seat is affixed; the support frame comprising a first connector pivotally connected to the seat; a rear undercarriage portion rigidly connected to the first connector; a front undercarriage portion pivotally connected to the first connector; and a handle pivotally connected to the seat moveable between first and second positions, wherein handle is operatively connected to the first connector by a first linkage, and to the front undercarriage portion by a second linkage.

Suitably, the handle is pivotally moveable, relative to the seat, between a first position and a second position. Suitably, the handle comprises a generally U-shaped bar or tube, which extends over and/or in front of the seat, when in the first position, such that it forms a grab bar for an occupant of the seat. When in the first position, the handle may facilitate restraining a seat occupant within the seat and/or it may form a convenient bar for the seat occupant to grasp (e.g. to steady himself/herself) when in the seat. Additionally or alternatively, when in the first position, the handle may be used as a handle for carrying or lifting the seat (with or without an occupant in it).

The handle is moveable between a first and second position. By virtue of the aforementioned pivotal connections and linkages, by moving the handle between the first position and the second position, the front and rear undercarriage portions are moved between a stowed position (e.g. in which they are located behind a back portion of the seat); and a deployed position, in which they are located below the seat. Suitably, the front and rear undercarriage portions comprise wheels, such that when the handle is moved to the second position, the undercarriage portions are moved to their deployed positions, and in which the wheels are thus located beneath the seat to provide a rolling support structure below the seat for conveying the ambulatory device over a ground surface. Suitably, when the handle is moved to the second position it projects upwardly above a back portion of the seat, thus forming a handle for pushing the ambulatory device over a ground surface.

It will be appreciated that the invention provides an ambulatory device that is readily convertible between a seat (with stowed-away wheels, which can be affixed to a bicycle) and a pushchair-type device (with deployed wheels and a handle). It will also be appreciated that by operatively interconnecting the undercarriage portions with the handle, by way of the linkages and the first connector, that ambulatory device can be converted between bicycle seat and a pushchair configurations in a single action. In other words, the movement of the handle between the first positon and the second position simultaneously converts the grab bar/carrying handle into the pushchair handle (or vice-versa); as well as moving the undercarriage between stowed and deployed positions (or vice-versa). Such a configuration may usefully overcome the inconvenience of some known bicycle seat-pushchair devices, which require multiple steps or operations when converting between different modes of operation.

The handle may also comprise engagement means, such as grooves, crevices and the like, so that it can operate as a docking station for an handheld device such as a games console, tablet device or mobile smartphone, etc.. Such a configuration may provide entertainment for the occupant of the seat, or in certain embodiments, the docking station may be operatively connected to another device, such as the rider's mobile telephone, e.g. via wires. The handle may additionally comprise a cup holder or other recess for securely retaining items for the seat occupant.

Suitably, the ambulatory device comprises a releasable locking means for locking the handle in the first or second position. The provision of a releasable locking means enables the configuration of the ambulatory device to be temporarily locked in either a bicycle seat or pushchair configuration, thus reducing the likelihood of inadvertent or unintentional switching between different modes of operation.

Suitably, the seat comprises spaced-apart leg support portions, which may additionally comprise footrests and/or wing portions adapted, in use, to at least partially surround an occupant's leg on at least two, but preferably three, sides. Additionally or alternatively, the seat may comprise a backrest portion and/or a headrest portion and/or armrest portions.

Suitably, the seat comprises a unitary component manufactured from a tough, impact-resistant material, such as polypropylene. The seat may comprise an impact-absorbing core-shell structure, such as a foam polymer core and a tough plastics skin, or a foam polymer core sandwiched between layers of tough plastics.

Preferably, the support frame additionally comprises means for affixing the seat or support frame to a bicycle. The means for affixing may, in certain embodiments, comprise a hollow tube for slidingly receiving a mounting bar of the bicycle, and optionally, releasable locking means for releasably locking the hollow tube to the mounting bar. In other embodiments of the invention, the means for affixing may comprise a releasable clamp, which is adapted in use, to clamp onto a structural component (such as the seat tube) of a bicycle.

In other embodiments of the invention, the seat can be attached to the bicycle using a rack or framework affixed to the rear of the bicycle, in the manner, for example, of panniers. Suitably, the seat comprises complementarily shaped engagement formations for releasably (e.g. slidingly) engaging the rack or framework. In certain embodiments of the invention, the seat may comprise formations for accommodating the wheels of the front and rear undercarriages, such as armrest portions or seat back wing portions, although this is not essential. Accommodating the wheels in formations of the seat may provide a more pleasing visual appearance, as well as reducing the likelihood of the support frame/wheels from snagging on passing objects when the bicycle is being ridden.

A preferred embodiment of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ambulatory device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the ambulatory device of Figure 1 in a folded (bicycle seat) configuration; Figure 3 is a side view of the ambulatory device of Figure 1 in an unfolded (pushchair) configuration; Figures 4 to 7 are a sequence showing the ambulatory device of Figure 1 moving between the folded configuration (cf. Figure 2) and the unfolded configuration (cf. Figure 3); and Figure 8 is a perspective view of a bicycle comprising a pannier-type rack for releasably securing the ambulatory device to the bicycle.

Referring to Figure 1, an ambulatory device 10 in accordance with the invention comprises a seat 12 affixed to a support frame 14. The support frame 14 comprises a front undercarriage portion 16 and a rear undercarriage portion 18, bit of which are pivotally connected to the seat 12, and a handle 20 that doubles as a handle for the pushchair (as shown in Figure 1), or as a grab bar (as shown in Figure 2).

The seat 14 comprises a main body portion comprising a seat surface 22 upon which a child can sit, a backrest portion 24 against which a child occupant (not shown) can lean against, and a pair of spaced-apart leg support portions 26, which terminate at their lower ends, in footrests 28 upon which the child occupant's feet can rest, in use.

The seat's backrest portion 24 comprises a set of wings 30, which serve to keep the occupant securely in the seat 14, which may be particularly relevant when, in use, a bicycle (not shown) to which the device 10 is affixed, is cornering. The wings 30 extend around the seat surface 22 and their upper edges 32 form armrests for the occupant (not shown). Likewise, the wings 30 extend on either side of the leg support portions 26 to prevent the occupant's legs from dangling from the seat 14. A restraint harness (not shown) for an occupant can be threaded through apertures 34 in the seat 14 to restrain an occupant in the seat 14, in use.

The seat 14 is manufactured from a tough, durable plastics material, such as injection moulded polyethylene or polypropylene, or in certain embodiments, from a composite structure comprising a foamed polymer core and plastics shell casings. The use of a composite structure may provide impact protection for the seat occupant, for example, in the event of a rear shunt incident, or the bicycle falling over.

The support frame 14 comprises a pair of generally triangular first connectors 40: one located on either side of the seat 14. One apex 42 of each first connector 40 is pivotally connected to the seat 14, in the illustrated embodiment, by a pin extending through an aperture in the apex 42. The first connectors 40 are thus able to pivot about their respective apices 42 relative to the seat 14. Each first connector 40 comprises a hollow receiving portion (not visible) which slidingly receives a first end of a strut 46: each strut 46 forming one half of the rear undercarriage 18. The rear undercarriage struts 46 are manufactured from elliptical cross-section aluminium tubes and are curved slightly (in a shallow S-shape when viewed from above) so as to form a wider, and thus more stable base for the device 10. The second end of each rear undercarriage strut 46 carries a wheel 51, which engages with a ground surface, when the device 10 is used in the pushchair mode shown in Figure 1. Thus, the rear undercarriage 18 is able to pivot relative to the seat 14 about the apex 42 of each strut's respective first connectors 40.

The rear undercarriage 18 is moved between the deployed position (cf. Figures land 3) and the stowed position (cf. Figure 2) by the action of a first linkage 50. The first linkage 50 has a first end pivotally connected to a point 44 on the first connector 40 spaced apart from the apex 42 previously described, and a second end that is pivotally connected to a second connector 70. The second connector 70 is pivotally connected to the seat 14 about a point 48, and the second end of the first linkage 50 is pivotally connected to the second connector 70 at a point 49 spaced apart from the point 48.

The handle 20, which comprises a generally U-shaped tube manufactured from elliptical cross-section aluminium tubing, has free ends that slidingly engage with hollow receiving portions of the second connector 70 to form a rigid connection between the two. Thus, moving the handle 20 rotates the second connector 70 relative to the seat about point 48, thus pushing or pulling on the first linkage 50 to rotate the first connector 40 about point 42 to move the rear undercarriage 18 between the stowed (cf. Figure 2) and the deployed (cf. Figure 3) positions.

The front undercarriage portion 16 is formed, in the illustrated embodiment, by a pair of struts 84 curved so as to form a wishbone-shape when viewed from above: having spaced apart rear ends and interconnected front ends. The front ends of the front undercarriage struts 84 carry a body portion 90 to which a front wheel assembly 92, carrying a pair of ground-engaging wheels 51 is pivotally connected to facilitate steering of the device 10.

The front undercarriage struts 84 are rigidly connected to a lever portion 60 of the support structure. The lever portion 62 comprises a pair of generally perpendicular limbs 63, 64: one of which limbs 63 is rigidly connected to the front undercarriage struts 84 as previously described. The lever portion 62 is pivotally connected to, and arranged to pivot about, a point 65 of the first connector 40. The lever portion 62 is caused to pivot about point 65 by a second linkage made up of three parts 100, 101, 102.

The first part 100 of the second linkage is pivotally connected, at one end, to a point 103 of the second connector 70 such that movement of the handle 20 caused the second connector 70 to rotate about point 48, thus pushing or pulling on the first part 100 of the second linkage.

The first part 100 of the second linkage is pivotally connected at its opposite end to the second part 101, which is arranged to pivot about point 42. This constrains the locus of the opposite end of the first part 100 of the second linkage to move in an arcuate locus about point 42. The third part 102 of the second linkage is pivotally connected to the end of the first part 100, and at its second end to the second limb 64 of the lever portion 62 about pivot point 105.

Thus, by moving the handle 20 between the first and second position, the second linkage 100, 101, 102 pushes or pulls upon the lever portion 62 to cause the front undercarriage 16 strut 84 to move between its deployed or stowed positions.

The lengths of the first 100, second 101 and third 102 parts of the first linkage are chosen such that there is a breakover point in which the first 100 and third 102 parts are in-line, but in which on either side of the breakover point, the first 100 and second 102 parts are angled relative to one another about their pivotal interconnection 106.

Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, it can be seen that when in the stowed (bicycle seat) configuration, the handle 20 wraps around the front of the seat 14 to form a convenient grab bar for a seat occupant (not shown). The handle, in this configuration, if suitably locked, can be used to lift the device 10 to connect it to a bicycle (not shown). It will be appreciated that space between the leg support portions 26 is sufficient to accommodate a fixing means for affixing the device 10 to a bicycle in any number of ways.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, the handle 20 has been pulled up and back to form a handlebar of a pushchair (i.e. at, or about, waist height of a walking user) and the undercarriage 16, 18 has moved down to support to seat 14 off the ground.

Referring now to the sequence of Figures 4 to 7 of the drawings: In Figure 4, the handle 20 has been lifted slightly, and it can be seen that the first linkage 50 is already pushing the rear undercarriage 18 towards the deployed position. Likewise, the second linkage 100, 101, 102 is beginning to push the front undercarriage 16 similarly.

Figure 5 shows the second linkage 100, 101, 102 just before breakover point, and Figure 6 shows the second linkage 100, 101, 102 just after breakover point. It will be appreciated that due to this arrangement, the angular velocity of the front undercarriage 16 is greater than that of the rear undercarriage 18, for a given handle 20 angular velocity. This facilitates speeding up the deployment/stowing of the undercarriage, and enables the front 16 and rear 18 undercarriages to move fully between their respective first and second positions, even though one has a greater angle to move through.

Figure 7 shows the end of the movement, and how the undersides of the footrests 28 comprise recesses for receiving the front undercarriage struts 84 such that the weight of the seat 14 and its occupant can be borne directly by the struts 84.

Finally, referring to Figure 8 of the drawings, a bicycle 200 comprises a pannier-type rack 202 affixed to the seatstay 204 and, via supporting rods 206, to the seatstay 204 -chainstay 208 intersection 210. The rack 202 comprises a generally flat, level portion 212 upon which the underside of the seat 14 rests and pair of side wall portions 214 extending downwardly therefrom on either side of the rear wheel 216 of the bicycle 200. The side wall portions 214 engage with the interior surfaces of the seat 14 in the region of its leg rests 26. The rack 202 is manufactured of a resiliently deformable plastics material, permitting it to deform slightly as the ambulatory device 10 is placed onto it and to return to its original shape when engagement parts (not visible) of the seat 14 inter-engage with complementarily-shaped engagement portions (not shown) of the rack 202.

Such a "snap-on" configuration facilitates correct alignment of the ambulatory device 10 with the rack 202 prior to supplementary releasable locking means (not shown) being employed to properly secure the ambulatory device 10 to the rack 202, and hence, to the bicycle 200.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment, which are merely exemplary of the invention. For example, any shapes, dimensions or particular configurations, materials of manufacture etc. could be changed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appendent claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. An ambulatory device for a child comprising a child seat that is convertible between a child seat for a bicycle and a pushchair.
2. The ambulatory device of claim 1 comprising: a seat and a support frame to which the seat is affixed; the support frame comprising a first connector pivotally connected to the seat; a rear undercarriage portion rigidly connected to the first connector; a front undercarriage portion pivotally connected to the first connector; and a handle pivotally connected to the seat moveable between first and second positions, wherein handle is operatively connected to the first connector by a first linkage, and to the front undercarriage portion by a second linkage.
3. The ambulatory device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the handle comprises a generally U-shaped bar or tube, which extends over and/or in front of the seat, when in the first position and above and behind the seat when in the second position.
4. The ambulatory device of any preceding claim, wherein moving the handle between the first position and the second position causes the front and rear undercarriage portions to be moved between stowed position and a deployed positions.
5. The ambulatory device of any preceding claim, wherein the front and rear undercarriage portions comprise wheels.
6. The ambulatory device of any preceding claim, further comprising a releasable locking means for locking the handle in the first or second position.
7. The ambulatory device of any preceding claim, wherein the support frame comprises a pair of first connectors, each comprising a first point pivotally connected to the seat about which the first connectors are free to pivot about their respective points relative to the seat.
8. The ambulatory device of claim 7, wherein each first connector comprises a hollow receiving portion, which slidingly receives a first end of a strut forming one half of the rear undercarriage.
9. The ambulatory device of claim 8, wherein the rear undercarriage struts are curved slightly in a shallow S-shape when viewed from above so as to form a wider, and thus more stable base for the ambulatory device.
10. The ambulatory device of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein a second end of each rear undercarriage strut carries a wheel.
11. The ambulatory device of any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the rear undercarriage is moveable between the deployed position and the stowed position by the action of a first linkage, and wherein the first linkage comprises a first end pivotally connected to a point on the first connector, and a second end that is pivotally connected to a second connector, the second connector being pivotally connected to the seat about a pivot point.
12. The ambulatory device of any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the handle is rigidly connected to the second connector, such that moving the handle to pivot the second connector relative to the seat causes the first linkage to push or pull on the first connector to rotate it and to move the rear undercarriage between the first and second positions.
13. The ambulatory device of any preceding claim, wherein the front undercarriage portion comprises a pair of struts rigidly connected to a lever portion of the support structure, the lever portion comprising a pair of splayed limbs, a first one of which limbs is rigidly connected to the front undercarriage struts, and wherein the lever portion is pivotally connected to, and arranged to pivot about, a point of the first connector.
14. The ambulatory device of claim 13, wherein the second linkage operatively interconnects the lever portion and the second connector.
15. The ambulatory device of claim 14, wherein the second linkage comprises: a first part pivotally connected, at one end, to a point of the second connector; a second part pivotally connected to the first part and to the seat to constrain the locus of the end of the first part to move in an arcuate locus; and a third part pivotally connected to an end of the first part and to the second limb of the lever portion.
16. The ambulatory device of claim 15, wherein movement of the handle between the first and second positions causes the second linkage to push or to pull upon the lever portion to cause the front undercarriage strut to pivot between its deployed and stowed positions.
17. The ambulatory device of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the relative lengths of the first, second and third parts of the second linkage are chosen such that there is a breakover point in which the first and third parts are in-line, but in which on either side of the breakover point, the first and third parts are angled relative to one another about their pivotal interconnection.
18. The ambulatory device of claim 17, wherein the breakover point causes the the angular velocity of the front undercarriage to be greater than that of the rear undercarriage for a given handle angular velocity.
19. The ambulatory device of any preceding claim, wherein the seat comprises any one or more of the group comprising: spaced-apart leg support portions; footrests; a wing portion; a backrest portion; a headrest portion; and an armrest portion.
20. The ambulatory device of any claim 19, wherein the undersides of the footrests comprise recesses for receiving the front undercarriage struts.
21. The ambulatory device of any preceding claim, wherein the seat comprises a unitary component manufactured from a tough, impact-resistant material.
22. The ambulatory device of any of claims 1 to 20, wherein the seat comprises an impact-absorbing core-shell structure comprising a foam polymer core and a tough plastics skin, or a foam polymer core sandwiched between layers of tough plastics.
23. The ambulatory device of any preceding claim, further comprising means for affixing the seat or support frame to a bicycle.
24. The ambulatory device of claim 23, wherein the means for affixing comprises any one or more of the group comprising: a hollow tube for slidingly receiving a mounting bar of the bicycle; a releasable locking means for releasably locking the hollow tube to the mounting bar; a releasable clamp adapted, in use, to clamp onto a structural component of a bicycle; and a pannier-type rack or framework affixed to the rear of the bicycle releasably engageable with complementarily shaped engagement formations of the seat.
25. The ambulatory device of any preceding claim, wherein the handle comprises any one or more of the croup comprising: engagement means; grooves or crevices; and a docking station for a handheld device; a connection, in use, to another device; wires; a cup holder; and a recess for securely retaining items of the seat occupant.
26. An ambulatory device substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.