WO2014057257A1

WO2014057257A1 - Collapsible pushchair

Info

Publication number: WO2014057257A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/052619
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony William Henry PORTER; Alan Franklin
Original assignee: Cositot Limited
Priority date: 2012-10-09
Filing date: 2013-10-08
Publication date: 2014-04-17
Also published as: CN104768834A; EP2906457A1; WO2014057238A1; GB201218086D0

Abstract

A collapsible pushchair (100) having a robust construction whose size when collapsed is less than the industry standard for airline hand luggage, i.e. whose size fits in a volume less than or equal to 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm. The pushchair comprises a body (12) on front (16) and rear (20) wheels, the body having a capsule with a pivoting lid (40) which is openable to provide a seat for the pushchair, and an extendable wheelbase that is movable between a collapsed configuration in which it forms a flat frame under the body and an assembled configuration in which it forms an inverted V-shaped frame.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE PUSHCHAIR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to pushchairs for carrying children, and in particular to pushchairs that are foldable or collapsible for transport or storage.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Pushchairs for carrying children, which may also be referred to as prams, buggies or strollers, are typically provided with lockable pivoting or folding joints to enable the pushchair to be collapsed into a more compact, e.g.

flatter, form. Often a compromise must be struck between the size of a pushchair in its folded form and the robustness of its construction when assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

At its most general, the present invention proposes a collapsible pushchair having a robust construction whose size when collapsed is less than the industry standard for airline hand luggage, i.e. whose size fits in a volume less than or equal to 56 cm ^χ 45 cm 25 cm.

According to the invention there may be provided a collapsible pushchair having a body supported by front and rear wheels, wherein the body comprises: a capsule having a pivoting lid which is openable to provide a seat for the pushchair; and an extendable wheelbase that is movable between a collapsed configuration in which it forms a flat frame under the body and an assembled configuration in which it forms an inverted V-shaped frame, wherein when the pivoting lid of the capsule is closed and the extendable wheelbase is in the collapsed configuration, the pushchair fits in a volume less than or equal to 56 cm ^χ 45 cm ^χ 25 cm. In combination, the folding capsule and extendable wheelbase enable the pushchair to be collapsed to a size in line with the requirements for carry-on airline hand luggage. The capsule may comprise a base portion to which the lid is pivotally attached by a hinge or the like. The hinge may be provided towards the rear of the body. The lid may extend along substantially the whole length of the body. The lid and base portion may be formed from rigid hard-wearing material such as plastic. The lid and base portion may include cooperating engaging portions for securing the lid in the closed position.

The inner surface of the lid may include a back rest for the pushchair seat. The back rest may be formed integrally with the lid. Preferably, however, the back rest is attached to the lid, e.g. in an adjustable manner. For example, the back rest may be slidable relative to the lid along the length of the lid, e.g. to cater for different back lengths of children to be carried. The back rest may be formed from conventional seating materials.

The capsule may include a seat base that is arranged to protrude from the capsule at an angle to the back rest when the lid is opened in order to form the pushchair seat. The seat base may be pivotally mounted relatively to the base portion of the capsule. The seat base may be pivotally mounted on the same hinge as the lid, and coupled to the lid so that the angle between the seat base and lid cannot exceed a predetermined threshold. In this manner, the seat portion may be rotated out of the base portion as the lid is opened.

The capsule may include a locking mechanism for securing the lid and/or seat base in its opened position.

The seat base and/or back rest may include conventional seat belt fastening for the pushchair.

The capsule may have a moulded outer surface in the shape of a vehicle (e.g. go-kart or the like), whereby the pushchair resembles a child's toy when collapsed. As the body may be supported by the front and rear wheels when the pushchair is in its collapsed state, it can be moved easily along the ground.

The pushchair may include a handle arranged at one end of the body. For example, the handle may include an arch portion formed at, e.g. spanning the rear surface of the body. The handle may thus be used to push or pull the pushchair on its wheels when in its collapsed state. For example, the

pushchair can be pulled along on its front wheels in the manner of a wheeled suitcase when in its collapsed state. A cord or strap may be attached to the pushchair, e.g. to the capsule or to the handle, to facilitate pulling the body along the ground.

The extendable wheelbase may comprise a length-adjustable frame. For example, the wheelbase may include a pair of arms, each arm being retractably mounted on a respective rail secured to or formed with the body. When retracted, the pair of arms may lie under the body. Each arm may be extendable from their retracted positions by sliding along the rails.

The arms may extend in a rearward direction from the body. The arms may be joined together may one or more cross members to be formed a single retractable entity. The cross members may include an axle for the rear wheels. The axle may be rotatably mounted with respect to the arms, e.g. within sleeves or suitable bearings fixed on the arms. The rear wheels may be fixedly mounted on the axle. A locking

mechanism for the rear wheels may be provided in the form of a blocking member is pivotable with respect to the axle between a locking position in which is resists rotation of the axle and a drive position in which the axle is free to rotate.

Such locking mechanisms are known. Alternatively, the rear wheels may be rotatably mounted directly on the arms.

In one embodiment, the pushchair includes a selectively pivoting joint on the wheelbase, which permits the arms to pivot with respect to their respective rails when they have been extended rearward by more than a predetermined distance. For example, the end of each arm by terminate at a boss element, which is receivable in a corresponding cup element formed at the end of the respective rail. During extension of the wheel base, the arm may be slidable through the cup element. Rotation may be prevented because the arm spans across the cup element. When extension is complete, the boss element is received in the cup element, and rotation is permitted. The selectively pivoting joint may include a lock for securing the arms at a predetermined angle with respect to their rails to form the inverted V-shaped frame.

As the inverted V-shaped frame is formed by extending the wheelbase, the front and rear wheels may be provided at the base of the inverted V-shaped frame, which is thereby

supported on the ground by the wheels. The body is meanwhile supported on one of the sloping arms of the inverted V. This enables the capsule to be oriented at an sloping angle, whereby the protruding seat portion may provide a

substantially horizontal seating surface when the lid of the capsule is opened.

The handle may be extendable away from the body, e.g. to provide a convenient push bar for the pushchair when the wheelbase is in its assembled configuration. For example, the handle may be mounted on telescoping legs. The telescoping legs may be mounted in channels formed in the body or

wheelbase .

The pushchair may include a footrest beneath the seat portion. The footrest may be pivotally connected to the base portion of the body. The pivoting connection may enable it to be stowed in the capsule when it is closed.

The pushchair may include a number of additional optional accessories. For example, a tray may be mountable over the seat portion. A sunscreen or rain cover may be attached to the top of the back rest. A pocketed storage compartment may be attachable between the arms of the inverted V-shaped frame.

This capsule may enclose a space for storing one or more of these optional accessories when it is closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible pushchair according to an embodiment of the invention in a collapsed state;

Fig. 2 is a back view of the underside of the collapsed pushchair shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the pushchair shown in Fig. 1 with its wheelbase partly extended;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the pushchair shown in

Fig. 1 with its wheelbase folded out and its handle partly extended;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the pushchair shown in Fig. 1 with the handle fully extended and its capsule partly opened; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the pushchair shown in Fig. 1 in an assembled state with the capsule fully opened and the seat pivot out; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the pushchair shown in Fig. 6 with accessories mounted thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION; FURTHER OPTIONS AND PREFERENCES

Fig. 1 shows a collapsed configuration 10 for a pushchair that is an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the collapsed configuration resembles a car or go-kart, and may be suitable for use as a toy.

The collapsed configuration 10 comprises a body 12 having a substantially rectangular footprint with wheels located at each corner. The body 12 includes a folding capsule which opens to form the seat of the pushchair, as described below. In the collapsed configuration, the upper surface 14 of the body is formed by the back surface of the lid of the folding capsule. The lid may be formed from robust plastic material which can be moulded into any desirable shape, e.g. the shape of a go-kart body as in this embodiment.

At each of the front corners of the body, a pair of wheels 16 are attached. The wheels 16 are rotatable mounted on a bracket 18 which is fixed on the body 12. The wheels 16 may be made of a type conventionally used in pushchairs, e.g. formed of hard-wearing plastic. The wheels 16 may have tyres. Although two wheels are shown at each front corner, the invention is not limited to this arrangement; one or more wheel may be used. The brackets 18 may be pivotally mounted to the body in a conventional manner to facilitate steering.

At each of the back corners of the body, a wheel 20 is located. As shown in Fig. 2, the back wheels 20 are mounted to rotate with an axle 22 which spans across the back edge of the body 12 and is rotatably mounted on sleeves 24. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a locking bar 26 is pivotally mounted on the sleeves to pivot between a locking position in which a blocking element 28 prevent rotation of the axle 22 and a unlocked position in which the blocking element 28 is spaced from the axle 22.

Returning to Fig. 1, the collapsed configuration 10 further includes a handle 30 in the form on an arch along the back edge of the body 12. The handle 30 also forms the handgrip of the pushchair, so may be formed from any suitable material for facilitating a secure and comfortable grip.

The collapsed configuration 10 may be supported on the wheels 16, 20 and hence easily capable of being pushed along the ground. Alternatively, the collapsed configuration may be pull along by the handle 30 with the front wheels 16 in contact with the ground, in the manner of conventional wheeled suitcases. The collapsed configuration 10 can thus be easily transported without carrying.

Ά particular advantage of the present invention is that the collapsed configuration has a size that allows it to be taken as hand luggage on a airline flight. The industry standard maximum size for hand luggage is 56 cm ^χ 45 cm ^χ 25 cm. Accordingly, the length of the collapsed configuration, e.g. from the front of the front wheels 16 to the back of the back wheels 20 is therefore 56 cm or less, and is preferably less than 50 cm to comply with the more restrictive

requirements imposed by some airlines. Similarly, the width of the collapsed configuration, e.g. between the outer surfaces of the front wheels 16 and/or the rear wheels 20, is 45 cm or less, preferably 40 cm or less. The height of the collapsed configuration, e.g. the vertical component of the distance from the bottom of the wheels to the highest point of the upper surface 14 of the body or the handle, is 25 cm or less, preferably 20 cm or less.

Figs. 3 to 6 depict various stages in the transformation from the collapsed configuration 10 to the assembled pushchair 100 (seen in Fig. 6) .

Fig. 3 shows a first stage in the assembly process, in which the wheelbase of the collapsed configuration is extended by pulling the rear wheels 20 away from the body 12. As described above, the rear wheels 20 are mounted on an axle 22, which in turn is rotatably mounted in sleeves 24. Each sleeve 24 is formed at the end of a respective arm 32, which is slidably mounted in a respective rail 34 formed on the underside of the body 12, as shown in Fig. 2. In the

collapsed configuration 10, the arms 32 may be received completely in their respective rails 34, i.e. the arms and rails may be substantially the same length. The rails 34 may have an L-shaped or U-shaped cross-section to provide that with the required structure rigidity. The rails 34 may be part of a chassis on which the folding capsule is mounted, wherein the chassis. The chassis may include the arms 32 and one or more cross beams, such as e.g. axle 22. The chassis may thus resemble an extendable frame.

A selectively pivoting joint 36 is formed at the rear end of each rail 34. The joint 36 is arranged to permit the arm 32 to slide through it. Whilst the arm 32 spans the joint 36, no rotation is permitted. However, when the front end of the arm 32 slides into the joint 36, pivoting is permitted, which enables the rear wheels to be swung downwards as shown in Fig. 4. The arms 32 and rails 34 thus form an inverted V- shaped frame for the pushchair. The pivoting joint 36 includes a lock for securing the inverted V-shaped frame.

Fig. 4 shows a second stage in the assembly process, in which the handle 30 is extended away from the body 12. The handle 30 is connected to the body 12 by two legs 38, each of which are slidably receivable in corresponding channels (not shown) formed in the body 12. For improved structural rigidity, the channels are formed in a housing that is secured to the rails 34. Each leg 38 may be formed from a series of two or more telescoping tubes. The telescoping tubes may allow the handle 30 to extend away from the body 12 by a greater distance than the length of the body 12 (see e.g. Fig. 5) whilst also maintain sufficient structural strength. The telescoping tubes may be of the conventional type, e.g. used in wheeled luggage and the like. For example, the telescoping tubes may include sprung engagement tabs (not shown) for locking the legs 38 in their extended position.

Fig. 5 shows a third stage in the assembly process, in which the handle 30 is fully extended and in which a folding capsule formed in the body 12 is partly opened.

The folding capsule comprising a lid 40 which is

pivotally connected to a base 42 (formed in this embodiment by the rest of the body 12. The pivoting connection is via a hinge 44 formed at the back edge of the body 12. The lid 40 may include a securing device (not shown) such as a clip or catch at its front edge for holding it closed when in the collapsed configuration.

The folding capsule enclosed a moulded seat portion 50, which forms the base of the pushchair seat. The seat portion 50 is pivotally mounted on the lid 40. The pivot connection is restricted to prevent the angle between the lid 40 and the seat portion 50 from exceeding a predetermined value. This restriction has the effect of causing the seat portion 50 to be levered out of the inside of the capsule as the lid opened.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 6, the inner surface of the lid 40 includes the back rest 46 for the pushchair seat. In this embodiment, the back rest 46 may be separate from the lid 40. The position of the back rest 46 on the lid 40 may be adjustable, e.g. to allow a neck support 48 formed on the back rest to be positioned at the correct distance from the seat portion 50. The seat portion 50 and back rest 46 may be provided with conventional seat belt fastenings or buckles.

Fig. 6 shows the pushchair 100 in its assembled

configuration. The lid of the folding capsule is fully open such that it rests against the legs 38 of the handle 30. A locking mechanism, e.g. provided in the hinge 44, may secure the lid 40 and the seat portion in place.

Fig. 7 shows the pushchair 100 in it assembled

configuration with a number of additional optional accessories mounted thereon. A footrest 102 is provided beneath the seat portion 50. The footrest 102 is pivotally connected to the base 12. The pivoting connection enables it to be stowed in the capsule in the collapsed configuration. A tray 104 is mountable over the seat portion 50, e.g. through engagement of a central pillar with a cooperating attachment portion. A toy attachment 106, which in this embodiment is a steering wheel, may be detachably coupled to the tray 104. A screen 108, e.g. a sunshade or rain cover, may be attached to the top of the back rest 46. A storage compartment 110, e.g. made of fabric and having one or more pockets formed therein, may be attached between the arms 32 of the inverted V-shaped frame.

Claims

1. A collapsible pushchair having a body supported by front and rear wheels, wherein the body comprises:

a capsule having a pivoting lid which is openable to provide a seat for the pushchair; and

an extendable wheelbase that is movable between a collapsed configuration in which it forms a flat frame under the body and an assembled configuration in which it forms an inverted V-shaped frame,

wherein when the pivoting lid of the capsule is closed and the extendable wheelbase is in the collapsed

configuration, the pushchair fits in a volume less than or equal to 56 cm ^χ 45 cm ^χ 25 cm.

2. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 1, wherein the capsule comprises a base portion to which the lid is pivotally attached, the lid and base portion including cooperating engaging portions for securing the lid in the closed position.

3. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner surface of the lid includes a back rest for the pushchair seat.

4. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 3, wherein the capsule includes a seat base that is arranged to protrude from the capsule at an angle to the back rest when the lid is opened in order to form the pushchair seat.

5. A collapsible pushchair according to any preceding claim, wherein the extendable wheelbase includes a pair of arms, each arm being slidably mounted on a respective rail, wherein the arms are slidable between a retracted position beneath the body and a pivoting position in which the arms to pivot with respect to their respective rails, thereby forming the inverted V-shaped frame.

6. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 5 including a selectively pivoting joint on the wheelbase, which permits the arms to pivot with respect to their respective rails when they have been extended rearward by more than a predetermined distance.

7. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each arm terminates at a boss element, which is receivable in a corresponding cup element formed at the end of the arm's respective rail, wherein each arm is arranged to slide through its respective cup element during extension of the wheel base, whereby the boss element is received in the cup element when extension is complete.

8. A collapsible pushchair according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the arms are joined together by an axle for the rear wheels, the axle being rotatably mounted with respect to the arms.

9. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 8 including a locking mechanism for the rear wheels, the locking mechanism comprising a blocking member that is pivotable with respect to the axle between a locking position in which is resists rotation of the axle and a drive position in which the axle is free to rotate.

10. A collapsible pushchair according to any preceding claim including a handle arranged at one end of the body.

11. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 10, wherein the handle includes an arch portion spanning the rear surface of the body.

12. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the handle is extendable away from the body.

13. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 12, wherein the handle is attached to the body by telescoping legs .