AU773460B2 - Improved foldable frames for strollers - Google Patents

Description

P/00/01i Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Improved Foldable Frames For Strollers The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: .6.

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6 66*6 FHPMELC600367432.6 CD/00367398.9 1 IMPROVED FOLDABLE FRAMES FOR STROLLERS Field of the Invention This invention relates to an improved stroller frame and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to a stroller frame of the "A-frame" style moveable between an operating position and a collapsed position.

Background to the Invention There have been many developments in relation to frames for strollers of the A-frame type and which are moveable between an operating position and a collapsed position. Two such examples are Australian patent application No.

688322 and Australian patent 692128. In those specifications there is described a stroller having a seat portion with a back, the back being moveable between a first position and a second position. The back is releasably held in the first position.

However, if the back is in the first position, upon the stroller being moved from the operating position to the closed position the back is automatically released as a result of the movement so that it will move to the second position. This is to enable the movement to the collapsed position to occur without damaging the back.

In both the above specifications the stroller can be collapsed, with the handle folding rearwardly. The principal purpose of the mechanism is to allow simple release to enable the stroller to be collapsed, and for the back of the seat portion to automatically move to a recline position when collapsing occurs and as a result of the collapsing. There is also described a catch arrangement so that when in a collapsed position the stroller will be releasably held in that collapsed position. However, when the stroller is returned to its operating position and if it is desired to have the back of the seat portion in the upright position, it must be manually restored to that position. This would occur on each occasion.

Also, the nature of the hinges and catches in the specifications referred to above is somewhat complex. Furthermore, the normal forces associated with the CD/00367398.9 2 pushing of the stroller tend to try to force the catch arrangement open. After a period of time, when catches can become worn through repeated use, this may cause weakening of the catch to the extent that the catch could release during normal operation.

The present invention advantageously provides a frame for such a stroller where the handle collapses forwardly rather than rearwardly.

The present invention preferably also provides a frame for a stroller where the normal forces of pushing the stroller will tend to encourage the catch to remain engaged to thus increase the retaining force for the stroller to be in the operating position.

Preferably the present invention provides a frame for a stroller wherein, when the frame is moved from the collapsed position to the operating position, the seat is returned to the position in which it was prior to collapse.

Advantageously, the frame of the invention is such that the release of the catch prior to the movement from the operating to the collapsed position will itself cause the release of the back so that the release occurs prior to the movement to the collapsed position.

*e Brief Summary of the Invention In a first aspect the invention accordingly provides a frame for a stroller, the frame being moveable between an operating position and a collapsed position, the frame including: a handle having at least one arm depending therefrom, the arm being hingedly connected to a front leg and a rear leg to enable the frame to move between the operating and collapsed positions; a seat portion having a back selectively moveable between a first position and a second position, the back being releasably held in the first position CD/00367398.9 3 by a catch; and at least one latch to releasably hold the frame in the operating position; wherein upon the at least one latch being released prior to movement of the frame from the operating position to the collapsed position, the release of the at least one latch causes the release of the catch to enable the back to move to the second position prior to the movement of the frame to the collapsed position.

Preferably, the catch includes a lug on the back cooperating with a retaining means on the at least one latch.

i: 10 Advantageously, there are at least two latches including a primary latch and *O o°° a secondary latch. More advantageously, the operation of the primary latch causes the release of the catch. Alternative!y, the operation of the secondary latch causes the release of the catch.

The retaining means may be mounted on the primary latch. In this form, the retaining means may be in the form of a disc with an arcuate ledge thereon.

Advantageously, the disc is pivotally mounted on the primary latch. The disc may have a slot therein which cooperates with a pin mounted on an extension of a handle which is adapted to operate the primary latch so that operation of the handle prior to the opening of the primary latch will cause the disc to rotate to disengage the catch.

The retaining means may be mounted on the secondary latch. In this form the retaining means may be in the form of a channel.

Advantageously, the secondary catch is operated independently of the primary catch. In this form, the secondary catch may be a safety catch.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a frame for a stroller, the frame CD/0100367398.9 4 being capable of being moved between an operating position and a collapsed position, the frame having at least one front leg with a front lower end and a front upper end, at least one rear leg with a rear lower end and a rear upper end, and a handle having at least one arm depending therefrom and terminating at a lower end; wherein the rear upper end is pivotally attached to the arm at a rear leg pivot point intermediate the length of the arm, and the front upper end is pivotally attached to the arm at a front leg pivot point intermediate the length of the arm, there being provided a latch for releasably securing the lower end to the front leg.

Preferably, the front leg pivot point and the rear leg pivot point are at substantially the same location on the arm. Alternatively, the front leg pivot point and the rear leg pivot point may be at separate locations on the arm. Preferably, the front leg pivot point is intermediate the rear leg pivot point and the lower end.

Advantageously, the latch is intermediate the length of the front leg. More ;'°advantageously, the rear leg has a shock absorber intermediate its length. The shock absorber may be of any suitable form such as, for example, the rear leg having an upper portion and a lower portion separate from the upper portion, there being a rod connecting the upper portion and the lower portion. The rod may have an elongate slot therein which is engaged by a pin in one of the upper portion or .i the lower portion. A spring may be placed around the rod and restrained at one end by the pin and at its opposite end by a second restraining means. Shock absorption is therefore provided by relative movement of the pin and the slot, under the dampening effect of the spring.

Advantageously there is provided a seat frame pivotally attached to the front leg and having a support arm pivotally attached to the seat frame and extending upwardly therefrom and being pivotally attached to the arm.

More advantageously, there is provided a back frame pivotally attached to the seat frame and selectively engagable and disengagable from an upper end of the support arm to be able to be moved between a substantially upright position and a reclined position.

CD/00367398.9

A

Preferably, there is provided a catch mounted on the back frame including a boss able to co-operate with the upper end of the support arm and to engage therewith to releasably retain the back frame in the substantially upright position.

The upper end of the support arm may have a channel thereon which receives therein at least a part of the boss so as to retain the backframe in the substantially upright position. Preferably, the channel is of sufficient length to enable the boss to move relative thereto when the frame is moved from the operating position to the collapsed position. More preferably, if the boss is engaged in the channel when the frame is moved from the operating position to the collapsed position, the boss will stay engaged in the channel during such movement and during subsequent movement of the frame to the operating position.

It is preferred that the lower end of the arm is forced into engagement with S:'o the latch when normal operating forces are applied to the handle.

It is further preferred that the handle be adjustable in angle relative to the arm.

°co.

Most advantageously, the handle pivots forwardly relative to the front leg when moving from the operating position to the collapsed position.

There may be provided a substantially triangular mount on the arm to which is pivotally mounted the rear upper end so as to comprise the rear leg pivot point; 20 and having the support arm pivotally attached thereto. Preferably, the rear leg pivot point is at a first corner of the triangular mount and the pivotal attachment of the support arm it is as a second corner of the triangular mount.

The present invention also includes, in both aspects, a stroller fitted with the frame as described in the foregoing paragraphs.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be readily understood there shall now be described, by way of non-limitative example only, preferred constructions of CD/00367398.9, 6 frames for strollers incorporating the principal features of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and one side of a part of the frame of the first embodiment of the invention when in the operating position; Figure 2 is a perspective view, corresponding to Figure 1 at the commencement of the release of the frame prior to movement to the collapsed position; Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 but with the release having progressed further; **.Figure 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 but with the release having progressed yet further; Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 with the release of the catch *completed to enable movement to the collapsed position; Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 showing movement of the back between the first and second positions; Figure 7 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 1 but of a second embodiment; Figure 8 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 7 but from the other side; Figure 9 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 7 of the second embodiment with the catch released; and Figure 10 is a view corresponding to Figure 9 but from the other side.

Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a frame according to a further CD/00367398.9 7 embodiment of the invention when in the operating position; Figure 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of the frame of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a side view corresponding to Figure 11 shortly after the commencement of movement from the operating position to the collapsed position; Figure 14 is a view corresponding to Figure 12 but when the frame is in the position of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a view corresponding to Figures 11 and 12 but when the frame is in the fully collapsed position; Figure 16 is a view corresponding to Figures 12 and 14 but when the frame is in the position of Figure Figure 17 is a side view corresponding to Figure 11 prior to the back frame being moved to the recline position; Figure 18 is a view corresponding to Figures 12, 14 and 16 but when the frame is in the position of Figure 17; Figure 19 is a side view corresponding to Figure 17 showing the back frame moving to the recline position; Figure 20 is a side view corresponding to Figures 12, 14, 16 and 18 but when the frame is in the position of Figure 19; Figure 21 is a perspective view of a portion of the frame when in the position of Figure 11; Figure 22 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 21 but when the frame is in the position of Figure 13; CD/00367398.9 (1.

8 Figure 23 is a perspective view corresponding to Figures 21 and 22 but when the frame is in the position of Figure 17; Figure 24 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 23 but when the frame is in the position of Figure 19.

Figures 25 and 26 are sectional views of a shock absorber arrangement for the rear leg.

Description of preferred embodiment Referring to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to there is shown part of a frame for a stroller, particularly a stroller of the form as described in the specifications referred to in the background to the invention. As illustrated, there is an arm 10 which is hingedly connected to a front leg 12 and a rear leg 14. The frame has a seat portion (not shown) to which is pivotally attached a back 16. The back 16 includes a catch mechanism generally designated as 18 and which includes an operating handle 20 and a lug 22. The catch 18 is in accordance with US patent 5,482,311 and will therefore not be described. The contents of that US patent specification are hereby incorporated by reference.

el The arm 10 is hingedly connected to the rear leg 14 in a known manner, and hingedly connected to the front leg 12 in a known manner. The hinging is contained within a latch generally designated 24 and which includes a leg portion 26 and an arm portion 28. A handle 30 is used to release the latch 24, again in a known manner. Upon a force being applied to handle 30 in the axial direction of arm 10 in an upwards direction, the latch 24 is released (see Figure 2 onwards) to enable the frame to be moved to the collapsed position.

Mounted on rear leg 14 is a secondary latch (safety latch) generally designated 32 and which is biased by a spring in the upwards direction of the axis of rear leg 14. It has a finger operable portion 34 to enable the latch 32 to be moved axially downwardly against the bias. Placed between latch 32 and arm CD/00367398.9 9 portion 28 of latch 24 is an interlock member 36 so that if latch 24 is operated to attempt to commence movement to the collapsed position, the interlock member 36 will prevent the latch 24 from being opened and will prevent movement from commencing until safety latch 32 is operated to thus remove interlock member 36 from interference with arm portion 28 to enable the movement to take place.

Attached to safety latch 32 is catch 38 which in this instance is in the form of a channel having a front portion 40, a rear face 42, and an opening 44. The lug 22 locates in opening 44 and is retained there against movement to its second position by rear face 42. Rear face 42 is lower than front portion 40 so that the lug 22 will engage against front portion 40 to prevent movement beyond the first position. The handle 20 can normally be operated by being moved upwardly relative to back 16 to move lug 22 upwardly. This enables the back 16 to be moved from the first position to the second position. Again, the back 16 can be a •0 moved from the second position to the first position and held there by again 15 raising the handle 20 to thus raise lug 22 to allow it to pass over rear face 42.

S•Upon handle 20 being released, the lug 22 engages in opening 44 between rear face 42 and front portion 40. It is therefore releasably retained in the first position.

By having catch 38 attached to the side of safety latch 32, upon safety latch 32 being operated, latch 32 is moved axially downwardly on rear leg 14. The catch 38, in being attached to latch 32, will also be moved axially downwardly. This will cause lug 22 to be disengaged from opening 44 and thus be free to move to its S.e** second position. This happens prior to movement of the frame from the operating position to the collapsed position.

As is shown in Figure 6, it is possible for latch 24 to remain closed (engaged), and for secondary or-safety latch 32 to be operated to cause the release of the back 16 to enable it to be moved to the second position. This is independent of the operation of the catch 18.

Naturally, it is possible for catch 38 to be operatively connected to latch 24 rather than latch 32 so that operation of latch 24 would cause the release of catch 38 to allow the back 16 to move to the second position. This may be by any CD/00367398.9 suitable means such as, for example, direct connection, an appropriate linkage system, cables, or the like. This is shown in Figures 7 to In the embodiment of Figures 7 to 10 like components have like reference numerals with the addition of the prefix number 2.

For this embodiment there is shown part of a frame for a stroller, particularly a stroller of the form as described in the specifications referred to in the background to the invention. As illustrated, there is an arm 210 which is hingedly connected to a front leg 212 and a rear leg 214. The frame has a seat portion (not shown) to which is pivotally attached a back 216. The back 216 includes a catch mechanism generally designated as 218 is in accordance with US patent 5,482,311 and will therefore not be described.

The arm 210 is hingedly connected to the rear leg 214 in a known manner, and hingedly connected to the front leg 212 in a known manner. The hinging is contained within a latch generally designated 224 and which includes a leg portion 226 and an arm portion 228. A handle 230 is used to release the latch 224, again in a known manner. Upon a force being applied to handle 230 in the axial direction of arm 210 in an upwards direction, the latch 224 is released to enable the frame :to be moved to the collapsed position.

Mounted on rear leg 214 is a secondary latch (safety latch) generally designated 232 and which is biased by a spring in the upwards direction of the axis of rear leg 214. It has a finger operatable portion 234 to enable the latch 232 to be moved axially downwardly against the bias. Placed between latch 232 and arm portion 228 of latch 224 is an interlock member 236 so that if latch 224 is operated to attempt to commence movement to the collapsed position, the interlock member 236 will prevent the latch 224 from being properly opened and will prevent movement from commencing until safety latch 232 is operated to thus remove interlock member 236 from interference with arm portion 228 to enable the movement to take place.

Attached to safety latch 232 is catch 238 which, in this instance, is in the CD/00367398.9 11 form of a disc 244 having a tapered ledge 252 along a part of the periphery thereof. The lug 222 locates on ledge 252 and is retained there against movement to its second position. The handle 220 can be operated in the known way by being moved upwardly relative to back 216 to move lug 222 upwardly. This enables the back 216 to be moved from the first position to the second position. Again, the back 216 can be moved from the second position to the first position and held there by again raising the handle 220 to thus raise lug 222 to allow it to pass over and onto the ledge 252. Upon handle 220 being released, the lug 222 engages on ledge 252. It is therefore releasably retained in the first position.

By having catch 238 attached to the side of latch 224 by means of a pivot pin or rivet 246. Upon handle 230 being moved to open latch 224, an extension 254 of handle 230 will also move. Mounted an extension 254 is a pin 250 engaging in a slot 248 in disc portion 244 of catch 238. Therefore, upon handle 230 being moved axially upwardly, extension 254 moves axially upwardly. As e 15 latch 224 has yet to be opened, disc 244 is rotated about pin 250 due to the action eoeel of pin 250 in slot 248. Therefore, the ledge 252 moves with the disc 244 to the extent that lug 222 no longer engages thereon. This enables back 216 to fall to its recline position. This happens prior to movement of the frame from the operating position to the collapsed position, and prior to the opening of latch 224.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 11 to 24, there is shown a frame for a stroller which includes a base frame 510, a rear leg 512 having an upper end 514 and a lower end 516 pivotally attached to the base frame 510; and a front leg 518 having an upper end 520 and a lower end 522 pivotally attached to the base frame 510.

Also provided is a handle generally designated as 524 and which has depending therefrom an arm 526 which is pivotally attached to the handle 524 by a pivot connection 528 which is adapted to be able to be selectively released and secured to retain the handle 524 at an angular position relative to the arm 526.

The angular adjustment between the handle 524 and arm 526 may vary over a considerable range such as, for example, approximately 3400. The arm 526 has a lower end 530 which selectively and releasably engaged in a latch 532 which is C0D/00367398.9 12 mounted on front leg 518 intermediate the length to front legs 518. The latch 532 is of known construction and will not be described further.

At the upper end 520 of front leg 518 there is provided a pivot connection 534 between the front leg 518 and the arm 526. The pivot connection 534 is intermediate the length of arm 526. Also intermediate the length of arm 526 is a triangular mount 536 which has a first corner 538, a second corner 540, and a side 542. The mounting of triangular mount 536 on arm 526 is along side 542. The pivotal attachment of rear leg 512 to arm 526 is at corner 538.

Pivotally attached to front leg 518 intermediate the latch 532 and pivot connection 534 is a seat frame 544. It is pivotally attached to front leg 518 by means of a pivot connection 546. Pivotally attached to the seat frame 544 *o intermediate the length thereof is a support arm 548. The support arm 548 is pivotally attached to the seat frame 544 by means of a pivot connection 550. At its upper end the support arm 548 is pivotally attached to triangular mount 536 at 15 second corner 540 by means of a pivot connection 552.

At its upper end the support arm 548 has an open channel 554 (see Figures 21 to 24) which has a front face 556, a rear face 558 and an elongate opening 560. It is to be noted that the rear face 558 is of lesser height than the front face 556.

Also pivotally attached to seat frame 544 by means of a pivot connection 564 is a back frame 562. The seat frame 544 is substantially U-shaped in that it has no front cross member. The back frame 562 is also substantially U-shaped in that it has no lower cross member.

Adjacent the upper end of the back frame 562 there is provided a catch generally designated as 566 and which includes a release handle 570 and a lug 568. The catch is generally in accordance with US patent specification 5,482,311 (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference) and therefore will not be described further.

CD/00367398.9 13 The operation of the catch 566 is such that the handle 570 can be moved upwardly a defined but limited distance. As there is a direct physical connection between the lug 568 to the handle 570, as the handle 570 is drawn upwardly the lug is drawn upwardly and therefore clears the upper edge of rear face 558 of channel 554. This therefore enables the back frame 562 to pivot about pivot point 564 and to be able to be moved to a reclining position as shown in Figure 19.

Again, upon the back frame 562 being pivoted about pivot point 564 and raised to the position shown in Figure 11, handle 570 can again be raised to enable lug 568 to pass over the top of rear face 558. Upon handle 570 being released, lug 568 will move downwardly and engage behind rear face 558 and therefore be retained in opening 560 between rear face 558 and front face 560. This therefore retains the back frame in the substantially upright position. The extended height of a front face 558 means that lug 568 will contact front face 558 when back frame 562 is pivoted toward the substantially upright position to thus limit the extent of that movement.

S° To move the frame from the operating position to the collapsed position, the latch 532 is released by moving it axially downwardly. This therefore releases lower end 530 and thus the arm 526 can pivot about pivot point 534 such that the handle 524 is moved in an arcuate manner pivoting about pivot point 534 relative S 20 to front leg 518, and pivot point 538 relative to rear leg 512. In this way the arm 526 moves to the position shown in Figure 13, and subsequently into the position S shown in Figure 15. As this occurs, the lug 568 can move within the opening 560 *l l of channel 554 to accommodate the necessary extent of movement to allow the pivoting connections to operate to have the frame moved to the collapsed position. By virtue of the height or length of the channel 554, the lug 568 is not restrained from axially downwardly movement during the collapsing process, and in the subsequent movement back to the operating position.

When in the position of Figure 15, the pivot attachment 528 can be released and handle 524 pivoted about arm 526 to be in a collapsed position as shown. When the frame is being moved from the collapsed position to the operating position, the arm 526 is moved arcuately upwardly about the pivotal CD/00367398.9 14 connection 534 until lower end 530 engages in latch 532. During that movement lug 568 can move within channel 554 due to the extent of the height or length of the opening 560 in channel 554. When lower end 530 engages in latch 532, and upon the frame being fitted to a stroller, the application of normal forces to handle 524 (normally in a forwardly and downwardly direction) to cause the stroller to be able to be pushed forwardly places a slight force about pivotal connection 538 of arm 526 and rear leg 512, and an upwards force upon lower end 530 due to the pivotal connection 534. Therefore such forces tend to encourage engagement of lower end 530 in latch 532. This is important as over a period of time latches such as latch 532 may become slightly worn. With the frames of the prior art, the application of normal forces is to disengage the latch and thus with wear, the latch may become disengaged during normal use. With the present invention, the application of normal forces encourages engagement and therefore even if the eeoc latch 532 became worn during use, there could be no disengagement during normal operation.

0: It is further to be noted that during the movement of the frame from the position of Figure 11 to that of Figure 15, and by virtue of the movement of lug 568 in opening 560 of channel 554, the back frame 562 can remain in the "substantially upright" position during the collapsing process to the collapsed position shown in Figure 15. Therefore, upon the frame being moved from the collapsed position of Figure 15 to the operating position of Figure 11, at that time the back frame 562 will remain in the "substantially upright" position as shown in Figure 11. Therefore, there is no need for the back frame 562 to be returned to the upright position after collapsing and restoring to the operating position.

Referring now to Figures 25 and 26, there is shown a shock absorber arrangement for the rear leg 512. In this form the rear leg 512 has an upper portion 572 and a lower portion 574. Mounted in and securely connected to upper portion 572 is a rod 576. The connection in this instance is by a pin or rivet 578, although other forms of connection may be used if desired. The rod 576 also extends into lower portion 574. That part of the rod 576 within lower portion 574 has an elongate slot 580 in which is located a pin or rivet 582 securely attached to CD/00367398.9 lower portion 574. In this way the rod 576 can slide relative to lower portion 574 but within limits of sliding being defined by the length of the slot 580.

A spring 584 is provided around rod 576 in the gap 586 between the ends of upper portion 572 and lower portion 574. The spring 586 acts on the ends of upper portion 572 and lower portion 574 and is in the form of a compression spring so that it tends to force those ends apart. When at the maximum extent of expansion of the spring 584 the pin 582 is in the lower most end of slot 580. This is shown in Figure 26. When the spring 584 is at its maximum compression (gap 586 is at its smallest extent) the pin 582 is in the upper most end of slot 580.

Therefore, the action of spring 584 is to act as a shock absorber between upper portion 572 and lower portion 574, within defined movement limits. This allows the arm 526 and front leg 518 to pivot about lower end 522 to thus provide a shock absorbing capacity for any occupant of the stroller to which the frame is fitted.

oo.o° The further advantage of this construction is that preferably there is provided an end block 588 around lower portion 574 adjacent its upper end, and a further end block 590 around upper portion 572 adjacent its lower end. Extending between end blocks 580, 590 is a flexible boot 592. By allowing for a certain tolerance between pin 582 and slot 580, and tube 576 and upper portion 572 and 574, the upper portion 572 and lower portion 574 may be able to move relative to each other over a small range of angles. Therefore, when the frame is moved from the operating position to the collapsed position, the spring 584 is under compression when in the position in Figure 15. At this stage the included angle between upper portion 572 and lower portion 574, when viewed from below, is slightly less than 1802. In this way the spring 584, being under compression, tends to force apart the upper end of 514 of upper portion 572 and the lower end 516 of lower portion 574. As the included angle is less than 1802, this encourages the collapsed frame to remain in the collapsed position. To move the frame from the collapsed position (Figure 15) to the operating position (Figure 11) in accordance with the above description merely requires a further slight compression of spring 584 shortly after the commencement of such movement. The spring 584 will then slowly expand to its normal, maximum extent as the movement to the operating CD/00367398.9 16 position approaches its final stages and lower end 530 engages in latch 532.

When in the position as shown in Figure 11, the spring 584 is at its maximum length.

It is to be realised that in a normal stroller there would be one handle 524 with two arms 526 depending therefrom with the two arms 526 being generally parallel, spaced apart and co-planar. Furthermore, there would be two front legs 518 generally which would be co-planar, spaced apart, and parallel. Similarly, there would be two rear legs 512 spaced apart, co-planar, and generally parallel.

Furthermore, on one side of the frame, the front leg 518, rear leg 512, and arm 526 would generally be co-planar.

Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description a preferred S-construction of a frame for a stroller incorporating the principal features of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the essential features of the present invention.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these 20 different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

20 different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims (32)

1. A frame for a stroller, the frame being moveable between an operating position and a collapsed position, the frame including: a handle having at least one arm depending therefrom, the arm being hingedly connected to a front leg and a rear leg to enable the frame to move between the operating and collapsed positions; a seat portion having a back selectively moveable between a first position and a second position, the back being releasably held in the first position by a catch; and at least one latch to releasably hold the frame in the operating position; ~wherein upon the at least one latch being released prior to movement of the frame from the operating position to the collapsed position, the release of the at least one latch causes the release of the catch to enable the back to move to the second position prior to the movement of the frame to the collapsed position. *I

2. A frame according to claim 1, wherein the catch includes a lug on the back cooperating with a retaining means on the at least one latch.

3. A frame according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there are at least two latches including a primary latch and a secondary latch.

4. A frame according to claim 3, wherein the operation of the primary latch causes the release of the catch.

A frame according to claim 3, wherein the operation of the secondary latch causes the release of the catch.

6. A frame according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the retaining means CD/00367398.9 18 is mounted on the primary latch.

7. A frame according to claim 6, wherein the retaining means is in the form of a disc with an arcuate ledge thereon.

8. A frame according to claim 7, wherein the disc is pivotally mounted on the primary latch.

9. A frame according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the disc has a slot therein which cooperates with a pin mounted on an extension of a handle which is adapted to operate the primary latch so that operation of the handle prior to the opening of the primary latch will cause the disc to rotate to disengage the catch.

A frame according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the retaining means is mounted on the secondary latch.

11. A frame according to claim 10, wherein the retaining means is in the form of a channel. 15

12. A frame according to any one of claims 3 to 11, the secondary catch is operated independently of the primary catch.

13. A frame according to claim 12, wherein the secondary catch is a safety catch.

14. A frame for a stroller, the frame being capable of being moved between an operating position and a collapsed position, the frame having at least one front leg with a front lower end and a front upper end, at least one rear leg with a rear lower end and a rear upper end, and a handle having at least Sone arm depending therefrom and terminating at a lower end; wherein the rear upper end is pivotally attached to the arm at a rear leg pivot point intermediate the length of the arm, and the front upper end is pivotally attached to the arm at a front leg pivot point intermediate the length of the CD/00367398.9 19 arm, there being provided a latch for releasably securing the lower end to the front leg.

A frame according to claim 14, wherein the front leg pivot point and the rear leg pivot point are at substantially the same location on the arm.

16. A frame according to claim 14, wherein the front leg pivot point and the rear leg pivot point are at separate locations on the arm.

17. A frame according to claim 16, wherein the front leg pivot point is intermediate the rear leg pivot point and the lower end.

18. A frame according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the latch is intermediate the length of the front leg.

19. A frame according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the rear leg has a shock absorber intermediate its length.

A frame according to any one of claims 14 to 19, further including a seat frame ivotally attached to the front leg and having a support arm pivotally 15 attached to the seat frame and extending upwardly therefrom and being pivotaliy attached to the arm.

21. A frame according to claim 20, further including a back frame pivotally attached to the seat frame and selectively engagable and disengagable from an upper end of the support arm to be able to be moved between a substantially upright position and a reclined position.

22. A frame according to claim 21, including a catch mounted on the back frame including a boss able to co-operate with the upper end of the support arm and to engage therewith to releasably retain the back frame in the substantially upright position.

23. A frame according to claim 22, wherein the upper end of the support arm CD/00367398.9 has a channel thereon which receives therein at least a part of the boss so as to retain the backframe in the substantially upright position.

24. A frame according to claim 23, wherein the channel is of sufficient length to enable the boss to move relative thereto when the frame is moved from the operating position to the collapsed position.

A frame according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the channel is shaped such that if the boss is engaged in the channel when the frame is moved from the operating position to the collapsed position, the boss will stay engaged in the channel during such movement and during subsequent movement of the frame to the operating position.

26. A frame according to any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein the lower end of the arm is forced into engagement with the latch when normal operating forces are applied to the handle.

27. A frame according to any one of claims 14 to 26, wherein the handle is adjustable in angle relative to the arm.

:28. A frame according to any one of claims 14 to 27, wherein the handle pivots forwardly relative to the front leg when moving from the operating position to the collapsed position.

29. A frame according to any one of claims 14 to 28, further including a substantially triangular mount on the arm to which is pivotally mounted the rear upper end so as to comprise the rear leg pivot point; and having the support arm pivotally attached thereto.

A frame according to claim 29, wherein the rear leg pivot point is at a first corner of the triangular mount and the pivotal attachment of the support arm it is as a second corner of the triangular mount.

31. A stroller fitted with the frame as claimed in any one of the preceding CD/00367398.9 21 claims.

32. A frame for a stroller substantially as herein described with reference to, or with reference to and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings. IGC (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD By their Registered Patent Attorneys Freehills Patent Attorneys 3 February 2000 OGG. 0 O GG 0.0* 0000 S C C S. C. S 4.5. S.. a..