AU783630B2

AU783630B2 - Securing a bassinet to a stroller

Info

Publication number: AU783630B2
Application number: AU10003/02A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Andrew Lumley; Wieslaw Maciejczyk
Original assignee: Britax Childcare Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Britax Childcare Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-01-17
Filing date: 2002-01-03
Publication date: 2005-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-03
Also published as: AU1000302A

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Cl* Name of Applicant: Britaxld-- are Products Pty Ltd T Actual Inventors: Michael Andrew Lumley and Wieslaw Maciejczyk Address for Service: MADDERNS, 1st Floor, 64 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Invention title: SECURING A BASSINET TO A STROLLER Details of Associated Provisional Application No: PR 2560 dated 17 t h January 2001.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us.

Adrs fo Sevc: C-MDEN,1tFlo,6 idas*qae Adlie Sot Autai, utai Ineto tile EURN A ASNTTOASRLE Deal ofAscae rvsoa plcto o R26 ae 7 aur 01 I PalAU131 TITLE SECURING A BASSINET TO A STROLLER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the securing of a bassinet to a stroller or pushchair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Bassinets are used to transport infants in motor vehicles to provide security and safety for the infant but when the infant is to be removed from the motor vehicle it is convenient that the infant remain in the bassinet rather than be transferred to a pushchair or the like. It is preferable that the bassinet can be safely carried in a Spushchair.

o*o.

It is the object of this invention to provide a system by which a bassinet can be supported and securely retained within a pushchair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION e• In one form therefore although this may not necessarily be the only or broadest form, the invention is said to reside in a stroller adapted for retaining a bassinet for transport of the bassinet thereby, the stroller having a releasable retaining arrangement to retain the bassinet therein, the releasable retaining arrangement including a first catch means on the stroller and the bassinet having a second catch means, wherein the first and second catch means are inter-engagable to provide the releasable retaining arrangement.

In one embodiment the first catch means is on a strap fixed to the stroller and the second catch means is on a strap fixed to the bassinet. Conveniently therefore the first and second catch means are on straps which can be connected together to secure the bassinet into the stroller.

Alternatively the second catch means may be a part of or be affixed to the bassinet and the first catch means is on a strap joined to the stroller. Alternatively the first catch means may be fixed to the stroller and the second catch means may be on a strap fixed to the bassinet.

One or the other or both of the strap means may be elasticised so that the bassinet is retained in the stroller with a degree of elastic tension.

The first catch means on the stroller may be fastened to a portion of the frame of the stroller or may be fastened onto a fabric cover of the stroller.

The first and second catch means may together be provided by a buckle arrangement such as an inter-engagable plug and socket type buckle arrangement.

o* There may be provided on one or the other or both of the strap means, means to adjust the length or tension of the strap means.

Preferably there are first and second catch means on both sides of the stroller and bassinet to provide secure retention of the bassinet in the stroller.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the stroller is of a type having side arms 20 and a restraint bar arching around the front of the stroller and with the side arms of the stroller and the restraint bar lateral stability is provided for the bassinet but the S means to retain the bassinet in the stroller of the present invention provides the extra security necessary for transport of an infant.

In an alternative form the invention is said to reside in a pushchair and bassinet assembly including means to retain the bassinet in the pushchair, the means to retain the bassinet in the pushchair including a strap assembly extending between part of the pushchair and the bassinet, the strap assembly including a releasable catch means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the strap assembly is as least partially elasticised.

The part of the pushchair to which the strap assembly is fastened may be part of the frame of the pushchair or alternatively it may be part of a cover of the pushchair.

The strap may be fastened to the bassinet with a rivet or a bolt or other convenient fastening means.

The portion of the releasable catch means on the bassinet may be formed integrally with the bassinet and this may provide means on the bassinet to release the catch means.

The releasable catch means may be a buckle such as an inter-engagable plug and o* socket type buckle.

oo i There may be provided means associated with the strap assembly for adjusting the length of the strap assembly.

Preferably there is a strap assembly for each side of the bassinet.

This then generally describes the invention but to assist with understanding reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIlON OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a combination bassinet and stroller with a retaining arrangement of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of combination stroller and bassinet; Figure 3 shows a still further embodiment of stroller and bassinet with a retaining arrangement of the present invention; Figure 4 shows one method by which the strap assembly can be fastened to a stroller and one embodiment of catch means; Figure 5 shows one method by which the strap assembly can be fastened to a bassinet and an associated catch means.

Figure 6 shows an integral catch means on a bassinet; and Figure 7 shows a strap assembly on a pushchair and an associated catch means.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Now looking more closely at the drawings and in particular Figure 1 it will be seen that the stroller or pushchair 1 has a frame 2, a push handle 3 and wheels 4. The stroller includes side arms 6 and a forward arched restraint bar 7. A fabric seat *o arrangement 5 for an infant is supported by the frame 2 and side arms 6. Within the side arms 6 and behind the forward restraint bar 7 a bassinet 8 is received into the pusher. The strap arrangement 10 of the present invention arrangement generally retains the bassinet 8 within the stroller 1.

In this embodiment the strap arrangement 10 includes a first strap portion 11 mounted by means of bolt 12 to the bassinet 8. A second strap portion 14 is mounted to frame member 15 by rivet 16. The first strap portion 11 and second strap portion are joined by means of a buckle arrangement 17.

In the second embodiment shown in Figure 2 the similar components have the same reference numerals as in Figure 1. In this arrangement the strap arrangement 20 has a buckle 21 mounted to the bassinet 8 and a strap assembly 22 mounted to the frame member 15 by means of a rivet 16 with a buckle portion 23 at the end of the strap 22.

The buckle portion 23 fits into the buckle portion 21 on the bassinet to thereby retain the bassinet into the stroller.

In Figure 3 an alternative embodiment is shown. Similar components have the same reference numeral as Figure 1. In this embodiment a buckle portion 25 is mounted to the frame member 15 and a strap 26 is mounted by means of bolt 27 to the bassinet 8.

A buckle portion 29 on the strap 26 fits into the buckle 25 on the frame to hold the bassinet in place.

Figure 4 shows a detail of one method of mounting a strap assembly onto the stroller.

In this arrangement a frame member 30 of the stroller has a fabric covering 31 mounted to it. A mounting ring 32 is joined to the fabric 31 by means of sewn tab 33 and a strap 34 is also mounted to the mounting ring 32. A plug portion 36 of a buckle mounted to the other end of the strap 34.

As can be seen in Figure 5 the other part of the strap assembly to that shown in Figure 4 is mounted to a bassinet 8. A mounting bracket 40 is fixed by means of a bolt 41 onto the side of the bassinet 8. Onto the bracket 40 is fixed a mounting ring 42 and a strap 43 is fixed to the mounting ring 42. A plug portion 44 of a buckle arrangement is fixed to the other end of the strap 43 and this plug portion includes means to adjust the effective length of the strap 43.

To retain the bassinet within the stroller the bassinet is placed into the stroller and then the plug portion 44 of the retaining arrangement is connected to the socket portion 36 on the stroller and then the tension adjusted by pulling on the tail 45 of the 20 strap 43.

In Figure 6 an alternative embodiment of bassinet 50 is shown with an integral catch means which is a socket 52 under a flange 54 on the side of the bassinet. Finger apertures 55 are provided in the flange 54 to enable access to the catch to release the catch. Other forms of catch engagement and release may also be used.

As can be seen in Figure 7 the other part of the catch arrangement for this embodiment is mounted to a pushchair. In this arrangement a frame member 30 of the pushchair has a fabric covering 31 mounted to it. A mounting ring 32 is joined to the fabric 31 by means of sewn tab 33 and a strap 34 is also mounted to the mounting ring 32. A plug portion 58 of a buckle is mounted to the other end of the strap 34 and the plug portion also includes length adjustment means 6 To retain the bassinet within the pushchair the bassinet is placed into the pushchair and then the plug portion 58 of the retaining arrangement is connected into the socket portion 52 on the bassinet and then tension in the strap is adjusted by pulling on the tail 62 of the strap 34.

Throughout this specification various indications have been given as to the scope of the invention but the invention is not limited to any one of these but may reside in two or more of these joined together. The examples are given for illustration only and not for limitation.

S.

Claims

1. A stroller and bassinet assembly adapted for retaining a bassinet for transport of the bassinet, in the stroller, the assembly having a releasable retaining arrangement to retain the bassinet in the stoller, the releasable retaining arrangement including a first catch means associated with the stroller and a second catch means associated with the bassinet, wherein the first and second catch means are inter- engagable and wherein at least one of the releasable retaining arrangement includes a strap means.

2. An assembly as in Claim I wherein the first catch means is on a strap fixed to the stroller and the second catch means is on a strap fixed to the bassinet, whereby the first and second catch means can be connected together to secure the bassinet into the stroller.

3. An assembly as in Claim 1 wherein the second catch means is a part of or S affixed to the bassinet and the first catch means is on a strap joined to the stroller.

4. An assembly as in Claim 1 wherein the first catch means is fixed to the stroller 20 and the second catch means is on a strap fixed to the bassinet. 0:000:

5. An assembly as in any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the or both of the strap S means are elasticised so that the bassinet is retained in the stroller with a degree of °oo elastic tension.

6. An assembly as in any one of Claims 2 to 5 further including means to adjust 00o°°0 the length or tension of the strap means on one or the other or both of the strap means.

7. An assembly as in Claim wherinn the first catch means on the stroller is fastened to a portion of the frame of the stroller or fastened onto a fabric cover of the stroller.

8. An assembly as in any one preceding claim wherein the first and second catch means are together provided by a buckle arrangement.

9. An assembly as in Claim 8 wherein the buckle arrangement includes an inter-engagable plug and socket type buckle arrangement.

An assembly as in any one preceding claim wherein the first and second catch means are provided on both sides of the stroller and bassinet to provide secure retention of the bassinet in the stroller.

11. An assembly as in Claim 3 wherein the second catch means on the bassinet is formed integrally with the bassinet and includes means to enable release of the catch means.

12. A stroller and bassinet assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying representations. S Dated this 31 st day of August 2005 20 Britax Childcare Products Pty Ltd By their Patent Attorneys MADDERNS eoee o• eo