GB2367488A - Supplementary child carrier for a pushchair - Google Patents

Abstract

A supplementary child carrier such as a child car seat 30 is mounted to a pushchair 10 by a framework 20 attached to the inclined handle shafts 14A, 14B. The framework has a pair of stays 23A,25A and 23B,25B on each side, one stay in each pair acting under tension and the other under compression, and side and cross tubes 21A,B 22A,B which extend between the stays and over the normal pushchair seat 12. The carrier 30 may be strapped to the framework. Stays 25A,B may be disconnectable to allow the framework to pivot and hang behind the handles when not in use and the cross tubes may be foldable to allow use with a folding pushchair and/or telescopic to accommodate differing pushchair widths.

Description

A device for supporting a baby carrier

The present invention relates to devices for supporting a baby carrier on a pushchair.

Many parents, with two children find there is a stage where both children needs to be transported e. g. in a pushchair. Often one child will be an infant of, say, between one and four years old, and the other will be a young baby of, say, less than 7 months old. A double pushchair is not always the solution as one child may be too young for this, or the expense cannot be justified. Other disadvantages of known tandem pushchairs, where one child is seated in front of the other, are that these are heavy to manoeuvre, particularly when having to mount a kerb. Similarly known pushchairs, where one child sits alongside the other, have a disadvantage of being too wide to negotiate many doorways, or between displays in shops.

United States patent US 5,676, 386 (Li-chu Chen Huang) is designed as a pushchair for an infant, that can be adapted to carry a baby in a car seat, but not both together.

United States patent US 4,753, 453 (Thomas G. Schillbach) is designed as an attachment for a pushchair to enable two infants to be carried, but is not suitable for carrying a young baby that cannot sit in an upright seat and to seat an older infant as well.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for supporting a baby carrier adapted to

fit a pushchair of the sort comprising at least a seat having a backrest for an infant and a pair of inclined frame shafts, one on each of two sides of the pushchair, the inclined frame shafts extending above and substantially behind the seat to provide a handle or handles with which the pushchair may be pushed, the device having two pairs of stays, one pair for each side frame shaft, each pair having a first stay arranged to act in tension and a second stay arranged to act in compression, each stay having a connecting means for connecting each stay separately to the frame shafts on their respective sides of the pushchair, wherein the first stay and second stay of each pair are connected together at a distance from their said connecting means, a framework connecting each pair of stays, the framework and stays being so arranged and structured to support the baby carrier, wherein in a first position the stays are arranged to extend in a forward direction from the inclined frame shafts, whereby an infant may continue to use the seat in a normal manner whilst a baby may be carried on the framework above the infant.

A benefit of the first aspect of the invention is that an existing pushchair may be utilised to carry a new baby, while still continuing to be used for its original purpose of transporting an infant safely.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a device for supporting a baby carrier and a pushchair of the sort comprising at least a seat having a backrest for an infant and a pair of inclined frame shafts, one on each of two sides of the pushchair, the inclined

frame shafts extending above and substantially behind the seat to provide a handle or handles with which the pushchair may be pushed, the device having two pairs of stays, one pair for each side frame shaft, each pair having a first stay arranged to act in tension and a second stay arranged to-act in compression, each stay having a connecting means for connecting each stay separately to the frame shafts on their respective sides of the pushchair, wherein the first stay and second stay of each pair are connected together at a distance from their said connecting means, a framework connecting each pair of stays, the framework and stays being so arranged and structured to support the baby carrier, wherein in a first position the stays are arranged to extend in a forward direction from the inclined frame shafts, whereby an infant may continue to use the seat in a normal manner whilst a baby may be carried on the framework above the infant.

A benefit of the second aspect of the invention is that a pushchair may be adapted to carry a new baby, while still continuing to be used for its original purpose of transporting an infant safely.

Preferably the centre of gravity of the device and pushchair is such that with a baby present in the baby carrier and an infant present in the pushchair seat the pushchair is stable when tilted up to an angle of 12 degrees from the vertical.

More preferably, the centre of gravity of the device and pushchair is such that with a baby present in the baby carrier and an infant is absent from the seat, the

pushchair is stable when tilted up to an angle of 12 degrees from the vertical.

A benefit of this is that the combined device and pushchair will be stable in normal use.

Preferably the device has the framework or platform above the pushchair seat when in the first attached position.

A benefit of the device having its frame or platform above the pushchair seat when in the first attached position is that the existing pushchair seat may continue to be used with no hindrance.

A benefit of the connection means releasably connecting the device frame or platform to the pushchair is that the device frame or platform can be removed when not in use.

Preferably the device is arranged to have a second attached position, and means for releasing one of the stays from each frame shaft, so that the framework may pivot and hang behind the seat.

An advantage of this is that when it is not required, the device may be moved to a second position, so that a person pushing the pushchair may easily see an infant seated in the pushchair.

Preferably the device is arranged so that the support is arranged to receive and detachably retain the baby carrier.

More preferably the baby carrier comprises a child car seat.

A benefit of this is that a baby carrier, such as a commercially available child car seat may be attached to a pushchair having a pushchair seat comprising: a) a frame or platform b) connection means to connect the frame or platform to the pushchair, and c) securement means to secure a child car seat to the frame or platform, so that a baby may be carried on the pushchair without restricting the use of the pushchair seat by an infant.

The pushchair may be of the folding type and preferably the device frame or platform is arranged to allow the pushchair to be folded without removal of the frame or platform.

Preferably the framework is arranged so that a width of the pushchair across said sides may be reduced when the pushchair is folded.

A benefit of this is that when the device is mounted to a pushchair that is arranged so that a width of the pushchair is reduced when it is folded, and hence the combined device and pushchair may be folded into a smaller space.

Preferably, the framework is arranged to latch in the unfolded state.

A benefit of this is that the stability of the device may be improved. A further benefit is that the security of the

attachment of a baby carrier to the device and the framework is improved.

Preferably the framework is arranged so that a width of the device may be adjusted to suit a width of a pushchair to which it is to be fitted.

An advantage of this is that the device may be easily adapted by a user to suit a range of existing pushchairs.

An advantage of the invention is that it overcomes the disadvantages of the known arrangements by providing a device for supporting a child car seat on a pushchair thus allowing the eldest child to sit in a pushchair with the younger child also on the same pushchair in a car seat.

The platform or frame may be formed from a rectangular frame with four arms extending therefrom for securement to the pushchair. Two of the arms may be pivoted to the frame.

The securement means may be straps to engage with seat belt slots on the car seat. Alternatively the securement means may be a pair of projections with U-shaped slots which each engage with a shaft forming the pivotal axis of a handle of the baby carrier or car seat.

Preferably the baby carrier is arranged to face towards or away from a person pushing the pushchair.

Preferably the device is arranged to be detachable from the pushchair.

A benefit of this is that the pushchair may be used without the device present, on occasions when only one child is to be transported.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention mounted on the upper part of a foldable pushchair.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, with the device in a second attached position, such that it is disposed behind the seat; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a part of an alternative embodiment similar to that shown in Figure 1 but with a level joint and latch arrangement; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of a fifth embodiment of the invention; Figure 5A is an enlarged plan view of a part of Figure 5; Figure 5B is a perspective view of a latch for use in Figure 5 and 5A ; and

Figure 5C is a side view of the latch shown in Figure 5B.

Referring to-Figure 1 there is shown a foldable pushchair 10 of a type well known in the art. Pushchair 10 has four pairs of wheels 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D (11D not visible), a seat 12, handles 13A, 13B at the end of pushchair main shafts 14A, 14B. A footrest 33 is hingedly connected to shafts 14A and 14B in front of the seat 12 and has a hinge

34 to allow the pushchair to be folded to reduce its width 1W.

In accordance with the present invention a device 20 is provided for supporting a baby carrier such as a child car seat 30 to the pushchair. Device 20 has a generally rectangular frame or platform formed from two side tubes 21A, 21B linked by two cross tubes 22A, 22B. The ends of side tubes 21A, 21B form two first stays or arms 23A, 23B to secure the frame to the main shafts 14A, 14B of the pushchair. Arms 23A, 23B are secured to the main shafts 14A, 14B by releasable clamps 24A, 24B. Two second stays or further arms 25A, 25B are pivoted to the frame side tubes 21A, 21B and also secure the frame to the main shafts 14A, 14B. Arms 25A, 25B are secured to the main shafts 14A, 14B by releasable clamps 26A, 26B.

The first stays or arms 23A and 23B are generally in tension when a load such as the car seat is in place, and the second stays or further arms 25A and 25B are generally

in compression. The stays 23A and 25A are one pair of stays, and the stays 23B and 25B are another pair of stays. Cross tubes 22A and 22B are hingedly connected to the two side tubes 21A and 21B, and provided with a hinged connection 35A and 35B which is formed at the ends of link 36, and form a framework 37. Framework 37 may be folded by moving link 36 in the direction of arrow 1M.

The device 20 is attached to the pushchair 10 above the pushchair seat 12. The pivoting arms 25A, 25B allow the device 20 to be mounted on the pushchair generally horizontal regardless of the angle of the main shafts 14A, 14B. The device 20 can thus be attached to different types of pushchairs with different angles of shafts leading to the handles. The cross tubes may be telescopic to accommodate pushchairs of different widths. Arms 23A, 23B and 25A, 25B thus form the connection means. Device 20 can be removed when not required by releasing clamps 24A, 24B and 26A, 26B.

The device 20 is arranged to be fitted to the main shafts of the pushchair frame, so that in a first position the stays extend in a forward direction above the seat 12, so that when an infant is sitting in the seat there is adequate clearance above the infant's head so that the infant may continue to climb in to and out of and sit in the seat unaided in a normal manner.

For accommodating an older infant, on some pushchairs, said clearance when the infant is seated, may be increased by reclining the backrest 12A of the seat 12.

In the first position the device 20 is arranged to support a load above the seat 12, such that when the load, for example a baby in a baby carrier, is applied to the device in the manner described herein, the stability of the pushchair is maintained in normal use.

A child car seat 30 can be placed on the frame of device 20 and secured thereto by securement means in the form of a pair of straps 27,28 secured to side tubes 21A, 21B.

Straps 27 can thread through the T-shaped slots 31A, 31B on the side walls of seat 30 which normally accommodate a car seat belt. Similarly strap 28 can thread through the Tshaped slot 32 at the back of seat 30 which also normally accommodates a car seat belt. Straps 27,28 can be tensioned and secured by D-ring buckles 27A, 28A. Seat 30 can be forward or rear facing as desired.

Ideally the device 20 allows the pushchair to be folded without removal of the frame.

In use the car seat 30 would normally be removed prior to folding as it would be required for carrying the baby.

Where a length 1L of the stays is less than a length 2L as shown in Figure 2, the device 20 may normally be folded forwards and downwards into the seat 12 as the pushchair is folded. However, where either the length 1L is greater than the length 2L, or the construction of the pushchair does not permit folding in this manner, the device may be placed in a second attached position as shown in Figure 2 prior to folding the pushchair. To place the device in the

second position, the stays or arms 25A and 25B are released from the clamps 26A and 26B, so that the device may be rotated in the direction of arrow A. When the pushchair 10 is in use with only one child, an infant who is old enough to use the seat 12, the device may be placed in the second attached position so that it does not obstruct the view of the child by a person pushing the pushchair. The straps 27 and 28 may be used to retain the device in the second position, as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively a pair of clips 40 and 41 (not visible) may be provided.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example the frame or platform could be the two side tubes 21A, 21B with the framework provided by a flexible strap. The securement means may be other than straps, e. g. a pair of projections with U-shaped slots extending up from the side tubes which each engage with a shaft forming the pivotal axis of the handle of the car seat.

Where a particular baby carrier is not suitable for the use of straps placed across the carrier, the straps may be used to securely retain the carrier in an alternative manner, for example the straps may be passed through a handle or handles of the baby carrier.

The device of the invention may be made of any suitable materials or combinations thereof, such as metal and plastics.

A further benefit of the invention is that the car seat can be taken directly from the car and put on a pushchair, without disturbing the child in the car seat.

From Figure 3 which is an enlarged view of a part of an alternative embodiment similar to that shown in Figure 1, but with a level joint and latch arrangement 50 for the

framework. From Figure 3 may be seen side tubes 21A'and 21B'and a cross tube 22A'that correspond to side tubes 21A and 21B and cross tube 22A of Figure 1. The cross tube 22A'is formed in two tube parts 52 and 53, each hingedly connected to the side tubes at 54 and 55 respectively, and each tube part is hingedly connected to link 36'at 56 and 57. Link 36'has depending latches 58 and 59 formed on each side, to engage against sides of the tube parts 52 and 53 preventing them from folding inadvertently. To fold the framework, the tube parts 52 and 53 must each be pushed down in the direction of arrow D against springs 60 and 61 of hinges 56 and 57 while supporting link 36', which can then be moved in the direction of arrow 3M. , and hence the side tubes move towards each other in the direction of arrows X and Y. Hence the framework is enabled to both fold when required and also to resist folding when straps such as those shown in Figure 1 are tightened.

The tube parts 52 and 53 are provided with joggles 62 and 63 and 64 and 65 at their ends, such that a top surface 36S of the link and a top surface 21S of the tubes and a top surface of the tube parts 22S are level. Hence the framework and side tubes form a level platform to receive a load.

A further benefit of the invention is that when the device is not required for carrying a baby carrier, the framework provides a suitable platform for placing a load such as a box of shopping.

Preferably such a load has a maximum weight of no more than 15 kg.

Commercially available car seats that are suitable for use with the device are preferably those intended for young babies up to the age of 7 months, or a maximum weight of 9 kg. Preferably the car seats are provided with restraints to securely hold the baby within the car seat, and are provided with cushioning material to support the baby.

From Figure 4 a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention two first stays 401 and 402 and two second stays 403 and 404 are shown, connected by a framework 405.

The framework comprises a link 406, and cross bars 407, 408,409 and 410, the cross bars being pivotally connected to the first stays. A latch 411 is provided which latches the framework in the state shown in the Figure 4. To fold the framework, the latch is released by pressing on angled face 412 to disengage locating pin from the bar 410. The framework may now be folded by pivoting it in the direction of arrow 4A.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of a fifth embodiment of the invention and shows two first stays 501 and 502 and two second stays 503 and 504 are shown, connected by a

framework 505. The framework comprises a link 506, and cross bars 507, 508, 509 and 510, the cross bars being pivotally connected to the first stays.

Figure 5A is an enlarged plan view of a part of Figure 5 that is shown-encircled, and shows clearly a latch 511 with angled face 512 and locating pin 513. Cross bars 509 and 510 are pivoted at 515 and 516 respectively. The latch is retained to the link 506 by rivet 517. In operation this embodiment is similar to that described with reference to Figure 4.

Figure 5B is a perspective view of the latch 511 and shows angled face 512 and locating pin 513 and a hole 514 to receive the fixing rivet 517.

Figure 5C is a side view of the latch 511 and shows angled face 512 and locating pin 513 and a hole 514 to receive the fixing rivet 517.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. A device for supporting a baby carrier adapted to fit a pushchair of the sort comprising at least a seat having a backrest for an infant and a pair of inclined frame shafts, one on each-of two sides of the pushchair, the inclined frame shafts extending above and substantially behind the seat to provide a handle or handles with which the pushchair may be pushed, the device having two pairs of stays, one pair for each side frame shaft, each pair having a first stay arranged to act in tension and a second stay arranged to act in compression, each stay having a connecting means for connecting each stay separately to the frame shafts on their respective sides of the pushchair, wherein the first stay and second stay of each pair are connected together at a distance from their said connecting means, a framework connecting each pair of stays, the framework and stays being so arranged and structured to support the baby carrier, wherein in a first position the stays are arranged to extend in a forward direction from the inclined frame shafts, whereby an infant may continue to use the seat in a normal manner whilst a baby may be carried on the framework above the infant.

2. A device for supporting a baby carrier and a pushchair of the sort comprising at least a seat having a backrest for an infant and a pair of inclined frame shafts, one on each of two sides of the pushchair, the inclined frame shafts extending above and substantially behind the seat to provide a handle or handles with which the pushchair may be pushed, the device having two pairs of stays, one pair for each side frame shaft, each pair having a first stay

arranged to act in tension and a second stay arranged to act in compression, each stay having a connecting means for connecting each stay separately to the frame shafts on their respective sides of the pushchair, wherein the first stay and second stay of each pair are connected together at a distance from their said connecting means, a framework connecting each pair of stays, the framework and stays being so arranged and structured to support the baby carrier, wherein in a first position the stays are arranged to extend in a forward direction from the inclined frame shafts, whereby an infant may continue to use the seat in a normal manner whilst a baby may be carried on the framework above the infant.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the centre of gravity of the device and pushchair is such that with a baby present in the baby carrier and an infant is absent from the seat, the pushchair is stable when tilted up to an angle of 12 degrees from the vertical.

4. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device is arranged to have a second attached position and means for releasing one of the stays from each frame shaft, so that the framework may pivot and hang behind the seat.

5. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the baby carrier is arranged to face towards or away from a person pushing the pushchair.

6. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the baby carrier is provided with slots to receive a car

seat belt, and wherein the baby carrier is retained by means of a strap that is arranged to be received by the slots.

7. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the baby carrier is provided with a handle for carrying, and wherein the baby carrier is retained by means of a releasable retention means that is arranged to co-operate with the handle.

8. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the framework is arranged so that a width of the pushchair across said sides may be reduced when the pushchair is folded.

9. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is arranged to be detachable from the pushchair.

10. A device for a pushchair substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A pushchair having a device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.