GB2413534A

GB2413534A - Wheeled carrier for urban or rough terrain use

Info

Publication number: GB2413534A
Application number: GB0409336A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cathrine Louise Walsh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-27
Filing date: 2004-04-27
Publication date: 2005-11-02
Also published as: GB0409336D0

Abstract

The carrier has a main frame 1 provided with a handle 7 and a pair of ground wheels 12, 13 and can be supported in a raked position by an A-frame 3 with a jockey wheel 42. A seat frame 2 is pivoted to the side members 5 and 6 to support a seat 27 formed of fabric material, having a seat bottom 29 and a seat back 28 spanning the main frame 1. Fabric side fillets 32 also connect the seat frame 2 to the main frame 1. The support frame 3 is pivoted to the side members to be movable between a stroller position and a raised all-terrain position (figure 5) in which the support frame is clear of the ground allowing the carrier to be pulled while supported on the ground wheels 12 and 13 alone. The seat frame 2 can also be raised and the ground wheels 12 and 13 removed for compact storage and transportation when not in use. The wheeled carrier typically provides an all-terrain stroller capable of being pulled along by means of a belt (56 figure 5) located about the waist or wrist of the person pulling the carrier.

Description

-1- 2413534 Cathrine Louise Walsh

WHEELED CARRIER

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a wheeled carrier which is capable of being used very effectively on rough and/or steeply inclined terrains, but which can also be used as a stroller to transport children or other items over relatively flat surfaces.

BACKGROUND

In the past, various transportation devices have been proposed which are adapted for carrying children or disabled people over rough terrains and obstacles during hiking or rambling. Examples of such devices are disclosed in GB 2 245 871 A and GB 2 263 257 A. In general however, whilst these devices are well adapted to use in rough terrains they are not very suitable for normal urban use, and consequently the market is rather limited. Similar objections arise in relation to other known forms of twowheeled carrier, which are not socially acceptable for general day-to-day use.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of wheeled carrier which is capable of being used in the manner of a conventional stroller but which is also suitable for use on more difficult - 2 P1164 terrains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a wheeled carrier having: - a main frame which includes a pair of side members with a handle at the upper end, the side members being provided with respective ground wheels at their lower ends, the main frame being raked in use to provide an upper side and a lower side; - a seat frame which is pivoted to the side members to project from the upper side of the support frame; - a seat, formed of fabric material, having a seat back spanning the side members and a seat bottom supported by the seat frame and - a wheeled support frame having an inner end which is pivoted to the side members to be movable between a stroller position projecting from the lower side of the support frame such that the carrier is free- standing and movable on the wheels of the main frame and the support frame, and an all-terrain position in which the support frame is stowed in a raised position clear of the ground allowing the carrier to be pulled while supported on the ground wheels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: - 3 P1164 Finure 1 is a general view of a wheeled carrier in accordance with the invention, shown in a conventional stroller configuration; Fiqure 2 is also a general view of the carrier as viewed from the opposite side; Fiqure 3 is a detailed general view of part of the carrier; Fiqure 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 but shown in an all- terrain configuration; Figure 5 is a general view of the carrier in the all- terrain configuration; Fiqure 6 is an outline drawing showing how the carrier may be used on rough, steeply inclined ground; Finure 7 is a general view of the carrier in a storage configuration; and Finure 8 is a side view of the carrier in the storage configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the carrier includes a main fame 1, a seat frame - 4 P1164 2 and a support frame 3, which may all be formed of lightweight metal tube connected by plastic mouldings. The main frame 1 is generally of inverted-U shape to provide a pair of parallel side members 5 and 6 joined by a curved handle 7. The handle 7 may be sheathed by a suitable friction grip material. A pair of straight cross members 8 and 9 bridge the side members 5 and 6 below the handle 7 for strengthening purposes. In its normal position of use, the main frame is raked to provide an upper side 10 and a lower side 11. The frame may be slightly arcuate, being concave on the lower side 11, as shown. The lower ends of the side members 5 and 6 may have telescopic extension pieces 5a and 6a, which may be held by a button-operated locking mechanism or similar means.

The bottom ends of the side members 5 and 6 are provided with respective ground wheels 12 and 13 which are removably mounted on aligned outwardlyprojecting stub axles 14 and 15 (see Fig. 7) using quick-release caps or the like. A towing attachment 18 is provided at the centre of the handle 7 (see below).

The seat frame 2 is also generally U-shaped, having opposed side bars and 21 joined by a cross bar 22. At the level of the lower cross member 9 the free inner ends of the side bars 20 and 21 are pivotally connected to the respective side members 5 and 6 using pivot mouldings 24 and 25. The seat frame 2 thus projects from the upper side 10 of the main frame. A seat 27 formed of flexible fabric material provides a seat back 28 spanning the side members 5 and 6 and a seat bottom 29 spanning the side bars 20 and 21 of the seat frame 2. The upper margin of the seat back may be fixed to and supported by a curved header bar 30, which bridges the side members 5 and 6, projecting at a shallow angle above the upper surface 10. A pair of triangular side fillets 32 and 33 formed of similar fabric material are connected between the respective side bars 20 and 21 and the side members 5 and 6. The seat frame 2 P1164 may be held in its lowermost position by a pair of pivoted links extending along the top margins of the side fillets, or by mutual abutment surfaces of the side bars and the brackets 24 and 25, for example. For storage purposes the fillets can be folded so that the seat frame can be hinged upwards to lie within the main frame 1, as shown in Fig.s 7 and 8. A pair of loops 34 and 35, formed of fabric or other flexible material, are suspended from the cross section 22 to form foot rests. A rigid retractable foot rest could also be used if desired.

The support frame 3 is A-shaped, having a pair of mutually inclined limbs 36 and 37 connected together at their lower ends and joined part-way along their length by a bracing bar 38. The free inner ends of the limbs 36 and 37 are pivotally joined to the side members 5 and 6, in a manner described below, between the seat frame 2 and the upper cross member 8. In the stroller configuration the support frame projects from the lower side of the main frame 1 and is downwardly-inclined with a slightly concave underside in side view. The lower ends of the limbs 36 and 37 are joined to a substantially vertical cylindrical housing 40 which swivellably receives a support arm 41 for a jockey wheel 42. The carrier is thus free-standing and movable on the ground wheels 12 and 13 and jockey wheel 42 such that it can be pushed and manoeuvred on relatively flat ground which is common un urban areas, in the manner of a conventional urban three-wheel stroller.

Referring to Fig.s 3 and 4, the upper ends of the A-frame limbs 36 and 37 are each provided with a short transversely-projecting pivot arm 48 which is received in a slotted pivot moulding 49 mounted on the respective arm 5 or 6. The pivot arm has a pivotal connection 50 with the upper end of the moulding, and a sleeve 51, slidably mounted about the moulding 49, retains the respective pivot arm within the moulding to fix the - 6 P1164 support frame 3 in the stroller position (Fig. 3). However, if the sleeves 51 are slid clear of the pivot arms 48, as shown in Fig. 4, the support frame can be pivoted upwardly to lie within the main frame 1, thereby converting the carrier to an all-terrain configuration, shown in Fig. 5. The support frame may be retained in this position by any suitable means, such as a resilient clip (not shown) on the upper cross member 8.

In the all-terrain configuration the handle 7 may be used to pull the carrier opposite to the normal direction of travel in the stroller configuration, making it possible to easily move the carrier over rough or sloping ground in addition to flat level ground. However, comfortable long-term hands- free use may be provided by a belt 56 which may be affixed around the waist of an adult using pads of hook and loop material 57, 58, a snap-fit connector or the like. The belt carries an upwardly-directed hook 59 which may be positioned to the rear of the wearer, allowing the towing attachment 18 to be pivotably connected with the belt in the manner of a universal joint. Alternatively, a shorter form of the belt could function as a wrist strap. The carrier can thus be used to safely and easily transfer a small child or other load over rough and/or steeply inclined terrain, as illustrated in Fig. 6. The use of the jockey wheel 42 is not, of course, precluded on rough terrains, and the A-frame may be lowered to support the weight of the occupant during extended periods of use, for example.

The seat may, of course, be provided with a conventional five-point safety harness to securing a child in use. The seat back could also have a rear storage pocket. A hood or cover may also be provided to protect the child in wet weather or protect him/her from exposure to the sun.

When the carrier is not in use, the seat frame and support frame can be pivoted towards the main frame as shown in Fig.s 7 and 8 so that the - 7 P1164 carrier is in a very compact configuration for storage or transportation.

The size of the carrier may be further reduced by removing the ground wheels 12 and 13 (see Fig. 7). Alternatively, the wheel mountings may be adapted to allow the ground wheels to be rotated parallel to the main frame 1. The telescopic extensions 5a and 6a (if provided) allow the ride height of the seat to be adjusted.

Since the carrier is easily converted between a conventional stroller configuration, a rough-terrain configuration and a storage configuration it can easily be carried in a vehicle, back pack or ruck sack and is equally suitable for use on any kind or surface.

The three wheels could be replaced by ski-like runners for use on frozen surfaces.

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

* * * * * * * * - 8 P1164

Claims

1. A wheeled carrier having: - a main frame which includes a pair of side members with a handle at the upper end, the side members being provided with respective ground wheels at their lower ends, the main frame being raked in use to provide an upper side and a lower side; - a seat frame which is pivoted to the side members to project from the upper side of the support frame; - a seat, formed of fabric material, having a seat back spanning the side members and a seat bottom supported by the seat frame and - a wheeled support frame having an inner end which is pivoted to the side members to be movable between a stroller position projecting from the lower side of the support frame such that the carrier is free- standing and movable on the wheels of the main frame and the support frame, and an all-terrain position in which the support frame is stowed in a raised position clear of the ground allowing the carrier to be pulled while supported on the ground wheels.

2. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 1, in which the ground wheels are mounted on respective stub axles to rotate about a common axis.

3. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 1 or 2, in which round wheels can be removed from the main frame for storage.

4. A wheeled carrier according to any preceding claim, in which the main frame is arcuate in side view. - 9 - P1164

5. A wheeled carrier according to any preceding claim, in which the support frame has a single wheel.

6. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 5, in which the support frame has a jockey wheel which, when the carrier is movable on the wheels of the main frame and the support frame, is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis.

7. A wheeled carrier according to any preceding claim, in which the support frame has a pair of mutually inclined side limbs which are pivotally connected with the side members at their upper ends and are joined together at their lower ends.

8. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 7, in which the side limbs are connected by a bracing bar.

9. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 7 or 8, in which the upper ends of the side limbs have transversely-projecting pivot arms which are pivotally connected to the side members, and retaining means are provided to hold the pivot arms relative to the side members and retain the support frame in the stroller position.

10. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 9, in which the retaining means comprise sliders which can be moved along the side members.

11. A wheeled carrier according to any preceding claim, in which an upper end of the seat back is joined to a curved header bar which extends between the side members. - 10 P1164

12. A wheeled carrier according to any preceding claim, in which the seat frame comprises a pair of side bars joined by a cross bar.

13. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 12, in which the side bars are joined to the side members of the main frame by respective side elements which determine the lowered position of the seat frame.

14. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 12 or 13, in which the side bars are joined to the side members of the main frame by fillets of flexible fabric material.

15. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 14, in which the fillets are substantially triangular.

16. A wheeled carrier according to any of Claims 12 to 15, in which foot support means is suspended from the cross bar.

17. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 16, in which the foot support means comprises a pair of flexible loops.

18. A wheeled carrier according to any preceding claim, including means adapted to be worn by a walker and which is arranged to be connected to the handle by a universal-type joint.

19. A wheeled carrier which is substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

* * * * * * * *