GB2426960A

GB2426960A - Pushchair safety apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2426960A
Application number: GB0521486A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tony Michael Pope
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-09
Filing date: 2005-10-24
Publication date: 2006-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2025-10-24
Also published as: GB2426960B; GB0521486D0; GB2426959A; GB0511734D0

Abstract

Safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a pushchair. The pushchair includes a seat, a frame and a plurality of wheels, the frame is mounted on the wheels and the seat is mounted on and supported by the frame. The pushchair also has first and second opposing sides and the safety apparatus comprises at least one panel suitable for mounting on the first side of the pushchair. The panel extends substantially parallel with the first side of the pushchair such that, in use, at least the head and/or upper body of the occupant of the pushchair is protected. The apparatus may also include a tray and/or toys for the child's amusement.

Description

-I-

Safety Apparatus

BACKGROUND

a. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to safety apparatus, in particular to safety apparatus for protecting a baby or child in a pushchair or buggy.

b. Related Art Pushchairs (or buggies) are used for transporting babies or small children. They traditionally comprise a seat or chair mounted on a frame, the frame having a plurality of wheels. The chair or seat is typically mounted on the frame such that when the baby or child is seated in the seat, it is facing forwards.

It is known to provide various types of sun and rain guards to protect the occupant of the pushchair however these guards do not protect the occupant from dogs, stones or other debris thrown up from passing vehicles or from contact with hands, cigarettes or bags. Some known types of rain guards may protect against some of these problems but these rain guards are unsuitable for use in warmer weather as they retain the heat. In addition, it is known to use adjustable wind guards which may also protect the occupant of a pushchair from some of these dangers however these wind guards substantially enclose the occupant from the front and sides which can lead the occupant to feel claustrophobic.

It is an object of the present invention to provide safety apparatus for a pushchair that addresses some of the above issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a pushchair, P4831 vi October 2005 the pushchair comprising a seat, a frame and a plurality of wheels, the frame being mounted on the wheels, the seat being mounted on and supported by the frame and the pushchair having first and second opposing sides, the safety apparatus comprising at least one panel suitable for mounting on the first side of the pushchair, wherein the panel extends substantially parallel with the first side of the pushchair such that, in use, at least the head and/or upper body of the occupant of the pushchair is protected By providing a panel for mounting on a side of the pushchair, the occupant is shielded from any incoming objects from that side of the pushchair; for example, stones, cigarettes or dogs. It is intended that the panel should be mountable on either side of the chair and can be moved from side to side as required. For example, if there is a road on the right hand side of the pushchair, it may be preferable to mount the panel on this side to protect the occupant from debris flicked up by passing vehicles. In addition, whilst shielding the occupant from incoming objects, the safety apparatus does not enclose the occupant of the pushchair at the front which may upset the occupant or obstruct its view. It should be understood that the term, "pushchair" is used to mean any kind of apparatus including buggies, pushchairs or strollers, in which a baby or child may be placed in a seated position and which is used to transport the child. Preferably, the term, "panel" is intended to refer to any substantially planar board or panel which is suitable for the purpose in question.

The safety apparatus may further include a second panel suitable for mounting on the second opposing side of the pushchair and extending parallel with the second side of the pushchair. This ensures that both sides of the pushchair are protected at all times and that the panels do not therefore need to be moved when in use.

It is preferred that the safety apparatus will be removably mounted on the pushchair such that the safety apparatus can be removed from the pushchair when the pushchair is not in use. This may make it easier to transport both the pushchair and safety apparatus. It should however be understood that the safety P4831 vi October 2005 apparatus may alternatively be arranged such that it can remain mounted on the pushchair when the pushchair is folded up for transport and/or storage.

It is preferred that the or both panels are mounted on the frame of the pushchair as this is typically the strongest part of the pushchair. The frame is therefore likely to be the most secure location to support the safety apparatus. Alternatively, at least part of the safety apparatus may be mounted on the seat of the pushchair or, if the pushchair has a tray, at least part of the safety apparatus may be mounted on the tray of the pushchair.

It is preferred that the panels mounted on opposing sides of the pushchair are connected by a supporting member and that, in use, the supporting member is positioned substantially perpendicular to the panels. The supporting member may be any form of component which links the two panels and supports them. The supporting member strengthens the safety apparatus against attack from the sides and also provides some protection from the front of the pushchair. It is preferred that the supporting member should not substantially obscure the view of the occupant.

It is preferred that the panels are hingedly connected to the supporting member such that the safety apparatus can be folded when not in use such that the panel or panels lie substantially parallel to the supporting member. This ensures that the safety apparatus can more easily be transported and/or stored when not in use.

Preferably, when the safety apparatus comprises a supporting member, the panels are mounted on the pushchair via the supporting member. The supporting member may be mounted on the frame of the pushchair, or on a tray of the pushchair if one is present or even on the seat of the pushchair. When this is the case, it is preferred that the panels will include attachment means for attaching at least a portion of the panels to the frame of the pushchair. The attachment means may be any kind of clip, mechanical or magnetic, which allow the panels to be secured to the frame of the pushchair. Due to the hinge between the panels and P483 lvi October 2005 the supporting member, the panels can be opened like a door by detaching the attachment means from the frame of the pushchair. This allows easier access to the occupant of the pushchair without having to remove the safety apparatus from the chair. Preferably, the panel or panels will be shaped to substantially fit the contours of the pushchair. At least a portion of the panel or panels may be arranged such that they overlap the frame of the pushchair thus substantially preventing the panels being pushed in towards the occupant of the chair if the pushchair is subject to attack from the side. When the safety apparatus has no supporting member and the apparatus consists of one or more panels attached to the side of the pushchair, the panel or panels may include some form of supporting frame to assist their stability. The panel or panels may attach directly to the frame of the pushchair or via such a supporting frame.

Preferably, the safety apparatus will include one or more toys for the occupant of the pushchair to play with. These may be strung across the gap between the two panels in front of the occupant or hung from the supporting member.

Preferably, the panel or panels will be substantially rigid so that they can adequately protect the occupant of the pushchair from physical attack from larger items e.g. dogs or larger, heavier, flying objects. It is also preferred that the panel or panels are substantially transparent such that the occupant can see out of the side or sides of the pushchair.

The panel or panels may be formed of a plastics material as this is cheap to manufacture. It is preferred that the panel or panels are formed of polymethyl methacrylate or PerspexTM as this is both substantially rigid and transparent and is therefore capable of providing the desired features as discussed above.

According to the invention there is further provided a pushchair including safety apparatus having the features as set out in the claims.

P483 lvi October 2005

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows safety apparatus according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a pushchair including safety apparatus; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the safety apparatus; and Figure 3 shows a view from the front of the safety apparatus with additional toys.

Figure 1 shows a pushchair 6 having a frame 7, a seat 8, wheels 9, a tray 10 and a handle 13. The seat 8 of the pushchair 6 is mounted on the frame 7 and the frame 7 is mounted on the wheels 9. The pushchair 6 contains an occupant 12 and the tray 10 is mounted on the frame 7 and passes in front of the occupant 12 in the seat 8. The pushchair 6 may be pushed along by a user via the handle 13 which is attached to the frame 7.

Figure 1 further shows safety apparatus 11 including two side panels I and a supporting member 4. The two side panels 1 are mounted on either side of the pushchair 6 and are linked by the supporting member 4 which passes in front of the occupant 12 in the pushchair 6 and supports the panels 1 at a front of the pushchair 6.

Figure 2 shows that the supporting member 4 has a central portion 16 and two side portions 17. Figure 1 shows that, in use, the central portion 16 of the supporting member 4 is parallel with and raised from the tray 10 of the pushchair P4831v1 October 2005 6. The two side portions 17 of the supporting member 4 curve down from the central portion 16 and are perpendicular to both the tray 10 and the central portion 16. The supporting member 4 may be any rod or bar capable of supporting the two side panels. It will preferably be made of metal or plastic. The side portions 17 of the supporting member 4 are mounted in pre-formed holes 5 in the tray 10 of the pushchair 6. The side panels I are also attached to the side portions 17 of the supporting member 4. At least part of each of the side panels I may be mounted on or attached to the frame 7 of the pushchair 6.

Figure 2 further shows that the safety apparatus 11 further includes hinges 2 between the side panels I and the side portions 17 of the supporting member 4.

This allows a user to open the side panels I in order to more easily gain access to the occupant 12 of the pushchair 6. Figure 2 further shows that the safety apparatus 11 includes attachment means 3 for securing the panels 1 to the frame 7 of the pushchair. The attachment means 3 may be any form of clip which achieves this aim. In particular, they may be mechanical or magnetic.

Figure 3 shows the safety apparatus 11 including cross-members 14 upon which are hung toys 15 for the occupant 12 of the pushchair 6 to play with. The cross- members 14 are strung between the two side portions 17 of the supporting member 4. The cross-members 14 may be rods, tubes, string or elastic.

It should be understood that the invention has been described above by way of example only and that modifications in detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the claims.

P483 lvi October 2005

1. Safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a pushchair, the pushchair comprising a seat, a frame and a plurality of wheels, the frame being mounted on the wheels, the seat being mounted on and supported by the frame and the pushchair having first and second opposing sides, the safety apparatus comprising at least one panel suitable for mounting on the first side of the pushchair, wherein the panel extends substantially parallel with the first side of the pushchair such that, in use, at least the head and/or upper body of the occupant of the pushchair is protected at the first side.

2. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising a second panel suitable for mounting on the second opposing side of the pushchair, the second panel extending parallel with the second side of the pushchair such that, in use, at least the head and/or upper body of the occupant of the pushchair is protected at both sides.

3. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the safety apparatus is removably mounted on the pushchair.

4. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the safety apparatus is mounted on the frame of the pushchair.

5. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each panel is mounted on the pushchair by a supporting member and wherein, in use, the supporting member is positioned substantially perpendicular to the or each panel.

6. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the or each panel is hingedly connected to the supporting member such that the safety apparatus can be folded when not in use to a storage position in which the or each panel extends substantially parallel with the supporting member.

P483 lvi October 2005 7. Safety apparatus as claim in Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the or each panel further comprises attachment means for attaching at least a portion of the panels to the frame of the pushchair.

8. Safety apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 5, 6 or 7, wherein the pushchair further comprises a tray mounted on the frame and the supporting member is mounted on the tray.

9. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more toys for the occupant of the pushchair to play with.

10. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel or panels are substantially rigid.

11. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel or panels are substantially transparent.

12. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel or panels are formed of a plastics material.

13. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel or panels are formed of polymethyl methacrylate.

14. A pushchair including the safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim.

15. Safety apparatus substantially as herein described and with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

16. A pushchair including safety apparatus substantially as herein described and with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings P4831v1 October 2005

Claims

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS

1. Safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a pushchair, the pushchair comprising a seat, a frame and a plurality of wheels, the frame being mounted on the wheels, the seat being mounted on and supported by the frame and the pushchair having first and second opposing sides, the safety apparatus comprising first and second panels and a supporting member, the first and second panels being substantially transparent, substantially rigid and suitable for mounting on first and second sides of a pushchair respectively using a supporting member such that, in use, the panels extend substantially parallel with the sides of the pushchair and at least the head and/or upper body of an occupant of the pushchair is protected at both sides of the pushchair and the supporting member is positioned substantially perpendicular to the panels and the panels being hingedly connected to the supporting member such that the safety apparatus can be folded when not in use to a storage position in which the panels extend substantially parallel with the supporting member.

2. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the safety apparatus is mounted on the frame of the pushchair.

3. Safety apparatus as claim in Claim 2, wherein the panels further comprise attachment means for attaching at least a portion of the panels to the frame àf the pushchair.

4. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the pushchair further comprises a tray mounted on the frame and the supporting member is mounted on the tray.

5. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more toys for the occupant of the pushchair to play with.

6. Safety apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the toys are provided on P483 1 v2 06 December 2005 the supporting member.

7. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel or panels are formed of a plastics material.

8. Safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel or panels are formed of polymethyl methacrylate.

9. A pushchair including the safety apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim.

10. Safety apparatus substantially as herein described and with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

11. A pushchair including safety apparatus substantially as herein described and with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings P4831v2 06 December 2005