GB2446389A

GB2446389A - Reconfigurable pushchair

Info

Publication number: GB2446389A
Application number: GB0703841A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Winston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-08
Filing date: 2007-02-08
Publication date: 2008-08-13
Also published as: GB0703841D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pushchair that is reconfigurable for a variety of purposes. There is a frame adaptable for a plurality of uses, such as a crib, a highchair, a swing and a baby bouncer, comprising a base 4 and a support extending from the base. The support comprises a member 2 arranged to enable a seat to be mounted relative to the member, the member being extendable between a first configuration and a second configuration such that the height of the seat relative to the base can be adjusted. The support members may be telescopic, with the inner member being spring loaded, and capable of being locked in a desired configuration. A handle 18 may be provided when the device is configured as a stroller.

Description

* 2446389 Push Chair The present invention relates to a push chair for

a person including but not limited to babies and small children that is reconfigurable for a variety of purposes.

There are a wide variety of strollers, pushchairs and prams on the market which are arranged to carry a baby or young child such that they are supported and are secure whilst enabling the person pushing the stroller to easily push the arrangement. Other features which are commonly found are that the stroller is collapsible such that it will fit to be stored in, for example, a car and therefore must be light and additionally aesthetically pleasing. There are a wide variety of different arrangements available, some which are Jo designed for off-road, whils other being suitable solely for tarmacked ground, and as disclosed in US464 1844 can be used as a carrying chair in a motor vehicle.

However, strollers are expensive and often complicated and are limited in their use. The present invention aims to overcome this problem by providing an arrangement which is simple, effective, and a can be used for a variety of applications for a user.

is According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is a frame for a pushchair adaptable for a plurality of uses, said frame comprising a base and a support extending therefrom, said support comprising a member arranged and configured to enable a seat to be mounted relative thereto, said member being extendible between a first configuration **S.

and a second configuration such that the height of the seat relative to the base is enabled to be adjusted.

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Thus, the present invention overcomes the aforementioned problem by providing a support S....

for a seat wherein the support is extendible thereby enabling the seat to be used for different functions and providing a compactable chair system. The seat is preferably removably mounted relative to the support.

The support preferably comprises at least two members extending from the base arranged and configured to connect thus providing a secure frame. The members are preferably arranged and configured to be extendible in length. The members are preferably pivotally mounted to the base and are preferably pivotally mounted relative to one another. This provides a significant benefit that the support may be extended thus increasing the height relative to the base.

Each member preferably comprises two members slidably engagable with one another.

The members are preferably cylindrical. Such a telescopic type arrangement provides the option of extending and reducing the length of the support members as required. The inner of the two slidably engagable members is preferably spring loaded, and comprises a means to lock the members in a desired configuration. The means to lock the slidably engaged members comprises a push button movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, where in a first configuration relative movement of the members is prevented and in a second configuration relative movement is permitted. It will be appreciated that there are significant advantages of such an arrangement as in the rest configuration the telescopic members are rigid and thus prevent relative movement therebetween. However, if the push button is actuated the inner member is released and the inner spring load member is forcibly extended. The spring has a sufficient compression ratio such that the inner member plus the seat plus the weight of the user can be raised in a controlled manner. S... * .

A handle means is preferably removably mounted to the stroller. The handle means even more preferably extends from the support and furthermore comprises a handle portion for pushing by a user and a plurality of supports extending between the handle portion and the support. The handle means is preferably adjustably extendible from the stroller, thereby * 25 enabling improved comfort for the person pushing the stroller. S... * S *S..

The seat is preferably mounted by a push button release mechanism, wherein the seat may be released from the fixing mechanism and be replaced by the handle portion.

The base preferably comprises a tray. The stroller preferably further comprises a tray removably connectable to the support.

The first aspect of the present invention also includes a pushchair including a support as hereinbefore described.

The first aspect of the present invention also extends to a kit including a base and a support, handle means and wheels. The kit preferably further includes one or more of a crib, a child bouncy chair, swing and/or toys.

A further benefit of the present arrangement is that use can be made of the versatility to enable a variety of uses using the basic apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is a kit including a pushchair frame adaptable for a plurality of uses, said frame comprising a base and a support extending therefrom, said support comprising a connection means to enable a seat to be releasably mounted thereto, said kit further comprising a member arranged to be releasably mounted to said connection means enabling a further apparatus to be mounted relative to said member.

:. The member preferably comprises a handle means for pushing the pushchair. Utilising * such an arrangement enables the apparatus to be used for a variety of purposes, and the *.** member connected to the connection means enables components such as a crib to be hung therefrom.

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The second aspect of the present invention extends to pushchair including a frame, 555** . * * connection means and support as hereinbefore described. *..* * I S...

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a stroller according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the supports are in an extended configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the supports are in the extended configuration.

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the apparatus is used as a crib.

Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the perspective view of the arrangement as indicated in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view wherein the seat is suspended according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. S.

is Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the arrangement as indicated in Figure 7. S...

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Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present :. invention.

Figure 10 is schematic side view of the arrangement as indicated in Figure 9. S...

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Figure 1 1 is a schcmatic perspective view of an alternati'e embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is schematic cross-sectional view of a support according to a exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 is schematic side view of the chair according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the arrangement is displayed in a configuration suitable for use as a pushchair or stroller. The stroller comprises a frame having a plurality of generally tubular members 2, the tubular members 2 being connected to one another to form a base 4 arranged to receive a tray 6. The tubular members 2 making up the base 4 are rigidly connected to one another and are arranged such that each corner receives a releasably connected wheel 8. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the wheels 8 are rotatably mounted on caslors to the base 4, however, it will be appreciated that any connection means may be utilised and additionally the connection mechanism for the wheels to the base 4 may protrude in generally the same plane as the base rather than in a plane substantially perpendicular to the base.

Tubular members 2 also extend in a generally upwardly direction from the base 4 and are pivotally mounted relative thereto. As indicated in Figure 1, tubular members 2 extend in a generally upwardly direction from the corners of the base 4 and are connected via pivot point 10. Viewed from the side as represented in Figure 2, an "A" frame is generally provided thereby producing a rigid structure. Two parallel mounted "A' frames are present enabling the seat 12 to be mounted therebetween. The mounting means 14 may be one of many different types, however, it must be able to release the seat from the tubular members 2 of the "A" frame. The preferred mechanism is one wherein the connecting means 14 includes a push button wherein depressing the push button causes the seat to become unlocked from the connecting means such it can be removed accordingly. A number of alternative mechanisms are envisaged, such as, for example, iii a most basic form, a recess into which a portion extending from the seat 12 locates. A preferred mechanism however is one wherein push button release is enabled as this is cheap to manufacture and easy to operate by a user. Any type of clan-iping mechanism could then be utilised in order to prevent unwanted movement of the seat 12 when in use.

A handle arrangement is also provided to enable a person to push or pull the stroller as required. A handle means comprises a portion 16 extending from the rearward tubular members 2. A handle bar 18 extends between two portions 16 and is shaped for the comfort of the user. The portion 16 is releasably attachable to the rearward tubular members 2 and may he connected via any known arrangement or a mechanism as described later with respect to the tubular members 2 The handle bar 1 8 is also removably connected to the portions 1 6 and can be used for a variety of purposes as indicated with respect to Figures 5-10. The portion 16 can also be adjustable in length such that comfort of the person pushing the stroller is maximised.

Located at the rear of the seat 1 2 is at least one pocket for receiving accessories and/or a child's belongings as required.

The components of the stroller are generally made from moulded plastic and each component can be replaced independently due to the modular construction. For example, the seat 12 is moulded from a polymeric material and may be covered with any deformable material as required for the comfort of the child. The tray 6 is also constructed of moulded polymeric material as are most of the components of the tubular members 2, the wheels 8 and the handle means.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the arrangement as shown in Figure 1 is indicated :... transformed for use as a highchair. This is particularly useful as it removes the requirement to own both a highchair and a pushchair, and additionally provides the benefit that if a child or baby is taken out away from the home then two items are not required to be taken.

Like components have been designated with the same numbering, and it is apparent that in this embodiment the generally upwardly extending tubular members 2 are extended from a *: retracted configuration as in Figure 1 to an extended configuration such that the height of 25 the seat 12 is raised. The exact functioning of the tubular members 2 is explained in more detail with respect to Figure 11, however, although numerous arrangements are envisaged, the preferred embodiment is through the provision of telescopic tubes with an elastically deformable member located within the lower tube and a push button release arranged such that actuation of the push button enables the inner tube to move relative to the outer tube in a direction into or out of the outer tube. Utilising such an "A" frame arrangement means raising and lowering of the seat is simple whilst retaining strength in both configurations.

There is further provided a detachable tray 20 for, in particular, holding the baby or child's food and toys for example The tray is arranged to click into the forward tubular members s 2 in any known arrangement and may be stored when not in use within the pocket 19 at the back of the seat 12 or alternatively in the tray 6 Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the stroller is conuigured to he used as a swinging crib. The wheels may or may not he removed, however, as indicated in Figures 5 and 6 they have been released. In this configuration. the seat is also removed via the mounting means 14.

Additionally, the portion 16 and the handlebar 18 are removed from the rearward tubular members to which the portion 16 are connected. The handlebar 18 is then arranged to connect to the mounting means 14 thereby providing a raised bar from which a crib 24 can hang. A crib may hang via elongate flexible members that may be fed over the bar 18 or alternatively clamped thereto. Again, in this configuration the upwardly extending tubular members 2 are in the extended configuration thereby providing sufficient space for the crib 24.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, a further alternative configuration of the arrangement is shown whereby instead of a crib 24 the seat 12 is hung from the bar 18 and thus can be used as a swing for a child or baby.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, any further arrangements such as a baby bouncer may be suspended from the bar 18, again thereby reducing the number of separate pieces of apparatus required fbr the parent or carer to own.

Referring to Figure 11, a further attachment to the apparatus could be made for the entertainment of the child or baby such as a mobile or game 28.

Referring to Figure 12, there is schematic cross-sectional view of one of the tubular members 2. As previously indicated, the entire frame may be made of such tubular members, however, it is essential that the generally upwardly protruding tubular members are adjustable in length. It will be appreciated that a single generally upwardly protruding tubular member 2 may be utilised providing that there is sufficient support to carry the weight of the child or baby as necessary. It will be appreciated however that utilising an "A' frame as previously indicated provides a strong and light arrangement. The tubular member 2 comprises an inner tube 40 and an outer tube 42. The cross-sectional shape of these tubes can be of any shape as rcquircd, however, generally cylindrical cross-sectional shape is preferred Located within the bottom end of the outer tube 42 is a resiliently deformable member and preferably comprises a spring 44. The spring 44 is generally retained in a compressed configuration through the use of a protrusion 46 located on the inner tube 40 which is arranged and configured to be able to extend through an aperture provided in the outer member. A number of apertures may be provided thereby providing adjustability of the relative extension of the member from the outer member 42. The spring 44 should be of sufficient compression strength such that it is able to push up the inner tube 40 plus the weight of a child in the chair. However, this should not be of too greater strength such that lowering of the inner tube 40 into the outer tube 42 is not too difficult for a user.

Referring to Figure 13, a schematic side view of the seat 12 is indicated showing further additional features of the seat 12. The seat 12, previously indicated is releasably mountable relative to the frame and may be used as a seat in isolation. For this reason, the seat 12 further includes a moveable ground support so that it can be adjusted between a first :... configuration wherein the ground support so lies adjacent to the seat 12 (or at least sits in a **.... configuration to be out of the way of the seat 12). In a second configuration, the ground support moves via a rotational movement to be fixed to raise the seat 12 from the ground.

: A further member 52 is arranged to slidably engage in or on the seat 12 and release when required by a user to provide support for the rearward end of the seat 12. In this configuration, as shown in Figure 13, the seat 12 can he used as a stand-alone arrangement. *.fl *.I.

The present invention has been described by way of example only and will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims. Features of a particular embodiment are not limited to application in that embodiment.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that features of the first and second aspect of the present invention are interchangeable. * * * *** S.. * I *. *5

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Claims

Claims: I. A frame for a pushchair adaptable for a plurality of uses,

said frame comprising a base and a support extending therefrom, said support comprising a member arranged and configured to enable a seat to be mounted relative thereto, said member being extendible between a first configuration and a second configuration such that the height of the seat relative to the base is enabled to he adjusted.
2. A frame according to claim I, wherein said seat is removably mounted relative to the support.
3. A frame according to any preceding claim, wherein said support comprises at least two members extending from the base arranged and configured to connect.
4. A frame according to claim 13 wherein said members are arranged and configured to be extendibk in length.
5. A frame according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said members are pivotally mounted to the base and are pivotally mounted relative to one another.
6. A frame according to any of claims 3 to 4, wherein each member comprises two members slidably engagable with one another. S... C a a...
7. A frame accordinci to claim 6, wherein said members are cylindrical.

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S 8. A frame according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the inner of the two slidably engagable ::::: members is spring loaded. *.
9. A frame according to any of claims 3 to 7, further comprising means to lock the members in a desired configuration.
10. A frame according to claim 9. wherein the means to lock the members comprises a push button movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein a first configuration relative movement of the members is prevented and in a second configuration relative movement is permitted.
11. A frame according to any preceding claim, further comprising a handle means removably mounted to the stroller.
12. A frame according to claim 11, wherein said handle means extends from the support and furthermore comprises a handle portion for pushing by a user and a plurality of supports extending between the handle portion and the support.
13. A frame according to any of claims 11 or 12, wherein said handle means is adjustably extendible from the stroller.
14. A frame according to any preceding claim further comprising a seat.
15. A frame according to claims 12 and 14, wherein said seat is mounted to said frame by a push button release mechanism, wherein the seat may be released from the fixing mechanism and be replaced by said handle portion.
16. A pushchair including a support as hereinbefore described. d *
17. A kit including a base and a support, handle means and wheels. a..,
18. A kit including a pushchair frame adaptable for a plurality of uses, said frame comprising a base and a support extending therefrom, said support comprising a a...

*, 20 connection means to enable a seat to be releasably mounted thereto, said kit further comprising a member arranged to be releasably mounted to said connection means enabling a further apparatus to he mounted relative to said member
19. A kit according to claim 18, wherein said member comprises a handle means for pushing the pushchair
20. A pushchair including a frame, connection means and support as described with reference to claims 18 and 19.
21. A pushchair s hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. S. * S S.. * is. * S *... r. **

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