GB2493364A

GB2493364A - A pushchair with engagement means for a suitcase or bag

Info

Publication number: GB2493364A
Application number: GB1113270.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sian Elizabeth Morris; William Parsons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-08-01
Filing date: 2011-08-01
Publication date: 2013-02-06
Also published as: GB201113270D0

Abstract

A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like comprises a frame which is movable between an erected position, in which the baby buggy (stroller) can be pushed or pulled along the ground on wheels 14, 21, and a collapsed position. The frame is provided with a back 22 having engagement means 25 for releasably retaining a suitcase (31, figure 7), bag or the like provided with slots (32, figure 9) adapted to receive the engagement means for releasably retaining the suitcase, bag or the like on the frame. The arrangement is such that the frame can be moved from the erected position to the collapsed position and vice versa while a suitcase, bag or the like is retained on the frame by the engagement means. The invention also extends to pushchairs, wheelchairs and other wheeled carriers such as prams.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN BABY BUGGIES, PUSHCHAIRS,

WHEELCHAIRS AND THE LIKE

This invention relates to improvements in baby buggies, pushchairs, wheelchairs and the like.

A problem frequently encountered by persons having an infant is to cope with the carrying of luggage while wheeling a baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like. One solution is to hang a bag by its handle(s) from the arms of a baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like (hereinafter referred to as "a wheeled carrier'). However, this usually makes the wheeled carrier unstable and prone to tip backwards.

The present invention seeks to solve this problem by providing a wheeled carrier with means for releasably retaining a suitcase, bag or the like in such a manner that the carrier can be moved from an erect position to a closed position while the suitcase, bag or the like is still retained on the wheeled carrier.

According to the invention, there is provided a baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like having a frame which is movable between an erected position, in which the baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like can be pushed or pulled along the ground on wheels, and a collapsed position; wherein the frame is provided with a back having engagement means for releasably retaining a suitcase, bag or the like provided with means to engage with the engagement means on the back; the arrangement being such that the frame can be moved from the erected position to the collapsed position and vice versa while a suitcase, bag or the like is retained on the frame by the releasable engagement means.

Preferably, the releasable engagement means comprise a series of hooks and a series of slots.

The hooks can be located on the back of the frame and the slots can be provided in a side of the suitcase, bag or the like. Alternatively, the slots can be located in the back of the frame and the hooks can be provided on the suitcase, bag or the like.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the slots are provided in a rigid side of a suitcase.

In another embodiment, the slots are provided in a plate forming part of or secured to a wall of a bag.

In a further embodiment, the slots are provided in a frame or in strips secured to a wall of a bag.

In a still further embodiment, the slots are provided in a wall of a rigid or semi-rigid container.

The back of the frame preferably constitutes the back of a seat for the baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like and may take the form of a plate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame comprises a substantially U-shaped handle portion, the web of the U serving as a handle and the ends of the limbs remote from the web being interconnected by a first bracing rod, a seat adapted to rest on the first bracing rod and a second bracing rod connected to the limbs of the U-shaped handle portion intermediate the ends thereof, the back being mounted on the second bracing rod and connected at its lower end to the seat and the frame further being provided with wheels.

Preferably a pair of sleeves are respectively mounted on each of the limbs of the U-shaped handle portion. A pair of struts are desirably connected at one end to a respective sleeve and are provided at the other end with a respective wheel. According to a preferred embodiment, the said other ends of the struts are interconnected by a further bracing rod. The wheels are desirably pivotally mounted at the ends of the struts.

A pair of second struts are desirably pivotally connected at one end to the first pair of struts and are provided at the other end with a respective wheel. The pivotal connections between the first and second struts are desirably provided with locking means whereby the struts can be locked in a first position in which the struts are splayed apart to form the erected position of the frame and in a second position in which the struts lie alongside one another with the wheels adjacent to each other in the collapsed position of the frame, the locking means being releasable to permit the struts to be moved from the erected position to the collapsed position of the frame and vice versa.

The limbs of the U-shaped handle portion are preferably slidably mounted in the sleeves and can be moved between an extended position in the erected position of the frame and a retracted position in the collapsed position of the frame. Releasable locking means may be provided to lock the limbs in either the extended or collapsed position.

Preferably, the back is pivotally mounted on the second bracing rod and the seat is adjustable in its position on the first bracing rod whereby the seat can be adjusted between a sitting position for the occupier and a reclining position.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:-Fig. I is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a baby buggy according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the baby buggy shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front view of the baby buggy shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a rear view of the baby buggy shown in Figs. ito 3; Fig. 5 is a side view of the baby buggy shown in Figs. ito 4; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the buggy and suitcase shown in Figs. ito 5; Fig. 7 is a side view of the baby buggy shown in Fig. 5 but with a suitcase fitted to the buggy; Fig. 8 is a rear view of the buggy and suitcase shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 shows one side of a suitcase adapted to be fitted to the baby buggy shown in Figs. ito 6; Fig. 10 is a side view of the baby buggy shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings but showing the handle portion in a partially collapsed position; Fig. 11 is a side view of the baby buggy shown in Fig. 10 but showing the buggy in S a partially collapsed position; Fig. 12 is a side view of the baby buggy shown in Figs. 10 and 11 but showing the buggy in a fully collapsed position; Fig. 13 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a baby buggy according to the invention fitted with a suitcase; and Fig. 14 is a rear perspective view of a third embodiment of a baby buggy according to the invention.

In the drawings, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

Reference will first be made to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings in which a baby buggy according to the invention comprises a frame having a U-shaped handle portion consisting of a web 1 which, in use, is substantially horizontal and serves as a handle for the buggy and a pair of limbs 2 which1 in use, extend downwardly from the web 1 at an inclined angle. The ends of the limbs 2 remote from the web I are interconnected by a first bracing rod 3 and the limbs 2 are further interconnected intermediate their ends by a second bracing rod 4. The ends of the rod 4 may be connected to sleeves 5 which are mounted on the limbs 2. Similarly, the ends of the rod 3 may be connected to sleeves 6 which are mounted on the ends of the limbs 2.

A pair of pivot housings 8 are mounted on respective limbs 2 by means of further sleeves 7 which are slidably mounted on the limbs 2. The sleeves S and 6 serve to limit the extent of sliding movement of the sleeves 7 on the limbs 2. In the erected position of the buggy shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the sleeves 7 are retained in a lower position on the limbs 2 by the sleeves 6. Nj 5

Each of the pivot housings 8 has a first strut retainer 11 which is connected to a respective sleeve 7 and which is adapted to receive a respective front strut 12. One end of each strut 12 is mounted in a respective strut retainer 11 and the other end carries a respective mounting 13 in which a respective front wheel 14 is pivotally mounted. The mountings 13 are interconnected by a cross brace 15 on which a foot rest 16 can be mounted.

A second strut retainer 17 is pivotally mounted on each of the pivot housings Band is adapted to receive one end of a respective rear strut 18. The other end of each strut 18 has a wheel mounting 19 on which a respective wheel 21 is mounted. Pivoting of the rear struts 18 with respect to the front struts 12 is controlled by push buttons 9 in the housings 8. When the push buttons 9 are depressed, the rear struts 18 are free to pivot in the housings 8 but1 when the push buttons 9 are released, the struts 18 are held in position by locking means (not shown) in the pivot housings 8.

A plate 22 is pivotally mounted on the bracing rod 4 by means of hooks 23 at one end of the plate 22. The front side of the plate 22 is provided with upholstery material 24 which forms the back of the baby buggy and the rear of the plate 22 is provided with a series of clips 25. The other end of the plate 22 which, in use, will be the lower end is connected to one end of a seat 26. The bottom surface of the seat 26 is provided with a series of serrations 27 which are arranged to engage with the bracing rod 3 and by means of which the angle of the seat 26 can be adjusted between an upright sifting position and a rechning position.

Turning now to Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings, a suitcase 31 can be mounted on the plate 22 by means of the clips 25. As shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, one side of the suitcase is provided with a series of slots 32 corresponding in number and location to the clips 25 on the plate 22. Located within the slots 32 are spring-loaded catches (not shown) which are controlled by a lever 33 located at one end of the suitcase adjacent to a carrying handle 34. Pulling the lever 33 serves to retract the catches so that the NY 6 suitcase 31 can be fifted onto the plate 22 with the clips 25 engaging in the slots 32 in the suitcase. The lever 33 can then be released allowing the catches to move under spring pressure to engage with the clips 25 to hold the suitcase securely in position on the plate 22.

The limbs 2 are provided with lower holes 20a and upper holes 20b and the sleeves 7 are provided with spring-loaded push buttons 10 having pins (not shown) which are engageable in either the lower holes 20a or the upper holes 20b on the respective limbs 2. The push buttons 10 are so arranged that, when they are depressed, the pins are moved to a retracted position in the sleeves 7 against the action of respective springs (not shown). In the position of the buggy shown in Figs. ito 8 of the drawings, the pins are engaged in the lower holes 20a in the limbs 2.

In order to move the buggy from the erected position shown in Figs. 1 to 8, the push buttons 10 must first be depressed to release the pins from the lower holes 20a.

The limbs 2 can then be pushed down through the sleeves 7 by the handle 1 as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings until the upper sleeves 5 butt against the sleeves 7.

In this position, the spring-loaded pins, which are operated by the push buttons 10, can engage in the upper holes 20b in the limbs 2. This position is shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings.

In order to further collapse the buggy, the push buttons 9 are then depressed so that the rear struts 18 can be pivoted towards the front struts 12 until the front wheels 14 and the rear wheels 21 are adjacent to each other as shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings.

The push buttons 9 can then be released to hold the buggy in the collapsed position. It will be seen that the buggy with the suitcase 31 attached can then be wheeled along the ground in a simple and trouble free manner. Further, in the collapsed position of the buggy1 it can be easily stood on its end which provides better storage and effective use of the frame as a suitcase holder.

In order to move the buggy from the collapsed position to the erected position, it is merely necessary to depress the push buttons 9 so that the rear struts 18 can be pivoted outwards from the position shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings to the position shown in Fig. Ii. The push buttons 10 can then be depressed and the handle 1 pulled upwards to move the limbs 2 from the position shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings to the position shown in Figs. ito 8.

The baby buggy may be provided with a further U-shaped member 35 which is pivotally mounted at its ends on the sleeves 7. The U-shaped member 35 serves as a support for one side of a hood 36 as shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings. The front of the hood 36 is supported by a second U-shaped frame 37 the ends of which are also pivotally mounted on the sleeves 7.

This invention is not restricted to the use of suitcases and other items such as bags or containers may be adapted to be fitted to a baby buggy according to the invention. Fig. 14 shows another embodiment in which a casing 36 consisting of a soft plastics material such as LDPE is adapted to be fitted to a baby buggy. In the folded position, this embodiment of baby buggy is readily converted into a shopping trolley.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to a baby buggy, it should be noted that the present invention is equally applicable to pushchairs, wheelchairs and other wheeled carriers such as prams.

Further the present invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments but variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, instead of providing clips on the rear of the plate 22, hooks could be provided which are arranged to be engageable in slots in a side of a suitcase, bag or the like.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like having a frame which is movable between an erected position, in which the baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like can be pushed or pulled along the ground on wheels, and a collapsed position; wherein the frame is provided with a back having engagement means for releasably retaining a suitcase, bag or the like provided with means to engage with the engagement means on said back; the arrangement being such that the frame can be moved from the erected position to the collapsed position and vice versa while a suitcase, bag or the like is retained on said frame by the releasable engagement means.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 1, wherein the releasable engagement means comprise a series of hooks and a series of slots.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 2, wherein the hooks are located on the back of the frame and wherein the slots are provided in a side of the suitcase, bag or the like.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 3, wherein the slots are provided in a rigid side of a suitcase.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 3, wherein the slots are provided in a plate forming part of or secured to a wall of a bag.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 3, wherein the slots are provided in a frame or in strips secured to a wall of a bag.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 1, wherein the releasable engagement means comprise a series of clips on the back and wherein slots are provided in the side of a suitcase, bag or the like, said slots being adapted to receive respective clips on the back and spring-loaded catches being provided to engage with said clips once the clips are inserted in the slots and a lever being provided to retract the catches from the slots against the action of springs acting on the catches.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame comprises a substantially U-shaped handle portion, the web of the U serving as a handle and the ends of the limbs remote from the web being interconnected by a first bracing rod, a seat adapted to rest on the first bracing rod, a second bracing rod connected to the limbs of the U-shaped handle portion intermediate the ends thereof, the back being mounted on the second bracing rod and connected at its lower end to the seat and the frame further being provided with wheels.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 8, wherein a pair of sleeves are respectively mounted on each of the limbs of the U-shaped handle portion.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 9, wherein a pair of struts are connected at one end to respective sleeves and are provided at the other end with respective wheels.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 10, wherein the said other ends of the struts are interconnected by a further bracing rod.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the wheels are pivotally mounted at the ends of the struts.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a pair of second struts are pivotally connected at one end to the respective first-mentioned struts, each said second strut being provided at its other end with a respective wheel.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 13, wherein the pivotal connections between the first and second struts are provided with locking means whereby the struts can be locked in a first position in which the struts are splayed apart to form the erected position of the frame and in a second position in which the struts lie alongside one another with the wheels adjacent to each other in the collapsed position of the frame, the locking means being releasable to permit the struts to be moved from the erected position to the collapsed position of the frame and vice versa.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the limbs of the U-shaped handle portion are slidably mounted in the sleeves and can be moved between an extended position in the erected position of the frame and a retracted position in the collapsed position of the frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 15, wherein releasable locking means are provided to lock the limbs in either the extended or retracted position.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A baby buggy, pushchaii, wheelchair or the like according to any one of claims S to 16, wherein the back is pivotally mounted on the second bracing rod arid the seat is adjustable in its position on the first bracing rod whereby the seat can be adjusted between a sifting position for an occupier and a reclining position.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like according to claim 17, wherein the seat is provided on its underside with a series of serrations engageable with the first bracing rod to adjust the position of the seat. .1 11</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A baby buggy, pushchair, wheelchair or the like substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.</claim-text>