GB2518493A - Stroller with selectively hidden adapters - Google Patents

Abstract

A stroller 10 of the kind with a removable infant seat includes a frame and at least two rotatable adapters 50 which pivot between two positions. In the first position (fig 2) the adapter 50 is positioned to engage with an infant seat and is visible. In the second position (fig 3) the adapter 50 is said to be hidden from view by the strollers canopy 80 or legs (340, fig 11). The adapters 50 can be part of a slidable and removable arm 54 on which a tray with a cup holder is mounted. The arms 54 can connect to the frame at a pivoting hub 68. In the first position the adapters 50 can be upright to accept a removable infant seat from a car. The stroller 10 can accept a pram or carry cot (330, fig 10). The adapters can have selectively engagable projections (376, fig 13) for connecting to the infant seat. A toggle button (400, fig 17) may be used to hold the adapters 50 in position.

Description

Patent Application:

STROLLER WITH SELECTIVELY HIDDEN ADAPTERS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[90011 The disclosure relates generally to a stroller having adapters and, more particularly, to a stroller having adapters that maybe rotatable between a first position and a second position.

The adapters maybe substantially hidden from view when in the second position.

BACKGROUND

[9002] Some types of strollers may include a dedicated child seat as well as adapters for securing an infant carrier or seat to a frame of the stroller. The dedicated child seat may be configured to receive a relatively larger child, such as a toddler, and may typically not he intended to seat a relatively smaller child, such as an infant or a newborn. Instead, the adapters maybe used to selectively attach the infant seat to the frame of the stroller. The infant seat may he used to accommodate a smaller child in the stroller until the child grows into a size kirge enough to be seated within the dedicated child seat. Thus, the stroller may be used to transport children of various sizes.

[0003] Other types of strollers may include various attachment mechanisms that allow for different types of seating mechanisms to be secured to the stroller. For example, these types of strollers may also include adapters that secure an infant seat to a frame of the stroller. In addition to the adapters, these types of strollers may also include attachment points that secure a pram or carry cot to the frame of the stroller as well.

[0004] The adapters for either type of stroller typically project upwardly from the sides of the stroller, and may each be positioned to selectively engage with retaining mechanisms located on the infant seat. Once the infant seat is no longer secured to the frame of the stroller, the adapters maybe visible. Some individuals may not find the upwardly projecting adapters to he aesthetically pleasing, especially if the adapters are relatively large or buWy in size. Thus, the stroller may have detachable adapters, where each adapter may he separately removed from the frame of the stroller when the infant seat is not attached to the frame. However, it may he difficult to keep track of multiple adapters, and sometimes the adapters may even be misplaced or lost.

SUMMARY

[00051 in one embodiment, a stroller may include a frame and at least two adapters. An infant seat may be selectively engaged with the stroller. The frame may have a first side and a second side that generally oppose one another. The adapters may each be coilfigured to selectively engage with the infant seat. One of the adapters may be positioned on the first side of the frame, and a remaining adapter may be positioned on the second side of the frame. The adapters may be rotatable between a first position and a second position. The adapters may be visible and positioned to engage with the infant seat in the first position, and maybe substantially hidden from view in the second position.

[0006] In another embodiment, a stroller may include a frame and at least two adapters. An infant seat maybe selectively engaged with the stroller. The frame may have a first side, a second side, a first hub, and a second hub. The first side and the second side of the frame generally oppose one another, and the first hLIh and the second huh are located on the first side and the second side of the stroller respectively. The adapters may each he configured to selectively engage with the infant seat. One of the adapters may he positioned on the first side of the frame and is rotataffle about the first huh between a first position and a second position.

A remaining adapter is positioned on the second side of the frame and is rotatable about the second huh between the first position and the second position. The adapters are visihk and positioned to engage with the infant seat in the first position, and are substantially hidden from view in the second position.

[0007] Other objects and advantages of the disclosed system will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of the disclosed stroller assembly, where an infant seat is engaged with a frame of a stroller; [00091 FIG. 2 is a perspective of the stroller of FIG. 1, where a moveable arm of the stroller is in a first position: [90101 FIG. 3 is a perspective of the stroller of FIG. I, where the moveable arm of the stroller is in a second position; [00111 FIG. 4 is a perspective of a receiving member located on the infant seat, a corresponding attachment device located within the receiving member (shown exploded from the receiving member), and a corresponding adapter of the stroller shown in FIG. 1; [0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a rear side of the adapter and the corresponding attachment device shown in FIG. 4; [0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective of the moveable arm shown in FIG. 1, where the moveable arm is detached from the frame of the stroller, and a tube located on one side of the moveable arm has been omitted; [0014] FIG. 7 is a detail of the moveable arm shown in FIG. 6: [0015] FIG. 8 is a detail of an inner surface of a stroller hub shown in FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 9 is a view of the moveable arm shown in FIG. 6; [0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective of an alternative embodiment of a stroller, where a pram or carry cot is engaged with a frame of a stroller; [0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective of the stroller shown in FIG. 10, where an infant seat is engaged with a frame of a stroller; [0019] FIG. 12 is a detail of an inner side of a front member of the stroller shown in FIGS. 10-11; [0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective of the stroller frame, where a set of adapters of the stroller are in a first position: [90211 FIG. 14 is a perspective of the stroller frame, where a set of adapters of the stroller are in a second position; [9022] FIG. 15 is a cross-section of a rear side of one of the adapters of the stroller and a corresponding attachment device located on the infant seat shown in FIG. I I: [0023] FIG. 16 is a cross-section of one of the adapters and a portion of the frame of the stroller taken along section line B-B in FIG. 14; [9024] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of one of the adapters shown in FIG. 13 in the second position: [0025] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a toggle button shown in FIG. 17; [0026] FIG. 19 is a top view of the toggle button shown in FIG. 17; [0027] FIG. 20 is a cross-section of one of the adapters and a portion of a frame of the stroller taken along section line C-C in FIG. 17: and [0028] FIG. 2lis a view of a rear surface of one of the adapters shown in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[9029] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the disclosed stroller, generally designated 10, may include a handle 20, a frame 22, a set of front wheels 24, a set of rear wheels 26, a canopy 30, a basket 32, a moveable arm 34, and a tray 36. The handle 20 of the stroller 10 may include two gripping portions 38. The frame 22 of the stroller 10 tnay include a single front member 40 (best seen in FIGS 2-3) and two rear members 44. The front wheels 24 of the stroller 10 may be connected to a generally rounded, bottom portion 42 of the single front member 40 of the frame 22. Each of the rear wheels 26 of the stroller 10 may be connected to a bottom portion 46 of one of the rear members 44 of the stroller 10. Although FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the frame 22 of the stroller 10 having a single front member 40 that connects to both the front wheels 24, it is to be understood that the frame 22 of the stroller 10 may also include two discrete front members as well, where each front member connects to one of the front wheels 24. In one embodiment, the frame 22 of the stroller 10 may be foldable between a collapsed position (not illustrated) and a deployed position as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

[9030] The stroller 10 may also include a child seat (not illustrated). The child seat may be located between two side portions 80 of the canopy 30 of the stroller i 0. The child seat maybe sized to receive a relatively larger child, such as a toddler, and may typically not he intended to transport a relatively smaller child, such as an infant. Instead, an infant seat 70 (shown in FIG. 1) may be selectively engaged with the frame 22 of the stroller 10 in order to accommodate a smaller child. Thus, the stroller 10 may be used to transport children of various sizes.

Moreover, the stroller 10 may accommodate children as they grow from an infant into a toddler.

[9031] The canopy 30 of the stroller 10 may include a support rod or frame 48 and a plurality of bows 49. In the non-limiting embodiment as shown in FIGS. i -3, the frame 48 and each of the bows 49 of the canopy 30 maybe generally U-shaped. The frame 48 and the bows 49 of the canopy 30 maybe attached to the frame 22 of the stroller i 0 at pivots Pt. The pivots P1 may each positioned on opposing sides 60 of the stroller 10 (both of the pivots P1 are visible in FIG. 2). The frame 48 and each of the bows 49 may be rotatable about the two pivots Pt to actuate the canopy 30 between a folded position (not illustrated) and an installed position (shown in FIGS. 1-3). When in the installed position, the canopy 30 may be used to shield an occupant of the stroller 10 from outside elements such as, for example, sunlight, rain, or snow.

[9032] Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the moveable arm 34 maybe selectively engaged to the frame 22 of the stroller 10. That is, although FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the moveable arm 34 attached to the frame 22 of the stroller 10, a user may remove the moveahle arm 34 from the stroller 10 if desired. The moveable arm 34 may include the tray 36, two adapters 50, and two generally tubular or hollow members 54. One of the adapters 5(S) of the moveable arm 34 maybe positioned on one side 60 of the stroller 10, and the remaining adapter 50 maybe positioned on the other sidc 60 of the stroller. The adapters 50 may be used to selectively engage with and secure the infant seat 70 (illustrated in FIG. I) to the frame 22 of the stroller 10. The members 54 of the moveable arm 34 each correspond to one of the adapters 50. The tray 36 may be connected to the adapters 50 by the members 54 of the moveable arm 34. The tray 36 of the moveable arm 34 may include a lip 62 and a cup holder 66. The lip 62 may define a perimeter around the tray 36. Various objects, such as a child's toys or food, may be placed within the perimeter of the tray 36.

[9033] Two hubs 68 may he positioned on corresponding sides 60 of the frame 22 of the stroller 10 (only one of the hubs 68 on one side 60 of the stroller 10 is visible in FIGS. i -3).

The moveable arm 34 maybe rotated about the hubs 68 on the frame 22 of the stroller 10.

Specifically, the moveable arm 34 may be rotatable about the hubs 68 between a first position (seen in FIGS. 1-2) and a second position (seen in FIG. 3). A user may pull a handle 56 located along a bottom surface 58 of the tray 36 in a direction Dl in order to rotate the moveable arm 34 between the first position and the second position. Rotation of the moveable arm 34 about the two hubs 68 on the frame 22 of the stroller 10 is described in greater detail below.

[9034] Referring to FTG. i, the infant seat 70 (FTG. I) maybe selectively engaged with and secured to the frame 22 of the stroller i 0 by the adapters 50 of the moveable arm 34. The infant seat 70 may include opposing sides 74, where a receiving member 76 maybe located on each side 74 of the infant seat 70 (only one of the receiving members 76 is visible in FIG. I). Each receiving member 76 of the infant seat 70 may include a corresponding releasable attachment device 78 (shown in FIGS. 4-5). Each releasable attachment device 78 may be located within the corresponding receiving member 76 of the infant seat 70, and may be configured to selectively engage with one of the adapters 50. The engagement between the releasable attachment devices 78 and the adapters 50 may secure the infant seat 70 to the stroller 10.

[9035] FIG. 4 illustrates one of the receiving members 76 of the infant seat 70, a corresponding releasable attachment device 78 located within the receiving member 76 (shown exploded from the receiving member 76), and a corresponding adapter 50. The adapter 50 may include a front side 81 and a rear side 82. The rear side 82 of the adapter 50 may oppose an outer surface 83 of the infant seat 70. FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along the rear side 82 of onc of the adapters 50. FIG. 5 also includes the corresponding releasable attachment dcvice 78 seen in FIG. 4. It should be noted that the receiving member 76 and the infant seat 70 are omitted in FIG. 5 for ease of illustration and clarity. In the exemplary embodiment as shown, the releasable attachment device 78 of the infant seat 70 includes a hook-shaped member 85.

The hook-shaped member 85 of the attachment device 78 maybe sized to receive and engage with a mating feature 87 located along the rear side 82 of the adapter 50. The mating feature 87 may he a projection that extends outwardly from the rear side 82 of the adapter 50. The mating feature 87 of the adapter 50 may include an outer periphery 89 that generally corresponds with an inner surface 91 of the hook-shaped member 85. Tt shoLild he noted that FTGS. 4-5 are merely illustrating one embodiment of the adapter 50 and the releasable attachment device 78, and it is understood that other approaches may be used as well to secure the infant seat 70 to the stroller 10.

[00361 Turning back to FIG. 2, the moveable arm 34 of the stroller lOis shown in the first position. When in the first position, the tray 36 of the moveable arm 34 may be positioned downwardly at an angle A. The angle A may be measured from horizontal line H. Moreover, when the moveable ann 34 of the stroller 10 is in the first position, the adapters 50 may project upwardly and he easily viewed by a user. Moreover, the adapters 50 maybe positioned to engage with the infant seat 70 (shown in FIG. i). If an individual removes the infant seat 70 from the frame 22 of the stroller 10, the moveahle arm 34 of the stroller 10 maybe rotated in an upwards direction from the first position and into the second position (illustrated in FTG. 3).

[00371 Referring to FIG. 3, when the moveable arm 34 of the stroller 10 is in the second position, the adapters 50 may be positioned at an angle a with respect to vertical line V. The side portions 80 of the canopy 30 may generally obstruct or hide at least a portion of the adapters 50 from view. Specifically, when an individual views the stroller 10 along one of the sides 60, at least a portion of the adapters 50 may be substantially hidden by the side portions 80 of the canopy 30. Hiding the adapters 50 may be beneficial, as some individuals may not find the upwardly projecting adapters 50 as seen in FIG. 2 to he aesthetically pleasing.

[0038] When the moveable arm 34 is in the second position, the infant seat 70 may not he secured to the frame 22 of the stroller 10. Instead, the stroller 10 maybe used to transport a relatively largcr child in the child scat located between two side portions 80 of the canopy 30 of the stroller 10 (the child seat is not illustrated). When the moveable arm 34 is in the second position, the tray 36 may be positioned generally parallel to horizontal. Thus, a larger child placed within the child seat (not illustrated) maybe able to access objects placed on the tray 36 or a drink placed in the cup holder 66 of the moveable arm 34.

[90391 FIG. 6 is an illustration of the moveable arm 34, which has been removed from the frame 22 of the stroller 10-Two slidable buttons 84 (only one of the buttons is visible in FTc1.

6) may he located along an outer surface 86 of each of the members 54 of the moveable arm 34.

The buttons 84 may each he slid in a first linear direction LI by a user in order to remove the moveable arm 34 from the frame 22 of the stroller i0 (FIGS. 1-3). However, the buttons 84 may be normally biased in a second linear direction L2 that generally opposes the first linear direction Li. A slidable ann 104 and a biasing member 1 i6 (visible in FIG. 7) may be located within each of the members 54 of the moveable arm 34 to normally bias the buttons 84. The slidable arm 104 and the biasing member 116 are described in greater detail below.

[00401 The moveable arm 34 may include two hubs 90 that may be selectively engaged with the hubs 68 located on opposing sides 60 of the frame 22 of the stroller 10 (shown in FIGS. 2- 3). The hubs 90 of the moveable arm 34 may each include a tongue 92, a finger 94, and a biasing member 96 (the tongue 92, the finger 94, and the biasing member 96 are only visible on one of the hubs 90 in FIG. 6). FIG. 6 illustrates the finger 94 of the huh 90 in a normally biased position, where the biasing member 96 maybe positioned against and exert a biasing force against a bottom portion 98 of the finger 94. The biasing force exerted by the biasing member 96 urges the finger 94 in a generally upwards direction U, which in turn retains the finger 94 in the normally biased position. It should be noted that while FIG. 6 illustrates the biasing member 96 as a coil spring, it is to be understood that any other biasing mechanism capable of exerting the biasing force against the finger 94 may be used as well.

[00411 A slidable arm 104 (only a portion of one of the slidable arms 104 is visible in FIG. 6) maybe located on each side 60 of the moveable arm 34. An engagement arm 170 (one of the engagement arms 170 is fully visible in FIG. 7) may also be located on each side 60 of the moveahle arm 34 as well. Both members 54 of the moveable arm 34 maybe generally tubular or hollow. Thus, a portion of one of the slidable arms 104 and a portion of one of the engagement arms 170 may be located within a corresponding one of the members 54 of the moveable arm 34. The slidable arms 104 may be used to selectively engage the moveable arm 34 with the frame 22 of the stroller 10 (FiGS. 1-3), and is described in greater detail below. The engagement arms 170 may be used to secure the moveable arm 34 in either the first position (shown in FIG. 2) or the second position (shown in FIG. 3), and is also described in greater detail below.

[9042] A portion of each slidable arm 104 maybe located within a corresponding one of the members 54 of the moveable arm 34 (the portion of the slidable arm 104 located within the member 54 is not visible in FIG. 6), and a remaining portion 102 of each slidable arm 104 may be located within the hub 90 of the moveable arm 34. The portion 102 of each slidable arm 104 located within the hub 90 of the moveable ann 90 includes an angled section 108. The angled section 108 of each moveable arm 34 may be sloped or oriented in a generally downwards directioll. Each finger 94 located within one of the hubs 90 of the moveable arm 34 may define a recess 106. The angled section 108 of each moveable ann 34 may be received by the recess 106 of a corresponding finger 94.

[9043] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a portion of the stroller 10, where one of the members 54, one of the adapters 50, and one of the hubs 90 located on one side 60 of the moveable arm 34 are omitted. Thus, the slidable arm 104, the engagement arm 170, the finger 94 and the biasing member 96 may be visible in FIG. 7. The remaining slidable arm 104, engagement arm 170, finger 94 and biasing member 96 located on the opposing side 60 of the moveable arm 34 are hidden from view. It should be noted that while the components located on only one side 60 of the stroller 10 are shown ill FIG. 7, the opposing side 60 of the stroller 10 may be a minor image.

[9044] The slidable arm 104 may include a first end ItO, a second end 112, and a slot 114, where the hiasingmemher 116 maybe located within the slot 114. The slot 114 of the slidable arm 104 may include a first end 120 and a second end 122. Similarly, the biasing member 116 of the slidable arm 104 may also include a first end 124 and a second end 126. The first end 124 of the biasing member 116 maybe engaged with a post 130 located at the first end 130 of the slot 114. The post 130 may be fixedly attached to a conesponding member 54 of the moveable arm 34 (the member 54 is not visible in FIG. 7). The second end 126 of the biasing member 116 may exert a biasing force against the second end 122 of the slot 114 of the slidable arm 104 in the second linear direction L2. The biasing force exerted by the biasing member 116 against the slot 114 of the slidabk arm 104 may be used to keep the slidable ann 104 normally biased in the second linear direction L2.

[9045] The first end 110 of the slidable arm 104 may also include an aperture 140 for receiving a fastener (not shown). The fastener may he any device configured to fixedly attach the first end 110 of the slidable arm 104 to a corresponding one of the buttons 84 located on the moveabk arm 34. In other words, the button 84 of die moveable ann 34 may be fixedly attached to the first end 110 of the slidable arm 104 by a fastener such as, for exampk, a pin.

Thus, the biasing force exerted by the biasing member 116 not on'y keeps the slidable arm 104 normally biased in die second linear direction L2, but also keeps the corresponding button 84 of the moveable arm 84 normally biased in the second linear direction L2 as well.

[9046] FIGS. 7-8 illustrate an inner surface 150 of one of the hubs 68 on the frame 22 of the stroller 10. The huh 68 may include an outer portion 152 and an inner portion 154. The outer portion 152 maybe fixed, and therefore unable to rotate about an axis of rotation A-A of the huh 68. However, the rotatable inner portion 154 may he selectively rotatable about the axis of rotation A-A of the hub 68. The outer portion 152 of the hub 68 may include a first engagement s'ot 156 and a second engagement slot 158. The inner portion 154 of the hub 68 may include a recess 160 and two generally parallel raised surfaces 162 that form a groove 164. The groove 164 of the inner portion 154 of the hub 68 corresponds to the tongue 92 located on the hub 90 of the moveable arm 34 (shown in FIG. 6).

[9047] Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the tongue 92 located on the huh 90 of the moveable arm 34 (FIG. 6) maybe slidingly received by a corresponding groove 164 located on one of the hubs 68 of the stroller 10 (FIG. 8). The engagement between the tongue 92 located on the huh 90 of the moveahle arm 34 and the groove 164 located on the huh 68 of the stroller 10 maybe used to secure the moveahle arm 34 to the frame 22 of the stroller 10. Specifically, a user may take the movcablc arm 34 as sccn in FIG. 6 (which is currcutly detached from the stroller 10), and guide the tongues 92 of both hubs 90 of the nioveable arm 34 in the second linear direction L2, and into a corresponding one of the grooves 164 of the hubs 68 of the stroller 10.

[904$] The biasing force exerted by the biasing member 96 against the bottom portion 98 of the finger 94 located within the huh 90 of the moveable arm 34 may urge the finger 94 in the -10 -upwards direction U. Thus, as the tongue 92 of the hub 90 of the moveable arm 34 is guided into the groove 164 of the huh 68 of the strofler 10, the biasing force exerted by the biasing member 96 may urge the finger 94 into the corresponding recess 1 60 located within the inner portion 154 of the hLIh 68 of the stroller 10. As seen in FTG. 7, engagement between the finger 94 and the recess 160 secures the moveahle arm 34 to the hLIh 68 of the stroller 10.

[00491 A user may exert a force on the button 84 directed along the first linear direction Li.

This force may be used to remove the moveable arm 34 from the frame 22 of the stroller iO.

Specifically, the force exerted by the user on the button 84 in the first linear direction Li may be sufficient in order to overcome the biasing force exerted by the biasing member i 16 located within the slot 1 i4 of the slidable arm i04 in the second linear direction L2. Thus, the force exerted by the user on the button 84 in the first linear direction Li may cause the slidable ann 104 to move in the first linear direction LI. Because the first end 124 of the biasing member 116 maybe fixedly attached to the member 54 of the moveable arm 34 by the post 130 (the member 54 is not visible in FTG. 7), movement of the slidable arm 104 in the first linear direction LI causes the biasing member 116 to compress within the slot 114 of the slidable arm 104. Compression of the biasing member 116 allows for the slidable arm 104 to move in the first linear direction Li.

[00501 As the slidable arm 104 moves in the first linear direction Li, the angled section 108 of the slidable arm i04 urges the finger 94 in the hub 90 in a generally downwards direction D. Specifically, as seen in FIG. 6, the recess i06 of the finger 94 receives the angled section 108 of the slidabie ann i04. Movement of the slidable arm 104 in the first linear direction Li may be sufficient to overcome the biasing force exerted in the upwards direction U by the biasing member 96. Thus, once the biasing force exerted by the biasing member 96 is overcome by movement of the slidable arm 104, the sloped profile of the angled section 108 of the slidable arm 108 may guide the finger 94 in the downward direction D. [00511 Removal of the moveable arm 34 from the frame 22 of the stroller 10 may now be described. Specifically, a user may urge the two buttons 84 located on both sides 60 of the moveable arm 34 in the first linear direction LI. This in turn may move the slidable arm 104 in the first linear direction LI as well. Movement of the slidable arm 104 in the first linear direction Li causes the finger 94 of the hub 90 of the moveable ann 34 to move in the downward direction D, and thus the finger 94 may retract or withdraw from the recess I 60 located on the inner portion 154 of the huh 68 of the strofler 10. In other words, the finger 94 may no longer he received by the recess 160 located within the huh 68 of the stroller 10. Thus, the moveable arm 34 may no longer he fixeWy engaged with the stroller 10. The user may now slide the toilgues 92 located on each hub 90 of the moveable arm 34 in the first linear direction Li, and out of the recess 160 of the hub 68 of the stroller 10, thereby removing the moveable arm 34 from the frame 22 of the stroller 10.

[00521 Referring to FIG. 7, the engagemeilt arm 170 may be used to secure the moveable arm 34 in either the first position (shown ill FIGS. i-2) or the second position (showil in FIG. 3).

The engagement arm i70 may include a first end 172, a second end 174, a slot 176, aild a biasing member 178. The slot 176 of the engagement arm 170 may indude a first end 180 and a second end 182. The biasing member 178 may also include a first end 184 and a second end 186. The first end 184 of the biasing member 178 maybe engaged with a post 190 located at the first end 180 of the slot 176. The post 190 may be fixedly attached to the member 54 of the moveable arm 34 (the member 54 is not visible in FIG. 7). The second end 186 of the biasing member 178 maybe engaged with the second end 182 of the slot 176. The biasing force exerted by the biasing member 178 agaillst the slot i76 of [lie engagement arm 170 may be used to keep the engagement arm 170 normally biased in the second linear direction L2.

[00531 The first elld 172 of the ellgagement arm i70 may include an aperture i92 that receives a first elld 196 of a cable 194. Referrillg to both FIGS. 7-8, the second end 174 of the engagement arm 170 may selectively engage with either the first engagement slot 156 or the second engagement slot 158 of the outer portion i52 of the hub 68 of the stroller iO in order to secure the moveable arm 34 in either the first position or the second position. Specificafly, if the second end 174 of the engagement arm 170 is engaged with the first slot 156 of the huh 68, then the inoveable arm 34 may be in the first position (FIGS. 1-2). Similarly, if the second end 174 of the engagement arm 170 is engaged with the second slot 158 of the hub 68, then the moveable arm 34 may be in the second position (FIG. 3).

-12 - [90541 The engagement arm 170 may be urged in the first linear direction Li to disengage with either the first slot iSO or the second slot 158 of the huh 68 of the stroller 10 by pulling the handle 56 located along the bottom surface 58 of the tray 36 in the linear direction DI. Turning to FIG. 9, the moveable arm 34 is illustrated. One of the members 54 and the huh 90 are omitted in order to reveal the slidable arm I 04, the engagement arm 170, and a portion of the cable 194. A lower shell 198 of the tray 36 (seen in FIG. 7)is also omitted as well, in order to reveal the entire handle 56. As seen in FIG. 9, the handle includes a pair of inwardly extending slots 208, 210. A second end 200 of the cable 194 may be engaged with one of the slots 208 located in the handle 56. It should be noted that while only one cable 194 is illustrated, the other side of the moveable arm 34 also includes a cable as well, which engages with the slot 2i0.

[0055] When a user pulls the handle 56 in the direction DI, the slots 208, 210 also move in the direction DI. Movement of the slots 208, 210 in the direction Di may urge the cable 194 in a direction Ti. The direction TI is oriented inwardly towards an axis of symmetry D-D of the moveable arm 34. As the cable i94 is urged in the direction Ti,this may also urge the engagement arm 170 in the first linear direction Li. Referring to FIGS. 7-9, urging the engagement arm 170 in the first linear direction Li may cause the second end 174 of the engagement arm 170 to disengage with either the first engagement slot 156 or the second engagement slot 158 located on the outer portion 152 of the hub 68 of the stroller 10. Once the second end 174 of the engagement arm 170 is disengaged with either the first engagement slot 156 or the second engagement slot 158, the moveable arm 34 may be rotated about the hubs 68 of the stroller 10.

[0056] Rotation of the moveable arm 34 from the first position (FIGS. 1-2) into the second position (FiG. 3) may now he explained. Referring generally to FIGS. 2-3 and 6-9, if the moveahle arm 34 is in the first position, the second end 174 of the engagement arm 170 maybe engaged with the first engagement slot 156 located on the hub 68 of the stroller 10. A user may pull the handle 56 located on the tray 36 of the moveable arm 34 in the direction Di, thereby causing the second end 174 of the engagement arm 170 to disengage with the first engagement slot 156 located on the outer portion 152 of the hub 68 of the stroller 10. A user may now rotate the moveable arm 34 about the hubs 68 of the stroller 10 in a counterclockwise direction, and -13 -towards the second engagement slot 158 located on the hub 68. As the engagement arm 170 approaches the second engagement slot 158 located on the outer portion I 52 of the huh 68, the biasing force exerted by the spring 178 positioned within the slot 176 of the engagement arm may urge the second end 174 of the engagement arm 170 into the second engagement slot 158 of the huh 68. The moveable arm 34 may now he secured in the second position (shown in FIG. 3).

[00571 FIGS. 10-11 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a stroller 310. The stroller 310 may include a handle 320, a frame 322, a set of front wheels 324, and a set of rear wheels 326.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 10, a pram or carry cot 330 may be selectively engaged with the frame 322 of the stroller 310. The carry cot 330 may be used to seat a child. However, a user may remove the carry cot 330 from the frame 322 of the stroller 310. The user may replace the carry cot 330 with an infant seat 332, which is illustrated in FIG. II. The infant seat 332 may also he selectively engaged with the frame 322 of the stroller 310. Thus, the stroller 310 maybe used to transport children using either the carry cot 330 (shown in FIG. 10), or the infant seat 322 (shown in FIG. II).

[00581 The handle 320 of the stroller 310 may include two gripping portiolls 338. The frame 322 of the stroller 310 may include two front members 340 and two rear members 344. Each of the front wheels 324 of the stroller 310 may be connected to a bottom portion 345 of one of the froilt members 340 of the stroller 310. Each of the rear wheels 326 of the stroller 310 may be connected to a bottom portion 346 of one of the rear members 344 of the stroller 310. III one embodiment, the frame 322 of the stroller 310 may be foldable between a collapsed position (not illustrated) and a deployed position as shown in FIGS. 10-Il.

[0059] In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 10, the carry cot 330 is in a front-facing position with respect to the frame 322 of the stroller 31 0. However, it is to he understood that the carry cot 330 may also be placed in a rear-facing position with rcspcet to the framc 322 of thc stroller 310 as well (the rear-facing position is not illustrated). The carry cot 330 may include a canopy 350, a handle 352, a seat portion 354, and two extensions 356 (only one of the extensions are visible in FIG. 10). The two extensions 356 maybe located on opposing sides 360 of the stroller 3 I 0.

-14 - [90601 FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an inner side 362 of one of the front members 340 located on one side 360 of the stroller 310. As seen in FIG. 12, the inner side 362 of the front member 340 of the stroller 310 may include a receiving member 364. The receiving member 364 of the stroller 3 tO may he configured to receive and engage with one of the extensions 356 of the carry cot 330 (seen in FIG. 10). This engagement between the receiving member 364 and the extension 356 secures the carry cot 330 to the frame 322 of the snoller 310. The receiving member 364 may be part of a hub 366. The hub 366 may be fixedly attached to the frame 322 of the stroller 310. For example, in the non-limiting embodiment as shown in FIG. 12, the hub 366 may be attached to the inner side 362 of the front member 340 of the stroller 310 using a plurality of fasteners 368. It should be noted that while only one of the hubs 366 located on one side 360 of the stroller 310 is shown in FIG. 12, the remaining side 360 of the stroller 310 (shown in FIGS. 10-11) may be a mirror image, and includes the same componentry.

[9061] Referring generally to FIGS. 10-14, a user may remove the carry cot 330 from the frame 322 of the stroller 310 and install the infant seat 332. Specifically, as seen in FIG. 13, the frame 322 of the stroller 310 may include a set of adapters 370. The adapters 370 maybe used to selectively engage with and secure the infant seat 332 (illustrated in FIG. 11) to the frame 322 of the stroller 310. One of the adapters 370 may be positioned on one side 360 of the stroller 310, and the remaining adapter 370 may be positioned on the other side 360 of the stroller 310. The adapters 370 may each be independently rotatable about an axis of rotation A-A' of a corresponding hub 366 of the frame 322 of the stroller 310 (the axis of rotation A-A' is shown in FIG. 12). Specifically, each adapter 370 may be rotatable about a corresponding one of the hubs 366 between a first position (seen in FIG. 13) and a second position (seen in FIG. 14).

[9062] Referring to FIG. 1 3, when in the first position, the adapters 50 may project upwardly and he easily viewed by a user. Moreover, the adapters 370 may he positioned to engage with the infant seat 332 (shown in FIG. 11). Each adapter 370 may include a front side 372 and a rear side 374. The rear side of each adapter 370 may include a mating feature 376. The mating feature 376 may be a projection that extends outwardly from the rear side 374 of the adapter 370.

-15 - [90631 Referring to FIG. 11, the infant seat 332 may include opposing sides 383, where a receiving member 381 maybe located on each side 383 of the infant seat 332. Similar to the embodiment as shown in FIGS. i-9, each receiving member 38i may include an attachment device 380 (seen in FIG. 15) located therein. FIG. IS is a cross-section of one of the receiving members 38i of the infant seat 332, where a corresponding adapter 370 and the attachment device 380 located within the receiving member 381 may be viewed. The attachment device 380 may include a hook-shaped member 382. The hook-shaped member 382 of the attachment device 380 may be sized to receive and engage with the mating feature 376 located along the rear side 374 of the adapter 370. The mating feature 376 of the adapter 370 may include an outer periphery 384 that generally corresponds with an inner surface 386 of the hook-shaped member 382. It should be noted that while FIG. 15 illustrates a hook-shaped member and a projection to engage the adapter 370 of the stroller 310 with the infant seat 332, other approaches may be used as well to secure the infant seat 332 to the stroller 310.

[9064] Referring back to FIGS. 11-14, a user may remove the infant seat 332 from the adapters 370. The user may then rotate each of the adapters 370 independently from one another in a clockwise direction from the first position (seen in FIG. 13) and into the second position (seen in FIG. 14). When in the second position, the adapters 370 may be positioned at an angle a' with respect to vertical line V. The carry cot 330 (shown in FIG. 10) may now be attached to the frame 322 of the stroller 310. Moreover, when the adapters 370 are in the second position, the front members 340 located on both sides 360 of the stroller 310 may generally obstruct or hide at least a portion of the adapters 370 from view. Specifically, when an individual views the stroller 310 along one of the sides 360, at least a portion of each adapter 370 may each be substantially hidden by a portion of one of the front members 340 of the stroller 310. Hiding the adapters 370 when the infant seat 332 is not in use may be beneficial, as some individuals may not find the upwardly projecting adapters 370 as seen in FIG. 13 to be aesthetically pleasing.

[0065] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the frame 322 of the stroller 310 and one of the adapters 370, taken along section line B-B in FIG. 14. A fastening member 390 may be used to secure one of the adapters 370 to a corresponding hub 366 of the stroller 310. The fastening member 390 may be oriented along the axis of rotation A-A' of the hub 366 of the -16-stroller 310. As seen in FIG. 16, the fastening member 390 may include a distal end 392 threadingly engaged with a corresponding mating hole 394 located within the frame 322 of the stroller 310. The adapter 370 may he rotatable about the axis of rotation A-A' of the huh 366 between the first position and the second position. It should he noted that whfle on'y one of the adapters 370 is shown in FIG. 16, the adapter 370 located on the opposing side 360 of the stroller 310 may be a minor image.

[00661 Referring to FIG. 17, the adapter 370 may also include a toggle button 400 and a second fastening member 402. The toggle button 400 may be received by a corresponding aperture 404 located within the adapter 370. The toggle button 400 may be used to secure the adapter 370 in either the first position or the second position. The second fastening member 402 may be oriented radially outward with respect to the axis of rotation A-A' the hub 366 of the stroller 3 10. The second fastening member 402 may he used to secure the togg'e hutton 400 to the adapter 370.

[9067] FIGS. 18-i 9 illustrate the toggle button 400, the second fastener 402, and a biasing member 410, where the toggle button 400 may pivot about the second fastening member 402.

The toggle button 400 may include an aperture 412 for receiving the second fastener member 402. The toggle button 400 may also include a first end portion 420 and a second end portion 422. The aperture 412 of the toggle button 400 may be located between the first end portion 420 and the second end portion 422. The toggle button 400 may also include a mating feature 424 and a recess 426 (shown in FIG. 18). The mating feature 424 may be located at the first end portion 420 of the toggle button 400. The mating feature 424 may include a generally curved or rounded profile configured to selectively engage with either a first engagement feature 440 or a second engagement feature 442 located on a corresponding one of the hubs 366 of the stroller 310 (seen in FIG. i 2), and is described in greater detail below. The recess 426 of the toggle button 400 may he ocated at the second end portion 422 of the toggle button 400.

The recess 426 of the toggle button 400 may be sized to receive a portion of the biasing member 410.

[906$] Turning hack to FIG. 17, the adapters 370 is illustrated in the second position, where the second end portion 422 of the toggle hutton 400 may he onented outwardly away from the -17-hub 366 of the stroller 310. FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of the adapter 370, the toggle bLitton 400, and a portion of the frame 322 of the stroller 310 shown in FIG. 17, taken along section line C-C. Referring to FIGS. 17-20, the biasing member 410 maybe located between the recess 426 of the toggle hutton 400 (seen in FTG. I 8) and an interior surface 430 of the adapter 370. The biasing member 4i 0 may exert a biasing force in a direction oriented outwardly away from the adapter 370. The biasing force exerted by the biasing member 410 may keep the second end portion 422 of the toggle button 400 outwardly away from the hub 366 of the stroller 310.

[00691 Turning to FIG. 12, each hub 366 located on the frame 322 of the stroller 310 may include two engagement features, namely the first engagement feature 440 and the second engagement feature 442. Both the first engagement feature 440 and the second engagement feature 442 maybe located along an inner surface 446 of the huh 366, and positioned radially outward from the axis of rotation A-A'. Both of the first engagement feature 440 and the second engagement feature 442 maybe recesses or indentations located within the huh 366 of the stroller 3 10. The first engagement feature 440 and the second engagement feature 442 of the hub 366 may be configured to receive and secure the mating feature 424 located at the first end portion 420 of the toggle button 400 (shown in FIG. 18). Specifically, when the adapter 370 is in the first position, the mating feature 424 of the toggle button 400 (shown in FIG. 18) may be received by the first engagement feature 440 located on the hub 366. This engagement between the mating feature 424 of the toggle button 400 and the first engagement feature 440 located on the hub 366 may be used to secure the adapter 370 in the first position. Similarly, when the adapter 370 is in the second position, the mating feature 424 of the toggle button 400 (shown in FIG. 18) may be received by the second engagement feature 442 located on the hub 366. This engagement between the mating feature 424 of the toggle button 400 and the second engagement feature 442 located on the hub 366 may be used to secure the adapter 370 in the second position.

[00701 FIG. 20 illustrates the adapter 370 secured in the second position, where the engagement between the mating feature 424 of the toggle button 400 and the second engagement feature 442 located on the hub 366 is visible. As seen in FIG. 20, the mating feature 424 of the toggle button 400 may be a generally rounded or curved profile that generally -18-corresponds with an outer surface 444 of the second engagement feature 442 of the hub 366. In order to disengage the toggle hutton 400 from the huh 366, a user may exert a force F against the second end 422 of the toggle hutton 400 in a direction towards the huh 366 of the stroller 3 10. The force F exerted on the second end 422 of the toggle hutton 400 may he sufficient to overcome the biasing force exerted by the biasing member 410. The toggle hutton 400 may then pivot in the counterclockwise direction about the second fastening member 402, which causes the mating feature 424 of the toggle button 400 to be urged out of the second engagement feature 442 located on the hub 366.

[00711 Once the mating feature 424 of the toggle button 400 is no longer received by the second engagement feature 442 located on the hub 366, the adapter 370 is no longer secured in the second position. Thus, a user may rotate the adapter 370 in a counterclockwise direction from the second position (seen in FIG. i 4) and into the first position (seen in FIG. 13).

Referring to FTGS. i 2 and 20, as the mating feature 424 of the toggle button 400 approaches the first engagement feature 440 located on the huh 366 (seen in FIG. 12), the biasing force exerted by the biasing member 410 may urge the mating feature 424 of the toggle button 400 into the first engagement feature 440 located on the hub 366. The adapter 370 may now be secured in the first position. it should be noted that while disengagement of the mating feature 424 of the toggle button 400 with the second engagement feature 442 located on the hub 366 is described, a similar process may be used to disengage the mating feature 424 of the toggle button 400 from the first engagement feature 440 located on the hub 366.

[00721 Referring to FIG. 12, each hub 366 may also include an inner stopper 447 and an outer stopper 450, where the inner stopper 447 maybe located radially inward with respect to the outer stopper 450. The inner stopper 447 may be a raised surface that projects outwardly from the inner surface 446 of the huh 366, and maybe located around the axis of rotation A-A' of the huh 366. The inner stopper 447 may include a first stopper surface 448 and a second stopper surface 449. The outer stopper 450 may also be a raised surface that projects outwardly from the inner surface 446 of the hub 366, and may be located along an outer periphery 451 of the hub 366. The outer stopper 450 may include a first stopper surface 452 and a second stopper surface 454.

-19 - [90731 FIG. 21 is an illustration of the rear side 374 of one of the adapters 370. A stopper 460 may he located on the rear side of the adapter 370. The stopper 460 may he a raised surface that projects outwardly from the rear side 374 of the adapter 370. The stopper 460 may include a first abutment surface 462 and a second abutment surface 464. The first abutment surface 462 of the engagement stop 460 of the adapter arm may he configured to abut against the first stopper surface 448 of the inner stopper 450 of the hub 366 (the hub 366 is shown in FIG. 12) when the adapter 370 is ill the first position (FIG. 13). Similarly, the second first abutment surface 464 of the engagement stop 460 of the adapter arm 360 may be configured to abut against the second stopper surface 449 of the inner stopper 450 of the hub 366 (the hub 366 is shown in FIG. 12) when the adapter 370 is in the second position (FIG. 14).

[00741 All outer periphery 470 of the adapter 370 may define a first angled portion 472 and a second angled portion 474. In the non-limiting embodiment as shown in FIG. 21, the first angled portion 472 and the second angled portion 474 of the adapter 370 maybe in the form of an acute angle, which has a generally V-shaped profile. The first angled portion 472 of the adapter 370 may he configured to abut against the first stopper surface 452 of the outer stopper 450 of the hub 366 (the hub 366 is shown in FIG. 12) when the adapter 370 is in the first position (FIG. 13). Similarly, the second angled portion 474 of the adapter 370 may be configured to abut against the second stopper surface 454 of the outer stopper 450 of the hub 366 (the hub 366 is shown in FIG. 12) when the adapter 370 is in the second position (FIG. 14).

[00751 Referring to FIGS. 12-14 and 18-21, when the adapter 370 is in the first position (seen in FIG. 13) the mating feature 424 located at the first end portion 420 of the toggle button 400 (FIG. I 8) may he received by the first engagement feature 440 ocated on the hub 366 of the stroller 310. The first abutment surface 462 of the engagement stop 460 of the adapter 370 may abut against the first stopper surface 448 of the inner stopper 450 of the huh 366 (the huh 366 is shown in FIG. 12). Moreover, the first angled portion 472 of the adapter 370 (shown in FIG. 21) may be configured to abut against the first stopper surface 452 of the outer stopper 450 of the hub 366 (the hub 366 is shown in FIG. 12). Similarly, when the adapter 370 is in the second position (seen in FIG. 13) the mating feature 424 located at the first end portion 420 of the toggle button 400 (FIG. 18) may be received by the second engagement feature 442 located on the hub 366 of the stroller 310. The second abutment surface 464 of the engagement stop 460 of the adapter 370 may abut against the second stopper surface 449 of the inner stopper 450 of the hLIh 366 (the huh 366 is shown in FIG. 12). Moreover, the second angled portion 474 of the adapter 370 (shown in FTG. 21) may he configured to abut against the second stopper surface 454 of the outer stopper 450 of the huh 366 (the huh 366 is shown in FTG. 12).

[90761 Referring generally to FIGS. 1-21, the disclosed strollers both indude adapters that maybe rotated between the first position (seen in FIGS. 1-2 and FIG. 13) and the second position (seen in FIGS. 3 and 14). When in the first position, the adapters may be positioned to engage with attachment mechanisms located on the infant seat. However, if the infimt seat is removed from the stroller, a user may then rotate the adapters from the first position and into die second positioll. When in the second position, the adapters are substantially hidden from view.

Some types of strollers currently available include adapters that project upwardly from the sides of the stroller. The adapters may remain in the same position even after an infant seat is removed from the stroller. Thus, these upwardly projecting adapters may he noticeable after the infant seat is removed from the stroller, especially if the adapters are large or bulky in size.

Some individuals may not find the upwardly projecting adapters to he aesthetically pleasing. In contrast, the disclosed strollers include adapters that may be substantially hidden from view if the infant seat is not in use.

[00771 While the forms of apparatus and methods herein described constitute preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the inveiltion is lot limited to these precise forms of apparatus and methods, and the changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventioll.

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Claims (15)

1. What is claimed is: 1. A stroller, wherein an infant seat is selectively engaged with the stroller, the stroller comprising: a frame having a first side and a second side that generally oppose one another; and at least two adapters each configured to selectively engage with the ififant seat, wherein one of the adapters is positioned on the first side of the frame and a remaining adapter is positioned 011 the second side of the frame, the adapters being rotatable between a first position and a second position, mid wherein the adapters are visible and positioned to engage with the infant seat in the first position, and are sithstantially hidden from view in the second position.
2. 2. The stroller of claim 1, further comprisillg a moveable arm selectively engaged with die frame of the stroller, wherein the moveable arm includes the adapters.
3. 3. The stroller of claim 2, wherein the moveahle arm includes a tray and a cup holder.
4. 4. The stroller of claim 2, wherein the frame of the stroller includes a first hub and a second hub that are located on the first side and the second side of the stroller respectively, and wherein the moveable arm is selectively engaged with the frame of the stroller at the first hub and the second hub.
5. 5. The stroller of claim 4, wherein the moveahle arm is selectively rotatable about the first hLIh and the second huh of the strofler between the first position and the second position.
6. 6. The stroller of claim 4, wherein the moveable arm includes a plurality of slidable arms, wherein one of the slidable arms is positioned to selectively engage with the first hub located on the first side of the frame of the stroller and a remaining slidable arm is positioned to selectively engage with the second hub located on the second side of the frame of the stroller.
7. 7. The stroller of claim 4, wherein the moveahle arm includes a p'urality of engagement arms, wherein one of the engagement arms is positioned to selectively engage with the first huh located on the first side of the frame of the stroller and a remaining adapter is positioned to selectively engage with the second huh on the second side of the frame of the stroller, and-wherein the engagement arms are configured to secure the inoveable arm in one of the first position and the second position.
8. 8. The stroller of claim I, wherein each of the adapters include a front side and a rear side, and wherein a mating feature is ocated along the rear side of the adapter and is configured to selectively engage with a feature located on the infant seat.
9. 9. The stroller of claim 1, wherein the frame of the stroller includes a first hub and a second hub that are located on the first side and the second side of die stroller respectively, and wherein one of the adapters is independently rotatable about the first hub of the frame and the remaining adapter is independently rotatable about the second hub of the frame.
10. lO. The stroller of claim 9, wherein the adapters each include a toggle button, and wherein the toggle button is configured to secure a corresponding adapter in one of the first position and the second position.
11. 11. The stroller of claim 10, wherein each adapter includes a biasing member, and wherein the biasing member exerts a biasing force against the toggle button to secure a corresponding one of the adapters in either the first position or the second position.
12. 12. The stroller of claim 1, wherein the stroller is configured to selectively engage with a carry cot if the adapters are in the second position.
13. 13. A stroller, wherein an infant seat is selectively engaged with the stroller, the stroller comprising: a frame having a first side, a second side, a first huh, and a second huh, wherein the first side and the second side generafly oppose one another and the first huh and the second huh are located on the first side and the second side of the stroller respectively; and at least two adapters each configured to selectively engage with the infant seat, wherein one of the adapters is positioned on the first side of the frame and is rotatable about the first hub between a first position and a second position, and a remaining adapter is positioned on the second side of the frame and is rotatable about the second hub between the first position and the-second position, wherein the adapters are visible and positioned to engage with the infant seat in the first position, and are substantially hidden from view in the second position.
14. I 4. The stroller of claim 13, further comprising a moveable arm selectively engaged with the first huh and the second huh of the stroller.
15. 15. The stroller of claim 14, whereill the moveable arm includes a tray and a cup holder.16-The stroller of claim 14, wherein the moveable arm includes a plurality of sUdable arms, wherein one of the slidable arms is positioned to selectively engage with the first hub located Oil the first side of the frame of the stroller and a remaining slidable arm is positioned to selectively engage with the second huh ocated on the second side of the frame of the stroller.17. The stroller of claim 14, wherein the moveable arm includes a plurality of engagement arms, wherein oe of the engagement arms is positioned to selectively engage with the first hub located on the first side of the frame of the stroller and a remaining adapter is positioned to selectively engage with the second hub on the second side of the frame of the stroller, and wherein the engagement arms are configured to secure the moveaMe arm in one of the first position and the second position.18. The stroller of claim 13, wherein the adapters are independently rotatable between the first position and the second position.19. The stroller of claim 18, wherein the adapters each include a toggle button, and wherein the toggle button is configured to secure a corresponding adapter in one of the first position and the second position.20. The stroller of claim I, wherein each adapter includes a biasing member, and wherein the biasing member exerts a biasing force against the toggle button to secure a corresponding one of the adapters ill either the first position or the second position.-