GB2528723A

GB2528723A - Attachment device for an infant carriage

Info

Publication number: GB2528723A
Application number: GB1413517.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Robert Oxley
Original assignee: Mothercare UK Ltd
Current assignee: Mothercare UK Ltd
Priority date: 2014-07-30
Filing date: 2014-07-30
Publication date: 2016-02-03
Also published as: GB201413517D0

Abstract

An attachment device for an infant carriage comprising a first part 1, such as a clamp, arranged to be secured about a support post of the infant carriage, and a second part, such as a beverage holder (13, Fig.4), hook (18, Fig. 7), mobile telephone holder (19, Fig. 9), snack pot (22, Fig. 11) or handle (30, Fig. 14), arranged to be mounted on the first part through a mounting 8, the mounting comprising a mounting portion (14) of the second part which releasably engages a mounting portion of the first part. The first part may be a clamp comprising a threaded part 3 and a nut 5. The mounting may comprise a resilient part which tends to keep the mounting portions in engagement, where the second part is allowed to rotate relatively to the first part when the mounting portions are engaged. Also claimed is a kit of parts forming the attachment device, and a cup holder having side walls that extend from a base, where the side walls comprise at least one cut-out (36, Fig.4).

Description

ATTACHMENT DEVICE FOR AN INFANT CARRIACE

This invention relates to an attachment device for an infant carriage such as (non-exclusively) a pushchair. strofler or pram Infant carriages, such as pushehairs/strollers or prams, are a common feature in today's society, especially for parents of young children. It is known to provide attachment dcviccs which attach other devices to such infant carriages. Known devices include cup holders which clip or clamp onto the frame of the infant carriage.

It is desired to improve the flexibility of such attachment devices.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an attachment device for an infant carriage, comprising a first part arranged to be secured about a support post of the infant carriage, and a second part arranged to be mounted on the first part through a mounting, the mounting comprising a mounting portion of the second part which releasaby and repeataby engages a mounting portion of the first part.

Thus, we provide an attachment device having two parts; the first part can be attached to the infant carriage (and can be left there long term), whereas the second part can be removed and replaced as desired. Furthermore. different second parts could be interchanged as desired, thus only requiring one damp to remain attached to the infant carriage.

Where the support post of the infant carriage comprises a tubu'ar member (such as part of the frame of the infant carriage), the first part may comprise a clamp, which can be clamped onto the tubular member. Typically, this will comprise a threaded part and a nut, with rotation of the nut about the threaded part drawing the threaded part and the nut together, so as to clamp the tubular member between the threaded part and the nut.

Typically, the mounting portions will engage by one mounting portion receiving the other mounting portion; in the preferred embodiment, the mounting portion of the first part wiH be received within the mounting portion of the second part. The mounting may comprise a resilient part, which tends to keep the mounting portions in engagement. As such, the resilient part may act to restrict disengagement of the mounting portions. The mounting may, as such, be a click-fit mounting.

The mounting may be rotatable, so that the second part can rotate relative to the first S part when the mounting portions are engaged. Alternatively, the mounting portions may be keyed so as to prevent relative rotation, The second part may comprise a device which is to be attached to the infant carriage.

The device may be sekcted from the list comprising a cup holder, a hook (typically for bags), a mobile telephone holder, a container (typically for infant food) and a handle for an infant to grasp, or any other convenient item, The infant carriage may be a pushchair or stroller, or a pram.

Where the device is a cup holder, the cup holder may comprise a base (typically generally planar) from which surrounding walls extend, with the surrounding walls having at least one cutout therewithin, Typically, the cutout will accommodate the handle of a child's training cup. There may be a pair of cutouts, which may be diametrically opposed to one another around the surrounding walls, The surrounding walls will typically be generally cylindrical or generally frusto-conical.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for forming an attachment device for an infant carriage, comprising a first part arranged to be secured about a support post of the infant carriage, and a plurality of second parts each arranged to be mounted on the first part through a mounting, the mounting comprising a mounting portion of the second part which releasably and repeatably engages a molLnting portion of the first part.

As such, the part fixed to the infant carriage can be left attached to the infant carriage (and left there long term). whereas the second part can be interchanged as desired.

This means that a selection of different devices can be provided as part of the second part. Therefore, each second part may comprise a different device which is to be coupled to the infant carriage. The devices may be selected from the list comprising a cup holder, a hook (typically for bags), a mobile telephone holder, a container (typically for infant food) and a handle for an infant to grasp, or any other convenient item.

\\There the device is a cup holder, the cup ho'der may comprise a base (typically S generally planar) from which surrounding walls extend, with the surrounding wafls having at least one cutout therewithin, Typically, the cutout will accommodate the handle of a child's training cup. There may be a pair of cutouts, which may be diametrically opposed to one another around the surrounding walls. The surrounding wafls win typicafly be generafly eyhndrical or generafly frusto-conieal, The attachment device formed by the kit may fall within the first aspect of the invention.

The mounting portion of the first part may be keyed so that, when a mounting portion of one of the second parts having a corresponding key engages the mounting portion of the first part, relative rotation of the first and second parts is prevented; without the key the first and second parts may be free to rotate. At kast one, but not all of the second parts may have the corresponding key. As such, some of the second parts will be fixed against rotation relative to the first part, whilst some of them will not. Thus, those devices for which orientation is important -for example, a container for food for the infant, where the open top surface should remain uppermost, and where the container can be positioned conveniently close to the infant -can be fixed in orientation, whereas those where it is useful that they be able to rotate can rotate-for example, where a cup holder can rotate due to its weight as the orientation of the infant carrier changes, thus allowing a drink to remain upright as the infant carriage traverses non-level ground (for example a hill).

In one example, the mounting portion of the first part may comprise a flange receivable within a s'ot in the second part; in that case, the key in the first part may comprise a notch in the flange, with the key of the second parts being a rib corresponding to the notch. Typically, the flange would be at least pan-circular, to allow for rotation, with the rib (on those second parts that have the key) fitting into the notch to prevent any rotation.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an infant carriage fitted with the attachment device of the first aspect of the invention, or an attachment device formed from the kit of parts of the second aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a cup holder, comprising a base (typically generally planar) from which surrounding walls extend, with the surrounding walls having at least one cutout therewithin.

Typicafly, the cutout will accommodate the handk of a child's training cup. There may be a pair of cutouts, which may be diametrically opposed to one another around the surrounding walls, The surrounding walls will typically be generally cylindrical or generally frusto-conical.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of the cup holder of the fourth aspect of the invention to hold a cup having at least one handle which protrudes from a body of the cup, each handle being received within a cutout of the cup holder, and to ho'd a cup which has no handles which protrude from the body of the cup so as to be rcceived within each cutout.

Thus. the cup holder of this invention can be used to hold both adult and child cups.

There now follows, by way of example only, description of embodiments of the invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a clamp forming part of an attachment device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a rear side elevation of the clamp of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the clamp of Figure I; Figure 4 shows a side elevation of a cup holder which can be used with the clamp of Figure 1 to fom the attachment device; Figure 5 shows a rear clevation of the cup holder of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the cup holder of Figure 4; Figure 7 shows a rear elevation of a hook that can be used with the clamp of Figure 1 to form the attachment device; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the hook of Figure 7, attached to the clamp of Figure 1 to form an attachment device, clamped to a pushchair; Figure 9 shows a mobile telephone holder which can be used with the clamp of Figurc 1 to form the attachment dcvicc; Figure 10 shows a side elevation of the mobile telephone of the clamp of Figure 1 to form the attachment device; Figure 11 shows a side elevation of a snack pot which can be used with the clamp of Figure Ito form the attachment device; Figure 12 shows a rear clcvation of thc snack pot of Figurc 11; Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the snack pot of Figure Il; Figure 14 shows a rear elevation of a handle that can be used with the clamp of Figure 1 to form the attachment device; and Figure 15 shows a front elevation of the handle of Figure 14.

An attachment device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings. The attachment device comprises first part of the form of a clamp 1, which is typically left attached to an infant carriage such as a pushchair, and a plurality of second parts which can be engaged with the clamp so as to be supported off the pushchair.

The clamp I comprises a carrier 2 which supports a pair of parallel threaded bands 3.

A nut 4 is mountcd on the threadcd bands, such that rotation of the nut 4 causes it to travel along the bands 3. A washer 5 is provided arolLnd the bands 3 adjacent to the nut 4, Thus, the clamp defines a space 6 which can be used to contain a tube 7 (see Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings) forming part of the frame of the pushchair.

Running tile nut 4 along the bands 3 drives the washer 5 towards the carrier 2 so as to clamp the tube 7. A stop plate 12 acts to keep the nut 4 and washer S together, so as to make the manipulation of thc nut 4 along thc bands 3 easier, The stop plate 12 comprises a plate 12a which is too large to pass through nut 4 and two arms 12b which interlock with the washcr. The clamp 1 can therefore bc securely attached to the push chair.

The carrier 2 carries a circular flange 8 protruding from one face. The flange comprises a stem 9 separating a disc part 10 from the carrier 2. The disc part has a notch I I therein, As described below, the flange 8 can be used to support any of the multiple second parts described below, One of the second parts is a cup h&der 13, shown in Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. The cup holder 13 is of the form of a body 17 defining a space 33 into which a beverage cup can be securely placed, be it either for the parent or thc infant, The body 17 comprises a base 34 from which surrounding walls 35 extend. The surrounding walls 35 have a cutout 36 formed within them, which allows a child's trainer cup with side handles to be placed within the cup holder; as such, this cup holder can be used by adult or child cups.

The various second parts all have in common the feature of a matching mounting 14 to that of the flange 8. The mounting 14 comprises a slot 15 in which the flange 8 can be received. The mounting 14 also comprises two resilient pans 16 which act to retain the stem 9 in the mounting; the force required to remove the flange 8 from the slot 15 is greater than could be expected by an accidental loading, whilst still being achievable by a user who wants to remove the second part.

Because the slot 15 is of corresponding internal outline to the disc 10 (apart from the notch 11), the cup holder 13 is free to rotate around the mounting 14. This means that the cup holder 13 will autoniaticafly level itself as the pushchair negotiates unlevel ground.

A further second part of the form of a hook 18 is shown in Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings. This has the same mounting 14 as on the cup holder 13 As such, the hook can, as shown in Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings, be suspended from the clamp I and so from the pushchair tube 7, Furthermore, once the hook is S loaded -typicafly with bags of shopping or the like -the hook 18 will be free to rotate about the mounting 14 in order to accommodate for changes in the orientation of the pushchair as it is moved over non-level ground.

Another second part, this time of the fonn of a mobile tekphone hoMer 19 is shown in Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings. This comprises a body 20 shaped to define a space 21 in which can be received a mobile telephone (not shown), the body 20 being able to clamp onto a mobile telephone in that space 21. The holder 19 is provided with the same mounting 14 as for the other second parts, and so can be mounted as described above.

Yet another second part, this time of the form of a snack pot 22, is shown in Figures 11 to 13 of the accompanying drawings, This comprises a container 23 having a lid 24 formed of a flexible material with slits therein, to allow for access by (typically) a child to the contents. As such, this arrangement will allow the user to access the contents. whilst reducing the possibilities of spilling the contents.

The container 23 is mounted on a flexible arm 25 which allows the container to be positioned appropriately adjacent to the occupant of the pushchair. However, in order for this position to be maintained, the mounting 26, provided at the far end of the arm 25 from the container 23, is not entirely identical to those of the previously-mentioned second parts. It still comprises a slot 27 into which the disc 10 can be received and two resilient parts 28 which act to retain the stem 9. but the slot 27 is provided with an internal rib 29. This rib 29 engages the notch 11 so that the mounting 26 cannot rotate about the disc 10. As such, this means that this second part wiH not rotate about its mounting 26, and so the position of the container 23 relative to the occupant of the pushchair can be maintained.

The fina' second part demonstrated is a handle 30 shown in Figures 14 and 15 of the accompanying drawings, This comprises the same rotatabk mounting 14 as for the cup holder 13, a flexible strap 31 and a body portion 32, The handle can be decorated as shown iii an example in Figure 15 as an animaL with the animal's head being applied to the rear of the mounting 14, and the body portion 32 being both shaped and decorated as the animal's body. In the present example, the handle 30 is decorated as a giraffe, with the strap 31 representing the giraffe's long neck; however, any aninia could be chosen. As snch, the handle 30 can be used to entertain the occupant of the pushchair and to provide them with a handle to hold onto to provide a sense of security. Furthermore it can be used by another child, or the occupant of the pushchair when he or she is not in the pushchair, so that they can hold onto the pushchair and keep them close to their parent or other carer.

It can be seen that a single clamp 1 attached to the pushchair (or other such infant carriage) can be used to support any number of different devices having the appropriate mounting. be it the rotatable mounting 14 or the non-rotatabk mounting 26. The user of the pushchair having a collection of second parts can therefore select which of the second parts to connect to the clamp depending on their needs and the needs of the occupant of the pushchair. The second parts can be removed and securely stored when not needed, and then replaced as desired.

Claims

CLAIMS1, An attachment device for an infant carriage, comprising a first part arranged to be secured about a support post of the infant carriage, and a second part arranged to be mounted on the first part through a mounting, the mounting comprising a mounting portion of the second part which releasably and repeatably engages a mounting portion of the first part.
2. The attachment device of claim 1. in which the first part comprises a damp which can be clamped onto a tubular member forming the support post
3. The attachment device of claim 2, in which the clamp comprises a threaded part and a nut, with rotation of the nut about the threaded part drawing the threaded part and the nut together, so as to clamp the tubular member between the threaded part and the nut.
4, The attachment device of any preceding daim. in which the mounting comprises a resilient part, which tends to keep the mounting portions in engagement.
5. The attachment device of any preceding claim, in which the mounting is rotatab'e. so that the second part can rotate relative to the first part when the mounting portions are cngagcd.
6. The attachment device of any of claims Ito 4, in which the mounting portions are keyed so as to prevent relative rotation of the first and second parts.
7. The attachment device of any preceding claim, in which the second part comprises a device which is to be attached to the infant carriage.
8, The attachment device of claim 7. in which the device is selected from the list comprising a cup holder, a hook (typically for bags), a mobile telephone holder, a container (typically for infant food) and a handle for an infant to grasp.
9. The attachment device of claim 8 where the device is a cup holder comprising a base from which surrounding walls extend, with the surrounding walls having at least one cutout therewithin, 10, The attachment device of claim 9. in which there are a pair of cutouts, which arc diametrically opposed to one another around the surrounding walls.11. A kit of parts for forming an attachment device for an infant carriagc, comprising a first part arranged to be secured about a support post of the infant carriage, and a plurality of second parts each arranged to be mounted on the first part through a mounting, the mounting comprising a mounting portion of the second part which releasably and repeatably engages a mounting portion of the first part.12, The kit of claim 11, in which each second part comprises a different device which is to be colLpled to the infant carriage.13, The kit of claim 12, in which the devices are sekcted from the list comprising a cup holder, a hook (typically for bags), a mobile telephone holder, a container (typically for infant food) and a handle for an infant to grasp.14, The kit of any of claims 11 to 13, in which the attachment device formed by the kit falls within any of claims 1 to
10.15, The kit of any of claims II to 14, in which the mounting portion of the first part is keyed so that, when a mounting portion of one of the second parts having a corresponding key engages the mounting portion of the first part, relative rotation of the first and second parts is prevented.16, The kit of daim IS, in which at least one, but not all of the second parts have the corresponding key.17. An infant carriage fitted with the attachment device of claims 1 to 10, or an attachment device formed from the kit of parts of any of claims 11 to 16.18. A cup holder, comprising a base from which surrounding walls extend, with the surrounding wafls having at kast one cutout therewithin.19. The cup holder of claim 18, in which there are a pair of cutouts, which are diametricafly opposed to one another around the surrounding walls. The surrounding walls will typically be generally cylindrical or generally frusto-conical, 20. Use of the cup holder of claim 18 or claim 19 to hold a cup having at least one handle which protrudes from a body of the cup, each handle being received within a cutout of the cup holder, and to hold a cup which has no handles which protrude from the body of the cup so as to be received within each cutout.21. An attachment device, or a kit of parts for forming an attachment device for an infant carriage. substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.