GB2531499A

GB2531499A - A transportation device

Info

Publication number: GB2531499A
Application number: GB1413529.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Eckford Donald; Joseph Farrell David
Original assignee: STAKKS Ltd
Current assignee: STAKKS Ltd
Priority date: 2014-07-30
Filing date: 2014-07-30
Publication date: 2016-04-27
Also published as: GB201413529D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a transportation device 10 comprising: an elongate frame (12a, 12b figure 1); a handle (14) towards an upper end of the frame, where the handle allows an adult to push (figure 12) or pull the device (figure 13); a rotational ground engaging means 16, such as a wheel, roller, or pair of wheels, where the rotational means is the only part of the device that comes into contact with the ground when in use; and a foot support 40. In a first embodiment a back/bottom support 50 is also provided, where said support may also act as a handle for a child standing on the foot support. A shoulder carrying strap (90, figure 10) may also be provided for a person to carry the device in a folded or collapsed position when not in use. The back/bottom support may be slidably adjustable along the length of the frame (figure 9) so as to suit the height of the child or infirm person being transported.

Description

A TRANSPORTATION DEVICE

The invention relates to a transportation device, particularly, but not exclusively, for transporting children.

It is well known for adults to transport children in push chairs, where a chair is suspended over four wheels or pair of wheels. However there is a significant period in a child's development, where the use of a pushchair is inappropriate or undesirable, because the child is able to walk without assistance, and an adult would prefer to not have to take a pushchair where they go because it is generally quite bulky and heavy. On the other hand, whilst the child may have outgrown a pushchair, the child may be unable to walk for long distances. In this situation, if the adult has not brought the pushchair the adult can be pestered into carrying the child on the shoulders. Whilst that may he fun occasionally, if it becomes a habit it can lead to back injury for the parent.

An aim of the present invention is to provide an improved, or at least an alternative, transportation device.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a transportation device in 20 accordance with Claim 1.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide an improved, or at least an alternative, way of carrying a transportation device.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a transportation device in accordance with Claim 14.

Other optional and preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims and

the description, below.

It will he appreciated that the features of the independent claims can be combined in any complimentary manner, with one or more features of another independent claim, the dependent claims, and/or with one or more features of the description, where such a combination of features would provide a working embodiment of the invention.

A transportation device in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, Figure 1 is a perspective, and approximately side, view of a transportation device in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a view from the front of the transportation device, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the transportation device, Figure 4 is a first perspective view of the transportation device in a folded configuration, and Figure 5 is a second perspective, and approximately side, view of the transportation device in a folded configuration, Figure 6 is a close up perspective view, showing a hinge assembly of the transportation device, Figure 7 is a perspective view of the transportation device, showing the hinge assembly in operation, Figure 8 is a close up perspective view, showing a back/bottom support and handle of the transportation device, Figure 9 is a perspective view, showing the movable nature of the back/bottom support and handle, Figure 10 is a perspective view, showing an adjustable shoulder strap assembly of the transportation device, Figure 11 is a perspective view, showing an adjustable wrist strap assembly of the transportation device, Figure 12 is a perspective view, showing the transportation device being pushed, and Figure 13 is a perspective view, showing the transportation device being pulled.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a transportation device 10 comprises an elongate frame 12, a handle 14, and a rotational ground engaging means 16.

The elongate frame 12 comprises a first frame part 12a, and a second frame part 12b, both of which can take the form of aluminium extrusions.

The frame 12 has a variable length. Specifically, the frame 12 is foldable to reduce the height of the transportation device 10 as described below.

It should be noted that the elongate frame is S shaped.

The handle 14 is arranged towards an upper end of the frame 12. The distance from the top of the handle 14 to the bottom of the ground engaging means 16 is designed to be slightly more than 120 cm. So, referring to Figure 1, the top of the handle 14 is designed to be at a height of about 120 cm when the transportation device 10 is in the in use configuration, i.e. slightly inclined to the vertical. The about 120 cm height of the handle 14 is designed to be between the height of an adult hand in arms by side position and the height of an adult hand in arms in front position, because a user is unlikely to use the device with their hands in other hand positions for any significant length of time.

The handle 14 comprises a first part (half) 30, and a second part (half) 32. Both parts 30, 32 are conveniently injection moulded polypropylene. The first part 30 comprises a first handle grip part 34, and the second part 32 comprises a second handle grip part 36. Both parts 34, 36 are conveniently an over moulded Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) to provide suitable grip for the user. The parts 30, 32 are connected using copper fasteners (positions shown in Figure 3, but not referenced to maintain clarity).

The rotational ground engaging means 16 comprises a single ball, a single wheel, a pair of wheels (as per the embodiment shown). two pairs of wheels, or a roller.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the transportation device 10 also comprises a foot support 40, to support a foot or the feet of the person being transported.

The foot support 40 is made of injection moulded polypropylene, with an over moulded Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) to provide suitable grip for the user. Referring to Figure 2, the usable standing area of the foot support 40 is no wider than about 20 cm, which is adequate to comfortably accommodate the width of two children's feet side by side.

The foot support 40 can have indicia in the form of a foot of two feet formed or printed thereon.

Tubular metal sheaths 42 arc arranged on each side of the foot support 40 to provide greater strength and wear resistance. Wheels 44, 46, are placed on the tubular metal sheaths 42 on each side of the foot support 40. Each wheel 44, 46 comprises an injection moulded polypropylene inner, and an over moulded polyurethane outer for engaging the ground. Wheels 44. 46 are fastened to the foot support 40 by appropriate fasteners 47 through washers. Wheel hub caps 48, 49, made of an injection moulded polypropylene, are snap fit positioned into each wheel 44, 46.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the transportation device 10 also comprises a back/bottom support 50 or handle 50 for the person being transported, preferably a "dual function" back/bottom support 50 and handle 50 for the person being transported.

The back/bottom support 50 comprises a first part (half) 52, and a second part (half) 54. Both parts 52, 54 are conveniently injection moulded polypropylene. The second part 54, which faces the person being transported, comprises a grip part 56, conveniently made from an over moulded Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), to provide suitable grip for the user. The parts 30, 32 are connected using suitable fasteners (positions shown in Figure 3, but not referenced to maintain clarity).

The back/bottom support 50 is fitted to the frame 12, preferably the lower frame part 12b, by a loop section slider 56. The loop section slider 56 comprises a cam lock lever 58, which controls movement of the slider 56 relative to the frame 12. Both parts 56, 58 are conveniently injection moulded polypropylene.

Some further operating details of the back/bottom support 50 will be described hereinbelow with reference to Figures 8 and 9.

Referring to Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, the transportation device 10 comprises a hinge assembly 60 to enable the frame 12 to fold.

The hinge assembly 60 comprises a first hinge member 62 and a second hinge member 64, both of which are made from injection moulded polypropylene. The first hinge member 62 has a tubular frame locating part which locates on the lower free end of the upper frame part 12a. The second hinge member 64 has a tubular frame locating part. which locates on the upper free end of the lower frame part 12h. The first hinge member 62 and the second hinge member 64 each comprise a cup shaped recess 66, 68, the openings of the cup shaped recesses 66, 68 being arranged to face one another. A hinge lock 70, made of injection moulded polypropylene, and a (steel) spring 72 are arranged between the cup shaped recesses 66, 68 of the first hinge member 62 and the second hinge member 64. A locking part 73 made of injection moulded glass filled nylon is also provided. The locking part 73 works in accordance with techniques that are known in the field of lockable hinge assemblies per se.

The spring 72 biases the lock into a closed configuration. A bolt 74 and nut 76 are employed to fasten the first hinge member 62 and the second hinge member 64, with the spring 72 biased hinge lock 70 thcrcbctwccn. The head of the bolt 74 and the nut 76 sit in seats defined by the outer surfaces of the first hinge member 62 and the second hinge member 64 and pass through the aforementioned parts to fasten them together. A cap 78 for the nut 76 is provided. A release button 80 is also provided for the bolt 74.

Some further operating details of the hinge assembly 60 will he described hereinbelow with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, and 10, the transportation device 10 comprises an adjustable shoulder strap assembly 90. The strap assembly 90 comprises a strap 92 made of polypropylene webbing. An adjuster buckle 94, and strap clips 96a, 96b, are both made of injection moulded polypropylene. The adjuster buckle 94 enables the effective strap length to be varied. The strap clips 96a, 96b fit onto the looped ends of the strap 92. The strap clips 96a, 96h enable the strap 90 to he Fitted to the upper frame part 12a (or the handle 14 and the first hinge member 62), in particular to the convex side of the upper frame part 12a (the left hand side as shown in Figure 1 and the right hand side as shown in Figure 10). This feature means the transportation device 10 curves away from the adult user whilst it is being carried in the folded configuration. This helps to keep dirty wheels 16 away from the adult user.

Referring to Figures 1, 3, 10 and 11, the transportation device 10 comprises an adjustable wrist strap assembly 100. The wrist strap assembly 100 comprises a strap 102 made of polypropylene webbing, and a wrist strap size adjuster 104.

In Figures 4 and 5 the transportation device 10 is depicted in a storage configuration. The adjustable shoulder strap assembly 90 and the adjustable wrist strap assembly 100 are not shown for greater clarity. The upper frame part 12a and lower frame part 12b arc folded about the hinge assembly 60. The back/bottom support and handle 50 can be "stored" at any point along the length of the second frame part 12b, for example towards the lower end of the second frame part 12b, adjacent the foot support 40. Referring to Figure 5, for example, it can be seen that the handle 14 is adjacent the wheels 16. Still referring to Figure 5, the transportation device 10 is about 63 cm tall when collapsed.

Prior to use, the transportation device 10 can he changed from a storage configuration shown in Figures 4 and 5 to a transportation configuration as follows.

Referring to Figure 6, depression of the button 80 of the hinge assembly 60 causes the hinge lock 70 (described in Figure 3) to move, against the bias of the spring 72, to a position at 20 which the upper frame part 12a can rotate freely with respect to the lower frame part 12b.

Referring to Figure 7, once the upper frame part 12a and lower frame part 12b are fully extended, the button 80 can be released, so as to prevent rotation of the upper frame part 12a with respect to the lower frame part 12b.

Referring to Figures 3 and (particularly) 8, in order to move the back/bottom support and handle 50, the user simply undoes the cam lock lever 58 in the direction of the arrow.

Referring to Figure 9, the back/bottom support and handle 50 can be moved to a distance along the second frame part 12h which corresponds to a desired height suitable for an individual child or person.

The transportation device 10 can be used to transport a child in one of two ways.

Referring to Figure 12, the transportation device 10 can he pushed. In this case, the child can rest their back/bottom against the back/bottom support 50, and hold onto the handle 50.

Referring to Figure 13, the transportation device 10 can he pulled. In this case, the child can hold onto the handle 50.

The elongate frame is oriented at an angle of between about 60 degrees and 80 degrees to the vertical, whether it is pushed or pulled. For optimum passenger comfort and safety, the foot support 40 is approximately horizontal when the elongate frame is oriented at an angle of between about 60 degrees and 80 degrees to the vertical.

Due to the S-shaped nature of the frame 12, the upper frame part 12a is concave towards the person handling the device, and the lower frame part 12b is concave towards the person being transported on the device.

The rotational ground engaging means 16 is the only part of the transportation device 10 which comes into contact with the ground during ordinary use.

Although where Figure 2 is introduced, the view if referred to as the front of the transportation device, it will he appreciated that the front can face forwards or backwards, respectively, from the adult's / operator's point of view, depending on if the device is pushed or pulled.

The distance between the handle 14 and the heels 16 exceeds the length of a typical pushchair, and this increased length reduces the force on the adult user.

In another embodiment of the invention which will not be described for conciseness, the frame 12 can he telescopic to reduce the height of the transportation device 10.

In yet another embodiment of the invention which will not he described for conciseness, the rotational ground engaging means 16 comprises a single ball, a single wheel, a roller or rollers, or two pairs of wheels.

The upright type support of the back/bottom support 50 is preferred as it makes it easier for a child to disembark from the transportation device 10. However, the applicant envisages an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the back/bottom support 50 is in the form of a seat which can provide support under the person being transported. The seat could be retractable or collapsible.

To cater for adults of significantly different heights, the top of the handle 14 may he at a height of between about 100 cm and 140 cm when the transportation device 10 is in the in use configuration. The compacted height will of course vary correspondingly.

An advantage of the transportation device I() is that a more bulky pushchair is avoided.

The transportation device 10 provides a fun way of exercise for the child and allows the child to improve their balance before progressing to independent means of transport such as a bicycle.

The transportation device is intended for children. However, it may also be used with the infirm.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a transportation device comprising, an elongate frame, a handle towards an upper end of the frame, the handle position designed to be between height of an adult hand in arms by side position and an adult hand in arms in front position, a rotational ground engaging means, designed to come into contact with the ground whilst a person is being transported on the transportation device, and a foot support for a person to be transported.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A transportation device comprising, an elongate frame, a handle, towards an upper end of the frame, the handle position designed to he between height of an adult hand in arms by side position and an adult hand in arms in front position, a rotational ground engaging means, the transportation device being designed so that the rotational ground engaging means is the only part of the transportation device which comes into contact with the ground whilst a person is being transported on the transportation device, a foot support for a person to he transported, and a back/bottom support and/or a handle for a person being transported.
2. A transportation device according to Claim 1, wherein the elongate frame is foldable.
3. A transportation device according to Claim I or 2, wherein the transportation device comprises a shoulder carry strap assembly.
4. A transportation device according to Claim 3, wherein the shoulder carry strap assembly is fitted to a first part of the frame, and the rotational ground engaging means is fitted to a second part of the frame, a strap of the strap assembly being designed to extend from the First part in a direction away from the second part, so as to keep the rotational ground engaging means away from a person carrying the device by the shoulder carry strap assembly.
5. A transportation device according to any one or more preceding claims, wherein the elongate frame is curved.
6. A transportation device according to any one or more preceding claims, when dependent on Claim 4, wherein the elongate frame is designed to curve away from the person carrying the device when the shoulder carry strap assembly is employed.
7. A transportation device according to any one or more preceding claims, wherein the elongate frame is S shaped.
8. A transportation device according to any one or more of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the back/bottom support and/or handle is slideably adjustable along the length of (he frame.
9. A transportation device according to Claim 8, wherein the back/bottom support and/or IS handle for a person being transported is oriented so that it extends from the frame in a direction away from the direction of the handle by which a person operates the device.
10. A transportation device according to Claim 9, wherein the transportation device comprises a back/bottom support and a handle for a person being transported.
11. A transportation device according to any one or more of Claims 2 to 10, wherein the frame is lockable in a folded configuration.
12. A transportation device according to any one or more of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the elongate frame has a variable length.
13. A transportation device substantially as described herein and/or with reference to Figures 1 to 13 of the drawings.
14. A transportation device comprising, a foldable elongate frame, a handle, towards an upper end of the frame, the handle position designed to he between height of an adult hand in arms by side position and an adult hand in arms in front position, a rotational ground engaging means, the rotational ground engaging means being the only part of the transportation device which comes into contact with the ground during ordinary use, a foot support, and a shoulder carry strap assembly, wherein the shoulder carry strap assembly is fitted to a first part of the frame, and rotational ground engaging means is fitted to a second part of the frame, a strap of the strap assembly being designed to extend from the first part in a direction away from the second part, so as to keep the rotational ground engaging means away from a person carrying the device.
15. A transportation device according to Claim 12, wherein the elongate frame is curved.
16. A transportation device according to Claim 15, when dependent on Claim 14, wherein the elongate frame is designed to curve away from the person carrying the device when the shoulder carry strap assembly is employed.