NL2007636C2

NL2007636C2 - Stroller for an infant.

Info

Publication number: NL2007636C2
Application number: NL2007636A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Armin Seth Panhuyzen
Original assignee: Armin Seth Panhuyzen
Priority date: 2011-10-20
Filing date: 2011-10-20
Publication date: 2013-04-23

Description

Stroller for an infant

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a stroller for an infant, wherein the stroller 5 apparatus comprises a main-structure having a child seat-element or a bassinet-element for placement of an infant, and wherein the stroller apparatus comprises at least three wheels provided on at least two wheel members, each wheel member having a wheel rotatably provided on a first end of an elongate support element extending from the main-structure.

10 Such a stroller is generally known, and comes in many forms. In general, the stroller has a frame-like structure. Wheels are provided on the structure. On the frame, a bassinet or cradle is placeable, wherein a child in the age of 0 months to 48 months, for example, may be placed. This bassinet is in particular useful for very young infants (newborns) and provides a space where the infant can 15 lay and sleep. When the infant gains the ability to sit, the bassinet may be removed and the seat may be placed on the frame.

It is an object of the invention to improve the stroller.

To this end, a stroller according to claim 1 is provided. The stroller is characterised in that a connecting element is provided on the second end opposite to 20 the first end of the elongate support element, wherein the main-structure comprises at least two respective connecting members for receiving the connecting element, wherein each connecting element of the at least two wheel members is connectable to at least two connecting members. With the stroller according to the invention, it is possible to interchange the various wheel members, in a very simple manner, by 25 simply removing the wheel members, and connecting them to a different connecting member on the main-structure. This may be used to increase the handling of the stroller, for instance based on different terrains through which the stroller must be pushed. Additionally, it may be possible to change the wheels to and from a bassinet or a child seat. This allows the stroller to be used as a bassinet and as a child seat, in 30 a simple manner.

It is possible that the main structure is fixedly connected to the child seat-element. It is possible that an additional main structure which is fixedly connected to the bassinet or cradle, is used to be able to switch between a child seat 2 and a bassinet. Preferably however, the child seat-element and/or the bassinet-element is releasably connected to the shell-like body. By changing the wheels, the tilt-angle may be varied. By changing the child seat-element or the bassinet-element, the appropriate function of the stroller may be chosen.

5 It is preferred that a further connecting member is provided on the main-structure, which is configured to be connectable to each connecting element. With this, variations in tilt angle, and/or positioning of the various wheel members may be further improved.

Additionally, it is possible that a pushbar is provided with a further 10 connecting element, wherein the pushbar is connectable to the further connecting member.

As indicated before, it is preferred when the stroller is arranged to change the tilt angle of the main-structure, in dependence of the chosen configuration of the connections between the wheel members and the main-structure. 15 It is possible that the tilt angle is changed by interchanging just one wheel member with the pushbar. Preferably, the front wheel member and the pushbar are interchanged to change the tilt angle, and to switch between a child seat and a bassinet.

According to an important aspect of the invention, the stroller 20 apparatus preferably comprises a shell-like body. The main structure comprises the shell-like body. The shell like body has at least outer walls, on which the connecting members are provided. Preferably, the connecting members are provided on the side walls. The side walls, or preferably, circumferential sidewalls, define an interior volume of the main-structure or shell like body, in which at least part of the child seat 25 or the bassinet may be taken up. The shell like body provides protection for the child. Furthermore, a part of the interior volume (e.g. that part of the volume which is not taken up by the bassinet or the child seat) may be used as a store receptacle. The storage receptacle may be closed by means of a lid member.

In a preferred embodiment, the stroller apparatus comprises two 30 front-wheels with front-support elements that are releasably connected to the main-structure by means of first connecting-elements, and wherein the stroller apparatus comprises two rear-wheels with rear-support elements that are releasably connected to the main-structure by means of second connecting-elements, wherein the front- 3 support elements are also connectable to the second connecting-elements and wherein the rear-support elements are also connectable to the first connecting-elements. A stable and multifunctional stroller is obtained this way.

In an embodiment, the stroller comprises a pushbar-element that is 5 releasably connected to the shell-like body by means of a third connecting-element, and wherein at least one of the front-support elements and the rear-support elements are connectable to the third connecting-element, for changing the tilt angle of the main-structure.

As stated above, it is preferred that the stroller apparatus is movable 10 from a first position, in which the stroller is usable as a child seat, to a second position, in which the stroller is usable as a bassinet, wherein the stroller apparatus is at least movable from the first position to the second position by changing the configuration of the front-support elements and the pushbar-element, and by connecting the respective one of the child seat-element or the bassinet-element to 15 the shell-like body.

According to an aspect of the invention, a stroller apparatus for an infant is provided, wherein the stroller apparatus comprises a main-structure having a child seat-element or a bassinet-element for placement of an infant, wherein the stroller apparatus comprises at least three wheels provided on at least two wheel 20 members, each wheel member having a wheel rotatably provided on a first end of an elongate support element extending from the main-structure, wherein the main-structure comprises a frameless shell-like body, to which the wheel members are attached.

Next, the invention will be explained in further detail by means of a 25 description of the accompanying figures, in which:

Fig. 1 - shows a stroller according to the invention with a bassinet;

Fig. 2a and 2b - show the stroller of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 - shows the stroller according to the invention with a child seat;

Fig. 4a and 4b - show the stroller of Fig. 3; 30 Fig. 5 - shows the shell-like body of the stroller according to an aspect of the invention;

Fig. 6 - shows the bassinet-element in more detail;

Fig. 7 - shows the child-seat element in more detail; 4

Fig. 1 shows a stroller 1 for an infant. The stroller 1 comprises a shell-like body 3, which functions as a main-support or main-structure. The shell-like body 3 comprises a bottom and a circumferential sidewall 18. The circumferential sidewall 18 defines an interior volume, in which a bassinet 9 is placed. The bassinet 9 5 may be releasably attached to the shell-like body, but it is also possible that the bassinet is an integral part of the body 3, or is attached thereto in a fixedly manner.

As can be seen in Fig. 1, the stroller 1 further comprises two front wheels 7, and two rear wheels 5. Each of the wheels are connected to support-elements 35, 37 formed as support bars 35, 37 extending from the shell-like body 3. 10 The wheel and support element defines a wheel member. A pushbar 14 is attached to the body 3. Furthermore, the stroller 1 is provided with a hood or canopy 13, which is connected to the canopy bar 11 for support. The hood or canopy 13 is connected to the body 3, and constructed and operable in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

15 The canopy bar 11 also functions as a lifting bar. The lifting bar 11 connects with the shell's outer rail 31. These clamps are released from the rail 31 by pulling the handles (underneath) in an outward direction, away from the shell. The button/lever of the bar 11 manipulates the angle of the bar in relation to the clamps/rail 31. It is pivotally movable by operating the push/lever buttons, and is 20 preferably movable in several stages, such that intermediate positions may be chosen. The bar 11 is arranged such that it can be used to lift the entire carriage plus a determined amount of added weight.

Fig. 2a and 2b show a side view, and rear-view of the stroller 1 of Fig. 1. Corresponding elements are indicated with the same reference number. It can 25 be seen that the stroller 1 comprises a shell-like body 3 (main-structure), to which the other components of the stroller are connected. In the embodiment shown, the wheels 5, 7 with the support bars 35, 37 (i.e. wheel members) are releasably connected to the shell 3. To this end, connecting means 15, 16 are provided. The connecting means 15, 16 comprise connecting members in the forms of sockets 15, 30 16, in which an connecting element provided on an outer end of the support bar 35, 37 may be releasably attached. In the attached position, the support bars 35, 37 for both the front-wheels 7 and the rear-wheels 5 extend at an angle of approximately 20-70 degrees, more specifically 30 to 50 degrees with respect to a vertical line.

5

Different angles are thinkable, of course. In the embodiment shown, the angle is approximately the same for the front and rear wheels.

Each socket preferably features a push/pull release button/lever that allows for connecting elements to be inserted/attached. These buttons/levers can be 5 mechanical or electric. Use of the release function allows a free or stepped, movement of a support bar or pushbar, into the inside of the shell or parallel to it. This way for example in the mode according to figure 1, the overall height of the bassinet may be adjusted, for example lowered by sliding the support bars to a larger extent into the sockets. The sockets can be operated to function either individually or 10 collectively. A mechanism that connects individual sockets to operate collectively may be provided, which may be both mechanical and/or electrical.

The front wheels 7 with front support bar 37 may be a steerable front-wheel assembly. The wheels are pivotable or rotatable in a direction perpendicular to the wheel axis 27, such that the front wheels 7 are able to steer. In 15 the embodiment shown, the rear wheels 5 are not steerable at all, meaning that they are only rotatable around the wheel axis 25. Furthermore, it can be seen that the rear wheels 5 have a bigger diameter, compared to the front wheels 7. Variations in dimensions and/or tire compounds are thinkable.

It should be understood that in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2a the 20 connecting elements 15, 16 and the support bars 35, 37 are configured such that the front socket 16 may receive either one of the front 37 or rear 35 support bars. Likewise, the rear socket 15 may receive the other of the front 37 or rear 35 support bar. With this, the front-wheels may be placed on the rear, and the rear-wheels may be placed in front. With varying capabilities for the front and rear wheels, this may be 25 conveniently used, to adapt the stroller 1 to different field conditions. A front steering stroller may be alternated with a rear steering stroller. This setup allows use in situations, like on the beach or in the snow etc, where this may be advantageous.

Primary wheel assemblies may have one or more non-steerable wheels attached, with an additional push-operated brake integrated. The locking 30 (braking)mechanism can be both externally and internally positioned on the wheel assembly, and locks only the wheel on which it sits. Secondary wheel assemblies have one or more steering wheels attached. Tires fitted can be of solid/foamed elastromer (rubber) compound, tubed or tubeless, with or without air pressurized 6 valve. Different tire compound can be used to provide alternative traction to accommodate in hot and cold environments (summer, winter, paved roads, offroad).

The pushbar 14 can be a one piece profile that preferably uses the exact same sockets as the wheel members use. One or more handgrip surfaces can 5 be added. The pushbar may be telescopically extendable, placing the handle of the pushbar further or nearer to the main-structure 3, and/or adjusted in angle. The release button/lever can be placed inside the handlebar or connected externally.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a stroller 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4a and 4b show rear and side views, respectively. 10 The stroller 1 is similar to the stroller described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, but now a child seat is used. In the embodiment shown, the stroller uses a shell-like body 3 (main-structure) with a child-seat 12 attached thereto. Once again, the body with the child seat may be integrally formed, but preferably the child seat is releasably attachable to the body 3, as will be explained below. To the shell-like body 3, front 15 wheels 7 and rear wheels 5 (each being part of wheel members with connecting elements) are attached, by means of connecting members 17, 15 in the form of sockets. A pushbar 14 is attached to the body 3 by means of a further connecting element 16.

As can be understood from the above, the stroller 1 with either the 20 child-seat or the bassinet, according to an aspect of the invention does not utilize a frame in a strict sense (although it is possible to use a frame). Unlike existing strollers, the stroller according to the invention preferably uses a single shell-like body 3 to which the necessary components such as the wheels 5, 7 with support-bars 35, 37 are connected. The shell-like body uses a uniform shape without the use of an 25 assembled multi functional frame. The wheel members are either attached to, part of, or passing through the shell-like body. Also, features which may be considered to be optional, such as the pushbar 14 and the canopy 13, are attached to the shellshaped body 3. This yields a compact and self-supporting structure, with a good stability.

30 According to an important aspect of the invention, it is preferred that a single shell-like body 3 (or main-structure, which may be in the form of a frame or sub-frame) is arranged to function as both a bassinet and a child-seat. To that end, starting from the situation as shown in Fig. 1 in which the stroller is used with a 7 bassinet, the front wheels 7 and the pushbar 14 are exchanged, to obtain the position as shown in Fig. 3. Due to the positioning of the connecting elements 16 and 17, the shell-like body rotates partly after the exchange, such that the stroller is suitable to be used with a child-seat. In other words, the tilt angle of the shell like body is 5 changed from a bassinet-mode to a child-seat mode. It is preferred that the bassinet element 9 and the child-seat element 12 are releasably connectable to the shell-like body 3.

Fig. 5 shows the shell-shaped body 3 in more detail. The shellshaped body 3 of the infant carrier 1 has a single or double walled, multi purpose, 10 shell 3. Preferably, the shell 3 is made of thermo polymers and/or layered composite materials such as carbon/glass fibre. The shell 3 acts as a self supporting structure. To two opposing side-walls of the shell 3, connecting elements 45-47 are provided. Each of these connecting elements 45-47 is able to receive an outer end of a supporting element with a wheel, as well as an end part of the pushbar. The shell has 15 a bottom, but it may in a further embodiment be a bottomless receptacle, for receiving either one of a bassinet (as shown in Fig. 6) or a child-seat (as shown in Fig. 7).

The edge 31 of the shell's open side (the top) has an exterior rail 31 that functions as both a bumper and as well as a connector rail, which may be used 20 for third member attachables, such as a lifting bar, a suncover, and/or a bootcover. The rail 31 can be single or double walled, be integrated in or added later on. The rail 31 may have a U-shaped form, such that an elastic liner may be securely placed around it. Use of other connecting-elements are thinkable, of course.

The U-shaped outer contour of the shell 3 makes it multifunctional, 25 and the shell 3 may additionally be used as a rocking cradle when placed on a flat surface.

A luggage compartment is present underneath the bottom of the shell, which may be closed by means of a lid 19 (see Fig. 1). The lid 19 may be made of flexible material. Connecting means may be used to attach the lid 19 to the 30 underside of the shell 3. Preferably, zipping means are used to attach the lid 19 or cover 19 to the shell 3. Via the lid 19, a storage space is accessible, in which various necessities may be placed.

Fig. 6 shows the bassinet 9. The bassinet 9 preferably comprises a 8 textile, can contain a separate insert providing a flat and stable platform, on which an infant (up to 12 kg) can be placed flat, sit or crawl about. The mattress 91 can be a separate volume or part of the bassinet 9. With the sturdy insert removed, the whole cover can be washed easily. The bassinet 9 can be wrapped tightly over the shell's 5 rail 31 by means of an elastic liner 93. It is possible that other means are used to safely secure it.

Fig. 7 shows the child seat-element. This may comprise a textile, can be of pre-formed textiles where the seat delivers a more comfortable seating for the child, while improving the visual identity of the seat itself. The side- and head 10 cushions can be part of the cover or a separate volume. Seat strap holes 123 are placed to allow for a child safety harness. The child seat 121 can be wrapped tightly over the shell's rail 31 by means of an elastic liner 124. Other means necessary to safely secure it might be used.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art, that the invention has 15 been described based on preferred embodiments thereof, which are not considered to be a limitation to the spirit of the invention. Equivalent embodiments are thinkable, which may fall under the desired protection of the invention, as described in the attached claims.

20

Claims

A pram device for a child, wherein the pram device comprises a basic structure with a child seat element or with a cradle element for placing a child, the pram device comprising at least three wheels provided on at least two wheel members, wherein each wheel member comprises a wheel rotatably disposed at a first end of an elongated support element extending from the basic structure, and wherein each wheel member is provided at a second end opposite the first end of the elongated support element is of a connecting element, wherein the basic structure comprises at least two respective connecting members for receiving the connecting element therewith, wherein each connecting element of the at least two wheel members can be connected to at least two of the connecting members.

A pram device according to claim 1, wherein the child seat element or the cradle element is detachably attached to the basic structure.

A pram device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a further connecting member is provided, which is adapted to be attachable to each of the connecting elements.

A pram device according to claim 3, wherein a push rod is provided with a further connecting element, the push rod being connectable to the further connecting member.

5. A pram device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the pram is adapted to change the angle of inclination of the basic structure, depending on the chosen configuration of connections between the wheel members and the basic structure.

A pram device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic structure comprises a shell-like body, and preferably wherein the pram is a frame-free pram.

A pram device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pram device comprises two front wheels with front support elements which are detachably attached to the basic structure by means of first connecting elements, and wherein the pram device has two rear wheels comprising rear support elements detachably attached to the 2007636 basic structure by means of second connecting elements, wherein the front supporting elements are also connectable to the second connecting elements and wherein the rear supporting elements are also connectable to the first connecting element elements.

A pram device according to claim 7, wherein the pram comprises a push bar element that is detachably attached to the basic structure by means of a third connecting element, and wherein the front support elements and the rear support elements are also connectable to the third connecting element, for changing the angle of inclination of the basic structure.

A pram device according to claim 8, wherein the pram device is displaceable from a first position, in which the pram is usable as a child seat, to a second position, in which the pram is usable as a cradle, the pram device being at least is at least movable between the first position and the second position by changing the configuration of the front support elements and the push rod element, and by connecting the respective of the child seat element or the cradle element to the basic structure.

10. A pram device for a child, wherein the pram device comprises a basic structure with a child seat element or with a cradle element for placing a child, the pram device comprising at least three wheels provided on at least two wheel members, wherein each wheel member comprises a wheel rotatably disposed at a first end of an elongated support element extending from the basic structure, the basic structure comprising a frame-less scale-like body to which the wheel members are attached. 30, 2007636