WO2010052257A1

WO2010052257A1 - Collapsible pushchair

Info

Publication number: WO2010052257A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/064652
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Mitzman
Original assignee: Step Ahead Corporation Limited
Priority date: 2008-11-04
Filing date: 2009-11-04
Publication date: 2010-05-14
Also published as: GB0820153D0

Abstract

A collapsible pushchair (1) is disclosed. It comprises a chassis (2) to which wheels (8, 9) are attached and a pair of spaced parallel tubular body portions (6, 7) fixed relative to and extending upwardly at an angle from the chassis away from the wheels on opposite sides of a seat (34, 35). A first handle part (15) is received in each tubular body portion (6, 7) and is slideable between an extended position in which the first handle part (15) primarily extends from an upper end of the tubular body portion (6, 7) towards a person pushing the pushchair and, a second stowed position in which the first handle part (15) has been slid through each tubular body portion (6, 7) so that the first handle part (15) extends from the upper end to a lower end of each of the tubular body portions (6, 7).

Description

Collapsible Pushchair

Description

This invention relates to a collapsible pushchair for infants otherwise known as a baby buggy or stroller and more particularly to a pushchair which can be easily collapsed for storage or transportation when not in use. Ideally, the invention relates to a puschair that can be collapsed to a size which is extremely compact and acceptable as carry-on luggage on an aeroplane.

Collapsible pushchairs are well known. Generally these have a number of tubular frame members to which a seat is attached. Braces extend between and are pivotally attached to the frame members so as to support the frame members and control the folding process. Often, the members or braces are pivotally connected to each other so that the pushchair will fold in a generally scissor like fashion with the frame members and braces folding onto or against each other so that the pushchair assumes a more compact configuration suitable for storage when not in use.

A problem with known pushchairs is that they generally have a complicated construction and are difficult to collapse and open ready for use. In particular, the arrangement of pivots and braces that provides the mechanism that allows the pushchair to fold is complex and makes the pushchair difficult and expensive to manufacture. The folding mechanism also presents a number of opportunities for fingers to become trapped between tubular members or braces during the folding procedure resulting in injury.

Conventional pushchairs are generally still relatively large when collapsed and so take up considerable space at home or in the boot of a car. They also have to be loaded onto aircraft separately because they do not meet the carry-on baggage size regulations.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide an improved collapsible pushchair which overcomes or substantially reduces some or all of the aforementioned disadvantages and is very easy to collapse and erect. According to the present invention, there is provided a collapsible pushchair comprising a chassis to which wheels are attached, a pair of spaced parallel tubular body portions fixed relative to and extending upwardly from the chassis away from the wheels on opposite sides of a seat, a first handle part received in each tubular body portion and slideable between an extended position in which the first handle part primarily extends from an upper end of the tubular body portion towards a person pushing the pushchair and, a second position in which the first handle part has been slid through each tubular body portion so that the first handle part extends from the upper end and a lower end of each of the tubular body portions.

In a preferred embodiment, the tubular body portions and the first handle part are configured such that substantially the same length of the first handle part protrudes from the upper and lower ends of each tubular body portion when the first handle part is in its second stowed position.

The tubular body portions and the first handle part may be configured such that, when the first handle part has been slid through each of its tubular body portions into its stowed position, the pushchair can be moved into an upright position in which it is supported on said wheels and the first handle part protruding from the lower end of the tubular body portions.

In one embodiment, the lower ends of the first handle part are received within their corresponding tubular body portions when the first handle part is in its extended position.

In an alternative embodiment, the lower ends of the first handle part may protrude from the lower end of each of the tubular body portions when the first handle part is in its extended position. Preferably, only a very small length of the first handle part protrudes from the lower end of the tubular body portions. In a preferred embodiment, caps or abutment members are attached to the lower ends of the first handle part to prevent the first handle part from being pulled through the tubular body portions when the first handle part is extended.

Preferably, the end caps comprise feet to support the pushchair in an upright position when the first handle part is in its stowed position.

In a preferred embodiment, the pushchair comprises a locking mechanism to lock the first handle part in its extended and stowed positions within the tubular body portions.

Preferably, the pushchair comprises a second handle part, the second handle part being slideable between a first position in which it extends upwardly from an end of the first handle part towards a person pushing the pushchair and a retracted position in which it is received within the first handle part.

In one embodiment, the first handle part can comprise a separate tubular member received in each tubular body portion and the second handle part comprises a U- shaped frame member that extends from the upper end of each of the separate tubular members and connects them together so that, when the second handle part is retracted within the separate tubular members, further downward force on the second handle part simultaneously pushes both separate tubular members through their respective tubular body portions so that the first handle part is moved from its extended toward its retracted position.

Preferably, the wheels comprise a primary wheel attached to the chassis adjacent to the lower end of each of the tubular body portions. The pushchair advantageously also comprises a pair of secondary wheels located behind the primary wheels and stowable between the primary wheels when the pushchair is collapsed.

In a preferred embodiment, a pair of parallel arms extends from the chassis, a secondary wheel being connected to each of said arms. Each of said arms may be pivotally mounted to the chassis and comprise two portions pivotally connected to - A -

each other such that the each arm pivots relative to the chassis and the two portions pivot relative to each other when the secondary wheels are moved into their stowed position between the primary wheels.

In a preferred embodiment, a stay extends between each of the secondary wheels and the upper end of the tubular body portion. Ideally, the stay is pivotally attached to the tubular body portion such that the stay pivots relative to the tubular body portion when the secondary wheels are moved into their stowed position between the primary wheels.

Preferably, the pivotal attachment of the stay to the tubular body portion is spaced from the tubular body portion in a direction towards the secondary wheels to provide a space between the tubular body portion and the stay to receive the arms when the secondary wheels are received in their stowed position between the primary wheels.

A flexible seat hanger preferably extends between each of the tubular body portions and the stays.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of collapsing a collapsible pushchair comprising a chassis to which wheels are attached, a pair of spaced parallel tubular body portions fixed relative to and extending upwardly at an angle from the chassis away from the wheels on opposite sides of a seat and a first handle part received in each tubular body portion, the method including the step of sliding the first handle part into the tubular body portion from a first extended position in which it primarily extends from an upper end of the tubular body portion towards a person pushing the pushchair, into a second stowed position in which the first handle part extends from the upper end and a lower end of each of the tubular body portions.

If the collapsible pushchair comprises a second handle portion extending from the first handle portion, the method of the invention preferably also includes the step of sliding the second handle portion into the first handle portion prior to sliding the first handle portion into the tubular body portion.

The chassis may be moulded from any suitable rigid plastics material such as mineral filled polypropylene.

Preferably the secondary wheels are retained in their stored position in the chassis by means of a releasable latch mechanism. Preferably the means which connect the secondary wheels to the chassis operate so that said wheels automatically unfold from the chassis under the action of gravity when the releasable latch mechanism retaining them in the chassis in their stowed position is released.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pushchair in its erect configuration according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the pushchair as shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the pushchair of

Figures 1 and 2 in its folded collapsed position, and; Figure 4 is a side view of the pushchair as shown in Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figures 1-4 a collapsible pushchair 1 which comprises a rigid one-piece moulded plastics chassis 2 having opposite sides 3, 4 and an integral footrest 5 extending between said sides 3,4. A tubular body portion 6,7 extends upwardly at an angle from each side 3,4 of the chassis 2. A front or primary wheel 8,9 is attached to each side 3,4 of the chassis 2 via a pivot support 10,11.

Each of the tubular body portions 6,7 are open at both their upper ends 12. The lower end 13 of each tubular body portion 6,7 is connected to a generally tubular and similar sized portion of the chassis 2 on each side 3,4 which is also open at its lower end 14 so that each tubular body portion 6,7 together with its respective chassis side 3,4 to which it is attached has a longitudinal passage extending all the way through it.

The lower ends of a first handle portion 15 comprising separate elongate tubular members 16, 17 are slideably received in each of the tubular body portions 6, 7. In Figure 1 and 2, the first handle portion 15 is shown in its first or extended position in which each of the elongate tubular members 16, 17 of the first handle portion 15 extend primarily or wholly from the upper end 12 of their corresponding tubular body portions 6, 7. In this position, the lower end of each of the tubular members 16, 17 are received within the tubular portion of the chassis 2 and are prevented from being pulled all the way through the tubular body portions 6,7. In one embodiment, abutments or caps 18 (see Figures 3 and 4) are provided on the lower end of each tubular member 16, 17 which contact or engage with the chassis 2 when the first handle portion 15 is in its extended position so as to prevent the tubular members 16, 17 from being pulled through the tubular body portions 6, 7 and separated from the pushchair 1, as the diameter of the caps 18 is greater than the diameter of the aperture in the chassis sides 3,4. Alternatively, the diameter of the caps 18 is greater than the diameter of the aperture in the tubular body portions 6,7 but less than the diameter of the aperture in the chassis sides 3,4 so that the end caps 18 are received within or partially or wholly enclosed by the chassis sides 3,4 when the first handle portion 15 is fully extended.

A second handle part 19 extends from the upper end of each of the tubular members 16,17. The second handle part comprises two elongate members 20,21 that ate slideably or telescopically received within respective tubular members 16,17. The second handle part 19 is U-shaped so that each of the elongate members 20,21 are connected together by a cross-member 22 which also forms the handle of the pushchair to enable it to be grasped by a user and pushed, or pulled, along.

In the extended position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a locking mechanism 23 locks the second handle part 19 to the first handle part 15 in its extended position. This locking mechanism 23 may take any convenient form but could, for example, comprise a sprung pin in each of the elongate members 20,21 of the second handle part 19 that engages in a corresponding aperture in each of the tubular members 16,17 of the first handle part 15 and which can be easily released by a user to enable the pushchair 1 to be collapsed. A similar locking mechanism (not shown) may connect the first handle part 15 to the chassis 2 when the first handle part 15 is in its extended position.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, it can be seen that when the pushchair 1 is collapsed, the tubular members 16,17 of the first handle part 15 slide through their respective tubular body portions 6,7 so that a portion, or at least a greater portion, of the first handle part 15 extends from the lower end of each of the tubular body parts 6,7 and chassis 2. In a preferred embodiment, the first handle part 15 slides through the tubular body parts 6,7 so that substantially the same length of each tubular member 16,17 extends from the upper and lower end 12,13 of each tubular body part 6,7, respectively, as can be seen most clearly from Figure 4.

It will also be appreciated from Figure 4 that the whole pushchair 1 can now be rotated or tipped forwardly on its wheels 8,9 so that the lower end of the first handle portion 15 or the end caps or abutments 18 on the lower end of the first handle portion 15 contact the ground in front of the wheels 8,9 and act as feet. In this position, the tubular body parts 6,7 and first handle part 15 are substantially upright or vertical. The pushchair 1 will stand freely of its own accord in this position.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second handle part 19 slides into and is stowed within the first handle part 15 when the pushchair 1 is collapsed, thereby making the pushchair 1 as compact as possible. In this position, the cross-member 22 of the second handle part 19 is left protruding upwardly to provide a carrying handle for the pushchair when it is fully collapsed. Suitable locking means (not shown) are also provided to retain the first and second handle parts 15, 19 in their stowed positions, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

It will be appreciated that there is no folding or pivoting of any part of the pushchair 1 that forms the handle 15,19. On the contrary, the first and second handle parts 15,19 only slide relative to each other and to the chassis 2 to which they are mounted as they move between their erect and collapsed positions.

The pushchair 1 also includes a pair of secondary or rear wheels 25,26 which are rotatable on an axle 27 and each mounted at the end of arms 28,29 hingedly attached to the chassis 2 behind the front wheels 8,9 by means of a pivot pin 30 on each side 3,4 of the chassis 2. Each arm 28,29 comprises two portions 28a,28b;29a,29b hingedly attached to each other at pivot 31 so that the rear axle 27, together with the rear wheels 25,26, can be pushed towards the front wheels 8,9 when the pushchair 1 is collapsed with the two portions 28a,28b;29a,29b of each arm 28,29 folding towards each other so that they extend substantially parallel to the tubular body portions 6,7 in a stowed position, as shown in Figure 4. The distance between each of the rear wheels 25,26 is less than the distance between each of the front wheels 8,9 so that the rear wheels 25,26 locate in the space between the front wheels 8,9.

A stay or leg 32 extends from the axle 27 to which the rear wheels 25,26 are mounted to the upper end 13 of the tubular body portion 6,7 on each side of the pushchair 1. The stay 32 has a first portion 32a extending from the upper end of the tubular body portion 6,7 and a second portion 32b pivotally connected to the free end of the first portion 32a so that the second portion 32b pivots about the first portion 32a when the rear wheels 25,26 are moved towards their stowed position between the front wheels 8,9. The arms 28,29 are received in a space formed between the tubular body portion 6,7 and the stay 32 on each side of the pushchair 1. A locking mechanism (not shown) is provided to lock the secondary wheels 25,26 in each of their extended and stowed positions.

A seat support frame 33 is attached to the tubular body portions 6,7 to support a seat base 34 which can be made from a flexible material together with a seat back 35 which can also be hung from each of the tubular members 16,17 forming the first handle portion 15 or the elongate members 20,21 of the second handle portion 19. The seat base 34 and back 35 are only shown in general form in the Figures for the purposes of clarity. It will be appreciated that the embodiment described above is given by way of example only and that other modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims are also considered to be part of the present invention.

Claims

1. A collapsible pushchair comprising a chassis to which wheels are attached, a pair of spaced parallel tubular body portions fixed relative to and extending upwardly at an angle from the chassis away from the wheels on opposite sides of a seat, a first handle part received in each tubular body portion and slideable between an extended position in which the first handle part primarily extends from an upper end of the tubular body portion towards a person pushing the pushchair and, a second stowed position in which the first handle part has been slid through each tubular body portion so that the first handle part extends from the upper end and a lower end of each of the tubular body portions.

2. A pushchair according to claim 1, wherein the tubular body portions and the first handle part are configured such that substantially the same length of the first handle part protrudes from the upper and lower ends of each tubular body portion when the first handle part is in its second stowed position.

3. A pushchair according to any preceding claim, wherein the tubular body portions and the first handle part are configured such that, when the first handle part has been slid through each of its tubular body portions into its stowed position, the pushchair can be tipped into an upright position in which it is supported on said wheels and the first handle part protruding from the lower end of the tubular body portions.

4. Apushchair according to claim 3, wherein the lower ends of the first handle part are received within their corresponding tubular body portions when the first handle part is in its extended position.

5. A pushchair according to claim 3, wherein the lower ends of the first handle part protrude from the lower end of each of the tubular body portions when the first handle part is in its extended position.

6. A pushchair according to claim 4 or 5, wherein end caps are attached the lower ends of the first handle part to prevent the first handle part from being pulled through the tubular body portions when the first handle part is extended.

1. A pushchair according to claim 6, wherein the end caps comprise feet to support the pushchair in an upright position when the first handle part is in its stowed position.

8. A pushchair according to any preceding claim, comprising a locking mechanism to lock the first handle part in its extended and stowed positions within the tubular body portions.

9. A collapsible pushchair according to any preceding claim, comprising a second handle part, the second handle part being slideable between a first position in which it extends upwardly from an end of the first handle part towards a person pushing the pushchair and a retracted position in which it is received within the first handle part.

10. A collapsible pushchair according to any preceding claim wherein the first handle part comprises a separate tubular member received in each tubular body portion and the second handle part comprises a U-shaped frame member that extends from the upper end of each of the separate tubular members and connects them together so that, when the second handle part is retracted within the separate tubular members, further downward force on the second handle part simultaneously pushes both separate tubular members through their respective tubular body portions so that the first handle part is moved from its extended toward its retracted position.

11. A collapsible pushchair according to any preceding claim, wherein the wheels comprise a primary wheel attached to the chassis adjacent to the lower end of each of the tubular body portions.

12. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 11, comprising a pair of secondary wheels located behind the primary wheels and stowable between the primary wheels when the pushchair is collapsed.

13. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 12, comprising a pair of parallel arms extending from the chassis, a secondary wheel being connected to each of said arms.

14. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 13, wherein each of said arms are pivotally mounted to the chassis and comprise two portions pivotally connected to each other such that the each arm pivots relative to the chassis and the two portions pivot relative to each other when the secondary wheels are moved into their stowed position between the primary wheels.

15. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 14, comprising a stay extending between each of the secondary wheels and the upper end of the tubular body portion.

16. A pushchair according to claim 15, wherein the stay is pivotally attached to the tubular body portion such that the stay pivots relative to the tubular body portion when the secondary wheels are moved into their stowed position between the primary wheels.

17. A pushchair according to claim 16, wherein the pivotal attachment of the stay to the tubular body portion is spaced from the tubular body portion in a direction towards the secondary wheels to provide a space between the tubular body portion and the stay to receive the arms when the secondary wheels are received in their stowed position between the primary wheels.

18. A pushchair according to claim 16 or 17, where a flexible seat hanger extends between each of the tubular body portions and the stays.

19. A method of collapsing a collapsible pushchair comprising a chassis to which wheels are attached, a pair of spaced parallel tubular body portions fixed relative to and extending upwardly at an angle from the chassis away from the wheels on opposite sides of a seat and a first handle part received in each tubular body portion, the method including the step of sliding the first handle part into the tubular body portion from a first extended position in which it primarily extends from an upper end of the tubular body portion towards a person pushing the pushchair, into a second stowed position in which the first handle part extends from the upper end and a lower end of each of the tubular body portions.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the collapsible pushchair comprises a second handle portion extending from the first handle portion and the method includes the step of sliding the second handle portion into the first handle portion prior to sliding the first handle portion into the tubular body portion.

21. A collapsible pushchair substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.