WO2018167702A1

WO2018167702A1 - Improved basket and stroller incorporating the same

Info

Publication number: WO2018167702A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/051725
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael John Oakes
Original assignee: Stroller Tech Limited
Priority date: 2017-03-15
Filing date: 2018-03-15
Publication date: 2018-09-20
Also published as: GB2560550B; GB2560550A; GB201704110D0

Abstract

A detachable basket for a stroller and a stroller with basket is disclosed. Typically the stroller has a stroller frame with one or more front legs and at least two rear legs terminating in ground engaging wheels. The detachable basket comprises one or more catch members engageable with a rear leg and a basket frame detachably engageable with each of the one or more catch members with the basket frame defining a chamber for receiving articles therein. Stays support the basket frame on the stroller frame.

Description

IMPROVED BASKET AND STROLLER INCORPORATING THE SAME

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an improved basket for a stroller, and a stroller with an improved basket. (Strollers are also known as a pushchair or buggy and used for transportation of infants).

BACKGROUND

In today's modern society, the increased time demands on parents and caregivers of infants/young children requires simultaneous combination of many daily activities, including transportation, shopping and supervision of the infant/young child/children. When performing these activities outside the home, most expeditions in the company of an infant or young child require the inclusion of additional items including nappies, medicines, creams, wipes, bottles, dummies, toys, books and the like. Unless supported in a harness attached to the parent or caregiver, the infant also needs transportation, usually using a pushchair, stroller or buggy. Baskets have been developed which are typically included under the seat of the pushchair, however, these may be too difficult to access, or have insufficient volume to provide enough space for the additional items or shopping that often need to be carried together with the infant. Additional baskets have been developed which are formed as part of the frame of the stroller, however these are often inconvenient and can add unnecessary bulk and detract from the aesthetics of the stroller when not required.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a solution which addresses or alleviates some of the above issues or at least provides a further choice to the public. SUM MARY

Features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or can be identified by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be obtained by means of the features and combinations of the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure there is provided a detachable basket for a stroller having a stroller frame with one or more front legs and at least two rear legs terminating in ground engaging wheels, the detachable basket comprising: one or more catch members engageable with a rear leg; a basket frame detachably engageable with each of the one or more catch members wherein the basket frame defines a chamber for receiving articles therein; and a stay for supporting the basket frame on the stroller frame.

The basket frame may be engageable with the one or more catch members via a movable tab portion of the catch members which is matingly engageable with a corresponding notched portion on the end of a protrusion extending from the basket frame. The tab portion may be located in a sleeve part of the catch member. Optionally the basket frame may be engageable with the one or more catch members via a bayonet fitting.

Advantageously the stay may be pivotable from a stowed position substantially parallel to the top of the basket frame to a supporting position such that the stay is inclined and extends from the basket frame to the stroller frame. The stowed position of the stay and the supporting position of the stay may be defined by stops formed in complementary halves of a joint mechanism joining the stay and the basket frame. Optionally, the stay may be supported on the stroller frame on a protrusion formed thereon. The protrusion may be configured to receive an adaptor for an additional seat frame. Advantageously, the basket further includes a handle extending therefrom. The outer perimeter of the basket frame may be defined by a rim and the chamber is formed by fabric supported thereon.

The catch members may be detachably engageable with the stroller frame, and a first portion of the catch member may be rotatable relative to a second portion of the catch member. In a further aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a stroller comprising:

a stroller frame comprising one or more front legs and at least two rear legs, wherein each leg terminates in ground engaging wheels;

one or more catch members each being engageable with a rear leg;

a basket frame detachably engageable with each of the one or more catches, the basket frame defining the outer perimeter of a chamber for receiving articles therein, and a stay adapted to support the basket frame on the stroller frame.

Advantageously the basket frame may be engageable with the catch members via a movable tab portion of the catch members which is matingly engageable with a corresponding notched portion on the end of a protrusion extending from the basket frame. The tabbed portion may be located in a sleeve part of the catch member. The basket frame may be engageable with the one or more catch members via a bayonet fitting, wherein the sleeve part of the bayonet fitting may be formed in the catch members. The stay may be pivotable from a stowed position substantially aligned with the top of the basket frame and a supporting position extending between the rim and the stroller frame.

The positions of the stay may be defined by stops formed in complementary halves of the joint mechanism of the moveable stay and the basket frame. The stay may be supported on the stroller frame on a protrusion formed thereon. The stay may be supported on the stroller frame on a protrusion adapted to receive an adaptor for an additional seat frame.

The basket may further include a handle extending therefrom. The outer perimeter of the basket frame may be defined by a rim and wherein the chamber of the basket may be formed by fabric supported thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS in order to describe the manner in which advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description is provided with reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It would be appreciated that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, but the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. Fig 1 is a side view of an exemplary stroller which has been fitted with an embodiment of the detachable basket frame of the present disclosure (the fabric/body of the basket has been removed for clarity).

Fig 2a is a side view of the exemplary basket frame depicted in the stroller of Fig 1 in an assembled and folded configuration. Fig 2b is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary basket frame depicted in Fig 2a after it has been unfolded.

Fig 2c is a side view of the basket frame of Fig 2a in an exploded unfolded configuration.

Fig 2d is a perspective view of the basket frame depicted in Fig 2a in an assembled state.

Fig 3 is a perspective view of the stroller of Fig 1 when fitted with the exemplary basket frame depicted in Fig 2a to Fig 2d. Fig 4a is a side view of another embodiment of a basket frame with a straight supporting stay in a folded state (the fabric/body of the basket has been removed for clarity).

Fig 4b is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary basket frame of Fig 4a in an unfolded state. Fig 4c is an exploded side view of the exemplary basket frame of Fig 4a in an unfolded state.

Fig 4d is a perspective view of the basket frame depicted in Fig 4a in an assembled folded state.

Fig 5a is a side view of an exemplary stroller which has been fitted with an embodiment of the detachable basket frame of the present disclosure (the fabric/body of the basket has been removed for clarity).

Fig 5b is a perspective view of a stroller of Fig 4 when fitted with the exemplary basket frame depicted in Fig 4a to Fig 4d.

Fig 6 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the basket frame depicted in Figs 4a and 4d.

Fig 7 is a photograph of an exemplary embodiment of the stroller with attached basket frame in the configuration depicted in Figs 2a - 2d.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other components and configurations may be used without departing from the present disclosure.

The disclosed technology comprises a detachable basket frame and stroller including such a frame which addresses the need in the art for extra storage on a stroller which is convenient and which does not detract from the aesthetics of the stroller when it is not required.

According to the present technology the basket frame and stroller include one or more catch members which are engageabie with the rear legs of the stroller. The basket frame is detachably engageabie with the one or more catch members and defines the chamber in which articles may be stored. A stay provides support to the basket frame.

Fig 1 depicts an exemplary stroller including an embodiment of the basket frame according to one aspect of the present technology.

A stroller 10 includes a stroller frame 11 which includes a handle 12, a pair of rear legs 14 and a pair of front legs 18, all of which are affixed with ground engaging wheels (rear wheels 16 and front wheels 20).

As is known in the art, the stroller also has a seat frame 22 which includes a seat 24 for receiving an infant or child. As depicted, there is also included features such as the hood 26, and lower basket 28. It would be appreciated that the stroller depicted in Fig 1 is exemplary only and other strollers with different configurations may also be fitted with a detachable basket according to the present disclosure. For example a common configuration includes a stroller with only a single front leg, rather than the pair of front legs that are referenced. As depicted, a basket frame 30 is shown without surrounding floor and walls of the basket which are of course essential for carrying articles therein. Typically fabric or other sheet material is utilised and is formed so as to depend from the basket frame. The frame is supported on the rear legs 14 by catch members 32 and a stay 34. In the embodiment depicted, the basket extends from a mid portion of the rear legs although it would also be appreciated that a number of other locations of the basket on the rear legs would also be possible, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to Figs 2a to 2d, there is depicted an exemplary arrangement of one embodiment of the detachable basket of the present disclosure.

As shown therein, the basket includes at least one or more catch members 32 which are configured to be engageable with one or more of the rear legs 14 of the stroller 10.

These catch members 32 may be configured in such a way so as to be complementary to tubing dimensions of a specific region of the rear legs based upon the geometry of the rear legs on a specific type of stroller. Alternatively, the catch members 32 may be integrally attached or affixed to the stroller without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment the catch members may permit rotation of the basket frame relative the stroller frame as detailed with reference to Fig 6.

As shown in Fig 2a, the rim 36 of the basket frame 30 is engageable with the catch members 32 which are located on the rear legs of the stroller.

The rim 36 of the basket frame 30 may also include additional features such as an optional handle 38 and a joint 40 from which a stay 34 is moveably attached. As shown in Figs 2b and 2c, the rim 36 of the basket is detachable from the catch members 32 using a bayonet style fitting formed by a complementary portions in the catch member 32 which interface with a protruding portion 33 of the rim 36.

As shown the joint 40 allows the stay 34 to move from a position in which it is substantially aligned with the top of the basket frame (or rim 36) (as shown in Fig 2a) to a downwardly depending or inclined position as depicted in Figs 2b and 2c.

Furthermore, as shown the stay 34 is depicted such that the free end of the stay 34 is engageable with a corresponding protrusion formed on the rear leg of the stroller frame 14. Fig 2d shows an assembled basket frame 30 engaged with the catch members 32 in a configuration where the stay is similarly aligned with the top of the rim 36 of the basket frame 30. In the embodiment depicted, two catch members are utilised to distribute the load of the basket equally on both bag legs of the stroller frame, however, alternate configurations (not shown) would be possible with one, two or even more catch members. Referring now to Fig 3, there is depicted a perspective view of the stroller 10 of Fig 1a with the attached basket frame 30. It can be seen that the catches 32 and stay member 34 support the basket frame 30 on the rear legs 14 of the stroller 10. The basket rim 36 is engaged with the catch members 32 and the stays 34 is moved relative to the joint 40 such that it is engageable with a protrusion formed on the rear legs 14. The walls and floor of the basket have again been removed for clarity purposes.

It will be appreciated that the basket frame is sized and located such that it does not interfere or impinge upon the adjustment of the angle of the seat, or interfere with the legs of the care giver who may be pushing the stroller from behind using the handle 37. Referring now to Fig 4a to Fig 4d, there is depicted an alternative embodiment of the basket frame technology. It would be appreciated that the difference between the embodiment depicted and that shown in Figs 2a, 2d is the configuration of the stay 34. In the embodiment depicted in Fig 4a, the stay 34 shown is substantially straight, whereas in the embodiment depicted in Figs 2a, 2d the stay 34 has an aesthetic curve, consistent with the curved frame members comprising other parts of the stroller.

The other aspects of the basket frame are substantially similar to those depicted in Fig 2a.

Referring now to Figs 5a and 5b, it can be seen that the basket frame shown in Figs 4a to 4d has been affixed to the back of another stroller 10, different to the stroller shown in Fig 1 and Fig 3. It can be seen that the basket frame 30 is attached and supported by the substantially straight stay 34 in a similar way as shown in the stroller depicted in Fig 1 and Fig 3.

Referring now to Fig 6, there is an exploded perspective view of the various components of the exemplary basket frame depicted in Figs 4a to 4d and Figs 5a and 5b. It would be appreciated that a similar arrangement is utilised for the curved stay depicted in Figs 2a to 2d.

As shown, the stay 34 comprises a component of the joint mechanism 34a which may include one or more stops for the controlling the range of motion of the stay 34 and thus setting the position of the angle of the stay. The component of the joint mechanism is engageable with a substantially straight rod member, and a stay end 34c.

The inclusion of stops for controlling the angle of the stay can also assist in conveniently positioning the basket on the stroller frame. The stops in the joint mechanism help to reinforce the position of the basket frame, particularly where the engagement of the catch members 32 on the stroller frame is either inadvertently loosened/ or where the catch members are not sized appropriately relative to the frame or for other reasons which potentially compromise the engagement of the catch members with the stroller frame. The stay end 34c is configured to be engageable with a corresponding protrusion formed on the stroller 10. It will be appreciated that other arrangements or attachment means to the rear leg of the stroller would also be possible.

It can be seen that the rim portion of the basket frame 36 comprises a two bars 36a which are engageable on either side with two joint members 36b. These joint members 36b of the rim are engageable with the complementary joint member 34a of the stay.

Corresponding protrusions formed in the joint members define the range of motion of the stay 34 relative to the rim 36.

The joint members of the rim 36b are also configured to include at one end a protruding portion 33 for engagement with the components of the catch members 32. In the arrangement depicted, the catch members 32 comprise a frame engagement member 32a, a lock and release member 32b and a sleeve member 32c for receiving the protruding portion 33 of the rim 36. In the arrangement depicted the protrusion 33 includes a notched portion which is matingly engageable with a corresponding movable tabbed portion of the lock and release member 32b, which is able to be actuated by a user to move in sleeve member 32c of the catch member 32.

Optionally, the detachable engagement could be formed as a bayonet style fitting or similar, or in other arrangements which provide for reversible engagement without detracting from the scope of the present disclosure. Advantageously, in the embodiment shown, the sleeve 32c, lock and release member 32b are configured so that the protruding portion 33 of the rim 36 is detachably engageable from the catch member 32, by actuating the lock and release member to move its tab into engagement/disengagement with the corresponding notched portion of the protrusion portion 33 of the rim 36.

In the embodiment depicted, the catch member permits upward rotation of the basket relative to the catch member to assist in disengaging the basket from the stroller frame. Specifically, the frame engagement member 32a may be configured to allow rotation of the lock and release member 32b and sleeve member 32c relative to the frame engagement member 32a. This allows the frame 36 to be moved upward, in turn lifting the end of the stay 34 off the corresponding protrusions on the rear legs of the stroller frame 14 when extracting the protrusion 33 from the sleeve member 32c.

In alternative embodiments it would also be appreciated that the catch members could be integrally formed on or include in the rear legs of the stroller, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The detachable engageable rim portion 36, which is supported by the stay 34 provides a frame for a carry basket which is configured to receive various articles, including shopping toys, books, nappies and the like.

Advantageously, the basket frame may also include a handle 38 which allows a user to carry the basket once it has been detached from the stroller 10.

Referring now to Fig 7, there is depicted an exemplary photograph of one embodiment of a basket frame of the present disclosure. The rear legs 14 of the stroller support the catches 32 and stay 34 to hold the rim portion 36 spaced apart and defining a chamber for receiving articles. In the embodiment depicted fabric 39 forms the wall and base of the basket and defines the chamber in which the articles are received, however, it would be appreciated that other sheet type material could also be used to fulfil this function. It would be appreciated that a number of different arrangements of the fabric would be possible without departing from the technology of the present disclosure.

The handle 38 is depicted in a stowed configuration, but it would be appreciated that this handle is pivotable to an upright arrangement. Advantageously, the protrusion to which the stays attached may also be used for other purposes such as the attachment of another seat, or carrycot adapter on the stroller.

When using the basket the catch members 32 may be fitted to the rear legs 14 of the stroller 10 before a user wishes to attach the basket frame, for example, at home.

The user is then able to attach the basket 30 to the stroller 10 at their convenience. The stays 34 may be folded from the stowed position to engage with the stroller frame and support the basket rim before the parent/caregiver leaves the house/other location with the infant or child on their expedition.

The basket frame (and basket) with or without articles may then be separated from the stroller by actuating the locking portion of the catch 32b, lifting the basket up and then disengaging the sleeve of the catch member on the rear leg of the stroller from the protruding portion 33 of the basket frame. The catch members may then be removed from the rear legs 14 of the stroller 10 or left attached at the user's discretion. The handle 38 may be then used to carry the basket to whenever required, as the basket is no longer attached to the stroller.

The present disclosure provides additional storage space which is readily accessible to a user on the move with an infant. Shopping or other articles may be placed in the basket when attached to the stroller or when separated from the stroller at the user's discretion.

In this way, the shopping basket of the present disclosure provides a versatile and aesthetically pleasing option for additional storage place on a stroller. Being able to detach the basket from the stroller (and in some embodiments remove the catch members from the stroller frame) provides significantly more flexibility of use for the shopping basket as compared to a permanently affixed shopping basket formed as part of the stroller frame.

The detachable shopping basket can be engaged with the stroller when empty or when the caregiver or parent is busy; and then detached from the stroller when the caregiver or parent needs to carry articles away from the stroller at their convenience. In an embodiment, engagement/disengagement of the basket frame with the catch member is facilitated by the configuration of the catch member to enable rotation of one portion of the catch member relative to the portion of the catch member which is engaged with the stroller frame. However, it would be appreciated that other arrangements would also be possible to facilitate the disengagement of the basket from the stroller.

Claims

1. A detachable basket for a stroller having a stroller frame with one or more front legs and at least two rear legs terminating in ground engaging wheels, the detachable basket comprising:

one or more catch members engageable with a rear leg;

a basket frame detachably engageable with each of the one or more catch members wherein the basket frame defines a chamber for receiving articles therein; and a stay for supporting the basket frame on the stroller frame.

2. The detachable basket for a stroller according to claim 1 wherein the basket frame is engageable with the one or more catch members via a movable tab portion of the one or more catch members which is matingly engageable with a corresponding notched portion on the end of a protrusion extending from the basket frame.

3. The detachable basket for a stroller according to claim 2 wherein the tab portion is located in a sleeve part of the one or more catch members.

4. The detachable basket for a stroller according to any one of claim 1 to claim 3 wherein the basket frame is engageable with the one or more catch members via a bayonet fitting.

5. The detachable basket for a stroller according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stay is pivotable from a stowed position substantially parallel to the top of the basket frame to a supporting position such that the stay is inclined and extends from the basket frame to the stroller frame.

6. The detachable basket for a stroller according to claim 5 wherein the stowed position of the stay and the supporting position of the stay are defined by stops formed in complementary halves of a joint mechanism joining the stay and the basket frame.

7. The detachable basket for a stroller according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stay is supported on the stroller frame on a protrusion formed thereon.

8. The detachable basket for a stroller according to claim 7 wherein the protrusion is configured to receive an adaptor for an additional seat frame.

9. The detachable basket for a stroller according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the basket further includes a handle extending therefrom.

10. The detachable basket for a stroller according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer perimeter of the basket frame is defined by a rim and wherein the chamber is formed by fabric supported thereon.

11. The detachable basket for a stroller according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the catch members are detachably engageable with the stroller frame.

12. The detachable basket for a stroller according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a first portion of the catch member is rotatable relative to a second portion of the catch member.

13. A stroller comprising:

one or more catch members each being engageable with a rear leg;

14. The stroller according to claim 13 wherein the basket frame is engageable with the one or more catch members via a movable tab portion of the one or more catch members which is matingly engageable with a corresponding notched portion on the end of a protrusion extending from the basket frame.

15. The stroller according to claim 14 wherein the tabbed portion is located in a sleeve part of the one or more catch members.

16. The detachable basket for a stroller according to any one of claim 13 to claim 15 wherein the basket frame is engageable with the one or more catch members via a bayonet fitting.

17. The stroller according to claim 16 wherein the sleeve part of the bayonet fitting is formed in the one or more catch members.

18. The stroller according to any one of the claims 13-17 wherein the stay is pivotable from a stowed position substantially aligned with the top of the basket frame and a supporting position extending between the rim and the stroller frame.

19. The stroller according to claim 18 wherein the positions are defined by stops formed in complementary halves of the joint mechanism of the moveable stay and the basket frame.

20. The stroller according to any one of preceding claims 13-19 wherein the stay is supported on the stroller frame on a protrusion formed thereon.

21. The stroller according to any one of preceding claims 13-20 wherein the stay is supported on the stroller frame on a protrusion adapted to receive an adaptor for an additional seat frame.

22. The stroller according to any one of the preceding claims 13-21 wherein the basket further includes a handle extending therefrom.

23. The stroller according to any one of the preceding claims 13-22 wherein the outer perimeter of the basket frame is defined by a rim and wherein the chamber is formed by fabric supported thereon.