Abstract:
An improved stroller allows a runner to bring a baby along while running. The improvement comprises an elongate connector which flexes near each end and is rigid in the middle. One end of the connector is attached to the stroller and the other to the user, thus eliminating the need for the runner to use his or her hands to control the stroller. This allows the runner to freely swing his or her arms in a natural running motion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to baby strollers, and more particularly to baby strollers that are used to bring a baby along while running. 
     It has become commonplace for persons to use wheeled devices to bring a child along while running. These wheeled devices are referred to as &#34;Baby Joggers&#34;, running strollers, and other names. They are distinguished by their large wheels (typically three) and other features intended to make then more suited to running than normal baby carriages or strollers. 
     One disadvantage common to the presently popular devices is the need to use a hand or hands to control the device by holding the handle while running. This activity is difficult and cumbersome because the inability to swing one&#39;s arm while running costs the body the use of that arm as a counterbalance. The resulting unbalanced running action is difficult, uncomfortable, no fun, and potentially injurious. Thus there is the need for a baby stroller that can be used while running without requiring the use of the upper limb(s) for control. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a baby stroller is connected to the adult user by means of a flexible member that permits the natural up and down body movements and swinging arm movements of running to take place uninhibited while retaining a connection to accomplish control of the stroller. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be shown and described with reference to drawings, of which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a prior art baby stroller in use; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the present invention in use while the running user is in a downward movement; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the present invention in use while the running user is in an upward movement; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of one of the end swivels; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the assembled flexible connector; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the rigid portion of the flexible connector in which the running user&#39;s fore and aft displacement relative to the stroller is compensated for. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the cable used for control in the event of the running user falling; 
     FIG. 7A is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of the cable used for control in the event of the running user falling; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the brake mechanism used to increase the user&#39;s control over the device; and 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment where the stroller is behind the runner. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the prior art in use. The person on the right 21 is running while the baby 22 is in the prior art stroller 23 at left. The runner 21 is holding the stroller 23 with an outstretched arm/hand 19 to effect control of the stroller&#39;s direction and speed of travel. 
     FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic illustrations of the invention in use. The diagrams show the running user 21 on the right, and the no-hands running stroller 24 containing the baby 22 at the left. Although a typical baby stroller has three or four wheels, the stroller of the present invention may have only two wheels in a rickshaw-type arrangement (not pictured). The diagrams also show a flexible connector 25 connecting the upper handle portion 20 of the stroller 24 with a belt 26 on the runner&#39;s waist. The belt 26 is one possible method of attaching the flexible connector 25 to the runner&#39;s body. Other methods include hip or shoulder attachments. Note that the runner 21 is free to run without using hand control of the stroller 24, thus enjoying a much more natural running motion. 
     The runner 21 is travelling from the right of FIGS. 2 and 3 to left of FIGS. 2 and 3 while also moving in an up and down, or vertical, fashion as is normal during running. The runner 21 is shown at the lower end of the vertical motion in FIG. 2, and at the upper end of the vertical motion in FIG. 3. Thus it is shown that the connecting member 25 is flexible in the vertical direction so as to permit the natural up and down body movement of running while the stroller 24 moves horizontally. The handle 20 of prior art strollers is retained for use if desired, but such use is rendered unnecessary by this invention. 
     FIG. 4 shows the detail of the end swivels 31 of the flexible connector 25 used in one possible embodiment. The rotation around swivel pin 34 permits flexing in one plane only, while the structure of the swivel prevents flexing in other planes. The assembled flexible connector 25, including the end swivels 31, is shown in FIG. 5. One end swivel 31 is employed at each end of flexible connector 25. In this embodiment, the middle section consists of a fiberglass rod 32 measuring 1/4&#34; diameter and 14&#34; long, each end of the rod 32 being secured by epoxy adhesive into socket 33 in each end swivel 31. The rod 32 is fashioned so as to permit little or no longitudinal stretching or compressive buckling or lateral flexing under normal usage conditions. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in other embodiments, the rod 32 may be made from another rigid material such as plastic or wood. Also, the length of the flexible connector 25 may vary from about six inches to about four feet, this range being governed by the possible arm lengths of runners. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the flexible connector 25, in addition to providing vertical flexibility, also provides flexibility in the fore and aft directions. This feature is intended to increase the comfort of the invention by accommodating fore and aft movement of the runner relative to the stroller, as a person running does not move forward in perfectly linear fashion. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the preferred structure for implementing this flexing feature which is essentially an addition to the rod portion 32 of the flexible connector of FIG. 5, the addition being a spring 45 arranged within a cylindrical housing 42 in a fashion similar to an automotive shock absorber or a spring door closer. The rod portion 32 of the connector 25 of this embodiment is divided into two sections 32a and 32b between which the shock absorber is disposed. The spring 45 remains in a non-flexed state when the runner is not applying any force to the connector 25. As the runner applies a force in the direction of the length of the connector 25, the spring 45 will flex, either compressing or elongating, to accommodate the force, resulting in a smoother ride for both the baby and the runner. 
     In FIGS. 2 and 3, one end of the flexible connector 25 is attached to belt 26 which is connected to the body of the user 21. Various other means of connecting the flexible connector to the body can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. The means of attachment of the flexible connector to the belt can be sewing, gluing, riveting, or any other suitable method of attachment without departing from the spirit of this embodiment. 
     The other end of flexible connector 25 is attached to the no-hands stroller 24. The swivels 31 are oriented so as to permit up and down flexibility while maintaining stiffness from side to side. This stiffness gives the runner 21 steering control of the no-hands stroller 24 while the vertical flexibility permits the natural up and down motion of running. 
     In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the left end (left in FIGS. 2 and 3) of flexible connector 25 is attached to the no-hands stroller 24 by use of a pair of magnets 35 that permit disconnection when enough force is applied. This is a safety feature intended to prevent injury to user 21 or baby 22 in the event of an accident such as user 21 falling. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that other mechanisms such as spring clips, latches, breakable material and the like can De employed to achieve essentially the same results without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 shows a cable 27 connected from the stroller end of the flexible connector 25 to the rear lower portion of the no-hands stroller 24 to prevent complete loss of control of the stroller 24 in the event of disconnection of the flexible connector. Alternatively, the cable could be connected to the runner 21 rather than the stroller end of the flexible connector 25 to provide the same safety feature. The cable 27 could be steel cable, nylon rope, chain, or any other suitable material. 
     The no-hands stroller 24 can also be equipped with an automatic braking mechanism arranged to apply braking action whenever gravity tends to pull the no-hands stroller downhill faster than the person running 21 is running. FIG. 8 shows one possible brake and spring arrangement that helps control the forward motion of the no-hands stroller 24. The stroller end of flexible connector 25 or the stroller mounted magnet (or other detachable mechanism) of magnets 35 is connected to one end of a swivel member 72 that pulls on a brake cable 74. A brake 75, such as a common bicycle caliper brake, is connected to the cable 74. Spring 73 acts to pull the swivel member 72 forward (to the left in FIG. 8) to disengage the brake 75. 
     If the gravity of downhill operation or other factors tends to move the no-hands stroller 24 faster than the running user 21 is running, the flexible member 25 will pull on the swivel member 72. If this pulling force is sufficient to overcome the force of the spring 73, the swivel member 72 will swivel and engage the brake 75. This will slow the no-hands stroller 24 to a speed equal to that of the running user 21. It will be well understood by those skilled in the art that many other mechanisms can be employed to achieve similar braking action without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment wherein the no-hands stroller 24 is attached behind the running user 21 and is pulled along. Safety features equivalent to those of the push version of the no-hands stroller 24 may be employed in this pull version. For example, in the braking mechanism of FIG. 8, the brake 75 of the pull version of the no-hands stroller 24 could be made to engage if the swivel member 72 was pulled too close to the no-hands stroller 24 indicating that, perhaps, the stroller 24 is gaining ground on the running user on a downgrade or the running user has fallen. The disconnection safety feature of the push version described above and depicted in FIG. 7 would operate in the same manner in the pull version if, for example, the stroller 24 was somehow stopped or slowed down while the running user 21 continued to run. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications of an obvious nature could be made to the disclosed embodiment without deviating from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the above description and illustration should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.