Abstract:
A collapsible stroller having a frame including a pair of S-shaped members pivotably joined together at their inflection points, a lower frame assembly suspended by L-shaped brackets, a handle extension mechanism, and a soft goods storage console. The S-shaped frame members and L-shaped bracket mounting of the lower frame assembly provide improved access to a storage volume located beneath the seat.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to collapsible strollers. Specifically, the present invention relates to an improved collapsible stroller having a frame including a pair of S-shaped members pivotably joined together at their inflection points, a lower frame assembly suspended by L-shaped brackets, a handle extension mechanism, and a soft goods storage console. 
         [0002]    Strollers, and collapsible strollers in particular, are generally known. Such strollers typically include a frame constructed of a plurality of tubular members. The tubular members often include a pair of forward legs, a pair of rearward legs, and a pair of handles. The tubular members are often connected by joints that allow the stroller to be pivoted between a collapsed configuration and an operative configuration. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In a first aspect, a stroller according to the present invention may include a first frame member having generally an S-shape with a first inflection point; a second frame member having generally an S-shape that is approximately a mirror image of the first frame member and the second frame member having a second inflection point; wherein the first frame member and the second frame member are pivotably coupled together proximate the first inflection point and the second inflection point such that the first frame member and second frame member form a substantially coplanar X-shape. 
         [0004]    In a detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the first frame member and the second frame member may each have a first end and a second end and wherein a length from the first end of the first frame member to the first inflection point may be greater than a length from the second end of the first frame member to the first inflection point. The first frame member and the second frame member may comprise a generally vertical support frame pivotably connected to lower frame members and upper frame members. 
         [0005]    In a second aspect, a stroller according to the present invention may include a frame having a vertical supporting member and a lower separator assembly; wherein the lower separator assembly is suspended from the vertical supporting member by a bracket such that the lower separator assembly is oriented substantially horizontally and such that substantially all of the lower separator assembly is located beneath the vertical height at which the bracket is attached to the vertical supporting member. 
         [0006]    In a detailed embodiment of the second aspect, the bracket may be an L-shaped bracket. The bracket may be pivotably coupled to the vertical supporting member using at least one axial coupling member. The bracket may be pivotably coupled to the lower separator assembly using at least one axial coupling member. 
         [0007]    In a third aspect, a stroller according to the present invention may include a frame having a first upper frame member, and a second upper frame member; a first handle; and a second handle; wherein the first handle is slidably coupled with the first upper frame member and the second handle is slidably coupled with the second upper frame member such that each of the first handle and the second handle is independently movable. 
         [0008]    In a detailed embodiment of the third aspect, the stroller may further include a first pin extending perpendicularly through the first frame member; a second pin extending perpendicularly though the second frame member; a first spring retainer mounted within the first frame member and including a first button extending through a first hole in the first frame member, the button being spring-biased radially outward from a center of the first frame member; a second spring retainer mounted within the second frame member and including a second button extending through a second hole in the second frame member, the second button being spring-biased radially outward from a center of the second frame member; a first collar rigidly attached to the first handle and slidably attached to the first upper frame member and having a longitudinal trough adapted to slidably receive the first pin and a plurality of holes adapted to engage the first button; and a second collar rigidly attached to the second handle and slidably attached to the second upper frame member and having a longitudinal trough adapted to slidably receive the first pin and a plurality of holes adapted to engage the second button. The first handle and the second handle may have larger diameters than the first upper frame member and the second upper frame member. The first handle and the second handle may be at least partially covered with foam. 
         [0009]    In a fourth aspect, a stroller according to the present invention may include a frame, the frame including handles; a storage console mounted to the frame proximate the handles, the storage console comprising a pliant material; wherein the storage console includes a plurality of pockets. 
         [0010]    In a detailed embodiment of the fourth aspect, the plurality of pockets includes at least one pocket adapted to hold a beverage container. The plurality of compartments may include at least two beverage pockets, each beverage pocket adapted to hold a beverage container, and at least one center pocket located between the beverage pockets. The stroller may further include a pocket located generally beneath the beverage pockets and the center pocket. At least one of the pockets may include a zipper. The pliant material may comprise a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, and/or a mesh material. At least a portion of the storage console may be releaseably attached to the frame. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible stroller according to the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible stroller frame according to the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible stroller frame according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible stroller frame according to the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible stroller frame according to the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible stroller frame according to the present invention in a collapsed configuration; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a soft goods storage console according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a soft goods storage console according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a detailed isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a handle extension mechanism according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an exploded isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a handle extension mechanism according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is an exploded isometric view of a partially assembled exemplary embodiment of a handle extension mechanism according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a detailed section view of an exemplary embodiment of a handle extension mechanism of according to the present invention; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises stroller  10 . Stroller  10  is adapted to transport a child in seat  2 . The exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  includes a storage are  3  located beneath the seat  2 . The seat  2  and other portions of stroller  10  may be constructed from nylon and/or other fabric and/or mesh in exemplary embodiments. These portions of the stroller  10  are not shown in the remaining Figures. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , an exemplary embodiment of stroller  10  is supported by wheel assemblies  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , each of which includes two wheels. It is within the scope of the invention to utilize wheel assemblies having more or fewer wheels. Front wheel assemblies  12 ,  14  are mounted to main side tubes  24 ,  26  such that the wheel assemblies  12 ,  14  are rotatable in a horizontal plane to permit a user to steer stroller  10 . Rear wheel assemblies  16 ,  18  are rigidly mounted to rear side tubes  28 ,  30 . The rear wheel assemblies  16 ,  18  may optionally include braking mechanisms adapted to prevent the wheels from rolling when the mechanisms are engaged. Rear side tubes  28 ,  30  are pivotably attached to couplings  32 ,  34 , respectively. Main sides tubes  24 ,  26  are pivotally attached to couplings  32 ,  34 , respectively. Upper side tubes  20 ,  22  are also rigidly attached to couplings  32 ,  34 , respectively. 
         [0026]    Handles  50 ,  52  are coupled to upper side tubes  20 ,  22  by handle extension mechanisms  100 ,  102  described in detail below. In an exemplary embodiment, handles  50 ,  52  may be composed of tubular metal sections covered with foam. The exposed ends of handles  50 ,  52  may be covered with plastic plugs. 
         [0027]    Canopy support hoops  58 ,  60  are also coupled to upper side tubes  20 ,  22 . In the exemplary embodiment, hoop  60  is pivotable relative to upper side tubes  20 ,  22  to allow a user to deploy and collapse the canopy. 
         [0028]    Seat supports  54 ,  56  are pivotably coupled to front side tubes  24 ,  26  and rear side tubes  28 ,  30 , respectively. Seat supports  54 ,  56  are used for mounting the horizontal portion of the seat. 
         [0029]    Front side tubes  24 ,  26  and rear side tubes  28 ,  30  are held in position by lower cross tubes  42 ,  44 . Lower cross tube  42  is pivotably attached to front side tube  26  and rear side tube  28 . Lower cross tube  44  is pivotably attached to front side tube  24  and rear side tube  30 . Lower cross tubes  42 ,  44  are pivotably connected together at pivot  46 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , lower cross tube  44  is bent such that it lies beneath lower cross tube  42  at pivot  46 . 
         [0030]    Lower cross tubes  42 ,  44  are pivotably attached to front side tubes  24 ,  26  and rear side tubes  28 ,  30  using “L” brackets  48 . The vertical portion of each L bracket  48  is pivotably attached to its respective front side tube  24 ,  26  or rear side tube  28 ,  30 . The horizontal portion of each L bracket  48  is pivotably attached to its respective lower cross tube  42 ,  44 . In exemplary embodiments, these pivotable attachments utilize axial coupling member  49 ,  51 . The axial coupling members  49 ,  51  may include rivets, through-bolts, and/or similar fasteners known in the art. 
         [0031]    In addition to permitting relative rotation in 2 planes, L brackets  48  serve to lower the plane formed by the lower cross tubes  42 ,  44 . By mounting the lower cross tubes  42 ,  44  lower relative to the seat, additional volume is available for storage beneath the seat. 
         [0032]    Upper side tubes  20 ,  22  and rear side tubes  28 ,  30  are held in position by rear cross tubes  36 ,  38 . Rear cross tube  36  is pivotably attached to upper side tube  20  and rear side tube  30 . Rear cross tube  38  is pivotably attached to upper side tube  22  and rear side tube  28 . Rear cross tubes  36 ,  38  are pivotably joined together at pivot  40 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , rear cross tubes  36 ,  38  may be curved. The curvature of the rear cross tubes  36 ,  38  in an exemplary embodiment allows easier access to the storage volume beneath the seat than alternative embodiments that utilize straight rear cross tubes. In the exemplary embodiment, the shape of each rear cross tube  36 ,  38  is generally a mirror image of the other. 
         [0034]    In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the shape of each rear cross tube  36 ,  38  generally approximates an S-curve, more specifically a sigmoid curve, with the pivot  40  located at the inflection point. Each rear cross tube  36 ,  38  begins at its bottom end with a nearly straight section that is at a shallow angle relative to its respective rear side tube  28 ,  30 . The curvature of the rear cross tube  36 ,  38  becomes significant at approximately half way between the bottom end and the pivot  40 . The direction of the curvature is towards the pivot  40 . The portion of the rear cross tube  36 ,  38  adjacent to the pivot  40  is approximately straight. The rear cross tube  36 ,  38  then begins to curve towards a vertical direction, with the final nearly straight section being at a shallow angle relative to upper side tubes  20 ,  22 . In the exemplary embodiment, the upper portion of rear cross tubes  36 ,  38  (the portion between the pivot  40  and the upper side tubes  20 ,  22 ) is longer than the lower portion of the rear cross tubes  36 ,  38  (the portion between the pivot  40  and the rear side tubes  28 ,  30 ). It is within the scope of the invention for the lower portion of the rear cross tubes  36 ,  38  to be longer than the upper portion or for the lengths of the upper and lower portions to be equal. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary embodiment of the stroller  10  in a collapsed configuration. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  depicts an exemplary embodiment soft goods storage console  80  according to the present invention. Soft goods storage console  80  may have a plurality of pockets and/or compartments, including drink holders  82 ,  84  and center pocket  86 . Soft goods storage console  80  may be permanently or releaseably attached to the stroller  10  and may be constructed from a fabric. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the soft goods storage console  80  is attached to the upper side tubes  20 ,  22 . In exemplary embodiments, center pocket  86  and/or the bottoms of drink holders  82 ,  84  may be constructed of a fabric mesh. Generally, the soft goods storage console may be constructed from any suitable pliant material. 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  depicts an alternative exemplary embodiment of a soft goods storage console  90 . Similar to soft goods storage console  80 , soft goods storage console  90  may be permanently or releaseably attached to stroller  10  and may include a plurality of pockets and/or compartments. The pockets may include drink holders  92 ,  94 , center pocket  96 , and lower pocket  98 . One or more of the pockets may include a zipper, such as zipper  99  on lower pocket  98 . Alternative arrangements of the various pockets and/or compartments is within the scope of the invention. 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  depicts an exemplary embodiment of the present invention handle extension mechanism  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, handle extension mechanisms  100 ,  102  are mirror images of each other. Thus, the following description of handle extension mechanism  100  also describes corresponding features of handle extension mechanism  102 . 
         [0039]    Handle extension mechanism  100  slidably couples handle  50  to upper side tube  20 . Handle extension mechanism  100  includes a lower portion  101  and an upper portion  104 . Handle extension mechanism  100  is rigidly attached to handle  50  and upper side tube  20  is adapted to slide within lower portion  101  and upper portion  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, lower portion  101  and upper portion  104  are composed of plastic; however, the use of other materials (such as, but not limited to, metal) is within the scope of the invention. 
         [0040]    Turning to  FIG. 10 , it is apparent that the lower portion  101  and upper portion  104  each may have an engagement portion  112 ,  114  inside which handle  50  is mounted. In an exemplary embodiment, handle  50  may be riveted to either or both of engagement portions  112 ,  114 . Upper portion  104  may include an engagement shoulder  116  adapted to couple with lower portion  101 . In an exemplary embodiment, engagement shoulder  116  couples with lower portion  101  using a tongue-in-groove method of engagement. When assembled, spring  122  is located inside of upper side tube  20  such that button  120  extends through hole  128 . Button  120  is also mounted to spring  122 . Together button  120  and spring  122  comprise a snap button device as is known in the art. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , spring  122  biases button  120  such that a substantial portion of button  120  extends through hole  128  in upper side tube  20  unless a user depresses button  120  by overcoming the force of spring  122 . When assembled, button  120  extends through one of holes  106 ,  108 ,  110  in upper portion  104  to lock handle  50  relative to upper side tube  20 . In the exemplary embodiment, spring  122  is composed of an elastic metal. It is within the scope of the invention to utilize other materials (such as, but not limited to, plastics) and/or other types of springs (such as, but not limited to, a helical compression spring). In addition, it is within the scope of the invention to include more or fewer holes similar to the holes  106 ,  108 ,  110  of the exemplary embodiment. 
         [0042]    Returning to  FIG. 10 , pin  130  is adapted to engage hole  132  such that the ends of pin  130  extend radially beyond the circumference of upper side tube  20 . The exposed ends of pin  130  slidably engage troughs  134  which are formed where lower portion  101  and upper portion  104  engage each other. The slidable engagement between pins  130  and troughs  134  allows upper side tube  20  to slide axially within lower portion  101  and upper portion  104 . The extent of the axial motion is limited by the length of the troughs  134  such that upper side tube  20  cannot be fully withdrawn from lower portion  101  and upper portion  104 . Additionally, the engagement between pins  130  and troughs  134  prevents upper side tube  20  from rotating relative to handle  50 . This is advantageous not only because handle  50  remains in the proper angular orientation, but also because it ensures that button  120  is properly aligned to engage holes  106 ,  108 ,  110 . 
         [0043]    The handle extension mechanism  100  is operated as follows. Beginning, for example, with the button  120  engaged with hole  108  as shown in  FIG. 12 , the user depresses button  120  overcoming the force of spring  122 . Once button  120  is depressed substantially within upper side tube  20 , upper side tube  20  is free to slide axially relative to handle  50 . The user then either extends or collapses the handle extension mechanism, choosing hole  110  or  106 , respectively. For purposes of this example, it is assumed that the user wishes to collapse the handle  50 ; therefore the user chooses hole  106 . As the user slides upper side tube  20  axially relative to handle  50 , he or she aligns the button  120  with hole  106 . As the button comes into alignment with hole  106 , the force of spring  122  pushes button  120  through hole  106 . With the button  120  extending through hole  106 , frame piece  20  is locked in position relative to handle  50 . The same method of operation is used to extend or collapse the handle extension mechanism  100  such that the button  120  extends through any one of holes  106 ,  108 ,  110 . 
         [0044]    It is within the scope of the invention to cover holes  106 ,  108 ,  110  such that a user can depress button  120  without directly pushing on button  120  itself. The cover may comprise, but is not limited to, plastic buttons or a flexible membrane. It is also within the scope of the invention to switch the orientation of the handle extension mechanism  100  such that the handle  50  slides within the lower portion  101  and upper portion  104  and the frame piece  20  is rigidly attached around the engagement portions  112 ,  114  of the lower portion  101  and upper portion  104 . In other words, it is within the scope of the invention to utilize a similar extension mechanism on a stroller having handles of smaller diameter than the frame. 
         [0045]    Although exemplary embodiments incorporate tubular metal frame members, it is within the scope of the invention to utilize metal frame members having alternative cross sections (such as, but not limited to square, rectangular, oval, C-shaped, L-shaped, etc.). It is also within the scope of the invention to utilize frame members composed of other materials (such as, but not limited to, plastic, fiberglass, or other composite materials). 
         [0046]    While exemplary embodiments of the invention have been set forth above for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the inventions contained herein are not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Likewise, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not necessary to meet any or all of the stated advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the claims, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.