Abstract:
A modular stroller includes at least one mechanisms integrated into the stroller configured to be coupled to another stroller.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    When a baby is born, one of the items new parents typically buy is a stroller. There are countless options from which to choose, with many varying features that provide comfort and protection for the infant as well as convenience to the caregiver. Most people are able to purchase a stroller that fits their needs and their budget. 
         [0002]    The situation becomes more complicated when a second child is born and the first is still of a stroller-appropriate age. There are many double strollers—strollers that can accommodate two children, but they are typically larger and more cumbersome, and so therefore less convenient. In the end, many parents are perplexed by their choices. In addition, parents often accumulate more than one stroller for their varying needs: they may buy a standard double stroller for everyday use, a jogging stroller (single or double, depending on their needs and athletic capability), a couple of umbrella strollers for short trips with either both children or only one, and they may keep their original single stroller for the times when only one child is going out. These strollers cost money, take up space, and still may not serve the parents&#39; and children&#39;s needs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a first independently standing stroller 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating two interlocked strollers. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3 . is a diagram illustrating an interlocking mechanism. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating interlocking of two strollers. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating interlocking stroller handles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a single, independent, freestanding stroller  102 . Like other conventional single strollers, the stroller  102  can offer a variety of conveniences such as comfortable seating in upright and reclining positions for the child, sun-shade, all-terrain tires for comfortable riding and easy maneuverability, ample basket storage space below the child (not shown), and easy folding for stowing in cars or at home. Like conventional strollers, stroller  102  features front  106 ,  108 , and rear  112 ,  114  wheels. The number of front or rear wheels may vary in different constructions. Each wheel rotates about an axle, though the number of axles may vary (e.g., wheels may potentially share an axle). 
         [0009]    As shown, the stroller  102  features an assembly  118  interconnecting the wheels/axles with a handle  120 . While the depicted stroller  102  features a single lateral handle  120 , other constructions of the stroller  102  may feature two distinct handles, one for each hand. 
         [0010]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , unlike a conventional stroller, integrated into stroller  102  are mechanisms that enable the stroller  102  to interlock with another identical or compatible stroller  104  to form a double stroller. Potentially, the stroller  102  can be interlocked with two other identical or compatible strollers to form a triple stroller (e.g., n-strollers may be aggregated). As a result of these interlocking mechanisms, when a younger sibling is born, the first stroller is not obsolete or used only on rare occasions, but maintains its usefulness. When interlocked the strollers  102 ,  104  attach securely enough that the unit feels like one monolithic stroller. Additionally, while operating as a multi-child stroller, the individual component strollers  102 ,  104  permit independent adjustment of the seats. That is, the seats maintain their separate ability to be upright or reclined, independent of the other seat position. Additionally, the combined stroller folds down as a single unit, so it would fold as a double unit as well. 
         [0011]    The strollers  102 ,  104  may also be easily detached when desired. For example, if children are going to different places or there is some other need for a single stroller, the stroller  102 ,  104  pair can be detached to yield two independent strollers  102 ,  104 . 
         [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates an interlocking mechanism of the stroller  102  in greater detail. As shown, the stroller assembly  118  features laterally opposed male  130  and female  132  connectors. In the implementation shown, the male  130  connector features a spring loaded element  142  that can be depressed when the male  130  connector is interlocked with a female connector. The female connector  132  features a hole  136  to accept a spring loaded element  140  (e.g., a ball) when a male  130  connector is interlocked. To permit interlocking, the radius of a male connector may be tapered  138  to permit insertion of the male connector into a female connector. When inserted the male and female connectors may be concentric. To detach, the spring loaded element  140  can be depressed and the interlocking piece removed. 
         [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates interlocking of two strollers  102 ,  104 . As illustrated, wheels of a stroller (e.g., the front right  108   a  wheel of stroller  104 ) can be detached. As shown, to interlock strollers  102 ,  104 , a wheel  108   a  can be removed from stroller  104  and the male connector of stroller  102  and the female connector of stroller  104  may be interlocked. Thus, the resulting combination stroller  102 ,  104  features three wheels  108   b ,  106   b ,  106   a  instead of four wheels. This allows the strollers to share central wheels to facilitate maneuverability. The stroller has storage for the detached wheels behind the child seat using either a pocket or hooks so that the wheels are easily stowed and do not take up the usual storage space in the basket below. 
         [0014]    While  FIGS. 3 and 4  and the corresponding description detailed male/female connectors, other interlocking mechanisms can be integrated into a stroller such as ‘J’ or ‘S’ hooks. In such constructions, protective rubber caps may be supplied as covers when the interlocking mechanisms are not being used. A wide variety of other interlocking mechanisms may be integrated into the stroller. 
         [0015]    The stroller  102  may, in addition or as an alternative to the interlocking shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  may feature interlocking mechanisms integrated into the stroller  102  at other places. For example, the stroller  102  may feature an interlocking mechanism on the rear axle(s) like the mechanism(s) described above. 
         [0016]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the stroller  102  may feature interlocking handles that ease steering when multiple strollers  102 ,  104  are aggregated. As shown the handles  120   b ,  120   a  of strollers  102 ,  104  can feature an interconnection mechanism similar to that described above. As shown, the handles  120   b ,  120   a  may be curved to distance the interlocking point from the hands of someone pushing the interlocked strollers  102 ,  104 . A similar scheme may be implemented when a stroller  102  features multiple (e.g., left and right) handles instead of a single handle bar  120 . 
         [0017]    In addition to the assembly and handles, interlocking mechanisms can be integrated at other points in the stroller assembly. For example, a stroller may feature interlocking mechanisms located near the seat of the stroller or at other locations. The interlock mechanism may also be integrated into the axles. 
         [0018]    The above illustrated many ways of using mechanisms integrated into a stroller assembly to interconnect strollers. The techniques may be used to interlock identical strollers. Alternately, the techniques may be used to interlock strollers that are not identical but compatible. For example, compatible strollers may feature one or more interlocking mechanisms that align when both strollers are next to one another. Not all such mechanisms need to align in this situation as long as some subset of at least one mechanism does. 
         [0019]    In some implementations described above, the stroller  102  was asymmetric with respect to a dividing vertical axis. In simpler terms, the interlocking mechanisms on one side of the stroller were constructed differently than the interlocking mechanism on the other side of the stroller. Potentially, a stroller may feature integrated interlocking mechanisms on only one side. For example, strollers may be produced as “left end strollers” or “right end strollers”. 
         [0020]    As described above, the interlocking mechanisms are integrated within the stroller  102  assembly. That is, the interlocking mechanism are not simply attached to exterior of the assembly. Additionally, the interlocking mechanisms have counterpart mechanisms on the interlocked stroller. Such mechanisms feature a topology that deviates from a smooth surface. 
         [0021]    Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.