Folding stroller with decorative skirt

A folding stroller having a structural frame formed of a plurality of rigid support members. The stroller is provided with a skirt formed of a flexible material. The skirt can be disposed around at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the stroller to create a visual impression of something other than an ordinary stroller. For example, the skirt can create a visual impression of a vehicle such as an automobile, truck, airplane, spacecraft, an animal or a character. The skirt can be formed of fabric, plastic sheeting or film, or a mesh. A suspension frame is provided for suspending the skirt along a least a portion of an upper edge thereof. The suspension frame can at least partially define a profile of the vehicle, animal or character. The suspension frame folds with the structural frame of the stroller for ease of storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Statement of the Technical Field

The invention relates generally to strollers for children, and more particularly to a collapsible stroller incorporating a decorative skirt for giving the stroller the appearance of something other than a stroller.

2. Description of the Related Art

Strollers for transporting young children are well known in the art. Strollers are typically formed from metal tubing, various structural plastic components, cushions and fabric coverings. These components are generally arranged to form a child seat on wheels that can be pushed by an adult. Often, the seats are designed to recline for child comfort. A wide variety of stroller designs are available and well known in the art. In general these designs are sturdy and perform quite well.

Within the broad class of strollers that are commercially available, there exists a particular type of stroller that is relatively light in weight and which is designed so that it can be collapsed for compact storage. Typically, rigid metal and plastic structural elements forming such strollers are connected together with various linkages that permit the components to change orientation or move relative to one another. These linkages typically include pivot connections, sliding links, and various other movable connections. These linkages generally allow elongated structural components of the stroller to be oriented so that they are substantially aligned in the same orientation when collapsed. Consequently, such strollers can be easily collapsed and stored compactly when not in use.

Colors and fabrics of strollers are usually chosen to be attractive to adults and/or children. Generally, the seat fabrics, sun-shade and other portions of the stroller are covered with a fabric, color or design intended to enhance the overall appearance of the product. While these designs are usually tasteful and attractive to adults, they do little to spark the imagination of the children who ride in them. Still, such strollers inevitably must be lightweight, collapsible and functional, so there are limited options available for a designer wishing to provide an imaginative design for children.

In contrast, strollers that are not designed to be collapsed can allow designers greater latitude in the stroller design. For example, the appearance of the stroller can be modified to resemble something other than a stroller. This can be accomplished by means of body panels and parts that are attached to the stroller so that the stroller will resemble something exciting or fun for children. However, such arrangements are not very practical for conventional folding strollers where convenience and weight are key concerns. The decorative framework and panels generally tend to make the folding stroller heavy and impractical to transition to a folded condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a stroller having a structural frame formed of a plurality of elongated rigid support members. One or more of the rigid support members are provided movable relative to each other for modifying the stroller between a first configuration in which the stroller is configured for use for transporting a child, and a second configuration in which the stroller is configured for compact storage. A seat is supported on the structural frame and a plurality of wheels are attached to a portion of the structural frame and positioned for rolling the stroller when it is in at least the first configuration.

At least one handle can be attached to the structural frame for pushing the stroller on the plurality of wheels. The stroller is also provided with a skirt formed of a flexible material. The skirt is disposed around at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the stroller to create a visual impression of something other than an ordinary stroller. For example, the skirt can create a visual impression of a vehicle such as an automobile, truck, airplane, spacecraft, or an animal or character. The skirt can be formed of fabric, plastic sheeting or film, or a mesh. A suspension frame is provided for suspending the skirt along a least a portion of an upper edge thereof. The suspension frame at least partially defines a profile of the vehicle, animal or character.

The stroller includes a pair of bottom frame members located a predetermined distance beneath the seat. The predetermined distance prevents the child seated in the seat from contacting the bottom frame members. The bottom frame members are disposed downwardly in a unshaped configuration forming a recess. The recess receives the bottom of the seat. The recess allows the child to be seated lower in the stroller than in conventional strollers for giving the child a feeling of being seated in a race car. The child's legs can also be extended when seated in the stroller for further mimicking how a race car driver sits in a race car. For this reason, the bottom frame members have longitudinal axes oriented in a direction parallel to the walking surface.

A sun shade is provided attached to the stroller extending over at least a portion of the seat. The sun shade is pivotally attached to the structural frame and is movable between a first unfolded configuration and a second folded configuration. The sun shade is folded on top of the at least one handle when repositioning the stroller from a first unfolded configuration to a second folded configuration. The at least one handle is folded on top of the seat when repositioning the stroller from a first unfolded configuration to a second folded configuration. A mesh is suspended from the sun shade to mimic the netting or mesh of a race car. The mesh is folded over onto the top of the sun shade when the sun shade is moved between the first unfolded configuration and the second folded configuration. The mesh includes one or more edges simulating frame members of a race car.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, shown is a folding or collapsible stroller100that is useful for understanding the invention. The stroller100includes integral design features that make the stroller more visually exciting for children. In a first configuration shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, stroller100is configured for use in transporting a child. In a second configuration, described further hereinbelow, the stroller is collapsed or folded into a second configuration for compact storage. The stroller can include a seat115where a child is seated within a space at least partially defined by the seat115, a sun shade125extending over at least a portion of the seat115, a structural frame102that is similar to conventional folding frame strollers, and a decorative skirt114. The structural frame102is at least partially surrounded by the decorative skirt114that can at least partially define a profile of something other than an ordinary stroller.

A plurality of wheels110can be attached to a portion of the structural frame102at positions suitable for rolling the stroller100over a walking surface. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of wheels110includes a pair of wheels110positioned on a common axle and positioned adjacent to each other separated by a portion of the structural frame102. The double wheel or pair configuration provides greater stability for the stroller100over a conventional single wider wheel configuration while reducing rolling friction as the stroller is pushed over the walking surface. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the double wheel configuration can be replaced with a more conventional single wheel configuration.

The wheels110of the stroller100can be formed as ordinary stroller wheels. However, according to a preferred embodiment, the stroller wheels110can be sized, shaped and/or colored to mimic a race car wheel and tire. For example, the tire portion111of the wheels can be colored black, can have a wider profile as compared to ordinary stroller wheels, and/or can have lettering disposed thereon to mimic an automobile tire. The interior rim109of each wheel can be similarly designed to mimic a race vehicle wheel.

One or more handles112can be provided, attached to the structural frame102, for pushing the stroller100on the plurality of wheels110. The structural frame102can include a pair of opposing seat support frames107for supporting seat115. The seat115can be formed of a flexible material that can be tensioned between opposing sides of the seat support frames107. The use of a flexible material for seat115allows seat115to be easily compacted between seat support frames107when stroller100is moved from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Referring now toFIG. 3, the structural frame102can be formed of a plurality of elongated rigid support members104. The rigid support members104can be formed of rigid metal, plastic, or composite tubing as is common among stroller designs of the foregoing type. In this regard, it should be understood that the invention is not limited with respect to the particular size, shape, profile or material of the rigid support members104. A wide variety of shapes, profiles, and materials are conventionally used to form the rigid support members104. Accordingly, all such materials are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

In accordance with conventional folding stroller design, one or more of the rigid support members104can be attached to one another by linkages106a,106b,106c,106d,106ethat allow the support members104to be moved relative to one another for the purpose of modifying the configuration of the stroller100. InFIGS. 3-9, linkages106a,106b,106c,106d,106eare shown as pivot linkages. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the particular linkages used will depend upon the manner in which the stroller is intended to fold. Thus, linkages106a,106b,106c,106d,106ecan include any type of linkage that may be suitable for permitting the various rigid support members104to change position or orientation relative to one another as may be appropriate for a particular folding system. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the particular structural frame and folding arrangement shown. Instead, the invention can also include strollers having various types of sliding linkages, extendable linkages, and so on to implement any of a wide variety of known folding arrangements.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular arrangement of the rigid support members104or structural frame102. Instead, the present invention can be used with structural frames having any of a variety of different types of rigid supports104in any of a variety of configurations and attached to one another by any one of a variety of linkage arrangements presently known or known in the future. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the particular arrangement of structural frame102is shown as merely one possible example.

InFIG. 3, it can be observed that a skirt114can be disposed around at least a portion of an outer perimeter of said stroller100. The skirt can be formed of any thin lightweight highly flexible material. For example, the skirt can be formed of fabric, plastic film, or mesh. The skirt114can be held in position by a suspension frame116that suspends the skirt114along at least a portion of an upper edge118thereof. The suspension frame116can be formed of the same material as the rigid support members104including rigid metal, plastic, or composite tubing. In this regard, it should be understood that the invention is not limited with respect to the particular size, shape, profile or material of the suspension frame116. Accordingly, all such materials are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

The suspension frame116can also include one or more vertical suspension frame members116extending downwardly from suspension frame116for further supporting and holding skirt114into position. The suspension frame116can be formed as a single continuous rod that extends in a U-shaped profile around the front of the stroller100. Alternatively, the suspension frame116can include a pair of opposing L-shaped rods. The use of two separate L-shaped rods can be more convenient for allowing the opposing sides of the stroller frame102to be collapsed inwardly toward one another as shown inFIG. 9. In this way, the skirt114can fold or flex as the stroller100is collapsed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the suspension frame116can be attached to at least one of the rigid support members104comprising frame102by means of a movable joint. For example, the suspension frame116can be attached by means of at least one pivot connection129so that the suspension frame116can be aligned with one or more of the rigid support members104when the stroller is modified to conform to the second configuration shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. Still, the invention is not limited in this regard and any other type of suitable attachment mechanism can also be used for this purpose, provided that the stroller100can be collapsed for compact storage.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the suspension frame116and the skirt114can at least partially define a profile of something other than an ordinary stroller. For example, the skirt114and the suspension frame116can define the outlines of an automobile, truck, rocket, animal, character, and so on. If the skirt114and the suspension frame116define an automobile, then the outline can be styled to mimic the appearance of particular types of vehicles. For example, the skirt114and the suspension frame116can be designed to create the impression of a race car for greater visual impact. For added visual attraction, graphics can be applied to the surface of the skirt114. For example, if the skirt114and the suspension frame116are designed to create the appearance of an automobile profile, then the skirt114can be provided with race car graphics. The race car graphics can include logos, numbering, or other graphics.

A sun shade125can be attached to the stroller100in the manner of a conventional stroller. For example, the sun shade125can be attached to the stroller100with channels125asewn into opposing edges of sun shade125and slid onto a pair of opposing rigid support members104. However, this method of attaching sun shade125to rigid support members104is not limiting as other methods well known in the art could be used. The rigid support members104are pivotally attached to frame102with linkages106awhich can be a locking linkage such as the push button type linkage previously described or other type of linkages that are well known in the art. The linkage106alocks the rigid support members104supporting sun shade125into a first configuration as shown inFIGS. 1-3, and when unlocked, allows the rigid supports members104and sun shade125to be folded into a second configuration for storage. The operation of linkages106aand sun shade125are best seen inFIGS. 6-8and described further hereinbelow.

The sun shade125can extend over at least a portion of the seat115as is well known to those in the art. However, if the skirt114is designed to mimic a race car, then the sun shade125can have a black netting material126that mimics the safety netting commonly found on many race cars. As with the fabric skirt114, the netting material126can create an exciting visual impression while still maintaining ease of stroller folding and storage. Like the skirt114, the black netting126can convey a race car impression, without adding significant weight to the stroller100. The black netting material126can include one or more edges119formed of a material such as fabric for mimicking a frame member of the race car. The one or more edges or simulated frame members119at least partially surround the periphery of the black netting material126. The simulated frame members119simulate the frame members of an automobile that normally support the windshield and roof of the automobile. For example, inFIG. 3there is a frame member119extending from the front and rear edges of netting material126. There is an additional strip of material119along the bottom edge of netting material126so that a fastener such as a hook and loop fastener122can be used to secure the black netting material126to the inner surface of decorative skirt114as shown inFIG. 1.

The top of the sun shade125(FIG. 2) can also be provided with race car graphics such as logos and/or numbering. In another embodiment of the invention, if the skirt114is designed to mimic a conventional automobile or truck, the black netting126can be replaced with plastic side windows to more resemble the windows of a conventional automobile or truck.

The decorative skirt114can be formed of a single piece of flexible material or can be multiple pieces. If multiple pieces are used, then the flexible material can be attached to the frame102using hook and loop fasteners122for easy detachment. For example, a front panel120can be tensioned between suspension frames116disposed on opposing sides of the structural frame102. These suspension frames116are L-shaped for supporting the skirt114along at least a portion of an upper edge118and at least a portion of front edge thereof.

A side panel portion121partially forming skirt114can be attached to each of the opposing suspension frames116using one or more elongated straps121aformed along the upper edge118of the side panel portion121. The straps121aare formed from the same material as side panel portion121and are comprised of a portion of the material folded over to wrap around an adjacent portion of the suspension frames116. A fastener such as hook and loop fasteners122can be used to secure the straps121ato the inner surface of side panel portion121. The side panel portion121is further secured to the suspension frames116using one or more straps121aattached to the inner surface of side panel portion121. The one or more straps121awrap around one or more vertical suspension frame members116extending downwardly from suspension frame member116. The one or more additional straps121are secured to the vertical suspension frame members116with a fastener such as a hook and loop fastener (not shown).

A pair of L-shaped suspension frames117or suspension frame extensions can be attached to each of the suspension frames116for supporting a portion of the side panel portions121that extend rearwardly over the plurality of wheels110comprising the rear wheels of the stroller100. The suspension frames117can be formed of the same material as suspension frame116including rigid metal, plastic, or composite tubing. The suspension frames117can be attached by a linkage106cto suspension frames116so that the suspension frames117can pivot between an unfolded configuration when the stroller is in the first configuration (FIGS. 1-5), and a folded configuration when stroller100is repositioned into the second configuration (FIGS. 8-9). The linkage106ccan be any one of the types of the linkages described including a linkage106cthat locks into the various positions and unlocks when it is desired to reposition the stroller100back and forth between the first configuration and the second configurations. The linkage106ccan be a linkage that uses a push button configuration to unlock the linkage when repositioning the stroller100between the first and second configurations. However, this is not limiting in this regard as there are other types of locking linkages that may be used that are well known in the art.

The side panel portions121are attached to suspension frames117with one or more elongated straps121aalong the top edge118and rear edge of the side panel portions121. The suspension frames117and the side panel portions121rearward of the plurality of wheels110complete the impression that the skirt114and the suspension frame116mimic the appearance of a vehicle such as a race car.

Still referring toFIG. 3, the front panel portion120of skirt114can be configured to be folded back to allow a child to enter into the space partially defined by seat115and then to be seated in seat115. In this manner, a child wishing to be seated in seat115does not have to be lifted over front panel portion120and placed into seat115. One or more edges of front panel portion120can be secured to suspension frames116by hook and loop fasteners122. The hook and loop fasteners122can release one edge of front panel portion120so that front panel portion120can be folded back and away from the area directly in front of seat115. A child is then free to walk into the area in front of seat115and enter seat115unrestricted by front panel portion120. When the child is seated in seat115, front panel portion120is folded back into position and secured by hook and loop fasteners122.

Referring now toFIG. 4, shown is a top view of the structural frame102, suspension frames116and117, and plurality of wheels110that is useful for understanding the invention. The opposing seat support frames107partially comprising structural frame102are pivotally connected by a pair of rigid support members104forming bottom frame members123(also partially seen inFIG. 3). The bottom frame members123are crossed and pivotally attached to each other at the approximate center by a linkage106f. The linkage106fis a non-locking type linkage which allows the bottom frame members123to pivot relative to one another so that opposing seat support frames107can be collapsed towards one another. The ends of bottom frame members123are pivotally attached to rigid support members104comprising structural frame102by linkages (not shown). The linkages (not shown) are also a non-locking type linkage which allows the opposing seat support frames107to be collapsed towards one another.

The opposing seat support frames107partially comprising structural frame102are also connected at the rear of the stroller100by a first pair of rigid support members104(best seen inFIG. 5) which are crossed and pivotally attached at the center by a pivot linkage106g(FIG. 5). There is a second pair of rigid support members104(best seen inFIG. 5) connecting opposing seat support frames107located beneath the first pair of rigid support members104at the rear of stroller100. However, these rigid support members104are connected to each other with a linkage106kat one end. The other ends of the rigid support members are connected to the opposing seat support frames107with a linkage106j(FIG. 5). The linkages106g,106jand106kare all of the non-locking type which allows the opposing seat support frames107to be collapsed towards each other to move stroller100to the folded configuration.

The stroller100can also include a foot rest113that is suspended between bottom frame members123towards the front of the stroller100. The foot rest113can be made from a strip of flexible material such as fabric, nylon, or mesh. Still, the selection of the material for foot rest113is not limiting as there can be many possible suitable materials as is known in the art. The foot rest113is folded when stroller100is repositioned from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Referring now toFIG. 5, the stroller seat115is attached to the opposing seat support frames107partially comprising structural frame102by one or more seat attachment straps115a. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat attachment straps115aare comprised of an elongated portion of the material forming seat115along the edge of seat115folded over and formed into a strap configuration. The strap configuration is wrapped around the rigid support member104forming one of the opposing seat support frames107and secured thereto with a fastening means such as a rivet, screw or sewing. In this regard, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular arrangement of the means by which seat115can be attached to the seat support frames107or the fastening means used for securing the strap configuration to the seat support frames107.

The seat115and bottom frame members123are designed so that a predetermined distance exists between the bottom of seat115and bottom frame members123when a child is seated in seat115. The predetermined distance prevents the child seated in seat115to coming into contact with the bottom frame members123. The bottom frame members123are purposefully lower in height as compared to conventional stroller designs and disposed downwardly in a u-shaped configuration. The u-shaped configuration forms a recess for receiving the bottom of seat115. The bottom of the u-shaped recess rests in a plane that is lower than a plane intersecting the top of the plurality of wheels110. This allows the child to sit lower in seat115as compared to conventional stroller designs. The child can also sit in seat115with their legs in an extended position to more closely mimic how a driver sits in the seat of a race car. For this reason, the longitudinal axes of the bottom frame members123are in a more generally parallel orientation to the walking surface as compared to conventional stroller designs. Also shown inFIG. 5is the bottom frame members123pivotally connected by a linkage106l. The first and second pairs of rigid support members104connecting opposing seat support frames107can be seen below handles112. The suspension frames117are seen in the unfolded configuration ofFIGS. 1-2outboard of the opposing seat support frames107.

Referring now toFIGS. 6-8, it can be observed that the plurality of rigid support members104can be repositioned from a first configuration in which the stroller100is configured for use in transporting a child. In this configuration, a child can sit in the stroller seat115that is supported by the structural frame102. In the first configuration, the stroller100can be pushed along a walkway surface by an adult in the usual manner. The plurality of rigid support members104can also be repositioned relative to one another to provide a second configuration for the stroller100. In the second configuration, the stroller100is configured for compact storage.

In one embodiment of the invention, the stroller100is repositioned from the first configuration ofFIGS. 1-5to the second configuration ofFIGS. 6-9by detaching the hook and loop fasteners122fastening the black netting126from the inner surface of skirt114. InFIG. 6, the black netting material126suspended from the sun shade125is pulled over the top of sun shade126and folded neatly thereon. InFIG. 7, the rigid support members104comprising handles112are folded downward in the direction of arrow300by releasing the locking linkage106a. The sun shade126is folded by pushing the rigid support members104in the direction of arrow310after releasing the locking linkage106a. Sun shade125now rests flat against the rigid support members104comprising handles112. The locking linkages106cconnecting suspension frames117to suspension frames116are released so that suspension frames117can be folded to the position shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. The flexible material comprising skirt114allows suspension frames117to be folded from the first configuration to the second configuration.

In repositioning the stroller100from the first configuration to the second configuration, suspension frames116are disconnected from the rigid support members104comprising frame102by releasing them from a pair of clamps127located on opposing sides of structural frame102fastened to the rigid support members104. The clamp127may be a C-clamp for grasping a portion of a tubular member such as the rigid support members104. However, this is not limiting in this regard as there as other means well known in the art that can be used for connecting suspension frames116to the rigid support members104comprising frame102. A portion of the pair clamps127can also be seen inFIG. 5on opposing sides of structural frame102.

After suspension frames116are released from clamps127, the structural frame102is free to pivot about pivot points129relative to suspension frames116to the position shown inFIG. 8. The rigid support members104comprising handles112are folded one more time so that the rigid support members104comprising handles112and sun shade125are folded adjacent to the rigid support members104comprising the seat support frames107and structural frame102. Finally, the two opposing sides of the structural frame102can be collapsed inwardly toward one another in the direction of arrows320and320′ as shown inFIG. 9. The collapsing of the two opposing sides of the structural frame102causes the bottom frame members123, the first pair of rigid support members104at the rear of stroller102, and the second pair of rigid support members at the rear of stroller102to pivot about their respective linkages106i,106kto a collapsed or folded configuration. It can be advantageous to provide a structural frame102that allows the rigid support members104to collapse to a position in which they are generally aligned with one another. Exact parallel alignment is not necessary. However, to the extent that the elongated rigid support members104can be moved towards an orientation that places them in a generally parallel alignment, they can often be arranged for more compact stowage.