Foldable stroller

A stroller having a novel frame geometry that provides a more direct structural tie between the front and the rear wheels. The two rear legs (bottom members) of the frame are disposed at a relatively small angle to the horizontal and remain close to that shallow angle as the stroller is folded, with all four wheels on the ground. The rear leg assembly is pivotally linked to the front leg assembly, so that the front leg assembly collapses onto the rear leg assembly when the stroller is folded. The front legs and the rear legs preferably have a similar profile so that they generally nest when folded. The front legs and the rear legs preferably have oval or oblong cross-sections, which enhances their vertical load strength.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to strollers for children, in particular strollers that are easily folded to a stored, compact configuration.

A well-designed stroller of this type should be sturdy and balanced. It should afford the child passenger safe and comfortable transport. The adult user should find the stroller easy to maneuver, easy to fold and unfold, and easy to handle when folded. It should have features that make it versatile and convenient. And it should be simple in design, rugged and reliable. Foldable strollers are known that address some of these criteria. There is room for improvement, however, in all of these areas.

A typical folding stroller has wheels at four corners supporting an articulated frame that has two spaced front legs, two spaced rear legs, a handle assembly, and fold latches that lock the frame in the erect (open) position and allow it to fold when the latches are released. When the stroller is open the front and rear legs typically are steeply angled with respect to the horizontal, with no lateral stiffening structure spanning the lower ends of the front and rear legs on either side of the stroller. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,068,284 and 6,155,740.

Fold latches for strollers are known which incorporate a plunger/spring arrangement that slides or tracks within a conventional round tube. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,740. Other fold latches are known which have latching components mounted externally of one or more conventional round tubes. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,284. A fold latch that can interface with tubing having a non-circular cross-section would be advantageous.

Strollers are known which have compliant suspension components that somewhat soften the ride for the occupant in the stroller seat. Typically these suspension components are mounted at the wheel locations to lessen the transmission of vibration and harshness to the frame. Better isolation from vibrations associated with rough terrain is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, the invention is a stroller frame having left and right sides, each side comprising: an elongated bottom member; a front leg; a push arm; and a support strut. The bottom member has a front portion and a rear portion. The front leg is connected to the front portion of the bottom member, and extends upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, terminating in an upper end. The push arm has a lower end in proximity to the upper end of the front leg, and extends upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. The support strut is connected to and extends upwardly from an intermediate portion of the bottom member, and terminates in an upper end in proximity to at least one of the upper end of the front leg and the lower end of the push arm.

According to another aspect, the invention is a stroller, foldable between an open position and a folded position, comprising a frame and front and rear wheels supporting the frame. The frame has left and right sides, each side comprising: an elongated bottom member; a front leg; a push arm; a support strut, wherein the front leg, the push arm, and the support strut pivot relative to each other when the stroller moves between the open position and the folded position. The bottom member has a front portion in proximity to a front wheel, and a rear portion in proximity to a rear wheel. The front leg is pivoted to the front portion of the bottom member, extends upwardly and rearwardly therefrom when the stroller is in the open position, and terminates in an upper end. The push arm has a lower end in proximity to the upper end of the front leg, and extends upwardly and rearwardly therefrom when the stroller is in the open position. The support strut is pivoted to an intermediate portion of the bottom member, extends upwardly therefrom when the stroller is in the open position, and terminates in an upper end in proximity to at least one of the upper end of the front leg and the lower end of the push arm.

The stroller thus has a novel frame geometry that provides a more direct structural tie between the front and the rear wheels. Instead of having the usual steeply inclined rear leg configuration, the two rear legs (also referred to herein as bottom members) are disposed at a much smaller angle to the horizontal and remain close to that shallow angle as the stroller is folded, with all four wheels on the ground. The rear leg assembly is pivotally linked to the front leg assembly, so that the front leg assembly collapses onto the rear leg assembly when the stroller is folded.

Preferably the front legs and the rear legs have a similar profile so that they generally nest when folded. The front and the rear legs preferably have oval or oblong cross-sections, which enhances their vertical load strength.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components of the preferred embodiment described below and illustrated in the drawing figures. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a stroller according the invention comprises a wheeled, foldable frame100that supports an adjustable child seat10, a footrest20, a parent console30, a child tray300and an accessory bridge500. The frame components preferably are made of tubular aluminum, but steel or other materials may be used provided they afford sufficient strength and rigidity. A basket (not shown) may also be supported on the frame, below the seat10, as discussed below. Frame fold latches200lock the frame in its open position, and selectively allow it to be folded to a closed, compact configuration. Canopy support bars42,44are adjustably attached to pivots40on the fold latches. For the sake of clarity, none of the soft goods associated with the stroller (e.g., canopy, seat cushions, basket) is shown in the figures.

Frame, Suspension and Basket

Referring toFIGS. 1–5, the stroller frame100comprises a front leg assembly110, a rear leg assembly130, side support struts150and a U-shaped handle180. Fold latches200at each side of the frame pivotally link together the front leg assembly110, the support struts150and the handle180, as described below.

The front leg assembly110comprises left and right tubular front legs112. The front legs are rigidly interconnected, e.g., by welding, by a lower front cross-tube114and an intermediate cross-tube116(seeFIG. 5). A clevis-type hinge bracket118is riveted to the lower part of each front leg112to provide hinge points120for the rear leg assembly130. The lower end111of each front leg112necks down and is joined, e.g., by riveting or welding, to a vertical spindle122. A duplex caster124is mounted to each spindle122in a conventional manner. Alternatively, the casters124could be mounted on spindles that are fixed to the front portion of the rear leg assembly. The upper end of each front leg necks down and is anchored to the upper part202of a respective fold latch200(seeFIG. 7). The details of this anchorage are described below.

Rear leg assembly130comprises left and right tubular rear legs (bottom members)132. These are rigidly interconnected at their rear ends, e.g., by welding, by a rear cross-tube134. The cross-tube serves as an axle support for rear wheels136. The front ends of rear legs132are riveted to hinge brackets118at hinge points120, near the lower ends of front legs112. This arrangement results in the rear legs being disposed at a shallow angle to the horizontal.

Front legs112and rear legs132preferably have cross-sections that are oblong or oval, e.g., elliptical. Such sections have a stronger section modulus as compared to round tubing having the same cross-sectional area. This configuration enhances vertical load strength, which is especially important for the rear legs given their shallow angle. It also gives the stroller frame profile a more robust appearance. It is also preferred that the front legs and the rear legs be about the same length, so that they fold compactly onto each other (seeFIGS. 12,13).

The rear legs132preferably are bowed upwardly, i.e., convex side up, as depicted in the figures. An upwardly bowed leg provides greater ground clearance between the front and the rear wheels than a straight leg. The upward bow facilitates the traverse of curbs and other high obstacles. Although the front legs could be straight, they preferably are curved, as depicted. When both the front legs and the rear legs are curved, it is preferred that they be substantially similar, i.e., have roughly the same curvature, as depicted, which enables them to nest more compactly when folded (seeFIGS. 12,13).

The hinge arrangement118,120that joins the front leg assembly to the rear leg assembly places the front legs112in line with the rear legs132. Alternatively the leg assemblies could be configured and hinged such that the front legs and the rear legs are mounted side-by-side, rather than in line.

Each support strut150is in the form of a tubular member pivotally connected (e.g., riveted) at its upper end152to the lower part204of fold latch200, at pivot point206(seeFIG. 7). The lower end154of the support strut may be pivotally connected, e.g., by a rivet156through holes157, directly to its respective rear leg132, but it is preferred to interpose a compliant suspension160that helps to isolate the seat10from the ground and soften the ride over rough terrain. Irrespective of whether a suspension is used, the location of the pivotal connection point158on the rear leg132preferably is chosen such that the frame components fold together compactly. The support struts150, instead of being pivoted to the outboard faces of the legs112,132as depicted in the figures, instead could be pivoted to the inboard faces of the legs112,132, or could be pivoted through hinge brackets so that they are in line with the legs.

Referring toFIG. 6, the suspension160comprises a housing162having an upper opening163, slots164, each surrounded by a shoulder166, an apertured mounting boss168, and a rivet hole170aligned with boss168. Support strut tube150fits slidably within housing162. A helical compression spring172is located in the bottom of housing162, and abuts the lower end of the strut tube150. Rivet156passes through hole170and mounting boss168to pivotally secure the housing162to the rear leg132. The lower end of the spring172can rest on rivet156, as depicted, or it can rest on a lug or other protrusion within the housing (not shown).

A rivet174passing through holes157in the strut tube and slots164in the housing retains the strut tube150in the housing, and limits suspension travel. The heads of the rivet174are surrounded by the shoulders166, and the ends of the slots164define stops which limit movement of the rivet174and, hence, the strut tube150relative to housing162. The spring rate is selected to allow spring172to compress somewhat under normal loading and use conditions, preferably without quite reaching the limit of suspension travel. External ribs176on the housing provide anchor points for a bellows-type cover178that keeps dirt and dust from entering the housing through the slots164.

A U-shaped basket frame102is adapted to support a utility basket beneath the seat10. The front ends104of the basket frame are pivotally attached to the rear legs at rivet points105(seeFIG. 4). Each side leg106of the basket frame rests on a protrusion153on the inboard face of a respective support strut150. When the stroller is folded, the protrusions rotate downwardly with the support struts, moving along the basket frame legs106and allowing the basket frame to drop and nest between the front and rear leg assemblies.

An alternative basket frame arrangement, illustrated inFIGS. 30–32, has a basket release mechanism that allows the user to drop the basket frame (and its flexible basket) when the stroller is open to afford easier access to the interior of the basket. In this “easy access” arrangement, basket frame602is pivoted at its front ends604to rear legs132as in the first embodiment. However, the side legs606of this basket frame are more closely spaced, at least in the vicinity of support struts150, so that the side legs themselves fit between the protrusions153on support struts150and would drop below the protrusions if not otherwise supported. Support for the side legs606instead is provided by a sliding collar610on each side leg606at the location of the support strut150. The sliding collars610are wide enough to substantially fill the spaces between the side legs606and the support struts150, so that the sliding collars themselves engage the protrusions153and thus support the side legs606.

Referring toFIGS. 31 and 32, sliding collar610is hollow and has a longitudinal slot612on each side thereof. A rivet614fixed to the side leg606passes through the slots612to guide and limit movement of the collar. A compression spring616is captured between the rivet614and the end of the collar610to bias the collar forwardly. The front end of the collar610has a ramped face617. A curved seat618on the bottom of the collar610engages the protrusion153on support strut150when the collar610is in its forward (first) position. A tab620at the rear of collar610has a hole622. A U-shaped wire handle624engages holes622and extends to the rear of the stroller.

In operation, a rearward pull on handle624pulls sliding collars610rearwardly to a second position in which their front ends clear protrusions153(dashed line position shown inFIG. 31). This allows the basket frame602to drop to an “open” position, affording easier access to the interior of the soft basket (not shown). An upward pull on the rear of basket frame602brings the ramped front faces617of collars610into engagement with protrusions153. This forces the collars rearwardly until they clear the protrusions153, at which point springs616return them to their forward (first) positions, supported on protrusions153, with the basket frame602in a “closed” position.

Returning toFIGS. 1–5, U-shaped handle180is a hollow tubular member, preferably of round cross-section, that comprises an upper handgrip portion182and two push arms184, each anchored to the lower part204of a respective fold latch200(seeFIG. 7). The push arms preferably are about the same length as the front legs112and the rear legs132so that they fold compactly onto each other (seeFIGS. 12,13). Concealed actuating cables extend from the latches200through the push arms to the handgrip portion182. Latch release (for folding) is accomplished by twisting an actuator in the form of a rotatable grip186, which pulls the cables to release the latches, as described below. Details of the cable-operated, one-hand release mechanism are disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,284, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring toFIG. 7, the two parts202,204of each fold latch are hinged together by a rivet along a pivot axis208. On each side of the stroller, therefore, there is a foldable four-bar linkage consisting of front leg112, rear leg132, support strut150, and the lower part204of fold latch200(which has a length equal to the distance between pivot point206and pivot axis208).

Each side of child tray300is supported on another foldable four-bar linkage. Two of the links are the front leg112and the rear leg132. The third link is a tube103(seeFIGS. 1,2) that is pivoted relative to the front leg assembly at the location of intermediate cross-tube116.FIG. 15shows this arrangement at the right side of the stroller (the left side is similar). A plastic fairing350is attached to tube103and has an arcuate notch352that receives intermediate cross-tube116, whereby the fairing350together with the tube108can pivot about cross-tube116. The fourth link is a curved flat link107(seeFIG. 4) that is pivoted at its lower end to rear leg132at rivet point105, and at its upper end to the lower end of tube103, at hole103a(FIG. 15).

The side elevational view ofFIG. 4best illustrates the frame geometry in the fully open position. Folding of the stroller is progressively illustrated in the side elevational views ofFIGS. 11–13. (In all of these figures the canopy bars have been removed for the sake of clarity.) When the fold latches200are released and the handle180is rotated upwardly and forwardly (FIG. 11), the tops of the support struts150are rotated to the rear. This allows the frame to collapse (FIG. 12) all the way to a folded position (FIG. 13) in which the front leg assembly110nests on the rear leg assembly130, and the handle assembly180nests on the front leg assembly. The child tray300rotates to the rear and nests between the push arms184. The basket frame102nests between the front and the rear leg assemblies.

Folding is simple and easy because the entire stroller drops to the ground without the user having to control the weight of the stroller as it folds. Folding is accomplished with all four wheels on the ground and the rear legs remaining at close to their initial shallow angle. Unlike some prior art strollers, the seat10in the present stroller does not make contact with the ground as the stroller is folded. And it can easily be stood upright for compact vertical storage, resting on the rear wheels136and lower latch parts204(seeFIG. 14).

Fold Latches

FIGS. 7–10show details of the fold latches200and their engagement with the front legs112and the push arms184. The upper and lower latch parts202,204are molded of plastic material, preferably nylon6. One end of the upper latch part202is a pivot portion210with a rivet hole212aligned with pivot axis208. Pivot portion210fits between a pair of spaced flanges205on lower latch part204. Flanges205have aligned rivet holes207that are also aligned with pivot axis208.

Opposite pivot portion210is an anchor portion214having a socket216that generally closely conforms to the profile of the upper end113of front leg112. As mentioned previously, the upper end of the front leg necks down so that it fits within the fold latch.FIG. 10schematically illustrates the necked-down or “crushed” cross-section115of the upper end113of the front leg, in which a longitudinal crease119effectively folds the lower portion of the tube up into itself. Thus socket216narrows from an entry218with an oval cross-section that matches the full oval cross-section of the front leg, to a domed and flat-bottomed cross-section220. A rivet hole117near the tip of the front leg112receives the rivet222that joins the upper and lower latch parts together through holes205,212and anchors the front leg in the socket216.

Beneath the entry218of socket216is a depending receiver222having a mouth224with a lip226. The lip and the mouth are adapted to cooperate with a retractable hollow plunger230housed in lower latch part204. The plunger preferably is molded of acetal resin, i.e., polyoxymethylene, or “POM.” It is virtually completely shrouded by the latch parts202,204so as to be protected from dust and dirt.

The plunger230slides within a cavity240, guided by the end of the push arm184that it surrounds. The push arm is anchored to lower latch part204by a rivet242through hole185(the same rivet that pivotally connects the upper end152of support strut150at pivot point206). Rivet242passes through a pair of elongated slots232in the sides of plunger230, serving to guide and limit movement of the plunger. A helical spring244, captured between the proximal end234of plunger230and a shoulder246in cavity240, biases the plunger outwardly, toward the receiver222.

The distal end235of the plunger230has a sloped face236with a hole238and a notched cable-and-ball anchoring recess239. An actuating cable248extends through the handle from rotatable grip186, as noted above. The cable extends through the interior of plunger230and through hole238, and has a ball end250anchored in recess239.FIG. 9shows the locked position of the fold latch, with the distal end of plunger230retained in mouth224. When the grip186is rotated, cable248retracts plunger230until its distal end clears lip226(i.e., to the dashed line position shown inFIG. 9). The handle180, which includes push arm184, then can be rotated counterclockwise as seen inFIG. 9, along with lower latch part204, to fold the stroller. When the stroller is stored on end (seeFIG. 14), the plunger is in contact with the ground but is pushed inwardly. The lower latch part204and the wheels136thus bear virtually all the weight of the stroller in this position.

When the stroller is to be opened from the folded position, push arm184is rotated clockwise. When the distal end235of plunger230meets lip226, its sloped face236acts as a ramp to push the plunger further into the cavity240, against the force of spring244, as the push arm is rotated. When the very tip of the plunger clears the lip226, the spring forces the plunger into the mouth224to lock the frame in the open position.

Child Tray

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a molded plastic child tray300is pivotally attached at its right side (on the left as viewed in these two figures) to a longitudinal tubular member108(part of right-hand tube103). Tray300thus can be rotated about a fore-and-aft axis so that it can be pivoted upwardly for easier access to the seat10. The dashed lines inFIG. 1show this “open” tray position. The sectional view ofFIG. 15shows this pivoting connection. Aligned apertures in the rear wall302of the tray and in depending webs303,304surround member108. A washer305also surrounds member108, just inside rear wall302, and preferably is secured to rear wall302. A spring-loaded snap button306carried by member108retains the tray in position on the member. If the tray is to be removed, snap button306is depressed to allow the tray to be slid off member108.

The left side of the child tray300is releasably latched to a similar longitudinal tubular member109(part of left-hand tube103) at the other side of the stroller.FIG. 16shows in elevation the trigger portion312of the tray latch.FIG. 17is a longitudinal sectional view through the tray300immediately adjacent to the tray latch, and shows that the trigger portion is part of a latch slide310carried by the tray and movable fore-and-aft relative thereto.

FIG. 18is a longitudinal sectional view through the center of the latch slide and the surrounding tray structure. The slide310has an upwardly open housing314defining an inner cavity315. The bottom wall316of the housing has two longitudinally spaced mounting slots318. Hollow studs320on the underside of the tray are similarly spaced apart, and project into the cavity315. Pan-head mounting screws322pass through slots318to slidably secure the latch slide to studs320. A coil spring324in cavity315engages stud320and the rear end of housing314to bias the latch slide310rearwardly (to the right as seen inFIG. 18). A forward pull on trigger312(to the left inFIG. 18) moves the latch slide against the pressure exerted by the spring324.

A plastic collar330is riveted at332to frame-mounted member109. Collar330has two pairs of ramped studs334on opposite sides of the collar (only one pair is seen inFIG. 18; the other pair is diametrically opposed to the illustrated pair). The rear portion of latch slide310has a downwardly open socket340that embraces collar330.FIG. 19is a longitudinal sectional view through the right pair of ramped studs334at the surface of collar330. This figure shows that socket340has two opposed pairs of ramped notches344that mate with ramped studs334.

The solid outline of latch slide310inFIG. 19shows the slide in the unlatched (trigger-pulled) position, which allows the left side of the tray300to be raised away from frame-mounted member109. The dashed outline of latch slide310shows the slide in the trigger-released position. When the tray is down, as shown in this figure, the notches344engage the studs334. When the tray is lowered for latching from the open position with the trigger released, the ramps346on the slide310ride over the ramps335on the studs334, causing the slide310to move forwardly (to the left as seen inFIG. 19) until they clear the studs, whereupon the slide310snaps rearwardly (to the right) under spring pressure to close the latch. Thus, simply pressing down on the tray can close the latch.

Car Seat Adapter

One of the support struts150is provided with a mechanism400for anchoring a child vehicle safety seat, particularly an infant seat, in position on the stroller seat10. Referring toFIGS. 20 and 21, anchoring mechanism400comprises a molded plastic end cap402that fits over support strut tube150and has a rivet hole404through which mounting rivet242(FIG. 5) passes to pivotally attach support strut150to latch part204. Cap402also has an internal sleeve406with a central bore408that receives a flexible tether410. Sleeve406also has a seat412at its inner (distal) end surrounding the bore408. The inner end of tether410has a stop plug414with a seat416. A helical compression spring418surrounds tether410and is captured between seats412and416, thus biasing the tether to the retracted position.

The outer end of tether410has an enlarged head or knob420. The knob rests atop end cap402when the tether is retracted. Knob420is adapted to engage a vehicle safety seat placed on stroller seat10. It is optionally configured with an angled gusset422which is adapted to fit into the standard seat belt slot of the car seat so as to enhance engagement with the car seat. The surface of the knob420preferably is made of a non-slip material, such as TPE, to enhance frictional engagement with the car seat. The knob also may be provided with a chamfer424to facilitate grasping the knob.

FIGS. 22–25sequentially illustrate how a car seat C with seat belt slots S is anchored in the stroller.FIG. 22shows the knob420(in a slightly modified form) in its retracted position atop cap402.FIG. 23shows the knob420raised slightly (the user's hand, which would be grasping knob420, is omitted for the sake of clarity).FIG. 24shows the tether410extended to the point where it passes through the seat belt slot S, the knob420engaging the inside surface of the car seat adjacent the seat belt slot S.FIG. 25is a view of the same engagement from the opposite side of the car seat.

The arrangement described above can accommodate a wide variety of child seats that have typical seat belt slots at their sides. Tether410preferably is in the form of a plastic cable. However, the tether can also be a wire cable or a cord made of a suitable material, such as nylon. Instead of using a compression spring, an extension spring may be used, with the inner end of the spring anchored within the support tube150. Instead of using a spring surrounding an inelastic cable, the tether can take the simpler form of an elastic cord (e.g., a “bungee” cord), the inner end of which is anchored within the support tube150, e.g., to the inner end of an elongated sleeve406. Although only one anchoring mechanism is needed, it is possible to provide an anchoring mechanism in each support strut150for tethering both sides of the child seat to the stroller.

Accessory Bridge

Referring toFIGS. 1–3, the gap between the handgrip portion182of handle180and parent console30is filled by a useful accessory bridge500, which can house a cell phone, a radio, keys, facial tissues, baby wipes, and/or other items. The accessory bridge is attached to both the handgrip portion182and the top of parent console30. Accessory bridge500consists of two molded plastic parts: a housing510(FIG. 26), and a storage compartment530(FIG. 27). These two parts mate as shown inFIG. 28.

Referring toFIGS. 27 and 28, storage compartment530is in the form of a generally rectangular, open-top, tilt-out bin having a curved bottom wall532, a front wall534, a rear wall536and side walls538. A handle in the form of a pull tab540projects rearwardly from the upper edge of rear wall536. The top edge of pull tab540has a protrusion548that mates with a portion of housing510, as described below. Two hinges542project forwardly from the bottom of front wall534. Each hinge has notches544that snap-fit over a hinge pin in housing510, as described below. A transparent oval window546optionally may be provided in front wall534.

Referring toFIG. 26, housing510comprises a generally oval-shaped body portion512having a pair of arms with hooks514that snap over the handgrip portion182of handle180, and a pair of T-shaped tabs516that engage mating slots36in parent console30(seeFIG. 29). Installation of the housing on the stroller involves first engaging tabs516with slots36, and then snapping hooks514over fixed collars183on handgrip portion182. The rear face of body portion510has a rectangular opening518(seeFIG. 3) in which the front portion of storage compartment530fits, and an overhang520which overlies the upper end of the storage compartment when closed. Hinge pins522are formed in through-notches524at the lower portion of the front face of the storage compartment. The front face may also have an oval opening526through which the contents in storage compartment530may be viewed. Alternatively, a pack of tissues or baby wipes may be installed in the housing510so that the tissues or baby wipes can be dispensed through opening526.

The two parts of accessory bridge500are assembled as follows. The lower end of storage compartment530is inserted into the opening518in the rear of housing510such that the hinges542project through notches524and snap over hinge pins522(seeFIG. 28). Then the upper portion of storage compartment530is swung forwardly to its closed position, with the overhang520overlying its upper end. The storage compartment530is held in the closed positioned by at least one protrusion (not shown) on the underside of overhang520that resiliently mates with protrusion548on the storage compartment, thus acting as a latch. In the closed position there is sufficient space between the front wall534of storage compartment530and the opening526in housing510to accommodate a flat pack of tissues or baby wipes, as previously described.

The shape of the housing510is not limited to an oval. A housing of any shape and size that would fit in the space above the parent console30would be satisfactory from a utilitarian standpoint. Similarly, the opening526in the housing510and the window546in the storage compartment530can take any shape. Additional compartments, slots or other discrete storage areas could be included in either the housing510or the storage compartment530. Instead of being attached to the handgrip portion182, the accessory bridge could be configured to attach to other portions of the handle180. While molded plastic parts are preferred, the accessory bridge could be constructed of a metal framework that attaches to the handgrip and the parent console and is surrounded by soft storage pouches made of fabric or vinyl. Alternatively the accessory bridge could be constructed entirely of soft material and have straps that attach to the handgrip and the parent console.

The stroller disclosed herein thus provides enhanced utility and advantages as compared to those of the prior art.