Vehicle style stroller

A stroller having a folding tubular frame mounted on an independently-wheeled stroller body having the appearance of a real-life vehicle. The body includes a hollow open passenger compartment corresponding to the passenger compartment of a real vehicle, and an empty engine storage compartment closed by a hood forward of the passenger compartment. The hood is movable to an open position in which the stroller frame can be folded down for storage into both the passenger compartment and the engine compartment. The body also includes a folding windshield mounted on the hood, and a pull handle on a rear bumper.

RELATED APPLICATIONS/PRIORITY BENEFIT CLAIM

FIELD

The subject matter of the present application is in the field of strollers for infants and small children.

BACKGROUND

Strollers with exterior decorative bodies made to look like automotive vehicles are known. Examples include those shown in U.S. Pat. No. D411,490 to Pierce (box car stroller with rear mounted push handle); U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,757 to McCabe (folding stroller with tubular structural frame and attachable decorative “skirt” to look like vehicle); U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,652 to Nelson (automobile cover stroller with box type seat, front swivel caster wheels, and raised decorative front automobile wheels normally not in contact with ground but rollable if stroller is tilted to stabilize front end); U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,290 to Gaffney et al. (stackable, non-folding stroller with automobile type molded body); U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,633 to Perez (conventional stroller design with built-in battery headlamps, side lamps, and tail-lamps for illumination); D365,211 and D365,312 to Mosetich et al (toddler strollers with raisable shade covers); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,543 to Osborne (baby carriage stroller with hollow main automobile body, in which upper body portion is foldable into lower main body for storage—also includes removable canopy and foldable/detachable seat assemblies).

None of these earlier designs embodies features to make them simultaneously convenient, portable, and entertaining for a child to ride in.

BRIEF SUMMARY

I have invented a child's stroller incorporating a conventional folding stroller frame and canopy, with a seat to hold a child, built into a vehicle style body that is not only decorative, but that also has unique functional characteristics in terms of folding frame storage, fun vehicle-like functionality for a child, and transport while folded.

The stroller includes a folding stroller frame incorporated into a vehicle style body, the vehicle body having its own wheels. The vehicle body has a passenger compartment area for mounting the stroller frame and seating a child, and a latching hood that can be unlatched to pivot forwardly away from the passenger area to accommodate a folding handle portion of the stroller frame in an empty engine compartment. The hood is returned to its latched state to secure the folded handle in the engine compartment.

In further form, the latching hood includes a windshield with an open frame positioned to provide a handhold or gripping bar for a child riding in the stroller and/or an adult opening and closing the hood for storage or deployment of the handle. In a further form the windshield is a latching windshield that can itself be unlatched relative to the hood in order to fold flat for reduced storage volume, or for improved access to a child in the stroller. In a preferred form the windshield latches are child-resistant so that only an adult may unlatch the windshield.

In a further form, the stroller includes a rear pull handle incorporated into the automobile body bumper, useful for lifting the rear wheels and towing the folded stroller on the front wheels.

In a further form, the stroller passenger compartment communicates with the forward “engine” storage compartment under the hood, and the forward storage compartment includes a foot-well so that a larger child in the stroller may put his or her feet. In an alternate form, a kick-plate or partition (permanent or removable) is located between the passenger compartment and the forward storage compartment to prevent a child from accessing the storage compartment.

In a further form, the stroller includes a utility tray in what would be the “dashboard” area of the auto body interior, accessible to a child riding in the stroller for holding snacks, toys and such.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, in light of the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first toFIGS. 1 through 3, a child's stroller1according to the invention is shown in exemplary form in order to teach how to make and use the claimed invention. Stroller1includes a substantially rigid (i.e., non-fabric) vehicle-style body10that is both ornamental and functional, and a conventional folding stroller frame100secured to body10. Vehicle body10in the illustrated example includes a set of automotive-type wheels50, and a swivel caster set60associated with the front wheels50.

Body10may be made from different materials using different methods, but in the illustrated and preferred form it is molded from (although not limited to) plastic. Body10is shown in the form of a “jeep” style auto body, but it will be understood that other vehicle styles are possible, including but not limited to sports cars, tractors, trucks, and the like. Body10may also have the appearance of a vehicle that does not normally have wheels, such as (but not limited to) a snowmobile, jet ski, aircraft or boat, in which case wheels50and/or any caster assembly60may be substantially disguised or hidden behind the sides or other features of the vehicle body. In the event that the body10does not have the appearance of a vehicle with a typical forward engine compartment closed by a hood, such as a car, truck, tractor, etc., a forward portion of body10may still be modified with a forward opening cowling, deck, or other forward body feature typical for that type of vehicle, located over a storage compartment forward of the passenger area—these too are included within the terms “hood” and “engine compartment” as used herein with respect to stroller1.

Stroller frame100may be made from tubular metal members with various plastic components and linkages, in known fashion. The material and exact style and structure of the stroller frame is not critical to the invention, provided it is capable of being structurally connected to wheeled body10to push the stroller1from behind when extended and locked, and of being substantially folded down into the body10for storage and transport in the manner described further below. In the illustrated example, the stroller frame100may be a commercially available frame from a Kolcraft® brand stroller or similar, with the wheeled chassis or platform removed so that frame100can be secured directly at its lower ends to wheeled body10. “Fold” can include various combinations of movement (pivoting, sliding, folding, telescoping) by which the extended frame may be collapsed or “folded” into the body10.

Illustrated stroller frame100generally includes the following main components: a push handle102raised on handle/frame support tubes104and106; various pivot links108; sliding connector joints110, some with releasable latches110a; a U-shaped fabric seat support112supporting a fabric seat114; and a U-shaped canopy support116supporting a fabric canopy118. Further detail is shown in the drawings, but elaboration is not believed necessary as those skilled in the art will recognize both its structure and operation. Fabric seat and canopy portions114and118have been omitted from many Figures to better show features of body10and frame100.

As best shown inFIGS. 1A and 2, lower ends of the frame100are secured to a peripheral shelf22in the hollow interior “passenger” compartment area20of auto body10, around an open floor area24. Floor area24is shown open in some of the Figures, but will normally be closed off by a floor plate25(FIG. 3) to separate the passenger compartment20from the wheels, axles, caster and other chassis wheeled chassis structure underneath. Floor plate25may be removable for cleaning the interior passenger compartment, and to permit the use of body10as a toy or walk-behind if a child has outgrown the stroller and if the stroller frame100is removed from body10. Attachment methods may vary, although in the illustrated example screws and/or bolts are used to secure the lower ends of the stroller frame members to the shelf22. Interior20is defined between the dashboard region10a, sides10b, and rear10cof body10, substantially corresponding to the interior of a real vehicle. The substantially hollow, plastic stroller body10provides a lightweight, comforting, protective, and fun surround for a child in a stroller seat supported by frame100inside passenger compartment20.

The wheels50and front swivel caster60on which the stroller1rides are rotatably mounted to the auto body10, rather than to the stroller frame100. Rear wheels50bare positioned to be in constant contact with the ground. In the illustrated example the front wheels50aare set at substantially the same level as the wheels of swivel caster60, so as to be in substantially constant contact with the ground, although with less force and supporting less weight than rear wheels50b. This five-point contact is believed to provide a smoother ride and pushing action, although there may be some minor skidding between front wheels50aand the ground when turning. To reduce or eliminate such skidding, front wheels50amay be pivotally attached to the body10, in order to track turns, or may include other skid-preventing features. In the illustrated example, however, all four wheels50(front wheels50aand rear wheels50b) are mounted on fixed axles.

Alternately, and more conventionally, front wheels50amay be raised above caster60, out of contact with the ground. In this case, front wheels50amay provide an anti-tipping function.

Alternately, some or all of wheels50on body10may be individually mounted to swivel or turn, eliminating the need for a separate swivel caster such as60

Referring next toFIGS. 2 and 3, stroller body10is adapted to receive the folded stroller frame100for storage and transport. Passenger compartment20is sized to receive those portions of frame100that primarily translate downwardly when the frame is folded. Hood30is hinged to pivot up and forwardly away from the passenger area20, allowing portions of stroller frame100(e.g., handle102, upper ends of handle/frame support tubes104and106, and possibly portions of canopy support116) that translate forwardly during folding to be stored under the hood, in the empty “engine compartment” area26located forwardly of passenger interior area20. Engine compartment storage area26defines a volume that may be partitioned from passenger compartment20by a plastic wall, kickplate, or similar structure P, for example with slots or other openings Ps located to permit portions of the stroller frame100to fold past the partition into the engine compartment26. Partition P may be mounted to body10to stay in place when hood30is raised, or partition P may be mounted to the hood. Alternately, or additionally if partition P is removably attached to the body or hood, engine storage compartment26may include a foot-well26aand communicate rearwardly with passenger interior area20below the upper edges of the body10(FIG. 1A), even when hood30is closed, allowing legroom for taller children riding in the stroller when the stroller frame is not stored under the hood. Engine storage compartment26(and any foot-well26a) may be used to store toys, diaper bags, food and other items under the hood when compartment26is empty; i.e, when the stroller frame is deployed and not folded into body10for storage.

Hood30is pivotally connected at its forward end30ato stroller body10, for example on hinges32, and releasably connected at its rear end30bto stroller body10, for example with latches34. Hinges32provide stability to the hood30when being opened and closed, and limit the opening motion of hood30to a predetermined arc.

FIG. 2Ashows detail of a currently preferred latch34, which in the illustrated example is pivotally connected at its inner end34ato a base35aon hood30, and which has a latch-hook outer end34breleasably latched over a cam plate35bor similar structure on body10. The illustrated latches34are located on the outside of the vehicle body10, making it simple for an adult to operate them but difficult for a child contained in the stroller seat in the interior20to reach. Hood latches34may take different forms, and are not limited to the illustrated example or location on the hood.

FIGS. 2B and 2Cshow detail of a currently preferred type of hood hinge32, in the illustrated example formed as a bracket32awith an arcuate slot32bon each side of the hood at its front corners. One or more followers33secured to the inner side of hood30by a post or arm31ride in slot32b. The upper ends of slots32blimit the opening movement of hood30, and the fit between followers33and slot32bmay be sufficiently snug to hold hood30in the open position by friction, as best shown inFIG. 2. Other means for holding hood30in the open position may be used, including but not limited to releasable detents and interior latches. Hinges32allow hood30to open sufficiently to accept the forward-foldable portions of stroller frame100into the engine compartment26.

FIGS. 3 and 3Ashow detail of windshield40. Illustrated windshield40is actually a windowless windshield frame, without plastic or glass. This allows top frame member40ato be used as a grab bar when the windshield is up, either by a child riding in the stroller or by an adult. Windshield40is preferably foldable to a flat storage position against hood30, as best shown inFIGS. 3 and 4A, via hinges42on which it is pivotally mounted to the hood. Latches44associated with the lower frame member40bare operable (by an adult) to lock windshield40in the raised position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, and to unlock windshield40to be lowered against the hood. In the illustrated example, best shown inFIG. 3A, latches44are spring-loaded slide locks mounted in channels40cin lower windshield frame member40b, with detents or latch arms44athat snap into engagement with cam members45ain slots45in vehicle body10underneath the windshield frame. Latches44are preferably child-resistant by virtue of their spring bias to a latched condition, and by the need for both to be operated simultaneously to unlatch the windshield. Other forms of windshield latch means may be used, and are not limited to the illustrated slide lock example, or the illustrated location, although these are currently preferred.

FIG. 4shows stroller frame100partway folded into body10, with hood30raised to accept the forward folding portions102and upper ends of member104and106into compartment26.FIG. 4Ashows the stroller frame folded completely, with forward folding portions stored under the closed hood, and downward- and rearward-folding portions stored within the volume of interior20. In the illustrated example ofFIG. 4A, a small portion of the fabric seat support bar112extends from the rear of interior compartment20overlying the rear bumper11. The extent to which any portion of the frame100may extend from interior compartment20will depend on the nature of the stroller frame, but in general most or all of the folded frame100will be contained in compartments20and26to keep the profile of the collapsed stroller1as flat as possible.

FIGS. 4 and 4Aalso show windshield40folded substantially flat against hood30, also to minimize the height of the stroller1for storage.

FIGS. 5 and 5Ashow detail of the rear bumper11on body10, in particular a pull handle11aformed in or attached to the rear bumper. Handle11aallows the stroller1to be pulled or towed by hand from behind, particularly on the front wheels50awith rear wheels50braised off the ground when the stroller is folded flat as shown inFIG. 5A. Handle11aalso makes a convenient pull/push handle for a child when the stroller frame is folded into the body10, or if the stroller frame is removed from the body10as the child outgrows the stroller, for play.

Various Figures show an optional, elongated dash tray70located at the front dash area10aof body10. Dash tray70includes one or more indentations or recesses72that provide a place for a child to put snacks or toys, or to provide a handhold.

It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments represent presently preferred examples of how to make and use the invention, but are intended to enable rather than limit the invention. Variations and modifications of the illustrated examples may be possible without departing from the scope of the invention. It should further be understood that to the extent the term “invention” is used in the written specification, it is not to be construed as a limiting term as to number of claimed or disclosed inventions or discoveries or the scope of any such invention or discovery, but as a term which has long been conveniently and widely used to describe new and useful improvements in the useful arts. The scope of the invention should accordingly be construed by what the above disclosure teaches and suggests to those skilled in the art, and by any claims that the above disclosure supports in this application or in any other application claiming priority to this application.