Stroller

A stroller comprises a main structure provided with a handle including a pair of back pipes, a body structure, and a seat. The body structure includes a back part, and a pair of side parts extending from a right and a left side of the back part, and is formed of a cushioning material. The stroller includes a support sheet for supporting the body structure on the main structure, and a reclining mechanism for adjusting inclination of the body structure relative to the seat. The side parts are connected to corresponding back pipes by connecting flaps formed of a flexible material.

The present invention relates to a stroller and, more particularly, to a stroller provided with a reclining seat structure forming a seat for a baby.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Various devices are incorporated into a stroller for carrying a baby to ensure comfort for a baby seated on a seat of the stroller. For example, a stroller is provided with a seat formed of a material having a high cushioning property on which a baby is seated directly to improve ride comfort. Another stroller is provided with a body unit forming a seat and capable of being reclined at a desired inclination by a reclining mechanism to ensure ride comfort for a baby seated on the seat.

A stroller provided with a seat structure forming a seat and formed of a cushioning material, and a reclining mechanism for reclining the seat structure ensures ride comfort for a baby.

An appropriate shape of the seat structure forming the seat is dependent on inclination of the seat structure. Since the seat structure is formed of members having a comparatively high cushioning property, the seat structure is liable to become deformed when the inclination thereof is changed, and is not necessarily capable of maintaining an appropriate shape. Therefore, when the inclination of the seat structure is changed by the reclining mechanism (reclining operation), the seat structure gets out of shape and, for example, a back part of the seat structure collapses into the seat (forward fall), and side parts of the seat structure protrude into the seat. When the seat structure gets out of shape, the seat becomes deformed in an awkward shape, ride comfort is deteriorated, and an appearance of the stroller is spoiled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stroller including a seat structure forming a seat for a baby, and having a shape that can be adjusted when the seat structure is inclined by a reclining operation.

According to the present invention, a stroller of a first embodiment comprises: a main structure provided with a handle including a pair of back pipes; a body structure disposed between the pair of back pipes, and having a back part, and a pair of side parts on right and left sides of the back part; a seat; and a reclining mechanism capable of adjusting inclination of the body structure relative to the seat; wherein the side parts are connected to the back pipes, respectively, by connecting members having a predetermined length.

In the stroller of the first embodiment according to the present invention, it is preferable that the connecting members are connected to back sides of the side parts, respectively.

In the stroller of the first embodiment according to the present invention, it is preferable that the connecting members are connected to parts near outer edges of the side parts.

In the stroller of the first embodiment according to the present invention, it is preferable that the connecting members are formed of a flexible material.

In the stroller of the first embodiment according to the present invention, it is preferable that the back part and the pair of side parts are integrated in a single structure.

According to the present invention, a stroller of a second embodiment comprises: a main structure including a handle, front legs, and rear legs; and a cushioning seat structure having a body part and a seat part, and formed of a cushioning material; wherein elastic members are embedded at least in some parts of the cushioning seat structure.

In the stroller of the second embodiment according to the present invention, the cushioning seat structure is divided into a middle part and side parts on right and the left sides of the middle part, and the elastic members are embedded in the side parts of the cushioning seat structure.

In the stroller of the second embodiment according to the present invention, the elastic members are embedded in parts of the cushioning seat structure near a boundary between the body part and the seat part.

In the stroller of the second embodiment according to the present invention, the elastic members are embedded in the seat part.

The stroller of the second embodiment according to the present invention further comprises a stroller folding mechanism, wherein the elastic members are embedded in bendable parts of the cushioning seat structure, which are bent when the stroller is folded by operating the folding mechanism.

In the stroller of the second embodiment according to the present invention, the elastic members include a plastic member.

A stroller of the third embodiment according to the present invention comprises: a main structure including a handle, a pair of rear legs, and a pair of front legs; a support sheet supported on the main structure and including a supporting seat part and a supporting back part; and a detachable seat structure supported on the support sheet, and having a seat part, side parts rising from right and left sides of the seat part, and a back part rising from a back side of the seat part, wherein strings are extended in and fastened to the side parts of the detachable seat structure to hold the side parts in a standing position.

In the stroller of the third embodiment according to the present invention, the strings are extended in the side parts so as to slope up rearwardly.

In the stroller of the third embodiment according to the present invention, the strings are extended in the side parts so as to slope down rearwardly.

In the stroller of the third embodiment according to the present invention, the strings have each opposite end fixedly held in the side parts.

According to a modification of the third embodiment according to the present invention, a stroller comprises: a main structure including a handle, a pair of rear legs, and a pair of front legs; and a support sheet supported on the main structure, and including a supporting seat part and a supporting back part, wherein the supporting sheet has side parts rising from opposite sides of the supporting seat part, and strings are extended in and fastened to the side parts of the support sheet to hold the side parts in a standing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1 to 4show a stroller10in a first embodiment according to the present invention.FIG. 1is a schematic perspective view of the stroller10,FIG. 2is a schematic, perspective, rear view of the stroller10,FIG. 3is a schematic front elevational view of the stroller10in a folded state, andFIG. 4is a schematic perspective view illustrating a structural relationship among side parts of a body structure, connecting members, and back pipes.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the stroller10in the first embodiment has a main structure12, a body structure14, a seat16, a support sheet (support member)18for supporting the body structure14on the main structure12, and a reclining mechanism20capable of adjusting an inclination of the body structure14relative to the seat16.

As shown inFIG. 1, the main structure12includes a pair of front legs22respectively supporting double type front wheels21, a pair of rear legs24respectively supporting double type rear wheels23, a substantially U-shaped handle26, and a pair of armrests28. The handle26has a pair of back pipes30, and an operating device32. The armrests28have rear ends pivotally connected to parts near lower ends of the back pipes30, and front ends pivotally connected to upper end parts of the front legs22. Upper end parts of the rear legs24are pivotally connected to middle parts of the armrests28. Lower ends of L-shaped brackets34are pivotally connected to middle parts of the rear legs24, respectively. Lower parts of the back pipes30of the handle26are pivotally connected to middle parts of the brackets34, respectively.

When the stroller10is in an unfolded state as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, locking members, not shown, slidably put on lower parts of the back pipes30are engaged with retaining parts, not shown, formed on upper parts of the brackets34to hold the stroller10in the unfolded state. When the stroller10is in an unfolded state, the locking members are disengaged from the retaining parts by operating the operating device32of the handle26. When the locking members are disengaged from the retaining parts of the brackets34, the armrests28and associated members are able to turn upward on pivots pivotally supporting the armrests28and the associated members on the back pipes30. Consequently, the front legs22and the rear legs24can be extended substantially parallel to each other to fold the stroller10. When the right and the left back pipes30are turned further forward, the handle26and the associated members can be bent into a U-shape to fold the stroller10in a more compact shape as shown inFIG. 3.

As shown inFIG. 1, the body structure14is provided between the back pipes30. The body structure14is formed of a comparatively soft cushioning material having an excellent cushioning property, such as cotton. The body structure14has a back part40, and a pair of side parts42extending from a right and a left side of the back part40. The back part40and the pair of side parts42are integrated in a single structure. The back part40includes a headrest on which the head of a baby on a seat16rests.

The seat16is supported on the main structure12around a lower part of the body structure14. The seat16has a seating surface that can be substantially horizontally extended. The seat16is formed of a cushioning material, such as cotton, so that the seat16can provide an excellent cushioning surface comfortable for sitting. The seat16and the body structure14constitute a cushioning seat structure. In this embodiment, the body structure14and the seat16are integrated in a single structure, and the body structure14and the seat16form a cushioning seat structure17excellent in terms of cushioning performance.

As shown inFIG. 2, the support sheet18is formed of a material having a comparatively high strength, such as a polyester fabric, in the shape of a sheet and has a comparatively high flexibility. Parts of the support sheet18are formed of a meshed structure to provide the support sheet18with a comparatively high ventilative property. Hooking members44aare attached to right and left end parts of the support sheet18. The support sheet18is placed between the body structure14and the main structure12so as to extend between the back pipes30. The hooking members44aattached to the parts of the support sheet18near the right and the left end of the support sheet18are engaged with catching members44battached to the back pipes30to hold the support sheet18on the back pipes30.

As shown inFIG. 2, the reclining mechanism20includes an inclination adjusting string20a. The inclination adjusting string20ais extended along the flexible support sheet18, and connected to the back pipes30. The inclination adjusting string20ais moved in directions of arrows inFIG. 2to adjust an inclination of the body structure14relative to the seat16by turning the body structure14in the directions of arrows indicated by broken lines inFIG. 2.

Referring toFIG. 4, each of the pair of side parts42is connected to a corresponding back pipe30with a connecting flap46of a predetermined length. The length of connecting flaps46is selectively determined so that the connecting flaps46may not obstruct a reclining operation of the reclining mechanism20for reclining the body structure14, taking into consideration a material forming the connecting flaps46and other necessary conditions. The connecting flaps46are formed of a flexible material, such as a knitted fabric. The connecting flaps46are connected through the support sheet18to corresponding back pipes30. A hooking member48ais attached to a part of connecting flap46near an edge of the connecting flap46, on a side of the back pipe30, and a catching member48bcapable of catching the hooking member48ais attached to the back pipe30. Hooking members48aare engaged with catching members48b, and hooking members44aof the support sheet18are engaged with catching members44battached to the back pipes30to attach the connecting flaps46through the support sheet18to the corresponding back pipes30. Edge parts of the connecting flaps46on a side of the side parts42are sewed to edge parts of corresponding side parts42, so that the connecting flaps46are fixed to the side parts42.

An operation of the stroller10in the first embodiment thus constructed will be described.

An effective length of the inclination adjusting string20aof the reclining mechanism20of the stroller10is adjusted by pulling or releasing the inclination adjusting string20ain the directions of the arrows indicated by continuous lines inFIG. 2to adjust the inclination of the body structure14relative to the seat16by turning the body structure14in the directions of the arrows indicated by broken lines inFIG. 2.

Since the pair of side parts42of the body structure14are connected by the connecting flaps46to the corresponding back pipes30, respectively, the back pipes30adjust a position and shape of the pair of side parts42properly. Thus, even if a distance between a position at which the connecting flaps46are attached to the pair of side parts42, and a position at which the back pipes30are connected to the connecting flaps46, are changed when the body structure14is reclined by the reclining mechanism20, the connecting flaps46having the predetermined length and formed of the flexible material enables the body structure14to be reclined smoothly with the side parts42kept supported on the back pipes30. Thus, the connecting flaps46having the predetermined length do not obstruct a reclining operation for reclining the body structure14, a position and shape of the body structure14can be properly adjusted, and deformation of the body structure14can be effectively prevented.

Particularly, the position and shape of the side parts42can be naturally and effectively adjusted, and the side parts42can be properly held.

Since the connecting flaps46are attached to a part near outer side edges of the corresponding side parts42, the back pipes30are able to support the side parts42through the connecting flaps46. Thus, the position and shape of the side parts42can be effectively adjusted.

The connecting flaps46formed of the flexible material are capable of flexibly conforming to the reclining operation. For example, even if an impulsive force is generated in changing inclination of the body structure14relative to the seat16by the reclining mechanism20, the flexible connecting flaps46absorb the impulsive force. Consequently, the stroller10is capable of effectively preventing trouble, such as undesirable displacement and deformation of the body structure14due to action of the impulsive force on the body structure14(the back part40and the pair of side parts42).

Since the back part40and the pair of side parts42are integrated in a single structure, both the back part40and the side parts42are held on the back pipes30by the connecting flaps46, and positions and shapes of the back part40and the side parts42can be effectively adjusted and maintained properly whether or not a reclining operation is performed.

As apparent from the foregoing description, according to the present invention, the pair of side parts of the body structure are connected to the corresponding back pipes by the connecting flaps of the predetermined length, and the side parts are held on the corresponding back pipes by the connecting flaps whether or not the body structure is reclined. Consequently, the shape of the side parts of the body structure can be adjusted according to a reclining motion of the body structure.

Second Embodiment

A stroller10in a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 5 to 7.

FIG. 5is a schematic perspective view of the stroller in the second embodiment,FIG. 6is a schematic, perspective, rear view of the stroller shown10, andFIG. 7is a schematic perspective view of a cushioning seat structure included in the stroller10.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, the stroller10in the second embodiment has a main structure12, a cushioning seat structure17mounted on the main structure12, and a support sheet18placed between the main structure12and the cushioning seat structure17.

As shown inFIG. 5, the main structure12includes a pair of front legs22respectively supporting double type front wheels21, a pair of rear legs24respectively supporting double type rear wheels23, a substantially U-shaped handle26, and a pair of armrests28. The handle26has a pair of back pipes30, and an operating device32. The armrests28have rear ends pivotally connected to lower end parts near lower ends of the back pipes30, and front ends pivotally connected to upper end parts of the front legs22. Upper end parts of the rear legs24are pivotally connected to middle parts of the armrests28. Lower ends of L-shaped brackets34are pivotally connected to middle parts of the rear legs24, respectively. Lower parts of the back pipes30of the handle26are pivotally connected to middle parts of the brackets34, respectively.

When the stroller10is in an unfolded state, locking members, not shown, slidably put on lower parts of the back pipes30are engaged with retaining parts, not shown, formed on upper parts of the brackets34to hold the stroller10in the unfolded state. When the stroller10is in an unfolded state, the locking members are disengaged from the retaining parts by operating the operating device32of the handle26. When the locking members are disengaged from the retaining parts of the brackets34, the armrests28and associated members are able to turn upward on pivots pivotally supporting the armrests28and the associated members on the back pipes30. Consequently, the front legs22and the rear legs24can be extended substantially parallel to each other to fold the stroller10. When right and left back pipes30are turned forward, the handle26and associated members can be bent forward in a U-shape. Hinges29permit the stroller10to be folded in three as shown inFIG. 3. A folding mechanism that enables the stroller10to be folded includes the operating device32, the retaining parts of the brackets34, the hinges29and the locking members.

The cushioning seat structure17has a body structure14and a seat16, and is formed of a very soft, cushioning material such as cotton agreeable to the touch and excellent in terms of cushioning performance. As shown inFIG. 7, the cushioning seat structure17has a middle part19a, and side parts19brespectively rising from opposite sides of the middle part19a. Portions of the side parts19bcorresponding to the body structure14can be comparatively easily folded and unfolded on boundaries14abetween the middle part19ain the body structure14and the side parts19b. The body structure14lies between the back pipes30(FIG. 5), and has a body part on which the body of a baby on the seat16rests, and a head part on which the head of the baby on the seat16rests. The seat16is supported on the main structure12in a lower part of the body structure14. The seat16has a seating surface that can be substantially horizontally extended.

As shown inFIG. 7, plate-shaped, hard, elastic members50a,50band50cformed of a plastic material are embedded in the cushioning seat structure17. In this embodiment, the elastic members50a,50band50care embedded in the side parts19bof the cushioning seat structure17. More specifically, the elastic members50aare embedded in portions of the side parts19bcorresponding to the seat16, the elastic members50bare embedded in portions, near a boundary16abetween the body structure14and the seat16, of the side parts19bcorresponding to the body structure14, and the elastic members50care embedded in portions, which are folded when the stroller10is folded by operating a folding mechanism, of the side parts19bcorresponding to the body structure14.

The elastic members50a,50band50cembedded in the cushioning seat structure17have high elasticity, and are capable of comparatively readily restoring their original shapes when the same are bent.

As shown inFIG. 6, the support sheet18is formed of a material having a comparatively high strength, such as a polyester fabric, in the shape of a sheet and has a comparatively high flexibility. Part of the support sheet18is formed of a meshed structure to provide the support sheet18with a comparatively high ventilative property. Hooking members44aare attached to right and left end parts of the support sheet18. The support sheet18is placed between the body structure14and the main structure12so as to extend between the back pipes30. The hooking members44aattached to the parts of the support sheet18near a right and a left end of the support sheet18are engaged with catching members44battached to the back pipes30to hold the support sheet18on the back pipes30. Thus, the support sheet18supports the cushioning seat structure17on the main structure12to form a seat assembly for holding a baby therein.

The stroller10in the second embodiment is provided with a reclining mechanism20capable of adjusting inclination of the body structure14relative to the seat16. The reclining mechanism20includes an inclination adjusting string20a. The inclination adjusting string20ais extended along the flexible support sheet18, and connected to the back pipes30. The inclination adjusting string20ais moved in directions of arrows inFIG. 6to adjust an inclination of the body structure14relative to the seat16as shown inFIG. 2.

Operation of the stroller10in the second embodiment thus constructed will be described.

When the seat assembly is deformed by adjusting an effective length of the inclination adjusting string20a(FIG. 6) or by operating the folding mechanism including the operating device32to fold the stroller10(FIG. 3), the cushioning seat structure17of the seat assembly is deformed or bent. The side parts19bare particularly liable to be bent and creased, and creases are liable to be formed in the side parts19b. The seat16, parts in the vicinity of the boundary16abetween the body structure14and the seat16, or portions that are bent when the stroller10is folded by operating the folding mechanism including the operating device32are liable to be creased, and creases are liable to be formed therein.

Even if the cushioning seat structure17is thus bent, the elastic members50a,50band50cembedded in the cushioning seat structure17(FIG. 7) restore the cushioning seat structure17to its original shape by their resilience so that creases are smoothed out from the cushioning seat structure17. Thus, the cushioning seat structure17is restored to its original shape by resilience of the elastic members50a,50band50cembedded in the cushioning seat structure17and bends and creases can be smoothed out from the cushioning seat structure17even if the cushioning structure17is formed of a very soft, poorly resilient material. Since the elastic members50a,50band50care embedded in portions of the cushioning seat structure17, which are often bent or creased, such as the seat16, portions in the vicinity of the boundary16abetween the body structure14and the seat16, and portions which are bent when the stroller10is folded (FIG. 7), bends and creases formed in the cushioning seat structure17can be very effectively smoothed out.

The elastic members50a,50band50cembedded in the cushioning seat structure17can secure a necessary volume of the cushioning seat structure17and maintains the cushioning seat structure17in a well balanced shape even if bends and creases are formed in the cushioning seat structure17. Consequently, excellent ride comfort can be ensured for a long period of use and a satisfactory aesthetic appearance of the stroller10can be maintained for a long period of use.

The present invention is not limited to the foregoing stroller10and necessary changes in design are possible.

For example, the elastic members50a,50band50cmay be formed of any suitable elastic material other than plastic material, provided that the elastic members50a,50band50care capable of smoothing out bends and creases formed in the cushioning seat structure17by their resilience. The elastic members50a,50band50cmay be formed of a metal, rubber or the like.

The elastic members50a,50band50cmay be embedded in any suitable portions of the cushioning seat structure17other than the aforementioned portions of the cushioning seat structure17. For example, the elastic members50a,50band50cmay be embedded in optional parts, such as the middle part19a, the head part and the body part. It is very effective in preventing bending and creasing to embed the elastic members50a,50band50cin parts that are often subjected to bending or deformation.

As apparent from the foregoing description, according to the present invention, bends and creases formed in the cushioning seat structure can be effectively smoothed out by resilience of the elastic members because the elastic members are embedded at least in some parts of the cushioning seat structure.

Third Embodiment

A stroller110in a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 8 to 10show the stroller110in the third embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 8, the stroller110in the third embodiment has a pair of front legs112respectively supporting double type front wheels111, a pair of rear legs114respectively supporting double type rear wheels113, a curved handle115formed in a shape substantially resembling an inverted letter U, and a pair of armrests116.

The handle115has a pair of pipes117. The armrests116have rear ends pivotally connected to lower end parts near lower ends of the pipes117, and front ends pivotally connected to upper end parts of the front legs112.

Upper end parts of the rear legs114are pivotally connected to middle parts of the armrests116. Lower ends of L-shaped brackets118are pivotally connected to middle parts of the rear legs114, respectively. Lower parts of the pipes117of the handle115are pivotally connected to the brackets118, respectively. When the stroller110is in an unfolded state, locking members119slidably put on lower parts of the pipes117are engaged with upper end parts of the brackets118to hold the stroller110in the unfolded state.

Right and left front legs112are connected by a front connecting bar121provided with a footrest120. Right and left rear legs114are connected by a rear connecting bar122. A connecting bar, not shown, is extended between the right front leg112and the right rear leg114, and a connecting bar, not shown is extended between the left front leg112and the left rear leg114.

The pair of front legs112supporting the double type front wheels111, the pair of rear legs114supporting the double type rear wheels113, the handle115, and the pair of armrests116constitutes a main structure110a. Stoppers113aare combined with the double type rear wheels113supported by the pair of rear legs114.

Referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, a support sheet152integrally including a supporting seat part152aand a supporting back part152bis attached to the main structure110a. A detachable seat structure130aintegrally including a seat part130, side parts154and a back part132is supported on the support sheet152. The side parts154rise from opposite sides of the seat part130, and the back part132rises from a rear side of the seat part130.

A safety bar131is connected to front ends of the armrests116. The front connecting bar121is provided with a pair of hinges121a. The safety bar131is formed by coating a thin metal strip with a soft synthetic resin. The rear connecting bar122is provided with a pair of hinges122a. An operating device128is incorporated into an upper part of the handle115. Opposite ends of the operating device128are connected to the handle115by hinges115a.

A lap belt136having one end attached to the supporting seat part152ais extended through a slot130bformed in the seat part130and is connected to a seat belt137with a buckle138.

A support frame135for supporting a canopy134is pivotally connected to rear parts of the armrests116on a side of the handle115. A basket B is disposed under the seat part130.

The detachable seat structure130aintegrally including the seat part130, the side parts154and the back part132, and the support sheet152integrally including the supporting seat part152aand the supporting back part152bwill be described with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10.

The seat part130, the side parts154and the back part132are combined integrally to form the detachable seat structure130a. The detachable seat structure130ais supported by the support sheet152attached to the main structure110a. The support sheet152includes the supporting seat part152aand the supporting back part152b. The supporting seat part152asupports the seat part130of the detachable seat structure130a, and the supporting back part152bsupports the back part132of the detachable seat structure130a.

The supporting seat part152aof the support sheet152is supported by a seat support mechanism connected to the connecting bars connecting the front legs112and the rear legs114. The supporting back part152bof the support sheet152is held by holding flaps153on the pipes117of the handle115.

Materials forming the detachable seat structure130aand the support sheet152will be explained. The detachable seat structure130ais formed generally of a flexible, thin material, such as a knitted fabric. The supporting seat part152aof the support sheet152is formed of a synthetic resin fabric, such as a polyester fabric. The supporting back part152bof the support sheet152is a meshed structure formed of a polyester resin. The supporting back part152bhas 3.5 mm diameter meshes. Thus, ventilation around the back part132is improved.

Both the supporting seat part152aand the supporting back part152bof the support sheet152may be meshed structures.

As shown inFIG. 10, tension strings155are embedded in the side parts154of the detachable seat structure130ato retain the side parts154in a standing position. The detachable seat structure130aincludes the seat part130, the back part132and the side parts154. The side parts154rise from the seat part130. Thus, the detachable seat structure130ahas a shape generally resembling a cradle.

Sometimes, the side parts154of the detachable seat structure130abend outward when the stroller110is unfolded or when a baby on the detachable seat structure130atouches the side parts154because the detachable seat structure130ais formed of the flexible material. In such a case, it is difficult to maintain the detachable seat structure130ain the shape resembling a cradle, the baby may touch members around the side parts154, and it is possible that the detachable seat structure130adeforms to spoil an appearance of the stroller110.

Since the tension strings155are embedded in the side parts154to prevent an outward bend of the side parts154, the side parts154are not bent outward.

More concretely, the tension strings155are extended in the side parts154of the detachable seat structure130aso as to slope up toward the back part132as shown inFIG. 10. Opposite ends155aand155bof the tension strings155are fastened to inner parts of the side parts154. The tension strings155are tensioned so as to retain the side parts154in a standing position. Preferably, the ends155aand155bof each tension string155are attached to an inner surface and an outer surface of the side part154, respectively, to pull a part of the side part154extending between the ends155aand155b. Thus, each tension string155pulls the side part154inward and thereby the side part154is retained in a standing position even if the side part154tends to bend outward.

The tension strings155may be extended in the side parts154so as to slope down toward the back part132.

The stroller110shown inFIG. 8is held in an unfolded state by engaging the locking members119put on the lower end parts of the pipes117with the upper ends of the brackets118.

The operating device128combined with the handle115is operated to disengage the locking member119from the brackets118. Consequently, the armrests116become able to turn upward on members pivotally supporting the armrests116on the pipes117, and the front legs112and the rear legs114can be extended substantially parallel to each other to fold the stroller110and facilitate carrying the stroller110.

Hinged parts of the handle115, the front connecting bar121, the rear connecting bar122and the safety bar131can be turned on the hinges115a,121a,122aand131aincluded in two vertical planes, respectively, and the seat support mechanism is constructed of flexible belts. Therefore, when the right and the left pipes117are turned forward after extending the front legs112and the rear legs114substantially parallel to each other, the handle115, the front connecting bar121, the rear connecting bar122and the safety bar131can be bent in a U-shape to fold the stroller110in three in a more compact shape as shown inFIG. 3.

As mentioned above, the tension strings155extended in the side parts154of the detachable seat structure130aof the stroller110in the third embodiment retain the side parts154in a standing position, so that the detachable seat structure130ais surely able to maintain a proper shape resembling a cradle.

Although the detachable seat structure130ais supported on the support sheet152, and the tension strings155are extended in the side parts154of the detachable seat structure130ain the third embodiment, the detachable seat structure130amay be omitted, and supporting side parts, not shown, may be formed integrally with the supporting seat part152aof the support seat152so as to rise from opposite sides of the supporting seat part152a.

In such a case, tension strings may be extended in supporting side parts of the support seat152.

As apparent from the foregoing description, according to the present invention, the side parts of the detachable seat structure can be retained in a standing position by the tension strings extended in and fastened to the side parts of the detachable seat structure. Consequently, the detachable seat structure is able to maintain a proper shape resembling a cradle stably, and the stroller maintains an excellent appearance and ensures safety.