Abstract:
A removable harness for interconnecting an operator with a stroller, which utilizes springs to transfer the impetus from the operator to the stroller, without the use of the operator&#39;s hands Preferably a pair of springs run substantially parallel to one another along a substantially horizontal plane, to link the user&#39;s waist to the control handle of the stroller. Two semi rigid sleeves, with a lesser overall length than the springs, and a greater inner diameter than the spring&#39;s outer diameter, are preferably positioned over the mid-section of the springs to eliminate deflection. The harness is wrapped in a sturdy fabric material protecting and covering the components of the harness. Several straps, or alternatively a flap, connect the stroller to the harness A removable pouch may attach to cover between the springs. The harness can be unbuckled at the user&#39;s waist, allowing the harness to remain attached to the stroller for future use.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a harness attachment for a jogging stroller, which allows the jogging type of stroller to be propelled forward, hands free, while walking or jogging. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The conventional jogging stroller was designed to give the user the ability to exercise while caring for a child. Typically, the stroller is propelled by using two hands on the handle bar, or by using one hand at a time switching hands back and forth in order to obtain a balanced workout A more beneficial workout would be obtained if the user had the ability to occasionally remove both hands from the push bar of the stroller and take on a more free moving swing of the arms. The present invention provides an improved harness attachment for a jogging type of stroller, without the disadvantages of previously known harness devices. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present invention provides a harness that connects a jogger to a stroller. The harness includes a belt positioned around the waist a user or jogger, preferably attached with the aid of the strong, easy release buckle Also preferably attached to the belt is a semi-rigid strip of plastic, which conforms to the shape the belt takes around the user&#39;s waist. One end of two lengths of springs each lay up against the plastic belt strip, held in place with a series of strong seams sewn into the fabric cover, the two springs have a section of semi rigid material wrapped around the center of the spring, or a section of pipe to prevent the springs from bowing in the center, the springs are placed in a open “V” position. The top ends of the springs are in the wider portion of the V, and pressed against the semi rigid plastic strip attached to the waist belt The bottom ends of the springs, which are in the smaller portion of the open V, abut proximate to the bottom length of the semi rigid plastic strip The two spring elements are incased in a strong fabric covering utilizing a series of sewn in channels and seams that keep all of these materials rigid and in place. A length of a non-slip foam type material is attached to the bottom portion of the device along the piece of semi rigid plastic, which is encased in the fabric cover. This foam is placed along the push bar where a flap of the fabric casing material is wrapped up and around the non slip foam pad and the strollers handle bar, secured to itself by a wide strip of Velcro®, a series of strong thin straps, which are securely sewn along the entire length of the device encircles the fabric flap, the non slip foam pad and the stroller handle. The straps are then secured together by strong buckles In use, the jogger propels the stroller, hands free, by applying forward pressure along the rigid metal springs encased in the fabric cover while maintaining a normal walking or jogging stride. 
         [0004]    An advantage of the present invention is that the user&#39;s hands are not required to propel the stroller forward. Therefore, the user may freely swing their arms in a more natural stride, which is especially advantageous in a “workout,” or fitness regimen. Another advantage of this invention is that it is easily attached to the stroller as well as the user and can be left on the stroller when not in use by simply releasing the waist belt on the user, and finally it is an attractive and more user friendly alternative to previously known devices. 
         [0005]    A better understanding of the invention&#39;s features will be had upon reference to the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, interconnecting a jogger to a stroller; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, interconnecting a jogger to a stroller; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective detail of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective detail of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective detail of a preferred accessory of the present invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective detail of a preferred accessory of the present invention 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention includes a harness  10 , which connects a jogger  28  to a stroller  29 , shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5B . The harness includes a belt end  10   a  and stroller end  10   b . The harness includes a belt  11 , preferably attached to the harness at the belt end The belt secures around the waist  28   a  of the jogger, who may be alternatively defined as an “operator” or a “user,” preferably with the aid of a waist buckle  14 . The waist buckle is most preferably a conventional, quick release type of buckle that is strong and easily engaged and disengaged. The waist buckle can be used to adjust the overall length of the belt, ensuring a secure fit of the belt around the waist of the jogger 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 5A , a preferred embodiment of the harness  10  includes two springs  13 , most preferably formed of a rigid metal material. The two springs each include a sheath  16 . The sheath is preferably a thin tube of semi flexible material, which encases each of the two springs, to prevent the two springs from bowing during a pushing motion. “Bowing” is a term used herein to describe bending along the length of the spring, which defeats the more desired compression action of the spring. As an alternative to, or in addition to the sheaths, a stiffener core  24  may be inserted internal to each of the two springs. The stiffener core is preferably a plastic or alternatively a rubber material in the form of a rod, of approximately the same length as each of the sheaths. 
         [0018]    The two springs  13  are each preferably encased in spring channels  19 , sewn into a cover  20  As shown in  FIG. 5A , the cover is most preferably made of a strong, rip resistant fabric material, such as a nylon or canvas. The cover attaches to the belt  11 , and is secured around the waist  28   a  of the user  28  with the strong, preferably easy-release type of waist buckle  14 , as discussed above 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 A, the two springs  13  employed with the present invention preferably further comprises a first spring  13   a  and a second spring  13   b . The two springs are most preferably secured proximate to the waist belt  11  at the belt end  10   a  of the cover  20 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . The two springs extend from the belt, toward the stroller end  10   b  of the harness  10 , in generally a horizontal orientation, as shown in  FIG. 2   
         [0020]    More than two springs could be employed for the purposes of the present invention. For example, as an alternative to the preferred use of only two springs, the first spring  13   a  and the second spring  13   b , could each include a pair of springs acting in parallel, or bundled with a multiple of springs 
         [0021]    The cover  20  interconnects the waist belt  11  to the handle bar  17  of the stroller  29  Securing the cover at the belt end  10   a  of the harness  10 , to the waist belt preferably consists of a belt strip  12 , which is preferably a semi-ridged strip, formed of a resilient plastic or flexible metal material, positioned along the waist belt as shown in  FIG. 5A , to distribute the forces resulting from the actions of the two springs  13  and the sheaths  16  along the waist  28   a  of the user  28  Preferably, the belt strip  12  is securely sewn into the fabric of the cover of the harness. 
         [0022]    The belt strip  12  acts as a base for the two springs  13 , to distribute the torque and compression forces of the springs, along the waist belt  11  Compression of the two springs, between the belt strip and the handle strip  15 , reduces the impact of impulse forces created during propulsion of the stroller  29 . Likewise, extension of the two springs, reduces the impact of brake forces created during slowing of the stroller  29  The deflection of the two springs, beyond either end of the sheath  16 , allows the user  28  and the stroller to articulate freely vertically, while applying a downward force that stabilizes the stroller, especially important and useful during propulsion over an uneven terrain. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , securing the stroller end  10   b  of the harness  10  to the handle bar  17  of the stroller  29 , preferably consists of a handle pad  36 , which is most preferably a length of non-slip foam material, mounted to the cover  20  as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Preferably, the handle pad is securely sewn onto the fabric of the cover  20 , with a handle strip  15 , preferably sewn into the cover The handle strip is preferably a sent-ridged strip, similar to the belt strip  12  A most preferred embodiment of the harness, as shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  4 A and  5 A, includes a handle flap  30 , at the stroller end of the harness. The handle flap wraps around a handle bar, or “push-bar,” of the stroller. Refining to  FIG. 3A , the cover  20  extends from the waist belt  11  to a handle bar  17  of the stroller  29  Preferably, the cover includes enough fabric to create the handle flap, which preferably encircles the handle bar and a handle pad  36   
         [0024]    As an alternative to the above discussed preferred embodiment, the handle flap  30  can be an additional piece of fabric material attached to the cover  20  at the stroller end  10   b  of the harness  10 . The handle pad  36  is most preferably non-slip and made of a durable foam material The handle strip  15  is preferably attached against the handle pad as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , laying flat against the handle bar, and abutted to the two springs  13  firmly sewn into the fabric cover. The handle pad and handle flap are preferably secured together with a handle flap attachment  31 , to hold the handle bar. This flap attachment is preferably a wide strip of Velcro®, or some similarly functioning fastener Alternatively, the handle pad and the handle flap may be sewn, glued or snapped together The cover surrounds the stroller&#39;s handle bar, and so secures the harness to the stroller. 
         [0025]    The handle flap  30  is most preferably formed of the same fabric casing material of the cover  20 , and is wrapped around the handle pad  36 , and the handle bar  17 , or “push bar” of the stroller  29 , and attached to the stroller end  10   b  of the harness  10  with the handle flap attachment  31 , which is preferably a wide strip of Velcro®, or some similarly functioning fastener. 
         [0026]    In an alternative embodiment of the harness  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 3B ,  4 B and  5 B, a multiple of straps  27  attach to the cover  20 . Each of the multiple of straps includes a buckle  18  that clips around both the handle strip  15 , and the non slip foam handle pad  36 . The multiple of straps traverse the length of the cover, from the belt end  10   a  to the stroller end  10   b  of the harness, connecting the handle flap, which surrounds the handle bar  17 , to the waist belt  11 , thereby connecting the jogger  28  to the stroller  29 . Each of the multiple of straps are preferably long and thin, and each fitted with a strap buckle  18 . Preferably, the waist belt is securely sewn into the fabric of the cover  20 , with the semi-ridged belt strip  12  attached against the belt, and the two springs  13  firmly sewn into the fabric cover, against the belt strip. 
         [0027]    Alternatively, the multiple of straps  27  can also wrap around the handle bar  17 , combined with the handle flap  30  Again, the multiple of straps are most preferably a series of thin, strong straps, each sewn along the stroller end of the harness at the springs terminus, continuing along the entire width of the fabric cover, leaving enough strap material at the stroller end  10   b , in which to attach the small secure buckles  18  that encircle the fabric handle flap, the non slip foam handle pad, and the handle bar of the stroller 
         [0028]    Again, with reference to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  4 A,  4 B,  5 A and  5 B, the waist belt  11 , as preferably secured by a strong, easy release waist buckle  14 , is enclosed within, and most preferably sewn into the cover  20  Preferably, the two springs  13  are also enclosed with the cover, most preferably sewn within channels  19  that are tightly seamed within the cover, and extend from the belt end  10   a  to the stroller end  10   b  of the harness, generally horizontally along the length of the harness  10 , from the belt  11  to the handlebar  17 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . As discussed above, the fabric cover extends past the stroller end of the harness, creating the handle flap  30 , which wraps up and around the handle pad  36  and the handle bar of the stroller  29  The fabric handle flap is most preferably secured together by wide strips of Velcro®, as the handle flap attachment  31 . The multiple straps  27  sewn into the cover  20  along the entire length of the harness, with buckles  18  secured to the ends of each strap. Each of the multiple of straps preferably wrap, with the handle flap, around the handle bar of the stroller, thus securely pressing the handle flap and the non-slip foam material of the handle pad firmly to the handle bar 
         [0029]    Again referring to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  4 A,  4 B,  5 A and  5 B, the cover  20  with its multiple of straps  27  each with their attached buckles  18 , also wrap around the waist belt  11  in such a way as to secure the waist belt to the cover  20 . Additionally, the cover is preferably secured to its internal contents with a series of strongly sewn seams 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 A,  4 B, and detailed in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the cover  20  may include a small pouch  25 . The small pouch is may be secured to, then removed from the harness  10 , with Velcro® strips  23 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  6 A. Preferably, the small pouch is positioned on the cover between the two springs  13 . Most preferably, these two springs are secured into the fabric cover in an open “V” position  37 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , with the two springs proximate to the belt end  10   a  of the cover, separated from each other at a wider distance compared to the separation of the same two springs proximate to the stroller end  10   b  of the cover. 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the waist belt  11  is shown with the belt strip  12 , which is the semi-rigid plastic strip positioned in the font portion of the waist belt Preferably, the end of each of the two springs  13  at the belt end  10   a  of the harness  10 , are firmly placed against the belt strip, with the aid of the channels  19  sewn into the fabric of the cover  20  Again, the two springs are secured into the fabric cover in the “V” position  37 , with the first spring  13   a  and the second spring  13   b  each enclosed in a sheath  16  of semi rigid material. The two springs may be secured within the sheaths in any conventional means. Preferably, the strong fabric of the cover wraps around the entirety of the two springs and sheaths, secured by the channels and their series of strong seams Alternatively, additional springs may be used with the two springs preferred for use with the present invention, to provide additional cushioning between the user  28  and the stroller  29 . 
         [0032]    In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A , the handle flap  30 , which is most preferably a section of the fabric cover  20  extending past the handle bar  17  proximate to the stroller end  10   b  of the harness  10 , encircles the handle pad  36  and the handle strip  15 . As discussed above, the handle strip, like the belt strip  12  is preferably a semi-rigid plastic material The handle strip is secured proximate to the stroller end  10   b  of the harness  10  Most preferably, the end of each of the two springs  13  at the stroller end of the harness, are firmly placed against the handle strip, again with the aid of the channels  19  sewn into the fabric of the cover As shown in  FIG. 1 , with each the two springs firmly abutted against the belt strip at the waist belt  11  and firmly abutted against the handle strip at the handle bar, and securely held within the cover, the two springs act to cushion, guide and maintain the stroller  29  forward, to the front of the jogger  28 , and also providing the jogger with hands-free control of the stroller 
         [0033]    The use of the harness  10  of the present invention includes the steps of placing the belt  11  around the waist  28   a  of the user  28  or jogger, preferably with the aid of the strong, easy release buckle  14 . With the belt strip  12  attached to the belt, which conforms to the shape the belt takes around the waist of the jogger, the two springs of the harness support the handle bar  17  of the stroller  29  The two springs  13 , which are preferably, as discussed above, two lengths of coiled metal, each abutted against the belt strip and are held in place with a set of strong seam channels  19  sewn into the cover  20 . Again, the two springs preferably each have a section of semi rigid sheath  14 , wrapped around the middle portion of the spring. The sheath may be a short section of pipe, which acts to prevent the springs from bowing along their length. The springs are placed in the open “V” position  37 , the ends of the springs proximate the belt end  10   a  are in the wider portion of the V, pressed against the semi rigid plastic strip attached to the waist belt, the ends of the springs proximate to the stroller end  10   b  form the smaller portion of the open V, touching the bottom length of the semi rigid plastic handle strip  15  All of these above described elements, preferably incased in the strong fabric covering, utilizing the series of sewn in channels and seams, keep all of these elements rigid and in place. The multiple of straps  27 , which are securely sewn along the entire length of the harness encircles the handle flap  30 , the non slip foam handle pad  36  and the stroller&#39;s handle bar. The multiple strong thin straps are then secured together by the strong strap buckles  18   
         [0034]    An advantage of the harness  10  of the present invention is that the hands of the user  18  are not required to push the stroller  29  in a forward or a rearward direction with the aid of arm strength. This feature provides the user with the ability to walk, jog or run with a natural stride or gait. By bodily applying forward pressure along the two springs  13  of rigid metal, encased in the cover  10 , the user or jogger propels the stroller “hands-free,” while maintaining a normal walking or jogging stride. Another advantage of the invention is that it is easily attached to the stroller and the user, and can be left on the stroller when not in use by simply and quickly releasing the belt  11  from around the waist  18   a  of the user. Additionally, the harness is an attractive and more user friendly alternative to previously known devices 
         [0035]    Having now described my invention, to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, it may become apparent that the need to make modifications without deviating from the intention of the invention.