Abstract:
A fold flat walking or jogging stroller is disclosed, which includes at least three wheels which all include pivoting wheel support units. The wheel support units include, in various embodiments, simple manually manipulable methods to latch each wheel in the operative or stowed flat positions, which effectively allows the device to fold to a flat profile without any wheel being detached. Associated innovations include a pivoting or floating transverse axle replicating unit, which pivots and latches to replicate a typical fixed wheel axle, but conveniently pivots to a fold flat stowed position. The innovations may also be applied to miscellaneous other types of wheeled carrier devices besides strollers, such as gurneys, golf bag carriers, and hunting game carriers as several examples.

Description:
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/143,831, filed on May 14, 2002 which is itself a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/604,769, filed on Jun. 28, 2000.  
         [0002]    Previous U. S. applications by the same inventor include Ser. No. 09/271,274 filed on Mar. 17, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6, 220,611, granted Apr. 24, 2001, as well as Shapiro&#39;s continuation-in-part U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/604,769, filed on Jun. 28, 2000, and finally, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/143,831, filed on May 14, 2002. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention relates to folding, compact walking or jogging stroller devices, generally utilized for transporting children, whether including pneumatic or non-pneumatic tires, as well as cargo carriers of miscellaneous types designed to move cargo and loads. While the preferred embodiments focus on strollers, the inventions are equally applied to wheeled cargo carriers, including, but not limited to cargo carriers, golf bag carts, gurneys, hunting/game carriers, as several examples.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    In continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/143,831, filed on May 14, 2002, as well as prior continuation-in-part U.S. application Ser. No. 09/604,769 filed on Jun. 28, 2000, disclosures were made relating to compact, folding walking or jogging strollers. Innovations in the prior-referenced applications related to the adaptation of pivoting wheel axles and methods for folding the pivoting wheel axles into a plane defined by the side elevational profile of the frame of the device. Other significant innovations related to the manner in which the forward wheel is manipulated and stowed, methods to allow for rotation or fixation of the forward wheel, methods for latching and releasing all pivoting wheel axles in operative and stowed positions, various methods relating to the flexible seat fabric, and innovative transverse axle replicating units, and rear wheel support units. This continuation-in-part application expands on the variations of carrier devices to which the innovations may be applied.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    This application is a continuation-in-part of the application discussed above, and provides further refinements relating to: methods to latch and release the forward wheel into an operative and stowed position, methods to latch and release the rear wheels of the stroller device and to stow same substantially within the side elevational profile of the stroller frame, methods to provide automatic, reciprocating, or rotational action between various components of the rear wheel axle and frame components, alternative embodiments that provide for automatic folding and pivoting of said rear wheels and rear wheel component parts when the user manipulates a portion of the components and other related innovations that will become obvious by virtue of the disclosures herein.  
           [0006]    Further features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in, or apparent from, the detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof which follows. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the stroller  1 -A;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a rear elevational perspective of the stroller in an operative position;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a side perspective of the stroller  1 -A with the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle in a n an intermediate position;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4-A is a side elevational perspective with the forward wheel in an intermediate position;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4-B is a side elevational perspective with the forward wheel in a second intermediate position;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4-C is a side elevational perspective with the forward wheel in a completely stowed position;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4-C is a side elevational perspective with the forward wheel in a completely stowed position;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5-A is a side elevational profile perspective with the forward wheel in an operative position;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5-B is a side elevational perspective of the stroller with all wheels erected, however, with rear axle components in an intermediate, not fully erected position;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5-C is an end elevational perspective of the stroller in a completely erected position, omitting the flexible fabric seat material;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6-A is one of four figures is a series of figures showing an end elevational perspective of the pivoting and folding process involving the rear wheels of the stroller device;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6-B is one of four figures is a series of figures showing an end elevational perspective of the pivoting and folding process involving the rear wheels of the stroller device;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6-D is one of four figures is a series of figures showing an end elevational perspective of the pivoting and folding process involving the rear wheels of the stroller device;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6-D is one of four figures is a series of figures showing an end elevational perspective of the pivoting and folding process involving the rear wheels of the stroller device;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7-A is one of series of four side elevational, cross sectional views, indicating a sequence of process of the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle latching process wherein said component latches with a portion of the rear wheel pivoting axles;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7-A is one of series of four side elevational, cross sectional views, indicating a sequence of process of the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle latching process wherein said component latches with a portion of the rear wheel pivoting axles;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7-B is one of series of four side elevational, cross sectional views, indicating a sequence of process of the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle latching process wherein said component latches with a portion of the rear wheel pivoting axles;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7-C is one of series of four side elevational, cross sectional views, indicating a sequence of process of the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle latching process wherein said component latches with a portion of the rear wheel pivoting axles; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7-D is one of series of four side elevational, cross sectional views, indicating a sequence of process of the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle latching process wherein said component latches with a portion of the rear wheel pivoting axles. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]    Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a stroller device, generally denoted as  1 -A, in an operative position (for reference, the stroller device  1 -A is shown in a completely stowed position in FIG. 4-C). Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 particularly, the stroller device is shown in the operative position with a pair of rear wheels ( 3 ) and a forward wheel ( 2 ). Describing the rear wheel components first, a movable rear wheel support arm ( 17 ) is pivotally mounted to the fixed frame ( 1 ) in two locations. Two other components are mounted to the said movable rear wheel support arms ( 17 ), those components being a rear wheel pivoting axle ( 19 ), and additionally an interconnection arm ( 21 ). Rear wheel pivoting axle component ( 19 ) at one end pivots along the movable rear wheel support arm ( 17 ) and at its other termination point is the axle which travels through the center of the rear wheel ( 3 ) which provides rolling support to the device. A second rear wheel component is pivotally mounted to the fixed frame ( 1 ), that being the pivoting (floating) rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ). The pivoting/floating rear wheel lateral axle innovation is shown in FIG. 2, and at its lateral extremities most remote from the fixed frame interconnects with both of the rear wheel pivoting axles ( 19 ), by virtue of a pair of pivoting rear wheel axle connectors ( 23 ) (See FIG. 5-C), which positively latch with rear wheel pivoting axle reception cavities ( 25 ) (not shown here, shown in a series of FIGS.  7 -A through  7 -D). Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the forward wheel components primarily include the forward wheel fork ( 6 ), the fixed frame forward wheel stop/brace ( 9 ), and the frame footrest ( 10 ). It is understood that the flexible seat fabric ( 26 ) and flexible seat fabric retaining members ( 27 ) are not shown in these figures, but that said stroller device will include these components in actual construction (See FIG. 5-C).  
         [0027]    Referring to FIG. 3, this figure provides further perspective on the folding operation of the stroller device  1 -A. Particularly this figure shows the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) in motion, in the midpoint of its pivoting motion. The lateral axle ( 4 ) includes the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle connectors on either end of the lateral portion of the component which interconnects to the rear wheel pivoting axles ( 19 ), however, in this view, said pivoting rear wheel lateral axle has been released, by motion of the user (not shown), and is in intermediate position showing that this component pivots along the fixed frame lateral axle mounting member ( 16 ) and ultimately the pivoting rear wheel axle ( 4 ) stows flush with fixed frame ( 1 ). This figure in perspective shows several other components including the fixed frame lateral brace ( 5 ), which may be in a different position or similar to that shown in FIG. 3, the movable rear wheel support ( 17 ), mounting members ( 18 ) along which the movable rear wheel support arms ( 17 ) are mounted. A pair of movable rear wheel support arms ( 17 ) are interconnected by virtue of a movable rear wheel support lateral brace ( 20 ). Additionally, at the rearmost opening point of the movable rear wheel support arms ( 17 ) is a spring-biased button ( 14 ). Each push button ( 14 ) allows the user to pivot the rear wheels ( 3 ) 90° between the stowed and operative positions. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the interconnection arm ( 21 ) has the purposeful effect of causing the rear wheels, which are mounted on the movable rear wheel support arms ( 17 ), as well as the rear wheel pivoting axles ( 19 ), to retract generally away from the fixed frame ( 1 ), at such time as the user grasps the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) and pivots it away from its flush profile with the fixed frame ( 1 ). According, the motion of the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle pivoting downward in the direction toward the ground, causes overall movement of the movable rear wheel support arm to pivot along its mounting member ( 18 ) by virtue of the interconnection arm ( 21 ). The interconnection arms ( 21 ) are pivotally mounted by virtue of pins ( 22 ).  
         [0028]    Last, referring further to FIG. 3, is shown a forward fork trailing bracket accessory ( 31 ). This is an accessory which would permit the stroller device to be interconnected to another vehicle such as a bicycle or other wheeled propelled device that is not shown. The user would remove the forward wheel ( 2 ) shown in FIG. 3 by releasing it from the forward wheel fork tire mount ( 15 ). Using the same mounting bolt ( 15 ), the user would engage the bracket accessory ( 31  ) through the mounting holes ( 32 ) and then the bolt ( 15 ) is rethreaded through the forward wheel fork ( 6 ). Any other suitable portion of the forward wheel trailing bracket accessory ( 31 ) may be affixed to a portion of a mounting accessory on the other propelled vehicle (not shown in FIG. 3) and a suitable portion of the bracket accessory ( 31 ) may be mounted at a point similar to the vehicle mounting hole ( 33 ) shown on the bracket ( 31 ). In this fashion the stroller device may be propelled behind any vehicle.  
         [0029]    Referring to the series of FIGS.  4 -A through  4 -C, a method whereby the forward wheel moves from an operative position to a stowed position is depicted. Before referring to the sequence of FIGS.  4 -A through  4 -C, initial reference to FIG. 3 shows the forward wheel fork ( 6 ) as well as wheel fork cross braces ( 7 ) in latched position on the device fixed frame forward wheel stop/brace ( 9 ) as well as frame footrest ( 10 ), and referring now to FIG. 4-A, it is indicated that the frame footrest ( 10 ) mounted to the fixed stroller frame ( 1 ), includes a downwardly projecting pivot bracket ( 11 ) which may be formed from two extensions of the frame footrest ( 10 ) although any suitable arrangement may be employed to create a pivoting mount for the forward wheel fork ( 6 ). In FIG. 4-A, the rear wheels are already in a stowed position, and the forward wheel ( 2 ) has been unlatched by virtue of forward wheel fork spring biased release button ( 8 ) incorporated into a suitable portion of the forward wheel fork pivot head ( 12 ). The forward wheel fork ( 6 ) includes one or more suitable lateral braces ( 7 ). Fixed frame forward wheel stop/brace ( 9 ) serves as a movement stop against which the forward wheel fork ( 6 ) and its cross braces ( 7 ) align when the forward wheel is in the completely latched, operative position (See also FIG. 3). Once the forward wheel fork ( 6 ) is freed by virtue of the user pressing the spring biased release button ( 8 ), the user may pivot the forward wheel ( 2 ) in its same plane, down and away from its operative position in one axis, and then the user, as shown in FIG. 4-B, pivots the forward wheel ( 2 ) 90° in a second axis, and once the wheel is pivoted 90° in the second axis, the user may further continue the motion of the forward wheel ( 2 ) pressing it up and under until the forward wheel ( 2 ) is in a plane parallel with the stroller fixed frame ( 1 ) adjacent to said fixed frame ( 1 ), until said wheel lies substantially within the perimeter or profile of said fixed frame, at which time the spring biased release button ( 8 ) causes re-latching of the forward wheel ( 2 ) and its general components, close to or substantially within the side elevational profile of the strolling device as shown in FIG. 4-C. It is also noted that the forward wheel ( 2 ) when stowed in this fully latched and stowed position is prevented from fully pivoting or general rotation as a portion of the forward wheel fork ( 6 ) and/or its cross braces ( 7 ) are trapped within the confines of a suitable portion of the forward wheel stop ( 9 ), and frame footrest ( 10 ). For the user to take the forward wheel ( 2 ), from the stowed position, the operation would be reversed by the user first pressing the spring biased release button ( 8 ).  
         [0030]    FIGS.  5 -A through  5 -C help depict mechanisms which allow the rear wheels to be manipulated from the stowed, folded position, to their completely erected position. Referring to FIG. 5-A, a side elevational perspective is shown of the fixed frame ( 1 ) with the forward wheel ( 2 ) already erected or placed in operative position. In order to erect the rear wheels, the following steps are taken: the user would press, the movable rear wheel support ( 17 ) spring bias button ( 14 ) located at the extremity of each movable rear wheel support furthest from the fixed frame ( 1 ). When said spring bias button ( 14 ) is pressed, the user grasps its associated rear wheel ( 3 ) and the release button ( 14 ) allows the wheel to pivot along its rear wheel pivoting axle ( 19 ) approximately 90° so that the rear wheel is erected substantially perpendicular with the axis of the fixed frame ( 1 ). The same process is duplicated for the second rear wheel ( 3 ). Further referring to FIG. 5-B, the rear wheels have been placed into their perpendicular position, and at this point the user would grasp a suitable portion of the pivoting or floating wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) and free the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle from its retainers ( 30 ) which hold it in a stowed profile adjacent to the fixed frame ( 1 ). The downward movement of the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) causes further retraction of each of the rear wheels ( 3 ) because the lateral axle ( 4 ) is interconnected with the movable rear wheel support arms ( 17 ) by virtue of the pair of interconnection arms ( 21 ) so that pivoting the lateral axle ( 4 ) downward further causes interaction between other said components. As can be seen in FIG. 5-C at the point where the extremities of the rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) intersects with the rear wheel pivoting axles ( 19 ), the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle connectors ( 23 ) contact, and then travel into the rear wheel pivoting axle reception cavities ( 25 ) (indicated in FIG. 5-C and shown in more detail in FIGS.  7 -A through  7 -D below). FIG. 5-C does not show the spring biased latching members on the extremities of the lateral axle ( 4 ). Also, in FIG. 5-B is indicated a pivoting rear wheel lateral axle securing ring ( 29 ), which is of a cylindrical shape and the user manipulates and rotates about a quarter turn once the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) has engaged and connected to each rear wheel pivoting axle ( 19 ) and this rotation of the securing ring serves to further secure the lateral axle ( 4 ) into the structure of each rear wheel pivoting axle. FIG. 5-C also indicates at  26  that a flexible seat fabric will be included with the stroller device which will be connected at suitable positions along the fixed frame ( 1 ) by virtue of any number of flexible seat fabric retaining members ( 27 ). FIG. 5-C also shows the rear wheel pivoting axle tire mounting bolts ( 24 ).  
         [0031]    Referring to FIG. 6-A through  6 -C, is shown an end elevational perspective looking from front to rear, showing the general stowing of the rear wheels. The rear wheel tires ( 3 ) are shown, and in FIG. 6-A, the first of the rear wheels is an intermediate step of being stowed approximately 90° from the operative to the stowed position. First, the user would press the movable rear wheel support spring biased button ( 14 ) (not shown), which would permit pivoting of said tire ( 3 ) mounted on the rear wheel pivoting axle ( 19 ) which component is permitted to pivot along the movable rear wheel support arm ( 17 ). Fixed frame ( 1 ) is shown as well as the forward wheel ( 2 ) in its operative position. In FIG. 6-B, the first of the indicated stowed rear wheels ( 3 ) is latched automatically within the side elevational profile of the stroller frame ( 1 ) because of automatic reengagement of the latch within the movable rear wheel support ( 17 ). FIG. 6-B indicates the pivoting motion of the second rear wheel ( 3 ) and FIG. 6-C shows an intermediate pivoting motion of the second rear wheel, followed by FIG. 6-D in which the final rear wheel ( 3 ) has attained a completely stowed position, at which point it is automatically latched in said stowed position by virtue of the movable rear wheel support spring biased button and latch within said button ( 14 ) which is a part of the movable rear wheel support arm ( 17 ).  
         [0032]    The series of FIGS.  6 -A through  6 -D show a stroller embodiment where the rear wheels stow in a sandwiched configuration, but it is appreciated that depending upon the width of the stroller device (a double stroller or jogger) the same folding motion may be accomplished where the rear wheels do not sandwich or overlay each other, but each occupy a side-by-side relationship also substantially within the stowed side elevational profile of the device.  
         [0033]    A further alternative embodiment of the rear wheel unfolding function causes an automatic rotational force on the two wheel arms so that the pivoting of the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) not only serves to lower or raise the rear wheels in relation to the fixed frame ( 1 ), but further causes the tires to rotate into perpendicular operative position or parallel stowed position in relation to the fixed frame ( 1 ). In this application, FIGS.  6 -A through  6 -D show manual pivoting of the rear wheels, but instead the movable rear wheel support arms ( 17 ), as explained earlier, are lowered and raised by motion of the pivoting or floating rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ). However, in this embodiment, not shown, the rotation action of the movable rear wheel support arms ( 17 ) creates a further rotational force on the rear wheel pivoting axles ( 19 ), which force causes the automatic rotation of the rear wheel pivoting axles ( 19 ) either to a stowed, or an operative position. Accordingly, the rear wheels ( 3 ) automatically stow in either a sandwiched or an overlaid relationship, or in a side-by-side relationship depending on the overall width dimension of the stroller device.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7-A through FIG. 7-D indicate the latching and releasing motion between the pivoting (or floating) rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) and the rear wheel pivoting axle ( 19 ). The lateral extremities of the pivoting rear wheel axle includes connectors ( 23 ) which each includes a spring biased latching member ( 28 ) which components are received in the rear wheel pivoting axle reception cavities ( 25 ) which are a portion of the rear wheel pivoting axles ( 19 ). In one representative embodiment of the latching function (although any suitable latching mechanism may be employed), the latching member ( 28 ) includes a spring biased mechanism and at the point the connector ( 23 ) pivots and arrives at the reception cavity ( 25 ),  7 -B and  7 -C indicate that the latching member ( 28 ) turns between 45 to 90° allowing it to then snap back or spring back into a latching position as seen in FIG. 7-D. Accordingly the spring biased function locks the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) into the suitable cavity ( 25 ) in the rear wheel pivoting axle ( 19 ). In FIG. 7-D the letter “A” indicates that there is a further securement method involving the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) which is actuated by manual rotation of a securing ring ( 29 ) which is further seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5-D. The ring allows rotation along the pivoting/floating rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) so that a part of each of the connectors ( 23 ) correspondingly rotate axially to engage or disengage the rear wheel pivoting axle ( 19 ) between facing portions of the pivoting/floating rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) itself. Referring back to FIG. 7-D, the user turns the securing ring ( 29 ) which is a portion of the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) and the rotation of the ring serves to further secure portions of the pivoting rear wheel lateral axle connectors snugly against the rear wheel pivoting axle ( 19 ). The reverse movement of the ring ( 29 ) as shown at “A” and then at “B” unlatches or releases the pivoting/floating rear wheel lateral axle ( 4 ) from each rear wheel pivoting wheel axle ( 19 ) in order to pivot and stow the lateral axle ( 4 ).  
         [0035]    Although the invention has been described above in relation to preferred embodiments thereof, the invention may be applied to a wide range of miscellaneous wheeled carriers and cargo carriers which include a flexible fabric, a partial movable base, or a retention element mounted to a support frame (aside from stroller devices) and any configuration of single or multiple folding forward or rear wheels, wheel support units, or wheel axle replicating arms may be combined on any such carrier devices. Such carrier variations may include retention elements or partial bases which, in an operative position, occupy a plane parallel with the ground, rather than angular to the rolling surface as is common for stroller devices. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be effected in these preferred embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.