Abstract:
The invention is directed to strollers for children and, more specifically, to various features of a stroller providing increased comfort and functionality over prior art strollers. The exemplary stroller of the present invention includes a napper bar including a removable tray insert that is adapted to be attached and detached to facilitate cleaning of the tray area, without having to reposition the napper bar. A further exemplary feature of the invention includes a customizable child receiver. In an even further exemplary embodiment, the child receiver includes a first piece hingedly mounted to a second piece, hingedly mounted to a third piece. In this manner, the pieces may be reconfigured to provide a seating position with an upright back support, or a relatively flat lying position where the back support is parallel to a seat portion. Another exemplary feature of the invention includes a single action folding mechanism operative to facilitate folding of the stroller into a more compact unit. The single action mechanism includes a thumb lock operative to inhibit substantial actuation of a trigger to inhibit folding of the stroller. In this manner, accidental contact with the trigger alone is not operative to collapse the stroller when the thumb lock is engaged.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention is directed to strollers for children and, more specifically, to various features of a stroller providing increased comfort and functionality over prior art strollers.  
         [0003]     2. Background of the Invention  
         [0004]     In recent years, many developments have been made with respect to strollers. In particular, the folding features and maneuverability of strollers have been improved and strollers have been developed for use while jogging or in-line skating, over rugged terrain and through snow and sand.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention is directed to strollers for children and, more specifically, to various features of a stroller providing increased comfort and functionality over prior art strollers. An exemplary stroller in accordance with the present invention includes a napper bar including a removable tray insert adapted to be attached and detached to facilitate cleaning of the tray area, without repositioning the napper bar or stroller. A further exemplary feature of the invention includes a customizable child receiver. In an exemplary embodiment, the child receiver includes a first piece hingedly mounted to a second piece, hingedly mounted to a third piece. In this manner, the pieces may be reconfigured to provide a seating position with an upright back support, or a relatively flat lying position where the back support is parallel to a seat portion. Another exemplary feature of the invention includes a single action folding mechanism operative to facilitate folding of the stroller into a more compact unit. The single action mechanism includes a thumb lock operative to inhibit substantial actuation of a trigger to allow folding of the stroller. In this manner, accidental contact with the trigger alone is not operative to collapse the stroller when the thumb lock is engaged. It is to be understood that this summary is not intended to recite all aspects of the present invention and, therefore, other novel features may become apparent and reference is had to the following discussion of exemplary embodiments for an understanding of the scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an exemplary stroller in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a left side view of an exemplary console and handle for use with the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of an exemplary trigger mechanism in a locked position and housed within the handle of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the exemplary trigger mechanism in a first intermediate position and housed within the handle of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the exemplary trigger mechanism in a second intermediate position and housed within the handle of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the exemplary trigger mechanism in a fully acutated position and housed within the handle of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of an exemplary frame folding mechanism for a stroller in accordance with the present invention, shown in a locked position;  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the exemplary frame folding mechanism of  FIG. 7  at a first intermediate position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the exemplary frame folding mechanism of  FIG. 7  at a second intermediate position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the exemplary frame folding mechanism of  FIG. 7  at a third intermediate position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 11  is an isolated rear view of an exemplary adjustable backrest in a locked position in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 12  is an isolated rear view of the exemplary adjustable backrest of  FIG. 11  in an unlocked position in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 13  is an exploded side view of an isolated segment of the exemplary backrest of  FIGS. 11 and 12 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 14  is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary napper bar in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the exemplary napper bar of  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]     The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass children&#39;s strollers. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the preferred embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional features that one of ordinary skill should recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0022]     Referencing  FIG. 1 , an exemplary stroller  10  in accordance with the present invention includes a foldable frame  12 . The foldable frame  12  includes a left side support  14  mounted at a first end to a left rear wheel assembly  16 , and mounted at a second end to a left front wheel assembly  18 . A cross member  20  is mounted to the left front wheel assembly  18  and a right front wheel assembly  22 . The cross member  20  is also mounted to a left side angled support  22  and a right side angled support  24 . Each angled support  22 ,  24  is mounted to a respective connector  26  that includes a release mechanism operative to lock and unlock the position of the frame members with respect to one another as will be discussed below. Each connector  26  is mounted to a respective vertical support  28  that is mounted to a rear wheel assembly  16 . An axel  30  extends between the rear wheel assemblies  16  and a U-shaped support  32 . The U-shaped support is shaped to have fabric material attached thereto to provide a compressible storage area.  
         [0023]     The stroller  10  also includes a child receiving area  34  that includes a napper bar  36  and a platform  38 . The napper bar  36  is mounted to respective connectors  26  and extends in a U-shaped manner in front of a child seated on the platform  38 . The napper bar includes a repositionable arm  40  and a removable tray  42  removably mounted to the repositionable arm  40 . As will be discussed in further detail below, full frontal access to a child seated on the platform  38  is available by simply disengaging one side of the arm  40  and rotating the disengaged side. The platform  38  includes three segments that cooperate to provide a backrest  44 , a seat  46 , and a leg guard  48 . The backrest  44  and the leg guard  48  are pivotally mounted to the seat  46  and may be repositioned with respect to the seat. In an exemplary seated orientation, the backrest  44  is upright and perpendicular with respect to the seat  46 , while the leg guard  48  faces downward and is perpendicular with respect to the seat  46 .  
         [0024]     Referencing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the stroller  10  also includes a contoured handlebar  50  adapted for gripping by a person operating the stroller  10 . The handlebar is mounted to each connector  26  and includes a console  52  having drink holders  54  and a compartment  56  for holding loose items such as, without limitation, car keys, beverages, and snacks. The compartment includes a pivotally mounted cover  58  operative to provide selective access to the interior of the compartment  56 . An apex of the handlebar  50  includes a T-shaped grip  60  that extends in an arcuate manner and mounts to the rear of the console  52 . The grip  60  at least partially houses a trigger  62  and an associated mechanism  63  (see  FIGS. 3-6 ) for selectively actuating a release mechanism of the stroller  10  enabling the stroller to be repositioned from an unfolded to a folded state.  
         [0025]     Referencing  FIGS. 3-6 , the mechanism  63  includes the trigger  62  pivotally mounted about a pivot pin  64 , a thumb lock  66  pivotally mounted about a pivot pin  68 , and a trigger lever  70  pivotally mounted about a pivot pin  72 . Two openings  74 ,  76  within the housing  78  provide access to the interior of the grip  60 . The first opening  74  is pierced by the trigger  60  and provides for rotational movement of the trigger between the positions shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . The second opening  76  provides user access to the thumb lock  66  that is biased in the loaded position (see  FIG. 3 ). A pair of connection lines (not shown) are mounted opposite the pivoting end of the trigger lever  70  and are channeled through the handlebar  50  leading to respective connectors  26  (see  FIG. 1 ) that enable folding and unfolding of the stroller  10 .  
         [0026]     Referencing  FIGS. 7-10 , an internal mechanism  82  within each connector  26  is operative to lock and unlock the relative position of each angled support  22 ,  24  with respect to each vertical support (not shown). The mechanism  82  includes a biased catch pin  84  coupled to one of the connection lines.  
         [0027]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a notch  86  within the angled support  22 ,  24  is adapted to receive the catch pin  84  and inhibit rotation of the angled support, about a pivot pin  88 , with respect to the vertical support. The position of the mechanism  82  as shown in FIG.  7  is indicative of the orientation of the stroller  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In order to facilitate rotation of the angled support  22 ,  24  about the pivot pin  88 , the trigger  70  is actuated (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) and pulls on the connection lines, thereby overcoming the bias of the catch pin  84  and pulling the catch pin from the notch  86 . A cavity  90  formed within the connector provides a recess sufficient for the pin  84  to be seated therein and enabling the notch  86  to pass thereby during rotation of the supports  22 ,  24 . After the notch  86  rotates in a clockwise manner beyond the catch pin  84 , the trigger  70  may be released to allow the bias of the catch pin  84  to reposition the catch pin against an exterior surface  92  of the angled support  22 ,  24  (see  FIG. 8 ). Further clockwise rotation of the angled supports  22 ,  24  moves the notch  86  beyond the catch pin  84  and facilitates folding of the stroller  10  (compare  FIGS. 8, 9 , and  10 ).  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , the stroller  10  may be repositioned from a folded position to its unfolded position (see  FIG. 1 ) by rotating the angled support  22 ,  24  about the pivot pin  88  (see  FIGS. 8-10 ) in a counterclockwise manner so that the catch pin  84  is seated within the notch  86 . The seating of the catch pin  84  occurs when the notch  86  passes beyond the catch pin  84  and the biased nature of the pin forces the pin into engagement with the notch  86  and inhibits clockwise rotation of the angled support  22 ,  24  about the pivot pin  88 .  
         [0029]     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-6 , in order to reposition the stroller  10  from an unfolded position to a folded position, the trigger lever  70  is rotated about the pivot pin  72  in a clockwise manner. While in the mechanism  63  is in the locked position (see  FIG. 3 ), the thumb lock  66  is biased in a cocked orientation so that the stop  94  is adjacent to the opposing end of the trigger lever  70  and operative to inhibit rotation of the trigger lever about the pivot pin  72 . If a user desires to fold the stroller  10 , the thumb lock  66  is depressed to overcome the bias (“decock”) and reposition the stop  94  out of the line of travel of the trigger lever  70  (see  FIG. 4 ). After the stop  94  is out of the line of travel of the trigger lever  70 , the trigger  62  can be pivoted in a counterclockwise manner about the pivot pin  64 .  
         [0030]     The trigger  62  includes an S-shaped profile  96  that engages a corresponding camming surface  98  of the trigger lever  70  so that rotation of the trigger  62  is operative to result in rotation of the trigger lever  70  about the pivot pin  72 . It should be noted that the trigger lever  70  is biased in the locked position (see  FIG. 3 ), so that when the thumb lock  66  is decocked, rotation of the trigger lever  70  does not occur without a corresponding movement of the trigger  62 . Counterclockwise rotation of the trigger  62  is operative to overcome the bias of the trigger lever  70 , and provides for clockwise rotation of the trigger lever. This counterclockwise rotation of the trigger  62  displaces the connection lines and is operative to overcome the bias associated with the catch pin  84  (see  FIGS. 7-10 ) to enable folding of the stroller  10 .  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , further counterclockwise rotation of the trigger  62  results in further clockwise rotation between the S-shaped profile  96  and the camming surface  98  so that the tip  100  of the profile  96  fits within a cavity  102  formed within the camming surface  98 . This counterclockwise rotation of the trigger  62  is operative to displace the trigger lever  70  to one of its final stages of rotation (see  FIG. 6 ). After the trigger lever  70  clears the line of travel of the thumb lock  66 , the biased nature of the thumb locks pivots the thumb lock back to the cocked orientation (see  FIG. 6 ).  
         [0032]     In order to reposition the stroller  10  from the folded position to the unfolded position, the user simply grabs the handlebar  50  and pulls upward (see  FIG. 1 ). This upward pulling action results in the connection lines being drawn taught and operative to reposition the trigger lever  70  in a counterclockwise manner. When the trigger lever  70  reaches the rotational position as shown in  FIG. 5 , the pulling action on the connection lines is operative to overcome the bias of the trigger lock  64  to pivot the trigger lock to the decocked position, enabling the trigger lever to pass thereby. After the opposing end of the trigger lever  70  passes beyond the stop  94 , the biased nature of the trigger lock  64  pivots to retain the trigger lever in the locked position (see  FIG. 3 ).  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 11 - 13 , the stroller  10  includes an adjustable backrest  44 . On the rear of the backrest  44 , a repositionable mechanism  110  is provided that is operative to enable repositioning of the backrest  44  with respect to the seat  46 . The mechanism  110  includes a slide track  112  along which a base member  114  slides. A stabilizer arm  116  is pivotally mounted at a first end to the base member  114  and pivotally mounted at a second end to a horizontal member  118  extending from underneath the seat  46 . A rod  120  is mounted to the base member  114  and pierces two openings  122 ,  124  within the rear of the backrest  44 . The first opening  122  includes a catch  126  operative to inhibit a spring  128  circumferentially oriented with respect to the rod  120  from passing therepast in the direction toward the slide track  112 . The spring  128  biases a retainer bar  130  against an L-shaped wall  132  to selectively inhibit movement of the rod  120  through a hole  134  of the retainer bar  130  (see  FIG. 11 ). The hole is large enough to allow the rod  120  to pass therethrough when the retainer bar  130  is positioned in a generally horizontal manner (see  FIG. 12 ). The mechanism  110  is partially concealed by a repositionable cover  136  slidably mounted to the backrest  44 . The cover  136  includes a projection  138  adapted to selectively engage the retainer bar  130  to enable repositioning of the backrest  44  with respect to the seat  46 .  
         [0034]     In operation, the projection  138  of the repositionable cover  136  is located within a cavity  140  occupied by the retainer bar  130 . To reposition the backrest  44  with respect to the seat  46 , the repositionable cover  136  is vertically repositioned so that the projection  138  engages a bottom surface of the exposed end  142  of the retainer bar. Continued upward force upon the cover  136  provides upward force on the projection  138  and thereby pushes against the bottom surface of the exposed end  142  of the retainer bar  130 . If the upward force is sufficient to overcome the spring bias on the bar  130 , the bar is pivoted on the corner of the L-shaped wall  132  and compresses the spring  128  between the bottom surface of the bar and the catch  126 .  FIG. 12  shows the orientation of the bar  130  when the projection  138  is forced upward to overcome the bias of the spring  128 . When the bar  130  is pivoted, the rod  120  is released from a frictional brake established between the rod  120  and the hole  134 , enabling the base member  114  to vertically slide within the slide track  112 . The base member  114  may be vertically repositioned to vary the angular position of the backrest  44  with respect to the seat  46 . For example, when the base member  114  is repositioned toward the first opening  122 , the backrest  44  pivots toward a perpendicular orientation with respect to the seat  46 , while movement of the base member  114  away from the first opening  122  is operative to pivot the backrest  44  away from the seat  46  toward a parallel orientation with respect to the seat  46 . Whenever the desired orientation between the backrest  44  and the seat  46  is reached, the upward pressure on the cover  136  is discontinued. The absence of an upward force on the bottom surface of the bar  130  enables the bias of the spring  128  to force the hole  134  of the bar  130  to pivot (actually the bar is pivoted by the spring) upward and be positioned at an angled orientation that inhibits vertical movement of the rod  120  through the hole  134 . This process may be repeated to provide for various angled orientations of the backrest  44  with respect to the seat  46 .  
         [0035]     Referencing  FIGS. 1, 14 , and  15 , the repositionable arm  40  of the napper bar  36  includes a pivoting member (not shown) and a biased release  150  enabling a user to apply a force to overcome the bias of the release and detach one side  152  of the arm from the retainer bar. After the bias of the release  150  as been overcome, the arm  40  may be pivoted counterclockwise (greater than  90  degrees) enabling full frontal access to a child seated within the stroller  10 .  
         [0036]     The repositionable arm  40  is also contoured to receive the removable tray  42 . The tray  42  includes detents  154  that are adapted to interface with openings  156  within the arm  40  to selectively mount the tray to the arm. In exemplary form, the tray  42  includes three holding areas  158 ,  160 ,  162  that may respectively hold a beverage, a snack food, and a toy. Two peripheral depressions  164  associated with the arm  40  are generally aligned with two corresponding recesses  166  associated with the tray. The depressions  164  and recesses  166  are shaped to enable a user to more easily dislodge the tray  42  from the arm  40 . The removable tray  42  allows for easy cleaning by a user thereof.  
         [0037]     It is to be understood that the above exemplary embodiment components may be fabricated from various materials such as, without limitation, plastics, metals, and composites.  
         [0038]     Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiment and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.