Abstract:
A handcart safety system for a baby stroller other means of baby ground transportation that has a telescoping pole with a visibility aid and flag at its distal end and a clamp at its proximal end. The visibility aid is a bright light or similar device for drawing attention from an object approaching the stroller or baby transportation means. The flag may be extendable and collapsible, may have bright colors to draw attention, and may include messages, or be otherwise customized and adapted. The pole may be attached to a clamp using a pivoting joint or other device to adjust the orientation of the pole relative to a stroller or means of baby ground transportation to which it is attached. The safety system may be formed integral with a baby stoller or may be detachable.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/328,123 filed on Apr. 27, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL 
       [0004]    Not Applicable. 
       COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0005]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention: 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to a handcart safety system for baby strollers and other means of baby ground transportation. For example, but not limited to bicycle side cars, stroller bicycles, and family bicycles. More particularly, the invention relates to a visibility system utilizing lights, flags or other objects for substantially enhancing the visibility of a baby stroller. 
       Description of the Related Art: 
       [0007]    Drivers of automobiles and other vehicles encounter many signs, directions, obstacles and objects to avoid on any traffic route. It may often be difficult to notice every object or sign, especially in high volume traffic areas and large cities. This is true at night when it is more difficult to identify every object a driver should be aware of, and also during the daytime amidst the many distractions on route in public places. 
         [0008]    Pedestrian crossings are an especially dangerous part of the roadways. Many steps of been taken to make them safer. Extra lighting, crossing signals, white lines across a pathway and LED flashing lights have all been used. Nonetheless, it is not always easy to identify pedestrians from a distance. 
         [0009]    Parents are perhaps most aware of the particular dangers posed by vehicles and traffic to very small children. As a result, some signage has been created to improve child safety. For example, signs have been created to place on or near a roadway to advise of children playing. However, little has been done to improve the visibility of a baby stroller. Baby strollers are particularly susceptible because of their limited mobility and small size. A baby stroller is not easily quickly grabbed and pulled away from a hazard. They also do not resemble the profile of a human and are easily mistaken for unimportant or insignificant objects, particularly by passing drivers. 
         [0010]    In view of the foregoing, it is important to provide devices, systems and methods for improving the visibility of a baby stroller to ongoing traffic, pedestrian areas, pedestrian crossings, and in other public places of heavy and busy activity, distractions, and poor visibility. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Disclosed is a device for attachment to a baby stroller or other device that substantially increases its visibility to other persons, vehicular traffic and other observers. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, a handcart safety system for an infant stroller comprises a telescoping pole, having a visibility aid at its distal end and a flag hanging from a side-arm rotatable from parallel to perpendicular to the pole. The base of the pole has an adjustable clamp to fit onto many strollers and other means of baby ground transportation. The alert system may be used with an infant stroller, a handcart, a carriage, a wagon or the like. The handcart safety system may allow rotation of the clamp relative to the pole. The handcart safety system is collapsible so that it easily fits into a small carrying case similar to a small travel umbrella. 
         [0013]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a highly portable device for increasing visibility of a baby stroller and other means of baby ground transportation, thereby increasing child safety. 
         [0014]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view of a handcart safety system in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of an extended handcart safety system in accordance with principles of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of a collapsed handcart safety system in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of a collapsed handcart safety system in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of a collapsed handcart safety system in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a collapsed handcart safety system in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a handcart safety system in accordance with principles of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a handcart safety system in accordance with principles of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is an environmental view of another alternative embodiment of a handcart safety system in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is an environmental view of another alternative embodiment of a handcart safety system in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a handcart safety system in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    The invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0028]    The disclosed subject matter is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments of the subject disclosure. It may be evident, however, that the disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the various embodiments herein. 
         [0029]    For clarity and convenience, some exemplary embodiments are described using the terms “stroller” and “baby stroller.” This is not intended to be limiting. “Stroller” is generally synonymous with “handcart,” “sled,” “baby carriage,” “pram,” and “perambulator.” It is also contemplated that a safety system in accordance with the principles of the invention may be applied to many other wheeled devices, such as wheelchairs, gurneys, wagons and the like. 
         [0030]    The term “visibility aid” generally refers to any device or mechanism that may be utilized to draw the attention of persons in the vicinity to an object. Visibility aids are therefore contemplated to include reflectors, lights, illuminating devices, beacons, klaxons, LED screens, flags, streamers, banners or other devices designed to make persons in the general vicinity aware of the presence of an object. 
         [0031]    In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in the subject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. 
         [0032]    Disclosed is a handcart safety system for a baby stroller and other means of baby ground transportation that increases the visibility of a baby stroller, hand cart or similar device during the day and at night, thereby increasing the safety of a child within the stroller, particularly in the vicinity of vehicular traffic and in busy and crowded public spaces. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a handcart safety system  10  in accordance with the principles of the invention. The handcart safety system  10  is removably affixed to a baby stroller  12 . The handcart safety system  10  includes a telescoping pole  14  having a visibility aid  16  at its distal end and a pivoting clamp  18  at its proximal end. In this embodiment, the visibility aid  16  comprises a light beacon. A pivoting side arm  20  near the distal end may support a flag  22  suspended from it. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 2-6  show the handcart safety system  10  in more detail. The side arm  20  is affixed to the distal end  30  of the telescoping pole  14  by a pivot joint  28  that allows the side arm  20  to be positioned either parallel with or perpendicular to the telescoping pole  14 . The pivot joint  28  includes a locking mechanism that holds the side arm  20  in a desired configuration. The pivoting clamp  18  is located at the proximal end  32  of the telescoping pole  14  and includes a pivot mechanism  26  and an adjustable clamp  24 . The individual segments of the telescoping pole  14  may generally remain in the same orientation relative to each other due to friction fit between the segments. However, the segments may be rotated relative to one another by applying sufficient torque force. This allows the side arm  20  to be aligned in any direction relative to a stroller  12  or similar handcart. For example, the side arm  20  may be aligned parallel with or transverse to the direction of travel. 
         [0035]    The visibility aid  16  is located at the distal end  30  of the telescoping pole  14 . The visibility aid  16  may be at the most distal end of the alert system  10  or may optionally be affixed at another location. It may be preferable to position the visibility aid  16  at the highest point of the alert system  10  in order to maximize visibility. The visibility aid  16  may be a simple light, or may optionally be a klaxon or a light comprised of several LEDs capable of blinking or changing color in a variety of patterns. The visibility aid  16  may optionally have its own control mechanisms for adjusting the speed, lighting sequence or other parameters of the visibility aid itself. The visibility aid  16  may optionally be controlled by a control mechanism incorporated into the visibility aid  16 , to another location on the alert system  10  or may be controlled remotely using a telephone application and a short range communication system, for example Bluetooth. 
         [0036]    The telescoping pole  14  may optionally be comprised of a pole having separate independent components that may be affixed separately. Generally, however, a telescoping pole is the most efficient and easiest to use. Optionally, the pole  14  may be fixed and not telescoping. However, it is generally preferable to use a telescoping pole so that when it is not in use it may be stored more efficiently. The side arm  20  has a length that is less than the total length of the alert system when the pole  14  is collapsed. This may also simplify storage. However, the side arm  20  may optionally have a longer or shorter length than is shown in the figures. 
         [0037]    The mounting clamp  18  is located at the proximal end of the pole  14  and includes an adjustable clamp  24 . In this embodiment, the clamp  24  includes two opposing grips  40  and  42  that form a cavity  44  and sized to grip an arm or Rod on a stroller, hand cart or other device as shown in  FIG. 1 . Because a Rod, arm or other component of a stroller may not extend in a substantially horizontal direction, the mounting clamp  18  includes a pivoting mechanism  26 . Pivoting mechanism  26  allows the pole  14  to be adjusted into several different orientations relative to the clamp  24 . As a result, the pole  14  may be rotated into a preferred orientation and the visibility aid  16  extended to a maximum practical height. The mounting clamp  18  may optionally include other rotating mechanisms, such as providing rotation about an axis parallel to the pole  14 . Many telescoping poles inherently provide rotation on this axis and therefore additional components may be unnecessary. In this embodiment, the mounting clamp  18  includes a button  36  for actuating the pivoting mechanism  26  and locking it when the pole  14  and clamp  24  are in a desired configuration. Clamp  24  includes an adjusting knob  38  that allows an operator to loosen or tighten the clamp  24 . Clamp  24  is intended to be exemplary and those skilled in the art will appreciate that a wide variety of other mechanisms may be used to affix the alert system to a device such as a stroller, handcart, or other means of baby ground transportation. Optionally, the side arm  20  may also be telescoping and may optionally include a removable knob  23  that may allow different flags to be readily and interchangeably affixed to the arm  20 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show an alternative embodiment of a handcart safety system  60  in accordance with the principles of the invention. The safety system  60  includes a pole  62  having a proximal end  64  and a distal end  68 . The distal end  68  has a primary visibility aid  70  and may optionally include a secondary visibility aid  72 . In this embodiment, the secondary visibility aid  72  is a flag or pennant. The primary visibility aid  70  is a light whose luminescence may be adjusted in brightness and sequence. The safety system  60  also includes a base  76  at the proximal end  64  of the pole  62 . A pivot pin  78  connects the proximal end  64  to the base  76  and allows the pole  62  to rotate and thereby change its orientation relative to a stroller or other device. 
         [0039]    The base  76  includes an adjustable clamp  80  having a hinge  82  that allows it to swing open and a lock  84 , such as a latch, to secure the clamp in place at a desired location on a stroller or other device. Other mechanisms for attaching the base  76  to a handcart, such as for example the clamp shown in the previous Figures, may also be suitable. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are a wide variety of fasteners suitable for attaching the base  76  to a stroller, hand cart or similar device. 
         [0040]    The base  76  also includes a motor  86  configured to pivot the proximal end  64  of the pole  62  about the pivot pin  78 , thereby rotating the pole  62 . The motor  86  is controlled by a speedometer  90 . In this embodiment, the speedometer  90  is affixed to one of the axles of a stroller to which the safety system  60  is attached. The speedometer  90  determines the speed of a stroller or handcart by detecting the revolutions of the axle to which it is attached. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such speedometers are well known have been in use for some time. Optionally, other types of speedometers may be used. 
         [0041]    When the speedometer  90  detects forward motion of the stroller, it actuates the motor  86  to rotate the pole  62  a predetermined amount in the forward direction, thereby adjusting the orientation of the pole  62  to a stroller. For example, when a stroller is stationary, the pole may extend upward vertically, perpendicular to the direction of motion. As should be clear to those skilled in the art, the direction of motion is horizontal and generally forward and backward. When the stroller is in motion at a slow pace, the speedometer  90  causes the motor  86  to rotate the pole  62  slightly forward. That is, the angle between the direction of motion and the pole  62  will change from  90 ° to some predetermined angle less than  90 ° . As the speed of the stroller increases, the angle between the direction of motion in the pole  62  will decrease. Conversely, as the speed decreases, the angle between the direction of motion and the pole  62  will increase. When the stroller is moved in a backward direction, the  62  pole rotates backward. 
         [0042]    By adjusting the angle of the pole  62  according to the speed of the stroller, safety is improved. During the night, when it is dark outside, operators of vehicles may only clearly see the light  70  at the distal end  68  of the pole  62 . Observers may not realize the actual dimensions of a stroller and its location relative to the light  70 . When the stroller is moving, it is generally more important for observers to remain clear of the forward region of the stroller and the region directly in front of the stroller. By rotating the pole  62  by an amount relative to the speed of the stroller, the light  70  focuses an observer&#39;s attention to the forward end of the stroller. This may be particularly beneficial with strollers designed to be pushed by persons who are jogging and may be moving relatively quickly. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show a method of improving safety  100  that is similar to the security system  60  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . A stroller  102  is being utilized by an operator  104 . A safety system  106  has been incorporated into the stroller  102 . The safety system  106  includes a pole  108  having a primary visibility aid  110  and a secondary visibility aid  112  at its distal end  114 . The proximal end  116  of the pole  108  is pivotally attached to a base  118 . A speedometer  120  measures the speed of the stroller  102 , and actuates a motor in the base  118  to pivot the pole  108 . 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 9 , the operator  104  is pushing the stroller  102  at a relatively slow pace in the direction of motion  122 . Because the speedometer  120  detects a slow pace, the pole  108  has been rotated only a few degrees in the direction of motion  122  and away from a vertical direction  124  perpendicular to the direction of motion  122 . If the speed of the stroller  102  is kept constant, the pole  108  will remain oriented at this angle.  FIG. 10  shows the safety system  106  after the operator  104  has accelerated to a new, higher constant speed. The speedometer  120  detects the new speed and adjusts the orientation of the pole  106  so that it forms a smaller angle with the direction of motion  122 . The speedometer  120  and/or the motor may be calibrated by an operator to adjust the degrees of rotation relative to speed. The operator  104  may also optionally observe the safety system  106  monitor his or her own speed and/or workout intensity. 
         [0045]      FIG. 11  shows an alternative embodiment of a safety system  130  in accordance with the principles of the invention. The safety system  130  is affixed to a stroller  132  at its base  134 . In this embodiment, the safety system  130  is integral with the stroller  132 . Optionally, the safety system  130  may be detachable from the stroller  132 . A pole  136  extends upward from the base  134  and has a visibility aid  138 . In this embodiment, the visibility aid  138  is a flag. The safety system  130  includes a transmitter for sending and receiving signals to an electronic device  140 . In this embodiment, the electronic device  140  is a cell phone. Signals may be sent and received via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, radio waves or electrical wires. The cell phone  140  includes software that allows an operator to adjust the angle by which the pole  136  is rotated relative to the speed of the stroller  132 . The cell phone  140  also includes a speedometer and sends information relating to the speed of the stroller  132 . The safety system  130  received this information and pivots the pole  136  in relation to the speed detected by the cell phone  140 . Optionally, the software utilized by the phone  140  may be used to gather information to improve operation of the safety system  130 . 
         [0046]    Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. Descriptions of the embodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting or defining the ordinary and plain meanings of the terms of the claims unless such is explicitly indicated. 
         [0047]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.