Abstract:
The present invention relates to a stroller comprising a first passenger support and a second seat positioned behind the first passenger support, the second seat having an in use position and a stowed position, where the second seat can be moved between its in use and stowed positions and back again without need to reposition the first passenger support. An associated method for folding the stroller is also disclosed, the method for collapsing the stroller including the steps of moving the second seat from its in use position to its stowed position, and then folding the stroller.The method for erecting the stroller being the reverse of the method for collapsing this.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/366,911, filed Feb. 6, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/140,444, filed Jun. 17, 2011, which was a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT/AU2009/001623, filed Dec. 15, 2009, which claims priority to Australian Application No. 2008906530, filed Dec. 19, 2008, all of which are hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to folding strollers of the type adapted to carry two passengers (children), where one child is positioned behind and lower than the other. 
         [0003]    A problem with known strollers of the above described type is that they have an awkward folding action that requires significant repositioning of both seats in order to facilitate their folding to a collapsed configuration and back again. 
         [0004]    It is an object of the present disclosure therefore to substantially ameliorate one or more of the above mentioned difficulties of known strollers of the above described type, or at least provide a stroller that is a useful alternative to known strollers. 
         [0005]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taking in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect of this invention, there is proposed a stroller adapted to be folded between an in use configuration and a collapsed configuration, the stroller comprising a first passenger support, and a second seat adapted to be moved between an in use position and a stowed position, wherein the stroller is adapted to fold to the collapsed configuration when and only when the second seat is in the stowed position. 
         [0007]    In a further aspect, the invention may be said to include a stroller comprising a first passenger support and a second seat, the stroller being adapted to be folded between an in use configuration and a collapsed configuration in two stages, the first stage comprising a movement of the second seat from an in use position to a stowed position, and the second stage being a folding of the stroller. Returning the stroller to the in use configuration then would require reversal of these stages. 
         [0008]    In a further aspect, the invention may be said to include a stroller comprising a first passenger support and a second seat having an in use position and a stowed position, where the second seat can be moved between the in use and stowed positions and back again, without needing to move the first passenger support. 
         [0009]    In one form, the in use position for the second seat is both behind and lower than the first passenger support. 
         [0010]    When in the collapsed configuration, the stroller is not useable and is folded so as to be generally flattened and thereby consume less space. When in the in use configuration, the stroller is configured to receive and transport either one or two passengers in a manner well understood in the art. 
         [0011]    In one form, the first passenger support is also a seat. Optionally however, the first passenger support may be a bassinet or the like. 
         [0012]    In one form, the second seat is adapted to move to and from the stowed position with a combined sliding and rotating action. 
         [0013]    In one form, as the second seat slides toward the first seat, it reclines away from the same. Conversely, as the second seat slides away from the first seat, it inclines toward the same. 
         [0014]    In one form, the stroller comprises a first frame assembly supporting the first seat, and a second frame assembly supporting the second seat, the second frame assembly being pivotally connected to the first frame assembly. 
         [0015]    In one form, the first frame assembly is comprised of an upper sub frame and a lower sub frame, where these are pivotally connected to one another via a releasably lockable hinge mechanism, for folding between the in use configuration and the collapsed configuration and back again. 
         [0016]    In one form, the lower sub frame comprises at least one wheel assembly at or toward a lowermost end thereof. In one form, there may be two wheel assemblies, and these may be castor wheel assemblies, so as to permit steering of the stroller. 
         [0017]    In one form, the upper sub frame of the first frame assembly supports the first seat and provides a handle at or toward an uppermost end thereof. 
         [0018]    In one form, the second frame assembly comprises a pair of arms, where each of these arms is pivotally connected to the lower sub frame of the first frame assembly at or toward a first end thereof, and where each of these arms supports a wheel assembly at or toward a second end thereof. 
         [0019]    In one form, the second seat is supported on a carriage frame which in turn is supported between the arms of the second frame assembly. Optionally, this carriage frame (and the second seat supported thereby) may be removably secured to the arms of the second frame assembly. 
         [0020]    In one form, the second seat is adapted to slide along and pivot relative to this carriage frame so that it may move between its in use (i.e. inclined) and stowed (i.e. reclined) positions. 
         [0021]    In one form, the carriage frame comprises user operable locking means which permit the second seat to be locked in at least the in use and stowed positions. 
         [0022]    In a further aspect the invention may be said to include a method of folding the above described stroller between the in use and collapsed configurations, or visa-versa. 
         [0023]    A stroller configured for use is collapsed by firstly releasing the carriage locking mechanism and sliding the second seat along the carriage and toward the first end of the arms, this simultaneously causing the second seat to recline to a stowed position close to the arms, the releasably lockable hinge mechanism of the first frame assembly can then be released and the lower sub frame of this folded beneath both the upper sub frame and the second frame assembly, this being the strollers collapsed configuration. The stroller can be returned to the in use configuration by reversing this process. 
         [0024]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that 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 drawing. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0025]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         [0000]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, to recognise that the claims should be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    For a better understanding of this invention it will now be described with respect to an exemplary embodiment which shall be described herein with the assistance of drawings wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary stroller in its in use configuration, with the second seat fully inclined (i.e. in it&#39;s in use position); 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the stroller in  FIG. 1 , in it&#39;s in use configuration; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are side views of the stroller in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrating successive stages of the second seats movement, ranging from its fully inclined position to its stowed position; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 5 through 9  are side views of the stroller in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , illustrating successive stages of the strollers folding action as it is folded into its collapsed configuration; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a detail view in which the first seat has been removed to permit visibility of the carriage locking means; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a detail view in which the seat padding and material has been removed to permit visibility of the seat frame and the carriage locking means; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a perspective schematic of the stroller illustrating the carriage locking means. 
       
    
    
       [0034]    In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , where there is illustrated a stroller  1  having a first seat  2  and a second seat  4  positioned behind and lower than the first seat  2 . 
         [0036]    The stroller comprises a first frame assembly  6  removably supporting the first seat  2 , and a second frame assembly  8  removably supporting the second seat  4 . 
         [0037]    The first and second seats  2  and  4  are removably attached to their respective frame assemblies  6  and  8  using releasable connector fittings of a type well understood in the relevant art. Typically, these connector fittings employ spring loaded catches or pins either operated or released by buttons or levers. Also, unless otherwise stipulated, the frame assemblies referenced herein are fabricated from a tubular metal material, such as steel or aluminium. 
         [0038]    The first seat  2  is connected to the first frame assembly  6  via an adaptor which repositions the first seat  2  upward and forward and thereby provides additional space for the second seat  4  and its occupant behind and lower than the first seat  2 . 
         [0039]    The first frame assembly  6  is comprised of an upper sub frame  6   a  and a lower sub frame  6   b,  where these are pivotally connected to one another via a releasably lockable hinge mechanism at A, so as to permit the folding of these sub frames  6   a  and  6   b  relative to each other between an in use configuration and a collapsed configuration and back again. 
         [0040]    The lower sub frame  6   b  comprises one or more (a pair in this case) removable castor wheel assemblies  10  at a lowermost end thereof. In use, these castor wheel assemblies  10  permit steering of the stroller  1 . 
         [0041]    The upper sub frame  6   a  of the first frame assembly  6  supports the first seat  2  and comprises a handle  12  at an uppermost end thereof. 
         [0042]    The releasably lockable hinge mechanism at A is adapted to provide user releasable locking for securing the upper and lower sub frames  6   a  and  6   b  in the in use configuration (as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), or release these so that they may be folded to the collapsed configuration (as illustrated in  FIG. 9 ) . This releasably lockable hinge mechanism A will also be of a type well understood in the art. Again, these releasably lockable hinge mechanisms typically employ spring loaded catches or pins either operated or released by buttons or levers. 
         [0043]    The second frame assembly  8  comprises a pair of arms  8   a,  where each of these arms  8   a  is pivotally connected to the lower sub frame  6   b  of the first frame assembly  6  at a first end thereof at point B. Each of these arms  8   b  supports a removable rear wheel assembly  14  at a second end thereof. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the second seat  4  is supported on a carriage frame  20  which in turn is removably supported between the aims  8   a  of the second frame assembly  8 . The second seat  4  is adapted to slide relative to carriage frame  20  between its in use (as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and stowed (as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) positions. 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIG. 11  it can be seen that the second seat  4  has a pair of oppositely directed lugs  4   b  projecting from the frame  4   a  thereof at a location toward a forward edge of the seat  4 ; each of theses lugs  4   b  locates in and may slide along a track  22  running in an inner edge of the carriage frame  20 . 
         [0046]    The second seat  4  is also indirectly connected to the carriage frame  20  by a pair of struts  30 , each strut  30  extending between a side of the back portion of the second seat  4  (i.e. aft of lugs  4   b ) and the carriage frame  20 , and each strut  30  being pivotally connected to these at points C and D respectively. 
         [0047]    Conceivably this arrangement of lugs  4   b  and struts  30  could be reversed so that the struts  30  are forward of the lugs  4   b.    
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , where it can be seen that the second seat  4  is adapted to move to and from its stowed position with a combined sliding and rotating action. That is, as the second seat  4  slides toward the first seat  2  (i.e. the stowed position), it reclines away from the same. Conversely, as the second seat  4  slides away from the first seat  2  (i.e. toward the in use position), it inclines toward the first seat  2 . 
         [0049]    An advantage of this combined sliding and rotating action is that is prevents any significant rearward shift of the centre of gravity of the stroller  1 , which may lead to rearward toppling of a loaded stroller. That is, the centre of gravity of the stroller  1  is maintained between the front wheel assembly  10  and rear wheel assembly  14  of the stroller  1 . 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10 through 12 , the carriage frame  20  comprises user operable locking means which lock the second seat  4  in at least the in use and stowed positions. This locking means operates in two stages. 
         [0051]    A first locking or adjustment stage permits movement of the second seat  4  between an inclined position (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), and a partially reclined position (as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) suitable for a child sleeping in the second seat  4 . Further movement of the second seat  4  from this partially reclined position (as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) to the stowed position (as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) is prevented by a second locking or safety stop stage, which must be separately released before the second seat  4  can be moved from the partially reclined position (as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) to the stowed position (as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ). This second safety stop then prevents the second seat  4  from being inadvertently moved toward the stowed position (as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) whilst a child is seated therein. 
         [0052]    The adjustment stage is controlled by a handle  50  positioned on the upper back edge of the second seat  4 . This handle  50  is connected to a wire cable  51  routed through the second seat&#39;s frame  4   a  to a spring loaded pin  52  that engages in one of a series of spaced apart apertures represented at  54  and  56  and located in the track  22  running in inside edge of carriage frame  20 . Pulling on the handle  50  retracts the pin  52  from the aperture in which it is held captive thereby permitting the second seat  4  to slide along track  22 , where releasing the handle  50  permits the pin  52  to extend and engage the next aperture that it passes. 
         [0053]    The safety stop is controlled by a button  60  located on the carriage frame  20  itself. This button  60  is connected to a catch  62  which prevents one of the seat lugs  4   b  from passing thereby unless the button  60  is operated thereby removing the catch  62  from in front of the lug  4   b.    
         [0054]    A second pair of struts  40  extends between a respective side of the first frame assembly  6  and an arm  8   b  of the second frame assembly  8 , each strut  40  being pivotally connected to these at points E and F respectively. 
         [0055]    In use, a stroller  1  configured for use (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) is collapsed by firstly releasing the carriage locking mechanism (by releasing the two stages of this in turn) and sliding the second seat  4  toward the first end of the arms  8   a,  this simultaneously causing the second seat  4  to recline to a stowed position close to the arms  8   a  (as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ). The releasably lockable hinge mechanism of the first frame assembly  6  can then be released (as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) and the lower sub frame  6   b  of this folded beneath both the upper sub frame  6   a  and the second frame assembly  8 , this being the strollers collapsed configuration (as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 through 9 ). The stroller  1  can be returned to the in use configuration by reversing this process. 
         [0056]    A significant advantage of the stroller  1  described herein is that only the second seat  4  (as distinct from both seats) need be positioned (by stowing this) to facilitate the folding collapse of the stroller  1 . 
         [0057]    It will be understood that the term “comprise” and any of its derivatives (e.g. comprises, comprising) as used in this specification is to be taken to be inclusive of features to which it refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied. 
         [0058]    Although the disclosure has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein but is to be accorded the full scope of ay appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.