Patent Publication Number: US-2023150563-A1

Title: Rider board attachment device

Description:
This application is directed to an attachment device, and more particularly to a device for attaching a rider board to a stroller. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Rider boards can be used in conjunction with strollers to provide a structure upon which a child can stand or ride during use of the stroller. It may be desired to releasably attach the rider board to the stroller such that the rider board can be removed when not in use. However, existing devices for attaching a rider board to a stroller can be relatively difficult to install, may not be securely coupled to the stroller and/or may not provide ease of connection to the rider board. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment the present invention is an adapter configured to releasably couple a rider board to a stroller, where the adapter can be relatively easy to install, can be relatively securely coupled to the stroller and/or provides easy relatively easy connection to the rider board. More particularly, in one embodiment the invention is a system including an adapter configured to releasably couple a rider board to stroller that has at least one support bar. The adapter is configured to be coupled to a frame of the stroller, where the adapter includes an engagement bar configured to be positioned rearwardly of a portion of the frame to which the adapter is coupled. The adapter includes a body having a recess configured to closely receive the at least one support bar of the stroller therein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a rear perspective view of a stroller; 
         FIG.  2    is a detail view of a rear lower portion of the stroller of  FIG.  1   , with a wheel removed and an adapter positioned between the wheel and the frame of the stroller; 
         FIG.  3    shows the adapter of  FIG.  2    positioned on the stroller frame; 
         FIG.  4    shows the clip of the adapter of  FIG.  2    moved to its closed position; 
         FIG.  5    shows the adapter and stroller portion of  FIG.  4    with the wheel coupled to the stroller frame; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the adapter of  FIG.  2   , with the clip in its closed position; 
         FIG.  7    is an exploded view of the adapter body of the adapter of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a rear perspective view of a rider board coupled to the adapter of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  9    shows the rider board and adapter of  FIG.  8    coupled to the stroller; 
         FIG.  10    is another perspective view of the rider board and stroller of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a side cross section along the plane marked “ FIG.  11   ” of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    shows the components of  FIG.  11    with the latch in a retracted position; 
         FIG.  13    shows the components of  FIG.  12    with the rider board lifted away from the engagement bar; and 
         FIG.  14    is a side view of the stroller of  FIG.  9   , with the rider board pivoted to a storage position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  10  and  14    in one embodiment the system  10  can include an adapter  12  configured for use with a stroller, generally designated  14 . The stroller  14 , as best shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  10  and  14    can include a stroller frame  16  which provides a structural framework to the stroller  14  and includes and/or supports one or more seat frames  18  each of which in turn supports a seat  20  to receive a child or infant occupant thereon. Two seats  20  are schematically shown in  FIG.  14   , and in one case the seats  20  can take the form of fabric or another relatively soft/pliable surface that is coupled to the associated seat frame  18  in a sling/hammock fashion. In other cases the seat(s)  20  can be relatively rigid components that are releasably coupled to the associated seat frame  18 , in which case the seat(s)  20  can take the form of a car seat, infant carrier or the like. The illustrated stroller  14  includes two seat frames  18  (or is capable of receiving two seats  20 ), but if desired the stroller  14  may include only a single seat frame  18  (or be capable of receiving only a single seat  20 ), or may include more than two seat frames  18  in some cases. 
     The stroller  14  can include three or four wheels  22  (four wheels  22  as shown in the illustrated embodiment) coupled to the stroller frame  16 , including two aligned rear wheels  22   a  and two aligned front wheels  22   b , to enable the stroller  14  to be rolled across relatively flat surfaces. The stroller  14 /stroller frame  16  includes a handle  24  which is configured to be positioned in front of an operator of the stroller  14 , and which can be gripped and operated to push the stroller  14  in the desired direction. In some cases the handle  24  may be adjustable to be positioned at varying angles to suit the height and preferences of the operator. 
     In one embodiment, the stroller  14 /stroller frame  16  includes a rear crossbar  26  extending between the two rear wheels  22   a . In one case the rear crossbar  26  includes or receives an axle therein which rotationally couples the rear wheels  22   a  together, and/or receives a brake mechanism therein, but in other embodiments the rear crossbar  26  is provided for merely for stiffening/structural purposes. 
     The stroller  14 /stroller frame  16  can also include a plurality of generally upwardly-extending support bars  28 . Each support bar  28  can have a lower end located at or adjacent to an associated rear wheel  22   a  and/or a wheel hub  30  and/or the rear crossbar  26 . In the illustrated embodiment the stroller  14 /stroller frame  16  includes two rear support bars  28   a ,  28   b  located at or adjacent to each rear wheel  22   a /wheel hub  30 , each of which is oriented at differing angles. In the particular illustrated case the two rear support bars  28   a ,  28   b  attach/merge into a single structure/support bar at their lower ends, although the rear support bars  28   a ,  28   b  can remain distinct at their lower ends if desired. Moreover, if desired a single rear support bar  28  may be used, or more than two may be used. Each rear support bar  28  can extend upwardly away from the associated wheel  22 , wheel hub  30  or rear crossbar  26  at an angle such that each support bar  28  extends or is oriented at a non-horizontal orientation (e.g. within +/−30 degrees of vertical in one case, or within +/−45 degrees of vertical in another case, or within +/−60 degrees of vertical in yet another case) when the stroller  14  is in its use position as shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  10  and  14   . Each support bar  28  can terminate, at its upper end, at or adjacent to one or more of the seat frames  18  and/or seats  20  to provide support to the seat(s)  20  and transfer the weight of the seat(s)  20  and any occupants to the wheels  22 . 
     The stroller  14  can include a plurality of wheel hubs  30 , and a rear wheel  22   a  can be releasably attached to each wheel hub  30 . The wheel hubs  30  can be positioned on opposite ends of the rear crossbar  26 , and be positioned mostly or entirely laterally outside the associated/adjacent support bar  28 . In one case each rear wheel  22   a  can include a protruding axle  32  ( FIGS.  2 - 4   ) that is insertable into an opening  34  ( FIGS.  11 - 13   ) of the wheel hub  30  and retained therein to couple each rear wheel  22   a  to the associated wheel hub  30 . 
     The adapter  12  can be provided to couple a rider board  40  to the stroller  14 . In particular, with reference to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the adapter  12  can include an adapter body  42  having an opening  44  configured to closely receive a wheel hub  30  therein. For example, each wheel hub  30  is generally cylindrical or circular in cross-section in the illustrated embodiment, and in this case the opening  44  of the adapter  12  is also generally cylindrical or circular in cross section. The opening  44  can have a diameter slightly larger than the wheel hub  30  to closely receive the wheel hub  30  therein, as shown in  FIGS.  11 - 13   . The opening  44  can have a central axis that is oriented generally horizontally and/or generally parallel to the rear crossbar  26  and/or handle  24 , when the adapter  12  is mounted to the stroller  14 /stroller frame  16 . 
     The adapter  12  can also include a recess  46  which extends generally radially relative to a central axis of the opening  44  and forms an opening in part of the outer surface of the body  42 . The recess  46  is configured to closely receive the lower end(s) at least one of the support bars  28  therein (the lower ends of two of the support bars  28  in one case) when the adapter  12  is mounted in place, as will be described in greater detail below. The recess  46  can intersect and/or be in communication with the opening  44 , and in one case has an axis/central axis that is oriented generally perpendicular to a central axis of the opening  44 . 
     The adapter  12  further includes an engagement bar  50  which is configured to be oriented generally horizontally and generally parallel to the rear crossbar  26  and/or handle  24  when the adapter  12  is mounted to the stroller  14 /stroller frame  16 . The engagement bar  50  can be relatively short; and in particular can extend horizontally a significantly lesser length than the rear crossbar  26  and/or the width of the stroller  14 /stroller frame  16 , for example in one case less than about twenty-five percent of the rear crossbar  26 /width of the stroller  14  or stroller frame  16  in one case. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the adapter  12 , in exploded view, can include a first side component  52  and a second side component  54  which are coupled together with the engagement bar  50  positioned therebetween. An internal support ring  56  can be positioned between the two side components  52 ,  54 , and can provide a spring boss  58 . The support ring  56  can be made of a relatively strong/stiff material, such as metal, to provide strength/stiffness to the adapter  12 . A spring pin  60  can be mounted on the spring boss  58  thereon and is biased forwardly/axially outwardly. When the adapter  12  is assembled, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the spring pin  60  protrudes through an opening  62  of the second side component  54 . The adapter  12  can also include a stop  64  positioned adjacent to the opening  62 . The first  52  and second  54  side components, and the support ring  56  along with the engagement bar  50 , can define the body  42  of the adapter  12 . The adapter  12  can further include a pair of ribs  61  positioned on an upper surface thereof that can act as a tilt-stop for the rider board  40 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     The adapter  12  further includes a C-clip, clip or securing component  66  that is, in one embodiment, pivotally or otherwise moveable mounted to the adapter body  42 /second side component  54 . The clip  66  is in one embodiment pivotable about a clip axis  68  ( FIG.  6   ) between a closed or engaged position, as shown in  FIGS.  4 - 6 ,  8  and  9   , and an open or retracted position, as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   . When the clip  66  is in the open position, the opening  44  and the recess  46  are in direct communication with no component positioned therebetween. On the other hand, when the clip  66  is in the closed position, the clip  66  can be considered to at least partially divide/separate the opening  44  and the recess  46  as best shown in  FIG.  6   . 
     In order to couple the adapter  12  to the stroller  14 /stroller frame  16 /wheel hub  30 , in one embodiment one of the rear wheels  22   a  of the stroller  14  is first removed from the associated wheel hub  30 , as shown in  FIG.  2   . In some cases the wheel  22   a  is secured to the stroller  14 /stroller frame  16  solely by frictional/gripping forces between the axle  32  and the hub opening  34 , and the wheel  22   a  can be removed by simply pulling the wheel  22   a  in the axial direction along the axle  32 . In other embodiments, however, the wheel(s)  22   a  may be secured by various fasteners or the like which may be required to be first removed to remove the wheel(s)  22   a.    
     After the wheel  22   a  is removed, the adapter  12  is then positioned adjacent to the stroller frame  16 , as shown in  FIG.  2   , and slid laterally onto the stroller frame  16 , more particularly over the exposed wheel hub  30  as shown in  FIG.  3   . Once the adapter  12  is slid into place such that the wheel hub  30  is closely received in the opening  44  of the adapter  12 , the lower end of one or both of the adjacent support bars  28  are closely received in the recess  46  to help secure the adapter  12  in place. After the adapter  12  is sufficiently inserted, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the clip  66  is then pivoted to its closed position as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     The clip  66  may engage the stop  64  when the clip  66  is moved to the closed position to prevent over-rotation of the clip  66  and locate the clip  66  in the desired location. When the clip  66  is in the closed position, the pin  60  is received in an opening  70  of the clip  66  to retain the clip  66  in the closed position. However, it should be understood that various other clips, fasteners, retainers or the like besides the pin  60  can be used to retain the clip  66  in the closed position. 
     Once the adapter  12  is mounted the wheel  22   a  is then re-attached to the wheel hub  30  as shown in  FIG.  5   , and the adapter  12  is ready for use. When it is desired to remove the adapter  12 , the spring pin  60  is depressed until it is clear of the opening  70  of the clip  66 , and the clip  66  can then be pivoted to the open position, as shown in  FIG.  3   . The wheel  22   a  can be removed and the adapter  12  is then slid off of the wheel hub  30 . 
     When the adapter  12  is mounted in the configuration shown in  FIG.  5   , the adapter  12  is securely held in place and prevented from being removed from the wheel hub  30 /frame  16 . In particular, the lower end of the support bar(s)  28  is trapped in the recess  46  such that the body  42  of the adapter  12  and the clip  66  together extend entirely circumferentially around the support bar(s)  28  (in top view) to trap the support bar(s)  28  to thereby prevent any lateral movement of the adapter  12  (e.g. along the central axis of the hub  30 /opening  44 ). The trapped/secured support bar(s)  28  also prevent any circumferential movement of the adapter  12  (e.g. in the circumferential direction around the hub  30 /opening  44 ). 
     Moreover, when the adapter  12  is mounted in place and the clip  66  is closed, the hub  30  is trapped in the opening  44  of the adapter  12  such that the body  42  of the adapter  12  and the clip  66  extend entirely circumferentially around the wheel hub  30  (e.g. in the axial end view of the adapter  12 ). The wheel hub  30  is thereby closely received in the opening  44 , preventing any movement of the adapter  12  in the radial direction (e.g. along a radius of the wheel hub  30 ). In this manner the adapter  12 , when mounted, is secured in place in all three directions/axes of movement. 
     When the adapter  12  is mounted on the wheel hub  30 , and a first part of the adapter  12  is positioned on a first (outer) lateral side of the support bar(s)  28  and another, second, part of the adapter  12  (e.g. the clip  66 ) is positioned at a second (inner) lateral side of the support bar (s)  28 , with the support bar(s)  28  trapped in place. In this manner, when the clip  66  is closed the adapter  12  “wraps around” the support bar(s)  28  leverages the support bar(s)  28  as a stabilizing feature to lock the adapter  12  in place. When the adapter  12  is mounted in place and the clip  66  is closed, the adapter  12  also “wraps around” the wheel hub  30  to further secure the adapter  12  in place. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8 - 10   , the rider board  40  can provide a structure upon which a child or other user can stand or ride during use of the stroller  14 . The rider board  40  can include a generally flat, planar support surface  80  with at least one wheel  82  (two wheels  82  in the illustrated embodiment) coupled to an underside of the support surface  80 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rider board  40  can include a rider board seat  84  that is removably attachable to the support surface  80 , upon which a user can sit during use of the rider board  40 . 
     The rider board  40  can include an arm  86  at its forward end which includes a rider board recess  88  ( FIGS.  11 - 13   ) which is configured to receive the engagement bar  50  therein. In particular, the rider board recess  88  can have a size and/or shape generally corresponding to that of the engagement bar  50 , or slightly larger thereof, to provide a close connection. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  11 - 13   , the rider board  40  can include a latch  90  (or rider board securing component) positioned adjacent to the rider board recess  88  that is moveable between an engaged position ( FIG.  11   ) and a retracted position ( FIGS.  12  and  13   ). The latch  90  can be operatively coupled to an actuator  92  that can be manually operated to move the latch  90  between its retracted and engaged positions. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch  90  is biased forwardly to its engaged position by a rider board spring  94 . 
     In order to attach the rider board  40  to the stroller  14 /engagement bar  50 , the rider board  40  is first positioned above adapter  12  such that the rider board recess  88  is aligned with the engagement bar  50 , as shown in  FIG.  13   . The user/operator then pulls the actuator  92  rearwardly to move the rider board latch  90  to the retracted position, thereby compressing the rider board spring  94  and moving the rider board latch  90  to its position shown in  FIG.  13   . The rider board  40  is then lowered until the engagement bar  50  is received in the rider board recess  88 , as shown in  FIG.  12   . The actuator  92  is then released to allow the rider board latch  90  to return to its engaged position shown in  FIG.  11   . When the rider board latch  90  is in its engaged position, the engagement bar  50  is trapped between the rider board latch  90  and the arm  86 , thereby securing the rider board  40  to the engagement bar  50 /stroller  14 /stroller frame  16 . In this manner the rider board  40  is attachable to the engagement bar  50  in a radial direction (relative to the engagement bar  50 ), which provides a quick and easy connection since the latch  90  does not need to be slid in place in the axial direction (relative to the engagement bar  50 ). 
     However it should be understood that the actuator  92  need not necessarily need to be retracted in order to couple the rider board  40  to the adapter  12 . Instead, in some cases the rider board latch  90  may have an angled surface  91  on its underside that enables the rider board latch  90  to be sufficiently retracted simply by positioning the rider board latch  90  over the engagement bar  50 , and applying sufficient downward pressure. Moreover, it should be understood that the rider board  40  can be releasably coupled to the adapter  12 /engagement bar  50  by any of a wide variety of devices and mechanisms other than the latch  90  shown in  FIGS.  11 - 13   . Finally, although  FIGS.  2 - 5 ,  9  and  10    show the adapter  12 /rider board  40  attached to a left rear wheel  22   a , it should be understood that the adapter  12 /rider board  40  can be attached to the stroller  14 /stroller frame  16  at various other positions, including at/on the right rear wheel  22   a.    
     In one embodiment, due to the interaction between the rider board recess  88  and the engagement bar  50 , the rider board  40  is pivotable about an axis defined by the engagement bar  50 . In this manner, the rider board  40  can be pivoted from a use position in which the support surface  80  is oriented generally horizontally ( FIGS.  8 - 10   ), to a storage position as shown in  FIG.  14    where the support surface  80  is oriented generally vertically (or in one case at an angle of +/−30 degrees of vertical, and in one case at an angle of +/−45 degrees of vertical). In one case, when the rider board  40  is pivoted to its storage position, the rider board  40  engages the ribs  61  to prevent over-rotation of the rider board  40 , to keep the rider board  40  spaced away from the stroller frame  16  and in the desired position. 
     In sum, it can be seen that the adapter  12  can be relatively easily coupled to the stroller  14 . The adapter  12  can, if desired, remain in place throughout use of the stroller  14 , and thereby be considered to be “permanently” attached to the stroller  14 . The adapter  12  is relatively low profile and low weight and can remain in place on the stroller  14  with little if any noticeable effects. When it is desired to secure the rider board  40  to the stroller  14 , the adapter  12  provides a mechanism for attachment via the engagement bar  50 . As can be seen the engagement bar  50  extends rearwardly of the location where the adapter  12  is coupled to the stroller  14  (e.g. the wheel hub  30  in one case) and/or is positioned rearwardly of the stroller frame  16 /rear crossbar  26 /support bar(s)  28 . In this manner the adapter  12 /engagement bar  50  acts as an “outboard” attachment which is easier for the user to reach and access as compared to other structures, such as the wheel hub  30 , rear crossbar  26  or support bars  28 . Moreover, as described above, the opening  44 , recess  46  and clip  66  cooperate to securely couple the adapter  12  to the stroller frame  16  to prevent removal, twisting or movement thereof. 
     Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.