Patent Publication Number: US-2023140571-A1

Title: Heated stroller

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to strollers, and more particularly to protecting an child or infant occupant of the stroller from cold temperatures. 
     Taking the bus, train, or walking with a baby on a cold winter morning can be a major inconvenience because a parent or a caregiver has to bundle the baby. Babies don’t always want to be bundled because it is restrictive and not effective for exposed areas of the skin. Even with bundling, in a conventional stroller, the babies are still subjected to the cold weather environment. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for improved stroller for cold weather environments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a heated infant and child carrying device is disclosed. The heated infant and child carrying device includes a carriage having at least one sidewall defining a bottom enclosure defining an interior space dimensioned to contain an infant or a child. An opening at a top of the carriage is dimensioned for inserting and retrieving an infant or a child from the bottom enclosure. A heating pad is carried in a lower end of the bottom enclosure. A control panel is operable with the carriage to control a thermal output of the heating pad. 
     In other aspects of the invention, a heated infant and child carrying device includes a carriage having at least one sidewall defining a bottom enclosure. The bottom enclosure defines an interior space dimensioned to contain an infant or a child. An opening at a top of the carriage is dimensioned for inserting and retrieving an infant or a child from the bottom enclosure. A heating pad is carried in a lower end of the bottom enclosure. A frame assembly is coupled with the carriage and has a plurality of wheels for movably supporting the frame and the carriage. An upright handle extends from the frame assembly for controlling a movement of the frame assembly. A control panel is connected to the frame assembly to control a thermal output of the heating pad. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of the heated stroller in use. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view of the heated stroller. 
         FIG.  3    is a detail plan view of a control panel for the heated stroller. 
         FIG.  4    is a detail schematic view of the heating system for the heated stroller. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a heated stroller to protect child and infant occupants from cold temperatures. 
     A non-limiting embodiment of a heated stroller is shown in reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   . The heated stroller  10  includes a stroller  11  having a frame assembly  11   a  that is carried on a plurality of wheels  11   b . An upright handle  11   c  of the frame assembly  11   a  allows a user of the heated stroller  10  to control the stroller  11 . The frame assembly  11   a  may be foldable to compact the stroller  10  for transport in a vehicle, or storage. 
     A carriage  12  is mounted to the frame assembly  11   a . The carriage  12  has at least one sidewall defining a bottom enclosure or basket for containing a child or an infant occupant of the heated stroller  10 . More typically, the carriage  12  will have a bottom wall and at least one sidewall, with an opening at a top thereof for inserting and retrieving an occupant from the carriage. The carriage  12  may include one or more outlets  12   a  for connecting a power source to the stroller  10 . A collapsible shade  12   b  may be provided and is movable between a stowed condition and a deployed position. In the deployed position the collapsible shade  12   b  partially protects the occupant from the elements, such as sun, wind, and precipitation. The collapsible shade  12   b  may also include a window  12   c  formed of a transparent material so that the user is provided visibility of the occupant when the collapsible shade  12   b  is in the extended position. 
     A cover  14  is provided to enclose the carriage  12 . The cover  14  may be formed of a fabric material  14   a  and may be coupled with the carriage  12  via a plurality of fasteners, such as snaps, buttons, hook and pile fasteners, or an elastic-bands. As with the collapsible shade  12   b , the cover  14  may include one or more windows  14   b  so that the occupant may see outside the enclosed space within the cover  14  and the carriage  12 . The cover  14  may be configured to enclose the carriage  12  with or with the collapsible shade  12   b  in either of the stowed or deployed position. The cover  14  may also be configured to enclose a carriage  12  without a collapsible shade  12   b . 
     As seen in reference to  FIG.  2   , a primary heating pad  16   a  is provided to warm the enclosed space of the carriage  12  and the cover  14 . Preferably, the heating pad  16   a  is positioned at a bottom surface of the carriage  12  so that warmth generated by the primary heating pad  16   a  may rise and warm the occupant and the interior space of the carriage  12 . Typically, a padding layer, not shown, is provided to cushion the occupant and protect the primary heating pad  16 . As will be appreciated, at milder temperatures, the primary heating pad  16   a  may provide warmth to the occupant, with or without the collapsible shade  12   b  deployed or the cover  14  installed. With the cover  14  installed, the warmth may be retained within the cover  14  and the bottom enclosure. 
     With more frigid temperatures, higher wind speeds, and precipitation conditions, the primary heating pad  16   b  is supplemented with a secondary heating pad  16   b , incorporated with the cover  14 . The secondary heating pad  16  may also be carried with the cover  14  to limit frost accumulation on the interior of the cover  14  and the one or more window panels and to provide a better distribution of heat within the enclosed space. 
     As seen in reference to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , a control panel  11   c  may be coupled with the heated stroller  10 , to one of the frame assembly  11   a , the handle  11   b , or the carriage  12 . The control panel  11   c  may have one or more controls  18   b  for regulating the output of the primary heating pad  16   a , the secondary heating pad  16   b  and the heat delivered to the carriage  12 . The controller  18  is operably connected with a battery  20  that is carried with the heated stroller  10 . The battery  20  is preferably a rechargeable battery which may be replenished by connection with a power source  22 , such as a charger connected with an electrical power, such as an electrical outlet in a home or dwelling, a motor vehicle, or a solar panel. 
     In operation, the user may activate the one or more controls  18   b  to supply power to the heating pad  16 . The user may place the occupant within the carriage  12 . The cover  14  may be installed to enclose the carriage  12 . The user may regulate a temperature of the enclosed space by operation of the one or more controls. The user may also connect the battery  20  with a power source in use or to replenish the battery  20 . 
     While shown in use with a stroller frame  11   a , heating system of the present invention may also be incorporated with the carriage  12  and be utilized when the carriage  12  is separated from the frame assembly  11   c , such as with convertible car carrier and stroller combinations. In this case, the carriage  12  may be utilized to provide a warm environment for the occupant without the frame assembly  11   c . 
     With the present invention, people with children, who don’t have access to an automobile and need to go to school or work by bus or train, would be able to use the heated stroller  10  and cover  14  with the peace of mind knowing their babies are comfortable and maybe even sleep as they travel to their destination. Going to a game or on some adventure would also allow for more outdoor time, for the child and parents alike. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.