Abstract:
An optionally deployable side seat for a baby stroller, to seat a second child, is secured by hand-operated connectors to nearly any baby or child stroller, without tools. The side seat faces to the side of the stroller and has a deployed position in which two wheels mounted in tandem on the side seat frame contact the pavement. For stowing the side seat remains on the stroller, and two quick-release lockable joints, in the position of arms on the side seat, are released and raised upwardly, which folds the seat bottom up against the seat back and raises up a lower frame portion that supports the wheels.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention concerns baby strollers, and in particular an auxiliary, detachable, deployable side seat for accommodating a second child on a baby stroller. 
     Baby strollers have appeared in a number of different configurations. In recent years the great majority have been fold-up strollers, in a variety of mechanical arrangements. Often the parent pushing the stroller has a second young child along, and if this second child tires of walking, an additional seat on the stroller would be very useful. However, this is difficult to provide on a foldable stroller, typically light in weight and not with a sufficiently sturdy frame to support a second seat for a usually heavier second child. A number of child strollers, however, have included permanent seats for two or more children, especially infants. Some have had the seats in tandem and some side by side. 
     The following patents and applications show different approaches to providing an auxiliary second seat or a standing platform, usually for a child, on a baby stroller or other pushed wheeled device: international pub. Nos. WO 2005/105546 and WO 2003/020568, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,746,079, 6,530,591, 6,378,892, 5,622,375, 4,779,883, 4,288,124, 3,000,645, 1,212,221, U.S. application pub. No. US 2007/01146738, and Japan pub. No. JP2005349996. 
     Of the above patents and applications, WO 2005/105546 shows a deployable auxiliary side seat for a folding-type baby stroller, secured to the side of the baby stroller, with the child to be facing forward and beside the infant in the stroller, and with a single wheel. The auxiliary seat was designed to be attached to several different models of strollers. However, the means of attachment to the stroller and the single wheel seemed to render that device less stable than desired according to the present invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,079 shows a folding seat attachable to a luggage cart, such as an airport luggage cart. The seat faces to the side, but it is designed to be deployed as a stationary seat, not one for carrying a rider. 
     The invention described below provides an easily attached, optionally deployable side seat for a stroller, particularly of the folding type, such that the stroller with the side seat is stable and easily operated, while being compactly retained against the side of the stroller in a stowed configuration. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Pursuant to the invention, an optionally deployable side seat for a baby stroller, to seat a second child, is easily secured by hand-operated connectors to nearly any baby or child stroller. The side seat faces to the side of the stroller and has a deployed position in which a wheel or preferably two wheels mounted in tandem on the side seat frame contact the pavement. The second child sits at right angles to the first child. For stowing the side seat remains on the stroller, and two quick-release lockable joints, in the position of arms on the side seat, are released and raised upwardly, which folds the seat bottom up against the seat back and raises up a lower frame portion that supports the wheels. 
     The hand-operated connectors are of a special design, with preferably three connectors extending back from the rear side of the side seat frame. Each of these is operable by a lever, without tools, to grip onto the tubing members of the stroller. The connectors are angularly adjustable as to orientation, as well as affording some rotational adjustment, so as to be attachable to stroller frame members of different configurations and orientations. Round, square or other shapes of stroller frame tubing can be gripped by the connectors. 
     The side seat when deployed has its wheels in contact with the pavement, i.e. at the same level as wheels of the stroller. The side seat frame has a plurality of horizontal pivot axes for stowing and deploying the seat. In a preferred embodiment the seat bottom frame pivots back against the seat back frame for stowage. The wheel or wheels are secured to a U-shaped frame member that itself pivots on a horizontal axis from the seat bottom frame and which extends obliquely above and back from the seat bottom frame a short distance, to a locking pivot joint. The locking pivot joint further is connected to a short linkage arm, at each side, this arm being pivotally connected on another horizontal axis to the seat back frame. When the seat is to be stowed, the two locking joints are released and swung upwardly, which not only pivots the seat bottom upwardly and back against the seat back but also swings the U-shaped bottom frame portion, with the wheels, upwardly and against the seat back and bottom, for compact stowage alongside the stroller. 
     It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide an improved auxiliary seat for a baby stroller, one that is easily attached to nearly any baby stroller, orients the second child to the side, and which is easily deployed, stable in service, and easily stowed. These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, considered along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a side-facing auxiliary child seat of the invention, connected to a baby stroller, depicted schematically. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view showing the stroller from the front side, with the auxiliary child seat attached. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view showing the auxiliary seat in deployed position and in profile, without a stroller attached. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the rear of the deployed auxiliary side seat, again without a stroller attached. 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view in profile showing the auxiliary child seat in stowed configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the stowed side seat as attached to a stroller, shown schematically. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a connector device in a preferred configuration, for attaching the auxiliary child seat to a stroller. 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7 , but showing a modified form of connector device. 
         FIG. 9  is a view of the connector of  FIG. 8  shown gripping a stroller frame member. 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 9  but showing a different type of stroller frame member. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view showing a preferred construction of a releasable locking joint. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The drawings show an auxiliary, optionally deployable second-child seat  10  of the invention, secured to a baby stroller shown schematically at  12 . The stroller  12  typically is a collapsible, fold-up stroller, and in this case a stroller is schematically indicated as one for infants, wherein the infant sits or reclines facing rearwardly, toward the person pushing the stroller. In  FIG. 1  the schematic indication of the stroller  12  does not include the typical series of joints and collapsible struts which enable the stroller to be folded up to a compact configuration, and in fact the invention applies to a stroller whether of the permanently erected type or the collapsible fold-up type. It could even be attached to a double stroller. 
     The side-facing child seat  10 , shown in fully deployed position, is secured to portions of the frame  14  of the stroller  12  by connectors  16 , explained in greater detail below. The auxiliary seat has its own frame  18 , including a seat bottom frame  20  and a seat back frame  22 . These support a seat and back, preferably of flexible material, and which may be unitary, as shown at  24 . The seat  10  has at least one wheel, preferably a pair of wheels  26  arranged in tandem as shown. These are supported on a lower frame portion  28 , which may be generally U-shaped as shown (preferably a warped U shape), being pivotally connected to the seat bottom frame at  30  and extending up to a pair of lockable joints  32 , which are located generally in the position of armrests for the seat and which retain the lower portion of the frame in the deployed position shown in  FIG. 1 . Above the lockable joints  32  at each side is a short linkage arm  34  which extends up to a pivot connection  36  with the seat back frame, as illustrated. 
       FIG. 2 , showing the baby stroller  12  from a front end elevation view, illustrates the side-facing auxiliary seat  10  in profile. As seen in this view, the stroller connectors  16 , of which there are preferably three, e.g. two extending from the lower end of the seat frame  18  and one from an upper portion at one side of the seat back frame  22 , are shown gripping the tubular frame members of the main stroller frame  14 . These tubular frame members may have a cross section round, square or otherwise, and the term “tubular” is to be broadly understood. The connectors  16 , which may be permanently fixed to the second-child seat frame  18  or which may optionally be adjustable as to positions on that frame, are angularly adjustable as to orientation extending back from the seat frame  18 . These connectors  16  have gripping heads or stroller attachment or gripping ends  38  which preferably are further adjustable rotationally with respect to the opposite end of the connector  16 . This allows nearly any stroller to be firmly and stably engaged with the connectors  16 . 
     The side facing second-child seat frame has four pivot axes which enable it to be stowed compactly, from the position shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . Referring  FIGS. 1-4 , the first horizontal axis  40  is provided for upward swinging/pivoting of the seat bottom frame  20  to a position against the seat back frame  22 . The second horizontal pivot axis  30  is formed where the lower portion  28  of the frame connects to the seat bottom frame  20 . The lockable joints  32 , which are quick-release joints, define a third horizontal pivot axis, and a fourth horizontal pivot axis  36  is formed at the point where the short linkage arms  34  connect to the seat back frame  22 , which is preferably via a fixed bracket  46  as shown.  FIG. 3  also shows the angularly-adjustable connectors  16  in somewhat greater detail, each being secured to the tubular auxiliary chair frame  18  by any appropriate form of connection, here shown as clamps  48  of the type commonly used to engage over tubular members. The engagement of these clamps  48  onto the side seat frame  18  is better seen in  FIG. 4 , a view from the rear of the deployed side chair, also showing a rear bar  50  preferably forming a part of the seat back frame  22  and on which two of the connectors  16  preferably are clamped or otherwise secured. 
     The seat is moved toward the stowed position by releasing the lockable joints  32  (as explained further below), then lifting these two joints to swing them upwardly along with the short linkage arms  34 . This causes the seat bottom frame  20  to swing upwardly about the axis  40 , and the lower frame portion  28  to swing counterclockwise, as seen in  FIG. 3 , relative to the seat bottom frame about the horizontal axis  30 , so that the seat bottom frame with the wheels  26  moves upwardly in a somewhat complex motion to arrive at the stowed configuration shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  shows the stowed side seat on a stroller  12 . 
       FIGS. 7-10  show preferred forms of connector  16 ,  16   a  according to the invention, in greater detail. As noted above, the connector  16  in the embodiment shown connects to the side seat of the invention using a tube clamp  48 , as a base end of the connector. Other means of connection can be employed. The tube clamp  48  tightens onto the frame of the side seat via a bolt  52 , which can be loosened and then re-tightened to establish one degree of rotation, which is rotation about the tubular frame member itself. Another degree of rotation is about the bolt  52 , whereby the body of the connector swings up or down as seen in  FIG. 7 . Further, a rotation is provided about another bolt  54 , which secures two circular plates  56  and  58  together. The plate  56  is fixed to a body or shaft  60  of the connector  16 , while the plate  58  is fixed to or integral with a base  62  which is engaged by the bolt  52 . When the machine bolt  54  is loosened it permits relative rotation between the circular plates  56  and  58 ; when it is tightened (preferably via a threaded hole in the lower plate  58 , not shown), this fixes the two plates together. 
     Thus, the head or gripping end  38  of the connector can be universally adjusted as to orientation and position, via the three degrees of rotation explained above. Using these adjustments, one can swing the body or shaft  60  with head  38  to reach an appropriate portion of a main stroller frame member, and can then rotate the head to orient it appropriately for gripping onto the frame member. If necessary the clamp  48  (when loosened) allows for linear sliding adjustment of the connector  16  along the second seat frame member, although this typically is not needed. 
     The operation of the connector device  16  is simple. A coil or torsion spring  64  seen in  FIG. 7  strongly biases a lever  66  and connected gripper bar  68  toward a closed position shown in  FIG. 7 . One end of the spring is braced against a cross bar  70  in the bar or shaft  60 , while the other end (not shown) engages against the lever  66  or the gripping bar  68 , very firmly urging the gripping bar toward the closed position. The gripping bar is retracted into an opened position by use of the lever  66 . The connector is held in this open position (not shown) to engage over a tubular stroller frame member, whether round square or otherwise. A series of preferably cylindrical engagement bars  71 , of which there may be three on parallel axes, are positioned such that typically (but not always) two of them will engage the frame member, in various configurations. When the lever  66  is allowed to return via the torsion spring, the gripping bar  68  closes against the frame member to grip the connector head  38  firmly over the frame member. All of the bars  68  and  71  can be cylindrical rubber contacts, as illustrated, to better effect a stable seating of a stroller frame member in the grip of the connector device. In some cases a side of the stroller frame member may be engaged against a fixed surface in the gripping head  38 , between rubber cylinders. Materials similar to rubber may be used. 
       FIGS. 8-10  show another form of connector device  16   a  which operates in the same manner as the connector  16  of  FIG. 7  but with some differences in structure. A strong torsion spring urges the clamping bar or roller  68  toward a closed, gripping position. The spring is not seen in these figures. Bars or rollers  71  are mounted in the gripping head  38   a , and the movable gripping bar or roller  68  is urged toward these other bars as shown. 
     A lever  66   a  in this embodiment is functionally the same as the lever  66  in  FIG. 7 , but styled differently, with a depth and with a further retractable sheath  72  which, along with the lever  66   a , retracts into a housing or casing  74  in a manner to prevent pinching of fingers or hands. In this embodiment, instead of a tube clamp  48  as in  FIG. 7 , a simpler gripping ring  76  is provided, and this is to be affixed permanently onto the side seat of the invention, which can be via one or two fasteners passing through holes  77 . Another difference from the previously described connector device is that a ball joint is provided at  78  between the attachment ring  76  and the connector device casing  74 , allowing for rotation and universal swinging movement. 
       FIG. 9  shows the connector device  16   a  gripping a relatively large frame member  79  of a baby stroller. This tubing frame member  79  can be even slightly larger than shown. The gripper bar  68  bears against the stroller member  79 , as does one of the bars or rollers  71  in the gripper head  38   a . As indicated, one side of the tubing frame member  79  simply bears against the gripper head, between bars. Smaller round bars, or square bars in various sizes, can be accommodated by the gripper head. A relatively large square bar, for example (not shown), might engage one flat side between the two bars or rollers  71  shown at the top in  FIG. 9 , with the gripper bar  68  engaging against an outside lower corner of the square bar. A smaller square bar would fit more deeply into the gripping head, engaging against or between the two bars or rollers  71  at the deepest position in the gripper head. 
       FIG. 10  shows the connector device  16   a  in engagement with one bar  79   a  of a double round frame member formed of two such round bars  79   a . One bar or roller  71  on the gripper head engages between and against both round bars  79   a , while the spring-loaded gripper bar  68  pushes up and inwardly against the one round bar  79   a , retaining the connector onto the frame. In this case the fixed gripper head structure  38   a  is shown bearing against the gripped round bar  79   a.    
     The connector  16  or  16   a  is useful to connect other devices or items of equipment together when a secure but releasable connection is needed. For example, other accessories can be connected to a stroller, particularly carriers or storage devices having a tubular frame or element on which the clamp or collar  48  or  76  (or a clamp or collar of another shape) can be engaged. 
       FIG. 11  shows in detail, in an exploded view, a preferred form of the lockable joint  32  in accordance with the invention. In this preferred form, the lockable joint has a lower tubular sleeve  80  that fixes to the upper end of the auxiliary seat&#39;s lower frame portion  28 , integral with a circular housing  82  as shown. This connects, when the joint is assembled together, with a hub  84  that has a tubular sleeve  86  extending up for securement to the short linkage arm  34  ( FIG. 1 ). The hub and sleeve  84 ,  86  preferably are integrally formed. A compression spring  88  extends out from the hub  84  to engage with a position locking clip  90 , pushing it against the interior of the housing  82 . Within the housing  82  are several recesses for locking positions of the housing  82  rotationally with respect to the hub  84 . One position is defined with prongs  92  of the clip  90  engaged in recesses  94  in the housing, and this can be assumed to be the deployed position of the joint shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . When the components are assembled, notches  96  of the clip  90  are engaged in fixed structure (not shown) within the hub  84  to lock the clip  90  rotationally permanently in position. The housing  82 , however, is subject to rotation relative to the hub  84  and clip  90 . When the housing and hub are retained together by a bolt (not shown) extending through holes  98  and  100 , the prongs  92  are held in the notches  94  and the housing  82  cannot be rotated relative to the hub  84 . However, the clip  90  is retractable against the force of the compression spring  88 , with the notches  96  in the clip being deep enough to lock the clip  90  rotationally in all positions of axial displacement. When this clip  90  is pushed back (toward the hub  84  in  FIG. 11 ), it can be displaced sufficiently that the prongs  92  clear the notches  94  and the housing  82  can be rotated, to allow the auxiliary seat to be moved to the stowed position shown in  FIG. 5 . This displacement of the clip  90  is effected using a housing cap  102  which snaps onto the housing, preferably residing in the outer diameter of the housing, and this may be via openings or recesses  104  that snap onto nipple bosses  106  within the housing shell  82 , one of which can be seen in the lower part of the housing  82 . The cap includes pusher stems  108  that extend through housing holes  110  to engage against the end of the spring-biased clip  90 . The cap  102  acts as an external button and when pushed in, displaces the clip  90  enough to enable rotation of the housing  82 . 
     In a preferred form the locking joint  32  also includes a rotation lock for the stowed position. The stowed position uses notches or recesses  112  as seen in  FIG. 11 . 
     The positions of the tubular connector sleeves  80  and  86  in  FIG. 11  can be reversed, such that the sleeve  80  is above and connected to the short linkage arm  34 , if desired, and the lockable joints can be reversed as to orientation of the release cap  102  (inward or outward), but the orientation illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4  is preferred, with the linkage arms  34  slightly inward relative to the lower frame section  28  (see  FIGS. 1 and 4 ) so as to provide a form of armrest. 
     The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its scope. Other embodiments and variations to these preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.