Patent Description:
Strollers provide a convenient means for a parent or other carer to transport a child (whether a new born, toddler or small child). Strollers are however typically relatively large and bulky. Foldable stroller designs have therefore been put forward, to permit the stroller to be folded and therefore occupy less space and generally be more manageable by a user e.g. for storage or transport of the folded stroller.

For example, foldable strollers are known in which a foldable bassinet or seat is mounted on a foldable wheeled chassis frame. When both bassinet and wheeled chassis frame are unfolded, a user may safely transport an infant using the stroller. After use the stroller may be folded e.g. for storage or transport.

In some designs, it is first necessary to remove the bassinet or seat from the chassis, before the bassinet/seat and chassis frame are each individually folded. This is however inconvenient for a user. Firstly, once folded, the user is required to transport and safely stow two separate items i.e. the folded bassinet/seat on the one hand, and the folded chassis frame on the other. Secondly, a number of operations are required to move the stroller from its unfolded state to its folded state i.e. removal of bassinet/seat, folding of bassinet/seat and folding of chassis frame. These difficulties may also be further amplified in the event of a user also needing to monitor and ensure the safety of the infant who has just vacated the stroller, in addition to folding the stroller.

In another design, a folding bassinet is provided on a folding chassis, but it is not necessary to remove the bassinet to move to the folded state of the stroller. Rather, the user first folds the bassinet, still mounted on the frame, and then folds the frame, to lead to a single folded bassinet/frame entity. Hence, the first problem above (i.e. transport and stowage of two separate items) is avoided. However, at least part of the second problem remains - in moving the stroller from its unfolded state to its folded state, the user is still required to perform two separate operations i.e. folding the bassinet and then folding the frame.

<CIT> discloses a folding stroller with two interconnected left and right frame halves, between which a seat arrangement comprising a seat and a backrest is arranged.

According to the present invention, there is provided a foldable stroller according to claim <NUM>.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:.

The various parts of <FIG> show an embodiment of a foldable stroller <NUM> according to an aspect of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the foldable stroller <NUM> comprises a wheeled chassis <NUM> and an interchangeable seat <NUM> and bassinet <NUM> which permit the stroller <NUM> to be placed into three main configurations, namely: i) stroller with seat facing world (seat facing forwardly/outwardly) configuration - see <FIG>, ii) stroller with seat facing parent/caregiver (seat facing rearwardly/inwardly) configuration - see <FIG> and iii) stroller with bassinet configuration - see <FIG>. Although the bassinet <NUM> may also be placed into both facing world and facing parent/caregiver configurations, it is envisaged that the facing parent/caregiver configuration would almost invariably be employed by a user.

In each of these configurations, the stroller <NUM> may be folded in a simple and convenient fashion, without the need to remove the seat/bassinet from the stroller <NUM>, and with the folding processes of the wheeled chassis <NUM> and bassinet/seat <NUM>, <NUM> linked into a single folding process, thus increasing user convenience as the user is not required to perform separate operations to a) fold the bassinet/seat <NUM>, <NUM> and b) fold the chassis frame. As will be appreciated, this overcomes the drawbacks with the prior art noted above.

The configuration of the present embodiment increases user convenience still further, as a user may employ a simple one-handed user process to fold the stroller <NUM> of the present embodiment, leaving the other hand of the user free e.g. to hold the hand of an infant previously the passenger of the stroller <NUM>.

It is noted for completeness that the three configurations shown in the various parts of <FIG> are not necessarily exhaustive, and the stroller <NUM> may potentially also be used in other ways. For example, in an embodiment, a car seat may be mounted to the wheeled chassis <NUM> via suitable mounting adaptors which e.g. interface with ISOFIX-type connectors on the car seat to permit it to be mounted to the wheeled chassis <NUM>.

In the following, the stroller <NUM> of the present embodiment will first be described with reference to the stroller and bassinet configuration of <FIG>, which is shown in greater detail in <FIG>, before going on to discuss the seat facing world/facing parent configurations.

Referring to <FIG> (which omits the sidewalls of the bassinet <NUM>, for clarity, and shows the bassinet <NUM> with optional canopy C attached), the wheeled chassis <NUM> of the stroller <NUM> supports the bassinet <NUM> and comprises, in outline, a foldable chassis <NUM> in the form of a foldable, wheeled base frame, a telescopic handle <NUM> for both moving (e.g. pushing, pulling and steering) and folding the stroller <NUM> and a pair of joints <NUM> on each lateral side of the foldable chassis <NUM>, to enable the foldable chassis <NUM> to fold and also to make releasable connections with cooperating folding joints <NUM> on each lateral side of the bassinet <NUM>.

When separated, the foldable chassis <NUM> and bassinet <NUM> are foldable independently of each other. Conveniently, however, the foldable chassis <NUM> and bassinet <NUM> may also be folded together in a single cooperative process, resulting in the overall stroller <NUM> being placed into a compact folded condition, and without the need to remove the bassinet <NUM> from the foldable chassis <NUM>. Before discussing the components of the stroller <NUM> in further detail, the following gives an overview of the folding process, with reference to the various parts of <FIG>.

In the present embodiment, the folding process involves the following sequence of steps:.

It will therefore be appreciated from the above that the present embodiment provides a stroller <NUM> capable of a convenient folding process in which both the foldable chassis <NUM> and bassinet <NUM> (or seat <NUM>) may be folded without need to remove the bassinet <NUM> (or seat <NUM>) from the foldable chassis <NUM>, and in which the folding of the foldable chassis <NUM> and bassinet <NUM> (or seat <NUM>) is performed in a single, integrated process. Additionally, the present embodiment further increases user convenience as the entire folding process may be conducted in a single-handed operation by the user, leaving the other hand free e.g. to hold the hand of an infant previously the passenger of the stroller <NUM>.

The following sequentially describes the bassinet <NUM>, wheeled chassis <NUM> and folding process in further detail.

The bassinet <NUM>, being also one embodiment of an independent foldable bassinet aspect of the present invention, is shown in greater detail in <FIG> and comprises a cushioned base plate <NUM>, on which an infant may be placed, surrounded by peripheral side walls <NUM> formed from a foldable frame <NUM> covered by inner and outer layers of fabric <NUM>, <NUM> (the fabric layers being shown in phantom in <FIG>). The foldable frame <NUM> itself comprises a base frame <NUM> on which the base plate <NUM> is provided (the base frame <NUM> and the base plate <NUM> may be integrally formed as a single piece, such that the base frame <NUM> may be considered as part of the base plate <NUM>) and to which bassinet joints <NUM> are slidably mounted on each lateral side by slotted mounting plates <NUM> (see <FIG>), an upper frame <NUM> and pairs of hinged first and second connecting arms <NUM>, <NUM> on each lateral side of the bassinet <NUM>. First (upper) ends of the connecting arms of each pair are pivotally mounted to a respective mounting sleeve <NUM> fixed to each lateral side of the upper frame <NUM> (see <FIG>); second (lower) ends of the connecting arms <NUM>, <NUM> are mounted to the joints <NUM>. Feet <NUM> are provided on the underside of the base frame <NUM> to stabilise the bassinet <NUM> on the floor (or other support surface) when the bassinet <NUM> is used independently of the foldable chassis <NUM>. Parasol, canopy and carry handle interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are also provided on the upper frame <NUM> of the bassinet <NUM>, and to which a parasol, canopy and carry handle (not shown) may be removably attached by a user.

The joint <NUM> on a first lateral side of the frame <NUM> is shown in greater detail in <FIG>; the joint <NUM> on the second lateral side of the frame <NUM> takes a corresponding configuration and hence is not described further.

As best seen in <FIG>, the joint <NUM> comprises a joint body <NUM> having on its outer surface a mounting portion <NUM>, which in the present embodiment comprises a generally triangular-shaped recess with a rounded apex uppermost, which co-operates with a mounting portion on the corresponding joint of the foldable chassis (described below) to mount the bassinet <NUM> on the foldable chassis. Protrusions (not shown) are provided on the reverse surface of the joint body <NUM>, which fit into the laterally-extending slot 27a in the mounting plate <NUM>, to slidably mount the joint body <NUM> relative to the bassinet frame <NUM>.

As best seen from <FIG>, the second (lower) end of the first connecting arm <NUM> is pivotally mounted to the joint body <NUM> at pivot point <NUM>. Similarly, the second connecting arm is pivotally mounted to the joint body at pivot point <NUM>. However, in the unfolded state of the bassinet <NUM>, a bassinet locking lever <NUM> is biased into locking engagement with the second connecting arm <NUM>, preventing the second connecting arm <NUM> from pivoting relative to the joint body <NUM>.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, the bassinet locking lever <NUM> is provided with two laterally-extending protrusions 52a, 52b. The first of these protrusions 52a (see <FIG>) is located at a first end 51a of the lever <NUM>, distal from a pivotally mounted second end 51b, and is biased by a biasing element such as a spring (not shown) to protrude through and thus engage with an aperture 33a formed at the second (lower) end of the second connecting arm <NUM>. The second of these protrusions 52b (see <FIG>) is provided between the first and second ends of the lever <NUM>, and extends through and thus engages with an aperture 43a in the joint body <NUM>. In this condition, the second connecting arm <NUM> is fixed in place relative to the joint body <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Because the second connecting arm <NUM> is fixed in place relative to the joint body <NUM>, the first connecting arm <NUM> and joint body <NUM> are likewise held in a fixed position relative to the other parts of the bassinet frame <NUM>, meaning that the bassinet <NUM> is rigidly held in the unfolded condition shown in <FIG>. The bassinet locking lever <NUM> and the apertures in the second connecting arm and the joint body 33a, 43a may therefore together be seen as a bassinet locking mechanism, which acts to prevent unintended folding of the bassinet <NUM>.

Seen from the outside, the second laterally-extending protrusion 52b of the bassinet locking lever <NUM> defines a bassinet unlocking button <NUM> located to coincide with the position of the mounting portion <NUM>. Pressing this button <NUM> causes the lever <NUM> to rotate in the direction of the arrow shown in <FIG>, against the bias of its associated biasing element, to move inwardly of the joint body <NUM>. Sufficient pressure on the bassinet unlocking button <NUM> therefore disengages the second connecting arm <NUM> from the bassinet locking lever <NUM> and thus enables both the first and second connecting arms <NUM>, <NUM> to pivot relative to the joint <NUM> and thus for the bassinet <NUM> to fold (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

The disengagement of the second connecting arm <NUM> from the bassinet locking lever <NUM> also frees the joint <NUM> itself to move relative to the bassinet frame <NUM>, which it does by sliding rearwardly along the slot of the mounting plate 27a (see <FIG> and <FIG>). Without this relative movement of the joint <NUM>, the pivotal connections of the first and second connecting arms <NUM>, <NUM>, relative to the upper frame <NUM> and base frame <NUM>, would require the upper frame <NUM> to move longitudinally (forwardly) of the base frame <NUM> during collapse of the bassinet <NUM>, resulting in an undesirably enlarged footprint for the folded bassinet <NUM> and also creating the possibility of the upper frame <NUM> of the folding bassinet <NUM> protruding forward to contact the floor before the stroller <NUM> is fully folded, thus interfering with the overall correct folding of the stroller <NUM>. These problems are avoided in the present embodiment, which effectively absorbs the longitudinal (forward) movement which would otherwise be observed in the movement arc of the upper frame <NUM> by moving the bassinet joint <NUM> in the opposite (rearward) direction, and thus allows the bassinet <NUM> to form a longitudinally compact folded form in which the upper frame <NUM> collapses down directly on top of the bottom frame <NUM>.

To initiate the folding of the bassinet <NUM>, the bassinet unlocking button <NUM> may be pressed either a) by a moving part of the foldable chassis <NUM> (specifically, the secondary fold actuator lever described below) when the bassinet <NUM> is mounted on the foldable chassis <NUM> - this corresponds to the folding process of <FIG>, or b) by a user, employing their finger or an appropriate tool, when the bassinet <NUM> is used independently of the foldable chassis <NUM> - this is the folding process of <FIG>, also discussed below.

Lastly, a bassinet-to-chassis mounting lock <NUM> and corresponding release button <NUM> are further provided on the joint body <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The bassinet-to-chassis mounting lock <NUM> automatically engages with a corresponding part of the foldable chassis joint <NUM> when the bassinet <NUM> is mounted on the foldable chassis <NUM>, to lock the bassinet <NUM> in place and prevent its inadvertent release. This locking engagement is released by pressing the release button <NUM>, when it is desired to remove the bassinet <NUM> from the foldable chassis <NUM>.

The wheeled chassis <NUM> will now be described in detail, beginning with reference to <FIG>.

The base frame of the foldable chassis <NUM> comprises front and rear frame portions <NUM>, <NUM> which are hingedly connected to each other at pivot points <NUM> provided in each chassis joint <NUM>, thus allowing the overall foldable chassis to fold. Locking mechanisms (described further below) are provided in each joint <NUM>, to prevent inadvertent folding of the foldable chassis <NUM>.

The front frame portion <NUM> has a generally "U"-shaped configuration and is formed by two parallel front frame arms <NUM> joined in the vicinity of their forward ends (i.e. the ends distal of the pivot points <NUM>) by a transverse strut <NUM>. A "self stand" <NUM>, employed during the folding process, is located centrally on the transverse strut <NUM>. The forward ends of the front frame arms <NUM> each serve as a mounting point for a respective one of a pair of front wheels <NUM> of the stroller <NUM>. The front wheels <NUM> are connected to the front frame arms <NUM> by stems <NUM>, which are themselves pivotally mounted to forward ends of the front frame arms <NUM> by swivel joints <NUM>, to allow the front wheels <NUM> to turn relative to the central longitudinal axis of the stroller <NUM> and thus give steerage. The stems <NUM> are configured to offset the hub 71a of each front wheel <NUM> (and therefore the centre of gravity of the wheel/stem combination) from its associated swivel joint <NUM>, in the horizontal plane - this horizontal offset is labelled "X" in <FIG>. Hence, with the stroller <NUM> unfolded and placed with its wheels on the ground, and seen from directly above the stroller <NUM>, the hub 71a of each front wheel <NUM> is observed at a different location from the swivel joint <NUM> associated with that wheel <NUM>, because the hubs 71a are not positioned directly underneath their respective swivel joints <NUM>, but are instead horizontally offset from the swivel joints <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the stems <NUM> are configured such that when the stroller <NUM> is pushed forward, the hub 71a of each front wheel <NUM> adopts a position which is horizontally offset to be rearward (closer to the rear wheels) than the swivel joint <NUM>.

The stems <NUM> may be shaped and/or configured in various ways to achieve this horizontally offset relationship between the centre of gravity of the wheel/stem combination and the swivel joint <NUM> of the stem <NUM>, and the precise manner in which this relationship is achieved is not important, but in the present embodiment this relationship is achieved by providing elongate stems <NUM> each defining a longitudinal stem axis A (see inset <FIG>) which is angled at non-zero angle Θ, relative to vertical Z, on the ground/lower side of the stem <NUM>. The specific value of this angle is not particularly important as long as the foregoing relationship is observed, but may for example be any non-zero, acute angle less than <NUM> degrees, preferably any acute angle greater than or equal to <NUM> degrees and less than or equal to <NUM> degrees, more preferably any acute angle greater than or equal to <NUM> degrees and less than or equal to <NUM> degrees, further more preferably any acute angle greater than or equal to <NUM> degrees and less than or equal to <NUM> degrees, and most preferably an angle of around <NUM> degrees.

Returning to the foldable chassis <NUM>, the rear frame portion <NUM> takes a generally "U"-shaped configuration formed by two parallel rear frame arms <NUM> joined in the vicinity of their rearward ends (i.e. the ends distal of the pivot points <NUM>) by a transverse strut <NUM>. The rearward ends of the rear frame arms <NUM> each serve as a mounting point for a respective one of a pair of rear wheels <NUM> of the stroller <NUM>.

Although omitted from <FIG> for clarity of illustration, a luggage storage area is provided underneath the bassinet/seat mounting area - this luggage storage area is shown in <FIG> and discussed in greater detail below.

The telescopic handle <NUM> comprises a pair of outer tubes <NUM> fixed relative to the front frame arms <NUM> and within which a pair of inner tubes <NUM> are slidable upon appropriate actuation of buttons located within a button housing <NUM> mounted centrally on a handle crossbar <NUM> which joins the two inner tubes, and which buttons are used in the present embodiment to initiate both handle height adjustment and folding of the stroller <NUM>.

The outer tubes <NUM> are fixed to and open into the (hollow) front frame arms <NUM>, to permit the forward ends of the inner tubes <NUM> to penetrate forwards into the front frame arms <NUM> as the telescopic handle <NUM> is collapsed, before eventually exiting through apertures <NUM> in the front frame arms <NUM> when the handle <NUM> is fully collapsed, where they act to support the stroller <NUM> in its folded state (see <FIG>).

The button housing <NUM> of the handle <NUM> is shown in greater detail in the various parts of <FIG>, in which an outer casing 87a of the housing <NUM> is shown in phantom in <FIG>, and omitted entirely in the remaining parts, for clarity of illustration. Housed within the button housing <NUM> are a primary handle adjustment button <NUM> and a secondary handle adjustment button <NUM>, as well as a pair of movable sliding elements <NUM> which ride on respective angled inner faces 93a of the primary handle adjustment button <NUM>.

Each of the sliding elements <NUM> is attached via a cable (not shown) to a respective one of a pair of handle locking systems, one of which is shown generally at <NUM> in <FIG>. The handle locking system <NUM> is located within the handle <NUM> and is distributed over the outer/inner tube pair <NUM>, <NUM> on one side of the handle <NUM>. The other handle locking system is distributed over the other outer/inner tube pair on the other side of the handle <NUM> and is identical to that shown in the various parts of <FIG>.

The handle locking system <NUM> chiefly comprises a series of indents <NUM> on the inner surface of the (fixed position) outer tube <NUM>, as well as a movable locking height adjustment tab <NUM>, a chassis fold tab <NUM> and chassis fold tab actuator <NUM> all provided on the (movable) inner tube <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. The indents <NUM> correspond to a plurality of predetermined handle heights with which the locking height adjustment tab <NUM> may be selectively engaged, so as to fix the handle <NUM> at the desired height. The chassis fold tab <NUM> and chassis fold tab actuator <NUM> are used when the stroller <NUM> is being folded.

With the stroller <NUM> in its normal unfolded condition (see <FIG>), the primary and secondary handle adjustment buttons <NUM>, <NUM> and the sliding elements <NUM> are biased by respective biasing elements such as springs (not shown) into their initial positions shown in <FIG>, and the locking height adjustment tab <NUM> is similarly biased by a locking height adjustment tab biasing element such as a spring (not shown) to protrude outwardly into engagement with an initial position indent 103a, corresponding to an initial predetermined handle height, as shown in <FIG>.

To adjust the height of the handle <NUM>, a user presses the primary handle adjustment button <NUM> into the button housing <NUM>, which moves the sliding elements <NUM> towards each other as they slide on the angled inner faces of the primary handle adjustment button <NUM> (see <FIG>). This movement of the sliding elements <NUM> pulls on the cables within the handle <NUM>, which in turn results in the locking height adjustment tab <NUM> being retracted from engagement with the initial position indent 103a, thus releasing the handle <NUM> from fixture at its initial height position. The user may then move the handle <NUM> to another of the predetermined handle height positions and release the primary handle adjustment button <NUM>, causing the sliding elements <NUM> to return to their initial positions under bias of their respective biasing elements (not shown). The earlier pull on the cable is now released, causing the locking height adjustment tab <NUM> to protrude into engagement with the indent <NUM> at the current handle height position as a result of the bias applied by the locking height adjustment tab biasing element (not shown). The handle <NUM> is thus secured at its new height position.

Here, it should be noted that the extent of movement of the primary handle adjustment button <NUM> into the button housing <NUM> (and therefore the amount by which the cables are pulled by the sliding elements <NUM>) is limited by a projection 95a of the secondary handle adjustment button <NUM>, which acts as an end stop by coming into contact with a corresponding projection 93b provided on the primary adjustment handle <NUM>.

When folding the stroller <NUM>, the user additionally actuates the secondary handle adjustment button <NUM>, by sliding it laterally to a position at which the projections 93a, 95a are not aligned and so do not come into contact, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. This increases the range of movement of the primary handle adjustment button <NUM> into the button housing <NUM>, and therefore increases the amount by which the cables are pulled by the sliding elements <NUM>. This further pulling of the cables causes an inclined face 109a of the chassis fold tab actuator <NUM> to contact the chassis fold tab <NUM>, forcing it to protrude outwardly from the inner tube <NUM> (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, discussed below). The protruding chassis fold tabs <NUM> of the handle locking systems <NUM> are then used to unlock locking mechanisms in each of the chassis frame joints <NUM> (described in greater detail hereinafter), which then allows the foldable chassis <NUM> to start folding. It will therefore be understood that, by governing this operation, the secondary handle adjustment button <NUM> acts as a safety mechanism which prevents inadvertent folding of the stroller <NUM>.

<FIG> show a first of the two chassis frame joints <NUM>, which is located on a first side of the foldable chassis <NUM>; the second of the two joints <NUM>, on the other side of the foldable chassis <NUM>, takes the same configuration. Each joint <NUM> comprises a joint housing <NUM> fixed to the outer tube <NUM> of the handle <NUM> (and therefore also fixed relative to the front frame potion <NUM> of the foldable chassis <NUM>) and in which various joint components are contained, as well as the above-mentioned pivot point <NUM> which serves as the hinged connection between the front and rear frame portions <NUM>, <NUM>. A mounting portion <NUM>, which in the present embodiment takes the form of a generally triangular-shaped protrusion with a rounded apex uppermost, is formed on the outer surface of the joint housing <NUM> for co-operation with the mounting portion <NUM> of the corresponding bassinet joint <NUM>, to support and secure the bassinet <NUM> in place on the foldable chassis <NUM>. An aperture <NUM> is located to coincide with the position of the mounting portion <NUM>, and in particular to coincide with the location of the bassinet unlocking button <NUM> in the bassinet joint <NUM> when the bassinet <NUM> is supported on the foldable chassis <NUM>. As discussed further below, this enable the bassinet unlocking button <NUM> to be pressed automatically when the foldable chassis <NUM> is being folded, thus allowing the bassinet <NUM> to fold also.

Located within the joint housing <NUM> are a pivotally-mounted chassis unlocking lever <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>), a locking beam <NUM> (see <FIG>), a locking beam track <NUM> formed on an internal face of the joint housing <NUM> (see <FIG>), and a secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> which rides on a cam surface <NUM> formed on the rear frame portion <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

As shown in the various parts of <FIG>, the locking beam <NUM> has a floating first end 121a provided with a protrusion 121b and a second end 121c which is pivotally mounted to the upper end of the rear frame portion <NUM>. When the stroller <NUM> is in its initial unfolded condition (i.e. the condition shown in <FIG>), the locking beam <NUM> adopts the initial position shown in <FIG>. Here, the protrusion 121b seats within an unfolded condition locking indent 123A at a first (upper) end of the locking beam track <NUM>, thus fixing the rear frame portion <NUM> in position relative to the handle <NUM> and front frame portion <NUM>. The locking beam <NUM> and locking beam track <NUM> therefore act as a chassis locking mechanism, holding the foldable chassis <NUM> in its unfolded state until a user choses to fold the stroller <NUM>.

The locking beam <NUM> is additionally connected to the self stand <NUM> by a cable <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). The self stand <NUM> is movable between a retracted condition (see <FIG>) and an extended condition (see <FIG>). A biasing element such as a spring (not shown) acts to bias the self stand <NUM> into the extended condition. However, tension is applied to the cable when the locking beam <NUM> is in its initial position of <FIG>, meaning that the self stand <NUM> is held in its retracted condition when the stroller <NUM> is unfolded.

In order to fold the stroller <NUM>, a user first actuates the secondary handle adjustment button <NUM> in the button housing <NUM>, by sliding it laterally to the position shown in <FIG>, and depresses the primary handle adjustment button <NUM> to the extended position shown in <FIG>. This is the initial step shown in <FIG>, discussed earlier. As described above, these actions disengage the locking height adjustment tab <NUM> from the indents <NUM> on the outer tube <NUM>, enabling the telescopic handle <NUM> to start to collapse (see <FIG>), and cause the chassis fold tab <NUM> to protrude outwardly from the inner tube <NUM>.

Continued collapse of the telescopic handle <NUM> (i.e. continued downward movement of the inner tubes into the outer tubes) causes the protruding chassis fold tab <NUM> to come into contact with and apply pressure having a downward component to the chassis unlocking lever <NUM> (see <FIG>; the arrow in <FIG> shows the downward force component applied by the protruding chassis fold tab <NUM>). The protruding chassis fold tab has an inclined face 107a to contact the chassis unlocking lever <NUM> for smooth actuation of the lever; the leading edge of the chassis unlocking lever <NUM> may also have a rounded corner 119a (see <FIG>) to facilitate smooth contact between the chassis fold tab <NUM> and the chassis unlocking lever <NUM>.

The downward force applied by the chassis fold tab <NUM> causes the chassis unlocking lever <NUM> to pivot such that it contacts the first (upper) end of the locking beam <NUM> (see <FIG>). This contact unseats the locking beam <NUM> from the unfolded condition locking indent 123a, thus releasing the rear frame portion <NUM> from its fixed position relative to the telescopic handle <NUM> and front frame portion <NUM>. The user now simply tilts the stroller <NUM> forward using the handle <NUM> (see arrow in <FIG>), thus lifting the rear end of the stroller <NUM> such that the (unlocked) rear frame portion <NUM> swings forward under gravity, towards the front frame portion <NUM>, and so starting to fold the foldable chassis <NUM>.

Because the second (lower) end of the locking beam <NUM> is pivotally mounted to the rear frame portion <NUM>, it is pulled downwardly along the locking beam track <NUM> by the folding movement of the rear frame portion <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). This downward movement of the locking beam <NUM> releases the tension on the cable <NUM>, enabling the self stand <NUM> to adopt its extended condition (see <FIG>). Hence, as the stroller <NUM> is tilted forward, the self stand <NUM> extends and comes into contact with the ground surface, resulting in the front wheels <NUM> being lifted from the ground surface, as shown in the folding sequence in <FIG> (albeit there shown with the seat <NUM> attached to the foldable chassis <NUM> in place of the bassinet <NUM>). Friction between the self stand <NUM> and the ground surface assists with tilting the stroller <NUM> further forward.

Additionally, as the self stand <NUM> now replaces the front wheels <NUM> as the load bearing element at the front of the stroller <NUM>, the front wheels <NUM> are free to rotate around their respective swivel mounts <NUM> (see <FIG>). As will be appreciated, the initial horizontal offset X of the centre of gravity of each front wheel/stem combination from its associated swivel mount <NUM>, observed when the stroller <NUM> has all wheels on the ground, gives rise to a turning moment about the swivel mount <NUM> as the stroller <NUM> is tilted forward and the front wheels <NUM> are lifted from the ground. This causes the wheel/stem combinations to flop forwardly under gravity (see <FIG>), to automatically adopt aligned resting positions such that the vertical planes in which each of the front wheels <NUM> lie are parallel to each other and are also parallel to the vertical planes in which each of the rear wheels <NUM> lie (see <FIG>). Having the front wheels <NUM> automatically align under gravity in this way advantageously avoids the possibility of the front wheels <NUM> otherwise remaining at positions lying in the path of the rear wheels <NUM> as the rear frame portion <NUM> folds forwardly, which would result in the front wheels <NUM> interfering with the proper folding of the foldable chassis <NUM>. Also, in the present embodiment, a set spacing is ensured between the front wheels <NUM> in their resting positions, into which spacing the rear wheels <NUM> can readily swing without contacting the front wheels <NUM>. This enables the foldable chassis <NUM> to automatically and conveniently adopt a compact folded package (see <FIG>). However, the rear wheels <NUM> could equally swing to locate on either outer side of the aligned front wheel pair <NUM>.

The folding of the foldable chassis <NUM> also unlocks the bassinet <NUM> from its unfolded condition. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, and as noted above, the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> (and more specifically, a first end 125a thereof) rides on a cam surface <NUM> formed on the rear frame portion <NUM>. It will therefore be appreciated that the forward movement of the rear frame portion <NUM>, as it folds forwardly, results in movement of the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> governed by contact between the first end 125a of the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> and the cam surface <NUM>. Here, movement of the cam surface <NUM> relative to the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM>, as the foldable chassis <NUM> folds, causes the first end 125a of the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> to move further into the joint housing <NUM> (i.e. away from the mounting portion <NUM>), causing the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> to pivot about its pivot point 125b, which is located between the first end 125A and a second end 125c of the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM>, such that the second end 125c of the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> moves towards and ultimately protrudes through the aperture <NUM> formed in the joint housing <NUM> (see <FIG>), to press the bassinet unlock button <NUM> in the bassinet joint <NUM>. The bassinet <NUM> is then released from its unfolded condition, as discussed above, and automatically collapses into its folded condition by gravity acting to pull the (now unlocked) upper frame <NUM> downward (see <FIG>).

It will be noted that the movement of the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> results from the folding movement of the rear frame portion <NUM> (and the rear wheels <NUM> mounted to the rear frame portion <NUM>), as it swings forward under gravity. As the rear frame portion <NUM> and rear wheels <NUM> are relatively heavy, a significant motive force is therefore transmitted to the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> via the cam surface <NUM>, readily overcoming any friction between the cam surface <NUM> and the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> and providing a firm and reliable actuation of the bassinet unlock button <NUM>.

To complete the folding process, the user applies further downward pressure on the telescopic handle <NUM>, resulting in the stroller <NUM> adopting its fully folded condition as shown in <FIG>, ready e.g. for convenient transport or storage of the folded package. In the present embodiment, the stroller <NUM> is stabilised in its folded condition by the forward ends of the telescopic handle <NUM>, which protrude through apertures in the lower side of the folded foldable chassis <NUM> to support the stroller <NUM> on the floor (or other support) surface, in tandem with the rear wheels <NUM> of the stroller <NUM>.

It will therefore be understood that, in the present embodiment, a user need only perform the following actions to fully collapse the stroller <NUM>, including the foldable chassis <NUM> and the bassinet <NUM> mounted on the foldable chassis <NUM>: (i) actuate the primary and secondary buttons <NUM>, <NUM> of the button housing <NUM> to release the handle <NUM> (ii) depress the handle <NUM> while tilting the stroller <NUM> forward, causing both foldable chassis <NUM> and bassinet <NUM> to fold under gravity and iii) continue to press downwardly on the handle <NUM> until it is fully collapsed. As discussed further below, similar considerations apply also to the collapse of the stroller when in the "seat facing world" or "seat facing parent" configurations.

According to this process, it is not necessary to remove the bassinet <NUM> (or seat <NUM>) from the foldable chassis <NUM> before folding. And, folding of the foldable chassis <NUM> and bassinet <NUM> (or seat <NUM>) is performed in a single, linked operation, rather than two separate ones. Hence, the problems associated with the prior art discussed in the "Background" section above are overcome.

Additionally, the present embodiment is further convenient as a user may simply and readily perform each of the three operations i) to iii) discussed above (and thus fully collapse the stroller <NUM>, from any of the three configurations shown in <FIG>) by grasping the handle <NUM> and operating the button housing <NUM> with a single hand, leaving the other hand of the user free e.g. to hold the hand of a child previously the passenger of the stroller <NUM>.

The stroller <NUM> of the present embodiment additionally includes releasable locking mechanisms associated with both the handle <NUM> and the foldable chassis <NUM> which advantageously retain the stroller <NUM> in its folded condition until a user wants to unfold it. The present embodiment also includes a handle locking mechanism to ensure that the handle <NUM> is prevented from full collapse until an appropriate time in the folding process. The latter handle locking mechanism is more relevant to the stroller with (forward/reverse facing) seat configurations, and hence is described further below in connection with those configurations. For now, the releasable locking mechanisms used to retain the stroller <NUM> in its folded condition are described in the following.

Firstly, and with reference to <FIG>, each of the handle locking mechanisms <NUM> provided within the handle <NUM> further comprises a handle locking tab <NUM> mounted on the (slidable) inner tube <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. The handle locking tab <NUM> is the same in each case, and hence only one is described here. The handle locking tab <NUM> is biased to protrude outwardly by spring-loaded resilient element <NUM>. When the handle <NUM> is slid down to its fully collapsed condition of <FIG>, the handle locking tab <NUM> engages with an end stop indent <NUM> provided on the (fixed) outer tube side - see <FIG>. The handle <NUM> is now locked in its fully collapsed condition, and the user can conveniently lift and move the folded stroller <NUM> using the handle <NUM> in this state, without the stroller <NUM> unfolding. To release the handle <NUM> from its locked condition, the user simply need actuate the primary handle adjustment button <NUM> of the button housing <NUM>, which pulls on the cables (not shown) within the handle <NUM> and acts to lift the handle locking tab <NUM> out of engagement with the end stop indent <NUM>, against the bias provided by the spring-loaded resilient element. The user may then extend the handle <NUM> once more to unfold the stroller <NUM> (the full unfolding process is further discussed below).

Secondly, and initially with reference to <FIG>, it will be noted that in addition to the unfolded condition locking indent 123a at its upper end, the locking beam track <NUM> also includes a pair of folded condition locking indents 123b, 123c at its lower end. The first of these (123b) is slightly higher up the track <NUM> than the second, and is for use when luggage or articles present in a storage area of the stroller <NUM> underneath the bassinet/seat prevents the stroller <NUM> from being placed into its most folded compact condition, which corresponds to the lowest folded condition locking indent 123c. In either case, it will be appreciated that once the protrusion 121b at the upper end of the locking beam <NUM> has seated in the folded condition locking indent associated with the most compact folded form achievable, the rear frame portion <NUM> of the foldable chassis <NUM> is again locked in place relative to the rest of the foldable chassis <NUM> i.e. the stroller <NUM> is kept in its most folded condition.

In order to release this engagement, the chassis joint <NUM> is further provided with a folded chassis release lever <NUM>, shown in the various parts of <FIG>. When the handle <NUM> is first moved down in the folding process, in the direction indicated by the arrows "A" in <FIG> (with the former corresponding to the folded position adopted when luggage on the stroller <NUM> prevents its further folding, and the latter corresponding to the most compact folded position), the folded chassis release lever <NUM> is forced to rotate (anticlockwise in the example of <FIG>), against the bias of a biasing element (not shown).

Then, and as shown in <FIG>, when the handle <NUM> is again moved upward (after releasing the handlebar locking tab <NUM>, as described above), the folded chassis release lever <NUM> rotates back to its initial position, under the bias of the biasing element (not shown). In doing so, an outer curved face 137a of the folded chassis release lever <NUM> contacts the upper end of the locking beam <NUM>, thus unseating it from the folding condition locking indent 123b/123c in which it was previously located when the stroller <NUM> was folded. The rear frame portion <NUM> of the foldable chassis <NUM> is now once more free to move and thus the stroller <NUM> may be unfolded.

In particular, to unfold the stroller <NUM>, the user reverses the folding process by following the steps shown in <FIG>, namely:.

The foregoing describes the folding of the bassinet <NUM> in combination with folding of the foldable chassis <NUM>, but it will be appreciated that the bassinet <NUM> is usable independently of the foldable chassis <NUM>. For example, a user may disengage the bassinet <NUM> from the foldable chassis <NUM> and use it in a nursery or other room, locating the bassinet <NUM> on the floor or other suitable support surface instead of on the foldable chassis <NUM>.

The folding process of the bassinet <NUM>, independent of the stroller frame, is now described with reference to <FIG>.

With the bassinet <NUM> empty, a user first presses the bassinet unlocking button <NUM> of each bassinet joint <NUM>, using either their fingers or a suitable pressing tool, to release the locking engagement of the bassinet frame <NUM> and joints <NUM> (see <FIG>). The user then presses downwardly and forwardly on the upper frame <NUM> (see arrow in <FIG>), to encourage the first and second connecting arm pairs <NUM>, <NUM> of the bassinet frame <NUM> to start to pivot. Continued vertical downward pressure on the upper frame <NUM> (see arrow in <FIG>) collapses the bassinet <NUM> entirely, with the bassinet joints <NUM> sliding rearwardly to absorb longitudinal movement of the pivoting connecting arms <NUM>, as described above, to allow the upper frame <NUM> to collapse directly downward onto the base frame <NUM> and provide a compact folded footprint. Here, it will be noted that the feet <NUM> on the underside of the base frame provide sufficient ground clearance for the joints <NUM> and pivoting connecting arms <NUM>, <NUM> to move freely throughout the fold process, without touching the floor surface (or other support surface e.g. table top).

To unfold the bassinet <NUM>, a user need simply lift the upper frame <NUM>, causing the joints <NUM> and first and second connecting arm pairs <NUM>, <NUM> to move back towards their initial positions, until the bassinet locking lever <NUM> of each joint re-engages with its corresponding second connecting arm, preferably with an audible "click", to hold the bassinet <NUM> in its unfolded condition once more.

It will further be appreciated that the bassinet aspect of the present invention, and therefore its compact folded footprint benefits, may equally be applied to bassinets which are not adapted to be mounted on strollers and are instead solely intended for stand-alone use. Therefore, embodiments of the independent bassinet aspect of the present invention extend beyond stroller-mountable bassinets to stand-alone bassinets not being configured for mounting on a stroller frame or similar.

Having described the stroller with bassinet configuration, the stroller with seat facing world/facing parent configurations will now be described, which similarly may be folded without removing the seat from the chassis frame in a single interconnected process, and in the present embodiment may advantageously be folded with a one-handed user operation.

The various parts of <FIG> an <NUM> show the stroller <NUM> being placed into the folded condition from its "seat facing parent" and "seat facing world" configurations, respectively. The folding process is similar to that for the "stroller with bassinet" configuration, in that folding of the foldable chassis <NUM> of the wheeled chassis <NUM> results in the secondary fold actuator levers <NUM> of the frame joints <NUM> disengaging locking mechanisms within the joints on either side of the seat <NUM>, which in turn enables the seat <NUM> to fold under gravity as the stroller <NUM> is tilted forward. Given the similarity in the folding process, the following discussion focusses on the joint of the seat <NUM>, which is shown in the various parts of <FIG>; as with the bassinet <NUM>, the joints on either side of the seat <NUM> are identical to each other and hence only one of them will be described.

As shown in <FIG>, the seat <NUM> comprises a squab or base frame <NUM> (of which only the part closest to the joint is shown in the figure), a reclinable seat back frame <NUM> (of which again only the part closest to the joint is shown in the figure) and a "bumper bar" socket <NUM>, all joined by a central seat joint <NUM>. The seat back frame <NUM> is releasably engageable with the joint <NUM>, either to rotate around the central seat joint <NUM> when released to enable the seat <NUM> to be folded, or to be held in fixed position relative to the seat joint <NUM> when engaged, so as to place the seat <NUM> into a fixed upright or reclining position for a child to sit or recline on. The bumper bar socket <NUM> is initially connected to the seat back frame <NUM> by a releasable connection (not shown), and so rotates with movement of the seat back frame <NUM>. The base frame <NUM> is free to rotate around the joint <NUM>, but is supported in its generally horizontal position shown in <FIG>, when the stroller <NUM> is unfolded, by resting on the horizontal upper surface 146a of a boss <NUM> formed on each side of the rear frame portion <NUM> - see <FIG>.

A seating portion (whether cushioned surface, netting or similar) is provided on the base frame <NUM>, for the stroller passenger to sit on. The seat back frame <NUM> similarly mounts a seat back (whether cushioned surface, netting or otherwise) for the stroller passenger to lean back on. The bumper bar socket <NUM> allows a bumper bar to be removably attached to the seat <NUM>. The bumper bar is omitted in the present figures, for clarity, but an example of a bumper bar 143a is shown mounted to the seat <NUM> in the various parts of <FIG> and <FIG>. As will be appreciated, this bar 143a provides an element of safety by helping retain a child in the seat <NUM> (in addition to any seat harnesses (not shown) which may be provided), gives a child a rail to hold on to when the stroller is in use, and further provides a user with an additional handle to assist in manipulating the stroller e.g. when loading the folded stroller into a vehicle after use.

Turning now to the seat joint <NUM> itself, externally the seat joint <NUM> comprises a generally cylindrical joint housing <NUM> having on its circular end face surface a mounting portion <NUM>, which in the present embodiment comprises a generally triangular-shaped recess with a rounded apex uppermost, for co-operation with the mounting portion <NUM> on the corresponding joint <NUM> of the foldable chassis <NUM> to mount the seat <NUM> on the foldable chassis <NUM>. An aperture <NUM> is located at the centre of the circular end face of the joint housing <NUM>. As further explained below, this enables the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> of the foldable chassis joint <NUM> to contact a first end 151a of a seat locking element <NUM> located within the seat joint <NUM> and thus release the seat <NUM> for folding. The seat locking element <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, and is further provided with a protrusion at its second end 151b, for selective engagement with any one of a plurality of apertures 153a of a seat recline position selector <NUM> (see <FIG>) fixedly mounted within the seat joint <NUM>.

Each of the apertures 153a of the seat recline position selector <NUM> corresponds to a predetermined recline position of the seat back <NUM>. In normal usage of the unfolded stroller <NUM>, the engagement between the protrusion 151b and the seat recline position selector <NUM> holds the seat back <NUM> in fixed position relative to the joint <NUM>, at one of the predetermined recline positions. A handle (not shown) is provided at the top of the seat back frame <NUM>, and is connected to the second end of the seat locking element <NUM> by a cable (not shown). To adjust the recline position of the seat back, a user simply pulls on the handle to disengage the protrusion 151b from the aperture 153a in the seat recline position selector <NUM>; the seat back may then be rotated relative to the joint <NUM> to another of the predetermined seat back recline positions, where the protrusion 151b will engage once more with the seat recline position selector <NUM> at the aperture 153b corresponding to the new seat back position.

As noted above, the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> of the chassis joint <NUM> is able to contact the first end 151a of the seat locking element <NUM> via the aperture <NUM>. This contact also releases the seat back frame <NUM> to rotate around the seat joint <NUM> as part of the seat folding process, as pressing the first end 151a of the seat locking element <NUM> causes the seat locking element <NUM> as a whole to move inwardly of the joint housing <NUM>, thus disengaging the protrusion from the seat recline position selector <NUM>. The seat locking element <NUM> and the seat recline position selector <NUM> may therefore together be considered as a seat joint locking mechanism.

Advantageously, the aperture <NUM> and the first end of the seat locking element <NUM> are centrally located on the end face of the joint housing <NUM>. This means that the seat locking element <NUM> can simply and readily be actuated by the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> of the chassis joint <NUM>, regardless of whether the seat <NUM> is "facing world" or "facing parent" - in either case, the location at which the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> of the chassis joint <NUM> needs to contact the seat joint <NUM> is the same (i.e. at the centre of the seat joint <NUM>). Hence, the actuation mechanism is kept simple, without need for different actuation processes depending upon the seat orientation.

As noted above, the stroller folding process is similar, mutatis mutandis, to that for the bassinet configuration - by suitably manipulating the buttons <NUM>, <NUM> of the button housing <NUM>, a user starts to collapse the stroller frame handle <NUM> with the chassis fold tabs <NUM> protruding outwardly from the inner tubes <NUM> of the handle <NUM>, which in turn actuates the chassis unlocking levers <NUM> of each chassis joint <NUM> (see <FIG>) to unseat the locking beam <NUM> from the unfolded condition locking indent 123a, thus releasing the rear frame portion <NUM> from its fixed position relative to the telescopic handle <NUM> and front frame portion <NUM>. The user now simply lifts the rear end of the stroller frame using the handle <NUM>, tilting the stroller <NUM> forward and causing the (unlocked) rear frame portion <NUM> to swing forward under gravity, towards the front frame portion <NUM>, such that the foldable chassis <NUM> starts to fold, with the self stand <NUM> adopting its extended condition and replacing the front wheels <NUM> as the load bearing element at the front of the stroller <NUM>, such that the front wheels <NUM> automatically adopt their aligned positions under gravity as described above, to facilitate folding. And, the folding of the rear frame portion <NUM> towards the front frame portion <NUM> again causes the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> to move, as governed by contact between the first end of the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> and the cam surface <NUM> on the rear frame portion <NUM>, such that the second end of the secondary fold actuator lever <NUM> moves towards and ultimately protrudes through the aperture <NUM> formed in the joint housing <NUM>, this time to press the first end 151a of the seat locking element <NUM> and thus release the seat back frame <NUM> to rotate freely around the joint under gravity, as the stroller <NUM> is tilted forward by the user. When released, the seat back frame <NUM> is free to rotate both clockwise and anticlockwise around the joint <NUM>. Therefore, in the "facing parent" configuration of <FIG>, the reclined seat back falls back (see <FIG>) to adopt a generally downwardly facing condition in the folded stroller (see <FIG>). In the "facing world" configuration of <FIG>, the reclined seat back rotates forward, again to adopt a generally downwardly facing condition in the folded stroller.

As noted above, a releasable connection (not shown) is initially present between the bumper bar socket <NUM> and the seat back frame <NUM>, meaning that the bumper bar socket <NUM> (and hence the bumper bar mounted in the socket) initially rotates around the seat joint <NUM> together with the seat back frame <NUM>. This releasable connection is released (e.g. by a projection, not shown) when the seat back frame <NUM> is close to its final downward facing position, meaning that the bumper bar socket <NUM> can then rotate further around the seat joint <NUM>, relative to the seat back frame <NUM>, to adopt a position closer to the seat back frame <NUM> (i.e. reducing the angle α shown in <FIG>), reducing the dimensions of the folded seat still further.

As for the seat base <NUM>, from the "seat facing world" configuration shown in <FIG>, the folding movement of the rear frame portion <NUM> means that the upper surface 146a of the boss <NUM>, which initially supports the seat base frame <NUM> to be horizontal (see <FIG>), moves downwardly (see <FIG>), allowing the seat base frame to rotate around the joint to eventually point generally vertically downward, as shown in <FIG>.

From the "seat facing parent" configuration of <FIG>, rotation of the seat back frame <NUM> causes a leading edge 141a of the seat back frame adjacent the joint to strike a corresponding part 139a of the seat base frame (see <FIG>), with this impact resulting in the seat base frame rotating around the joint in the same rotational direction as the seat back frame <NUM>, to adopt its folded condition of <FIG>.

It will therefore in general be appreciated that the foldable stroller <NUM> may also be conveniently folded by a user from either of its "seat facing parent" or "seat facing world" configurations, without need to remove the seat <NUM> from the foldable chassis frame <NUM> and without the user having to perform separate folding operations for the foldable chassis frame <NUM> and the seat <NUM>. Again, the stroller <NUM> of the present embodiment is further beneficial in that it may be placed into its folded condition with a simple one-handed operation from the user, leaving their other hand free e.g. to hold the hand of a child previously the passenger of the stroller <NUM>.

As noted above, the present embodiment further includes a handle locking mechanism to ensure that the handle <NUM> is prevented from full collapse until an appropriate time in the stroller folding process. In particular, when folding from "seat facing parent" configuration, the seat base frame <NUM> and bumper bar carried by the bumper bar socket <NUM> rotate around the seat joint <NUM> to move from one side of the handle <NUM> to the other, passing under the cross bar <NUM> of the handle <NUM> as they do so (see <FIG>). The handle locking mechanism is primarily intended to prohibit the handle <NUM> from interfering with this rotation of the seat back <NUM> or seat base <NUM> i.e. to avoid trapping the seat back or base on the "wrong" side of the handle <NUM>, before they have adopted their fully folded conditions. It will however be appreciated that this mechanism may also be useful e.g. in preventing interference between the handle and the folding bassinet <NUM>, particularly where the bassinet <NUM> has high side walls.

Referring to the various parts of <FIG>, the handle locking mechanism is shown generally at <NUM> and comprises a generally "T"-shaped movable handlebar locking element <NUM> which is pivotally mounted to the chassis frame joint <NUM> at a first end 157a and has a blocking protrusion 157b and a contact protrusion 157c at opposed extremities of its second end. The contact protrusion 157c rides on a curved surface <NUM> formed on the rear frame portion <NUM>. When the foldable chassis <NUM> is in its unfolded condition, contact between the contact protrusion 157c and the curved surface <NUM> causes the blocking protrusion 157b to protrude upwardly from the chassis joint <NUM> (see <FIG>), preventing the inner tube <NUM> of the handle <NUM> from moving further forward of the blocking protrusion 157b and therefore restricting the degree to which the handle <NUM> may be telescopically collapsed. Subsequent movement of the rear frame portion <NUM> (when the foldable chassis <NUM> is being folded) causes the blocking protrusion 157b to move increasingly downward, as a result of the contact protrusion 157c riding on the curved surface <NUM>, until such time as the blocking protrusion 157b no longer protrudes upwardly of the chassis joint <NUM>, thus releasing the handle <NUM> to fully collapse. By this time, however, the foldable chassis <NUM> is itself nearly or fully in its folded condition, meaning that the seat <NUM> (or bassinet <NUM>) supported on the foldable chassis <NUM> can also be assumed to be nearly or fully in its folded condition. Hence, full collapse of the handle <NUM> (which could otherwise interfere with folding of the seat <NUM> or bassinet <NUM>) it prevented until an appropriate point in the folding process.

A luggage aspect of the present invention will now be described. As shown in the various parts of <FIG>, the wheeled chassis <NUM> of the above embodiment includes a luggage storage area <NUM> underneath the seat/bassinet mounting point (seat and bassinet omitted in <FIG> for clarity of illustration of luggage storage area). In the present embodiment, the luggage storage area <NUM> comprises a generally horizontal support surface 161a on which luggage or other items may be placed and two lateral side walls 161b to help retain the luggage/items on the support surface 161a, all extending between the front and rear frame portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the foldable chassis <NUM> at a position below the seat/bassinet mounting point. In the present embodiment, the transverse strut <NUM> of the rear frame portion <NUM> also helps retain items on the support surface 161a, and hence also forms part of the luggage storage area <NUM>. The luggage storage area <NUM> is foldable in sympathy with the foldable chassis <NUM>. In the present embodiment, this is achieved by forming the horizontal support surface 161a and lateral side walls 161b of the luggage storage area <NUM> from a flexible material e.g. foldable cloth fabric or netting, although other examples are possible e.g. the luggage storage area <NUM> may comprise suitably hinged panels, so as not to interfere with the folding of the foldable chassis <NUM>.

Shown also in <FIG> is a luggage item <NUM> configured for placement on the luggage storage area <NUM> and which in the present embodiment takes the form of a bag. The bag <NUM> has front and rear panels <NUM>, side panels <NUM> and one or more openings <NUM> to provide one or more cavities or compartments for storing articles within the bag <NUM>. The bag <NUM> further preferably comprises carry handles <NUM>. In the foregoing respects the bag <NUM> of the present embodiment may be understood as a generally conventional "tote" style bag. However, the bag <NUM> further comprises non-conventional features.

Firstly, connection elements 172a (of which only one is shown in <FIG>; a second is provided at a corresponding position on the other side of the bag <NUM>) are provided on either lateral side of the bag <NUM>, for forming a releasable connection with corresponding connection elements 172b (again, only one shown) provided on either lateral side at the rear of the foldable chassis <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the connection elements <NUM> a,b comprise co-operating magnetic pieces. For example, the co-operating connection elements 172a,b may comprise a pair of magnets which are attracted towards each other, or one of the pair of co-operating connection elements 172a,b (for example, each of the connection elements 172b on the foldable chassis <NUM>) may be a magnet and the other (each of the connection elements 172a provided on the bag <NUM>) may comprise a portion of magnetic material e.g. a piece of ferromagnetic material such as iron or steel which is strongly attracted to the magnet. Although the magnetic connection element 172a is provided on the exterior of the bag <NUM> of the present embodiment, it may be covered e.g. hidden under the fabric of the side panel of the bag <NUM>, so long as the force of magnetic attraction between the connection elements 172a, 172b remains strong enough to form a reliable, releasable connection between the bag <NUM> and foldable chassis <NUM>.

A magnetic connection between the bag <NUM> and foldable chassis <NUM> is preferred as this is more convenient for a user - the releasable connection between the bag <NUM> and foldable chassis <NUM> may be established simply by bringing the connection elements 172a of the bag <NUM> into suitable proximity with the connection elements 172b on the chassis <NUM>. However, the connection elements may also take other forms e.g. co-operating popper and socket, patches of hook and loop material (e.g. Velcro (RTM)), or any other suitable releasable attachment means.

Regardless of the type of connection element used, it will be appreciated that releasably attaching the luggage bag <NUM> to the rear of the foldable chassis <NUM> is beneficial, as this means that the bag <NUM> (and hence its contents) is still accessible to a user when the stroller <NUM> is folded - as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the rear frame portion <NUM> is rearmost when the stroller <NUM> is folded, hence keeping the bag <NUM> accessible at the rear of the folded stroller <NUM>. It will also be appreciated that mounting the bag <NUM> to the rear frame portion <NUM> beneficially also enables ready access to the bag <NUM> and its contents when the stroller <NUM> is in its unfolded condition, as shown in <FIG>.

Secondly, the bag <NUM> is specifically configured (sized and shaped) to co-operate with the foldable chassis <NUM> and luggage area <NUM>, and in particular is of a suitable width to bridge the gap between the lateral sides of the rear frame portion <NUM>. This is beneficial, as when the bag <NUM> is placed on the luggage storage area <NUM> it acts as an additional rear retaining wall, helping to retain other items or luggage present on the horizontal support surface 161a. Additionally, the co-operating bag width ensures that the connection elements 172a on the bag <NUM> are automatically and conveniently positioned in close proximity with the corresponding connection elements 172b on the chassis <NUM> when the bag <NUM> is placed on the luggage storage area <NUM>.

Thirdly, the side panels <NUM> of the bag <NUM> are provided with additional material <NUM> (see <FIG>) at the join between the side panels <NUM> and the front panel 165a, which allows the bag (and hence its storage capacity) to be expanded. To keep the bag <NUM> in its normal, unexpanded configuration of <FIG>, the bag <NUM> is further provided with releasable attachments such as poppers, zips or the like (not shown) which provide a releasable connection between the unexpanded side panels <NUM> and the front panel 165a. When fastened, the releasable attachments keep the front panel 165a in fixed position relative to the unexpanded side panel <NUM>, with the extra material of the side panel <NUM> kept folded within the body of the bag <NUM>; a user simply releases the attachments to allow the bag <NUM> to be expanded. In addition to increasing storage capacity, expanding the bag <NUM> creates a larger opening and hence facilitates placement and removal of items into/from the bag <NUM>, when the bag <NUM> is mounted on the foldable chassis <NUM>.

Fourthly, vertical zips <NUM> (of which one is shown in <FIG>) are used to connect the side panels <NUM> to the rear panel 165b of the bag. In normal usage of the bag as in <FIG>, these zips are kept fastened, thus keeping the side <NUM> and rear 165b panels in fixed relation. Conveniently, however, the user may undo these zips to lower the rear panel 165b of the bag to lie flat on the horizontal support surface 161a, such that the luggage storage area <NUM> effectively extends into and includes the luggage storage area provided by the bag <NUM>. This is particularly beneficial when the side panels <NUM> of the bag <NUM> are in their extended condition, as shown in <FIG>, as this maximises the available luggage storage area.

Although the luggage item <NUM> is described in connection with the folding stroller <NUM> of the foregoing embodiment, it will be appreciated that the luggage item <NUM> may be applied also to non-folding strollers having an underslung luggage storage area.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Thus, the foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example only. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The following sets out a non-exhaustive selection of modifications, being also embodiments of the present invention.

In the above-described stroller embodiment, the stroller <NUM> may be placed into the various configurations of <FIG> by providing a wheeled chassis <NUM> with a removable and repositionable seat <NUM> and bassinet <NUM>. However, it will be appreciated that according to other embodiments, the stroller need not be provided with this level of adaptability, particularly where a simpler or lower-cost device is preferred. For example, the stroller may be provided with just one of a seat or bassinet, and further, that seat or bassinet may or may not be removable from the wheeled chassis.

In the above-described embodiment, the chassis locking mechanism is contained within the chassis joint housing <NUM>, and the bassinet and seat locking mechanisms are contained within the bassinet and seat joints <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. However, this need not be the case, and the chassis locking mechanism may be provided in whole or in part by components carried by the bassinet or seat or other part of the stroller, including by the chassis handle, and similarly the bassinet and seat locking mechanisms may be provided in whole or in part by components carried by the foldable chassis or other part of the stroller, including by the chassis handle.

In the above-described embodiment, movement (collapse) of the handle <NUM> releases the foldable chassis <NUM> to fold, and the folding movement of the chassis <NUM> releases the seat <NUM> or bassinet <NUM> to fold. In a modification, movement (collapse) of the handle instead releases a bassinet/seat locking mechanism, to permit the bassinet/seat to fold under gravity as the stroller is tilted forward. The folding of the bassinet/seat in turn releases a chassis locking mechanism to then also allow the chassis frame to fold under gravity; it will therefore be understood that in this modification the action of the joint between the bassinet/seat and the chassis frame is effectively reversed such that the folding action of the bassinet/seat is what releases the locking mechanism of the chassis frame.

More generally, the embodiment described above may be modified such that movement of a first of any one of the chassis frame, bassinet/seat or handle from its unfolded/extended condition towards its folded/collapsed condition releases the locking mechanism of a second of those components, to enable the second of those components to move towards its folded/collapsed condition, and movement of the second of those components towards its folded/collapsed condition releases the locking mechanism of the third of those components to enable the third of those components to move to its folded/collapsed condition. For example, in modifications also being embodiments of an aspect of the present invention:.

In further modifications, also being embodiments of an aspect of the present invention, movement of a first of any one of the chassis frame, bassinet/seat or handle from its unfolded/extended condition towards its folded/collapsed condition releases the locking mechanisms of both the second and third of those components, either simultaneously or sequentially, to enable the second and third of those components to also move to their folded/collapsed conditions. For example, in a modification, a user first collapses the handle, which movement simultaneously or sequentially releases the chassis locking mechanism and bassinet/seat locking mechanism, to permit chassis and bassinet/seat to fold under gravity as stroller is tilted.

References to a "stroller" are to be interpreted as including prams, buggies and pushchairs. Also, although a stroller embodiment intended for a child or infant is described above, it will be appreciated that aspects of the present invention may be applied to a wheelchair for a child or adult. References to a "stroller" are therefore also to be interpreted as including wheelchairs for children or adults.

Claim 1:
A foldable stroller (<NUM>), comprising:
a foldable chassis (<NUM>) movable between an unfolded condition and a folded condition;
a foldable bassinet (<NUM>) or seat (<NUM>) supported by the foldable chassis (<NUM>) and movable between an unfolded condition and a folded condition, and which has a support surface on which a passenger may recline or sit when the foldable bassinet or seat is in its unfolded condition; and
a first locking mechanism (<NUM>; <NUM>) which when engaged prevents the foldable bassinet or seat from moving from its unfolded condition to its folded condition and which when released permits the foldable bassinet or seat to move from its unfolded condition to its folded condition,
wherein movement of the foldable chassis (<NUM>) from its unfolded condition towards its folded condition releases the first locking mechanism (<NUM>; <NUM>),
wherein the stroller further comprises a second locking mechanism (<NUM>; 123A) which when engaged prevents the foldable chassis (<NUM>) from moving from its unfolded condition to its folded condition and which when released permits the foldable chassis (<NUM>) to move from its unfolded condition to its folded condition,
wherein the stroller further comprises a handle (<NUM>) attached to the foldable chassis (<NUM>), and
wherein the handle (<NUM>) is movable between an extended condition and a compact condition, characterised in that:
moving the handle (<NUM>) from its extended condition towards its compact condition releases the second locking mechanism.