Collapsible stroller

This application claims priority to China Utility Model Application No. 201020291304.5 filed on Aug. 3, 2010.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a child nursery apparatuses, especially to collapsible stroller apparatuses.

2. Description of the Related Art

Infant strollers generally have a foldable frame construction that allows the stroller to be collapsed into a compact form for convenient storage and portability, and deployed for use.

However, the current stroller construction usually defines only one pivotal axis that allows to collapse the stroller frame into a two-fold structure. This arrangement occupies a volume that may be still relatively large to the consumer, and cannot allow convenient storage and portability. Moreover, the current strollers often lack side support elements at the rear of the stroller frame, which makes it less stable raise safety issues, and also affects its service life.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved stroller that has a more stable construction and can be conveniently collapsed into a compact form to facilitate storage and portability.

The present application describes a collapsible stroller suitable for placement of a young child. According to one embodiment, the collapsible stroller comprises a support frame and a linkage assembly. The support frame includes handle arms, front leg tubes, rear leg tubes, a seat board, and linking segments mounted at two sides of the seat board, wherein the handle arms are pivotally connected with rear ends of the linking segments via first hinge structures, the front leg tubes and the rear leg tubes are pivotally connected with the front ends of the linking segments via second hinge structures, lower ends of the rear leg tubes are mounted with front wheels, and lower ends of the rear leg tubes are mounted with rear wheels. The linkage assembly includes support brackets and linkage tubes, wherein the support brackets are above the linking segments and connected between the handle arms, the linkage tubes have middle portions pivotally connected with middle portions of the linking segments, and each of the linkage tubes has a first end pivotally connected with one associated support bracket, and a second end detachably locked with one associated rear leg tube.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a collapsible stroller;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the collapsible stroller shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a first hinge structure used in the stroller shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a second hinge structure used in the stroller shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the second hinge structure of FIG. 4 from an opposite side;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a collapse actuator mechanism used in the stroller shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is another schematic view illustrating the collapse actuator mechanism shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the assembly of a tray in the stroller shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is another schematic view illustrating the assembly of the tray shown in FIG. 8 ; and

FIGS. 10 through 13 are schematic views illustrating intermediate stages of the stroller shown in FIG. 1 when it is being collapsed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a collapsible stroller 10 can comprise a support frame, a linkage assembly, and a wheel assembly. The support frame can include handle arms 101 and 102 , front leg tubes 111 and 112 , rear leg tubes 121 and 122 , a seat board 131 , and two linking segments 141 and 142 mounted at two sides of the seat board 131 . The stroller 10 can also comprise a tray 153 , a table 160 , a footrest 170 , a canopy wire frame 180 , and a backrest tube 190 . The footrest 170 can be assembled between the two front leg tubes 111 and 112 . Two sides of the table 160 can respectively include coupling extensions 161 and 162 that can respectively connect with the linking segments 141 and 142 . The wheel assembly can include front wheels 111 a and 112 a , and rear wheels 121 a and 122 a . The front wheels 111 a and 112 a are respectively mounted with the lower ends of the front leg tubes 111 and 112 , whereas the rear wheels 121 a and 122 a are respectively assembled with the lower ends of the rear leg tubes 121 and 122 . The collapsible stroller 10 has a symmetric construction. The detailed construction of the stroller 10 can be described hereafter with reference to the side of the stroller 10 where the linking segment 141 is assembled, the other side having a similar construction disposed symmetrically.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2 , all of the main parts of the support frame can be pivotally connected with one another. The handle arm 101 can have an upper end provided with a grasping handle 101 a , and a lower end pivotally connected with a rear end of the linking segment 141 via a first hinge structure A. The front leg tube 111 , the rear leg tube 121 , and the coupling extension 161 are respectively connected with a front end of the linking segment 141 via a second hinge structure B.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the first hinge structure A can comprise a first coupling element 310 , a second coupling element 320 , a spring 330 , and an end cap 340 . The first coupling element 310 can have an end affixed with the handle arm 101 , and another end forming two annular collars 311 and 312 between which is defined a slot. The rear end of the linking segment 141 can form an annular collar 141 a . The second coupling element 320 can have a side provided with a raised portion 321 . The collar 141 a of the linking segment 141 can be mounted through the slot between the collars 311 and 312 of the first coupling element 310 , such that the central holes of the collars 312 , 312 , and 141 a are aligned with one another. The raised portion 321 formed on the second coupling element 320 is passed through the central holes of the collars 312 , 312 , and 141 a to pivotally connect the linking segment 141 with the first coupling element 310 . A side of the end cap 340 can have a protruding shaft 341 around which the spring 330 can be mounted. As the end cap 340 is assembled with the second coupling element 320 , the spring 330 can be received in the second coupling element 320 . The second coupling element 320 can also include a socket 322 through which the canopy wire frame 180 is fixedly engaged. Accordingly, the canopy wire frame 180 can be adjustably rotated relative the linking segment 141 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the second hinge structure B can include a front leg coupling element 410 , a rear leg coupling element 420 , a table latch 430 , and a spring 440 , all of which can be pivotally connected together. The table latch 430 and the spring 440 are restrainedly assembled between the coupling extension 161 and the front leg coupling element 410 . More specifically, the front leg coupling element 410 and the rear leg coupling element 420 can be made of plastics materials. The front leg coupling element 410 can comprise a fixing end 411 and a pivot joining portion 412 . The fixing end 411 can be secured with the front leg tube 111 . The rear leg coupling element 420 can be installed over the rear leg tube 121 , and both of which can be assembled in the pivot joining portion 412 of the front leg coupling element 410 . The front end of the linking segment 141 can include two ear portions 141 b and 141 c . The table latch 430 can include a circular portion 431 and a rectangular portion 432 . The circular portion 431 can have an angled surface 431 a that is joined with the rectangular portion 432 . The rectangular portion 432 can have a cavity 432 a adapted to receive the spring 440 . The coupling extension 161 can have a circular lock opening 161 a and an arcuate guide slot 161 b . The pivot joining portion 412 of the front leg coupling element 410 has a rectangular receiving opening 412 a . The ear portion 141 b of the linking segment 141 can have a circular hole 141 d through which the circular portion 431 of the table latch 430 is passed to lie adjacently facing the lock opening 161 a or the guide slot 161 b of the coupling extension 161 . The rectangular portion 432 can be mounted through the receiving opening 412 a of the pivot joining portion 412 . The spring 440 can have one end placed in the cavity 432 a of the rectangular portion 432 , and an opposite end in contact with an inner sidewall of the front leg coupling element 410 . When the stroller apparatus 10 is in a use configuration, the circular portion 431 can be engaged through the lock opening 161 a to lock the table 160 in place. As the stroller apparatus 10 is being folded, the linking segment 141 can move relative to the front leg coupling element 410 . As a result, the interaction of the angled surface 431 a can cause the circular portion 431 to disengage from the lock opening 161 a and movably guided through the guide slot 161 b . The table 160 can be thereby freely rotated downward.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the linkage assembly can comprise linkage tubes 211 and 212 that have upper ends connected with a collapse actuator mechanism 500 . The collapse actuator mechanism 500 can include an upper casing 510 , a lower casing 520 and a button 530 . The lower casing 520 can include two side portions that are respectively affixed with the upper ends of the linkage tubes 211 and 212 , and respectively have second recesses 521 and 522 having an arc-shape. The upper casing 510 can be fixedly assembled with the lower casing 520 , and also have two ends secured with the upper ends of the linkage tubes 211 and 212 . Likewise, the upper casing 510 can have two side portions respectively formed with first recesses 511 and 512 having an arc-shape. When the upper casing 510 is assembled with the lower casing 520 , the first recess 511 and the second recess 521 can be placed facing each other to form a first rounded opening, whereas the first recess 512 can be placed facing the second recess 522 to form a second rounded opening. The assembly of the upper casing 510 and the lower casing 520 can form a hollow housing through which the button 530 can be movably mounted. The button 530 can have two sides respectively connected with cables 541 and 542 that are respectively disposed through the interior of the linkage tubes 211 and 212 and extend to lower ends thereof. Referring to FIGS. 1 , 2 , 8 and 9 , the lower ends of the linkage tubes 211 and 212 can be respectively mounted with latch mechanisms. In particular, the latch mechanism associated with the linkage tube 212 can include a spring-biased lock (not shown), and a holder element 611 made of plastics material. The spring-biased lock can be connected with the lower end of the cable 541 , whereas the holder element 611 can be affixed with the rear leg tube 121 . When the button 530 is operated, the cable 541 can pull the corresponding spring-biased lock to disengage from the holder element 611 , thereby unlocking the stroller 10 .

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the linkage assembly can also comprise support brackets 151 and 152 with which is affixed the tray 153 . More specifically, the support brackets 151 and 152 are respectively located above the linking segments 141 and 142 , and are connected between the handle arms 101 and 102 . The support bracket 151 can have one end pivotally connected with the first rounded opening of the collapse actuator mechanism 500 , and another end pivotally connected with the handle arm 101 . Likewise, the support bracket 152 can have one end pivotally connected with the second rounded opening of the collapse actuator mechanism 500 , and another end pivotally connected with the handle arm 102 . When the stroller 10 is being folded, the support brackets 151 and 152 can respectively rotate relative to the linkage tubes 211 and 212 and the handle arms 101 and 102 to suitably fold the tray 153 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 , 2 , 10 and 12 , the linkage assembly can further include a basket support frame 220 , a first link element 230 , a second link element 240 , and a third link element 250 . The first link element 230 and the second link element 240 can be formed as flat elongated rods, and the third link element 250 can be made of a plastics material. More specifically, a middle portion of the linkage tube 211 can be pivotally connected with a middle portion of the linking segment 141 . A lower end of the linkage tube 211 and an upper end of the second link element 240 can be pivotally connected with a first pivot connection 250 a provided on the third link element 250 , so that they can rotate around the first pivot connection 250 a . A lower end of the second link element 240 can be pivotally connected with a middle portion of the rear leg tube 121 . A front of the basket support frame 220 can be pivotally connected with a middle portion of the front leg tube 111 , while a middle portion of the basket support frame 220 can be pivotally connected with a middle portion of the second link element 240 . The first link element 230 can have two opposite ends pivotally connected with the middle portion of the basket support frame 220 and a middle position on the side edge of the seat board 131 , respectively. Preferably, the rear end of the seat board 131 is pivotally connected with a second pivot connection 250 b provided on the third link element 250 , whereby the rear end of the seat board 131 can rotate about the second pivot connection 250 b . The backrest tube 190 can be pivotally connected with a third pivot connection 250 c provided on the third link element 250 . All the parts of the linkage assembly described above are pivotally connected with one another, and are also connected with associated parts of the stroller frame via pivot connections. When the stroller 10 is to be collapsed, only the handle arms 101 and 102 are operated with a one-step actuation to fold the stroller quickly. In particular, the linkage tube 211 , the second link element 240 , the seat board 131 , and the backrest tube 190 are all pivotally connected with the third link element 250 at spaced-apart pivot connections. As a result, when the stroller 10 is being folded, the linkage tube 211 , the second link element 240 , the seat board 131 , and the backrest tube 190 can rotate relative to one another to collapse the stroller into a compact volume. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the basket support frame 220 can be formed as a U-shaped tubular structure that has side distal ends that respectively bend upward near the rear wheels 121 a and 122 a to form a support plane. After it is fully collapsed, the stroller 10 can be placed in a standing position on a ground supported by the basket support frame 220 and the rear wheels 121 a and 122 a , which can facilitate its storage and portability.

Exemplary operation to collapse the stroller 10 is described hereafter with reference to FIGS. 10 through 13 .

When the stroller 10 is to be collapsed, the collapse actuator mechanism 500 on the linkage tube 211 can be operated, for example by pressing the button 530 . As a result, the button 530 can pull the cables 541 and 542 in movement to disengage the associated spring-biased locks of the latch mechanisms from the corresponding holder elements 611 , which can thereby unlock the stroller. Then, the handle arm 101 can be rotated about the first hinge structure A relative to the linking segment 141 in a direction that folds the handle arm 101 over the linking segment 141 . The rotation of the handle arm 101 can drive the linkage tube 211 in rotation about a pivot point at the middle portion of the linking segment 141 so that the linkage tube 211 can also collapse toward the linking segment 141 . In the meantime, the rotation of the linkage tube 211 can also drive other parts of the linkage assembly to rotate about their respective pivot joints, which in turn can cause the front leg tube 111 and the rear leg tube 121 to rotate about the second hinge structure B to collapse toward the linking segment 141 . At the same time, the front wheel 111 a coupled with the front leg tube 111 and the rear wheel 121 a coupled with the rear leg tube 121 can also be arranged close to each other once the front leg tube 111 and the rear leg tube 121 are folded. As shown in FIG. 13 , when the stroller 10 is fully collapsed, the front leg tube 111 , the rear leg tube 121 , the linking segment 141 , the handle arm 101 , and the moving parts of the linkage assembly are disposed generally parallel and overlap with one another. Moreover, the front wheel 111 a and the rear wheel 121 a are located close to each other. Furthermore, other pivotal elements of the stroller 10 can also be rotated in unison about their respective pivot joints to adequately collapse the stroller 10 into a reduced and compact volume.

When the stroller 10 is to be used, the handle arm 101 can be pulled outward, and then be grasped to deploy the stroller 10 . All elements of the support frame and the linkage assembly can rotate about their respective pivot joints to respectively unfold by gravity action. Then, the handle arm 101 can be slightly pressed backward and downward to turn the latch mechanisms to a locked state. Then, the table 160 can be pushed upward to its deployed position, which can turn the stroller 10 to the fully deployed configuration shown in FIG. 1 .

The stroller frame described herein includes at least two transverse pivotal axes defined by the first and second hinge structures A and B. When the stroller is folded, the elements of the stroller frame can be driven in rotation by the handle arms to respectively collapse toward the linking segments until they lie generally parallel to one another. The collapsed stroller can be disposed in a three-fold structure that has a smaller volume and is convenient to carry and store. Moreover, the stroller also comprises a linkage assembly including support brackets and linkage tubes. The linkage assembly can be pivotally connected between the linking segments and handle arms to increase stability of the stroller frame, and allows the handle arms to more smoothly drive the other frame elements to fold the stroller.

Realizations in accordance with the present invention therefore have been described only in the context of particular embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided for components described herein as a single instance. Structures and functionality presented as discrete components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.