Stroller Wheel Suspension

• US 20070257457A1
• Filed: 04/03/2007
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graco Children's Products, Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Graco Children's Products, Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Nolan, Patrick, Dotsey, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,770,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/47.380
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 33/0002 assembling to the object, e.g. furniture
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 33/0039 Single wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 33/0042 Double or twin wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/023 Beverage holders, e.g. for a cup, tin or bottle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2205/006 dismountable
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2301/20 Resilient wheel suspension using springs
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/065 by means of telescopic elements
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/044 three wheeled
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/08 in the direction of, or at right angles to, the wheel axis
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/102 characterized by details of the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/18 Resilient suspensions of bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/20 Handle bars; Handles
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/24 Safety guards for children, e.g. harness cat nets B62B9/14; devices for use in guiding or supporting children, e.g. safety harness A47D13/08
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/26 Securing devices for bags or toys ; Arrangements of racks, bins, trays or other devices for transporting articles

Abstract

A stroller wheel suspension mechanism has a generally rigid carrier with a top mounting section connectable to a stroller frame and a downward facing surface. The carrier also has a depending spring section that extends downward from the top mounting section adjacent an end of the downward facing surface and that has a generally vertically oriented surface. The carrier also has a bottom spring section that extends from the depending spring section and that has an upward facing surface spaced from the downward facing surface. The depending spring section and the bottom spring section are resiliently deflectable relative to the top mounting section. A damper region is formed adjacent the downward facing surface, the generally vertically oriented surface, and the upward facing surface of the carrier. A wheel mount is provided on the bottom spring section. The wheel mount is spaced from the depending spring section on a free end of the bottom spring section. A solid body damper of a resilient, flexible material is positioned within the damper region and connected to the downward facing, generally vertically oriented, and upward facing surfaces of the carrier.

Claims

1. A stroller wheel suspension mechanism comprising:

a generally rigid carrier having,

a) a top mounting section connectable to a stroller frame and a downward facing surface,

b) a depending spring section extending downward from the top mounting section adjacent an end of the downward facing surface and having a generally vertically oriented surface, and

c) a bottom spring section extending from the depending spring section and having an upward facing surface spaced from the downward facing surface, the depending spring section and bottom spring section being resiliently deflectable relative to the top mounting section;

a wheel mount provided on the bottom spring section, the wheel mount spaced from the depending spring section on a free end of the bottom spring section; and

a solid body damper of a resilient, flexible material positioned within the damper region and connected to the downward facing, vertically oriented, and upward facing surfaces of the carrier.

2. A stroller wheel suspension mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the generally rigid carrier is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of glass reinforced NYLON, carbon fiber, spring steel, or a plastic composite.

3. A stroller wheel suspension mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the solid body damper is formed from thermoplastic elastomer or micro-cellular urethane.

4. A stroller wheel suspension mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the wheel mount includes an axle bore extending laterally across the bottom spring section.

5. A stroller wheel suspension mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the axle bore is a through bore and an axle protrudes beyond either side of the wheel mount on the bottom spring section.

6. A stroller wheel suspension mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the wheel mount includes an integrally formed axle protruding from at least one side of the wheel mount.

7. A stroller wheel suspension mechanism according to claim 6, further comprising a pair of the integrally formed axles protruding from opposite sides of the wheel mount.

8. A stroller wheel suspension mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the carrier and the solid body damper are molded in a dual molding process and are molecularly bonded to one another.

9. A stroller wheel suspension mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the solid body damper has exposed surfaces that are not connected to the carrier and that have a uniform consistent surface texture.

10. A stroller wheel suspension mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the solid body damper has exposed surfaces that are not connected to the carrier and that have depressions formed in the surface texture.

11. A stroller wheel assembly comprising:

a spring with a top section connected to a stroller frame and a downward facing surface on the top section, a depending spring section extending downward from the top section adjacent one edge of the downward facing surface and having a generally vertically oriented surface, and a bottom spring section extending from the depending spring section and having an upward facing surface spaced from the downward facing surface, the depending spring section and bottom spring section being resiliently deflectable relative to the top section;

an axle spaced from the depending spring section and carried on a free end of the bottom spring section;

at least one wheel mounted to the axle; and

a solid body damper of a resilient material positioned within the damper region and connected to the downward facing, vertically oriented, and upward facing surfaces of the spring.

12. A stroller wheel assembly according to claim 11, wherein the axle is integrally molded as a part of the bottom spring section.

13. A stroller wheel assembly according to claim 11, wherein the axle is received in a bore formed laterally across the bottom spring section.

14. A stroller wheel assembly according to claim 11, wherein the bore is a through bore and the axle includes an exposed end projecting from opposed sides of the bottom section, and wherein a pair of wheels are mounted to the axle, one on each exposed end.

15. A stroller wheel assembly according to claim 11, wherein the stroller wheel assembly has a pair of wheels and the spring and solid body damper are positioned between the wheels.