Braking System for a Stroller

• US 20100044164A1
• Filed: 09/04/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Inventors: Thorne, Henry F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,499,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 188/1.120
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2205/003 with actuation mechanisms which drive the folding or unfolding operation
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2205/12 Collapsible wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1424 Electronic display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0033 Electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0433 foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0461 with positive engagement
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/002 having a single central pillar
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/06 collapsible or foldable
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/062 Coupling unit between front wheels, rear wheels and handle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/068 by sliding a bushing along a rod, e.g. like folding means of an umbrella
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/08 in the direction of, or at right angles to, the wheel axis
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/083 the wheel axes being moved from each other during folding
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/005 Safety means for traffic, e.g. lights, reflectors, mirrors etc. signaling means for cycles B62J

Abstract

A braking system for a stroller includes: a brake pedal positioned near a first rear wheel of the stroller; a braking cam operationally coupled to the brake pedal and rotatable around a pivot point from a first position to a second position; and a brake lever having a first end configured to contact the braking cam when the braking cam is in the second position, and a second end having a plurality of teeth configured to engage at least one gear driven by the first rear wheel of the stroller when the braking cam is in the second position. A depression of the brake pedal causes the braking cam to rotate around the pivot point from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the teeth of the brake lever to engage the at least one gear to prevent rotation of the first rear wheel.

Claims

1. A braking system for a stroller comprising:

a brake pedal positioned near a first rear wheel of the stroller;

a braking cam operationally coupled to the brake pedal and rotatable around a pivot point from a first position to a second position; and

a brake lever having a first end configured to contact the braking cam when the braking cam is in the second position and a second end having a plurality of teeth configured to engage at least one gear driven by the first rear wheel of the stroller when the braking cam is in the second position,

wherein a depression of the brake pedal causes the braking cam to rotate around the pivot point from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the teeth of the brake lever to engage the at least one gear to prevent rotation of the first rear wheel.

2. The braking system of claim 1, wherein a second depression of the brake pedal causes the braking cam to rotate around the pivot point from the second position to the first position, thereby causing the teeth of the brake lever to disengage the at least one gear to allow rotation of the first wheel.

3. The braking system of claim 1, wherein a second rear wheel comprises a braking device that is operationally coupled to the brake pedal positioned near the first rear wheel of the stroller.

4. The braking system of claim 3, wherein the depression of the brake pedal causes actuation of the braking device of the second rear wheel, thereby preventing rotation of the second rear wheel.

5. The braking system of claim 3, wherein a second depression of the brake pedal releases the braking device of the second rear wheel, thereby allowing rotation of the second rear wheel.

6. The braking system of claim 3, wherein the braking device of the second rear wheel is operationally coupled to the brake pedal by a cable.

7. The braking system of claim 1, wherein the braking cam has a modified elliptical shape.

8. A method of braking a stroller comprising:

providing a braking system for a stroller comprising;

a brake pedal positioned near a first rear wheel of the stroller;

a braking cam operationally coupled to the brake pedal and rotatable around a pivot point from a first position to a second position; and

a brake lever having a first end configured to contact the braking cam when the braking cam is in the second position and a second end having a plurality of teeth configured to engage at least one gear driven by the first rear wheel of the stroller when the braking cam is in the second position; and

depressing the brake pedal to cause the braking cam to rotate around the pivot point from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the teeth of the brake lever to engage the at least one gear to prevent rotation of the first rear wheel.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

depressing the brake pedal a second time to cause the braking cam to rotate around the pivot point from the second position to the first position, thereby causing the teeth of the brake lever to disengage the at least one gear to allow rotation of the first rear wheel.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the braking system further comprises a braking device provided on a second rear wheel and operationally coupled to the brake pedal positioned near the first rear wheel of the stroller.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the depression of the brake pedal causes actuation of the braking device of the second rear wheel, thereby preventing rotation of the second rear wheel.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein a second depression of the brake pedal releases the braking device of the second rear wheel, thereby allowing rotation of the second rear wheel.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the braking device of the second rear wheel is operationally coupled to the brake pedal by a cable.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the braking cam has a modified elliptical shape.

15. A braking system for a stroller comprising:

a brake pedal;

a braking cam operationally coupled to the brake pedal and rotatable around a pivot point from a first position to a second position; and

a brake lever having a first end configured to contact the braking cam when the braking cam is in the second position and a second end configured to prevent rotation of at least one wheel of the stroller when the braking cam is in the second position.

16. The braking system of claim 15, wherein a depression of the brake pedal causes the braking cam to rotate around the pivot point from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the second end of the brake lever to prevent rotation of the first rear wheel.

17. The braking system of claim 15, wherein a second depression of the brake pedal causes the braking cam to rotate around the pivot point from the second position to the first position, thereby causing the second end of the brake lever to allow rotation of the first rear wheel.

18. The braking system of claim 15, wherein the braking cam has a modified elliptical shape.

19. The braking system of claim 15, wherein the second end of the brake lever comprises a plurality of teeth.

20. The braking system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of teeth are configured to engage at least one gear driven by the at least one wheel of the stroller when the braking cam is in the second position.