Lighting system for a stroller

• US 8,215,808 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2009
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Inventors: Daley, Robert D., Thorne, Henry F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US12/554,561
• Publication Number:
  US 20100045209A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 362/459, 362/486
• US Class Current: 362/459
• 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 lighting system for a stroller includes: a power generation system coupled to at least one wheel of the stroller; a power source operationally coupled to the power generation system and configured to receive and store power generated by the power generation system; at least one first light source coupled to at least one leg of the stroller and configured to be powered by the power source; and at least one second light source coupled to a central hub of the stroller and configured to be powered by the power source. The at least one first light source is controlled to provide constant lighting for safety purposes and the at least one second light source is controlled to provide light to a pathway in a low light condition.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a stroller comprising:

a power generation system coupled to at least one wheel of the stroller;

a power source operationally coupled to the power generation system and configured to receive and store power generated by the power generation system;

at least one first light source coupled to at least one leg of the stroller and configured to be powered by the power source; and

at least one second light source coupled to a central hub of the stroller and configured to be powered by the power source,

wherein the at least one first light source is controlled to provide constant lighting for safety purposes and the at least one second light source is controlled to provide light to a pathway in a low light condition.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one second light source is coupled to a bottom portion of the central hub.

3. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one second light source is coupled to the central hub such that the at least one second light source is pointing forward to cast shadows from irregularities in the pathway.

4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one second light source is coupled to the central hub such that it is within about ten inches of the pathway.

5. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first light source is coupled to a front leg of the stroller.

6. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first light source is coupled to at least one leg of the stroller such that light produced thereby is visible from 360 degrees around the stroller.

7. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source are light emitting diodes (LEDs).

8. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising a control system operatively coupled to the power source, the at least one first light source, and the at least one second light source.

9. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the control system is configured to control the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source based on input from a user, input from a sensor, or any combination thereof.

10. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the control system includes a display for providing status information of the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source to a user.

11. A method of lighting an area surrounding a stroller, the method comprising:

coupling a power generation system to at least one wheel of the stroller;

operationally coupling a power source to the power generation system, such that the power source receives and stores power generated by the power generation system;

mounting at least one first light source to at least one leg of the stroller and operationally coupling the at least one first light source to the power source;

mounting at least one second light source to a central hub of the stroller and operationally coupling the at least one second light source to the power source;

controlling the at least one first light source to provide constant lighting for safety purposes; and

controlling the at least one second light source to provide light to a pathway in a low light condition.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one second light source is mounted on the central hub such that the at least one second light source is pointing forward to cast shadows from irregularities in the pathway.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one first light source is mounted to a front leg of the stroller.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one first light source is mounted to at least one leg of the stroller such that the light produced thereby is visible from 360 degrees around the stroller.