Collapsible stroller

• US 8,733,785 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2013
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Inventors: Thorne, Henry F., Koes, Mary J., Daley, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): VANAMAN, FRANK BENNETT
• Application Number:
  US13/934,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20130292924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 328 Days
• Field of Search: 280/642, 280/643, 280/647, 280/648, 280/650, 280/657, 280/658
• US Class Current: 280/650
• 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 stroller includes a seating portion; a hub coupled to the seating portion; and at least one wheel coupled to the hub. A first portion of the seating portion is configured to telescopingly extend from a second portion of the seating portion, such that the first portion is extended from the second portion when the seating portion is in a first, open position, and the first portion is configured to slide within the second portion when the seating portion is in a second, closed position such that the seating portion becomes shorter in both length and width when in the second, closed position. A top portion of the seating portion is narrower than a central portion of the seating portion.

Claims

1. A stroller comprising:

a seating portion;

a hub coupled to the seating portion; and

at least one wheel coupled to the hub,

wherein a first portion of the seating portion is configured to telescopingly extend from a second portion of the seating portion, such that the first portion is extended from the second portion when the seating portion is in a first, open position, and the first portion is configured to slide within the second portion when the seating portion is in a second, closed position such that the seating portion becomes shorter in both length and width when in the second, closed position,

wherein a top portion of the seating portion is narrower than a central portion of the seating portion; and

wherein the seating portion is supported on the hub by at least one supporting member that is configured as a telescoping tube.

2. The stroller of claim 1, wherein a single handle extends from the at least one supporting member.

3. The stroller of claim 1, wherein the at least one supporting member has a generally arcuate shape.

4. The stroller of claim 1, wherein the at least one supporting member telescopes between a first configuration when the stroller is in a collapsed position and a second configuration when the stroller is in an expanded position.

5. The stroller of claim 4, wherein the first configuration of the at least one supporting member has a length that is shorter than the second configuration of the at least one supporting member.

6. The stroller of claim 1, wherein the seating portion has a generally elliptical shape.

7. The stroller of claim 6, wherein the generally elliptical shape of the seating portion is formed by:

a generally U-shaped lower seat frame assembly having a first end and a second end; and

a generally U-shaped upper seat frame assembly having a first end and a second end,

wherein the first end of the upper seat frame assembly is slidingly mated with the first end of the lower seat frame assembly and the second end of the upper seat frame assembly is slidingly mated with the second end of the lower seat frame assembly.

8. The stroller of claim 7, wherein the lower seat frame assembly slides within the upper seat frame assembly when the stroller is in a collapsed position and the lower seat frame assembly extends from the upper seat frame assembly when the stroller is in an expanded position.