Lightweight Collapsible Stroller

• US 20140035261A1
• Filed: 10/14/2013
• Published: 02/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Inventors: Rembisz, Justine, Daley, Robert D., Hopke, Frederick Karl, Thorne, Henry F., Walker, John J., Wiegmann, Elijah M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,985,617 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 2205/02 foldable widthwise
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/06 collapsible or foldable
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/066 the handle bar moves in parallel relation during folding
• 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 7/086 becoming smaller in all three dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/005 Safety means for traffic, e.g. lights, reflectors, mirrors etc. signaling means for cycles B62J
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/206 with two separate bars, i.e. not interconnected
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/26 Securing devices for bags or toys ; Arrangements of racks, bins, trays or other devices for transporting articles

Abstract

Provided herein is a lightweight stroller that can be transitioned between a closed position and an open position. The stroller includes a seating portion and at least one frame supporting the seating portion and transitionable from an open position to a closed position. The frame includes at least a front support rotatably connected to rear support. The stroller also includes a cinching strap connected between the front support and the rear support. The cinching strap is configured such that, as the frame transitions from the open position to the closed position, the cinching strap pulls the rear support toward the front support or the front support toward the front support. The cinching strap may at least partially maintain the front support and the rear support in the closed position. The cinching strap may include a flexible portion formed from a string, cable, polymer sheet, braided webbing, or any combination thereof.

Claims

1. A collapsible stroller comprising:

a seating portion;

at least one frame supporting the seating portion and transitionable from an open position to a closed position, the frame comprising at least a front support rotatably connected to rear support; and

a cinching strap connected between the front support and the rear support,

wherein the cinching strap is configured such that, as the frame transitions from the open position to the closed position, the cinching strap pulls the rear support toward the front support or the front support toward the rear support.

2. The stroller of claim 1, wherein the cinching strap at least partially maintains the front support and the rear support in the closed position.

3. The stroller of claim 1, wherein the cinching strap comprises a flexible portion formed from a string, cable, polymer sheet, braided webbing, or any combination thereof.

4. The stroller of claim 1, wherein a portion of the cinching strap is fixedly connected to one of the front support or the rear support and another portion of the strap is slideably connected to the other of the front support or the rear support, such that the cinching strap slides along the front support or the rear support as the stroller transitions to the closed position.

5. The stroller of claim 1, further comprising a drive mechanism, and wherein the transitioning of the stroller from the open position to the closed position is actuated by the drive mechanism.

6. The stroller of claim 1, comprising two frames, a left frame and a right frame, and at least one linkage member connected between the right frame and the left frame.

7. The stroller of claim 6, wherein the at least one linkage member is connected to at least one of the rear support or the front support through a slideable joint, and wherein the slideable joint moves along the front support or the rear support during transition of the stroller to the closed position.

8. The stroller of claim 7, wherein the cinching strap is connected to the slideable joint, and wherein the cinching strap moves along the front support or the rear support in conjunction with movement of the slideable joint during the transition of the stroller to the closed position.

9. The stroller of claim 1, further comprising a protrusion extending from either the front support or the rear support and wherein a portion of the cinching strap is positioned against the protrusion, such that the cinching strap extends from the rear support, about the protrusion, and to the front support.

10. The stroller of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the frame comprises a telescoping tube assembly having an inner tube that is received within a substantially hollow outer tube, and wherein as the frame transitions from the open position to the closed position, the inner tube is received within the outer tube.

11. The stroller of claim 1, wherein the cinching strap is configured to be under tension when the stroller is in both the open position and the closed position.