Foldable jogging stroller

Abstract

There is provided a three-wheeled jogging stroller having a foldable, or collapsible frame assembly that is transformable from an erected, or upright, user position to a collapsed storage position of reduced length and height, the foldable frame assembly including a base structural assembly and an upper structural assembly, the base assembly having a rear axle with couples at opposite ends thereof for supporting two removable rear wheels, a fork assembly pivotally coupled thereto and having two tubes extending to support a front wheel, and a pair of upright support members fixedly coupled thereto. The upper structural assembly includes a handlebar member having a handlebar tube extending from each end thereof, the other ends of each of the handlebar tubes slidably engaged with a respective interconnect member that is pivotally coupled to the free end of a respective upright support member extending from the rear axle, and further has two additional tubes each having first ends fixedly attached to respective interconnects and second ends connected at the front wheel to respective tubes extending from the fork assembly, each interconnect member having hold and release means for holding the upper frame in an upright user position and for releasing the interconnect member to slide up the respective handlebar tube to collapse the upper frame over the base frame.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A foldable stroller for use while walking or running, said stroller comprising: 
 two rear wheel and a front wheel;    a base structural assembly including a rear axle member with couples at opposite ends thereof for removably supporting said two wheels, a pair of upright support members fixedly coupled to said axle, and a fork assembly pivotally coupled to said axle for supporting said front wheel;    an upper structural assembly including a handlebar portion with handlebar tubes extending from each end of the handlebar portion, the free ends of said handlebar tubes pivotally coupled to the free end of a respective one of said upright support members, an interconnect member slidably mounted on a respective one of said handlebar tubes, and an upper frame support tube fixedly mounted at one end to a respective interconnect member and at the other end connecting to a respective one of said fork members at the front wheel; and    said interconnect members have hold and release means for locking said stroller in an upright user position and for releasing the interconnect members to slide up the respective handlebar tube to collapse said upper frame over said base frame.    
     
     
         2 ) The stroller of  claim 1  wherein during the process of collapsing said pivotable upright support members rotate forwardly due to pivotal coupling to said handlebar tubes and said axle member rotates forwardly due to pivotal coupling to said fork members.  
     
     
         3 ) The stroller of  claim 1  wherein said interconnect members each have a saddle shaped portion for fixedly receiving a respective upper frame support tube and a depending portion having an aperture for slidably receiving a respective handlebar tube therethrough.  
     
     
         4 ) The stroller of  claim 3  wherein said upright support members are displaced on said axle such that upon collapsing of said stroller frame said support members are outside of said fork assembly and substantially parallel thereto.  
     
     
         5 ) The stroller of  claim 3  wherein said upright support members are coupled to said interconnects and said fork member coupled to said axle member by means of clevis members.  
     
     
         6 ) An mechanism for folding a jogging stroller, comprising 
 an interconnect having a portion configured for fixedly receiving and securing an end of a first frame tube and a depending portion configured for slidably receiving a second frame tube therethrough; and    a sleeve press-fitted fixedly over said first frame tube and having an aperture extending through the wall of said first frame tube;    a spring within said first frame tube having a locking button, said spring positioned such that continued spring tension within the interior of said second frame tube provides that said locking button protrudes through said aperture such that upon insertion of said sleeve into said interconnect said locking button protrudes into said interconnect to thereby lock said second frame tube within said interconnect; and    a push button slidably positioned on said interconnect having access to said locking button whereby pressure from said push button disingages said locking button to thereby release said second frame tube from said interconnect.    
     
     
         7 . Tube coupling mechanism comprising: 
 an elongate tubular member;    a structural member configured for slidably receiving said tubular member therethrough;    said tubular member having a sleeve mounted thereon and having an aperture extending through the wall of said tubular member;    locking means protruding through said aperture for coaction with said structural member whereby upon insertion of said sleeve into said structural member said locking means locks said tubular member within said structural member; and    said structural member has release means for disengaging said locking means thereby releasing said tubular member tube from said structural member.    
     
     
         8 . The tube coupling mechanism of  claim 7  wherein said sleeve includes stop means for limiting insertion of said sleeve into said structural member.  
     
     
         9 . The tube coupling mechanism of  claim 7  wherein said sleeve tapers downwardly toward the insertion end thereof to facilitate movement of said sleeve within said structural member.  
     
     
         10 . The tube coupling mechanism of  claim 7  wherein said structural member includes means for fixedly mounting a second tubular member.  
     
     
         11 . The tube coupling mechanism of  claim 7  wherein said structural member includes means for pivotally mounting a third tubular member.  
     
     
         12 . The tube coupling mechanism of  claim 7  wherein said locking means is a spring urged locking button and said release means is a pushbutton for depressing said locking button.