Stroller

Abstract

Strollers are provided having one or more components which can be moved by a drive mechanism between two or more desired positions, such as baby strollers having one or more components which are automatically and easily movable by a drive mechanism between an operative position for use of the stroller and a collapsed position for compact storage and transport of the stroller. Various structures and operative embodiments for automatically moving one or more stroller components are provided.

1 . A stroller, comprising:
 one or more first wheels;   one or more first wheel support structures for supporting the one or more first wheels, which one or more first wheel support structures are moveable from a collapsed position to an open position;   one or more second wheels;   one or more second wheel support structures for supporting the one or more second wheels, which one or more second wheel support structures are moveable from a collapsed to an open position; and   one or more drive mechanisms operatively engaged with at least one of the one or more first wheel support structures and at least one of the one or more second wheel support structures to move the at least one of the one or more first wheel support structures from its collapsed to its open position, and the at least one of the one or more second wheel support structures from its collapsed to its open position.   
     
     
         2 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 1  in which the one or more drive mechanisms also move the at least one of the one or more first wheel support structures from its open to its collapsed position, and the at least one of the one or more second wheel support structures from its open to its collapsed position. 
     
     
         3 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 1  in which:
 the stroller further comprises a frame to which the one or more first wheel support structures and the one or more second wheel support structures are connected; and   the frame, the one or more first wheel support structures, and the one or more second wheel support structures define a linkage having a single degree of freedom whereby movement of any one of the frame, the one or more first wheel support structures, or the one or more second wheel support structures toward their collapsed positions effects movement of the other linkage components toward their collapsed positions.   
     
     
         4 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 3  further comprising a handle operatively engaged with the linkage whereby the frame, the one or more first wheel support structures, the one or more second wheel support structures, and the handle define a linkage having a single degree of freedom whereby movement of any one of the frame, the one or more first wheel support structures, the one or more second wheel support structures, or the handle toward their collapsed positions effects movement of the others toward their collapsed positions. 
     
     
         5 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising one or more controllers for controlling said one or more drive mechanisms. 
     
     
         6 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 1  in which the rate of movement of the first wheel support structure is different than the rate of movement of the second wheel support structure. 
     
     
         7 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising one or more latches in operative engagement therewith which one or more latches are moveable between a latched position in which the one or more latches prevent movement of at least one of the first and second wheel support structures toward their collapsed positions, and an unlatched position in which the one or more latches allow movement of at least one of the first and second wheel support structures toward their collapsed positions, with the one or more latches being movable to their unlatched positions by one or more drive mechanisms operatively connected thereto. 
     
     
         8 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 7  in which the movement of the one or more first wheel support structures, the one or more second wheel support structures, and the one or more latches is in a predetermined sequence. 
     
     
         9 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 1  in which the drive mechanism comprises a threaded member. 
     
     
         10 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 7  further comprising one or more latch position sensors which detect when the one or more latches are in their latched positions, with the one or more latch position sensors sending a signal to the controller to stop actuation of the drive upon receipt of said signal. 
     
     
         11 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising a display and one or more latch position sensors which detect when the one or more latches are in their latched positions, with the one or more latch position sensors sending a signal to the display when the one or more latches are in their latched positions, with the display providing visual confirmation to the user that the one or more latches are in their latched positions. 
     
     
         12 . A stroller, comprising:
 a plurality of support members operatively connected with one another to define a linkage having one degree of freedom;   at least one of the support members engaging a wheel and being moveable between a collapsed position and an operative position; and   a drive operatively engaged with at least one of the plurality of support members, such that each of said plurality of support members are moveable between said collapsed and open positions by the drive; and   a control switch for effecting actuation of the drive.   
     
     
         13 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 12  in which two or more of the plurality of support members are pivotally connected to one another, and the support member drive mechanism is operatively connected to the pivotally connected two or more support members to effect pivotal movement of the pivotally connected two or more support members relative to each other. 
     
     
         14 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 12  in which the plurality of support members comprises a handle, a rear wheel support structure and a front wheel support structure. 
     
     
         15 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 12  in which:
 one or more of the support members have one or more latches in operative engagement therewith, which one or more latches are moveable from a latched position, in which the one or more latches prevent movement of the support members from their open position toward their collapsed position, to an unlatched position, in which the one or morel latches allow movement of the support members from their open position toward their closed position; and   a latch drive operatively engaged with the one or more latches to move the one or more latches to their unlatched positions.   
     
     
         16 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 15  in which a common drive serves as both the drive for moving the support members and the latch drive for moving the latches. 
     
     
         17 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 15  further comprising one or more latch position sensors which detect when the one or more latches are in their latched positions, with the one or more latch position sensors sending a signal to stop actuation of the drive upon receipt of said signal. 
     
     
         18 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 15  further comprising a display and one or more latch position sensors which detect when the one or more latches are in their latched positions, with the one or more latch position sensors sending a signal to the display when the one or more latches are in their latched positions, with the display providing visual confirmation to the user that the one or more latches are in their latched positions. 
     
     
         19 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 15  further comprising a manual operating mechanism is also operatively connected to the one or more latches to allow manual movement of the latches to their unlatched positions. 
     
     
         20 . A stroller, comprising:
 a guide rail having a longitudinal axis;   one or more front wheels;   a front wheel support structure for supporting the front one or more wheels, the front wheel support structure engaged with the guide rail for movement along the longitudinal axis of the guide rail;   one or more rear wheels; and   a rear wheel support structure for supporting the rear one or more wheels, the rear wheel support structure engaged to the guide rail for movement along the guide rail longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         21 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 20  in which the front wheel support structure has members which are moveable between collapsed and operative positions upon movement of the front wheel support structure along the guide rail longitudinal axis, and the rear wheel support structure has members which are moveable between collapsed and operative position upon movement of the rear wheel support structure along the guide rail longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         22 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 20  in which the front wheel support structure and the rear wheel support structure are operatively engaged with a drive mechanism which moves them along the longitudinal axis of the guide rail, with the drive mechanism being operatively connected to a controller which controls the drive mechanism. 
     
     
         23 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 20  in which the baby stroller further comprises one or more latches in operative engagement therewith which one or more latches are moveable between a latched position in which the one or more latches prevent movement of the front and rear wheel support structures toward their collapsed positions, and an unlatched position in which the one or more latches allow movement of the front and rear wheel support structures toward their collapsed positions, with the one or more latches being movable to their unlatched positions by one or more drive mechanisms operatively connected thereto. 
     
     
         24 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 20  in which a manual operating mechanism is also operatively connected to the one or more latches to allow manual movement of the latches to their unlatched positions. 
     
     
         25 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 20  in which the drive mechanism comprises a threaded member having a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the guide rail longitudinal axis, which threaded member is rotatable about the threaded member longitudinal axis, and are in threaded engagement with the front and rear wheel support members, whereby the front and rear wheel support members are moved along the guide rail longitudinal axis upon rotation of the threaded member. 
     
     
         26 . A baby stroller in accordance with  claim 25  in which:
 the threaded member has a first threaded portion and a second oppositely threaded portion;   the threaded member is rotatable about its longitudinal axis in a first direction and a second opposite direction; and   the front wheel support structure is in threaded engagement with the first threaded portion of the threaded member and the rear wheel support structure is in threaded engagement with the second threaded portion of the threaded member, such that the front and rear wheel support structures move simultaneously in opposite directions along the guide rail longitudinal axis upon rotation of the threaded member in said first direction.   
     
     
         27 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 26  in which the threads of one of the first and second portions of the threaded member have a greater pitch than the threads of the other portion of the threaded member, such that the front and rear wheel support structures move simultaneously at different rates along the guide rail longitudinal axis upon rotation of the threaded member about its longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         28 . A stroller, comprising:
 a first stroller component;   a second stroller component:   at least one of the first and second stroller components being movable from a first position to a second position;   a drive mechanism operatively engaged with the at least one of the first and second stroller components to move the at least one of the first and second stroller components from its first position to its second position; and   a control switch operatively engaged with the drive mechanism to actuate the drive mechanism.   
     
     
         29 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 28  in which the at least one of the first and second stroller components comprises a wheel support structure. 
     
     
         30 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 28  in which the first position is an open position and the second position is a collapsed position. 
     
     
         31 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 30  further comprising one or more latches in operative engagement therewith which one or more latches are moveable between a latched position in which the one or more latches prevent movement of at least one of the first and second stroller components toward their collapsed positions, and an unlatched position in which the one or more latches allow movement of at least one of the first and second stroller components toward their collapsed positions, with the one or more latches being movable to their unlatched positions by one or more drive mechanisms operatively connected thereto. 
     
     
         32 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 28  in which a controller is operatively engaged to the drive mechanism to control the drive mechanism. 
     
     
         33 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 28  in which one of said first and second stroller components comprises at least one wheel and said drive mechanism is not operatively engaged to said at least one wheel, with the drive mechanism being operatively engaged with the other of said first and second stroller components such that said at least one wheel remains at least substantially stationary as the second stroller component moves between its first position and its second position. 
     
     
         34 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 28  in which one of said first and second stroller components comprises a plurality of wheels, and said plurality of wheels remain stationary as the other of said first and second stroller components moves between a collapsed position and an open position. 
     
     
         35 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 28  in which one of said first and second stroller components moves along a first axis and the other of said first and second stroller components moves along a second axis which is at least substantially perpendicular to said first axis. 
     
     
         36 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 28  in which one of said first and second stroller components moves along a predetermined axis and the other of said first and second stroller components moves along an axis which is at least substantially parallel to said predetermined axis. 
     
     
         37 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 30  in which the stroller comprises a front end in the direction of intended travel of the stroller and an opposite rear end defining a longitudinal axis extending from the front end to the rear end, and at least one of the first and second stroller components moves along said longitudinal axis when the stroller is moved between said collapsed and open positions. 
     
     
         38 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 30  in which the stroller comprises left and right sides defining a longitudinal axis extending between the left and right sides, and at least one of the first and second stroller components moves along said longitudinal axis when the stroller is moved between said collapsed and open positions. 
     
     
         39 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 30  in which the stroller comprises an upper end and a lower end defining a longitudinal axis extending between the upper end and the lower end, at least one of the first and second stroller components moves along said longitudinal axis when the stroller is moved between said collapsed and open positions. 
     
     
         40 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 28  in which the stroller further comprises a disengaging mechanism for disengaging the operative engagement between the drive mechanism and the at least one of the first and second stroller components. 
     
     
         41 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 40  in which the disengaging mechanism comprises a clutch. 
     
     
         42 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 40  in which the disengaging mechanism comprises a manual override mechanism which is selectively operable between a first position in which the manual override mechanism effects operative engagement of the between the drive mechanism and the at least one of the first and second stroller components, and a second position in which the manual override effects disengagement of the operative engagement between the drive mechanism and the at least one of the first and second stroller components to facilitate manual movement of the at least one of the first and second stroller components. 
     
     
         43 . A stroller in accordance with  claim 42  in which the first position is an open position and the second position is a collapsed position, and the stroller further comprises a locking mechanism for retaining the stroller in said open position when the operative engagement between the drive mechanism and the at least one of the first and second stroller components is disengaged.