User Interface for a Power Folding Stroller

Abstract

A user interface for a power folding stroller includes: a rotational mechanical joint positioned on the handlebars of the stroller. The rotational mechanical joint is coupled to electrical sensors that must be activated by the user rotating a ring combined with a second step of pressing a button to activate the folding or unfolding process. Once the ring has been rotated the required distance and returned to a home position, an indication, such as an LED light, may be provided to the user that the second action of pushing the button can be undertaken.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A user interface for a power folding stroller comprising:
 a first activation means for enabling at least one other activation means; and   at least one of the at least one other activation means for sending a signal to the controller to activate a drive mechanism to initiate a folding process in which the power folding stroller is folded if the power folding stroller is in an unfolded state or unfolded if the power folding stroller is in a folded state,   wherein a user must engage one of the first activation means and the at least one other activation means during the entire folding process.   
     
     
         2 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first activation means and at least one of the at least one other means are operated simultaneously. 
     
     
         3 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first activation means and at least one of the at least one other activation means are operated sequentially. 
     
     
         4 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is mounted on a handlebar assembly of the power folding stroller. 
     
     
         5 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein an indicator is provided once the first activation means has sent a signal to the controller. 
     
     
         6 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first activation means is a rotating ring configured to activate at least one first sensor and at least one of the at least one other activation means is a push button configured to activate at least one second sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first activation means enables the at least one other activation means for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         8 . A user interface for a power folding stroller includes:
 a rotational mechanical joint comprising a rotating ring member connected to the power folding stroller;   at least one sensor positioned beneath the rotating ring member;   a button positioned within the rotating ring; and   a controller electrically coupled to the at least one sensor and the button,   wherein the rotating ring is rotated from a first position to a second position to cause the at least one sensor to enable the button, and the button is pressed to send a signal to the controller to activate a drive mechanism to:
 a) fold the power folding stroller if the power folding stroller is in an unfolded state and the button must remain pressed until the power folding stroller reaches the unfolded state; or 
 b) unfold the power folding stroller if the power folding stroller is in a folded state and the button must remain pressed until the power folding stroller reaches the folded state. 
   
     
     
         9 . The user interface of  claim 8 , wherein the rotating ring is spring loaded to return to the first position. 
     
     
         10 . The user interface of  claim 8 , wherein a stop is provided under the rotating ring to prevent the rotating ring from rotating beyond the second position. 
     
     
         11 . The user interface of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one sensor is a sensor for detecting a magnetic field. 
     
     
         12 . The user interface of  claim 11 , wherein at least one magnet is positioned within the rotating ring that is detected by the at least one sensor as the at least one magnet is rotated over the at least one sensor during rotation of the rotating ring. 
     
     
         13 . The user interface of  claim 8 , wherein an indicator is provided once the rotating ring has reached the second position. 
     
     
         14 . The user interface of  claim 13 , further comprising a mechanical switch that is engaged to prevent the rotating ring from rotating. 
     
     
         15 . A method for activating a power folding stroller, comprising:
 activating a first activation means of a user interface to enable at least one other activation means; and   activating at least one of the at least one other activation means to send a signal to a controller of the power folding stroller to initiate a folding process in which the power folding stroller is folded if the power folding stroller is in an unfolded state or unfolded if the power folding stroller is in a folded state,   wherein one of the steps of activating a first activation means and the step of activating at least one of the at least one other activation means requires a user to engage one of the first activation means and the at least one other activation means during the entire folding process.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first activation means and the at least one other activation means are operated simultaneously. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first activation means and the at least one other activation means are operated sequentially. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first activation means enables the at least one other activation means for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein an indicator is provided once the first activation means has sent a signal to the controller. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first activation means is a rotating ring configured to activate at least one first electrical sensor and the at least one other activation means is a push button configured to activate at least one second electrical sensor.