Stroller with telescopic and locking members

Abstract

A stroller for carrying a child or child restraint system, that may comprise an additional storage area or child support system when expanded. The frames include a mechanism whereby the base of the frame is expanded rearward to create a storage space roughly behind the baby seat, and optionally where a top to the storage area folds up from the rear of the frame to complete the storage area. The stroller may include detachable wheels. The stroller may also include handles or push bars that may optionally include mechanisms to assist in expanding or contracting the storage area. The stroller may also be constructed so as to be collapsible for storage.

1 . A stowable and deployable stroller for carrying one or more passengers and transporting items, the stroller comprising:
 a front frame member configured to support a seat;   a rear frame member;   a selectively extendable base member attached to the front frame member and the rear frame member, said selectively extendable base member further comprising:
 at least two pairs of tubes, wherein each pair of tubes comprises a first tube and a second tube, the first tube being smaller in circumference than the second tube, and the first tube further comprising at least one slot, said slot housing at least one wheel, said at least one wheel configured to make contact with the second tube, and said slot being located on a longitudinal exterior surface of the first tube; and 
   a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the first tube in a fixed position relative to the second tube when the locking mechanism is engaged, and the locking mechanism allows for movement of at least one of the first tube and the second tube with respect to the other of the first tube and the second tube when the locking mechanism is disengaged,
 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises at least one protruding element and at least one receiving element and is engaged when the at least one protruding element engages with a respective at least one receiving element, 
 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a spring located in a place for a spring, said spring configured to retain the protruding element in a locked position, and in which releasing tension on the spring disengages the protruding element from the receiving element, thus allowing the tubes to slide in an axial direction relative to one another, and 
 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises one or more actuators that act upon the spring to release tension. 
   
     
     
         2 . A stowable and deployable stroller for carrying one or more passengers and transporting items, the stroller comprising:
 a front frame member configured to support a seat;   a rear frame member;   a selectively extendable base member attached to the front frame member and the rear frame member, said selectively extendable base member further comprising:
 at least two pairs of tubes, wherein each pair of tubes comprises a first tube and a second tube, the first tube being smaller in circumference than the second tube and wherein one of the first tube or the second tube includes one or more channels on each of opposing upper and lower sides of the tube, and in which at least two or more balls are set within each of the one or more channels and configured to engage with a level interior surface of the other tube; and 
   a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the first tube in a fixed position relative to the second tube when the locking mechanism is engaged, and the locking mechanism allows for movement of at least one of the first tube and the second tube with respect to the other of the first tube and the second tube when the locking mechanism is disengaged,
 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises at least one protruding element and at least one receiving element and is engaged when the at least one protruding element engages with a respective at least one receiving element, 
 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a spring located in a place for a spring, said spring configured to hold the protruding element in a locked position, and in which releasing tension on the spring disengages the protruding element from the receiving element, thus allowing the tubes to slide in an axial direction relative to one another. 
   
     
     
         3 . The stroller of  claim 2 , wherein the locking device further comprises one or more actuators which act upon the spring to release tension. 
     
     
         4 . The stroller of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more actuators pull a flexible element which acts upon the spring to release tension. 
     
     
         5 . The stroller of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible element is routed through at least a portion of the selectively extendable base member. 
     
     
         6 . The stroller of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible element is routed through at least a portion of at least one of the front frame member and the rear frame member. 
     
     
         7 . The stroller of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the one or more actuators is located on an upper portion of one of the front or rear frame member. 
     
     
         8 . The stroller of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one of the one or more actuators is located at a position above at least a portion of the seat. 
     
     
         9 . The stroller of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one of the one or more actuators is located at the top portion of the front frame member. 
     
     
         10 . The stroller of  claim 8  wherein expansion of the stroller can be achieved by actuating the at least one of the one or more actuators on the front frame member, followed by pulling the upper portion of the front frame member and at least one of an upper portion of the rear frame member or a rear handle in opposite directions. 
     
     
         11 . The stroller of  claim 1  wherein the stroller comprises two or more locking positions defined by the at least one receiving element. 
     
     
         12 . The stroller of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protruding element further comprises at least one of a pin or a rod, and wherein the at least one receiving element further comprises at least one of a slot or a tab. 
     
     
         13 . A stowable and deployable stroller for carrying one or more passengers and transporting items, the stroller comprising:
 a front frame member configured to support a seat;   a rear frame member;   a selectively extendable base member attached to the front frame member and the rear frame member, said selectively extendable base member further comprising:
 at least two pairs of tubes, wherein each pair of tubes comprises a first tube and a second tube, the first tube being smaller in circumference than the second tube and wherein one of the first tube or the second tube includes one or more channels on each of opposing upper and lower sides of the tube, and in which at least two or more balls are set within each of the one or more channels and configured to engage with a level interior surface of the other tube; and 
   a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the first tube in a fixed position relative to the second tube when the locking mechanism is engaged, and the locking mechanism allows for movement of at least one of the first tube and the second tube with respect to the other of the first tube and the second tube when the locking mechanism is disengaged,
 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises at least one protruding element and at least one receiving element and is engaged when the at least one protruding element engages with the respective at least one receiving element, 
 wherein the at least one receiving element is housed against at least one inner wall of the second tube. 
   
     
     
         14 . The stroller of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one protruding element further comprises at least one of a pin or a rod, and wherein the at least one receiving element further comprises at least one of a slot or a tab. 
     
     
         15 . The stroller of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one protruding element does not protrude through the entire wall of the second tube. 
     
     
         16 . The stroller of  claim 13 , wherein the stroller comprises two or more locking positions defined by the at least one receiving element. 
     
     
         17 . The stroller of  claim 13 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a spring located in a place for a spring, said spring configured to hold the protruding element in a locked position, and in which releasing tension on the spring disengages the protruding element from the receiving element, thus allowing the tubes to slide in an axial direction relative to one another. 
     
     
         18 . The stroller of  claim 13 , wherein the receiving element further comprises plates or inserts connected to the second tube. 
     
     
         19 . The stroller of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one receiving element and the second tube comprises a single piece of material.