Stroller with secondary seating

Abstract

A stroller system including an expandable base and two frame members is discussed. The stroller system is configured for dual occupancy and provides an expandable cargo area to a user. The first and second seats coupled to their respective frame members may be modular in nature. The second seat may also include a bench seat with optional secondary support structures. The two frame members are configured to fold independently of one another. The mechanical apparatus of the dual occupancy stroller including locking and actuator mechanisms are discussed. Additionally, the mechanism by which the front frame member folds is discussed. The disclosed stroller is capable of simultaneously carrying multiple children with a cargo area that can be extended or retracted and can carry a heavy load. The stroller is able to easily fold to a stowed state.

1 . A stroller comprising:
 an expandable base member with a first peripheral end and a second peripheral end;   
       a first frame member pivotally connected to the expandable base member, wherein the first frame member is configured to contain means for retaining a first seat;
 a second frame member pivotally connected to the expandable base member, wherein the first frame member and the second frame member fold independently of each other; and 
 a second seat removably attached to the second frame member. 
 
     
     
         2 . The stroller of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second frame member comprises at least one frame mount hub;   the second seat comprises at least one seat mount hub; and   the second seat is removably attached to the second frame member by way of the at least one frame mount hub coupling with the at least one seat mount hub in a first configuration.   
     
     
         3 . The stroller of  claim 1 , wherein the first frame member is pivotally connected to the expandable base member proximate the first peripheral end. 
     
     
         4 . The stroller of  claim 1 , wherein the second frame member is pivotally connected to the expandable base member proximate the second peripheral end. 
     
     
         5 . The stroller of  claim 1 , wherein the second seat further comprises a seat back and a seat bottom. 
     
     
         6 . The stroller of  claim 2 , wherein each of the at least one frame mount hub coupling with the at least one seat mount hub engages a first locking mechanism, said first locking mechanism being configured to prevent removal of the second seat from the second frame member. 
     
     
         7 . The stroller of  claim 6 , further comprising a first actuator connected to a first cable, adapted to engage the first locking mechanism, wherein an engagement of the first actuator is configured to release the first locking mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The stroller of  claim 7 , wherein the first actuator is positioned proximate to the seat mount hub. 
     
     
         9 . The stroller of  claim 2 , wherein the second seat further comprises at least one seat mount pivot, wherein each of the at least one seat mount pivot are connected to each of the at least one seat mount hub via an interlocking system biased in a locked position, said interlocking system being configured to prevent the rotation of each of the at least one seat mount pivots relative to the respective at least one seat mount hub. 
     
     
         10 . The stroller of  claim 9 , wherein the interlocking system is configured to be released by at least one primary pivot locking system actuator to at least one preconfigured position. 
     
     
         11 . The stroller of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one primary pivot locking system actuator is located generally proximate to an upper surface of the second seat. 
     
     
         12 . The stroller of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one preconfigured position ranges from a first position where the second seat is positioned substantially perpendicular to the axis formed by the second frame member to a second position where the second seat is positioned substantially parallel to the axis formed by the second frame member. 
     
     
         13 . The stroller of  claim 9  further comprising a secondary pivot locking system. 
     
     
         14 . The stroller of  claim 13 , wherein the secondary pivot locking system further comprises a second cable or other flexible member, a second spring and a second locking device. 
     
     
         15 . The stroller of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one secondary pivot locking system actuator configured to release the secondary pivot locking system via the second cable or other flexible member displacing the second locking device. 
     
     
         16 . The stroller of  claim 15 , wherein the rotation of the second seat to a position generally parallel to the second frame member requires the engagement of the at least one secondary pivot locking system actuator and the at least one primary pivot locking system actuator. 
     
     
         17 . The stroller of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one secondary pivot locking system actuator is located in a position which is at least partially obstructed by occupancy of a child. 
     
     
         18 . A stroller comprising:
 an expandable base member with a first peripheral end and a second peripheral end;   
       a first frame member pivotally connected to the expandable base member proximate the first peripheral end, wherein the first frame member is configured to contain means for retaining a first seat;
 a second frame member pivotally connected to the expandable base member proximate the second peripheral end, wherein the first frame member and second frame member fold independently of each other; and 
 a second seat comprising a bench seat, wherein the second seat is removably attached to the second frame member. 
 
     
     
         19 . The stroller of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the second frame member comprises at least one frame mount hub;   the second seat comprises at least one seat mount pivot, and at least one seat mount hub; and   the second seat is removably attached to the second frame member by way of the at least one frame mount hub coupling with the at least one seat mount hub.   
     
     
         20 . The stroller of  claim 19 , wherein each of the at least one seat mount pivot is connected to one of the at least one seat mount hub via an interlocking spring-loaded system, said interlocking spring-loaded system configured to prevent the rotation of the bench seat about the axis formed by the at least one seat mount hub. 
     
     
         21 . The stroller of  claim 20 , further comprising an actuation mechanism connected to at least one cable or other flexible member which is routed through at least one seat mount pivot and configured to disengage the interlocking gear and allow the bench seat to rotate about the axis formed by the at least one seat mount hub from a generally horizontal state where the bench seat is generally parallel to the base member to a generally vertical state where the bench seat is generally parallel to the second frame member. 
     
     
         22 . The stroller of  claim 21 , wherein the actuation mechanism is located at least partially behind or below a bench seat surface. 
     
     
         23 . The stroller of  claim 19 , wherein the bench seat further comprises two secondary support structures, each secondary support structure comprising:
 a first support member;   a horizontal member;   a second support member;   wherein the first support member is connected to one of the at least one seat mount hub, the first support member is pivotally connected to the horizontal member, the horizontal member is pivotally connected to the first support member at one peripheral end and the second support member at a second peripheral end and the second support member is pivotally connected to the bench seat, and the two secondary support structures are positioned at respective sides of the bench seat.   
     
     
         24 . The stroller of  claim 19 , wherein each of the at least one seat mount hub coupling with the at least one frame mount hub engages a first locking mechanism, said first locking mechanism being configured to prevent the movement of the second seat along the axis defined by the second frame member. 
     
     
         25 . The stroller of  claim 24 , further comprising an actuation mechanism configured to decouple the at least one frame mount hub from the at least one seat mount hub in order to release the second seat from the second frame member. 
     
     
         26 . A stroller comprising:
 an expandable base member with a first peripheral end and a second peripheral end;   a first frame member pivotally connected to the expandable base member proximate the first peripheral end, wherein the first frame member is configured to contains means for retaining a first seat;   a second frame member pivotally connected to the expandable base member proximate the second peripheral end, wherein the first frame member and the second frame member fold independently of one another; and   a platform for supporting a standing child, wherein the platform is supported by a cross-member of the expandable base member proximate the second peripheral end.   
     
     
         27 . The stroller of  claim 26 , wherein the second frame member further comprises a second seat. 
     
     
         28 . The stroller of  claim 26 , wherein the platform pivots relative to the expandable base member from a first platform position parallel the expandable base member to a second platform position generally diagonal to the expandable base member. 
     
     
         29 . The stroller of  claim 28 , wherein the second platform position allows a user to stow items such that items are stowed below the platform when the platform is in the first platform position.