EP-4737268-A2 - CONVERTIBLE CHILD STROLLER SYSTEM WITH AUXILIARY BASKET

Abstract

A child stroller system can convert from carrying a single child to carrying two children without removing a first child-carrying apparatus from the stroller and without adding adapters to the stroller. Both child-carrying apparatuses can be repositioned with respect to the stroller's chassis when mounted on the stroller. A self-standing and collapsible auxiliary basket can be mounted on the stroller in place of one of the child-carrying apparatuses.

Inventors

• TAYLOR, ANDREW J.
• EGGERT-CROWE, COLIN F.
• HUNTLEY, JOHN E.
• KEEBLER, NATHANIEL W.
• HARTENSTINE, CURTIS

Assignees

• Wonderland Switzerland AG

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20210528

Claims (15)

1. A stroller system (100) to transport one or more children, the stroller comprising: a foldable frame (105) including a handle (110), at least one front leg (130), and two rear legs (140); wheels (135, 145) attached to the at least one front leg and the two rear legs to support the foldable frame; and an adjustment knuckle (115) connecting an adjustable handle portion (112) of the handle to a fixed portion (114) of the handle, wherein the adjustable handle portion includes a grasping portion (113), and wherein the adjustment knuckle includes a height-adjustment actuator (730, 732, 734, 736) to change a height of the grasping portion with respect to a surface on which the wheels rest when the foldable frame is unfolded and includes a fold actuator (710, 712, 714, 722, 720) to actuate folding of the foldable frame and to operate independently of the first actuator.
2. The stroller system of claim 1, further comprising: a first pair of translatable seat mounts (125) connected to the foldable frame and arranged to translate along a first direction (211) with respect to the handle; and a second pair of translatable seat mounts connected to the foldable frame and arranged to translate along a second direction that is different than the first direction.
3. The stroller system of claim 2, wherein the first pair of translatable seat mounts, the second pair of translatable seat mounts, and the adjustment knuckle lie along two linear portions of the stroller frame that rise from the at least one front leg to the grasping portion.
4. The stroller system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the height-adjustment actuator includes a button pushable into the adjustment knuckle; and the fold actuator includes a trigger pullable along an exterior of the adjustment knuckle.
5. The stroller system of claim 4, wherein the trigger connects to a fold trigger actuator that rotates in the adjustment knuckle and pulls on a cable to fold the foldable frame when the trigger is pulled.
6. The stroller system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the fold actuator includes: a cable lever that rotates about a fulcrum and pulls on a cable when the trigger is pulled.
7. The stroller system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the height-adjustment actuator includes: a slide gear having teeth formed around a perimeter of the slide gear, wherein the slide gear is movable within the adjustment knuckle in a direction parallel to a pivot axis about which the adjustable handle portion pivots with respect to the fixed portion of the handle; and formed teeth on an interior of the adjustment knuckle that engage with the teeth on the slide gear.
8. The stroller system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein actuation of the fold actuator allows the stroller frame to fold into a configuration where the at least one front leg and the handle are within a 15-degree angle of each other.
9. The stroller system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment knuckle further includes a cover, and wherein the stroller system further comprises a cup-holder mount integrated into the cover for the adjustment knuckle.
10. The stroller system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cup-holder assembly attached to the adjustment knuckle, wherein the cup-holder assembly is rotatable with respect to the adjustment knuckle.
11. A method of operating a stroller (100) having a foldable frame (105) supported by wheels (135, 145), the method comprising: actuating a height-adjustment actuator (730, 732, 734, 736) at an adjustment knuckle (115) located on a handle (110) of the stroller to change a height of a grasping portion (113) with respect to a surface on which the wheels rest when the foldable frame is unfolded, wherein the grasping portion is located on an adjustable handle portion (112) of the handle; and actuating a fold actuator (710, 712, 714, 722, 720) at the adjustment knuckle to fold the foldable frame of the stroller, wherein the height-adjustment actuator and fold actuator can be operated independently of each other.
12. The method of claim11, wherein actuating the height-adjustment actuator comprises pushing a button into the adjustment knuckle.
13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein actuating the fold actuator comprises pulling a trigger along a surface of the adjustment knuckle.
14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising: leaving a first child-carrying apparatus attached to a first pair of translatable seat mounts that are connected to the foldable frame of the stroller; and mounting, without removing the first child-carrying apparatus, a second child-carrying apparatus into a second pair of translatable seat mounts that are connected to the foldable frame, wherein the first child-carrying apparatus and the second child-carrying apparatus can each be mounted in forward-facing and rearward-facing orientations in the first pair of translatable seat mounts and the second pair of translatable seat mounts.
15. The method of claim14, further comprising: translating the first child-carrying apparatus along a first direction while attached to the first pair of translatable seat mounts; and translating the second pair of translatable seat mounts along a second direction different from the first direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), to U.S. Application No. 63/031,967 filed on May 29, 2020, titled "Single to Double Stroller," and to U.S. Application No. 63/077,938 filed on September 14, 2020, titled "Universal Auxiliary Basket for Stroller," and to U.S. Application No. 63/126,751 filed on December 17, 2020, titled "Single to Double Stroller Improvements," which applications are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND A child stroller is a convenient apparatus for safely and easily transporting a child and has evolved in sophistication and user-friendliness in recent years. For example, a single stroller can have user-friendly features for both the parent and child such as an adjustable handle height for the parent, foldable frame, capability to switch between attaching an infant car seat, bassinet, or child seat to the stroller's frame, a large undercarriage basket, and a snack tray for the child. As children are added to the family, it is convenient to have a stroller that can convert from carrying a single child to carrying two children. SUMMARY The described implementations relate to a child stroller system that can easily convert from carrying a single seated or cradled child (infant, toddler, or young child) to carrying two seated and/or cradled children. A second child-carrying apparatus (infant car seat, bassinet, or child seat) can be added to the stroller without removing the first child-carrying apparatus. The positions of both child-carrying apparatuses are adjustable with respect to the stroller's frame. The stroller system also includes an auxiliary storage basket that can be mounted in a seat mount when the seat mount is not used for a child-carrying apparatus. The auxiliary basket can collapse into a flat form when not in use for storage and can stand on its base when detached from the stroller. Some implementations relate to a stroller system to transport one or more children. The stroller system can comprise a stroller frame including a handle, at least one front leg, and rear legs. The stroller system can further include wheels attached to the at least one front leg and the rear legs to support the stroller frame, a first pair of seat-adjustment assemblies comprising a first pair of seat mounts, the first pair of seat-adjustment assemblies connected to the stroller frame and arranged to translate the first pair of seat mounts along a first direction, and a second pair of seat-adjustment assemblies comprising a second pair of seat mounts, the second pair of seat-adjustment assemblies connected to the stroller frame and arranged to translate the second pair of seat mounts along a second direction that is different than the first direction. The stroller system may further include a first child-carrying apparatus mountable in the first pair of seat mounts in forward-facing and rear-facing orientations. Some implementations relate to methods of converting a stroller from transporting one child to transporting two children. Such methods can include acts of leaving a first child-carrying apparatus attached to a first pair of translatable seat mounts that are connected to a frame of the stroller and mounting a second child-carrying apparatus onto a second pair of translatable seat mounts. The first child-carrying apparatus and the second child-carrying apparatus can each be mounted in forward-facing and rearward-facing orientations in the first pair of translatable seat mounts and the second pair of translatable seat mounts. Some implementations relate to a stroller system to transport one or more children. The stroller can include: a foldable frame including a handle, at least one front leg, two rear legs, and wheels attached to the at least one front leg and the two rear legs to support the foldable frame. The stroller system can further include an adjustment knuckle connecting an adjustable handle portion of the handle to a fixed portion of the handle. The adjustable handle portion may include a grasping portion that is grasped by a user to push the stroller. The adjustment knuckle can include a height-adjustment actuator to change a height of the grasping portion with respect to a surface on which the wheels rest when the foldable frame is unfolded. The adjustment knuckle can also include a fold actuator to actuate folding of the foldable frame and to operate independently of the first actuator. Some implementations relate to methods of operating a stroller having a foldable frame supported by wheels. Such methods can include acts of: actuating a height-adjustment actuator at an adjustment knuckle located on a handle of the stroller to change a height of a grasping portion with respect to a surface on which the wheels rest when the foldable frame is unfolded, wherein the grasping portion is located on an adjustable handle portion of the handle; and actuating a fold actuator at the