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EP-4741256-A2 - ASSEMBLY FOR A DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING A CHILD

EP4741256A2EP 4741256 A2EP4741256 A2EP 4741256A2EP-4741256-A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly and device for transporting a child. According to the invention, the assembly comprises a frame comprising a frame body (10) having an upper side and a lower side, a supporting member (11) coupled to frame body (10) at the lower side, and a plurality of wheels (12, 13) each coupled to a respective wheel receiving section (121, 131) of the frame body (10) at the lower side. The assembly further comprises one or more child supporting devices (200, 300) and a U-shaped push bar (30). According to the invention, the U-shaped push bar (30) is configured to be releasably coupled to the frame, and in that the assembly (1) is configured to be switchable between a first configuration in which a child supporting device (200, 300) among the one or more child supporting devices and the push bar (30) are both coupled to the frame body (10) at the upper side, and a second configuration in which a child supporting device (200) among the one or more child supporting devices is supported by the supporting member (11) and wherein the push bar (30) is coupled to frame body (10) at the lower side.

Inventors

  • WUBBEN, Lukas Petrus Franciscus
  • VAN HOLLAND, SANDER

Assignees

  • Hummingbird B.V.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20251112

Claims (15)

  1. An assembly (1) for transporting a child, comprising: a frame comprising a frame body (10) having an upper side and a lower side, a supporting member (11) coupled to frame body (10) at the lower side, and a plurality of wheels (12, 13) each coupled to a respective wheel receiving section (121, 131) of the frame body (10) at the lower side; one or more child supporting devices (200, 300); a U-shaped push bar (30); characterized in that the U-shaped push bar (30) is configured to be releasably coupled to the frame, and in that the assembly (1) is configured to be switchable between: a first configuration in which a child supporting device (200, 300) among the one or more child supporting devices and the push bar (30) are both coupled to the frame body (10) at the upper side; and a second configuration in which a child supporting device (200) among the one or more child supporting devices is supported by the supporting member (11) and wherein the push bar (30) is coupled to frame body (10) at the lower side; wherein the supporting member (11) preferably comprises a ring-shaped frame, the assembly (1) preferably further comprising a flexible bag or net (11A) that is connected or connectable to the ring-shaped frame (11) and/or wherein the ring-shaped frame is configured to support the travel cot (200) at or near the bottom wall (210) thereof.
  2. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the assembly (1) forms a stroller in the first configuration, wherein the one or more child supporting devices optionally comprises a child seat (300), wherein the one or more child supporting devices comprise a travel cot (200), and wherein the assembly (1) forms a boulder cart, beach cart, or child wagon in the second configuration.
  3. The assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein the travel cot (200) comprises a child supporting area configured to support one or more children, wherein the child supporting area is configured to be transformable between: a first state in which the child supporting area is defined by a substantially flat supporting surface allowing a child to lie on the supporting surface; a second state in which part of the child supporting area is arranged downset from a remainder of the child supporting area allowing the one or more children to seat on the remainder of the child supporting area while feet of the one or more children are supported by the downset part of the child supporting area; wherein the child supporting area is preferably defined by at least two members that are releasably and/or moveably connected to each other.
  4. The assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the travel cot (200) comprises a bottom wall (210) defining the child supporting area and a side wall (220), the travel cot (200) being configured to accommodate a child inside the travel cot (200) on a first side of the bottom wall (210); wherein the bottom wall (210) comprises a first part (211), a second part (212), and a third part (213) arranged in between the first part (211) and second part (212); wherein the third part (213) comprises a first subpart (213A) and a second subpart (213B), wherein the second subpart (213B) connects the second part (212) to the first subpart (213A); wherein the travel cot (200) comprises a flexible supporting element (214) that extends on a second side of the bottom wall (210) opposite to the first side, wherein travel cot (200) is configurable in: a first state, corresponding to the first state of the child supporting area, in which the first part (211), second part (212), and third part (213) are arranged in line; a second state, corresponding to the second state of the child supporting area, in which the flexible supporting element (214) supports the first subpart (213A) at a height position remote from a height position of the first and second parts (211, 212).
  5. The assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein, when the travel cot (200) is configured in the second state, the travel cot (200) is configured to allow a child to sit on the first or second part (211, 212) while supporting feet of the child by the first subpart (213A); and/or wherein the side wall (220) comprises a circumferential ridge (221) that supports the first and second parts (211, 212) of the bottom wall (210), and that supports the third part (213) of the bottom wall (210) when the travel cot (200) is configured in the first state.
  6. The assembly (1) according to any of the claims 2-5, further comprising: a pair of first coupling units (C1), wherein the first coupling units (C1) are configured to be coupled to the frame body at the upper side in the first configuration or wherein the first coupling units (C1) are comprised by the frame body at the upper side; a pair of second coupling units (C2), wherein each second coupling unit (C2) is configured to be coupled to a respective end of the push bar (30) in at least the first and second configuration, or wherein the pair of second coupling units (C2) is comprised by the push bar at respective ends of the push bar (30); wherein, in the first configuration, the first coupling units (C1) are coupled to the second coupling units (C2) for the purpose of coupling the push bar (30) to the frame body (10).
  7. The assembly (1) according to claim 6, further comprising: a pair of third coupling units (C3), wherein the third coupling units (C3) are configured to be coupled to the frame body at the lower side in the second configuration or wherein the third coupling units (C3) are comprised by the frame body at the lower side; wherein, in the second configuration, the second coupling units (C2) are coupled to the third coupling units (C3) for the purpose of coupling the push bar (30) to the frame body (10); wherein the first and third coupling units (C1, C3) are preferably identical.
  8. The assembly (1) according to claim 7, further comprising a pair of first adapters (A1), wherein each first adapter (A1) is provided with a third coupling unit (C3); wherein, in the second configuration, the pair of first adapters (A1) is releasably coupled to the frame body (10) at the lower side; wherein, preferably: a pair of first wheels (12) among the plurality of wheels (12, 13) is removably and rotatably coupled to the wheel receiving sections (121) of the frame body (10), wherein, in the second configuration, each first adapter (A1) is removably coupled to the frame body (10) and arranged in between a respective first wheel (12) and the frame body (10), and wherein the pair of the first adapters (A1) is configured to be removed when switching from the second configuration to the first configuration by removing the first wheels (12) and by subsequently removing the first adapters (A1) and re-attaching the first wheels (12), wherein, more preferably, each wheel receiving section (121) comprises a body (1211) with an opening (1212) in which a wheel axle (12A) of a respective first wheel (12) is releasably couplable, wherein each first adapter (A1) comprises an end part that is provided with an opening (A11) that allows the end part to be arranged over the body (1211) of the wheel receiving section (121), wherein, in the second configuration, each first adapter (A1) is preferably configured to be rotatable about a rotational axis that is parallel to the wheel axle (12A) of the respective first wheel (12).
  9. The assembly (1) according to any of the claims 2-8, further comprising a pair of second adapters (A2), wherein each second adapter (A2) is preferably configured to be removably coupled to frame body (10) at the upper side, wherein, in the first configuration, the child supporting device (200, 300) is coupled to the frame body (10) using the pair of second adapters (A2).
  10. The assembly (1) according to any of the claims 2-9, wherein the frame body (10) comprises a pair of joint members (101), each joint member (101) preferably being configured to be coupled to a respective end of the push bar (30) in the first configuration; wherein the frame body (10) further comprises: a pair of first arms (102) that each extend between a respective first wheel receiving section (121) and a respective joint member (101); a pair of second arms (103) that each extend from a respective joint member (101) towards the lower side, wherein an end of each second arm (103) remote from the corresponding joint member (101) is hingedly coupled to the supporting member (11); wherein each first arm (102) comprises a first sub-arm (1021), a second sub-arm (1022), and a first arm hinge (1023) configured to allow the first sub-arm (1021) and second sub-arm (1022) to pivot relative to each other; wherein each first sub-arm (1021) is arranged in between the corresponding first wheel receiving section (121) and the corresponding first arm hinge (1023), wherein each second sub-arm (1022) is arranged in between the corresponding first arm hinge (1023) and the corresponding joint member (101); wherein each second sub-arm (1022) is hingedly coupled to the corresponding joint member (101), and wherein each first sub-arm (1021) is hingedly coupled to the support member (11); wherein each first arm hinge (1023) preferably comprises a resilient element (1024) resisting the first sub-arm (1021) pivoting towards the second sub-arm (1022), and/or wherein, in so far as depending on claim 6, the first coupling units (C1) are preferably provided in the joint members (101).
  11. The assembly (1) according claim 10, wherein the plurality of wheels (12, 13) comprises at least one second wheel (13) that is rotatably coupled to a respective wheel receiving section (131) of the frame body (10); wherein the end of each second arm (103) remote from the corresponding joint member (101) is preferably connected to, either directly or through a further tubular member, or comprises the wheel receiving section (131) to which the at least one second wheel (13) is coupled; wherein the at least one second wheel (13) preferably comprises a pair of second wheels (13) and/or wherein the first wheels (12) are rear wheels and wherein the at least one second wheel (13) is a front wheel; wherein the wheel receiving section (131) for each second wheel (13) is preferably configured to allow the second wheel (13) to swivel, wherein the wheel receiving section (131) for each second wheel (13) comprises a swivel limiter that is configured to be operable in a first state in which it does not limit a swiveling angle of the second wheel, and in a second state in which it limits the swiveling angle to be in a predefined range, said predefined range being from 180+A degrees to 180-A degrees, wherein 0 degrees corresponds to the position of the second wheel when the assembly is used in the first configuration and is moved straight ahead, wherein A is preferably less than 160 degrees, more preferably less than or equal to 145 degrees, wherein the swivel limiter is manually operable, wherein each swivel limiter preferably comprises a slider (1311) and at least one limiting element (1312), wherein, when the corresponding second wheel (13) swivels, the at least one limiting element (1312) performs a rotating movement together with the second wheel (13) and the slider (1311) remains stationary relative to the frame body (10), wherein, when the swivel limiter is operating in the first state, the slider (1311) is in a first position allowing the corresponding second wheel (13) to swivel freely, and wherein, when the swivel limiter is operating in the second state, the slider (1311) is in a second position blocking the at least one limiting element (1312) to rotate further when the at least one limiting element (1312) comes into contact with the slider (1311) thereby limiting the swiveling angle of the second wheel (13).
  12. The assembly (1) according to any of the claims 2-11, wherein the push bar (30) comprises a pair of outer tubular members (31), and a U-shaped tubular member (32) of which ends are received in the pair of outer tubular members (31); wherein the U-shaped tubular member (32) is configured to be telescopically adjustable in the pair of the outer tubular members (31); wherein, in so far as depending on claim 6, an end of each outer tubular member (31) remote from the U-shaped tubular member (32) is provided or coupled with a respective second coupling unit (C2).
  13. A device for transporting a child comprising the assembly (1) as defined in any of the claims 2-12 configured in the first or second configuration.
  14. A travel cot (200) comprising a child supporting area configured to support one or more children, wherein the child supporting area is configured to be transformable between: a first state in which the child supporting area is defined by a substantially flat supporting surface allowing a child to lie on the supporting surface; and a second state in which part of the child supporting area is arranged downset from a remainder of the child supporting area allowing the one or more children to seat on the remainder of the child supporting area while feet of the one or more children are supported by the downset part of the child supporting area.
  15. The travel cot (200) according to claim 14, comprising a bottom wall (210) defining a child supporting area and a side wall (220), the travel cot (200) being configured to accommodate a child inside the travel cot (200) on a first side of the bottom wall (210); wherein the bottom wall (210) comprises a first part (211), a second part (212), and a third part (213) arranged in between the first part (211) and second part (212); wherein the third part (213) comprises a first subpart (213A) and a second subpart (213B), wherein the second subpart (213B) connects the first subpart (213A) to the second part (212); wherein the travel cot (200) comprises a flexible supporting element (214) that extends on a second side of the bottom wall (210) opposite to the first side, wherein travel cot (200) is configurable in: a first state, corresponding to the first state of the child supporting area, in which the first part (211), second part (212), and third part (213) are arranged in line; a second state, corresponding to the second state of the child supporting area, in which the flexible supporting element (214) supports the first subpart (213A) at a height position remote from a height position of the first and second parts (211, 212); wherein, when the travel cot (200) is configured in the second state, the travel cot (200) is preferably configured to allow a child to sit on the first or second part (211, 212) while supporting feet of the child by the first subpart (213A); and/or wherein the side wall (220) preferably comprises a circumferential ridge (221) that supports the first and second parts (211, 212) of the bottom wall (210), and that supports the third part (213) of the bottom wall (210) when the travel cot (200) is configured in the first state.

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly and device for transporting a child. The present invention further relates to a coupling assembly used in such an assembly or device. The present invention also relates to a device for transporting a child comprising the coupling assembly. In addition, the present invention relates to a travel cot. An example of a known assembly for transporting a child comprises a frame, one or more child supporting devices such as a child seat or travel cot that can be coupled to the frame, and a U-shaped push bar. The frame comprises a frame body having an upper side and a lower side, a supporting member coupled to frame body at the lower side, and a plurality of wheels each coupled to a respective wheel receiving section of the frame body at the lower side. Assemblies of the type above have different applications. For example, the assembly can be used to transport a child that is seated in a child seat. Alternatively, the assembly can be used to transport a child that is lying down in a travel cot. Here, it is noted, that most assemblies are sold with different types of child supporting devices such as a child seat or travel cot. Another known device for transporting a child is a boulder cart, beach cart, or child wagon. In this application, one or more children can be transported simultaneously. Typically, during transport, the child or children is/are sitting in an upright position. To be able to have all the applications described above, a parent or other user is required to purchase a plurality of assemblies/devices. This can be both costly and space consuming. Assemblies for transporting a child exist in many shapes and forms. Typically, the construction of such assemblies needs to be strong enough to prevent any risk of the child falling out. The parts of the assembly therefore need to be secured or fixed adequately to one another. As a result, in prior art assemblies, a user cannot easily replace a damaged part. Typically, once a given part of the assembly has become damaged, a user is either required to send the entire assembly back to the manufacturer or other service center, or the user is required to buy another assembly. Another problem with prior art assemblies is that recycling after the lifetime of the device is complicated. Once the assembly is discarded, there is little to no opportunity to re-use parts that are still functional. An object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for transporting a child in which at least some of the abovementioned problems are at least partially addressed. To that end, the present invention provides an assembly that is characterized in that the U-shaped push bar is configured to be releasably coupled to the frame, and in that the assembly is configured to be switchable between a first configuration in which a child supporting device among the one or more child supporting devices and the push bar are both coupled to the frame body at the upper side, and a second configuration in which a child supporting device among the one or more child supporting devices is supported by the supporting member and wherein the push bar is coupled to frame body at the lower side. With the assembly according to the present invention, three different applications can be realized with a single assembly. More specifically, in the first configuration, a child can be transported in a lying position, using a travel cot, or in an siting position, using a child seat. In the second application, using the same or a different travel cot, one or more children can be transported in a sitting position. The assembly may form a stroller in the first configuration. In this case, the one or more child supporting devices may comprise a child seat. Although configured to support a child in a sitting position, the present invention equally relates to child seats that are adjustable between a state in which a child can be supported in a sitting position and a state in which a child can be supported in a lying position. The present invention equally relates to child seats that can be configured to be arranged in one or more states in between the abovementioned two states. The one or more child supporting devices may additionally or alternatively comprise a travel cot. In this case, the assembly may form a boulder cart, beach cart, or child wagon in the second configuration. Furthermore, the travel cot may comprise a child supporting area configured to support one or more children. This child supporting area can be configured to be transformable between a first state in which the child supporting area is defined by a substantially flat supporting surface allowing a child to lie on the supporting surface, and a second state in which part of the child supporting area is arranged downset from a remainder of the child supporting area allowing the one or more children to sit on the remainder of the child supporting area while feet of the one or more children are s