IP Library Granted Patent US 8,146,928
Granted Patent B2
US 8,146,928 · App. 12/154,364 · Granted Apr 3, 2012

Stroller with braking device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,146,928
App. No.
12/154,364
Granted
Apr 3, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A stroller with a braking mechanism that automatically configures itself in a braking position provides protection against the unattended stroller from rolling away. By applying force to a handle, the braking mechanism is released and the stroller is able to be pushed as usual. The handle and braking mechanism are biased in the braking position by a spring located near the rear wheels. The braking mechanism applies sufficient frictional force against the tire of the wheel to prevent the wheel from rolling.

Claims (41)

1. A stroller comprising:

a) a frame;

b) a handle coupled to the frame, the handle configured to move from a braking position to a release position, wherein the handle is moved to the release position when the handle is pushed downward regardless of direction of travel of the stroller;

c) a levered braking mechanism located at a wheel and coupled to the handle, the braking mechanism configured to apply a force directly to the wheel to prevent the wheel from rotating; and

d) a spring located near the wheel for biasing the handle in the braking position and for biasing the braking mechanism to prevent the wheel from rotating, wherein a first end of the spring is directly coupled to the frame and a second end of the spring is directly coupled to the braking mechanism.

2. The stroller of claim 1 wherein the braking mechanism is configured to apply the force directly to a tire of the wheel.

3. The stroller of claim 1 further comprising a pulling cable coupled to the handle and the braking mechanism, wherein the pulling cable pulls the braking mechanism away from the wheel when the handle is moved to the release position.

4. The stroller of claim 1 wherein the stroller is configured to hold a plurality of children.

5. The stroller of claim 1 further comprising a cover coupled to the frame for covering one or more children within the stroller.

6. The stroller of claim 1 wherein the spring is an S-spring coupled to the frame and the braking mechanism.

7. The stroller of claim 1 wherein the spring biases the handle into the braking position by pulling on a pulling cable which pulls the handle into the braking position.

8. The stroller of claim 1 wherein the spring biases the handle into the braking position by pushing on a lever which pulls on a pulling cable which pulls the handle into the braking position.

9. The stroller of claim 1 wherein the braking mechanism includes a lever and a brake pad.

10. The stroller of claim 1 wherein the handle is automatically biased in the braking position.

11. A stroller comprising:

a) a frame;

b) a set of wheels coupled to the frame for enabling the stroller to roll;

c) a handle coupled to the frame, the handle configured to move from a braking position to a release position, wherein the handle is moved to the release position when the handle is pushed downward regardless of direction of travel of the stroller;

d) a braking mechanism including a lever and a brake pad located at a wheel of the set of wheels, the braking mechanism configured to apply a force directly to at least one of the set of wheels to prevent the wheels from rotating;

e) a release mechanism coupled to the handle and the braking mechanism, the release mechanism configured for pulling the braking mechanism away from the wheel when the handle is moved to the release position; and

f) a spring coupled to the frame and the braking mechanism, located near the wheel for biasing the handle in the braking position and for biasing the braking mechanism to prevent the wheels from rotating, wherein a first end of the spring is directly coupled to the frame and a second end of the spring is directly coupled to the braking mechanism.

12. The stroller of claim 11 wherein the braking mechanism is configured to apply the force directly to a tire of the wheel.

13. The stroller of claim 11 wherein the release mechanism is a pulling cable.

14. The stroller of claim 13 wherein the spring biases the handle into the braking position by pulling on the pulling cable which pulls the handle into the braking position.

15. The stroller of claim 13 wherein the spring biases the handle into the braking position by pushing on the lever which pulls on the pulling cable which pulls the handle into the braking position.

16. The stroller of claim 11 wherein the spring is an S-spring.

17. The stroller of claim 11 wherein the stroller is configured to hold a plurality of children.

18. The stroller of claim 11 further comprising a cover coupled to the frame for covering one or more children within the stroller.

19. The stroller of claim 11 wherein the handle is automatically biased in the braking position.

20. A stroller comprising:

a) a frame;

b) a handle coupled to the frame, the handle configured to move from a braking position to a release position, wherein the handle is moved to the release position when the handle is pushed downward;

c) a levered braking mechanism located at a wheel and coupled to the handle, the braking mechanism configured to apply a force directly to a the wheel to prevent the wheel from rotating wherein the braking mechanism does not prevent the wheel from rotating when the handle is pushed downward and the handle is moved to the release position; and

d) a spring located near the wheel for biasing the handle in the braking position and for biasing the braking mechanism to prevent the wheel from rotating, wherein a first end of the spring is directly coupled to the frame and a second end of the spring is directly coupled to the braking mechanism.

21. A stroller comprising:

a) a frame;

b) a handle coupled to the frame, the handle movable between a braking position and a release position;

c) a levered braking mechanism located at a wheel and coupled to the handle;

d) a spring located near the wheel for biasing the handle in the braking position and for biasing the braking mechanism to prevent the wheel from rotating; and

e) a braking cable;

wherein the braking cable is connected to a first end of the levered braking mechanism and the spring is connected to a second end of the levered braking mechanism.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2024
From: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: CHILDREN'S FACTORY, LLC
Reel/Frame 066183/0839 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2024
From: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION; ANGELES CORPORATION; CHILDCARE EDUCATION INSTITUTE, LLC; CHILDREN'S FACTORY, LLC; EARLYCHILDHOOD LLC; REALLY GOOD STUFF, LLC; FROG STREET PRESS, LLC
Reel/Frame 066185/0261 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2024
From: CHILDREN'S FACTORY, LLC
To: MIDCAP FINANCIAL TRUST
Reel/Frame 066166/0572 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 7, 2018
From: CHILDREN'S FACTORY, LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 045729/0306 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2018
From: EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION
To: CHILDREN'S FACTORY, LLC
Reel/Frame 044585/0303 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 19, 2017
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT (AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST BY MERGER TO GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT)
To: EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION; ANGELES CORPORATION; EARLYCHILDHOOD LLC; EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 042066/0010 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 18, 2017
From: EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION; ANGELES CORPORATION; CHILDCARE EDUCATION INSTITUTE, LLC; CHILDREN'S FACTORY, LLC; EARLYCHILDHOOD LLC; REALLY GOOD STUFF, LLC; FROG STREET PRESS, LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 042045/0473 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 30, 2014
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034601/0051 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 30, 2014
From: EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION; ANGELES CORPORATION; EARLYCHILDHOOD LLC; EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS, INC.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 034601/0383 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 6, 2011
From: EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION; EXCELLIGENCE HOLDINGS CORP.; ACHIEVEMENT PRODUCTS, INC.; ANGELES CORPORATION; COLORATIONS, INC.; EARLYCHILDHOOD LLC; EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS, INC.; MARKETING LOGISTICS, INC.; SMARTERKIDS.COM, INC.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026862/0303 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 6, 2011
From: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
To: ELC ACQUISITION CORP.; ELC HOLDINGS CORPORATION; EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION; EXCELLIGENCE HOLDINGS CORP.; ACHIEVEMENT PRODUCTS, INC.; ANGELES CORPORATION; COLORATIONS, INC.; EARLYCHILDHOOD LLC; EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS, INC.; MARKETING LOGISTICS, INC.; SMARTERKIDS.COM, INC.; STEFFY WOOD PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 026861/0826 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2011
From: ELC ACQUISITION CORP.; ELC HOLDINGS CORPORATION; EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION; EXCELLIGENCE HOLDINGS CORP.; ACHIEVEMENT PRODUCTS, INC.; ANGELES CORPORATION; COLORATIONS, INC.; EARLYCHILDHOOD LLC; EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS, INC.; MARKETING LOGISTICS, INC.; SMARTERKIDS.COM, INC.; STEFFY WOOD PRODUCTS, INC.
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026682/0695 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 21, 2008
From: GEESLIN, JAMES I.
To: EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021048/0058 →