Folding baby stroller system and method
A baby stroller for transporting an infant at speeds faster than normal walking is disclosed. This baby stroller can be folded to make it easier to stow and transport. The folding mechanism, a unique feature of the design is directed toward compactness, ease of use, reliability, and reduction in manufacturing costs.
1. A foldable baby stroller, comprising:
a front wheel;
left and right side laterally spaced-apart front wheel supports, each of the left and right side front wheel supports having a forward end portion and a rearward end portion, the front wheel being mounted to the forward end portion of at least one of the front wheel supports, the left and right side front wheel supports being rotatable as a unit;
left and right rear wheels;
left and right side laterally spaced-apart rear wheel supports, each of the left and right side rear wheel supports having a lower end portion and an upper end portion, the lower end portions being coupled to at least one of the left and right rear wheels; left and right side laterally spaced-apart handle members, each of the left and right side handle members having a forward end portion and a rearward end portion with a handle portion, the left and right side handle members being rotatable as a unit; and
left and right side laterally spaced-apart folding assemblies, each of the left and right side folding assemblies having a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member rotatably coupled to a pivot member supported by the upper end portion of a corresponding one of the left and right side rear wheel supports, the first and second rotatable members each being symmetrically rotatable about a common axis of rotation defined by the pivot member in first and second spaced apart rotational planes, respectively, the rearward end portion of a corresponding one of the left and right side front wheel supports being fixedly attached to the first rotatable member, and the forward end portion of a corresponding one of the left and right side handle members being fixedly attached to the second rotatable member, wherein each of the folding assemblies comprise an inwardly extending lever pivotally mounted on the rear wheel support and the inwardly extending levers are capable of being pulled upward and inward thereby putting the folding assemblies in an unlocked state.
2. The foldable baby stroller of claim 1 further including a rear axle coupled to the left and right rear wheels and the lower end portions of the left and right side rear wheel supports being attached to the rear axle.
3. The foldable baby stroller of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second rotatable members has an arm to which a corresponding one of the front wheel supports and the handle members is attached.
4. The foldable baby stroller of claim 1 wherein the pivot member is a bolt assembly.
5. The foldable baby stroller of claim 1 wherein the upper end portion of each of the left and right rear wheel supports includes a retainer opening within which the first and second rotatable members are rotatably retained.
6. The foldable baby stroller of claim 1 , wherein each of the first rotatable member and a second rotatable member comprises a notch and the inwardly extending levers comprises a head that is configured to be retracted and disengaged from each of the notches by an upward and inward movement of the inwardly extending lever.