GB2640584A

GB2640584A - A vehicle, a push chair and a method of folding a vehicle such as a push chair

Info

Publication number: GB2640584A
Application number: GB2405904.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Schlagman Richard; Dahlström Björn
Original assignee: Jijibaba Ltd
Current assignee: Jijibaba Ltd
Priority date: 2024-04-26
Filing date: 2024-04-26
Publication date: 2025-10-29
Also published as: WO2025224277A1; GB202405904D0

Abstract

A foldable vehicle 2 comprising: a central body 4 extending across the vehicle 2; a handle assembly 7 being coupled to the central body 4; at least three wheel supporting legs 12, 14 rotatable around and extending from the central body 4. In the unfolded state, at least one leg 12, 14 extends in each of the forward/rearward directions. The handle 7 being movable to cause the legs 12, 14 to move from an unfolded configuration to folded configuration and vice versa, the handle may be movable within or relative to the central body. The vehicle 2 may be any suitable vehicle, including a push chair, a golf cart, a shopping trolley, a wheelchair etc.

Description

A Vehicle, A Push Chair and a Method of Folding a Vehicle Such As A Push Chair The present invention relates to a vehicle such as a push chair and a method of folding a vehicle such as a push chair.

Push Chairs are well known for transporting small children and modern pushchairs can also be used and adapted for the carriage of babies. In this application, the term push chair is intended also to include what are also commonly referred to as strollers, buggies or prams and is also intended to describe a system comprising a chassis to which can be added a seat or a removable cot or other enclosure suitable for the transport of a baby or a small child. One of the desired features of a pushchair is that it can be folded to a compact dimension, so making it easier to carry, stow in a car or other transport means, such as a bus, train or aircraft.

Many push chairs are known to fold and stow into smaller dimensions. Most only fold into smaller sizes in one or two dimensions. Many examples can be found in the shops and in general use.

US2014/0312599 describes a foldable type of push chair, but in this case foldable to a backpack. The front legs are also foldable to help reduce the overall dimensions.

DE3147657A describes an arrangement having a combination of rods connected to the main support structures for providing the support, the rods being slidably connected to the support to ensure the correct relationship between the support rods.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of the known prior art by providing a push chair that is easy to fold.

In our granted patent GB2591211 there is described and disclosed a foldable push chair comprising a central body portion extending across the push chair and defining a central axis, the central axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the normal direction of travel of the push chair, a handle assembly connected to the central body and extending therefrom; at least three wheel supporting legs rotatable around the central axis and extending from the central body, in the unfolded state, one or more wheel supporting legs extending in a forward direction from the central axis and one or more wheel supporting legs extending in a rearward direction from the central axis; the forward and rearward extending legs being coupled together such that they rotate in opposite directions around the central axis during a folding or unfolding operation.

The push chair operates extremely well and provides solutions to a number of problems associated with push chairs described above. In particular it provides a push to chair that is smaller in two or three dimensions when in the folded configuration.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a foldable vehicle such as a push chair comprising: a central body extending across the vehicle, a handle assembly for engagement by a user to push the vehicle the handle being coupled to the central body; optionally, a seat for a passenger; at least three wheel supporting legs rotatable around the central body and extending from the central body, wherein in the unfolded state, one or more wheel supporting legs extend in a forward direction and one or more wheel supporting legs extend in a rearward direction; the handle being movable to cause the legs to move from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration or vice versa.

The invention provides a foldable vehicle such as a push chair wherein the handle is moveable to cause the legs of the vehicle to move from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration or vice versa. In preferred examples, the handle is arranged to move within or relative to the central body cause the legs of the vehicle to move from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration or vice versa. For example a handle housing can be provided coupled directly or indirectly to the central body and the handle is arranged to slide within the handle housing.

Throughout the present description the embodiments described will be mostly examples of push chairs. However, it will be appreciated that the present vehicle and method are not limited to push chairs. The present system and method are applicable to any type of foldable vehicle and other examples, include shopping trolleys, golf trolleys, wheelchairs and the like.

It will also be appreciated that the coupling of the handle to the central body can be directly or via an intervening or intermediate component. What matters is that a pusher of the vehicle is able to impart movement to the vehicle by pushing the handle.

In one example, the forward and rearward extending legs are arranged such that they rotate in the same direction around the central body during a folding operation and such that they rotate upwards towards the handle assembly during folding.

In one example, the forward and rearward extending legs are arranged such that they rotate in the opposite directions around the central body during a folding operation and such that they rotate upwards towards the handle assembly during folding.

In one example, the handle assembly comprises a handle housing coupled to the central body extending across the push chair, and a moveable handle portion arranged to move within the handle housing to control closure or opening of the push chair.

In one example, the moveable handle portion is arranged to slide telescopically within the handle housing to control closure or opening of the push chair. -)0

In one example, the handle housing is arranged to interact with a block and tackle system within the handle housing.

In one example, the block and tackle system is a two block or a three-block system.

In one example, the block and tackle system comprises a cable having a cable stopper fixedly mounted to the cable to engage to with a catcher on the moveable handle portion.

In one example, during at least part of its range of sliding movement the catcher is able to move freely relative to the cable.

In one example, a distal end of the cable is fixedly connected to one or more of the legs such that tension applied to the cable drives rotation of the or each leg about the central body.

In one example, telescopic sliding of the moveable handle portion is arranged to drive or assist opening or closing of the push chair.

In one example, the telescopic sliding of the moveable handle portion is arranged to activate one or more of a motor, mechanical, magnetic or hydraulic systems to drive or assist in opening or closing of the legs.

In one example, the foldable push chair comprises a spring mechanism coupled to the cable to provide a biassing force when opening or closing the push chair.

In one example, each of the legs of the push chair have attached to them a wheel in which all the wheels of the push chair are the same size.

In one example, the foldable push chair comprises a braking mechanism.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of folding a foldable vehicle such as a foldable push chair comprising a central body extending across the vehicle, a handle assembly for engagement by a user to push the vehicle, optionally a seat for a passenger, and at least three wheel supporting legs rotatable around the central body and extending from the central body, wherein in the unfolded state, one or more wheel supporting legs extend in a forward direction and one or more wheel supporting legs extend in a rearward direction, the method comprising; moving the handle relative to the central body to cause the legs to move from an unfolded configuration to folded configuration or vice versa.

Throughout the present application, reference to provision of a seat is made.

The seat can be coupled directly or indirectly to the central body of the vehicle. It will also be understood that other attachments can be coupled directly or indirectly to the central body of the vehicle. Non-limiting examples include a car seat, a carry cot, a forward or rear facing seat, a hammock seat, and a stroller seat.

In one example, the handle assembly comprises a moveable handle portion and a handle housing and wherein moving the handle comprises sliding the handle telescopically within the handle housing to control closure or opening of the push chair.

In one example, the moveable handle assembly engages a two block and pulley system within the handle housing when sliding telescopically.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle to such as a foldable push chair, the vehicle comprising: a central body extending across the push chair, a handle assembly for engagement by a user to push the vehicle the handle being coupled to the central body; at least three wheel supporting legs moveable relative to the central body and extending from the central body, wherein in the unfolded state, one or more wheel supporting legs extend in a forward direction and one or more wheel supporting legs extend in a rearward direction; the handle being movable, e.g. within or relative to the central body, to cause the legs to move from an unfolded configuration to folded configuration or vice versa.

Unlike the first aspect in this example the legs are not necessarily rotatable about the central body. Sliding of the handle downwards could for example cause telescopic contraction of the legs towards the central body of the vehicle.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A is a schematic view of a push chair; Figure 1B is a schematic view of an alternative chassis for the push chair of Figure 1A; Figures 2A to 2C are examples of a folding push chair at various stages of a folding process; Figures 3A to 3C are examples of a folding push chair at various stages of a folding process; Figures 4A to 4C are examples of a folding push chair at various stages of a folding process; Figure 5 shows a view of a closure mechanism for a push chair; and Figure 6 shows a more detailed view the closure mechanism of Figure 5.

The invention provides a vehicle such as a push chair in which a central body is provided. A handle assembly is provided with which a user can engage to push or pull the push chair. The handle assembly is preferably either directly or indirectly connected to the central body (or indeed to any other part of the vehicle such that engagement with the handle assembly causes the push chair to be moved in a desired direction).

Extending from the central body there are provided at least three wheel supporting legs rotatable around central body, e.g. around a central axis of the central body.

The at least three wheel supporting legs extend from the central body and include one or more wheel supporting legs extending in a forward direction from the central axis and one or more wheel supporting legs extending in a rearward direction from the central axis. The one or more wheel supporting legs extending in a forward direction from the central body and the one or more wheel supporting legs extending in a rearward direction from the central body may simply be referred to as front legs and rear legs respectively. The vehicle is arranged such that when being folded, i.e., changing from an unfolded state to a folded state, the legs are arranged to rotate in the same direction towards the handle, i.e., they are arranged to rotate substantially upwards from their position to a closed or folded state in which the legs are adjacent to the handle.

As mentioned above, throughout the present description the embodiments described will be mostly examples of push chairs. However, the present system and method are not limited to push chairs. The present system and method are applicable to any type of foldable vehicle and other examples, include shopping trolley, golf trolleys, wheelchairs and the like. Given that the majority of the description relates to the embodiment as a push chair reference is made to the presence of a seat. However, it will be appreciated that the presence of the seat is not essential. In some examples, no seat will be present, e.g. in the case of a shopping trolley or a cart for golf clubs.

In one example, the legs are not directly connected to the central body. But are coupled to another part of the pushchair, e.g. side frame members or the like. What is important is that the push chair is arranged such that when being folded, i.e., changing from an unfolded state to a folded state, the legs are arranged to rotate in the same direction towards the handle, i.e., they are arranged to rotate substantially upwards from their position to a closed or folded state in which the legs are adjacent to the handle.

It will be appreciated that initially, depending on whether the legs fold clockwise or anti-clockwise, one of the forward or the front wheel supporting legs extending in a forward direction or the wheel supporting legs extending in a rearward direction will rotate downwards initially before reaching a bottom dead centre position and then rotating upwards. The other of the legs will from their open unfolded state fold directly upwards towards the handle. What is important is that the legs rotate in the same direction about the central body and that for at least part of their rotation to a closed state from an open state, they rotate upwards away from the ground.

The arrangement of the push chair including legs which are arranged to rotate in the same direction around the central body but generally upwards towards the handle assembly provides for a push chair in which a simple mechanism can be provided for enabling the rotation of the legs and further provides for an arrangement in which the push chair is compact when in a folded configuration.

Figure 1a is a schematic view of a push chair. The push chair 2 comprises a central body 4 or chassis, to which is provided a connected (directly or indirectly) handle assembly 7 including one or more generally upright members 8. A seat 6 is provided coupled to the central body 4. The seat is preferably sized and shaped to provide comfortable support for an infant or small child, as is well known in push chairs. Forward directed legs 12 are provided as are rearward extending legs 14 also coupled to the central body 4. Wheels 16 are provided at the end of the legs to enable a simply rolling of the push chair.

The central body 4 may be substantially straight, i.e., has the form of a straight cylinder of uniform cross-section. However, preferably the body will be v shaped, i.e., as shown in Figure lb. The central body can be any suitable or desired shape. In the case of a V shape body, what is meant is that the body has two straight or substantially straight cylindrical parts that come together at a centre at some angle (preferably an obtuse angle between 90 and 180 degrees).

Figures 2a to 2c show an example of a push chair such as that described in our granted patent GB2591211, referred to above.

Looking at Figure 2a, a central body 4 is provided to which is connected a handle assembly 7. The handle assembly extends generally upwardly, i.e. away from the ground and preferably at some angle to the vertical to make pushing of the push chair comfortable for a user. Wheel supporting legs 12 are provided extending in a forward direction and wheel supporting legs 14 are provided extending in a rearward direction, i.e., forward and rearward with respect to the direction of movement of the push chair as it is pushed in normal use.

A seat 6 is provided connected to the central body 4. Typically, the forward direction will be the direction that a child or baby sitting in the push chair will be facing although it is of course possible that the seat be positioned such that a passenger faces rearwardly as well or instead. Wheels 16 are provided at the distal ends of the front and rear extending legs.

As the push chair is changed from an unfolded state (shown in Figure 2a) to a folded state (shown in Figure 2c), the legs 12 and 14 are coupled together such that they rotate in opposite directions around the central body 4 to the closed position shown in Figure 2c. Thus, in this example, the rear legs and front legs effectively sandwich the seat and the handle assembly 7 between them in the folded state.

A system is now described by which the control of the folding of the legs can be achieved.

Figures 3A to 3C show a first embodiment.

Figures 3A to 3C show a sequence of stages of the folding of a push chair such as that shown in Figures 1 and 2. In the example of Figures 3a to 3c, a system is provided to enable handle activated folding of the push chair. In general, what is provided is a system by which the folding or unfolding of the legs of a pushchair can be achieved through interaction with the handle. A system is provided in which downward movement of the handle causes the legs to fold upwards. Conversely, upward movement of the handle causes the legs to unfold.

In one particular non-limiting detailed example to be described below, this is achieved with a block and tackle mechanism in which a cable and two pulleys are arranged. Dependent on the number of pulleys, some beneficial gearing can be provided which can reduce the force needed to cause the legs to rotate. (See the example of Figures 4A to 4C and Fig 7).

As is well known, in such a system, the pulleys are assembled to form blocks and then the blocks are paired. One is fixed and one moves with the load, but in this example two fixed pulleys are provided and a movable point is provided at the end of a cable or wire connected to one or more of the legs. A rope is threaded through the pulleys to provide mechanical advantage or gearing that amplifies the force applied. In the example provided the leas are arranged to rotate together and are preferably connected by gearing (not described in detail, but one example can be understood fully by reference to our earlier referenced applications and patents).

However, other systems for causing or assisting the legs to rotate can be used instead of or as well as the two-block system. For example a motor can be provided activated by downwards telescopic sliding of the handle, or mechanical, magnetic or hydraulic systems can be provided such that when a user pushes a handle down, i.e. slides an upper part of a handle telescopically into a lower part a reaction is generated which either assists in the folding of the legs or directly and without any other input causes the legs to fold upwards. Any other workable system or mechanism can be used to drive or control movement of the legs responsive to activation by the handle.

Referring to Figure 3a the example using a "two block" system is described in which two fixed pulleys are provided. A moveable point is provided at the end 45 of a cable, to be described in greater detail below. When tension is applied to the cable it causes the legs via hubs to rotate around the central body or axis of the body of the pushchair and therefore to rotate upwards to a closed position (seen in Figure 6). The two-block system, to be described in detail provides forces to facilitate this rotation of the legs to the closed position.

A push chair 18 is provided having front legs 20 and rear legs 22. A handle assembly 24 is provided. As can be seen, wheels are provided on the distal ends of the legs. The seat mechanism within which an infant will typically be positioned in use is not shown in Figures 3a to 3c, for clarity. It will be appreciated that a seat such as that shown in Figure 1a will typically be provided as part of the overall assembly.

The handle assembly 24 comprises a handle 26 mounted telescopically and for engagement with components within the handle base 8. A two-block mechanism is provided which enables the closing or opening of the chair by movement of the handle 26 in an axial direction 28 (Fig 3B). In other words, by sliding the handle 26 axially or telescopically within the handle base 8, the handle mechanism, as will be described in detail below, provides a force causing a changing in state of the push chair from the open configuration as seen in Figures 3a and 3b to the closed or closing configuration as shown in Figure 3c.

Typically, some means (not shown) for locking the handle in an open position is provided, i.e. to stop it sliding into the handle base 8 and keep it in an open or extended position. The same or different locking mechanism can be used to lock it in a closed configuration, i.e., when it has slid into the handle base 8 as far as desired (and/or as far as it can go). This can be provided as a button or hand activated lock in the handle. Typically, it might be provided on the cross bar of a handle as seen in Figure 1A. To start a folding operation a user will typically press the lock button to release the mechanism and enable the handle mechanism to operate as described herein.

Referring now to Figure 5, an enlarged section from Figure 3A is shown. The handle 26 comprises a catcher 30 arranged on the lower most end of the handle 26. The catcher 30 is able to slide freely in the direction 28 as shown until it engages, when moving in a downwards direction, with a stopper 32 provided on a wire 34. The stopper 32 is fixed on the wire and in normal operation cannot slide relative to the wire 34. Thus, force applied to the stopper 32 will be transmitted to the wire and serve to force a tension into the wire 34.

The wire 34 is arranged to pass around two fixed rotational pegs or pulleys 36 and 38. It will be appreciated from the arrangement of Figure 5 that the closure mechanism is configured as a block and tackle system, in that the resolved forces along the lengths of cable or wire 34 within the system provide assistance to cause rotation of a central hub or axis to which the end 45 of the cable 34 is connected. Thus, as the catcher 30 engages with the stopper 32 it forces it downwards (in Figures 5 and 6) and applies a tension 47 to the cable 34. The tension as a consequence of the pulleys is directed upwards in the branch of the cable between point 45 and pulley 36. Thus, the point 45 is pulled by the tension and moves as result, causing rotation of the legs or hubs to which they are connected. The legs are thus driven to rotate of the legs to a closed position, as seen in Figure 6.

One end of the wire or cable 34 is fixed to the end of a spring 40. The point of engagement of the spring and the wire 42 is selected so as to ensure that the end of the spring at the point 42 will never engage the pulley 38. The upper end 44 of the spring is anchored within the housing 8. Accordingly, when a tension is applied such that the stopper 32 is driven either upwards or downwards (in either direction along axis 28) the spring either provides assistive force to enable movement of the handle or provides a retarding force to restrict its movement. As will be explained below, this is a useful and desirable technical feature in that it enables spring-assisted opening of the push chair or spring assisted closure of the push chair.

Referring again to Figure 5, as the handle 26 is pushed down, i.e. slid telescopically, within base 8, the block 30, until it engages the stopper 32 slides freely on the wire 34. In other words, the movement (telescopic sliding) of the handle, has no effect on the position of the legs through interaction with the wire 34 until the catcher 30 engages the stopper 32. The movement of the handle 26 is preferably guided by bearings (not shown) which enable it to slide telescopically or otherwise within housing 8 as the block or catcher 30 moves freely on the wire 34.

Referring to Figure 6, the handle 26 can be seen to have moved axially low enough so as to engage the stopper 32. This engagement causes the wire or cable to be pulled downwards around upper pulley 36, assisted by the force of the spring 40. Tension in all branches of the cable or wire ultimately acts on point 45 which can rotate about the axis of rotation of the pushchair body and thereby cause the legs to rotate upwards (see arrows in Figure 3c). The legs are preferably arranged to rotate in opposite directions about the rotational axis of the hub. The legs rotate upwards such that the front legs have rotated clockwise and the rear legs have rotated anti-clockwise. In the closed configuration as shown in Figure 6, the front and rear legs now enclose the handle and, in some configurations, the seat (not shown).

The mechanism, due to the presence of the pulleys 36 and 38 functions as a two-block mechanism. The system is able to effectively gear the movement in dependence on the number of pulleys and the number of lengths of the wire 34. It is possible that a beneficial ratio is provided to a user which reduces the force that a user must use to close the push chair.

In addition, the spring can function to provide a power assistance to a user in that in the configuration shown in Figure 5 the spring is effectively under tension and so when a user then pushes the handle down so as to engage the stopper 32, the extended spring has an in-built power bias which assists the user in closing the push chair. However, typically the spring force provided by the spring 40 is used to ensure that the wire remains under tension in the pulleys (36, 38, 51, 53, 57) rather than providing any significant assistance to movement of the legs. When unfolding, the weight of the legs themselves assists since gravity acting on the legs will encourage them to rotate downwards about the central body to the open configuration.

The mechanism shown in Figures 4a to 4c is similar and will not be described in detail. However, there is a significant difference which is that two lower pulleys are provided instead of one. A three-block system is thus provided. This increases the gear ratio of the provided system which therefore means that less force applied to the handle is needed to drive closure of the push chair as it transitions from the open configuration of Figure 4a to the closed configuration of Figure 4c.

Again, in Figure 4b, the axial direction of the movement of the handle is shown. In Figure 4b, the catch and the stop have just engaged. Accordingly, as the handle is depressed further (Figure 4c) the legs are forced to rotate upwards under pressure of the spring assistance and the downwards provided to the handle.

Figure 7 shows an expanded region from Figure 4A. As can be seen two lower pulleys 51 and 53 are provided. This increases the number of lengths 55 of cable between the top of the system and the bottom and, in effect, the gearing of the block and tackle system. It means that the force required to cause the legs to move from an open configuration to a closed configuration is reduced, although the length of sliding movement of the handle will be greater for the same degree of rotation of the legs.

The mechanism by which the legs are coupled and arranged for rotation may be the same as that described in our granted patent GB2591211. -)0

The mechanism and systems of our other granted patents or co-pending applications including GB259106, PCT/IB2019/000770, PCT/IB2019/000775, can also be incorporated into the push chair as disclosed herein. The present applicant is the proprietor of other pending and granted patent rights relating to pushchairs. The presently described system is applicable to any and all of these.

The process of folding the push chair (or, more generally, the vehicle) is preferably a single continuous process. In other words, in the non-limiting example of a push chair with a V-shaped central body, the user might unlock the handle to enable the push chair to be folded, and then telescopically slide the handle down as described above. The legs will initially fold outwards and the V-shaped body will move down towards the ground and ultimately engage with the ground. The user, in the same continuous movement, continues to slide the telescoping handle downwards which causes the legs to rotate upwards in the manner shown, in say Figure 3C or 4C. the same continuous or single movement can be used irrespective of whether the legs fold the same way around the body or in opposite directions about the body (as in the examples of Figs 3C and 4C).

A number of preferred and possible features of a push chair will now be described. Any appropriate combination of these features can be provided in an exemplary push chair.

Each of the legs of the push chair may have attached to it a wheel in which all the wheels of the push chair are the same size wheels. Alternatively, different size wheels can be provided, e.g. larger wheels on the rear directed legs, and smaller wheels on the front directed pointing legs.

The legs, wheels or handle may contain or include a braking mechanism for the push chair.

The push chair legs can be arranged such that they can protect the textile seat of the push chair when they are in a folded configuration. In addition the legs can be configured such that when they close they do not contact a user or the seat fabric. -)0

One or more of the legs may be positioned higher than another leg when in the folded configuration.

The legs or the central body or push chair or vehicle in general may contain an inbuilt stand for ease of storage or the have a stand attached to the legs.

In one example, the legs may have a magnetic element to support in folding or locking once folded.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the examples described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A vehicle such as a foldable push chair, the vehicle comprising: a central body extending across the vehicle, a handle assembly for engagement by a user to push the vehicle the handle being coupled to the central body; at least three wheel supporting legs rotatable around the central body and extending from the central body, wherein in the unfolded state, one or more wheel supporting legs extend in a forward direction and one or more wheel supporting legs extend in a rearward direction; the handle being movable to cause the legs to move from an unfolded configuration to folded configuration or vice versa.
2. A vehicle of claim 1, in which the forward and rearward extending legs are arranged such that they rotate in the same direction around the central body during a folding operation and such that they rotate upwards towards the handle assembly during folding.
3. A vehicle of claim 2, in which the forward and rearward extending legs are arranged such that they rotate in the opposite directions around the central body during a folding operation and such that they rotate upwards towards the handle assembly during folding.
4. A vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the handle assembly comprises a handle housing coupled to the central body, and a moveable handle portion arranged to move within the handle housing to control closure or opening of the vehicle.
5. A vehicle according to claim 4, in which the moveable handle portion is arranged to slide telescopically within the handle housing to control closure or opening of the vehicle.
6. A vehicle according to claim 5, in which the handle housing is arranged to interact with a block and tackle system within the handle housing.
7. A vehicle according to claim 6, in which the block and tackle system is a two-block or a three-block system.
8. A vehicle according to claims 6 and 7, in which the block and tackle system comprises a cable having a cable stopper fixedly mounted to the cable to engage to with a catcher on the moveable handle portion.
9. A vehicle according to claim 8 in which during at least part of its range of sliding movement the catcher is able to move freely relative to the cable.
10. A vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, in which a distal end of the cable is fixedly connected to one or more of the legs such that tension applied to the cable drives rotation of the or each leg about the central body.
11. A vehicle according to claim 5, in which telescopic sliding of the moveable handle portion is arranged to drive or assist opening or closing of the push chair.
12. A vehicle according to claim 11, in which the telescopic sliding of the moveable handle portion is arranged to activate one or more of a motor, mechanical, magnetic or hydraulic systems to drive or assist in opening or closing of the legs.
13. A vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 12, comprising a spring mechanism coupled to the cable to provide a biassing force when opening or closing the vehicle.
14. A vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 13, in which each of the legs of the push chair have attached to them a wheel in which all the wheels of the vehicle are the same size.
15. A vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 14, including a braking mechanism.
16. A vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 15, in which the vehicle is selected from the group including a push chair, a wheel chair, a trolley, a tricycle, a golf trolley and a shopping trolley.
17. A vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 16, in which the vehicle is a push chair and comprises a seat for a passenger coupled or couplable to the central body.
18. A method of folding a foldable vehicle such as a foldable push chair, comprising a central body extending across the vehicle, a handle assembly for engagement by a user to push the vehicle, and at least three wheel supporting legs rotatable around the central body and extending from the central body, wherein in the unfolded state, one or more wheel supporting legs extend in a forward direction and one or more wheel supporting legs extend in a rearward direction, the method comprising; moving the handle relative to the central body to cause the legs to move from an unfolded configuration to folded configuration or vice versa.
19. A method according to claim 18, in which the handle assembly comprises a moveable handle portion and a handle housing and wherein moving the handle comprises sliding the handle telescopically within the handle housing to control closure or opening of the vehicle.
20. A method according to claim 19, in which the moveable handle assembly engages a two block and pulley system within the handle housing when sliding telescopically.
21. A vehicle such as a foldable push chair, the vehicle comprising: a central body extending across the push chair, a handle assembly for engagement by a user to push the vehicle the handle being coupled to the central body; at least three wheel supporting legs moveable relative to the central body and extending from the central body, wherein in the unfolded state, one or more wheel supporting legs extend in a forward direction and one or more wheel supporting legs extend in a rearward direction; the handle being movable within or relative to the central body to cause the legs to move from an unfolded configuration to folded configuration or vice versa.