HK40023683B - Stroller accessory and double stroller assembly - Google Patents

Description

Baby stroller accessories and double baby stroller assemblies

Technical Field

This invention relates to stroller accessories. It also relates to an assembly forming a double stroller, comprising the stroller and such stroller accessories.

Background Technology

Whether dealing with the birth of twins or children of similar ages, transporting two very young children simultaneously in a stroller by a single parent presents a problem. The few solutions offered to date, as detailed below, are based on the idea of providing a double stroller by "enlarging" a single stroller. That is, providing a stroller with a single fixed seat, its frame typically mounted on two fixed rear wheels or two pivoting front wheels, and its propulsion is performed by a user standing behind the frame to move the frame forward and to control and stop the rear wheels from rolling. These existing double stroller solutions are not very satisfactory, particularly as they are impractical, uncomfortable, and even dangerous.

In practice, the first option involves a double stroller where two children are placed side-by-side. This design inevitably involves a significant widening of the double stroller, even limiting the minimum single-person width of the seating area for each child, which is very detrimental to their comfort and complicates or even prohibits the installation of infant seats or bassinets. In practice, this type of double stroller is unusable in narrow passageways, especially on narrow sidewalks. Furthermore, due to the large space between the left and right wheels and the significant weight of the stroller, it remains difficult to maneuver despite the use of a rear handle that extends continuously across its entire width. Moreover, folding and unfolding are so cumbersome that users often forgo folding and unfolding them altogether, meaning that even when not in use, the double stroller is still bulky.

The second option involves a double stroller in which two children are transported one in front of the other, sometimes facing each other, and at the same height. In this case, the individual seating areas for each child can be wider and more independent, which is comfortable for the children and allows for the installation of any type of seat and basket to accommodate both children. However, this option inevitably results in a very long stroller frame: this requires significant reinforcement of the frame's structural strength, particularly by adding reinforcing ribs extending along the front-rear direction, making the frame heavier and again complicating folding and unfolding operations. In use, the wheelbase between the front and rear wheels of this double stroller is too large, resulting in generally poor maneuverability, even when using wheel-type handles instead of traditional handlebars. Furthermore, this type of double stroller can only be cumbersome to navigate across sidewalks, even if not dangerously: in fact, given the large wheelbase of the frame, the user cannot lift the front wheels by slightly tilting the rear of the stroller back around the pivot of the rear wheels on the ground. Therefore, in order to move up to the sidewalk, the user usually has to release the handles, move to the front of the stroller and crouch down to lift the front until the front wheels touch the sidewalk, and then go back to the back of the stroller and grab the handles again.

The third option involves a double stroller in which two children are transported, one in front of the other, partially overlapping. In this design, the stroller frame, in addition to supporting the seat or main basket at a conventional first height, typically supports a second height at the front of the frame, where the seat or secondary basket is usually detachably secured to the chassis. This second height is significantly lower than the first. Besides the fact that the child in the seat or secondary basket, and their parents, are generally quite aware that their seating height is at the same level as the car's tailpipe, it is particularly important to note, again, that the double stroller frame must be extended and reinforced, thus becoming heavier than a single stroller. Consequently, the same negative impacts are found on operability and safety during use, as well as the practicality of folding.

In addition to the various double stroller options listed above, it is well known that a single stroller can be used to transport two children when equipped with an additional board (also known as a "kiddy board"). This board includes a frame forming a platform, which is equipped with wheels and configured to reversibly connect to the rear of the single stroller's frame. Once connected, the board rolls on the ground when the stroller is driven, and the stroller is pushed by the adult user. This assembly, consisting of the stroller and the board attached to it, allows the transport of a first child placed in the stroller and a second child, typically larger than the first, standing on the platform of the board's frame, while the adult behind the platform extends their arm to push the assembly by pushing a handle or lever located at the rear of the single stroller. Such a board is described in detail, for example, in WO 2018/050303. In practice, this board is only possible if the second child being transported is large enough to stand properly on the board on their own. More generally, this board and the single stroller connected to it do not form a double stroller that can accommodate two children one in front of the other under similar conditions of comfort, and that can be driven by an adult user standing behind the double stroller to propel it forward and control it to stop it from rolling.

Finally, WO 2007/033562 does not provide much detail on the proposed addition of a stroller body that can be detachably connected to the rear of the main stroller to form a double stroller. The document states that the frames of the main stroller and the additional stroller body are securely fixed to each other, which at least results in the same disadvantages as the aforementioned front-and-rear arrangement.

Summary of the Invention

The purpose of this invention is to provide a new stroller accessory that forms a double stroller from a single stroller, which is practical, operable and safe, without compromising the comfort of the two children being transported or the configurability of the seats and/or baskets used.

Therefore, the present invention relates to a stroller accessory that can be connected to a stroller to form a double stroller, and that the stroller accessory cannot be used to transport a child when it is detached from the stroller, wherein the stroller accessory includes:

The frame, during use, carries the housing components that can accommodate children to be transported.

A connecting mechanism for reversibly connecting stroller accessories to a stroller to form a double stroller, the connecting mechanism being supported by the front of the stroller accessory frame and adapted to detachably fix the front of the stroller accessory frame to the rear of the stroller frame, thereby allowing the stroller accessory to be positioned at the rear of the stroller in the front-rear direction and defining a tilt axis that extends substantially parallel to the ground and substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction during use, and allowing the front of the stroller accessory frame and the rear of the stroller frame to tilt freely relative to each other about the tilt axis;

Two wheels, when the stroller accessory is connected to the stroller via a connecting mechanism, the two wheels bear and roll on the ground, and the two wheels are coupled to the rear of the stroller accessory frame to pivot about their respective pivot axes.

The pushing component is supported by the rear of the stroller frame and is designed to be manually pushed by a user standing behind the double stroller.

A control mechanism for controlling the roll-stopping system of a double stroller. The control mechanism is supported by the front of the stroller accessory frame and, when the stroller accessory is connected to the stroller via a connecting mechanism, the control mechanism is adapted to mechanically cooperate with the roll-stopping system integrated into the stroller to control the roll-stopping system.

The actuating component is carried at the rear of the stroller frame, allowing it to be actuated by a user standing behind the double stroller, and is coupled to a control mechanism to actuate the control mechanism.

The present invention also relates to an assembly forming a double baby stroller, the assembly comprising a baby stroller and baby stroller accessories as described above, wherein the baby stroller includes:

The frame, whose rear is connected to the front of the stroller accessory frame via a connecting mechanism, supports a housing component during use, in which a child different from the child housed in the housing component of the stroller accessory can be placed;

At least one front wheel, which bears and rolls on the ground during use, and is pivotally connected to the front of the stroller frame;

Two rear wheels, which bear weight and roll on the ground during use, are fixedly coupled to the rear of the stroller frame;

The pushing component is supported by the rear of the stroller frame, and

A rolling prevention system, which is at least partially supported by the rear of the stroller frame, and is adapted to reversibly interfere with the rear wheels of the stroller to prevent it from rolling.

Therefore, this invention breaks with existing methods because it proposes to form a double stroller by associating a single stroller, particularly an existing single stroller, with accessories attached to it as additional devices. The stroller and accessories each have their own frames, and these two frames can be connected one after the other via a reversible connecting mechanism carried by the accessories and designed to detachably secure the two frames while allowing free tilting between them about a tilt axis that is horizontal and perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the double stroller during use. In addition to the advantageously interchangeable mounting of components for accommodating the first child, such as a seat or basket, and standing on the ground via at least one or two pivoting front wheels and two fixed (i.e., non-pivoting) rear wheels, the stroller frame has a rear pusher and a roll-stopping system that prevents the rear wheels from rotating and thus stops the stroller by interfering with at least one rear wheel. Simultaneously, the accessory frame also has its own components for accommodating the second child, such as a seat or basket, and has its own pusher at the rear, standing on the ground via two pivoting wheels. At the front, the accessory frame has a connecting mechanism for connecting to the rear of the stroller frame, which allows the two frames to be secured one in front of the other during use, while allowing free rotation and tilting about the aforementioned tilt axis. In addition, at the rear of the accessory, the frame of the accessory is provided with an actuating component that enables actuation of a control mechanism located at the front of the frame of the accessory, so as to cooperate with the stroller's roll-stopping system, thereby controlling the roll-stopping system and thus controlling the roll-stopping of the double stroller.

The maneuverability of the double stroller according to the invention is remarkable. In fact, to change the direction of travel of the double stroller, the user standing behind the stroller transmits the corresponding directional control to the pusher of the accessory, which orients the stroller's pivoting front wheels in the desired direction. Simultaneously, through a differential-like effect obtained from the stroller's fixed rear wheels, the accessory's pivoting wheels orient themselves in the opposite direction to the orientation of the stroller's front wheels. For the user, the sense of orientation is at least as smooth as steering a single stroller with two fixed rear wheels and one or two pivoting front wheels, although the user of the double stroller must push essentially twice the weight, and most of the weight is borne by the stroller's fixed rear wheels, which effectively receive all the directional thrust applied by the user to the pusher of the accessory and transmit this thrust in the opposite direction to the wheels of the accessory and the front wheels of the stroller, like a differential. Furthermore, when the double stroller according to the invention needs to cross a lateral obstacle, such as a sidewalk, it crosses the obstacle as easily as a tracked vehicle in the longitudinal direction: for example, to get onto a sidewalk extending laterally in front of the double stroller, the user, standing directly behind the pusher of the accessory, pushes the double stroller until the front wheels of the stroller are close to or even against the sidewalk; then, the user firmly grasps the pusher of the accessory with one hand and the pusher of the stroller with the other hand, positioning themselves to the right or left of the accessory if possible; then, the user can manually push the pusher of the stroller slightly downward and backward. Tilting the stroller frame about the aforementioned tilt axis lifts the stroller's front wheels off the ground while keeping the rear wheels supported on the ground, this tilting is done relative to the accessory's frame, whose wheels remain in contact with the ground; by pushing the accessory's pusher forward, the user can move the double stroller forward by rolling the stroller's rear wheels and the accessory's wheels until the stroller's front wheels are above the sidewalk; next, the user can release the force previously applied to the stroller's pusher, causing the stroller's front wheels to re-engage with the ground at the height of the sidewalk; the user can then push the accessory's pusher forward, if applicable, Position yourself behind the pusher, if applicable, until the stroller's rear wheels are near or even against the sidewalk; then, by manually pushing the pusher slightly downwards and backwards, the user can tilt the stroller's frame to lift the rear wheels off the ground while keeping the stroller's wheels supported on the ground. The stroller's frame does not impede this tilt, allowing it to tilt freely relative to the frame about the aforementioned tilt axis. By pushing the pusher forward, the user can either roll the stroller's wheels on the lower level of the sidewalk or move the stroller's front wheels on the higher level of the sidewalk. The stroller rolls forward on the sidewalk until the rear wheels cross the sidewalk. The user can then release the force applied to the pusher, causing the rear wheels to re-engage with the ground at the higher level of the sidewalk. The user can then push the pusher forward until the wheels approach or even touch the sidewalk. Finally, the user can push the pusher, lifting it slightly if necessary, to allow the wheels to climb onto the sidewalk and be positioned at the higher level. With the frame tilted relative to the stroller frame, the front and rear wheels of the stroller are also positioned at the higher level of the sidewalk. Therefore, navigating obstacles is easy for the user, requires no external assistance, and is particularly safe as one hand remains on the pusher at all times.

The anti-rollover safety of the double stroller according to the present invention is also significant. In fact, when a user wishes to stop the double stroller, the user standing behind the stroller actuates an actuation component located at the rear of the frame of the accessory. Due to the connection between this actuation component and a control component located at the front of the frame of the accessory, the control mechanism is activated. This control mechanism then applies appropriate control to the stroller's roll-stopping system, causing the roll-stopping system to prevent the rotation of the stroller's rear wheels. The double stroller's rolling is then effectively prevented because the wheels whose rotation is prevented are the wheels bearing most of the transport weight, i.e., the rear wheels of the stroller, regardless of the stroller's load condition, that is, regardless of the actual presence and weight of the two children respectively placed in the accessory and the stroller.

Because the connection between the stroller and accessories of the double stroller is reversible, the accessories can be detached from the stroller when needed: the stroller can continue to be used as a single stroller to carry one child, with the user standing behind the single stroller pushing it forward and actuating its roll-stopping system to stop it; at the same time, the accessories no longer have the function of carrying a child, especially since the front of the accessory's frame has no wheels or similar parts for rolling on the ground, but the accessories are still ready to be attached to the single stroller to reform the double stroller. Due to the advantageous provision of a connection mechanism that can be operated by the user with one hand, the connection/detachment between them can even be instantaneous, as will be explained in more detail below.

Similarly, the accessories according to the invention can advantageously be configured to be foldable, thus occupying less space, and, if applicable, configured to be transported by the stroller user when the stroller is used as a single stroller, the folded accessories can be held by the user with one hand, or placed on his shoulder via a strap, or can also be hooked to the back of the stroller frame by a specific device. Of course, when the stroller is also foldable, it should be understood that the double stroller assembly according to the invention can be particularly compact in the form of folding accessories and a folding stroller, for example, each of which can be permitted as carry-on baggage on commercial airliners.

According to an advantageous alternative aspect of the accessory of the invention, the stroller accessory further includes a stopping mechanism for stopping the wheels of the stroller accessory, the stopping mechanism being carried by the rear of the stroller accessory frame and adapted to reversibly interfere with at least one or each of the two wheels of the stroller accessory to prevent them from rolling, regardless of the direction of the wheels of the stroller accessory about the pivot axis of the wheels of the stroller accessory, and an actuating member is coupled to the stopping mechanism so as to actuate the stopping mechanism at the same time as the actuating control mechanism.

Due to this stopping mechanism, the rolling resistance of the double stroller is enhanced because, in addition to the rolling resistance provided by the stroller's stopping system, which can be described as the primary stop and is controlled by the accessory's control mechanism, the stopping mechanism integrated into the accessory ensures additional rolling resistance. Therefore, even when the double stroller is in special use situations, such as on very steep or uneven slopes, the rolling resistance of the double stroller is enhanced by the stopping mechanism's action on the accessory's wheels. This is still primarily ensured by the stopping of the stroller's rear wheels through the action of the stopping system integrated into the stroller. For the user, the implementation of the accessory's wheel stopping involves no stress because the actuation of the accessory's stopping mechanism is accomplished by simply pushing the actuating component at the rear of the accessory in conjunction with the actuation of the accessory's control mechanism. Therefore, once the user wishes to stop the double stroller, the user standing behind the double stroller actuates the actuating component located at the rear of the accessory frame, which, as described above, simultaneously actuates the control mechanism and the stopping mechanism acting on the accessory's wheels.

The additional advantageous features of the accessory's stopping mechanism are as follows:

For at least one of the two wheels of the stroller accessory, or for each of the two wheels of the stroller accessory, the stopping mechanism includes a stopping element substantially centered on a pivot axis of the wheel of the stroller accessory, and movable relative to the frame of the stroller accessory along the pivot axis of the wheel of the stroller accessory between the following positions:

The separation position prevents the component from separating from the wheels of the stroller accessory, thus allowing the wheels of the stroller accessory to roll freely.

The engagement position prevents interference between the component and the tread of the stroller accessory's wheel to prevent the stroller accessory's wheel from rolling.

Each of the two wheels of the stroller accessory is associated with a retainer:

The retainer is mounted at the rear of the frame and pivots about the wheel pivot of the stroller accessory.

The wheels of the stroller accessory are mounted on the retainer and rotate around itself to roll.

It guides the corresponding blocking element to translate along the pivot axis of the stroller accessory's wheels.

The blocking agencies also include:

A spring, used for the stopping element or each stopping element, pushes the stopping element back to the separated position, and

An actuator, connected to an actuating component during movement, drives the preventing element from the disengaged position to the engaged position while simultaneously resisting the force of the spring during the actuating component's joint actuation of the stopping mechanism and the control mechanism.

The blocking element or each blocking element includes a first end and a second end, which are opposite each other along the pivot axis of the corresponding wheel of the stroller accessory. The first end of the blocking element or each blocking element is provided with a first bearing surface, which abuts against the tread of the corresponding wheel of the stroller accessory along the pivot axis of the corresponding wheel of the stroller accessory when the blocking element is in the engaged position. The second end of the blocking element or each blocking element is provided with a second bearing surface, which abuts against a dedicated surface of the actuator along the pivot axis of the corresponding wheel of the stroller accessory under the action of a corresponding spring.

The actuator is rotatable about an actuation shaft relative to the frame of the stroller accessory, which extends substantially perpendicular to the respective pivot axes of the wheels of the stroller accessory.

The rear of the stroller frame includes a crossbeam:

The crossbeam extends between the two wheels of the stroller accessory.

The actuator is mounted inside the beam and guided to rotate about the actuation shaft; and

The pedal of the actuation component is mounted on the crossbeam, tilted about the actuation shaft, and fixed to the actuator.

Other additional advantageous features of the accessories or double stroller assembly according to the invention:

The control mechanism includes a support member, which:

The front of the stroller frame, coupled to the stroller accessories, allows for free tilting around the tilt axis, and

It is configured to partially surround the rear of the stroller frame when the stroller accessory is connected to the stroller via a connecting mechanism, thereby rotating about the tilt axis to connect to the rear of the stroller frame.

The control mechanism also includes a coupling component, which:

It is movably supported by the support components of the control mechanism;

Coupled to an actuating component, such that the actuating component drives the movement of the coupled component, and

When the stroller accessories are connected to the stroller via a connecting mechanism, they are adapted to engage the stroller's roll-stopping system.

When the stroller accessory is connected to the stroller via a connecting mechanism, the coupling component is adapted to connect itself to the actuation unit in motion, particularly by form matching. The actuation unit is part of the stroller's roll-stopping system, and when the stroller accessory is disengaged from the stroller, the actuation unit is configured to be directly actuated by the user standing behind the stroller.

The coupling component includes a yoke adapted to connect itself to the pedal of the actuator during movement, while covering the pedal.

The support components of the control mechanism include a left branch and a right branch, and a rod that fixes the left branch and the right branch to each other. When the stroller accessories are connected to the stroller via the connecting mechanism, the left branch and the right branch are rotatably coupled to the rear of the stroller frame about the tilt axis. At the same time, the left branch and the right branch are configured to partially surround the left and right uprights of the rear of the stroller frame, respectively.

The connecting mechanism includes a load-bearing part:

This load-bearing component supports and guides the movement of the rest of the connecting mechanism.

The support for the control mechanism is mounted on the bearing to tilt about the tilting axis; and

The support unit is integrated into the footrest, which is supported by the front of the stroller accessory frame.

The stroller accessory also includes a mechanical transmission system supported by the stroller accessory frame and extending between the front and rear of the stroller accessory frame. The mechanical transmission system mechanically couples the actuating components and the control mechanism so that the actuating components actuate the control mechanism.

A mechanical transmission system includes cables that couple actuating components and coupling components to each other, such that the actuating components drive the movement of the coupling components.

When the stroller accessory is disengaged from the stroller, the stroller accessory frame is foldable between a use configuration and a storage configuration. In the use configuration, the stroller accessory can be connected to the stroller via a connecting mechanism. The storage configuration is more compact than the use configuration.

The two wheels of the stroller accessory are separated by a path perpendicular to the front-to-back direction, and this path is longer than the path that separates the two rear wheels of the stroller perpendicular to the front-to-back direction.

Attached Figure Description

The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, which is provided by way of example only and is completed with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the double baby stroller assembly according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but its viewing direction is different from that of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an accessory belonging to the double baby stroller assembly of Figures 1 and 2 according to the present invention, which is shown separately in Figure 3;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the rear of the stroller, which belongs to the double stroller assembly of Figures 1 and 2, and the front of the accessory of Figure 3, which are separate from each other.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the steps for connecting the stroller and accessories together.

Figure 6 is a front view along arrow VI in Figure 4, showing the stroller and accessories connected to each other, with the accessories shown in solid lines and the stroller only partially shown in dashed lines.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, showing the relative tilt between the stroller and its accessories.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6, showing the actuation of the system used to prevent the stroller from rolling;

Figure 9 is a perspective view similar to Figure 2, showing a schematic diagram of the double stroller assembly when the forward direction of the double stroller assembly is changed.

Figure 10 is a front view along arrow X in Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows a front view of the accessory in Figure 3 in its folded state;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11, but with a different viewing direction;

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figures 11 and 12, but with a different viewing direction than Figures 11 and 12;

Figure 14 is a partial sectional view along plane XIV in Figure 1;

Figure 15 is a partial cross-sectional view along line XV-XV in Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 14, showing the actuation of the stop mechanism of the accessory;

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 15, showing the accessory in the state shown in Figure 17.

Detailed Implementation

Figures 1, 2, 9, and 10 show a double stroller 1 formed by the assembly of the stroller 100 and stroller accessories 200. In Figures 4 through 8, only the stroller 100 and accessories 200 are shown in partial detail. In Figures 3 and 11 through 13, only accessories 200 are shown. The stroller 100 and accessories 200 will be described in detail below.

The stroller 100 includes a frame 110 defining a front and rear axle X110. The front and rear axle X110 extends between a front region and a rear region of the frame 110. When the stroller 100 is pushed forward, the front region of the frame 110 faces forward, and the rear region of the frame faces backward, opposite the aforementioned front region. Furthermore, the front and rear axle X110 is located substantially in the middle of the frame 110 and extends in a direction at substantially the same distance from the left and right sides of the frame 110.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the frame 110 has a structure primarily composed of tubular components made of assembled tubes. This tubular structure facilitates self-folding, allowing the frame 110 to transition between an unfolded use configuration, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4 through 10, and a folded storage configuration. In this regard, the reader may refer, for example, to WO2010/000987 for details of possible corresponding embodiments.

Regardless of its embodiment, the frame 110 is designed to support the receiving member 120 during use, enabling it to accommodate a first child transported by the double stroller 1, who is positioned in the receiving member 120 in a sitting, reclining, or intermediate position. Therefore, the receiving member 120 is selected from seats, baskets, cradles, etc., and embodiments of the receiving member 120 are not limited to the present invention. Furthermore, the frame 110 is advantageously provided in a manner known per se and not described in detail herein, so that the receiving member 120 can be interchanged, particularly depending on the age of the first child to be transported.

The stroller 100 also includes wheels that support and roll on the ground during use, while the wheels are arranged in the lower area of the frame 110 to support the frame 110.

The stroller 100 has a left front wheel 130G and a right front wheel 130D. Each of the wheels 130G and 130D defines a rotation axis, namely the left X130G and the right X130D, about which the wheel rotates to roll on the ground. During use, the rotation axes X130G and X130D extend substantially parallel to the ground. The left front wheel 130G is mounted on the left side of the front portion 111 of the frame 110 and is coupled to this left side while freely pivoting about a pivot axis Z130G extending radially or vertically relative to the rotation axis X130G of the left front wheel 130G. This allows the left front wheel 130G to pivot about the pivot axis Z130G independently of its rolling about its rotation axis X130G, thereby changing the direction of the wheel relative to the frame 110 and thus changing the direction of travel of the frame 110 on the ground. The left front wheel 130G can therefore be described as a “pivot wheel”, sometimes referred to as an “idler wheel”. Similarly, the right front wheel 130D is mounted on the right side of the front portion 111 of the frame 110, and while coupled to this right side portion, it pivots freely about a pivot axis Z130D extending radially or vertically relative to the rotation axis X130D of the right front wheel 130D, and this pivot axis Z130D is substantially parallel to the pivot axis Z130G. To improve the maneuverability of the wheels 130G and 130D, their pivot axes Z130G and Z130D do not coincide with their rotation axes X130G and X130D, but are advantageously offset from these rotation axes X130G and X130D, such that the pivot axis of each wheel is offset relative to the wheel's rotation axis. In fact, the inherent arrangement and modifications of wheels 130G and 130D are not limited, since these wheels are pivotal and positioned at the front of the frame 110.

The stroller 100 also includes a left rear wheel 140G and a right rear wheel 140D. The left rear wheel 140G and the right rear wheel 140D define a left rotation axis X140G and a right rotation axis X140D, respectively. The corresponding wheels rotate around the left rotation axis X140G and the right rotation axis X140D to roll on the ground, and the left rotation axis X140G and the right rotation axis X140D extend substantially parallel to the ground during use. The left rear wheel 140G is mounted on the left side of the rear portion 112 of the frame 110 and is fixedly coupled to this left side; that is, the left rear wheel 140G does not pivot compared to the front wheels 130G and 130D. Similarly, the right rear wheel 140D is mounted on the right side of the rear portion 112 of the frame 110 and is fixedly coupled to this right side. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, the left rotation axis X140G and the right rotation axis X140D are in a straight line, and the left rear wheel 140G and the right rear wheel 140D thus form a fixed rear wheel system centered on the same rotation axis.

As shown in Figure 4, reference numeral V140 indicates the path that separates the left rear wheel 140G and the right rear wheel 140D in a direction perpendicular to the front and rear axles X110.

The stroller 100 also includes a pusher 150, which is securely supported by the rear portion 112 of the frame 110 in the upper region of the rear. During use, the pusher 150 is positioned at the height of an adult user's hand, with the adult user upright and positioned behind the stroller 100, and, if applicable, offset to the left or right side of the front-rear axle X110. The pusher 150 allows the user to apply manual stress to the frame 110, specifically by attempting to push the frame 110 forward by rolling it on the ground via wheels 130G, 130D, 140G, and 140D, or by slightly lifting the rear portion of the frame 110 relative to the ground while keeping the front wheels 130G and 130D in contact with the ground, or by tilting the rear portion of the frame 110 backward and downward while keeping the rear wheels 140G and 140D in contact with the ground to lift the front wheels 130G and 130D relative to the ground. For example, the pusher 150 may be made in the form of a lever, handle, etc. More generally, embodiments of the pusher 150 are not limited to the invention.

The stroller 100 also includes a roll-stopping system 160, which is carried by the frame 110 and allows the stroller 100 to be immobilized by preventing rotation of its rear wheels 140G and 140D about their axes of rotation X140G, X140D. The roll-stopping system 160 is designed to be pushed by a user standing behind the stroller 100, and for this purpose, it includes an actuation unit 161 carried by the rear portion 112 of the frame 110, so that it can be actuated by the user, for example, by foot or hand. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the actuation unit 161 includes or even comprises a tilting pedal 162, as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5. Furthermore, the roll-stopping system 160 includes a stopping mechanism 163 capable of preventing the rotation of the rear wheels 140G and 140D by interfering with their rotation. This stopping mechanism 163 is reversibly actuated by an actuator 161. The stopping mechanism 163, not described in detail in the figures but schematically shown in dashed lines in Figures 4 and 5, is designed to move the stopping element associated with the corresponding wheel relative to the rear wheels 140G and 140D. This stopping element, or each stopping element, moves between a stopping position and an unblocking position. In the stopping position, the stopping element engages with the relief of the wheel's tread, particularly in the circumferential direction relative to the rotation axes X140G and X140D of the associated wheel, thereby preventing the wheel from rolling regardless of its angular position around its rotation axis. In the unblocking position, the stopping element does not interfere with the aforementioned tread relief of the associated wheel. Therefore, the movement of the aforementioned stopping element by the stopping mechanism 163 is controlled by the actuating unit 161. The reader can refer to the detailed embodiment of such a stopping mechanism 163 given in WO2011/148062. Of course, this embodiment of the stopping mechanism 163, like the embodiment of the actuating unit 161, is not limited to the present invention, because the stopping mechanism controlled by the actuating unit can interfere with one and/or the other of the rear wheel 140G and the rear wheel 140D, thereby reversibly preventing the rotation of one and/or the other of the rear wheel 140G and the rear wheel 140D.

After describing the accessories 200 in sequence, the other features of the stroller 100 will be disclosed later.

The accessory 200 includes a frame 210, which defines a front and rear axle X210 extending between the front and rear areas of the frame 210. When the accessory 200 moves forward during use, the front and rear areas face forward and rearward, respectively. The front and rear axles X210 are located at substantially the same distance from the left and right sides of the frame 210, respectively.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the frame 210 has a tubular structure, for example, primarily constructed by assembling tubing. An advantage of this tubular structure will be provided later. That is, other embodiments of the frame 210 can be considered, and the aforementioned tubular structure is not limiting with respect to the invention.

Accessory 200 includes a receiving component 220, which is supported by the frame 210 during use. The receiving component 220 allows for the accommodation of a second child transported by the double stroller 1, i.e., a child other than the child transported in stroller 100, positioned in a sitting, reclining, or intermediate position in the receiving component 220. In practice, the receiving component 220 is selected from seats, baskets, cradles, etc. Based on considerations similar to those described above for the improvement of receiving component 120, the receiving component 220 is advantageously interchangeably supported by the frame 210, thereby allowing the type of receiving component 220 to be changed according to the age of the second child to be transported by the double stroller 1. In all cases, it will be noted that receiving component 120 and receiving component 220 are independent of each other, as the properties of these two receiving components are unrelated to each other.

The accessory 200 also includes a left wheel 230G and a right wheel 230D. These two wheels, the left wheel 230G and the right wheel 230D respectively, define axes of rotation, left X230G and right X230D, and the corresponding wheels rotate about themselves around these axes to roll on the ground. Wheel 230G is mounted on the left side of the rear portion 212 of the frame 210, coupled to this left side and freely pivoting about a pivot axis Z230G extending radially or vertically relative to the left axis of rotation X230G. This allows the left wheel 230G to pivot freely about the pivot axis Z230G independently of its rolling about its axis of rotation X230G, thereby changing the orientation of the left wheel 230G relative to the frame 210, and thus changing the direction of travel of the frame 210 on the ground. Similarly, the right wheel 230D is mounted on the right side of the rear portion 212 of the frame 210, coupled to this right side portion and freely pivoting about a pivot axis Z230D that extends radially or vertically relative to the right rotation axis X230D, and this pivot axis Z230D is substantially parallel to the left pivot axis Z230G. Based on considerations similar to those described above for improvements to the front wheels 130G and 130D, it should be understood that wheels 230G and 230D can be described as pivot wheels or idler wheels relative to the frame 210. To improve the maneuverability of wheels 230G and 230D, their pivot axes Z230G and Z230D do not coincide with their rotation axes X230G, X230D, but are advantageously offset from these axes, such that the pivot axis of each wheel 230G and wheel 230D is offset relative to its rotation axis. In this case, since the wheels 230G and 230D are pivotal and support the rear 212 of the frame 210, the inherent arrangement and modifications of the wheels 230G and 230D are not limiting and may differ from the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

As shown in Figure 2, the left wheel 230G and the right wheel 230D are separated from each other by path V230 and are perpendicular to the front and rear axles X210.

Accessory 200 also includes a pusher 240, which is securely supported by the rear portion 212 of the frame 210 in the upper region of the rear. During use, the pusher 240 is positioned at the height of a standing adult's hand, and, if applicable, at the height of an adult walking behind the double stroller 1. The pusher 240 thus allows the user to push the frame 210 by hand, specifically to push the frame 210 forward, to slightly raise the rear region of the frame 210 to lift the wheels 230G and 230D off the ground, or to slightly tilt the rear portion 212 of the frame 210 backward and downward while keeping the wheels 230G and 230D in contact with the ground. In practice, embodiments of the pusher 240 are not limiting; the pusher 240 can be a lever, handle, etc. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the various embodiments of the pusher 150 and the pusher 240 are identical, but they can differ.

Accessory 200 also includes a connecting mechanism 250 that allows the stroller 100 and accessory 200 to be reversibly connected to each other, and, if applicable, momentarily connected as explained later. As clearly shown in Figures 1 through 8, the connecting mechanism 250 is carried by the front portion 211 of the frame 210 in a lower region of the front portion and is designed to mate with a lower region of the rear portion 112 of the frame 110 to detachably secure the front portion 211 of the frame 210 to the rear portion 112 of the frame 110. The securing between the frame 110 and the frame 210 is thus accomplished by the connecting mechanism 250, such that accessory 200 is positioned behind the stroller 100 in a front-rear direction parallel to the front-rear axles X110 and X210 of the frame 110. Similar to the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the front and rear axles X110 and X210 are also advantageously aligned by the connecting mechanism 250. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 6 through 8, through specific mechanical modifications, the connecting mechanism 250 is adapted to define a tilt axis Y250 about which the rear portion 112 of the frame 110 and the front portion 211 of the frame 210 are freely tilted relative to each other. This tilt axis Y250 extends substantially parallel to the ground and substantially perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction of the double stroller 1 during use. Therefore, apart from the inherent play of the connecting mechanism 250, the frames 110 and 210 are fixedly connected to each other in all directions by the connecting mechanism 250, and except for tilting about the tilt axis Y250, the frames 110 and 210 are freely movable relative to each other about the tilt axis Y250. Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, the tilting shaft Y250 extends parallel to the rotation shaft X140G of the rear wheel 140G and the rotation shaft X140D of the rear wheel 140D and is spaced apart from them by a certain distance.

In fact, embodiments of the connecting mechanism 250 are not limited to the present invention, as this connecting mechanism provides reversible fixation between the front portion 211 of the frame 210 and the rear portion 112 of the frame 110, while allowing them to tilt freely about the tilt axis Y250. In particular, regardless of the embodiment of the connecting mechanism 250, the stroller 100 and the accessory 200 can be disengaged from each other when controlled by the user, as shown in Figures 3 to 5.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5, and more specifically as seen in Figures 3 to 5, the connecting mechanism includes a support portion 251 that is securely fixed to the frame 210 during use and is fixedly supported, particularly permanently, by the front portion 211 of the frame 210. Specifically, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment implemented herein, the support portion 251 is permanently integrated into a footrest 260 that is securely supported by the front portion 211 of the frame 210. The connecting mechanism 250 also includes two convex elements 252, namely a left convex element and a right convex element centered on the same geometric axis Y252. It should be noted that only the right element of element 252 is visible in Figures 3 and 4, and the left element is symmetrical to the right element with respect to a geometric plane perpendicular to axis Y252 and encompassing the front and rear axles X210. Each of the two protruding elements 252 is movably supported by a support portion 251 relative to the frame 210 between a connected position and a disconnected position; the connected position is shown in Figures 3 and 4, in which the protruding element 252 is extended relative to the support portion 251; the disconnected position is shown in Figure 5, in which the protruding element is retracted relative to the support portion. The protruding element 252 in the connected position is configured to mate with the rear portion 112 of the frame 110. For this purpose, the left side portion of the rear portion 112 of the frame 110 includes a left rear upright 114G, and the right side portion of the rear portion 112 of the frame 110 includes a right rear upright 114B. These uprights 114G and 114D are parallel to each other and extend upward from the left rear wheel 130G and the right rear wheel 130D, respectively, as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5. Furthermore, the left and right portions of the rear portion 112 of the frame 110 are respectively provided with recessed housings 115: these two recessed housings 115 extend about the same geometric axis Y115 and are perpendicular to the left pillar 114G and the right pillar 114D, and these two recessed housings 115 are hollowed out in the surfaces of the left pillar 114G and the right pillar 114D, respectively, with the surfaces of the left pillar 114G and the right pillar 114D facing each other. These recessed housings 115 advantageously extend into the interior of the pillars 114G and 114D, respectively, to the thickness of the inner inserts of these pillars. It should be noted that in Figures 4 and 5, only the left housing of the two housings 115 is visible, and the right housing is symmetrical to the left housing with respect to a geometric plane that is both perpendicular to the axis Y115 and includes the front and rear axles X110. When the connecting mechanism is attached to the rear 112 of the frame 110, particularly between the uprights 114G and 114D, and more specifically to the recessed housings 115, the protruding elements 252 in the connected position are respectively housed within these recessed housings 115, while the protruding elements 252 in the disconnected position are outside the recessed housings 115. Each protruding element 252 is provided to be complementary to its associated recessed housing 115 in any functional play, so as to be housed in the recessed housing in a complementary manner: by providing the protruding elements 252 and the recessed housings 115 with complementary cylindrical structures and centered on their respective axes Y252 and Y115, when these protruding elements are housed in the recessed housings, they cooperate with these recessed housings to align their respective axes Y252 and Y115 and jointly define a tilting axis Y250, at which point the tilting axis Y250 engages with the aligned axes Y252 and Y115. According to a particularly advantageous configuration, the convex element 252 is translatable along its axis Y252, and thus along the inclined axis Y250, between its connected and disconnected positions, particularly when these convex elements move closer to each other from their connected to disconnected positions, as can be clearly seen by comparing Figures 4 and 5. Furthermore, the connection mechanism 250 includes drive components 253, namely a left drive component and a right drive component, which respectively enable manual driving of the convex element 252 from its connected position to its disconnected position. These drive components are advantageously configured to be jointly actuated by the same hand of the user, thereby jointly driving both convex elements. The connection mechanism 250 may also include an elastic component that provides elastic return of the convex element 252 from its disconnected position to its connected position, while the convex element 252 is elastically held in its connected position as long as the user does not apply manual pressure to the drive component 253 to overcome the elastic resistance of the aforementioned elastic component to drive the convex element 252 from its connected position to its disconnected position.

Further details regarding embodiments of the above-described connecting mechanism 250 are provided in WO 2018/050303, which readers may refer to.

In practice, the support portion 251 supports and guides the movement of the aforementioned elastic member, drive member 253, and protruding element 252. More generally, regardless of the embodiment of the connecting mechanism 250, particularly for reasons of reliability and performance, the support portion 251 is advantageously configured to support and guide the movement of the rest of the connecting mechanism. The support portion 251 can also be configured to mate with the shape of a specific structure of the rear portion 112 of the frame 110 to facilitate the relative positioning between the frame 110 and the frame 210 during connection by the connecting mechanism 250, particularly the positioning of the concave housing 115 relative to these protruding elements 252 in their disconnected positions before the protruding elements move to their connection positions.

Accessory 200 also includes a control mechanism 270 that enables control of the roll-stopping mechanism of the double stroller 1. As clearly shown in Figures 3 through 8, the control mechanism 270 is carried by the front portion 211 of the frame 210, and when accessory 200 is connected to stroller 100 via connection mechanism 250, the control mechanism 270 is configured to mechanically engage with the roll-stopping system 160 of stroller 100 to control the roll-stopping system 160. To actuate the control mechanism 270, accessory 200 also includes an actuation component 280, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, carried by the rear portion 212 of the frame 210, thereby enabling actuation by a user standing behind the double stroller 1. Embodiments of the actuation component 280 are not limiting, as actuation can be performed by a user, for example, by foot or hand: in the exemplary embodiment considered herein, the actuation component 280 includes or even comprises a pedal 281. As clearly shown in Figure 2, the pedal 281 is movably mounted, for example, at an angle, on the crosspiece 213 of the rear 212 of the frame 210, which extends between the wheel 230G and the wheel 230D. In all cases, the actuating component 280 is coupled to the control mechanism 270 to actuate the latter.

In practice, to reliably and persistently transmit actuation of the actuating component 280 to the control mechanism 270, the accessory 200 includes a mechanical transmission system 290 that mechanically couples the actuating component 280 and the control mechanism 270 so that the control mechanism 270 can be actuated when the user acts on the actuating component 280. This transmission system 290 is supported by the frame 210 and extends between the front 211 and rear 212 of the frame 210.

According to a particularly practical and effective embodiment implemented in the example shown in the figure, the control mechanism 270 mainly comprises two components that can move relative to each other, namely a support member 271 and a coupling member 272.

Support member 271 is coupled to the front portion 211 of frame 210 and is freely tiltable about tilt axis Y250. Specifically, support member 271 is advantageously supported by connecting mechanism 250 and tilted about tilt axis Y250 while mounted on support portion 251, as clearly shown in Figures 3 to 5. Therefore, when accessory 200 is disengaged from stroller 100, support member 271 can freely tilt relative to frame 210 about tilt axis Y250, the travel of which can be limited by specific mechanical stops. When accessory 200 is connected to stroller 100 via connecting mechanism 250, due to the construction of support member 271, support member 271 is designed to rotatably connect to rear portion 112 of frame 110 about tilt axis Y250, such that support member 271 partially surrounds rear portion 112 of frame 110, as shown in Figure 2 and schematically illustrated in Figures 6 to 8. It should be understood that when accessory 200 is connected to stroller 100 via connecting mechanism 250, as described above, frame 110 and frame 210 can tilt freely relative to each other about tilt axis Y250, while the support 271, which is in contact with the rear part 112 of frame 110, follows the movement of frame 110 relative to frame 210, as can be seen by comparing Figures 6 and 7.

For reasons of mechanical stability, the support member 271 may include a left branch 273G and a right branch 273D, as shown in the example in Figure 12, and a rod 274, which is more specifically visible in Figure 12, to securely couple the left branch 273G and the right branch 273D to each other, and in particular, to extend parallel to the tilt axis Y250. When the accessory 200 is connected to the stroller 100 via the connecting mechanism 250, the left branch 273G and the right branch 273D are arranged to abut against the left post 114G and the right post 114D of the rear portion 112 of the frame 110, respectively: as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 6 through 8, each of these branches 273G and 273D is configured to partially surround the corresponding post 114G, post 114D of the rear portion 112 of the frame 110, thereby rotatably connecting to the rear portion 112 of the frame 110 about the tilt axis Y250.

The coupling component 272 is movably supported by the support member 271 and coupled to the actuating component 280, particularly via a mechanical transmission system 290, so that the actuating component 280 can drive the movement of the coupling component 272. According to a practical, economical, and reliable embodiment, the mechanical transmission system 290 includes, or even consists of, cables 291 that directly couple the actuating component 280 and the coupling component 272 to each other, such that the actuating component 280 drives the movement of the coupling component 272 relative to the support member 271 by tensioning/releasing the cables 291. These cables 291 are partially visible in Figures 1 through 8.

Furthermore, the coupling member 272 is particularly suited to be connected in motion to the actuating part 161 of the rolling stop system 160 of the stroller 100, especially by means of shape matching: in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, the coupling member 272 thus includes or is even constituted by a yoke 275, which covers the pedal 162 of the actuating part 161 when the accessory 200 is connected to the stroller 100, and is connected in motion to the actuating part 161 by means of shape matching relative to each other. Due to the shape matching between the coupling member 272 and the actuating part 161, since the accessory 200 is connected to the stroller 100 via the connecting mechanism 250, in particular without the need for additional fixing devices between them, the coupling member 272 is connected in movement with the actuating part 161. In all cases, by connecting itself to the actuator 161 in motion, the coupling component 272 engages the rolling stop system 160 of the stroller 100 when the accessory 200 is connected to the stroller 100, thereby controlling the rolling stop system 160.

In practice, it should be understood that the degree of movement between the coupling member 272 and the support member 271 depends on the embodiment of the rolling stop system 160. Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the reversible actuation of the stopping mechanism 163 of the rolling stop system 160 is accomplished by tilting the actuating part 161, particularly the pedal 162, about an axis parallel to the tilt axis Y250: thus, when the accessory 200 is connected to the stroller 100 via the connecting mechanism 250, the coupling member 272, particularly the yoke 275, can be configured to tilt relative to the support member 271 about a tilt axis, which is also parallel to the tilt axis Y250 and aligned with the tilt axis of the actuating part 161. More generally, the control mechanism 270, particularly its coupling member 272, is designed to mechanically engage, particularly to engage, appropriate portions of the rolling stop system 160 of the stroller 100, such as the actuating part 161, when the stroller 100 is connected to the accessory 200.

By considering the description of the double stroller 1 so far, it can be understood that, apart from improvements to the stroller 100 that allow connection between the double stroller 1 and accessory 200, the stroller 100 generally falls into the category of known existing single strollers, i.e., strollers with only a single fixed position. In particular, although the stroller 100 occupies the front area of the double stroller 1, the stroller 100 retains certain improvements during use, which, on the one hand, allow direct manual pushing of its frame 110 at the push member 150 via the rear 112 of the double stroller 1; and on the other hand, allow indirect control of the roll-stopping system 160 via the control mechanism 270, which can be actuated by the actuation member 280. Regarding accessory 200, located in the rear area of the double stroller 1, it is unique compared to existing single strollers. Specifically, on the one hand, its wheels 230G and 230D are not fixed but pivoting at the rear of its frame 210; on the other hand, no wheels or similar components for rolling on the ground are provided at the front of its frame 210, which facilitates the connection mechanism 250 and the control mechanism 270. In this case, apart from these features, accessory 200 is at least visually, even aesthetically, similar to the single stroller, particularly in terms of its frame 210, its housing component 220, and its push component 240, making the user's grip and use of accessory 200 intuitive. It should also be understood that when stroller 100 and accessory 200 are disengaged, stroller 100 remains usable as a single stroller independently of accessory 200, while accessory 200 itself is no longer functionally usable for transporting a child.

During use, that is, while using the double stroller 1, the safety and maneuverability of this double stroller 1 are remarkable, especially when the double stroller 1 must be stopped, and when changing direction or when crossing obstacles such as sidewalks, as described in detail below.

Therefore, when a user using the double stroller 1 and standing behind it wishes to stop it, the user actuates the actuation component 280, for example, by applying pressure to the pedal 281 with their foot. This actuation, such as the movement of the pedal 281, is transmitted to the control mechanism 270, and particularly to its coupling component 272, via the mechanical transmission system 290, especially via the cable 291, which thus moves, for example, from its position in FIG. 6 to its position in FIG. 8. The coupling component 272 then actuates the actuation part 161 to actuate the roll-stopping system 160. More generally, the control mechanism 270 then controls the roll-stopping system 160 such that it prevents the rear wheels 140G and 140D of the stroller 100 from rolling, thereby preventing the double stroller 1 from rolling. Through the reversibility of the roll-stopping system 160 and the control mechanism 270, the user can then actuate the actuation component 280 to release the rear wheels 140G and 140D, thereby allowing the double stroller 1 to roll. Therefore, the stopping and releasing of the double stroller 1 is performed by the user, who stands behind the double stroller 1, which is intuitive and safe. Since it is the “middle” wheels of the double stroller 1, namely the rear wheels 140G and 140D of the stroller 100, that are stopped by the roll-stopping system 160, the roll-stopping of the double stroller 1 is particularly effective regardless of the stroller's loading conditions, i.e., regardless of the actual presence and weight of the two children respectively placed in the accessory 200 and the stroller 100, because the weight transported by the double stroller is always primarily borne by these “middle” wheels. In fact, regardless of the loading situation, most of the load generated by the child transported by the stroller 100 is directly transferred from the rear 112 of the frame 110 to the wheels 140G and 140D. At the same time, most of the load generated by the child transported by the accessory 200 is transferred sequentially from the front 211 of the frame 210 and the connecting mechanism 250 to the rear 112 of the frame 110.

Regarding the maneuverability of the double stroller 1 during a change in direction of travel, Figures 9 and 10 can be effectively referenced. In fact, compared to Figures 1 and 2, where the double stroller 1 moves forward in a straight line when a user standing behind accessory 200 pushes the pusher 240 in a corresponding manner, Figures 9 and 10 show the behavior of the double stroller 1 when the same user, still standing behind accessory 200, manually pushes the pusher 240 to the left. As clearly shown in Figures 9 and 10, the pushing force applied by the user causes the front wheels 130G and 130D to rotate to the left about their pivot axes Z130G and Z130D, while the wheels 230G and 230D of accessory 200 pivot to the right about their pivot axes Z230G and Z230D. The opposite directions taken by the front wheels 130G and 130D, and the wheels 230G and 230D, are produced by the differential effect of the fixed rear wheels 140G and 140D. In other words, regarding the front wheels of the stroller 100 and the wheels of the accessory 200, the "middle" wheels of the double stroller 100, namely the rear wheels 140G and 140D, are formed in a way that creates a fixed differential transmission with a pivoting effect on the horizontal plane, thereby allowing the user to operate the double stroller 1 essentially the same as operating a single stroller with pivoting front wheels and fixed rear wheels when changing direction. The differential effect of the aforementioned "middle" wheels, namely wheels 140G and 140D, is even more important because these are the "middle" wheels that bear most of the weight of the two children transported by the double stroller 1, as explained above.

By setting the path V230 between wheels 230G and 230D of accessory 200 to be greater than the path V140 between rear wheels 140G and 140D of stroller 100, the maneuverability of the double stroller 1 during changes of direction is advantageously enhanced. Turning of wheels 230G and 230D of accessory 200 becomes particularly easy.

Regarding the maneuverability of the double stroller 1 when traversing obstacles (such as sidewalks) extending laterally in its longitudinal direction, the connecting mechanism 250 allows the longitudinal behavior of the double stroller 1 to resemble that of a tracked vehicle. In fact, if one carefully observes the exemplary use of the double stroller 1 moving upwards onto the sidewalk, the user first positions the stroller 100 close to or against the sidewalk by naturally orienting the front and rear axles X110 laterally or even perpendicularly to the sidewalk. The user holds the pushing member 240 still with one hand, or, if necessary, manually pushes the pushing member 150 with the other hand while positioned next to the accessory 200, either to its left or right: manipulating the pushing member 150 to tilt the rear 112 of the frame 110 slightly backward and downward, with the front 111 of the frame tilting backward and upward accordingly. This causes the front wheels 130G and 130D to separate from the ground. Meanwhile, since the frame 110 can tilt freely relative to the frame 210 about the tilt axis Y250, which is consistent with the connecting mechanism 250, the rear wheels 140G and 140D of the stroller 100 and the wheels 230G and 230D of the accessory 200 remain in contact with the ground. The user can then move the double stroller 1 slightly forward with one and/or the other hand until the front wheels 130G and 130D are above the sidewalk. While still holding the pusher 240 with one hand, the user can release the pusher 150 to allow the front wheels 130G and 130D to re-engage with the ground at the height of the sidewalk. If applicable, the user can return completely to the rear of the accessory 200 and then move the double stroller 1 forward until the rear wheels 140G and 140D of the stroller 100 are near or against the sidewalk: through this action on the pusher 240, the user tilts the rear 212 of the frame 210 downwards and backwards until the front 211 of the frame 210 is slightly raised. By transmitting the movement via the connecting mechanism 250, the rear 112 of the frame 110 is raised accordingly, allowing the rear wheels 140G and 140D of the stroller 100 to cross the sidewalk. Finally, after moving the double stroller 1 forward slightly again until the wheels 230G and 230D of the accessory 200 are close to or even in contact with the sidewalk, the user, if desired, can bring these wheels across the sidewalk by slightly lifting the pusher 240. The frame 210 is thus able to tilt freely relative to the frame 110 about the tilt axis Y250, with the frame 110 positioned on the high level of the sidewalk by its wheels 130G, 130D, 140G, and 140D.

More generally, it should be understood that the free-tilting hinge between frame 110 and frame 210 allows the double stroller 1 to roll comfortably on irregular surfaces and easily traverse any lateral obstacles, as the user can act on one or the other of push member 150 and push member 240 depending on the height and direction of the obstacle, while always keeping one hand on push member 240 to ensure complete safety. Meanwhile, the free hinge between frame 110 and frame 210 is adjusted to some extent by control mechanism 270, specifically through its rotatable connection to support 271 at the rear 112 of frame 110 about tilt axis Y250. Therefore, control mechanism 270 remains operable regardless of the actual tilt position between frame 110 and frame 210.

Finally, Figures 11 to 13 show accessory 200, which is disconnected from stroller 100 and folded from the usage configuration shown in the previous figures to a storage configuration. Therefore, according to this advantageous alternative, once the frame 210 of accessory 200 is disconnected from the frame 110 of stroller 100, the frame 210 of accessory 200 can be folded between the usage configuration of Figures 1 to 10 and the storage configuration of Figures 11 to 13; in the usage configuration of Figures 1 to 10, accessory 200 can be connected to stroller 100 via connecting mechanism 250 as described above, while the storage configuration of Figures 11 to 13 is more compact than the usage configuration. Once the frame 210 is in this storage configuration, accessory 200 can be easily transported by the user of stroller 100: in fact, the user of stroller 100 walking behind and pushing stroller 100 can carry the folded accessory 200 by hand or on their shoulder using the straps. In one variant, a specific device can be used to directly attach the folded accessory 200 to the stroller 100.

According to an advantageous alternative improvement shown more specifically in Figures 14 to 18, accessory 200 also includes a blocking mechanism 300 capable of blocking the wheels 230G and 230D of the accessory.

As shown in Figures 14 to 18, the stopping mechanism 300 is arranged in the rear portion 212 of the frame 210 and is movably supported by the rear portion 212 of the frame 210. The stopping mechanism 300 is designed to reversibly interfere with at least one of the wheels 230G and 230D, or even advantageously with both wheels 230G and 230D, thereby preventing the rolling of these wheels, i.e., preventing the rotation of these wheels about their axes of rotation X230G, X230D, regardless of their rotation about their pivot axes Z230G, Z230D. For this purpose, the stopping mechanism 300 includes elements associated with each wheel 230G and 230D: in the following description, only one embodiment of the improvement associated with the right wheel 230D will be described in detail, while it should be understood that these improvements are symmetrically convertible to the left wheel 230G.

Therefore, in the embodiments shown in Figures 14 to 18, for the right wheel 230D, the stopping mechanism 300 includes a stopping element 301, which is configured to be movable relative to the frame 210 so as to reversibly interfere with the wheel 230D, thereby preventing it from rolling. More specifically, the stopping element 301D is both centered on and movable along the pivot axis Z230D. For this purpose, according to a practical embodiment, the stopping element 301D has an elongated shape along the pivot axis Z230D, for example, forming a rod or similar elongated portion. In all cases, the stopping element 301D includes two ends opposite each other along the pivot axis Z230D, namely end 302D and end 303D facing the wheel 230D.

The movement of the stopping element 301D along the pivot axis Z230D is configured between the separated position shown in Figures 14 and 15 and the engaged position shown in Figures 16 to 18. In the separated position, the stopping element 301D separates from the wheel 230D, allowing the wheel to roll freely. In the engaged position, the stopping element 301D, more specifically its end 303D, interferes with the tread 231D of the wheel 230D, thereby preventing the wheel 230D from rolling. In practice, the tread 231D of the wheel 230D has a certain degree of flexibility, particularly compared to the wheel hub, allowing the end 303D of the stopping element 301D to partially compress the tread 231D by embedding itself in it, thereby withstanding the tread's flexible deformation. The properties of the respective materials of the stopping element 301D and the tread 231D are not limited by the present invention, as long as their interference ensures effective rolling prevention of the wheel 230D when the stopping element 301D is in the engaged position. According to one embodiment that enhances the blocking effect of such interference, the end 303D of the blocking element 301D is provided with a bearing surface 304D, which abuts against the tread 231D along the pivot axis Z230D when the blocking element 301D is in the engaged position, and is partially embedded in the tread 231D, as shown in Figures 16 to 18.

In all cases, since the movement of the stopping element 301D is centered on the pivot axis Z230D, the stopping element 301D in the engaged position is effective in preventing the wheel 230D from rolling, regardless of the angular position of the wheel 230D around its pivot axis Z230D, as can be clearly seen by comparing Figures 16 and 17. In other words, regardless of the direction of the wheel 230D around the pivot axis Z230D, the stopping element 301D in the engaged position prevents the wheel 230D from rotating about its axis of rotation X230D by partial interference with the tread 231D of the wheel.

The improvement that accessory 200 allows the prevention element 301D to be both movable and pivotable around axis Z230D is not limited to the invention. According to a practical and reliable embodiment implemented in the figure, these improvements involve a holder 310D associated with the wheel 230D. This holder 310D movably couples the wheel 230D to the frame 210, more specifically, to the right side portion of the rear 212 of the frame, particularly to the assembly housing 214D, which ensures that the right end of the crossbeam 213 is securely assembled to the remainder of the rear 212 of the frame 210. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, and clearly illustrated in Figures 14 to 18, the holder 310D includes a fork 311D at the base of which a wheel 230D, rotating about axis X230D, is mounted, with the upper portion of the wheel 230D arranged between the branches of the fork 311D. The retainer 310D also includes a tubular insert 312D, which is fixed to the fork-shaped member 311D and extends upward from the apex of the fork-shaped member 311D, and is substantially centered on the pivot axis Z230D. The tubular insert 312D is pivotally mounted freely about the pivot axis Z230D on the right side of the rear portion 212 of the frame 210, more specifically, inside the component housing 214D, with one or more bearings radially inserted between the tubular insert 312D and the component housing 214D relative to the pivot axis Z230D. Furthermore, the tubular insert 312D is translatably fixed relative to the frame 210 along the pivot axis Z230D, particularly inside the component housing 214D, for example, by means of a retaining ring inserted between them. More generally, the structure of the retainer 310D described in detail above is not limited, as long as the retainer 310D is mounted on the rear 212 of the frame 210, which pivots about the pivot axis Z230D, and the wheel 230D is rotatably mounted on the retainer 310D about its axis of rotation X230D. Furthermore, it should be remembered that what was just described for the right wheel 230D can be applied to the left wheel 230G: therefore, the left wheel 230G can be associated with a retainer 310G similar to the retainer 310D, particularly as seen in Figure 2. In all cases, as clearly shown in Figures 14 to 18, the blocking element 301D is advantageously guided translationally along the axis Z230D by the retainer 310D. For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiment shown here, the blocking element 301D is received in a mating manner and slides freely within the tubular insert 312D of the retainer 310D.

To control the movement of the blocking element 301D between the disengaged and engaged positions, the blocking mechanism 300 includes a spring 305D and an actuator 306.

Spring 305D acts on the blocking element 301D by pushing the blocking element 301D back to the separated position. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, spring 305D is disposed between the blocking element 301D and the retainer 310D along the direction of pivot axis Z230D, while being arranged around the blocking element 301D and housed within the tubular insert 312D.

Actuator 306 is movably mounted on frame 210, thereby enabling the blocking element 301D to be driven from a disengaged position to an engaged position while blocking the force of spring 305D. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, actuator 306 resembles a rotation axis and has an elongated shape centered on actuation axis Y2306, which extends substantially perpendicular to pivot axis Z230G and pivot axis Z230D, and actuator 306 is rotatable about actuation axis Y230G. Actuator 306 has an inclined surface 307D at the end of its steering pivot Z230D. This inclined surface 307D is designed to engage with a stop element 301D, and more specifically, with the end 302D of the stop element 301D. As clearly shown in Figures 14 to 18, the end 302D of the stop element 301D has a bearing surface 308D, which abuts against the inclined surface 307D of actuator 306 along the pivot Z230D under the action of spring 305D. The profile of the inclined surface 307D is designed to push the stop element 301D toward wheel 230D along the pivot Z230D when actuator 306 rotates from a first angular position associated with the disengagement position as shown in Figure 14 to a second position associated with the engagement position as shown in Figures 16 to 18. Of course, it should be understood that the characteristics, particularly the profile, of the dedicated surface of actuator 306, such as the inclined surface 307D, are not limited to the present invention, but rather depend directly on the movement characteristics of actuator 306 relative to frame 210. This dedicated surface engages with the blocking element 301D to drive the blocking element 301D from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

In all cases, actuator 306 is advantageously provided to jointly drive the stopping element 301D associated with the right wheel 230D and the stopping element associated with the left wheel 230G, while blocking the spring forces associated with each of the two stopping elements to change the stopping elements from their disengaged position to their engaged position. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, actuator 306 extends from stopping element 301D to the stopping element associated with the left wheel 230G.

Regardless of the embodiment of actuator 306, actuator 306 is kinetically connected to actuating member 280 of accessory 200 such that during actuation of actuating member 280 as described above to actuate control mechanism 270, actuating member 280 jointly actuates stopping mechanism 300, while simultaneously moving actuator 306 such that it drives the stopping element from its disengaged position to its engaged position. More generally, accessory 200 is designed such that actuating member 280 is coupled to stopping mechanism 300 so as to jointly actuate stopping mechanism with actuation of control mechanism 270: it should be understood that actuation of actuating member 280 by a user standing behind double stroller 1, on the one hand, actuates the rolling stopping system 160 of stroller 1 via mechanical transmission system 290 and control mechanism 270, and on the other hand, actuates stopping mechanism 300 via the connection between actuating member 280 and actuator 306. In practice, the nature of the connection between actuating member 280 and actuator 306 depends on the characteristics of the latter. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, as described above, by setting the actuator 306 to be mounted in the crossbeam 213 of the rear portion 212 of the frame 10 and guided to rotate about the actuation shaft Y306, and by setting the pedal 281 to be obliquely mounted on the crossbeam 213 about the actuation shaft Y306, the pedal 281 of the actuation member 280 is advantageously and firmly fixed to the actuator 306, especially the running portion fixed to the actuator as clearly shown in Figures 15 to 18.

Therefore, when the double stroller 1 is in use and a user standing behind it wishes to stop it, the user actuates the actuation component 280, for example, by applying pressure to the foot pedal 281. This actuation results in, on the one hand, the rear wheels 140G and 140D of the stroller 100 being prevented from rolling by the rolling stop system 160 controlled by the control mechanism 270, and on the other hand, the wheels 230G and 230D of the accessory 200 being stopped by the stopping mechanism 300. Through the reversibility of the rolling stop system 160 and the control mechanism 270, and through the reversibility of the stopping mechanism 300, the user can then actuate the actuation component 280 to collectively release the rear wheels 140G and 140D of the stroller 100 and the wheels 230G and 230D of the accessory 200, thereby allowing the double stroller 1 to roll. As described above, the rolling resistance of the double stroller 1, which is essentially secured by the stops of wheels 140G and 140D, is thus advantageously reinforced by the stops of wheels 230G and 230D, thereby enhancing the stopping power of the double stroller 1, especially when the double stroller 1 is in special use situations, such as very steep or uneven slopes.

Furthermore, various arrangements and variations of the stroller 100 and accessories 200 described so far can be considered:

Instead of having two front wheels, the stroller 100 may have only one front wheel arranged on the front and rear axles X110; similarly, the stroller 100 may be equipped with more than two front wheels, and the stroller 100 may be equipped with more than two rear wheels, and the accessory 200 may be equipped with more than two wheels; and/or

Each wheel mentioned so far can be replaced by a pair of two wheels or two-wheeled casters, or a row of more two wheels.

Claims (18)

1. A stroller accessory (200) capable of being connected to a stroller (100) to form a double stroller (1), wherein when the stroller accessory is disconnected from the stroller, the stroller accessory (200) cannot be used to transport a child. The stroller accessory (200) includes: The frame (210) during use carries a housing component (220) capable of accommodating a child to be transported; A connecting mechanism (250) is provided for reversibly connecting the stroller accessory (200) to the stroller (100) to form the double stroller (1). The connecting mechanism is supported by the front (211) of the frame (210) of the stroller accessory and is adapted to detachably fix the front of the frame of the stroller accessory to the rear (112) of the frame of the stroller (110) to arrange the stroller accessory at the rear of the stroller in a front-rear direction and define a tilt axis (Y250) that extends substantially parallel to the ground and substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction during use, and the front of the frame of the stroller accessory and the rear of the frame of the stroller are freely tilted relative to each other about the tilt axis (Y250). Two wheels (230G, 230D) are mounted and roll on the ground when the stroller accessory (200) is connected to the stroller (100) via the connecting mechanism (250), and the two wheels (230G, 230D) are coupled to the rear (212) of the frame (210) of the stroller accessory to pivot about their respective pivot axes (Z230G, Z230D). The pushing component (240) is carried by the rear (212) of the frame (210) of the stroller accessory (200) and is adapted to be manually applied by a user standing behind the double stroller (1); A control mechanism (270) for controlling the roll stop of the double stroller (1), the control mechanism being carried by the front (211) of the frame (210) of the stroller accessory (200), and when the stroller accessory is connected to the stroller (100) via the connecting mechanism (250), the control mechanism (270) is adapted to mechanically cooperate with a roll stop system (160) integrated in the stroller to control the roll stop system; and An actuation component (280), carried by the rear (212) of the frame (210) of the stroller accessory (200), is designed to be actuated by a user standing behind the double stroller (1), and the actuation component (280) is coupled to the control mechanism (270) to actuate the control mechanism. 2. The stroller accessory according to claim 1, wherein the stroller accessory (200) further comprises a stopping mechanism (300) for stopping the wheels (230G, 230D) of the stroller accessory, the stopping mechanism being carried by the rear portion (212) of the frame (210) of the stroller accessory and adapted to reversibly interfere with at least one or each of the two wheels of the stroller accessory to prevent them from rolling, regardless of the orientation of the wheels of the stroller accessory about the pivot axis (Z230G, Z230D) of the wheels of the stroller accessory, and The actuating component (280) is coupled to the blocking mechanism (300) to actuate the blocking mechanism while actuating the control mechanism (270). 3. The stroller accessory according to claim 2, wherein, for at least one of the two wheels (230G, 230D) of the stroller accessory (200) or for each of the two wheels of the stroller accessory, the stopping mechanism (300) includes a stopping element (301D) substantially centered on the pivot axis (Z230D) of the wheel (230D) of the stroller accessory, and movable relative to the frame (210) of the stroller accessory along the pivot axis of the wheel of the stroller accessory between the following positions: In the separated position, the blocking element is disengaged from the wheels of the stroller accessory to allow the wheels of the stroller accessory to roll freely; and In the engagement position, the blocking element interferes with the tread (231D) of the wheel of the stroller accessory to prevent the wheel of the stroller accessory from rolling. 4. The stroller accessory according to claim 3, wherein each of the two wheels (230G, 230D) of the stroller accessory (200) is associated with a retainer (310G, 310D), wherein: The retainer (310G, 310D) is mounted on the rear (212) of the frame (210) so as to pivot about the pivot axis (Z230G, Z230D) of the wheel of the stroller accessory. The wheels of the stroller accessory are mounted on the retainer (310G, 310D) and rotate about themselves to roll; and The retainer (310G, 310D) guides the corresponding blocking element (301D) to translate along the pivot axis of the wheel of the stroller accessory. 5. The stroller accessory according to claim 3, wherein the blocking mechanism (300) further comprises: For the stopping element (301D) or the spring (305D) of each stopping element (301D), the stopping element is pushed back to the separated position, and An actuator (306) is connected to the actuating member (280) during movement, and while the actuating member (280) jointly actuates the blocking mechanism (300) and the control mechanism (270), the actuator (306) drives the blocking element from the disengaged position to the engaged position, while resisting the action of the spring. 6. The stroller accessory according to claim 5, wherein the blocking element (301D) or each blocking element (301D) includes a first end (303D) and a second end (302D), the first end (303D) and the second end (302D) being opposite to each other along the pivot axis (Z230D) of the respective wheel (230D) of the stroller accessory (200); The first end (303D) of each of the blocking elements (301D) has a first bearing surface (304D), which, when the blocking element is in the engaged position, presses against the tread (231D) of the corresponding wheel of the stroller accessory (200) along the pivot axis (Z230D) of the corresponding wheel. Furthermore, the second end (302D) of the blocking element (301D) or each blocking element (301D) has a second bearing surface (308D), which, under the action of the corresponding spring (305D), presses against the dedicated surface (307D) of the actuator (306) along the pivot axis (Z230D) of the corresponding wheel (230D) of the stroller accessory (200). 7. The stroller accessory according to claim 5, wherein the actuator (306) is rotatable about an actuation shaft (Y306) relative to the frame (210) of the stroller accessory (200), the actuation shaft (Y306) extending substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis (Z230G, Z230D) of each of the wheels (230G, 230D) of the stroller accessory (200). 8. The stroller accessory according to claim 7, wherein the rear portion (212) of the frame (210) of the stroller accessory (200) includes a crossbeam (213), wherein: The crossbeam (213) extends between the two wheels (230G, 230D) of the stroller accessory; Inside the crossbeam (213), the actuator (306) is mounted and guided to rotate about the actuation shaft (Y306); and On the crossbeam (213), the pedal (281) of the actuation component (280) is mounted to be tilted about the actuation shaft (Y306) and fixed to the actuator (306). 9. The stroller accessory according to claim 1, wherein the control mechanism (270) includes a support member (271), the support member: The front portion (211) of the frame (210) coupled to the stroller accessory (200) is allowed to tilt freely about the tilt axis (Y250); and The stroller accessory (200) is configured to partially surround the rear portion (112) of the stroller frame (110) when the stroller accessory (200) is connected to the stroller (100) via the connecting mechanism (250), and to be rotatably connected to the rear portion of the stroller frame about the tilt axis; Furthermore, the control mechanism (270) further includes a coupling component (272), the coupling component being: The control mechanism is movably supported by the support member (271); Coupled to the actuating member (280), such that the actuating member drives the movement of the coupled member, and The stroller accessory (200) is adapted to engage the stroller's roll-stopping system (160) when the stroller accessory (200) is connected to the stroller (100) via the connecting mechanism (250). 10. The stroller accessory according to claim 9, wherein when the stroller accessory (200) is connected to the stroller (100) via the connecting mechanism (250), the coupling member (272) is adapted to connect itself to the actuation unit (161) in motion, the actuation unit being part of the rolling stop system (160) of the stroller, and when the stroller accessory is disconnected from the stroller, the actuation unit is configured to be directly activated by a user standing behind the stroller. 11. The stroller accessory according to claim 10, wherein the coupling member (272) includes a yoke (275) adapted to connect itself to the pedal (162) of the actuation part (161) during movement, while covering the pedal. 12. The stroller accessory according to claim 9, wherein the support (271) of the control mechanism (270) comprises a left branch (273G) and a right branch (273D), and a rod (274) fixingly coupling the left branch and the right branch to each other, and When the stroller accessory (200) is connected to the stroller (100) via the connecting mechanism (250), the left branch (273G) and the right branch (273D) are rotatably coupled to the rear (112) of the stroller frame (110) about the tilt axis (Y250), while the left branch (273G) and the right branch (273D) are configured to partially surround the left and right uprights (114G, 114D) of the rear of the stroller frame, respectively. 13. The stroller accessory according to claim 9, wherein the connecting mechanism (250) includes a support portion (251), wherein: The supporting part (251) supports and guides the movement of the rest of the connecting mechanism; The support member (271) of the control mechanism (270) is mounted on the bearing portion (251) to tilt about the tilt axis (Y250); and The support portion (251) is integrated into the footrest (260) supported by the front portion (211) of the frame (210) of the stroller accessory (200). 14. The stroller accessory according to claim 9, wherein the stroller accessory (200) further comprises a mechanical transmission system (290) supported by the frame (210) of the stroller accessory and extending between the front (211) and the rear (212) of the frame of the stroller accessory, and the mechanical transmission system (290) mechanically couples the actuating member (280) and the control mechanism (270) to cause the actuating member to actuate the control mechanism, and The mechanical transmission system (290) includes a cable (291) that couples the actuating component (280) and the coupling component (272) to each other, such that the actuating component drives the movement of the coupling component. 15. The stroller accessory according to claim 1, wherein the stroller accessory (200) further comprises a mechanical transmission system (290) supported by the frame (210) of the stroller accessory and extending between the front (211) and the rear (212) of the frame of the stroller accessory, and the mechanical transmission system (290) mechanically couples the actuating component (280) and the control mechanism (270) such that the actuating component actuates the control mechanism. 16. The stroller accessory according to claim 1, wherein when the stroller accessory (200) is disconnected from the stroller (100), the frame (210) of the stroller accessory (200) is adapted to fold between a use configuration and a storage configuration, wherein in the use configuration the stroller accessory can be connected to the stroller via the connecting mechanism (250), and the storage configuration is more compact than the use configuration. 17. An assembly forming a double baby stroller (1), comprising a baby stroller (100) and a baby stroller accessory (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the baby stroller (100) comprises: The frame (110), the rear (112) of which is connected to the front (211) of the frame (210) of the stroller accessory (200) via the connecting mechanism (250), and the frame (110) supports the receiving part (120) during use, the receiving part (120) being able to accommodate a child different from the child that can be accommodated in the receiving part (220) of the stroller accessory (200); At least one front wheel (130G, 130D) is carried on the ground and rolls during use and is coupled to the front (111) of the frame (110) of the stroller (100) in a manner that rotates about a pivot. Two rear wheels (140G, 140D) bear and roll on the ground during use and are fixedly coupled to the rear (112) of the frame (110) of the stroller (100); The pushing component (150) is carried by the rear (112) of the frame (110) of the stroller (100); and A rolling prevention system (160) is at least partially carried by the rear (112) of the frame (110) of the stroller (100) and is adapted to reversibly interfere with the rear wheels (140G, 140D) of the stroller (100) to prevent them from rolling. 18. The assembly forming a double baby stroller according to claim 17, wherein the two wheels (230G, 230D) of the baby stroller accessory (200) are separated by a path (V230) perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the path (V230) being greater than the path (V140) that separates the two rear wheels (140G, 140D) of the baby stroller (100) perpendicular to the front-rear direction.