Various types of strollers exist for infants or children (hereafter “children”) which may provide seating for one or two children. Typically, strollers for two children are referred to as dual strollers, or tandem strollers, the differentiation depending upon the seating configuration.
Prior strollers provided seating for two children in either a front-to-rear configuration or a side-by-side configuration. Strollers with the seats along the longitudinal axis of the stroller, i.e., front-to-rear configuration, are commonly known as tandem strollers, while those with the seats in the transverse direction across the width of the stroller, i.e., side-by-side orientation, are referred to as a dual stroller. This convention will be used throughout this disclosure unless otherwise indicated.
Longitudinally aligned, or in-line, tandem strollers are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,221,106 and 7,614,640. The '106 patent discloses a typical “umbrella stroller” configured with seating for two children facing forward. An umbrella stroller, as disclosed by the '106 patent, folds in half lengthwise in a scissor fashion, for storage. In use, a spreader bar mechanism maintains the two halves separated.
The '640 patent discloses a versatile utility stroller in a dual configuration with seats in a longitudinal, forward-facing orientation. Upon activation of a folding mechanism, the frame drops downward, toward the ground, forcing the seats to collapse into a storage position.
Dual, or side-by-side strollers, are shown for instance, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,752,405 and 7,516,966. Both patents disclose umbrella-type strollers with two seats arranged side-by-side facing the direction of travel of the stroller. Each stroller has a selectively collapsible portion which allows seating for one child in the unfolded portion adjacent to a partially folded portion of the stroller, or seating for two occupants in a fully opened structure. Similarly, each has a fully folded position similar to the longitudinally oriented tandem stroller discussed above, in which the left and right halves fold together in a scissor fashion.
While such seating orientations may be adequate for transporting two children, both the tandem, longitudinal oriented seat configuration and the dual, transverse oriented seats, have drawbacks. Strollers with a front-to-rear configuration have significant length in order to accommodate two seats, one in front of the other. Access to the rear seat in a front-to-rear configuration is typically more restricted, making the rear seating position less convenient for seating a child in, or removing a child from, the stroller. In many cases, the rear seat is only suitable for smaller children. In the side-by-side configuration, the overall width of the stroller is approximately the width of two individual strollers. In many situations, the known double strollers are inconvenient, largely due to their length or width, or both length and width. For example in tight spaces, such as narrow hallways in buildings or residences, retail stores with, for instance, clothing on racks which are close together, mass transit systems, or crowded sidewalks, known double strollers are difficult to maneuver and pose risks to the child or children in the stroller, other people, or the environment in which they are operated.
Similarly, known double strollers, even when folded or collapsed, require a significant amount of storage space. Some full-featured strollers with accessories for increasing the utility of the stroller may require special attention for folding. Some strollers require at least partial removal of stroller components before the stroller can be collapsed, and even then, the folded stroller requires a significant amount of space for storage. Some strollers require the use of two hands in order to fold completely, thereby making it difficult, if not impossible, for one person to fold the stroller while safeguarding and maintaining control over the child previously in the stroller.
Known strollers may have associated accessories to increase the utility of the stroller. Such accessories may include, for example, drink holders, baskets, coolers, securable containers, and pouches made of a mesh or netted material or a solid material designed to increase the carrying capacity and overall utility of the stroller. Such accessories are known to be in addition to the provided seating arrangement. When only one seat is required or desirable, a dual or tandem stroller requires two seats because the seats may be permanently mounted to the frame. In some instances, it may be desirable to remove one child seat and replace that seat with an accessory, or accessories, as indicated in the exemplary list above. Removal of the unneeded seat may provide benefits, such as reduced weight, increased ease of maneuverability, and smaller size, while increasing the utility of the stroller by providing larger add-on accessories. Known strollers do not provide this flexibility and require the accessories to be used along with both seats, decreasing the size and variety of accessories possible.
Accordingly, the need exists for a two seat stroller configured to overcome at least the previously presented drawbacks of the known dual or tandem strollers.
While certain documents have been cited as examples of strollers configured for two occupants, citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention.