Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an infant's wheeled vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a tricycle (or trike), particularly one which is compactable from an operative configuration in which the infant may use the tricycle in its usual fashion, and a second stowage configuration which is more compact than the operative configuration. This makes the tricycle easily transportable to take on outings or vacations. While the invention is primarily described in the form of a tricycle, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to being a three wheeled vehicle. Background of the invention

International patent publication WO 2004/096629 discloses a tricycle which is able to be folded from an operating position to a more compact stowage configuration. A steering column extends between a front wheel and the handlebars and is received in a collar pivotally mounted to the seat. The steering column is thus pivotally mounted relative to the seat to enable the steering column to lie at least partially under the seat when in the stowage configuration. To shorten the length of the steering column extending out beyond the seat, the steering column is slidably received in the collar.

This prior art tricycle has a number of difficulties. Firstly, the sliding arrangement of the steering column adds complexity to the tricycle, and even in the stowage configuration, the handlebars still extend beyond the seat. Secondly, this tricycle uses rather small wheels. Even so, when the front wheel is in the stowage configuration, the wheel is accommodated by a recess provided in the seat, to enable a more compact folding of the steering column against the underside of the seat. This arrangement is feasible with such small wheels. However, such small wheels are impractical where the tricycle is mainly intended for outdoor use, in which case bigger wheels may be more appropriate.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wheeled vehicle for an infant which overcomes or at least ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a folding wheeled vehicle for use by an infant, the vehicle being foldable from an operative configuration to a stowage configuration and comprising: a body defining a scat for the infant; wheel assemblies including at least a front wheel assembly having a front wheel and one or more rear wheel assemblies each having at least One wheel, the wheel assemblies movable from the operative configuration where the wheels are ground engageable to the stowage configuration, wherein the front wheel assembly further comprises a steering limiter for limiting the steering arc of the vehicle, wherein the steering limiter is rendered ineffective when the front wheel assembly moves from the operative configuration to the stowage configuration, such that the front wheel is moveable to lie in a substantially flat configuration against the body in the stowage configuration.

The front wheel assembly preferably further comprises: a fork portion for receiving the front wheel; a rotatable steering column extending upwardly from the fork portion; and a mounting portion receiving the steering column and pivotally mounted to the body. The steering column may be selectively slideable relative to the mounting portion for more compact storage in the stowage configuration. Preferably there is also provided, a manually operable release actuator to permit relative sliding between the steering column and the mounting portion. Preferably, the sliding of the steering column relative to the mounting portion upon release by the manually operable release actuator renders the steering limiter ineffective. The steering limiter is most preferably effected by engagement of mutually engaging portions on the mounting portion and the steering column, with the mutually engaging portions disengaging on sliding of the steering column from relative to the mounting portion upon release by the manually operable release actuator. In a preferred form, the mounting portion includes a collar surrounding the steering column and a pivot projection which is pivotally mounted to the body for pivotal movement of the front wheel assembly. The pivot axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the front wheel assembly. As may be understood, the combined action of the sliding of the steering column from relative to the mounting portion and the pivotal movement of the front wheel assembly enables the front wheel assembly to move from the operative position to the stowage position.

The steering limiter is preferably effective in the operative configuration to limit turning of the front wheel assembly to 40° to 45° on either side of a central wheel position. The wheeled vehicle may also include a steering lock to selectively lock the steering column in the central wheel position, preventing rotation thereof and consequent turning of the front wheel.

The body may also includes an engagement portion to receive a parent bar enabling the wheeled vehicle to be pushed.

The front wheel assembly may also include a handle portion for gripping by hand by the infant. Preferably, the handle portion is removably and replaceably mounted relative to the body.

In the stowage configuration, the front wheel assembly preferably lies at least partially underneath the seat. Preferably the front wheel is rotatable about its normal turning axis to lie flat against the underside of the seat in the stowage configuration. Thus, the front wheel may be permitted to turn through approximately 90° from its central wheel position and in this approximately 90° position, it therefore lies 'flat' against the underside of the seat when in the stowage position. This enables the most compact form in the stowage configuration.

Preferably, the handle portion extends upwardly forward of the body. The handle portion may be removably receivable in the mounting portion. In a preferred form of the invention, the handle is removably receivable in the front wheel assembly. The handle portion may be completely separable from the remainder of the wheeled vehicle. Alternatively the handle portion may remain tethered once it is removed. For example, an elastomeric cord may run between the removable handle portion and the mounting portion in which it is received.

The handle portion may be operably connected to the front wheel assembly to facilitate steering. Suitably, turning of the handle portion effects the same or a similar degree of turning of the front wheel. The steering limiter limits the degree of turn permitted by the handle portion and/or the front wheel assembly for stability reasons. For example, the degree of turn permitted by the handle portion and the front wheel may be an included angle of up to about 90°, e.g. 40° to 45° each side of centre. The handle portion may be selectively lockable, preventing rotation thereof and consequent turning of the front wheel, depending upon whether the wheeled vehicle is in self- drive mode, or adult-assisted mode. A steering lock may be provided for this purpose.

In one form, the handle portion may be in the form of an upright portion with an upper transverse bar such that the handle portion is shaped as a T-piece. The handlebar may be curved or straight. In this form, preferably the lower end of the upright portion is received in the front wheel assembly. The handle portion is preferably a unitary, one piece construction.

In another form of the handle portion, the handle portion may comprise a short upright portion, splitting to V, with each upper end of the V extending substantially horizontally to form individual handles. The lower end of the short upright portion is preferably received in the front wheel mounting portion. The handle portion, which may be a unitary, one piece construction may also be inclined rearwardly. This enables an infant to be seated further back on the body than if the handle portion extended vertically.

In another form, the handle portion may comprise two separate portions, each having a short upright portion and an inclined portion, with the upper end of each inclined portion extending substantially horizontally to form a handle. The short upright portion is preferably receivable in the front wheel mounting portion. Further, the inclined portions are preferably arranged in a splayed relationship. The two separate portions may also incline rearwardly.

A release mechanism may be provided to facilitate removal of the handle portion. The release mechanism may be a manually operable release. A release actuator may be provided, preferably on the front wheel mounting portion. There may be a single release mechanism and release actuator to release the handle portion as well as the front wheel assembly.

The body which defines the seat may in fact be shaped as a seat. In other words, the body may form the entire seat. Preferably, the body includes a substantially planar upper surface on which an infant sits. This may be recessed or contoured for comfort. Further, the body preferably includes a substantially planar lower surface. In plan, the body is preferably key-hole shaped, having a narrower forward portion and a bulbous rear portion.

The body may be integrally moulded as a single piece. Alternatively, the body may be moulded as two pieces which are assembled together. Preferably, the body is of substantially hollow construction. The body may also include an engagement portion to receive a parent bar. A parent bar enables the wheeled vehicle to be pushed by an adult in the adult-assisted mode. Suitably, the steering lock is selectively activated when the parent bar is used. In one possible embodiment, insertion of the parent bar effects operation of the steering lock.

Preferably, the wheeled vehicle also includes rear wheel assemblies. In a preferred form of the invention, there are two rear wheel assemblies, each comprising a rear wheel leg with one or more wheels. Preferably, the one or more rear wheel assemblies are moveable from an operating configuration in which the wheel(s) are ground engaging to a stowage configuration. For this purpose, each rear wheel assembly may be pivotally mounted to the body. Preferably, where there are two rear legs, pivotally mounted to the body, each rear leg rotates such that the wheel lies more forwardly in the stowage configuration than in the operating configuration. The rear wheel legs are suitably mounted to a rear portion of the body.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a wheeled vehicle for use by an infant, including: a seat for the infant; one or more wheels including a front wheel mounted on a front wheel assembly wherein the front wheel assembly includes a stowable footrest.

Preferably, there are two stowable footrests, one for each foot. The footrests are foldable between an operative configuration in which each footrest provides a substantially horizontal foot tread portion and a stowable configuration. Preferably, in the stowable configuration, each footrest lies alongside a part of the front wheel assembly.

Preferably, the front wheel assembly includes a wheel fork with two fork portions on either side of the front wheel, extending to the wheel axle, each footrest being pivotably mounted to a respective fork portion for movement between the operative configuration and the stowage configuration in which the footrest is disposed adjacent the fork portion. Preferably, each fork portion includes a recess or a shaped region which is commensurate with the size of the footrest for streamlined appearance in the stowage configuration.

Preferably, the wheeled vehicle is a tricycle and may have any of the features described above in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. In particular, the tricycle may engage with a parent bar for adult-assisted use, during which the infant may place his or her feet onto the footrests.

Any of the features described above in connection with the first aspect of the invention may be applied to the second aspect of the invention.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a folding wheeled vehicle for use by an infant, the vehicle being foldable from an operative configuration to a stowage configuration and comprising: a body defining a seat for the infant; wheel assemblies including at least a front wheel assembly having a front wheel and one or more rear wheel assemblies each having at least one wheel, the wheel assemblies movable from the operative configuration where the wheels are ground engageable to the stowage configuration, wherein the front wheel assembly further comprises a steering limiter for limiting the steering arc of the vehicle, wherein the steering limiter is rendered ineffective when the front wheel assembly moves from the operative configuration, such that the front wheel is moveable to lie in a substantially flat configuration against the body in the stowage configuration.

Any of the features described above in connection with the first and second aspects of the invention may be applied to the third aspect of the invention.

As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps.

Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the Figures in which:

Figure 1 is a forward perspective view of the wheeled vehicle, in the form of a tricycle, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the tricycle of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view in a transverse plane, through the front wheel assembly and the handle portion of the tricycle of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the handle portion, the front wheel assembly and the body of the tricycle of Figure 1 ;

Figures 5A and 5B are perspective views through a longitudinal section of the front wheel assembly;

Figure 5C is a perspective view of transverse section of the front wheel assembly;

Figure 5D is a top perspective view of the lower portion of the steering column; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the underside of the tricycle of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing the tricycle in the stowage configuration;

Figure 8 is a side view corresponding to Figure 7, showing the tricycle in the stowage configuration; Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the underside of the body, with the tricycle in the stowage configuration;

Figure 10 is a rear perspective view, showing a parent pusher bar connected to the tricycle and the footrests deployed. Detailed description of the embodiments

General overview

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the preferred form of the infant's wheeled vehicle in the form of a tricycle 10. The tricycle 10 comprises a front wheel assembly 12, a handle portion 14 which is removably and replaceably mounted to the front wheel assembly 12, a body 16 which defines a seat for the infant, and two real wheel assemblies 18.

Front wheel assembly

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, but in particular, Figures 3 and 4, the front wheel assembly 12 comprises firstly a front wheel 20, mounted to a steering column 22 in a conventional fashion. The steering column 22 is comprised of two portions, including a lower portion 24 which has front forks 25 for mounting the front wheel 20 and an upper portion 26. The lower portion 24 and the upper portion 26 are aligned and together define a central longitudinal axis of the steering column 22. The lower portion 24 and the upper portion 26 are joined by means of a rivet, which is not shown although the recess 28 for the rivet is visible in Figures 1 and 3. The steering column 22 is journaled for rotation about the central longitudinal access within a mounting portion 30. As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the mounting portion 30 includes a collar 32 and a pivot projection 34 extending diametrically and rearwardly from the collar 32. The pivot projection 34 is pivotally mounted to the body 16 about pivot axis 36. Thus, the entire front wheel assembly 12, together with the handle portion 14 is permitted to pivot about pivot axis 36, in order for the tricycle to move from the operative configuration shown to a stowage configuration (see Figures 7 and 8). Also, the steering column 22 is permitted to rotate within collar 32, subject to the steering lock and the steering limiter as will be explained subsequently.

Handle portion

Received in the top of the steering column 22, in particular, in the top of the upper portion 26 is a plastic mould 40 which provides a mounting for the handle portion 14 within the metal steering column 22. The steering column 22 is comprised of metal for structural strength. The plastic moulding 40 has a lower stem portion 42 received within the upper portion 26, as well as an upper mushroom-shaped portion 44 which has an outer periphery lying flush with the upper end of the upper portion 26. The upper end of the upper portion 26 and the mushroom- shaped portion 44 are enlarged in circumference, compared to the main part of the upper portion 26, to provide a stop for the collar 32, as will be explained subsequently. The plastic moulding 40 is also hollow in order to receive the stem 46 of the handle portion 14. The handle portion 14 also has a T-bar 48 extending across the top of the stem 46.

The handle portion 14 is removeably and replaceably received within the plastic moulding 40. In a preferred form of the invention, the tricycle is supplied to the customer in the stowed configuration, as per Figures 7 and 8, except with the handle portion 14 removed. This reduces shipping costs for the product by reducing the overall envelope within which the tricycle can be packed. When the customer receives the partly assembled product, they are required to insert the handle portion 14 into the plastic moulding 40, whereupon it snaps into place. In the current preferred form of the invention, the handle portion 14 is not readily removeable by the customer but in other embodiments, this may be possible. In the present embodiment, the handle portion is provided with a lockable leaf spring 50 (see Figure 3), having a tang 52 which extends through a correspondingly shaped aperture in the stem 46. Another correspondingly shaped aperture is also provided in the stem portion 42 of the plastic moulding 40, so that when the handle portion 14 is inserted into the plastic moulding 40, the tang 52 locates within the aperture in the stem portion 42, once the stem 46 has reached its assembled position, both in depth within the plastic moulding 40 and radial orientation. The upper portion 26 also has a hole 52 through which a tool may be inserted to depress the tang to release it from the stem portion 42, enabling the handle portion 14 to be removed. Steering lock and steering limiter

As can be seen most clearly in Figure 5A, the collar 32 includes a rectangular recess for a slideable actuator button 60 having a part spherical recess 62 in which the operator may place his finger, to assist with sliding of the button 60. Movement of the button 60, controls the placement of an internal tang 64. In Figure 5A, the position of tang 64 is shown with the button in the upper position. In Figure 5B the position of the tang is extended downwardly when the button is in its lower position. In the lower position illustrated in Figure 5B, the tang 64 engages between steering lock ribs 66 of the lower portion 24 of the steering column 22, (see Figure 5D). Figure 5D illustrates the top of the lower portion 24, with other parts removed for clarity. Two spaced ribs 66 are disposed within the outer circumference of the lower portion 24. When the tang 64 is in its upper position illustrated in Figure 5A, then the bottom of the tang can clear the two ribs 66 and the steering column can rotate accordingly. However when the tang 64 is in its lower position illustrated in Figure 5B, and the T-bar 48 is positioned to face directly forwardly, then the tang 64 engages between the two ribs 66 so that the T-bar 48 cannot turn. This is useful in adult-assisted mode, which is described further below.

Figure 5D also illustrates two spaced pairs of steering limiter ribs. These ribs 68 are also placed within the outer circumference of lower part 24 with the steering lock ribs 66 provided half way between the two pairs of steering limiter ribs 68. The tang 64 slides within a guide 67 formed as part of the collar 32. The steering limiter ribs 68 are disposed such that the guide 67 will engage with these ribs 68, irrespective of the position of the tang 64 (see Fig 5C). The steering limiter- ribs 68 define an arc of permitted travel for the guide 67 and tang 64 and hence define the limit to which the T-bar 48 may be turned. This prevents the T-bar 48 from being turned through a greater arc, which can lead to instability and toppling of the tricycle.

Folding operation

In order to fold the tricycle from the operative configuration to the stowage configuration, there are a number of steps as follows: 1 . slide the steering column 22 within the collar 32 to shorten the height of the steering column 22 relative to the body 16 and to release the steering limiter;

2. pivot the front wheel assembly 12 together with the handle portion 14 about the pivot axis 36 while turning the handle portion 14 until the wheel 20 lies at 90° relative to its front forward position, (see Figure 9); 3. move the rear leg assemblies 18 to their respective stowage positions.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the underside of the mounting portion 30 includes a spring loaded latch 70. The latch actuator 72 is also visible in Figure 6. The latch 70 includes a latch bolt 74 which is retractable against the operation of spring 76 to withdraw from the upper portion 26 of the steering column 22. This permits the steering column 22 to slide relative to the collar 32 and lowers the position of the steering column 22 relative to the seat 16, until the collar 32 abuts against the wider diameter portion of the upper portion 26. When the lower portion 24 is consequently moved away from its interference with guide 67 and tang 64, the steering limiter ribs 68 are no longer effective and the steering column 22 can freely turn within collar 32. The handle portion 14 is rotated until the latch bolt 74 locates within a square recess 80 on upper portion 26. The square recess 80 can be viewed in Figure 1. This defines the position whereby the steering column has been rotated through 90°.

Figures 4 and 6 also illustrate the main latch 82 having a latch actuator 84 and latch bolt 86. The latch actuator 84 may be moved rearwardly against the operation of spring 88 enabling the latch bolt 84 to release from engagement with the pivot projection 34. With the latch bolt 86 disengaged, the whole of the front wheel assembly, together with handle portion 14 and mounting portion 30 is free to rotate about pivot 36 until the latch bolt 86 is received in lower detent 90 of the pivot projection 34. As can be seen from a study of Figures 7 and 9, in the stowage configuration, the steering column 22 lies substantially underneath the seat 16 and the front wheel 20 lies substantially flat against the underside of the seat 16. The wheel 20 is locked in this position by virtue of the latch tongue 74 being received in square recess 80.

Also, the underside of the seat 16 includes a recess 90 (see Figure 6) to accommodate some of the bulk of one of the foot rests 1 10 on the side of the wheel 20. This embodiment has only small wheels of a approximately 120 to 125mm in outside diameter. However, the tricycle may also be adapted for use with larger wheels of a diameter of approximately 145 to 150mm, in which case the size of the wheel would be included within or substantially match the rearward bulbous portion of the seat 16.

The rear wheel assemblies 18 are also pivotally mounted to the seat 16. Each rear wheel leg 18 is held in its operative configuration by spring mounted sleeve 92 which cooperates with the seat 16 to hold the wheel leg in the operative configuration. When the spring mounted sleeve 92 is pulled in the direction of arrow 94, along the leg, this releases the wheel leg from its operative configuration, enabling the wheel leg to rotate relative to the seat 16, until the rear wheel lies more forwardly of the seat 16 as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Adult-assisted mode, In adult-assisted mode, a parent bar 100 may be engaged with the seat 16 in the manner illustrated in Figure 10. As can be seen in Figure 2 and Figure 4, the rear of the seat 16 has a passage 102 which is closed off at the rear end by a tethered cap 104. The parent bar 100 is an angled bar having a long section 106 and a short section 108 arranged at an angle to the long section 106. The short section 108 is insertable into the passage 102, once the cap 104 is removed. The short section 108 has an aperture (not shown) which, when the parent bar 100 is properly received within the passage 102, receives the latch tongue 109 of the spring loaded latch 1 12. The spring loaded latch 1 12 may be released by pushing on actuator button 1 14 which pivots the latch about a fulcrum to remove the latch tongue 109 from within the aperture in the short section 108, permitting the parent bar 100 to be removed from engagement with the rear of the seat 16.

Additionally, within the adult-assisted mode, the steering lock is operated by moving the button 60 downwardly and to the lock position as explained above.

Footrests

In the adult-assisted mode, it is comfortable for the child to have their feet supported above the ground and for this purpose, stowable footrests 1 10 are provided as best seen in Figures 3 and 10. In each case, the lower portion 24 of the steering column includes two fork portions 25 on either side of the wheel 20. Each foot rest 1 10 is pivotally mounted to the fork portion 25 towards the bottom of the fork portion 25, just above the wheel mounting. In the upright configuration illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, each foot rest lies against the corresponding fork portion 25. In fact, the foot rest 1 12 and the fork portion 25 may be of complementary shape, enabling at least a portion of the foot rest 1 10 to be nested within the fork portion 25. The foot rest 1 10 flares outwardly at its lower end 1 12. Thus, in its deployed configuration illustrated in Figure 10, the flared lower end 1 12 abuts against the fork portion 25 to define the deployed position for the foot rest 1 10. It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.