SUNSHADE STROLLER

Abstract

A semi-transparent sunshade device which may be an integral member of a stroller, or installed into a preexisting stroller. The sunshade device can be a convex protective shield which may be rotated into a position above or behind the stroller when desired. The sunshade can block harmful UV light and reduce incoming sun light, as well as, provide protection from rain, wind, snow, or air borne road debris emanating from passing vehicles. The one-piece convex sunshade can also provide maximum air circulation and space for a child sitting within a stroller.

Description

BACKGROUND

When children are riding in strollers outdoors, they are frequently exposed to the sun. Extended exposure to the sun can cause myriad problems, ranging from slight discomfort to long lasting medical conditions. For example, exposing a child's eyes to the sun may cause the child to experience discomfort or damage ranging from squinting to developing cataracts or other eye-related medical problems. Children will frequently put their hands up to shield their eyes or, alternatively, their parents may place a blanket over the front of a child's stroller in order to protect the child's eyes from sun light. However, these solutions are temporary and fail to provide complete protection from the harmful UV rays that a child is being exposed to.

Some of the solutions in the field provide umbrellas or shades for strollers. In the U.S. Patent Application Publication to Zweideck (2010/0243010 A1), a foldable umbrella can be attached to the handle of a stroller to block the sunlight. Similarly, in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,178 B2, to Freeman a more technologically advanced solution uses sensors and actuators to guide an umbrella-type canopy in the direction of the sun. In contrast, in the U.S. Patent Application Publication to Hu (2006/0038368 A1), a foldable sunshade device can be built on the top portion of a stroller to protect a child from direct sun light, while in the U.S. Patent Application Publication to McGregor (2005/0275257 A1), a collapsible, ellipse-shaped fabric cover can be installed with a closed loop frame member to function as a sunshade.

Finally, fabric sunshades have been used with strollers. In the U.S. Patent Application Publication to Wang et al (2004/0245812 A1), a front sunshade panel can be manually attached to a frame surrounding a stroller by zipper, hook or fasteners. In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,613, to Sippel a flat frame is installed on the top portion of a stroller. This frame supports a piece of fabric which covers the entire rectangular frame and, in addition, has three pieces of fabric, whereby each of these pieces of fabric have one side connected to an edge of the central piece on top. When not in use, the pieces of fabric are overlapped onto each other, shielding only the top-most portion of the stroller. When under the sun, all three pieces of fabric can be unfolded as curtains so that, in addition to the top portion, they may shield the front, left and right sides of a stroller.

The current sun protection devices for strollers implement protruding sunshades, complicated electronic systems, non-transparent fabric covers or whole-coverage bag-type shields. Although these devices provide some form of protection from the sun, they remain complicated to install and fail to provide the ideal stroller environment for a child.

SUMMARY

According to one exemplary embodiment, a sunshade apparatus may be disclosed. A sunshade may be a semi-transparent device which may be a component of, or installed onto, a stroller. The sunshade device can be a convex protective shield and may be coupled to a stroller, regardless of whether the stroller includes a first shade. The sunshade can block harmful UV light and reduce incoming sun light. The sunshade can also protect an occupant of a stroller from rain, wind, snow, or air borne road debris emanating from passing vehicles while providing maximum air circulation and space for an occupant. When not in use, the sunshade may be rotated into a position above or behind the stroller, either above or below any preexisting or included sunshade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary view of a stroller with a shade in a folded configuration;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of a stroller with a shade in an extended configuration;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view of a stroller with a sunshade in a storage configuration;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view of a stroller with a sunshade in a protective configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description, discussion of several terms used herein follows.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the terms “embodiments of the invention,” “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the method, system or apparatus include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

Generally referring to exemplary FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary embodiment of a stroller which sits a child in an upright position can be shown. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exemplary stroller to which a sun shield may be attached. FIGS. 3 and 4 generally depict exemplary embodiments in which a sunshade is attached to an existing stroller. In alternate exemplary embodiments, a sunshade may be an included component of a stroller configuration. It is envisioned that a sunshade may be installed on, or included with, any type of stroller, such as, but not limited to, jogger strollers, tandem or double strollers, sit and stand strollers, baby strollers and umbrella strollers. While FIGS. 1-4 generally depict an exemplary embodiment which may protect an occupant's upper body, it is also envisioned that a sunshade may protect the entirety of an occupant's body.

In exemplary FIG. 1, stroller 100 may be shown as having front wheels 101, and rear wheels 102. The choice of the number of front wheels can vary, for example, based on the use of the stroller 100. In one exemplary embodiment, a stroller intended for jogging may utilize three large wheels with a shock absorbing system, wherein rear wheels 102 might include two wheels and front wheels 101 might include a single wheel. In contrast, if a stroller is to be used during a less strenuous activity, such as walking, two front wheels 101 and two rear wheels 102 may be desired. Stroller 100 may include any desirable number of front wheels 101 and rear wheels 102, wherein the wheels may be of any desirable diameter and arranged in any desirable configuration. It is also envisioned that the wheels may be of varying diameters. For example, rear wheels 102 may have larger diameters than front wheels 101. It is envisioned that both wheels 101 and 102 may be fabricated from any desirable material which would allow stroller 100 to roll under the weight of the stroller and a child inside.

In exemplary FIG. 1, stroller 100 includes handle 103 which is coupled to stroller 100 and can be used to push stroller 100. Handle 103 can be fabricated from any desirable material. Further, handle 103 may be encased with soft rubber or plastic, as desired, for easy gripping. Handle 103 may also be collapsible, extendable or otherwise adjustable in any manner. For example, handle 103 may be able to be rotated into different angular positions, such that stroller 100 may be stored with handle 103 in a substantially vertical position and used with handle 103 in a substantially horizontal position. FIG. 1 also depicts an exemplary embodiment which may include safety belt 104 with buckles 105, configured and disposed as desired. While using the stroller a child can be seated in stroller 100 with the seat belt 104 secured around the child as desired by buckle 105.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one exemplary embodiment of stroller 100 may include shade 106. Shade 106 may provide an attachment point for a sunshade device, but may also provide stroller 100 with some sun protection. Shade 106 may be formed out of any desired material, for example cloth, a polymeric material or plastic. Shade 106 may be substantially opaque so as to provide for any of a variety of light blocking or attenuation characteristics.

Shade 106 may be capable of being collapsed, retracted, extended and manipulated without losing any structural or functional integrity. Shade 106 can be fully stretched manually or automatically, as desired. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, shade 106 may have a handle or strap that allows for it to be extended or retracted, as desired. In other exemplary embodiments, shade 106 may be articulated by a motor or any other actuation device. Shade 106 may include panels disposed on each side of stroller 100 which may allow shade 106 to be coupled to stroller 100 at a connection point, such as latch 107. These connection points, such as latch 107, may also serve as connection points for a sunshade. In exemplary FIG. 1, shade 106 is in a folded, retracted position. Exemplary FIG. 2 shows a version of shade 106 in an extended configuration.

Shade 106 may be coupled to stroller 100 in any of a variety of fashions. For example, latch 107 may be used to couple shade 106 to stroller 100. Shade 106 may be removably coupled to stroller 100 as desired. Latch 107, which may have a corresponding or complementary latch on an opposite side of stroller 100, may allow for articulation or rotation about an axis, thus allowing for movement of shade 106 from a closed or unextended state to an open or extended state. Latch 107 may be any type of latch that allows for articulation.

In FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of a sunshade is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, sunshade 301 may be connected using joint 302 onto shade 106. Joint 302 may be such that it can couple with latch 107 or may be used in place of latch 107. Joint 302 may further have a complementary or corresponding joint positioned on a substantially opposite side of stroller 100. Joint 302 may be engineered to allow sunshade 301 to be connected to a stroller frame, a preexisting stroller shade, such as shade 106, or some combination thereof, while still allowing sunshade 301 to rotate into a protective configuration. In exemplary FIG. 4, sunshade 301 is depicted in a protective configuration, and its position may be held by the specially engineered joint 302 in a stopped or fixed position, such that sunshade 301 can be held in this position without movement or shifting. Thus, in some exemplary embodiments, joint 302 may incorporate a lock, locking mechanism or stopping device that can hold sunshade 301 in a forward position.

In the exemplary embodiments depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, stroller 100 may include sunshade 301. Sunshade 301 may be formed out of any desired material, for example a polymeric or plastic material, as well as a glass or safety glass material, such as a sheet of polymeric film. Sunshade 301 may be curved, convex, or formed in any other desired fashion, so as to allow for sun-blocking capabilities of an occupant of stroller 100, and may either be stiff or flexible, as desired. Sunshade 301 may be tinted, shaded, and polarized, as desired, in order to effectively block ambient light, sun light, UV rays and the like. Regardless, sunshade 301 may be able to fold, retract, or otherwise collapse upon itself, such that, among other functions, sunshade 301 may be easily stored.

In other exemplary embodiments, sunshade 301 may be capable of being collapsed, retracted, extended and manipulated without losing any structural or functional integrity. Sunshade 301 may be shifted into a protective configuration manually, or, in exemplary embodiments where a motor may be coupled to stroller 100 and utilized for articulating sunshade 301 and/or shade 106, automatically. For example, sunshade 301 may be manually pulled or rotated into place in the same manner as certain retractable motorcycle helmet face shields might be pulled downwards to cover an eye opening. It is envisioned that sunshade 301 may be manipulated or moved by either its interior or exterior surface, such that either a stroller passenger or user may retract or rotate sunshade 301, either partially or completely. FIG. 3 may show an exemplary embodiment of sunshade 301 coupled to stroller 100 and disposed in an exemplary storage configuration, while FIG. 4 may depict sunshade 301 similarly coupled to stroller 100, but disposed in an exemplary protective configuration. It is envisioned that sunshade 301 may shift from a storage configuration to a protective configuration in any desirable manner.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in one exemplary embodiment, sunshade 301 may be coupled to stroller 100 via joint 302. It is envisioned that sunshade 301 may either be retrofitted to current stroller configurations, via joint 302, or included as a component of stroller 100, such that joint 302 may also be included in stroller 100, possibly replacing latch 107 if desirable. Sunshade 301 may be coupled to a stroller frame or existing shade, such that sunshade 301 may articulate or rotate about an axis from a storage configuration to a protective configuration. While being articulated or rotated into a protective configuration, sunshade 301 may either move through the interior or exterior of the stroller configuration it may be coupled to.

It is envisioned that sunshade 301 may be compatible with any desirable configuration, including, but not limited to, tandem, double, travel, jogging, baby, sit and stand, and umbrella strollers. It is envisioned that sunshade 301 may be coupled to any stroller configuration so as to provide substantially complete protection, from any ambient light and ambient conditions, either alone or in conjunction with an existing shade, such as shade 106. In such embodiments, joint 302 may be such that it includes a universal fitting that allows it to be retrofitted to existing or known strollers. Similarly, it is envisioned that sunshade 301 may be such that it can be formed as an integral member any type of stroller.

Additionally, as desired, sunshade 301 may be articulated or moved to any desired position in its range of motion and held in that position through the use of joint 302. For example, joint 302 may limit the rotational capacity of sunshade 301, such that sunshade 301 might be stopped or fixed in a certain position, such as a substantially horizontal disposition. It is envisioned that shade 106 may be extended before or after sunshade 301 is rotated into any position. It is also envisioned that joint 302 may hold, fix or support sunshade 301 in any desired position in such a manner that sunshade 301 may still be subsequently maneuvered, adjusted or otherwise moved in any desirable manner, such as rotating.

Sunshade 301 may provide protection for the stroller passenger independently or in tandem with an existing stroller shade, such as shade 106. Sunshade 301 may extend to substantially enclose the entirety of the stroller it is a component of, or is retrofitted onto, regardless of whether the stroller includes a shade. Sunshade 301 may be able to fully protect an occupant of stroller 100 from sunlight or any other ambient conditions in a substantially 360 degree fashion. Also, this configuration of stroller 100 can protect the occupant from rain, wind, snow, stones in wind, and air borne debris due to passing vehicles, or other such conditions.

It is further envisioned that sunshade 301 may be expandable or adjustable, such that it may be adjusted to enclose different portions of the passenger compartment at different moments. For example, if a child is sleeping, the sunshade may be expanded, articulated or rotated into a position disposed both above and in front of the child which may substantially enclose the stroller, providing enhanced protection. Upon waking up, sunshade 301 may be adjusted or retracted, by either a child or a parent, into a position disposed only above the child. In this manner, the child may be completely protected while sleeping and remain protected while awake, but gain enjoyable exposure to the environment directly in front of him or her. This exemplary use may be particularly desirable, for example, if a child takes morning naps and wakes around midday, when the sun is substantially overhead.

The exemplary embodiments depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 may show a configuration where shade 106 and sunshade 301 may overlap each other. It is envisioned that in one exemplary embodiment, sunshade 301 may be disposed above shade 106. Thus, sunshade 301 may protect shade 106, as well as the occupant of stroller 100, from UV rays or other ambient conditions that may be undesirable. Conversely, in an alternate exemplary embodiment, shade 106 may be disposed above sunshade 301, and thus, shade 106 may protect sunshade 301 from sustaining damage. In a third exemplary embodiment sunshade 301 may be disposed substantially within shade 106 while in a storage configuration. For example, if shade 106 is a fabric material, shade 106 may serve as a cover to protect sunshade 301 from being scratched. In any of the aforementioned configurations, sunshade 301 may be removably attachable from a stroller configuration.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A sunshade comprising:

a removably attachable sheet of polymeric film shaped to form a shield around a stroller's passenger compartment; and

at least one joint.

2. The sunshade of claim 1, wherein the removably attachable sheet is tinted.

3. The sunshade of claim 1, wherein the removably attachable sheet is polarized.

4. The sunshade of claim 1, wherein the removably attachable sheet is flexible.

5. The sunshade of claim 4, wherein the removably attachable sheet collapses upon itself.

6. The sunshade of claim 1, wherein the removably attachable sheet is rigid.

7. The sunshade of claim 1, wherein the removably attachable sheet is removably attached to a stroller at the at least one joint.

8. The sunshade of claim 7, wherein the sunshade is retrofitted to a preexisting stroller.

9. The sunshade of claim 7, wherein the sunshade is included in a manufactured stroller.

10. The sunshade of claim 7, wherein the removably attachable sheet is removably attached to a stroller at two corresponding joints, wherein the joints are located on either side of the stroller and allow the sunshade to be disposed above and in front of the stroller.

11. The sunshade of claim 10, wherein the joints are located on a first shade, wherein the first shade may be included in a stroller configuration.

12. The sunshade of claim 1, wherein the sunshade is rotatable about an axis.

13. The sunshade claim 1, wherein the sunshade is locked into place using the at least one joint.

14. The sunshade of claim 1, wherein the sunshade combines with a first sunshade to provide protection from ambient elements