GB2496408A - Folding pushchair - Google Patents

Abstract

The pushchair comprises a body frame and a folding mechanism comprising at least one torsion spring aiding folding. The pushchair has a front wheel set and a rear wheel set, the body frame comprising a front section 100, a handle 105-107 to the top of said body frame, a first side 101, a second side 102, a first central pivot 103 on said first side and a second central pivot 104 on said second side. The rear wheel set comprises a first rear wheel strut 108 pivotally attached to the first central pivot, a second rear wheel strut pivotally attached to the second central pivot, a connecting means 110 attaching the rear wheel struts and at least one wheel 111 rotatably attached to each rear wheel strut. The front wheel set comprises at least one front wheel strut 112 attached to said front section and at least one wheel 117 rotatably attached to said front wheel strut. The folding mechanism comprises a rear wheel folding mechanism comprising a cable connected to a torsion spring which is connected to said first rear wheel strut 108 directly or indirectly, a handle retracting mechanism and a release means for operating said rear wheel fold mechanism and said handle retracting mechanism.

Description

Folding Pushchair

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to pushchairs for babies and toddlers and in particular those designed to rapidly and easily fold sufficiently compactly to be carried onboard an aircraft as hand luggage.

[2] Many pushchairs, strollers and The like have mechanisms which allow them to collapse or fold into a smaller volume for ease of storage and transportation.

Pushchairs which fold easily and rapidly are known in the art. Pushchairs which, in their folded state, have sufficiently small volume and weight, enabling them to be carried onto a commercial flight as luggage, are known in the art.

[3] For example, GB2285776 to Bachmann discloses a child chair which collapses into a suitcase shape, comprising a frame with leg members pivotally mounted on the frame. Threaded drive spindles are mounted for rotation on the frame and coupled to each leg member. Rotation of the drive spindle causes each leg to pivor about its mounting to move the chair from a collapsed state to an expanded state and visa versa.

[4] Furthermore, GB2431381 to Gilbertson discloses a folding pushchair comprising a seat frame, formed by the seat back and the seat base with a pivot between them, at least one front leg rotatably mounted on the seat frame, and first and second rear legs rotatably mounted on the seat frame. The first and second rear ILegs have respectively a first and second axes of rotation, wherein the first axis of rotation is not parallel to the second axis of rotation such that distal ends of the rear legs spaced from the ends of the legs mounted on the seat frame are distanced from each other by a larger distance when the pushchair is open than when it is folded. This enables the legs to fold together into a small volume facilitating compact folding. The pushchair is folded by retracting the handle, then folding the back of the seat to the base of the seat about the pivot between the back and base of the 13 seat. Then the two sets of wheel struts fold together, also about the pivot between the back and the base of the seat.

[5] Furthermore, DE202007009377 to ABD Design, discloses a pushchair comprising a pushchair frame wherein all parts of the pushchair -seat base, seat back (the continuation of which is the forms the handle) , front wheel struts and rear wheel struts -are pivotally attached to a central part. A further pivot point is disposed between the top of the seat and the handle. To fold, the handle is folded about the pivot between the handle and the seat back 23 and then the seat back, the front and back wheel struts, and the seat base are folded together.

[6] Furthermore, the Quicksmart backpack stroller' commercially available from Quicksmart (http://www.quicksmartbaby.com/) comprises a pushchair frame with two pivot points. A pivot connects the top of the seat back and the bottom of the handle and a main pivot point connecting the seat back and base with the front wheel strut and two rear struts. To fold the pushchair the two sides of the frame are folded together, the seat base 33 folds towards the seat back, then the handle folds along the pivot between the handle and the seat, into the seat back, the entire top of the pushchair consisting of the seat and handle pivot via the main pivot down to between the leg struts and finally the leg struts fold inwards.

[7] cable-latch folding mechanisms are known in the art. For example, W02010015003 to Grintz and Dotsey, discloses a pushchair where rotation of the handle arcund a pivot for folding is achieved using a handle actuator positioned on the handlebar coupled by cables routed from the actuatcr through the tubular push bars to the handle pivot joints. Pressing the actuator releases a latch, allowing the handle to rotate.

[8] Spring-assisted folding mechanisms for pushchairs are known in the art. For example, GB2450458 to Bearup et.

al. discloses a pushchair with a spring-assisted folding mechanism. The stroller includes a spring device (torsion spring or other spring) interconnecting two of the pivotally connected frame components to urge the pivotal movement thereof into a collapsed, folded configuration. An anti-fold latch mechanism is associated with the stroller seat which is locked whenever a child is placed into the stroller seat to prevent the fold mechanism from collapsing the frame of the stroller until the child is removed from the seat.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[9] It can be seen from the forgoing that a need has arisen for pushchairs which can be folded or collapsed sufficiently compactly to be carried onboard an aircraft as hand luggage.

[10] It would be advantageous if the pushchair was simple and fast to fold in a small space, particularly due to crowded and often rushed conditions when boarding aircraft.

[11] It would be advantageous if the pushchair was lightweight.

[12] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple, lightweight pushchair which folds easily and rapidly and in its collapsed form is sufficiently compact to be able to be placed in the overhead luggage compartment of a commercial aircraft.

[13] According to a first aspect of die invention, there is provided a pushchair comprising: a length adjustable handle; a collapsible body frame having a pivot midway or substantially midway along its longitudinal extent for longitudinal folding in or substantially in ts half, the length adjustable handle being connected to or adjacent to a head end of the body frame; a front wheel support element which rotatably supports a front wheel and which is rotatably engaged with the body frame at or adjacent to its foot end; a rear wheel support element which rotatably support a rear wheel and which is rotatably engaged with the body frame at or adjacenc to the body frame pivot; and an automatic folding mechanism which interconnects the handle, front wheel support element and rear wheel support element and which includes at least one torsion spring, the in use torsion spring being under tension when the body frame is erected so that on length adjustment of the handle to a storage condition, the front wheel support element and the rear wheel support element automatically rapidiy fold towards the body frame.

[14] Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 8, inclusive.

[15] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a pushchair comprising: a body frame comprising: a front section, a handle to The top of said frame, a first side, a second side, a first central pivot on said first side and a second central pivot on said second side; a first rear wheel strut pivotally attached to the first central pivot; a second rear wheel strut pivotally attached to the second central pivot; at least one front wheel strut attached to said front section; at least one wheel rotatably attached to each wheel strut; a connecting means attaching the rear wheel struts to each other; and a folding mechanism comprising: a rear wheel fold mechanism comprising a first cable connected to a first torsion spring, said first torsion spring being connected to said first rear wheel strut; a handle retracting mechanism, and a release means for operating said rear wheel fold mechanism and said handle retracting mechanism.

[16] Preferable and/or optional features of the second aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 10 to 16, inclusive.

[17] According to a third aspect of The invention, there is provided a pushchair comprising: a body frame; means attached to said body frame for rotationally supporting at least three wheels; and a folding mechanism comprising torsion springs; whereby said corsion springs store energy when the pushchair is in a pushchair state; whereby folding is rapid.

[18] An advantage of the present invention is the semi-automatic folding mechanism which allows for rapid folding, particularly suited to the crowded and often rushed conditions when boarding aircraft. The folding mechanism enables a user to bring the pushchair adjacent to an aircraft seat in spite of the lack of space onboard aircraft, and to fold it and stow it in an overhead luggage compartment rapidly enough to avoid slowing the flow of other passengers boarding the aircraft.

J0 [19] A further advantage of the present invention is the simple nature of the design, facilitacing a very lightweight and inexpensive pushchair allowing this pushchair to be used just for travel and to have a traditional pushchair for normal use.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [20] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [21] Figure 1 shows the apparatus of the invention in a pushchair state.

[22] Figure 2 shows the apparatus of the invention in a folded state.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[23] A pushchair is disclosed comprising: a body frame; means attached to said body frame for rotationally supporting at least three wheels; and a folding mechanism comprising torsion springs; whereby said torsion springs store energy when the pushchair is in a pushchair state whereby folding is rapid.

[24] In the following description, the term pushchair state' is used to refer to the frame being used as a pushchair, to push a child, as shown in Figure 1. The term folded state' is used to refer to the frame when folded as shown in Figure 2.

[25] The body frame comprises a frame which supports a seat for accommodating a child and is preferably comprised of a front section 100, a first side 101, a second side 102, a first central pivot 103 on said first side 101 and a io second central pivot 104 on said second side 102 and a handle to the top of said body frame. The handle is comprised of a top section 105, a first side section 106 and a second side section 107. The body frame is preferably shaped as shown in Figure 1. The body frame is preferably comprised of substantially hollow aluminum tubes for strength and low weight. Alternatively it may be constructed out of any other material and it may be comprised of a combination of solid and hollow portions or it may be completely solid for increased strength.

[26] The means for supporting the wheels preferably comprise a front wheel set and a rear wheel set. The rear wheel set is comprised of a first rear wheel strut 108 pivotally attached to the first central pivot; a second rear wheel strut (not shown) pivotally atcached to the second central pivot; a connecting means 110 attaching the rear wheel struts and at least one wheel 111 rotatably attached to each rear wheel strut. The rear wheel struts preferably comprise substantially straight members although they may be other shapes. The defining feature of the rear wheel struts is that they each have one end mounted pivotally to the body frame and another end further from the frame, having at least one wheel rotarably mounted thereon, thereby enabling the wheels to be moved between an upright and a folded position.

[27] The front wheel set is comprised of at least one and preferably two front wheel struts attached to said front section 100 and at least one wheel rotatably attached to said front wheel strut. The front wheel struts comprise the same features as the rear wheel struts with the exception that it may be possible to have a front wheel o strut non-pivotally mounted on the body frame.

[28] The wheels may be any suitable wheels as known in the art for pushchairs and may be arranged singly or in pairs, may comprise suspension systems, tyres, brakes, or any other wheel features known in the art.

t5 [29] Tn the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2, the front wheel set is comprised of a first front wheel strut 112 connected to the first side 101 of said body frame via a first front pivot 113; a second front wheel strut 114 connected to the second side of said body frame 102 via a second front pivot 115 and a connecting means 116 attaching the front wheel struts and at least one front wheel 117 attached to each front wheel strut. In combination with the two rear wheels, this four wheel configuration increases the pushchair stability in the pushchair state.

[30] Alternatively there may be only one front pivot, wheel strut and wheel with a front folding mechanism. An advantage of this is that weight is reduced compared with two front wheels. Furthermore, there may be only one front wheel attached directly to the body frame with a short strut, without a pivot.

[31] Preferably said connecting means attaching the rear wheels and the front wheels is comprised of a rigid bar connecting the two front wheels together and a further rigid bar connecting the two rear wheels together, so that the folding mechanism efficiently returns both wheels of each wheel set to the body frame for rapid folding.

Alternatively the connecting means could be a tether, chain, or any other means which would cause the pivoting of a first rear wheel to pivot the second rear wheel, and similarly for the front wheels.

[32] Alternatively the means for supporting the wheels may be any means known in the art and may comprise axles, pins, bars, tubes or any other means or suructure arranged in any shape for supporting wheels while being attached in any way to the body frame.

[33] The folding mechanism comprises torsion springs which store energy when the pushchair is in a pushchair state. That is, the springs are twisted by unfolding the pushchair (Ic putting it into a pushchair state), such that, when the release mechanism is released, the energy stored in the springs causes the pushchair to rapidly fold as the springs return to their equilibrium state. This rapid folding adapts the pushchair for use when boarding an aircraft upon reaching the child's seat, when speed is required. The springs may be located anywhere on the pushchair and the folding mechanism may be any mechanism known in the art. The invention is characterized in that the springs are in equilibrium when the pushchair is folded and under torsion (storing energy) when the pushchair is upright.

[34] The preferred folding mechanism will now be described although it should be understood that many folding mechanisms are widely known and available and may be used in the present invention.

[35] The folding mechanism preferably comprises a rear wheel folding mechanism; a handle retracting mechanism and a release means for operating said rear wheel fold mechanism and said handle retracting mechanism.

[36] The rear wheel folding mechanism is comprised of a first cable connected at one end to the end of the first side section of the handle, and at its other end to a first torsion spring, said first torsion spring being connected to said first rear wheel 108 strut directly or indirectly.

The strut may comprise an aperture, protuberance or other feature for attaching the torsion spring thereto as know in the art. The cable may be nylon, steel, rope or any other cable known in the art and is essentiatly a flexible, thin piece of material connecting one componenu with another.

Its ends may be connected to the relevant components via screws, knots, loops, adhesive, or any means known in the art. The torsion spring is as known in the art and enables the folding mechanism to store energy when the wheels are deployed, which energy is released when the wheels are retracted. It may be attached via screws, adhesive, welding or any other means known in the art.

[37] The folding mechanism preferably further comprises a front wheel fold mechanism comprised of a second cable connected at one end to the end of the second side section of the handle 107, and at its other end to a second torsion spring, said second torsion spring being connected to said second front wheel struc 114 directly or indirectly. The cable, spring, and means for connecting the components of the front wheel fold mechanism have the same properties as those of the rear wheel fold mechanism above.

An advantage of having a front wheel fold mechanism is that, when the release means further operates the front wheel fold mechanism, the pushchair is folded more compactly.

[38] The first torsion spring is connected to the first rear wheel strut either directly or indirectly. If it is connected indirectly it may be connected via a cable, a rigid piece, or any other component or components which will enable the folding mechanism to operate. The second torsion spring may similarly be connected to the second front wheel strut by any of the same means.

[39] The handle retracting mechanism is described below where the handle is discussed.

23 [40] The release means operates to lock the upper and lower sections of the body frame into a fixed position with respect to each other when they reach the correct position for pushchair operation, during deploymenc of the pushchair. The release means further operates to lock the rear wheel strut into a fixed position with respect to the body frame when it reaches the correct position for pushchair operation, during deployment of the pushchair. In the case where a folding front wheel mechanism is present, the release means further operates to lock the front wheel strut into a fixed position with respect to the body frame when it reaches the correct position for pushchair operation, during deployment of the pushchair.

[41] The preferable embodiment of the release means will now be described. The release means of the folding mechanism allows the handle to retract or extend.

Retraction of the handle results in the wheel sets rapidly returning to the body frame for folding. Extension of the handle allows the wheel sets to be deployed in the pushchair state. The release means is comprised of a first and a second locking pin, a first hole sec in the body frame, a second hole set in the body frame and a release button 118. The first hole set in the body frame is comprised of a first hole on the first side of the body frame 101 located at the end of the first side of the body frame where the handle enters the body frame and first hole on the second side of the body frame 102 located at the end of the second side of the body frame where the handle enters the body frame. The second hole set is comprised of a second hole on the first side of the body frame 101 located at the point on the body frame where the end of the first side of the handle rests when the handle is fully retracted and a second hole on the second side of the body frame 102 located at the point on the body frame where the end of the second side of the handle rests when the handle is fully retracted. Each hole of the firso and second hole sets is internally disposed such that the locking pins sit inside the holes when the handle is locked. The first locking pin is preferably located at the end of the first side section of the handle and the second locking pin is preferably located at the end of the second side section of the handle. When the handle is extended and locked, the first and second pins protrude from the handle into the first hole on the first side of the body frame and the first hole on the second side of the body frame, preventing retraction of the handle. When the handle is retracted and locked, the first and second pins protrude from the handle into the second hole on the first side of the body frame and the second hole on the second side of the body frame respectively, preventing extension of the handle.

Alternatively the locking pins and hole sets may be located at any other part of the handle and the body frame. The 13 locking pins are retracted by pressing the release button 118 located on the retractable handle. This allows the handle to be retracted into the body frame or extended out of the body frame. Once the handle is transferred to either its extended or retracted position it is automatically locked into position by the protrusion of the locking pins.

Use of a locking pin and press release burton is known in the art. Alternatively there may be only one locking pin and two holes. Alternatively the release button could be located at any other point on the handle. Alternatively 23 another release/locking mechanism may be used such as external latches disposed on the body frame which, when latched would prevent the handle from extending or retracting. Alternatively any other method may be used to prevent the handle from extending or retracting.

[42] The release means may alternatively comprise any button, latch or the like which, when pressed, causes pins, hooks, latches, grips, or any other retaining means to be removed from the members which they were previously retaining, enabling the members to be moved relative to 33 each other. Such mechanisms are known in the art and commonly used in pushchairs, and any release mechanism known in the art may be used herein to look and release positions of the components relative to each other.

[43] The first and second central pivots are preferably located on the body frame as shown in Figure 1.

They are preferably circular shaped as shown in Figure 1 though they may be any other shape. Preferably the first and central pivots are disposed such that the body frame is able to fold substantially in half about them, contributing to increased compactness of the folded state. Alternatively they may be located at any other points on the body frame.

[44] Preferably, the folding mechanism operates thus: when said handle is extended and the wheel struts are open in the pushchair state, the torsion springs are twisted.

When said release means is deployed by pressing the release button, the handle is retracted, releasing tension in the torsion springs, rapidly pulling the two sets of wheels towards the body frame. Collapse to the folded state is then easily completed by folding the pushchair in half about the central pivots. The folding mechanism enables a user to bring the pushchair adjacent to an aircraft seat in spite of the lack of space onboard aircraft, and to fold it and stow it in an overhead luggage comparument rapidly enough to avoid slowing the flow of other passengers boarding the aircraft.

[45] Preferably, the pushchair is deployed for use in the pushchair state from the folded state by opening of the two halves of the body frame until they lock into place under operation of the release mechanism as described above. The front bar 119, described below, may be used for leverage. The handle is then extended, causing the cables to pull on the wheel strut pivots, swinging the wheel sets out into their locked position and simultaneously twisting the torsion springs into their twisted position, [46] Preferably, said first and second cables of the folding mechanism are located inside said pushchair body frame which is substantially hollow in at least those sections of the pushchair frame necessary for complete internalization of said cables. Alternatively the cables could be external and affixed to the body frame.

[47] Furthermore said first and second torsion springs are also internalized and are preferably located, respectively in the first central pivot 103 and second front pivot 115. Alternatively the first and second springs may be disposed respectively in the first central 103 and first front pivot 113, the second central 104 and second front pivot 115, or any combination thereof, so long as one spring is available to operate each wheel set.

Alternatively the first and second torsion springs may be disposed in spring casings located on any point of the body frame.

[48] Disposing the cables and springs internally as described above contributes to the compactness of the pushchair as well as the robustness of the folding mechanism as internalization affords protection to it.

[49] Preferably, the body frame narrows from the central pivots to the front section 100 resulting in a smaller separation between the front wheel set than the separation between the rear wheel set. The front wheel set, in the folded state, sits between the rear wheel set when folded as illustrated by Figure 2. An advantage of this is increased compactness of the pushchair in the folded state.

[50] Alternatively the front and back wheel sets may have equal separation and another method to collapse one set of wheels inside the other to achieve a compact fold may be employed: The connecting means between the front or rear wheel sets may comprise of a retracting section which allows the separation of one wheel set to be reduced prior to folding resulting in a compact folded state.

Alternatively the first and second rear wheel struts or the first and second front wheel struts may have respectively a 13 first and second axes of folding rotation, wherein the first axis of folding rotation is not parallel to the second axis of folding rotation, such that the distance between the wheel struts is smaller in the folded state than in the pushchair state increasing the compactness of the folded state. Alternatively, any other method may be used to result in one wheel set sitting within the other wheel strut in the folded state increasing compactness in the folded state.

[51] The handle is preferably shaped as shown in 23 Figure 1. It is used to push the pushchair in the pushchair state and may also form a carrying handle for the pushchair in the folded state. The handle is dimensioned such that it may retract into the body frame which is sufficiently hollow to allow this. The end of the firsii side section and the end of the second side section are the first parts of the handle to retract into the body frame. Preferably, the ends of the first and second side sections are ridged to make them wider than the rest of the handle and the ends of the body frame, where the handle enters the body frame, are 33 also ridged making the opening of the top of the first and second sides of the body frame narrower such that it not possible to remove the handle totally from the body frame.

This contributes to increased robustness of handle retraction. Alternatively any other method may be employed to prevent the handle from being removed from the body frame. Alternatively there may be no addirional means of attaching the handle to the body frame other than the first and second cables. Preferably the top secrion 105 comprises a push release button 118 or other handle retracting mechanism as known in the art for unlocking and retracting handles, which forms part of the release means as described 13 above. The top section 105 of the handle may also be padded for comfort of the user in both the pushchair and folded states. Alternatively the handle may not be padded reducing cost and weight of the pushchair. Alternatively there may be only one locking pin and two holes. Alternatively the release button could be located at any other point on the handle. Alternatively another release/locking mechanism may be used such as external latches disposed on the body frame which, when latched would prevent the handle from extending or retracting. Alternatively any other method may be used 23 to prevent the handle from extending or retracting.

[52] Preferably, a front bar 119 is pivotally attached to one of the central pivots and latched to the other central pivot by means of a push button latch as known in the art. Alternatively the latch could be any other type of latch or the front bar could be attached by latches on both sides such that it is totally removable providing more options to the child carer. The front bar 119 acts as additional security for the child and provides a leverage point aiding folding and unfolding. Additionally this front 33 bar may be rotated away from the pushchair for easy access to the child during use in the pushchair state. Preferably the front bar is sponge padded for increased child comfort.

It is preferably shaped as shown in Figure 1 but could be any other shape.

[53] Preferably, a fabric seat support 120 is attached to the body frame. The seat support is preferably nylon fabric. It is un-padded and there is no reinforcement to give the seat structure contributing to compactness of folding, low weight and low cost of the pushchair.

Preferably the seat is totally removable for ease of cleaning. Preferably a three point harness 121 is attached to the seat support and body frame for child security and safety. Alternatively the harness may be attached only to the body frame or only to the seat supporu. Said harness is opened and closed by means of a push button latch 122 as known in the art. Alternatively the seat may be formed from any other material, it may have padding or rigid reinforcements for increased child comfort and it may be permanently attached to the frame. The harness may have any other number of points and any other type of latch.

Alternatively any other type of seat support and harness known in the art may be used.

[54] Additionally, in a preferred embodiment of the pushchair, the handle has handlebars 123. In the pushchair state the handlebars are extended for use, as shown in Figure 1, and in the folded state the handlebars retract into the handle, an advantage of which is increased compactness of the folded state. The handlebars may extend and retract by use of a spring latch. Said spring latch mechanism is comprised of a spring and a latch preferably located inside the handle for each handlebar. The springs inside the handlebar are compressed in the stored state and the handlebars are prevented from expanding by said latches also located inside the handlebars. The latches are released and latched by pushing on the handlebar. Once the latch is released the springs relax, expanding the handlebars into the pushchair state. Such spring latch mechanisms are known in the art.

[55] Alternatively, another method could be used to store the handlebars in the folded state: The handlebars could be attached to the handle by way of hinges which would allow the handlebars to fold alongside the handle in the folded state. Any other method could be used to store the handlebars in the folded state, Alternatively, the handlebars could be a fixed part of the pushchair, remaining unchanged in the folded state.

[56] Preferably, the pushchair also has three-stage is recline functionality. The top of the pushchair seat is reclined by rotation about the central pivots as known in the art. Alternatively, the pushchair may have continuous recline functionality as known in the art, or alternatively the seat may be fixed in position and not recline.

Furthermore any rectine mechanism known in the art may feature in the pushchair, whether about the central pivots or about some other point.

[57] Preferably, the pushchair in the folded state is small enough to fit into an overhead locker of at least one, and more preferably most, commercial airlines. More preferably, in the folded state the pushchair complies with the hand luggage regulations of at least one, and most preferably many, airlines. Commercial airlines differ in the size requirements for hand ILuggage wich the smallest requirements being roughly 500 by 350 by 200mm and the largest roughly 610 by 450 by 250mm. The pushchair therefore most preferably has dimensions less than or substantially equal to 450mm by 560mm by 250mm in the folded state, an advantage being that these are achievable dimensions which fall within the requirements for most commercial airlines and which further enable a child to ride comfortably within the pushchair when used in the pushchair state.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. A pushchair comprising: a length adjustable handle; a collapsible body frame having a pivot midway or substantially midway along its longitudinal extent for longitudinal folding in or substantially in half, the length adjustable handle being connected to or adjacent to a head end of the body frame; a front wheel support element which rotatably supports a front wheel and which is rotatably engaged with the body frame at or adjacent to its foot end; a rear wheel support element which rotatably support a rear wheel and which is rotatably engaged with the body frame at or adjacent to the body frame pivot; and an automatic folding mechanism which interconnects the handle, front wheel support element and rear wheel support element and which includes at least one torsion spring, the in use torsion spring being under tension when the body frame is erected so that on length adjustment of the handle to a storage condition, the front wheel support element and the rear wheel support element automatically rapidly fold towards the body frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A pushchair as claimed in claim 1, wherein he automatic folding mechanism includes at least two said torsion springs, one said torsion spring being arranged to impart folding movement to the front wheel support element, and the second said torsion spring being arranged to impart folding movement to the rear wheel supporu element.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A pushchair as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, in its collapsed condition for storage, the or each torsion spring of the automatic folding mechanism is under no or substantially no tension.s 4. A pushchair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle includes two spaced parallel struts which are slidably receivable in the body frame, one said strut being connected to the said first torsion spring and the second said strut being connected to the said o second torsion spring.5. A pushchair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first portion of the body frame from the pivot to the foot end, a second portion of the body frame from the pivot to the head end, and the rear wheel support element are of substantially the same length for compact storage.6. A pushchair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the folded front wheel support element is received within an opening of the rear wheel support element.7. A pushchair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle when length adjusted to its storage condition provides a carry handle for carrying the collapsed pushchair.8. A pushchair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in its collapsed condition for storage, surface contact portions of the front and rear wheels are coplanar or substantially coplanar so thac the collapsed body frame is supportable away from the ground.9. A pushchair comprising: a body frame comprising: a front section, a handle to the top of said frame, a first side, a second side, a first centrat pivot on said first side and a second central pivot on said second side; a first rear wheel strut pivotally actached to the first central pivot; a second rear wheel strut pivotaily attached to the second central pivot; at least one front wheel strut attached to said front section; at least one wheel rotatably attached to each wheel strut; a connecting means attaching the rear wheel struts to each other; and a foldinc mechanism comprising: a rear wheel fold mechanism comprising a first cable connected to a first torsion spring, said first torsion spring being connected to said first rear wheel strut; a handle retracting mechanism, and a release means for operating said rear wheel fold mechanism and said handle retracting mechanism.10. The pushchair of claim 9 wherein said at least one front wheel strut is connected via a fronu pivot to said frame whereby the compactness of folding is increased; wherein said folding mechanism further comprises: a front wheel fold mechanism comprising a second cable connected to a second torsion spring, said second torsion spring being connected to said second wheel strut; wherein said release means further operates said front wheel fold mechanism.11. The pushchair of claim 9 having dimensions less than or substantially equal to 450mm by 560mm by 250mm in the folded state.12. The pushchair of claim 9 wherein said pushchair fits into an aircraft overhead locker of at least one commercial airline in a folded state.13. The pushchair of claim 9 wherein said pushchair complies with requirements for hand luggage of at least one airline in a folded state.14. The pushchair of claim 9 wherein said first torsion spring is located inside said first central pivot 104 and said second torsion spring is located in said front pivot whereby pushchair compactness is increased.15. The pushchair of claim 9 wherein said first cable and said second cable are located inside substantially hollow sections of said body frame whereby pushchair compactness is increased.16. The pushchair of claim 9 wherein said body frame narrows from the central pivots to the front section 100 whereby the compactness of folding is increased.17. A pushchair comprising: a body frame; means attached to said body frame for rotationally supporting at least three wheels; and a folding mechanism comprising torsion springs; whereby said torsion springs store energy when the pushchair is in a pushchair state; whereby folding is rapid.</claim-text>