WO2008079423A1

WO2008079423A1 - Stroller seat recline mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2008079423A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/065893
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael A. Dotsey; Patrick Norton; Michiel Sebastiaan Emanuel Petrus Knoppert; Karen Rosenkranz; Merijn Hartog; Marcel Arthur Jan Schreuder
Original assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
Priority date: 2006-04-03
Filing date: 2007-04-03
Publication date: 2008-07-03
Also published as: US7770905B2; CN101448695A; CN101443201A; EP2001728A2; EP2004471A2; DE602007010435D1; EP2001725A1; CN101443223A; WO2008054851A1; CN101410287B; WO2007118088A3; US20070246917A1; EP2004425A1; WO2007118103A1; CN101443224B; US7543841B2; WO2007118102A1; WO2007117517A3; US20070257457A1; CN101443201B

Abstract

A stroller (100) is provided having a stroller frame (102) supported on at least one wheel (106,108) and a handle (170). A child seat (104) is supported by the stroller frame (102) and includes a seatback (120) connected to a seating surface that extends forward from the seatback (120). The stroller (100) includes a recline mechanism (210) that is operable to move the seatback (120) between a first position and a second position reclined relative to the first position. The recline mechanism (210) includes a tension carrying member having a tension that applies a force to the seatback (120) between the first and second positions.

Description

STROLLER SEAT RECLINE MECHANISM Related Application Data

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/789,240 filed April 3, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure is generally directed to strollers, and more particularly to strollers having a reclinable child seat.

2. Description of Related Art

[0003] Well-designed strollers should be sturdy and balanced, and should provide the child passenger with safe and comfortable transport. Throughout the development of strollers, an effort has been made to include features that render the stroller versatile and convenient. Efforts have been made to provide these features while achieving a simple design, yet maintaining the stroller rugged and reliable.

[0004] A conventional stroller has a plurality of wheels supporting a frame that supports one or more stroller seats. The frame has two spaced front legs, two spaced rear legs, one or more push arms, and a crossbar connected at its laterally outer ends to the push arms. The crossbar can be provided with a pair of laterally spaced gripping surfaces that can be engaged by a user when driving the stroller, and a handle assembly disposed between the gripping surfaces.

[0005] It has also become desirable to provide various features that increase the comfort level of the seated occupant. For instance, strollers are customarily provided with canopies to shield the seated child from sun exposure, child seat trays for the temporary storage of miscellaneous items, such as food, and cup holders that receive a beverage within reaching distance of the seated occupant. Some conventional strollers include a seat recline feature that allows the child seat to recline between an upright position and a reclined position.

[0006] Unfortunately, conventional recline systems typically include a fastener coupled to the soft goods of the seatback that can be disconnected to allow the seatback to recline. The soft goods must be manually gathered and the seatback must be manually urged to the upright position before the fastener is manually reconnected. In other examples, an actuator can be provided that removes an interference bar from contact with the seatback, thereby allow the seatback to recline. However, the bar fails to actively bias the seatback to the reclined position, and either gravity can urge the seatback to the reclined position, or the caregiver must manually urge the seatback to its reclined position. Conventional recline mechanisms are therefore cumbersome to operate and relatively unreliable.

[0007] What is therefore needed is a seat recline mechanism for a stroller that is more user friendly and reliable than conventional recline mechanisms.

Summary

[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, stroller includes a stroller frame supported by at least one wheel. A child seat is supported by the stroller frame, and includes a seatback connected to a seating surface extending forward from the seatback. A recline mechanism is operable to move the seatback between a first position and a second position reclined relative to the first position. The recline mechanism including a biasing member carrying a tension that applies a force to the seatback between the first and second positions.

[0009] It should be appreciated that the foregoing and other aspects of the invention will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration, and not limitation, preferred embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments do not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, and reference must therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the full scope of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a stroller constructed in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

[0012] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the stroller illustrated in Fig. 1 showing the attachment of a child seat assembly onto a stroller frame;

[0013] Fig. 3 A is a front elevation view of the child seat assembly illustrated in Fig. 2; [0014] Fig. 3B is a side elevation view of the child seat illustrated in Fig. 3A but in a reclined position having a portion cut away;

[0015] Fig. 3C is a side elevation view of the child seat assembly illustrated in Fig. 3B but in an upright position;

[0016] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the stroller illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

[0017] Fig. 5 is an exploded assembly view of a seat recline mechanism constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0018] Fig. 6A is a sectional side elevation view of the seat recline mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5;

[0019] Fig. 6B is a sectional side elevation view of the seat recline mechanism illustrated in Fig. 6 A taken along line 6B-6B;

[0020] Fig. 7 is a front elevation view of the seat recline mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5 in a first reclined configuration;

[0021] Fig. 8 is a front elevation view of the seat recline mechanism illustrated in Fig. 7 in a second upright configuration;

[0022] Fig. 9 is a side elevation view of the seat assembly illustrated in Figs. 3A-C showing the seatback moving between reclined and the upright positions; and

[0023] Fig. 10 is an exploded assembly view of a seat recline mechanism constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment.

Detailed Description of the Disclosure

[0024] The disclosed stroller improves upon one or more of the above-noted problems and/or disadvantages in the prior art. For instance, the stroller includes a frame supported by at least one wheel for movement along a ground surface. The stroller frame includes a child seat having a seatback pivotally connected to a seating surface extending from the bottom of the seatback. A seat recline mechanism is mounted locally onto the seatback and an operator can be actuated by the user to pivot the seatback about the seating surface between a reclined and an upright position.

[0025] Turning now to the drawings, a stroller 100 is depicted in Fig. 1 and is constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In the disclosed example, the stroller 100 generally has a frame assembly 102, a seat assembly 104 supported by the frame assembly, and a plurality of wheels supporting the frame assembly on a ground surface. In general, the frame assembly 102 in the disclosed example includes a pair of rear wheels 106 and a single front wheel assembly 108 positioned forward of and at a mid point between the rear wheels. In this example, the front wheel assembly has two wheels 109 spaced apart side by side.

[0026] The frame assembly 102 in this example generally has a seat mounting frame 110 that is a U-shaped component. In the disclosed example, the seat assembly 104 can be removed from the seat frame 110 and the stroller 100. In general, the removable seat assembly 104 includes a pair of seat attachment tubes 112 positioned on opposite sides of an occupant seat 114. The seat tubes 112 are connected to and can be removed from upper ends 116 of the seat frame 110. The seat 114 of the seat assembly 104 is supported on the stroller at least in part by the seat tubes 112 and has a canopy 118 connected to an upper part of the seat. The seat 1 14 also has a seatback 120, a seat bottom (or seating surface) 122, and seat side wings 124 positioned on opposite sides of the seatback and the seat bottom.

[0027] A footrest 126 is positioned at the bottom of the seat assembly 104 and is suspended from the front edge of the seat bottom 122 by a mesh fabric panel 128 in this example. The footrest 126 is also connected to the lower part of the seat frame 110. In the disclosed example, the seat 104 can be made entirely of fabric or like materials and be suspended from the seat tubes 112 and the seat frame 110, when attached. Alternatively, portions of the seat assembly 104 can have a removable cover placed over a generally rigid supporting structure that defines and shapes at least part of the seat, such as the seat bottom 122 and parts of the seat side wings 124. Thus, once attached to the seat frame 110, the seat assembly 104 can be sufficiently supported on the stroller and substantial enough to support the weight of a child occupant. As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the configuration and construction of the seat assembly 104 and the seat 114 can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0028] The stroller frame assembly 102 in the disclosed example generally has a central spine 140 with a lower end 142 positioned near the front wheel assembly 108. The spine 140 also has an upper end 144 positioned behind the seatback 120 of the seat assembly 114 and between the rear wheels 106. A pair of curved rear legs 146 extends downward in opposite directions from an underside of the spine 140. Each leg 146 is bowed outward and extends in a rearward and downward direction. A proximal or top end 148 of each leg is coupled to a rear leg connector 150 positioned on the underside of the spine 140. The connector 150 is positioned in this example about mid-point between the upper end 144 and the lower end 142 of the spine 140. A distal or lower end 152 of each rear leg 146 in this example carries one of the rear wheels 106.

[0029] A rear leg link 154 is positioned on each side of the frame assembly 102 and links each rear leg 146 to the spine 40. Each link 154 has one end 156 coupled to a connector 158 on the underside of the spine 140 positioned below the rear leg connector 150 along the spine. Each link 154 also has another end 160 coupled to a corresponding one of the rear legs 146. The links 154 provide stability for the stroller frame assembly 102, and particularly for the rear legs 146, during use.

[0030] The frame assembly 102 in the disclosed example also has a stroller handle 170 for pushing and maneuvering the stroller 100. The disclosed handle 170 generally has an upward facing, open C-shape that forms two handle sections 172. The two sections 172 extend in opposite directions from a handle bracket 174. The handle bracket 174 is coupled to a stanchion 176 that extends from the upper end 144 of the frame spine 140. In the disclosed example, the stanchion 176 is essentially a linear structure and extends parallel to and is aligned with the spine 140, which is also a generally linear structure.

[0031] The stroller 100 disclosed herein also has a pair of curved seat frame support arms 180. The support arms 180 extend upward in opposite directions from the top side of the spine 140. Each support arm 180 is bowed outward and extends in a forward and upward direction relative to the spine 140. A proximal or bottom end 182 of each support arm 180 is coupled to a support arm connector 184 positioned on the top side of the spine 140. The support arm connector 184 in this example is positioned at the same location along the spine as the rear leg connector 150, which is on the underside of the spine. A distal end portion 186 of each support arm 180 is bent downward, extends generally horizontally forward, and terminates at an exposed end or face 188.

[0032] In this example, a seat frame link 190 is positioned on each side of the seat frame 110 and extends in a rearward direction. Each seat link 190 has a free end 192 that is coupled to one of the support arms 180. The connection point between each seat link 190 and the respective support arm 180 in this example is spaced rearward from the exposed end 188 along the distal end portion 186.

[0033] Also in the disclosed example, a frame bracket 194 is located at the lower front portion of the frame assembly 102. The frame bracket 194 is connected to the lower most portion 196 of the seat frame 110 and to the lower end 142 of the spine 140. The front wheel assembly 108 is mounted to and extends downward from the frame bracket 194. The frame bracket 194 links the spine 140 to the seat frame 110 and provides the front wheel mounting location in the disclosed example.

[0034] The spine 140 is oriented centrally between the rear wheels 106 and defines a central or longitudinal axis of the stroller 100. In the disclosed example, the spine 140 is oriented at an angle with a low point at its lower end 142 and a high point at its upper end 144. The spine is oriented to position the handle 170 so that a caregiver can stand behind the stroller and push the stroller in a conventional manner by the handle 170. The seat assembly 104 is positioned above and forward of the spine 140 and faces forward relative to the stroller 100 away from the handle 170. However, the arrangement of the seat and frame components disclosed herein can vary and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, the shape, size, configuration, orientation, and location of the various frame assembly and seat assembly components can also vary from the example shown without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0035] Referring now to Figs. 3 A-C and 4, the seatback 120 and seating surface 122 are formed from a semi-rigid shell 1 14 that can be formed from plastic or other suitable material that provides sufficient rigidity for a seated occupant, but is sufficiently flexible to allow the seatback 120 to recline as described below. The upper end of the inner surface of the seatback 120 can comprise any suitable cloth or other soft goods material known by one skilled in the art to provide comfort for the head of the seated occupant. An at least semirigid recline base 202 is disposed at the upper end of the seatback 120, and can be connected to the upper end of the shell 114. The base 202 is covered with a soft material 204. The base 202 can be made of any suitable material, such as a plastic or a metal, that has sufficient structural integrity to move between a reclined and an upright position. A storage unit, for instance a cup holder 205 formed from a soft material or any suitable alternative material, can be mounted onto the rear surface of the seatback 120 at a location below the base 202 so as to be accessible to a caregiver driving the stroller 100.

[0036] A recline operator 206, such as a knob, projects out from the base 202 and associated soft material 204, and can be actuated by the caretaker to move the seatback 120 iteratively between a reclined position illustrated in Fig. 3 C and an upright position illustrated in Fig. 3C. When the seatback 120 is in the upright position illustrated in Fig. 3C, slack exists in the soft material 204 disposed between the canopy frame 130 and the recline plate, and further at the side wings 124. Accordingly, the slack in the soft material 204 allows the base 202 to be drawn back a reclined position when the recline operator 206 is actuated. The operator 206 has at least one gripping surface 208, three radially extending gripping surfaces are circumferentially equidistantly spaced, as illustrated in Fig. 4

[0037] Referring now to Figs. 5-6B, the recline operator 206 and base 202 form part of a recline mechanism 210 mounted onto the backrest 120. The base 202 is at least partially disposed within the interior of the backrest 120. Specifically, the base 202 includes a substantially vertical wall 222 that is elongated in the lateral direction, and is connected at its laterally outer ends to a support member 224. The support members 224 can comprise tubes extending down and forward from the upper ends of the opposing laterally outer ends of the wall 222. A corresponding pair of guide walls 226 extends forward from the lower end of the opposing laterally outer ends of the wall 222. Each guide wall 226 defines an elongated channel 228 formed in its rear surface. An aperture 229 extends through the base 202 at the rearmost end of channel 228.

[0038] The base 202 defines a front surface 230 facing a direction toward the front wheel assembly 108, and an opposing rear surface 232 facing a direction toward the rear wheels 106. The front and rear surfaces of the remaining components of the recline mechanism 210 are similarly oriented. A cylindrical flange 234 extends axially forward from the front surface 230 of the base 202. A pair of axially projecting notches 255 extends partially into the axially forward surface of the flange 234. A pair of side walls 257 extends forward from the base 202, and defines an elongated channel 259 extending between the notches 255 and the aperture 229 extending through channel 228. A cylindrical aperture 236 extends through the base 202, and is centrally located within the flange 234. A cylindrical plate 238 is sized to nest within the cylindrical flange 234. A plurality of circumferentially spaced notches 239 extends radially into the outer surface of plate 238 such that the outer surface of the plate 238 is defined by a corresponding plurality of teeth 241 disposed between adjacent notches 239. A hub 240 extends centrally through the plate 238, and a cylindrical aperture 243 extends through the hub 240. The aperture 243 is aligned with the aperture 236 of the base 202 when the plate 238 is nested within the flange 234. The outer diameter of the plate 238 is les than the inner diameter of the flange 234 such that the plate 238 is rotatable within the flange 234. A plurality of circumferentially spaced detents 242 extends radially inwardly from the hub 240 into the aperture 243. [0039] The operator 206 includes a cylindrical neck 244 extending axially forward centrally from the gripping surface 208. The neck 244 includes a plurality of adjacent flexible fingers 246 that are spaced apart by a corresponding plurality of axially extending grooves 247 that are aligned with detents 242. One or more projections 248 extends radially out from the distal end of at least a corresponding one of the fingers 244 configured to engage the front surface of hub 240, as best shown in Figs. 7-8.

[0040] The base 202 further includes a locating tab 245 extending axially forward from the gripping surface 208. A track 270 is formed on the front surface of the operator 206. The track has a plurality of spaced notches 272 that sized and shaped to receive the locating tab 245. The track 270 can have the shape of an arc such that the notches 272 are radially aligned with the locating tab 245 as the operator 206 is rotated during use. It will become appreciated from the description below that during operation, the track interferes with the locating tab 245 disposed in one of the notches 272. A torsional force can be applied to the operator 206 by the caretaker that overcomes the interference and causes the operator 206 to rotate about its neck 244 relative to the track 270. As the operator 206 rotates, the tab 245 engages adjacent notches 272. Accordingly, as the operator 206 is rotated, the seatback 120 iteratively moves between the reclined and upright positions. The arc-shaped track 270 has a sufficient length such that one of the series of notches 272 is aligned with the locating tab 245 at both extreme positions of the operator 206 (i.e., corresponding to the fully reclined and the fully upright positions of the seatback 120). Alternatively, the track 270 can extend along the front surface of the operator 206 in the shape of a circle to ensure constant engagement between the locating tab 245 and one of the recesses 272.

[0041] The recline mechanism 210 is assembled by placing the plate 238 within the flange 234. The operator 206 is connected by inserting the neck 244 through the aperture 236 extending through the base, and further through the aperture 243 extending through the hub 240 such that the detents 242 are disposed within the grooves 247. The detents thus engage fingers 246 to rotatably couple the operator 206 and the plate 238. The projection 248 engages the front surface of the hub 240 to couple the operator 206 to the plate 238 with respect to relative axial movement. The operator 206 is thus prevented from being accidentally pulled from the recline mechanism 210 during use. When the recline mechanism 210 is assembled, the locating tab 245 is disposed within one of the notches 272 in the manner described above. [0042] A biasing member 250 is provided that, in the illustrated example, comprises a pair of cable segments 252 that each have a distal end 254, and a proximal end 261 disposed opposite the distal end 254, and a middle segment 263 extending between the distal end 254 and the proximal end 261. The distal end is connected, or anchored, to the stroller frame 102 at a location spaced forward from the cylindrical plate 238. The distal end 254 can be connected, for instance, to any location on the stroller 100, such as the stroller frame 102, the seat assembly 104, or any other structure that remains stationary as the seatback 120 moves between the reclined and the upright positions. In the illustrated example, the distal end 254 of each cable 252 extends through an aperture extending radially into the interior of the upper end of the corresponding seat attachment tube 112 and is tied in a knot 256 that is sized larger than the aperture, and is disposed within the tubes 112.

[0043] The middle segment 263 extends rearward from the distal end 254, and into the channel 228 formed in the rear surface of the guide wall 226. The cable segments 252 are sized smaller than the aperture 229 extending through the rear end of the channel, and thus extend through the aperture 229, through channel 259, and into a corresponding one of the notches 255 extending into the flange 234. The proximal end 261 of each cable segment 252 is connected to the plate 238 and can, for instance, be tied around one of the teeth 241. For instance, the proximal end 261 can extend forward through an aperture extending axially through the plate 238, and tied at the front surface of the plate 238 to secure the proximal end 261 to the plate. Alternatively, known connection could be used to couple the proximal end 261 of each cable segment to the plate. The proximal ends 261 are connected to the plate 238 at a location circumferentially offset from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal ends 257 are connected to the plate 238 at locations circumferentially offset 180 degrees from each other. A cylindrical flange (not shown) can extend from the rear surface of the plate 238, if desired, that is smaller than flange 234 and concentrically disposed within the flange 234 such that the radially inner surface of flange 234 and the radially outer surface of the flange extending from the plate form a channel that retains the cable segments 252. It should thus be appreciated that the distal ends 254 of the cable segments 202 are anchored to the stroller 100 at a location spaced forward with respect to the proximal ends 261 of the cable.

[0044] The operation of the recline mechanism 210 will now be described with reference to Figs. 7-9. Specifically, as the operator 206 is rotated in a first direction along Arrow A (see Fig. 7), the plate 238 likewise rotates with the operator 206, thereby increasing the tension in the cable segments 252 and drawing the cable segments 252 into the cylindrical flange 234. The length of the cable segments 252 that join the stationary portion of the stroller frame 102 to the seatback 120 is thus decreased, and a corresponding force is applied by the cable segments 252 to the base 202 that biases the base to move in the forward direction relative to the seat attachment tubes 112, thereby drawing the seatback 120 to an upright position (position 280 shown in Fig. 9. It should thus be appreciated that the cable segments 252 are biasing members carrying a tension that can be increased to provide a force against the base that causes the seatback 120 to move to an upright position relative to the seat bottom (or seating surface) 122.

[0045] Likewise, as the operator 206 is rotated in a second direction along Arrow B opposite the first direction (see Fig. 8), the plate 238 likewise rotates with the operator 206, thereby decreasing the tension in the cable segments 252 that creates slack in the cable segments 252. The length of the cable segments 252 that join the stationary portion of the stroller frame 102 to the seatback 120 is thus increased, and the gravitational forces associated with the weight of the seatback to recline. As the seatback 120 is moved between the upright and reclined positions, the soft material associated with the seatback, for instance the soft material located at the wings 124 and between the upper end of the seatback 120 and the canopy 118 can fold and unfold accordingly. The seatback 120 thus reclines as permitted by the increased length created in the cable segments 252 and further by the folded soft material associated with the seatback 120. The decreased tension carried by the cable segments 252 thereby decreases the force applied against the channels 228 to allow the base 202 to move towards a reclined position (position 282 shown in phantom in Fig. 9. It should thus be appreciated that the cable segments 252 are biasing members carrying a tension that can be decreased to reduce the force against the base 202 that causes the seatback 120 to move towards a reclined position relative to the seat bottom (or seating surface) 122.

[0046] It should further be appreciated that if the seatback 120 is designed with a sufficient amount of slack in the soft material, and if the cable segments 252 are sufficiently long, that the seat back can recline to any degree up to and including a position oriented 180° relative to the seating surface 122. Likewise, if the cable segments 252 are connected at their distal ends to a location spaced forward from the seatback 120, the seatback can be positioned at a fully upright position oriented 90° relative to the seating surface 122. The selective engagement of the tab 245 within the notches 272 of the track 270 allows the seatback 120 to move iteratively between the fully upright and the fully reclined positions. [0047] It should be appreciated the exemplary recline mechanism 210 illustrated and described above is just one embodiment of a number of alternative embodiments that are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the recline mechanism 210 could assume any number of alternative configurations that allowing the operator 206 to rotate and cause the seatback 120 to iteratively move between an upright and a reclined position. In one such alternative embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10, the pair of cable segments 252 is replaced by a single cable segment 284 anchored at its terminal ends 286 to the stroller 100 at any location spaced forward from the plate 238, for instance connected to attachment tubes 112, in the manner described above. The middle portion of the single cable 284 segment extends through the apertures formed in the plate 238, and across the front surface of the plate 238. The cable segment 284 thus carries an adjustable tension that is applied to the base 202 in the manner described above with reference to the pair of cable segments 252.

[0048] Although certain embodiments have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A stroller comprising; a stroller frame supported by at least one wheel; a child seat supported by the stroller frame, the child seat including a seatback connected to a seating surface extending forward from the seatback; and a recline mechanism operable to move the seatback between a first position and a second position reclined relative to the first position, the recline mechanism including a biasing member carrying a tension that applies a force to the seatback between the first and second positions.

2. The stroller as recited in claim 1 , wherein the recline mechanism includes an actuator that adjusts the tension in the biasing member.

3. The stroller as recited in claim 2, wherein the actuator is carried by the seatback.

4. The stroller as recited in claim 3, wherein the actuator is accessible from a rear surface of the seatback.

5. The stroller as recited in claim 2, wherein the tension in the biasing member is increased to increase the applied force and cause the seatback to move to the first position.

6. The stroller as recited in claim 5, wherein the tension in the biasing member is reduced to reduce the applied force and cause the seatback to move to the second position.

7. The stroller as recited in claim 2, wherein the recline mechanism further comprises a support member connected to the biasing member, the support member operably coupled to the actuator and movable in a first direction to tighten the biasing member and movable in a second direction to loosen the tension carrying member.

8. The stroller as recited in claim 1, wherein the biasing member comprises a cable having a first and a second outer ends, wherein the first end extends at least partially across the seatback, and wherein the second end is connected to the stroller frame at a location disposed forward from the first end.

9. The stroller as recited in claim 8, wherein the second end is connected to the stroller frame at a location disposed forward of the seatback.

10. The stroller as recited in claim 8, wherein the recline mechanism further comprises a plate connected to the cable, the plate being rotatable in a first direction to tighten the cable and movable in a second direction to loosen the cable.

11. The stroller as recited in claim 10, wherein the plate is mounted on the seatback.

12. The stroller as recited in claim 11 , wherein the actuator comprises a rotatable knob that is coupled to the plate.

13. The stroller as recited in claim 1 , wherein the seatback moves between the reclined and upright positions relative to the seating surface.

14. A stroller comprising: a stroller frame supported by at least one wheel; a child seat supported by the stroller frame, the child seat including a seatback connected to a seating surface extending forward from a lower end of the seatback; and a recline mechanism operable to move the seatback between a first position and a second position reclined relative to the first position, the recline mechanism including: a biasing member coupled between the seatback and a location forward from the extending across the seatback, the biasing member carrying an adjustable tension that applies a corresponding adjustable force against the seatback to move the seatback between a first position and a second position reclined with respect to the first position; and an actuator coupled to the cable, wherein movement of the actuator adjusts the tension carried in the biasing member.

15. The stroller as recited in claim 14, wherein the actuator is rotatably coupled to a connector that is connected to the cable, wherein the actuator rotates the connector to increase and decrease tension carried in the biasing member.

16. The stroller as recited in claim 15, wherein the actuator is mounted to the seatback.

17. The stroller as recited in claim 14, wherein the seatback defines a front surface facing the seating surface and a rear surface facing opposite the front surface, wherein the biasing member extends across the rear surface.