A self-propelled electrically powered stroller for transporting one or more infants, the stroller comprising:
- a stroller frame configured to support the weight of an infant, the frame comprising:
- a base frame comprising a plurality of connected substantially rigid formed elongated members, the base frame adapted to fold for storage;
- a plurality of wheels wherein at least one wheel is a driven wheel, the wheels rotably secured to the stroller frame, the wheels arranged to stably and rollably support the stroller frame upon ground;
- a handle assembly comprising:
- two elongated substantially rigid handle arms, the arms having an upper and an opposing lower end, the arms foldably secured at a lower end to the rear portion of the base frame;
- and
- a handle grip bar having a battery receiving compartment with electrical contacts secured therein, the handle grip bar secured along opposing end portions to the upper ends of the elongated handle arms, the handle grip bar configured to be grasped by a human hand for guiding or pushing the stroller;
- an electrically powered drive means for driving the at least one driven wheel so as to propel the stroller over the ground, the drive means secured to the stroller frame;
- a rechargeable battery pack for storing and supplying electrical energy to power the drive means, the battery pack removably secured within the battery receiving compartment of the handle grip bar, the battery pack having electrical contacts thereon for electrically engaging with the contacts in the battery compartment;
- one or more infant seats secured to the base frame so as to ride upon the frame and wheels;
- a canopy positioned above the infant seats, the canopy secured to the stroller frame, the canopy configured to shelter the infant seat from sun rays and rain;
- a safety power interrupt device, the safety power interrupt device comprising:
- a safety switch device secured to the handle grip bar;
- a safety key removably received into the safety switch, wherein removing the safety key from the switch interrupts electrical power from the battery to the drive means such as to stop the drive means, wherein frictional and rotary inertia of the drive means brakes rolling motion of the stroller;
- and
- a lanyard having two ends, one end secured to the safety key, an opposing end having a hook secured thereto, the hook configured to retentively engage onto a stroller operator, the lanyard and safety key cooperating so as to pull the safety key out of the safety switch if stroller gets away from the operator so as to brake the stroller;
- and
- a drive motor control means, the drive motor control means comprising:
- a spring return electrical drive off-on switch for selectably providing or interrupting electrical power from the battery to the drive means;
- and
- a motor control bar distally spaced from and substantially parallel to the handle grip bar, the motor control bar positioned and configured to be operable by attendant's fingers, wherein the attendant has a palm of a hand resting on the grip bar and wherein the attendant manipulates the motor control bar with fingers of the hand, the motor control bar connected to the electrical drive switch wherein compressing the motor control bar against the handle grip provides power to the drive means and wherein releasing the hand compression on the motor control bar interrupts the power.