Child-carrier mounting adapter

An adapter for mounting a child carrier to a stroller having at least one carrier-mounting assembly, the child carrier having a seat shell, the adapter comprising:

• two laterally-positioned stroller-mounting assemblies that are compatible with the at least one carrier-mounting assembly of the stroller so that the adapter removably mounts to the stroller, the stroller-mounting assemblies each including a latch;
• a peripheral frame defining a frame opening through which a selected carrier is partially receivable to support the carrier seat shell by the peripheral frame in a nested arrangement, wherein the peripheral frame forms a continuous loop that is generally rectangular in shape, wherein the peripheral frame includes a fixed frame member, an adjustable frame member, and two frame connectors coupled therebetween, and wherein the adjustable frame member telescopically slides forward/rearward relative to the frame connectors between a retracted position and an extended position, with the frame opening defining a first dimension in a forward/rearward direction when the adjustable frame member is in the retracted position, and with the frame opening defining a second dimension longer than the first dimension in the forward/rearward direction when the adjustable frame member is in the extended position;
• two laterally-positioned lock assemblies each including a series of catch surfaces, a plunger that retains a lock member that is movable to engage or release one of the catch surfaces to selectively retain the adjustable frame member in the retracted or extended position or to release the adjustable frame member for adjustment and a biasing spring which engages the lock member in an extended lock position;
• and
• at least one actuator assembly including an actuator and a linkage operably connected between the actuator member and the plunger of each lock assembly, wherein actuation of the actuator member compresses the biasing spring and moves the lock member to release the catch surfaces,
• wherein when the adjustable frame member is in the retracted position the frame opening partially receives and the peripheral frame supports a carrier with a seat shell defining a first dimension, and wherein when the adjustable frame member is in the extended positioned the frame opening partially receives and the peripheral frame supports a carrier with a seat shell defining a second dimension larger than the first dimension.

An adapter for mounting a child carrier to a child-supporting device having at least one mounting assembly, the adapter comprising:

• at least one child-supporting device mounting assembly that is compatible with the mounting assembly of the child-supporting device so that the adapter removably mounts to the child-supporting device;
• a peripheral frame defining a frame opening through which a selected carrier is partially receivable to support the carrier by the peripheral frame in a nested arrangement, wherein the peripheral frame includes a first frame member and an adjustable second frame member adjustably coupled to the first frame member, with the adjustable second frame member repositionable relative to the first frame member between a retracted position and an extended position, with the frame opening defining a first dimension when the adjustable second frame member is in the retracted position, and with the frame opening defining a second dimension larger than the first dimension when the adjustable second frame member is in the extended position;
• at least one lock assembly comprising a series of catch surfaces and a plunger that holds a lock member that is movable to engage or release one of the catch surfaces to selectively retain the adjustable second frame member in the retracted or extended position or to release the adjustable second frame member for adjustment, the lock member further comprising a pivotal tab that is pivotally mounted to the adjustable second frame member and wherein the catch surfaces are defined by serial openings that receive the pivotal tab;
• and
• at least one actuator assembly comprising an actuator and a linkage operably connected between the actuator member and the plunger of the lock member, wherein actuation of the actuator member moves the lock member to engage or release the catch surfaces, and wherein the at least one lock assembly further comprises two laterally positioned lock assemblies, and wherein the at least one actuator assembly comprises one actuator assembly operably connected to the two lock assemblies for simultaneous one-handed operation of both the lock assemblies;
• wherein the actuator assembly includes a rotor that is rotationally mounted to the adjustable frame member such that when the rotor rotates, the linkage pulls the plunger of the lock member;
• wherein when the adjustable second frame member is in the retracted position the frame opening partially receives and the peripheral frame supports a first selected carrier, and wherein when the adjustable second frame member is in the extended positioned the frame opening partially receives and the peripheral frame supports a second selected carrier that is larger than the first selected carrier.