A pushchair assembly and carrycot for a pushchair assembly

Abstract

A pushchair assembly (2, Fig. 1a) comprising: a pushchair frame (10, Fig. 1a) having a docking socket (30, Fig. 1c); and a carrycot 200 comprising a bed portion 210 and a carrycot dock assembly 220a,

Description

Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a pushchair assembly and a carrycot for the pushchair assembly and is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with a carrycot for facilitating a second seat being mounted on a pushchair frame. Background Pushchairs are often used by parents or other users to transport children with them on a journey by foot, particularly when the children are too young or are otherwise unable to walk for all of part of the journey. The pushchair typically provides a comfortable seat or cot for the child to sit or lie in. The pushchair seat or cot is supported by a pushchair frame having a handle or handlebar and plurality of wheels, so that the pushchair can be comfortably pushed along by the user. For pushchair users with more than one child, it may be desirable for a single pushchair to be capable of carrying more than one child. Furthermore, it is desirable that carrying more than one child in the pushchair should not affect the stability or ease of use of the pushchair. Statements of Invention According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pushchair assembly comprising: a pushchair frame comprising a docking socket for a seat to be mounted on the pushchair frame; and a carrycot comprising a bed portion and a carrycot dock assembly, the carrycot dock assembly including a carrycot dock, wherein the carrycot is mountable on the pushchair frame by coupling the carrycot dock to the docking socket, wherein the carrycot dock assembly comprises: a slider fixedly coupled to the bed portion; and the carrycot dock movably, e.g. slidably, coupled to the slider. The pushchair frame may comprise a plurality of frame members. The docking socket may be fixedly coupled to the pushchair frame, e.g. a frame member of the pushchair frame, in directions along each of a plurality of frame members of the pushchair frame. In other words, the docking socket may be coupled to the pushchair frame so as to be unable to move, e.g. slide, along any of the frame member of the pushchair frame. The docking socket may, however, be pivotally coupled to the pushchair frame. The carrycot dock may be coupled to the slider so as to be slidable in a longitudinal direction of the pushchair assembly, when the carry cot is mounted on the pushchair frame. The pushchair frame may comprise a handlebar or handles, e.g. for a user of the pushchair assembly to grip in order to push the pushchair. The carrycot many be slidable towards and away from the handlebar or handles, when the carry cot is mounted on the pushchair frame. The carrycot dock may be slidable relative to the slider between a rearward position, in which the carrycot is mountable on the pushchair frame with a centre of gravity of the carrycot, or a longitudinal centre point of the carrycot bed portion is substantially aligned with the docking socket, and a forward position, in which the carrycot is mountable on the pushchair frame with the centre of gravity of the carrycot, or a longitudinal centre point of the carrycot bed portion is rearward of the docking socket. The pushchair assembly may comprise a second seat mountable on the pushchair frame at a second seat attachment point arranged forwards of the docking socket, e.g. on an opposite side of the docking socket from the handlebar or handles of the pushchair frame. The carrycot dock may be slidable relative to the slider between a rearward position in which the carrycot, when mounted on the pushchair frame, clashes with a position in which the second seat is arranged when mounted on the pushchair frame, and a forward position in which the carrycot, when mounted on the pushchair frame, does not clash with the position in which the second seat is arranged when mounted on the pushchair frame. The slider may comprise first and second recesses. The carrycot dock may comprise a latch portion configured to selectively engage the first and second recesses when the sliding dock is in forward and rearward positions respectively. The first and second recesses may extend from respective recess openings to recess bottoms in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the carrycot dock moves relative to the slider. The first and second recesses and the latch portion may be configured to engage one another and resist movement of the carrycot dock relative to the slider. The carrycot dock assembly may comprise an actuator configured to retract the latch, such that the latch does not engage the first or second recess. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a carrycot for mounting on a pushchair frame of the above-mentioned pushchair assembly. The carrycot comprises: a bed portion; and a carrycot dock assembly comprising: a slider fixedly coupled to the bed portion; and a carrycot dock for coupling to a docking point on the pushchair frame, wherein the carrycot dock is movably, e.g. slidably, coupled to the slider. The carrycot dock may be movable relative to the slider between a forward position, in which the carrycot dock is forwards of a longitudinal centre point of the bed portion; and a rearward position, in which the carrycot dock is substantially aligned with or rearward of the longitudinal centre point of the bed portion. The slider may comprise first and second recesses. The carrycot dock may comprise a latch portion configured to selectively engage the first and second recesses when the carrycot dock is in the forward and rearward positions respectively. The first and second recesses may extend from respective recess openings to recess bottoms in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the carrycot dock moves relative to the slider. The first and second recesses and the latch portion may be configured to engage one another, and resist movement of the carrycot dock relative to the slider. The carrycot dock assembly may comprise an actuator, such as a button, which may be arranged on a laterally inner side relative to the bed portion, wherein the actuator is actuatable, e.g. depressible, in order to urge the latch portion to move out of the first or second recess. To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and repetition of text in the specification, certain features are described in relation to only one or several aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it is to be understood that, where it is technically possible, features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention. For example, features described in relation to the first mentioned aspect may be combined with the features of the second mentioned aspect. Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1a is a side view of a pushchair assembly, with a carrycot attached in a forward position of the carrycot, according to arrangements of the present disclosure; Figure 1b is side view of a pushchair assembly, with the carrycot attached in a rearward position of the carrycot; Figure 1c, is a side perspective detail view of the pushchair hinge of the pushchair assembly; Figures 2a and 2b, collectively referred to as Figure 2, are side and bottom views of a carrycot for the pushchair assembly respectively, in which a sliding dock of the carrycot in a rearward position of the dock; Figures 3a and 3b, collectively referred to as Figure 3, are side and bottom views of a carrycot for the pushchair assembly respectively, in which a sliding dock of the carrycot in a forward position of the dock; Figures 4a and 4b, collectively referred to as Figure 4, are side perspective views of a carrycot dock assembly for the carrycot according to arrangements of the present disclosure, with a carrycot dock in forward and rearward position of the carrycot dock respectively; and Figure 5 is side view of a pushchair assembly including a second seat, with the carrycot attached in the rearward position of the carrycot. Detailed Description With reference to Figures 1a, 1b and 1c, a pushchair assembly 2 according to arrangements of the present disclosure, comprises a pushchair frame 10 and a carrycot 200, for a child to lie on, mountable on the pushchair frame. The pushchair frame 10 may comprise a plurality of frame members and may further comprise a pushchair hinge assembly 12a provided on a left side of the pushchair frame and a further pushchair hinge assembly (not shown) provided on a right side of the pushchair frame. As described below, frame members of the pushchair frame 10 may be coupled to either or both of the hinge assemblies, which may be configured to enable the frame members to rotate relative to one another other about the hinge assemblies in order to fold the pushchair frame 10. In the description below, features of the pushchair frame 10, and in particular frame members of the pushchair frame and their connections with hinge assembly 12a, on one lateral side of the pushchair frame are described. However, it will be appreciated that the pushchair frame 10 may be symmetrical between left and right, lateral sides of the pushchair frame, and hence, a similar arrangement of components, such as frame members and hinge assembly, may be provided on both lateral sides of the pushchair frame 10. Accordingly, the hinge assembly 12a and further hinge assembly 12b may be symmetrical components. Further, in other arrangements, the pushchair frame may not comprise the hinge assemblies. In such arrangements, the frame members may be coupled to one another, e.g. directly coupled to one another, at the position in which the hinge assembly is provided in Figures 1a and 1b. The pushchair frame 10 may comprise a handle frame member 14 extending, e.g. upwardly and / or rearwardly, from the pushchair hinge assembly 12a and a handlebar 15 extending between the distal end of the handle frame member 14 and the distal end of another handle frame member provided on the other lateral side of the pushchair frame. The handlebar 15 may be for a user to grip in order to push the pushchair, e.g. in a longitudinal direction of the pushchair. In other arrangements, the pushchair frame 10 may not comprise the handlebar extending between the handle frame members 14 and may instead comprise handles, e.g. separate handles, coupled to the handle frame members 14 for the user to grip when pushing the pushchair. The pushchair frame 10 may further comprise a first leg frame member, e.g. a front leg frame member 16, extending from the pushchair hinge assembly 12a for supporting one or more front wheels 18 of the pushchair, and a second leg frame member, e.g. a rear leg frame member 20, extending from the pushchair hinge assembly 12a for supporting one or more rear wheels 22 of the pushchair. As depicted, the front leg frame member 16 may extend forwards from the pushchair hinge assembly 12a, e.g. in a longitudinal direction of the pushchair, and may additionally extend in a downwards direction, e.g. relative to a position of the pushchair when the pushchair frame is unfolded and standing on wheels of the pushchair. The rear leg frame member 20 may extend rearwards from the pushchair hinge assembly 12a, e.g. in a longitudinal direction of the pushchair, and may additionally extend in the downwards direction. The pushchair frame 10 may comprise a front lateral frame member 24 extending laterally between distal ends of the front leg frame members 16 provided on either lateral side of the pushchair frame. As illustrated, the front lateral frame member 24 may be arcuate or comprise one or more arcuate portions. In some arrangements, the front lateral frame member 24 may be integrally formed with one or both of the front leg frame members 16. In such arrangements, a single frame member may extend from the pushchair hinge assembly 12a on one side of the pushchair frame to one of the front wheels 18, laterally across to the other of the front wheels 18, and from the other of the front wheels to the further pushchair hinge assembly 12b on the other side of the pushchair frame. Similarly, the pushchair frame 10 may comprise a rear lateral frame member 26 extending laterally between distal ends of the rear leg frame members 20. In some arrangements, the rear lateral frame member 26 may be integrally formed with one or both of the rear leg frame members 20. In such arrangements, a single frame member may extend from the pushchair hinge assembly 12a on one side of the pushchair frame to one of the rear wheels 22 laterally across to the other of the rear wheels 22, and from the other of the rear wheels to the pushchair hinge assembly 12b on the other side of the pushchair frame. Referring now to Figure 1c, the pushchair frame 10 may further comprise a docking socket 30. As illustrated, the docking socket may be coupled to the pushchair hinge 12a. Alternatively, the docking socket 30 may be coupled, e.g. directly coupled, to a frame member, such as the handle frame member 14, rear leg frame members 20 and / or the front leg frame member 16. The docking socket 30 is for a seat for the pushchair or the carrycot 200 to be coupled to the pushchair frame, e.g. in order to be supported on the pushchair frame. The docking socket 30 may be fixedly coupled to the pushchair frame, e.g. the hinge assembly and / or one or more of the frame members in directions along each of the one or more frame members. However, the docking socket 30 may be pivotally coupled to the pushchair frame, e.g. to the pushchair hinge assembly 12a and / or one or more of the frame members, to enable the docking socket 30 to rotate relative to the pushchair frame about a dock pivot axis Ad. The dock pivot axis may be perpendicular to directions along the frame members, e.g. the handle member, first leg frame member 16 and second leg frame member 20. In other words, the dock pivot axis may be perpendicular to directions in which the frame members extend from the pushchair hinge. For example, the dock pivot axis may be parallel with a lateral direction of the pushchair. The docking socket 30 may comprise a body part 32, which may comprise a substantially plate shaped portion and may have one or more flange portions projecting perpendicular to the plate shaped portion. A shape of the body part 32 e.g. in a plane perpendicular to the dock pivot axis Ad, may correspond to a cross-sectional shape of the hinge assembly, e.g. in the plane perpendicular to the dock pivot axis Ad. When a hinge body of the hinge assembly is substantially cylindrically shaped, the body part 32 of the docking socket may comprise a substantially circular plate. In such arrangements, the dock pivot axis Ad may be aligned with a central axis of the circular plate. Additionally or alternatively, the dock pivot axis may be aligned or parallel with the central axis of the hinge assembly. The docking socket 30 may comprise a socket portion 34, e.g. coupled to the body part, configured to enable the carrycot to be mounted to the pushchair assembly at the docking socket, e.g. via a correspondingly shaped docking plug provided on the carrycot (described in greater detail below). The socket portion 34 may form a docking channel 36 through which the docking plug can be inserted, e.g. in a docking direction, into a docking space 38 formed by the socket portion to couple the docking plug to the docking socket. The socket portion 34 comprises one or more socket surfaces 37 which may have a component parallel with the docking direction in which the docking plug of the carrycot can be inserted into the socket portion 34. The socket surfaces 37 may be to guide the docking plug into the docking socket and / or support the docking plug when received within the docking space. The docking socket 30 may be coupled, e.g. pivotally coupled to an axial end of the pushchair hinge assembly. In particular, the docking socket 30 may be coupled to an inner side of the pushchair hinge assembly, e.g. which faces the opposite lateral side of the pushchair frame. Accordingly, the primary seat for the pushchair may be supported between hinge assemblies provided on either lateral side of the pushchair. In particular, the carrycot 200 may be supported between the docking sockets 30 on the respective pushchair hinge assemblies. With reference to Figures 2 to 4, the carrycot 200 comprises a bed portion 210 forming a space 212 for a child to sit or lie in. The bed portion 210 may have a head end 210a and a foot end 210b, at opposite longitudinal ends of the carrycot 200. As depicted, the carrycot may comprise a canopy 214 retractably arranged over the space 212 at the head end of the bed portion. The carrycot 200 further comprises a carrycot dock assembly 220a. The carrycot 200 may be couplable to the pushchair frame 10 by the carrycot dock assembly, e.g. in order to mount the carrycot on the pushchair frame. As illustrated, the carrycot 200 may comprise a further carrycot dock assembly 220b provided on an opposite lateral side of the carrycot from the carrycot dock. The further carrycot dock assembly may be configured to be symmetrical to the carrycot dock assembly. Features of the carrycot dock assembly described below may apply equally to the further carrycot dock assembly. Additionally, references to interactions between the carrycot dock assembly and the docking socket may apply equally to interactions between the further carrycot dock assembly and the further docking socket. The carrycot dock assembly 220a comprises a slider 230 and a carrycot dock 240. The carrycot dock is movably, e.g. slidably, coupled to the slider 230. The slider comprises a first end 230a and a second end 230b at either longitudinal end of the slider. The slider 230 is fixedly coupled to the bed portion 210. In particular, the slider may be fixedly coupled to the bed portion, such that the slider extends in a longitudinal direction of the carrycot extending between the head and foot ends of the carrycot bed portion. The carrycot dock may be coupled to the slider so as to be slidable along the rail between the first and second ends, e.g. in the longitudinal direction of the carrycot. The carrycot dock may comprise a dock plug 243 configured to couple to the docking socket 30 of the pushchair frame, e.g. by being received through the docking channel 36 into the docking space 38 of the docking socket, in order to couple the carrycot 200 to the pushchair frame 10. The carrycot dock assembly and the docking socket may be configured such that the longitudinal direction of the carrycot is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the pushchair frame when the carrycot is mounted on the pushchair frame. The slider may comprise a body portion 232 configured to be coupled to the bed portion. For example, the body part may comprise a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners, e.g. threaded fasteners, for coupling the body part to the bed portion of the carrycot, e.g. an underside 210c of the bed portion. The body portion may comprise a base surface 232a which may engage the surface of the bed portion to which the slider is coupled. The body portion may be elongate and may extend principally in a longitudinal direction of the carrycot, when the slider is coupled to the carrycot. The slider 230 may form a rail for the carrycot dock to couple to in order to guide / support movement, e.g. sliding, of the carrycot dock relative to the slider. In particular, the slider 230 may further comprise a laterally extending wall 234 extending from the body part. As illustrated, a gap 236 formed between the laterally extending wall and the base surface of the body portion, The gap 236 may thereby be formed between the laterally extending wall and the bed portion e.g. the surface of the bed portion to which the body portion 232 is coupled, such as the underside surface 210c. The slider may comprise a laterally extending wall 234 and associated gap 236 on each side, e.g. each lateral side, of the body portion 232. The carrycot dock 240 may comprise a follower portion 242 configured to movably, e.g. slideably, couple to the slider 230. As illustrated, the follower portion 242 may extend across the body portion 232 of the slider, on an opposite side of body portion from the base surface of the body portion, and may comprise hook parts 242a extending around the laterally extending walls, e.g. into the gaps 236 between the a laterally extending walls 234 and base surface. The hook parts may be provided on one or both lateral sides of the body portion 232. The dock plug 243 may be fixedly coupled to the follower portion 242. In other arrangements, the follower portion 242 of the carrycot dock and the slider 230 may be configured in any other way to permit the carrycot dock to slidably couple to the slider. In particular, the slider may comprise other longitudinally extending features forming a rail to be coupled to be the carrycot dock and guide / support longitudinal movement of the carrycot dock along the slider. The slider 230 may further comprise end portions 238 arranged at either longitudinal end of the rail, e.g. the body portion 232. A lateral width of the end portions 238 may be greater than a lateral width of the body portion. For example, the lateral width of the end portions may be substantially equal to the lateral width of the rail, e.g. the body portion 232 and laterally extending walls 234. Further, the gaps 236 may not extend into the end portions 238. The end portions 238 may thereby, or otherwise, form end stops for the slider, which prevent the follower portion 242 sliding beyond longitudinal ends of the slider / rail. As illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b, the end portions 238 may have end stop faces 238a configured to abut the follower portion 242, e.g. a longitudinal end face of the follower portion, when the follower portion moves to the longitudinal end of the slider. As depicted in Figures 2 and 3, the carrycot dock 240 may be movable between a rearward position, as depicted in Figure 2 and a forward position, as depicted in Figure 3. The rearwards and forwards positions of the carrycot dock may be defined relative to the longitudinal direction of the carrycot extending from the foot end, which may be a rear end, of the carrycot and the head end, which may be a front end of the carrycot. The forwards and rearwards directions of the carrycot may correspond to the directions of travel of the carrycot when mounted on the pushchair frame. The rearward and forward position of the carrycot dock 240 may correspond to positions in which the follower portion abuts the end stop at the respective ends of the body portion of the slider. As shown in Figure 2, when the carrycot dock is in the forward position, the carrycot dock, e.g. a longitudinal centre point of the carrycot dock or dock plug, may be positioned forwards of a longitudinal centre point of the bed portion, e.g. relative to a longitudinal direction of the carrycot. When the carrycot dock is in the rearward position, the carrycot dock, e.g. a longitudinal centre point of the carrycot dock or dock plug, may be substantially aligned with or positioned rearward of the longitudinal centre point of the bed portion. Referring again to Figure 4, the carrycot dock, e.g. the follower portion, may comprise a latch portion 244 configured to selectively engage the slider 230, e.g. the body portion 232, in order to restrict movement of the carrycot dock 240 relative to the slider 230. In some arrangements, the latch portion 244 may selectively engage the slider in order to fix the position of the carrycot dock relative to the slider, e.g. along the slider. As mentioned above, the slider 230 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the carrycot. Engagement between the latch portion 244 and the slider may restrict movement of or fix the position of the carrycot dock in the longitudinal direction of the carrycot. The slider 230 may comprise a first recess 239a. The latch portion 244 may be receivable at least partially within the first recess 239a in order to engage the slider and fix the position of the carrycot dock relative to the slider. The first recess may be arranged at or close to the first end of the slider, e.g. closer to the first end 230a of the slider than the second end of the slider. For example, the first recess may be provided at a position along the slider such that when the latch portion engages the first recess, the carrycot dock engages the end stop provided at the first end of the slider. Accordingly, when the latch portion engages the first recess, the carrycot dock may be in the rearward position. The slider may further comprise a second recess 239b. The latch portion 244 may be receivable at least partially within the second recess in order to engage the slider and fix the position of the carrycot dock relative to the slider. The second recess may be arranged at or close to the second end 230b of the slider, e.g. closer to the second end of the slider than the first end of the slider. For example, the second recess 239b may be provided at a position along the slider such that when the latch portion engages the second recess, the carrycot dock engages the end stop provided at the second end of the slider. Accordingly, when the latch portion engages the second recess, the carrycot dock may be in the forward position. As illustrated, the first and / or second recess 239a, 239b may be formed in the body portion 232 of the slider. The first and / or second recess may extend, from a recess opening to a recess bottom, in direction perpendicular to the direction in which the carrycot dock slides relative to the slider, e.g. the longitudinal direction of the slider. For example, the first and / or second recess may extend in a lateral direction of the carrycot slider. Further, the first and / or second recess 239a, 239b may be aligned with the gap 236 between the surface of the bed portion to which the slider coupled, and the laterally extending walls 234 of the slider. As illustrated, the first and / or second recess 239a, 239b may be open at a sidewall of the recesses. In particular, a side wall of the recess may be open at the base surface of the body portion of the slider. The latch portion 244 may be selectively retractable out of the recess. In particular, the carrycot dock assembly comprises an actuator 250, such as a button, configured to retract the latch portion 244, so that the latch does not engage the first or second recess. The latch 244 may be biased into a position in which the latch portion can be at least partially received within the first and / or second recess. For example, the carrycot dock may comprise a resilient element configured to bias the latch into the position in which the latch can be received within the first and / or second recess. Returning briefly to Figures 1 a and 1 b, when the carrycot dock is in the rearward position, the carrycot may be mountable on the pushchair frame at the docking socket 30, as shown in Figure 1a, such that the carrycot does not protrude rearward of the rear wheel of the pushchair. As illustrated, longitudinal centre point of the carrycot bed and / or a centre of gravity of the carrycot may be forwards of a rear wheel of the pushchair frame, such as substantially aligned with the docking socket. For example, a centre of gravity of the carry may be substantially centrally positioned between the front and rear wheels of the pushchair, e.g. their respective rotational axes. When the carrycot dock is in the forward position, the carrycot may be mountable on the pushchair frame at the docking socket, as shown in Figure 1b, such that the carrycot protrudes rearward of the rear wheel of the pushchair. Additionally or alternatively, the longitudinal centre point of the carrycot bed portion and / or the centre of gravity of the carrycot may be rearward of the docking socket, or a longitudinal centre point between the front and rear wheels. In some arrangements, the centre of gravity of the carrycot may be close to the rear wheel or an axis thereof (closer to the rear wheel than the longitudinal centre point between the wheels). Alternatively, the longitudinal centre point of the carrycot bed portion and / or the centre of gravity of the carrycot may be approximately aligned with the rear wheel. Referring now to Figure 5, the pushchair assembly 2 may be configured to enable a second seat 502 for the pushchair to be mounted on the pushchair frame. For example, a second seat assembly 500 for the pushchair assembly may comprises one or more seat mounting members 504. The second seat for the pushchair may be couplable to the pushchair frame at a second seat attachment point 506 provided on the pushchair frame, e.g. on one or more frame members of the pushchair frame. The second seat may be couplable to the pushchair frame via the seat mounting members 504. The seat mounting members 504 may be provided on either lateral side of the second seat 502 for coupling the second seat 502 to the pushchair frame and supporting the second seat at a desired position within the pushchair assembly 2. As illustrated, the second seat assembly 500 may be couplable to the pushchair frame forwards of the carrycot 200 when the carrycot is mounted on the pushchair frame. For example, the second seat attachment point 506 may be arranged forwards of the docking socket 30, relative to a longitudinal direction of the pushchair assembly. In the arrangement depicted, the second seat attachment point is provided on the first leg frame member. Accordingly, the second seat assembly may be couplable to the first leg frame members. The pushchair assembly may further comprise one or more adaptors 510. For example, the pushchair assembly 2 may comprise first and second adaptors which may be arranged on the pushchair symmetrical to one another. For example, the first and second adaptors may be provided on respective lateral sides of the pushchair assembly. The adaptors 510 may be configured to couple to the second seat assembly and / or the pushchair frame and provide a secondary docking socket 512 at which the carrycot 200 may be coupled in order to mount the carrycot on the pushchair frame in a more rearward position, e.g. relative to the docking socket 30. The secondary docking socket 512 may be configured similarly to the docking socket 30, e.g. may comprise a similarly shaped docking channel and docking space, to enable the carrycot dock to be coupled to the secondary docking socket. When the pushchair assembly comprises the first and second seat adaptors 510, the carrycot may be supported between the secondary docking sockets 512 provided on the second seat adaptors on either lateral side of the pushchair assembly. When carrycot is mounted at the secondary docking socket, if the carrycot dock is in the rearward position, the carrycot may clash with the position in which the second seat is arranged when mounted on the pushchair frame. Accordingly, when the carrycot is mounted at the secondary docking socket whilst the carrycot dock is in the rearward position, the second seat may be prevent from being mounted on the pushchair frame. Similarly, when the second seat is mounted on the pushchair frame, the carrycot may be prevented from being mounted at the secondary docking socket (or at the docking socket) whilst the carrycot dock is in the rearward position. As illustrated in Figure 5, when the carrycot dock is positioned in the forwards position and the carrycot 200 is mounted at the secondary docking socket, the carrycot may not clash with the second seat / For example, the carrycot may be spaced apart from the position in which the second seat is provided when mounted on the pushchair frame. Accordingly, when the carrycot is mounted at the secondary docking socket 512 whilst the carrycot dock is in the forward position, the second seat may be mountable on the pushchair frame, e.g. without clashing with the carrycot 200. In the same way, when the second seat is mounted on the pushchair frame, the carrycot may not be prevented from being mounted at the secondary docking socket whilst the carrycot dock is in the forward position. As shown in Figure 5, when the carrycot is mounted at the secondary docking socket 512 and the carrycot dock is in the forward position, the longitudinal centre point of the carrycot bed portion and / or the centre of gravity of the carrycot may be rearward of the secondary docking docket, e.g. approximately aligned with or rearward of the rear wheel. When the carrycot is mounted at the secondary docking socket 512 and the carrycot dock is in the forward position, the longitudinal centre point of the carrycot bed portion and / or the centre of gravity of the carrycot may be substantially aligned with the secondary docking socket. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the invention has been described by way of example, with reference to one or more exemplary examples, it is not limited to the disclosed examples and that alternative examples could be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pushchair assembly comprising:a pushchair frame comprising a docking socket for a seat to be mounted on the pushchair frame; anda carrycot comprising a bed portion and a carrycot dock assembly, the carrycot dock assembly including a carrycot dock, wherein the carrycot is mountable on the pushchair frame by coupling the carrycot dock to the docking socket, wherein the carrycot dock assembly comprises:a slider fixedly coupled to the bed portion; and the carrycot dock movably coupled to the slider.

2. The pushchair assembly of claim 1, wherein the pushchair frame comprises a plurality of frame members, wherein the docking socket is fixedly coupled to the pushchair frame in directions along each of a plurality of frame members of the pushchair frame.

3. The pushchair assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the carrycot dock is coupled to the slider so as to be slidable in a longitudinal direction of the pushchair assembly, when the carry cot is mounted on the pushchair frame.

4. The pushchair assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the pushchair frame comprises a handlebar or handles, wherein the carrycot is slidable towards and away from the handlebar or handles, when the carry cot is mounted on the pushchair frame.

5. The pushchair assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the carrycot dock is slidable relative to the slider between a rearward position, in which the carrycot is mountable on the pushchair frame with a centre of gravity of the carrycot, or a longitudinal centre point of the carrycot bed portion substantially aligned with the docking socket, and a forward position, in which the carrycot is mountable on the pushchair frame with the centre of gravity of the carrycot, or a longitudinal centre point of the carrycot bed portion rearward of the docking socket.

6. The pushchair assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the pushchair assembly comprises a second seat mountable on the pushchair frame at a second seat attachment point arranged forwards of the docking socket, wherein the carrycot dock is slidable relative to the slider between a rearward position in which the carrycot, when mounted on the pushchair frame, clashes with a position in which the second seat is arranged when mounted on the pushchair frame, and a forward position in which the carrycot, when mounted on the pushchair frame, does not clash with the position in which the second seat is arranged when mounted on the pushchair frame.7 The pushchair assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the slider comprises first and second recesses, wherein the carrycot dock comprises a latch portion configured to selectively engage the first and second recesses when the sliding dock is in forward and rearward positions respectively.

8. The pushchair assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second recesses extend from respective recess openings to recess bottoms in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the carrycot dock moves relative to the slider.

9. The pushchair assembly of claim 7 or 8, wherein the first and second recesses and the latch portion are configured to engage one another and resist movement of the carrycot dock relative to the slider.

10. The pushchair assembly of any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the carrycot dock assembly comprises an actuator configured to retract the latch, such that the latch does not engage the first or second recess.

11. A carrycot for mounting on a pushchair frame of the pushchair assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the carrycot comprises:a bed portion; anda carrycot dock assembly including a carrycot dock for coupling to a docking point on the pushchair frame, wherein the carrycot dock assembly further comprises a slider fixedly coupled to the bed portion, wherein the carrycot dock is movably, e.g. slidably, coupled to the slider.

12. The carrycot of claim 11, wherein the carrycot dock is movable relative to the slider between a forward position, in which the carrycot dock is forwards of alongitudinal centre point of the bed portion; and a rearward position, in which the carrycot dock is substantially aligned with or rearward of the longitudinal centre point of the bed portion.

13. The carrycot of claim 11 or 12, wherein the slider comprises first and second recesses, wherein the carrycot dock comprises a latch portion configured to selectively engage the first and second recesses when the carrycot dock is in the forward and rearward positions respectively.

14. The carrycot of claim 13, wherein the first and second recesses extend from respective recess openings to recess bottoms in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the carrycot dock moves relative to the slider.

15. The carrycot of claim 13 or 14, wherein the first and second recesses and the latch portion are configured to engage one another, and resist movement of the carrycot dock relative to the slider.

16. The carrycot of any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the carrycot dock assembly comprises an actuator, such as a button, wherein the actuator is actuatable, e.g. depressible, in order to urge the latch portion to move out of the first or second recess.

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