Patent Application
20110089206
The present invention relates generally to baby accessories, and more particularly to an attendant-assisting baby walker that allows a parent or other attendant to assist a baby beginning walker by providing stability and support.
For a number of months before a baby learns to walk, he or she is interested in practicing the movements necessary for walking. Additionally, learning to walk is facilitated by exercise and by the strengthening of the appropriate muscles. To help the baby beginning walker maintain the proper upright walking posture while practicing taking steps and learning to walk, the parent (or other attendant) generally leans over to hold the hands of the baby or to support the baby under the arms. The parent supplies support both to keep the baby in the upright position and to stabilize the baby's steps for safety. As the parent is directly involved with the activity, the parent can judge the amount of aid the baby needs, providing support appropriate to the ever-changing ability of the beginning walker. Thus the parent can deliver a customized, enjoyable, optimal learning environment for the baby. However, repeatedly leaning over to assist and support a baby as he or she practices and exercises day after day can cause stress and strain on the back of the parent or attendant.
Several types of baby walker devices have been previously proposed, but each of these suffer from one or more disadvantages or limitations.
One type of device for helping a baby learn to walk merely provides two hand grips for the baby to grasp without any torso support, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,972 issued to Marolda. Straps attach to the two hand grips, with the opposing end configured with loops or handholds for the parent to grasp. This type of baby walker suffers from a lack of safety, as a baby's grasping skills may not be adequate to support his or her weight; when the baby's grip loosens he or she may fall. Also, the developmental stage at which the baby has the ability to grasp the hand grips may come at a different time than the initial stages of practicing to walk. Accordingly, much of the benefit may be lost, as the need to practice walking may not overlap the development of gripping ability.
Another type of baby walker has only a chest band around the upper torso or a chest band plus shoulder bands. Straps are attached to the chest band, with the opposing end of each strap configured with a strap, loop, or hand grip for the parent to grasp. This type is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 1,749,999 issued to Crocker; U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,188 issued to Heinrichs; U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,070 issued to Gwon; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,267,080 issued to Gallo, plus U.S. Patent Application Publications No. 2008/0121191 filed by Wu and No. 2004/0221818 filed by Rother. Other, similarly constructed devices used for sports training or safety include the safety harness of U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,040; the ski-training band of U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,795; and the sport training devices of U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,699; U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,478; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,792.
This chest-band type baby (or child) assistive device has a limited ability to distribute pressure. Consequently it may place undue pressure on the baby's chest or underarm area, especially if the baby trips or falls, so that the full weight of the baby will be placed on the generally narrow band. Also, the straps by which the parent supports the baby are generally positioned at a rearward location of the chest band. Thus, the parent cannot exert an even upward force to assist the baby in maintaining the proper upright posture or to prevent the baby from falling. Additionally, the baby may strain forward to offset the backward pressure necessarily applied. If the parent reduces or releases the backward pressure, the baby may be overbalanced and can tumble forward.
Another type of baby walker has both an upper torso band and a lower torso or crotch support, providing better pressure distribution. However, currently available devices of this type still have disadvantages. Some devices of this type (such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,287; No. 6,968,809; No. 6,325,023; No. 4,981,110; and No. 6,095,613) have a thin crotch strap, which does not distribute the pressure well or evenly, so is not comfortable for the child. Other devices with lower torso support have two thin crotch straps positioned at the joint between the upper inner thighs and the body (such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,272 and No. U.S. Pat. No. 7,341,025); these cause undue pressure at the inner upper thigh and may cause skin chafing. Additionally, some of the devices of this type (such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,551 and No. 6,397,389; U.S. Patent Applications No. 2006/0278176 and No. 2008/0018163) have complex strap and buckling systems, making it tedious and time-intensive to place the baby within and to adjust. As a baby walking exercise may be of only a short duration, this is particularly inconvenient.
Accordingly, there is an established need for a practical, convenient attendant-assisting baby walker that provides increased comfort, increased safety, and allows the attendant to exert an even upward force, thereby assisting the baby in maintaining the proper upright posture.
The present invention is directed to an attendant-assisting baby walker that conveniently and safely allows a baby to practice walking and to strengthen the walking muscles while supported in a proper upright walking posture and that allows the parent or attendant to remain upright thereby reducing strain on the lower back.
The attendant-assisting baby walker includes an open-top body suit with attached right and left support straps. The body suit includes both a torso-encircling component and a crotch component. The crotch front and back attach at or near the lower front and lower back edges of the torso-encircling component, respectively. The torso-encircling component is configured with a zipper, allowing fast and easy placement and positioning of the baby.
The support straps are preferably adjustable to accommodate attendants of varying heights. The attendant-assisting baby walker increases safety and comfort for both the baby and the attendant.
Optionally, handholds may be positioned on the support straps for the comfort of the attendant.
An object of the present invention is to provide an attendant-assisting baby walker that is usable to assist a baby in learning the movements involved in walking.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an attendant-assisting baby walker that is usable to assist a baby in strengthening the muscles used in walking.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an attendant-assisting baby walker that allows a parent or other attendant to stand substantially upright when assisting a baby to practice walking.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an attendant-assisting baby walker that is adjustable to accommodate attendants of varying heights.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an attendant-assisting baby walker that is configured to allow quick and easy placement and positioning of the baby within the attendant-assisting baby walker.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an attendant-assisting baby walker that is configured to provide comfortable support for the baby.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.
The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a convenient and practical attendant-assisting baby walker that allows a baby to safely practice walking with aid from a parent or other attendant. The attendant can assist the baby in learning to walk by helping the baby to remain in the correct upright posture and by supporting a portion of the baby's weight; yet the attendant is able to remain substantially erect, thereby preventing back strain and increasing the enjoyment of the activity. (Throughout the description of the invention, the person supporting the baby is referred to as an “attendant.” This term is meant to include any person capable of supporting the baby, such as a parent, grandparent, childcare worker, nanny, au pair, older sibling, or the like.)
Two embodiments are presented, the first embodiment of
Referring now to the front view of
The torso-encircling component 20 is generally in the shape of a hollow cylinder with an open top and bottom, with the crotch component 40 partially closing the bottom of the torso-encircling component 20 to form lateral leg holes 46R, 46L. The torso-encircling component 20 of the first embodiment is preferably configured with a center front zipper 21. The baby is supported on the sides by the torso-encircling component 20 and at the bottom by the crotch component 40.
The open-top body suit 50 is preferably sized and configured to be comfortable and to be supportive for a baby who is beginning to learn to walk. The body suit 50 has a height sufficient to extend vertically from about the underarm area to the lower hip area of the baby, allowing the upper torso and arms of the baby to remain unrestrained above the upper edge 22. When the baby is placed in the attendant-assisting baby walker 10, the side of the body suit 50 extends downward to approximately the lower hip. The torso-encircling component 20 is not tightly fitted, yet is close-fitting enough to provide lateral support to the baby. The torso-encircling component 20 has a torso front 24, a torso back 28 (
Both the body suit 50 and the support straps 30R, 30L may be formed of natural or man-made flexible material having a sufficient strength to support the weight of the baby. The type of fabric (or fabrics) chosen may be dictated by considerations of durability, wash-ability, sturdiness, strength, and aesthetics. For example, nylon, cotton, rayon, polypropylene, neoprene, wool, polyester, blends, or other woven or non-woven material may be used. However, the body suit 50 is most preferably formed of a woven cotton canvas, and the support straps 30R, 30L most preferably are of nylon webbing.
Preferably torso front 24 and torso back 28 are formed integrally of a single piece of fabric joined at front seam 29 and zipper 21, but may alternatively be formed separately and joined at opposing side seams (not shown). Additional seams may be integrated into the basic body suit design to add interest or for aesthetic appeal, such as blocks of contrasting color or material. Also, decorative or ornamental elements may be added or incorporated into the body suit 50, such as an appliqué, decorative trim, printed graphic or text, or other embellishment.
Preferably the upper edge 22 and lower edge 23 are formed in such a manner as to provide a non-irritating boundary. For example, the material of the torso-encircling component 20 may be turned under and secured by sewing, thus producing a softer, rounded upper edge 22 and lower edge 23. Alternatively a cord may be incorporated within the interior of the upper edge 22 and lower edge 23 to increase the roundness of the edge for comfort and to add strength. Also, optionally, as illustrated, an upper-edge binding 26 and/or lower-edge binding 27 may be secured to cover the upper edge 22 and lower edge 23, respectively, thus preventing the raveling and abrading of the fabric, plus increasing the strength of the edges.
The torso-encircling component 20 of the body suit 50 of the first embodiment is configured with a front zipper 21, allowing fast and easy placement and positioning of the baby within the attendant-assisting baby walker 10. The zipper 21 is inset substantially in the center of the torso front 24 and extends from the upper edge 22 downward a sufficient length so that, when unzipped, a front opening is formed that is sufficiently large to allow convenient placement of the baby within the body suit. Preferably the zipper 21 extends downward at least three-fourths of the height of the body suit. The combination of the open top and the convenient relatively long front opening allow the baby to be quickly and easily placed within the attendant-assisting baby walker.
Crotch component 40 is preferably a single piece of fabric in a somewhat hourglass-shape. The front and back edges of crotch component 40 are non-removably attached to the lower front edge and lower back edge of the body suit 50, respectively, to form leg holes 46R, 46L, as best seen in the top view of
As shown, the back of crotch component 40 is preferably slightly wider than the front to provide a good body-conforming fit. The side edges 41, 42 of crotch component 40 are preferably finished with a binding or tape to strengthen and/or to decorate the raw edges 41, 42. The binding may be of a similar fabric and/or color or may be of different fabric and/or color.
Optionally, the upper edge 22, lower edge 23, side edge 41, and/or side edge 42 may be trimmed in a soft, fleecy material to increase comfort for the baby. Such a fleecy material may be a man-made fleece or a natural fleece, such as sheep skin.
The right and left support straps 30R, 30L are preferably adjustable to accommodate attendants of varying heights, although a support strap 30R, 30L having a non-adjustable length and formed of a single segment of strap material is within the scope of the invention. Right and left support straps 30R, 30L are thus preferably formed of right and left front strap segments 32R, 32L, right and left rear strap segments 36R, 36L, and right and left strap-adjustment mechanisms, such as the illustrated buckles 34R, 34L. The right buckle 34R is disposed between the right front strap segment 32R and right rear strap segment 36L in such a manner as to allow convenient adjustment. Correspondingly, the left buckle 34L is disposed between the left front strap segment 32L and left rear strap segment 36L. Right and left buckles 34R, 34L may be secured to either the front strap segments 32R, 32L, or to the rear strap segments 36R, 36L (with the opposing strap segment being threaded through the buckle) by any standard method, such as, for example, sewing or riveting. Most preferably the right and left buckles 34R, 34L are positioned to face the front of the attendant-assisting baby walker 10. Though buckles 34R, 34L are shown as the preferred strap-adjustment mechanisms, other adjustment mechanisms that allow easy, convenient adjustment of the length of the straps, such as complementary hook-and-loop fasteners, are within the scope of the invention.
The front strap segments 32R, 32L preferably are attached at or near the upper edge 22 of the torso front 24 via front strap attachment mechanisms 31R, 31L. Similarly, the rear strap segments 36R, 36L are attached at or near the upper edge 22 of the torso back 28 via back strap attachment mechanisms 37R, 37L. As illustrated, the location of attachment points of front strap segments 32R, 32L and back strap segments 36R, 36L are positioned to provide optimum comfort, safety, and positioning of the baby. The front strap attachment mechanisms 31R, 31L are spaced somewhat to the sides of the front zipper 21, while the back strap attachment mechanisms 37R, 37L are spaced somewhat to the sides of the center of the torso back 28.
Front and back strap attachment mechanisms 31R, 31L, 37R, 37L may be any conventional means of permanently securing two pieces of material together. Front and back strap attachment mechanisms 31R, 31L, 37R, 37L may be, for example, stitching with a durable thread or filament, rivets, or adhesives. Optionally, the front strap attachment mechanisms 31R, 31L may be of one type (for example rivets, not shown), while the back strap attachment mechanisms 37R, 37L may be of a second type (for example, stitching); alternatively, as illustrated, both front and back strap attachment mechanisms 31R, 31L, 37R, 37L may be of the same type (for example, stitching). The front and back strap attachment mechanisms 31R, 31L, 37R, 37L may have an interior and exterior portion (such as when stitching or rivets are utilized, as illustrated) or the front and back strap attachment mechanisms 31R, 31L, 37R, 37L may not be viewable from either the interior or the exterior of the attendant-assisting baby walker 10 (such as when an adhesive is utilized).
Another aspect of the present invention is presented in
Four other exemplary types of handholds 39R, 39L are illustrated in
A first section 48 of complementary hook-and-loop-type fastener is disposed along a first longitudinal edge on the front side of handhold 39R, 39L, as illustrated. A second section 49 of complementary hook-and-loop-type fastener is disposed along the second longitudinal edge on the opposing back side of handhold 39R, 39L. After the handhold 39R, 39L is wrapped around the support strap 30R, 30L the first complementary hook-and-loop-type fastener section 48 is engaged with the second complementary hook-and-loop-type fastener section 49 on the opposing side. The handholds 39R, 39L may be positioned by sliding along the support straps 30R, 30L to a comfortable position. The fifth exemplary handhold aspect of the handholds 39R, 39L facilitates removal for cleaning or laundering without disengaging the buckles 34R, 34L.
Preferably the torso-encircling component of the baby walker is formed of a single piece of canvas fabric joined into the illustrated tubular form by the back zipper 21 in combination with a lower back seam.
Optionally, although the attendant-assisting baby walker 10 has been herein described as sized for a baby learning to walk, the attendant-assisting baby walker 10 can be easily manufactured in a somewhat larger size to allow a parent to support a child learning to do any of a variety of athletic activities in which training support may be desired. These athletic activities would include, for example, skating, skiing, or the like.
To use the attendant-assisting baby walker 10 of the present invention, the attendant may adjust the buckles 34R, 34L, if needed to lengthen or shorten the right and left support straps 30R, 30L. The zipper 21 is unzipped (
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the attendant-assisting baby walker 10 of the current invention provides a convenient device for an attendant to assist a baby in learning to walk and in strengthening the muscles used in walking.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
This Non-Provisional Application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/251,745, filed on Oct. 15, 2009, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61251745 | Oct 2009 | US |
