BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many types of child activity and/or entertainment devices available today. Such devices include, e.g., bouncer seats, exercisers and jumpers, each of which being designed for providing a comfortable and secure environment for the child, as well as a source for entertaining or promoting activity in the child. Bouncer seats are referred to as such because the child has the ability to bounce or jump when sitting in the seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,246 to Meeker discloses a seat, referred to as a child exerciser/rocker, that includes an upper tray area defining a circular opening for receiving and rotatably supporting a seat. The tray and seat are suspended at each of three locations by a spring extending from a post that is supported at its lower end by a tower extending upwards from a base structure. One notable drawback in Meeker's exerciser/rocker seat, and other child seats of this design, is that the seats are rather bulky. A seat and activity area that provides a child with freedom to move or spin around as well as providing a variety entertainment activities, such as Meeker, brings about an end product that is rather bulky, not easily stored and difficult to transport.
One approach for providing a collapsible seat is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,211 to Myers. Myers describes a child exerciser device including a seat, tray and leg assembly detachable from a base member. Myers's child exerciser includes a detachable assembly and a pivot connection between the leg and tray so that the child exerciser may be collapsed for storage and/or transport. The collapsed configuration is achieved by removing the legs from the base member, rotating the legs under the tray and then placing the tray, seat and legs inside the base member. There are several aspects of the Myers exerciser which are undesirable, some of which include the limited activity area provided for the child, the requirement that a user must physically separate the base member from the legs, seat and tray in order to collapse the exerciser, and the approach for collapsing the device does not significantly reduce the space occupied by the exerciser for storage purposes, nor provide for an easily transportable device.
In view of the above and other related drawbacks and limitations identified in the known child activity devices, there is a need for a child's activity device that can be easily collapsed into a stowed configuration without sacrificing entertainment value to the child; providing freedom of movement and a relatively large activity area for entertaining and promoting activity; and yet is easy to convert into a non-use or stowed configuration for storage and/or transport.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The needs identified above are met, and the shortcomings of prior art child activity devices designs overcome by the child activity device of the invention. In one aspect, the invention provides a portable activity center for entertaining a child. The activity center is supported on a support surface and includes a support frame extending vertically upwards from a lower end proximate to the support surface and terminating at an upper end, and a seat supporting portion. A seat is coupled to the seat supporting portion and is able to rotate about a first axis relative to the support frame so as to allow a child placed in the seat to rotate about the first axis. A coupling assembly secures the seat supporting portion to the support frame upper end. The coupling assembly is selectable between a closed position fixing the seat supporting portion relative to the support frame and an open position permitting rotation of the seat supporting portion about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The portable activity center may further include a support leg extending form the support frame lower end and being selectively rotatable about a third axis, substantially parallel to the second axis for rotation between a use position and a storage position.
In another aspect of the invention, a child's bouncer includes a frame having an upper end and a lower end, and a seat coupled to the frame upper end. A left and right support leg extend outwardly from the frame lower end, each of the left and right support legs including a support surface engaging end and a frame coupling end rotationally displaceable relative to the frame. A biasing member is coupled to each of the left and right support legs and positioned so as to bias each of the left and right support legs support surface engaging ends inwardly by rotational displacement of the left and right support legs frame coupling ends relative to the frame lower end.
A further aspect of the invention provides a method for configuring a child's activity seat from a deployed position to a folded position. The child's activity seat includes a seat coupled to a tray, a base support having an upper end and a lower end and a support frame supporting the activity seat in the deployed position. When the activity seat is configured in the deployed position, a first connector fixes the tray to a base support and a second connector fixes the support frame to the base support. The method of configuring the activity seat from the deployed to folded positions includes the steps of releasing the first connector so as to permit rotational motion of the seat and tray relative to the base support, and rotating the seat and tray about a first axis so as to position the seat and tray from a generally horizontal, deployed position to a generally vertically, folded position.
Another aspect of the invention provides an activity seat for a child configurable between a use position and a storage position. The activity seat includes a frame extending vertically upwards from a lower end proximate to the support surface and terminating at an upper end. The frame lower end includes a lower surface corresponding to a support surface engaging end for the activity seat when configured in the storage position. The activity seat further includes a seat coupled to the support frame upper end, and a support member having a first end and a second end corresponding to a support surface engaging end for the activity seat when configured in the use position. A coupling assembly is provided for coupling the support member to the frame. The coupling assembly includes a first pivot for configuring the support member between a use and a storage configuration, and a biasing means for biasing the frame upwardly when the activity seat is configured in the use position.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a foldable activity center for entertaining a child. The activity center includes a base support and a base frame extending vertically upwards from a lower end proximate to the support surface and terminating at an upper end. The activity center also includes a supporting portion having a child's seat and an upper surface generally defining an activity area for a child placed in the seat, the upper surface defining a first plane. A coupling assembly secures the supporting portion to the base upper end. The coupling assembly is selectable between a closed position fixing the supporting portion relative to the base frame and an open position permitting rotation within a second plane of the supporting portion relative to the base frame, wherein the second plane is substantially perpendicular to the first plane.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a child's activity center that is specially adapted for being configurable between a use and storage configuration wherein the storage configuration also provides for easy transport, and yet does not detract from the desire for providing the child with freedom of movement and a relatively large activity area for entertaining and promoting activity in the child.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a child activity device that has a novel support structure for providing bouncing activity for the child.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a child activity device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the activity device of FIG. 1 showing a tray and seat configured in a storage position.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the activity device of FIG. 1 in a storage position.
FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view of a connector assembly for connecting the tray to a support post of the activity device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a first view of a portion of the connector assembly of FIG. 4 showing a first view of the support post and a mating housing.
FIG. 6 is a second view of a portion of the connector assembly of FIG. 4 showing a second view of the support post and the mating housing.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the support post of the activity device of FIG. 1 with a base cover removed.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the support post of FIG. 7 with a post cover removed.
FIG. 9 illustrates a base connector assembly connecting a left and right support tube to a base of the activity device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the connector assembly of FIG. 9 with the left and right support tubes and left and right flange couplings removed.
FIG. 11A illustrates a non-use position of the connector assembly of FIG. 9.
FIGS. 11B–11C illustrate in-use positions of the connector assembly of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11D shows a flange coupling of the connector assembly of FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is a first view of a cover plate of the activity device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 13 is a second view of the cover plate of FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a bottom view of a seat ring of the activity device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the activity device of FIG. 1 showing the seat removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. The child activity device of the invention is preferably implemented as a child's entertainer 10, examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 1–15.
Referring FIG. 1, entertainer 10 includes a tray 12 and seat 14 supported on front and rear support posts 20a, 20b, the lower ends of which being received in a corresponding front and rear base 80a, 80b (rear base 80b is hidden from view in FIG. 1), and a left and right support tube 16a, 16b connected to each of the front and rear bases 80a, 80b at front and rear tube proximal ends 18a, 18b, respectively, and providing a ground engaging support at rearwardly extending tube distal ends 17a, 17b, respectively, for entertainer 10 when configured in the use position. Tray 12 extends about the periphery of seat 14 and includes entertaining toys for entertaining and promoting activity in a child placed in seat 14.
A pair of tray connectors 28a, 28b connects tray 12 and seat 14 to an upper end 21a of each of front and rear posts 20a, 20b. Each of tray connectors 28a, 28b provide selective coupling of tray 12 and seat 14 to front and rear posts 20a, 20b, selectable between a fixed tray use position fixing tray 12 and seat 14 in a horizontal position, FIG. 1, a tray rotation position allowing tray 12 and seat 14 to be rotated relative to post 20 for configuring tray 12 and seat 14 between a use and storage position, and a fixed tray storage position fixing tray 12 and seat 14 relative to post 20 in a generally vertical orientation, FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 9, support tubes 16a, 16b are connected to front and rear bases 80a, 80b at each of their respective front and rear proximal ends 18a, 18b, by a corresponding left base connector 82 and right base connector 84 disposed at each of the front and rear bases 80a, 80b. Thus, left and right base connectors, 82, 84, are located at each of the front and rear bases 80a, 80b for connecting the left and right proximal ends 18a, 18b of support tubes 16a, 16b to bases 80a, 80b. The connecting structure associated with each of the front and rear pairs of base connectors 82, 84 permits left and right support tubes 16a, 16b to be positioned between a use or supporting position, FIGS. 1 and 11B–C, and a storage position, FIG. 3, by selecting between a fixed support tube coupling, FIG. 11B, and rotatable support tube coupling, FIG. 11A. As explained in greater detail, below, front and rear base connectors 82, 84 preferably couples tubes 16a, 16b to bases 80a, 80b, by a rotational biasing-type connector so as to provide bouncing support of entertainer 10 through tubes 16a, 16b for promoting child activity and adding entertainment value to entertainer 10. As will be appreciated, the bouncing feature may, or may not be included with the use and storage positioning feature of tubes 16a, 16b and base connectors 82, 84. It is therefore considered within the scope of invention to provide an activity device with a tube or similar connecting assembly that provides a storable support frame which may, or may not also provide a bouncing frame feature.
Tray connector 28 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2–8. Each of the tray connectors 28a, 28b located at front and rear locations on entertainer are identical in configuration and function in a similar manner. The following discussion will therefore be limited to front tray connector 28a, with the understanding that the same description applies to rear tray connector 28b, except as noted otherwise. Tray connector 28a includes a circular tray housing 70 formed at the front end of tray 12, a circular mating housing 40 sized to mate with tray housing 70, a spring biased release button 30 for selecting between storage and use positions, and a circular housing formed at post upper end 21a sized to receive mating housing 40 and permitting relative rotational motion between mating housing 40 and post upper end 21a when tray connector 28a is configured to allow rotational motion. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, tray housing 70 includes ribs defining four receiving slots 72 disposed at 90 degree angular locations within tray housing 70 that are brought into mating contact with four corresponding angularly disposed teeth 52 in mating housing 40 for providing added structural integrity to the tray 14 to post connection. Preferably, tray housing 70 and mating housing 40 are formed by separate molding processes and then connected together to provide a reliable and durable interface with post upper end 21a, a rotatable or fixed coupling with upper end 21a, and to allow spring biased release button 30 to be conveniently positioned between mating housing 40 and tray housing 70. Alternatively, mating housing 40 and tray housing 70 can be integrally formed with tray 12 by providing suitably strengthened structure in the vicinity of tray connector 28a, as would be apparent to the skilled artisan. Holes 36, 38 and 68 are formed in post upper end 21a, mating housing 40 and tray housing 70, respectively, for receiving a connecting bolt 42 for rotatably coupling upper end 21a to mating housing 40 and tray housing 70. Connecting bolt 42 includes a threaded end for securing bolt 42 using a threaded nut 44 that is received within a recess 48 of a bearing plate 46.
Referring to the convex outer surface of mating housing 40, FIG. 6, there is provided a notched portion defining first and second positioning surfaces 60b, 60a that are brought into contact with a corresponding first and second engagement surface 56a, 56b, respectively, formed on the concave inner surface of upper end 21a. When tray 12 and seat 14 are configured in the storage position, FIG. 2, first positioning surface 60b bears against first engagement surface 56b and when tray 12 and seat 14 are configured in the use position, FIG. 1, second positioning surface 60a bears against second engagement surface 56a.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, release button 30 is positioned between mating housing 40 and tray housing 70 and is biased to extend outwardly from a hole 31 formed in mating housing 40 and one of a corresponding pair of holes 32 and 34 formed in upper end 21a when tray 12 is placed in the corresponding use position and storage positions. When release button 30 extends through hole 32, second positioning surface 60abears against second engagement surface 56a and locks tray 12 and seat 14 in the use position, FIG. 1. When release button 30 extends through hole 34, first positioning surface 60b bears against first engagement surface 56b and locks tray 12 and seat 14 in the storage position, FIG. 2. Release button 30 is biased outwardly by placing a compression spring 50 between button 30 and tray housing 70. When configuring from the use to the storage position, button 30 is manually depressed so as to clear button from hole 32. Once clear, tray 12 and seat 14 are then rotated about bolt 42 until button 30 extends through hole 34. When engaged with hole 34, tray 12 and seat 14 are locked in a storage configuration until button 30 is again depressed to clear button 30 from hole 34 to permit rotation of tray 12 and seat 14 into the use position where button 30 extends through hole 32.
Referring to FIGS. 6–8, the height of tray 12 and seat 14 are preferably adjustable by selective vertical positioning of post 20 relative to base 80. Post 20 is fixable at a designated height location by engagement of a spring biased height adjuster button 120 that is mounted in post 20 and extends outwardly through a positioning aperture 122 formed on a base front end 22 corresponding to a pre-designated tray height, as illustrated in FIG. 7 (ribbed base cover removed). Preferably, three positioning apertures are formed on base front end 22 corresponding to three height locations. Post 20 is slidingly coupled to base 80 and releasably fixed at a selected height when height adjuster button 120 is engaged with a corresponding aperture 122. To adjust the height setting, height adjuster button 120 is pressed inwardly so as to clear button 122 from base front end 22. When height adjuster button 120 is depressed, post 20 may freely slide in base 80 until height adjuster button 120 expands into a selected aperture 122, post 20 contacts bottom of base 80, or adjustment stops 124 sliding in grooves 126 contact the top of grooves 126. Height adjuster button 120 is mounted in post 20 by a plate 64 secured to post 20 by fasteners 62, FIG. 6.
Support tubes 16a, 16b, and base connectors 82, 84 connecting support tubes 16 to bases 80a, 80b will now be described in detail by reference to FIGS. 9–13. Left and right support tubes 16a, 16b provide stability to entertainer 10 when in use, a supporting structure for permitting bouncing motion and are coupled to bases 80a, 80b so as to permit repositioning of tubes 16a, 16b between use and storage positions. Each of left and right support tubes 16a, 16b are identical. Tube 16a is preferably a U-shaped metal tube with front and rear proximal ends 18a connecting tube 16a to front and rear bases 80a, 80b, respectively, and a rearwardly extending distal end 17a including rubber floor grips 24 to reduce undesired slippage of entertainer 10 during use. Tube 16a may alternatively be constructed from a plastic or other suitable material. Tube 16a may also correspond to a front and rear pair of separate legs or supports extending outwardly from front and rear bases 80a, 80b since this alternative structure may also provide the same functionality that is considered within the scope of the invention.
Base connectors 82 and 84, disposed at each of the front and rear bases 80a, 80b are identical in their design and function. Reference will therefore be limited to base connectors 82, 84 of front base 80a, except as noted below, with the understanding that the same description applies to base connectors 82, 84 of rear base 80b. Referring to FIG. 9, there is illustrated the preferred arrangement of base connectors 82, 84 mounted to base 80a with proximal ends 18a, 18b of left and right tubes 16a, 16b connected to base connectors 82, 84, respectively. Each of base connectors 82, 84 are mirror opposites of each other and provide the same function with regard to the various couplings of respective left and right tubes 16a, 16b to base 80a. Base connectors 82, 84 each include a flange coupling 83, 85 for coupling tubes 16a, 16b to base 80a through pivot pins 92, 93 and left and right compression springs 96, 97, respectively.
Reference will now be limited to right base connector 82 with the understanding that the same description applies to left base connector 84, except as noted otherwise. Referring to FIG. 11D, flange coupling 85 includes front and rear side walls 75a, 75b extending outwardly from a rear wall 74, a lower lock aperture 91 and an upper lock aperture 89 formed in the front side wall 75a for locking tube 16a in a use position, FIG. 11B, and storage position, FIG. 9, respectively, a tube pivot hole 76 bored through the front and rear side walls 75a, 75b for receiving a rivet 95 passed through the end of tube 16a to provide a fixed, rotatable coupling between flange 85 and tube 16a, and a pivot hole 77 bored through the front and rear side walls 75a, 75b for receiving pivot pin 93 coupling flange coupling 85 to base 80a. Tube 16a includes a hole spaced away from the end. The hole (not shown) receives a spring biased button lock 87 disposed within tube 16a that is located so as to extend through each of upper and lower apertures 91, 89, when tube 16a is positioned in a use position, FIG. 11B, and storage position, FIG. 9, respectively. Preferably, button lock 87 is a spring biased button sold under the trademark “VALCO”, which includes a rounded end that biases outwardly from the hole formed in tube 16a.
Referring now to base connectors 82 and 84 with respective proximal ends 18a, 18b of tubes 16a, 16b configured in the use position corresponding to button locks 86, 87 extending through lower lock apertures 90, 91, FIGS. 1, 2 and 11B, tubes 16a and 16b are orientated to extend downwardly from base 80a so as to suspend base 80a, post 20, tray 12 and seat 14 above the support surface. In this configuration, entertainer 10 is supported on tube distal ends 17a, 17b. Referring to FIGS. 10, 11B–C, flange couplings 83, 85 are coupled to base 80a by pins 92, 93 and springs 96, 97 to provide a bouncing motion of the upper frame portion (i.e., base 80a, post 20, tray 12 and seat 14). Springs 96, 97 are positioned to push against respective flange couplings 83, 85 at end walls 73, 74 and a flange plate 98 of base 80a. Springs 96, 97 are each offset from pivot pins 93, 92 so as to impart a counterclockwise and clockwise biasing rotation to flange couplings 85 and 83 and tubes 16a, 16b, respectively, about base 80a to produce a vertical bouncing motion, as illustrated by the arrows B in FIG. 11C. Bumpers 99a, 99b are attached to the bases 80 to absorb shock when bases 80 touch the floor.
Preferably, a pair of horizontally extending compression springs 96, 97 are offset from pivots 92, 93 to provide bouncing motion. However, other biasing mechanisms may be employed without departing from the scope of invention. Bouncing motion may alternatively be provided by a variety of spring biasing means, provided anywhere between the flange couplings and base, such as torsion springs, extension springs, elastomeric springs, and other spring types which will be familiar to those skilled in the art. Examples include coupling a torsional spring between each of flange couplings 83, 85 and base 80a, or a flexible housing such as a rubber member or bendable plastic may be formed in or secured to base 80a for coupling flange couplings 83, 85 and tubes 16a, 16b to base 80a. As will be readily understood by the skilled artisan, each of these alternative embodiments are capable of providing a rotational bias between tubes 16a, 16b and base 80a for bouncing motion.
Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a base cover 102 is used to hold base connectors 82, 84 in base 80a. Base cover 102 is secured to base 80a by fasteners 110, through holes 108. Base cover 102 includes pivot holders 106, 107 for maintaining pivot pins 92, 93 in proper alignment in base 80a. Depressible button releases 112, 113 are mounted on base cover 102 to allow a user to re-position tubes 16a, 16b from a use position to a storage position. Button releases 112, 113 are attached to contact pads 104, 105 with fasteners 114, 115 and positioned adjacent to lower lock apertures 90, 91 to allow a user to push button locks 86, 87 inwardly so as to clear button locks 86, 87 from lower lock apertures 90, 91. Once clear of lower lock apertures 90, 91, tubes 16a, 16b may be rotated in relation to their respective flange couplings, 85, 83. Tubes 16a, 16b are rotatable about pivots 94, 95 when released from lower button lock apertures 90, 91. Upper lock apertures 88, 89 are slightly undersized to cause button locks 86, 87 to only partially extend through lock apertures 88, 89, thereby creating a partial locking condition for tubes 16a, 16b in the storage position which may be overcome by the user without providing corresponding upper button releases.
Referring to a non-use position of tubes 16a, 16b, FIG. 11A, a left and right safety spring 101, 100 is preferably positioned against tube proximal ends 18a, 18b to deter a user from placing a child in entertainer 10 without properly engaging button locks 86, 87 in lower button lock apertures 90, 91. Safety springs 100, 101 are preferably torsional springs disposed between base 80a and tube proximal ends 18b, 18a. Thus, safety springs 100, 101 bias tubes 16b, 16a away from a use position until a user manually overcomes the spring force to position tubes 16a, 16b in the downwardly extending, use position (as indicated by arrows A in FIG. 11A), thereby allowing button locks 86, 87 to properly extend through lock apertures 90, 91 to lock tubes 16a, 16b in the use position.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 14–15, seat 14 includes a seat ring 130 attached to a tray race 140 to allow seat 14 to rotate. Seat ring 130 includes wheels 132 attached to axle supports 134 located around the circumference of seat ring 130. A fabric covering 131 is attached to seat ring 130 using hooks 138 located around the outer periphery of the seat ring 130. Seat ring 130 is attached to tray race 140 by placing seat ring 130 over tray race 140 and pushing down on seat ring 130 until locking tabs 136 engage in tray 12. Seat 14 rotates freely around tray race 140, but may be locked in a stationary position using a locking mechanism (not shown).
Entertainer 10 is configurable between a use and storage position as follows. Tray 12 and seat 14 is configured from a use portion, FIG. 1, to a storage position, FIG. 2, by depressing release button 30 located at each of the front and rear tray connectors 28a, 28b and rotating tray 12 and seat 14 through an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the use position to the storage position, which corresponds to tray 12 and seat 14 extending in a generally vertical orientation. When positioned in the vertical orientation, button 30 will automatically release into hole 34, thereby locking tray 12 and seat 14 in the generally vertical position. Tubes 16a, 16b may then be configured in their storage position by depressing button lock releases 104, 105 located on each of the front and rear bases 80a, 80b so as to allow tubes 16a, 16b to rotate. Tubes 16a, 16b are then rotated upwards through an angle of approximately 90 degrees until tubes 16a, 16b partially lock in upper lock apertures. When positioned in the storage configuration, entertainer 10 can then be supported on base 80 and is furthermore self standing, FIG. 3. The position of tube distal ends 17a, 17b adjacent to tray 12 also provides a convenient hand hold for transporting entertainer 10.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the child activity chair of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Patent Grant
7044892
