1. Field of the Invention
Various embodiments of the present invention described herein generally relate to a child support device configured for providing an adjustable seating space for a child.
2. Description of Related Art
Seat inserts are frequently used to adjust the seating volume of child support devices in order to accommodate children of different ages and sizes. For example, loose cushions are often placed in a seating area to provide additional support for smaller children. However, these loose cushions may slide or shift within the seating area and, as a result, can be uncomfortable and may cause a child to have an undesirable posture. Other seat inserts are configured to wrap around a child within the seating area, but provide limited adjustability and can often take up too much volume within a seating area. In addition, such seat inserts may inhibit the movement of a child's arms or upper body. In addition, many seat inserts incorporate complex attachment and/or removal mechanisms that can make it difficult for a parent to secure such inserts within a seating area.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved child seat insert configured to provide improved support, stability, and comfort for a child, and which is easy for a parent to attach to, or remove from, a child support device.
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a child support device configured for providing an adjustable seating space for a child. In various embodiments, the child support device comprises a frame including a seat member at least partially surrounding a seating space for a child, the seat member including one or more fasteners, and a seat insert configured for being removably attached to the seat member in order to reduce the volume of the seating space. In various embodiments, the seat insert includes one or more mating fasteners configured for releasably engaging the seat member's one or more fasteners in order to removably attach the seat insert to the seat member, and, when the seat insert is attached to the seat member, the seat insert is secured in a substantially fixed relationship to the seat member.
In addition, various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a child support device configured for providing an adjustable seating space for a child in which the child support device comprises a frame including a seat member at least partially surrounding a seating space for a child, and at least one pocket operatively connected to the seat member and configured for receiving a void-filling material. In various embodiments, the at least one pocket is positioned relative to the seat member such that, when the void-filling material is disposed within the pocket, the pocket reduces the volume of the seating space.
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Overview
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a child support device configured for providing an adjustable seating space for a child. According to various embodiments, the child support device generally includes one or more seat inserts configured for being secured within the child support device's seating space. The seat inserts may be positioned at various locations within the seating space in order to reduce the volume of the seating space and provide additional support for a child seated therein. The seat inserts may be used, for example, to adjust the seating space in order to securely and comfortably accommodate children of different sizes.
As described in greater detail below, various embodiments of the child seat inserts described herein may be positioned in a frontal portion of the seating space to provide abdominal support for a child, and/or in a rearward portion of the seating space to provide back support for a child. To ensure stable and consistent support, various embodiments of the child seat inserts are configured for being securely attached to the child support device with fasteners or for being disposed within pockets provided in the seating space. In addition, the various attachment devices and methods described herein enable a user (e.g., a parent) to easily attach the seat inserts to, or remove the seat inserts from, the child support device.
According to various embodiments, the seat inserts described herein may be adapted for use with a variety of child support devices, including children's jumpers, entertainers, bouncers, high chairs, swing seats, and other children's devices having a seating space for a child. Although specific embodiments are described below, it will be appreciated that the various features described herein may be adapted for use with any suitable child support device.
Child Support Device with Seat Insert
According to various embodiments, the seat member 7 is adapted for receiving one or more seat inserts in order to adjust the volume of the seating space 9.
The seat member 7 includes a pair of front slots 11 defined on a frontal portion of the seat member 7 and a pair of rear slots 12 defined on a rearward portion of the seat member 7. Each of the slots 11, 12 generally comprises a recessed portion of the seat member's inner surface 13 and is configured to function as a fastener by being dimensioned to receive a portion of a seat insert. As will be appreciated from the description herein, the seat member 7 may be formed from molded plastic or any other material of suitable strength and rigidity, and may be operatively connected to the frame 4 (e.g., by one or more fasteners). In other embodiments, the seat member 7 may be defined as part of the frame 4 (e.g., where the frame 4 and seat member 7 are formed from a single molded part).
As shown in
As will be appreciated from the description herein, the slots 11, 12, protrusions 24, resilient members 27, and ridges 28 are together configured to function as fasteners for removably attaching the seat insert 20 to the seat member 7. However, according to various other embodiments, a variety of different fastening devices may be adapted for securing the seat insert 20 to the seat member 7 (e.g., snaps, magnets, clamps).
In addition, as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment of
After attaching the seat insert 20 to the seat member 7, the removable sling 8 may be secured to the seat member 7 as shown in
As will be appreciated from the description provided herein, various modifications to the child support device 2 may be made within the scope of the present invention. In addition, according to various embodiments, the profile and shape of the seat insert 20 and seat member 7 may differ in order to be adapted to child support devices having seating areas with various shapes and profiles. For example, in certain embodiments, the seat member 7 may only partially surround the seating space 9 (e.g., where the seat member 7 has a crescent shape). In certain embodiments, additional (or less) slots may be provided on the seat member 7 in order to accommodate seat inserts 20 positioned at different locations around the seat member 7. In such embodiments, the profile of the seat inserts 20 may be modified to comfortably support various parts of a child (e.g., lateral seat inserts configured to engage the sides of a child). In a particular embodiment, the seat member 7 defines only the front slots 11 such that the seat insert 20 can only be attached in a frontal position within the seat member 7. In addition, in certain embodiments, the seat member 7 may define a seating surface configured to support a child positioned in the seating space 9 (e.g., as an alternative or in addition to the sling 8). In such embodiments the seat member 7 may comprise, for example, a single molded plastic member defining a child seat in addition to the above-described features.
In other embodiments, the child support device's seat member 7 and sling 8 may be adapted for receiving other types of seat inserts. For example,
Each of the pockets 30a, 30b are dimensioned for receiving cushioning members 35a, 35b. In one embodiment, the cushioning members 35a, 35b each comprise a flexible outer shell (e.g., formed from a flexible fabric, such as nylon) and an internal fill material (e.g., polyfoam batting). The cushioning members 35a, 35b are generally configured for providing a comfortable, supportive cushion for a child positioned in the seating space 9. In various other embodiments, the cushioning members may comprise custom-sized pillows or memory foam inserts. However, according to various embodiments, the pockets 30a, 30b may be filled with any suitable void-filling material or insert capable of fitting in the pockets 30a, 30b. For example, in various embodiments, substantially rigid inserts (e.g., plastic inserts, rubber inserts) or loose material (e.g., polystyrene beads) may be provided in the pockets 30a, 30b. In addition, in certain embodiments, the pockets 30a, 30b may be lined with a padded material.
In other embodiments, the pockets 30a, 30b may be provided directly on a seating surface connected to the frame 4. For example, in embodiments in which the seat member 7 defines a seating surface configured to support a child positioned in the seating space 9, the pockets 30a, 30b may be provided directly on the seat member's seating surface. In addition, as will be appreciated from the description provided herein, various modifications to the orientation, shape, material, position, number, and construction of the pockets 30a, 30b and cushioning material 35a, 35b may be made within the scope of the present invention.
Conclusion
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
This application claims priority from provisional U.S. Application No. 61/453,395 entitled “Child Support Device with Insert,” which was filed on Mar. 16, 2011, and from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/534,123 entitled “Child Support Device with Insert,” which was filed on Sep. 13, 2011, the entirety of which are herein incorporated by reference.
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