CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to child walkers and particularly to child walkers using a suspended track system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Infant development has evolved over the years. Infants in the recent past infant jumpers have been developed that allow an infant to bounce unassisted. Such jumpers also allow an infant to stand and practice walking. Most of these systems are fixed in place jumpers that restrict the amount of actual walking an infant can accomplish. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,452 is A-frame device in which an infant, supported in a sling can bounce and walk in a line by rolling a pulley along the center ridge of the A-frame. Another model uses a clamp found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,056,977 to suspend a jumper from a doorframe of an open door. FIG. 1 is a depiction of this device in use, as prior art. Again, while allowing the child some limited movement, this device essentially keeps the child in one place.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,550 teaches a track system that attaches to a ceiling. A wheeled truck is placed in the track and a jumper harness is suspended from it. This allows the child to move along the length of the track. The problem here is that the design is limited to straight runs only and uses a harness designed to be used with that specific track system. Thus, people who might have bought one of the “on door” harnesses would not be able to use that harness on this track system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention overcomes these difficulties. It is a track system that uses a truck that can negotiate curves to allow a curved track system to be used. The track can be all curved, or can be a combination of straight and curved tracks. Finally, the track can be run as a straight track if desired. One key element of this system is an attachment bracket that is suspended from the truck that can accept different mounting systems. It is possible to use the clamp from U.S. Pat. No. 8,056,977, for example, meaning that a buyer does not necessarily have to purchase a new harness for use with this system.
The system is designed to be purchased as a kit. As such, buyers can choose from models that have a complete system0including a harness, or just a track system that can be used with an existing harness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a depiction of a child bouncer mounted on a doorframe as prior art.
FIG. 2 is a detail view of the clamp used in the device of FIG. 1, as prior art.
FIG. 3 is a detail view of the clamp of the device of FIG. 1 shown attached to a doorframe, as prior art.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a short length of straight track as part of the instant invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clamp bracket as part of the instant invention.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the clamp bracket with the guide truck mounted thereon.
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the clamp bracket and showing the guide truck mounted in the track.
FIG. 8 is a detail view of the stop screw.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the guide truck.
FIG. 10 is a top view of the guide truck.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the clamp bracket mounted in the track. This view shows the placement of the stop screw.
FIG. 12 is a side view of the clamp bracket locking plate.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the clamp bracket locking plate.
FIG. 14 is a front view of the clamp bracket locking plate.
FIG. 15 is a detail view of a length of curved track.
FIG. 16 is a detail view of the clamp bracket showing a bouncer clamp secured therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIG. 1, a depiction of a child bouncer mounted on a doorframe as prior art. This device is being discussed because the main invention is designed to be used with bouncers such as the one shown in FIG. 1. This bouncer has a seat 1000, a suspension system 1001, a suspension strap 1002, and a clamp system 1003. The clamp system is designed to be secured to a doorframe. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the clamp system 1003 as used with a doorframe. FIG. 2 is a detail view of a portion of the clamp system 1003 used in the device of FIG. 1, as prior art. Here a clamp arm 1004 is shown having a head 1005 with a hook 1006. This clamp arm is placed in a receptacle 1007 that is secured to a doorframe using fasteners 1008. FIG. 3 is a detail view of the clamp of the device of FIG. 1 shown attached to a doorframe, as prior art. In this view, the doorframe 1009 is shown. The receptacles 1007 are shown with the clamp arms 104 installed in them. In this way, the system is suspended, ready for use. As discussed above, the limitation f this system is that it is fixed in place on the doorframe. While it can be moved from place to place, when in use, it is limited to where it is installed.
As discussed above, the instant invention is a track system that can be mounted on any ceiling. This gives the infant, who s suspended in the seat of a bouncer, the ability to move about a room along the track. As discussed below, unlike other track systems, this system allows for curved tracks as well as the ability to use any type of suspension hook system available.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a short length of straight track 10 is shown. This track is the basic component of the system. The track 10 has a number of holes 11 in the top of the track to mount the track to a ceiling. Note that the track is generally square in shape and has an open slot 12 running along the bottom. Note too, in the preferred embodiment, each piece of track normally has length of four feet, although it can be made in eight and ten foot lengths as well.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clamp bracket 14 as part of the instant invention. This is the key to this device. The clamp bracket 14 is a rectangular box having a pair of opposed openings 15 cut into the side walls, as shown. Each side wall also has amounting hole for the locking plate 16 (see FIGS. 12-14 below). The clamp bracket 14 also has two mounting holes 17 for connecting the truck, which are considered, along with appropriate fasteners, to be a means for attaching the truck to the clamp bracket, as discussed below. Note too that the ends of the clamp bracket are open as shown.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the clamp bracket 14 with the guide truck 20 mounted thereon. Here, the clamp bracket 14 is shown from one of the open ends. Note that the locking plates 16 are shown in position. The truck 20 is secured to the top of the clamp bracket 14 using standard fasteners and the mounting holes 17.
FIG. 7 is a cut away view of the clamp bracket 14 and showing the locking plate 16 mounted in the clamp bracket. The figure also shows the truck 20 mounted in the track 10 with the stop 21 in place.
FIG. 8 is a detail view of the stop 21 that consists of a screw 22 and plate 23. This screw is simple fitted into the end of the track after the truck is installed, as a safety measure.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the guide truck 20. The truck 20 has a base plate 24 that has mounting holes 24a, a riser plate 25 and a pair of wheels 26, as shown. The wheels ride in the track and propel the unit forward.
FIG. 10 is a top view of the guide truck. The base plate 24 that has mounting holes 24a, a riser plate 25 and a pair of wheels 26, as shown
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the clamp bracket mounted in the track. This view shows the placement of the stop screw. Here, the clamp bracket 14 is shown in place under the track. As before, the truck 20 is inside the track 10. Note that the locking plates 16 are shown in the clamp bracket 14.
FIG. 12 is a side view of the clamp bracket locking plate 16. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the clamp bracket locking plate. FIG. 14 is a front view of the clamp bracket locking plate. In these views the locking plate 16 is shown. Each locking plate has a slot 16a that is used to place a fastener 16b through to secure it to the clamp bracket 14. The use of the locking bracket is shown below.
FIG. 15 is a detail view of a length of curved track. As noted above, this system can use curved track 30. This track has mounting holes 31 and has the same cross section as the straight track. This allows users to place a combination of straight and curved tracks to make different courses for the infant to follow. The use of the combination of straight and curved tracks makes this system unique.
FIG. 16 is a detail view of the clamp bracket showing a bouncer clamp secured therein. In this view, the clamp system 1003 of the prior art device is shown secured in the clamp bracket 14. Unlike the prior art system, there are no mounted receptacles to secure the clamp arms. However, after the clamp arms are placed in the holes 15 of the clamp bracket, the locking plates are lowered until the clamp arms are secured. The fasteners on the locking plates are tightened, locking the arms in place. Once secured, a child can move freely around a room following the track.
It is also possible to use other types of connectors to attach the baby sling to the clamp bracket. For example, a strap can pass through the openings 15 in the bracket and the strap can be secured with a clamp. Devices such as hooks, or even a straight bar can be used with the clamp bracket as well.
The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the invention without departing from the concept thereof.
Patent Grant
9321465
