Patent Application
20130119725
The present invention relates to an infant support.
Infant bouncer seats typically include a toy bar that extends over the seating area. While entertaining a child and stimulating hand and eye movement, such configurations typically do not encourage leg/feet movement. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an infant bouncer with an activity that encourages leg movement.
The present invention is directed toward an infant bouncer including a base frame and a support assembly having a frame and a pliable support suspended from the frame. The pliable support includes a head support portion and a foot support potion. The foot support potion includes an interactive feature operable to be engaged by the feet of an infant positioned in the bouncer.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
Referring to
The base section 210 contacts and supports the back 215 and leg 220 sections over a supporting surface (e.g., the floor). The base section 210 includes a first lateral member 225A and second lateral member 225B connected via intermediate bridge member 230 at lateral member proximal ends. The distal ends of the first 225A and second 225B lateral members are coupled to first 235A and second 235B side members, respectively. The side members 235A, 235B, each coupled to its respective lateral member 225A, 225B via a coupling member 240, extend upward from the supporting surface at a predetermined angle. In addition, the side members 235A, 235B are angled inward, toward each other (i.e., toward the central longitudinal axis of the support 10).
The base section 210 may be formed of flexible and/or resilient material to enable movement of the side members 235A, 235B with respect to the supporting surface (e.g., via the movements of an infant positioned with the support 10). As such, the seating area may rock with respect to the supporting surface.
The back support section 215 may be a generally-U-shaped structure defined by a first lateral portion 245A, a curved intermediate portion 250, and a second lateral portion 245B. A first hub 255A is coupled to the first lateral portion 245A and, similarly, a second hub 255B is coupled to the second lateral portion 245B. Each hub 255A, 255B includes a socket 260 that receives clips disposed on the activity bar 110.
In an embodiment, the curved intermediate portion 250 may be angled out of the plane including the first 245A and second 245B lateral portions. As best seen in
The back support section 215 may be formed of generally rigid material such as hollow metal rods.
The leg support section 220 extends forward from the side members 235A, 235B, being coupled proximate the side member distal ends (e.g. proximate (below) the hubs 255A, 255B of the back support section 215). The leg support section 220 includes a generally arcuate member 265 extending from the first side member 235A to the second side member 235B. A sensory output device 270 may be coupled to the arcuate member 265. The sensory output device 270 may include components operable to produce sound (music, sound effects, etc.). In addition or alternatively, the sensory output device 270 may house a vibration device.
The pliable support 115 couples to the frame 205 (the pliable support 115 includes an internal pocket into which the frame sections 215, 220 are inserted) such that a seating area is formed that is sufficient to support an infant thereon (i.e., the pliable support cooperates with the frame 205 to define the seat pocket). As shown in
The torso support section 325 generally supports the torso of an infant positioned on the support. The torso support section 325 may include a harness 335 and/or a belt 340 that cooperate to secure an infant within the seating area of the support 10.
The leg support section 320 generally supports the legs and feet of an infant seated on the support 10. The leg support section 320 includes an interactive feature to encourage movement of the infant's legs and feet when seated on the support 10. In an embodiment, the leg section 320 of the pliable support 305 includes a first activity area 345 and a second activity area 350 disposed proximate the lower end of the body 305. The activity areas 345, 350 include an interactive feature such as a sensory output device. By way of example, the interactive feature is a mechanical device such as a mechanical sound generating device operable to generate sensory output. By way of specific example, the mechanical sound generating device is a rattle, a bell device, a crinkle material, a horn, etc.
The interactive mechanical feature may be captured and/or embedded with the pliable support 115. Referring to
With this configuration, the interactive feature (e.g., the mechanical sound generating device) is capable of being engaged by the feet of an infant positioned within the child receiving assembly. As such, an infant is encouraged to move her feet in an effort to engage the feature 375 to produce sensory stimulating output.
The pliable support 115 may be formed of any material suitable for its described purposed. By way of example, the pliable support 115 is formed of a softgoods material such as cotton. Similarly, the pliable support 115 may possess any shaped or dimensions suitable for its described purpose.
The activity bar 110 couples to the frame 205 via the frame hubs 255A, 255B. Referring to
One or more toys 420 may be suspended from the activity bar 110 at an appropriate height for a seated infant to interact with the toy. For example, plush or rigid character toys may hang from the intermediate portion 410 of the activity bar 110. The toys 420 may be removably attached from the activity bar 110. In addition, the toys 420 may generate sensory output such as lights and sounds. The activity bar 110 may further house electronics and a power source to enable the production of electronic sensory output such as lights and sound (e.g., music and sound effects).
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, although a infant seat with a bouncer frame has been specifically described, other types of infant seats could benefit from the features of the invention. It is to be understood that terms such as “left”, “right” “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, “inner”, “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.
This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/533,464, entitled “Infant Support”, filed Sep. 12, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61533464 | Sep 2011 | US |
