TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
The present disclosed subject matter is directed to an infant's seat. More particularly the disclosure is concerned with an infant seat manipulable between several operative positions.
BACKGROUND
Infant support seats and bouncer are well known for supporting an infant at a reclining or upright position, or at one or more intermediate positions. They may be capable of rocking/bouncing an infant therewithin, e.g., for imparting a soothing effect thereto.
US 2004/0217643 discloses an infant seat that provides a stable, enhanced seating position for an infant and includes a sensory stimulus unit with a slide switch that, when actuated, effectuates a change in visual appearance of the stimulus unit and a corresponding change in the sensory output.
US 2013/0214573 discloses a collapsible infant bouncer comprising a support assembly configured with a pair of intersecting support rods pivotally articulated to one another. Each support rod is configured with at least a top link and a bottom link foldable about a folding joint, and a flexible seating member mounted on the support assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,794 discloses an infant seat comprising an upper torso support, a lower torso support pivotally articulated to the upper torso support and a seat supporting structure; at least one of the upper torso support or the lower torso support is pivotally articulated to the seat supporting structure, the seat further comprising a converting mechanism for converting the seat between at least an angular position in which the upper torso support is inclined with respect to the lower torso support, and a planar position in which the upper torso support and the lower torso support are substantially co-planar.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure is directed to an infant seat comprising a seat portion and a support structure, the seat being manipulable between at least a collapsed position, a bouncing position and a high position.
According to one configuration of the disclosure, the infant seat comprises:
- a support member;
- a bearing frame pivotally articulated at one end to the support member;
- a seat frame configured to be fitted with a seating member and pivotally articulated to the bearing frame at an opposite end thereof; and
- a locking arrangement configured for setting a first angle between the bearing frame and the support member and a second angle between the bearing frame and the seat frame;
wherein the infant seat being manipulable between two or more different positions by increasing or decreasing at least one of said angles.
According to another configuration of the disclosure, the infant seat comprises:
- a support member;
- a bearing frame pivotally articulated at one end to the support member;
- a seat frame configured to be fitted with a seating member and pivotally articulated to the bearing frame at an opposite end thereof; and
- at least one locking mechanism configured for setting a first angle between the bearing frame and the support member and a second angle between the bearing frame and the seat frame;
wherein the infant seat being manipulable between two or more different positions by increasing or decreasing at least one of said angles.
The locking arrangement can comprise a first locking mechanism configured for setting the first angle extending and a second locking mechanism configured for setting the second angle.
The infant seat can further comprise a selectively operable bouncing mechanism articulated to one of the bearing frame and the seat frame, said infant seat being manipulable between at least a collapsed position, a bouncing position and a high position.
The infant seat can be manipulable between at least a collapsed position, a bouncing position and a high position.
At the collapsed position the infant seat is configured for occupying minimum space for stow and transportation purposes.
The arrangement is such that the infant seat has a Z-like configuration and is manipulable between a flattened, stowing configuration, at its collapsed position, and an extended configuration at its high position.
Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be incorporated in an infant's seat according to the present disclosure, in single form or in combinations thereof:
- The support member can be a frame or a platform;
- The seat can be detachably attached to the seat frame;
- A supporting system can extend between the seat frame and the bearing frame, for manipulating the second angle;
- The first angle and the second angle are acute angles;
- At the collapsed position the seat frame is disposed substantially parallel and in close proximity to the bearing frame, and the bearing frame is disposed substantially parallel and in close proximity to the support structure;
- Any one or more of the support member and the bearing frame and the seat frame can be configured as a U-shaped frame;
- The support member is configured for bearing over a ground surface;
- The bouncing mechanism can be articulated to either the seat frame and the support frame;
- The bouncing mechanism can be manipulated between an operative position and an inoperative position, wherein manipulating into the operative position is possible only when the infant seat is at the bouncing position, and wherein such engagement is deactivated when the infant seat is at either of its high positions;
- The bouncing mechanism can be configured as an elastic wire;
- The bouncing mechanism can be configured as a piston spring;
- The bouncing mechanism can be configured for bearing against the support frame;
- A seat support extending between the bearing frame and the seat frame. Optionally, a safety mechanism associated with the seat support, the safety mechanism can be configured, whereby the seat frame can reside at an operative position, angularly spaced from the bearing frame, upon engaging of the safety mechanism, thereby preventing spontaneous angular displacement of the seat frame with respect to the bearing frame;
- The safety mechanism can comprise a first arresting member articulated to a portion of the seat frame and a second arresting member articulated to the bearing frame, and whereby retaining the infant seat at any position other than the collapsed position requires locking engagement between the first arresting member and the second arresting member;
- The safety mechanism can comprise an arresting member articulated at a first arresting end to a portion of the seat frame and at a second arresting end to the bearing frame, whereby one or both said first arresting end and second arresting end are displaceable along the respective seat frame and bearing frame and are configured for arresting at distinct positions, whereby at any position other than the collapsed position the first arresting end and second arresting end are engaged with the respective seat frame and the bearing frame;
- The locking mechanism can be a ratchet type mechanism;
- A unitary locking mechanism can be associated with any pivot joint, disposed between the support member and the bearing frame and the seat frame, respectively;
- A locking mechanism can be associated at each side of the infant seat, between the support member and the bearing frame and the seat frame, respectively. According to other configurations, multiple locking mechanisms can be simultaneously manipulated, e.g. by Bowden cables;
- The infant seat can be configured with a vibrating mechanism;
- The bouncing mechanism is functional only when the infant seat is at the bouncing position, whilst at any one or more high positions, then the bouncing mechanism is inactive;
- The infant seat can be prevented from manipulation from a collapsed position directly to a high position and vice versa, without being manipulated to a bouncing position therebetween.
- The infant seat can have two different positions such that each of the first angle and the second angle in one position are different from the corresponding first angle and the second angle in other position.
- The infant seat can have two different positions such that only one of the first angle or the second angle in one position is different from the corresponding angle in the other position and the other angle remains constant between the two positions.
- The infant seat can have two high positions, defined by said second angle between the bearing frame with respect to the seat frame, so that in a first high position said second angle is β2 and in a second high position said second angle is β3, wherein β2<β3. The infant seat can further be prevented from being manipulated from the second high position directly to the bouncing position, without first being manipulated to the first high position, and vice versa.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1A is a side view of an infant seat, according to a first example of the disclosure, at a collapsed position thereof;
FIG. 1B is a perspective of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2A is a side view of the seat of FIG. 1A, at a bouncing position thereof;
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of FIG. 2A;
FIG. 3A is a side view of the seat of FIG. 1A, at a first high position thereof;
FIG. 3B is a perspective view of FIG. 3A;
FIG. 4A is a side view of the seat of FIG. 1A, at a second high position thereof;
FIG. 4B is a perspective view of FIG. 4A;
FIG. 5A is a rear isometric view of the seat of FIG. 2A
FIG. 5B is an enlarged portion, at a rear view, of the seat of FIG. 2A, aimed at the safety mechanism;
FIGS. 6A to 6D illustrate consecutive steps of interlocking the safety mechanism seen in FIG. 5B
FIG. 7A is a close-up of the portion marked II in FIG. 4A, at the first high position; and
FIG. 7B is a close-up of the portion marked II in FIG. 4A, at the second high position;
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of another example of the infant seat;
FIGS. 8B and 8C are perspective views of a mechanism of the infant seat illustrated in FIG. 8A; and
FIG. 8D is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 8A, viewed from a lower perspective.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 to 5B show an infant seat according to an example of the present disclosure and generally designated 130.
The infant seat 130 comprises a support member 132 configured as a U-like shaped frame with an interconnecting bar 134. In the illustrated example the support member 132 is in the form of a rigid, light-weight frame. It is however appreciated that other forms can be configured, either as platforms (surfaces) or otherwise shaped frames.
A rigid bearing frame 138, configured as a U-like shaped frame, is pivotally articulated at one end thereof to the support member 132, through a pivot link 142 disposed at each end of the respective ends of the bearing frame 138 and the support member 132. The pivot links 142 are connected by a connecting rod 133 (FIG. 9A), which is fitted with a first locking mechanism 144.
The first locking mechanism 144 comprises a handle 135 such that its activation is performed by a single action, i.e. by pressing the handle 135.
The first locking mechanism 144 facilitates arresting the bearing frame 138 at a varying first angle α, whereby the bearing frame 138 can be manipulated between collapsed position, extending parallel or near to parallel to the support member 132, defined by angle α1 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) and at least two operative positions, namely a bouncing position, defined by angle α2 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) and one or more high positions defined by angle α3, such as a reclined high position (FIGS. 3A and 3B) and an inclined high position (4A and 4B), wherein α1<α2<α3.
A rigid seat frame 150 is pivotally articulated at 154 to a second, opposite end, of the bearing frame 138, said seat frame 150 is configured with a seat 156, said seat being a seating member designed and shaped for comfortable accommodating an infant seated therein. Appropriate harnessing 158, buckles, etc., may be provided, e.g., for safety of the infant. A second angle β extends between seat frame 150 and the support member 132.
According to a further example, not illustrated, the support member can be configured with arched arms or with a convex dome, such that the infant seat can rock thereover. Vibrating can be prevented by provision of arresting members configured for canceling the arched vibrating surface and sturdily engaging a ground surface.
It is appreciated that a seating member is desired for its many advantages, including, among others, its light weight, being easily foldable, ventilating properties, detachable for purpose of washing, replaceable, etc. However, it is appreciated that other seat forms are possible (not shown).
According to some examples, the seat frame 150 is further supported over the bearing frame 138 by a seat support, which in the present example is in the form of a pair of a support frame assembly generally designated 157, extending between the seat frame 150 and the bearing frame 138. As can be seen in detail in FIGS. 6A to 6D, the support frame 157 comprises a seat bracket 159 pivotally articulated to the seat frame 150 by rods 161 at pivot joints 163 (FIGS. 1A to 4B), and a bearing bracket 165 (FIGS. 6A to 6D) pivotally and swingable articulated to the bearing frame 138 through coupler unit 167.
Whilst seat bracket 159 pivotally articulated to the seat frame 150, bearing bracket 165 can be pivotally and swingable articulated to the bearing frame 138. Thus, bearing bracket 165 can be lockingly arrested at two distinct pivotal positions as will be discussed hereinafter.
The bearing bracket 165 is configured with a female locking member in the form of socket 171 and the seat bracket 159 is configured with a corresponding male locking member in the form of a plunger portion 177 configured for snug locking engagement within socket 171 (FIGS. 6B and 6C). It is noted that the seat bracket 159 comprises a resilient press knob 179 configured for locking within corresponding locking window 181 of the bearing bracket 165, wherein disengagement from one another is facilitated by depressing the press knob 179 and pulling the plunger portion 177 out of the socket 171 (arrow 181 in FIG. 6C).
Also noted, the infant seat 130 can assume an operative position suitable for accommodating an infant, only when the support frame 157 is assembled and locked. Accordingly, an attempt to erect the infant seat 130 whilst the support frame 157 is disconnected (FIG. 6D) is not possible since the bearing bracket 165 is disposed upside down, i.e. with the socket 171 facing away from the plunger 177. Yet, an attempt to erect the infant seat with the support frame 157 not completely assembled and locked (FIG. 6C) will result in spontaneous locking thereof, i.e. sliding displacement of plunger 177 in direction of arrow 183 (FIG. 6C), into the locked position (FIG. 6A).
With further reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, and as already mentioned, bracket 165 is also swingable, whereby axle 191 is supported to coupler joint 167. Axle 191 is configured at its respective ends with a swing arm portion 211, pivotally secured to the coupler joints 167 and displaceable between a first position (FIG. 7A), and a second position (FIG. 7B), corresponding with the first, reclined, high position (FIGS. 3A and 3B), and the second, inclined, high position (FIGS. 4A and 4B).
A second locking mechanism 160 is configured at the support frame 157 over axle 191, for arresting thereof and preventing spontaneous displacement of the support frame 157, whereby manipulating thereof between the first reclined high position and the second inclined high position can be facilitated upon unlocking the second locking mechanism 160.
It is thus appreciated that swinging displacement of the axle 191 between its distinct positions (FIGS. 7A and 7B) determines the inclination of the seat frame 150 with respect to the bearing frame 138, i.e. determine the second angle β.
In the illustrated example, the seat frame 150 is pivotally displaceable between a collapsed position (FIGS. 1A and 1B), defined by angle β1 wherein the seat frame 150 is flush or substantially parallel with respect to the bearing frame 138, and two distinct inclined positions, namely a reclined high position, defined by angle β2 (FIGS. 7A and 7B), and an inclined high position, defined by angle β3 (FIGS. 4A and 4B), wherein β1<β2<β3. It is seen that in the particular example, at the bouncing position (FIGS. 1A and 1B) the angle β is similar to angle β2 of the reclined high position, (FIGS. 3A and 3B).
A bouncing mechanism according to the present example comprises a bouncing frame assembly 166 (best seen in FIG. 9A), articulated at a rear portion of the bearing frame 138 and configured for bearing at only a bouncing position, over the support frame 132. The arrangement is such that the bouncing mechanism is functional only when the seat 130 is at its bouncing position (FIGS. 2A and 2B), and is dysfunctional at either its high positions (FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B), as the bouncing frame is disengaged from the support frame 132. Thus, at the bouncing position, the bouncing frame 166 comes to bear over the support member 32, thus facilitating bouncing of the seat 130. However, when the bouncing frame 166 is disengaged from the support frame 132 (at either its high positions), the seat will not bounce.
It should be appreciated that the bouncing assembly can be similar to the bouncing assembly 166 described above or can be any other arrangement, constituting a part of, or articulated to, the bearing frame 138, or the support member 132.
The infant seat 130 of the present disclosure is manipulable between its positions, as follows:
A collapsed position (FIGS. 1A and 1B)—at this position the infant seat 130 is flattened so as to consume minimal space, rendering it suitable for storage/stowing/carrying. This is substantially a non-operative position, i.e. not suitable for seating an infant;
A bouncing position (FIGS. 2A and 2B)—at this position the infant seat is at a first operative position, which is useful for seating an infant and also soothing, owing to bouncing of the seat. Displacing the seat from the collapsed position into the bouncing position takes place by unlocking the locking mechanism 144 and pulling the seat frame 150 upwards (in direction of arrow 170 in FIG. 1A) whereby seat frame 150 pivots to assume angle β2 with respect to bearing frame 138 and the later pivots to assume angle β2 with respect to the support member 132, so that the bouncing pistons 166 bear over the support frame 132. Then, the support frame 157 should be assembled and locked as discussed hereinbefore in connection with FIGS. 10A to 10D. Once set into the bouncing position, the seat frame 150 and the bearing frame 138 will retain their positions as the locking mechanism 144 at the pivot links 142 and the support frame 157 are locked.
A first high position (FIGS. 3A and 3B)—this is a so-called reclined high position. Unlocking the locking mechanism 144 and further pulling the seat frame 150 upwards, in direction of arrow 174 (FIG. 3A) entails further angular disposition of the bearing frame 138 with respect to the support member 132, thus obtaining angle α3. However, the bearing frame 138 remains locked and the axle 191 is at its first position (FIG. 7A), whereby angle β2 remains. This results in tilting of the seat frame 150 into a reclined, almost horizontal position. It is appreciated that at this position the bouncing frame 166 is disengaged from the support frame 132, so that the bouncing mechanism becomes inactive.
A second high position (FIGS. 4A and 4B)—this is a so-called inclined high position. Manipulating the infant seat 130 into this position takes place by unlocking the second locking mechanism 160 and swinging/tilting the axle 191 with the support frame 157 articulated thereto upwards, in direction of arrow 176 (FIG. 7A), resulting in an increased angle β3 between the seat frame 150 and the bearing frame 138, and however without altering angle α3 between the bearing frame 138 and the support member 132. At this position the seat obtains a somewhat inclined position, resembling a high seat. Also at this position the bouncing pistons 166 is disengaged, so that the bouncing mechanism becomes inactive.
It should be appreciated that the above arrangement allows a complete separation between the mechanism which is responsible for manipulating between the first high position and the second high position, i.e. increasing angle β from β2 to β3, and the mechanism responsible for manipulating the angle α. Thus, in such arrangement it is prevented from a user to unintentionally manipulate the seat to a second high position, while activating the locking mechanism 144.
Also, the above arrangement is such that the seat cannot be manipulated from the second high position to the bouncing position without passing first through the first high position, and similarly cannot be manipulated from the bouncing position directly to the second high position.
Collapsing the infant seat from any of its erect, operative positions into a previous state requires unlocking both the first locking mechanisms 160 and detaching the support frame, namely detaching seat bracket 159 from the bearing bracket 165.
According to a particular configuration of the disclosure, the first locking mechanism 144 and the second, sliding locking mechanism 160, are normally disposed at their locked position and will momentarily unlock upon manipulation thereof. According to yet a particular example, the locking mechanisms can be configured for simultaneous unlocking, e.g. by Bowden cables, etc.
It should be appreciated that in the collapsed position the first locking mechanism 144 and the second, sliding locking mechanism 160 do not have to be normally locked. The first locking mechanism 144 and the second, sliding locking mechanism 160 can be configured with means for locking thereof in the collapsed position of the seat. Alternatively, the infant seat 130 can comprise one or more additional locking mechanisms configured for locking the first locking mechanism 144 and/or the second, sliding locking mechanism 160 in the collapsed position of the seat.
The infant seat 130 is further configured with an electronic vibrating mechanism 180 (FIGS. 1A and 2B), which in the present configuration is part of the pivot support between the seat frame 150 and the bearing frame 138. The vibrating mechanism can be configured with an electronic circuitry comprising a timer, a vibrating pattern selector, a music/sound processor etc.
According a modification, the infant seat 130 is provided with a mechanism disposed at 154 (i.e., adjacent one or both ends of the seat frame 150 and the bearing frame 138) configured to support the seat frame 150 over the bearing frame 138, thus obviating the need for, and allowing the infant seat to be provided without, a seat support 157 such as described above and illustrated, e.g., in FIGS. 1A through 4B.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the mechanism may be disposed within a housing 200 which holds therein an end of one of the seat frame 150 and the bearing frame 138 (the mechanism will be described herein with reference to the housing holding therein an end of the seat frame; it will be appreciated that the infant seat 130 may be provided wherein the housing holds therein an end of the bearing frame without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter, mutatis mutandis).
As illustrated in FIGS. 8B (in which the cover 200 is removed) and 8C (in which both the cover 200 and the vibrating member 180 are removed), the mechanism, which is generally indicated at 202, comprises a drive gear member 204, a driven gear member 206, and an operating cable 208 having an enlarged end (not illustrated), for example having a generally spherical shape with a cross-sectional diameter somewhat larger than that of the operating cable.
The drive gear member 204 is formed with a toothed side 210 and a non-toothed side 212, and a groove 214 below the toothed side 210 terminating in a catch 216, for example having a chamber 218 sized so as to accommodate the enlarged end of the operating cable 208, and an opening 220 to the groove 214 which is large enough to accommodate the operating cable therethrough, but small enough to block passage of its enlarged end. The drive gear member 204 is in fixed disposition relative to the bearing frame 138, for example mounted to a post 210 connected to or formed with the vibrating mechanism 180.
The driven gear member 206 is rigidly mounted to the seat frame 150, and meshes with the toothed side of the 210 of the drive gear member 204.
The operating cable 208 is threaded through the bearing frame 138, exiting therefrom at an aperture 222, and wrapping around tension members 224a, 224b, which are similarly fixed disposition relative to the bearing frame 138. As illustrated in FIG. 8D, the other end of the operating cable 208 is received within one of the pivot links 142, for example within a round end of the bottom of the bearing frame 138, and is secured by a catch 226 which is rigidly connected to (e.g., formed as part of) an element of the infant seat 130 which does not move with the bearing frame, such as the support member 132 or interconnecting bar 134.
In operation, when the bearing frame 138 is raised or lowered with respect to the support member 132, resulting in a change in first angle α between the support member and the bearing frame, the operating cable 208 is pulled in a corresponding direction to rotate the drive gear member 204, thereby rotating the driven gear member 206, and changing the second angle β between the bearing frame and the seat frame 150 a predetermined amount, for example the same amount. Thus the infant seat may be designed such that there is a fixed relationship between first angle α and second angle β.
The elements of the mechanism may be designed such that the seat frame 150, and thus the position of the infant, is always at a fixed angle relative to the floor (such as fully reclined, sitting up), irrespective of the height of the seat frame, as determined by the position of the bearing frame. The infant seat 130 may be designed with a fixed predetermined position of the seat frame 150, or such that the angle may be adjusted, but remain in the adjusted position even when the bearing frame 138.
Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention mutatis mutandis.
Patent Application
20160157633
