U.S. patent application number 13/153623 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-29 for child exercise seat.
Invention is credited to Michael T. Kane, John Kearney, Jennifer M. Long, Kyle Nanna.
Application Number | 20110237411 13/153623 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39875978 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110237411 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nanna; Kyle ; et
al. |
September 29, 2011 |
CHILD EXERCISE SEAT
Abstract
A child exercise device including a base assembly, a kick panel
support assembly, a kick panel assembly, and a seat assembly. The
base assembly includes a housing and a plurality of tracks oriented
substantially parallel to each other. The kick panel support
assembly is supported by the base and includes a plate coupled to
the housing and a front panel coupled to the plate, the front panel
having a plurality of apertures. The kick panel assembly is
received by the plurality of apertures and includes a frame and a
panel supported by the frame. The seat assembly includes a seat
adapted to support the child and a plurality of wheels coupled to
the seat and adapted to be received in one of the tracks in the
base.
Inventors: |
Nanna; Kyle; (Westwood,
MA) ; Long; Jennifer M.; (Providence, RI) ;
Kearney; John; (North Attleboro, MA) ; Kane; Michael
T.; (Fairport, NY) |
Family ID: |
39875978 |
Appl. No.: |
13/153623 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12596329 |
Oct 16, 2009 |
7963896 |
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PCT/US2008/061322 |
Apr 23, 2008 |
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13153623 |
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60913478 |
Apr 23, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/133 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/107
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/133 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00 |
Claims
1. A child exercise device comprising: a base; a seat configured to
support the child, the seat glidingly coupled to the base; a plate
coupled to the base and positioned between the base and the seat;
and a panel coupled to the plate and transversely oriented with
respect to the plate; wherein the seat is configured to move away
from the panel when the child exerts a force on the panel.
2. The child exercise device of claim 1 wherein the base includes a
track and further wherein the seat is configured to glide along a
path defined by the track in the base.
3. The child exercise device of claim 2 wherein one of the base and
the seat includes a wheel.
4. The child exercise device of claim 1 wherein the seat glides in
a first direction and wherein the force is in a direction opposite
to the first direction.
5. The child exercise device of claim 1 wherein the seat includes a
housing and a frame supported by the housing, the frame forming a
backrest, and wherein the frame is oriented at an angle with
respect to the housing.
6. The child exercise device of claim 5 wherein the angle of the
frame with respect to the housing is obtuse.
7. The child exercise device of claim 1 further comprising a power
source and a motor coupled to the plate.
8. The child exercise device of claim 7 wherein the motor is
adapted to impart vibration to the seat when a force is applied to
the panel.
9. The child exercise device of claim 7 wherein the panel includes
a light source powered by the power source, and wherein the light
source is activated when a force is applied to the panel.
10. The child exercise device of claim 1 wherein the base includes
a plurality of legs coupled to an underside surface thereof.
11. A child exercise device comprising: a base; a seat configured
to support the child, the seat glidingly coupled to the base; a
panel coupled to the base and transversely oriented with respect to
the base; and a vibration module coupled to the seat and the panel,
the vibration module configured to impart vibrations to the seat
when the child exerts a predetermined amount of force on the
panel.
12. The child exercise device of claim 11 wherein the seat is
configured to move away from the panel when the child exerts the
force on the panel.
13. The child exercise device of claim 11 wherein the seat is
adapted to glide along a path defined by a track in the base when
the child exerts the force on the panel.
15. The child exercise device of claim 11 wherein the seat includes
a housing and a frame supported by the housing, the frame forming a
backrest, and wherein the frame is oriented at an angle with
respect to the housing.
16. The child exercise device of claim 15 wherein the angle of the
frame with respect to the housing is obtuse.
17. The child exercise device of claim 11 further comprising a
light source coupled to the panel, and wherein the light source is
activated when a force is applied to the panel.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority to
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/596,329, which is a national
phase application of International Application No.
PCT/US2008/061322, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/913,478, filed on Apr. 23, 2007, titled CHILD
EXERCISE SEAT, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Infants today spend a large percentage of their time in a
sitting position in "seats" such as car seats, strollers, swings,
bouncers, etc.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one embodiment, the invention provides a device featuring
a child-activated inclined seat to help develop leg and core
muscles and motor development. The seat can include a three-point
harness that secures the child in the seat. The seat can include a
seat pad having soft batting to cushion the child. The seat can
also include a kick panel that the child uses to push against, thus
generating a backward motion of the seat.
[0004] The seat is operable to move smoothly in a gliding motion by
action of a plurality of supporting wheels. Gliding motion is the
back and forth motion in generally the same plane of movement,
whereas swinging motion is movement in an arc-like pattern.
[0005] A number of toys can be mounted on the kick panel or other
areas of the seat. The toys can move, wobble, or create sounds in
response to the child kicking the kick panel. The toys can be
removed from the kick panel and reattached to the side of the seat
for close baby entertainment. Other features of the seat can
include motion switches that activate lights or sound effects
("SFX"). In addition, the seat can include a vibration unit located
below the kick panel, and an adjustable stop such that the seat can
be adjusted as the child grows.
[0006] In a different mode of the device, the kick panel can be
removed and the device converted to a toddler glider chair.
[0007] In one embodiment, the invention provides a child exercise
device comprising a base assembly, a kick panel support assembly, a
kick panel assembly, and a seat assembly. The base assembly
includes a housing, and a plurality of tracks oriented
substantially parallel to each other. The kick panel support
assembly is supported by the base and includes a plate coupled to
the housing, and a front panel coupled to the plate, the front
panel having a plurality of apertures. The kick panel assembly is
received by the plurality of apertures and includes a frame, and a
panel supported by the frame. The seat assembly includes a seat
adapted to support the child and a plurality of wheels coupled to
the seat and adapted to be received in one of the tracks in the
base.
[0008] In another embodiment, the invention provides a child
exercise device comprising a seat adapted to support the child; a
base adapted to support the seat, the seat adapted to glide with
respect to the base; a first assembly including a first portion
coupled to the base and positioned between a bottom portion of the
seat and an upper portion of the base, and a second portion
extending from the first portion; and a second assembly coupled to
the second portion of the first assembly, the second assembly
oriented substantially perpendicular to the first portion of the
first assembly.
[0009] In another embodiment, the invention provides a child
exercise device comprising a base; a seat coupled to the base and
oriented in a substantially horizontal plane, the seat adapted to
support the child; and a kick panel coupled to the base, the seat
adapted to glide along the horizontal plane when the child applies
force to the kick panel.
[0010] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child exercise device
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the child exercise
device.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of the child exercise device.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a front view of the child exercise device.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of the child exercise device.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the child exercise device.
[0017] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a base assembly of the child
exercise device illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0018] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a kick panel support assembly
of the child exercise device illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0019] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a kick panel assembly of the
child exercise device illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0020] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a seat assembly of the child
exercise device illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0021] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a seat pad assembly of the
child exercise device.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a top view of a disassembled child exercise
device as packaged.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a front view of the disassembled child exercise
device as packaged.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a side view of the disassembled child exercise
device as packaged.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of glider chair according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to
encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items.
[0027] Although directional references, such as upper, lower,
downward, upward, rearward, bottom, front, rear, etc., may be made
herein in describing the drawings, these references are made
relative to the drawings (as normally viewed) for convenience.
These directions are not intended to be taken literally or limit
the present invention in any form. In addition, terms such as
"first," "second," and "third" are used herein for purposes of
description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative
importance or significance.
[0028] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a child-activated exercise device 10
according to one embodiment of the present invention. The exercise
device 10 includes features that help develop the leg and core
muscles and motor skills of the child. Some of the various features
include a soft seat, vibration, toys, and music with the benefit of
child-activated kick and coast (gliding) motion allowing the
development of the muscles and motor skills of the child while
having fun. Other features of the exercise device 10 include the
ability to adapt the device to the length or height of the growing
child by making simple adjustments to the exercise device 10.
[0029] The exercise device 10 includes a plurality of assemblies as
illustrated in FIG. 6 according to one embodiment of the present
invention. More specifically, the exercise device 10 includes a
base assembly 15, a kick panel support assembly 20, a kick panel
assembly 25, a seat assembly 30, and a seat pad assembly 35 (shown
in FIGS. 1 and 11). In operation, a force or kick applied to the
kick panel assembly 25 while the child is seated in the seat
assembly 30 will cause the seat assembly to move or glide away from
the kick panel assembly 25. When the force is removed from the kick
panel assembly 25, the seat assembly 30 can move toward the kick
panel assembly 25.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the base assembly 15
includes a housing 40 having a central compartment 42 and two
lateral compartments 44 adjacent the central compartment 42. The
central compartment 42 includes a bottom wall 46 and two side walls
47 extending between the two lateral compartments 44 defining a
recess 48. The central compartment 42 also includes an opening 50
through the bottom wall 46. The opening 50 is defined by a
plurality of walls 52 protruding generally perpendicularly from the
bottom wall 46. Two of the walls 52 generally oriented parallel to
each other include an aperture 54. The opening 50 defined by the
plurality of walls 52 is designed to receive an adjustment handle
58 and a spring 60 operable to actuate the adjustment handle 58.
The adjustment handle 58 is supported in the opening 50 at least in
part with a bar (not shown) extending between the apertures 54 and
through a channel 62 of the adjustment handle 58 aligned with the
apertures 54. A cover plate 65 is designed to engage the plurality
of walls 52 to close the opening 50 from the recess 48.
[0031] Each of the lateral compartments 44 includes a recess having
an inner surface 68 with three upper receiving portions (not shown)
adapted to be engaged by three corresponding pins 70 extending from
a support plate 73. The support plate 73 includes a side wall 75
and a track 80 that generally extends the length of the support
plate 73. The support plate 73 is adapted to support a guide plate
83, which includes an opening 85 extending longitudinally along the
guide plate 83. The tracks 80 (only one shown in FIG. 7) are
adapted to support one or more wheels of the seat assembly 30 when
the seat assembly 30 is coupled to the base assembly 15, as shown
in FIGS. 1-2 and discussed below.
[0032] With further reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the base assembly
15 also includes two support legs 90. Each support leg 90 includes
a first coupling end 92 and a second coupling end 94. The first
coupling end 92 engages one end of the corresponding lateral
compartment 44, and the second coupling end 94 engages the opposite
end of the corresponding lateral compartment 44. The first coupling
end 92 and the second coupling end 94 each engage the lateral
compartment 44 with a leg connector 95 or coupling.
[0033] In the illustrated construction, each support leg 90
includes a center portion 97 oriented towards the opposite center
portion 97. The center portions 97 are connected with a link 100.
The link 100 is coupled to the center portions 97 with two link
connectors 102 that help prevent the link 100 from slipping along
and/or disconnecting from the support legs 90.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the kick panel support assembly 20 is
supported by the base assembly 15. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 8,
the kick panel support assembly 20 includes an upper portion 110
and a lower portion 115. The upper portion 110 includes an arcuate
plate 117 integrally coupled to a front panel 119. The arcuate
plate 117 is removably coupled to the housing 40 of the base
assembly 15. The arcuate plate 117 includes at least one snap
assembly to secure the arcuate plate 117 to the housing 40 while in
use. The snap assembly can include a plurality of connection points
to adjust the position of the arcuate plate 117 to accommodate for
child growth, at least in part on the child's length or height.
[0035] The front panel 119 includes two ports 121 each with an
aperture 123 and a groove 125 formed along at least a portion of
the aperture 123. The apertures 123 and grooves 125 are adapted to
receive male portions of the kick panel assembly 25 (discussed
below). The front panel 119 includes an upper surface 128 extending
between the ports 121 and is adapted to contact a retainer bar 178
of the kick panel assembly 25, as shown in FIG. 2. The front panel
119 also includes a control module 130 with apertures 132 designed
to receive buttons 134. The illustrated construction shows two
apertures 132 and two corresponding buttons 134. However, the front
panel 119 can include a different number of apertures 132 and
buttons 134 based on desired features of the exercise device 10.
For example, the buttons 134 can control various sound and/or play
modes, volume, lights, and motion.
[0036] The bottom portion 115 of the kick panel support assembly 20
includes a housing 138 having a plurality of walls 137 and defining
a recess 136. The recess 136 supports a housing 140, and two
extending cup sections 144 extending from opposite sides of the
housing 138. The housing 140 generally supports a power source,
such as a battery (not shown), that can be accessed from the
housing 138 from a lower section of the bottom portion 115. The
bottom portion 115 also includes a door plate 142 coupled to the
lower section to enclose the battery within the housing 140. Also
supported within the recess 136 is a motor 146 electrically coupled
to the battery and to at least one of the buttons 134. The motor
146 is operable to impart motion, such as vibration to one or more
components of the exercise device 10 upon actuation of at least one
button 134 or other mechanism. The housing 138 also can support a
processor, sound chip, and/or a speaker for generating sounds
and/or music.
[0037] In some constructions, the buttons 134 can be coupled to
switches that can activate one or more lights, such as LEDs or the
processor or sound chip also powered by the battery in the housing
140. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the bottom portion 115 is
coupled to the top portion 110 such that each of the extending cup
sections 144 is substantially vertically aligned with one
corresponding port 121. A rear wall 137 defining the housing 138
extends to a middle section of the arcuate plate 117.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, the kick panel assembly 25
includes a generally U-shaped frame assembly 133 having a front
portion 135 and a rear portion 140. The front portion 135 includes
vertical portions 142 coupled by a horizontal portion 143, and the
rear portion 140 includes vertical portions 145 coupled by a
horizontal portion 147. The vertical portions 142 include a number
of fittings or apertures 150 designed to receive a number of
corresponding pins 152 protruding from the rear vertical portions
145. Each front vertical portion 142 also includes a front coupling
portion 155 that aligns with a rear coupling portion 157 defined on
each vertical portion 145. When the front portion 135 is coupled to
the back portion 140, the kick panel assembly 25 forms two male
couplings 160.
[0039] The forward horizontal portion 143 includes a plurality of
fittings or apertures 162 generally aligned with corresponding
apertures 164 defined in the rear horizontal portion 147. The
apertures 162 and 164 define a generally greater diameter than the
diameter defined by apertures 150 of the vertical portions 142. A
cap 166 can fit within the apertures 162, 164. The horizontal
portions 143 and 147 also include vertically oriented extensions
168. When the front portion 135 is coupled to the back portion 140,
the apertures 162 and 164 are adapted to support a portion of a
flexible spring or rod 170. More specifically, the kick panel
assembly 25 includes a number of flexible rods 170 corresponding to
the number of supporting apertures 162, 164. Each flexible rod 170
includes a ring 172 at one end, and a flexible extension 174 at the
opposite end. When the front portion 135 is coupled to the back
portion 140, the ring 172 of each flexible rod 170 snuggly fits
between extending walls of the apertures 162 and 164, and the
extensions 168 form a vertically oriented aperture supporting a
portion of the flexible extension 174 near the ring 172. At the
free end of the flexible extensions 174 (the end opposite to the
ring 172), each flexible rod 170 is coupled to a character or toy
175. The toy(s) 175 can move and/or vibrate on its own and/or when
a force is applied to the kick panel assembly 25. In addition, the
toy(s) 175, horizontal portions 143, 147, and/or the vertical
portions 142, 145 can include a light source such as a LED, which
can be activated, for example, when a force is applied to the kick
panel assembly 25.
[0040] With further reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, the kick panel
assembly 25 also includes a retainer bar 178 extending between the
vertical portions 142 and 145 of the frame. The retainer bar 178
includes a front portion 180 and a back portion 182. The front
portion 180 includes a number of fittings or apertures 185 adapted
to receive a corresponding number of pins 187 protruding from the
back portion 182. The front portion 180 and the back portion 182
each include two curved coupling portions 190 at opposite ends
thereof. Each of the curved portions 190 is adapted to fit around
or to be coupled to one corresponding coupling portion 155 and 157.
When the front portion 135 and the back portion 140 of the frame
are coupled together, corresponding curved portions 190 of the
front portion 180 and back portion 182 clamp onto at least a
section of the smaller diameter sections 160. As a result, the
retainer bar 178 helps prevent relative motion or bending of the
U-shaped kick bar 130 in an axial direction substantially parallel
to the retainer bar 178, for example. The retainer bar 178 also
helps prevent substantial relative movement or bending of the
U-shaped frame assembly 133 in other directions.
[0041] The kick panel assembly 25 also includes a panel 305
illustrated in FIG. 11. The panel 305 can comprise mesh, fabric, an
acrylic plate and/or other suitable generally flat material. The
panel 305 can include a sensor adapted to trigger sounds, lights,
and/or motion when contact is made with the panel 305 and/or a
force at a predetermined threshold is exerted on the panel 305. For
example, vibration of the seat assembly can be triggered by an
exertion of force on the panel 305. The motion can be imparted to
one or more suitable components of the device 10 such as with the
toy(s) 175. In addition, the motion can be randomly selected to
occur one or more of the suitable components for each triggering
event.
[0042] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 10, the seat assembly 30
includes a seat housing 200 having a plurality of recesses 202 and
204 (only one of each shown in FIGS. 6 and 10). The seat assembly
30 also includes a frame 208 generally U-shaped and including two
coupling ends 210. The frame 208 is coupled to the housing 200 via
the coupling ends 210 engaged in a corresponding recess 202. The
frame 208 is generally detachably coupled at an angle with respect
to the seat housing 200. However, other configurations are
possible.
[0043] The seat assembly 30 also includes a first retainer 218 and
a second retainer 220 coupled to opposite sides of the seat housing
200. Each of the first retainer 218 and the second retainer 220
includes a base 222 coupled to a first vertical wall 224 with a
receiving aperture 225, a second vertical wall 228 having a notch
230, and a transverse wall 232 connecting the first vertical wall
224 and the second vertical wall 228.
[0044] The seat assembly 30 also includes a pair of couplings 235
having an elongated shape and including two protrusions 237, and
two buttons 240, each adapted to be received in one corresponding
recess 204 in the seat housing 200. The couplings 237 are supported
by the first retainer 218 and the second retainer 220. More
specifically, the receiving aperture 225 and the notch 230 support
the protrusions 237 of the couplings 237. Accordingly, each of the
couplings 237 couples to one corresponding coupling end 210 of the
frame 208 extending through the recess 202, and cooperates with the
buttons 240 to support and/or adjust the position of the frame
208.
[0045] The seat assembly 30 also includes a pair of rails 245 (only
one shown in FIG. 10) positioned at opposite sides of the seat
housing 200, and adapted to support a pair of wheels 248. The
wheels 248 (three shown in FIG. 10) allow the seat assembly 30 to
glide in a forward-and-backward motion, as will be further
explained.
[0046] The exercise device 10 includes the seat pad assembly 35
supported by the seat assembly 30. FIG. 11 illustrates the seat pad
assembly 35 including two TC print feet appliques 300, a nylon mesh
kick panel 305, two pieces 310 of about 0.5 inches of batting, two
pieces 315 of plush feet appliques, a woven seat inner panel 320, a
woven seat outer panel 325, a layer 330 with about one inch of
batting, for example, a seat lining 335, a woven seat back inner
panel 340, a layer 345 with about one inch of batting, for example,
a seat back lining 350, a two-sided knit (foam laminated) 355, a
second two-sided knit (foam laminated) 360, a casing 365 for the
frame 208, a stretch terry bolster cover 370, a stretch terry
removable pad 375, a layer 380 with one inch of batting, for
example, a removable pad lining 385, and a fiberfill bolster
filling 390. It is to be understood that a different seat pad
materials, appliques, thicknesses of materials also fall within the
scope of the invention.
[0047] FIGS. 12-14 illustrate the exercise device 10 in a partially
disassembled mode such that the exercise device 10 is ready for
packaging and/or shipping. It is possible to observe that in the
configuration shown in FIGS. 12-14, the overall dimensions of the
exercise device 10 are reduced from a fully assembled mode (FIGS.
2-5) to the partially disassembled mode. To transform the exercise
device 10 from the fully assembled mode to the partially
disassembled mode, a user can disengage the frame 208 from the
recesses 202, the support legs 90 from the lateral compartments 44,
and the U-shaped frame assembly 133 from the ports 121 and the
clamped curved portions 190. The user can then proceed to place the
frame 208 and the U-shaped frame assembly 133 beneath the base
assembly 15, and the support legs 90 on the seat housing 200. It is
to be understood that other partially disassembled modes are
possible and fall within the scope of the invention.
[0048] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 15, the exercise device 10 can
be modified from the exercise mode (shown for example in FIG. 1) to
a glider chair as shown in FIG. 15. To convert or modify the
exercise device 10 to the toddler glider chair (exercise device in
toddler mode), the recline position of the frame 208 of the seat
assembly 30 can be adjusted to the desired position, and the kick
bar assembly 25 can be removed from the exercise device 10. The
recline position of the frame 208 is adjusted with buttons 240.
[0049] The embodiments described above and illustrated in the
figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended
as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present
invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary
skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their
configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *