U.S. patent application number 13/532202 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-27 for children's walker.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kids II, Inc.. Invention is credited to Daniel Corso, Alexander Pusch.
Application Number | 20120326409 13/532202 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47361138 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-27 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20120326409 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Corso; Daniel ; et
al. |
December 27, 2012 |
CHILDREN'S WALKER
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an
adjustable orbital children's walker. According to various
embodiments, the children's walker is configured for being adjusted
between an orbital movement mode, in which the walker is restricted
to movement along an orbital path, and a free movement mode, in
which the walker is not restricted to movement along an orbital
path. In particular, various embodiments of the children's walker
include at least one pivot mechanism configured for being easily
adjusted by a user between a first configuration, in which the
children's walker is thereby in the orbital movement mode, and a
second configuration, in which the children's walker is thereby in
the free movement mode.
Inventors: |
Corso; Daniel; (Atlanta,
GA) ; Pusch; Alexander; (Atlanta, GA) |
Assignee: |
Kids II, Inc.
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
47361138 |
Appl. No.: |
13/532202 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61500199 |
Jun 23, 2011 |
|
|
|
61531831 |
Sep 7, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/87.051 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/043
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/87.051 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/04 20060101
A47D013/04 |
Claims
1. A children's walker apparatus configured for movement along a
support surface, the children's walker apparatus comprising: a
child support configured for supporting a child; and a frame
configured for suspending the child support above the support
surface, the frame including: one or more movement members
configured for engaging the support surface and permitting the
frame to be moved along the support surface; and at least one pivot
mechanism configured for being adjusted between a first
configuration and a second configuration, wherein: when the pivot
mechanism is in the first configuration, the children's walker is
restricted to movement along an orbital path; and when the pivot
mechanism is in the second configuration, the children's walker is
free to move along a non-orbital path.
2. The children's walker apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least
one pivot mechanism is configured such that, when the pivot
mechanism is in the first configuration, the at least one pivot
mechanism engages the support surface and restricts the children's
walker to orbital movement about the pivot mechanism.
3. The children's walker apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pivot
mechanism includes a rotatable base member configured such that,
when the pivot mechanism is in first configuration, the base member
engages the support surface and permits the frame to rotate
relative to the base member.
4. The children's walker apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least
one pivot mechanism is configured such that, when the pivot
mechanism is in the second configuration, the pivot mechanism
engages the support surface and permits the frame to be moved along
the support surface.
5. The children's walker apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least
one pivot mechanism comprises a base member rotatably connected to
the frame and a caster configured for rolling movement along the
support surface; wherein, when the pivot mechanism is in the first
configuration, the base member is positioned lower than the caster
and is configured to engage the support surface and restrict the
frame to orbital movement about the base member; and wherein, when
the pivot mechanism is in the second configuration, the caster is
positioned lower than the base member and is configured to engage
the support surface and permit the frame to move along a
non-orbital path.
6. The children's walker apparatus of claim 5, wherein the base
member is operatively connected to the frame by a swivel
bearing.
7. The children's walker apparatus of claim 5, wherein the caster
comprises a ball caster.
8. The children's walker apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least
one pivot mechanism further comprises a housing defining a central
cavity; wherein the base member is rotatably connected to a bottom
surface of the housing, the base member defining a central aperture
substantially aligned with the housing's central cavity; and
wherein the caster is movably connected to the housing such that,
when the pivot mechanism is in the first configuration, the caster
is positioned within the central cavity such that it does not
extend beneath the base member and, when the pivot mechanism is in
the second configuration, the caster is extends at least partially
out of the central cavity and beneath the base member.
9. The children's walker apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least
one pivot mechanism further comprises a housing defining a central
cavity; wherein the base member is rotatably connected to a bottom
surface of the housing, the base member defining a central aperture
substantially aligned with the housing's central cavity; and
wherein the base member is movably connected to the housing such
that, when the pivot mechanism is in the first configuration, the
base member is in a lower protracted positioned such that it
extends beneath the caster and, when the pivot mechanism is in the
second configuration, the base member is in an upper retracted
position above the caster.
10. The children's walker apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at
least one pivot mechanism comprises a caster configured to swivel
relative to the frame; wherein, when the pivot mechanism is in the
first configuration, the caster is locked such that it prevented
from rolling along the support surface and thereby restricts the
frame to orbital movement about the caster; and wherein, when the
pivot mechanism is in the second configuration, the caster is free
to rotate along the support surface and permit the frame to move
along a non-orbital path.
11. The children's walker apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at
least one pivot mechanism is configured such that, when the pivot
mechanism is in the second configuration, the pivot mechanism does
not engage the support surface.
12. The children's walker apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at
least one pivot mechanism is rotatably connected to the frame and
includes a base member rotatably connected to a lower surface of
the pivot mechanism; wherein, when the pivot mechanism is in the
first configuration, the pivot mechanism is rotated to a downward
position in which the base member is configured to engage the
support surface and restrict the frame to orbital movement about
the base member; and wherein, when the pivot mechanism is in the
second configuration, the pivot mechanism is rotated to an upward
position in which the base member is configured not to engage the
support surface and permit the frame to move along a non-orbital
path.
13. The children's walker apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or
more movement members comprise one or more casters configured for
rolling movement along the support surface.
14. The children's walker apparatus of claim 1, wherein the child
support is configured to permit the legs of a child positioned
therein to extend downwardly and push against the support surface
in order to move the children's walker along the orbital and
non-orbital paths, respectively.
15. The children's walker apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the
pivot mechanism is in the second configuration, the children's
walker is configured for omnidirectional movement along the support
surface.
16. The children's walker apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame
further comprises a lever configured to selectively adjust the at
least one pivot mechanism between the first configuration and the
second configuration.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional U.S.
Application No. 61/500,199 entitled "Infant Walker Devices," which
was filed on Jun. 23, 2011, and from provisional U.S. Application
No. 61/531,831 entitled "Infant Walker," which was filed Sep. 7,
2011, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Various embodiments of the present invention described
herein generally relate to children's walker apparatuses,
particularly children's walker apparatuses adapted for orbital
motion.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Conventional children's walkers typically include a child
seat suspended by a frame configured to roll along a support
surface. The child seat is positioned such that the legs of a child
positioned therein hang downwardly from the seat, thereby enabling
the child to push on the support surface and move the walker in
various directions. However, these conventional walkers do not
significantly restrict the movement of the child, which can be
inconvenient when a caretaker needs the child to remain in a
particular area.
[0006] In addition to these conventional walkers, orbital walkers,
such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,507,162 to Jackson et
al., are also known in the art. These orbital walkers typically
include a seat portion that is connected to a stationary platform
and configured to move along an orbital path around the center of
the stationary platform. This type of walker allows the child to
practice the skill of walking while preventing the child from
moving outside of the orbital path. However, orbital walkers of
this type are not able to permit the child to move in other,
non-orbital directions where such freedom of motion may be desired
by a caretaker.
[0007] Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for an improved
children's walker that is able to provide greater flexibility in
its restriction of a child's motion.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to
a children's walker apparatus configured for movement along a
support surface. According to various embodiments, the children's
walker apparatus comprises a child support configured for providing
a seating surface for a child and a frame configured for suspending
the child support above the support surface. In various
embodiments, the frame includes one or more movement members
configured for engaging the support surface and permitting the
frame to be moved along the support surface, and at least one pivot
mechanism configured for being adjusted between a first
configuration and a second configuration. When the pivot mechanism
is in the first configuration, the children's walker is restricted
to movement along an orbital path. When the pivot mechanism is in
the second configuration, the children's walker is free to move
along a non-orbital path.
[0009] In certain embodiments, the at least one pivot mechanism is
configured such that, when the pivot mechanism is in the first
configuration, the at least one pivot mechanism engages the support
surface and restricts the children's walker to orbital movement
about the pivot mechanism. In further embodiments, the pivot
mechanism includes a rotatable base member configured such that,
when the pivot mechanism is in first configuration, the base member
engages the support surface and permits the frame to rotate
relative to the base member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a children's walker
apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of an adjustable
caster assembly according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a side view of an adjustable caster assembly in
a first configuration according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an adjustable caster assembly in
a second configuration according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the movement of a children's
walker when the walker is configured in an orbital movement mode
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the movement of a
children's walker when the walker is configured in an orbital
movement mode according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an adjustable caster
assembly according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a children's walker
apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0019] FIG. 9 shows a side view of an adjustable foot assembly
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, 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 be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0021] Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to
a children's walker apparatus configured to support a child as he
or she walks along a support surface. According to various
embodiments, the children's walker apparatus generally comprises a
frame configured for suspending a child support (e.g., a rigid
child seat or flexible sling) above the support surface (e.g., a
floor). The frame includes one or more movement members configured
for engaging the support surface and permitting the frame to be
moved along the support surface. As an example, in one embodiment,
the movement members may comprise one or more casters disposed on a
lower surface of the frame and configured to permit the frame to be
rolled along the support surface.
[0022] According to various embodiments, the children's walker is
configured for being adjusted between an orbital movement mode and
a free movement mode. In particular, various embodiments of the
children's walker include at least one pivot mechanism configured
for being adjusted between a first configuration, in which the
children's walker is thereby in the orbital movement mode, and a
second configuration, in which the children's walker is thereby in
the free movement mode. As described in greater detail herein,
various embodiments of the pivot mechanism are configured to
selectively engage the support surface on which the children's
walker is positioned in order to restrict the movement of the
children's walker. For example, according to various embodiments,
in the first configuration, the pivot mechanism is generally
configured to restrict the children's walker to movement along an
orbital path. In the second configuration, the pivot mechanism
permits the walker to move along a non-orbital path (e.g., other
directional or omnidirectional movement as permitted by the frame's
movement members). As used herein, the term "pivot mechanism" is
intended to refer to one or more features of the children's walker
configured for restricting the children's walker to movement along
an orbital path and is not intended to be limited to mechanisms
that include a pivoting component or that function strictly
mechanically.
[0023] According to various embodiments, the pivot mechanism is
configured to be easily adjusted by a user between the first and
second configurations in order to permit the children's walker to
be changed between the orbital movement mode and the free movement
mode. As described in greater detail below, the children's walker
may include a lever or twisting member configured to adjust the
pivot mechanism between the first and second configurations. In
this way, a user can easily adjust the children's walker into the
orbital movement mode in order to fix the direction and distance a
child positioned in the children's walker can move. Likewise, when
the user would like to permit the child to move in other directions
and areas, the children's walker can easily be adjusted to the free
movement mode.
Adjustable Orbital Walker
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an adjustable orbital children's walker 1
according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 1, the children's walker 1 generally comprises a child support
5 suspended from a support frame 10. The frame 10 generally
comprises a base portion 12, upwardly extending legs 14, and an
upper portion 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion
16 comprises an activity table, which may include a food tray,
various toys, accessories, and other entertainment features. In
addition, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the child
support 5 comprises a fabric sling suspended from a rotatable
member secured within the center of the frame's upper portion 16.
However, according to various embodiments, the child support 5 may
comprise any suitable seat or support device capable of suspending
a child positioned in the children's walker 1 above a support
surface (e.g., a rigid child seat disposed within the center of the
frame's upper portion 16). In various embodiments, the child
support 5 is configured to permit the legs of a child positioned
therein to extend downwardly and push against the support surface
in order to move the children's walker 1 along the support surface
(e.g., along orbital or non-orbital paths as described in detail
herein). In order to accommodate children of different ages or
sizes, certain embodiments of the child support 5 may also be
height adjustable (e.g., via a height adjustment mechanism that
raises or lowers the position of the child support 5 with respect
to the support surface).
[0025] According to various embodiments, the frame 10 also includes
a plurality of movement members configured for engaging the support
surface and permitting the frame 10 to be moved along the support
surface (e.g., by rolling or sliding movement). In the illustrated
embodiment of FIG. 1, the movement members comprise three
non-adjustable casters 20 and one adjustable caster assembly 30. In
certain embodiments, the non-adjustable casters 20 are generally
configured for omnidirectional rolling movement along a support
surface. For example, in one embodiment, the non-adjustable casters
20 are ball casters configured to swivel with respect to the frame
10. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, each of the non-adjustable
casters 20 is partially surrounded by a housing in order limit or
prevent a child or caregiver from contacting the casters 20 as the
children's walker is moved along the support surface. According to
various other embodiments, other movement members may be provided
in place of, or in addition to, the non-adjustable casters 20
(e.g., other rolling components and/or sliding components such as
low-friction skis). Moreover, as will be appreciated from the
description herein, the movement members may be separate components
secured to the frame, or may be defined by a portion of the frame
itself (e.g., portions of the frame configured to slide along the
support surface).
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the adjustable caster
assembly 30 according to one embodiment. In the illustrated
embodiment, the adjustable caster assembly 30 is configured to
serve as an pivot mechanism that can be adjusted between a first
configuration, in which the children's walker is thereby in the
orbital movement mode, and a second configuration, in which the
children's walker is thereby in the free movement mode. As shown in
FIG. 2, the adjustable caster assembly 30 generally comprises a
housing 31 defining a central cavity 32. In the illustrated
embodiment, the housing 31 is provided proximate the intersection
of the frame's base portion 12 and one of the frame's legs 14. A
base member 33 is rotatably connected to a lower surface of housing
31 such that it can rotate with respect to the housing 31. In
particular, the base member 33 defines a central aperture that is
substantially aligned with the central cavity 32. In one
embodiment, the base member 33 is operatively connected to the
housing 31 by a swivel bearing such that it functions in a manner
akin to a "Lazy Susan" device. In addition, a non-slip surface 34
(e.g., a rubber gripping surface) is disposed on the lower surface
of the base member 33 and is configured for engaging and gripping
the support surface (e.g., a floor).
[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, a ball caster 35 is operatively
connected to the housing 31 and disposed partially within the
central cavity 32. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, a
lower portion of the ball caster 35 extends out of the central
cavity 32 in order to permit the ball caster 35 to engage the
support surface. In addition, according to various embodiments, the
ball caster 35 may be configured to swivel relative to the housing
31.
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the adjustable
caster assembly 30 includes a lever 37 configured to selectively
adjust the position of the base member 33 and ball caster 35
relative to one another. For example, in the illustrated embodiment
of FIG. 2, the lever 37 is configured to raise and lower the base
member 33. FIG. 3 shows the adjustable caster assembly 30 in a
first configuration in which the base member 33 is in a lower
position and extends beneath the bottom of the ball caster 35. As
shown in FIG. 3, with the base member 33 in this lower position,
the base member 33 engages the support surface 6 and the frame 10
can be rotated about the base member 33. In this configuration, the
children's walker 1 is restricted to movement along an orbital
path. In particular, as a child walks while positioned within the
walker 1, the non-adjustable casters 20 will roll along the support
surface 6 while the adjustable caster assembly 30 acts as a pivot
point about which the children's walker 1 rotates. As a result, the
children's walker 1 and the child positioned therein are limited to
motion about the base member 33 along an orbital path.
[0029] FIGS. 5 and 6 depict examples of the orbital motion
permitted by the adjustable caster assembly 30 when in the first
configuration. In particular, FIG. 5 provides a top view of the
children's walker 1 as it moves along an orbital path about the
adjustable caster assembly 30, as indicated by the directional
arrows. As noted above, the adjustable caster assembly 30
effectively defines a rotation axis about which the children's
walker 1 may rotate when the adjustable caster assembly 30 is in
the first configuration. FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the
children's walker 1 as it moves along an orbital path about a
rotation axis R defined by the adjustable caster assembly 30.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows the adjustable caster assembly 30 in a second
configuration in which the base member 33 is retracted upwardly to
an upper position. As shown in FIG. 4, with the base member 33 in
this upper position, ball caster 35 extends beneath the lower
surface of the base member 33 and engages the support surface 6. In
this configuration, the base member 33 does not engage the support
surface 6 and the children's walker 1 is not restricted to movement
along an orbital path. As such, the children's walker is free to
move as permitted by the non-adjustable casters 20 and the ball
caster 35. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the
non-adjustable casters 20 and the ball caster 35 are configured to
swivel in relation to the frame 10 and the children's walker is
thereby configured for omnidirectional movement when the adjustable
caster assembly 30 is in the second configuration.
[0031] According various other embodiments, the lever 37 may be
configured to raise and lower the ball caster 35 relative to the
base member 33, thereby achieving the same effect as the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 2-4. In addition, according to various embodiments,
any number of non-adjustable casters 20 and adjustable caster
assemblies 30 may be provided in order to suit various user
preferences. For example, in certain embodiments, multiple
adjustable caster assemblies 30 may be provided on the frame 10
such that a user may adjust any one of the adjustable caster
assemblies 30 to the first configuration in order to place the
children's walker 1 into the orbital movement mode.
Various Other Embodiments
[0032] As will be appreciated from the description herein, various
changes and modifications to the children's walker 1 are
contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in certain embodiments, the walker's pivot mechanism
may comprise an adjustable caster assembly 40 as shown in FIG. 7.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, the adjustable caster
assembly 40 comprises a caster wheel 45 configured to be adjusted
between a between a first configuration, in which the children's
walker 1 is thereby in the orbital movement mode, and a second
configuration, in which the children's walker 1 is thereby in the
free movement mode. In particular, the adjustable caster assembly
40 includes a twist knob 47 configured to selectively lock the
caster wheel 45 such that it is prevented from rotating, but
remains able to swivel relative to the frame 10. Accordingly, a
user may twist the knob 47 in order to lock the caster wheel 45 in
a fixed position such that it may function as a pivot point about
which the children's walker 1 may rotate. Thus, in this first
locked configuration, the caster wheel 45 enables the walker 1 to
function in an orbital movement mode. Likewise, a user may twist
the knob 47 in an opposite direction in order to unlock the caster
wheel 45 and permit it to rotate freely. Thus, in this second
unlocked configuration, the caster wheel 45 enables the walker 1 to
function in a free movement mode.
[0033] In certain embodiments, the casters 20 may also be
configured for locking in a fixed orientation relative to the
frame. For example, in one embodiment, each of the casters 20 may
include a twist knob that, when tightened by a user, fixes its
respective caster 20 in a non-swiveling orientation tangential to
the adjacent section of the frame's base portion 12. In this way,
each of the casters 20 may be fixed in a position that promotes
orbital movement of the walker 1 about the adjustable caster
assembly 40.
[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment in which the walker's
pivot mechanism comprises an adjustable foot assembly 50. As shown
in FIG. 8, the adjustable foot assembly is operatively connected to
the children's walker 1 proximate in the intersection of the
frame's base portion 12 and one of the frame's legs 14. FIG. 9
provides a more detailed view of the adjustable foot assembly. In
the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 9, the adjustable foot assembly
50 comprises a foot member 51 rotatably connected to the frame's
leg 14 by a pin 52. As such, the foot member 51 is configured to
selectively rotate about the pin 52.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 9, the adjustable foot assembly 50 also
includes a base member 53 rotatably connected to a bottom surface
of the foot member 51 (e.g., using a swivel bearing such that it
may function as a Lazy Susan device). According to various
embodiments, the foot member 51 is configured such it can rotated
between a first configuration, in which the children's walker 1 is
thereby in the orbital movement mode, and a second configuration,
in which the children's walker 1 is thereby in the free movement
mode. As shown in FIG. 9, in the first configuration, the foot
member 51 is rotated to a lower position in which the base member
53 engages the support surface on which the walker 1 is positioned.
As such, when the foot member 51 is in the first configuration, the
walker 1 may rotate about the base member 53 such that the walker 1
is restricted to movement along an orbital path. In contrast, when
the foot member 51 is rotated upward to the second configuration,
the base member 53 does not engage the support surface and the
children's walker 1 is not restricted to movement along an orbital
path. As such, the children's walker 1 is free to move as permitted
by the non-adjustable casters 20.
CONCLUSION
[0036] 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.
* * * * *