U.S. patent application number 17/666257 was filed with the patent office on 2022-08-25 for children's exercise and activity apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Graham Reid. Invention is credited to Graham Reid.
Application Number | 20220265064 17/666257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006183410 |
Filed Date | 2022-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220265064 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reid; Graham |
August 25, 2022 |
Children's Exercise and Activity Apparatus
Abstract
A children's exercise and activity apparatus for providing
exercise functionality for a small child, said apparatus
comprising: a base adapted to lie on the floor, the base comprising
a U-shaped base frame with cradle supporting arms extending from
each end of the U-shaped frame in an upwardly and rearwardly
direction such that the cradle supporting arms are resiliently
deflectable relative to the base when a child is supported on a
cradle coupled with the cradle supporting arms; and a kick panel
assembly coupled with the base, the kick panel assembly comprising
a kicking panel extending transversely relative to the underlying
floor with a kick panel support being fixedly attached to the
base.
Inventors: |
Reid; Graham; (Red Hill,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Reid; Graham |
Red Hill |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006183410 |
Appl. No.: |
17/666257 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2022 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/00 20130101;
A47D 13/105 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/10 20060101
A47D013/10; A47D 15/00 20060101 A47D015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 5, 2021 |
AU |
2021900269 |
Claims
1. A children's exercise and activity apparatus for providing
exercise functionality for a small child, said apparatus
comprising: a base adapted to lie on the floor, the base comprising
a U-shaped base frame with cradle supporting arms extending from
each end of the U-shaped base frame in an upwardly and rearwardly
direction such that the cradle supporting arms are resiliently
deflectable relative to the base when a child is supported on a
cradle coupled with the cradle supporting arms; and a kick panel
assembly coupled with the base, the kick panel assembly comprising
a kicking panel extending transversely relative to the underlying
floor with a kick panel support being fixedly attached to the
base.
2. A children's exercise and activity apparatus in accordance with
claim 1 wherein the kick support is coupled to the base to position
to the kick panel in a spaced relationship relate to a frontal
portion of the cradle supporting arms to locate the kick panel away
from the cradle for allowing the child supported on the cradle to
kick on the kick panel during use.
3. A children's exercise and activity apparatus in accordance with
claim 1 wherein the base comprises a base panel adapted to contact
the underlying floor and wherein a top surface of the base panel is
adapted to receive the U-shaped base frame and wherein the kick
support is received on a frontal portion of the base panel.
4. A children's exercise and activity apparatus in accordance with
claim 2 wherein the kick support is adapted to be fixedly attached
at a plurality of locations on the base panel to allow the kick
panel to be positioned at multiple in-use locations and
orientations.
5. A children's exercise and activity apparatus in accordance with
claim 4 wherein the kick support is adapted to be positioned to
extend forwardly from a frontal portion of the base panel to
thereby allow the kick panel to be positioned in a forwardly
location relative to the frontal portion of the base panel.
6. A children's exercise and activity apparatus in accordance with
claim 2 wherein the kick panel support comprises a bracket wherein
a first part of the bracket is fixedly attached to the base panel
and a second part of the bracket is fixedly attached to the kick
panel.
7. A children's exercise and activity apparatus in accordance with
claim 6 wherein the first part of the bracket is substantially
perpendicular to the second part of the bracket.
8. A children's exercise and activity apparatus in accordance with
claim 2 wherein the kick panel is oriented in a substantially
perpendicular orientation relative to the floor.
9. A children's exercise and activity apparatus in accordance with
claim 1 wherein the cradle comprises a restraint assembly for
restraining the child positioned in the cradle.
10. A children's exercise and activity apparatus in accordance with
claim 1 wherein the kick panel is coupled to the U-shaped base
frame.
11. A kick board attachment for use in combination with a baby
bouncer, the kicking panel attachment comprising: a base frame
having at least two longitudinally extending members couplable to
the baby bouncer and/or a base having a baby bouncer affixed
thereto, the base frame being integrally formed with a kicking
panel support frame extending substantially transversely relative
to an underlying floor when in an in-use position; and a kicking
panel releasably engaged with the kicking panel support frame;
wherein when the at least two longitudinally extending members are
coupled to the baby bouncer and/or a base having a baby bouncer
affixed thereto, one or more legs of a baby in a cradle of the baby
bouncer can interact with the kicking panel.
12. A method of assembling a kicking panel in combination with a
baby bouncer, the method comprising the steps: providing a kicking
panel attachment comprising a base frame having at least two
longitudinally extending members couplable to the baby bouncer
and/or a base having a baby bouncer affixed thereto, the base frame
being integrally formed with a kicking panel support frame
extending substantially transversely relative to an underlying
floor when in an in-use position and the kicking panel support
frame supporting a kick panel; locating the kicking panel
attachment adjacent to the baby bouncer and/or the base having a
baby bouncer coupled thereto; adjusting the kick panel attachment
relative to the baby bouncer so as to locate the kicking panel at a
desired position for a baby in a cradle of the baby bouncer to
interact with the kicking panel; and coupling the kicking panel
attachment in place relative to the baby bouncer.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a children's exercise and
activity apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the
prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or
admission that they formed, or form part of the common general
knowledge.
[0003] Baby bouncers are a class of popular products for parents
and their infants. A baby bouncer is a device that holds an infant
and provides them with gentle motion in a manner that can stimulate
an infant when they are active, soothe them when they are not,
enable an infant to exercise, all while enhancing free time for
parents. Baby bouncers are typically used by infants between the
ages of 4 months and 1 year.
[0004] In general, a baby bouncer has a seat that cradles an infant
and that is retained in a flexible manner on a stand. The seat and
stand are beneficially dimensioned so that when the baby bouncer is
located on a surface that an infant can jump, kick, and partially
stand in a manner that allows the infant to exercise, entertain
itself, and to burn off excess energy to enable the infant to
sleep. When the infant moves the flexible seat gently bounces the
infant in accord with the infant's movement.
[0005] In the above described bouncers, the baby's hand and feet
are typically left free to move while the baby's torso is generally
restrained to the cradle. Such an arrangement can limit the amount
of feedback movement that the baby can generate while being placed
in the cradle of the bouncer. It would be particularly desirable to
improve the design of baby bouncers to allow the baby to get more
opportunity to apply more force easily and generate movement of the
cradle.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] In an aspect, the invention provides a children's exercise
and activity apparatus for providing exercise functionality for a
small child, said apparatus comprising:
[0007] a base adapted to lie on the floor, the base comprising a
U-shaped base frame with cradle supporting arms extending from each
end of the U-shaped base frame in an upwardly and rearwardly
direction such that the cradle supporting arms are resiliently
deflectable relative to the base when a child is supported on a
cradle coupled with the cradle supporting arms; and a kick panel
assembly coupled with the base, the kick panel assembly comprising
a kicking panel extending transversely relative to the underlying
floor with a kick panel support being fixedly attached to the
base.
[0008] In an embodiment, the kick panel support is coupled to the
base to position the kick panel in a spaced relationship relative
to a frontal portion of the cradle supporting arms to locate the
kick panel away from the cradle for allowing the child supported on
the cradle to kick on the kicking panel during use.
[0009] In an embodiment, the base comprises a base panel adapted to
contact the underlying floor and wherein a top surface of the base
panel is adapted to receive the U-shaped base frame and wherein the
kick panel support is received on a frontal portion of the base
panel.
[0010] In an embodiment, the kick panel support is adapted to be
fixedly attached at a plurality of locations on the base panel to
allow the kick panel to be positioned at multiple in-use locations
and orientations.
[0011] In an embodiment, the kick panel support is adapted to be
positioned to extend forwardly from a frontal portion of the base
panel to thereby allow the kick panel to be positioned in a
forwardly location relative to the frontal portion of the base
panel.
[0012] In an embodiment, the kick panel support comprises a bracket
wherein a first part of the bracket is fixedly attached to the base
panel and a second part of the bracket is fixedly attached to the
kick panel.
[0013] In an embodiment, the first part of the bracket is
substantially perpendicular to the second part of the bracket.
[0014] In an embodiment, the kick panel is oriented in a
substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the floor.
[0015] In an embodiment, the cradle comprises a restraint assembly
for restraining the child positioned in the cradle.
[0016] In an embodiment, the kick panel is coupled to the U-shaped
base frame.
[0017] In another aspect, the present invention provides a kick
board attachment for use in combination with a baby bouncer, the
kicking panel attachment comprising:
[0018] a base frame having at least two longitudinally extending
members couplable to the baby bouncer and/or a base having a baby
bouncer affixed thereto, the base frame being integrally formed
with a kicking panel support frame extending substantially
transversely relative to an underlying floor when in an in-use
position; and
[0019] a kicking panel releasably engaged with the kicking panel
support frame;
[0020] wherein when the at least two longitudinally extending
members are coupled to the baby bouncer and/or a base having a baby
bouncer affixed thereto, one or more legs of a baby in a cradle of
the baby bouncer can interact with the kicking panel.
[0021] In an embodiment, the kicking panel attachment comprises a
sleeve configured to slide onto or over the kicking panel support
frame.
[0022] In an embodiment, the sleeve comprises a fabric affixable to
the kicking panel support frame.
[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the kicking panel is fixed to
the kicking panel support frame.
[0024] In an embodiment, the kicking panel comprises a solid
panel.
[0025] In yet another aspect, there present invention provides a
method of assembling a kicking panel in combination with a baby
bouncer, the method comprising the steps:
[0026] providing a kicking panel attachment comprising a base frame
having at least two longitudinally extending members couplable to
the baby bouncer and/or a base having a baby bouncer affixed
thereto, the base frame being integrally formed with a kicking
panel support frame extending substantially transversely relative
to an underlying floor when in an in-use position and the kicking
panel support frame supporting a kick panel;
[0027] locating the kicking panel attachment adjacent to the baby
bouncer and/or the base having a baby bouncer coupled thereto;
[0028] adjusting the kick panel attachment relative to the baby
bouncer so as to locate the kicking panel at a desired position for
a baby in a cradle of the baby bouncer to interact with the kicking
panel; and
[0029] coupling the kicking panel attachment in place relative to
the baby bouncer.
[0030] In an embodiment, adjusting the kicking panel attachment is
by sliding the kicking panel support frame relative to the baby
bouncer.
[0031] In an embodiment, adjusting the kicking panel attachment is
by telescopic extension/retraction of the at least two
longitudinally extending members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the
invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description
which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art
to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be
regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the
Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference
to a number of drawings as follows:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the baby bouncer 100 in
accordance with an embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the kick panel assembly
120 that forms a part of the baby bouncer 100.
[0035] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the base assembly 110 that
forms part of the baby bouncer 100.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a foot end view of the baby bouncer 100.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a head end view of the baby bouncer 100.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a first side perspective view of the baby bouncer
200 in accordance with a second embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a right side perspective view of the baby bouncer
200.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a top view of a kick board according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 9 is an upper rear isometric view of the kick board of
FIG. 8.
[0042] FIG. 10 a rear perspective view of the kick board of FIG.
8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate an improved baby bouncer 100 in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The bouncer 100 includes a base assembly 110 that include a planar
base panel 112 that can be positioned on an underlying floor
surface S. The top planar surface of the base panel 112 receives a
U-shaped base frame 114 with cradle supporting arms 116 extending
from each end of the U-shaped frame 114 in an upwardly and
rearwardly direction. The cradle supporting arms 116 are
resiliently deflectable relative to the base frame 114 when a child
is supported on the cradle 118 (made from cloth) coupled with the
cradle supporting arms 116.
[0044] A kick panel assembly 120 coupled with the base 110. In the
preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying figures the kick
panel assembly 120 is coupled with the base panel 112. However, in
other embodiments, the kick panel assembly 120 may be coupled
directly with the U-shaped base frame 114 without departing from
the overall scope of the invention. The kick panel assembly 120
comprises a kicking panel 122 extending transversely relative to
the underlying floor with a kick panel supporting brackets 124
being fixedly attached to the base panel 112. Importantly, the kick
supporting brackets 124 are coupled to the base 110 to position to
the kick panel 122 in a spaced relationship relative to a frontal
portion of the cradle supporting arms 116 to locate the kick panel
122 slightly away from the cradle 118 for allowing the child
supported on the cradle 118 to kick on the kick panel 122 during
use. The kick panel 122 in such a configuration, allows a child
(restrained on the cradle 118) to kick against the kick panel 122
which results in a reaction force being applied on the cradle
supporting arms 116 which in turn causes the cradle supporting
frame 116 to deflect relative to the base 110 (specifically the
U-shaped base frame 114).
[0045] The kick supporting brackets 124 can be positioned at a
plurality of fastening locations on the base panel to allow the
kick panel 122 to be positioned at multiple in-use locations and
orientations so that as the baby grows, the location and
orientation of the kick panel 122 can be varied to derive maximum
benefit from the kick panel 122. The kick supporting brackets 124
are shaped to extend forwardly from a frontal portion of the base
panel 122 to allow the kick panel 122 to be positioned in a
forwardly location relative to the frontal portion of the base
panel 112.
[0046] Turning to the kick supporting bracket 124, each bracket 124
comprises a first part 124A and a second part 124B. The first part
124A of the bracket 124 is fixedly attached to the base panel 122
and is substantially perpendicular to the second part 124B of the
bracket 124 that is fixedly attached to the kick panel 122.
[0047] It is to be understood that the invention may include a kit
comprising the kick panel assembly 120 that can be readily coupled
with an existing baby bouncer in order to upgrade a baby bouncer.
The base panel 122 may be provided with a fastening arrangement to
fasten the base panel 120 with the U-shaped base frame 114. As
shown in FIG. 3, a receiving channel 115 may be provided on the
base panel 122 for securing the base frame 114 to the top surface
of the base panel 112 and prevent any relative movement between the
base frame 114 and the base panel 112.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a second embodiment of the baby
bouncer 200 has been illustrated. Like reference numerals denote
like features which have been previously discussed in the preceding
sections. The bouncer 200 includes a base assembly 210 with a
supplementary base frame 212 that can be easily coupled or fastened
with the U-shaped base frame 114. The supplementary base frame 212
functions as an alternative to the base panel 112 described in the
previous sections. As discussed in the previous sections, cradle
supporting arms 116 extend from each end of the U-shaped base frame
114 in an upwardly and rearwardly direction. The cradle supporting
arms 116 are resiliently deflectable relative to the U-shaped base
frame 114 and the supplementary base frame 212 when a child is
supported on the cradle 118 (made from cloth) coupled with the
cradle supporting arms 116.
[0049] The kick panel assembly 220 coupled with the base 110. In
the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying figures the kick
panel assembly 220 comprises a kick panel retaining frame 221 that
is formed integrally and continuously with the supplementary base
frame members 212A and 212B. The kick panel assembly 220 comprises
a kicking panel 222 extending transversely relative to the
underlying floor with the kick panel 222 being retained in the kick
panel retaining frame 221. The kick panel retaining frame 221
extends forwardly from the U-shaped base frame 114 to position to
the kick panel 222 in a spaced relationship relative to a frontal
portion of the cradle supporting arms 116 to locate the kick panel
222 slightly away from the cradle 118 for allowing the child
supported on the cradle 118 to kick on the kick panel 222 during
use. The kick panel 222 in such a configuration, also allows a
child (restrained on the cradle 118) to kick against the kick panel
222 which results in a reaction force being applied on the cradle
supporting arms 116 which in turn causes the cradle supporting
frame 116 to deflect relative to the base 110 (specifically the
U-shaped base frame 114).
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 there is provided an
alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a kick
board attachment 300. The kick board attachment 300 is configured
to be attachable with a baby bouncer (as seen in FIGS. 1 to 7). The
kicking panel attachment 300 comprises a base frame (also referred
to as a supplementary base frame) having at least two
longitudinally extending members 312 couplable to the baby bouncer
100 (as seen in FIGS. 1 to 7) and/or a base 112 having a baby
bouncer 100 affixed to said base 112 (as seen in FIGS. 1 to 5).
Preferably, the base frame is integrally formed with a kicking
panel support frame 321. The kicking panel support frame 321
extends substantially upwardly from the underlying floor when in an
in-use position and the at least two longitudinally extending
members 312 attached to the baby bouncer 100 and/or the base
112.
[0051] The kicking panel support frame 321 supports a kicking panel
322. The kicking panel 322 is preferably releasably engaged with
the kicking panel support frame 321. The kicking panel 322 can be
removed, washed or otherwise cleaned and then reinstalled. The at
least two longitudinally extending members 312 are coupled to the
baby bouncer 100 and/or a base 112 having a baby bouncer 100
affixed thereto such that when attached, the kicking panel 322 is
close enough to allow one or more legs of a baby in a cradle of the
baby bouncer 100 to interact with the kicking panel 322 (as seen in
FIG. 1).
[0052] The kicking panel 322 of the kicking panel attachment 300
may comprise a sleeve configured to slide onto or over the kicking
panel support frame 321. The kicking panel 322. The sleeve may
comprise a pocket which receives or slides onto or over the kicking
panel support frame 321. Said sleeve may comprise complementary
hook and loop patches on opposite internal surfaces for attaching
together to assist in retaining the kicking panel 322 in place.
Preferably, the sleeve comprises a fabric affixable to the kicking
panel support frame 321. The fabric can be softer and have
additional tactile benefits. In alternative embodiments, the
kicking panel 322 is fixed to the kicking panel support frame 321.
In such embodiments, the kicking panel 322 is preferably solid or
has a coating making it easy to wipe clean. In further alternative
embodiments, the kicking panel 322 may comprise a solid panel. The
solid panel may have a smooth or textured surface which allows
repeated impacts from the feet of the baby without hurting the
baby.
[0053] With particular reference to the embodiment of the present
invention shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, there is provided a method of
positioning a kicking panel 322 relative to a baby bouncer 100. The
method comprising the steps of providing a kicking panel attachment
300 as described above. The kicking panel attachment 300 is located
adjacent to the baby bouncer 100 and/or the base 112 having a baby
bouncer 100 coupled thereto. The location of the kicking panel
attachment 300 may be adjusted the relative to the baby bouncer 100
so as to locate the kicking panel 322 at a desired position for a
baby in a cradle of the baby bouncer 100 to interact with the
kicking panel 211. Once the kicking panel 322 is in the desired
position, the kicking panel attachment 300 is coupled to the baby
bouncer 100 and/or the base 112 having the baby bouncer 100 affixed
thereto.
[0054] The at least two longitudinally extending members 312 may be
configured to telescopically extend/retract. Accordingly, the
kicking panel attachment 300 may be adjusted so as to move the
kicking panel 322 by extending/retracting the at least two
longitudinally extending members 312 until the kicking panel 322 is
located in a desired location relative to the baby bouncer.
[0055] The preferred and/or optional features discussed above may
be used separately or combined in any order. The preferred and/or
optional features may also be combined with other aspects of the
present invention.
[0056] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been
described in language more or less specific to structural or
methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such
as "comprising" and "comprised of" is used throughout in an
inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional
features.
[0057] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
specific features shown or described since the means herein
described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into
effect.
[0058] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or
modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims
appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.
* * * * *