EP2982271B1 - Child-care swing - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a transat childcare.

In the field of childcare, it is known to use a baby lounger, that is to say a lounger comprising a seat for accommodating the child in a supine or sitting position. The seat is mounted on a support comprising support members on the ground.

Conventionally, the support maintains the seat in a relatively low position, at ground level, which ensures good stability of the recliner but does not allow adults to interact easily with the child, for example at the table. In addition, for hygiene reasons, it is sometimes desirable for the child to be raised above the ground.

We know adjustable chairs in height, where an additional high position allows to raise the seat to a height that facilitates exchanges between the child and adults. However, the manipulation to be made to move the deckchair from the high position to the low position, and vice versa, is relatively tedious, and this deckchair is bulky and difficult to transport.

For its part, CH-A-270 503 discloses a nursery furniture, including a child receiving basket. This nacelle is carried by a support including two upper limbs, each U-shaped, and two lower limbs, each also U-shaped, the free ends of the aforementioned four members being articulated in rotation on two side plates. At its end opposite to that articulated on the plates, each lower member carries, in a rotational manner, an additional member, which is also U-shaped. These additional members are only supported on the ground in a raised position of the cabinet. in a lowered position of this piece of furniture, the additional members are retracted between the lower limbs so that it is these lower limbs which are then directly resting on the ground and not the additional limbs. Moreover, the idea behind CH-A-270 503 It is precisely to equip the lower limbs, serving as support feet on the ground, with the additional limbs which, by articulation, pass from a retraction configuration (the additional limbs are then erased in the lower limbs) to a deployed configuration (the additional members "lengthen" the lower limbs). Thus, to change the level of elevation of the nacelle, the manipulation to be performed at the two additional members, sometimes deployed, sometimes retracted, is tedious and impractical, or potentially a source of imbalances of the nacelle and therefore accidents.

GB-A-210,846 , on which is based the preamble of claim 1, discloses a baby chair, comprising a seat and a support for this seat. Four Floor support members are provided to support the support. Each member is articulated in rotation on the support, so as to modify, in an adjustable manner, the height of the seat relative to the ground. The two members that are arranged on the same side of the seat are not connected to the members on the other side of the seat, so that the change of the elevation of the seat is tedious and source of potential imbalances of the chair.

The object of the present invention is to provide a child's recliner, which allows to change the level of elevation of its seat in a convenient and safe manner.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a child-care deckchair, as defined in claim 1.

Thanks to the invention, the passage between the high position and the low position is done in a simple and safe manner, by rotation of members which, in both positions, are both deployed downwardly relative to the seat support and in contact with the ground. In addition, the rotational articulation of the limbs advantageously makes it possible to fold easily and in a simplified way the limbs against the support, in a folded configuration having a small footprint.

Advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un transat pour enfant conforme à l'invention, dans une position haute ;
• la figure 2 est une vue latérale en coupe partielle du transat de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue, à plus grande échelle, du détail III à la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de face et en coupe du transat de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue latérale du transat de la figure 1, dans une position basse ;
• la figure 6 est une vue latérale du transat de la figure 1 dans une configuration repliée ;
• la figure 7 est une vue latérale du transat de la figure 1 montrant une fonction de balancement naturel ; et
• la figure 8 est une vue latérale du transat de la figure 1 montrant une fonction d'inclinaison d'une assise et d'un dossier du transat.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages of it will emerge more clearly in the light of the following description of a child's recliner according to its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a child's lounger according to the invention, in a high position;
• the figure 2 is a partial sectional side view of the deckchair of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a view, on a larger scale, of detail III to figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a front view and in section of the deckchair of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5 is a side view of the lounger of the figure 1 in a low position;
• the figure 6 is a side view of the lounger of the figure 1 in a collapsed configuration;
• the figure 7 is a side view of the lounger of the figure 1 showing a natural swing function; and
• the figure 8 is a side view of the lounger of the figure 1 showing a function of inclination of a seat and a backrest of the deckchair.

The Figures 1 to 8 show a lounger 1 for children, comprising a seat 5 for receiving the child. The seat 5 is made from fabric and / or foam, for the comfort of the child. In a manner known per se, means not shown, for example straps equipped with a closure system, allow to attach the child to the seat 5. A reducing cushion 51 ensures the maintenance of the child's head.

The seat 5 is relatively flexible, and it is mounted on a rigid frame 4 which comprises a seat 41 and a backrest 42 together defining a closed contour of generally oval shape whose dimensions are adapted to support the seat 5. A fastening system, for example self-gripping strips or a zipper makes it possible to fix the seat 5 to the frame 4 while allowing the seat to be removed from the seat 5.

The seat 41 and the backrest 42 are each generally U-shaped, with two branches connected by a curved central portion.

The armature 4 is held by a generally U-shaped seat support 3, or "lower arch", comprising two upper support members 31 and 32, or "arms", interconnected by a body 30. The free ends branches of the U-shape are oriented upwards and are fixed to the frame 4, at the connection between the seat 41 and the backrest 42, while the body 30 is located at the bottom relative to the branches.

The seat 41 and the backrest 42 are connected to the support 3 by hinge-type pivoting means 43 arranged at each end of the branches of the U-shape.

The body 30 supports at least three support members on the ground, for example four feet 21, 22, 23 and 24. The feet 21 and 22 are interconnected by a curved central portion which passes through the body 30, and together form a first arch 2A generally U-shaped. Similarly, the feet 23 and 24 pass through the body 30 and form a second arch 2B.

The free ends of the feet 21 to 24 are each equipped with a pad 20 articulated with the foot 21 to 24 corresponding, so as to ensure the stability of the support of the floor of the lounger 1.

The lounger 1 comprises mechanical connection means between each leg 21 to 24 and the support 3. These means include two horizontal through openings 301A and 301B formed in the body 30, each receiving the curved central portion of one of the lower arches 2A and 2B. Thus, the mechanical connection means allow a rotation of the arches 2A and 2B relative to the support 3, centered on a horizontal axis X2A or X2B, respectively, defined by the openings 301A and 301B of the support 3.

An articulation mechanism of the arches 2A and 2B with the support 3, visible at the figure 3 , is housed inside the body 30. This mechanism comprises two ovoid-shaped toothed wheels 33A and 33B, which cooperate with the arches 2A and 2B via one end of the feet 21 to 24 having an ovoid section and of the complementary ovoid shape of the two toothed wheels 33A and 33B.

Means for blocking the position of the arches 2A and 2B relative to the support 3 are formed by the two toothed wheels 33A and 33B and locking systems of these wheels, actuated by the simultaneous action on locking buttons 35A and 35B respectively carried by the arms 31 and 32. The buttons 35A and 35B are for example each connected to a cable 36A or 36B housed inside the arm 31 or 32 corresponding. The cables 36A and 36B are connected to the locking systems of the gear wheels 33A and 33B.

The buttons 35A and 35B are movable between a locked position, in which they block the arches 2A and 2B in position relative to the support 3, and an unlocked position, in which they allow the movement of the arches 2A and 2B relative to the support 3 The buttons 35A and 35B are in the locked position by default, and when pulled up, they move to the unlocked position. Thus, the manual actuation of the buttons 35A and 35B causes the unlocking of the locking means, which allows the rotation of the arches 2A and 2B relative to the support 3.

The arches 2A and 2B are movable between at least two distinct positions, for example a first position, or high position, represented in FIGS. figures 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 and 8 , and a second position, or low position, represented at figure 5 .

In the unlocked position of the buttons 35A and 35B, an operator can maneuver the arches 2A and 2B to move them from the high position to the low position.

Α is an angle defined between each leg 21 to 24 and a vertical plane P3 passing through the two arms 31 and 32 and the body 30 of the support 3. The plane P3 is parallel to the axes of rotation X2A and X2B of the feet 21 to 24. The feet 21 to 24 extend on both sides of the plane P3. The feet 21 and 22 extend from one side of the plane P3, and the feet 23 and 24 extend on the other side of the plane P3.

H is a height of the seat 5, measured vertically between the outer bottom of the seat 5 and the ground S

In the high position, for an interaction height, the angle a takes a first value α1, equal to about 35 °, and the height H takes a first value H1 approximately equal to 70 cm. Alternatively, in the high position, the first angle α1 is between 30 ° and 40 °, and the first height H1 is between 70 and 80 cm. In the low position, for a relaxation height, the angle α takes a second value α2 strictly greater than the first value, and approximately equal to 70 °. The height H takes a second value H2 strictly lower than the first height H1 and approximately equal to 50 cm. Alternatively, in the high position, the second angle α2 is between 65 ° and 75 °, and the second height H2 is between 40 and 50 cm.

Preferably, the difference between the heights H1 and H2 is between 10 and 30 cm.

In the high position, the child is relatively high compared to the ground, allowing him to interact with the adults around him. The lounger 1 can be placed for example next to a sofa or a table. In the low position, the child is more close to the floor, for example at the height of a sofa. The low position can be used especially when the child is sleeping.

The toothed wheels 33A and 33B mesh with each other, so that the angle α between the feet 21 and 22 of the first arch 2A and the plane P3 on the one hand, and the angle α between the feet 23 and 24 of the second arch 2B on the other hand, are always equal to each other. The toothed wheels 33A and 33B thus constitute or belong to means for synchronizing the angular position of the feet 21 to 24, which ensure a symmetrical deployment of the feet 21 to 24 with respect to the plane P3.

Moreover, when the buttons 35A and 35B are unlocked, the arches 2A and 2B are free to move, by gravity, from the high position to the low position or vice versa. Thus, to pass the arches 2A and 2B from the high position to the low position, simply pull on the two sliding buttons 35A and 35B and bring the support 3 from the ground, so as to spread the arches 2A and 2B l one of the other. Similarly, to pass the arches 2A and 2B from the low position to the high position, just simultaneously pull the buttons 35A and 35B and lift the support 3 to move it away from the ground, so that the arches 2A and 2B automatically recover by gravity, and rotate relative to the support 3 to move up.

As represented in figure 8 by the double-arrows, the seat 41 and the backrest 42 are articulated on the support 3 so as to independently author their inclination relative to the support 3, which allows to adjust the position of the child. For example, by orienting the seat 41 in the extension of the backrest 42, the child adopts an extended position, while when the backrest 42 is inclined relative to the seat 41, the child is kept in a sitting position. The armature 4 has several positions. For example, the backrest 42 has three distinct positions and the seat 41 has two distinct positions. To change the seat 41 position, the latter is equipped with blocking means 410, in the form of a lever-type button.

Another lever 420 makes it possible to change the position backrest 42. The change of position of the seat 41 is done by pulling on the lever 410, and the change of position of the backrest 42 is done by pulling on the lever 420. These levers 410 and 420 are reassuring, they must be operated voluntarily to tilt the seat 41 or the backrest 42.

The lounger 1 is intended to be folded into a configuration shown in FIG. figure 6 . In the folded-up configuration, the arches 2A and 2B are brought upwards, along the support 3, and the armature 4 is folded downwards along the support 3. Thus, the lounger 1 is compact when it is folded. In addition, this manipulation is easy.

The armature 4 is equipped with two push buttons 38A and 38B, aligned with the common articulation axis X4 of the seat 41 and the backrest 42. The button 38A is disposed on a first side of the frame 4, on the seat 41, and the button 38B is disposed on the other side of the frame 4, on the back 42.

To allow the folding of the seat 41, an operator must simultaneously operate the lever 410 and the button 38A. To allow the folding of the backrest 42, an operator must simultaneously operate the lever 420 and the button 38B.

Two simultaneous actions are necessary to fold the seat 41 and the backrest 42, namely to pull the lever 410, respectively 420, and press the button 38A, respectively 38B, which ensures the safety of the child by preventing accidental folding of the frame 4.

As opposed to the collapsed configuration, the figures 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 and 8 show the lounger 1 in an expanded configuration, which is a configuration of use of the lounger 1, in which the arches 2A and 2B and the frame 4 respectively protrude downwards and upwards relative to the support 3. The passage of the folded configuration to the deployed configuration, and conversely, is effected by a rotation of the members 21 to 24 relative to the support 3.

As represented in figure 7 , the recliner 1 comprises a natural rocking system, which allows the oscillation of the seat 5 relative to the feet 21 to 24. Additional locking means, activated by a button 50, allow the operator to block the system. natural swing.

The arms 31 and 32 are articulated in rotation relative to the body 30 of the support 3, around a horizontal axis X30 tilting. In the locked position, a system of four ramps mounted on a circular piece blocks the swinging of the arms 31 and 32 relative to the body 30. A manual action on the button 50 rotates this circular piece, which removes the ramps and causes the Release of the swaying of the arms 31 and 32 relative to the body 30. The arms 31 and 32 then rest on an elastic damping member, for example springs or a silicone damper, which provides a freedom of swaying while maintaining a certain resistance. The means for blocking the position of the feet 21 to 24, the first locking means 35A and 35B and the natural balancing system are integrated in the support 30, which makes it possible to improve the compactness of the deckchair 1.

Alternatively, the arches 2A and / or 2B are replaced by disjointed feet. In this case, the feet 21 to 24 are not connected to each other. For example, the feet 21 to 24 may have an inverted L shape, with a vertical part for the support on the ground, and a horizontal part articulated in rotation with the support 3.

In a variant of the invention, the feet 21 to 24 are rotatable relative to the support 3 between a number of distinct positions greater than two, for example three, four or five positions, in which the height H of the seat 5 is different. Thus, the invention proposes predefined heights that make it possible to adapt the transat 1 to different situations.

Optionally, the armature 4 is removable, that is to say it can be detached from the support 3.

Optionally, the support 3 is in two parts hinged in rotation about a vertical axis, so as to allow the rotation of the armature 4 with respect to the legs 21 to 24 at 360 °. As visible in FIG. figure 3 , the upper part 30A of the body 30, which carries the arms 31 and 32, is able to rotate about a vertical axis X3 relative to the lower part 30B of the body 30, which carries the arches 2A and 2B, which allows the 360 ° rotation of the frame 4 and the arms 31 and 32 with respect to the arches 2A and 2B.

In the context of the invention, the various variants described can be combined with each other, at least partially.

Claims (12)

1. A chair (1) for a child, comprising a seat (5) for receiving the child and a support (3) for the seat, which support (3) carries four members (21-24) for bearing on the ground (S), which are articulated in rotation relative to the support (3) between at least two distinct positions, in each of which the members (21-24) are deployed relative to the support (3) and which include:

   - a so-called high position, wherein the members (21-24) bearing on the ground keep the seat (5) at a first height (H1) relative to the ground (S), and

   - a so-called low position, wherein the members (21-24) bearing on the ground keep the seat (5) at a second height (H2) relative to the ground (S), which is strictly smaller than the first height (H1),

   characterized in that two of the four members are connected to one another by a central part and form a first arch (2A), the two other members (23, 24) being connected to one another by a central part and forming a second arch (2B), and in that the central part of each arch (2A, 2B) is articulated in rotation relative to the support (3).
2. The chair (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotation axis (X2A, X2B) of each arch (2A, 2B) is horizontal.
3. The chair (1) according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the members (21-24) extend on either side of a plane (P3) which is vertical and parallel to the rotation axes (2A, 2B), the two members (21, 22) of one (2A) of the arches (2A, 2B) extending from a first side of the plane, and the two members (23, 24) of the other arch (2B) extending from the other side of the plane, and in that the chair (1) comprises synchronization means (33A, 33B) for the angular position (α) of the arches (2A, 2B) relative to the support (3), ensuring a symmetrical rotation of the members (21-24) relative to the plane (P3).
4. The chair (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the free end of each member (21-24) is equipped with a stabilization pad (20) which is articulated with the member.
5. The chair (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is movable between:

   - a usage configuration, in which the members (21-24) are deployed relative to the support (3), and

   - a folded configuration, in which the members (21-24) are folded along the support (3),

   and in that the passage from the folded configuration to the deployed configuration, and vice versa, is done by rotating the members (21-24) relative to the support (3).
6. The chair (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises first means for blocking the angular position (α) of the members (21-24) relative to the support (3) and first locking means (35A, 35B) for the first blocking means, the first locking means (35A, 35B) being movable between

   - a locked position, in which the blocking means block the rotation of the members (21-24) relative to the support (3), and

   - an unlocked position, in which the blocking means allow the rotation of the members (21-24) relative to the support (3).
7. The chair (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (3) comprises two arms (31, 32) that extend from a body (30) of the support (3) relative to which the members (21-24) are articulated.
8. The chair (1) according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the blocking means are housed at least partially in the body (30) of the support (3).
9. The chair (1) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the arms (31, 32) are articulated in rotation relative to the body (30) of the support (3), around a horizontal balancing axis (X30), and in that the chair comprises a natural balancing system that commands the blocking/unblocking of the articulation of the arms around that tilting axis.
10. The chair (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the body (30) comprises an upper part (30A) that supports the arms (31, 32) and is able to rotate by 360°, around a vertical axis (3), relative to a lower part (30B) of the body (30), which carries the members (21-24).
11. The chair (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first height (H1) is comprised between 70 and 80 cm and in that the second height (H2) is comprised between 40 and 50 cm.
12. The chair (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat (5) is supported by a framework (4) comprising a seat bottom (41) and a backrest (42) articulated with the support (3).

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