GB2450749A - Child interaction structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A child interaction structure 1 comprises a platform 2 with a surface with which a child interacts, one or more support members 3, 4 which support the platform, an opening 6 in the platform of a size and configuration to allow a child to interact with the platform whilst being positioned in the opening, and an aperture 5 provided in or between the support members to allow the child access to the opening from beneath the platform. The surface may incorporate releasable fastenings 7 to secure one or more objects 8-10. The platform may be detachable from the one or more support members and may be foldable (Fig. 2). The support members (34, Fig. 3) may form an enclosure with side walls and access aperture (38, Fig. 3), and closure members (35, 36, Fig. 3) may be provided to close the opening (37, Fig. 3) and the access aperture. The structure may incorporate releasable fastenings to allow it to be attached to other like structures (Fig. 4). The one or more support members may be adjustable in height (Fig. 5). Also disclosed is a modular platform incorporating a plurality of such structures.

Description

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The following Lerms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office dt A:EVICE -1-Child Interaction Structure

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to child interaction structures. It relates in particular to self-standing child interaction structures. S.

: ... Background to the Invention I... * S *

:. conventionally children most often play at ground level in an unrestricted way so that * : many toys are one by one used and discarded as the children spend large amounts of time on their knees. In this mode of use, children crawl over toys when these are placed on the floor which often causes damage to the children and to the toys. * 25 S..

Alternatively, children of a certain age are ptaced in high chairs adjacent to a table allowing them to carry out an activity under the supervision of an adult due to the considerable risk of falling from a relatively high position.

Summary of the Invention

in its broadest independent aspect, the invention provides a child interaction structure comprising a platform with a surface with which, in use, a child interacts; one or more support members for raising said platform above the floor on which the structure is stood in use; an opening in said platform of a size configuration to allow a child to interact with said platform whilst being in the opening; wherein an aperture is provided in said support members to allow child access to said opening from beneath said platform.

This structure is particularly advantageous because it, in effect, raises the floor around a child in order for the child to have a relatively large interaction surface particularly when compared to the interaction surface available for conventional high chairs. It also allows the activity to be focused in one area without having to place a child in a restrictive high chair position. It aLso allows the child to access the interaction structure without necessarily having adult supervision. In addition, it reduces the risk of damage to children's knees and clothing since these can stand in the interaction structure between the floor and the platform in a subsidiary aspect of the invention.

In a first subsidiary aspect in accordance with the invention's first broad independent aspect, said platform extends around said opening. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it allows the playing surface to be maximised whilst allowing potentially a number of separate play stations to be Located around the platform in order to allow the child interaction structure to become a preferred location for a child during his/her activities. * .

In a further subsidiary aspect, one or more of said support members are extendible height wise. This is particularly advantageous because it will allow the child interaction structure to be adjusted by the parent in order to suit children from a wide range of ages. S...

*..* : 25 In a further subsidiary aspect, said top surface incorporates releasable attachment means for securing one or more objects equipped with corresponding releasable attachment means. This will allow the platform to be equipped with a variety of tops or finishes in order to vary the activities for specific play and/or educational purposes.

In a further subsidiary aspect, said support members form an enclosure with sidewalls and with a side opening allowing access to the enclosure; and the structure further comprises closure members for closing both said top surface and said side opening. This configuration will allow the structure to serve as a storage compartment for toys or the like. 3.

In a further subsidiary aspect, said structure incorporates releasable attachment means to allow the side-by-side attachment of a corresponding reLeasable attachment means provided in a further structure located adjacent to said structure. This is particularly advantageous because it will allow multiple children to interact with the advantages as detailed above with regards to the broad independent aspect.

In a further subsidiary aspect, said platform is detachable from said one or more support members. This is particularly advantageous because it wilt allow the platform to be stowed away separately without its support members.

In a further subsidiary aspect, said platform is foldable along one or more fold Lines. This will further improve the compactness of the child interaction structure when it is stowed away.

In a second broad independent aspect, the invention provides a modular platform incorporating a plurality of structures in accordance with any of the preceding aspects.

Brief Description of the Figures

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Figure 1 shows a child interaction structure in perspective view in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

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Figure 2 shows a child interaction structure in accordance with a second embodiment of S...

the invention in perspective view where the support members are separated from the S..

platform.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention in perspective view with a number of cLosure members corresponding to apertures in the child interaction structure.

Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention with a plurality of child interaction structures forming a modular platform. The view shown is a plan view. 4 -

Figure Sa shows a platform in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention in plan view. Figure Sb shows extendable legs acting as support members for the platform of figure 5a. The view is a side elevation.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a platform in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a child interaction structure generally referenced 1 with a platform 2 and side support members 3 and 4. There is also provided a base 5 joining the side support members together and providing additional rigidity to the child interaction structure 1.

The platform 2 incorporates an upper opening 6 located substantially centrally so that the platform is annular in shape around said opening. A number of upwardly projecting members such as member 7 are shown which can form a friction joint with objects such as objects 8, 9 and 10 which a child and/or his/her parent mount onto the annuLar platform and with which a child interacts for playing and/or educational purposes.

Between side support members 3 and 4, an aperture 11 allows access to the central :..::: 20 portion of the structure. A three-year- old child, for example, would pass readily through aperture 11 and stand in opening 6 with the platform height being approximately at his/her waist height so that the platform acts as a worktop for the child. The child interaction structure of figure 1 does not incorporate any form of seat and/or stool for the child to sit on within the opening. The access to opening 6 is therefore relatively * : 25 unrestricted. As an alternative mode of use, a child may climb into the opening by first climbing onto the platform and then placing her/himself within the opening.

Projecting members such as member 7 are optional and may be configured to be themselves removable from the platform top. Whilst projections are envisaged in the figure, alternatively the platform incorporates a plurality of recesses into which a projecting member of an education and/or play object may be inserted.

Figure 2 shows a child interaction structure generaLly referenced 12 with a platform 13 and a square sided supporting housing 14 with 3 rectangular sides 15, 16 and 17. The housing also incorporates a rectangular base 18. The platform and the support members incorporate a number of fold lines or hinges. Fold lines 19 and 20A allow the platform to fold in half whilst fold lines 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 allow the support members to fold flat.

The foldability of the interaction structure allows it to be stowed away even into confined spaces such as beneath a sofa or under a bed.

The parent and/or child assembLe the child interaction structure by inserting the top edges 25, 26 and 27 into friction grips or clamps 28, 29, 30 and 31.

Alternative releasable attachment means may be provided on either the platform or the support members such as a bolt and screw, an arrangement of filamentary touch to close pads (such as those sold under the brand name VELCRO) and a zipper.

Figure 3 shows a child interaction structure generally referenced 32 with a platform and support members respectiveLy referenced 33 and 34 essentially similar to the structure of figure 1. In addition, child interaction structure 32 incorporates a plurality of closure members 35 and 36, which are sized and shaped to tightly fit into apertures 37 and 38. By closing the apertures, an enclosure is provided into which a child may stow away toys and other objects. The lid 35 may incorporate a threaded edge whilst the edge of aperture 37 :..::: 20 incorporates a threaded edge allowing the lid to be screwed into the aperture and secured S...

to the platform. Alternatively, lid 35 incorporates a substantially deformable edge to allow the edge to deform against the edge of the aperture to be tightly secured thereto. S..

Figure 4 shows a plurality of child interaction structures of an overall hexagonal shape : 25 when viewed in plan and with hexagonal central apertures. A central structure 39 is provided and surrounded by 6 separate structures. Releasable attachment means such as tongue and grooves located on the side of the platform may be provided so that these may be secured to one another in a variety of patterns. A particularly advantageous configuration is obtained when combining 4 structures for example structure 39, 40, 41 and 42 which form a particularly large middle common surface 52 as shown by the dashed lines.

Figure 5a shows a substantially rectangular platform 43 with a rectangular opening 44 into which a child is positioned during use. The platform incorporates two projecting ears 45 and 46, which may be inserted into corresponding receiving recesses for securing adjacent structures. The platform may be supported only by one or more legs shown in figure Sb.

Leg 47 is extendable height wise between its foot 48 and its platform engaging top surface 49. The Leg 47 is provided with two co-centric cylindrical portions SO and 51. An anti-clockwise rotation of section 51 may cause cylindrical portions 51 to be displaceable relative to cylindrical portion 50. Once the portions are located in a desired position a clockwise rotation of cylindrical portion 51 would lock portion 50 and 51 into a given position, thereby allowing the height of the structure to be adjusted.

The top of cylindrical portion may simply be screwed into the underside of the platform.

In a further preferred embodiment, the structure is adapted for in door use.

In a further preferred embodiment, the structure is movable.

In a further preferred embodiment, the structure incorporates one or more wheels to facilitate its displacement.

:. Figure 6 shows a structure 53 with a platform 54 with an inner lip 55 and an outer lip 56 :..::: 20 which form an annular trough 57 for receiving objects such as "train world" section 58. By S... . . . . . . placing a plurality of section or a single section in the trough a child interaction surface is formed. As shown in the cross sectional view, inner and outer lips (55 and 56) protrude :. beyond the section in order to present a barrier for small objects to be prevented from falling off the interaction surface. The inner and outer lip may take alternative forms of : 25 barriers.

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Claims (10)

1. A child interaction structure comprising a platform with a surface with which, in use, a child interacts; one or more support members for raising said platform above the floor on which the structure is stood in use; an opening in said platform of a size and configuration to allow a child to interact with said platform whilst being in the opening; wherein an aperture is provided in said support members to allow child access to said opening from beneath said platform.

2. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said platform extends around said opening.

3. A structure according to either of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of said support members are extendible height wise.

4. A structure according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein said top surface incorporates releasable attachment means for securing one or more objects equipped with :. corresponding releasable attachment means.

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5. A structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said support members form an enclosure with side walls and with a side opening allowing access to the enclosure; and the structure further comprises closure members for closing both said top surface opening and said side opening. * 25

6. A structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said structure incorporates releasable attachment means to allow the side by side attachment of a corresponding releasable attachment means provided in a further structure located adjacent to said structure.

7. A structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said platform is detachable from said one or more support members.

8. A structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said platform is foldable along one or more fold lines.

9. A modular platform incorporating a plurality of structures in accordance with any of the preceding claims.

10. A structure or modular platform substantially as hereinbefore described and/or illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or figures. S. * . * *.* **.* * * * SS* * * . * ***

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