GB2495315A - Infant weighing platform for use with conventional scales - Google Patents

Abstract

Infant weighing platform 2 comprising a tray 4 for accommodating the baby and a frame 6 having, in use, a tray-contacting side 26 and a ground engaging underside 28. The underside comprises a central recess 30 and one or more downwardly extending portions 24 offset there-from and configured to spread the weight of the platform evenly about it. When the platform is placed on a weighing surface of a scale (52, Fig. 2), the central recess envelops the weighing surface and the portion(s) protrude there-from. The tray may be demountably attached (e.g. via lugs 54 and apertures 56) and the frame may consist of two variable-height struts forming an X-shape (38, Fig. 5) allowing the platform to be flat packed. A rigid elongate lever (72, Fig.6) may support the platform (e.g. at the mid-point) and rest on scales (52, Fig.6) at one end; thus extending the weight-range of the platform.

Description

Infant Weihin platform

FieLd of the Invention

The invention reLates to infant weighing pLatforms.

ProbLems to be soLved and Prior Art

The feeding of infants, especiaLLy firstborn and new born infants, is a source of anxiety to young mothers and their famiLies. There is a considerabLe amount of dogma, ideoLogy and foLk-Law which surrounds various aspects of the chiLd rearing process, none more so than the choice between the traditionaL breast-feeding of a child and feeding it with breast miLk substitutes and other nutritionaL suppLements. One worry or concern of mothers who breast-feed is that they might be providing their chiLdren with Less nutrition than may be provided by aLternative means. WhiLst this can LogicaLLy be the case, it is not therefore aLso the case that a breast feeding mother is necessariLy not giving her chiLd enough nutrition through the use of breast miLk onLy.

A further issue of increasing reLevance is that overfeeding of infants may aLso cause them Long term detriment; a Low weight baby who has been overfed may have an increased risk of becoming diabetic.

One means of measuring the amount of miLk, and therefore to estimate the nourishment gained by an infant through breast feeding is to weigh the chiLd both before and after the feed. After the feed the infant wiLt necessariLy be heavier, and by subtracting the masses of the infant before the feed from the masses of the infant after the feed one is abLe to caLcuLate the mass of the miLk the infant has taken, with a view to making a judgement (perhaps by providing the data to a midwife) as to whether or not it is necessary to suppLement the breast feed with further nutrition, or further breast feeding. In addition, it may be desirabLe to monitor the weight of an infant that is sick. GeneraLLy aLso, scaLes used for this task can be used for the more everyday weighing of the infant.

The prior art comprises a Limited number of custom baby scales which may be found in medicaL centres. These scaLes are Large, expensive and deLicate. A domestic aLternative must be smaLLer, cheaper and more robust: smaLLer so that it may be easiLy housed in a domestic context and smaLL enough so that it may be stored after its usefuL Life, which may onLy be a few weeks; cheaper in order that it may have widespread appeaL to the domestic market; and more robust in order that it may be pLaced in an environment such as a kitchen rather than a medicaL or scientific environment, without constant fear if it being broken.

It is amongst the objects of this invention to provide a soLution to these and other probLems.

Summary of the Invention

In a first, broad independent aspect, the invention comprises a weighing pLatform for an infant comprising a tray, said tray being configured to accommodate an infant and a frame, the frame having an, in use, tray contacting side and an, in use, ground engaging underside, wherein the underside of the frame comprises a central recess and one or more downwardLy extending portions offset from the centraL recess, said portion or portions being configured in order to spread the weight of the weighing pLatform evenLy about said recess, the arrangement being such that in use, when the tray is sat on top of a weighing scaLe with a top, the centraL recess enveLopes the said top and the said portions protrude therefrom.

The weighing pLatform provided does indeed provide a smaLLer, Less expensive and more robust aLternative to the baby scales found in medicaL centres. By providing a centraL recess to utitise weighing scales of the kind conventionally found in a domestic context, the invention dispenses with the need for having integrated scales by providing a central recess into which the said domestic scales can fit. By utilising the pre-provided domestic scales in this manner significant costs are saved, and from a technical standpoint the weighing platform is greatLy simplified.

A further marked technical advantage is provided by the combination of the centraL recess and the downwardLy extending portions. What this combination of features provides is a stable interface with the scales, wherein the weighing platform is given by these features a lower centre of mass and wherein the mass of the weighing platform is distributed by virtue of the provision of the offset, downwardly extending portions. By providing means for ensuring the stability of the weighing platform, the safety of an infant put on the weighing platform is greatly increased.

An additional advantage of the provision of a separate weighing platform is of course that the platform may be demounted from the scales when they are not being used together, so that the weighing scaLes may be used conventionally. This must be contrasted with an integrated infant weighing scale wherein the scales are not available for other uses at other times.

The weighing platform is particuLarly well suited to using with the flat deck kind of scales.

Preferably, the frame comprises a plurality of elongate downwardly extending members arranged radially around the central recess.

RadiaLly arranged members advantageously ensure a more even spread of mass about the central recess of the weighing platform. By arranging an equal number of identicaLly sized members radiaLly around the centre of the recess an even greater amount of stability is ensured.

Preferably, the platform is substantiaLly flat packable.

By making the pLatform flat packabLe or substantialLy so, the platform may be stored more easily when not in use.

Preferably, the tray is demountably attached to the frame.

The demountabte tray has two advantages. The first is that the tray may be washed more easily by detaching it from the frame. The second is that the infant pLaced on the tray may faLl asleep and it may be the case that others want to transport the infant without moving it from the pLatform, which thereby ameliorates the risk of disturbing it. However, although having a demountabLe tray is a desirabLe feature, it is important that the tray and the frame are firmLy attached to one another, as the safety of the tray is paramount.

Preferably, the frame consists of two struts which come together so as to form an X shape.

The X shape is strong and simple to form, being formed out of two struts. An X shape ensures the evenness of weight distribution and the evenness of support about the tray of the weighing platform.

Preferably, the invention further comprises scales so sized and shaped as to fit into the recess.

The optional provision of scaLes allows for the configuration of platform scales where the recess of the platform fits the scales snugLy and welL.

Preferably, the tray has a convex region and a concave region.

The concave region provides means of militating against the falling of the infant off the scales, without the need to actually restrain the infant.

More preferabLy, the convex side of the tray comprises one or more Lugs, and the tray contacting side of the frame comprises one or more apertures, wherein the location of the lugs corresponds with the location of the apertures so that when the weighing pLatform is assembled, the lugs fit into the apertures.

The provision of lugs and corresponding apertures allows for the secure fit of tray and frame together, in a straightforward manner -the user need only Lower the tray onto the frame to utitise the securing features, which is most important if the infant is aLready on the tray and therefore needs to be supported with both hands.

PreferabLy, the Length of the downwardLy extending portions is adjustabLe.

By adjusting the Length of the portions the user can advantageousLy Lower the centre of mass, where the scales upon which the pLatform is mounted is particuLarLy high, or reduce the Length of the portions where the scaLes are low, and they wouLd consequentLy engage with the ground.

PreferabLy, the recess further comprises an adjustabLe, LockabLe cLamp.

PreferabLy, the adjustabLe cLamp comprises the centraL recess, which may be expanded and/or contracted.

The adjustabLe, LockabLe cLamp aLLows the in practicaL terms scaLe contacting sides of the centraL recess to be contracted and/or expanded in order to be of a contact, frictionaL or snug fit with a given weighing scaLes.

PreferabLy, the tray is substantiaLLy I shaped.

An I shaped tray provides both a contact surface and support means for each of an infant's Limbs.

PreferabLy, the tray comprises a first end and a second end, and further comprises a hoLLow, Located adjacent to said first end.

The hoLLow provides a resting pLace for an infant's head, which therefore heLps to keep the infant in position during weighing. The hoLLow aLso provides a means of getting the infant into the same Location each time, which advantageousLy aids consistent weighing of the infant.

The invention aLso comprises a weighing pLatform substantiaLLy as cLaimed herein, with reference to and as iLLustrated by any combination of the text and/or drawings.

In a second, broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus comprising a weighing pLatform according to any of the preceding cLaims and a substantiaLLy rigid, eLongate [ever, with a first end and a second end, said lever comprising a pLinth upon which to mount the weighing pLatform Located substantiaLLy equidistant between the first end and the second end, and wherein the first end comprises a recess, for pLacing over scaLes.

The additionaL apparatus aLLows for the extending of the upper Limit weighed by the scaLes, This aLlows for the weighing of heavier infants.

PreferabLy, the recess comprises a cut-away portion.

The cutaway portion aLLows for the weighing scales to be viewed and the dispLay read when the apparatus is being used on the said weighing scaLes.

The invention aLso comprises apparatus substantiaLLy as cLaimed herein, with reference to and as iLLustrated by any combination of the text and/or drawings.

The invention wiLL now be described in detaiL with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a weighing pLatform of the invention, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of a weighing pLatform of the invention pLaced on some scaLes, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a tray of the invention, Figure 4 is a diagrammatic cross-sectionaL side view of a weighing pLatform of the invention pLaced on some scaLes, Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the underside of a weighing pLatform of the invention, Figure 6 comprises a diagrammatic side view of apparatus according to the invention in contact with some scaLes, Figure 7 is a further diagrammatic side view of apparatus according to the invention and some scaLes, Figure 8 is a stiLL further diagrammatic view of apparatus according to the invention and some scaLes, Figure 9 is a diagrammatic pLan view of apparatus according to the invention, Figure 10 is a diagrammatic side view of a part of a weighing pLatform according to the invention, Figure 11 is a further diagrammatic side view of a part of a weighing pLatform according to the invention; and Figure 12 is a stiLL further diagrammatic side view of a part of a weighing pLatform according to the invention.

DetaiLed description of the preferred embodiments

The invention as shown in the figures and especiaLLy at figure 1 comprises a weighing pLatform 2. The weighing pLatform 2 comprises two main components nameLy a tray 4 and a frame 6. A key innovation provided by the weighing pLatform 2 is that it does not comprise, in preferred embodiments, any sort of weighing scaLe. Rather the weighing pLatform 2 is designed to be pLaced onto attached to or otherwise, removably retro-fitted to weighing scaLes commonLy found in domestic contexts such as the home kitchen. The weighing pLatform may be made of metaLs, aLLoys, woods, pLastic materiaLs or any combination of the above, but pLastic materiaLs are considered to be particuLarLy advantageous because they are easy to wipe cLean and steriLise, thus being made easiLy hygienic for an infant. The choice of the materiaLs wILL tend towards the Lightweight; the totaL weight of the materiaLs shouLd be kept Low, because domestic scaLes often have an upper Limit of 5kg. In order that a range of infants might be weighed, the contribution of the totaL mass of infant and pLatform by the pLatform shouLd be kept to a minimum.

B

The tray 4 is substantially clan I shape comprising a first end 8 and a second end 10 with a recessed portion 12 in the middle, in which the infant in use is rested. The recess advantageously reduces the mass of the weighing pLatform, and also to facilitate viewing the display of scaLes placed underneath. The, in use, upper side 14 of the tray 4 is concave along its Z axis or width, the tray 4 being correspondingly convex about the width of its Lower side 16. In some configurations, the width of the tray 4 may be continuously curved or -as in figure 1 -it may have a flat centraL bout 18 and upwardly curved extremities 20.

At a first end 8 of the tray 4 Lies a recess 22 sized and shaped to take a part of an infant's head which is rested on it. This combination of features has the effect, in toto, of ensuring that the infant may be safely and stably Located in a substantiaLLy simiLar position, each time, on the tray. A continuously curved version of the tray 4 may be seen at figure 2 whiLst a more flattened version of the tray 4 is visibLe at figure 4.

The tray 4 is demountabLy attached to the frame 6. The frame 6 itself comprises in preferred embodiments a pair of struts 24. Each strut 24, as part of the frame, comprises a tray contacting side 26 and a ground engaging underside 28, although of course when the weighing platform 2 is being supported by a centraL recess 30 by weighing scaLes, no part of the weighing pLatform 2 makes contact with the ground. NonetheLess, when the scaLes are not there, a fLat and stabLe ground engaging surface is achieved. At shown at figure 2, a custom fit set of flat based scaLes 52 may be provided. In preferred embodiments however, no such scale is provided and in particuLar a domestic fLat bed style, or more generaLly a symmetrical styLe is catered for by the configuration of the centraL recess 30.

At figure 2, the composition of the struts 24 is cLearer. Each strut 24, being part of the said frame 6 comprises a tray contacting side 26 and a ground engaging underside 28; here the strut 24 is being supported by scales which are not part of the invention. Both the tray contacting side 26 and the ground engaging underside 28 extend lateralLy out from a relatively narrow shaft 32. The shaft 32 comprises LongitudinaL indents 34, 36, with a first Longitudinal indent 34 carried by a first strut, and a second Longitudinal indent 36 being carried by a second strut. The indents 34, 36 alLow for the fitting together of a plurality of struts 24 into an assembled frame 6. In preferred embodiments an assembLed frame 6 may comprise two struts 24 which come together so as to form an X shape 38 as shown in figure 5 with a first strut 24 via lateral indents 34, 36. The angle of each strut may for reasons of balance be offset from a neighbouring strut by 9Q0, or as in figure 5 the angLe between a first strut and a second strut may not be equal in order to provide better support for the elongated shape of the tray 4. Other configurations of struts are available and configurations of 3 and 4 struts, which dovetail around a central point, or which Lock together, are within the ambit of the inventive concept.

The frame 6 may be attached and detached from the tray 4. This quality of demountability along with the fact that the component struts 24 can be assembled to form a frame 6 and subsequently disassembled to allow the weighing platform 2 to be substantially flat folded or flat packed.

The ground engaging underside 28 comprises central recess 30 intermediate, downwardly extending portions 38 and still further downwardly extending extremities 40.

Figure 10, shows a weighing platform 2 with an extremity 40 which is adjustable in height, the height adjuster comprising a threaded portion of the extremity 40, which interfaces with a corresponding threaded aperture in downwardly extending portion 38. An alternative means of doing the same job would be to provide one or shims for matching up with a corresponding saddle.

At figure 11, a similar height adjustable portion 42 extends from central recess 30, allowing further elevation of the weighing platform 6, when the scales themselves do not have sufficient height to lift the entirety of the weighing platform 6 from a ground surface.

At figure 12, a recess width adjuster 48 is provided allowing for a frictional or contact fit to be formed between the width adjuster 44 and a set of scales, thereby further ensuring that the contact between scales and weighing platform 2 is firm and supportive. And also to ensure that the load is in the same place each time and not over to one side. With regard to this latter width adjuster 44 the position of this may be determined by a ratchet or slider or as here a plurality of vertically disposed ridges so sized and shaped to fit with bracket portion 48 of width adjuster 46. In both figures 10 and 11 the height adjuster 42/width adjuster 44 may comprise an attachment means which is a clip. In the case of the height adjuster 44 the clip 50 attaches to the extremity 40 to raise the weighing platform 22 and allow safer use of relatively tall scales. In the case of figure 11 the clip 50 attaches to the central recess 30 to allow the use of short scales.

The bracket portion 48 may advantageousLy take the form of an adjustabLe LockabLe cLamp.

Even more advantageousLy bracket portion 48 may comprise a portion of the centraL recess itseLf.

The interface between tray 4 and frame 6 advantageousLy has the tray 6 comprising a pLuraLity of tugs 54 -in this case two pairs -and has the frame 6 comprising apertures of a concomitant shape aLLowing the smooth fit of the tugs into the apertures 56. This is best ittustrated at figure 4. In addition, the frame 6 may bear tugs 58 which correspond with apertures 60 in tray 4, thus providing a particutarty good fit. In addition, as shown at figure 5, fasteners 62 and guide channets 64, which are the underside of tugs 54, are provided on the convex tower side 16 of the tray 4 to provide additionat stabitity and support to the weighing ptatform.

At figures 6 to 9 are shown various configurations of a weighing apparatus 70 which comprises a weighing ptatform 2, etongate tever 72 and a set of scates which need not be part of the invention. The provision of the etongate tever 72 which has a supptementary ground contacting portion 74, attows the mass of the weighing ptatform 2 and its infant toad to be spread either eventy in the case of figure 6 where the tray 4 is Located hatf way down the tever 72, or it Is tocated at a different point atong the tever 72 by sptitting the toad between two points and varying the position of the tray 4. The sensitivity of the scates can be adjusted so where for exampLe the scates weigh a maximum of 5 kitos if the user baLances the weighing pLatform 2 hatfway down the tever 72 the scates coutd weigh up to 10 kilos, atthough the sensitivity of the scates woutd be reduced tikewise if the weighing platform 2 was in the manner of figure 7 tocated ctose to the scales a correspondingty targer mass may be weighed. The pLan view of figure 9 reveats that tever 72 comprises portions of the same supporting footprint as scates 76 for putting the scates onto, as weLt as cutaway portions 78 to aLtow the easy reading of the scates at both ends of the tever 72. In this figure 9 embodiment, a 2:1 pLatform 80 is provided and a 4:1 ptatform 82 is atso provided.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMS1. A weighing pLatform for an infant comprising; a tray, said tray being configured to accommodate an infant, and a frame, the frame having an, in use, tray contacting side and an, in use, ground engaging underside, wherein the underside of the frame comprises a centraL recess and one or more downwardLy extending portions offset from the centraL recess, said portion or portions being configured in order to spread the weight of the weighing pLatform evenLy about said recess, the arrangement being such that in use, when the tray is sat on top of a weighing scaLe with a top, the centraL recess enveLopes the said top and the said portions protrude therefrom.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A weighing pLatform according to cLaim 1, wherein the frame comprises a pLuraLity of eLongate downwardLy extending members arranged radiaLLy around the centraL recess.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A weighing pLatform according to either cLaim 1 or cLaim 2, wherein the pLatform is substantiaLLy fLat packabLe.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A weighing pLatform according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the tray is demountabLy attached to the frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A weighing pLatform according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the frame consists of two struts which come together so as to form an X shape.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A weighing pLatform according to any of the preceding cLaims, further comprising scaLes so sized and shaped as to fit into the recess.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A weighing pLatform according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the tray has a convex region and a concave region.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A weighing pLatform according to cLaim 7, wherein the convex side of the tray comprises one or more tugs, and the tray contacting side of the frame comprises one or more apertures, wherein the Location of the tugs corresponds with the Location of the apertures so that when the weighing pLatform is assembLed, the tugs fit into the apertures.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A weighing pLatform according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the Length of the downwardLy extending portions is adjustabLe.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A weighing pLatform according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the recess further comprises an adjustabLe, LockabLe cLamp.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A weighing pLatform according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the adjustabLe cLamp comprises the centraL recess, which may be expanded and/or contracted.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A weighing pLatform according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the tray is substantiaLLy I shaped.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A weighing pLatform according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the tray comprises a first end and a second end, and further comprises a hoLLow, Located adjacent to said first end.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A weighing pLatform substantiaLLy as cLaimed herein, with reference to and as iLLustrated by any combination of the text and/or drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. An apparatus comprising a weighing pLatform according to any of the preceding cLaims and a substantiaLLy rigid, eLongate Lever, with a first end and a second end, said Lever comprising a ptinth upon which to mount the weighing pLatform Located substantiaLLy equidistant between the first end and the second end, and wherein the first end comprises a recess, for pLacing over scaLes.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. An apparatus according to cLaim 15, wherein the recess comprises a cut-away portion.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. An apparatus substantialLy as cLaimed herein, with reference to and as iLLustrated by any combination of the text and/or drawings.</claim-text>