GB2508369A

GB2508369A - A suspended chair with a detachable seat and a safety strap

Info

Publication number: GB2508369A
Application number: GB1221486.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ravind Patel; Kastur Varsani
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-11-29
Filing date: 2012-11-29
Publication date: 2014-06-04

Abstract

A suspended chair comprising a base 6, a resilient arm 1 projecting from the base 6, a hanger 2 situated on the arm 1, a seat shell 3 arranged to be suspended from the hanger 2, a seat surface 5 which can be secured to the shell 3 and a strap 4 to secure a user in position. The strap 4 may be attached to the shell 3 or the seat surface 5. The seat surface 5 may be used to convert the chair so that it is suitable for use by children and act as a swing chair. Also claimed are a seat shell 3 and a seat surface 5 for use in a device of this nature. The hanger 2 may be adjustable to alter the height of the shell 3. A limiter may be provided to reduce the range that the seat can swing and the shell 3 may be tear drop shaped. The shell may include means to hang a toy 7.

Description

A SWINGING INFANT CHAIR OR SEAT

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a swinging infant chair or seat, more particularly but not exclusively an infant chair or seat that is suspended in use.

Background

Many chairs are developed or adapted for children so as to provide adequate support and to be of a suitable size. Commonly chairs are designed to perform a swinging or rocking sensation to sooth the child, for example when trying to get them to sleep.

Typically such devices are developed for babies and are less readily available for older children for example 1-6 year olds. Older children may like to use chairs design for adults such as swing chairs, however they must be supervised as they may easily fall from these as the seat is not designed for children's smaller frame.

Also the height to access such chairs may be prohibitive.

Often children's swing chairs are developed to support a child when lying down but are not suitable for a child that may be sitting and therefore may have limited use.

Also if the device is designed to be laid upon by the child typically takes up a greater ground space and therefore may not be viable in some locations.

The present invention arose to overcome the problems associated with swinging infant chairs by providing s swinging chair adapted to receive a child between the ages of 1-6 years old in a seated position, wherein the seat may be adjusted to suit the user.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Granted United States patent US 7 380 880 (MOLEN) discloses a frame assembly for suspending a chair above the ground and for a front-to-back pendular motion

I

relative to the frame assembly when supported on the ground, the frame assembly comprising: a base member said base member including a central support having a central vertical axis and a plurality of base legs for supporting the base member on the ground, said legs being disposed or respective radii and radiating outwardly from said central support and the axis thereof, an arcuate two-part support frame, said support frame comprising an upper and a lower frame element, each frame element being generally curvilinear and including an upper first end and a lower second end, first means for releasably connecting the upper first end of the lower frame element to the tower second end of the upper frame element, wherein to form said support frame, and second means for releasably connecting the tower second end of the lower element to said base member.

International patent application WO 2005 023 050 (GURELER) discloses a practical hammock developed to accommodate 0-3 age infants, characterized in that said hammock is composed pf a supportive frame comprising vertical swinging legs providing the balance when opened left-and rightward; a leg folding joint for opening the vertical swinging legs; a horizontal swinging leg laid down to the ground in a horizontal position; a coupling joint of the vertical swinging leg and horizontal swinging leg coupling the horizontal and vertical swinging legs together so that they can be opened and closed; a chock preventing the contact of the frame with the ground and ensuring the displacement of the hammock; a hook and hanger allowing the hammock to be hung to the supportive frame; the supportive frame having an upper joint carrying the hanger to which the hook, the hammock is hung thereon, is fastened and allowing the vertical swinging legs to be opened/closed; steel strings, with certain distances in between, configured so as to be opened/closed to accommodate the infant; a thick canvas fastened under these steel wires and a tulle on the upper part of the hammock to allow an accommodated infant to breath easily.

United States patent application US 4 550 456 (ALLEN) discloses an infant cradle assembly comprising a frame assembly having a plurality of parts capable of being disassembled; bed means attached to said frame assembly and arranged to hang therefrom to form a bed; a plurality of support cords being coupled to a plurality of points on said frame assembly and being arranged to be attached to a carrier; said support cords being formed from a resilient material for inducing a multitude of motions on said frame means and said bed means while attached to a carrier; said plurality of support cords comprise a pair of support cords having their opposite ends attached to opposed points on said frame means; and a support sleeve through which an intermediate section of said support cords extend, said support sleeve further including means for attaching said sleeve to a carrier to support said frame assembly and said bed means.

In contrast the present invention provides a comfortable chair solution for an infant or user, which permits enjoyment and maximises safety where required. Further embodiments may allow modification to suit different size and need users.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a suspended chair or seat; comprising a frame comprising: a base; at least one resilient arm projecting from said base; and a hanger situated on at least one of said arms, wherein said hanger is arranged in use to allow suspension of the seat from said at least one arm, and in which said seat comprises a seat carcass arranged in use to be suspended on said hanger and in which said seat provides at least one securement point for a seat surface, and wherein said seat further comprises at least one strap arranged in use for securement of a user to said seat In preferred embodiments the chair or seat is of advantageous and primary use for infant or vulnerable adult users, wherein said user is restrained within the surface and the surface restrained within the carcass.

In this way the seat is composed of the carcass and surface and is further arranged to be moveable in use in relation to the base. The arm may be capable of resilient deformation so as to allow the seat in use to swing and/or bounce. The hanger may in some preferred embodiments in addition or the alternative be arranged to allow the seat in use to spin in relation to the base.

In one embodiment, the present invention therefore provides a swinging seat comprising: a carcass for suspension by means of a hanger, wherein the carcass is adapted to receive a removable surface which is arranged in use to support a user, a means of attachment arranged in use to secure a seat surface to the carcass and a removable harness.

In preferred embodiments the chair or seat enables the user to be swung whilst secured in the seat. Typically the carcass is suspended from the hanger which is arranged to join the carcass to the frame. The hanger may for example be a hook, loop, cable, chain or rope or combination of the before mentioned.

In some embodiments the hanger may be adjustable so as to alter the height of the carcass from the ground in use and to alter range of movement of the seat, wherein for example if the hanger is longer a greater swing arc is available.

In use the frame is stationary and the carcass and hanger may be displaced in respect of the frame whilst remaining attached to creating the swinging motion.

In preferred embodiments the frame supports the carcass so that it is positioned at a --predetermined distance ?b.ove theground, for examplethe carcass is being --suspended when in use. Ideally the frame includes a base which supports at least one arm arranged to hold the carcass, wherein the base and arm may be separable for transport or storage.

In some embodiments the at least one arm may be curved or angled so as to interfere with the carcass in use when it swings and so as to allow the carcass to be positioned centrally over the base for optimal balance.

In further embodiments the at least one arm may be attached to an object such as the wall thereby removing the requirement for the carcass to be attached to a frame.

In some embodiments the hanger may include or be associated with an optional limiter to reduce range of swing of the seat, thereby preventing the child from swinging beyond desired ranges. For example the seat may be prevented from swinging further than an arc of 45 degrees.

In some further embodiments the chair or seat may include an electronic mechanism arranged in use to swing the seat so as to remove the requirement for the parent or carer to rock the seat.

Preferably the carcass is generally teardrop shaped, in which the carcass is shaped to be larger at the bottom (for example larger at the portion of the carcass positioned in use closer to the base or ground) than the top (for example the portion of the carcass positioned in use adjacent the hanger) so as to provide a location for the surface and a tapered point which cooperates with the hanger joining to the frame.

Accordingly the carcass has an opening so as to allow access to and from the carcass and in particular to and from the surface located in the carcass in use.

Typically the carcass is formed from a lightweight, durable, strong material. It is envisaged that the carcass may be available in many materials such as synthetic plastic, fabric or woven material such as sea grass or bamboo. In some embodiments the carcass may include an integral frame so as to strengthen the carcass and help maintain shape and in particular the opening even when in use.

Typically the carcass is suspended from its tapered point (for example from a region adjacent the top of the carcass) so as to provide a defined range of movement whereby the carcass will not knock the frame in use when operated within the optimal range.

Preferably the tapered point of the carcass may comprise an eye ring bolt arranged in use to receive the hanger, Ideally the bolt is fastened within the carcass and the bolt may by covered or enclosed by a cap which prevents a user knocking their head on the bolt. Typically the cap may be formed from a resiliently deformable material such as foam or rubber.

In some embodiments the carcass or cap may include a point arranged to accept a toy or mobile so that the child may be entertained whilst seated. The hook may be incorporated with the cap or may be provided on the bolt so as reduce number of parts and minimise damage possibilities, 5 Typically the carcass is shaped and dimensioned to receive the surface and includes a means of attachment to secure the surface to the carcass to limit movement in use.

Preferably the surface may be removably attached to the carcass so as ensure the user is secure in the seat when in use but that it may be removed or replaced if damaged or cleaning is required.

Typically the surface may include at least one aperture, for example a plurality of apertures, through which a strap may be passed in order to connect the surface to the carcass. The strap may be passed through the at least one aperture and connected to the surface by means of a button, clip, push fitting, buckle or hook and loop means such as Velcro (Trade Mark).

In other embodiments the surface and carcass may include hook and loop means, such as Velcro (Trade Mark) enabling the surface to attached to the carcass without straps. For example the surface may be backed with hooks and the carcass may be lined with loops therefore becoming connected to one another when place in contact.

In yet further embodiments the surface may include a bonded rigid plate or part so as to interface with a part on the carcass in a counterintuitive or contrary way, in order that in common usage said movement is not possible, wherein for example the surface may be slid vertically into place. Yet further embodiments include resilient mating parts. I Advantageously the surface is formed primarily or externally from a soft, durable, resiliently deformable material such as neoprene or a cellular structure foam so as to provide a comfortable supportive surface for the infant or user. In some embodiments foam may adjust to or retain shape of the infant or user. The surface may also include an internal rigid or semi rigid frame so as to help maintain the seats form.

Ideally the surface may also include or comprise a protective cover of fabric, synthetic plastic or leather so that the seat may comfortable for the user and the surface easily cleaned.

Typically the surface is moulded to fit the shape of the carcass and provides a moulded cushion on which the user is seated.

Advantageously the surface may be removed and the carcass may be used without the surface, for example by an aider child or adult user. It may accordingly be envisaged that the carcass may in some embodiments include a padded lining so as to be comfortable even without the surface, and to prevent injury to the user when in use, for example whilst getting in and out of the carcass.

In preferred embodiments the surface includes the adjustable harness arranged in use to secure the user to the surface and thereby in the carcass, preventing them from falling out or moving excessively in use.

In other embodiments the harness is arranged in use to be passed through the surface and in yet further embodiments the harness is secured to the carcass, and either passed through or around the surface.

It is envisaged that three or five point harnesses may be used depending upon age of child and support required, whereby the three point harness includes waist and leg supports and the five point harness additionally includes shoulder supports.

Ideally the harness is removable so as to allow the surface to be used without the harness for example for older children or adults.

In some embodiments the chair or seat may be arranged to hold two or more users wherein the carcass is larger and may support more than one surface.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the chair or seat; Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a view from above of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; And Figure 5 shows a view from below of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures in general and Figure 1 in particular, the suspended chair comprises a frame comprising a base 6 and an arm 1 upstanding from the base 6 and extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base 6. The chair further comprises a hanger 2 connected to the arm 1 by a first hook. The arm 1 maintains the hanger 2 in position. The opposing end of the hanger 2 provides a second hook arranged to engage and suspend the carcass 3 in the air The carcass 3 encases1 supports and is fastened to the surface 5, which surface 5 includes two shoulder straps 4, a between legs belt 8 and a buckle 9 so as to form the harness.

In further embodiments different styles or sizes of surface are available.

A toy 7 is suspended from the tapered top end of the carcass 3.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.