GB2583410A

GB2583410A - Child support apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2583410A
Application number: GB2003942.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sun Mingxing
Original assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
Current assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
Priority date: 2019-03-20
Filing date: 2020-03-18
Publication date: 2020-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-18
Also published as: GB202306336D0; JP2022040116A; GB2616533B; CN111717266A; DE102020107764A1; JP6983940B2; GB2583410B; GB2616533A; JP2020152373A; JP7279144B2; JP2023095963A; GB202210353D0; GB202108230D0; GB2596416B; GB2608514B; GB2596416A; GB202003942D0; GB2608514A

Abstract

A child support apparatus 200 includes a standing frame 201, and a juvenile support assembly (100, see fig.2) supported on the standing frame and adapted to receive a child, wherein the juvenile support assembly includes a front seat portion 10, a rear seat portion 20 and a backrest frame 203. The rear seat portion being respectively connected pivotally with the front seat portion and the backrest frame, the front seat portion and the rear seat portion being foldable toward each other. The juvenile support assembly may include a cushioning portion extending at an underside of the front seat portion and the rear seat portion, the cushioning portion 40 providing a bearing support for the front seat portion and the rear seat portion in the unfolded state that is elastically deformable along an upward-downward direction of the child support apparatus. The bearing support may be a wire (41, see fig.6). The two pivoting seat portions may comprise a pivot joint therebetween and also include a spring for providing a biasing force for facilitating unfolding. Additionally, there may be a handle, a linking bar and a side bar which are pivotally connected to each other on a common pivot axis.

Description

CHILD SUPPORT APPARATUS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS)

100011 This application claims priority to China patent application no. 201910214213.7 filed on March 20, 2019.

BACKGROUND

100021 1. Field of the Invention

100031 The present invention relates to child support apparatuses.

100041 2. Description of the Related Art

100051 Child strollers can be used to conveniently transport babies and children for outdoor activities. Typical design needs for a child stroller may include a seat portion that can provide adequate support for a child, and a frame structure that can be conveniently and safely operated for folding and unfolding and have a compact size in a folded state. However, the seat portion of most child strollers available on the market cannot be reduced in size, which may limit the folding of the child strollers.

100061 Therefore, there is a need for an improved design that can provide a comfortable environment for receiving a child during use, and can address at least the foregoing issues.

SUMMARY

100071 The present application describes a child support apparatus that can provide a more comfortable support for a child. According to an embodiment, the child support apparatus includes a standing frame, and a juvenile support assembly supported on the standing frame and adapted to receive a child, wherein the juvenile support assembly includes a front seat portion, a rear seat portion and a backrest frame, the rear seat portion being respectively connected pivotally with the front seat portion and the backrest frame, the front seat portion and the rear seat portion being foldable toward each other.

100081 According to another embodiment, the child support apparatus includes a standing frame, and a juvenile support assembly supported on the standing frame and adapted to receive a child, wherein the juvenile support assembly includes a front seat portion and a rear seat portion pivotally connected with each other, and a cushioning portion extending at an underside of the front seat portion and the rear seat portion, the rear seat portion being rotatable relative to the front seat portion and the cushioning portion between an unfolded state and a folded state, and the cushioning portion providing a bearing support for the front seat portion and the rear seat portion in the unfolded state that is elastically deformable along an upward-downward direction of the child support apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

100091 FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a child support apparatus; 100101 FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the child support apparatus of FIG. 1 under another angle of view; 100111 FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the child support apparatus shown in FIG. 100121 FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the child support apparatus of FIG. I in a folded state; 100131 FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a juvenile support assembly provided in the child support apparatus; 100141 FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the juvenile support assembly of FIG. 5 under another angle of view; 100151 FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of portion A shown in FIG. 6; and 100161 FIGS. 8-10 are perspective views illustrating exemplary folding operation of the child support apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

100171 The present application describes a child support apparatus that includes a standing frame, and a juvenile support assembly supported on the standing frame. The juvenile support assembly includes a front seat portion, a rear seat portion and a backrest frame, the rear seat portion being respectively connected pivotally with the front seat portion and the backrest frame, wherein the front seat portion and the rear seat portion can be folded toward each other and unfolded for use. The front and rear seat portions can thereby provide a larger seat area for a child that can be folded for compact storage. Moreover, the juvenile support assembly described herein may include a cushioning portion extending at an underside of the front seat portion and the rear seat portion, the rear seat portion being rotatable relative to the front seat portion and the cushioning portion between an unfolded state and a folded state, and the cushioning portion providing a bearing support for the front seat portion and the rear seat portion in the unfolded state that is elastically deformable along an upward-downward direction of the child support apparatus. Accordingly, comfortable support can be provided for a child sitting on the front and rear seat portions. Embodiments of the child support apparatus described herein include child stroller apparatuses. However, it will be appreciated that the features of the juvenile support assembly described herein may be implemented in any types of child support apparatuses, which include, without limitation, child stroller apparatuses, child motion apparatuses such as infant swings or rockers, and the like.

100181 FIGS. 1 and 2 are two perspective views illustrating a child support apparatus 200 implemented as a child stroller apparatus embodiment, FIGS. 3 and 4 are two side views respectively illustrating the child support apparatus 200 in an unfolded and a folded state, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are two perspective views illustrating a juvenile support assembly 100 provided in the child support apparatus 200. Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the child support apparatus 200 can include a standing frame 201, a handle frame 2013 connected with the standing frame 201, and a juvenile support assembly 100 supported on the standing frame 201 and adapted to receive a child in a sitting position.

100191 The standing frame 201 can include two leg frames 2011 and 2012 connected with two side linking parts 2081, the leg frame 2011 being exemplarily a front leg frame and the leg frame 2012 being exemplarily a rear leg frame. Each of the leg frames 2011 and 2012 can respectively include two side segments disposed symmetrically at a left and a right side of the standing frame 201, e.g., two side segments 2011A for the leg frame 2011 and two side segments 2012A for the leg frame 2012. At each of the left and right sides, the side segment 2011A of the leg frame 2011 and the side segment 2012A of the leg frame 2012 can be respectively coupled pivotally to one side linking part 2081, so that the side linking parts 2081 and the leg frames 2011 and 2012 can rotate relative to one another during folding and unfolding of the child support apparatus 200. According to an example of construction, the side segment 2011A of the leg frame 2011 and the side segment 2012A of the leg frame 2012 can be respectively coupled pivotally to the side linking part 2081 about a common pivot axis at each of the left and right sides. According to another example of construction, the side segment 2011 A of the leg frame 2011 and the side segment 20I2A of the leg frame 2012 can be respectively coupled pivotally to the side linking part 2081 about two different pivot axes at each of the left and right sides. Moreover, the two leg frames 2011 and 2012 can respectively have wheel assemblies 204 and 205 for facilitating displacement of the child support apparatus 200 on a floor surface.

100201 Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the handle frame 2013 can be pivotally coupled to the standing frame 201 via two linking bars 2083. According to an example of construction, the handle frame 2013 can include two side portions 2013A disposed symmetrically at the left and right sides, and a grip portion 2013B connected with the two side portions 2013A. At each of the left and right sides, the side portion 2013A of the handle frame 2013 may be coupled to the side segment 2012A of the leg frame 2012 via the linking bar 2083, two opposite ends of the linking bar 2083 being respectively coupled pivotally to the side portion 2013A of the handle frame 2013 via a pivot connection P5 and to the side segment 2012A of the leg frame 2012 via a pivot connection P6.

100211 Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the standing frame 201 can be provided with a bearing frame portion 202 for attachment of the juvenile support assembly 100. The bearing frame portion 202 can include two side bar portions 2021 respectively disposed at the left and right sides of the juvenile support assembly 100, and one or more transversal bar 2022 fixedly connected with the two side bar portions 2021. The transversal bar 2022 may help to add stability and strength for the bearing frame portion 202. Each side bar portion 2021 can be respectively coupled pivotally to the standing frame 201 and to a carrier bar 2082. For example, a pivot connection P7 can couple one end of the side bar portion 2021 to the corresponding side segment 2011A of the leg frame 2011 at an intermediate location between an upper and a lower end of the side segment 2011A. Moreover, the side bar portion 2021 can be pivotally coupled to the carrier bar 2082 via the same pivot connection PS that pivotally couples the side portion 2013A of the handle frame 2013 to the linking bar 2083. For example, the pivot connection P5 can pivotally couple one another the side portion 2013A of the handle frame 2013, the linking bar 2083, the carrier bar 2082 and the side bar portion 2021 which are disposed adjacent to one another in this sequential order from an inner side to an outer side of the standing frame 201. Accordingly, the side portion 2013A of the handle frame 2013, the linking bar 2083, the carrier bar 2082 and the side bar portion 2021 can be pivotally connected with one another about a common pivot axis defined by the pivot connection PS at each of the left and right sides of the child support apparatus 200. The carrier bar 2082 can further be pivotally coupled to the side linking part 2081 via a pivot connection P8 at a location distant from the pivot connection P5.

100221 In the aforementioned frame construction, the side linking part 2081, the carrier bar 2082 and the linking bar 2083 provided at each of the left and right sides can form a linking structure 208 that is coupled to the standing frame 201, the handle frame 2013 and the bearing frame portion 202 for facilitating folding and unfolding of the child support apparatus 200. Moreover, the handle frame 2013 may be adjusted between two distinct positions for pushing the child support apparatus 200 in different directions with a child facing forward or rearward. For example, the handle frame 2013 is shown in FIGS. 1-3 in a position for pushing the child support apparatus 200 in a direction with a child facing forward. In this position, the handle frame 2013 may be locked to the carrier bar 2082 at a location distant from the pivot connection P5, e.g., via a latching part 2018 provided on the side portion 2013A of the handle frame 2013.

100231 In conjunction with FIGS. 1-3, FIGS. 5 and 6 are two perspective views illustrating the juvenile support assembly 100, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of portion A shown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7, the juvenile support assembly 100 is supported on the standing frame 201, and is attached to the bearing frame portion 202. The juvenile support assembly 100 can include a cushioning portion 40, a front seat portion 10, a rear seat portion 20, a backrest frame 203, two side guards 206 and a head guard 207.

100241 Referring to FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6, the cushioning portion 40 can extend at an underside of the front seat portion 10 and the rear seat portion 20, and can provide a bearing support for the front seat portion 10 and the rear seat portion 20 that is elastically deformable along an upward-downward direction V of the child support apparatus 200. According to an example of construction, the cushioning portion 40 can include a resilient wire 41. Examples of materials for the resilient wire 41 can include, without limitation, steel, metallic alloys, plastic, or any other suitable materials capable of elastic deformation. The resilient wire 41 can extend between the left and right sides of the juvenile support assembly 100 with two opposite ends 41A of the resilient wire 41 being respectively connected fixedly with the two side bar portions 2021 of the bearing frame portion 202 via two joining parts 42. Each joining part 42 may be exemplarily fastened or welded to the side bar portion 2021, and the corresponding end 41A of the resilient wire 41 may be fastened to the joining part 42.

100251 The front seat portion 10 may be fixedly connected with the resilient wire 41, and pivotally connected with the rear seat portion 20 via a pivot joint 30. The pivot joint 30 can exemplarily include one or more pivot mounts 11 provided on the front seat portion 10 adjacent to a rear end thereof, one or more pivot mounts 21 provided on the rear seat portion 20 adjacent to a front end thereof, and a shaft portion 31 passing through the pivot mounts 11 and 21, whereby defining a pivot axis extending transversally relative to the front seat portion 10 and the rear seat portion 20. The pivot mounts 11 and 21 may be disposed in an alternate way along the pivot axis defined by the shaft portion 31.

100261 The resilient wire 41 can provide a bearing support for the front seat portion and the rear seat portion 20 that is elastically deformable along the upward-downward direction V of the child support apparatus 200. According to an example of construction, an underside of the front seat portion 10 can include catching portions 43, and the resilient wire 41 can be attached to the front seat portion 10 by inserting into and engaging with the catching portions 43. The resilient wire 41 can extend from the underside of the front seat portion 10 to the underside of the rear seat portion 20 behind the pivot joint 30, and can include a plurality of bent portions between the two opposite ends 41A that respectively form a plurality of hinges allowing elastic deflection of the resilient wire 41 along the upward-downward direction V. For example, the resilient wire 41 may bend upward from the two side bar portions 2021, include two sections extending longitudinally from the underside of the front seat portion 10 to the underside of the rear seat portion 20, and include a transverse portion extending along a width direction of the rear seat portion 20. Although the resilient wire 41 is shown as having a specific shape in FIG. 6, it will be appreciated that other shapes may be suitable to allow elastic deflection of the resilient wire 41 along the upward-downward direction V. 100271 With the aforementioned construction, the rear seat portion 20 can rotate relative to the front seat portion 10 and the cushioning portion 40 between an unfolded state and a folded state. More specifically, the front seat portion 10 and the rear seat portion 20 can extend substantially along a same plane and can be respectively supported in contact with the cushioning portion 40 in the unfolded state, and the rear seat portion 20 can be rotated relative to the front seat portion 10 away from a rear portion of the cushioning portion 40 in the folded state. For example, the rear seat portion 20 can rest in contact with a rear section 41B of the resilient wire 41 located behind the pivot joint 30 in the unfolded state, and can be rotated away from the rear section 41B of the resilient wire 41 in the folded state.

100281 Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the pivot joint 30 may further include one or a plurality of springs 32 adapted to provide a biasing force for facilitating unfolding of the rear seat portion 20 relative to the front seat portion 10. For example, the spring 32 may be a torsion spring that is disposed around the shaft portion 31 and is respectively connected with the front seat portion 10 and the rear seat portion 20.

100291 According to an example of construction, the shaft portion 31 may disposed through two pivot mounts 11 provided on the front seat portion 10 and one pivot mount 21 provided on the rear seat portion 20 between the two pivot mounts 11, and the spring 32 can be coiled around the shaft portion 31 at two sides of the pivot mount 21. The spring 32 can have two end prongs 321 respectively attached to two anchor portions 33 respectively affixed to the front seat portion 10, and an intermediate tab portion 322 between the two end prongs 321 that is attached to an anchor portion 34 affixed to the rear seat portion 20. For example, each end prong 321 can be hooked onto the corresponding anchor portion 33, which can have a hook shape including two bend portions 331 and 332 connected with each other, the bend portion 331 protruding substantially perpendicular from an underside surface of the front seat portion 10 and the bend portion 332 projecting substantially perpendicular or tilted an angle from the bend portion 331. Likewise, the intermediate tab portion 322 can be hooked onto the anchor portion 34, which can have a hook shape including two bend portions 341 and 342 connected with each other, the bend portion 341 protruding from the pivot mount 21 substantially parallel to an underside surface of the rear seat portion 20 and the bend portion 342 projecting substantially perpendicular or tilted an angle from the bend portion 341.

100301 Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the backrest frame 203 is pivotally connected with the rear seat portion 20 so that the backrest frame 203 can rotate relative to the rear seat portion 20. For example, the backrest frame 203 can include two side portions 203A and a transversal portion 203B connected together, and each of the two side portions 203A can be pivotally connected with the rear seat portion 20 via a pivot connection P4.

The two side guards 206 can extend alongside the two side portions 203A of the backrest frame 203, and the head guard 207 can extend transversally along the transversal portion 203B of the backrest frame 203. Each side guard 206 can be respectively connected pivotally with the corresponding carrier bar 2082 via a pivot connection P1 and with the head guard 207 via a pivot connection P2. Moreover, the head guard 207 can be pivotally connected with the transversal portion 203B of the backrest frame 203 via a pivot connection P3.

100311 In conjunction with FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7, FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the child support apparatus 200 in a folded state, and FIGS. 8-10 are perspective views illustrating exemplary folding operation of the child support apparatus 200. When the child support apparatus 200 is in an unfolded state for use, the front seat portion 10 and the rear seat portion 20 can be unfolded from each other and extend generally along a same plane for receiving a child in a sitting or recline position. Moreover, the side linking part 2081, the carrier bar 2082 and the linking bar 2083 of the linking structure 208 can be expanded, the pivot connection PS is located above the pivot connection P4, and the pivot connection P6 is located below the pivot connection P4.

100321 When the child support apparatus 200 is to be folded, the leg frame 2011 and the handle frame 2013 can rotate and fold toward the leg frame 2012, which can urge the bearing frame portion 202 and the backrest frame 203 to fold toward the leg frame 2012 at two opposite sides of the leg frame 2012. As a result, the front seat portion 10 and the rear seat portion 20 can be urged to rotate and fold toward each other, while the pivot connections P6 and P4 can move upward relative to the pivot connection PS until the pivot connection P6 reaches a highest position above and in front of the pivot connection PS and the pivot connection P4 is located above and behind the pivot connection PS. The child support apparatus 200 thereby folded can have a compact size for convenient storage.

100331 Advantages of the child support apparatus described herein include the ability to provide cushioning support and a larger seat area for a child that can be folded for compact storage. Accordingly, the child support apparatus can be more comfortable during use.

100341 Realizations of the child support apparatus have been described in the context of particular embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible.

These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventions as defined in the claims that follow.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: A child support apparatus comprising: a standing frame; and a juvenile support assembly supported on the standing frame and adapted to receive a child, wherein the juvenile support assembly includes a front seat portion, a rear seat portion and a backrest frame, the rear seat portion being respectively connected pivotally with the front seat portion and the backrest frame, the front seat portion and the rear seat portion being foldable toward each other.
2. The child support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the juvenile support assembly further includes a cushioning portion extending at an underside of the front seat portion and the rear seat portion, the cushioning portion providing a bearing support for the front seat portion and the rear seat portion that is elastically deformable along an upward-downward direction of the child support apparatus.
3. The child support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rear seat portion is rotatable relative to the front seat portion and the cushioning portion between an unfolded state and a folded state, the front seat portion and the rear seat portion being respectively supported in contact with the cushioning portion in the unfolded state, and the rear seat portion being rotated away from a rear portion of the cushioning portion in the folded state.
4. The child support apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the standing frame is provided with a bearing frame portion for attachment of the juvenile support assembly, the bearing frame portion including two side bar portions respectively coupled pivotally to the standing frame, and the cushioning portion includes a resilient wire having two opposite ends respectively connected fixedly with the two side bar portions of the bearing frame portion, the front seat portion being fixedly connected with the resilient wire.
5. The child support apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the resilient wire includes a plurality of bent portions between the two opposite ends that respectively form a plurality of hinges allowing elastic deflection of the resilient wire along the upward-downward direction.
6. The child support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the front seat portion is pivotally connected with the rear seat portion via a pivot joint, the pivot joint including a spring adapted to provide a biasing force for facilitating unfolding of the rear seat portion relative to the front seat portion.
7. The child support apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the standing frame is provided with a bearing frame portion for attachment of the juvenile support assembly, the bearing frame portion including a side bar portion pivotally coupled to the standing frame.
8. The child support apparatus according to claim 7, further including a handle frame, and a linking structure that is coupled to the standing frame, the handle frame and the bearing frame portion, the linking structure including a side linking part, a carrier bar and a linking bar, wherein the handle frame, the linking bar, the carrier bar and the side bar portion are pivotally coupled to one another.
9. The child support apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the handle frame, the linking bar, the carrier bar and the side bar portion are pivotally coupled to one another about a common pivot axis.
10. The child support apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the standing frame includes two leg frames connected with the side linking part, the carrier bar is pivotally coupled to the side linking part, and the linking bar is pivotally coupled to one of the two leg frames.
11 The child support apparatus according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the juvenile support assembly further includes a side guard and a head guard, the side guard being respectively connected pivotally with the carrier bar and the head guard, and the head guard being pivotally connected with the backrest frame.
12. The child support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, being implemented as a child stroller apparatus.
13. A child support apparatus comprising: a standing frame; and a juvenile support assembly supported on the standing frame and adapted to receive a child, wherein the juvenile support assembly includes a front seat portion and a rear seat portion pivotally connected with each other, and a cushioning portion extending at an underside of the front seat portion and the rear seat portion, the rear seat portion being rotatable relative to the front seat portion and the cushioning portion between an unfolded state and a folded state, and the cushioning portion providing a bearing support for the front seat portion and the rear seat portion in the unfolded state that is elastically deformable along an upward-downward direction of the child support apparatus.
14. The child support apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the front seat portion and the rear seat portion are respectively supported in contact with the cushioning portion in the unfolded state, and the rear seat portion is rotated away from a rear portion of the cushioning portion in the folded state.
15. The child support apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the cushioning portion includes a resilient wire including a plurality of bent portions that respectively form a plurality of hinges allowing elastic deflection of the resilient wire along the upward-downward direction, and the front seat portion is fixedly connected with the resilient wire.s
16. The child support apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the front seat portion and the rear seat portion are pivotally connected with each other via a pivot joint, the rear seat portion resting in contact with a rear section of the resilient wire located behind the pivot joint in the unfolded state and being rotated away from the rear section of the resilient wire in the folded state.
17. The child support apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the standing frame is provided with a bearing frame portion for attachment of the juvenile support assembly, the bearing frame portion including two side bar portions respectively coupled pivotally to the standing frame, and the resilient wire having two opposite ends respectively connected fixedly with the two side bar portions of the bearing frame portion.
18. The child support apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the standing frame is provided with a bearing frame portion for attachment of the juvenile support assembly, the bearing frame portion including a side bar portion pivotally coupled to the standing frame, and the cushioning portion being fixedly connected with the side bar portion.
19. The child support apparatus according to claim 18, further including a handle frame, and a linking structure that is coupled to the standing frame, the handle frame and the bearing frame portion, the linking structure including a side linking part, a carrier bar and a linking bar, wherein the handle frame, the linking bar, the carrier bar and the side bar portion are pivotally coupled to one another.
20. The child support apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the handle frame, the linking bar, the carrier bar and the side bar portion are pivotally coupled to one another about a common pivot axis.
21. The child support apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the front seat portion is pivotally connected with the rear seat portion via a pivot joint, the pivot joint including a spring adapted to provide a biasing force for facilitating unfolding of the rear seat portion relative to the front seat portion.