GB2584457A

GB2584457A - Standing aid for children

Info

Publication number: GB2584457A
Application number: GB1907954.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrews Darren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-06-04
Filing date: 2019-06-04
Publication date: 2020-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-04
Also published as: GB2584457B; GB201907954D0

Abstract

A child’s standing aid comprising an extensive rigid base 2 with at least one aperture, a plate with at least one protrusion situated beneath the base, and a rigid and substantially perpendicular upstand 3 with a plurality of grips 10. The upstand is connected to the base by the protrusion of the plate. The base may be circular in shape and comprised of two interconnected sections creating a recess for the plate to fit in. The base optionally has more than one aperture and the plate has more than one tubular and threaded protrusion which extend through the apertures.

Description

STANDING AID FOR CHILDREN

The present invention relates to an aid that assists a child in standing.

Within the first year of life, infants will achieve many developmental milestones. One of the biggest is learning to stand/walk independently. Often, infants will attempt to stand by pulling themselves up using any nearby object to support their weight. The object of choice is not always stable and can result in the object toppling onto the child, causing them injury.

Current aids on the market tend to support the infant in an already upright position, typically to provide support to the infant whilst walking or bouncing. These aids neither teach the infant how to stand independently, nor allow them to learn for themselves.

Parents have previously been encouraged to use a cot in order to teach their infants to stand. Normally, cots tend to have multiple vertical bars, regularly spaced around the cot, which the infant will attempt to use when standing. However, this does not provide the infant with sufficient support as their hands could easily lose grip, with the potential of hitting their face on the bars. In addition, once the infant has stood up, there is potential to fall over backwards as the method of descent is not controlled. This could result in head injuries when considering the narrow width of the cot.

The object of the present invention is to provide an aid that assists the infant in the art of standing.

According to the invention there is provided an aid for a child's standing, comprising: * a two dimensionally extensive rigid base, * an upstand rigidly and substantially perpendicularly connected to the base and * a plurality of grips spaced along the upstand, the arrangement being such that with the child's weight on the base he/she lends stability to the aid against toppling of the upstand in pulling himself/herself up with the grips.

Preferably the standing aid will have a rigid base comprising two interconnected sections which form a circular shape. In some embodiments the rigid base is composed of a single section or multiple sections. It is also conceivable that a different overall shape is formed, such as a square.

Typically, the rigid base will have two apertures, although it is conceivable that some embodiments may have no apertures. In other embodiments the apertures could be located anywhere on the rigid base, but it is preferred they are located near the centre of the rigid base.

Usually, the rigid base will be made from wood, although in some embodiments other types of materials could be used such as metal, plastic or concrete.

Normally, on the underside of the rigid base will be a recess which usually receives a plate. In some embodiments there may be no requirement for an underside recess or possibly the recess is located on the top of the base. It is also conceivable that the recess is able to receive a different shaped structure providing the shape is substantially compatible with the recess and does not affect the functionality of the base. Another embodiment could incorporate the plate to be integral with the base.

The plate usually comprises a substantially flat and extensive surface with a set of protrusions. Normally, these protrusions extend vertically and are tubular in structure and threaded. In one embodiment, the protrusions are not threaded or tubular. It is possible that the projections are solid and have a smooth appearance. It is conceivable that these protrusions could extend downwards through the base, with the plate on top of the base.

It is possible that the plate is any shape though it is typically of one that has sides equidistant from its centre in order to lend stability. Nonetheless, it is preferred that the plate is circular.

Normally, the plate has only two protrusions. It is conceivable that the plate may have no protrusions, a single protrusion or multiple protrusions.

The protrusions usually extend through the apertures of the base and exceed the height of the base. In one embodiment, the protrusions may not exceed the height of the rigid base.

The plate will normally be made from metallic material. It is possible to 10 envisage the plate structure made from other materials such as wood, concrete, composite or plastics.

The standing aid will usually comprise a single upstand. The upstand is preferably rotationally moulded and has an inverted U-shape, with a plurality of grips spaced between the parallel sections of the upstand. It is conceivable that the upstand is made using other methods such as injection moulding.. It is possible that the upstand could be of any shape, for example the upstand could be a singular pole with horizontal grips positioned along the length of the upstand. It is also possible the upstand could be adjustable in height. It is conceivable that the upstand comprises a single grip.

The grips are normally integral with the upstand. In one embodiment, the grips could be independent components to the main frame. It is possible that the grips could be removable and/or adjustable. It is preferred that the grips remain substantially horizontal but it is conceivable that a different shaped grip or grips could be used.

The upstand is normally made from a material typically used for rotational mouldings such as plastics. It is possible to use other materials such as metal, wood, composite. The main frame is usually hollow although it is possible for the main frame to be solid.

The protrusions of the plate are normally made such that an upstand can be received. It is possible for the protrusions to enter the hollow legs of the upstand.

Preferably there are dome-like structures which move along the upstand legs and connect with the projections. These dome-like structures usually are internally threaded which is normally complimentary to the projections. It is possible the domelike structures could adopt a different shape such as square.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the aid prior to assembly; to Figure 2 is a perspective view of the aid assembled base and upstand when fully assembled; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the connection between the upstand, base, projections of the steel plate and dome-like structures.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an aid, 1, that has a base 2, with a central rigid upstand 3 and a metal plate 4. This is held together by dome-like structures and pins which are pushed into the upstand.

The base, as shown in Figure 1 and 2, is formed of two identical sections 2a and 2b respectively. Both sections are preferably made of medium density fibreboard (MDF), with the top and side covered in a thin sheet of foam F. Each base section has a single aperture 5 and 6 respectively, intended for receiving a set of protrusions from the metal plate. The underside of both base sections have a recess which, when both sections are adjacent to each other, a single and central circular recess 7 is formed.

Inside the aforementioned recess, the metal plate can be placed. The metal plate is generally made from steel and is preferably circular and comprises two tubular projections, 8 and 9 respectively. Both tubular projections are threaded on the inside and extend vertically through the apertures of the base sections.

The upstand is preferably rotationally moulded and has an inverted U-shape with a plurality of grips 10 spaced along the parallel sections. The upstand has two legs 11 which slide into the tubular projections. Prior to sliding the legs of the upstand into the tubular projections, a set of pins 12 and 13, are placed into the upstand, at a position where they will rest above the tubular projections.

To ensure the upstand, base and steel plate is secured together, two plastic dome-like structures 14 and 15, are placed around each leg of the upstand and screw down on the threaded tubular projections. These dome-like structures will be flush to the base and the height will cover the pins and connection between the upstand's leg and the tubular projection.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment. For instance, multiple upstands could be connected to the base rather than just the singular upstand.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An aid for a child's standing, comprising: * a two dimensionally extensive rigid base, * an upstand rigidly and substantially perpendicularly connected to the base and * a plurality of grips spaced along the upstand, the arrangement being such that with the child's weight on the base he/she lends stability to the aid against toppling of the upstand in pulling himself/herself up with the grips.
2. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two dimensionally to extensive rigid base is substantially circular in shape.
3. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the two dimensionally extensive rigid base is normally comprised of at least two interconnected sections.
4. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base has at least one aperture.
5. M aid for a child's standing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two sections when connected together, create a single recess in the underside of the base
6. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim 5, wherein a plate fits in the 20 recess.
7. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plate has at least one protrusion.
8. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim 7, wherein the protrusions are preferably tubular and threaded.
9. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim 7 and claim 8, wherein the protrusions extend through the apertures in the base.
10. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim 7, claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the protrusions of the plate interconnect with the upstand.
11. M aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim 1 and claim 10, wherein the 30 upstand comprises a main frame and a plurality of grips.
12. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim 1, claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the upstand and protrusions of the plate can be fixedly connected by a dome-like structure.
13. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim 12, wherein the dome-like structure has an aperture through its centre.
14. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the dome-like structure can be internally threaded.
15. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim 8 and claim 14, wherein the threaded interior of the dome-like structure is complimentary to the threaded projections.
16. An aid for a child's standing as claimed in claim I, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the base is covered in foam.