US2538324A

US2538324A - Baby walker

Info

Publication number: US2538324A
Application number: US82715A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur J Petrie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-03-22
Filing date: 1949-03-22
Publication date: 1951-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 1968-01-16

Description

Jan. 16, 1951 PETRIE 2,538,324

BABY WALKER Filed March 22, 1949 Patented Jan. 16, 1951 UNITED STATES retreat 01F FsI-CE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a baby walker, the primary object of the invention being to provide a baby walker which is so supported with respect to the casters that it will not tilt over, when the infant strapped in the seat portion thereof leans backwardly or forwardly in the walker. 7

Another important object of the invention is to provide a lower guard ring, which is attached to the supporting legs of the walker in such a way that it will extend downwardly an appreciable distance in close proximity to the floor surface on which the walker is positioned.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a baby walker, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental enlarged view illustrating the manner of securing the seat suspension straps to the walker.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental perspective view illustrating one method of securing the casters to the walker.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a modified form of caster supporting means.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental perspective view illustrating a further modified form of guard ring.

Referring tothe drawing in detail, the walker comprises the upper ring member 5 and the lower ring member 6, the ring member 6 being of a diameter appreciably greater than the diameter of the upper ring member 5, which is only slightl larger than the body of the infant using the walker, so that the ring will act as a means to hold the infant within the walker.

As shown, the

rings

5 and 6 are connected by means of the legs 1 that are preferably welded at their upper ends, to the ring 5, while the lower ends thereof are welded to the inner surface of the ring 6. As shown, the ring 6 is formed with upwardly curved portions 8, the legs l being secured to the lower ring at the upwardly curved portions 8, as clearly shown by Fig. 1 of the drawing. Due to the curved portions 8, it will be obvious that the main portions of the lower ring 6 extend downwardly to points adjacent to the upper edges of the casters 9 which are fitted in the ends of the legs i that are constructed preferably of tubular material to receive the shanks of the casters 9. Because of the curved portions 8, the ring extends outwardly appreciable distances between the legs 1 presenting a guard ring to contact with the floor surface, should the infant using the walker, attempt to lean forward- 1y or rearwardly to tilt the walker. It is obvious that the edge of the guard ring will contact with the surface on which the walker is positioned, and prevent the overturning of the walker.

Portions of the legs I, at ll], are pressed inwardly providing an enlargement interiorly of the tubular legs, which enlargements cooperate with an annular groove formed at the upper end of the shank ll of a caster, to hold the casters in place.

In the form of the invention as shown by Fig. 4 of the drawing, the tubular legs [2 are supported appreciable distances within the lower ring l3 and are connected with the ring [3, by means of the curved arms [4 that are welded to the ring l3 and also welded to the legs l2. With this construction, it will be seen that the casters I5 are supported an appreciable distance within the confines of the lower ring I3 with the result that the ring [3 projects beyond the easters to act as a guard rail, contacting with the surface on which the walker is used, to prevent the walker from toppling over when the infant leans forwardly or rearwardly.

In the form of the invention as shown by Fig. 5, the lower guard ring, which is indicated by the reference character It is formed with offsets H disposed downwardly so that they lie in close proximity to the surface on which the walker is being used, to contact with the ground surface and guard against the walker tilting over when the infant moves rearwardly or forwardly.

In this form of the invention, the tubular leg members l8 are secured to the ring, at points between the offsets H, the ends of the leg members being open, to receive casters, which are not shown in the present drawing, but which are positioned with their shanks extending into the open lower ends of the leg members I8.

As shown by Fig. 2 of the drawing, the upper ends of the leg members are formed with openings l9 and the buckles 20 are secured in these openings, with their lower ends disposed downwardly, the lower ends providing means for attaching the seat supporting straps 2| to the walker. The seat is indicated by the reference character 22, the straps 2| being secured to the seat in any desirable manner, the straps 2| per-' initting of adjustment of the seat with respect to the upper ring 5, to properly support the seat for the comfort of the infant using the walker.

Secured on the lower ring member 6 is a rubber protecting band 23 which acts as a bumper and prevents the walker from being forced into engagement with articles of furniture or the like to scar the same.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A baby walker comprising upper and lower ring members, the lower ring member being of a diameter appreciably greater than the upper ring member, tubular legs connecting the upper and lower ring members holding the ring members in vertical spaced relation with respect to each other, said legs being connected to the lower ring member at the inner edge of the lower ring member, casters having shanks extending into the tubular legs adjacent to the lower ring member REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 417,839 Richardson Dec. 24, 1889 658,126 Settlemyre Sept. 18, 1900 899,030 Davis Sept. 22, 1908 1,826,502 Brown Oct. 6, 1931