US2657735A

US2657735A - Baby walker

Info

Publication number: US2657735A
Application number: US186349A
Authority: US
Inventors: John A Hughes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-09-23
Filing date: 1950-09-23
Publication date: 1953-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1970-11-03

Description

Nov. 3, 1953 J. A. HUGHES 2,657,735

BABY WALKER Filed Sept. 25 1950 INVENTOR. JOHN A.HUGHES ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BABY WALKER John A. Hughes, Chicago, 111.

Application September 23, 1950, Serial No. 186,349

3 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in baby walkers and has for its object the provision of a simple light-weight and durable baby walker which will serve as an effectual means for assisting an infant in learning to walk and at the same time will protect it from such injuries as are incident during the infant walking period.

Another object of my invention is the provision of means incorporated in the structure of a baby walker which permits the same to be adjusted to different heights so as to accommodate the walker to the infant in various stages of growth to enable him to stand or to rest.

Still another object of my invention is the provision in a baby walker of a removable and adjustable seat So that the same may be removed at frequent intervals for cleaning.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a baby walker which is adapted to slide easily on a floor surface, thereby avoiding marring of the said surface while at the same time requiring a minimum of eifort on the part of the infant to move the walker over a floor surface.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of m invention showing the same being used by an infant.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the baby walker shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a detail.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the seat member showing the same removed from the walker structure, and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, my invention comprises a truncated conical frame structure It formed of tubular members suitably connected together, as by welding. The frame structure I includes an annular base member I I, to which is connected a plurality of upwardly inclined arms or members I2, the said members being suitably joined toan upper annular member I3. Intermediate bracing members Ill and I are suitably connected to the upright members I2 and serve to reenforce and rigidify the structure. The bottom of the frame structure I0 may support panels such as I6, which may be formed of sheet metal, plastic or wood and which carry on their outer surfaces, educational or ornamental figures and indicia. The panels I6 are merely for the purpose of decoration or ornamentation of the frame structure. Supported on the annular member I3 are a plurality of upright tubular posts I1, with each of the said posts having a plurality of perforations in the walls thereof all in vertical alignment. Supported on the upright members I! is a seat supporting member I9 consisting of an annular member 20 having attached thereto a plurality of depending leg members 2|. The said leg members are tubular and are of such size as to telescopically receive within themselves the upright members I1. Each of the leg members 2| is provided with one set of perforations 22 to receive a bolt, such as 23. As will be apparent, the member I9 may be adjusted vertically and secured in position by bolts 23 which are passed through registering perforations in the members I! and 2i. It is to be understood that cooperating channel members may be used instead of tubular members.

Suspended from the member I9 is a saddle or seat illustrated more clearly in Fig. 5 and indicated generally by the numeral 26. The saddle 26 is formed preferably of a fabric, such as canvas, or of suitable plastic material. The upper portion of the saddle is preferably tubular in form and is provided with a plurality of fastening elements 29, which are here shown in the form of triangular elements suitably attached to the upper edge of the saddle. A plurality of complemental fastening elements here shown in the form of headed pins 3| are secured to the body of the saddle in spaced relation to the elements 23. As will be apparent by reference to Figs. 1 and 3, the upper edge of the saddle is intended to be folded over the annular member 26, and when the cooperating fastening elements 29 and 3| are in engagement, the saddle is securely suspended from the said member. Connected to the tubular body portion of the saddle 26 and ex tending from opposed sides are

flaps

34 and 36. The flap 34, which is of longer length than flap 36, carries a plurality of triangular fastening elements 3'5, like the elements 29, arranged at the end of the flap. The opposed flap 36 has a plurality of complemental fastening elements 38 similar to the elements 3i, the said elements being arranged in rows in spaced relation so that adjustment of the flaps which form the seat of the saddle 26 may be effected to meet the conditions required. A pair of safety straps 39 are provided to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the

flaps

34 and 36.

The base member H is provided with an annular bumper member 4! which is formed of resilient material and is attached to the outer face of the member I I by means of projections 52 having enlarged heads and integral with the bumper member, the said projections being received in a series of spaced openings provided in the wall of the member II, the heads of the projections 42 serving to effectively retain the bumper member on the base member I I.

To prepare the walker for use, the seat supporting member [9 is adjusted relative to the annular member l3, so that the members I! and 2| are in completely telescoped relation. This represents the lowermost position of the seat supporting member [9 relative to the floor surface on which the structure is supported. The seatsupporting member I9 is locked in such position by the bolts 23 which are passed through registering openings in the legs i1 and 2|. The flaps 30 and 36 are then fastened together by engaging the fastening elements 31 with one of the rows of the complemental fastening elements 38 on the flap 35, the row of fastening elements 58 on the flap 36 being selected which will so position the flap 3:! that the infant occupant of the device may reach the floor with his feet. As the infant develops in growth, the seat-supporting member [9 may be adjusted upwardly relative to the floor surface by removing the bolts 23 and raising the said. member and effecting registration of the openings in the members 2! with a higher series of openings in the upright members I? and locking the members in such desired positions by reinsertion of the bolts 23. Correspondingly, the

flap members

34 and 36 may be suitably adjusted to elevate the seat portion of the saddle to a desired position above. the floor surface.

Because the base member I is circular in cross-section, substantially only a circular line contact is established between the walker and. the floor" surface. There is thus provided a minimum of contact over a relatively large bearing area, resulting in easy and smooth gliding of the walker over a floor surface and preventing overturning of the walker in view of the relatively broad base. The rubber bumper member 4I' serves to prevent injury to any furniture or walls as a result of the walker coming in contact therewith.

As will be apparent, the saddle 28 is readily removeable for cleaning and replacement.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I.

have provided an improved baby walker having adjustable structural features whereby the height of the saddle, as well as the size of the saddle itself up from the floor, may be adjusted accordingly as the growth and development of the baby may require.

I claim:

1. A baby walker comprising a substantially truncated conical frame structure, a plurality of upright elements supported on said frame structure, a seat supporting member comprising a rigid annular member having a plurality of depending elements cooperating with said upright elements and adapted to render said seat supporting member adjustable vertically, and a flexible seat removably secured to said rigid annular member and suspended from said annular member, said seat having an upper tubular body portion circumferentially encompassing the body of the baby and a flap extending from one side of the tubular body portion and connected to the other side and passing between the legs of the baby.

2. A baby walker comprising a substantially truncated conical frame structure, a seat supporting member comprising a rigid annular member carried on said frame structure and adjustable vertically relative thereto, and a seat having a portion folded over said annular member and detachably secured to said seat for detachably securing said seat to said annular mem ber, said seat having an upper tubular body portion circumferentially encompassing the body of the baby and an adjustable flap extending below and between said tubular body portion and passing between-the legs of the baby.

3. A baby walker comprising a substantially truncated conical frame structure, a plurality of upright elements supported on said frame structure, a seat supporting member comprising a rigid annular member having a plurality of depending eiements cooperating with. said upright elements and adapted to render said seat supporting member adjustable vertically, a flexible seat removably secured to said rigid annular member and suspended from said annular member, said seat having: an upper tubular body portion circumferentially encompassing the body of the baby, a flap extending from. one side of the tubular body portion and connected to the other side and passing between the legs of the baby; another annular member on said truncated conical frame structure of a larger circumference than said first mentioned annular member and positioned in alinement with the arms of a baby to be engaged by thehands of the baby.

JOHN A. HUGHES.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 321,867 Van Vleck July '7, 1885 821,116 Nunamaker May 22, 1906 899,030 Davis Sept. 22, 1908 923,556 Miller June 1, 1909 1,119,009 Gildea Dec. 1, 1914 1,530,405 Perrine Mar. 17, 1925 1,578,040 Kilmer Mar. 23, 1926 2,574,897 Tantimonaco Nov. 13, 1951