US8478A - Baby-jumper - Google Patents

Description

UNITED VSTATES PATENT FFICE.

E. RICE, OF ELIZABETHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.

BABY-JUMPER.

Speccaton of Letters Patent No. 8,478, dated October 28, 1851.

. To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EUCLID RICE, of Elizabethtown, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and ruseful Machine, which I call a Baby- W'alker and Jumper Combined; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l, is a prospective view; Fig. 2 a transverse section; Fig. 3, a platform described by the line A, B, in Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a platform described by the line C, D, in Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a platform described by the line E, F, in Fig. 2; Fig. 6, a platform of t-he upper top.

The construction and operation of the said machine is as follows: The frame is constructed of four legs marked A, in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, framed together with two sets of rails which forms a full circle, the lower rails as in Figs. 2- and 3 marked B, the upper rails as in Figs. 2 and 4 marked C. On the inside of the upper part of the legs, from the lower edge of the lower rail is a projection of half an inch, which is hollowed out so as to form nearly a half circle, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, which with the tin or zinc tubes marked as in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, marked D, which form the cylinder that keeps the piston marked G, in Figs. 2 and 4 in its upright and regular position. One half of the cylinder is formed of either tin or zinc, which is attached to the sides of the legs between the rails, with small nails or tacks as in Figs. 3 and 4. The said piston is made of any firm wood, turned with two shoulders; the upper shoulder is to receive the lower end of the spring as marked H, in Fig. 2 above the shoulder. The piston is made smaller so as not to rub against the inside of the spring; the lower shoulder to be three-eighths of an inch larger than the first shoulder so as to prevent the spring from coming in contact with said cylinders as marked I in Figs. 2 and 3. The said springs to be made of steel wire, the size from l0 to 16 according to the different weightl of the children. The said springs are spiral, to be four and one-half inches in length, when there is no weight upon them except the tops. The springs are to be one inch in diameter, fastened to the shoulder of the piston as marked H, in Fig. 2, with a small staple or tack. The upper end of the springs is brought over the top of the leg and let into the. same, a small staple inserted over the wire near the inside of the leg, so as to prevent the springs from rising above the top of the legs, when the springs are forced open and allowed to s )ring back. The endof the spring is broug t over on the outside of the leg and fastened with a screw as marked F, in Fig. 2. The piston 1s fastened to the second top, with a small staple and eye as marked M, in Fig. 2.

The second top is formed of hard and firm wood one-half inch thick and eighteen inches in diameter, three inches wide, forming a circle, except a small projection one 'inch long, and one and three-quarters of an inch wide as in Figs. 2 and 5, marked K. The upper top as in Figs. 2 and G, markedV O, is formed of either mahogany or any other firm wood; it is a circle formed in two parts; circle to be twenty inches in diameter, six inches wide, half an inch thick. This top is connected together with a hinge called a card table hinge as in Figs. 2 and 6, marked P.

The first top divided as at W', is fastened to the seco-nd top with a screw as marked Q, in Figs. 2 and 5. This top has two dowels as marked S in Figs. 2, 6, to keep it in its proper place while closed around the child; it has another dowel projecting from the under side and passes through the second top as marked T in Figs. 5 and 6. In connection with the spring marked U in Figs. 2 and -securely locks the tops together and fastens the child in the machine. This spring' is fastened under the lower top with a screw in the center as marked U in Figs. 2 and 5. The spring has a long square staple fastened on the same near the other end to keep it in its proper place so that it will pass in and out of the lock as marked V in Fig. 5. This spring passes through the lower end of a staple, which is fastened into the upper top on the under side as marked IV in Figs. 2 and 5. On the other end of this spring is a small ring, so formed that it is placed under the curtain and can be opened and closed with the nger. The upper top is upholstered and projects over the inner edge so as to form a soft and elastic circle under the childs arms as in Figs. l, 2, and 6, marked X.

The seat is formed of a wooden bottom marked Y in Fig. 2. This seat or saddle is to be upholstered very soft with the back forming a half circle, the top of the back inclined inward as in Figs. 2 and 5, marked Z, and is suspended by small chains or cords so as to lower or raise the same to suit the sizes of different children; these are fastened to the lower top as in Figs. 2 and 5. The seat is covered with oil silk or oilcloth.

On the top of each leg and directly over the same, on the under side of the lower top is fastened a pieceiof india rubber or any other elastic substance as marked A, in Figs. 2 and 4L so as to prevent sudden jarring, when the springs are forced open with the weight of the child.

Under the foot of each leg is fastened a caster that revolves horizontally so that the child can move the machine in any direction it desires.

The curtains are'double, the lower ones are fastened to the upper rail as in Fig. 1,

marked C, C, the other is fastened to the second top marked D, D, in Fig. 1.

I do not claim the use of spring, or the means of giving motion for the purpose of exercise or amusement, as that has been before employed in a variety of ways; but

I do claim- The combining of springs, with a frame and seat in the manner described, forming an apparatus for teaching children to stand and walk and at the same time to prevent the child from bearing its whole weight upon its feet, as it sits upon the 'seat or saddle and can at its option either stand upon its feet or sit down, and at the same time move itself in any direction with its feet;

and its body securely sustained in an upright position, after the upper top is locked around its waist in the manner described; and it can at its option, either move by a mot-ion of its limbs, or use the machine as a jumper for amusement, as the accompanying description and drawing represent.

y EUCLID RICE. Witnesses WM. CONDELL, J EREMIAH PRICE.

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