Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
  • A47D1/00—Children's chairs
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
  • A47D15/00—Accessories for children's furniture, e.g. safety belts or baby-bottle holders
  • A47D15/005—Restraining devices, e.g. safety belts, contoured cushions or side bumpers
  • A47D15/006—Restraining devices, e.g. safety belts, contoured cushions or side bumpers in chairs

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a baby/child support.
• a baby develops, it becomes able to take up a sitting position.
• the baby is initially unstable and is prone to slumping forwards or backwards or to falling sideways. This can harm the baby and can cause distress to both the baby and to the parent or carer.
• it is usually necessary for the parent/carer to be extra vigilant to ensure the well-being of the baby. The situation is made more difficult because at this stage of a baby's development it is unlikely to sit still and will regularly try to reach out for toys and other objects or people.
• 1 baby/child support comprising a base, a support portion upstanding from the base and retention means for retaining a baby/child relative to the support portion, the support portion having a degree of flexibility and resilience and comprising a raised back portion and oppositely disposed side portions of lower height than the back portion, the base extending laterally beyond the footprint of the support portion, such that in use the side portions extend below the arms of the baby/child to allow a degree of sideways leaning, and the retention means comprising a waist harness.
• the base is in the form of a base plate.
• the support portion is generally U-shaped in plan view, with the back portion being curved and continuing smoothly into the two side portions. Ideally the back portion extends higher than the two side portions.
• the retention means comprises a harness.
• the harness comprises two side straps secured to the respective side portions of the support portion and a central strap extending from the base.
• the harness straps are adjustable in length and are secured to each other using a releasable buckle.
• the inner surface of the back portion curves smoothly to meet the base of the support.
• the base incorporates means for attaching thereto activity/learning equipment.
• the means for attaching the activity/learning equipment comprises releasable clips.
• the ac ⁇ vity/learning equipment comprises a keyword and a screen incorporating means which are controlled by means of a programmable or pre-programmed computer disc or cartridge.
• the support portion is formed from a non-rigid plastics or rubber-based material.
• the support portion has a rigid core.
• the support portion is releasably secured to the base, perhaps using suitable clips.
• Figure 1 is a plan view of a baby support according to the present invention
• Figure 2 is a side view of the baby support shown in figure 1
• Figure 3 is a side view showing a baby in a baby support similar to that shown in figures 1 and 2
• Figure 4 is a plan view of learning equipment for attachment to the baby support shown in the figures
• Figure 5 is an underplan view of a base plate of an alternative baby support according to the present invention
• Figure 6 is a side view of a support portion for use with the base plate of Figure 5
• Figure 7 is a part sectioned front view of the assembled alternative baby support.
• a baby support 10 which comprises a base plate 11 and a support portion 12 mounted thereon.
• the base plate 11 is formed from a rigid plastics material but other materials could be used such as wood.
• the base plate 11 is in this embodiment generally heart-shaped but again other shapes are possible.
• the support portion 12 is generally U-shaped and is secured to the base plate 11.
• the attachment to the base plate 11 may be a fixed attachment or the support portion 12 could be removably attached to the base plate 11 using releasable means such as screws or clips (shown in figure 3 as 30).
• the support portion 12 has a back portion 13 which is curved in plan view so as to engage snugly the back of a baby 31 and which extends upwardly to perhaps the shoulder blade region of the baby when seated on the base plate 11 to prevent the baby falling backwards.
• the back portion 13 can, in some embodiments, extend higher to behind the head/neck of the baby so as to support the baby's head/neck. This is useful if the baby is tired and falls asleep.
• the height the back portion 13 reaches on the baby will, of course, depend on the dimensions of the baby.
• the inside surface of the back portion 13 in this particular embodiment curves smoothly at 14 where it meets the base plate 11 so as to provide comfort and support for the baby but the junction between the back portion 13 and the base plate 11 could be more abrupt (as indicated in figure 3).
• the back portion 13 slopes downwardly into two side portions 15, 16 of reduced height. Ideally the side portions are between V 3 and 2 / 3 the height of the back portion 13, preferably about half the height, such that the side portions can extend below the baby's arms.
• the side portions 15, 16 provide side support for the baby if it tries to lean to the side.
• Attached to each of the side portions 15, 16 is a side strap 17, 18 which form part of a restraining harness 19.
• a centre strap 20 is also provided and the three straps 17, 18, 20 can be releasably secured together using a suitable 'buckle arrangement 21.
• the straps 17, 18, 20 are adjustable in length so as to accommodate comfortably babies of varying dimensions.
• the centre strap 20 in the embodiment shown, extends through the base plate 11 and could be removable for selected purposes such as cleaning.
• the support portion 12 is ideally formed from a flexible, resilient material. Some foamed materials, such as open-cell foams, would be suitable.
• the material is a soft-feel plastics material or rubber- based material which will provide sufficient flexibility to allow the baby to move but will not simply give way under the weight of the baby.
• the material will be resilient so that it returns to its original shape after flexing.
• a latex foam having suitable rebound qualities may be suitable although the precise material is a matter of design choice.
• the soft-feel of the plastics or rubber-based material will also be less likely to cause injury if anyone falls against the support portion 12. Ideally all materials can be easily wiped clean.
• the support portion has a removable cover which could be washable. It is also possible that the support portion could have a more rigid core to provide strength whilst still providing the essential flexibility and rigidity of the support portion 12.
• the baby support 10 In use of the baby support 10, the baby is placed in the support portion 12 and held there using the harness 19. The baby is, therefore, supported in a sitting position by means of the support portion 12 and the harness 19 with the side portions 15, 16 extending below the arms of the baby. If the baby leans forward the harness supports the baby and tends to pull the side portions 15, 16 inwardly to grip the sides of the baby.
• the back portion 13 allows some movement but ultimately restrains the baby and again this movement tends to cause the side portions 15, 16 to be pulled inwardly to grip the sides of the baby. Movement to the sides is similarly allowed to a degree but ultimately restrained by the side portions 15, 16.
• the marginal portion of the base plate 11 which surrounds the support portion 12 assists in stabilising the baby support 10 by making it very difficult for the baby to tip the baby support 10 over. As the baby is in a less dangerous environment, less strict supervision is required and the parent/carer can be more at ease whilst their back is turned.
• activity/learning equipment 40 which can be secured to the base plate 11.
• the attachment is ideally releasable and may comprise clips, suction cups, bolts or any other suitable means perhaps even in combination.
• the equipment has spaced feet 41 which clip into spaced holes 42 provided in the base plate 11.
• the precise nature of the activity/learning equipment is a matter of design choice but could include a keyboard 43 and screen 44, shape- sorters, bead coasters, or any other devices for improving the baby's dexterity, awareness, learning or enjoyment.
• the keyboard 43 and screen 44 could be controlled using programmable and/or pre-programmed means such as computer discs or cartridges, CDs, DVDs.
• the complexity of the learning/play tasks can, therefore, be varied according to age and/or development.
• the activity/learning equipment 40 is located in front of the baby and can also extend around the baby's side.
• Figures 5 to 7 show an alternative baby support v hich is similar in many ways to the embodiments described earlier. Like components have therefore been given like reference numerals.
• the base plate 11 is formed with a U-shaped aperture 50 which has in its underside a surrounding recess 51.
• the support portion 12 is generally U-shaped in plan view and has a back portion 13, side portions 15, 16 and a flange 52 around its lower edge. The support portion 12 is inserted through the aperture 50 in the base 11 so that the flange 52 lies in the recess 51. This is shown clearly in figure 7.
• the support portion 12 is therefore easily removable for cleaning or for replacement.
• Additional fasteners can be provided to hold the support portion 12 in its correct location. Also there is a strap receiving hole 53 in the base 11 and this hole also has a surrounding recess 54. The centre strap 20 of the harness is inserted through the hole 53 and a retaining plate (not shown) attached to one end of the centre strap 20 is received in the recess 54.
• Figure 7 also shows an additional shoulder/body harness 55 which can be attached to the basic waist straps 17, 18 of the restraining harness 19. Also shown is an optional seat cushion 56 which can be retained about the centre strap 20 and secured relative to the base with, for example, VELCRO type fastenings.
• Figure 6 shows a slot 57 formed in each side portion 15, 16 to allow the side straps 17, 18 to pass through.
• the side straps then pass around the rear of the back portion 13 and are adjustably secured to each other.
• Suitable strap retaining loops may be provided on the support portion 12 to hold the side straps correctly.
• the height of the back portion 13 is about 300mm above the base plate 11 and the height of the side portions 15, 16 is about 150mm above the base plate 11.
• the ends of the U-shape in plan view could be modified such that the front ends of the side portions 15, 16 are directed slightly inwardly towards each other so as to improve the fit of the support portion around the baby.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Pediatric Medicine (AREA)
• Toys (AREA)
• Carriages For Children, Sleds, And Other Hand-Operated Vehicles (AREA)
• Portable Outdoor Equipment (AREA)
• Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
• Chairs Characterized By Structure (AREA)
• Undergarments, Swaddling Clothes, Handkerchiefs Or Underwear Materials (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=32696615

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (10)

Families Citing this family (4)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (30)

• 2004
  • 2004-06-03 GB GBGB0412401.2A patent/GB0412401D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2005
  • 2005-06-03 AU AU2005249271A patent/AU2005249271A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-06-03 CN CNA2005800179449A patent/CN1960661A/zh active Pending
  • 2005-06-03 WO PCT/GB2005/002193 patent/WO2005117661A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2005-06-03 AT AT05747313T patent/ATE484982T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-06-03 DE DE602005024273T patent/DE602005024273D1/de active Active
  • 2005-06-03 JP JP2007514132A patent/JP4879169B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-06-03 ES ES05747313T patent/ES2354680T3/es active Active
  • 2005-06-03 EP EP05747313A patent/EP1768521B1/en not_active Not-in-force
  • 2005-06-03 US US11/628,099 patent/US20070241597A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (6)

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