WO2013058652A1

WO2013058652A1 - Multifunctional walker

Info

Publication number: WO2013058652A1
Application number: PCT/NL2012/050727
Authority: WO
Inventors: Klazina Gijsberta Duits
Original assignee: E-Novation B.V.
Priority date: 2011-10-20
Filing date: 2012-10-18
Publication date: 2013-04-25
Also published as: EP2768346A1; EP2768346B1; NL2007632C2

Abstract

A multifunctional walker for children comprises a mobile frame (10) intended and adapted to support on a ground surface. The frame is provided with gripping means (70) to give a walking child something to hold on to. The frame can be transformed from a one to another of at least three configurations in which it provides respectively at least one of a walker, a crawling frame and a play dome.

Description

Multifunctional walker

The present invention relates to a multifunctional walker for children, comprising a mobile frame intended and adapted to support on a ground surface and provided with gripping means to give a walking child something to hold on to. A walker for children is usually employed as support during the first steps of a baby or toddler. An example hereof is known from European patent application EP 313.177 and comprises a mobile undercarriage from which extends an upright which is provided with a handle as gripping means for the child. Two sets of wheels are positioned here on opposite longitudinal sides, and the upright extends centrally therebetween. In this known walker the gripping means can thus be approached from both a front side and a rear side.

A drawback of this known walker is however that the toddler can make use thereof only after he or she is able to stand up and, in the absence of an alternative use, is possibly already encouraged to do so at a moment in time when the body is not yet ready for this. In this respect a child will derive more enjoyment from a

multifunctional walker as shown in International patent application WO 96/09785. In this known walker playthings are attached under a central cross-piece so that the baby or toddler can already reach for and look at them at an early stage. There is however also the temptation here to start walking with the walker prematurely while the body of the toddler is not yet ready for it, because no other challenge is provided.

The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a multifunctional walker which provides a greater challenge and can as it were evolve with the development of the child.

In order to achieve the stated objective a multifunctional walker of the type stated in the preamble has the feature that the frame can be transformed from a one to another of at least three configurations in which it provides respectively at least one of a walker, a crawling frame and a play dome. The walker can thus be used initially, i.e. typically from 2 to 3 months, as a play dome which is placed over the baby or toddler. This challenges the child to learn to play and to reach, grasp and look while lying on its back, side or stomach.

As the child becomes older and more mobile, typically between 6 and 8 months, the frame of the device according to the invention can be transformed to a crawling frame. Here the child hangs in a prone position in a harness suspended from the frame by suspending means provided for the purpose. The child can touch the ground with its knees and feet and so push itself off against the ground. Owing to the mobile nature of the frame, the child will thus be challenged to move from the prone position and learn to seek support and to crawl. This is an important intermediate phase in the orthopaedic development of the child. Crawling is not only good for the hips, for the support function of arms and legs and for becoming accustomed to a support of the stomach, but is more generally beneficial for the overall development of the child.

The child gains experience in reaching a crawling position, returning to a sitting position and then crawling again, safely supported here at all times and with some of the weight taken up by the harness. The child also learns to crawl and then, while in the crawling position, to grasp something and play. Diverse reactions, such as raising the head, support and balance reactions and eye-hand coordination, are involved here and are thus practised while playing. In the crawling frame or crawling carriage mode the device according to the invention can give the child a good start and support the whole crawling phase.

From the age of typically 8 to 15 months, depending on the individual development of the child, the baby/toddler will learn to pull itself up to its knees and will eventually rise to a fully standing position. The walker according to the invention will then be able to fulfill its function as fully fledged walker by providing something to hold on to at this stage of development in the form of gripping means which the child can hold and with which he/she can pull him/herself up. Supported by the walker according to the invention, the child now learns to walk. The walker according to the invention has thus evolved together with the child from the early baby phase to this moment at which the tot or toddler will now stand on its own two feet and explore the world.

A particular embodiment of the walker according to the invention is characterized in that the frame comprises a core body from which a number of downward directed legs extend radially, which legs are provided at a distal outer end with at least one propelling member, particularly an optionally swivelling wheel or a sliding element, that the core body can at least be provided, at least in projection and substantially centrally between the legs, with suspending means with a harness, a play element or other suspended body, and that the gripping means moreover extend from the core body, and more particularly in that the core body is provided with the suspending means with, or at least for, the harness. At least substantially the whole device is thus based solely on the core body with the legs thereon. This makes the walker according to the invention particularly light, not only from a structural and physical viewpoint but also from an aesthetic viewpoint. The walker is thereby a source of enjoyment for parents and child, and can also be produced in relatively simple manner and at low cost price.

A further embodiment of the walker according to the invention has the feature that an opening is provided centrally in the core body, that the core body comprises a removable insert part in the opening and that the suspending means extend from the insert part. The core body thus comprises an insert part which can be exchanged as desired so as to add functionality or, on the contrary, remove it. This contributes further toward the multifunctional character of the walker according to the invention, which can hereby take on a number of additional forms. A further particular embodiment of the walker according to the invention is as such characterized in that the insert part can be exchanged with at least one of a play toy, a decorative element and a carrier basket.

If the opening into which the insert part protrudes takes up a large central part of the core body, a relatively thin edge remains. Grateful use is made hereof in a further particular embodiment of the walker according to the invention, which is

characterized for this purpose in that an edge of the opening forms the gripping means. The child can thus grasp the edge and grip round it for an adequate hold. A further particular embodiment of the walker according to the invention

advantageously has the feature that the gripping means are provided multilaterally, and particularly on all sides, on the core body. The walker is can thus be approached and used from different sides, if not all sides, for the purpose of its function as fully fledged walker.

For the purpose of an optimal mobility of the walker on a solid ground surface a further preferred embodiment thereof has the feature according to the invention that at least a number of the legs are provided at their distal outer end with a swivel wheel. Owing to the swivel wheels the toddler can move in all directions without being impeded here by a preferred direction of the walker. This is particularly the case when all the legs are provided with such a swivel wheel.

A further particular preferred embodiment of the walker according to the invention has the feature that four at least substantially identical legs extend radially from the core body which support with their distal outer ends at least substantially at corner points of an imaginary rectangle, in particular a square. This support with four legs enables the child to grip the core body between a set of legs at a time so as to have a hold thereon on all sides. The four legs moreover impart stability and strength to the whole, even in the case of a per se relatively light construction. Such a light construction is for instance provided by a further embodiment of the walker according to the invention, characterized in that the core body comprises a disc-shaped roof body on which the gripping means are provided. Although all or some of the components of the walker can be assembled from diverse materials, a preferred embodiment according to the invention has the feature that the core body is manufactured at least substantially wholly from plastic, and in particular is assembled wholly from one or more injection-moulded parts. Plastic provides the advantage here that it allows a great freedom of form, is pleasant to the touch and is relatively inexpensive. Use can likewise be made for the legs of plastic parts or of hollow metal tube parts, particularly of aluminium, titanium or other light metal.

In a further preferred embodiment the walker according to the invention has the feature that at least the core body and the legs are coupled to each other in manually releasable manner. If desired, the walker can thus be disassembled for transport or storage in a relatively compact state. By subsequently coupling the parts to each other again the walker is once again ready for use. Such a convenience of use is as yet unmatched in the field of walkers for children.

The invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of several exemplary embodiments and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

figure 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a walker according to the

invention in a first configuration;

figure 2 shows the walker of figure 1 in a second configuration;

figure 3 shows the walker of figure 1 in a third configuration;

figure 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a walker according to the invention in a first configuration;

figure 5 shows the walker of figure 4 in a second configuration;

figure 6 shows the walker of figure 4 in a third configuration; and

figure 7 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a walker according to the invention.

The figures are otherwise purely schematic and not drawn to scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numeral.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a multifunctional walker according to the invention. The walker comprises a mobile frame 10 which supports on a ground surface by means of a number of swivel wheels 40. In the configuration shown in figure 1 the walker forms a play dome for a baby 1. The walker is formed by a core body 10 from which extend four legs 20 which each carry one of the swivel wheels 40 on their distal outer end. The swivel wheels are provided with blocking or braking members 60 which, when tightened, avoid unintentional movement of the frame, but which can also be released in order to allow unobstructed rolling of the wheel. In this embodiment core body 10 comprises a disc-shaped roof body injection- moulded from plastic, with a substantially rectangular and even square contour.

Provided on each of the corner points of disc body 10 is a cavity 12 into which a proximal outer end of a leg protrudes with clamping fit. By dispensing with mutual adhesion the device can thus be disassembled again later in simple manner and be stored or transported in relatively compact form. A similar cavity is provided in swivel wheels 40 in order to receive the distal outer end of a leg, optionally releasably, therein in similar manner.

For the legs use can likewise be made of plastic parts or, as in this embodiment, of light-weight aluminium tube parts. Providing these with a curvature, for instance the curvature shown in the figure, results in an attractive and light construction which can be placed over the baby or under which the baby can be laid. The curvature of the legs is otherwise not essential within the context of the invention, but does result in an aesthetically particularly attractive whole.

Provided under the disc-shaped core body is a suspension eye or hook, which is not further shown but assumed sufficiently known, from which a play element 50 can be releasably suspended. A snap hook is advantageously applied for this purpose so that the child cannot release the toy 50 unintentionally. In this phase of the development of the child, which is now typically two to three months old, the child can learn to reach, grasp, play and so develop eye-hand coordination while playing. The child can do this from the shown supine position, but also from a side position or prone position. The dome provides sufficient space therefor.

As the child becomes older, typically at the age of six to eight months, it will want to crawl. The play dome of figure 1 can now be easily transformed into a crawling frame by replacing the play element with a harness so that the configuration of the walker shown in figure 2 is obtained. The harness is intended and adapted to receive child 1 therein in prone position and is adjustable owing to an adjustable strap 62 so that child IB can be positioned at a desired height, wherein it supports with its knees on the ground surface. For attachment of the harness use is made of the same attaching means as for play element 50.

Owing to swivel wheels 40 the child will thus be challenged in the prone position to start moving and learn to support and to crawl. This is an important intermediate phase in the orthopaedic development of the child. Crawling is not only good for the hips, for the support function of arms and legs and for becoming accustomed to a support of the stomach, but is more generally beneficial for the overall development of the child. The child gains experience in reaching a crawling position, returning to a sitting position and then crawling again, safely supported here at all times and with some of the weight taken up by the harness. The child also learns to crawl and then, while in the crawling position, to grasp something and play. Diverse reactions, such as raising the head, support and balance reactions and eye-hand coordination, are involved here and are thus practised while playing. In the shown configuration as crawling frame or crawling carriage the walker according to the invention can give the child a good start and support the whole crawling phase. From the age of typically 8 to 15 months, depending on the individual development of the child, the baby/toddler will learn to pull itself up to its knees and will eventually rise to a fully standing position. The time has now come to learn to walk. With a view to this the shown walker provides gripping means 70 on the core body which the child can hold. The walker is dimensioned such that the core body lies roughly at shoulder height of a child 1 of the intended age. All in all, the walker according to the invention thus evolves easily together with the development of the child.

An alternative embodiment of a multifunctional walker according to the invention is shown in figures 4-6. In this case a core of the walker is also formed by a disc-shaped core body 100, from which four legs 200 extend radially downward at mutually regular distances. In the walker shown here the legs are also provided at their distal outer end with easily rotating swivel wheels 400.

Other than in the previous embodiment, the legs are however not releasably connected to core body 100 but form therewith one whole which is formed from a suitable plastic. In addition, the core body comprises in this embodiment a through- opening in the centre in which an insert part 900 is placed releasably, see figures 4 and 5.

Insert part 900 is provided on an underside with a suspension member for a play element 500, figure 4, or, if desired, a harness 600, figure 5, so as to provide respectively a play dome and crawling carriage or crawling frame. Removal of insert part 900, see figure 6, makes edge 700 of the opening accessible from all sides, and the edge thus provides gripping means which give the child something to hold on to during use of the walker as support during its first steps.

The insert part of this embodiment is also provided with an extra play element in the form of geometric openings and complementary blocks for the purpose of developing spatial awareness in the child while playing. Within the scope of the invention it is possible to elaborate on this as desired by providing insert parts with other play elements, whereby the walker continually poses the child a new challenge. A carrier basket or net 800 can also be arranged under the opening, as shown in figure 6, so that toys or other objects can be carried in the walker. A third exemplary embodiment of the walker according to the invention is shown in figure 7. The walker is in this case also manufactured wholly, or at least substantially wholly, from plastic, although one or more of the legs are provided with an extra play element in the form of a number of adjustable rings 950. As in the second

embodiment, the legs can further be formed integrally with the core body 100 or be connected thereto by means of a manually releasable coupling. The other components correspond for the most part to those of the second exemplary embodiment and are therefore provided with a corresponding reference numeral.

The swivel wheels are constructed from a ball wheel 410 suspended for free rotation about a horizontal shaft 420 in a plastic fork body 430. Fork body 430 is in turn connected via a bearing 450 to the outer end of a leg for free pivoting about an upright shaft 440. A blocking member 460 is mounted pivotally here relative to roller ball 410 for optional engagement thereon, if desired, with a braking block member.

Suspending means 300 for play element 500 and harness 600 comprise a snap hook 300 which is received with a shaft 350 for free rotation in a corresponding hole drilled into an underside of the insert part 900 which is placed releasably in a central opening of core body 100. Particularly during use with harness 600 the hook 300 thus provides full freedom of movement in that the shaft co-rotates with the movements of the child and the harness does not thus become entangled. Harness 600 is here further also adjustable with a strap and buckle 620. Although the invention has been further elucidated above on the basis of only several exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many other variations and embodiments are possible and can be envisaged within the scope of the invention. The core body can thus be embodied with numerous play elements and play toys, wherein multimedia electronic devices can also be incorporated. The core body can particularly be provided with an audio device which produces music or sounds. In addition to being formed from plastic or lightweight metal, the legs can also be formed from other, optionally preserved, metals. Instead of the shown arcuate shape, the dome can also take a straighter or more angular form. All in all, numerous possibilities are available to a skilled person without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Multifunctional walker for children, comprising a mobile frame intended and adapted to support on a ground surface and provided with gripping means to give a walking child something to hold on to, characterized in that the frame can be transformed from a one to another of at least three configurations in which it provides respectively at least one of a walker, a crawling frame and a play dome.

2. Multifunctional walker as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the frame comprises a core body from which a number of downward directed legs extend radially, which legs are provided at a distal outer end with at least one propelling member, particularly an optionally swivelling wheel or a sliding element, that the core body can at least be provided, at least in projection and substantially centrally between the legs, with suspending means with a harness, a play element or other suspended body, and that the gripping means moreover extend from the core body.

3. Multifunctional walker as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the core body is provided with the suspending means with, or at least for, the harness.

4. Multifunctional walker as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that an opening is provided centrally in the core body, that the core body comprises a removable insert part in the opening and that the suspending means extend from the insert part.

5. Multifunctional walker as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the insert part can be exchanged with at least one of a play toy, a decorative element and a carrier basket.

6. Multifunctional walker as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that an edge of the opening forms the gripping means.

7. Multifunctional walker as claimed in one or more of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the gripping means are provided multilaterally, and particularly on all sides, on the core body.

8. Multifunctional walker as claimed in one or more of the claims 2 to 7, characterized in that at least a number of the legs are provided at their distal outer end with a swivel wheel.

9. Multifunctional walker as claimed in one or more of the claims 2 to 8, characterized in that four at least substantially identical legs extend radially from the core body which support with their distal outer ends at least substantially at corner points of an imaginary rectangle, in particular a square.

10. Multifunctional walker as claimed in one or more of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the core body comprises a disc-shaped roof body on which the gripping means are provided.

11. Multifunctional walker as claimed in one or more of the claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the core body is manufactured at least substantially wholly from plastic, and in particular is assembled wholly from one or more injection-moulded parts.

12. Multifunctional walker as claimed in one or more of the claims 2 to 11, characterized in that at least the core body and the legs are coupled to each other in manually releasable manner.