US2609030A - Baby walker - Google Patents

Description

Patented Sept. 2, 1952 `UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE 2,609,030 BABY WALKER cedric c. stack, Elwood, Ina.

Application August 3, 1950, Serial No. 177,460

(c1. 15s- 24)A 13 Claims.

`This invention relates to improvements in baby walkers and it consists in the matters herein Aillust-,rated and described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The baby walker with which the present invention is more especially concerned and which is sometimes known as a go cart, consists oi a frame Work movable about on casters or the like and designed to support infant children while learning to walk so that such children accustom themselves to walking.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a baby walker which is of a light weight, but strong and durable construction and which is of such stability that it is indeed diflicult for the baby to tip the walker, in its use thereof. Another object of the invention is to provide a baby walker which includes a seat that may be elevated from time to time to accommodate the baby in its growth and thereby adjust the height of the seat to the legs of thebaby.

A further object of the invention is to provide a baby walker that includes a seat of flexible material from which the baby cannot readily escape and a frame for supporting the seat, which seat and frame are so made that thelseat, when soiled, may be readily removed from the frame and replaced by a` clean one.

Also it is an object of the invention to provide a baby walker which safely and comfortably confines the baby thereto, but from which it may be readily removed whenin need of attention.

Again it is an object of the invention to provide a baby walker which may be shipped in a knocked down condition to occupy but a small amount of space and which may be readily assembled into its condition for use by persons of average ability. y

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a baby walker that includes therein a hand hold at rthe front of the seat, which hand hold is so constructed and arranged relative to parts of the walker as to secure them together as a fully assembled frame while affording the support for the seat of the walker.

Also, again it is an object of the invention to provide a ybaby walker thaty includes a frame work and supporting legs that are so covered with a cushioning material that the walker cannot mar or nick furniture in the vicinity of its use.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others, together with the advantages thereof, will more fully appear as the specication proceeds.4

In the drawing: v Fig. 1 is a perspective view of ababy walker embodying the preferred form of the invention with the seat thereof in anelevated position.

Fig. 2y is a front elevation of the walker ap' pearing in Fig. 1 with the seat thereof in a lower position.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the Walker as taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 but with the seat frame swung to one side of the main frame and illustrating the manner in which the seat may be removed from the seat frame without a complete removal of the latter from the main frame.

Fig. 4 is a detail horizontal sectional view through one of the legs of the main frame of the walker as taken on the line 4 4 but on a scale enlarged over that of Fig. 1. Y

Fig. 5 is a perspective'view on an enlarged scale of fragments of certain parts of the walker in an aligned position showing the same generally in the order of assembly.

Fig. 6 is a detail vertical sectional View through a part of the Walker as'taken on the line 6 6 and on a scale larger than that of Fig. 2l and more particularly shows the manner in which parts appearing in Fig. 5 are operatively connected together in the assembled walker.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the improved walker includes a main frame made up of a pair of laterally spaced right and left hand inverted U-shaped frame mem'- bers Il) and Il, each composed of a top horizontal portion I2 and front and rear end legs I3 and I4 respectively. The bottom of each leg is provided with a swiveling caster I5. Preferably each frame member I6 and I I is made of metallic tubing but they may be made of rod stock, wood or other suitable materials, bent toY suitable shape or so formed in other ways. Each member as shown is provided with a cushioning en-V closure, such as for instance a rubber tubing I6 as best shown in Fig. 4. On the bottom endof each leg of said frame member vis a rubber bumper I 1.

The front portion of the top horizontal parts I2 of both frame members are connected together by a reach bar I8 made of tubing and formed at the top of each end with an opening I8a and at the bottom of each end with another opening I8b of such size as to t upon a part of the portion I2 of an associated frame member I0 and II respectively. The openings I8a and Ib which are axially alined, best appear in Fig. 5.

Each frame member I and I I is bent outwardly from a point back of the reach bar as best appears in Fig. 3. Thus the rear legs I4 of both frame members are spaced further apart than the front legs and therefore have a greater spread. This provides such stability for the frame of the walker as a whole as will prevent tipping thereof, under the movement of the baby occupant of the walker.

Risingffrom the framethus far described is an inverted U-shaped hand hold I9 which includes a horizontal cross bar 20 and depending end legs 2|-2|. The horizontal cross bar of this hand hold, which is bent from a piece of bar stock;VY is covered with a sleeve 22 of rubber to afford a good grip for` the hands of the baby.

The legs of the hand hold are spaced laterally apart, the same distance as the front portions of the side frame members I0 and I I and theirbot-v tom end portions 2Ia, which are of a threaded reduced diameter, are capable of passing through openings A232 in the'expose'd part of each portion of which: portions best appears-in Fig. 5. At the junctionv of each leg 2| and: its; extension. is' a downwardly. facing" shoulder' 2Ibf whichv best appears in Figs. 5 and 6.

V4.indicates theseat'frameof the walker made from'a. length on tubingl bent into substantially aL'LlI'shapei-to have a rounded back 25 andpara-llel r'cleannis-f2'1"-'21 which are spaced the samedistance? apartv as the legs 2|? ofI the hand hold 20. In'tlietop. portion; of-"each: seat; frame arm 21, near its extremity, is a threadedA opening 2-8 to receivef afs'et screw 29"asf best. appears in Figs; 5 and. 6:

3W indicates a'. connection member employed between each legxZIE'andl the' associated arm 2'! oft'he seat' frame.. 'Itxis' madev from; a piece. of bar-'stoclc-.of the-same diameter-as the associated seat: frame arm to'providea front end body por.- tion 3| and a rear'end stem 32 reduced in diameter fori a snug't' inthe end of the associated seat frame armI 2:1. A central transversel open.- i`n'gf3'3 is provided irr the body' andV this opening isof Vsuch diameter as tov permit the passage of the'fass'ociatedi leg '2| of the hand'. holdtherethrough. 'In the'front' end of thebodyv 3|- is-v a threaded' opening' 34 which; communicates with thefopeningr33 rand said'A opening takesafinger trnalfile:screw 35'. In thesteml 32 of eachlconnectiolr member-3U', near its rear end is an annulargroove-SZa.. The distance said groove is-spaced from. the' rear end of the body 3| issuch that when. said; stenr is inserted into the front end of a. seat frame: arm `2-'I', toa point' where the eX- tremty thereof engages the rear end of the body 35|" ofthe-associated 'connection member 30, said 'groove 32a.Y willr line. up with f the,u screw 2 9= carried bysaidfarm 2'|.

The seatwhich is'supported by the seat frame 251is: preferably made of a: waterproofed flexible material'- a-nd" is indicated as l a. whole by the numeral: 36; It includes a back-31, sides 38, a bottom39 and 'a front 40. The upper margin of the back and the sides are folded over and stitched thereto-toprovide ahem 4-I of such sizeasto receiveftheback and the armsof the seatframe 215. Thef-ront 40 terminates just belowv the hemand where this frontjoins the sides. The bottom of the seat-is formed withleg openings 42..

Preferably the-walker isshippedin a knocked down condition in a suitable box for assembly in the? home. of the` purchaser with the aid of such simple tools asareafound in nearly every home..

To assemble the various parts above described the side frame members and may be placed in an upright position and then the reach bar I8 applied, with the recesses |8b in its ends straddling the upper exposed parts of the portions I2 of said side frame members and with the holes 8a in said ends lined up with the holes 23 in said side frame portions.

A connection member 30 is then applied to that portionofthehand hol'dlegs 2f| above the shoulders 2 Ib thereon. Byv turning the associated screw 35 of the connection member, the latter is prevented from slipping off the leg portion 2|. The: leg portions 2| a are then inserted through the aligned holes and recesses IBa and |8b in the Areach vbar ends and through the openings 23 in the. portionsY I.2fof. the side frame members so as to extend below the latter and to this portion of ea'c'h lega nut 45 is applied from below. One of said nuts best appears'in Figs. 5 and 6. This secures` theside frame.- memloers ||l` and the reach barA I8HA and the= hand. hold 20.operatively together as. the main. frame for. the walker. AAt this time.- itisbestftopoint. the stems32v of both connection. membersl 30 straightA rearwardly and thentightenthe screws.-35.

'After' thev seat. has. been. applied to the seat frame=25=-by passingrthe latter through. the hem 4| of the. seat, the frontends-of the arms 2'I of said seat frame are'v causedtoline up with. the stems 32 of both connection members. 30. until the front. endextremities of. said armsv engage the, rear. end of. the bodies of. said connection members. Inxthis-conditionthe screws 29..car. ried--bysaid seatframe arms 21, which now line up with thegrooves 32ain the stems 32., are tightened so as to. enter said grooves. This .solidly butI removably attaches the seatframe ends. 2I tosaid connection members 30. YBy loosening the screws 35` thefmembers.- 3|]` and seat. frame and seat thereon may be adjustedinto the desired position on the legs 2| of the hand hold and wherein -they may be lockedsby tightening the screw 35.. When the seat 36: isv inthe foremost position. on-itsframe Zthehem 4| thereof will cover thelheads. ofy both. screws 29 which areof the at head type.

By pushing the front end of. ther hem.4| back uponrthe'legs. 2.1 of the seat frame, this moves the seattoward the rear of. the'frame and' exposes .the headsof. saidscrews.

If itis desired to. change the seat. foi: a clean one this maybe doneineither of4 two ways. One wayisto loosen the. screws. 29 far enough so the seatframe may be withdrawn rearwardly and off the stems- 32 of. both connection. members. The seat may nowI be worked` off. theseatframe from the end of one of the arms 2.|-v thereof. and aclean one applied. to-theframe as beforementioned. Thereafter theseat frame is applied. to bothstemsof.` the-connection members 30Y and thescrews 29.againtightenedv up.v

YAnother. way to` change the seat is to-` remove the end-r of one. ofthe seat frame. arms from its stem, as before described, and. then. loosen the screw 35 of the.- other connection member so that theframemay be swung aboutone of the..legs.2|. of. the. handheld into the positionshowninFig. 3.. Inthis positiorrthe: seat may-be. worked.- off the. frameefrom.- that arm that. has. been disconnected from its associated connection member and. a new or. clean one applied tothe seat framey as. beforementioned. VThezfseat frame mavthenbe swung back toits opera-tive position so that the stem enters the end ofthafreefarm "ofi said frame againl to 5 be attached thereto by tightening the screw 29. n .'I'hewalker Vis comfortable foruse by babies andV through the use of the'same the baby soon learns to-iwalk. As' the baby grows the seat-may be raised to accommodate'such growth. As the legs of the walkerframe are cushioned, the walker cannot mar furniture or other articles into which it may be bumped.

I=cl`aim as my invention: 1."A baby 'walker embodying' therein laterally spaced side frame members each includinga top portion and' front and rear legs extending downwardly from the ends thereof,a reach bar extending transversely of and'havingdirect connections at its ends with top portions of said "side frame members, an inverted. U-shaped memn ber including a handheld at the top and depending side legs,'the bottom ends of which form parts vof'said direct'connections, a seat support having side armsconnected together at the rear, and means for operatively connecting the front ends vof said side arms to said depending side legs. l, 2. A baby walker embodying thereinflaterally` spaced side frame members'each including a top portion and front and rear legsV extending downwardly from the endsf thereof, a reach bar extending transversely of and having direct connections at its endswith top portions of said side frame members, an inverted U-shaped member including a hand hold at the top and depending side legs, the"'bottom ends of which form vparts of said direct connections, a `seat support having side arms connected together at the rear, and means forl operatively connecting the front ends f said side arms to said depending side legs, portions of saidsideframe members forwardly of said connections being disposed in parallel relation and portions of said side frame members rearwardly of said connections being splayed outwardly to space the rear legs of said frame members a wider distance apart than the front legs thereof. f

3. Ababy walker embodying therein laterally spaced lside frame members each including a top portion and front and rear legs extending downwardly from the ends thereof, a reach bar extending transversely of and connected at its ends to portions of said side frame members, a vseat support having side arms connected together at the rear, means providing a vertical pivotal connection for the front end of one of the arms of the seat support with respect to one of said side frame members and about which said support may be swung, in a horizontal plane, to bring the front end of the other arm of said support into and out of operative relation to the other side frame member, and means for detachably connecting said end of said other arm to said other side frame member when disposed in operative relation thereto.

4. A baby walker embodying therein laterally spaced side frame members, each including a top portion and front and rear legs extending downwardly from the ends thereof, a reach bar extending transversely of and connected at its ends to portions of said side frame members, a seat support having side arms connected together at the rear, means providing a vertical pivotal connection for the front end of one of the arms of the seat support with respect to one of said side frame members and about which said support may be swung in a horizontal plane to bring the front end of the other arm thereof into and out of operative relation to the other side frame member,means for detachably connecting" said end of said other arm tov said other side .frame member when Ldispose'd in operative vrelation thereto, and a seat member of flexible mate; rial having a marginal hem at the sides and rear thereof, which hem may Abe applied to and removed'from said support when said other arm is detached from said other side frame member.

5. A baby walker embodying therein laterally spaced side frame members each including `atop portion and front and rear legs extending down-'- wardly from the ends thereof; a reach vbar extending transversely of and having end portions engagedwith portions of saidside iframe meme bers, an upright member extending through each end of the reach bar and that portion of a side frame member with ywhich it is engaged and operatively securing said reach. bar to said side frame members, and a seat support having side arms connected together at the rear and at their Yfront ends operatively engaged upon said uprightmembers. v i

6. A baby walker embodying therein laterally spaced sideframe members each including a top portion and front and rear legs extending downwardly from the ends thereof, a reach bar extending transversely of and having end portions engaged with portions of said side frame mem bers, an upright member extending through each end of said reach bar and that portion of a side frame member with which it is engaged and operatively securing said reach bar to said side frame members, a seat support having side arms connected together at the rear, and means for attaching the front ends of the arms of the seat support to said upright members at different elee vations thereon.

'7. A baby walker embodying therein laterally spaced side frame members each including a top portion and front and rear legs extending downwardly from the ends thereof, a reach bar ex'- tending transversely of and having end portions engaged with portions of said side frame members, an upright member extending through each end of said reach bar and that portion of a side frame member with which it is engaged VVVand operatively securing said reach bar to said side frame members, a seat support having side varms connected together at the rear, means providing a vertical pivotal connection for the front Vend of one of said arms with one of said upright members and about which connection said support may be swung in a horizontal plane to bring the front end 0f the other arm of said support into and out of operative engagement with the other of said upright members, and means for detachably connecting the front end of said last mentioned arm to said other upright member when in operative engagement therewith.

8. A baby walker embodying therein laterally spaced side frame members, each including a top portion and front and rear legs extending downwardly from the ends thereof, a reach bar extending transversely of and having end portions engaged with portions of said side frame members, a hand rail disposed above said reach bar and having depending end legs, secured to said reach bar and to said side frame members respectively, and a seat support having side arms connected together at the rear and at their front ends operatively engaged with said end legs ofr said hand rail.

9. A baby walker embodying therein laterally spaced side frame members each including atop portion and front and rear legs extending downwatdly from the ends thereof, a reach bar ex'- tendlngtransversely of and having end portions engaged with'` portions of said side frame-memb'ersgfa handrail disposed above said reach bar and having depending end legs, bottom portions of whiche'xtend through ythe end portions of said reach barv and through portions of. saidside frame members with which they engage, 'a seat support having side arms connected together at-thefrea'r, and means for'detachably connecting the ends of the side arms of said seat support tesaidfend-legs of the hand rail.

v10.l A. baby walker embodying therein laterally spaced side frame members, each including a top portion and front-and rear legs extending down-i Wardly'ifrom the ends thereof, a reachv bar extending transversely of and having end portions engaged with` portions of said side frame memi bers, a hand 'rail disposed above` said reach4 bar and havingl depending end legs, bottom portions ofvwhich extend through the end portions ofsaid reach bar and through portions of said side frame members with which they engage, a seat support having'side arms connected together at the rear, connection members mounted oneonv each leg of the hand rail and each includinga lrear wardly extending stem, and means for detachably connecting'the end of each arm of the'seat support toan associated stem.

1l. A baby walker embodying therein laterally spaced side framemembers each including a top portion and front and rear legs extending' downwardly from the ends thereof, a, reach bar ex tending transversely of and engaged' at its. ends upona portion of bothside frame members, a handheld having end legs'with a reduced diameter lower threaded portion connected to the associated leg bya shoulder, said reduced diameter lower portion of each leg of ythe hand hold extending through an associated end of said reach bar and portion of said side frame member engaged thereby, a nut on each lower portion of each hand rail leg for drawing the parts tightly togetherwithveach end portion of the reach bar engaged by said shoulder on an associated leg of the hand hold, and a U-shaped seat frame having side arms, each connected to a leg of the hand hold for adjustment vertically thereof.

1'2. A baby walker embodying therein laterally spaced side frame members each including a top portion andV front and rear legs extending downl ward-ly-noin:.theendsthereof,l a reach bar. ex-

tending transversely of andv engaged at-its lends .upon avportion of both side frame members; a

hand hold-having. end legsA withvia reduced di'- ameter lower endthreadedportion connected to tlie associated leg by va shoulder, said reduced diameter' lower end portion'- of each. legV of the hand hold extending through an associatedl end of said reach bar and side frame-member portion engaged thereby, a nut on each lower end-.portion of each hand-rail leg :for drawing the parts tightly together with each end portion ot said Vreachv barengaged by a shoulderl on an associated le'g .of thelhand hold,` a connection member mounted on each leg of the hand hold,v and: each connection member including a rearwardlyv extending portion, a U-shapedseat framehaving side arms with the free end of each side arm having a telescopic engagement with the rearwardly extending portion of each connection member, andv meanstfor releasably attaching the free end of each-.side arm toitsassociatedlrearwardly extending portion of each connection member.

13. A baby walker embodying therein two side frame members each ofrinverted U shape in side elevation, means holding said frame members-in lateral spaced relation, an inverted U-shaped member including a hand hold at the Vtop and depending. side legs, one xed at the bottom to each side frame.A member, a seatls'upportingframe of U shape in plan, the legs of. said U-shaped seatframe being securedto said .side legs of .said inverted U -shaped member.

EDRICC. STACK.

REFERENCES CITED The following: references are of record inthe le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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