US2869613A - Baby walker - Google Patents

Description

Jan# 20 1959v v y L. E. PARKER 2,859,613

BABY WALKER Filed sept. 1o, 1957 ATTD RN EYB BABY WALKER l Lawrance Eugene Parker, Joliet, Ill. Application September 10, 1957, Serial No." 683,074

2 Claims. (Cl. 15S-22) This invention relates to a device for teaching or training a child or baby to walk.

The object of the invention is to provide a `device which will permit infants or children to more easily and quicltly learn to walk.

Another object of the invention is to provide a baby walker which includes a frame that is mounted on caster wheels so that the device can be readily moved by the baby as the baby is learning to walk, and wherein the height of the device can be adjusted as desired for example in order to compensate for growth of the baby, and wherein a means is provided for preventing the baby from accidentally falling out of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a baby Walker which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will beapparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure l is a side elevational view of the baby Walker l of the present invention, with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the baby walker, with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a sectionalview taken on the line 5--5 of Figure l.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary View, partly in section, showing the manner of adjusting the legs of the baby walker.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the baby walker of the present invention includes a horizontally disposed frame which is indicated generally by the numeral 1l), and the frame lil includes a pair of spaced parallel first portions 1li which have their rear ends interconnected by a rear portion 12, Figure 2. Extending upwardly from the rear portion 12 and secured thereto is a vertically disposed tailpiece 13.

The numeral 14 indicates an inclined base which is arranged adjacent the front of the frame it?, and the base 14 includes a curved front end 15, and portions of the base 14 are cut away as at i6 so as to provide clearance for the babys legs to extend therethrough. Extending rearwardly from the base 14 is a portion 17 which terminates in a section 18 that defines a seat for the baby using the device. The front end of the base ifi terminates in pointed portions 19 which overlie or extend over the portions 11 of the frame 1t).

Secured beneath the frame 1t) are plates 2t), Figure 3, and the plates 2t) may be secured in place by suitable securing elements such as `the rivets 21. The numeral 22 indicates a pair of horizontally disposed spaced .parallel rods which are mounted below the frame itl, and

assenti Patented dan. 2U, i959 front legs 23 depend from the front of the rods Z2, while rear legs 24 extend downwardly from the rear ends of the rods 22. Caster wheels 25 are mounted on the lower ends of the legs 23 and 2d by means of extensions 2S' which are telescopically received in the legs 23 and 21d, and these caster wheels are adapted to be adjustably connected to the legs through the medium of Securing elements such as the securing elements 27, and as shown in Figure 6, the securing elements 27 are adapted to extend through the openings in the lower portions of the legs and be selectively received in the openings 25 in the extensions 25 so that by means of the detachable securing elements 27, the effective height oi the legs can be varied as desired whereby the baby walker can be adjusted so that it can be used for children or babies o different sizes.

As shown in Figure 5 a horizontally disposed br;V 28 extends between the front legs 23 and is sec thereto, and as shown in Figure 4, braces 2* er. downwardly from the rear portion of tbe trame and the braces 29 terminate in horizontally disposed portions 3@ which are secured to the rear legs 24, and these braces help to stabilize or reinforce the various parts to which they are connected.

As shown in Figure 2, the front ends of the portions 11 of the frame 1b are provided with suitable covers 31 which may be made of plastic or the like, and the base 14 may also be provided with a suitable cover 32 of plastic or the like.

Supported adjacent the front portion of the base 'ill is a cable 33 which carries a plurality of spherical or body members 35, and the cable may be supported by braces or upright members 34. There is further provided a second cable 36 which is arranged rearwardly of. the cable 33, and the cable or cord 36 also has a plurality of balls 37 mounted thereon. The cable or cord Se may be supported by a post 38 which extends upwardly troni the base 14, and the ends of the cable 316 are adapted to be connected to suitable securing elements 39 which extend outwardly from vertically disposed side walls 4t?, and extending between the rear ends of the side walls [itl is a back rest or wall member 41, Figure 2. rlhe base 14 and section 1S are secured to the walls itl and d1 by glue and nails or screws and the walls tu and el are then secured to the frame 10 in similar manner.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a baby walker which is especially suitable ior use in teaching babies or infants to walk. ln use, with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, it will be seen that the legs of the baby are adapted to extend through the Spaces 16 and the baby may seat orsit on the portion 18. Due to the provisions of the wheels or casters 25, it will be seen that the baby can readily push himself or herself along or around as desired whereby the baby will be able to remain in an upright position and hence will more easily and quicltly learn to walk. As previously described, certain portions of the device such as the base 1li, and portions 11 of the frame 10 are covered with a suitable covering such as a covering made of plastic as indicated by the numerals 32land 31 whereby a child can grip or use the device with greater comfort. It is to be noted that due to the provision of the upstanding tailpiece 1?, as well as the arrangement of the other parts, that the baby walker has a substantially streamlined or modernistic appearance so as to increase the attractiveness thereof. The walls Alti and 41 coact to deiine an enclosed area which helps maintain or retain the baby in its proper position in the device. The cables 36 and 33 with the beads or balls thereon, serve to provide a means for increasing the attractiveness of the device for the infant or baby since the baby can play with the beads on the cords, and :den

the beaded cords can be used as hand grips by the baby when the device is being used. By removing the Cotter key 27, the effective length of the various legs such as the legs 23 and 24 can be regulated so that the device can be adjusted as for example as the child or baby grows in size.

The baby walker of the present invention will aid in the development of the leg muscles of infants whereby such infants will be able to walk sooner. Furthermore, the child will be able to gain exercise and entertaimnent and the Child can also independently move around the house. The device will save time as well as energy of the mother since the infant using the device can follow the mother into any roorn in the house without hindering or interrupting the mothers activities. The device is low enough so that a child from four months to one year of age can touch his feet to the door and thereby propel the baby walker. The movement of the walker of the present invention is dependent upon the kicking action of' a small baby and later the conscious propelling of a larger one. This action against the door improves the easy movement of the walker which is built light enough for a child to control. In addition to developing the child physically, it also aids in mental development since the ability to move about the house unattended gives the child a feeling of independence and aids in helping them to gain the necessary confidence for walking.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in dillerent shapes or sizes. The beads such as the - beads 35 and 37 will help attract the attention of the child. The fenders 26 t over the casters 25.

I claim:

1. In a baby walker, a horizontally disposed frame including a rst pair of spaced parallel portions, a rear portion extending between the rear ends of said rst portions, an inclined base including a curved front end portion terminating in pointed ends and said pointed ends extending over the rst portions of said frame, the rear portion of said base being cut away to provide space for the projection therethrough of a babys legs, a seat portion integral with the rear of said base intermediate ot the space provided by the cutaway portion of said base, spaced parallel vertically disposed side walls secured to the inner surfaces of said rst portions, horizontally disposed rods secured to the undersurface of said frame, front legs depending from the front of said rods and secured thereto, a brace extending between said front legs, rear legs depending from the rear of said rods, braces extending between said frame and said rear legs, and caster wheels connected to the lower ends of said legs.

2. In a baby walker as in claim l, wherein said caster wheels are provided with an extension that is telescopically received in said legs and means is provided for `adjustably connecting said extensions to said legs.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Goldblatt et al. Nov. 29, 1955

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