Free-standing jumping device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8968110-B2
Application number	US-201213450695-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 19, 2012
Priority date	Feb 6, 2004
Publication date	Mar 3, 2015
Grant date	Mar 3, 2015

Abstract

An apparatus includes a support frame, a resilient member, a seat, and a retainer. The resilient member has a first end portion configured to be coupled to the support frame and a second end portion, opposite from the first end portion. The seat is configured to be coupled to the second end portion such that the seat is suspended from the support frame by the resilient member. At least one of the first end portion and the second end portion includes multiple sleeves, each defining an opening therein. A portion of the retainer is configured to be disposed within a first one of the sleeves and coupled to at least one of the seat and the support frame such that a position of the seat relative to the support frame is adjustable by disposing the portion of the retainer within a second one of the sleeves.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A free-standing jumping device for a child, the jumping device comprising:
a support frame;
a child seat suspended from the support frame;
a tray portion at least partially surrounding the child seat;
a first resilient member comprising a first end portion coupled to the support frame and a second end portion coupled to the tray portion; and
a second resilient member comprising a first end portion coupled to the support frame and a second end portion coupled to the tray portion,
wherein the second end portion of at least one of the first resilient member and the second resilient member is selectively repositionable with respect to the tray portion to alter the position of the child seat with respect to the support frame,
wherein the support frame comprises:
a first upright member including a base portion to contact a supporting surface and an upright portion;
a second upright member including a base portion to contact the supporting surface and an upright portion; and
a connector coupling the first upright member to the second upright member, and

wherein repositioning the second end portion of the least one of the first resilient member and the second resilient member effectively shortens the length of the at least one resilient member extending from the child seat to the support frame.

2. The jumping device of claim 1 , wherein the child seat comprises a seat frame and material suspended from the seat frame.

3. The jumping device of claim 1 , wherein the first resilient member comprises a retainer operable to couple the second end portion of the first resilient member to the child seat.

4. The jumping device of claim 3 , wherein:
the tray portion includes an attachment portion; and
the retainer couples to the attachment portion of the tray portion.

5. The jumping device of claim 4 , wherein:
the tray portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface and a tray portion opening between the top surface and a bottom surface;
the second end portion of the first resilient member passes through the tray portion opening; and
the attachment portion defines a set of holes along the bottom surface, each hole being configured to receive the retainer.

6. The jumping device of claim 1 , wherein:
the tray portion has a first opening and a second opening;
the first resilient member extends through the first opening, coupling to a bottom surface of the tray portion; and
the second resilient member extends through the second opening, coupling to the bottom surface of the tray portion.

7. The jumping device of claim 1 , wherein:
the tray portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface; and
the second end portions of each of the first and second resilient members being repositionably couplable to the bottom surface of the tray portion.

8. A free-standing jumping device for a child, the jumping device comprising:
a support frame;
a child seat suspended from the support frame;
a tray portion at least partially surrounding the child seat;
a first resilient member comprising a first end portion coupled to the support frame and a second end portion which passes through an opening in the tray portion and is coupled to the tray portion; and
a second resilient member comprising a first end portion coupled to the support frame and a second end portion which passes through an opening in the tray portion and is coupled to the tray portion,
wherein the position of the child seat relative to the support frame is selectively adjustable by shortening or lengthening a section of a resilient member extending from a top surface of the tray portion to the support frame.

9. The jumping device of claim 8 , wherein the child seat comprises a seat frame and material suspended from the seat frame.

10. The jumping device of claim 8 , wherein the support frame comprises a base portion to contact a supporting surface and an upright portion.

11. The jumping device of claim 8 , wherein the support frame comprises:
a first upright member including a base portion to contact a supporting surface and an upright portion;
a second upright member including a base portion to contact the supporting surface and an upright portion, and
a connector coupling the first upright member to the second upright member.

12. The infant support structure of claim 8 , wherein each resilient member comprises an elastic spring portion and a substantially inelastic strap portion.

13. The jumping device of claim 8 , wherein the first end portion of the first resilient member is coupled to an upright portion of the support frame.

14. An infant support structure comprising:
a support frame defining a seating area, and
a child support member positioned within the defined seating area, the child support member including a plurality of openings disposed about the child support member; and
a plurality of resilient members suspending the child support member from the support frame, the resilient members permitting movement of the child support member with respect to the support frame, wherein each of the plurality of resilient members extends through a corresponding one of said plurality of support member openings, each resilient member comprising an elastic portion and a substantially inelastic portion,
wherein repositioning of one or more of the plurality of resilient members within the openings repositions the child support member with respect to the support frame, and
wherein the position of the child support member relative to the support frame is selectively adjustable by shortening or lengthening a section of a resilient member extending from a top surface of the child support member to an upright portion of the support frame.

15. The infant support structure of claim 14 , wherein:
at least one of the plurality of resilient members comprises a first end portion coupled to the support frame and a second end portion coupled to the child support member; and
the second end portion of the at least one of the plurality of resilient members comprises a retainer configured to secure the resilient member second end portion to the child support member.

16. The infant support structure of claim 14 , wherein:
the child support member includes an attachment portion defining an attachment opening along a bottom surface of the child support member; and
each of the plurality of resilient members comprises a first end portion coupled to the support frame and a second end portion, the second end portion including a retainer that is received into the attachment opening to couple the resilient member to the child support member.

Assignees

• Bapst David M
• Derubes John
• Gubitosi Domenic T
• Kelly Brian S
• Maul John Martin
• Pyrce Philip R
• Salmon Robert W
• Mattel Inc

Inventors

• Bapst David M
• Derubes John
• Gubitosi Domenic T
• Kelly Brian S
• Maul John Martin
• Pyrce Philip R
• Salmon Robert W

Classifications

• A47D13/105

  pivotally mounted in a frame · CPC title

• A47D13/107 Primary

  resiliently suspended or supported, e.g. baby bouncers · CPC title