Clip for a child exerciser/rocker

A seat for receipt of a child capable of providing exercise and entertainment comprising a seat having a rigid upper support and a lower support therebeneath and a circular bearing surface therebetween, the lower support having leg openings for passage of the legs of a child supported therein. An upper supporting tray has a radially interior opening in a circular configuration for receiving and supporting the seat, the upper supporting tray having a radially exterior periphery with projections extending downwardly therefrom. A bowl-shaped base, preferably with radial ribs, is provided, the upper periphery of the base having spaced upstanding towers with openings depending from the upper ends thereof. Upstanding posts are also provided, each post having a lower end received within the upper end of a tower, each post having an upper end with a recess for receiving a downwardly depending projection.

2. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a child exerciser/rocker and, more particularly, 
to a device for exercising and entertaining a child having a seat for 
supporting a child with an associated tray and a bowl-shaped base to 
facilitate rocking, engagable feet to preclude rocking, spring couplings 
between the seat and the base to facilitate bouncing with height 
adjustment components between the base and seat and with bearing surfaces 
between the seat and tray to facilitate 360 degree rotation with locking 
components therebetween to preclude rotation when so desired. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART 
There are a wide variety of devices in the marketplace today in which 
children may be placed for exercise. Similarly, there are a wide variety 
of devices in the marketplace today in which children may be placed for 
entertainment. In a limited number of cases, devices for entertainment may 
provide exercise and, conversely, devices for exercise may provide 
entertainment. In all such instances, however, care must be taken in the 
design and use of such devices to insure the maximum safety of the child 
as well as the peace of mind of the mother. 
Typical devices attempting to meet such needs are disclosed in the patent 
literature. Consider, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,107 to Chippa; U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,084,273 to Haynes; U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,588 to Anderson; U.S. 
Pat. No. Des. 295,397 to Brownlie et al; U.S. Design Pat. 315,644 to 
White; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,438 to Beger. 
Despite the large number of efforts to meet the needs of child and mother 
for exercise and entertainment of young ones, along with maximum safety, 
no prior art device has the capability of the present invention which 
provides for a combination of bouncing, rotating, and rocking, all for a 
maximum safety of the child in mind. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a seat for 
receipt of a child capable of providing exercise and entertainment 
comprising a seat having a rigid upper support and a lower support 
therebeneath and a circular bearing surface therebetween, the lower 
support having leg openings for passage of the legs of a child supported 
therein. An upper supporting tray has a radially interior opening in a 
circular configuration for receiving and supporting the seat, the upper 
supporting tray having a radially exterior periphery with projections 
extending downwardly therefrom. A bowl-shaped base, preferably with radial 
ribs, is provided. The upper periphery of the base has spaced upstanding 
towers with openings at the upper ends thereof. Upstanding posts are also 
provided, each post having a lower end received within the upper end of a 
tower, each post having an upper end with a recess for receiving a 
downwardly depending projection. 
A further object of the present invention is to exercise a child while the 
child is entertaining itself. 
A further object of the present invention is to entertain a child while it 
is exercising itself. 
It is a further object of the present invention to insure a child's safety 
while the child is exercising and entertaining through a combination of 
bouncing, rocking and rotating. 
These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the 
more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many 
other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed 
invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the 
scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a more 
comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring 
to the summary of the invention, and the detailed description of the 
preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by 
the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention is defined by the appended claims with the specific 
embodiment shown in the attached drawings. For the purposes of summarizing 
the invention, the invention may be incorporated into a seat for receipt 
of a child capable of providing exercise and entertainment for a child 
supported therein comprising, in combination, a seat having a rigid upper 
support and a lower support therebeneath and a circular bearing surface 
therebetween, the lower support having leg openings for passage of the 
legs of a child supported therein. An upper supporting tray in a circular 
configuration has a radially interior opening for receiving and rotatably 
supporting the seat at the circular bearing surface, the upper supporting 
tray having a radially exterior periphery in a circular configuration with 
three equally spaced projections extending downwardly therefrom. A 
bowl-shaped base, preferably with radial ribs, and adapted to rock in any 
direction is also provided, the upper periphery of the base having three 
equally spaced upstanding towers in parallel relationship with vertical 
openings at the upper ends of the towers, each tower having vertically 
spaced height adjustment holes formed therein. Three vertically extending 
posts are provided, each post having a lower end received within the upper 
end of a tower with a spring based operator controlled button positionable 
through a hole in the tower for varying the height of the post with 
respect to the tower, each post having an upper end with a recess for 
receiving a downwardly depending projection to preclude rotation 
therebetween, and a spring between each post and tower to allow bouncing 
of a child in the seat with respect to the base. A lock couples the seat 
and the tray movable between a locking orientation to preclude rotation 
therebetween and an unlocking orientation to allow rotation therebetween. 
Three feet depend from the lower surface of the base from equally spaced 
peripheral locations and movable between a recessed orientation to allow 
rocking and an extended orientation to preclude rocking. 
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly, the more pertinent and important 
features of the present invention. The detailed description of the 
invention that follows is offered so that the present contribution to the 
art may be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention 
will be described hereinafter. These form the subject of the claims of the 
invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the 
conception and the disclosed specific embodiment may be readily utilized 
as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out 
the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by 
those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart 
from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended 
claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
Shown in the Figures, with particular reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a 
child exerciser/rocker 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of 
the present invention. From an overview standpoint, the child 
exerciser/rocker includes three major assemblies, a seat assembly 12, a 
base assembly 14, and a coupling assembly 16 therebetween. 
With regard to the seat assembly 12, a seat 20 is provided for receipt of a 
child who is to receive the exercise and the entertainment while supported 
therein. The seat 20 comprises a rigid upper support 22 and a soft 
flexible lower support 24 therebeneath. Leg openings 26 are formed in the 
forward portion of the lower support for passage of the legs of a child 
supported therein. 
The rigid upper support 22 is covered with a soft cushion 27. The cushion 
27 is removably secured in position by elastic loops 29 permanently 
secured at their upper ends to the cushion and removably secured at their 
lower ends to a bearing retainer 31. Note FIG. 10. 
Between the upper and lower supports 22 and 24 of the seat are spherical 
ball bearing members 30. Such ball bearing members are adapted to 
cooperate with an associated downwardly facing bearing surface 32 coupled 
to the seat. The bearing surface is also adapted to cooperate with an 
associated upwardly facing bearing surface 34. The bearing surface 32 is 
coupled to the tray components. This arrangement allows for circular 
rotation of the seat through 360 degrees with respect to the tray and base 
components therebeneath. 
Extending radially outwardly from the circular bearing surface is a lower 
supporting structure in the form of a tray 38. Such tray has a radially 
interior opening 40 in a circular configuration sized and shaped for 
receiving and rotatably supporting the seat 20. Such support is at a 
location between the upper and lower supporting structures 22 and 24 of 
the seat. The lower supporting structure or tray also has a radially 
exterior periphery 42 formed as an upwardly extending flange in a circular 
configuration. Depending downwardly from adjacent to the exterior 
periphery of the tray are three conical projections 44. The conical 
projections assist in the locating and coupling of the seat tray, and 
upper supporting structures with respect to the components therebeneath. 
Associated lag bolts 45 and threaded apertures 47 in the tray loosely 
couple the tray 38 with the posts 62 and as such also function to couple 
the tray with respect to the posts 62 and base. Other types of bolts 
including screws could readily be used as a substitute for lag bolts 45. 
A bowl-shaped base 54 at the bottom of the device is also provided. Such 
base is spherical in configuration at its lower extent and is adapted to 
rock in any direction. It is also adapted to rock the components supported 
thereabove. The upper periphery of the base is formed with three 
vertically extending and equally spaced upstanding towers 56. The towers 
extend in parallel relationship with respect to each other. Their upper 
ends are formed with openings 58 extending downwardly from their upper 
ends. 
Three vertically extending posts 62 are also provided. Each post has a 
lower end received within a recess 58 of a upper end of a tower 56. An 
operator-controlled button 66 extends through each post and tower and is 
urged outwardly by a spring 68. This arrangement functions to fix the 
height of the post and seat with respect to the towers 56 and base 54. The 
buttons 66 may be depressed by a user to raise or lower the posts 62. In 
this manner a user may vary the height of the post and seat 20 with 
respect to the towers 56 and base 54. 
Each post also has an upper end with a recess 72 for receiving a downwardly 
depending cone shaped projection 44 extending downwardly from the exterior 
periphery of the support structure. Such projections and recesses function 
in association with lag bolts 45 to locate the seat and tray with respect 
to the towers and base and to preclude rotation between the tray and base. 
A spring 76 is operatively positioned between each post 62 and projection 
44 of the support structure. Such springs 76 allow for bouncing of a child 
in the seat 20 with respect to the towers 56 and base 54. As such, a child 
in the seat 20 may rotate and/or bounce and/or rock by the shifting of his 
or her weight and the movement of his or her feet on the upper surface of 
the base 54. 
The lower retainer has outwardly facing teeth 80 which may be engaged by a 
slide 82 on the bottom of the tray 28. The slide is movable by the user 
between an operative position out of contact with the teeth 80 to allow 
rotation of the seat and an inoperative position to engage the teeth to 
preclude rotation of the seat when so desired. 
Lastly, three feet 86 are provided on the lower surface of the base. Each 
foot is pivotally secured by a hinge pin 88 in recesses 90 in the base. 
The feet are urged by springs 92 to the position in which they are set and 
to retain such set position. The feet are movable about their hinge pins 
88 by a user between a recessed orientation within the recesses 90 to 
allow rocking and an extended orientation exterior of the recesses 90 to 
preclude rocking. 
Optionally provided with the above described device are one or more toys 
removably coupled with respect to the flange of the tray. Byway of 
example, toy 102 has a clip positionable over the flange with upstanding 
side walls supporting a ball 104 located on a pivot pin. Note FIG. 6. FIG. 
7 is a clip 106 adapted to support a toy of any other type. Any of a wide 
variety of clips, toys and interconnections therebetween could readily be 
utilized. 
A seat is thus provided for receipt of a child. Such seat is capable of 
providing exercise and entertainment. The seat includes a rigid upper 
support and a lower support therebeneath and a circular bearing surface 
therebetween. The lower support has leg openings for passage of the legs 
of a child supported therein. An upper supporting tray is formed with a 
radially interior opening in a circular configuration for receiving and 
supporting the bearing surface of the seat. The upper supporting tray has 
a periphery with projections extending downwardly therefrom with an 
upwardly extending peripheral flange forming a curved surface with an 
exterior face and an interior face. the exterior face has an upper bight 
and a lower ledge at the bottom of the exterior face. The base has a 
bowl-shaped lower extent with the upper periphery of the base having 
spaced upstanding towers with openings at the upper ends thereof. 
Upstanding posts are included with each post having a lower end received 
within the upper end of a tower. Each post also has an upper end with a 
recess for receiving a downwardly depending projection. The clip with a 
toy is positionable over the curved surface of the flange and has 
upstanding sidewalls supporting a ball located on a pivot pin. 
The clip is positionable over the curved surface of the flange and has an 
upwardly extending curved configuration. The clip comprises a main body 
portion in an upwardly extending curved configuration and has an interior 
surface positionable over the exterior surface of the flange. An aperture 
is formed in the main body portions with a horizontal lip extending from 
the bottom of the opening adjacent to the lower exterior edge to a 
location between the lower interior and exterior edges and beneath the 
lower ledge of the flange. The lip is at an angle of slightly greater than 
90 degrees from the adjacent portion of the main body portion. Upstanding 
sidewalls extend upwardly from the uppermost extent of the main body 
portion. A pivot pin is secured adjacent to the upper edges of the 
upstanding sidewalls, and a ball is mounted between the sidewalls and 
secured by the pivot pin. The ball is rotatable with respect to the 
sidewalls. 
FIGS. 8 through 12 relate to an alternate embodiment of the invention. In 
such alternate embodiment, the bowl shaped base 200 is reconfigured for 
additional safety and durability. The base of the alternate is, like the 
base of the primary embodiment, constructed with a lower extent 202 in the 
shape of a partial sphere. The lower extent has an upper surface 204 and 
an essential parallel lower surface 206. The lower surface is smooth to 
render it readily adapted to be positioned on a recipient surface such as 
a floor or on the ground. The upper surface is spaced a common distance 
from the lower surface over the majority of its extent. Such distance, 
which enhances the thickness of the lower extent, is about 5/32 of an 
inch. 
The lower extent 202 has a center 210 at the lowest point of the lower 
extent of the base. Such center is in the form of a small flat lower 
circle beneath a small flat upper circle. This area of the lower extent of 
the base is slightly thicker than the remainder with a thickness of about 
3/16 inch. 
The extended strength and safety of the base and, hence the system, is 
effected through the use of ribs 212 extending upwardly from the upper 
surface of the lower extent. Such ribs extend radially outwardly from the 
upper circle. The ribs are at an angle of about ten degrees, one from the 
other, in a symmetric array from the circle. Each rib is about 1/8 inch 
wide and about 1/16 inch high. In cross section, the ribs are semicircular 
with a 1/16 inch radius of curvature. 
The bowl shaped base also has an upper extent 216 formed without ribs. Such 
upper extent is an integral extension of the lower extent. The upper 
extent also has a downwardly facing semicircular cross section. Note FIG. 
9. This again adds strength and rigidity to the entire bowl shaped base. 
As in the primary embodiment, the bowl shaped base is provided with towers 
220 extending upwardly from three equally spaced regions of the base. The 
towers are hollow for receiving child supporting posts therein. These are 
located one hundred twenty degrees from each other around the periphery of 
the base. 
In addition, as in the prior embodiment, the bowl shaped base also includes 
feet 224 and associated recessed section 226 on the lower surface thereof. 
The recesses are formed for receiving the feet when the feet are in the 
inoperative position. They may be pivoted outwardly to maintain the base 
in a stable condition against rocking when so desired. 
One final aspect of the present invention includes a safety feature to 
protect children in the vicinity of the device of the present invention 
other than the child seated therein. More specifically, the downwardly 
extending projections 230 are essentially the same as that of the prior 
parent application. Such projections are each in a cone-shaped 
configuration formed of four intersecting triangles 232. This shape acts 
to facilitate positioning of each projection in the upper surface of its 
associated post 62. In addition, two thin cylindrical members 234 are 
positioned on opposite sides of the projections extending downwardly from 
the lower surface of the tray. Such cylindrical members are for 
positioning in associated apertures in the upper surface of the post 62 to 
assist in guiding the tray in its vertically reciprocable manner. 
Unlike the prior embodiments of this application and unlike the disclosure 
in the parent application, a shield or skirt 238 is formed to encompass 
each of the three projections 230 with their associated cylindrical 
members. Each such skirt extends downwardly from the lower surface of the 
tray to an extent 240 lower than and beyond the lower most extent 242 of 
the projection and cylindrical members. In this manner, the upper extent 
244 of the post is shielded by the skirt. As a result, when a child is 
placed in the seat 12, the tray will depress downwardly so that the area 
of elevational overlap between the skirt and cylindrical member is 
increased. 
Because of this, a child in the vicinity of the device of the present 
invention, when such device is being utilized by another child, can not 
inadvertently have his or her fingers caught in the region between the 
area of overlap between the post 62 and the lower most extents of the 
projection and cylindrical members. 
A wide variety of high impact, essentially rigid plastic materials could 
readily be utilized in fabricating the base and other components of the 
present invention. The preferred material is a high density polypropylene, 
preferably with ultra violet (UV) inhibitors. 
The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as 
well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has 
been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of 
particularity, it should be understood that the present disclosure of the 
preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous 
changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of 
parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of 
the invention. 
Now that the invention has been described,