Patent Publication Number: US-6902230-B2

Title: Foldable child support device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a child support device, more particularly to a foldable child support device. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   In U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0034685, there is disclosed a child support device in the form of a child&#39;s bouncer seat that includes a U-shaped lower frame, a U-shaped back supporting frame coupled to the lower frame through a pair of connectors, and a U-shaped seat frame coupled to upper ends of the lower frame. 
   Although the aforesaid child support device can be disassembled for storage and transport purposes, frequent assembly and disassembly of the child support device is inconvenient to conduct. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a foldable child support device that can overcome the aforesaid drawback associated with the prior art. 
   According to the present invention, a foldable child support device includes a main frame unit, first and second frame units, and a seat support member. 
   The main frame unit includes left and right frame portions. 
   The first frame unit includes a first rod member with left and right rod ends, a pair of arm members, and a first connector unit. Each of the arm members has a rod connecting end and a frame connecting end opposite to the rod connecting end and connected to a respective one of the left and right frame portions. The first connector unit connects pivotally and respectively the left and right rod ends of the first rod member to the rod connecting ends of the arm members such that the first frame unit is foldable about a first folding axis. 
   The second frame unit includes a second rod member, a third rod member having a rod connecting section and a frame connecting section opposite to the rod connecting section and connected pivotally to the main frame unit such that the second frame unit is rotatable relative to the main frame unit about a second folding axis, and a second connector unit for interconnecting pivotally the second rod member and the rod connecting section of the third rod member such that the second frame unit is foldable about a third folding axis. 
   The seat support member is mounted on the main frame unit and cooperates with the first frame unit to define a seating area. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective of the preferred embodiment of a foldable child support device according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an assembled perspective view of the preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 3  is a fragmentary, partly cutaway, perspective view of a first frame unit of the preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary, partly cutaway, schematic view of a second frame unit of the preferred embodiment; and 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic side view to illustrate a folded state of the preferred embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the preferred embodiment of a foldable child support device  300  according to the present invention is shown to be embodied in a child&#39;s bouncer seat that includes a main frame unit  4 , first and second frame units  5 ,  6 , and a seat support member  47 . 
   The main frame unit  4  includes upright left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  that are symmetrical in construction. While the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  are shown to be separate from each other in the present embodiment, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the left and right frame portions of the main frame unit may be connected integrally to each other in other embodiments of the present invention. Each of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  is in the form of an elongate body having a bottom side  411 ,  421 , a top side  412 ,  422  opposite to the bottom side  411 ,  412 , a front side  413 ,  423  extending from the bottom side  411 ,  421  to the top side  412 ,  422 , and a rear side  414 ,  424  opposite to the front side  413 ,  423 . The bottom sides  411 ,  421  of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  are adapted to be placed on a flat surface (not shown), and the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  extend upwardly and inclinedly when placed on the flat surface. 
   The top side  412 ,  422  of each of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  has a stepped configuration, and includes an upper step face  4122 ,  4222 , a lower step face  417 ,  427  disposed at an inner lateral side of the respective frame portion  41 ,  42 , and an upright lateral face  4121  that extends between the upper and lower step faces  4122 ,  417 ,  4222 ,  427 . A first engaging hole  415 ,  425  is formed in the upper step face  4122 ,  4222  of the respective frame portion  41 ,  42 . A second engaging hole  416 ,  426  is formed through the lateral face  4121  of the respective frame portion  41 ,  42 . 
   The lower portion of the front side  413 ,  423  of each of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  also has a stepped configuration, and includes a front step face  4132 ,  4232 , a rear step face  419 ,  429  disposed at an inner lateral side of the respective frame portion  41 ,  42 , and an upright lateral face  4131  that extends between the front and rear step faces  4132 ,  419 ,  4232 ,  429 . A third engaging hole  418 ,  428  is formed through the lateral face  4131  of the respective frame portion  41 ,  42 . 
   The bottom side  411 ,  421  of each of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  is formed with an elongate groove  4111 ,  4211  that extends from the rear side  414 ,  424  through the rear step face  419 ,  429  of the respective frame portion  41 ,  42 . 
   With further reference to  FIG. 3 , the first frame unit  5  includes a first rod member  51  with left and right rod ends  511 ,  512 , a pair of arm members  52 , and a first connector unit including two first connectors  53 . In this embodiment, the first rod member  51  is generally U-shaped. Each of the arm members  52  has a rod connecting end  521  and a frame connecting end  522  opposite to the rod connecting end  521  and connected to a respective one of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42 . Particularly, the frame connecting ends  522  of the arm members  52  are retained in the first engaging holes  415 ,  425  in the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42 , respectively. Each of the first connectors  53  is formed with a first pivot groove  531 . The left and right rod ends  511 ,  512  of the first rod member  51  are mounted pivotally and respectively in the first pivot grooves  531  of the first connectors  53 . On the other hand, the rod connecting ends  521  of the arm members  52  in this embodiment are connected non-rotatably to the first connectors  53 , respectively. Accordingly, the first connector unit connects pivotally and respectively the left and right rod ends  511 ,  512  of the first rod member  51  to the rod connecting ends  521  of the arm members  52  such that the first frame unit  5  is foldable about a first folding axis (A). In the preferred embodiment, the first rod member  51  forms an angle of approximately 180 degrees with the arm members  52  when the first frame unit  5  is unfolded. Each of the first connectors  53  is further formed with stop means, in the form of a stop rib  533  that projects into the first pivot groove  531 , for providing resistance to pivoting movement of the first rod member  51  when the first frame unit  5  is in the unfolded state. The first rod member  51  is folded toward the front sides  413 ,  423  of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  to dispose the first frame unit  5  in a folded state. 
   Referring further to  FIG. 4 , the second frame unit  6  includes second and third rod members  62 ,  63  and a second connector unit including two second connectors  65 . Each of the second and third rod members  62 ,  63  is generally u-shaped in this embodiment. An anti-slip unit, in the form of a pair of anti-slip blocks  622 , is mounted on an intermediate section of the second rod member  62 . The third rod member  63  includes a frame connecting section  632  and a pair of rod connecting sections  631  connected to the frame connecting section  632 . The frame connecting section  632  is formed with a pair of lateral pivot pins  633  that extend pivotally and respectively into the third engaging holes  418 ,  428  in the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  such that each of the rod connecting sections  631  extends from the front side  413 ,  423  through the rear side  414 ,  424  along the elongate groove  4111 ,  4211  in the respective frame portion  41 ,  42 . Accordingly, the second frame unit  6  is rotatable relative to the main frame unit  4  about a second folding axis (B) defined by the pivot pins  633  and parallel to the first folding axis (A) between an unfolded position, where the rod connecting sections  631  extend through the elongate grooves  4111 ,  4211 , and a folded position, where the rod connecting sections  631  abut against the rear step face  419 ,  429  of the front side  413 ,  423  of the respective frame portion  41 ,  42 . 
   Each of the second connectors  65  is formed with a second pivot groove  651  that opens downwardly in an unfolded state of the second frame unit  6 . Left and right ends  621 ,  622  of the second rod member  62  and the rod connecting sections  631  of the third rod member  63  are mounted pivotally and respectively in the second pivot grooves  651  of the second connectors  65 . Accordingly, the second connector unit interconnects pivotally the second rod member  62  and the rod connecting sections  631  of the third rod member  63  such that the second frame unit  6  is foldable about a third folding axis (C) parallel to the first and second folding axes (A, B). In the preferred embodiment, the second and third rod members  62 ,  63  form an angle of approximately 180 degrees therebetween when the second frame unit  6  is unfolded. Each of the second connectors  65  is further formed with stop means, in the form of a pair of stop ribs  653  that project into the second pivot groove  651 , for providing resistance to pivoting movement of the second rod member  62  and the rod connecting sections  631  of the third rod member  63  when the second frame unit  6  is in the unfolded state. 
   In this embodiment, the seat support member  47  is generally U-shaped, and has a pair of pivot ends  471  mounted pivotally and respectively in the second engaging holes  416 ,  426  in the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  of the main frame unit  4  such that the seat support member  47  is rotatable relative to the main frame unit  4  about a fourth folding axis (D) parallel to the first, second and third folding axes (A, B, C) When the seat support member  47  is in an unfolded position, the seat support member  47  abuts against the lower step faces  417 ,  427  on the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42 , extends forwardly relative to the front sides  413 ,  423  of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42 , and is disposed generally parallel to the top sides  412 ,  422  of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  such that the seat support member  47  cooperates with the first frame unit  5  to define a seating area  58  adapted for mounting a seat cushion (not shown) to permit seating of a child on the support device of this invention. 
   In use, the first frame unit  5  is unfolded so that the first rod member  51  forms an angle of approximately 180 degrees with the arm members  52  (as best shown in FIGS.  2  and  3 ), and the second frame unit  6  is unfolded so that the second and third rod members  62 ,  63  form an angle of approximately 180 degrees therebetween (as best shown in FIGS.  2  and  4 ), and so that the rod connecting sections  631  of the third rod member  63  extend through the elongate grooves  4111 ,  4211  in the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42 . Thus, when the bottom sides  411 ,  421  of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  and the unfolded second frame unit  6  are placed on a flat surface (not shown), the first frame unit  5  extends at an angle relative to the flat surface. Due to the anti-slip unit on the second rod member  62 , the foldable child support device  300  is able to stand firmly on the flat surface. The seat support member  47  is then unfolded to abut against the lower step faces  417 ,  427  of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  and to be disposed generally parallel to the top sides  411 ,  421  of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42 , thereby resulting in the seating area  58  that permits mounting of the seat cushion (not shown). The child support device  300  is now ready for use, whereby a bouncing effect is possible in view of the resiliency of the various frame components thereof. 
   To fold the child support device  300 , the seat support member  47  is first pivoted upwardly toward the first frame unit  5 . Then, the first rod member  51  is operated to escape from the stop ribs  533  in the first connectors  53  and to pivot toward the front sides  413 ,  423  of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42 . Subsequently, the second rod member  62  is operated to escape from the stop ribs  653  in the second connectors  65  and to pivot downward relative to the third rod member  63 . Finally, the third rod member  63  is operated to escape from the elongate grooves  4111 ,  4211  in the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42 , and the folded second frame unit  6  is pivoted toward the front sides  413 ,  423  of the left and right frame portions  41 ,  42  until the rod connecting sections  631  abut against the rear step face  419 ,  429  of the front side  413 ,  423  of the respective frame portion  41 ,  42 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the child support device  300  in a completely folded state. 
   While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.