Abstract:
A baby walker includes motor-driven wheels with the motor being connected to sensors on the walker and to a remote control system. The sensors on the walker prevent the walker from colliding with objects, such as furniture or the like, and the remote control system includes hand-held or belt-worn controls that are in the possession of an adult so the adult can exert control over movement of the walker. A seat is also included so small children can be placed in the walker if desired.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the general art of baby walkers, and to the particular field of baby walkers having accessories. 
   2. Discussion of the Related Art 
   Many parents and adults try to keep a baby entertained by placing the infant in a walker or a baby bouncer. The prior art walkers of which the inventor is aware generally have a frame, which surrounds the baby, and wheels. The baby supports itself on the frame and movement of the walker is produced when the baby executes a walking motion. The walker thus supports the infant while the infant learns to walk. 
   These walkers have been quite successful but have several disadvantages. For example, unless the infant is under constant supervision, the infant may move the walker in a manner that causes a collision with another object, such as furniture or the like. Still further, unless the movement of the walker is monitored, the infant may move the walker into an area of danger, such as near a stairway or the like. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a baby walker that can be controlled by an adult. 
   Some infants are not strong enough to move a walker and others may need instruction on use of a walker. These infants may simply sit in the walker until the adult moves the walker. This defeats some of the purpose of the walker. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a motorized walker. 
   As mentioned above, some infants may move a walker in a manner that causes a collision with another object or on a course that may lead to danger. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a motorized walker that includes sensors that are connected to the motor to control movement of the walker. 
   Some infants may be very young or small when a parent or adult wishes to place them in a walker. These infants may need support to remain safely in the walker. Also, even if the infant is large enough to comfortably stay in the walker, some parents may feel safer if the infant is somehow comfortably restrained in the walker. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a motorized walker that is adaptable for use with a seat so the walker is versatile. 
   PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a main object of the present invention to provide a baby walker that can be controlled by an adult. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a motorized walker. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a motorized walker that includes sensors that are connected to the motor to control movement of the walker. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a motorized walker that is adaptable for use with a seat so the walker is versatile. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a motorized walker that is adaptable for use with a plurality of different remote control units. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   These, and other, objects are achieved by a baby walker that includes motors which are remote controlled and which are also controlled by sensors on the walker. The walker also includes a seat that can be used to support small children. The motors move wheels on the walker to assist the infant in moving the walker, but the remote controls and sensors control movement of the walker so the infant cannot move the walker into a collision or into a dangerous situation without the walker or the person supervising the child being able to exert some control over the movement of the walker to prevent the walker and child from moving into such an undesirable situation. 
   Using the walker embodying the present invention will permit a baby walker to be controlled by an adult whereby the baby is not likely to move into a dangerous situation. The walker embodying the present invention also includes sensors on the walker that can control the motor to prevent the baby from colliding with furniture or other objects. The seat makes the walker embodying the present invention versatile so small children can be placed in the walker and entertained. Various remote control units can be used in connection with the walker embodying the present invention to further improve the versatility of the walker. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a motorized and controlled baby walker embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a seat that can be used in conjunction with the motorized baby walker shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a hand held remote control unit used in connection with the walker shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a belt attached remote control unit used in connection with the walker shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
   Referring to the Figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a remote controlled and motorized baby walker  10  that achieves the above-stated objectives. 
   Walker  10  comprises a baby support unit  12  which supports the baby. Support unit  12  includes a first support frame  14  which is a top frame when baby support unit  12  is in use, with a use orientation being shown in  FIG. 1 . First support frame  14  is annular in shape and includes a first surface  16  that is a top surface when baby support frame  12  is in use, a second surface  18  that is a bottom surface when baby support frame  14  is in use, and a circular side wall  20  that connect first surface  16  and second surface  18 . 
   First support frame  14  is hollow and has an internal volume  22  defined between first surface  16 , second surface  18 , and side wall  20 . 
   A tray area  26  is defined in first surface  16  in position to be in front of a baby when that baby is supported in unit  12 . 
   A rechargeable battery pack  30  is mounted on second surface  18 . An antenna  34  is mounted on first surface  16 . Two projection element-accommodating areas  36  and  38  are defined in first surface  16  for a purpose that will be understood from the teaching of this disclosure. 
   A second support frame  40  is a bottom frame when baby support unit  12  is in use. Second support frame  40  is annular in shape and includes a first surface  50  that is a top surface when baby support frame  12  is in use, a second surface  52  that is a bottom surface when baby support frame  12  is in use, and a circular side wall  54  that connects first surface  50  and second surface  52 . 
   An internal volume  56  is defined between first surface  50 , second surface  52 , and side wall  54 . 
   A motor  60  is located in internal volume  56  of second support frame  40 . Motor  60  is an electric motor. 
   A plurality of wheels, such as wheel  64 , are mounted on second support frame  40  and are operatively connected to motor  60  to be driven thereby. The exact details of the connection between the wheels  64  and the motor  60  are not important to the present invention and thus will not be discussed as those skilled in the art will understand how to connect the wheels  64  and the motor  60  based on the teaching of this disclosure. 
   A plurality of sensors  70  are mounted in side wall  54  of second support frame  40 . Sensors  70  are proximity sensors of the type known to those skilled in the art. 
   A frame support unit  80  connects second surface  18  of first support frame  14  to first surface  50  of second support frame  40 . 
   A remote control unit is adapted to be located remotely from baby support unit  12  and can be mounted on a user&#39;s belt, such as indicated in  FIG. 3  for remote control unit  90 , or hand held as indicated for remote control unit  92  shown in  FIG. 4 . The remote control units are adapted to communicate with antenna  34  on baby support unit  12  via wireless communications such as are well known to those skilled in the art. The exact details of the communication between the remote control unit  90 ,  92  and the baby support unit  12  are not important to the present invention and thus will not be discussed in detail. 
   A motor control circuit  100  is located in first support frame  14  and includes an on/off control element  102  electrically connecting battery pack  30  to motor  60  via leads, such as lead  104 . 
   Motor control circuit  100  further includes means, such as lead  106 , which electrically connects the sensors  70  to on/off control element  102 , and means, such as lead  110 , which electrically connect antenna  34  to on/off control element  102 . 
   Operation of the controlled unit  12  will be understood from the teaching of this disclosure. For example, an adult can cause the unit to move or stop by using the remote control unit  90 ,  92 ; however, if the unit  12  comes in close proximity to an obstacle or the like, the proximity sensors  70  will shut the motor  60  off and possibly apply a brake element to ensure that the unit stops. 
   If a small baby is to be placed in unit  12 , use is made of a baby support seat  120  that is sized and adapted to be removably supported in baby support unit  12 . Baby support seat  120  includes a seat belt  122  and two support elements  124  and  126 . Support elements  124  and  126  are identical, and each includes a support arm  128  which has a proximal end  130  fixed to baby support seat  120  and a distal end  132 . A projection element  134  is located on distal end  132  and is sized and shaped to be accommodated in one of the projection element-accommodating areas  36  or  38  defined in first support frame  14 . 
   Seat  120  is removably mounted on unit  14  and the baby can be strapped into seat  120 . Seat  120  can swing on unit  14  so the baby can move its feet and move about in the unit while still being securely held in the unit. 
   It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.