ADJUSTABLE PLAY GYM
An access adjustable play gym including an entertainment component supported above a support surface by a support arm coupled to a base configured to rest on a support surface. The play gym provides multiple points of adjustability, including user adjustment of a rotational angle of the entertainment component relative to the support arm, of the inclination angle of the support arm relative to the base, and/or of the length of the support arm and thereby the height of the entertainment component.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/304,627 filed Mar. 7, 2016, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/346,198 filed Jun. 6, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/395,085 filed Sep. 15, 2016, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to the field of children's toys and accessories, and more particularly to a children's play gym providing adjustable positioning for access and use.
BACKGROUNDPlay gyms are used for placement over or near a child to provide entertainment and interactivity. Fixed play gyms may limit the positions in which a child can interact with the play gym. For example, if the entertainment aspect of the play gym is configured to be at a fixed position above a child mat, the child can see and interact with the entertainment aspect when they are lying on their back. However, it will be difficult for the child to see and interact with the entertainment aspect of the play gym when they are lying on their side or stomach or sitting. Also, if a fixed play gym is configured for use with a child on a play mat underneath the gym, it will typically be too low, and will interfere with access, for a child seated on a bouncer seat, rocker, or other raised child supporting device.
Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for a play gym that allows a parent or other adult caregiver to adjust the position of the entertainment aspect to allow the child to see and interact with the play gym in a variety of positions and support modes. It is to the provision of an access adjustable play gym meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARYIn example embodiments, the present invention provides a play gym that allows a parent or other adult caregiver to adjust the position of the entertainment component to allow the child to see and/or interact with the play gym in a variety of positions and different support modes.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to an adjustable play gym including a base configured to rest on a support surface, and a support arm coupled to the base and an entertainment component coupled to the support arm, wherein the angle of inclination of the support arm relative to the base is adjustable.
In another aspect, the invention relates to an adjustable play gym including a base configured to rest on a support surface, a support arm coupled to the base, and an entertainment component coupled to the support arm, wherein the rotational angle of the entertainment component relative to the support arm is adjustable.
In still another aspect, the invention relates to an adjustable play gym including a base configured to rest on a support surface, and a support arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the base whereby an inclination angle of the support arm relative to the base is variable. The support arm preferably further includes a length extension mechanism allowing adjustment of a distance between the base and a second end of the support arm distal the first end. The play gym preferably also includes an entertainment component coupled to the second end of the support arm, the entertainment component including a hub and a plurality of leaves extending from the hub. A rotational angle of the hub is preferably adjustable relative to the support arm, and at least one of the plurality of leaves is repositionable relative to the hub.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of example embodiments are explanatory of example embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of example embodiments taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,
The entertainment component 20 of the depicted embodiment is a canopy, shown in
In the example embodiments, the entertainment canopy 20 is able to rotate or twist relative to the support arm 50. As shown in
In example embodiments, the support arm 50 is generally L-shaped with a proximal end coupled to the base 70 and a bent distal end including the entertainment component coupling 52. In alternate embodiments, the distal end is not angled and the support arm 50 is substantially straight or arcuately curved. The proximal end of the support arm 50 is pivotally coupled to the base 70, for example by a hinged joint or coupling, such that the angle of inclination of the support arm can be adjusted as desired by rotation or pivotal repositioning of the support arm relative to the base 70, as shown in
The entertainment component 20 can be rotated in conjunction with or independently of the support arm 50, as shown in
The support arm 50 can be rotated such that the entertainment component 20 is positioned adjacent to the support surface. In this configuration, an infant lying on their stomach or side can see and interact with the entertainment component 20. In example embodiments, the entertainment component 20 can include interactive features 42 such as spinners, buttons, and other features designed to entertain the child, as shown in
The support arm 50 optionally also includes an extension mechanism allowing adjustment of its length or height. For example, as shown in
The support arm 50 is pivotally coupled to a base 70 configured to rest on a support surface, such as the floor. The support base 70 generally includes one or more support legs 72. In the depicted embodiment, the base 70 includes two support legs 72 pivotally coupled to a central base hub 74. The support arm 50 is also pivotally coupled to the base 70 at the base hub 74. In example embodiments, the support legs 72 are generally curved such that the base 70 forms a semi-circular footprint. In alternate embodiments, the support legs 72 can be straight or can define right angles, and the base can form a generally triangular or rectangular footprint. The support legs 72 can optionally include a padded covering 76 to protect against injury or scratching a finished floor surface. Optionally a play mat 62 can be coupled between the support legs 72, for example by straps, clips or other connectors. In the unfolded or extended in-use position, shown in
In use, an adult caregiver assembles and positions the device 10 as described and shown. The caregiver optionally adjusts one or more of the positional adjustment mechanisms to a desired position corresponding to an intended mode of use. A child may be positioned beneath, beside or around the device, for example on the ground, on a play mat, or in an elevated child support device. The adult caregiver may further readjust one or more of the positional adjustment mechanisms to another desired position corresponding to another intended mode of use. For example, the elevation or height of the canopy may be adjusted up or down depending on the size and position of a child, and/or depending upon whether the child is positioned on the ground or at an elevated position. The angular orientation of the support arm relative to the base, and/or the angular orientation of the canopy hub relative to the support arm can be adjusted, for example to provide shade from the sun, to provide an overhead support for toys or entertainment features, or to support a display device viewable from the child's location. The leaves or other components of the canopy can be expanded or contracted, to suit the intended use. After use, the device can be folded into its folded configuration for compact storage and transport.
While the invention has been described with reference to example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. An adjustable play gym comprising:
- a base configured to rest on a support surface;
- a support arm coupled to the base, wherein an angle of inclination of the support arm relative to the base is adjustable; and
- an entertainment component coupled to the support arm.
2. The adjustable play gym of claim 1, wherein the angle of inclination of the support arm relative to the base has an adjustment range of at least about 90°.
3. The adjustable play gym of claim 1, wherein the support arm has an adjustable length.
4. The adjustable play gym of claim 1, wherein the entertainment component comprises a canopy.
5. The adjustable play gym of claim 4, wherein the canopy comprises at least one canopy leaf attached to a hub.
6. The adjustable play gym of claim 5, wherein at least one canopy leaf is pivotally attached to the hub.
7. The adjustable play gym of claim 1, wherein the base is reconfigurable between an expanded in-use position and a compact storage position.
8. The adjustable play gym of claim 7, wherein the base further comprises a locking mechanism configured to lock the base in the in-use position.
9. The access adjustable play gym of claim 7, wherein the base further comprises a locking mechanism configured to lock the base in the storage position.
10. An adjustable play gym comprising:
- a base configured to rest on a support surface;
- a support arm coupled to the base; and
- an entertainment component coupled to the support arm, wherein a rotational angle of the entertainment component relative to the support arm is adjustable.
11. The adjustable play gym of claim 10, wherein the rotational angle of the entertainment component relative to the support arm has an adjustment range of at least about 90°.
12. The adjustable play gym of claim 10, wherein the entertainment component comprises an attachment for a children's toy.
13. The adjustable play gym of claim 10, wherein the entertainment component comprises an interactive or visually stimulating feature.
14. The adjustable play gym of claim 10, wherein the entertainment component comprises a receiver for a mobile electronic device.
15. The adjustable play gym of claim 10, wherein the entertainment component is detachable from the support arm.
16. The adjustable play gym of claim 10, wherein the base comprises one or more support legs.
17. The adjustable play gym of claim 16, wherein the base comprises two support legs and wherein at least one support leg is pivotally coupled to a base hub.
18. The adjustable play gym of claim 17, wherein the base legs are reconfigurable between an extended in-use position and a compact storage position.
19. The adjustable play gym of claim 18, wherein the base hub comprises a locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the base legs in the in-use position.
20. An adjustable play gym comprising:
- a base configured to rest on a support surface;
- a support arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the base whereby an inclination angle of the support arm relative to the base is variable, and further comprising a length extension mechanism allowing adjustment of a distance between the base and a second end of the support arm distal the first end; and
- an entertainment component coupled to the second end of the support arm, the entertainment component comprising a hub and a plurality of leaves extending from the hub, wherein a rotational angle of the hub relative to the support arm is adjustable, and wherein at least one of the plurality of leaves is repositionable relative to the hub.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 3, 2017
Publication Date: Sep 7, 2017
Applicant: KIDS II, INC. (Atlanta, GA)
Inventors: Eden PETERSON (Alpharetta, GA), Christopher McCLINTOCK (Watkinsville, GA), Nicholas Brian HANSEN (Fayetteville, GA)
Application Number: 15/449,227