US2282086A - Folding walker - Google Patents

Description

L. PELTIER FOLDING WALKER May 5, 1942.

Filed Nov. '9, 1940 Leslie Denier Patented May 5, 1942 FOLDING WALKER Leslie Peltier, Delphos; Ohio, assignor to The Delphos Bending Company, Columbus, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application November 9, 1940, Serial No. 365,099

2 Claims.

This invention relates to juvenile furniture and is particularly directed to an article for use by small children prior to or at the time they are learning to walk, such articles generally being designated as Walkers.

Many devices have been previously provided but, due to the materials from which they were formed or the construction thereof, they were objectionable because they could not be readily stored or transported without being dismantled.

One of the primary objects of this invention resides in the provision of a Walker which will be of light Weight construction and capable of being collapsed so as to occupy a minimum amount of space during storage or transportation.

Another object resides in so constructing the walker that it may be adjusted for storage without requiring the removal of any parts or the use of tools.

A further object rests in the provision of a walker having relatively few parts which will be simple and convenient to operate and will not be apt to get out of order.

A still further object resides .in the provision of a walker having a base frame provided with floor engaging rollers and a top frame having a flexible seat supported thereby, the top frame being connected with the base frame by side bars so arranged and connected with the frames that the top frame may be inverted and moved into close proximity to the base frame whereby the walker will occupy a minimum of storage space and at the same time be readily handled, the top frame being provided with means, such as a strap and buckle, to hold the walker in its assembled operative condition and the disconnection of which Will permit the device to be folded as above set forth.

Other objects and advantages will become obvious from the following description and the accompanying drawing in which a walker constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention has been disclosed in detail.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a Walker formed in accordance with the present invention and showing the same in operative condition;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the walker shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the Walker in a partially collapsed condition;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the Walker fully collapsed;

bars are recessed as at 5 to receive a resilient strip 6 constituting a bumper or shock absorber to prevent injury to furniture with which the walker may be engaged during use. The walker includes a top frame 1 having spaced parallel side rails 8, connected at their ends by transversely extending rods 9. Between the forward portions of Referring more particularly to the drawing,

the rails 8, there is rigidly positioned a strip 10 having a recess H in its upper surface, the strip constituting a shelf for the reception of toys or other articles used by the occupant of the walker. The strip Ill also serves to increase the rigidity of the top frame.

Curved bars I2 and I3 connect the top frame with the base frame and support the occupant. These side bars are arranged in pairs, the first pair l2 being pivotally connected at their ends to the rear portions of the top and base frame. The second pair of bars are pivotally joined with the base frame at its forward portion, the upper ends of this pair of bars being pivotally connected with the side rails of the top frame at points intermediate of the ends and adjacent to the member Ill. The upper ends of the second pair of side bars are connected by a pair of strips l4 and Ma, disposed in close proximity to the upper ends of the bars l3 and limiting the pivotal movement of the rails B with respect to the bars [3 in one direction. A fabric seat structure i5 is connected with the top frame by forming the seat structure with casings I6 at the front and rear ends for the reception of the bars 9. The seat structure may be of any desired material, fabric being preferably employed .by reason of its light Weight and flexibility. This seat structure also has side strips I! which prevent the occupant from falling out at the sides of the seat. The forward portions of the side strips are spaced from the forward portion of the center strip as at It to receive the legs of the occupant. To facilitate movement of the walker over floors, the ends are provided with casters l9 which may be of any type, depending upon the desires of the manufacturer.

The top frame has a strap 20 extending around the forward transverse bar 9, the center strip of the seat structure being formed with a slot to receive this strap and prevent its movement longitudinally of the bar. One end of the strap has a buckle 2| thereon so that the other end may be connected therewith when the strap is employed to hold the walker in its extended operative condition as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. At this time, the strap extends around the strip [4 and holds the top frame in firm engagement with the strip Ma. When it is desired to collapse the walker for storage or transportation, the strap 20 is disconnected from the strip [4 and the forward portion of the top frame elevated as disclosed in Fig. 3. During this movement, the rear side bars l2 will swing forwardly and downwardly and the front side bars l3 will swing forwardly and upwardly until the rear end of the top frame has passed through a plane extending between the pivots connecting the lower ends of the bars 2 with the base frame and the upper ends of the bars I3 with the top frame at which time, the bars 53 will swing rearwardly and downwardly. This movement will invert the top frame and continued movement of the side bars toward the base frame will move the top frame into substantially parallel relation with the base frame and close proximity thereto. By reason of the curvature of the bars I2 and I3, the various parts of the walker may be moved into close relation whereby a small package will be produced. If

it is desired, the strap 20 may be passed around the rear bar of the base frame to hold the parts of the Walker in their folded condition.

As it is desirable to construct a walker of light Weight, the frames and side bars are preferably formed of wood or composition material rather than metal. It is obvious, however, that metal could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While the invention has been illustrated in its preferred form, many minor changes may be made in the shape and relation of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the followin claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A foldable baby walker comprising a wheeled base frame having a substantially rectangular opening formed therein, a seat carrying frame having spaced parallel side bars and transversely extending cross bars, spaced pairs of front and rear arcuate supporting legs, the

lower ends of said legs being pivotally connected with the base frame and terminated within said opening, the upper ends of the front pair of legs being pivotally connected with the side bars of the seat frame at positions intermediate the length of the side bars so that the forward ends of said bars project in advance of the front pair of legs, the upper ends of the rear pair of legs being spaced and pivotally connected with the rear ends of the side bars of the seat frame, a flexible seat structure suspended from the cross bars of said seat frame, a stationary stop device carried by the front pair of said legs and engageable with the under side of the forwardly projecting end of the seat frame, and a releasable securing fastener for connecting the forward part of the seat frame with said front pair of legs, said legs and seat frame folding into the confines of the rectangular opening of the base frame when the walker occupies its collapsed position.

2. A foldable baby walker comprising a Wheeled base frame having a substantially rectangular opening formed therein, a seat-carrying frame having spaced parallel side bars and transversely extending cross bars, spaced pairs of front and rear supporting legs, the lower ends of said legs being pivotally connected with the base frame and terminated within the rectangular opening, the upper ends of the front pair of legs being pivotally connected with the side bars of the seat frame at positions intermediate the length of the side bars so that the forward ends of said bars project in advance of and overhang said front pair of legs, the upper ends of the rear pair of legs being spaced and pivotally connected with the rear portions of said seat frame, a cross bar carried by the front pair of legs and engageable with the under side of the forwardly projecting end of the seat frame, a second cross bar carried by said front pair. of legs, and a releasable securing fastener connecting the forward part of the seat frame with the second of the legcarried cross bars, said legs and seat frame folding into the confines of the rectangular opening of the base frame When the walker occupies its collapsed position.

LESLIE PELTIER.

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