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EP-4740798-A2 - A ROCKER/BOUNCER FOR A CHILD

EP4740798A2EP 4740798 A2EP4740798 A2EP 4740798A2EP-4740798-A2

Abstract

A rocker/bouncer for a child is provided. The rocker/bouncer comprises: a base, wherein the base comprises one or more rails on which the rocker/bouncer can rock when the base on placed on a ground surface; a seat for the child, wherein the seat is coupled to the base by a resilient member, e.g. to permit bouncing of the seat relative to the base; and an adjustment member movably coupled to the base, wherein the adjustment member is selectively movable between: a stowed position; a first deployed position, in which the adjustment member protrudes from the one or more rails towards the ground surface by a first distance; and a second deployed position, in which the adjustment member protrudes from the one or more rails towards the ground surface by a second distance different from the first distance.

Inventors

  • GOODWILL, Nick
  • SMITH, PETER

Assignees

  • Mamas & Papas (Holdings) Limited

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20230323

Claims (9)

  1. A rocker/bouncer for a child, the rocker/bouncer comprising: a base, wherein the base comprises one or more rails on which the rocker/bouncer can rock when the base on placed on a ground surface; a seat for the child, wherein the seat is coupled to the base by a resilient member; and an adjustment member movably coupled to the base, wherein the adjustment member is selectively movable between: a stowed position; a first deployed position, in which the adjustment member protrudes from the one or more rails towards the ground surface by a first distance; and a second deployed position, in which the adjustment member protrudes from the one or more rails towards the ground surface by a second distance different from the first distance, wherein the base comprises a foot portion, wherein when the adjustment member is in the stowed position, the rocker/bouncer is able to rock on the one or more rails between a first position in which the foot portion contacts the ground surface, and a second position, in which the foot portion does not contact the ground surface, wherein when the adjustment member is in the first deployed position, the adjustment member and foot portion are configured to contact the ground surface to resist rocking of the rocker/bouncer on the rails.
  2. The rocker/bouncer of claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is securable in the stowed position, the first deployed position and the second deployed position.
  3. The rocker/bouncer of claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment member is configured to contact the ground surface when in the first and second deployed positions in order to adjust an angle of inclination of the seat relative to the ground surface.
  4. The rocker/bouncer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment member is rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the adjustment member is rotatable relative to the base between the stowed position and the first and second deployed position.
  5. The rocker/bouncer of claim 4, wherein the first deployed position of the adjustment member is at an angle of approximately 180 degrees relative to the second deployed position.
  6. The rocker/bouncer of any of the preceding claims, wherein when the adjustment member is in the second deployed position, the adjustment member, the foot portion and a further foot portion, or a portion of the base, on an opposite side of the foot portion from the adjustment member are configured to contact the ground surface simultaneously to resist rocking of the rocker/bouncer on the rails and support the seat in an inclined orientation.
  7. The rocker/bouncer of claim 6, wherein the portion of the base on the opposite side of the foot from the adjustment member is shaped such that the portion is in contact with the ground surface along a continuous length of the portion between the foot and a forward extent of the base.
  8. The rocker/bouncer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the rocker/bouncer further comprises a resilient connecting portion arranged to couple the seat to the base, wherein the resilient connecting portion is at a rearward extent of the rocker/bouncer.
  9. The rocker/bouncer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the rocker/bouncer is free from connections between the seat and the base at positions on the seat forwards of a central position of the rocker/bouncer.

Description

Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a rocker/bouncer for a child and is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with a rocker/bouncer for a child which enables the inclination of a seat of the rocker/bouncer to be selectively varied. Background Chairs with rocking and/or bouncing functions, typically referred to as rocker/bouncers, are often used by parents for seating young children. Such chairs regularly comprise a toy bar or other structure for supporting toys above and optionally, within reach of, the child. Rocker/bouncers typically provide a reclined seating position for the child, from which they can interact with the toys suspended from the toy bar, or other supporting structure. The rocking and/or bouncing motion of the chair can also be soothing to the child and can be used to encourage the child to sleep. Although chairs for children providing rocking and/or bouncing functions can be desirable in some situations. Chairs providing such functions are often less suitable in other situations, for example, when direct interaction between parent and child is desirable. Statements of Invention According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a rocker/bouncer for a child, the rocker/bouncer comprising: a base, wherein the base comprises one or more rails on which the rocker/bouncer can rock when the base on placed on a ground surface; a seat for the child, wherein the seat is coupled to the base by a resilient member, e.g. to permit bouncing of the seat relative to the base; and an adjustment member movably coupled to the base, wherein the adjustment member is selectively movable between: a stowed position; a first deployed position, in which the adjustment member protrudes from the one or more rails towards the ground surface by a first distance; and a second deployed position, in which the adjustment member protrudes from the one or more rails towards the ground surface by a second distance different from the first distance. The adjustment member is securable, e.g. selectively securable, in the stowed position, the first deployed position and the second deployed position, e.g. such that movement of the adjustment member away from the position is restricted. The adjustment member may be configured to contact the ground surface when in the first and second deployed positions in order to adjust an angle of inclination of the seat relative to the ground surface, e.g. compared to when the adjustment member is in the stowed position. The adjustment member may be rotatably coupled to the base. The adjustment member may be rotatable relative to the base between the stowed position and the first and second deployed position. The first deployed position of the adjustment member may be at an angle of approximately 180 degrees relative to the second deployed position. In other words, the adjustment member may be rotated through an angle of approximately 180 relative to the base in order to move between the first and second deployed positions. The base may comprise a foot portion. When the adjustment member is in the stowed position, the rocker/bouncer may be able to rock on the one or more rails between a first position in which the foot portion contacts the ground surface, and a second position, in which the foot portion does not contact the ground surface. When the adjustment member is in the first deployed position, the adjustment member and foot portion are configured to contact the ground surface to resist rocking of the rocker/bouncer on the rails. When the adjustment member is in the second deployed position, the adjustment member, the foot portion and a further foot portion, or portion of the base on an opposite side of the foot portion from the adjustment member, e.g. forwards of the foot portion, are configured to contact the ground surface simultaneously to resist rocking of the rocker/bouncer on the rails and support the seat in an inclined orientation, e.g. relative to when the adjustment member is in the stowed position or first deployed position. The portion of the base on the opposite side of the foot portion from the adjustment member may be shaped such that the portion is in contact with the ground surface along a continuous length of the portion between the foot and a forward extent of the base. The rocker/bouncer may further comprise a resilient connecting portion arranged to couple the seat portion to the base portion. The resilient connecting portion may be at a rearward extent of the rocker/bouncer. The rocker/bouncer may be free from connections between the seat and the base at positions on the seat forwards of a central position of the rocker/bouncer, e.g. a position midway between forward and rearward extents of the rocker/bouncer. To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and repetition of text in the specification, certain features are described in relation to only one or several aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it is to be un