US20130303045A1

US20130303045A1 - Child entertainment device

Info

Publication number: US20130303045A1
Application number: US13/471,313
Authority: US
Inventors: Gregory Benjamin Monacelli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-14
Filing date: 2012-05-14
Publication date: 2013-11-14

Abstract

A child entertainment device is disclosed Accordingly, a child entertainment device is disclosed. The device is to be used by a child's guardian when they are in a seated position. The disclosed device is configured to be lightweight, durable and easily transportable. It includes, a mechanism for positioning the device on their leg and a mechanism for accommodating the child on the device. The mechanism for accommodating the child is connected to the mechanism for attaching the device to the guardian. Additionally, the disclosed device includes a mechanism which allows it to be secured to the guardian which can be connected to either the mechanism for positioning the device on the guardian or the mechanism for accommodating the child. The disclosed device further includes a mechanism for allowing the child to hold on to the device which is connected to the mechanism for securing the device to the guardian.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND

The present application relates generally to the field of toys and in particular to a device for entertaining a child by simulating a ride.
Small children are often very hard to entertain, especially when out of the home where they do not have access to most of their favorite toys. Additionally, keeping an eye on children while they play so that they do not become physically endangered is also of paramount concern to a parent or guardian. Moreover, although children love to engage in animal rides and to bounce around, devices which can facilitate this are often bulky pieces of equipment that cannot be easily transported.
The prior art contains several child entertainment devices.
However, they all suffer from one or more drawback which fail to address the above mentioned considerations. Accordingly, there remains a need for a child entertainment device which is highly portable, and can simulate a ride for a child while at the same time allowing a parent or guardian to easily monitor the child while they play.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a child entertainment device is disclosed. The device is to be used by a child's guardian when they are in a seated position. The disclosed device is configured to be lightweight, durable and easily transportable. It includes, a mechanism for positioning the device on their leg and a mechanism for accommodating the child on the device. The mechanism for accommodating the child is connected to the mechanism for attaching the device to the guardian.
Additionally, the disclosed device includes a mechanism which allows it to be secured to the guardian which can be connected to either the mechanism for positioning the device on the guardian or the mechanism for accommodating the child. The disclosed device further includes a mechanism for allowing the child to hold on to the device which is connected to the mechanism for securing the device to the guardian.
The various features of novelty are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the child entertainment device; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the child entertainment device being used by a guardian to entertain a child.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to refer to the same or similar elements, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the disclosed child entertainment device (10). As shown in FIG. 2, the device (10) is meant for use in connection with a guardian (100). For purposes of this application, a guardian includes any individual which is charged with watching or caring for a child (200). A guardian (100) shall be deemed to include but is not limited to a mother, a father, a sibling, a babysitter or nanny. Additionally, for purposes of this application the term child (200) shall include any person who is small enough to make use of the disclosed device (10).
The disclosed child entertainment device (10) is highly portable and can be made from light weight and child safe materials. It can be machine washable and is easily transported. For example, it can easily fit within a average size diaper bag and thus can basically be taken anywhere a guardian (100) goes with a child (200). As shown in FIG. 2, when a guardian (100) is in a seated position, the disclosed device (10) is placed on the guardian's (100) knee or thigh and secured thereto. The child (200) is then placed on the device (10) at which point, the guardian (100) has total control over the child (200) and can move, bounce and/or rock the device (10) and hence the child (200) to simulate a ride.
The embodiment of the disclosed device (10) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured to resemble a horse. However, the device (10) can be made to resemble any number of animals and child friendly characters. A non-exhaustive list of possibilities includes a giraffe, a hippopotamus, a camel, a turtle, a cow, a pig, a bull and any of the characters from Thomas and friends (™) including but not limited to Thomas the Train (™). For purposes of this application the term child friendly character shall include all characters on currently popular child shows and popular child oriented shows of the past. For example, the dog known as Scooby-Doo (™) and Disney's Dumbo (™).
Additionally, the device (10) can be made of ether faux fur or decorative fabric and all child safe materials. It can be made of Plush Faux Fur material that can come in a variety of colors and patterns depending upon what the overall theme of the device is. That is, what child friendly character it is configured to resemble.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the child entertainment device (10) includes a main body (20) which is the portion that is positioned on the seated guardian's (100) knee and thigh. The main body includes a front portion (22), a back edge (24), a top surface (26) and an underbelly (not shown). It also includes a firm head portion (50) which has a base (52), a front portion (54) and an outer surface. The firm head portion (50) can be stuffed with filler material so that it can hold up on its own and come off the knee. Moreover, the firm head portion (50) should be sturdy and should protrude up from the knee of the guardian (100). That is it should be stuffed tight enough to make it stiff. Alternatively, some sort of lightweight plastic skeleton can be provided inside.
The underbelly of the main body can be fitted with padding material. The padding can be either extra stuffing found inside or it can be an extra layer of soft fabric attached to the underbelly. Additionally, the main body (20) can be flexible and flaccid, as would be the case if it were made of heavy cloth that is merely draped over guardian's thigh. Alternatively, it can be a rigid element with an open bottom sized to fit snugly over the guardian's (100) thigh.
The disclosed device (10) also includes a seating portion (30) for accommodating the seated child (200). The seating portion (30) is positioned on the top surface (26) of the main body (20) between the front portion (22) and the back edge (24) and includes a right lateral section (32 a), a left lateral section (32 b), a front end (34) and a back end (36). In addition, the seating portion (30) can itself be configured to be a squeak toy. Alternatively, there can be a separate squeaking mechanism provided either under or within the seating portion (30). The squeaking mechanism is such that when the child (200) is bounced by the guardian (100), it makes an amusing sound like a honk or a squeak.
The disclosed device (10) further includes a pair of complementary straps (40) which serve as a mechanism for securing the child entertainment device (10) to the seated guardian (100). Each of the complementary straps (40) have a proximate end (42) and a distal end (44), the proximate end (42) of each strap (40) is attached to the lateral sections (32 a, 32 b) of the seating portion (30). That is the right strap is attached to the right lateral section (32 a) and the left strap is attached to the left lateral section (32 b). Similarly, the proximate ends (42) of each strap (40) can be connected to the side of the main body (20). Also, the complementary straps (40) can be fitted with padding or cushioning so that when attached to the guardian's (100) thigh it is more comfortable.
Furthermore, the distal ends (44) of each the complementary straps (40) are configured with a coupling element (46). The coupling element (46) can be composed of any now known or later developed mechanism for connecting the distal ends (44) of the complementary straps (40). For example the coupling element (46) can be a buckle system or a button system. Alternatively, the coupling element (40) can be a velcro system.
Moreover, as also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the disclosed child entertainment device (10) includes reigns (60) which serve as a mechanism for allowing the seated child (200) to hold on to the entertainment device (10). The reins (60) include a front end (62) which is connected to the front portion (54) of the firm head portion (50). The reigns also include a gripping end (64) which the child can hold on to when the device is in use. and a gripping end (64), the front end (62) of the reins (60) being connected to the front portion (54) of the firm head portion (50). Alternatively, there are several suitable elements that can provide a mechanism for allowing the seated child (200) to hold on to the device (10) while it use. For example, the firm head portion (50) can be fitted with protruding handlebars which the child can grip.
The various aforementioned components of the disclosed child entertainment device (10) can be either assembled from separate parts or they can be all fixedly connected and thus integral with one another. If configured to be separable, each of the component parts could be attached using any known mechanism for doing so. For example, they can be attached to each other by velcro or a system of snaps or buttons. This may allow the device (10) to be more easily transported because the parts could be disassembled, packed in a bag and then taken out and reassembled when needed.
Alternatively, if all the elements of the disclosed device (10) are integral, the outer edges of the various parts can be sewn together. Alternatively, the device (10) can have an outer surface that is made from one continuous piece of material and the various parts can be then stuffed with filler material. The filler material can be any known material which is of relatively light weight and which can take up space within the device. For example, cotton or sponge can be filler material.
Also, the disclosed device (10) can be provided with a little recordable sound box located within the firm head portion (50). The sound box can be activated by squeezing the reins or neck so that the character makes a characteristic sound. For example, it can cause the horse to neigh or can produce the sound of hoof beats.
While specific embodiments have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles, it will be understood that the various embodiments may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A child entertainment device for use in conjunction with a seated guardian and a seated child, the child entertainment device comprising:

a means for positioning the child entertainment device on the seated guardian;

a means for accommodating the seated child on the entertainment device connected to the means for attaching the entertainment device to the seated guardian;

a means for securing the child entertainment device to the seated guardian connected to one of the means for positioning the child entertainment device on the seated guardian and the means for accommodating a seated child on the entertainment device; and

a means for allowing the seated child to hold on to the entertainment device, connected to the means for securing the entertainment device to the seated guardian.

2. A child entertainment device for use in conjunction with a seated guardian and a seated child, the child entertainment device comprising:

a main body comprising a front portion, a back edge, a top surface, a firm head portion and an underbelly, the firm head portion of the main body comprising a base, a front portion and an outer surface;

a seating portion comprising a right lateral section, a left lateral section, a front end and a back end, the seating portion being provided on the top surface of the main body between the front portion and the back edge of the main body;

a pair of complementary straps connected to the seating portion each of the complementary straps comprising a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end of each complementary strap being attached to the right and left lateral sections of the seating portion and the distal end of the complementary straps being provided with a coupling element; and

reins comprising a front end and a gripping end, the front end of the reins being connected to the front portion of the firm head portion.

3. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an overall outer surface; and

the main body, the seating portion, the complementary straps and the firm head portion are integral.

4. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the overall outer surface of the child entertainment device is sewn together.

5. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

the child entertainment device further comprises a continuous rigid internal skeleton; and

the overall outer surface of the child entertainment device is comprised of one continuous piece of material.

6. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 5:

the main body is provided with padding;

the coupling element being comprised of one of a buckle system, a button system and velcro; and

the seating portion is provided with padding.

7. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 6:

the firm head portion is configured to resemble a child friendly character; and

the top surface of the main body and the outer surface of the firm head portion being provided with corresponding decorative features.

8. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the child friendly character comprises one of a giraffe, a camel, a turtle, a horse, a cow, a pig, a bull and Thomas the Train (™).

9. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a sound making device attached to one of the main body, the seating portion, the firm head portion and means for allowing the seated child to hold on to the entertainment device.

10. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

the sound making device is configured so that when the child moves up and down the sound making device is actuated;

the sound making device being configured so that when it is actuated it produces one of a squeaking and honking sound.

11. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sound making device comprises a record function and a playback function.

12. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main body, the seating portion and the firm head portion are separable so that the child entertainment device can be disassembled and packed for transport.

13. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 12:

the main body is provided with padding;

the seating portion is provided with padding.

14. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 13:

the firm head portion is configured to resemble a child friendly character; and

15. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the child friendly character comprises one of a giraffe, a camel, a turtle, a horse, a cow, a pig, a bull and Thomas the Train (™).

16. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a sound making device attached to one of the main body, the seating portion, the firm head portion and means for allowing the seated child to hold on to the entertainment device.

17. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

18. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sound making device comprises a record function and a playback function.

19. The child entertainment device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the firm head portion comprises a rigid internal skeleton.