MOTORIZED INFANT WALKER

Abstract

An infant walker apparatus for moving automatically across a floor surface includes a housing and a seat mounted to the housing. The seat is positioned and configured to hold an infant such that the infant's legs contact a floor surface upon which the apparatus is placed during normal use. A drive system is mounted to the housing and is configured to drive the housing across the floor surface. A processor is mounted in the housing and is operatively coupled to the drive system. A plurality of sensors is mounted to the housing and is configured to cause the drive system to move the housing across the floor surface according to navigation data received from the sensors.

Claims

1. An infant walker apparatus comprising: a housing; a seat mounted to the housing, the seat being positioned and configured to hold an infant such that the infant's legs contact a floor surface upon which the apparatus is placed during normal use; a drive system mounted to the housing and configured to drive the housing across the floor surface; a processor mounted in the housing and operatively coupled to the drive system; a plurality of sensors mounted to the housing, the processor being configured to cause the drive system to move the housing across the floor surface according to navigation data received from the plurality of sensors.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of sensors comprises a pair of magnetic field sensors mounted to the housing and in communication with the processor, each magnetic field sensor being configured to detect a position of the housing in relation to a magnetic guide; and the processor is configured to selectively operate in a track mode, the processor causing the drive system to move the housing along the magnetic guide when operating in the track mode.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of sensors includes a plurality of obstacle sensors mounted around the housing and in communication with the processor, the plurality of obstacle sensors being configured to detect obstacles which obstruct a path of the housing; and the processor is configured to selectively operate in a roam mode, the processor causing the drive system to move the housing across the floor surface in a random or pseudo-random fashion when operating in the roam mode, the processor being configured to cause the drive system to move the housing away from obstacles while the processor operates in the roam mode.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of sensors includes a plurality of height sensors mounted to the housing and in communication with the processor, each height sensor being configured to detect ledges in the path of the housing; and the processor is configured to selectively operate in a roam mode, the processor causing the drive system to move the housing across the floor surface in a random or pseudo-random fashion when operating in the roam mode, the processor being configured to cause the drive system to move the housing away from ledges while the processor operates in the roam mode.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the housing defines a central opening which extends vertically through the housing when the apparatus is during normal use; and the seat is spaced upwardly with respect to the housing, the seat having leg-receiving apertures extending therethrough, the seat being configured to hold the infant such that the infant's legs extend through the leg-receiving apertures.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive system comprises a pair of drive wheels and a pair of motors, each motor being operatively coupled to an associated drive wheel of the pair of drive wheels, the pair of drive wheels extending downwardly from the housing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a foot rest mountable to the housing in the central opening.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of support wheels mounted to a bottom side of the housing, the pair of support wheels being spaced from the pair of drive wheels.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each support wheel comprises a caster.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a pair of retractable wheels mounted to the bottom side of the housing, each retractable being movable between a deployed position and a retracted position, the pair of retractable wheels extending downwardly from the housing when in their deployed positions, the pair of retractable wheels being stored in the housing when in their retracted positions, each retractable wheel being pivotable with respect to the housing, the pair of retractable wheels being configured to disengage the drive system from the floor surface when in their deployed positions.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each retractable wheel comprises a caster.

12. An infant walker apparatus comprising: a housing defining a central opening which extends vertically through the housing when the apparatus is during normal use; a seat mounted to the housing, the seat being spaced upwardly with respect to the housing, the seat having leg-receiving apertures extending therethrough, the seat being configured to hold an infant such that the infant's legs extend through the leg-receiving apertures, the seat being positioned at a height above the housing such that the seat is configured to facilitate the infant's feet contacting a floor surface upon which the apparatus is placed during normal use; a drive system mounted to the housing and configured to drive the housing across the floor surface, the drive system comprising a pair of drive wheels and a pair of motors, each motor being operatively coupled to an associated drive wheel of the pair of drive wheels, the pair of drive wheels extending downwardly from the housing; a processor mounted in the housing and operatively coupled to the drive system; a plurality of obstacle sensors mounted around the housing and in communication with the processor, the plurality of obstacle sensors being configured to detect obstacles which obstruct a path of the housing; a plurality of height sensors mounted to the housing and in communication with the processor, each height sensor being configured to detect ledges in the path of the housing; wherein the processor is configured to selectively operate in a roam mode, the processor causing the drive system to move the housing across the floor surface in a random or pseudo-random fashion when operating in the roam mode, the processor being configured to cause the drive system to move the housing away from obstacles and ledges when operating in the roam mode; a pair of magnetic field sensors mounted to the housing and in communication with the processor, each magnetic field sensor being configured to detect a position of the housing in relation to a magnetic guide; wherein the processor is configured to selectively operate in a track mode, the processor causing the drive system to move the housing along the magnetic guide when operating in the track mode; a foot rest mountable to the housing in the central opening; a pair of support wheels mounted to a bottom side of the housing, the pair of support wheels being spaced from the pair of drive wheels, each support wheel comprising a caster; and a pair of retractable wheels mounted to the bottom side of the housing, each retractable being movable between a deployed position and a retracted position, the pair of retractable wheels extending downwardly from the housing when in their deployed positions, the pair of retractable wheels being stored in the housing when in their retracted positions, each retractable wheel being pivotable with respect to the housing, each retractable wheel being mounted adjacent to an associated drive wheel of the pair of drive wheels, the pair of retractable wheels extending farther away from the housing than the pair of drive wheels when in their deployed positions, each retractable wheel comprising a caster.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infant walker apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure placed on a mat which includes a magnetic guide.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure with a foot rest positioned in a central opening of a housing.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure with a foot rest removed from the housing.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a top in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 8 thereof, a new infant walker embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0021] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the infant walker apparatus 10 generally comprises a housing 12 which defines a central opening 14 that extends vertically through the housing 12 when the apparatus 10 is during normal use. A seat 16 is mounted to the housing 12 and is spaced upwardly with respect to the housing 12. The seat 16 has leg-receiving apertures 18 extending therethrough, and the seat 16 is configured to hold an infant 50 such that the infant's 50 legs extend through the leg-receiving apertures 18. The seat 16 is positioned at a height above the housing 12 such that the seat 16 is configured to facilitate the infant's 50 feet contacting a floor surface 52 upon which the apparatus 10 is placed during normal use.

[0022] A drive system 20 is mounted to the housing 12 and is configured to drive the housing 12 across the floor surface 52. The drive system 20 comprises a pair of drive wheels 22 and a pair of motors 24. Each motor 24 is operatively coupled to an associated drive wheel 22 of the pair of drive wheels 22. The pair of drive wheels 22 extend downwardly from the housing 12 to contact the floor surface 52 when the housing 12 is placed thereon. The drive wheels 22 may be rotated in opposite directions or at different rates to steer the housing 12. Other embodiments may have any suitable drive system 20, including a drive system 20 which steers the housing 12 by pivoting the drive wheels 22, for example.

[0023] A processor 26 is mounted in the housing 12 and is operatively coupled to the drive system 20. A plurality of obstacle sensors 28 is mounted around the housing 12 and is in communication with the processor 26. The obstacle sensors 28 are configured to detect obstacles which obstruct a path of the housing 12. The obstacle sensors 28 may be proximity sensors, cameras, pressure sensors, or any suitable sensor for detecting that the housing 12 is approaching or has contacted an object. If the obstacle sensors 28 comprise cameras, for example, the processor 26 may be programmed to analyze imagery from the obstacle sensors 28 which identifies obstacles in the path of the housing 12.

[0024] A plurality of height sensors 30 is also mounted to the housing 12 and is in communication with the processor 26. Each height sensor 30 is configured to detect ledges in the path of the housing 12 which present a hazard to the housing 12 of falling over the ledge. Each height sensor 30 may comprise a proximity sensor, for example, which measures a distance of the height sensor 30 from the floor surface 52. In such a case, the processor 26 may be programmed to determine when two measured distances measured at two adjacent points differ to an extent that a ledge must be formed between the two adjacent points. Each height sensor 30 also may comprise a camera, in which case the processor 26 may be programmed to analyze imagery captured by the camera to identify visual features indicative of a ledge. The height sensors 30 may comprise any suitable sensor for determining the presence of a ledge.

[0025] The processor 26 has programming so that the processor 26 is selectively operatable in a roam mode. In the roam mode, the processor 26 causes the drive system 20 to move the housing 12 across the floor in a random or pseudo-random fashion. When the housing 12 comes near an obstacle or ledge as indicated by the obstacle sensors 28 or the height sensors 30, the processor 26 causes the drive system 20 to move the housing 12 away from the obstacle or ledge. The direction of the housing's 12 movement across the floor surface 52 may be randomly selected or may be determined by one or more programmed rules. The programmed rules may, for example, be dependent upon the locations of obstacles and ledges and the direction of the housing 12 upon approaching an obstacle or ledge.

[0026] A pair of magnetic field sensors 32 is mounted to the housing 12 and is in communication with the processor 26. Each magnetic field sensor 32 is configured to detect a position of the housing 12 in relation to a magnetic guide 54. Magnetic guide 54s are commonly used and are typically shaped as a strip which extends along a desired path for an autonomous vehicle to travel. The magnetic field sensor 32 detects the magnetic field produced by the magnetic guide 54 to guide the processor 26 in selectively causing the drive system 20 to move the housing 12 along the magnetic guide 54. The processor 26 is programmed to be selectively operated in a track mode in which the processor 26 causes the drive system 20 to move the housing 12 along the magnetic guide 54. The magnetic guide 54 may be part of a mat 56 provided for use with the apparatus 10. The magnetic field sensors 32 are integrated with the height sensors 30 but may be separate from the height sensors 30 in other embodiments.

[0027] A power storage 44 is mounted in the housing 12 and is electrically coupled to the processor 26. The power storage 44 comprises a pair of batteries 46 but may comprise a capacitor or any suitable energy storage. A charging port 48 is mounted to the housing and is electrically coupled to the processor 26. The power storage 44 is chargeable via the charging port 48.

[0028] A foot rest 34 is mountable to the housing 12 in the central opening 14. The foot rest 34 may have any suitable shape or position to support the infant's 50 feet. The foot rest 34 may be employed to keep the infant's 50 feet off of the floor surface 52 when the drive system 20 is in use to move the housing 12 across the floor surface 52. The foot rest 34 may be attached to the housing 12 via hook-and-loop straps, a snap connection, a threaded fastener, or any suitable attachment means.

[0029] A pair of support wheels 36 is mounted to a bottom side of the housing 12 and is spaced from the pair of drive wheels 22. Each support wheel 36 comprises a caster. A pair of retractable wheels 38 is also mounted to the bottom side of the housing 12. Each retractable is movable between a deployed position 40 and a retracted position 42. The retractable wheels 38 extend downwardly from the housing 12 when in their deployed positions 40 and are stored in the housing 12 when in their retracted positions 42. Each retractable wheel 38 is pivotable with respect to the housing 12 but may be slidably or otherwise movably coupled to the housing 12 in other embodiments. Each retractable wheel 38 is mounted adjacent to an associated drive wheel 22 of the pair of drive wheels 22. The retractable wheels 38 may be secured in either their deployed positions 40 or retracted positions 42 via latches, snap connections, detents, or the like. The retractable wheels 38 extend farther away from the housing 12 than the pair of drive wheels 22 so that the drive system 20 is disengaged from the floor surface 52 when the retractable wheels 38 are positioned in their deployed positions 40.

[0030] In use, the infant 50 is placed in the seat 16, and the processor 26 is operated in one of the roam mode and the track mode as desired to move the housing 12 across the floor surface 52 as further described above. The support wheels 36 support a front end of the housing 12 on the floor surface 52 while the drive system 20 causes the housing 12 to move. The retractable wheels 38 lift the drive wheels 22 off of the floor surface 52 when positioned in their deployed positions 40 such that the housing 12 is supported only on the support wheels 36 and the retractable wheels 38, allowing the apparatus 10 to be used as a typical infant walker without motorized movement. Used as such, the infant 50 may move the apparatus 10 across the floor surface 52 via walking, while the seat bears at least a portion of the weight of the infant 50. The processor 26 may be operated by an input mounted to the housing 12 or via a remote input as part of a remote electronic device, such as a mobile phone or the like.

[0031] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0032] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word comprising is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.