Baby/Child Support

Abstract

There is provided a baby support ( 10 ) having a base ( 11 ) and a support portion ( 12 ). The support portion has a back portion ( 13 ) and a pair of side portions ( 15, 16 ). The baby support ( 10 ) has a waist harness for retaining a baby ( 31 ) in the support. The baby support ( 10 ) enables the baby ( 31 ) to reach in many directions, including forwards and sideways, whilst remaining in a safe, seated position.

1 . A baby/child support comprising a base, a support portion upstanding from the base and retention means comprising a waist harness for retaining a baby/child relative to the support portion, the support portion having a degree of flexibility and resilience and comprising a raised back portion and oppositely disposed side portions of lower height than the back portion, the base extending laterally beyond the footprint of the support portion, such that in use the side portions extend below the arms of the baby/child to allow a degree of sideways leaning.  
   
   
       2 . A support as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support portion is generally U-shaped in plan view, with the back portion being curved and continuing smoothly into the two side portions.  
   
   
       3 . A support as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the waist harness comprises two side straps secured with respect to the respective side portions of the support portion and a central strap extending from the base.  
   
   
       4 . A support as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the harness straps are adjustable in length and are secured to each other using a releasable buckle.  
   
   
       5 . A support as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the two side straps extend through their respective side portions and extend around the back of the raised back portion and are adjustably secured relative to each other.  
   
   
       6 . A support as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inner surface of the back portion curves smoothly to meet the base of the support.  
   
   
       7 . A support as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the base incorporates means for attaching thereto activity/learning equipment.  
   
   
       8 . A support as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the means for attaching the activity/learning equipment comprises releasable clips.  
   
   
       9 . A support as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the activity/learning equipment comprises a keyboard and a screen incorporating means which are controlled by means of a programmable or pre-programmed computer disc or cartridge.  
   
   
       10 . A support as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support portion is formed from a non-rigid plastics or rubber-based material or foam.  
   
   
       11 . A support as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the support portion has a rigid core.  
   
   
       12 . A support as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the base is in the form of a base plate.  
   
   
       13 . A support as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the support portion is releasably secured relative to the base plate.  
   
   
       14 . A support as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the base plate has an aperture through which the support portion is inserted.  
   
   
       15 . A support as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the aperture has an associated surrounding recess and the support portion has a flange around its lower edge which is received in the recess.  
   
   
       16 . A support as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the height of the side portions is in the range of ⅓ to ⅔ the height of the back portion.