Child activity systems

Abstract

A safe and fun standing and walking-training and play apparatus and method, ideal for infants, new toddlers, and toddlers, is disclosed. The apparatus is lightweight, sturdy, and simple to assemble and disassemble by hand without tools. Further, the system comprises a configuration that is adjustable in height. The system additionally includes attachable play features such as basketball hoops, full and end activity/play tables, material for making a tent, fort-like (or ‘crawl-through’) structure, and soccer (or hockey) goals. Also included is an infant harness attachment and other suspended play items.

1 . A Child Activity System comprising:
 an upper polygonal peripheral graspable bar;   a plurality of lower vertical support tubes;   a plurality of upper vertical support tubes each configured to telescopically fit inside of corresponding lower vertical support tubes, together the plurality of upper and lower support tubes supporting the upper polygonal peripheral graspable bar; and   a plurality of lateral support segments each connected to at least one of the lower vertical support tubes, wherein the upper and lower vertical support tubes together define a height for the system that is suitable for a child to grasp the upper polygonal peripheral graspable bar and assist the child in learning to stand and walk.   
     
     
         2 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , wherein the upper polygonal peripheral graspable bar comprises:
 an upper side bar;   an upper end bar; and   a three-way elbow connecting the upper side bar, the upper end bar and the upper vertical support tube.   
     
     
         3 . The Child Activity System of  claim 2 , wherein the upper side bar, the upper end bar and upper vertical support tube are connected to the three-way elbow with a plurality of releasable spring-button fasteners and wherein the three-way elbow comprises a plurality of holes to receive the plurality of spring button fasteners. 
     
     
         4 . The Child Activity System of  claim 2 , wherein the upper end bar and upper vertical support tube are permanently bonded to the three-way elbow with a permanent adhesive and wherein the upper end bar is connected to the three-way elbow with a releasable spring button fastener and wherein the three-way elbow comprises a plurality of holes to receive the spring button fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , the lateral support segment comprising:
 two lower end bars;   a lower side bar; and   two 90-degree elbows connecting the lower side bar to each of the two lower end bars, the lower side bar configured with spring-button fasteners a distal and proximal ends, the two 90-degree elbows configured with holes to receive the spring-button fasteners, and the two lower end bars permanently bonded to the two 90-degree elbows using a permanent adhesive.   
     
     
         6 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , wherein the upper vertical support tube comprises a spring-button fastener and wherein the lower vertical support tube comprises a plurality of holes to selectably and releasably receive the spring-button fastener, the plurality of holes corresponding to an adjustable system height, h 1 , h 2 , or h 3 . 
     
     
         7 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lateral support segments are connected to the at least one of the lower vertical support tubes with a 90-degree elbow. 
     
     
         8 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 upper and lower side bars;   upper and lower end bars, wherein the upper and lower side bars are modular and interchangeable components, and where in the upper and lower end bars are the same size.   
     
     
         9 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , wherein the upper polygonal graspable bar is configured with a circumference, the circumference selected to be suitable to be grasped by a hand of a child. 
     
     
         10 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , wherein the upper polygonal graspable bar is connected to and supported by the upper vertical support tube via a three-way elbow, the three-way elbow configured to receive the upper vertical support tube by way of a spacer. 
     
     
         11 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , further comprising a miniature basketball backboard, hoop and net connected to the upper polygonal graspable bar. 
     
     
         12 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , further comprising a small soccer goal connected to the lower vertical support tubes. 
     
     
         13 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of end play tables attached to the upper polygonal graspable bar. 
     
     
         14 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , further comprising a full play table attached to the upper polygonal graspable bar. 
     
     
         15 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , further comprising material to cover the system thereby forming a play tent structure. 
     
     
         16 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , wherein the system is placed on its side and further comprising a miniature basketball backboard, hoop and connected thereto. 
     
     
         17 . The Child Activity System of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an infant harness flexibly attached to the upper polygonal peripheral graspable bar; and   a suspended toy accessory attached to the upper polygonal peripheral graspable bar.   
     
     
         18 . A Child Activity System that can be easily converted to more than one useful play arrangements comprising:
 two upper horizontal bars;   two end support segments connected by the two upper horizontal bars therebetween;   a small soccer goal connected to one of the end support segments, or alternatively, a miniature basketball backboard, hoop and net connected to one of the end support segments, the system thereby providing ability to be converted to more than one useful play arrangement.   
     
     
         19 . The Child Activity System of  claim 18 , wherein the alternatives of the miniature soccer goal and the miniature basketball backboard, hoop and net further include the alternatives of an end play table connected to an end support segment, or alternatively a full activity table connected the upper polygonal graspable bar, or an infant harness connected to the upper polygonal graspable bar, or a suspended toy accessory attached to one of the upper horizontal bars. 
     
     
         20 . The Child Activity System of  claim 18  wherein the alternative of the miniature basketball backboard, hoop and net play arrangement, optionally includes the additional choice of the basketball hoop facing outwardly, or inwardly, or optionally arranging the system to stand upright on its end. 
     
     
         21 . A Child Activity System comprising:
 two upper horizontal bars having a circumference graspable by a child; and   two end support segments connected by the two upper horizontal bars there between, the end support segments adjustable in height to thereby adjust the height of the system.   
     
     
         22 . The Child Activity System of  claim 21 , each of the end support segments comprising:
 an upper end bar;   two upper vertical support tubes connected at opposing ends of the upper end bar;   two lower vertical support tubes configured to adjustably receive corresponding upper vertical support tubes; and   two lower end bars connected to corresponding lower support tubes in the same plane as the upper end bar.   
     
     
         23 . The Child Activity System of  claim 21 , further comprising an infant harness flexibly attached to at least one of the upper horizontal bars.