Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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INFANT CARSEAT ATTACHMENT FOR PILATES REFORMER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present specification relates generally to attachments for
Pilates reformers
and, in particular, to an infant carseat attachment for a Pilates reformer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The following includes information that may be useful in
understanding the
present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information
provided herein is
prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor
that any
publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior
art.
[0003] Pilates is an exercise and lifestyle program. One of the pieces of
equipment
used is a reformer, which is a moveable platform with various resistance and
attachment
options used for performing certain Pilates routines.
[0004] However, a significant segment of the population engaged in Pilates
are women
with infant children. A challenge is keeping the infant calm while exercising
in order for
the mother to perform without distraction.
[0005] Therefore, it would be desirable to have modification for a reformer
which
potentially provides for both mother and infant during exercise.
[0006] Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided an
infant
carseat attachment for a Pilates reformer.
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[0008] According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an
infant
carseat attachment for a carriage of a Pilates reformer, comprising: a
rectangular frame,
formed from a pair of longitudinal pieces, the longitudinal pieces coupled
together at
respective distal ends by a pair of perpendicular pieces; a set of legs
extending from the
rectangular frame, each leg terminating in a wheel; one or more arms extending
from one
of the pair of longitudinal pieces, each of the one or more arms terminating
in a coupling
mechanism, the coupling mechanism operative to removably engage the carriage;
a seat
belt extending from each of the pair of longitudinal pieces, wherein the
rectangular frame
is dimensioned to support an infant carseat on the perpendicular pieces and
the infant
carseat is secured to the rectangular frame by the seat belt.
[0009] According to a further embodiment of the invention, there is
provided a kit for
an infant carseat attachment for a carriage of a Pilates reformer, comprising:
a rectangular
frame, formed from a pair of longitudinal pieces, the longitudinal pieces
coupled together
at respective distal ends by a pair of perpendicular pieces; a set of legs
extending from
the rectangular frame, each leg terminating in a wheel; one or more arms
extending from
one of the pair of longitudinal pieces, each of the one or more arms
terminating in a
coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism operative to removably engage the
carriage; a seat belt extending from each of the pair of longitudinal pieces,
wherein the
rectangular frame is dimensioned to support an infant carseat on the
perpendicular pieces
and the infant carseat is secured to the rectangular frame by the seat belt.
[0010] For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects,
advantages, and
novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be
understood that not
necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one
particular
embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried
out in a
manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as
taught
herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or
suggested
herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are
particularly
ip
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pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. These and
other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become
better
understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
[0011] Other aspects and features according to the present application will
become
apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following
description of
embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show,
by
way of example only, embodiments of the invention, and how they may be carried
into
effect, and in which:
[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a Pilates reformer with an infant
carseat
attachment according to an embodiment;
[0014] Figure 2 is an alternate perspective view of Figure 1;
[0015] Figure 3 is a side view of the infant carseat attachment according
to an
embodiment;
[0016] Figure 4 is a top view of the infant carseat attachment of Figure 3;
and
[0017] Figure 5 is a side view of the infant carseat attachment of Figure 3
with the legs
folded.
[0018] Like reference numerals indicated like or corresponding elements in
the
drawings.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention relates to generally to attachments for
Pilates reformers
and, in particular, to an infant carseat attachment for a Pilates reformer.
[0020] According to an embodiment as shown in Figure 1, an infant carseat
attachment 200 is removably attached to a Pilates reformer 110 at the moveable
carriage
120 of the reformer 110. An infant carseat 300 may be removably mounted and
secured
within the infant carseat attachment 200 to allow the infant carseat 300 to
move in
conjunction with the carriage 120 during use of the reformer 110. An alternate
view
without the infant carseat 300 is shown in Figure 2.
[0021] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the infant carseat attachment 200 is
formed from
a rectangular frame 210 which is mounted on four legs 220 with wheels 230
located at
the ends. One of more of extension arms 240 are mounted along the longitudinal
piece
212 on one side of frame 210, and each extension arm 240 has a coupling
mechanism
250 located at the end which are operable to removably secure infant carseat
attachment
200 to the carriage 120 (see Figure 1). The infant carseat 300 thereby rests
on the
perpendicular pieces 214 of the rectangular frame 210. The perpendicular
pieces 214
may include an adjustment mechanism 216, such as a rotating screw, which
permits
adjustment of the rectangular frame 210 to accommodate different types of
infant
carseats 300. The perpendicular pieces 214 may further be angled slightly
upwards or
downwards from the longitudinal pieces 212 to provide improved support for
infant
carseat 300.
[0022] Coupling mechanisms 250 may be spring clamps, which can secure to
the top,
bottom or side edge of carriage 120. Other types of coupling mechanisms 250
that may
be used include screw clamps or lock pins. The type of coupling mechanism 250
is
determine by the nature of carriage 120, as different makes and models of
reformers 110
have different designs for carriage 120. For an infant carseat attachment 200
designed
i,
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to work with different types of reformers 110, a more generic coupling
mechanism 250
such as clamps may be preferred. Alternatively, an infant carseat attachment
200
designed for use with a specific type of reformer 110 may use a more specific
coupling
mechanism 250 such as threaded bolts, screws or lock pins which engage with
holes on
the carriage 120.
[0023] Additionally, as shown in Figure 5, legs 220 may be detachable
and/or foldable
to reduce the space required for transportation and storage of infant carseat
attachment
200. Where the legs 220 are foldable, a locking mechanism 260 may be included
to
reduce the risk of the legs 220 inadvertently folding during use. The legs 220
may also
include a height adjustment mechanism 265, such as a lock pin, to permit the
adjustment
of the height of the infant carseat attachment 200 to accommodate different
types of
Pilates reformers. Additionally, wheels 230 may including a locking mechanism
280 to
lock the wheels 230 from moving for transport or storage.
[0024] In operation, the infant carseat attachment 200 is secured to the
carriage 120
and the infant carseat 300 is placed within the frame 210 such that the ends
of the frame
210 support the front and back of the infant carseat 300. A seat belt 270 is
then secured
over the infant carseat 300 to prevent the infant carseat 300 from moving or
falling out of
frame 210 during use.
[0025] Thus, while the parent is using the reformer 110, the infant carseat
attachment
200 moves with the carriage 120, allowing the infant to view the parent from
the infant
carseat 300, ideally keeping the infant calm while the parent is exercising.
Additionally,
by aligning the infant carseat 300 with the motion of the carriage 120, the
forward-
backward motion minimizes the disruption to the infant and may further
encourage the
infant to sleep while the parent is exercising.
[0026] Preferably, the infant carseat attachment 200 is formed from rigid,
lightweight
materials, such as aluminum or high-density plastics. Alternatively, infant
carseat
attachment 200 may be provided as a kit of parts to be assemble. Any
mechanisms such
,
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a adjustment mechanism 216 and locking mechanism 260 should be positioned to
be out
of the reach of a child inside infant carseat 300 during operation.
[0027] It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of
use can be
carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of
"step of"
should not be interpreted as "step for", in the claims herein and is not
intended to invoke
the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f). It should also be noted that, under
appropriate
circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences,
marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials,
technological
advances, etc., other methods for insulating, protecting and installing are
taught herein.
[0028] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and
numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily
envisioned to
achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be
embraced within
the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing
abstract is to
enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the
scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with
patent or legal
terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the
nature and
essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
[0029] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain
adaptations and
modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the
presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not
restrictive, the
scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the
foregoing
description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of
equivalency of
the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
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