Teether

• US 5,993,478 A
• Filed: 07/23/1998
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The First Years Incorporated (TOMY Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: The First Years Incorporated (TOMY Company Limited)
• Inventors: Nowak, Ralph M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/121,769
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 606/234, 606/235, 606/236
• US Class Current: 606/235
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 17/02 Teething rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 17/10 Details; Accessories therefor

Abstract

A teether includes a frame adapted for teething by a child, the frame including a base, a first side extending upwardly from a first end of the base, and a second side extending upwardly from a second end of the base, wherein the first and second sides are integrally connected to the base and are connected to each other remote from the base.

Claims

1. A teether comprising:

a frame adapted for teething by a child, the frame including;

a base;

a first side member extending upwardly from a first end of the base; and

a second side member extending upwardly from a second end of the base;

wherein the first and second side members are integrally and hingedly connected to the base and are connected to each other remote from the base.

2. The teether of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second members comprises an elongated member closed upon itself.

4. The teether of claim 1 wherein the frame further comprises a third side member integrally connected to, and extending downwardly from, a third end of the base and a fourth side member integrally connected to, and extending downwardly from, a fourth end of the base, wherein the third and fourth side members are coupled remotely from the base, and wherein each of the third and fourth side members comprises an elongated member closed upon itself and hingedly attached to the base.

12. The teether of claim 1 wherein the first and second side members extend from the base to separate respective connection portions that are connected in close proximity to each other remote from the base.

3. A teether comprising:

a frame adapted for teething by a child, the frame including;

a base;

a first side member extending upwardly from a first end of the base;

a second side member extending upwardly from a second end of the base; and

a coupling;

wherein the first and second side members are integrally connected to the base and are connected to each other remote from the base;

wherein each of the first and second side members comprises an elongated member closed upon itself and hingedly attached to the base, and each of the elongated members includes a boss; and

wherein the coupling is adapted to receive the bosses and to couple the first side to the second side.

5. A teether comprising:

a frame adapted for teething by a child, the frame including;

a base;

a first side member extending upwardly from a first end of the base;

a second side member extending upwardly from a second end of the base;

a third side member extending downwardly from a third end of the base; and

a fourth side member extending downwardly from a fourth end of the base; and

couplings;

wherein the first and second side members are integrally connected to the base and are connected to each other remote from the base;

wherein the third and fourth side members are integrally connected to the base and are connected to each other remote from the base;

wherein each of the third and fourth side members comprises an elongated member closed upon itself and hingedly attached to the base;

wherein each of the elongated members includes a boss; and

wherein the couplings are adapted to receive the bosses and to couple the first side member to the second side member and to couple the third side member to the fourth side member.

6. A method of forming a teether, the method comprising:

forming a substantially planar frame as a single piece from a flexible material, the frame including a central member and a plurality of peripheral members disposed about a perimeter of the central member;

folding the plurality of peripheral members such that portions of the peripheral members are in close proximity to each other; and

coupling the peripheral members together.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein each of the peripheral members are joined to the central member by a length of the flexible material that is more easily bent than the central member and the peripheral member to which the length of material is connected.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein each length of the flexible material is thinner than thicknesses of the central member and the peripheral member to which the length of material is connected.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the frame includes four peripheral members, wherein two of the peripheral members are folded upwardly from the base and coupled above the base, and wherein the other two peripheral members are folded downwardly from the base and coupled below the base.

10. A teether comprising:

an integral frame adapted for teething by a child, the frame including;

a substantially planar base having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a front loop connected to the base by a front hinge;

a rear loop connected to the base by a rear hinge disposed opposite the front hinge;

a left loop connected to the base by a left hinge;

a right loop connected to the base by a right hinge disposed opposite the left hinge;

a first casing coupling portions of the front and rear loops above the top surface of the base; and

a second casing coupling portions of the left and right loops below the bottom surface of the base.

11. The teether of claim 10 wherein the loops each comprise bosses extending outwardly from a length of the loop, and wherein the first and second casings define openings for receiving the bosses.