U.S. patent application number 09/781527 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-22 for infant soothing device.
Invention is credited to Stern, Carl M., Weiman, Andrew M..
Application Number | 20020113469 09/781527 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25123019 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020113469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stern, Carl M. ; et
al. |
August 22, 2002 |
Infant soothing device
Abstract
An infant soothing device includes a base, a rocking platform
pivotally mounted to the base, a drive mechanism for reciprocating
the rocking platform up and down relative to the base and a
carriage having an infant restraining device positioned thereon,
the carriage shaped to reciprocably move back and forth within the
rocking platform.
Inventors: |
Stern, Carl M.; (Pennington,
NJ) ; Weiman, Andrew M.; (Newtown, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Attention: Theodore D. Lienesch
Thompson Hine & Flory LLP
2000 Courthouse Plaza N.E.
P.O. Box 8801
Dayton
OH
45401-8801
US
|
Family ID: |
25123019 |
Appl. No.: |
09/781527 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/256.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/10 20130101;
A47D 9/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/256.16 |
International
Class: |
A47D 001/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An infant soothing device comprising: a base; a rocking platform
pivotally mounted to said base; a drive mechanism for reciprocating
said rocking platform up and down relative to said base; and a
carriage having an infant restraining device positioned thereon,
said carriage constructed to reciprocably move back and forth on
said rocking platform.
2. The infant soothing device of claim 1 wherein said rocking
platform includes an upwardly curved track and said carriage is
constructed to reciprocably move on said track.
3. The infant soothing device of claim 1 wherein said carriage
includes wheels mounted on a lower portion thereof to allow said
carriage to roll on said rocking platform.
4. The infant soothing device of claim 1 wherein said infant
restraining device is pivotable with respect to said carriage.
5. The infant soothing device of claim 1 wherein said base includes
at least one spring mechanism mounted between said base and said
rocking platform.
6. The infant soothing device of claim 1 wherein said base includes
a dampening mechanism.
7. The infant soothing device of claim 6 wherein said dampening
device is an air piston assembly mounted between said rocking
platform and said base.
8. The infant soothing device of claim 1 wherein said drive
mechanism includes a compliant linkage coupled between said base
and said rocking platform for reciprocating said rocking platform
up and down relative to said base.
9. The infant soothing device of claim 8 wherein said compliant
linkage is a torsion drive spring and said torsion drive spring is
coupled between said drive assembly and an underside of said
rocking platform.
10. The infant soothing device of claim 1 wherein said infant
restraining device is an infant seat adjustably attached to said
carriage.
11. An infant soothing device comprising: a base; a rocking
platform pivotally mounted to said base; at least one spring
mechanism mounted between said rocking platform and said base; a
drive mechanism for reciprocating said rocking platform up and down
relative to said base; and a carriage having an infant restraining
device positioned thereon, said carriage constructed to
reciprocably move back and forth on said rocking platform.
12. The infant soothing device of claim 11 wherein said rocking
platform includes an upwardly curved track and said carriage is
constructed to reciprocably move on said track.
13. The infant soothing device of claim 11 wherein said carriage
includes wheels mounted on a lower portion thereof to allow said
carriage to roll on said rocking platform.
14. The infant soothing device of claim 11 wherein said infant
restraining device is pivotable with respect to said carriage.
15. The infant soothing device of claim 11 wherein said spring
mechanism is at least one compression spring.
16. The infant soothing device of claim 11 wherein said base
includes a dampening mechanism.
17. The infant soothing device of claim 16 wherein said dampening
device is an air piston assembly mounted between said rocking
platform and said base.
18. The infant soothing device of claim 11 wherein said drive
mechanism includes a compliant linkage coupled between said base
and said rocking platform for reciprocating said rocking platform
up and down relative to said base.
19. The infant soothing device of claim 18 wherein said compliant
linkage is a torsion drive spring and said torsion drive spring is
coupled between said drive assembly and an underside of said
rocking platform.
20. The infant soothing device of claim 11 wherein said infant
restraining device is an infant seat adjustably attached to said
carriage.
21. An infant soothing device comprising: a base; a rocking
platform pivotally mounted to said base; a drive mechanism
including a compliant linkage coupled between said base and said
rocking platform for reciprocating said rocking platform up and
down relative to said base; and a carriage having an infant
restraining device positioned thereon, said carriage constructed to
reciprocably move back and forth on said rocking platform.
22. The infant soothing device of claim 21 wherein said rocking
platform includes an upwardly curved track and said carriage is
constructed to reciprocably move on said track.
23. The infant soothing device of claim 21 wherein said carriage
includes wheels mounted on a lower portion thereof to allow said
carriage to roll on said rocking platform.
24. The infant soothing device of claim 21 wherein said infant
restraining device is pivotable with respect to said carriage.
25. The infant soothing device of claim 21 further comprising at
least one spring mechanism mounted between said rocking platform
and said base.
26. The infant soothing device of claim 21 wherein said base
includes a dampening mechanism.
27. The infant soothing device of claim 26 wherein said dampening
device is an air piston assembly mounted between said rocking
platform and said base.
28. The infant soothing device of claim 24 wherein said infant
restraining device is slidably pivotable in an arc with respect to
said carriage so that a center of gravity of said infant
restraining device is not significantly changed when said seat is
slid with respect to said carriage.
29. The infant soothing device of claim 21 wherein said compliant
linkage is a torsion drive spring and said torsion drive spring is
coupled between said drive assembly and an underside of said
rocking platform.
30. The infant soothing device of claim 21 wherein said infant
restraining device is an infant seat adjustably attached to said
carriage.
31. An infant soothing device comprising: a base; a rocking
platform pivotally mounted to said base, said rocking platform
having a track therein for receiving wheels on a carriage; a drive
mechanism for reciprocating said rocking platform up and down
relative to said base; and said carriage having an infant
restraining device positioned thereon, said carriage constructed to
reciprocably move back and forth in said track on said rocking
platform.
32. The infant soothing device of claim 31 wherein said track is
upwardly curved and includes wells therein for receiving said
wheels.
33. The infant soothing device of claim 32 wherein said wells
include rails therein to provide a riding surface for said wheels
and wherein said wheels include flanges thereon for facilitating
the positioning of said wheels with respect to said rails.
34. The infant soothing device of claim 31 wherein said infant
restraining device is pivotable with respect to said carriage.
35. The infant soothing device of claim 31 further comprising at
least one spring mechanism mounted between said rocking platform
and said base.
36. The infant soothing device of claim 31 wherein said base
includes a dampening mechanism.
37. The infant soothing device of claim 36 wherein said dampening
device is an air piston assembly mounted between said rocking
platform and said base.
38. The infant soothing device of claim 31 wherein said drive
mechanism includes a compliant linkage linked between said base and
said rocking platform for reciprocating said rocking platform up
and down relative to said base.
39. The infant soothing device of claim 38 wherein said compliant
linkage is a torsion drive spring and said torsion drive spring is
coupled between said drive assembly and an underside of said
rocking platform.
40. The infant soothing device of claim 31 wherein said infant
restraining device is an infant seat adjustably attached to said
carriage.
41. An infant soothing device comprising: a base; a rocking
platform pivotally mounted to said base, said rocking platform
including an upwardly curved track; at least one spring mechanism
mounted between said rocking platform and said base; a drive
mechanism for reciprocating said rocking platform up and down
relative to said base, said drive mechanism being linked to said
rocking platform using a compliant linkage; and a carriage having
an infant seat positioned thereon and wheels attached thereto, said
carriage constructed to reciprocably move back and forth on said
upwardly curved track in said rocking platform.
42. The infant soothing device of claim 41 wherein said infant seat
is pivotable with respect to said carriage.
43. The infant soothing device of claim 41 wherein said at least
one spring mechanism comprises two compression springs.
44. The infant soothing device of claim 41 wherein said base
includes a dampening mechanism.
45. The infant soothing device of claim 44 wherein said dampening
device is an air piston assembly mounted between said rocking
platform and said base.
46. The infant soothing device of claim 45 wherein said air piston
assembly includes a hanger and an axle wherein said hanger is
mounted to a piston and has a slot therein to slidably receive said
axle and said axle is mounted to either said rocking platform or
said base and said piston is shaped to slidably be received by a
damper cup mounted in either said rocking platform or said
base.
47. The infant soothing device of claim 41 wherein said infant seat
is slidably pivotable in an arc with respect to said carriage so
that a center of gravity of said seat is not significantly changed
when said seat is slid with respect to said carriage.
48. The infant soothing device of claim 41 wherein said compliant
linkage is a torsion drive spring and said torsion drive spring is
coupled between said drive assembly and an underside of said
rocking platform.
49. The infant soothing device of claim 41 wherein said drive
mechanism includes an electric motor reduction assembly having an
eccentric crank attached thereto coupled to said rocking platform
to reciprocably drive said platform up and down with respect to
said base.
50. The infant soothing device of claim 41 wherein said eccentric
crank is coupled to a torsion drive spring by a sliding couple and
said torsion drive spring is coupled to an underside of said
rocking platform.
51. The infant soothing device of claim 41 wherein said seat is
adjustably coupled to said carriage.
52. The infant soothing device of claim 41 wherein said seat is
removably coupled to said carriage.
53. The infant soothing device of claim 41 wherein said seat is
slidably coupled to said carriage.
54. The infant soothing device of claim 53 wherein said seat
includes a seat platform and said seat platform includes sliding
blocks positioned on at least one side thereof shaped to slide in a
track positioned in an upper portion of said carriage such that
said seat platform is slidable between a forward reclined position
and a rearward upright position.
55. The infant soothing device of claim 54 wherein said carriage
includes a detent mechanism for releasably securing said seat
platform with respect to said carriage.
56. The infant soothing device of claim 55 wherein said detent
mechanism includes a resiliently biased pivot release button having
a protrusion positioned thereon to interfere with a detent block
positioned on a bottom of said seat platform, said pivot release
button allowing sliding of said seat platform in said carriage when
said pivot release button is depressed and preventing sliding of
said seat platform in said carriage when said pivot release button
is released.
57. The infant soothing device of claim 41 wherein said track
includes cover pieces to retain said wheels in said track.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is a soothing device for infants, and
more particularly a rocking-type infant soothing device.
[0002] In the past there have been many different types of infant
soothing devices. Of particular popularity have been standard
infant swings having an "A" frame configuration. In a typical swing
configuration of this type, the swing structure generally consisted
of two A-shaped legs that were attached by a lateral crossbar or
axle at the top vertices of the A's. Typically, the swing itself
was hung from the crossbar and a motor, usually either spring or
electric, provided the motive force for moving the swing. In these
prior configurations, the motor was usually located somewhere on
one of the two leg structures, fairly close to the rotational axis
of the axle and was directly connected to the swing seat. Examples
of these types of prior art swings are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,452,446 and 5,378,196.
[0003] Recently, improved "open top" versions of these basic "A"
frame type infant swings have gained popularity because there is no
crossbar or axle which runs directly across the top of the support
structure over the top of the seat. These newer style "open top"
swings allow much easier access to the child occupant than the
prior art swings discussed above. Examples of typical "open top"
swings include U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,113 owned by Graco Children's
Products, Inc., U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,727 owned by Evenflo Company
Inc. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,999 owned by Kolcraft Enterprises,
Inc. As can be seen in all of these patents, there is no axle or
crossbar that extends directly over the top of the swing and
stability is provided by attaching the bases of the A-shaped legs,
rather than the vertices of the A's as in prior art swings.
[0004] Other types of infant soothing devices, including rockers,
rocking cribs, etc. have also been disclosed in the prior art.
Representative examples of these types of infant soothing devices
are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,045 assigned to Andrew Caster,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,381 to Christi L. Wilson, U.S. Pat. No.
4,752,980 assigned to D&M Rocker, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,334
to Alec Robinson, among many others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides an improved infant soothing
device. More specifically, the present invention provides a
rocking-type infant soothing device having a drive mechanism
wherein there is no direct linkage between the infant retention
structure and the motive force for moving and/or rocking the infant
retention structure. In one embodiment, the invention comprises an
infant retention structure that is coupled to a carriage wherein
the carriage moves in a reciprocating motion in response to the up
and down movement of a platform that is pivotally supported by a
base. In other embodiments, the infant retention structure may be a
seat mounted so that may be reclined without significantly changing
the center of gravity of the seat with respect to the carriage; the
carriage may ride on wheels within a track in the platform; a
damper device, such as a piston, may be provided to facilitate the
delivery of a smooth rocking motion to the rocking platform and
thus the infant retention structure; legs may be provided in the
base of the infant soothing device and the legs may be movable
between retracted and extended positions; the infant soothing
device may be driven by an electric motor; and the electric motor
may be battery operated. Upon review of the disclosure presented
herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that many of
the embodiments disclosed may be combined and varied without
departing from the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an infant soothing
device in accordance with the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the infant soothing
device of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is an bottom perspective view of the infant soothing
device of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 4 is an exploded, front perspective view of a base for
use in connection with the infant soothing device of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a partially-exploded, front perspective view of a
rocking platform and infant seat/carriage combination for use in
connection with the infant soothing device of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 6 is an exploded, rear perspective view of the infant
carriage/seat combination shown in FIG. 5;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a cutaway, top perspective view detail of the
motor assembly/drive mechanism shown in the base of FIG. 4; and
[0013] FIG. 8 is a detail showing a bottom perspective view of the
motor assembly/drive mechanism shown in the rocking platform of
FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one embodiment of the
present invention is an infant soothing device 20 including a base
22, a rocking platform 24 and an infant retention structure such as
a carriage/seat combination 26. The base 22 may optionally include
legs 28 that may be extendable and retractable with respect to the
base 22. The legs 28 may be attached to the base 22 as is generally
known in the art to raise and lower the base 22 thereby adjusting
the height of the base 22 as may be desired. The legs 28 may be of
a generally tubular construction and may include L-shaped feet 30
including bumpers 32 positioned on the vertices of the feet 30 to
provide desired stability. The rocking platform 24 may be pivotally
mounted with respect to the base 22 at a central pivot point 34.
The rocking platform 24 may include a track 40 that may be upwardly
curved in shape. The track 40 may be made of any suitable
construction and may be comprised of separate pieces including rail
wells 42 that receive and support the wheels 36 of the carriage 38
and cover pieces 44 that are positioned over the rail wells 42 to
capture the wheels 36 of the carriage 38 and prevent the carriage
from becoming disengaged from the track 40. The rail wells 42 may
include a rail (not shown) upon which the wheels 36 of the carriage
36 are supported and may glide upon. Of course it is to be
understood that other types of configurations for movement of the
carriage/seat combination on the rocking platform are possible and
would be within the scope of the invention. For example, the
carriage could roll on the surface of the rocking platform itself,
rather than in a track on the platform, or the movement of the
carriage could be restricted by a slider/rail combination.
Additionally, the wheels of the carriage could be replaced with
bearings or sliding mechanisms as is known in the art.
[0015] Base
[0016] As best shown in FIG. 4, and as described generally above,
an embodiment of the infant soothing device of the present
invention may include a base 22 optionally including legs 28 that
may be extendable and retractable with respect to the base 22. The
base 22 may be shaped so that the base 22 can sit securely on a
flat surface whether or not the legs 28 are extended or retracted.
The legs 22 may be made of any suitable construction and any
suitable material. For example, the legs 28 may be tubular steel
and may be pivotally attached to the base 22 in any traditional
manner known in the art so that they may be extended and retracted
as desired. In one embodiment of the invention the legs 28 may be
included in a leg assembly 46 including leg brackets 48, over
buttons 50, resiliently biased stop buttons 52, and pivot axles
(not shown). The legs 28, leg brackets 48 and over buttons 50 may
include pivot holes 54 formed therethrough to receive the pivot
axles for relative pivotal movement. The legs 28 and leg brackets
48 may also include detent holes 56 for receiving nubs 58 on the
resiliently-biased stop buttons 52 to prevent undesired retraction
of the legs 28 when the legs 28 are in the extended position.
Accordingly, when the legs 28 are in the extended position, the
nubs 58 on the resiliently-biased stop buttons 52 engage the detent
holes 56 in the legs 28 and leg brackets 48, thereby preventing
retraction of the legs 28. When retraction of the legs 28 is
desired, the over buttons 50 may be pressed inwardly, thereby
disengaging the nubs 58 from the detent holes 56 and allowing
retraction of the legs 28. As best shown in FIG. 3, recesses 60 may
be provided on the underside of the base 22 to receive the legs 28
when the legs are in a retracted position.
[0017] The base 22 may include a motor assembly/drive mechanism,
generally designated 62, as will be discussed in detail below. The
base 22 may include a motor control unit 64, including a power
switch 66 and a speed control 68. The motor control unit 64 may be
electrically connected to batteries 70 to control the current from
the batteries 70 to the motor assembly/drive mechanism 62 as is
known in the art. The batteries 70 may be held into the base 22 by
a removable battery cover 72 as is known in the art. The power
switch 66 may be any suitable switch, such as a standard
single-pole, double-throw switch and the speed control can be any
suitable control circuit capable of varying the current to the
motor assembly/drive mechanism 62, such as a pulse width modulation
control or a rheostatic control, among others.
[0018] The base 22 may include a pivot mechanism for supporting the
rocking platform 24. The pivot mechanism may be any suitable
mechanism for attaching the rocking platform 24 to the base 22 in a
pivotable fashion. The pivot mechanism may include pivot supports
74 for supporting a pivot axle (not shown) that extends along line
A-A (see FIG. 5). The pivot supports 74 may be integrally formed in
the base 22 or may be held in place by screws, rivots, etc. The
rocking platform 24 may have pivot holes or slots (not shown)
formed therein for receiving the pivot axle (not shown) so that the
rocking platform 24 may pivot about the pivot axle.
[0019] As best seen in FIG. 7, the base 22 may include protruding
fms 76 for receiving one end of table springs 78. As best seen in
FIG. 8, the underside of the rocking platform 24 may include a well
79 for receiving the other end of table springs 78. The table
springs 78, base 22, rocking platform 24, and carriage 38 all may
cooperate to form a mechanism having rocking and rolling motion.
The rocking and rolling motion of the mechanism generally operates
at a natural periodic frequency that is determined by the selection
and construction of those components. It is to be understood that
the selection and construction of those components may be
manipulated by one of ordinary skill in the art to achieve a
natural periodic frequency as may be desired to attain the desired
rocking motion. In this regard, one of ordinary skill in the art
will understand that the selection and positioning of the table
springs 78 may be varied greatly from the embodiment disclosed
herein and the invention is not intended to be limited to that
embodiment. For example, any number of table springs, including as
few as one or as many as desired, may be utilized and operably
connected between the rocking platform and the base to achieve the
desired motion. Furthermore, the table springs may be the
compression springs shown herein, or may be chosen from other
springs including leaf springs, torsion springs, extension springs,
elastomeric springs, etc. as is known in the art.
[0020] In an embodiment of the invention the base 22 (in
combination with the rocking platform 24) may include a damper
mechanism. The damper mechanism may be used to prevent undesired
rocking and vibration in the rocking platform 24. The damper
mechanism may be any damper mechanism as is known in the art and
may be an air piston 80. As best shown in FIG. 4, the air piston 80
may include a damper cup 82 positioned in the base 22 and a piston
84 attached to the underside of the rocking platform 24 as best
seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. The piston 84 may be attached to the rocking
platform 24 in any suitable manner and may be hung from the bottom
of the rocking platform 24 using a hanger 86/ axle 88 combination.
As shown best in FIG. 7, the hanger 86 may be offset from the
center of the piston 84 to prevent undesired rattling noises. The
hanger 86 may have a slot 90 therein to receive the axle 88 to
allow the piston 84 to move somewhat with respect to the rocking
platform 24 as the rocking platform 24 pivots up and down on the
base 22. The axle 88 may be anchored in the underside of the
rocking platform 24 as desired.
[0021] The piston 84 may be sized to fit suitably within the damper
cup 82 whereby the air displaced by the piston 84 as the rocking
platform 24 moves up and down with respect to the base 22 escapes
out of the damper cup 82 along the sides of the piston 84. Of
course an air valve could also be used to control the flow of air
in and out of the damper cup 82 as is known in the art to provide
the desired dampening effect. The damper cup 82 may include an
attached flange 92 to allow the damper cup 82 to be fastened into a
collar 94 included in the base 22 or may be molded directly into
the base 22. Of course, it is to be understood that the attachment
of the damper cup 82 and piston 84 with respect to the base 22 and
rocking platform 24, respectively, could be reversed without
departing from the scope of an embodiment of the invention.
[0022] Rocking Platform
[0023] As best shown in FIG. 5, an upper portion, or topside, of a
rocking platform 24 in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention may include a central pivot point 34 and a tray 96
including a track 40. As discussed previously, the track 40 may
include rail wells 42 for providing a clearance area for wheels 36
attached to a carriage 38 and cover pieces 44 for retaining the
wheels 36 in the rail wells 42. The rail wells 42 may additionally
include rails (not shown) to provide a riding surface for the
wheels 36. The track 40 may be curved to provide a smooth ride for
the carriage 36 and thus provide a soothing motion to the infant
utilizing the soothing device 20. The curvature of the track 40 may
be generally curved, arcuate, parabolic or compound. The rocking
platform 24 may include a central pivot point 34 that is adapted to
receive a pivot axle (not shown) along axis A-A such that the
rocking platform 24 is pivotally mounted with respect to the base
22. As best shown in FIG. 8, and as will be discussed in detail
below, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the underside of the rocking platform 24 may be adapted to
pivotally mount the rocking platform 24 with respect to the base 22
in an operative connection with a motor assembly/drive mechanism
62. For this purpose, a mounting block 96 and a mounting post 98
may be attached to the underside of the rocking platform 24.
[0024] Motor Assembly/Drive Mechanism
[0025] As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a motor assembly/drive
mechanism 62 may be provided in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention. In an embodiment of the invention, the motor
assembly/drive mechanism 62 may include a motor reduction assembly
100 as is known in the art, an eccentric crank 102, a sliding
couple 104, a mounting bracket 106, and a torsion drive spring 108.
The motor reduction assembly 100 may be electrically connected to
the motor control unit 64, and more specifically, the speed control
68. The motor reduction assembly 100 may be secured to the base 22.
The eccentric crank 102 may rotate about axis B-B of the motor
reduction assembly 100. The sliding couple 104 includes a drive
bore 110 that is parallel to the eccentric crank 102 and shaped to
rotatably receive the eccentric crank 102. The sliding couple 104
also includes a transverse bore 112 that is shaped to slidably
receive a drive end 114 of the torsion drive spring 108. The
mounting bracket 106 is fixedly attached to the mounting block 96
and includes a bore 116 therein to rotatably receive a middle
section 118 of the torsion drive spring 108. The mounting post 98
includes a bore 120 shaped to receive a screw (not shown) to
fixedly attach a torsion end 122 of the torsion drive spring 108 to
the underside of the rocking platform 24.
[0026] Accordingly, when current is supplied to the motor reduction
assembly 100 from the batteries 70 thereby causing the eccentric
crank 102 to turn, the up and down movement of the crank 102 is
translated through the sliding couple 104 to the torsion drive
spring 108. The torsion end 122 of the torsion drive spring 108 is
then driven up and down with respect to the base 22, while the
sliding couple 104 slides back and forth on the drive end 114 of
the torsion drive spring 108, thereby providing a smooth rocking
motion to the rocking platform 24 attached thereto. The air piston
80 help to dampen and smooth the up and down movement of the
rocking platform 24 as well.
[0027] While the motor assembly/drive mechanism described herein is
considered to be operable in connection with the present invention,
it is to be understood that there are many motor assembly/drive
mechanisms that would be operable in connection with the infant
soothing device of the present invention, all of which would be
considered within the scope of the present invention. In
particular, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that
many motor assemblies/drive mechanisms known in the prior art
having rotating or reciprocating outputs could be operatively
coupled between the base and rocking platform of the present
invention using a compliant linkage to induce the desired rocking
motion to the rocking platform. With respect to compliant linkages,
several embodiments are known in the art which would be operable
and are considered within the scope of the present invention
including leaf springs, extension springs, spirally wound torsion
springs, etc. As such, the motor assembly/drive mechanism 62 and
torsion spring 108 specifically described herein are simply one
operative embodiment for use in connection with the present
invention.
[0028] Carriage/Seat Combination
[0029] As best shown in FIG. 6, an embodiment of the invention may
include a carriage/seat combination 26 wherein an infant using the
infant soothing device 20 of the present invention is held in a
seat 124 that is attached to the carriage 38. It is to be
understood that other infant retention structures not specifically
described herein, including harness devices, pivoting reclinable
seats, and/or platforms would be operable in embodiments of the
invention and are considered within the scope of the invention.
[0030] The carriage/seat combination 26 may include a seat 124, a
seat platform 126, a carriage 38, and wheels 36. The seat platform
126 may be integral with the seat 124 or the seat 124 may be
removable from the seat platform 126. If the seat 124 is removable
from the seat platform 126, the seat back 128 may include retention
blocks 130 thereon shaped to be received in a slot 132 in the seat
platform 126. The mounting blocks 130 may include resiliently
biased fingers 134 formed therein including nubs 135 thereon shaped
to be received by retention holes 136 in the seat platform 126 slot
132. Accordingly, if it is desired to remove the seat 124 from the
seat platform 126, the nubs 135 on the resiliently biased fingers
134 may be pushed inwardly, disengaging the nubs 135 from the
retention holes 136 thereby allowing the seat 124 to be disengaged
from the seat platform 126. Additional mechanisms may be used to
additionally secure the seat 124 to the seat platform 126 including
having a slide 138 mounted on the seat back 128 to engage a
corresponding fin 140 mounted on the seat platform 126.
Additionally, notches 142 on the seat platform 126 may be shaped to
engage protrusions 144 (best seen in FIG. 5) on the base 146 of the
seat 124 further securing the seat 124 to the seat platform
126.
[0031] The seat platform 126, and seat 124 attached thereto, may be
fixedly attached with respect to the carriage 38, or may be movable
in any desired manner including pivotally or slidably. If the seat
platform 126 is slidably attached to the carriage 38, the carriage
38 may include a curved track 148 formed in upper part 150 thereof
to slidably receive lower 152 and upper 154 sliding blocks
positioned on the seat platform 126. The track 148 may be formed
with a curvature such that the sliding of the seat platform 126,
and thus the seat 124 (and any infant seated in the seat), does not
appreciably change the center of gravity of the infant with respect
to the carriage 38. In this manner, the movement of the
carriage/seat combination 26 in the track 40 is not appreciably
changed by the movement of the seat platform 126 within the
carriage 38.
[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, the seat platform 126
may be made essentially infinitely adjustable with respect to the
carriage 38 by positioning a gear tooth track on the bottom of the
seat platform 126 and including a resiliently biased detent
mechanism to engage the track as is known in the art. Alternately,
the bottom 156 of the seat platform 126 may include a detent block
158 positioned thereon that is shaped to interfere with a
protrusion 160 positioned on an engagement portion 162 of a
resiliently biased pivot release button 164. The pivot release
button 164 may be pivotally journaled into the carriage 38 by a
pivot nub 166 and may include a spring 168 positioned under the
operation surface 170 of the pivot release button 164. Accordingly,
when the operation surface 170 is depressed, the protrusion 160 may
be moved out of interference with the detent block 158 and the seat
platform 126 may be slid between a rearward, upright position and a
forward, reclined position. Then, when the operation surface 170 is
released, the detent block 158 may be resiliently biased into
interference with the protrusion 160 by the spring 168. Thus, given
the positioning of the lower 152 and upper 154 sliding blocks in
the track 148, forward and rearward movement of the seat platform
126 with respect to the carriage 38 is prevented.
[0033] The carriage 38 may be constructed to move smoothly back and
forth in the rocking platform 24. In order to facilitate the smooth
movement of the carriage 38, the carriage 38 may include wheels 36
positioned thereon as is known in the art. While the wheels 36 may
be of any conventional construction, the wheels 36 may be
independently rotatable and mounted on axles 172 that are mounted
in a lower portion 174 of the carriage 38. The wheels 36 may be
provided with bearings 176 to reduce the friction between the axles
172 and the wheels 36. Additionally, the wheels 36 may include
flanges 178 and collars 180 to facilitate the engagement of the
wheels 36 with the rails (not shown) in the rail wells 42. Of
course, it is to be understood that the rails could include flanges
and the wheels could be of standard cylindrical construction.
Additionally, as would be clear to one of ordinary skill in the
art, the wheels, and the gliding surface therefor, could be
manufactured in various geometries (including V-shaped or cupped)
in order to provide the centering function to the wheels that is
performed by the collar/flange construction on the wheels disclosed
herein. Furthermore, the wheels could be completely removed and
replaced with sliders, bearings, etc., to provide the desired
reciprocal action for the carriage.
[0034] Construction
[0035] The various components of the infant soothing device 20 of
the present invention may be constructed of any suitable materials
as known in the art. Examples of operable materials for the base,
rocking platform and carriage seat combination include all kinds of
plastics including polypropylene and polyethylene. The components
may be fabricated in any suitable manner as known in the art
including injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, casting,
etc.
[0036] Having described the invention in detail, it will be
apparent that modifications and variations are possible without
departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended
claims.
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