U.S. patent application number 09/803292 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-12 for electronic activity center.
Invention is credited to McElhaney, Craig J..
Application Number | 20020127947 09/803292 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23300651 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020127947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McElhaney, Craig J. |
September 12, 2002 |
Electronic activity center
Abstract
An electronic activity center for infants includes a spring
biased kick bar, a cross bar supported above the infant, a
plurality of hanging toys suspended from the cross bar, and a
rotating "motion" bar with rotating flippers and disks mounted on
the cross bar. The kick bar and the hanging toys are connected to
an electronic control unit mounted inside the frame of the activity
center. The electronic control unit controls output of music and
sounds responsive to movement of the kick bar and/or hanging toy.
The electronic unit also controls motion the rotating bar
responsive to movements of the kick bar and hanging toys.
Activation of the music, sounds, and rotating bar responsive to
movement of the kick bar and/or hanging toys are believed to
encourage kicking of the infant's feet and swinging of the infant's
arms and thus aid in the development of motor skills.
Inventors: |
McElhaney, Craig J.;
(Cumberland, RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARLOW, JOSEPHS & HOLMES, LTD.
101 DYER STREET
5TH FLOOR
PROVIDENCE
RI
02903
US
|
Family ID: |
23300651 |
Appl. No.: |
09/803292 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09803292 |
Mar 9, 2001 |
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09332963 |
Jun 14, 1999 |
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6203395 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/227 ;
446/175 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/227 ;
446/175 |
International
Class: |
A63H 033/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic activity center comprising: a cross bar; a frame
for supporting said cross bar above a supporting surface; a toy
article suspended from said cross bar, said toy article being
movable responsive to engagement by an operator; a first switch
mounted in operable association with said toy article, said first
switch being actuable responsive to movement of said toy article; a
kick bar movably mounted on said frame, said kick bar being movable
responsive to engagement by an operator; a second switch mounted in
operable association with said kick bar, said second switch being
actuable responsive to movement of said kick bar; and a sound
generating device operably associated with said first and second
switches, said sound generating device initiating output of a sound
responsive to a respective actuation of at least one of said first
and second switches.
2. The electronic activity center of claim 1 further comprising a
movable element mounted within said cross bar, a motor, and a
transmission device coupled between said movable element and said
motor for translating rotation of said motor into a corresponding
movement of said movable element, said motor being operably
associated with said first and second switches, said motor being
energized responsive to a respective actuation of one of said first
and second switches.
3. The electronic activity center of claim 1 wherein said movable
element comprises a motion bar rotatably mounted within said cross
bar, said transmission device translating rotation of said motor to
a corresponding rotation of said motion bar.
4. The electronic activity center of claim 3 wherein said motion
bar includes a rotatable element mounted thereon, said rotatable
element rotating with said motion bar.
5. The electronic activity center of claim 1 wherein said kick bar
is pivotably mounted to said frame and pivotably movable between
said at rest position and said active position, said kick bar
including a biasing element for normally biasing said kick bar to
said at rest position.
6. The electronic activity center of claim 5, wherein said frame
includes spaced upright support members and said kick bar is
pivotably mounted between said spaced upright support members.
7. The electronic activity center of claim 2 wherein said kick bar
is pivotably mounted to said frame and pivotably movable between an
at rest position and an active position, said kick bar including a
biasing element for normally biasing said kick bar to said at rest
position.
8. The electronic activity center of claim 7 wherein said frame
includes spaced upright support members and said kick bar is
pivotably mounted between said spaced upright support members.
9. The electronic activity center of claim 3 wherein said kick bar
is pivotably mounted to said frame and pivotably movable between an
at rest position and an active position, said kick bar including a
biasing element for normally biasing said kick bar to said at rest
position.
10. The electronic activity center of claim 9 wherein said frame
includes spaced upright support members and said kick bar is
pivotably mounted between said spaced upright support members.
11. An electronic activity center comprising: a cross bar; a frame
for supporting said cross bar above a supporting surface; a toy
article suspended from said cross bar; a kick bar movably mounted
on said frame, said kick bar being movable responsive to engagement
by an operator; a switch mounted in operable association with said
kick bar, said switch being actuable responsive to movement of said
kick bar; and a sound generating deice operably associated with
said switch, said sound generating device initiating output of a
sound responsive to a respective actuation of said switch.
12. The electronic activity center of claim 1 further comprising a
movable element mounted within said cross bar, a motor, and a
transmission device coupled between said movable element and said
motor for translating rotation of said motor into a corresponding
movement of said movable element, said motor being operably
associated with said switch, said motor being energized responsive
to a respective actuation of said switch.
13. The electronic activity center of claim 11 wherein said movable
element comprises a motion bar rotatably mounted within said cross
bar, said transmission device translating rotation of said motor to
a corresponding rotation of said motion bar.
14. The electronic device of claim 13 wherein said motion bar
includes a rotatable element mounted thereon, said rotatable
element rotating with said motion bar.
15. The electronic activity center of claim 11 wherein said kick
bar is pivotably mounted to said frame and pivotably movable
between an at rest position and an active position, said kick bar
including a biasing element for normally biasing said kick bar to
said at rest position.
16. The electronic activity center of claim 15 wherein said frame
includes spaced upright support members and said kick bar is
pivotably mounted between said spaced upright support members.
17. The electronic activity center of claim 12 wherein said kick
bar is pivotably mounted to said frame and pivotably movable
between an at rest position and an active position, said kick bar
including a biasing element for normally biasing said kick bar to
said at rest position.
18. The electronic activity center of claim 17 wherein said frame
includes spaced upright support members and said kick bar is
pivotably mounted between said spaced upright support members.
19. The electronic activity center of claim 13 wherein said kick
bar is pivotably mounted to said frame and pivotably movable
between an at rest position and an active position, said kick bar
including a biasing element for normally biasing said kick bar to
said at rest position
20. The electronic activity center of claim 19 wherein said frame
includes spaced upright support members and said kick bar is
pivotably mounted between said spaced upright support members.
21. An electronic activity center comprising: a cross bar; a frame
having a base portion and spaced upright support members extending
upwardly from said base portion, said cross bar being mounted
between said spaced upright support members for supporting said
cross bar above a supporting surface; a toy article suspended from
said cross bar, said toy article being movable responsive to
engagement by an operator; a first switch mounted in operable
association with said toy article, said first switch being actuable
responsive to movement of said toy article; a kick bar mounted on
said base portion of said frame between said spaced upright support
members, said kick bar being movable responsive to engagement by an
operator; a second switch mounted in operable association with said
kick bar, said second switch being actuable responsive to movement
of said kick bar; a movable element mounted within said cross bar;
a motor; a transmission device coupled between said movable element
and said motor for translating rotation of said motor into a
corresponding movement of said movable element; and a processor
device including a sound generating device operably associated with
said first and second switches, said sound generating device
initiating output of a sound responsive to a respective actuation
of at least one of said first and second switches, said motor being
operably associated with said first and second switches, said motor
being energized responsive to a respective actuation of one of said
first and second switches.
22. The electronic activity center of claim 21 wherein said movable
element comprises a motion bar rotatably mounted within said cross
bar, said transmission device translating rotation of said motor to
a corresponding rotation of said motion bar.
23. The electronic activity center of claim 22 wherein said motion
bar includes a rotatable element mounted thereon, said rotatable
element rotating with said motion bar.
24. The electronic activity center of claim 21 wherein said kick
bar is pivotably mounted to said frame and pivotably movable
between an at rest position and an active position, said kick bar
including a biasing element for normally biasing said kick bar to
said at rest position.
25. The electronic activity center of claim 24 wherein said kick
bar is pivotably mounted between said spaced upright support
members.
26. The electronic activity center of claim 25 wherein said kick
bar is pivotably mounted to said base portion of said frame and
pivotably movable between an at rest position and an active
position, said kick bar including a biasing element for normally
biasing said kick bar to said at rest position.
27. An electronic activity center comprising: a cross bar; a frame
having a base portion and spaced upright support members extending
upwardly from said base portion, said cross bar being mounted
between said spaced upright support members for supporting said
cross bar above a supporting surface; a kick bar mounted on said
base portion of said frame between said spaced upright support
members, said kick bar being movable responsive to engagement by an
operator; a switch mounted in operable association with said kick
bar, said switch being actuable responsive to movement of said kick
bar; a movable element mounted within said cross bar; a motor; a
transmission device coupled between said movable element and said
motor for translating rotation of said motor into a corresponding
movement of said movable element; and a control device including a
sound generating device operably associated with said switch, said
sound generating device initiating output of a sound responsive to
a respective actuation of said switch, said motor being operably
associated with said switch, said motor being energized by said
control device responsive to a respective actuation of said
switch.
28. The electronic activity center of claim 27 wherein said movable
element comprises a motion bar rotatably mounted within said cross
bar, said transmission device translating rotation of said motor to
a corresponding rotation of said motion bar.
29. The electronic activity center of claim 28 wherein said motion
bar includes a rotatable element mounted thereon, said rotatable
element rotating with said motion bar.
30. The electronic activity center of claim 27 wherein said kick
bar is pivotably mounted to said frame and pivotably movable
between an at rest position and an active position, said kick bar
including a biasing element for normally biasing said kick bar to
said at rest position.
31. The electronic activity center of claim 30 wherein said kick
bar is pivotably mounted between said spaced upright support
members.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
09/332,963, filed Jun. 14, 1999.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The instant invention relates to electronic toys for infants
and more particularly to an electronic activity center comprising a
spring biased kick bar at ground level, and an overhead cross bar
having a plurality of hanging toys suspended above the infant. An
electronic unit mounted inside the activity center controls output
of music and sounds responsive to movement of the kick bar and/or
the hanging toys. The electronic unit also controls motion of a
rotating bar on the cross bar responsive to movements of the kick
bar and hanging toys. Activation of the music, sounds and rotating
bar responsive to movement of the kick bar and/or hanging toys are
believed to encourage kicking of the infant's feet and swinging of
the infant's arms and to thus aid in the development of motor
skills.
[0003] At just a few months of age, infants begin actively kicking
their feet and swinging their arms as a means of showing excitement
and emotion, and also as a means of exploring their immediate
surroundings. In this regard, a variety of different types of toys
have been developed to encourage infants to use these natural
kicking and swinging movements. Prior art toys of this type include
play gyms having overhead suspended toys and further include spring
mounted kick plates. For example, the U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,353 to
Thomson et al Bro No. 5,076,520 and Block No. 4,627,588 each
discloses a baby gym having toys suspended from an overhead bar. An
infant positioned on its back beneath the bar is able to both kick
and swing at the suspended toys thereby aiding in the development
of manual dexterity and hand eye coordination.
[0004] The U.S. Pat. No. 2,461,682 to Ferrari discloses a crib
exercise device comprising a flat board which is mounted to the
legs of a crib by elastic members. The board is suspended in a
vertical orientation in the crib by the elastic members and is
presented for kicking by an infant in the crib. When the infant
kicks or hits the board, the board springs up and down and back and
forth in an amusing manner.
[0005] An electronic piano device is also known in the prior art.
The device can be mounted in a vertical orientation and used as a
kick board for infants. When the infants feet engage buttons on the
piano, sounds or tones associated with the respective buttons are
output.
[0006] The U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,286 to Davison discloses another
type of crib toy which includes noise devices that can be kicked or
hit by an infant in the crib. The noise devices include a rattle, a
bell, and a squeaker. When these devices are hit or kicked by the
infant's hands or feet, they make an audible noise which in turn
activates a sound responsive musical circuit. The musical control
circuit also activates a motor which spins and moves cartoon
figures mounted in the housing.
[0007] The U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,268 to Au discloses an electronic
activity gym having a frame, an overhead cross bar, and a plurality
of hang toys suspended from the cross bar. The hanging toys are
suspended from the cross bar by a pivot assembly mounted within the
cross bar. When an infant positioned below the cross bar hits,
kicks or otherwise touches the hanging toys, the pivot assembly
pivots and closed a switch that activates an electronic music and
sound system.
[0008] The instant invention provides an improved electronic
activity center for an infant comprising a frame, a spring biased
kick bar pivotably mounted to the frame, a cross bar supported
above the infant, a plurality of hanging toys suspended from the
cross bar, and a rotating "motion" bar with rotating flippers and
disks mounted on the cross bar. The kick bar and the hanging toys
are connected to an electronic control unit mounted inside the
frame of the activity center. The electronic control unit controls
output of music and sounds responsive to movement of the kick bar
and/or hanging toy. The electronic unit also controls motion the
rotating bar responsive to movements of the kick bar and hanging
toys. Activation of the music, sounds and rotating bar responsive
to movement of the kick bar and/or hanging toys are believed to
encourage kicking of the infant's feet and swinging of the infant's
arms and thus aid in the development of motor skills.
[0009] More specifically, the activity center comprises a cross
bar, and a frame having a base portion and spaced upright support
members extending upwardly from the base portion. The cross bar is
mounted between the spaced upright support members for supporting
the cross bar above a supporting surface. A plurality of toy
articles are suspended from the cross bar so as to be generally
positioned above an infant lying on its back between the upright
support members. The hanging toy articles are pivotably movable
from an a normal rest position to an active position responsive to
engagement by an operator, i.e. swinging of the infants arms or
kicking of the infants feet. A first switch is mounted in operable
association with the hanging toy articles wherein the first switch
is actuable responsive to pivoting movement of the toy articles.
The switch is generally movable between a first position
corresponding to the at rest position of the toy article and a
second position corresponding to the active position of the toy
articles.
[0010] The electronic activity center further comprises a spring
biased kick bar pivotably mounted to the base portion of the frame
between the spaced upright support members. The kick bar is
pivotably movable between an at rest position and an active
position responsive to engagement of the user, i.e. kicking of the
infant feet. A second switch is mounted in operable association
with the kick bar wherein the second switch is actuable responsive
to pivoting movement of the kick bar between a first position
corresponding to the at rest position of the kick bar and a second
position corresponding to the active position of the kick bar.
[0011] The electronic activity center still further comprises a
rotating "motion" bar rotatably mounted within the cross bar. The
motion bar includes a plurality of disks, flippers etc which rotate
with the bar during operation. The rotating bar is driven by a
motor and a transmission assembly coupled between the bar and the
motor for translating rotation of the motor into a corresponding
rotation of the bar.
[0012] Finally, the activity center includes a processor device
including a sound generating device connected to the first and
second switches. In use, the sound generating device initiates
output of a sound, such as music, or other sounds, responsive to a
respective movement of the hanging toy elements or the kick bar,
i.e. closure of the switches associated therewith. The motor is
also controlled by the processor wherein the motor is selectively
energized responsive to movements of the hanging toy elements and
the kick bar. The processor is operative in several different modes
which allow the processor to output sounds and music, or sounds and
music and movement of the motion bar.
[0013] Accordingly, among the objects of the instant invention are:
the provision of an electronic activity center for an infant which
encourages natural kicking and arm swinging movement; the provision
of an electronic activity center for an infant including a sound
generation device which outputs sounds and music responsive to
kicking of a spring biased kick bar; the provision of an electronic
activity center for an infant including a sound generation device
which outputs sounds and/or music responsive to hitting of hanging
toys suspended from an overhead cross bar; and the provision of
such an activity center further including a movable element which
moves responsive to kicking of the kick bar and/or hitting of the
hanging toys.
[0014] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention
shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when
considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative
drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently
contemplated for carrying out the present invention:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electronic activity
center of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 1A is an exploded assembly view thereof;
[0018] FIG. 1B is an exploded assembly view of the kick bar
assembly;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a top view thereof;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upright support as
taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of
the kick bar contact plates;
[0022] FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a
secondary contact assembly;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the kick bar as taken
along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 7 is another cross-sectional view thereof showing
rotational movement of the kick bar;
[0025] FIG. 8 is another enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view
showing engagement of the kick bar contact plates when the kick bar
is rotated as shown in FIG. 7;
[0026] FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the cross bar with the back
cover removed;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cross bar as taken
along line 10-10 of FIG. 9 showing the gear assembly for the
rotating activity bar;
[0028] FIG. 11 is another cross-sectional view of the cross bar as
taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9 showing a normal rest position of
the hanging toy contact plates;
[0029] FIG. 12 is yet another cross-sectional view of the cross bar
showing engagement of the hanging toy contact plates; and
[0030] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic unit
of the toy.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Referring now to the drawings, the electronic activity
center of the instant invention is illustrated and generally
indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1-13. As will hereinafter be more fully
described, the instant electronic activity center 10 provides an
improved toy having enhanced play and developmental value.
[0032] Unless otherwise indicated herein, it is to be understood
that the component parts of the present device are preferably
molded from a polymer material which is sufficiently durable and
safe for use with infants and children of toddler age.
[0033] The electronic activity center 10 comprises a frame
generally indicated at 12, a spring biased kick bar assembly
generally indicated at 14, a cross bar assembly generally indicated
at 16, a pair of hanging toys 18, 20 suspended from the cross bar
16, and a rotating motion bar generally indicated at 22 disks
mounted on the cross bar 16. The kick bar 14 and the hanging toys
18, 20 are associated with an electronic control unit generally
indicated at 24 in FIG. 13. The electronic control unit 24 is
mounted inside the frame 12 of the activity center 10 wherein the
electronic control unit 24 controls output of music and sounds
responsive to movement of the kick bar 14 and/or hanging toys 18,
20. The electronic unit 24 also controls motion the rotating bar 22
responsive to movements of the kick bar 14 and hanging toys 18, 20.
Activation of the music, sounds and rotating bar 22 responsive to
movement of the kick bar 14 and/or hanging toys 18, 20 are believed
to encourage kicking of the infant's feet and swinging of the
infant's arms and thus aid in the development of motor skills.
[0034] The frame 12 comprises first and second spaced leg members
26, 28 respectively, which form a base, and first and second spaced
upright support members 30, 32 respectively extending upwardly from
the leg members 26, 28. In this regard, the bottom ends of the
upright support members 30, 32 include narrower post portions 34
(only one shown) which are inserted into corresponding recesses 38
(only one shown) in the leg members 26, 28. The legs 26, 28 and the
upright support members 30, 32 have a hollow interior and can be
formed in either a one piece or two piece construction depending on
molding techniques and the need to provide space for interior
wiring of the electronic control unit 24.
[0035] The cross bar 16 is mounted between the upper ends of the
spaced upright support members 30, 32 for supporting the cross bar
16 above a supporting surface. The cross bar 16 comprises front and
rear sectional halves 42, 44 which are received and secured
together in interfitting relation by a plurality of fasteners (not
shown). The front and rear sectional halves cooperate to form two
sockets 46, 48 for receiving narrow post portions 50 (only one
shown) at upper ends of the upright support members 30, 32.
[0036] The pair of hanging toys 18, 20 are suspended from the cross
bar 16 so as to be generally positioned above an infant lying on
its back between the upright support members 30, 32. The hanging
toys 18, 20 can comprise any design or object which is suitable for
the application. More specifically, the hanging toys 18, 20 are
releasably mounted to a clip bar generally indicated at 54 (See
FIG. 9 for best illustration). The clip bar 54 is pivotably
captured within the cross bar 16 and includes a central rod portion
56 which is seated in two spaced seats 58, 60 formed in the front
sectional half 42 of the cross bar 16. The clip bar 54 further
includes two spaced arm portions 62, 64 which extend outwardly from
the central rod 56, through two spaced openings 66, 68 formed in
the lower mating edge of the front and rear sectional halves 42,
44. At the terminal ends of the spaced arm portions 66, 68 are
clips 70, 72 into which the hanging toys 18, 20 are releasably
clipped. Extending in an opposite direction from the arm portions
62, 64 is an actuator leg 74. The terminal end 76 of the actuator
leg 74 is positioned for engagement with a first switch assembly 78
comprising two spaced contact arms 80, 82. The hanging toys 18, 20,
i.e. the clip bar 54 are pivotably movable from a normal rest
position (FIG. 11) to an active position (FIG. 12) responsive to
engagement by an operator, i.e. swinging of the infants arms or
kicking of the infants feet. In this regard, the first switch
assembly 78 is actuable responsive to pivoting movement of the toy
articles 18, 20. The switch 78 is generally movable between a
first, open circuit, position (FIG. 11) corresponding to the at
rest position of the toy articles 18, 20 and a second, closed
circuit, position (FIG. 12) corresponding to the active position of
the hanging toys 18, 20. The contact arms 80, 82 are connected to
the electronic unit 24 by wires 84, 86 wherein the input is used to
control output of the electronic unit 24. Although a conventional
biased contact switch assembly 78 is illustrated and described
herein, it is to be understood that other types of switches, such
as motion switches, tilt switches, membrane switches, impact
switches etc. are also suitable for use in the context of the
present invention.
[0037] The rotating "motion" bar 22 comprises a shaft 88 which is
rotatably captured in a housing 90 attached to the front sectional
half 42 of the cross bar 16, and further includes a plurality of
disks 92, flippers 94, and wheels 96, etc which are keyed to the
shaft 88 so as to rotate with the shaft 88 during operation. The
shaft 88 is driven by a electronic motor 98 and a transmission
assembly generally indicated at 100 coupled between the shaft 88
and the drive shaft 102 of the motor 98 for translating rotation of
the drive shaft 102 of the motor 98 into a corresponding rotation
of the shaft 88. The transmission assembly 100 comprises a first
pulley 104 on the drive shaft 102 of the motor 98 and a second
pulley 106 mounted on a secondary gear shaft 108. A belt 110
connects the pulleys 104, 106 together. The pulley 106 includes a
drive gear 112 that intermeshes with a reduction gear 114 keyed to
the shaft 88 of the motion bar 22. In this regard, rotation of the
drive shaft 102 of the motor 98 causes a corresponding rotation of
the shaft 88 of the motion bar 22. The motor 98 is energized
through wires 116 that are connected to the electronic control
circuit 24. The cross bar 16, hanging toys 18 and 20, motion bar
22, disks 92, flippers 94 and wheels 96 all cooperate to provide an
"activity bar or panel" for amusement of the infant.
[0038] The spring biased kick bar assembly 14 is mounted between
the spaced leg members 26, 28 and the spaced upright support
members 30, 32. The kick bar assembly 14 comprises a housing
portion 118 and a kick plate portion 120 that is pivotably mounted
to the housing portion 118. The housing portion 118 comprises a
rear wall 121, side walls 122, 124 respectively extending forwardly
from the rear wall 120, and a bottom wall 126. The housing portion
118 further includes a pair of opposing vertically oriented
dovetail wedges 128, 130 which are received in complementary
dovetail slots 132, 134 formed in the inner side surfaces of the
spaced leg members 26, 28. In this regard, the housing 118 is
captured and maintained in assembled relation with the leg members
26, 28 by the upright support members which are inserted into the
recesses 38, 40 in the leg members after assembly of the dovetail
wedges 128, 130 of the kick bar assembly 14. The kick plate 120
comprises an arcuate front wall 136, and opposing side walls 138,
140 extending rearwardly from the front wall 136. The kick plate
120 is pivotably mounted to the housing 118 by opposing pivot pins
142 (only one shown) which extend outwardly from the side walls
138, 140 of the kick plate 120 and engage with corresponding
openings 146, 148 formed in the side walls 122, 124 of the housing
118. Pivot of the kick plate 120 about the pivot pins 142, 144 is
guided by a pair of posts 150 (only one shown) that extend
outwardly from the side walls 138, 140 of the kick plate 120 and
ride within curved slots 154, 156 formed in the side walls 122, 124
of the housing 118. The kick plate 120 is pivotably movable between
a normal at rest position (FIG. 6) and an active, or depressed,
position (FIG. 7) responsive to engagement of the user, i.e.
kicking of the infant feet. The kick plate 120 is normally biased
outwardly to the at rest position (FIG. 6) by a biasing element,
i.e. coil spring 158, that is captured between a post 160 on the
rear wall 121 of the housing 118 and a post 162 on the front wall
136 of the kick plate 120.
[0039] A second switch assembly 164 is mounted in operable
association with the kick bar assembly 14 wherein the second switch
assembly 164 is actuable responsive to movement of the kick plate
120. Once again, although a conventional biased contact switch
assembly 164 is illustrated and described herein, it is to be
understood that other types of switches, such as motion switches,
tilt switches, membrane switches, impact switches etc. are also
suitable for use in the context of the present invention. The
switch assembly 164 is mounted within the upright support member 30
and comprises first and second contact arms 166, 168 mounted in
spaced relation. Mounted in operable association with the contact
arms 166, 168 is a pivoting cam generally indicated at 170 operable
for closure of the switch assembly 164 during use. The cam 170
comprises a cam body 172 pivotably mounted to the upright support
member 30 on a post 174. The cam body 172 includes a flat cam
surface 176 which engages the second contact arm 168 for closure of
the switch 164. The cam 170 further includes an actuator post 178
which extends perpendicularly outwardly from the cam body 170. The
actuator post 178 is received within channel walls 180 which
extends perpendicularly outwardly from the side wall 138 of the
kick plate 120. The channel walls 180 extend through a slot 182 in
the side wall 122 of the housing 118. When the upright support
member 30 is assembled with the leg member 26 the actuator post 178
is seated within the channel walls 180. In use, when the kick plate
120 is moved from the at rest position (FIGS. 5 and 6) to the
depressed position (FIGS. 7 and 8), the channel walls 180 engage
the actuator post 178 and rotate the cam body 170. The cam surface
176 in turn moves upwardly into engagement with the cantilevered
contact arm 168 and temporarily closes the switch 164. In this
regard, the switch 164 is generally movable between a first, open
circuit, position (FIG. 5) corresponding to the at rest position of
the kick plate (FIG. 6) and a second, closed circuit, position
(FIG. 8) corresponding to the depressed position of the kick plate
(FIG. 7). The contact arms 166, 168 are connected to the electronic
unit 24 in the cross bar 16 by wires 184, 186. The wires 184, 186
extend upwardly through the upright support member 30 where they
are terminated at contact plates 188, 190. Final connection to the
electronic control unit 24 within the cross bar assembly 16 is
accomplished by a second set of wires 192, 194 and contacts 196,
198 mounted within the cross bar assembly 16. More specifically,
wires 192, 194 extend from the electronic control unit 24 to the
socket 46 that receives the upper post 50 of the upright support
member 30. When the cross bar 16 is assembled with the support
members 30, 32 the contacts 196, 198 engage contact terminals 188,
190 to complete the circuit.
[0040] The electronic control unit 24 includes an integrated
microcontroller device 200 and a sound generating device 202, such
as a speech generator or tone generator. Microcontroller devices
200 and sound generator devices 202 of the type contemplated herein
are well known in the electronics arts, and the use and operation
thereof is believed to be well within one skilled in this art. It
is noted that such devices are commonly provided as a single
integrated unit with all components provided on a single "system on
a chip". As indicated previously, the first and second switch
assemblies 78, 164 are both connected to the control unit 24, i.e.
microcontroller 200 to provide input signals. The motor 98 and
sound generator device 202, i.e output devices, are also connected
to the microcontroller device 200 and are activated or operated by
the microcontroller device 200 responsive to input received from
the switch assemblies 78, 164. Sound output from the sound
generation device 202 is output to a speaker 204. The entire
electronic assembly is powered by batteries 206, or other
appropriate power source of appropriate amperage and voltage.
[0041] To further control the type of output from the apparatus 10,
the assembly includes a two pole mode switch 208 which allows the
microcontroller to operate from two different modes of programming
instructions. Mode switch 208 is movable between first and second
positions corresponding to first and second modes of operation. In
a first mode of operation, the electronic control unit 24 outputs a
sound and music, responsive to a respective movement of the hanging
toys or the kick bar. For example, in a preferred embodiment of the
apparatus, the sound generator 202 outputs a fanciful sound, and
then plays approximately 10 minutes of music. If the hanging toys
18, 20 or kick bar 14 are actuated again while the music is
playing, the sounds and music start again from the beginning. In a
second preferred mode of operation, each time the infant bats the
hanging toys 18, 20 or kicks the kick bar assembly 14, the
electronic control unit 24 outputs a fanciful sound, and the motor
98 is energized for a short period of time to spin the motion bar
assembly 22.
[0042] In use of the activity center 10, it is noted that the leg
members 26, 28 and upright support members 30, 32 are specifically
configured and arranged so that an infant may be placed on its back
between the leg members 26, 28 with the infant's feet adjacent to
the kick bar assembly 14. The kick bar assembly 14 and the hanging
toys 18, 20 are positioned at distances which allow an infant to
either bat the hanging toys 18, 20 with their hands or kick the
hanging toys 18, 20 with their feet, and also to kick or depress
the kick bar assembly 14. During play, swinging and kicking of the
infants hands and feet will cause engagement and actuation of the
hanging toys 18, 20 and/or the kick bar 14, movement of which
selectively closes the switches 78, 164 thereby providing input to
the microcontroller control device 200. Depending on the mode
selected, the electronic control unit will output various sounds
and music and activate the spinning motion bar 22.
[0043] It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides
a novel and effective electronic activity center 10 for an infant
which encourages natural kicking and arm swinging movement. The use
of multiple input devices 14, 18, 20, which are readily actuable by
an infant for generating a response is believed to provide enhanced
developmental value for the infant. Furthermore, the use of
multiple output schemes is also believed to provide an enhanced
play value as well. For these reasons, and others, the instant
invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the
art which has substantial commercial merit.
[0044] While there is shown and described herein certain specific
structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those
skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of
the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not
limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except
insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.
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