U.S. patent application number 11/211949 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-09 for juvenile furniture electronic amusement device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Simplicity, Inc.. Invention is credited to Wood Stephen, Kenneth C. Waldman.
Application Number | 20060052172 11/211949 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35996930 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060052172 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stephen; Wood ; et
al. |
March 9, 2006 |
Juvenile furniture electronic amusement device
Abstract
An interactive amusement system for use with a variety of
juvenile furniture. In one example, an amusement bar is connected
to a control unit arranged at one corner of a collapsible play
yard. A motion sensor controls the type of sound generated and
flashing rate of an array of light on the amusement bar. The
amusement system has a play and a nap mode which cooperates with
the sensor to change the sound generated and the flashing rate as
well as the intensity of illumination. The motion sensor may be a
combination infrared (IR) transmitter and receiver. The play yard
is usable as either a bassinet or play yard and the sensor is
usable with either configuration. The control unit and amusement
bar are removable to enable the juvenile furniture to be collapsed
to a compact unit.
Inventors: |
Stephen; Wood; (Kutztown,
PA) ; Waldman; Kenneth C.; (Reading, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C.
UNITED PLAZA, SUITE 1600
30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
Simplicity, Inc.
Reading
PA
|
Family ID: |
35996930 |
Appl. No.: |
11/211949 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60604231 |
Aug 25, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
472/135 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
472/135 |
International
Class: |
A63G 23/00 20060101
A63G023/00 |
Claims
1. An electronic amusement device having at least one selectively
activated electronic amusement that is adapted for attachment to an
article of juvenile furniture and selectively activated by an
occupant of the juvenile furniture.
2. The electronic amusement device of claim 1 wherein the
electronic amusement is activated by a motion detector.
3. The combination of an article of juvenile furniture and an
electronic amusement device having at least one selectively
activated electronic function that is attached to the article of
juvenile furniture and the electronic function is selectable in
response to an activity of an occupant of the juvenile furniture
article.
4. The combination of claim 3 wherein activation of the electronic
function is controlled by a motion detector.
5. An electronic amusement device for attachment to an article of
juvenile furniture, the device comprising: a controller; at least
one selectively activated electronic amusement; and an activity
sensor associated with the controller and operatively connected to
the at least one electronic amusement for selectively activating
the electronic amusement in response to detecting presence of an
occupant.
6. The electronic amusement device of claim 5 wherein the sensor is
a motion detector
7. The device of claim 5, said controller further comprising: a
housing for the controller having a pair of adjacent sides provided
with recesses for releaseably securing said housing to a corner of
the juvenile furniture comprised of a collapsible play yard.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein said play yard has at least two
adjacent upper side rails and forming one corner of the play yard
and hingedly connected to a vertical corner post, said housing
recesses being configured to releaseably grip portions of said
adjacent side rails and a top of said vertical post.
9. The device of claim 7 wherein said sensor is mounted on said
housing and is configured to have a given angular range of
detection for enabling detection of motion of an infant placed in
said play yard.
10. The device of claim 5 wherein said play yard has a first
flexible enclosure mounted upon a collapsible play yard frame.
11. The device of claim 10 further comprising: a floor mat
configured to be positioned on a floor of the first flexible
enclosure and comprised of a plurality of hingedly connected
substantially rigid panels covered with a suitable fabric.
12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a vibration unit
mounted on an underside of said floor mat for imparting vibration
to said floor mat.
13. The device of claim 11 further comprising stiffening tubes
mounted within sleeves provided on said floor mat.
14. The device of claim 10 further comprising: a second flexible
enclosure for mounting upon said collapsible frame and said first
enclosure and having a floor arranged a spaced distance above the
floor of said first enclosure, said floor mat being configured to
be placed upon the floor of the second enclosure.
15. The device of claim 14 further comprising a motion sensor
mounted along said housing and configured to detect motion of an
infant placed upon the floor mat which is placed upon the floor of
one of the first and the second flexible enclosures.
16. The device of claim 7 further comprising an amusement arm
selectively, mechanically and electrically coupled to said control
unit and comprised of a rotatable mobile and an array of lights
arranged at spaced intervals along said arm.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein said control unit is provided
with a mode switch, said controller operating at least one of said
array of lights and said rotatable mobile in one of a first and a
second manner when said mode switch is respectively in one of a
first and a second position.
18. The device of claim 17 wherein said controller is activated by
said motion sensor to control one of said rotatable mobile and
light array to respond to the position of said mode switch.
19. The device of claim 18, further comprising: a sound generating
system and a memory for storing at least two types of sound, said
controller controlling the type of sound provided to said sound
generating system according to the position of the mode switch.
20. The device of claim 19 further comprising switches for
respectively controlling an on/off and volume condition of the
sound generating system.
21. The device of claim 7 wherein said control unit further
comprises: a night light and a switch for controlling an on/off
condition of the night light.
22. The device of claim 16 wherein said amusement arm is provided
with switches for selectively turning said lights and said
rotatable mobile on and off.
23. The device of claim 19 wherein said control unit controller is
configured to operate said sound generating system independently of
said amusement arm.
24. The device of claim 7 further comprising: a curved amusement
bar having a first end releaseably electrically and mechanically
coupled to said control unit and having a plurality of lights
arranged at spaced intervals along said bar.
25. The device of claim 24 wherein an opposite end of said bar is
provided with a resilient clip for being snap-fitted upon a play
yard rail opposite and parallel to a side rail supporting said
control unit.
26. The device of claim 25 further comprising: a second curved
amusement bar, said first and second amusement bars having ends
thereof coupled to diagonally opposite corners of a substantially
rectangular-shaped play yard frame; said control unit being
provided at an intersection of said amusement bars.
27. The device of claim 26 further comprising a rotatable mobile
suspended from the intersection of said amusement bars.
28. A stand-alone play unit comprising: a floor unit; a pair of
curved amusement bars having ends coupled to said floor unit so
that intermediate portions and arranged so that said first and
second bars intersect one another; a control unit arranged at said
intersection and having a motion sensor; said bars each having a
plurality of lights arranged at spaced intervals; said control unit
for controlling pulsing of said lights responsive to detection of
motion by said motion sensor.
29. The stand-alone play unit further comprising: a rotatable
mobile coupled to said control unit, said bars being configured to
support said mobile unit a given distance above said floor unit,
said control unit controlling rotation of said rotatable
mobile.
30. The device of claim 14 further comprising a wireless detector
coupled to said control unit; a wireless transmitter coupled to
said floor mat; said controller controlling one of said lights and
said rotatable mobile responsive to detection of motion caused by
an infant placed in one of said first and second enclosures and
interrupting a wireless signal produced by said transmitter from
reaching said wireless receiver.
31. The device of claim 30 wherein said wireless transmitter and
receiver are configured to operate in an infra-red (IR) range.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional
application Ser. No. 60/604,231 filed on Aug. 25, 2004, which is
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The invention generally relates to electronic amusement
devices; it more particularly relates to electronic amusement
devices adapted for use with juvenile furniture; and most
particularly relates to motion activated electronic amusement
devices adapted for use with juvenile furniture.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Keeping a small child engaged and amused can be challenging,
but it is even more challenging when the child is restrained within
the confines of juvenile furniture, such as a swing, car seat, or a
crib. However, there are times when a child should be at rest in
the same furniture intended to restrain the child at another time.
There is in a need for providing a source of child amusement that
is selectively operational.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention is characterized by comprising
apparatus for stimulating the infant during play periods as well as
selectively soothing the infant occupying the juvenile furniture
during periods of rest as well as inducing restfulness. The devices
are interactive in that motion detection devices are provided to
activate the amusement activities responsive to detection of the
infant's motion.
[0005] Lights, music and motion of attractive and decorative
objects are provided. The on/off operation and selection of the
activities are controlled by a manually operable control panel
preferably forming a part of the juvenile furniture. The components
providing the amusement and other activities are preferably
arranged within a housing which is removably mounted to the
juvenile furniture to facilitate the provision of a collapsible
furniture design which significantly contributes to compactness and
portability. The juvenile furniture, in one preferred embodiment,
comprises a portable play yard capable of being selectively
arranged in one of a play mode in which a bottom floor is utilized
to support the infant and a nap mode in which an upper supporting
surface (i.e. bassinet) is mounted within the play yard to provide
a nap mode enclosure. The embodiment, having both a play and nap
mode capability is preferably provided with either a single motion
sensor having a range for detecting motion at either the bassinet
(upper) level or the floor (lower) level, or alternatively may be
provided with a receiver arranged above the play yard for detecting
motion from transmitters respectively provided at the bassinet
level and lower or floor level.
[0006] An amusement bar, in one embodiment, activates a
micro-switch provided within an opening for receiving a support rod
of the amusement bar to selectively control the micro-switch to
turn off the "kick mat" amusement activities when the amusement bar
is detached from the juvenile furniture and to turn on the "kick
bar" amusement activities when the amusement bar is attached to the
juvenile furniture. As an alternative, the amusement bar support
rod may be provided with electrical contacts which cooperate with
electrical contacts in the opening receiving the support rod to
provide electrical connections between the control panel and the
amusement bar.
[0007] The bassinet structure is detachably mounted to the play
yard. The upper and lower floors are preferably each provided with
a vibrating device having a timer capability, the rate of vibration
being changeable as a function of the operating mode. For example,
in the play mode, the amusement bar provides flashing lights and
active music, while the vibrating device provides more robust
vibration, while in the nap mode, the amusement device provides
gradually fading lights and lullaby music, while the vibrator
provides more soothing vibrations which preferably gradually fade
away.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a amusement device
associated with a portable play yard.
[0009] FIG. 1A is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing
the play yard fully erected.
[0010] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic elevation and top plan views
of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 2C is a sectional view of the electrical coupling
between the amusement bar and control unit of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the amusement
device associated with a portable play yard.
[0013] FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic elevation and top plan views
of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 4C is a schematic view showing the electrical coupling
between the control unit and mobile arm of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 4D is a bottom plan view of a floor unit used in the
embodiment of FIG. 3.
[0016] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a third embodiment of the
amusement device associated with a portable play yard and employing
an interactive sensor.
[0017] FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic elevation and top plan views
of the embodiment of FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 6C is a schematic view of the electrical coupling
between the control unit and mobile arm of FIG. 5.
[0019] FIGS. 7A and 7B are elevation and top plan views of a fourth
embodiment of the amusement device associated with a portable play
yard (also illustrating a play mat).
[0020] FIG. 7C is a schematic view of a play mat usable without a
play yard.
[0021] FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic elevation and top plan views
of a fifth embodiment of the amusement device associated with a
portable play yard.
[0022] FIGS. 9A and 9D through 9G are perspective views of a corner
structure of the play yard configured for containing controls for
the amusement device.
[0023] FIG. 9B is an elevational view showing a portion of the
mobile arm of FIG. 3, for example, and is useful for explaining the
releaseable mechanical/electrical coupling between the mobile arm
and the control unit.
[0024] FIG. 9C shows a cover unit for covering the receptacle in
the control unit for receiving the amusement bar/arm when the
amusement bar/arm is removed from the receptacle.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the system electronics for
the amusement device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The electronic amusement devices disclosed herein provide
features such as motion detection that is activated by the infant,
a night light that may fade to allow sleep, music with selection of
the music as well as volume control, timed gentle or robust
vibration, nap and play modes, twinkling lights and mobile
activation are shown in the Figures for use with various items of
juvenile furniture. Although the amusement devices described herein
are described as either stand-alone or for use with a collapsible
play yard, the amusement devices may also be configured to be
mounted on a crib, a child's bed, a car seat, a chair, a highchair,
a bouncy seat, a stroller, a swing, activity centers (such as
jumpers), walkers, and other child care items. There is also
provided a stand-alone gym.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a portable, combined play yard and bassinet
provided with an electronic amusement bar 50. The play yard
assembly 10 is comprised of four upright corner members, 12, 14, 16
and 18. The lower ends of members 12 and 14 are provided with
stationary legs 12a, 14a while the uprights 16 and 18 are each
provided with wheel assemblies, such as the wheel assembly 20 shown
in FIG. 1 and provided with a free wheeling wheel 20a and a locking
mechanism having an operating member 20b which, in the upper
position permits wheel 20a to freely rotate about a horizontal
central axis and for locking wheel 20a when in the down position,
as is conventional. It should be understood that the wheel coupled
to upright 18 functions in substantially the same manner.
[0028] Play yard assembly 10 has a substantially X-shaped support
assembly shown FIG. 1A and comprised of four (4) arms 11, 13, 15
and 17 collectively forming an x-shaped configuration with the
outer ends of the arms each being pivotally coupled to uprights 12
through 18, respectively. A latch mechanism 19 is pivotally coupled
to the inner ends of the arms arranged in the aforesaid x-shaped
configuration and is provided with a selectively lockable locking
mechanism for locking the play yard apparatus 10 in the fully
assembled position shown in FIG. 1 and having a releasing mechanism
for releasing the latching mechanism and enabling the X-shaped
support members to be pulled upwardly to collapse the portable play
yard and bring the uprights 12, 14, 16 and 18 toward one another
and toward a central vertical axis. A leg 21 cooperates with legs
14a, 12a and wheels 20a, 18a to maintain the cross pieces at a
constant height when placed upon a flat, horizontal surface. The
flexible enclosure is preferably a rugged fabric or textile-like
webbing.
[0029] The upper side rails 22, 24, 26 and 28 have latchable,
collapsible locking mechanisms at their central portions 22a
through 28a, respectively, enabling these members to be folded in
half about their centrally located latching mechanisms to
facilitate the provision of a collapsible portable play yard which
is highly compact in its collapsed state.
[0030] The mechanism which may be employed to provide the
collapsible capability of play yard apparatus 10 may be of the type
described in pending application Ser. No. 10/918,893 filed Aug. 16,
2004 (SIM2-PT013.1) and the description therein is incorporated
herein by reference thereto. The X-shaped support members serve as
the supporting structure for the lower floor 40 which supports a
floor F (FIG. 4D) comprising a plurality of rigid, fabric covered
panels, adjacent sides of which are hingedly joined to one another
to serve as a substantially rigid floor when opened and also
capable of being folded into a substantially rectangular shape to
serve as an outer housing for the collapsed play yard, to
facilitate handling and transportation.
[0031] The upper (i.e., bassinet) floor 30 is supported by a
plurality of elongated straps 32 joined at their upper ends to a
pair of members 34, 36 which are fitted over the collapsible
support arm 22, 26. Mesh-like sides 38, 40, 42 and 44 are each
joined with strips of rugged, flexible fabric S.sub.F along their
left and right vertical sides to provide vertical side walls which
serve to enclose the play yard about the vertical posts 12, 14, 16
and 18. The mesh material is sufficiently flexible to facilitate
collapsing of the play yard to a compact structure. For example,
noting mesh side 38, it is joined at its lower end to flexible
strip 11, at its upper end to strip 28 and at its left and right
hand ends to the strips S.sub.F, which are provided with "pockets"
for receiving the corner posts 12, 14, as is conventional. The mesh
side walls 40, 42 and 44 are joined to adjacent members in a
similar fashion.
[0032] The electronic amusement bar 50 is an arcuate-shaped bar
having rods 50a, 50b at its opposite ends. Rod 50b is removably
mountable within an opening in control panel 60, which is arranged
at one corner of the play yard and rests upon upright 14 and
snap-fits over the adjacent ends of arms 22 and 28. Rod 50a has a
flexible C-shaped clip 50d which is snap-fitted onto rail 26.
[0033] Protective coverings, such as lenses 50c are arranged along
spaced intervals of arcuate-shaped member 50. Amusement bar 50 is
preferably covered with a soft cloth or fabric. Decorative and
aesthetically pleasing members are suspended from bar 50, such as,
for example, the star-shaped members 52. The control panel 60 is
provided with an array of control buttons 62 to be more fully
described.
[0034] FIGS. 2A and 2B respectively show elevational and top plan
views of play yard assembly 10 in schematic fashion and FIG. 2C is
a sectional view showing the manner in which the rod 50b of FIG. 1
is releaseably mounted to the control panel 60. Rod 50b is provided
with a plurality of electrical contacts 50b-1 which are configured
to cooperate with a plurality of electrical contacts 54b provided
along the wall of an opening 54 for receiving rod 50b. When rod 50b
is properly seated within opening 54 so that its lower end 50b-2
engages the bottom 54c of opening 54, contacts 50b-1 are in proper
alignment and engagement with the cooperating contacts 54b. Rod 50b
and opening 54 are preferably of a non-round shape to facilitate
proper alignment of the contract arrays 50b-1 and 54b.
[0035] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 2C, the control unit 60
is provided with operating buttons to respectively operate the
amusement device in a play mode in which the lights behind lenses
50c flash and a suitable active musical sound is generated. When
operating in the nap mode, the lights behind lenses 50c fade from
on to off and a lullaby music selection is played. Another
operating button provides off/on operation of a night light.
Opposite edges of a sliding cover 55 are held between a pair of
grooves (not shown) in control unit 60 to cover opening 54 when the
amusement bar is not being used. It should be understood that the
lights and sound generating system within control unit 60 may be
operated independently of amusement bar 50.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment 10' of the present invention
in which like elements have been designated by like numerals. The
major distinction of the embodiment 10' resides in the fact that
the curved electronic amusement bar 50 of FIGS. 1-2C is replaced by
electronic mobile arm 50' having a lower end slidably inserted into
an opening in the housing forming part of the control unit 60'. The
upper end of arm 50' supports and rotates a mobile 70 having a
plurality of decorative and aesthetically pleasing objects 71, each
suspended from one of the arms 72. The control panel control
buttons selectively provide music (in control unit 60') and
flashing lights (in mobile arm 50') provided during a play period
as well as the rotation of the mobile arms 72 and softer music and
lighting which fades to dark during the nap or rest mode. FIGS. 4A
and 4B respectively show schematic side elevational and top plan
views of the embodiment 10', FIG. 4C showing the manner in which
the removable mobile arm 50' is inserted into opening 54' whereby
the portion 50b', when properly seated with an opening 54' has its
electrical contacts aligned with and respectively electrically
engaging associated electrical contacts 54b' arranged with an
opening 54'. The mobile arm 50' is designed to pivot over a ninety
degree range as shown in FIG. 4B.
[0037] The rigid floor F is selectively placed upon either the
bassinet or play yard floors. The floor F, shown in FIG. 4D, is
comprised of four (4) substantially rigid panels covered with a
suitable fabric and hingedly connected along sew lines 51-53. FIG.
4D shows the bottom of the floor. Floor F has four (4) pockets
P.sub.1-P.sub.4 which receive a pair of rigid tubes T.sub.1,
T.sub.2 to rigidify the floor F. If desired, the tubes T.sub.1,
T.sub.2 may each be a pair of tubes telescoped together to make one
long tube, the telescoping tubes facilitating their insertion into
the pockets P.sub.1-P.sub.4.
[0038] A battery operated vibration V is releasably secured by
Velcro straps V.sub.s to the underside of floor F. A control panel
V.sub.c provides on/off, hard/soft vibration and timing control.
The vibration and timing control may be of the type described in
copending application Ser. No. 10/752,171 filed Jan. 6, 2004
(SIM2-PT005).
[0039] The embodiment 10' further distinguishes from the embodiment
10 of FIG. 1 in that it includes a portable changing table 80
comprised of a curved convex support 80a and two rigid side walls
80b, 80c which are arranged on the outer sides of upper rails 22',
26' which table may be used as a changing table and simply be
lifted off when not in use. Also, embodiment 10' has a storage
pocket P.sub.S along one sidewall.
[0040] The embodiment 10'' of FIG. 5 distinguishes from the
embodiment 10' of FIG. 3 in that a motion sensor is provided. The
other elements of embodiment 10'' are substantially identical to
those shown in FIG. 3 except that the embodiment 10'' is provided
with an interactive motion sensor. Embodiment 10'' is also further
provided with a changing table T.sub.C which may be supported upon
side rails 22'' and 26'' and is easily disassembled to facilitate
packing for travel. Side pocket P.sub.S provides end panel storage.
Making reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B respectively showing schematic
side elevation and top plan views of the embodiment of 10'', the
electronic control 60'' is provided with a motion sensor 62 having
an operating range defined by dotted lines 63a, 63b. The other
features of the embodiment 10'' are substantially the same as the
electronic features in the embodiment 10' shown in FIG. 3. The
manner in which the rod 50b'' is arranged with an opening 54'' and
has its contacts 50c'' aligned with and in electrical contact with
cooperating contacts 54b'' an opening 54' is substantially
identical to that shown in FIG. 4C, the difference being that the
motion sensor causes the mobile lights and music to be activated
when in the play mode while providing softer music and fading
lights and deactivating the mobile when no motion is sensed.
[0041] As was set forth here and above, the opening 54'' may be
sealed by sliding door 55 to prevent ingress into opening 54'' when
the mobile arm is not being used.
[0042] FIGS. 7A and 7B show still another play yard embodiment
10''' having a supporting structure 90 comprised of four (4) curved
members 90a through 90d arranged in an X-shaped pattern as shown in
FIG. 7B for supporting a battery-operated wireless receiver 92
which may, for example, be an infrared (IR) receiver coupled to a
battery-operated integrated circuit provided in housing 94. The
integrated circuit within housing 94 is electrically connected to
the control unit 60''' through 90b. A wireless transmitter such as
an infrared (IR) transmitter 96 is provided at one corner of the
floor F, which may be placed either on the bassinet floor 30''' or
the play yard floor 40'''. When the transmitted infrared signal
detects motion of the infant (due to interruption of the IR
signal), this causes the control unit 60''' to select the operating
mode to provide flashing lights which may be provided along one or
more of the members 90a through 90d as well as controlling the type
of music which is produced, soft music being produced during a
sleep or rest mode and more lively music being produced during a
play mode. It should be understood that only one of the arms 90b is
coupled to control unit 60''', the outer ends of the remaining arms
90a, 90c and 90d being provided with clip-on members as was
described in connection with FIG. 1.
[0043] FIG. 7C shows an optional play mat embodiment which may be
erected from the floor F and curved support members 90a-90d taken
from the embodiment of FIGS. 7A, 7B, wherein the unit 90 has its
arms 90a through 90d are arranged adjacent to or, if desired,
joined to the four corners of floor mat F. An IR transmitter 96
cooperates with IR receiver 92 to selectively initiate either the
rest or sleep mode or the play mode controlled by detection of
movement of the infant. The unit 94' is modified in that a control
unit is integrated into housing 94'. The floor F may be of the type
described and shown in FIG. 4D and may include a vibration unit V.
When the unit 90 is disconnected from the play yard for use in the
arrangement of FIG. 7C, the control unit 60''' is provided with a
microswitch to prevent the music and lights from being generated by
the control unit 60'''.
[0044] FIGS. 8A and 8B show an embodiment 10'''' which is modified
from the embodiment 10''' shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B and comprising a
supporting unit 90 which is substantially identical in design and
function to the assembly 90 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the
distinction being the provision of a motion sensor 62 incorporated
in the control unit 60'''' in a manner similar to that shown in
FIGS. 6A and 6B. The supports members 90a-90d support a motorized
mobile unit provided with lights 98a and a mobile 70 substantially
identical in design and function to the mobile 70 shown in FIG. 3.
Control unit 60''' is provided with an on/off button for the lights
and includes an on/off button for rotating the motorized mobile 70.
The motion sensor 62 has a detection range which falls with the
dotted line 63a, 63b.
[0045] FIGS. 9A and 9D through 9G show detailed perspective views
of a preferred embodiment of the control unit 60, which has a top
surface 110 provided with a circular operating button 112 slidable
within an elongated slot 110a between the solid line position,
hereinafter referred to as a play position and a dotted line
position 112' hereinafter designated as the nap position. An
additional cluster 114 of operating controls is arranged within a
circular recess and is comprised of an operating button 116 for
turning the music on or off and a "plus" button 118 and a "minus"
button 120 for controlling the volume at which the music is played.
A push-button 122 turns the motion sensor on and off. Pressing
push-button 122 down turns the motion sensor on and pressing
push-button 122 down a second time turns the motion sensor off. An
LED 122a is provided at the center of push button 122 and, when the
motion sensor is turned on, LED 122a blinks for 20 seconds during
start-up and then remains constantly lit. An on/off switch 124 is
slidably mounted within an elongated slot 110b in top surface 110
and is movable between a solid line position indicating that the
unit is on and a dotted line position 124' which indicates that the
unit is turned off.
[0046] Top surface 110 is further provided with a receiving slot
110c having a female type receptacle 126 mounted therein. A movable
locking projection 128 extends upwardly from the floor of recess
110c and is configured to fit within a recess provided along the
bottom surface of the mobile arm 50', the lower portion thereof
being shown in greater detail in FIG. 9B and comprising the mobile
arm 50' having a lower coupling portion 50a' rotatably mounted to
the main body 50', enabling rotation through the aforementioned
90.degree. angle as was described above. The bottom end of end
portion 58' has a projection 132 extending downwardly there from
and provided with a pair of shoulders 132a, 132b on opposite
parallel sides of the projection 132. The bottom curved surface
132c has a recess 132d which receives projection 128 when the
bottom portion 132 of the mobile arm 50' is slidably inserted into
the receiving recess 110c. The male electrical coupling 134 is
inserted into the cooperating female electrical coupling 126
arranged at the rear of recess 110c. In order to remove the
projection 132 from recess 126 a finger-operated lever member 130
is pressed downwardly, removing projection 128 from recess 132d,
thereby enabling the mobile arm unit 50' to be removed from the
recess 110c in control unit 60.
[0047] It should be understood that the play yard and control unit
60 may be utilized without the mobile arm, enabling the control
unit to be utilized independently of the mobile unit and the
flashing lights. In such applications, it is preferable to close
recess 110c through the use of the member 132', shown in FIG. 9C
and which has a configuration similar to the member 132 shown in
FIG. 9B but in which the mobile arm 50' and the swivel coupling
50a' are omitted. In addition, the male type electrical connector
134 is omitted and a recess is provided to receive the female type
electrical connector 126 provided within recess 110c. The recess
132d' along the bottom surface of member 132' receives latching
projection 128 when slidably inserted into recess 110c. The cover
member 132' may be removed by pressing down lever 130 to remove
projection 128 from recess 132d'.
[0048] Making reference to FIG. 9B, when the mobile arm 50' is
mounted upon the control unit 60, operating buttons 136 and 138 are
provided for selectively turning on and turning off the lights and
the rotatable mobile 70.
[0049] When mobile arm 50' is mounted to the control unit 60, the
lights 50c' along the mobile arm may be controlled by the motion
detector and controller C.sub.P to blink when in the play mode and
the mobile may be rotated when the control unit is in the play
mode, both of these operations occurring when the motion sensor
detects movement of the infant.
[0050] Likewise, the music may be selectively controlled to provide
lullaby music (or a soothing voice or other sound) when in the rest
or sleep mode and to play a more lively musical selection (or a
more animated voice or sound) when in the play mode.
[0051] FIG. 9D shows an elevational view of the control unit 60
looking toward the inside corner of the play yard when the control
unit is mounted to an inside corner of the play yard. The curved
convex surface 110d (known also as FIG. 9A) has a substantially
circular recess 110e for receiving a motion sensor 137. The speaker
139 is housed within the housing of the control unit 60 adjacent
convex surface 110d. A plurality of openings arranged in a
substantially circular-shaped area 140 facilitate passage of the
sound waves to the exterior of the housing. A night light 142 is
arranged behind a transparent cover 144. Recess 110c containing the
female electrical leads 134 are positioned at the rear of the
recess 110c. Finger operated lever 132 is coupled to projection 128
(see FIG. 9A) by supporting post 132a.
[0052] Control unit 60 is configured to fit into an inside corner
of the play yard and has two perpendicular surface 110e, 110f
shown, for example, in FIG. 9G. Projections 110g, 110h respectively
extending outwardly from perpendicular surfaces 110e, 110f
cooperate with downwardly depending locking portions 110i, 110j to
be snap-fitted upon the intersecting rails such as, for example,
intersecting rails 28 and 22 which intersect at corner post 14
shown, for example, in FIG. 1. The hollow, rounded recesses 110k,
110l conform to and receive the upper surfaces of the rod-shaped
rails 22 and 28 and snap fit onto the corner of the play yard,
inwardly extending integral projections 110m, 110n further serving
to grip the intersecting rails 22 and 28. The curved portion 110p
conforms to and receives the top outer surface portion of vertical
post 14, shown in FIG. 1. This arrangement firmly grips the control
unit 60 to the play yard when in use. However, the portions 110i,
110j are sufficiently flexible so as to be capable of being pulled
outwardly from the exterior surface of the play yard by gripping
portions 110m, 110n to lift the control unit 60 away the play yard
in order to facilitate movement of the play yard to the fully
collapsed position. As is conventional, each side rail assembly 22
through 28 is provided with an operating button which, when
depressed, enables each of the side rails to be collapsed initially
to a V-shaped configuration and ultimately to a position in which
the rail portions making up each side rail are substantially
parallel to one another. This structure is conventional and is
provided with an operating button such as, for example, the
operating button B for collapsing the side rail 22, it being
understood that each of the other side rails is provided with a
like operating button as is likewise conventional.
[0053] In the embodiment 60 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9D through 9G,
the top of gripping portion 110i extends in a diagonally upward
direction in order to receive a curved, upper side rail such as,
for example, the curved side rail 28' shown, for example, in FIG.
3. Alternatively, the side of the control unit 60 which is adapted
to snap-fit to a horizontally aligned side rail such as side rail
28 shown in FIG. 1, has a shape which extends horizontally as shown
by dotted line 110i' in FIG. 9F. FIG. 9F further shows the side
surface 110f as provided with a cover 110q covering a battery
compartment containing portable batteries (not shown) providing the
electrical energy for operating the control unit 60. The cover 110q
is preferably maintained in place by threaded fasteners such as,
for example, the threaded fasteners 152.
[0054] A coupling similar in design and function to the coupling
132 shown in FIG. 9D, provided at that lower end of the mobile arm
50' is also utilized at the end 50b of the curved amusement bar 50
shown in FIG. 1, the only difference being that there is no need
for a rotatable coupling between amusement bar 50 and coupling 132.
As was described above, when employing the control unit 60, the
amusement bar 50 or alternatively the mobile arm 50' has two
operating activity modes namely the play mode when the lights along
either of the amusement bar or mobile arm flash at the time that
active music is generated or, in the nap mode the lights fade to
dark and soft music such as a lullaby is generated. With respect to
the mobile bar, the mobile 70 may be selectively controlled to
rotate at a gentle speed or a higher speed by controller
C.sub.P.
[0055] The vibration unit V is battery operated and has a
compartment (not shown) for receiving portable batteries. The
vibration unit is slidably received within a base member secured to
one panel of the floor member, Vibration unit V is slidably
received therein and removable for replacement of portable
batteries (not shown). The vibration unit V, when controlled
independently of controller C.sub.P, has an amplitude control
extending to one side thereof for adjusting amplitude. A push
button B.sub.P is arranged on the surface of the vibration unit V
which faces the floor F enabling the button to be pushed from the
top surface of the floor. Although not shown, it should be
understood that appropriate indicia such as a circle and a
designation such as "vibrator push button" adjacent to the circle
serves to accurately locate the push button for operating the
vibration unit V. The push button preferably operates in such a way
that pressing it once turns the vibration unit V on and pressing it
a second time turns the vibration unit V off.
[0056] Although the embodiments shown in FIG. 4D provide sleeves or
pockets for the reinforcing tubes T1 and T2, it should be
understood that these sleeves may be provided along the top surface
of the floor 30 of the bassinette and the tubes may be inserted in
the sleeves provided in the bassinet floor similar to the sleeves
provided along the bottom of floor F, shown in FIG. 4D.
[0057] FIG. 10 is a schematic of the electronics embodied, for
example, in the play yard 10'' of FIG. 5. Making reference to FIGS.
4D, 5, 9A and 9B as well as FIG. 10, the amusement device is
comprised of a combination power supply/vibration unit V (FIG. 4D)
mounted to the underside of floor F, which is provided with
reinforcing tubes T.sub.1, T.sub.2 arranged along the underside
thereof to enhance the structural integrity of the floor. If
desired, the tubes T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 may each be first and second
tubes which are telescoping joined together to provide a design
which is easier to assemble/disassemble. The combination
power/supply vibration unit V has a vibration motor M.sub.V for
imparting vibration to floor F. The combination unit V also
includes a battery compartment (not shown) for supplying power.
[0058] The vibration unit V having the battery compartment may be
releaseably mounted to floor F or be provided separately and
independently of the floor, if desired. Providing the battery
compartment and vibration motor M.sub.V in one housing mounted to
floor F reduces the size, weight and complexity of the unit V.
Alternatively, one common battery compartment portion may be
provided in control unit 60 (FIG. 9F) and power may be provided to
the vibration unit V through electrical leads coupled between the
power supply (i.e., batteries) in control unit 60 and motor
M.sub.V.
[0059] The power to motor M.sub.V, in one alternative embodiment,
is coupled to the vibration motor M.sub.V through central processor
C.sub.P.
[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the mobile arm 50' includes light
switch 136 and mobile switch 138 which operate to selectively turn
on/off these devices, while the control unit processor C.sub.P
controls the performance of these devices. A power switch 124 (FIG.
9A) selectively couples power from the power supply in control unit
60 to all of the electronic components in mobile arm 50' through
suitable electrical connections including the connectors 126 and
134 as well as internal connections contained within control unit
60. The slide switch 112 provides a control signal to processor
C.sub.P which controls the lights 50c' (FIG. 3) to flash according
to the selected operating mode. Processor C.sub.P provides power
pulses to each light 50c' in the light array. Any suitable light
pattern such as sequential, random, two-on, two-off, etc. can be
provided by the processor. Each push button 122, 124, 143 has two
stable states, pushing the push button once turns the switch on and
pushing the push button again turns the associated function off. In
addition, processor C.sub.P is preferably programmed to turn off
any function in operation after a given time interval.
[0061] In a preferred embodiment, music push button switch 80
provides a control signal to processor C.sub.P which activates
speaker 138, and pulses lights 50c'. Mobile drive motor M.sub.M may
also have its rotation rate varied according to the position of
mode switch 112. Preferably, an analog music signal is sent to the
speaker 138, and the lights 50c' pulse with the rhythm of the
music. Processor C.sub.P preferably stores a plurality of tunes (in
a memory) which may be selected by continually depressing the music
push button switch 116. Alternatively, the music switch 116, when
activated, may provide only music, and the drive motor M.sub.M and
lights 50c' may be activated concurrently. A volume adjustment
controls 118, 120, respectively raise or lower the volume by
controlling the amplitude of a speaker amplifier (not shown) to
respectively raise or lower the volume of the sound produced by the
speaker. Alternatively, instead of music, the processor may provide
any other suitable signals to the speaker, including a human voice
recording.
[0062] A separate vibration switch V.sub.S may be provided to
control processor C.sub.P to energize the vibrator motor M.sub.V to
impart vibration to floor F. A vibration rate adjustment switch
S.sub.R, which is preferably a rotatable member, is configured to
raise or lower the current supplied to the vibration motor 60 and
thereby raise or lower the amplitude/frequency of vibration
imparted to floor F. By mounting the vibration unit V beneath the
floor F, floor F, and thus the infant, are vibrated.
[0063] A night light pushbutton switch 143 provides a signal to
processor C.sub.P to energize the night light. The LED which forms
part of the night light pushbutton serves as a means to monitor the
condition of the night light 142, whereby, if the LED is on and the
night light is off, this indicates that the night light needs to be
replaced. The motion detector, for example the motion detector 137,
provides a signal to processor C.sub.P, which, according to the
position of mode selection switch 112, controls the type of music
coupled to speaker 139 and controls the flashing (and fading) of
lights 50c', and if desired, the rotating speed of the mobile motor
MM. Alternatively, a switch V.sub.S, for controlling the speed and
time period of the vibration motor M.sub.V, may be provided at a
suitable location on control unit 60.
[0064] The operating push buttons/slide switches may be arranged in
any suitable pattern other than that shown in FIG. 9A. Also, the
push buttons may be replaced by other suitable switches without
departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
Although the mobile are 50' has been described above, it should be
understood that the amusement bar 50, containing lights 50c, is
also preferably provided with an on/off pushbutton similar in
design and function to pushbutton 136 provided on mobile are 50'.
This is also true of the unit 94' forming part of the stand-alone
play mat shown in FIG. 7C.
* * * * *