U.S. patent application number 11/135622 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-23 for articulating mobile.
Invention is credited to John P. Kearney, Marsha Merianos, Aidan John Petrie, Joseph P. Sejnowski.
Application Number | 20060264148 11/135622 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37074702 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060264148 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sejnowski; Joseph P. ; et
al. |
November 23, 2006 |
Articulating mobile
Abstract
An apparatus for entertaining a child, the apparatus including a
mobile body configured to attach to a side railing of a crib, a
plurality of arms pivotally extending from the mobile body along a
first end, and a motor operably connected to the arms and including
a controller. The arms articulate according to a predetermined
sequence of the controller.
Inventors: |
Sejnowski; Joseph P.; (North
Kingstown, RI) ; Kearney; John P.; (Attleboro Falls,
MA) ; Merianos; Marsha; (East Bridgewater, MA)
; Petrie; Aidan John; (Jamestown, RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON PC
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Family ID: |
37074702 |
Appl. No.: |
11/135622 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/227 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/227 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20060101
A63H033/00 |
Claims
1. An crib mobile comprising: a base configured to attach to a side
railing of a crib; a plurality of arms extending from the mobile
body along; and a motor operably connected to the arms, wherein the
arms articulate according to a predetermined sequence.
2. The mobile of claim 1, wherein the arms are attached to the
mobile body along a longitudinal axis.
3. The mobile of claim 2, wherein the arms move in parallel planes
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
4. The mobile of claim 1, wherein the predetermined sequence
comprises a substantially wavelike motion.
5. The mobile of claim 4 wherein the controller can adjust the
frequency of the wavelike motion.
6. The mobile of claim 4 wherein the controller can adjust the
amplitude of the wavelike motion.
7. The mobile of claim 1, wherein the predetermined sequence
comprises a sinusoidal function.
8. The mobile of claim 1, wherein the arms are each different
lengths.
9. The mobile of claim 1, wherein ornaments are attached to free
ends of the arms.
10. The mobile of claim 1, further comprising a flexible web
extending between the arms.
11. The mobile of claim 1, further comprising a speaker to play at
least one of sound effects and music.
12. The mobile of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of lights
configured to illuminate as a function of the movement of the
arms.
13. The mobile of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of
lights configured to illuminate as a function of at least one of
the sound effects and music.
14. The mobile of claim 1, further comprising a remote to control
the operation of the arms.
15. The mobile of claim 14, wherein the remote comprises an
infrared transmitter.
16. The mobile of claim 14, wherein the remote comprises an
radiofrequency transmitter.
17. A crib mobile comprising: a body attachable to a side railing
of a crib; a plurality of arms each extending from the body; and a
motor contained within the body and operably attached to the arms,
such that the motor drives each of the arms in similar oscillatory
motions and different phases, such that the motions of the arms
together simulate a wave motion.
18. The mobile of claim 17, wherein the arms are each different
lengths.
19. The mobile of claim 17, further comprising a controller,
wherein the controller can adjust a frequency of the wavelike
motion.
20. The mobile of claim 17, further comprising a controller,
wherein the controller can adjust an amplitude of the wavelike
motion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This description relates to devices for entertaining and
stimulating an infant.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Devices have been developed and configured to attach to a
crib to provide entertainment and stimulation to an infant. A
mobile is one such example.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one aspect, an apparatus includes a mobile body
configured to attach to a side railing of a crib, a number of arms
pivotally extending from the mobile body along at a first end, and
a motor operably connected to the arms and including a controller.
The arms articulate according to a predetermined sequence of the
controller.
[0004] In various examples, the mobile includes one or more of the
following features. The arms can be attached to the mobile body
along a longitudinal axis. The arms can be configured to move in
parallel planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The
predetermined sequence can include a substantially wavelike motion.
The controller provide a user with the capability to adjust the
frequency and/or the amplitude of the wavelike motion. The
predetermined sequence can include a sinusoidal function.
[0005] In certain constructions, the arms of the mobile are each
different lengths. Ornamental objects can be attached to the second
end of the arms. In some examples, a flexible web extends between
the arms. The mobile can also include a remote to control the
operation of the mobile with a radiofrequency or infrared signal,
for example. In further examples, the mobile includes a speaker to
play sound effects and/or music. The mobile can include a number of
lights configured to illuminate according to the movement of the
arms, the sound effects and/or music.
[0006] In another aspect, the mobile includes a mobile body
configured to attach to a side railing of a crib, a number of arms
pivotally extending from the mobile body and configured to
articulate according to a substantially wavelike motion, and a
motor operably connected to the arms and including a controller. In
some examples, the arms are each different lengths. In certain
examples, the controller can adjust the frequency and/or the
amplitude of the wavelike motion.
[0007] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent
from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of a mobile.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the mobile of FIG. 1 attached to a
crib.
[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B show the mobile of FIG. 1 with the
articulating arms in first and second positions, respectively.
[0011] FIG. 4A is a perspective exploded view of the mobile of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 4B is a detailed view of FIG. 4A showing the arms and
components for articulated the arms.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a remote for control of the
mobile of FIG. 1.
[0014] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, a
mobile 10 can include a base 15 and a number of arms 20a-20d
(collectively 20) which are pivotally connected at first ends
23a-23d at connectors 25a-25d disposed at a connector assembly 30
located on the base 10. The connectors 25 are configured to
articulate the arms 20 in a predetermined sequence. In the example
shown in the figures, the mobile 10 includes four arms 20 which are
arcuate and include connectors 25a-25d arranged collinearly along
the connector assembly 30. In other examples, the mobile includes a
greater number of arms 20 which are substantially linear and have
connectors 25 which are not arranged collinearly along the
connector assembly 30. The arms 20 can also be serpentine or
helical for example.
[0016] The base 15 can include an on/off switch 35 and a number of
other controls 40a-40e, which can include lights, for example. The
base 15 can include apertures 45 and a speaker positioned behind
the apertures for playing sound effects and/or music. The controls
40 can control features of the mobile 10 such as the illumination
of the lights contained within the on/off switch 35 and controls
40, the movement of the arms 20, and/or the type and duration of
the sound effect and/or music.
[0017] In some examples, a flexible web (not shown) can extend
between the arms 20. In certain examples, ornaments 50a-50d can be
attached to second ends 53a-53d of the arms 20 with a tether
55a-55d. The second ends 53 of arms 20 can be, for example, a loop.
The ornaments 50 can include stuffed animals such as a bird,
turtle, frog, butterfly and/or fish. During movement of the arms
20, the ornaments 50 move to entertain and stimulate the infant. In
some examples, supplemental ornaments 60a-60d can be attached
proximate the second end of the arms 20 to further adorn the mobile
10. The supplemental ornaments 60 can include, a leaf, for
example.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 2, the mobile 10 can be attached to
adjacent rails 70 of a crib 75 with a nut 80 which engages threaded
post 85 extending from a back side of the base 15. The nut 80 can
include one or more concavities 90 to permit the nut 80 to be
secured to the rails 70 without tools. As shown, the second ends 53
of the arms 20 project well above the interior of the crib 75 for
entertaining and stimulating an infant when the mobile 10 is in
use.
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a mobile 10 is shown with
arms 20 of differing length. In FIG. 3A, the longest arm 20d is
shown in the highest position, while in FIG. 3B the longest arm 20d
is shown in the lowest position. Beginning from one side of the
assembly 30, each arm 20 is progressively articulated outward in
the direction of arrow A and subsequently progressively articulated
inward, opposite the direction of arrow A according to a
predetermined sequence. In some examples, the motor drives the arms
20 in similar oscillatory motions and different phases, such that
the motions of the arms together simulate a wave motion. In certain
examples, the arms 20 are articulated according to sinusoidal
function. In some examples the arms 20 are articulated
substantially randomly. Other predetermined sequential movement of
the arms is contemplated. FIG. 3B also depicts a web 98 extending
between the arms 20 to for an alternative simulated wave
motion.
[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a front housing 100 and a
rear housing 105 define the base 15 of the mobile 10. The front
housing 100 includes a slot 103 sized to receive a top front cover
104 and the arms 20. The rear housing 105 can include a battery
access door 107. The arms 20 are each connected at the first ends
23 to rockers 110a-110d and rocker inners 115a-115d. The rocker
inners 115 engage a cam 120 which rotates about a cam shaft 125 to
rotate the rocker inners 115 about a rocker shaft 127 and
articulate the arms 20 according to a predetermined sequence. The
cam 120 and cam shaft 125 are operably linked to a motor 130 by a
gear train 135, a clutch 140 and a rocker axle clutch gear 145. The
clutch 140 and clutch gear 145 disengages the cam shaft 125 from
the motor 130 should the arms 20 become obstructed. The arms 20 can
be biased in or against the direction of the arrow A (FIG. 3) by
spring elements 150a-150d.
[0021] The motor 130 is disposed within first and second motor
covers 155, 160, respectively, which are all positioned between the
first, second, third and fourth motor housing covers 165, 170, 175
and 180, respectively.
[0022] The base 15 includes a main controller 200 and a main switch
205. Both the main controller and the main switch 200, 205, can be
printed circuit boards, for example, and are secured to the front
housing 100 by first and second controller supports 207, 209,
respectively. The main switch 205 is operably connected to the
controllers 40 to control the movement of the arms 20, the
illuminations of controllers 40 and/or the sound effects and music.
A speaker 210 is positioned in a speaker mount 215 proximate to the
apertures 45 of the front housing 100.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 5, a remote 220 include a remote base
225, at least one remote switch 230 and an antenna 235. In one
embodiment, the antenna 235 is arcuate to serve as a hook for
hanging the remote 220 in a convenient location. The remote 220 is
configured to wirelessly communicate with the main controller 200
of the mobile 10 by an infrared or radiofrequency signal, for
example. A corresponding infrared or radiofrequency receiver can be
located on the base 15 (not shown). In various examples, the remote
220 can control the movement of the arms 20, the illuminations of
controllers 40 and/or the sound effects and music of the mobile
10.
[0024] A number of embodiments of the invention have been
described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within
the scope of the following claims.
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