U.S. patent application number 11/595208 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for sleep inducing and/or comforting device for infants.
This patent application is currently assigned to Julian Charles Glatt. Invention is credited to David Anthony Edgerley, Julian Charles Glatt.
Application Number | 20070060015 11/595208 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32526865 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070060015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Glatt; Julian Charles ; et
al. |
March 15, 2007 |
Sleep inducing and/or comforting device for infants
Abstract
A device for comforting and/or inducing sleep in an infant
comprising a hollow body or other vibration transmitting means
disposable at least partially beneath an infant's body or beneath
or within a mattress or other body upon which an infant is laid,
the space within the hollow body when provided, containing only a
liquid and having at least one moveable or flexible wall portion or
region permitting the body to change in volume in response to a
change in the pressure of the liquid within the hollow body, the
hollow body being in liquid communication or the transmitting means
being in mechanical connection with a signal generator by means of
an elongate tube or rod respectively whereby the signal generator
can be placed at location remote from the hollow body or
transmitting means, the signal generator, in use, producing
pressure pulses in the liquid contained within the hollow body or
vibrational movement of a predetermined pattern of varied frequency
and magnitude, the pressure pulses causing vibrational movement of
the moveable or flexible wall portion or region of the hollow body
or the transmitting means, wherein the signal generator comprises a
closed chamber or mechanical connection and an electrically powered
voice coil or solenoid operatively connected to a flexible or
moveable region of the closed chamber, the closed chamber being in
fluid communication with the hollow body by means of the elongate
tube or the means otherwise, the voice coil or solenoid being
operatively connected to a programmable electronic controller
whereby the flexible or moveable region of the closed chamber or
the means can be reciprocated at a predetermined pattern or varied
frequency and magnitude.
Inventors: |
Glatt; Julian Charles;
(London, GB) ; Edgerley; David Anthony; (London,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAM COLLARD;COLLARD & ROE, P.C.
1077 NORTHERN BOULEVARD
ROSLYN
NY
11576
US
|
Assignee: |
Glatt; Julian Charles
|
Family ID: |
32526865 |
Appl. No.: |
11/595208 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/GB05/01782 |
May 9, 2005 |
|
|
|
11595208 |
Nov 10, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/227 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 21/006 20130101;
A47D 9/04 20130101; A61M 2021/0022 20130101; A61M 21/02 20130101;
A61M 21/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/227 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20060101
A63H033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 11, 2004 |
GB |
0410537.5 |
Claims
1. A device for comforting and/or inducing sleep in an infant
comprising a hollow body disposable at least partially beneath an
infant's body or beneath or within a mattress or other body upon
which an infant is laid, the space within said hollow body
containing only a liquid and having at least one moveable or
flexible wall portion or region permitting the body to change in
volume in response to a change in the pressure of the liquid within
the hollow body, said hollow body being in liquid communication
with a signal generator by means of an elongate tube whereby the
signal generator can be placed at location remote from the hollow
body, said signal generator, in use, producing pressure pulses in
the liquid contained within said hollow body of a predetermined
pattern of varied frequency and magnitude, said pressure pulses
causing vibrational movement of the moveable or flexible wall
portion or region of the hollow body, wherein the signal generator
comprises a closed chamber and an electrically powered voice coil
or solenoid operatively connected to a flexible or moveable region
of said closed chamber, said closed chamber being in fluid
communication with said hollow body by means of said elongate tube,
said voice coil or solenoid being operatively connected to a
programmable electronic controller whereby said flexible or
moveable region of said closed chamber can be reciprocated at a
predetermined pattern or varied frequency and magnitude.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a single elongate tube
is provided.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal generator
is capable of producing vibration of the moveable or flexible
region of the hollow body at a frequency of between 1 and 40
Hz.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid contained
within the hollow body comprises water.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible or
moveable wall portion of the hollow body includes a flexible
diaphragm forming a wall of the liquid containing part of the
hollow body connected in displacing relationship to an upper
moveable plate member for transmitting the vibrations to an infant
or to the mattress on which an infant is placed or to be
placed.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the total volume of
the fluid contained with the device is less than 200 cm.sup.3,
possibly about 100 cm.sup.3 or preferably greater.
7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
said elongate tube is flexible.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow body
comprises a flexible bladder.
9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow body
comprises a first rigid portion, said at least one moveable or
flexible wall portion or region comprising a rigid wall section
joined to said first rigid portion of the hollow body by means of a
flexible diaphragm whereby said first rigid portion, diaphragm and
rigid wall section together define a closed chamber.
10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said rigid wall
section includes a substantially circular liquid containing portion
as part of a base plate member, said diaphragm being connected
between the periphery of said circular portion and an opening in
said first rigid portion.
11. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which the signal generator
is such as to cause vibrational movement of a frequency and
magnitude simulating the motion experienced by an infant when
travelling in a buggy or other vehicle.
12. The device as claimed in claim 8, in which the flexible bladder
forms a mattress or over mattress and comprises a flexible body
partially divided into a plurality of interconnected compartments
filled with liquid.
13. A device for comforting and/or inducing sleep in an infant
comprising a movement or vibration transmitting member, disposable
at least partially beneath an infant's body or beneath or within a
mattress or other support means upon which an infant is laid, the
transmitting member or device having at least one vibratable
portion or region permitting the member or device to transmit
vibrations communicated from a signal generator by means of an
elongate mechanical vibration communicating means whereby the
signal generator can be placed at location remote from the
vibration transmitting device, said signal generator, in use,
producing vibrations in the transmitting member of a predetermined
pattern of varied frequency and magnitude, wherein the signal
generator comprises an electrically powered voice coil or solenoid
with the moving part thereof being operatively connected to one end
of said elongate mechanical vibration communicating means, said
voice coil or solenoid being operatively connected to a
programmable electronic controller whereby said vibration
transmitting member can be reciprocated at a predetermined pattern
or varied frequency and magnitude.
14. The device as claimed in claim 13, in which the vibration
communicating means is inertial (either done with a single rod and
a weighted voice coil) or by mechanical push or pull means (such as
with a Bowden cable, rigid or flexible or concentric rod type).
15. The device as claimed in claim 14, whenever in contact with a
cot or bed having a slatted/perforated suspended floor wherein the
rod is passed therethrough, and the vibration transmitting device
is located under a mattress.
16. A device for comforting and/or inducting sleep in an infant
comprising a vibration transmitting member disposable at least
partially beneath an infant's body or beneath or within a mattress
or other body upon which an infant is laid, the transmitting member
having at least one vibratable part, portion or region permitting
the member to transmit vibrations communicating from a signal
generator by means of an elongate mechanical vibration
communicating means whereby the signal generator can be placed at
location remote from the hollow body, said signal generator, in
use, producing vibrations in the transmitting member of a
predetermined pattern of varied frequency and magnitude, wherein
the signal generator comprises an electrically powered, weighted
voice coil or solenoid suspended by a rod connected to the
non-weighted side of the voice coil such that the reactive forces
created in accelerating the weighted side of the voice coil up and
down are transmitted through the rigid rod to the vibration
transmitting means/platen to create inertial vibrations, said voice
coil or solenoid being operatively connected to a programmable
electronic controller whereby said flexible or moveable region of
said vibration transmitting member can be reciprocated at a
predetermined pattern or varied frequency and magnitude.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 of
International Application No. PCT/GB2005/001782, filed on May 9,
2005, which claims priority from Great Britain Application No.
0410537.5, filed on May 11, 2004.
[0002] The present invention relates to a device for inducing sleep
and/or comforting infants and more particularly a device for
inducing sleep and/or comforting infants by inducing a vibrational
motion to the infant simulating the motion an infant experiences
when travelling in a moving buggy. Parents know, through
experience, that such movements can help calm restless babies.
Typical buggy movements have been recorded and measured, and have
been found to cover a frequency spectrum ranging from sub 1 Hz to
approximately 30 Hz, with peaks at about 1-4 Hz (a walking rhythm),
and at 12-18 Hz (activity and motion), with lower amplitude, random
gentle vibrations filling out the remainder of the spectrum as
`brown noise`.
[0003] Whilst prior art devices, such as that disclosed in GB
2,359,994, are known comprising an air inflatable bladder which can
be placed beneath an infant and connected to a reciprocating pump
for generating cyclic pulses to simulate the rhythm of a mother's
heartbeat as experienced by a baby in the womb, such prior art
devices are not suitable for reproducing the frequency range or
magnitude of the complex vibrations experienced by an infant when
travelling in a buggy. The prior art devices cannot produce the
vibrations experienced by an infant travelling in a moving vehicle,
which are also known to induce sleep in infants. Parents can use
the present invention to simulate all these types of
vibrations.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,072 discloses a mattress for infants
which supports the whole child and has a rotary fluid pump which
pumps fluid into the mattress via an inlet conduit and the fluid is
returned via a separate conduit. WO 0213753 discloses a pulsating
device which circulates water via multiple water transfer tubes in
a foam-filled bed or mattress to prevent buckling and impede water
flow.
[0005] Alternative devices such as bassinets and baby chairs with
built-in vibration inducing means are commercially available and
marketed as having a calming and sleep inducing effect; generally
the said vibration inducing means are battery powered, motor
driven, eccentrically rotating bob weights, providing one or more
constant speeds of rotation and frequencies of vibration. The
vibrations these devices induce are repetitive, insistent and
restricted to the set frequency; they do not simulate well the type
of motion a baby will experience when being carried in a buggy, a
moving vehicle, or by a walking person. The movements the present
invention seeks to induce are gentler, more variable and made up of
a complex spectrum of frequencies.
[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a
device for comforting and/or inducing sleep in an infant comprising
a hollow body disposable at least partially beneath an infant's
body or beneath a mattress or other body upon which an infant is
laid, said hollow body containing a liquid and having at least one
moveable or flexible wall portion or region permitting the body to
change in volume in response to a change in the pressure of the
liquid within the hollow body, said hollow body being in liquid
communication with a signal generator by means of an elongate tube
whereby the signal generator can be placed at a location remote
from the hollow body, said signal generator, in use, producing
pressure pulses in the liquid contained within said hollow body of
a predetermined pattern of varied frequency and magnitude, said
pressure pulses causing vibrational movement of the moveable or
flexible wall portion or region of the hollow body of a frequency
and magnitude such as preferably simulating the motion experienced
by an infant when travelling in or being carried by a buggy or
other moving vehicle. Preferably at least a portion of the elongate
tube is flexible. The device of the invention defines a closed
liquid system which transmits the movements created by the signal
generator to the hollow body disposed under the infant by means of
pressure pulses and small oscillations in the liquid. The liquid
carrying cavities of the device are as small as is compatible with
transmitting these movements efficiently and accurately; these
cavities are not filled with foam nor any other material (other
than liquid) that may adversely affect the transmission of the
signals in contrast to one of the prior art disclosures.
[0007] Preferably a single elongate tube is provided although it is
considered possible to have multiple tubes leading to multiple
bags/hollow bodies (even smaller ones), or more than one tube
leading to one bag, so long as the water does not circulate.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment the signal generator comprises a
closed chamber and an electrically powered voice coil or solenoid
operatively connected to a flexible or moveable region of said
closed chamber, said closed chamber being in fluid communication
with said hollow body by means of said elongate tube, said voice
coil or solenoid being operatively connected to a programmable
electronic controller whereby said flexible or moveable region of
said closed chamber can be reciprocated at predetermined patterns
or varied frequency and magnitude. Preferably the signal generator
is capable of producing vibration of the moveable or flexible
region of the hollow body at a frequency of between 1 and 40 Hz
(1-40 cycles per second) contoured noise. Note that the complex
vibrations needed are created from the combination of a contoured
spectrum of frequencies (a number of different frequencies of
between 1 and 40 Hz overlaid one on top of another), not just from
one frequency. This is what is known as `noise`, and is the type of
vibrations the infant encounters in a buggy or being carried. A
number of excitation patterns might be provided. Preferably the
signal generator and all electrical components and components
emitting electromagnetic radiation are placed outside the infant's
cot or bassinet, some distance from the infant.
[0009] Preferably the liquid contained within the hollow body
comprises an inert, safe, relatively incompressible liquid. In a
preferred embodiment the liquid is water or more viscous liquid/gel
combination that is still capable of transmitting the vibrations.
The total volume of the liquid contained with the device may be
less than 200 cm.sup.3, possibly about 100 cm.sup.3 but preferably
greater.
[0010] In one embodiment, the hollow body, to be filled only with
liquid, may comprise a flexible bladder. Alternatively the hollow
body may comprise a first rigid portion, and said at least one
moveable or flexible wall portion or region comprises a rigid wall
section joined to said first rigid portion of the hollow body by
means of a flexible diaphragm whereby said first rigid portion of
the hollow body and the diaphragm together define a closed chamber.
The diaphragm may be clamped to said first rigid portion of the
hollow body by a substantially circular plate like member with a
corresponding opening within which the diaphragm sits, holding and
sealing the periphery of the diaphragm against the first rigid
portion of the hollow body. The said moveable rigid wall section
attached to the diaphragm, when positioned under a mattress, will
spread the movement of the diaphragm over a larger area of the
mattress.
[0011] In an alternative embodiment of the invention the liquid
transmission means is replaced by a mechanical one such that a
device for comforting and/or inducing sleep in an infant comprises
a movement or vibration transmitting member, disposable at least
partially beneath an infant's body or beneath or within a mattress
or other support means upon which an infant is laid, the
transmitting member or device having at least one vibratable
portion or region permitting the member or device to transmit
vibrations communicated from a signal generator by means of an
elongate mechanical vibration communicating means whereby the
signal generator can be placed at location remote from the
vibration transmitting device, said signal generator, in use,
producing vibrations in the transmitting member of a predetermined
pattern of varied frequency and magnitude, wherein the signal
generator comprises an electrically powered voice coil or solenoid
with the moving part thereof being operatively connected to one end
of said elongate mechanical vibration communicating means, said
voice coil or solenoid being operatively connected to a
programmable electronic controller whereby said vibration
transmitting member can be reciprocated at a predetermined pattern
or varied frequency and magnitude.
[0012] The vibration transmitting means includes biasing means such
as a spring or other resilient means providing a restorative force
against the displacements in a direction caused by the vibrator
communication means to provide effective vibration transmission.
The inventive steps on the mechanical system include a) using a
voice coil and b) also by using springs to tension each end of the
Bowden cable so that it can transmit both push and pull forces
(without springs it could not easily push, especially for example,
as the inner core of a Bowden cable is flexible).
[0013] The present invention will be described further, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a device according to a first
embodiment of the invention, including schematic illustration of
the solenoid and electronics;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a device similar to that of
FIG. 1 but wherein the tube is bent and leads to the signal
generator which is in a housing containing the electronics,
solenoid and driving chamber and other controls;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the device of FIG. 1
taken along line A-A;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view of a first part of
the device of FIG. 1 sectioned along line A-A;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective sectional view of a second part of
the device of FIG. 1 sectioned along line A-A;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 of a slightly
modified hollow body;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the hollow body of FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view from above of an infant
comforting device forming a second embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 8;
[0023] FIG. 10 is an end elevation of the device of FIG. 9;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a schematic side elevational section of a device
with a mechanical connection between a voice coil/solenoid and a
movement transmission member forming a third embodiment of the
invention;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a section on the line A-A of FIG. 11;
[0026] FIG. 13 is an enlarged detail at B of FIG. 12; and
[0027] FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail of the voice coil and cable
connection part of FIG. 12;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the device of
FIG. 12, for example;
[0029] FIG. 16 is an enlarged exploded view of portion E of FIG.
15;
[0030] FIG. 17 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of portion
D of FIG. 15;
[0031] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the other side of the
rocking platen;
[0032] FIG. 19 is a schematic side elevation of a third embodiment
of the invention wherein a voice coil depends from a resiliently
mounted vibration transmission platen device by means of a
connecting rod which links the voice coil vibration generator with
the platen;
[0033] FIG. 20 is a plan from above of the apparatus of FIG.
19;
[0034] FIG. 21 is an enlarged section on the line A-A of FIG.
19;
[0035] FIG. 22 is an exploded schematic perspective view generally
of the device of FIGS. 19 and 21;
[0036] FIG. 23 is an enlarged detail of the region in the upper
left hand part of FIG. 21 showing the rubber diaphragm between the
platen and base.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings, the device forming
a first embodiment of the invention comprises a hollow body 1
defining a relatively thin, flat chamber or pad having a
substantially square outline encased in a fabric envelope or cover
2. The hollow body 1 includes a moveable upper wall section 3
joined to the remainder of the hollow body 1 by means of a flexible
diaphragm 4 such that the volume of the chamber defined by the
hollow body 1 can vary in response to a variation of the pressure
of a liquid within the chamber. The diaphragm 4 is of sufficient
flexibility and dimensions such that the wall section 3 can
reciprocate through a sufficient distance to simulate the desired
vibrations. As cots and bassinets are of different sizes, and as it
is intended that this device has universal application, the first
part of this device does not cover the whole mattress area of a cot
or bassinet. This first part of the device is likely to be placed
under the cot mattress, creating vibrations through the mattress.
The first part of the device should be thin and not affect the
general comfort of the infant.
[0038] The hollow body 1 is connected to a first end of a single
flexible, elongate tube 5 such that the interior of the tube 5 is
in liquid communication with the chamber defined by the hollow body
1. This elongate tube 5, which will be laid under a mattress, must
be sufficiently small in diameter not to discomfort an infant. It
should also carry liquid pressure pulses efficiently so that the
signal generator uses as little power as possible, as it will be
driven by a low voltage transformer. As little as possible liquid
in the pulsations should pass down the tube; this can be achieved
by minimising the swept volume of the diaphragm of the first part
of the device.
[0039] The second end of the elongate tube 5 is connected to a
signal generator unit 6 (this is just the body of the device--the
signal generator is not shown in detail in the drawings) comprising
a driving chamber 7 in fluid communication with the interior of the
tube 5, and thus the chamber defined by the hollow body 1, said
driving chamber 7 having a moveable wall 8 joined to the body of
the driving chamber 7 by means of a flexible diaphragm 9. The
moveable wall 8 of the driving chamber forms part of or is
connected to the armature 10A of a voice coil or solenoid 10
including electronic control box 10B by means of which the moveable
wall 8 can be driven in response to an electrical signal supplied
to the voice coil from an electronic control unit (not shown).
[0040] In the modification of FIG. 2, which is a perspective view
illustrating casing/chamber 10B for the signal generator enclosing
the electronics, solenoid and driving chamber, a control 10C is
provided to alter the vibration pattern (may also include a timer
to switch it off), and the tube is bent so that the signal
generator enclosure can rest on the floor outside the infant's
cot.
[0041] The closed volume defined by the driving chamber 7, flexible
elongate tube 5 and the chamber defined by the hollow body 1 is
filled with a relatively incompressible liquid such as water such
that movement of the moveable wall 8 of the driving chamber 7
causes a variation in pressure in the liquid leading to a
corresponding movement of the moveable wall section 3 of the hollow
body 1. Thus it will be appreciated the system is a closed or
sealed liquid system, without valves, and also is a non-circulatory
system i.e. the liquid is not pumped through the hollow body via
separate inlet and outlets. Also, the vibrations will not be simple
sinusoidal ones.
[0042] Preferably the liquid comprises water such that any leaks
pose no health risk to the infant. The total volume of the closed
volume defined by the driving chamber 7, flexible elongate tube 5
and the chamber defined by the hollow body is approximately 100
cm.sup.3. Accordingly, even a total failure of the device leading
to the loss of all water from said closed volume will only result
in a minimal spillage. Using a small volume of incompressible
liquid will make the transmission of vibrations from the signal
generator to the first part of the device efficient. The size of
the pad or hollow body will be approximately 160 mm square and as
thin as possible (at present about 12 mm). Extendable arms (much
the same shape as a ruler) or some other foldable thin structure
that swing or slide out (two, three or four of them) may be
attached to the top member of the hollow body, to spread the
vibrations more widely under a mattress (foldable/removable for
shipping).
[0043] In use, the hollow body 1 is placed beneath a mattress or
other body upon which an infant is to be laid and the signal
generator unit 6 is placed at a convenient location remote from
said mattress by virtue of the elongate flexible tube 5. It is to
be appreciated that the thin flat chamber comprising the hollow
body is considerably smaller than the size of a mattress as it is
intended to be used in conjunction with such, e.g. within a pocket
therein, or under such to adapt such, or with another body such as
a foldable fleece, or is considerably smaller than the cradle,
cot/bassinet it is to be used in.
[0044] The electronic control unit is programmed with a recording
of the movements and vibrations experienced by an infant when
travelling in a buggy or other vehicle. The electronic control
unit, which can be powered by batteries or a mains transformer, can
be operated to output an electronic signal to the voice coil to
generate a vibrational movement of the moveable wall 8 of the
driving chamber 7. Such vibrational movement is transmitted to the
moveable wall section 3 of the hollow body 1 via the liquid
contained within the closed volume defined by the driving chamber
7, flexible elongate tube 5 and the chamber defined by the hollow
body 1 such that the movement of the moveable wall section 3 of the
hollow body 1 induces a vibrational movement to an infant resting
on the mattress under which the hollow body 1 is placed, said
vibrational movement having a magnitude and frequency simulating
that experienced by an infant when travelling in a buggy, thus
comforting the infant and/or inducing sleep in the infant.
[0045] The device can be placed beneath the normal mattress of the
cot in which the baby is laid, requiring no modification of the
mattress. However, it is envisaged that the hollow body 1 of the
device could be placed within a pocket or recess in the mattress or
be placed directly beneath the infant's body, if desired.
[0046] In FIGS. 6 and 7, a slightly modified hollow body 1A is
illustrated and comprises a rectangular or square outlined base
plate 11 having a central annular raised portion 12 defining a
central liquid retaining region 13 into which a tubular part 14
opens at one end and, at its other end, communicates with the first
end of the single flexible elongate tube 5 (not shown in FIGS. 6,
7). A flexible diaphragm 15 formed of elastomer material seats in a
shoulder of portion 12 and defines the upper wall of the liquid
retaining region 13. A tubular part 16 extends from the edge of
base plate 11 through the portion 12 to enable filling of the
device/system after which it is closed and sealed.
[0047] The diaphragm 15 is sealingly clamped in position on its
seat on plate 11 by means of an annular diaphragm retainer 17 and
held in position by known means (not shown). The diaphragm 15 has a
central annular upstanding wall portion 15A which securely fits
into a central aperture 18A in a recessed portion 18B of a top
plate or moveable body 18, which is likely to be relatively stiff,
which can be moved up and down (by flexing and/or other
displacement) under the influence of the movement of the diaphragm
15 itself displaceable by pressure pulses in the water caused by
the signal generator.
[0048] Components 11, 15, 17 and 18 are all contained within an
outer fabric envelope or bag 19 of similar outline illustrated as a
perspective view from above and having an opening in the left-hand
side 19A. It is believed a clearer understanding will result of the
construction of the hollow body 1 of FIG. 4 which is similar and
shows the hollow body within its outer fabric bag.
[0049] Whilst the hollow body of the device according to the
preferred embodiment is disclosed as comprising a rigid body having
a moveable wall portion joined thereto by means of a flexible
diaphragm, it is envisaged that the hollow body might comprise a
one piece flexible bladder or similar hollow flexible body.
[0050] To illustrate such an alternative, FIG. 8 is a perspective
view from above of a second embodiment of the invention wherein a
voice coil or solenoid with moving part and actuator 20 has a
moving part which acts on a fluid, in a similar manner to FIGS. 1
to 7, and which is contained within chambers and conduits including
pipe 21 in fluid communication via inlet 22 with a rectangular
flexible hollow body 23 which has a plurality of interconnected
liquid receiving compartments 24 filled with liquid, such as water
or water/gel, and which body 23 is to act as a mattress or an over
mattress, positioned over and covering a mattress (not shown) on
which an infant is to lie. The hollow body 23 is produced by
welding or otherwise bonding together two layers/sheets of flexible
material along a matrix of plastics interrupted weld lines to form
seams 25 with flow spaces to form the interconnected liquid
containing chambers and a single inlet passage 22. The liquid
containing chambers 24 contain only liquid. The voice coil and
actuator has the characteristics as described elsewhere herein.
[0051] The hollow body may form a mattress itself or an over
mattress.
[0052] A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.
11 to 18 and involves a mechanical link means in the form of a
Bowden cable 29 to connect the moving part 26 of a voice coil 27 or
solenoid to a movement or vibration transmission member or platen
28.
[0053] Whilst as a broad concept the mechanical link means may be a
concentric (rigid or flexible) rod and tube with the rod attached
to the moving part of the voice coil and to the platen or other
movement transmission means or vibrator unit in contact with the
mattress. The outer tube is attached to the stationary part of the
voice coil and to the base plate of the vibrator unit under the
mattress in the cot. This works most simply if the rod and tube are
rigid, so that they can both push and pull without flexing to
generate movement in the actuator. If forces and movement are to be
transmitted from the voice coil to the platen, and it is not done
with inertia, one side of the voice coil must be connected
mechanically to one side of the platen (top, for example) and the
other side of the voice coil to the other side of the platen (base,
for example). One of these connecting mechanical links (e.g. the
outer sheath of the cable) will be in compression when the inner
core is in tension (i.e. one pushing, the other pulling). In that
way a force is transmitted which moves the top of the platen in
relation to the bottom (it creates a force between the two parts of
the platen). As we are transmitting vibrations, the forces
reciprocate, so the two connecting links are cycling between
tension and compression and are 180.degree. out of phase with each
other (one in tension while the other in compression and vice
versa). The springs allow one of these mechanical links to be a
wire (a wire cannot transmit a compression along its length--it
will buckle). The rod may either have to come out horizontally,
with the voice coil outside the cot at mattress level, or
vertically downwards or upwards and if upwards the rod and tube may
be positioned on the edge of the mattress beside the wall of a cot.
If downwards, the cot floor may be slatted or at least have regular
holes in it at least 10 mm in diameter, so that the rod and tube
can pass through the floor of the cot to connect a voice coil below
the floor of the cot to a platen above it. The rod and tube do not
need to be concentric; they could be parallel to each other, but
concentricity will mean that the outer sheath is stationary, which
is advantageous.
[0054] As illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 18, the vibration
communication means comprises a concentric rod and tube which are
flexible--in other words a Bowden cable 29, such as used for
example for bicycle brakes, and is connected to a vibration
transmission means 35 whose main parts are platen 28 and base 37.
The inner `rod` is a wire 30 and the outer tube 31 a coiled
flexible sheath 3. It is important to ensure the devices runs
quietly and as efficiently as possible. To enable this the inner
wire 30 is tensioned with a spring 32 at the voice coil 33 end
where it is connected to moving part 26 and the spring 34 at the
platen 28 end (which instead could be rubber or other resilient
means). Thus this link is to be used with a voice coil instead of
the earlier described hydraulic system and is potentially more
efficient at the appropriate frequencies. The Bowden cable 29 at
the platen end has its outer sheath abutting a stop 37A and the
inner wire 30 is held in a lug or rocker arm 36 which is
displaceable by the vibrations transmitted from the voice coil 33.
The platen 28 is resiliently mounted via spring 34 on base 37 and
spring 34 acts to restore or return platen 28 to its position prior
to displacements by the cable 29 under the action of voice coil 33
and to tension cable 29. FIGS. 12 to 18 illustrate the same
construction of vibration transmission means or rocking device.
[0055] In FIGS. 15 to 18 greater details of the coil 33 and the
vibration transmission means 35 are illustrated. The vibration
transmission means comprises the two cantilever arms forming base
37 and platen 28 or as shown comprising tapered platen 28 having
pivot parts 38 either side of a rocker arm 36 for attachment at one
end of the wire 36 of a Bowden cable (which may be flexible or
rigid but as shown is flexible as mentioned). The normally
underside of platen 28 has a recess 39 forming a seat for a spring
34 which seat in a similar recess 37B in a base member 37 which
latter member is generally pointed or tapered and the platen 28 and
base member 37 each have a recess to accommodate such. Base 37 has
co-operating pivot connections 40 which co-operate with pivot parts
38 to provide a pivotal axis for the platen 28 which is to be
located generally below a mattress (not shown). A tubular collar
37A is provided on the base 37 and acts as a stop for the outer
sleeve 30 of the Bowden cable 29. The wire 31 is secured to rocker
arm 36 and causes vibrations to be transmitted to the platen
28--the return spring 34 acting between the platen 28 and base 37
to enable such.
[0056] A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 19 to 24 wherein what might be termed an `inertial`
arrangement is illustrated. The device 40 comprises a voice coil or
solenoid 41 housed in a two-part casing comprising a lower case 42
and an upper case part 43. The voice coil 41 is provided in the
casing and has a moving part 47 and the central section of the
voice coil moves relative to the outer-the outer annulus of the
voice coil is heavy and the centre section is attached to the lower
case 42. The voice coil has three active elements--the inner coil,
the outer annular magnet and the spring/motion control feature
ensuring the inner and outer move concentrically and revert when no
signal is applied to a neutral position referred to as the "voice
coil spring" and it is to be noted the corrugated diaphragm is the
device that performs this function. The outer annulus of the voice
coil, which may be additionally weighted, is accelerated up and
down by the electrical signal, and the reaction forces from the
central section of the voice coil are transmitted through the lower
case to the upper case, the connecting rod and thence to the upper
platen which itself is mounted on four rubber diaphragm springs
44'.
[0057] The voice coil 41 is two parts--the inner section of the
voice coil is mounted to the lower case; the outer section of the
voice coil can move freely (though it will have to be held with a
spring in a neutral point relative to the inner part). The outer
section of the voice coil is heavy; accelerating it up and down (by
passing a signal through the voice coil) generates reactive forces
in the inner part of the voice coil, which are transmitted through
the case and rod to the platen mounted on the rubber diaphragm
springs. The extra step on the inertial system is using a voice
coil to generate the vibrations.
[0058] A connecting rod 45 is secured to the top of the upper
casing 43 and the casing 42, 43 and coil 41 are thus suspended
therefrom The upper end of the rod 45 is secured to a vibration
transmitting device 46 which will be supportable on a surface of a
cot or mattress. To enable this, the device will have to be
separable and the rod 45 inserted in an aperture or passage in the
cot or like prior to reconnection.
[0059] The device 46 comprises a lower platen 47 having a through
passage for the end of rod 45 to pass and be connected to an upper
platen 48 and be connected in the centre. The platen 48 is
resiliently mounted on platen 47 by four rubber diaphragm springs
44, somewhat similar in appearance to four rubber grommets, but
which engage with each platen 47, 48 and space such apart and
enable vibration of platen 48 when such receives vibrations from
the voice coil 41 via rod 45.
[0060] Thus the voice coil is contained in a casing below the cot
floor suspended by a single rod from a platen above the cot floor
and the central moving coil of the voice coil is attached to the
casing and the heavy outer annulus of the voice coil suspended in a
neutral position relative to the central moving coil by a spring
and free to move up and down relative to the central moving coil
under the influence of the forces created by the electrical signal
applied to the voice coil and the spring. Springs or resilient
means 44 are again used in the under mattress vibrator unit 46 to
allow movement between the platen and the base plate of the
vibrator unit, and a spring (shown as the corrugated section of the
voice coil) in the voice coil 41 to centre the two sides of the
voice coil in a neutral position. This unit will only be able to be
placed under the cot and, as with the rigid concentric-drive will
need holes/slots in the cot floor to pass the rod through.
[0061] Thus one side of the voice coil is below the cot floor
suspended on a single rigid rod, connecting a mass (a heavy(ish)
weight to the other side of the voice coil. Springs or resilient
means 57 are again used in the under mattress vibrator unit 54 to
allow movement between the platen and the base plate of the
vibrator unit, and in the voice coil 49 to centre the two sides of
the voice coil when under the influence of the mass (weight). This
unit will only be able to be placed under the cot and, as with the
rigid concentric drive will need holes/slots in the cot floor to
pass the rod through. (It is important to note that there is
intended to describe embodiments of the fluid arrangement where the
vibration transmitting means or the actuator is large enough to be
placed in the cot (under the mattress in the same designs) or it
either being a mattress topper (water or gel filled) that sits on
the mattress or has the entire mattress itself and creating
vibrations in the topper or mattress with a voice coil attached to
a chamber located outside the cot connected via a tube to the
topper in a similar manner to the existing invention. Alternatively
a mechanical rather than fluid connection from the voice coil to
the actuator is envisaged.
[0062] The signal generator drives a small diaphragm and in the
liquid link embodiment efficiency is increased by using a single
small bore tube or pipe.
[0063] The device generally may be operated remotely, preferably by
means of a wireless controller to enable a parent to operate the
device from a distance. The electronic control unit may include
timer means to enable the device to be operated for a
pre-determined time interval, automatically switching off after a
pre-determined duration or at a predetermined time. Alternatively,
or additionally, the device may be activated in response to the
sound or movement of the baby and may operate for a pre-determined
period thereafter.
[0064] Whilst the device according to the present invention is
described for use in a cot or bassinet, it may be used in many
other situations where a calming vibration is required.
[0065] Preferably the device does not create just one pattern of
vibrations but rather different ones can be selected and preferably
the vibrations are complex, created from a number of different
frequencies of different magnitudes that are overlaid/combined to
create the required vibrations (which is why a voice coil is a
particularly suitable means for doing this). Further, the moving
wall of the hollow body follows the pulses in the liquid accurately
and the `vibrational movement` of the moving wall of the hollow
body more clearly to the patterns of excitation created by the
signal generator.
* * * * *