U.S. patent application number 12/012333 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-06 for infant rocker bed.
This patent application is currently assigned to Gold Bug, Inc.. Invention is credited to Paul Fair, Jamie Kummerfeld, Lynn Rosen.
Application Number | 20090193582 12/012333 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40930202 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090193582 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kummerfeld; Jamie ; et
al. |
August 6, 2009 |
Infant rocker bed
Abstract
A rocker bed assembly for infants includes upper and lower
hollow frame members that join with a mid-section frame via
respective hinge members. The hinge members, which include push
button release mechanisms, are positioned on each side of the
rocker bed along the upper portion and lower frame portions and
function to position the respective frame members relative to the
mid-section frame. The release mechanisms enable pivoting of the
frame members, and therefore, the rocker bed, between an opened,
fully extended position and closed, folded position. The
mid-section frame forms a slightly curved base for engaging a
support surface. A flexible fabric covering is stretched tautly
about the frame assembly to provide a support surface for the
infant lying thereon. The taut covering, combined with the curved
base, allow the bed to be rocked by the motion of the infant or by
a caregiver.
Inventors: |
Kummerfeld; Jamie; (Wheat
Ridge, CO) ; Fair; Paul; (Denver, CO) ; Rosen;
Lynn; (Parker, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
REILLY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW FIRM
1325 East 16th Avenue
DENVER
CO
80218
US
|
Assignee: |
Gold Bug, Inc.
Aurora
CO
|
Family ID: |
40930202 |
Appl. No.: |
12/012333 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/102 ;
5/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 9/02 20130101; A47D
9/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/102 ;
5/105 |
International
Class: |
A47D 9/00 20060101
A47D009/00 |
Claims
1. An infant rocker bed assembly, comprising; a unitary main frame
having upper and lower frame members pivotally attached to
mid-section frame members with means for positioning said upper and
lower frame members; said mid-section frame members defined by
curvilinear, ground-engaging bases, said upper and lower frame
members converging away from said mid-section frame members to
curve upwardly and terminate in opposite closed ends; and a
flexible covering secured to said upper and lower frame members and
said mid-section frame members.
2. The infant rocker bed assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
upper and lower frame members include end stabilization
members.
3. The infant rocker bed assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
positioning means include a push button release mechanism.
4. The infant rocker bed assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
upper and lower frame members are configured to be pivoted inwardly
toward said mid-section frame members to position said unitary main
frame into a closed position.
5. The infant rocker bed assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
upper and lower frame members are configured to be pivoted
outwardly away from said mid-section frame members to position said
unitary main frame in an opened, fully extended position,
6. An infant rocker device, comprising: an upper frame member and a
lower frame member, said upper frame member including a back
portion for supporting an upper body portion of an infant placed in
said device and said lower frame member including a leg portion for
supporting a lower body portion of the infant; a mid-section frame
portion joined to each of said upper and lower frame members via
respective positioning members, each of said positioning members
having means for releasing and pivoting said upper and lower frame
members when said means are actuated, wherein said upper and lower
frame members are configured to be pivoted inwardly toward said
mid-section frame portion to position said rocker device into a
closed position and to be pivoted outwardly away from said
mid-section frame portion to position said rocker device in an
opened, fully extended position, wherein said mid-section frame
portion forms a curved based that engages a support surface,
wherein the back portion and leg portion curve upwardly from said
mid-section frame portion; a flexible covering tautly and
releasably secured about said upper and lower frame members and
surrounding said mid-section frame portion to provide a firm, top
surface for supporting the infant in a substantially horizontal,
lying-down position relative to the support surface, said covering
including an infant restraint device for securing the infant to the
top surface of the covering, wherein the covering and mid-section
frame portion are together configured to permit manual rocking of
the device.
7. The infant rocker device according to claim 6, further
comprising stabilizing feet secured to said upper and lower frame
members at opposite ends of the device, wherein said feet are
configured to stabilize and to limit rocking motion of the rocker
device.
8. The infant rocker device according to claim 6, wherein the
covering includes closure means for releasably securing the
covering about said upper and lower frame members and said
mid-section portion.
9. The infant rocker device according to claim 6, wherein the upper
and lower frame members comprise hollow aluminum tube members.
10. The infant rocker device according to claim 6, wherein said
means for releasing and pivoting the upper and lower frame members
comprise push button release mechanisms.
11. The infant rocker device according to claim 1, wherein said
positioning members are disposed on opposite sides of each of the
upper frame members and lower frame members, respectively.
12. The infant rocker device according to claim 7, wherein said
covering includes openings for allowing access to said means for
releasing and pivoting the upper and lower frame members and for
accommodating said stabilizing feet.
13. The infant rocker device according to claim 6, wherein said
covering includes an infant restraint device for securing the
infant to the top surface of the covering.
14. The infant rocker device according to claim 6, wherein said
covering comprises a soft, thick fabric and includes padded head
and foot portions.
15. A portable bed for rocking an infant, comprising: a unitary
main frame assembly including upper and lower spaced frame members
interconnected by a mid-section frame portion joined to facing ends
of said upper and lower frame members, said mid-section frame
portion including means for positioning said upper and lower frame
members relative to said mid-section frame portion so that said bed
is convertible between a closed position and an open, fully
extended position upon actuation of said means, wherein said
mid-section frame portion forms a curved base that rests upon a
support surface and said upper and lower spaced frame members
define a back portion and leg portion converging away from said
mid-section frame portion to curve upwardly, and terminate in
opposite closed ends, thereby providing a substantially flat
surface upon which an infant can lie substantially horizontally
relative to the support surface; and a flexible covering secured
about said upper and lower frame members and surrounding said
midsection frame portion to provide a firm, top surface for
supporting the infant when said bed is in the extended position,
said covering including an infant restraint device for securing the
infant to the top surface of the covering, wherein the covering and
midsection frame portion are together configured to permit manual
rocking of the device.
16. The portable bed according to claim 15, wherein said back
portion supports an upper body portion of the infant positioned on
said portable bed and said leg portion supports a lower body
portion of the infant.
17. The portable bed according to claim 15, wherein said upper and
lower frame members are configured to be pivoted inwardly toward
said mid-section frame portion to position said portable bed into
the closed position and to be pivoted outwardly away from said
mid-section frame portion to position said portable bed into an
open, fully extended position.
18. A collapsible device for rocking an infant, comprising: an
open, unitary main frame assembly having upper, lower, and
mid-section frame portions, said frame assembly including means for
releasing and pivoting said upper and lower frame portions relative
to said mid-section frame portion, such that said frame member is
convertible between a closed position and an open, fully extended
position, wherein said mid-section frame portion forms a curved
base for partially contacting a support surface; a flexible
covering stretched tautly about said frame member to form a firm
supporting surface for supporting said infant in a substantially
horizontal, lying-down position relative to a support surface on
which the device is disposed when said frame member is in the open,
fully extended position, wherein said covering and said curved
mid-section frame portions are configured so that when the covering
is positioned around said frame, the device is manually
rockable.
19. The device according to claim 18, further comprising
stabilizing feet secured to opposite ends of the frame member,
wherein said feet are configured to stabilize and to limit rocking
motion of the rocker device.
20. The device according to claim 18, wherein the covering includes
closure means for releasably securing the covering about the frame
member.
21. The device according to claim 18, wherein the frame members
comprise hollow aluminum tube members.
22. The device according to claim 18, wherein the means for
releasing and pivoting the upper and lower frame members comprise
positioning members having push button release mechanisms.
Description
BACKGROUND AND FIELD
[0001] The following relates generally to a device for rocking an
infant, and more particularly, relates to a foldable, collapsible
rocker bed that is suitable for rocking an infant on a mattress of
a crib or bed or other suitable, preferably flat surface.
[0002] A variety of infant seats and rocking devices have been
developed and are available on the market. For smaller infants who
have not yet learned to walk, the infant's caregiver often prefers
to place the infant in a portable "bouncy seat", baby swing, or car
seat when the caregiver is unable to carry or hold the infant.
Generally, such types of infant seats consist of a base frame and
infant seat frame pivotally connected to one another and a seat
member with harness stretched around the infant seat frame for
retaining the infant in the seat. The seat portion is moveable in a
bouncing type motion when the caregiver presses downward on the
seat portion or is moveable by the weight and activity of the
infant himself. U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,459, U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,591,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,594, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,106 illustrate
only a few examples of such infant seats that bounce or rock.
[0003] A problem often faced by the parents or caregivers of a
newborn or small infant is soothing the baby to the point of
sleeping. While a baby swing or an infant seat like those described
above can be effective in rocking a baby to sleep, often babies
will wake up again upon being removed from the swing or seat to be
placed in the crib for a nap or for the night.
[0004] A need therefore exists for an infant rocking device in the
form of a collapsible portable bed that can be placed directly onto
a crib mattress or other similar surface so that the infant can be
rocked to sleep in the device, either by the weight and movement of
the infant himself or by gentle rocking by the caregiver, and sleep
or nap while lying down comfortably, without requiring transfer of
the infant from the device onto the crib or bed mattress.
SUMMARY
[0005] It is desirable to provide a portable rocking bed for small
infants for use on a surface such as a crib mattress or other
similar surface that is moveable between open and closed positions
to enable folding for easy storage and transport. Further, it is
desirable to provide a portable rocking bed that can be used on a
stable surface for rocking an infant while the infant is lying
down, rather than seated, and including a portable rocking bed
having a comfortable yet taut support panel covering onto which the
infant is placed to facilitate rocking and falling to sleep, such
covering having a removable and washable fabric panel for
supporting the infant thereon.
[0006] Accordingly, a rocker bed assembly for infants, preferably
newborns and small infants, is provided having upper and lower
hollow frame members that join with a mid-section frame. The rocker
bed includes side portions that converge into a common, rounded
upper back portion and a rounded, lower leg portion extends
forwardly from the lower ends of the side portions. A removable
covering is positioned around the upper back portion and leg
portions.
[0007] A distinctive feature of the rocker bed assembly is the
configuration of the hinge connection between the upper back
portion and the leg portion with a mid-section portion. Respective
connector members include push button release mechanisms and are
located on each side of the rocker bed along the upper portion and
lower portion. The connector members and release mechanisms
function to lock in place or release the respective frame members
from the mid-section frame portions. The mechanisms enable pivoting
of the frame members between opened and closed positions. When the
bed is in the open, fully extended position, pressing on the push
button release mechanisms causes a release of the locked frame
members to allow for inward folding. In the folded state, then, the
upper and lower frame members are folded inwardly to converge and
rest on top of the mid-section frame.
[0008] The mid-section portion forms a slightly curved,
ground-engaging base when the rocker bed is in its fully extended
position, while the upper back portion and leg portion curve
slightly upwardly. The covering stretches across the upper and
lower hollow frame members, thereby forming a taut surface upon
which an infant can be placed. A standard infant restraint is
attached to the surface of the covering to prevent the infant from
rolling out of the rocker bed.
[0009] The taut covering, in combination with the curved base,
permits a slight rocking motion of the assembly when an infant is
placed on the surface of the rocker bed. The rocking motion does
not require any type of drive mechanism and is caused only by the
weight/movement of the infant in combination with the curved base,
or by a gentle manual rocking of the bed by the infant's
caregiver.
[0010] The above and other advantages and features will become more
readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the
following detailed description of different embodiments when take
together with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the infant rock bed in
accordance with the present invention in the fully extended
position;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the infant rocker bed of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of the infant rocker bed of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the infant rocker bed of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an end view of the infant rocker bed of FIG. 1,
showing one of the end feet;
[0016] FIG. 6 is side view, partially in section of the infant
rocker bed of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective close up view of a release
mechanism;
[0018] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the release mechanism of FIG.
7;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a detail view of a side frame bar of the infant
rocker bed of the present invention, showing the push button
release mechanisms of FIG. 7;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the frame assembly of the
infant rocker bed with the covering removed and in the open,
extended position;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the infant rocker bed of
the present invention with the top, head frame portion of the frame
folded inward;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the infant rocker bed of
the present invention with both top and bottom frame portions
folded inward; and
[0023] FIG. 13 is a side view of the infant rocker bed as shown in
FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 13, an infant rocker bed is
represented at 1 comprising a unitary main frame assembly 3 having
upper hollow frame members 2 and lower hollow frame members 4 that
join with mid-section frame portions 6, 7 forming an open frame. As
best shown in FIG. 10, the rocker bed includes side frame members
8, 10 that converge into a common, rounded, generally U-shaped back
portion 12 adjacent to one end. A rounded, generally U-shaped leg
portion 14 extends forwardly from the opposite end of the side
frame members 17, 19. The mid-section frame portions 6, 7 are
defined by a slightly curved or convex ground-engaging base when
the rocker bed is in its fully extended position shown in FIG. 1,
while the back portion 12 and leg portion 14 curve slightly
upwardly from the midsection frame portions 6, 7. As shown in FIG.
5, a plastic foot 22 is secured via a screw connection or other
suitable means to opposite ends 24, 26 of the main frame member 3
to further stabilize the rocker bed 1 and prevent tipping of the
bed 1 when an infant is placed thereon.
[0025] A hinge-type connection between the back portion 12 and the
leg portion 14 with the mid-section frame portions 6, 7 allows for
positioning of the back portion 12 and the leg portion 14 relative
to the mid-section frame portions 6, 7. As best seen from FIGS. 7,
8, 9 and 10, a first pair of pivots or hinges 60, 61 join the
mid-section frame portion 6 to the upper and lower frame portions
2, 4 while a second pair of hinges 62, 63 likewise join oppositely
disposed mid-section frame portion 7 to upper and lower frame
portions 2, 4. The hinges 60, 61 and 62, 63 include a first and
second pair of push button release mechanisms 18 and 20,
respectively, which are positioned on opposite sides of the rocker
bed 1 along the upper and lower frame members 2 and 4 for releasing
the upper and lower frame members from a locked position with the
mid-section frame portion 6.
[0026] The first pair of the release mechanisms 18 lock into place
or release the upper frame members 2 from the mid-section frame
portions 6, 7 when the release mechanism 18 is pressed inwardly,
while the second pair of release mechanisms 20 lock into place or
release the lower frame members 4 from the mid-section frame
portions 6, 7 when the release mechanism 20 is pressed inwardly. As
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the release mechanism 18 includes collars
72, 74 that secure frame portion ends 76, 78, for example, to the
release mechanism 18, a base cylinder 21 having a circular recess
80 and bores 82, 84 that correspond to complementary ridges 82',
84' on a gasket member 25, spring member 23, outer corresponding
cylinder cover 27, securing pin 86 and push button 29. Actuating
the push button release members 18, 20 essentially enables pivoting
of the frame members 2, 4 relative to the mid-section frame
portions 6, 7 between opened and closed positions. When the bed is
in the opened, fully extended position, as shown in FIG. 1,
pressing on the push button release mechanisms 18, 20 causes a
release and permits pivoting of the locked frame members 2, 4 to
allow for inward folding of the frame members 2, 4 (see FIGS. 11
through 13).
[0027] In the completely folded state shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13,
the upper and lower frame members 2, 4 are folded inwardly to
converge and rest on top of the mid-section frame portions 6, 7. Of
course, then, when the rocker bed is in the closed position shown
in FIG. 12, actuating the release members 18, 20 releases or
unlocks the respective upper and lower frame members 2, 4 and
enables the respective upper and lower frame members 2, 4 to be
pivoted outwardly away from the mid-section frame portions 6, 7 and
snapped into a locked position so that the rocker bed 1 is then in
its fully extended position shown in FIG. 1.
[0028] The rocker bed 1 further includes a removable covering 28
that is positioned along an upper surface 27 of the rocker bed 1
and over the frame member 3 including the back portion 12 and leg
portion 14 and secured thereabout via cooperating snap connections
30 provided on the covering 28. The covering 28 is further secured
about the side frame members 8, 10 via suitable closure means,
shown in FIG. 4 as a pair of zippers 46, 48 and cooperating
Velcro.RTM. fasteners 50, 52 provided on opposite sides of the
rocker bed 1, although other closure means also could be used to
the same effect. The covering 28 also includes reinforcement strips
35, 37 on opposite sides of the rocker bed 1 where the covering 28
wraps around the mid-section portions 6, 7 and engages a ground
surface such as a mattress or other type of level surface. Openings
31 in the covering 28 are provided for access to the push button
mechanisms 18, 20 and separate recesses 33 accommodate the feet 22
on the ends of the rocker bed 1. The covering 28 preferably is made
from a thick, soft and washable fabric such as cotton, and can
include padded or quilted head and foot areas 32, 34, respectively,
as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0029] The covering 28 is sized to be fit tightly about the upper
and lower hollow frame members 2, 4, thereby forming a taut surface
39 when the rocker bed is extended and upon which an infant can be
placed in a lying-down/reclined position. The rocker bed 1 ideally
is suited for newborns and infants weighing up to 20 pounds to
avoid "bottoming out" of the rocker bed 1 on the support surface on
which it is place and to permit rocking of the bed 1.
[0030] A standard infant restraint 36 is attached to the upper
surface 27 of the covering 28 to prevent the infant from rolling
out of the rocker bed 1. The restraint 36 includes a waist strap 40
extending about the midsection of the infant and a harness panel 42
that is positioned between the legs of the infant and extends up to
the infant's midsection so that cooperating buckle-type fastening
means 44 provided on the waist strap and harness panel can be
fitted together for securing the infant to the surface 27 of the
covering 28.
[0031] The entire covering 28 can be easily removed from the frame
assembly 3 for cleaning by releasing the covering snaps 30 and
opening the zippers 46, 48 and Velcro.RTM. fasteners 50, 52.
[0032] The taut covering 28 in combination with the curved base
formed by the midsection frame portions 6, 7, permits a slight
rocking motion of the rocker bed 1 when an infant is placed on the
surface of the rocker bed. The rocking motion does not require any
type of drive mechanism and is caused only by the weight and
movement of the infant in combination with the curved base, or can
be caused by a gentle manual rocking of the bed by the infant's
caregiver.
[0033] In use, it is contemplated that the infant rocker bed 1 is
placed on a mattress or other level surface and an infant is
secured to the top surface 27 of the covering 28 with the restraint
36 in a reclined/lying-down position. The rocker bed 1 then is
rockable either by motion of the infant himself or by a gentle back
and forth, end to end rocking of the infant bed 1 by a
caregiver.
[0034] When not in use or to be stored for later use, the rocker
bed 1 can be folded together into the closed position shown in
FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 by pressing the respective push button release
mechanisms 18, 20 and folding the upper and lower frame members 2,
4 inwardly to rest upon the midsection frame portions 6, 7. When
the rocker bed 1 is in the folded position, the recess 33 acts as a
handle member for easy portability of the folded rocker bed.
[0035] It is therefore to be understood that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present embodiment have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with the details
of the structure and function of the embodiment, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made within the principles of
the embodiment to the full extent indicated by the broad general
meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed and
reasonable equivalents thereof.
* * * * *