U.S. patent application number 13/136392 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-16 for baby carrier rocker.
Invention is credited to Robin Lapointe.
Application Number | 20120036635 13/136392 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45563674 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120036635 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lapointe; Robin |
February 16, 2012 |
Baby Carrier Rocker
Abstract
An improved portable baby carrier rocking system in which allows
almost all existing car seat carriers, baby carriers and baby
bassinets to be attached to it. This baby carrier rocker mounts
underneath the baby carrier and attaches to it by a simple strap.
This baby carrier rocker can be battery operated or powered by an
external power supply. It has different rocking speed settings and
it will rock any bottom shaped carrier profile from flat to curved.
An electric motor drives an offset link in which raises and lowers
four supporting arms underneath the baby carrier, thus rocking the
carrier back and forth from its center pivoting position. This baby
carrier rocker has extendable and retractable legs in which flips
out for greater rocker stability. Its novel compact size makes this
rocker easily transportable and can be used in small confined areas
like in restaurants, camping tents, in crowded rooms, areas
etc.
Inventors: |
Lapointe; Robin;
(Pierrefonds, CA) |
Family ID: |
45563674 |
Appl. No.: |
13/136392 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61401408 |
Aug 13, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 9/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/105 |
International
Class: |
A47D 9/04 20060101
A47D009/04 |
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A portable and collapsible baby car seat and baby carrier rocker
comprising: a. of four retractable legs, in which can be extended
outwards to lift the rocker if the ground and to increase the
rocker stability, and these legs could fold inside bottom of the
frame, thus preventing any need for further securing these legs in
this position; b. of these legs being able to be pivoted and locked
outwards, forwards, and 90 degrees from the rocking motion
direction from the frame for increased stability and greater
sideways support without the need of any tools or the removal of
any parts; c. of four pivoting and folding arms in which can be
extended and locked outwards 90 degrees from the rocker plate, and
supports the bottom of different size and styles of baby car seat
carriers, bassinets and baby carriers; d. of four support arms in
which pivots around the arm pins without the use of tools and folds
and locks inside of the rocker plate for transport; e. of four
support arms in which it's ends are sloped to better match the
bottom curve profile of a typical baby carrier, thus increasing the
surface contact between the sloped bottom surface and baby carrier;
f. of support arms in which could have non slip rubber or hook and
loop grip pads on its sloped end surfaces in order to help prevent
the rocking item from sliding off of these arms, hook and loop
should also be attached to the bottom surface of the item being
rocked for additional grip; g. of the support arms having sides on
their outer edge in order to limit the sideways movement of the
item being rocked acting as a positive stop; h. of a clamp block in
which is lifted to physically lock and to act as a wedge in between
the two opposite support arms in both the extended and retracted
position without the use of tools.
10. A baby rocker comprising of a. a rocker plate in which pivots
around its center and supports the four support arms; b. a rocker
plate in which pivots, and rocks around the center of gravity of
the object being rocked, thus reducing the power requirements of
the motor and battery consumption; c. a rocking plate in which is
connected by a motor and yoke near one end in which lifts and lower
this rocker plate, thus rocking it back and forth; d. an electric
motor in which is variable speed and can be stopped and started
from any angle or position with in its rocking range that
positively drives the rocker plate in both the up and downwards
position by a yoke towards one end of the rocking plate; e. an
electric motor in which will maintain a constant positive rocking
speed regardless of any allowable rocking weight changes or with
blankets added and which will stop turning if it stalls, or if the
rocker should tilt or flip over; f. an adjustable quick release
safety strap connected to each side of the rocker plate, and
follows the same path of a typical car-seat seat-belt, and is also
used for attaching a baby bassinet, and a front and back adjustable
strap could be attached to the rocker plate in this same way
although not shown here, this strap could be attached by a buckle,
by hook and loop, or by any other common attachment method.
11. A baby rocker comprising of: a. a low profile frame in which
maintains a low center of gravity of the item being rocked, as low
to the ground as possible, thus increasing the rocking item
stability and the baby safety; d. having the capability of stopping
and locking the rocking motion at any position with in its rocking
range, thus allowing different fixed seat angles to better
facilitate feeding, sleeping the baby, and for playing etc.; e. a
bassinet adapter frame in which attaches on top of the rocker plate
support arms in its open position in which a baby bassinet, or any
other type of baby carrier, stability and the baby safety; f. the
same strap as in claim 10 attaching over the baby bassinet securing
it to the bassinet adapter frame and to the four rocker support
arms; g. a bassinet adapter frame with fixed end plates on both
opposite ends, to help stop the bassinet from sliding forward or
backwards during rocking, or yet another method is adjustable end
plates in which are lockable, and could be extended or retracted in
the forward and rear rocking position as required; h. a bassinet
adapter frame that is hinged and can be folded onto itself for easy
transport and storage, or another method of folding a bassinet
adaptor frame is by having pivoting links in which folds into its
self.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application of
Applicant's provisional application Ser. No. 61/401,408 filed on 13
Aug. 2010.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Existing baby swings and rockers today have several problems
in which limits their usage or accessibility. They are either large
in size in which makes them difficult to carry, occupies too much
floor area, or they cannot suite most existing car seat carriers,
baby carriers, or baby bassinets. The basic swing is a very useful
and important device for babies and is used in almost every baby's
household. The problem today is being able to bring this rocking
action to a tight location like at a restaurant, in a camping tent
or trailer or in a tight public area. Also to have it small in size
in order to be able to carry it on you in a small bag, thus leaving
your arms free. Most rocking or swinging apparatus are large in
size and many do not accept all types and styles of existing car
seat and baby carriers. This is also a problem due to many families
owning more than one type of baby carrier. Also today portable baby
bassinets are becoming more popular and there are few existing
methods for rocking them with a portable device.
[0003] Some existing so called "portable" swings or rockers are
designed the same as the original larger common swings, but made
smaller. Some of these designs do fold partly, but normally very
little. Commonly the two swing side frames fold together. All these
folding swings normally do not accept third party baby carriers or
bassinets. They either do have a built in one, in which is big and
balky, or they can only accept their own brand name type. U.S. Pat.
No. 7,037,205 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,966 B2 and U.S. Pat. No.
6,520,862 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,994 B1.
[0004] There have been a few other types of rockers such as ones
that have a movable platform in which one end is fixed and the
other end moves up and down. This does not produce a "rocking"
affect as you're only lifting one end up and down. To achieve a
true rocking motion, both ends should move up and down opposite to
each other. U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,806 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,949
and U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,731 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,680 and U.S.
Pat. No. 3,653,080.
[0005] Another existing system is by gliding a flat surface
horizontal to the floor, thus a back and forth motion. Again, this
is not a "rocking" motion as with this novel invention here.
[0006] This new novel idea, rocks the baby seat carrier or bassinet
from underneath, pivoting around a centre point, at the centre of
the baby carrier, rocking it equally in both directions in an up
and down motion.
[0007] The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent
objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be
merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and
applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial
results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a
different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of
the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller
understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the
summary of the invention and the detailed description of the
preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention
defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, the after mentioned problems and difficulties
are obviated by the present invention. This is a novel baby carrier
rocker in witch all types of baby carriers and bassinets attach to
the top of it and it will rock it back and forth at different
predetermined speeds. It is small in size, easily portable, and is
stable due to its folding and retractable legs.
[0009] Therefore it's among the primary objectives of this
invention to be mounted underneath and to accept existing car
seats, baby carriers and most portable baby bassinets.
[0010] A second object of this invention is to be physically as
small in size as possible for easily carried and transported. Also
to occupy the least amount as space when operating in small or
restricted space areas.
[0011] A third objective of this present invention is to have its
legs and attachments easily foldable without the use of any tools
and/or the removal of any pieces.
[0012] A forth objective of this invention is for there to be no
adjustments necessary to adapt for different baby carrier styles
and configurations.
[0013] A fifth object of this rocking device is to maintain a
minimum baby carrier height above the rocking surface.
[0014] A sixth object is to rock the baby carrier from its centre
position and not from just one end, thus creating a natural up and
down rocking motion.
[0015] Another objective is for this rocking device to accept all
types of carrier bottom profiles, regardless if its curved or
straight in nature.
[0016] Still another objective of this invention is not to have any
overhead obstructions above the carrier in order to have full
access and maximum visibility of the baby.
[0017] A last objective is to have several predetermined rocking
speed settings and to be able to accept rechargeable batteries or
regular batteries and/or from an external plug in power supply or
from a car battery system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The features of the present invention which are believed to
be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
The present invention, with respect to its organization and manner
of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof,
may be best be understood by reference to the following
description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a general front-side isometric view of the
invention with a typical baby seat carrier attached.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front-side isometric view of the invention in
its closed and folded position.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front-side isometric view of the invention in
its open position.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view of the invention with a typical baby
seat carrier attached to it.
[0023] FIG. 5 is an isometric view with a cutout showing the
insides and drive of this invention.
[0024] FIG. 6A is a side view showing how the bottom of a typical
curved baby seat carrier rests and is supported on top of the two
LH. And RH. Arms.
[0025] FIG. 6B is a side view showing how the bottom of a notched
out baby carrier with a flat profile bottom is sitting and being
supported by the LH. And RH. Arms.
[0026] FIG. 6C shows an isometric bottom profile view of a typical
baby carrier sitting on rubber grip pads.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows an isometric bottom view of a typical baby
carrier with Velcro pads adhered to its bottom profile and to the
LH. And RH. Arms.
[0028] FIG. 8A shows an isometric view of the invention with an add
on baby bassinet support bracket attached to the top of the LH. And
RH. Arms.
[0029] FIG. 8B shows a side view of the invention with a typical
baby bassinet attached to its bassinet support bracket to the top
of it.
[0030] FIG. 8C shows an isometric view of FIG. 8B.
[0031] FIG. 9A shows a top and side view of a typical Bassinet
support frame in its extended position.
[0032] FIG. 9B shows an isometric view of the Bassinet frame in the
half way folded position for storage.
[0033] FIG. 9C shows another version of an isometric view of a
Bassinet collapsible frame with pivoting links.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a typical baby seat
carrier seat 15, attached to the top of the invention of the baby
carrier rocker. The baby seat carrier 15 sits on and being
supported by four swivel arms 8 and 9. A strap 13, attached to the
two strap slots 50 on the two sides of the rocker plate 27, are
placed around the baby seat carrier seat 15, and through its two
existing buckle slots 41 and connected together by a cam buckle 28.
Any other kind of attachment device could be used instead of using
the cam buckle 28. This strap 13 then is tightened, and thus fixing
the [carrier seat] baby seat carrier 15 to the four arms 8 and 9
below. Another adjustable strap combination not shown here, could
be to add a strap from the front of the roller plate 27, to the
front of the baby seat carrier 15, and another strap from the
rocker plate 27 to the rear of the baby seat carrier 15 for greater
stability and security. The baby carrier rocker has two extendable
front legs 3, and two side legs 5 for added stability to this
rocking system shown here in its extended/operating position. There
is a power on/off switch 19 mounted on the side of this baby
carrier rocker that has three positions in which two different
rocking cycle rates could be selected. Any type of selector switch
or Potentiometer could be used with more speed settings instead of
this switch 19. Beside this on/off switch 19, there is a power jack
22. This power jack 22 is used to accept external power sources,
such as but not limited to wall transformers, power adaptors, car
cigarette power outlets and remote battery supplies.
[0035] FIG. 2, shows an isometric view of the baby carrier rocker
in its folded/collapsed position. Here the side legs 5 are folded
into the side of the frame 1. Then the two front legs 3 are folded
backwards around the center axis of the fix front leg pin 4, into
the frame 1 as shown. The leg notch 42 in the front leg 3, slides
inside the leg notch 42 in the side leg 5, thus preventing the side
leg 5 from accidentally folding outwards during transport.
[0036] Both the LH. 9 Arms and the RH. Arms 8, swivel around the
center axis of the arm pins 11. These arms 8 and 9 are locked into
place by a clamp block 12 located in between them. The clamp block
12 is slid upwards by placing the tip of your finger inside of the
notch 51, thus allowing the arms 8 and 9 to rotate around the arm
pin 11. Then the clamp block 12 is pressed back down against the
rocker plate 27, thus binding the arms 8 and 9 into position. Each
arm 8 and 9 does have a rubber grip pad 10 adhered to the top of
them. These grip pads 10 will come into contact with the baby seat
carrier 15 as shown in FIG. 1. The rocker plate 27, does rock back
and fourth along the center axis of the rocker plate pin 24. These
two rocker plate pins 24, opposite to each other, are rigidly
attached to the frame 1.
[0037] FIG. 3, shows an isometric view of the baby carrier rocker
in its open, operational position. Here the two front legs 3 are
pivoted around the front leg pin 4, to its forward position. Then
the side legs 5 are pivoted outwards to 90 degrees to the frame 1.
Other obvious methods of extending these legs could be used such as
sliding them outwards or removing them and snapping or fastening
them into position. Then the two clamp blocks 12 are lifted
upwards, by placing the tip of your finger inside of the notch 51,
away from the rocker plate 27, thus allowing all four arms 8 and 9
to rotate outwards around each arm pin 11 respectively. Once these
arms 8 and 9 are in there outwards, perpendicular position with the
rocker plate 27, the two clamp blocks 12 are then pressed downwards
making contact to the rocker plate 27. These four arms 8 and 9 are
now locked into position. Other methods of extending and locking
the four arms 8 and 9 could be used, like snapping them into
position; sliding them; having them removable or fastening them
into either the open or closed position. The general concept still
remains the same of being able to extend the arms 8 and 9 outwards
then being able to collapse them again.
[0038] FIG. 4, shows a rear side view of FIG. 3. A notched out baby
carrier 43 is attached by the strap 13 to the four arms 8 and
9.
[0039] The rocker plate 27, pivots around the two rocker pin 24.
This rocking action raises and lowers both ends of the rocker plate
27, as shown by the rocker angle 45.
[0040] This rocking action will in turn also rock the notched out
baby carrier 43 back and fourth. Under the frame 1, there is a
clearance 46, in which only the two front legs 3 and the side legs
5 do make contact with the supporting surface 47. This clearance 46
allows the supporting surface 47 to be uneven, or not perfectly
flat. Also this clearance 46 ensures that both the front legs 3 and
side legs 5 are in contact with the supporting surface 47 for
maximum stability. Both ends of the straps 13 are rigidly fixed to
the rocker plate 27 through the strap slot 50.
[0041] FIG. 5, shows a breakaway isometric view of the baby carrier
rocker invention. Here it's in its open, operational configuration
with all its legs 3 and 5, and its arms 8 and 9 in the outwards,
extended position. Inside shown is an electric gear motor 20, in
which is mounted to its motor support 18 in which is mounted to its
base 2. The base 2 is the bottom of this invention. At the rear of
the base 2, there is a battery cover 7 in which is removable. This
battery cover 7, retains the removable battery pack 23 in which is
housed inside of the frame 1. This battery pack 23 can be removed
for recharging or for battery replacement. The motor 20 rotates at
a predetermined output speed the lift ring 16. The lift ring 16 is
fixed to the output shaft of the motor 20. As the lift ring 16
rotates, a fixed lift ring pin 48 also rotates at a pre-determined
distance from the center axis of the motor 20 output shaft. The
yoke 49 pivots around the center axis of the lift ring pin 48. As
the lift ring 16 rotates, the yoke 49 will move upwards and
downwards, as it will in turn move the lift pin 14 also upwards and
downwards accordingly. The lift pin 14 is fixed to the rocker plate
27, thus when the lift pin 14 moves up and downwards, the rocker
plate 27 will also lift upwards and downwards, through the center
axis of the two rocker pins 24. In turn this movement will create a
controlled rocking action of the rocker plate 27 and its four arms
8 and 9.
[0042] The speed of this rocking action is determined by its
predetermined or variable speed setting of its switch 19. Also
there is a current limiting device with in the circuit in order to
safety cut the power to the motor 20 if this invention should get
jammed or should tilt over for any reason.
[0043] FIG. 6A, shows the side view of a typical baby seat carrier
seat 15, sitting on top of both the LH. Arm 9 and the RH arm 8.
Both of these LH. Arm 9 and RH. Arm 8 has a rubber grip pad 10
adhered to them. These two arms 8 and 9 have a sloped top surface
to better match the curved rocker bottom profile 33. These grip
pads 10 help increase the friction, thus reducing the slippage
between the rocker bottom 33 and the two arms 8 and 9.
[0044] FIG. 6B, show a side view of another style of a typical
notched out baby carrier 43. The principle is the same as in FIG.
6A.
[0045] FIG. 6C, shows an isometric view of FIG. 6A.
[0046] FIG. 7, here shows another method of preventing a typical
baby seat carrier 15 from sliding on top of the four arms 8 and 9.
Here shows a bottom isometric view of a typical baby seat carrier
seat 15, over top of the LH. Arm 9 and the RH. arm 8. Both of these
arms 9 and 8 do have a layer of hook Velcro 25 adhered to the top
of them. A piece of loop Velcro 26 is then adhered to the rocker
bottom 33, at the same center distance as the two arms 8 and 9.
When the hook Velcro 25 comes in contact with the loop Velcro 26,
they do adhere together, thus helping preventing the rocker bottom
33 from sliding or moving on top of the two arms 8 and 9.
[0047] FIG. 8A, shows an isometric view of the baby carrier rocker
assembly with a typical bassinet adaptor frame 35 attached to it.
This bassinet adaptor frame 35, is flat and has an end stop 44 on
top either at one end or at both ends of it. This end stop 44 is to
prevent the bassinet 34 from sliding forward while rocking.
[0048] This bassinet adaptor frame 35 will support the bottom of a
typical bassinet 34. This bassinet adaptor frame 35 fits in-between
and is supported by the four arms 8 and 9. The strap 13 is fixed to
the strap slot 50 on both sides of the rocker plate 27. It passes
underneath the bassinet adaptor frame 35, then upwards around the
top of the bassinet 34. Then the cam buckle 28 connects both ends
of the straps 13 firmly together. Any other type of connection
could also be used here. By pulling the strap 13 tight, the
bassinet 34 will be pressed downwards onto the top of the bassinet
adaptor frame 35, and this frame 35 will then be pressed down
tightly on to the top surface of the rubber grip pads 10 on each of
the arms 8 and 9, thus rigidly fastening the bassinet 35 to the
baby seat rocker. The end plate 44 is used to help prevent the
bassinet 34 to slip or slide forward due to the rocking motion of
the baby seat rocker.
[0049] FIG. 8B, shows the side view of FIG. 8A, but with the
bassinet 34 in its proper position. You can see how the end plate
44 is preventing the forward movement of the bassinet 34. A second
end plate 44 could also be incorporated into this design on the
opposite end of the bassinet adaptor frame 35 as shown. Shown is an
adjustable end plate 44 in which can extend, lock and retract to
best suite the overall length of the bassinet 34. This type of
adjustable end plate could also be used in the front as well.
[0050] FIG. 8C, shows an isometric view of FIG. 8B.
[0051] FIG. 9A, shows the top and side view of another method of a
foldable/collapsible bassinet adaptor frame. Here shown is where a
front fold frame 36 and a rear fold frame 37 are attached and
hinged together with hinge 40 as show in the open position. The
hinge 40 is attached to the bottom of the two fold frames 36 and
37. So when the baby seat carrier 15 is fasten to the top of these
frames 36 and 37, the hinge 40 will not be able to fold, thus
locked in this open position. Another version for this bassinet
adaptor frame is to be made out of at least two pieces, and to be
attached by other standard practice methods.
[0052] FIG. 9B, shows an isometric view of FIG. 9A being
folded/collapse for less space and easy transport and storage.
[0053] FIG. 9C, shows an isometric view of another possible version
of a foldable bassinet adaptor frame. Here shown are two side bars
39, with pivoting links 38 in between them. When the links 38 are
all in line and perpendicular to the side bars 39, then this frame
will be in its open position. When all the links 38 are parallel
with the two side bars 39, then this frame will be in its closed
position.
[0054] Please note that here only two different methods of folding
this bassinet frame are shown. Many other folding methods could be
used, but the concept of a folding/collapsing bassinet frame for
easy transport and storage, remains the same.
[0055] While the present invention has been described with
reference to the above described preferred embodiments and
alternate embodiments, it should be noted that various other
embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from
the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments described
herein and the drawings appended hereto are merely illustrative of
the features of the invention and should not be construed to be the
only variants thereof nor limited thereto.
* * * * *