U.S. patent application number 13/965623 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-06 for convertible entertainment mobile.
This patent application is currently assigned to TINY LOVE LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is TINY LOVE LTD.. Invention is credited to Maya BERCU, Shoshana OREN.
Application Number | 20140065925 13/965623 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49626264 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140065925 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OREN; Shoshana ; et
al. |
March 6, 2014 |
CONVERTIBLE ENTERTAINMENT MOBILE
Abstract
Provided is an entertainment mobile including a base unit
accommodating an electric power source, a motor and an illumination
system, said base unit configurable between a suspended position
and a table top position; a canopy arm detachably attachable to the
base unit at a base end thereof and configured for supporting a
canopy at a canopy end thereof; and a canopy post for supporting
the canopy over the base unit; a canopy detachably attachable to
the canopy end of the canopy arm and to the canopy post; the
entertainment mobile is configurable between at least a suspended
position and a table-top position and the illumination system is
configurable between illuminating the canopy and projecting over a
wall surface.
Inventors: |
OREN; Shoshana; (Herzeliya,
IL) ; BERCU; Maya; (Ramat Hasharon, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TINY LOVE LTD. |
Tel Aviv |
|
IL |
|
|
Assignee: |
TINY LOVE LTD.
Tel Aviv
IL
|
Family ID: |
49626264 |
Appl. No.: |
13/965623 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61697011 |
Sep 5, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/227 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/006 20130101;
A63H 33/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/227 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20060101
A63H033/00 |
Claims
1. An entertainment mobile, comprising: a base unit accommodating
an electric power source, a motor and an illumination system, said
base unit configurable between a suspended position and a table top
position; a canopy arm detachably attachable to the base unit at a
base end thereof and configured for supporting a canopy at a canopy
end thereof; and a canopy post for supporting the canopy over the
base unit; a canopy detachably attachable to the canopy end of the
canopy arm and to the canopy post; the entertainment mobile is
configurable between at least a suspended position and a table-top
position and the illumination system is configurable between
illuminating the canopy and projecting over a wall surface.
2. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the power
source comprises one or more batteries.
3. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the power
source is an external source.
4. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the
illumination system comprises at least one projecting light source
and at least one canopy illuminating light source.
5. The entertainment mobile according to claim 4, wherein at the
suspended position only the at least one canopy illuminating light
source operates and at the table-top position only the at least one
projecting light source operates.
6. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the
canopy is configured with one or more transparent or translucent
portions such that the illumination system can illuminate
therethrough at different effects.
7. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the
canopy is integrated with at least one light source, powered via an
electric coupling extending through either or both of the canopy
arm and canopy post.
8. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the base
unit further comprises an audio system for playing music and
sounds.
9. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the
canopy is configured to rotate or rest still either in the
suspended position or the table-top position.
10. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the base
unit is configured with an arm socket for rotary support of the
canopy arm, configured for detachably attaching the canopy arm or
the canopy post and articulation to the motor, thereby imparting
rotary motion to the canopy at either its suspended position and
the table-top position.
11. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the
canopy post is articulated to the base unit without rotary motion
imparted thereto, thereby supporting the canopy at a still
position.
12. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the
canopy is configured to be mounted on the canopy post so as to
assume a table-lamp like configuration.
13. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the
canopy arm alone or together with the canopy post is configured for
articulation with the motor of the base unit, either directly or
via a gear train.
14. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the base
unit is configured with a stabilizing arrangement for imparting it
stability at the table-top position.
15. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the
canopy is configured with one or more stimulating articles
articulated thereto, such as figures and elements dangling
therefrom.
16. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, configurable
between a suspended position with the canopy mounted on one of the
canopy arm or canopy post, a suspended position with the canopy
removed, a table-top position with the canopy mounted on either the
canopy post or the canopy arm; and a table-top position with the
canopy removed.
17. The entertainment mobile according to claim 16, wherein at any
one of the above positions the illumination system is configured
for either or both of the projecting position and the illuminating
position.
18. The entertainment mobile according to claim 4, wherein the arm
socket is configured at a top portion of the base unit, and wherein
when the canopy arm is engaged therein so that the at least one
projecting light source is deactivated and/or concealed.
19. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the
projecting light source is concealed when the canopy arm is mounted
on the base unit.
20. The entertainment mobile according to claim 1, wherein the base
unit is further configured with a control unit for controlling at
least the illumination system and rotation of the arm.
Description
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure is concerned with child entertainment
mobiles and more specifically with such mobiles configured with
illuminating arrangements and being convertible between several
functional positions.
PRIOR ART
[0002] References considered to be relevant as background to the
presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,952 discloses a mobile includes a base
unit and a reflective member rotatably coupled to the base unit. A
drive mechanism is disposed in the base unit and is configured to
rotate the reflective member with respect to the base unit. The
mobile also includes an illuminating member coupled to the base
unit and disposed to illuminate the reflective member.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 7,476,142 discloses an interactive
entertainment apparatus comprising a structure for use with a child
receiving device is disclosed. The entertainment apparatus includes
a fluid-filled, pliable container portion capable of being
selectively compressed by a user to displace the fluid within the
container. The apparatus includes attachment mechanism configured
to secure the apparatus to a child receiving device proximate a
child received in the child receiving device such that the child
can contact the pliable transparent portion of the base to displace
the fluid. The apparatus may further include an infant mobile
including a mobile arm, a base unit suspended by the mobile arm,
and one or more hanging elements suspended from the base unit.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 7,172,486 discloses an apparatus having a
mobile arm, a base coupled to the mobile arm to maintain the mobile
arm in upright orientation and moveable between a first orientation
in which the base is coupleable to a vertical surface, and a second
orientation in which the base can rest on a horizontal surface. A
light source is coupled to the mobile arm and a mobile coupled to
said mobile arm, whereby when the base is in the first orientation,
the apparatus can be coupled to a crib rail to function as a crib
mobile, and when the base is in the second orientation, the
apparatus can rest on a horizontal surface to function as a
lamp.
[0006] Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be
inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the
patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
[0007] The present disclosed subject matter is directed to a child
entertainment mobile convertible between at least three
positions.
[0008] The entertainment mobile comprises a base unit accommodating
an electric power source, a motor and an illumination system, said
base unit configurable between a suspended position and a table top
position; a canopy arm detachably attachable to the base unit at a
base end thereof and configured for supporting a canopy at a canopy
end thereof; and a canopy post for supporting the canopy over the
base unit; a canopy detachably attachable to the canopy end of the
canopy arm and to the canopy post; the entertainment mobile is
configurable between at least a suspended position and a table-top
position and the illumination system is configurable between
illuminating the canopy and projecting over a wall surface.
[0009] The term `table top position` denotes that the base has a
substantially flat base portion for stably placing over any
substantially horizontal surface, setting as examples a top surface
of a table or desk, a shelf of any kind, a nursing chest, and the
like. This position includes also placing the base unit within a
cradle-like or basket-like support which in turn is mounted on, or
articulated to, a furniture item.
[0010] The term `suspended position` as used herein in the
specification and claims denotes that the device is configured for
articulation to an upright wall, e.g. a side wall of a crib, a bed,
a play pan, a stroller and the like. Articulation can be
facilitated through any one or more of straps, hooks, bolts,
fasteners, and the like.
[0011] The power source can be a battery compartment accommodating
one or more batteries or battery pack, rechargeable or not,
optionally with a socket for coupling to a power supply.
[0012] The power source can be an external and/or remote wireless
source of power supply, and does not necessarily have to comprise
batteries.
[0013] The term `illumination system` as used herein in the
specification and claims denotes any one or more illumination
sources of one or more types. According to one configuration there
is provided at least one projecting light source for projecting
light at a substantially far distance, e.g. against a wall (e.g.
the ceiling or a wall of the room), referred to as a `projecting
position`; and at least one canopy illuminating light source for
illuminating the canopy from below, referred to as an `illuminating
position`.
[0014] The light emitted from the at least one projecting light
sources can be a plain light beam or a projected/reflected image.
It can be aimed (i.e. directed at different objects such as a wall
or a ceiling), focused, enhanced (e.g. by a magnifying lens).
Furthermore, the light or image emitted by the at least one
projecting light source can be manipulated e.g. by a diverging
lens, color lens, etc. Evenmore so, light parameters (wavelength,
intensity) or the projected image can change either manually or
automatically (e.g. as a function of time elapsed, randomly, in
conjunction with a selected theme or music played by the mobile,
depending on ambient light conditions, etc.).
[0015] According to one particular configuration the illumination
system of the entertainment mobile comprises at least one
projecting light source and at least one canopy illuminating light
source, wherein at the suspended position only the at least one
canopy illuminating light source operates and at the table-top
position only the at least one projecting light source
operates.
[0016] The one or more illumination sources can be of any one or
more types, e.g. LEDs, incandescent light bulb, halogen light
bulbs, etc.
[0017] The canopy can be configured with one or more transparent or
translucent portions such that the illumination system can
illuminate therethrough at different effects.
[0018] The canopy can be integrated with LEDs or other light
sources, powered via an electric coupling extending through either
or both of the canopy arm and canopy post.
[0019] The entertainment mobile can further comprise, within in the
base unit, an audio system for playing music and sounds. The audio
system can comprise preset audio tracks or can be programmable
and/or can be connectable to an external audio source.
[0020] At either the suspended position or the table-top position
the canopy can be rotated or rest still.
[0021] According to one example, the base unit is configured with
an arm socket for rotary support of the canopy arm, configured for
detachably attaching the canopy arm or the canopy post and
articulation to the motor, thereby imparting rotary motion to the
canopy at either its suspended position and the table-top
position.
[0022] Any one or more of the stimulating feature of the
entertainment mobile, i.e. rotary motion of the canopy, the
illumination system, and the audio system can be initiated manually
(e.g. by a switch and the like), or be programmed or can be sound
or light activated/stopped. Any one of these stimulating features
can be operated continuously or at one or more fixed or alternating
speeds/ intervals, etc.
[0023] According to another example the canopy post is articulated
to the base unit however without rotary motion imparted thereto,
thereby supporting the canopy at a still position. According to a
particular example the canopy post is detachably attachable to the
base unit, however at a location other than the rotary socket. For
example, the canopy post can be pivotally attached to the base
unit, and/or configured for telescopically extending therefrom, or
be screw-coupled thereto, etc.
[0024] According to a particular configuration of the disclosure,
when the canopy is mounted on the canopy post it assumes a
table-lamp like configuration.
[0025] The canopy arm and optionally the canopy post, can be
configured for articulation with the motor of the base unit, either
directly or via a gear train.
[0026] The base unit can be configured with a stabilizing
arrangement for imparting it stability at the table-top position.
The stabilizing arrangement can be for example a weight
(permanently residing in the base unit or configured for adding),
mobile arms, friction means, etc.
[0027] The canopy can be configured with one or more stimulating
articles articulated thereto, such as figures and elements dangling
therefrom. The stimulating articles can be fixed or detachably
attached thereto. More so, the stimulating articles can be
configured for animation while the canopy rotates.
[0028] At least portions of the canopy can be translucent or
transparent or comprise openings or perforations, having different
shapes and colors, whereby at the illuminating position light can
penetrate and illuminate the ceiling of the room, serving as
atmosphere light. When the mobile is at motion, the penetrating
light offers a unique pattern over the ceiling.
[0029] According to the present disclosure the entertainment mobile
is configurable between the following positions: [0030] suspended
position with the canopy mounted on either the canopy arm or canopy
post; [0031] suspended position with the canopy removed; [0032]
table-top position with the canopy mounted on either the canopy
post or the canopy arm; [0033] table-top position with the canopy
removed.
[0034] At either of the above positions the illumination system is
configured for either or both of the projecting position and the
illuminating position.
[0035] The arm socket is configured at a top portion of the base
unit, and wherein when the canopy arm is engaged therein the at
least one projecting light source is deactivated and/or
concealed.
[0036] According to a particular configuration, the projecting
light source is concealed when the canopy arm is mounted on the
base unit.
[0037] The base unit is further configured with a control unit for
controlling the audio system, illumination system and rotation of
the arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] In order to better understand the subject matter that is
disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in
practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting
examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0039] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of the entertainment mobile
of the present disclosed subject matter at a suspended position
thereof, configured with a canopy mounted over a canopy arm;
[0040] FIG. 2 is a front view of the entertainment mobile of FIG.
1;
[0041] FIG. 3 is a side view of the entertainment mobile of FIG.
1;
[0042] FIG. 4 is a front isometric view of the entertainment mobile
of FIG. 1, with the canopy removed, at a projecting position;
[0043] FIG. 5 is a front view of FIG. 4;
[0044] FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. 4;
[0045] FIG. 7 is a front isometric view of the entertainment mobile
of FIG. 1 at a table-top position thereof, with the canopy removed,
at a projecting position;
[0046] FIG. 8 is a front view of FIG. 7;
[0047] FIG. 9 is a side view of FIG. 7;
[0048] FIG. 10 is a front isometric view of the entertainment
mobile of FIG. 1 at a table-top position thereof, with the canopy
mounted over a support post;
[0049] FIGS. 11A and 11B are rear isometric views illustrating
converting the entertainment mobile into a table-top configuration
with the canopy mounted over a canopy post;
[0050] FIG. 11C is an enlargement of the portion marked III in FIG.
11A;
[0051] FIGS. 11D and 11E are perspective top front and perspective
top rear views, respectively, of FIG. 11A;
[0052] FIG. 12A is a rear isometric view of FIG. 10;
[0053] FIGS. 12B and 12C are a front view and a side view of FIG.
12A;
[0054] FIG. 13 is a front isometric view of the entertainment
mobile of FIG. 1 at a table-top position thereof, with the canopy
mounted over the mobile arm;
[0055] FIG. 14 is a front view of the entertainment mobile at a
suspended position thereof, with the canopy mounted over the
support post; and
[0056] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the base unit, illustrating
components thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0057] Attention is directed to the annexed drawings, illustrating
an entertainment mobile according to the present disclosure,
generally designated 10. The entertainment mobile 10 comprises a
base unit 14 and a canopy 18, configured for cooperation with the
base unit at several options, as disclosed herein.
[0058] The base unit 14 is a solid unit having a substantially flat
base 22 configured for placing over a flat horizontal surface
schematically represented at 24 (FIGS. 7 to 10, 12, 13) such as
table or desk, a shelf of any kind, a nursing chest, and the like.
The flat base renders the base unit suitable also for placing it
within a cradle-like or basket-like support which in turn is
mounted on, or articulated to, a furniture item.
[0059] The base unit 14 accommodates a power source schematically
identified as 28 in FIG. 15, wherein the power source can be a
battery compartment accommodating one or more batteries, or battery
pack, rechargeable or not, optionally with a socket for coupling to
a power supply. Where the power source is a battery compartment, it
typically is configured with an access door (not shown) at a back
or bottom wall portion.
[0060] Alternatively, the power source can be an external source
and can be a batteryless source. In such case the base unit 14 will
comprise, instead of the compartment received therein, a suitable
connection means to an external source or means for communication
with a wireless source.
[0061] Also received in the base unit 14 there is an electric motor
schematically identified as 30 in FIG. 15 electrically coupled to
the power source 28. The electric circuitry of the entertainment
mobile 10 further comprises a control panel which as can best be
seen in FIG. 15, is divided into three areas: volume controls 32A
and 32B, audio and/or illumination theme selectors 34A, 34B and
34C, and a mode selection in the form of a slide control 38, for
selecting between different operative modes of the entertainment
mobile 10, as disclosed herein in further detail. A controller 36
is configured within the base unit, for integration and
coordinating and controlling the audio system, illumination system
and rotation of the arm.
[0062] A top portion 40 of the base unit 14 is substantially flat
and is configured with an arm socket 42 (best seen in FIGS. 11A and
11B), at an eye-pleasing continuous fashion as best seen in FIG.
15. The arm socket 42 configures for snappingly receiving a base
end 46 of a canopy arm 48, detachably attachable thereto for
conveying rotary motion imparted by motor 30, through an internal
flexible motion rod (not shown) within the canopy arm 48 to a
canopy coupler 50 at a canopy end 52 of the canopy arm 48. In this
connection it is appreciated that the canopy 18 is easily
detachable attachable to the coupler 50, for manipulating between
the table-lamp like configuration and the mobile configuration
where the canopy suspends from the canopy arm 48.
[0063] Further noted, top portions of the base unit 14 are
configured with an illumination system comprising a projecting
light source 54 and a canopy illuminating light source 56. The
projecting light source 54 is a relatively stronger illuminating
light source, configured for projecting light on a ceiling, whilst
the canopy illuminating light source 56 is configured for throwing
light on the bottom surface of the canopy 18, i.e. at a short
distance. The arm socket 42 is configured with a micro switch (not
seen) such that when the canopy arm 48 is engaged therein the micro
switch disengages the projecting light source 54.
[0064] It is appreciated that the light emitted from the projecting
light sources 54 can be a plain light beam or a projected/reflected
image (e.g. by the provision of a screen or an image projector, not
shown). Furthermore, light emitted from the projecting light
sources 54 can be aimed (i.e. directed at different objects such as
a wall or a ceiling, e.g. by providing the light source on a
flexible arm; not shown), focused, enhanced (e.g. by a magnifying
lens). Furthermore, the light or image emitted by the projecting
light source 54 can be manipulated e.g. by a diverging lens, color
lens, etc. Evenmore so, light parameters (wavelength, intensity) or
the projected image can change either manually or automatically
(e.g. as a function of time elapsed, randomly, in conjunction with
a selected theme or music played by the mobile, depending on
ambient light conditions, by virtue of the controller 36 mentioned
with reference to FIG. 15, etc.).
[0065] Base unit 14 has texturized patterns 37 and texturized
elements 39 for infant stimulation. More so, there is a translucent
panel 41 with colorful images thereon, with an internal light
source within the base unit, configured for illumination same from
behind, as an atmosphere illumination.
[0066] The base unit 14 is further configured with a suspension
arrangement e.g. straps 58 at the back face of the base unit 14,
though other suspension arrangements can be configured, such as
bolts, fasteners, hocks and the like (not shown), whereby it can be
easily mounted and detached, at a substantially vertically
suspended position, e.g. to a bed rack 59 and the like.
[0067] A canopy post 64 is pivotally articulated to the base 14 at
66, between a stowed position (FIGS. 1 to 14; best seen in FIG.
11A) and an erect position (FIGS. 10, 12, 14; best seen in 11B). At
the stowed position the canopy post 64 is received within a
depression 68. Typically, at either of its stowed position and
erect position the canopy post 64 is secured e.g. by a snap-type
arrangement, to thereby prevent spontaneous displacement thereof. A
tip end 72 of the canopy post 64 is configured for insertion into a
corresponding receptacle (not seen) within the canopy 18 such that
the canopy 18 securely rests over the canopy post 64 at a so-called
table-lamp like configuration (e.g. FIG. 12A).
[0068] Whilst in the illustrated example the canopy post 64 is
pivotally secured to the base unit, it is appreciated that other
configurations are possible too, e.g. the canopy post can
telescopically extend from the base unit, or be screw-coupled
thereto, etc.
[0069] Evenmore so, whilst in the illustrated example the canopy
post 64 is pivotally secured to the base unit however according to
another configuration (not shown) the canopy post can be configured
for articulation with the motor 30 of the base unit via arm socket
42, thereby imparting the canopy with rotary motion also at the
table-lamp like configuration.
[0070] Reverting now to the canopy 18, it is configured with a
plurality of stimulating articles. i.e. figures 80 which are
readily detachably attachable over a perimeter of the canopy 18 and
can be can be configured for animation while the canopy
rotates.
[0071] Furthermore, portions of the canopy (82 in FIG. 12B) can be
translucent or transparent having different shapes and colors, or
comprise openings or perforations 84, whereby at the illuminating
position light can penetrate and illuminate the ceiling of the
room, serving as atmosphere light. When the mobile is at motion,
the penetrating light offers a unique pattern over the ceiling,
e.g. stars, animated animal motion, etc.
[0072] The entertainment mobile 10 is thus configurable between the
following positions:
[0073] I. Suspended position [0074] a. with the canopy 18 mounted
on the canopy arm 48 (FIGS. 1 to 3; [0075] b. with the canopy 18
mounted on the canopy post 64 (FIG. 14); [0076] c. with the canopy
removed (projecting mode; FIGS. 4 to 6);
[0077] II. Table-top position [0078] a. with the canopy 18 mounted
on the canopy arm 48 (FIG. 13); [0079] b. with the canopy 18
mounted on the canopy post 64 (FIGS. 10, 12); [0080] c. with the
canopy removed (FIGS. 7 to 9).
[0081] When the canopy 18 is removed (modes I.a. and II.b.; FIGS. 4
to 9) the projecting light source 54 is activated, to illuminate at
a substantially far distance, against the ceiling, as schematically
represented in the respective drawings by dashed lines.
[0082] When the canopy 18 is mounted (modes I.b., Ic., II.a. and
II.b; FIGS. 1 to 3, 10, 12, and 13) the canopy illuminating light
source 56 is activated as schematically represented in the
respective drawings by doted lines. At these positions, light rays
projecting trough the canopy are represented by dash-doted
lines.
[0083] Converting between the situations as mentioned hereinabove
and as illustrated in the drawings is simple and takes place by
detaching the canopy 18 from the canopy arm 48, and removing the
canopy arm from the base unit 14, arriving at the projecting
position. If the so called table-top position is desired, the
canopy post 64 is deployed into its erect position and the canopy
18 is placed thereover.
* * * * *