U.S. patent application number 14/684759 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-15 for repositionable infant support structures.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mattel, Inc.. Invention is credited to David M. Bapst, Kurt J. Huntsberger, Devin J. Roberts, Maarten Van Huystee.
Application Number | 20150289676 14/684759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54263993 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150289676 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huntsberger; Kurt J. ; et
al. |
October 15, 2015 |
Repositionable Infant Support Structures
Abstract
An infant support structure is disclosed. The infant support
structure includes a support base and a seat that is removably
coupled to the support base. The seat is rotationally
repositionable about an axis, such as an axis generally
perpendicular to a support surface, and is adapted to be reoriented
from a first seat facing position to a second seat facing position,
and vice versa, whether it is coupled to the support base or
not.
Inventors: |
Huntsberger; Kurt J.;
(Arcade, NY) ; Roberts; Devin J.; (Lackawanna,
NY) ; Van Huystee; Maarten; (Lancaster, NY) ;
Bapst; David M.; (South Wales, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mattel, Inc. |
El Segundo |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54263993 |
Appl. No.: |
14/684759 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61979311 |
Apr 14, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/258.1 ;
297/273; 297/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/102 20130101;
A47D 13/105 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/10 20060101
A47D013/10; A47D 1/00 20060101 A47D001/00 |
Claims
1. An infant support structure comprising: a support base to
support the infant support structure on a support surface; and a
seat assembly that is removably mountable on the support base
comprising: a child receiving portion; and a ground engaging
assembly configured to engage the support surface when the seat
assembly is removed from the support base, wherein the child
receiving portion is rotatably repositionable with respect to the
ground engaging assembly when the seat assembly is removed from the
support base and rotatably repositionable with respect to the
support base when the seat assembly is mounted on the support
base.
2. The infant support structure of claim 1, wherein the support
base further comprises: a carriage coupled to the support base and
configured to receive the seat assembly, wherein the carriage is
configured to impart movement to the seat assembly when the seat
assembly is mounted on the support base via the carriage.
3. The infant support structure of claim 2, wherein the movement
imparted to the seat assembly by the carriage provides a first
motion to a child disposed in the seat assembly when the child
receiving portion is in a first seat facing position and the
movement imparted to the seat assembly by the carriage provides a
second motion to a child disposed in the seat assembly when the
child receiving portion is in a second seat facing position,
wherein the first seat facing position is rotationally offset from
the second seat facing position.
4. The infant support structure of claim 3, wherein the first
motion is a head-to-toe oscillatory motion and the second motion is
a side-to-side oscillatory motion.
5. The infant support structure of claim 2, wherein the support
base further comprises: a housing, wherein the carriage is operable
to move relative to the housing to impart movement to the seat
assembly.
6. The infant support structure of claim 2, further comprising: a
drive assembly configured to drive the carriage along a
predetermined path such that the seat assembly oscillates with
respect to the support base when the seat assembly is coupled to
the support base via the carriage.
7. The infant support structure of claim 2, wherein the carriage
comprises: a hanger arm, and the movement imparted to the seat
assembly when the seat assembly is mounted to the carriage is a
reciprocal swinging motion.
8. The infant support structure of claim 1, wherein the ground
engaging assembly is configured to permit movement of the seat
assembly when the ground engaging assembly engages the support
surface so as to provide a first motion to a child disposed in the
seat assembly when the child receiving portion is in a first seat
facing position and a second motion to a child disposed in the seat
assembly when the child receiving portion is in a second seat
facing position, wherein the first seat facing position is
rotationally offset from the second seat facing position.
9. The infant support structure of claim 8, wherein the first
motion is a head-to-toe oscillatory motion and the second motion is
a side-to-side oscillatory motion.
10. The infant support structure of claim 1, wherein the ground
engaging assembly is spaced from the support surface when the seat
assembly is mounted on the support base and the ground engaging
assembly is configured to engage the support surface when the seat
assembly is removed from the support base.
11. The infant support structure of claim 1, wherein the child
receiving portion is configured to rotate about an axis oriented
substantially perpendicularly to the support surface both when
mounted on and removed from the support base.
12. The infant support structure of claim 1, wherein the ground
engaging assembly includes at least one rocker rail, so that the
seat assembly is configured as a rocker when the seat assembly is
removed from the support base.
13. The infant support structure of claim 12, wherein rotation of
the child receiving portion with respect to the at least one rocker
rail permits both a head-to-toe rocking motion and a side-to-side
rocking motion.
14. An infant support structure comprising: a support base to
support the infant support structure on a support surface; and a
seat assembly configured to be removably mounted on the support
base, wherein the seat assembly is configured to undergo a first
oscillatory motion when mounted on the support base and the seat
assembly is configured to undergo a second oscillatory motion when
the seat assembly is removed from the support base and engaged with
the support surface, wherein the seat assembly includes a child
receiving portion configured to be rotationally repositioned when
mounted on or removed from the support base.
15. The infant support structure of claim 14, wherein the seat
assembly further comprises: a ground engaging portion including at
least one rocker rail, the at least one rail configured to movably
engage the support surface to permit the second oscillatory motion
when the seat assembly is removed from the support base.
16. The infant support structure of claim 15 wherein rotation of
the child receiving portion with respect to the at least one rocker
rail permits both a head-to-toe rocking motion and a side-to-side
rocking motion.
17. The infant support structure of claim 14, wherein the infant
support structure is configured as a swing when the seat assembly
is mounted on the support base and the infant support structure is
configured as a rocker when the seat assembly is removed from the
support base.
18. The infant support structure of claim 14, wherein the seat
assembly further comprises: a ground engaging portion, wherein the
child receiving portion provides at least two rotational seating
positions with respect to the support base when the seat is mounted
on the support base and at least two rotational seating positions
with respect to the ground engaging portion when the seat assembly
is removed from the support base.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/979,311, filed Apr. 14, 2014,
Attorney Docket No. 0621.2234P, entitled "Repositionable Infant
Support Structures," the contents of which is hereby incorporated
by reference in full.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed toward a child support
device and, in particular, to a repositionable infant seat that is
selectively mountable on a support base, but repositionable both on
and off the support base.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Child receiving seats are often used to soothe a restless
child. For example, bouncers and swings provide a gentle rocking
motion to the seat, comforting an infant positioned therein.
Similarly, infant gliders include a seat that moves back and forth
along a support base to provide a continuous, oscillating motion
that comforts a child positioned in the seat. In order to heighten
the soothing experience, some gliders, such as the child seat
provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,722,118 (Bapst et al.), the disclosure
of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, now
include a seat that is capable of multiple orientations with
respect to its support base. Consequently, a child can face
multiple directions when the support base moves the seat back and
forth in order to experience different gliding motions (i.e.
side-to-side and head-to-toe motion).
[0004] While the aforementioned configuration increases the
soothing options that a glider can provide, it does not alter the
type of soothing motion provided by such an infant seat. Thus, some
glider seats have introduced detachable or removable seats, such
that an infant may experience gliding in a first configuration and
a second motion, such as bouncing, in a second configuration.
However, many of these detachable or removable solutions only
provide unidirectional movement--the seat is only capable of being
positioned in one direction with respect to the direction of seat
movement--in at least one of the configurations (i.e. when the seat
is mounted to a support base or when the seat is positioned
directly on a support surface). Accordingly, it would be desirable
to provide an infant support structure with a seat that is
detachable from a support base and capable of multiple orientations
whether attached or detached to the support base, such that a child
can face multiple directions during motion of the seat on the
support base or directly on a support surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention generally relates to a repositionable
infant support structure and, more specifically, to an infant seat
that is removably mountable on a support base and capable of being
rotated whether or not it is mounted on the support base. According
to at least one exemplary embodiment, an infant support structure
according to the present invention includes a support base
configured to support the infant support structure on a support
surface and a seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a child
receiving portion and a ground engaging assembly configured to
selectively engage the support surface and the seat assembly is
removably mountable on the support base. Moreover, the child
receiving portion is rotatable between at least a first seat facing
position and a second seat facing position regardless of whether
the seat assembly is mounted on the support base.
[0006] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, an infant support structure includes a support base to
support the infant support structure on a support surface and a
seat assembly. The support base includes a housing, a carriage
operable to move relative to the housing, and a drive assembly
operable to drive the carriage along a predetermined path such that
the carriage moves in an oscillatory motion with respect to the
support base. The seat assembly is adapted to be attached to and
detached from the carriage and is configured to rotate from a first
seat facing position to a second seat facing position whether the
seat is attached to or detached from the carriage. Thus, a child
experiences one of head-to-toe and side-to-side motion in the first
position and the child experiences the other motion in the second
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a repositionable
infant support structure according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, showing a seat without a cover mounted on a
support base in a side-to-side orientation.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary
embodiment of the seat shown removed from the support base. The
seat includes a child receiving portion, a mounting, and legs.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary
embodiment of a seat of a repositionable infant support structure
including a cover, in accordance with the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the child receiving
portion of the seat shown FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the legs and
mounting portion of the seat shown FIG. 2.
[0012] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate top, side sectional, and bottom
perspective views, respectively, of at least a portion of the
bottom portion of the child receiving portion of the seat shown in
FIG. 2.
[0013] FIGS. 9-10 illustrate top and bottom perspective views,
respectively, of at least a portion of the legs of the seat of FIG.
2, showing portions of a hub assembly included on the seat.
[0014] FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the legs,
the mounting portion, and the seat of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the support base
of the infant support structure shown in FIG. 1, with the seat
removed from the support base.
[0016] FIGS. 13-14 illustrate top and front perspective views,
respectively, of a portion of the support base of FIG. 12.
[0017] FIG. 15 illustrates the infant support structure of FIG. 1
in various configurations.
[0018] Like reference numerals have been used to identify like
elements throughout this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] In accordance with the present invention, a repositionable
infant support structure is disclosed. FIG. 1 is a perspective view
of the repositionable infant support structure according to an
embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the infant support
structure 10 includes seat 100 and a support base 200. The seat
100, which may also be referred to as the seat assembly, comprises
a structure operable to either support an infant above the support
base 200 or on a support surface. In particular, the seat 100
includes a child receiving portion 105, a ground engaging assembly
or portion 400, and a mounting assembly 500. The mounting assembly
500, which may alternately be referred to as the mounting portion
500 or more simply as mounting 500, is configured to selectively
mount the child receiving portion 105 on a carriage 300 that is
movably coupled to a support base 200 such that any movement, such
as swinging motion, imparted to the carriage 300 is transferred to
the seat 100.
[0020] Now referring to FIG. 2, the seat 100 is shown removed from
the support base 200 for clarity. Generally, and as seen in FIG. 2,
the child receiving portion 105 comprises a frame 110 configured to
support a seat or soft goods material for receiving a child (see
e.g., FIG. 3). The ground engaging assembly 400, which may
alternately be referred to as the leg portion 400 or more simply as
legs 400, is generally configured to movably support the seat 100
on a support surface when the seat 100 is placed thereon subsequent
to being removed or detached from the support base 200.
[0021] In this particular embodiment, the seat 100 is substantially
configured as a rocker when removed from the support base 200.
Thus, the child receiving portion 105 is disposed substantially
above two rocker rails, first rail 408 and second rail 418, such
that a child disposed within portion 105 can be rocked back and
forth on the rails 408, 418. In other embodiments child receiving
portion 105 could be configured as any desirable infant support
structure. However, regardless of the configuration, the legs may
400 extend beneath the mounting 500 so that the mounting 500 is
disposed at a distance above a support surface when the legs 400
are disposed thereon and the legs 400 can move on or with respect
to a support surface without interference if desired.
[0022] Turning now to FIG. 3, another exemplary embodiment of a
seat 100 which includes a soft goods material 102 draped over the
child receiving portion 105 is shown. As mentioned, in some
embodiments, the child receiving portion 105 may include soft goods
material 102 draped over a frame 110. The frame 110 may be formed
from generally rigid material including, but not limited to, metal
and plastic. The soft goods material 102 (e.g., a soft fabric
formed from natural or synthetic materials) is typically draped
over the sections of the frame 110 to provide a seating region
capable of supporting an infant in a seated and/or a supine
position. The soft goods material 102 may be designed to fit
securely and snugly onto the sections of the frame 110. The soft
goods material 102, moreover, may be removable and washable.
[0023] In FIG. 4, the child receiving portion 105 of the present
invention is shown without a soft goods covering and with the
remaining parts or portions of seat 100, such as mounting 500,
removed therefrom for clarity. As can be seen in this figure, the
child receiving portion 105 comprises a frame 110 that includes an
upper section 120 and a lower section 160. The upper frame section
120 may include a first U-shaped bar 126 and a second U-shaped bar
128 that each extend from a first or front end 122 to a second or
rear end 128. The first and second bars 126, 124 may be coupled to
each other and to the lower frame section 160 at the first and
second ends 122, 124. In particular, the first and second bars 126,
128 may be coupled to at least one connecting rod 168 included in
the lower section 160 at the first and second ends 122, 124.
[0024] Each connecting rod 168 also extends from the front end 122
to the rear end 124, but is disposed substantially beneath the
U-shaped bars 126, 128. In this particular embodiment, the at least
one connecting rod 168 includes two arcuate rods. Thus, the at
least one connecting rod 168 and U-shaped bars 126, 128
collectively form the skeleton of a seat that a material, such as
soft goods 102, can be draped over to form a comfortable seat for a
child. Furthermore, and as is described in detail below, each of
the at least one connecting rods 168 may be movably mounted to or
captured within a portion of the legs 400 of seat 100 to allow the
child receiving portion 105 to be supported above the legs 400
and/or recline with respect to the legs 400.
[0025] In some embodiments, one or both of the bars 126, 128 may
further comprise a slight downward bend proximate the first and
second ends 122, 124 (i.e., proximate the top ends of the sideways
"U's"). That is, the portions proximate the first and second ends
122, 124 may be canted (bent) slightly downward (toward the support
base 200 and/or supporting surface) at any desirable angle, such as
an angle of approximately 30.degree. with respect to the side
portions of the tube (i.e. the bottom of the "U"). This
configuration provides a deeper seat pocket (created by the soft
goods 102 on frame 110) when compared to conventional child seats
(without the canted frame sections), thereby providing a more
comfortable resting place for a child. Additional details regarding
the canting of the child seat are provided in U.S. Published Patent
Application No. 2004-0217643 (Piwko et al.), the disclosure of
which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. However,
while the frame 110 is preferably shaped to receive a soft goods
seat, in other embodiments, the at least one connecting rod 168 may
be configured to receive any desirable seat or provide a seat
itself, if desired.
[0026] Still referring to FIG. 4, in this particular embodiment,
the lower section 160 also includes a first coupler 162 and a
second coupler 164 which couple the connecting rods 168 of the
lower frame section 160 to the upper frame section 120. In some
embodiments, the couplers 162, 164 may simply serve to ensure that
the lower frame section 160 remains coupled to the upper frame
section 120. However, in other embodiments, such as the embodiment
shown in FIG. 3, the couplers 162, 164 may receive end portions of
the U-shaped bars 126, 128 within receivers 163 and 165,
respectively (see FIG. 6) and the couplers 162, 164 may receive end
portions of the connecting rods 168 within receivers 161 and 167,
respectively (see FIG. 6). Thus, the U-shaped bars 126, 128 and
connecting rods 168 are coupled together via the couplers 162, 164
in addition to or in lieu of being coupled directly together.
Furthermore, the couplers 162, 164 may provide a surface or
connection point for accessories, such as a vibration unit 190 (see
FIGS. 2 and 6), to be coupled to or mounted on the seat 100.
[0027] As can also be seen in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the
child receiving portion 150 also includes handles, such as handles
130 and 140, and a toy bar 150. The handles 130, 140 may allow a
parent to more easily lift or grasp the seat 100 when moving the
seat 100 to a new location or orientation. The handles 130, 140 may
also provide mounts 132, 142, respectively, which allow end
portions of the toy bar 150 to be received therein. In the depicted
embodiment, handle 130 is mounted on a first side of the child
receiving portion 105, handle 140 is mounted on a second, opposite
side of the child receiving portion 105, and each handle 130, 140
includes a mount 132, 142 with an aperture configured to secure a
spring-biased tab included on each end of toy bar 150 therein.
Thus, the toy bar 150 can be mounted so that it extends over the
child receiving portion 105 and a child seated therein may access
any toys hanging therefrom.
[0028] However, in other embodiments, the handles 130, 140 and/or
toy bar 150 may be secured to frame 110 in any desirable manner
(clips, friction fit, fasteners, etc). In fact, in some
embodiments, such as those embodiments where the U-shaped tubes
126, 128 each include two pieces, the handles 130, 140 may comprise
a portion of the frame 110, insofar as each of the handles 130, 140
may couple the two pieces of the U-shaped tubes 126, 128 together.
In other words, in some embodiments the upper frame section 120 may
include four frame sections that are coupled together by handles
130, 140 and couplers 162, 164.
[0029] Now turning to FIG. 5, the legs 400 and mounting 500 are
shown from a top perspective with the child receiving portion 105
removed for clarity. As can be seen, the legs 400 extend from a
central hub 402 and the mounting 500 is coupled to or formed in the
underside of the central hub 402. Additionally, a recline mechanism
470 that may be configured to movably receive the lower section 160
of the child receiving portion 105 may be coupled to the top side
of the hub 402. The recline mechanism 470 includes a cover 472 that
is mounted on a pedestal 474 and at least one conduit 478 is formed
laterally between the cover 472 and pedestal 474, such that each
conduit 478 can receive one of the at least one connecting rods 168
(see FIGS. 6-8). In order to couple the cover 472 to the pedestal
474, the cover 472 may include apertures 480 configured to receive
any desirable fasteners.
[0030] Preferably, the recline mechanism 470, which may be
alternatively referred to as an upper hub 470 or upper hub portion
470, is rotatably coupled to the hub 402, as is described in
further detail below. More specifically, in some embodiments, the
apertures 480 may extend through the pedestal 474 in order to
fixedly couple the pedestal 474 and cover 472 to a collar 484 (see
FIGS. 7-8) which rotatably couples the recline mechanism 470 to the
hub 402. However, in some of these embodiments, pedestal 474 and
cover 472 may be formed integrally and the apertures 480 may simply
allow this integrally formed piece to be coupled to the collar
484.
[0031] Still referring to FIG. 5, the legs 400 include a first
extension member 406 and a second extension member 416 which each
extend laterally from opposite sides of the central hub 402. At the
distal end of each extension member 406, 416 is a respective rail
408, 418. In this particular embodiment, the rails 408, 418 are
configured as rocker rails, however the term "rail" is not intended
to be defined strictly as a rocker rail and may, in some
embodiments, be any desirable ground engaging element, such as a
bouncer leg or stationary leg. In some embodiments, the extension
members 406, 416 and, thus, the rails 408, 418 are coupled to a
collar or ring-like structure which sits within or around the hub
402 in order to movably couple the extension members 406, 416 to
the hub 402. However, in other embodiments, such as embodiment
shown in FIG. 5, the extension members 406, 416 and, thus, the
rails 408, 418, are fixedly coupled to the hub 402 and configured
to move therewith. In contrast, and as mentioned above, the recline
mechanism 470 may be rotatably coupled to the hub 402 in order to
allow the child receiving portion 105 to rotate with respect to the
legs 400 (including the extension members 406, 416 and rails 408,
418). Each of these connections is described in more detail
below.
[0032] Now turning to FIG. 6, the recline mechanism 470 is shown
with the cover 472 removed in order to show the internal components
of the recline mechanism 470. In the particular embodiment shown in
FIG. 6, the connection rods 168 are movably received within two
conduits 478 so that the child receiving portion 105 is selectively
movable with respect to the legs 400. Consequently, in the depicted
embodiment, the child receiving portion 105 may be tilted or
reclined with respect to the legs 400. In other embodiments, the
connection rods 168 are preferably movably received within two
conduits 478 of the recline mechanism 470, however, each connection
rod 168 may be secured in place within its respective conduit 478
via any desirable means or method. For example, in some embodiments
the connection rods 168 may be fixedly secured within the conduits
478 and the recline mechanism 470 may simply serve to couple the
child receiving portion 105 to the legs 400 (and, thus, may be more
accurately referred to as the upper hub portion 470, as mentioned
above).
[0033] In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 6, an engagement
mechanism 490 configured to selectively secure child receiving
portion 105 in desirable orientations with respect to the legs 400
positions is disposed between two connection rods 168. The
engagement mechanism 490 is configured to selectively move or
expand to an "engaging position" where the engagement mechanism 490
engages an interior portion of each connection rod 168 and pushes
or otherwise moves the connection rods 168 until it is pressed
against an outer portion of its respective conduit 478. Thus, each
rod 168 may be frictionally secured between the engagement
mechanism 490 and a portion of the conduit 478 when desired. In
some embodiments, the engagement mechanism 490 is biased in this
engaging position so that the rods 168 are only movable when the
engagement mechanism 490 is actuated or otherwise moved away from
this engaging position, but in other embodiments the engagement
mechanism 490 may be biased to any desirable position.
[0034] In the inset included in FIG. 6, the components of the
engagement mechanism 490 are shown in detail. As can be seen, the
engagement mechanisms 490 includes a first engagement member 492
and a second engagement member 494 that are rotatably coupled
together at a central point C. Each member 492, 494 extends from a
first end 492A, 494A to a second end 492B, 494B and the members
492, 494 are coupled together at their first ends 492A, 494A and
second ends 492B, 494B via biasing members 496A and 496B,
respectively. In this particular embodiment, biasing members 496A,
496B are tension springs which are biased to keep the members 492,
494 in the engaging position, as seen in FIG. 6. The engagement
mechanism 490 also includes an actuator 498 which is coupled to the
first end 492A of the first member 492 and the second end 494B of
the second member 494.
[0035] Due to the aforementioned configuration, when the actuator
is moved in a first direction D1, first member 492 will begin to
rotate in a counter-clockwise direction about point C and second
member 494 will begin to rotate in a clockwise direction about
point C, thereby causing the first ends 492A, 494A to move in a
direction D3 and the second ends 492B, 494B to move in an opposite
direction, D4. In other words, each end 492A, 492B, 494A, 494B will
move inwards, thereby stretching the biasing members 496A, 496B
from their rest or biased position and moving the engagement
mechanism 490 out of its engaging position so that it is no longer
engaged with any connection rods 168.
[0036] Once the engagement mechanism 490 is moved out the engaging
position, a user may recline or move the child receiving portion
105 with respect to the recline mechanism 470 (and, thus, also with
respect to the legs 400 and mounting 500). In this particular
embodiment, once the actuator 498 is released, the biasing members
496A, 496B will contract, thereby causing the members 492, 494 to
move back to the engaging position (i.e. the first ends 492A, 494A
will now move in direction D4 and the second ends 492B, 494B will
move in an opposite direction, D3) again locking or securing the
connecting rods 168 in place within their respective conduits 478.
However, in other embodiments, the engagement mechanism 490 may be
configured in an opposite configuration, insofar as the engagement
mechanism 490 may be biased away from the engaging position and
only move to the engaging position to lock or secure the rods 168
in a desired position when actuated. Regardless, in some
embodiments, the ends 492A, 492B, 494A, 494B may be made of or
include a substance or material with a high coefficient of friction
in order to ensure the connection rods 168 are held in place when
contacted by ends 492A, 492B, 494A and 494B.
[0037] Still referring generally to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the
configuration of the recline mechanism 470, and in particular, the
configuration of the engagement mechanism 490 allows for free
movement of the connection rods 168 until the engagement mechanism
490 is moved back into its engaging position. Consequently, the
child receiving portion 105 may be moved to any desired angle of
inclination that is provided along the length of the connection
rods 168. In other words, any portion of connection rods 168 may be
secured within the recline mechanism 470 to secure the child
receiving portion 105 at a desirable recline position. However, in
other embodiments, such as those including other embodiments of
engagement mechanism 490, the child receiving portion 105 may only
be supported in a limited number of reclined positions. For
example, in some embodiments, the engagement mechanism 490 may
include at least one securing member (not shown) riveted to the
connection rods 168 and configured to secure the child receiving
portion 105 in one of two specific position (e.g., an upright
position and a single recline position) when engaged with the cover
472 and pedestal 474 of the recline mechanism 470.
[0038] Now turning to FIGS. 7-8, a side perspective sectional view
and a bottom perspective view of the recline mechanism 470 are
shown, respectively. Collectively, these two figures show the
collar 484 that is mounted to the upper hub 470. As was briefly
mentioned above, and as can be seen best in FIG. 7, the collar 484
extends beneath the pedestal 474 of the upper hub 470 and is
configured to rotatably couple the upper hub 470 to hub 402. Thus,
the collar 484 may essentially rotatably couple the child receiving
portion 105 to the legs 400 (since the upper hub 470 may be fixedly
coupled to the child receiving portion 105 and the hub 402 may be
fixedly coupled to the legs 400). The collar 484 includes an
exterior wall 485 which extends around an interior cavity 486. The
inner cavity 486 is substantially vaulted, insofar as an inner
surface 487 of wall 485 is stepped or sloped inwardly and upwardly
to provide an inner wall 487 that extends from the bottom outer
edge of collar 484 to a top, central portion of collar 484.
[0039] In this particular embodiment, the cavity 486 is
substantially stepped with a substantially flat top. Furthermore,
the top step of the inner surface 487 may also include sockets or
apertures 488 configured to receive any desirable coupler. For
example, in some embodiments, the apertures 488 may be configured
to allow a screw to be inserted therethrough to couple a portion of
hub 402 to collar 484. However, in other embodiments apertures 488
may be configured as a socket-like feature and be configured to
engage or receive a protrusion included on hub 402. In this
particular embodiment, the top of the stepped surface 487 includes
four apertures 488 that are configured to receive a coupler and
disposed radially equidistant about a circle substantially adjacent
and concentric to the top of the dome.
[0040] Now turning to FIGS. 9-10, with continued reference to FIGS.
7-8, the hub 402, or at least portions thereof, is shown from a top
and bottom perspective view, respectively. As can be seen in these
figures, the hub 402 is the central, cylindrical portion of legs
400 and includes a central cavity 403 configured to receive the
collar 484 of the recline mechanism 470. The central cavity 403 is
formed within a peripheral wall 402A that is substantially annular
such that cavity 403 is substantially cylindrical. However, within
the cavity 403 is a dome 404, which extends upwardly from the
bottom surface of the cavity 403 and is shaped substantially to
conform to the inner cavity 485 of the collar 484. In other words,
the central cavity 403 is shaped so that when the collar 484 is
received therein, the exterior wall 485 of the collar 484
substantially abuts the peripheral wall 402A of the hub 402 while
the dome 404 of the hub 402 substantially abuts the inner surface
487 of the collar 484. However, preferably, each of the
aforementioned surfaces is substantially smooth such that the
exterior wall 485 and inner surface 487 of the collar 484 may
rotate or otherwise move on or with respect to the peripheral wall
402A and dome 404 of the hub 402.
[0041] Additionally, similar to how the inner surface 487 of the
collar 484 has a flat top, the dome 404 of hub 402 also includes a
flat top or top portion. However, in some embodiments, such as the
present embodiment, the flat top of hub 402 may be an oculus (an
opening at the top of the dome) and the flat top of dome 404 may be
formed by a retainer 420 that includes a number of engagement
portions 422 configured to either engage the apertures 488 included
on the collar 484 or receive any couplers inserted through
apertures 488. Preferably, the engagement portions 422 are arranged
to match the number and location of the apertures 488. In some
embodiments, the retainer 420 may be fixedly coupled to the hub
402, but preferably, the retainer 420 is rotatably coupled to the
hub 402, such that the retainer 420 is secured within the hub 402
but rotatable therein. Regardless, once the collar 484 is inserted
into or mounted onto the hub 402 and coupled to retainer 420, the
features of these two parts may serve to: (1) prevent the child
receiving portion 105 from unwantedly rotating with respect to the
legs 400; and/or (2) align the child receiving portion 105 in
certain orientations with respect to the legs 400.
[0042] First, regardless of how the retainer 420 is coupled to the
hub 402 (i.e. fixedly or rotatably), the collar 484 and retainer
420 may prevent unwanted rotation of the child receiving portion
105. In the embodiments where the retainer 420 is rotatably coupled
to the hub 402, the coupling between the retainer 420 and collar
484 (e.g., a coupling between or facilitated by engagement portions
422 and apertures 488) may fixedly couple the retainer 420 to the
child receiving portion 105, such that the child receiving portion
105 and retainer 420 may rotate together with respect to the legs
400. In such an embodiment, the retainer 420 may be selectively
securable to the hub 402 via a detent mechanism, such that the
child receiving portion 105 may only rotate with respect to legs
400 in response to a specific actuation, as is described below in
detail. Consequently, the coupling between the collar 484 and
retainer 420 will prevent the child receiving portion from
unwantedly rotating with respect to the legs 400.
[0043] Alternatively, in embodiments where the retainer 420 is
fixedly secured within the hub 402, the apertures 488 of the collar
484 may be coupled, preferably removably, to the engagement
portions 422 of the hub 402 to secure the child receiving portion
105 to the legs 400. Since, in these embodiments, the retainer 420
is fixedly secured to the legs 400 (via hub 402), coupling the
collar 484 (which is coupled to the child receiving portion 105) to
the retainer 420 may serve to prevent unwanted rotation of the
child receiving portion 105. However, in still other embodiments,
the child receiving portion 105 may be prevented from unwantedly
rotating with respect to legs 400 in any desirable manner.
[0044] Second, the retainer 420 and collar 484 may align the child
receiving portion 105 in certain orientations with respect to legs
400. Notably, regardless of whether the retainer 420 is rotatably
or fixedly secured within hub 402, the child receiving portion 105
may be initially oriented on the retainer 420 by aligning the
apertures 488 and engagement portions 422. Thus, the pattern of
apertures 488 and engagement portions 422 may dictate the
orientations that the child receiving portion 105 may be initially
oriented in with respect to legs 400. Preferably, the apertures 488
and engagement portions 422 are arranged so that the child
receiving portion 105 is initially mounted in a position that is
either substantially perpendicular or parallel to the legs 400. In
other words, the child receiving portion 105 is preferably
initially mounted on the legs 400 in a head-to-toe or a
side-to-side orientation. However, "head-to-toe" and "side-to-side"
are not intended to limit the seat to facing one direction and,
although not shown, the seat may face either direction when in
either of these orientations. Specifically, preferably the child
receiving portion 105 may be initially mounted on legs 400 at any
ninety degree increment between zero and 360 degrees with respect
to legs 400, in addition to the orientations shown in FIG. 15
(head-to-toe and side-to-side orientations).
[0045] In the particular embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7-10, the
collar 484 includes four apertures 488 and the retainer 420
includes four engagement portions 422 arranged at ninety degree
increments around a circle of the same radius. Consequently, the
child receiving portion 105 can only be mounted in a head-to-toe or
side-to-side configuration so that the child receiving portion 105
will rock or swing--depending on if the seat 100 is coupled or
decoupled from the support base 200, respectively--head-to-toe or
side-to-side (although a child disposed in the seat 100 may face
four directions). In other embodiments, the engagement portions 422
and apertures 488 may be arranged to allow the child receiving
portion 105 to be initially aligned at any desirable angle with
respect to the legs 400 (as well as the support base 200) in order
to provide motion, such as oscillating motion, or stationary
support in any desirable orientation.
[0046] Once the collar 484 is initially mounted on or secured to
the retainer 420, the child receiving portions 105 may be moved to
certain, desired orientations in various manners, depending at
least upon how the retainer 420 is secured within the hub 420. For
example, in the embodiments where the retainer 420 is fixedly
secured within the hub 402, a parent may move the child receiving
portion 105 to a different orientation with respect to the legs 400
(as compared to its initial orientation) by lifting the child
receiving portion 105 off of the legs 400 (thereby decoupling
apertures 488 and engagement portions 422), rotating the child
receiving portion 105 to a desirable position, such as a position
ninety degrees offset in either direction, and re-mounting the
child receiving portion 105 on the legs 400. Consequently, in such
embodiments, the pattern of apertures 488 and engagement portions
422 may be the only feature which impacts the alignment or
orientation of the child receiving portion 105.
[0047] However, preferred embodiments include a retainer 420
rotatably mounted within hub 402 and selectively securable to the
hub 402 via a detent mechanism. In these embodiments, the detent
mechanism may be configured to secure the retainer 420 in certain
positions or orientations with respect to the legs 400.
Consequently, the child receiving portion 105 may only be securely
aligned in certain orientations (since the collar 484 is fixedly
secured to the retainer 420 in such embodiments, for example via
couplers extending between apertures 488 and engagement portions
422). In these embodiments, the retainer 420 is preferably free to
rotate with respect to the hub 402 when the retainer 420 is not
secured by the detent mechanism. However, in some of these
embodiments, the retainer 420 may also include tabs 424 that extend
beyond the opening and rest on the lip 402C. The tabs 424 may limit
the rotation of the retainer 420 to a certain range of
rotation.
[0048] FIG. 10 illustrates one exemplary embodiment with a
rotatable retainer 420 that is free to rotate through a range of
rotation with respect to hub 402 (between two tabs 424) and
configured to be secured to the hub 402 via a detent mechanism 430.
Specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the retainer 420
extends through the oculus and across a lower surface 402B of the
hub 402 that is substantially open except for a lip 402C extending
around the exterior edge of the lower surface 402B (i.e. the dome
404 may be substantially hollow, such that the area thereunder is
open). Additionally, the retainer 420 may rotate on or within the
lip 402C so that the retainer 420 may rotate within the hub 402.
However, in this particular embodiment, the retainer 420 also
includes indentations with raised lateral edges (not shown) that
are disposed adjacent to lip 402C and configured to be received and
selectively secured by a detent mechanism 430.
[0049] The detent mechanism 430 is shown from a top view in the
inset of FIG. 10. As shown, the detent mechanism 430 includes a
detent member 432 and a push rod 434 that is coupled to a biasing
member 436. In this embodiment, the detent member 432 is also
mounted on two rails 438 which guide the detent member 432 between
a biased position (shown in FIG. 10) and an unbiased position (not
shown). However, in other embodiments, the detent mechanism may
include any desirable parts and be configured in any desirable
manner.
[0050] In operation, when an indentation is rotated into contact
with detent mechanism 430, a first raised lateral edge of the
indentation will move the detent member 432 out of its unbiased
position in direction D5 as it contacts and moves across a first
angled surface, a flat surface, and a second angled surface of the
detent member 432 (in either direction). The detent member 432
includes angled surfaces to allow the raised lateral edges of the
indentations to rotate into and traverse the detent member 432 in
one, fluid motion. Once the first raised lateral edge of the
indentation has moved beyond the detent member 432, the biasing
member 436 will drive the push rod 434 in direction D6 which will
cause the detent member 432 to move in direction D6 back to its
unbiased position, but between the raised, lateral edges of the
indentation, thereby securing the retainer 420 in a specific
orientation. Thus, as mentioned above, in those implementations
where the retainer 420 is rotatably mounted within hub 402, the
retainer 420 may ensure that the child receiving portion 105 is
secured in certain, desired orientations.
[0051] After the child receiving portion 105 has been secured in a
specific orientation (e.g., via securing the retainer 420 in a
certain position with the detent mechanism 430), a parent must
exert a sufficient rotational force on the retainer 420, perhaps
via the child receiving portion 105, to allow one of the lateral
edges of the indentation to overcome the biasing force of biasing
member 436 and disengage the indentation from the detent mechanism
430. Specifically, either the first lateral edge must be moved in
an opposite direction to the direction it was initially moved in
(e.g., across the second angled surface, the flat surface, and then
the first angled surface of the detent member 432) or the second
lateral edge must be moved in the same direction that the first
lateral edge was initially moved in (e.g., across the first angled
surface, the flat surface, and then the second angled surface of
the detent member 432) to disengage the indentation from the detent
mechanism 430.
[0052] Regardless, of which direction the retainer is rotated to be
disengaged from the detent mechanism 430, while moving across the
detent member 432, the lateral edge engaging the detent member 432
will push the detent member 432 back down in direction D5 until
both lateral edges of the indentation can be rotated past the
detent mechanism 430. Once both lateral edges are moved beyond the
detent member 432 (in either direction), the retainer 420 may
rotate freely until another indentation (or tab 424 for those
embodiments which include tabs 424) rotates into contact with the
detent mechanism 430.
[0053] Preferably, when an indentation is engaged with the detent
mechanism 430, the amount of friction between the indentation and
the detent member 432 is sufficient to maintain the retainer 420 in
its position until a desirable amount of rotational force is
applied to the retainer, perhaps via a force imparted on the child
receiving portion 105 by a parent. In some embodiments, the
friction between the indentation and the detent mechanism 430 may
be increased by the weight of a child disposed in seat 100. Thus,
in different embodiments, different amounts of rotational force may
be required to cause the indentations to disengage with detent
mechanism 430 in the manner described above. Regardless,
preferably, the rotational force required to rotate the seat is
greater than any forces that may be created by an infant moving
within the seat 100 to prevent the child receiving portion 105 from
unwantedly rotating with respect to the legs 400.
[0054] Now turning to FIG. 11, an exemplary embodiment of a
mounting portion 500 is shown. As shown, mounting portion 500 is
coupled to the underside of the legs 400, and preferably fixedly
coupled thereto. Thus, when the mounting portion 500 is mounted on
a support base 200, the orientation of the legs 400 may depend on
the orientation that the mounting portion 500 is coupled to the
support base 200 in. Thus, in order to ensure that the legs 400 are
mounted on a support base 200 in a specific orientation, perhaps to
ensure that the legs 400 do not interfere with any motion provided
to the seat 100 by the support base 200, some embodiments of
mounting portion 500 may include alignment indicators or features
to help align the mounting portion 500 with the support base 200 in
specific orientations.
[0055] Still referring to FIG. 11, the mounting portion 500
includes a mount 530 that may either be coupled directly to legs
400 or be coupled thereto via a flange (not shown) that may extend
from opposite sides of the mount 530. In the present embodiment,
mount 530 is coupled directly to legs 400. In fact, the mount 530
is formed integrally with legs 400 in order to eliminate the need
for fasteners which may inhibit rotation that may be provided by
mounting portion 500. Regardless of how the mount 530 is coupled to
the legs 400, the mount 530 includes an exterior wall 530B and an
interior wall 530A which extends around an interior cavity 536,
similar to collar 484. Also similar to collar 484, the inner cavity
536 of mount 530 is substantially vaulted, such that each interior
wall 530A is stepped or sloped inwardly and upwardly to provide an
interior wall 530A that extends from the bottom outer edge of mount
530 to a top, central portion 533 of the interior wall 530A.
However, in contrast with collar 484, the top 533 of each interior
wall 530A may include at least one mounting pin 534 (instead of a
socket 488) that is configured to engage the carriage 300 of
support base 200. The mount 530 may also include various other
features to facilitate a coupling between mounting portion 500 and
carriage 300, such as a mounting ring 535.
[0056] In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the interior
wall 530A is substantially dome-shaped and a single mounting pin
534 extends downwardly from the top, central portion 533 thereof.
In this embodiment, the mounting pin 534 is a cylindrical
protrusion, but in other embodiments the mounting pin 534 may be
shaped as desired. Additionally, in this particular embodiment, the
mount 530 includes a mounting ring 535 that extends within and
substantially divides the cavity 536 into multiple sections--a
central section 536A and side sections 536B, 536C. In this
embodiment, the mounting ring 535 is substantially ovular, such
that the central section 536A is substantially ovular or elliptical
and extends parallel to legs 408, 418. The mounting pin 534 is
centrally located within the central section 536A.
[0057] Now referring to FIGS. 12-14, a support base 200 or portions
thereof are shown with the seat 100 removed for clarity. As shown,
the support base 200 includes a structure operable to support the
seat portion 100 above a supporting surface 205. In the embodiments
shown, the support base 200 includes a housing 210 and a carriage
or platform 300 adapted to move with respect to the housing 210.
The housing 210 may be of any size and/or shape; however, by way of
example only, the housing 210 is illustrated herein as a
substantially L-shaped elongate member with a first section 230A, a
second section 230B, and a third section 230C. The first and third
sections, 230A, 230C are substantially flat and the second section
230B extends arcuately therebetween. The support base 200 may also
include a mobile 206 extending outwardly from the third section
230C, such that the mobile 206 may be disposed above a child's head
when a child is disposed in a seat 100 mounted on support base
200.
[0058] As seen best in FIG. 12, the support base 200 also includes
front legs 202 and rear legs 204 to increase the footprint of the
support base 200, thereby increasing the stability of the support
base 200 during movement of a seat 100. In this particular
embodiment, the front legs 202 extend laterally outward from the
first section 230A and the rear legs 204 extend downwards and
laterally outward from the second section 230B. In some
embodiments, at least one of the front legs 202 and rear legs 204
may be foldable or rotatable with respect to the housing 210 to
allow the footprint of the support base 200 to be selectively
shrunk for storage or use in small areas, if desired. In the
embodiment illustrated herein, the rear legs 204 may rotate inwards
towards the first section 230A to a position substantially adjacent
first section 230A. When the rear legs 204 are adjacent the first
section 230A the support base 200 may still have the requisite
stability to support movement of a seat 100, however, it is
preferable to expand the legs 204 to the position seen in FIG. 12
when the seat is oscillating or otherwise moving with respect to
support base 200.
[0059] Still referring to FIG. 12, in this embodiment, the third
section 230C of the housing 210 may also include a switch plate 250
that houses the various operational switches. In some embodiments,
the front legs 202 or rear legs 204 may also include various
switches or foot pedals. Each of the aforementioned switches may
comprise, but is not limited to, a mechanical switch (pressure
sensitive, contact, push, pivot, and slide), an electrical switch,
a magnetic switch, an optical switch, etc, configured to interact
with an electronics assembly included within the housing 210. The
number of switches is not limited that that which is illustrated
herein.
[0060] As an example, in some embodiments, the housing 210 may
include an electronics assembly that includes a control unit,
various switches, and circuitry, adapted to control a motor of a
drive assembly (described below), generate sensory stimulating
output, and as desired, accommodate any desired functionality.
Accordingly, the control panel 250 may include switches configured
to provide power to the control unit (i.e., to turn the infant
support structure 10 on and to provide power to a speaker, etc.),
control the parameters of the motor (e.g., to set the speed at
which the motor rotates at and, as such, the oscillatory speed of
the carriage 300 and the seat portion 100), and/or alter the
sensory output of the infant support structure 10 (e.g., by
changing the type or volume of music generated by the control
unit). By way of example, one switch on control panel 250 may
control any suitable control circuit capable of varying the current
to the motor, such as a pulse width modulation control, a
rheostatic control, etc.
[0061] In order to facilitate the above-described functionality,
the control unit may include any desirable microcontrollers,
microprocessors, and/or other integrated circuits. By way of
specific example, the control unit may comprise a processor and may
be configured to recognize and control signals generated by the
various switches included on the control panel 250, as well as
generate and control operational output directed through various
sensory generating devices. The control unit may continually
monitor the electronic status of the various switches, generating
and altering the sensory output (e.g., movement, sounds, and/or
lights) accordingly.
[0062] Still referring to FIGS. 12-14, carriage 300, which is
configured to removably receive or be removably coupled to the seat
100, is movably coupled the housing 210. Specifically, the seat 100
is mountable on a carrier or stand 310 that extends from a hanger
arm 302 (see FIG. 12) that is movably mounted the housing 210 via
to a drive assembly 220. In this particular embodiment, the drive
assembly 220 extends outwards from the third section 230C of the
housing 210 and includes an opening 240 that is substantially
oriented towards the support surface 205 and configured to receive
the hanger arm 302. The hanger arm 302 extends downwardly from the
opening 240, but is substantially arcuate such that the hanger arm
302 may be substantially parallel to each of the sections 230A-C of
housing 210. Consequently, the carrier 310 may be supported a
desired distance above the first section 230A and be configured to
move laterally with respect to the first section 230A.
[0063] As mentioned, the support base 200 includes a drive assembly
220 to drive the carriage 300. The drive assembly 220 may include a
motor that may comprise any motor operable to generate suitable
motion of the carriage 300. The motor may rotate or move any
desirable number and combination of gears, shafts, cranks, or other
components in order to cause a oscillation of the hanger arm 302.
Consequently, the carriage 300 may be driven, via hanger arm 302
such that it swings in a side-to-side, swinging motion (when viewed
from the front). As explained below in detail, the seat 100
connects to the carriage 300 via the carrier 310 and, thus, as the
carriage 300 moves, the seat 100 oscillates side to side with
respect to the housing 210.
[0064] In some embodiments, the drive mechanism 220 may include two
cylinders rotatably coupled together. The first cylinder may be
disposed closer to the housing 210 and the second cylinder may be
rotatably coupled thereto. The first cylinder may include the motor
described above and be configured to rotate the second cylinder
with respect to the first cylinder. The hanger arm 302 may be
fixedly coupled to the second cylinder and, thus, the hanger arm
302 may be rotated back and forth in the motion described
above.
[0065] The features which enable the seat 100 to be mounted on the
carriage 300 are best seen in FIGS. 13 and 14. As shown, carrier
310 includes a boss 312 and a receiver 314 that extends upwards
from a top surface 313 of the boss 312. The receiver 314 includes
an aperture 316 and collectively, the boss 312, receiver 314, and
aperture 316 of the mount 310 are configured to receive the
mounting 500. More specifically, the receiver 314 is configured to
receive the interior wall 530A of mount 530, aperture 316 is
configured to receive a mounting pin 534, and the top surface 313
of boss 312 is configured to support the bottom surface of the
outer wall 530B of the mounting collar 530. In some embodiments,
the receiver 314 may engage the entire interior wall 530A, but in
this particular embodiment, the receiver 314 is only configured to
receive the portion of inner wall 530A included within central
portion 536A. Moreover, in this particular embodiment, the receiver
314 is also configured to engage the mounting ring 535.
[0066] More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-14,
the receiver 314 is substantially capsule-shaped (i.e. a cylinder
with spherical ends) such that the receiver 314 may substantially
mate with the portion of the dome contained within central portion
536A. Accordingly, the receiver 314 may mate with the interior wall
530A and mating ring 535 to prevent movement of the seat 100 with
respect to the support base 200 in the horizontal plane.
Additionally, the boss 312 of the carrier 310 is substantially
arcuate, such that the top surface 313 extends, at least slightly,
upwardly around and radially beyond the outer surface of receiver
314 so that lateral edges 320, 330 of the top surface 313 may
engage the side portions 536B, 536C of the cavity 536. Finally, the
aperture 316 may be formed in a central portion of the receiver 314
and may be substantially cylindrical.
[0067] Due to the aforementioned features, the receiver 314 and top
surface 313 of the carrier 310 may ensure that the mount 530 is
securely received on the carrier 310, insofar as these features may
prevent any movement of the seat 100 with respect to the support
base 200 along a horizontal plane. Moreover, the seat 100 may also
be prevented from rotating with respect to the support base 200
while mounted thereon due, at least in part, to the shapes of the
receiver 314 and central portion 536A. Moreover, the shape of the
receiver 314 and central portion 536A ensure that the legs 400 are
mounted onto the support base 200 in a specific orientation. In
this particular embodiment, these features ensure that the legs are
oriented parallel to the first section 230A of the housing 210.
[0068] In other embodiments, the carrier 310 may be any desirable
shape and size which allows the outer surface of the receiver 314
to mate with the inner wall 530A of the mount 530, the aperture 316
to mate with the mounting pin 534, and/or the bottom surface of
outer wall 530B to mate with or rest upon the top surface 313 of
the boss 312, such that the mounting 500 is securely received by
carrier 300. For example, in some embodiments, the aperture 316 may
be sized or shaped to prevent rotational movement, while in other
embodiments, the carrier 310 and mount 530 may include detent
mechanisms which serve to prevent undesired rotational movement.
However, in embodiments which include both a detent mechanism
between the carrier 310 and mount 530 and detent mechanism 430, the
detent between the carrier 310 and mount 530 is preferably stiffer
than detent mechanism 430, insofar as stiffer implies that this
detent will require a larger rotational force than detent mechanism
430 in order to be actuated. Thus, in such embodiments, if a force
is imparted onto the child receiving portion 105, the child
receiving portion 105 will rotate with respect to the legs 400
before the seat 100 (including the child receiving portion 150 and
legs 400) rotates with respect to the support base 200.
[0069] That being said, in some embodiments, such as the embodiment
shown herein, it is preferred that the legs 400 are not rotatable
when mounted on the support base 200. For example, when the support
base 200 is configured as the base of a swing, it may be preferable
to orient the legs 400 in a certain orientation with respect to the
support base 200 in order to ensure the legs 400 do not effect the
moment of inertia, catch on a portion of the support base 200 or
otherwise interfere with the swinging motion. Accordingly, and as
shown in FIG. 15, the legs 400 are not configured for reorientation
when the mounting 500 and carriage 300 include the features shown
and described herein. Specifically, the seat 100 is only adapted to
be mounted on the support base 200 with legs 400 either facing
forwards or backwards (not shown) such that the legs 400 are
parallel to the first section 230A of the housing 210. However,
since the child receiving portion 105 may still be rotatable or
reconfigurable with respect to the legs 400, the infant support
structure 10 will still be configured for reorientation such that
it may provide at least a first seat-facing position or a second
seat-facing position. In the particular embodiment shown here, the
child receiving portion 105 may be oriented in four positions (i.e.
facing forward (i.e. head-to-toe), right (side-to-side), backwards
(i.e. toe-to-head) and left (i.e. side-to-side)) when the seat 100
is mounted on the support base 200.
[0070] In other embodiments, any desirable number of configurations
may be provided in any desirable manner. For example, the mounting
pin 534, receiver 314, central portion 536A and/or aperture 316 may
be triangular, hexagonal, octagonal or any other desirable
polygonal shape, such as a two-sided oblong shape (similar to an
American football), and the amount of sides included on these
features may dictate the number of possible orientations that the
seat 100, or at least the legs 400, may be oriented in (i.e.
mounted in) with respect to support base 200. However, while the
aperture 316 and mounting pin 534 are preferably designed with the
same amount of sides and receiver 314 is preferably designed to
mate with central portion 536A, in some embodiments these features
may include a non-matching number of sides. In these embodiments,
the number of available orientations may not be dictated by the
number of sides included on these features, but instead by the
number of mating positions available. Moreover, in still other
embodiments, the mounting pin 534, aperture 316, central portion
536A and receiver 314 may have a substantially circular cross
section, such that the mounting 500 may rotate freely on the
carrier 300. In such embodiments, any desirable feature may be used
to orient the seat 100 with respect to the support base 200.
[0071] As an example of how the orientation of the child receiving
portion 105 of the infant support structure 10 may be altered when
desired, FIG. 15 provides front perspective views of the infant
support structure 10 of FIG. 1 in various configurations. As shown,
the child receiving portion 105 may be moved from a first
seat-facing position 710, in which the child receiving portion 105
faces forward (when the infant support structure 10 is viewed from
the front) to a second seat-facing position 720, in which the seat
faces sideways (when the infant support structure 10 is viewed from
the front), by rotating the child receiving portion 105 with
respect to the legs 400 regardless of whether the seat 100 is
mounted on the support base 200.
[0072] In this embodiment, since the hanger arm 302 swings
laterally with respect to the housing 210, when the seat 100 is in
the first seat-facing position 710 and mounted on the support base
200, the seat 100 is configured in a side-to-side configuration (as
illustrated by configuration 730), despite being described above as
facing "forwards." Similarly, when the seat 100 is in the second
seat-facing position 720 and mounted on the support base 200, the
seat 100 is configured in a head-to-toe configuration (as
illustrated by configuration 740), despite being described above as
facing "sideways." However, by comparison, since the rails 400
included on the seat 100 are configured to rock back and forth
(e.g., perpendicular to the movement of the hanger arm 302), when
the seat 100 is removed from the support base 200 and in the first
seat-facing position 710, the seat 100 is configured in a
head-to-toe movement configuration (as illustrated by configuration
750). Meanwhile, when the seat 100 is removed from the support base
200 and in the second seat-facing position 720, the seat 100 is
configured in a side-to-side movement configuration (as illustrated
by configuration 760).
[0073] Additionally, although the child receiving portion 105 is
rotated approximately 90.degree. about a generally vertical axis,
from the first seat facing position 710 to the second seat facing
position 720 the infant support structure 10 may be configured for
additional seat-facing positions, as is described above at length.
For example, the child receiving portion 105 may also be rotatable
to third and fourth seat facing positions (not shown) that are also
head-to-toe and side-to-side positions, respectively, by rotating
the seat to face the opposite directions that it faces in the first
and second seat-facing positions 710, 720.
[0074] Still referring to FIG. 15, since the infant support
structure 10 of the present invention provides a child receiving
portion 105 that is rotatable with respect to legs 400 that are
mountable on the support base 200 in various orientations, the
infant support structure 10 may be oriented in a wide variety of
configurations. As an example, in preferred embodiments where the
legs 400 may be oriented in one of two positions (i.e. facing
forwards or facing backwards) and the child receiving portion 105
may be oriented in four positions, the infant support structure 10
may provide twelve unique configurations (four seat facing
positions for each of two legs positions when the seat 100 is
mounted on the support base and four seat-facing positions when the
seat 100 is removed from the support base 200). By comparison, in
embodiments where both the child receiving portion 105 and legs 400
may be secured in four different positions, the infant support
structure 10 may provide twenty unique configurations (four seat
facing positions for each of four legs positions when the seat 100
is mounted on the support base 200 and four seat-facing positions
when the seat 100 is removed from the support base 200). Although
all of these configurations are not shown in FIG. 15, it is to be
understood that any of the aforementioned configurations, or any
other desirable configurations, may be provided.
[0075] When the child receiving portion 105 is mounted to support
base 200 and positioned such that the child faces sideways in a
head-to-toe configuration (or toe-to-head configuration), such as
in configuration 740, the child will experience a head-to-toe
motion when a motor included in the drive mechanism is activated.
Alternatively, when the child receiving portion 105 is mounted on
the support base 200 and positioned such that the child faces
forwards (or backwards), such as in configuration 730, the child
will experience a side-to-side motion when the motor is activated.
In other words, the drive assembly 220 may be engaged to drive the
seat 100 along a single travel path, regardless of the orientation
of the seat 100 and, in particular, the drive assembly may be
configured to move the hanger arm 302 side to side when viewed from
the front. Thus, the present infant support structure 10 not only
allows a parent to easily reposition a child for monitoring without
rotating the entire infant support structure 10, but also allows a
parent to reposition the child for comfortable soothing. Notably,
only the position of the child receiving portion 105 (and not the
position of the legs 400) impacts the motion that the child will
experience.
[0076] In this particular embodiment, the seat 100 may be mounted
in different positions on the support base 200 manually (albeit
only between two positions), but in other embodiments, any
desirable reorientation mechanism may be installed or implemented
in order to reorient the seat about an axis generally perpendicular
to the support base 200. Additionally, in other embodiments, the
seat may be secured in specific orientations via any desirable
mechanism. For example, the seat 100 may be secured via friction,
or may be secured by a lock mechanism operable to secure the seat
in any desired position.
[0077] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is
nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since
it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various
modifications and structural changes may be made therein without
departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and
range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features
from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the
embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended
claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the
scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.
[0078] For example, the infant support structure 10 can be of any
size and shape. Any seat suitable to support a child may be used.
The electronics assembly may include any combination of sensors,
switches, lights, speakers, animated members, motors, and sensory
output generating devices and may produce any combination of audio
and visual effects including, but not limited to, animation,
lights, and sound (music, speech, and sound effects). The output
pattern is not limited to that which is discussed herein and
includes any pattern of music, lights, and/or sound effects. The
electronics assembly may also include additional switches or
sensors to provide additional sensory output activation without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0079] It is also to be understood that the infant support
structure 10, or portions thereof may be fabricated from any
suitable material, or combination of materials, such as plastic,
foamed plastic, wood, cardboard, pressed paper, metal, supple
natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to,
cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives
thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include
high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE),
polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate,
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl
acetate (EVA), or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may include
expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded
polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations
thereof. For example, the material comprising the frame 110 is not
limited to that illustrated herein, and may include tubes
comprising any desirable metal (e.g., aluminum or steel).
[0080] Finally, it is intended that the present invention cover the
modifications and variations of this invention that come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, it
is to be understood that terms such as "left", "right" "top",
"bottom", "front", "rear", "side", "height", "length", "width",
"upper", "lower", "interior", "exterior", "inner", "outer" and the
like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and
do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or
configuration. Further, the term "exemplary" is used herein to
describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described
herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or
advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration
of a possible embodiment of the invention.
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