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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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

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

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).

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the child receiving portion of the seat shown FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the legs and mounting portion of the seat shown FIG. 2.

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.

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.

FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the legs, the mounting portion, and the seat of FIG. 1.

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.

FIGS. 13-14 illustrate top and front perspective views, respectively, of a portion of the support base of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 illustrates the infant support structure of FIG. 1 in various configurations.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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° 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Additionally, although the child receiving portion 105 is rotated approximately 90° 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.