CRADLING BASSINET
A cradling bassinet to impart a rocking, swaying or gliding motion to soothe a child occupant includes a frame and an infant receiving receptacle. In example forms, the frame is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The infant receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted to the frame such that the infant receiving receptacle is capable of gliding or swaying relative to the frame. In some example forms, the infant receiving receptacle is removed from engagement with the frame and capable of rocking on a support surface.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/004,266 filed May 29, 2014, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to the field of children's accessories and sleeping apparatuses for children and infants, and more particularly to rocking, swaying and gliding bassinets for infants and children.
SUMMARYIn example embodiments, the present invention provides a cradling bassinet that can impart a rocking, swaying or gliding motion to relax and soothe a child occupant to encourage sleeping. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a cradling bassinet including a collapsible frame having first and second frame portions pivotally mounted together at first and second pivot couplings, and an infant receiving receptacle pivotally mounted to the first and second pivot couplings for moving in a side-to-side gliding motion relative to the collapsible frame. A pair of swing arms are pivotally mounted to the first and second pivot couplings at first ends thereof, and second ends of the swing arms are pivotally mounted at each end of the infant receiving receptacle, and whereby the swing arms at each end thereof remain substantially parallel to each other throughout the side-to-side motion.
In example forms, the infant receiving receptacle includes a mattress therein, and wherein the mattress remains substantially horizontal throughout the side-to-side gliding motion. The first and second frame portions are generally U-shaped and each comprise a base portion and upright leg members extending from the base portion. In one example form, a cross brace is provided for connecting together at least one of the upright leg members of each of the first and second frame portions. The cross brace includes a first arm, a second arm, and a pivot coupling for pivotally coupling the first and second arms together. In some example forms, the pivot coupling includes an actuatable lock for permitting or preventing pivotal motion of the first and second arms relative thereto.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a cradling bassinet including a frame and an infant receiving receptacle pivotally mounted to the frame for swaying in a side-to-side motion along a generally arcuate path. The frame includes first and second U-shaped frame members mounted to first and second hubs. The infant receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted to the hubs, and at least one of the hubs includes a motor for providing the side-to-side movement to the infant receiving receptacle. In some example forms, the frame includes first and second U-shaped frame members pivotally mounted together at first and second pivot couplings. Optionally, the infant receiving receptacle includes a canopy mounted thereto for at least partially covering the infant receiving receptacle and a skirt mounted to an outer periphery thereof.
In still another aspect, the invention relates to a bassinet including a collapsible frame and an infant receiving receptacle. In example forms, when the infant receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted to the frame, the infant receiving receptacle is movable relative the collapsible frame in a swaying motion along an arcuate path, and wherein when the infant receiving receptacle is removed from pivotal engagement with the collapsible frame and the infant receiving receptacle is resting atop a support surface, the infant receiving receptacle is movable in a rocking motion along an arcuate path relative to the support surface. In example forms, the collapsible frame includes first and second U-shaped frame portions pivotally mounted together at first and second pivot couplings. The first and second U-shaped frame portions include base portions and first and second leg members extending therefrom, respectively. Optionally, one or more of the pivot couplings can include an actuatable member for permitting the collapsing or expansion of the collapsible frame. The infant receiving receptacle includes an infant receiving receptacle frame having pivot coupling receivers configured for pivotally coupling to hub extensions of the first and second pivot couplings. Preferably, the infant receiving receptacle frame includes lower arcuate supports configured for rocking on the support surface.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
Generally described, the present invention relates to a cradling bassinet, which may be in various forms to impart a rocking, swaying or gliding motion to soothe a child occupant. According to some example forms of the present invention, the cradling bassinet provides a first motion in a first configuration and a second motion in a second configuration.
With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,
In an example embodiment depicted in
In typical example embodiments, a cross brace 40 is provided between the first and second U-shaped portions 16, 24 to limit the extent of the pivotal motion between the first and second U-shaped portions, for example, between an unfolded, expanded configuration (see
As depicted in
In typical example embodiments, the infant receiving receptacle frame 56 comprises the first and second end frame members 60, a lower support frame member 62 (connecting the first and second end frame members 60 together), and first and second upper frame members 64. Preferably, the ends of the upper frame members 64 are provided with pivot fittings 66 for pivotally coupling the ends of the upper frame members 64 to an upper portion of the first and second end frame members 60. Thus, the upper frame members 64 are capable of pivoting relative to the first and second end frame members 60 between a compacted configuration (see
As described above, the side-to-side motion may be provided by manually pushing or pulling the infant receiving receptacle 14, or may be moved by an electric motor and/or magnetic drive system. In example forms, an electric motor is housed within the pivot coupling 34 and is linked to one or more of the swing arms 52, 54 that are pivotally coupled thereto. Furthermore, a magnetic drive member receiver 70 can be mounted to one of the end frame members 60 for providing interaction with another magnetic drive member of the pivot coupling 46 of the cross brace 40 (see
As depicted in
As depicted in
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A cradling bassinet comprising:
- a collapsible frame comprising first and second frame portions pivotally connected at first and second pivot couplings; and
- an infant receiving receptacle pivotally mounted to the first and second pivot couplings for moving in a side-to-side gliding motion relative to the collapsible frame, wherein a pair of swing arms are pivotally mounted to the first and second pivot couplings at first ends thereof, and wherein second ends of the swing arms are pivotally mounted at each end of the infant receiving receptacle, and whereby the swing arms at each end thereof remain substantially parallel to each other throughout the side-to-side motion.
2. The cradling bassinet of claim 1, wherein the infant receiving receptacle comprises a mattress, and wherein the mattress remains substantially horizontal throughout the side-to-side gliding motion.
3. The cradling bassinet of claim 1, wherein the first and second frame portions are generally U-shaped and each comprise a base portion and upright leg members extending from the base portion.
4. The cradling bassinet of claim 3, further comprising a cross brace connecting together at least one of the upright leg members of each of the first and second frame portions.
5. The cradling bassinet of claim 4, wherein the cross brace comprises a first arm, a second arm, and a pivot coupling for pivotally coupling the first and second arms together.
6. The cradling bassinet of claim 5, wherein the pivot coupling comprises an actuatable lock for permitting or preventing pivotal motion of the first and second arms relative thereto.
7. The cradling bassinet of claim 1, wherein the infant receiving receptacle comprises an infant receiving receptacle frame comprising first and second end frame members, a lower support frame member, and first and second upper frame members
8. The cradling bassinet of claim 7, wherein the second ends of the swing arms pivotally mount to the first and second end frame members.
9. The cradling bassinet of claim 7, wherein the first and second upper frame members pivotally mount to the first and second end frame members such that the infant receiving receptacle frame is movable between an expanded, erect configuration and a collapsed, compact configuration.
10. The cradling bassinet of claim 1, wherein one or more of the pivot couplings comprise an electric motor therein for moving the infant receiving receptacle in a side-to-side motion.
11. The cradling bassinet of claim 5, wherein a portion of the cross brace comprises at least a component of a magnetic drive system for facilitating a side-to-side motion of the infant receiving receptacle.
12. The cradling bassinet of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of one of the end frame members comprises a component of the magnetic drive system for interaction with the component of the magnetic drive system of the cross brace.
13. The cradling bassinet of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second frame portions comprise one or more feet for providing a stable footing for the collapsible frame when the collapsible frame is resting atop a support surface.
14. A cradling bassinet comprising:
- a frame; and
- an infant receiving receptacle pivotally mounted to the frame for swaying in a side-to-side motion along a generally arcuate path.
15. The cradling bassinet of claim 14, wherein the frame comprises first and second U-shaped frame members mounted to first and second hubs.
16. The cradling bassinet of claim 15, wherein the infant receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted to the hubs.
17. The cradling basinet of claim 16, wherein at least one of the hubs comprises a motor for providing the side-to-side movement to the infant receiving receptacle.
18. The cradling bassinet of claim 14, wherein the frame comprises first and second U-shaped frame members pivotally mounted together at first and second pivot couplings.
19. The cradling bassinet of claim 18, wherein the infant receiving receptacle comprises a canopy mounted thereto for at least partially covering the infant receiving receptacle.
20. The cradling bassinet of claim 18, wherein the infant receiving receptacle comprises a skirt mounted to an outer periphery thereof.
21. A bassinet comprising:
- a collapsible frame; and
- an infant receiving receptacle, wherein when the infant receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted to the frame, the infant receiving receptacle is movable relative the collapsible frame in a swaying motion along an arcuate path, and wherein when the infant receiving receptacle is removed from pivotal engagement with the collapsible frame and the infant receiving receptacle is resting atop a support surface, the infant receiving receptacle is movable in a rocking motion along an arcuate path relative to the support surface.
22. The bassinet of claim 21, wherein the collapsible frame comprises first and second U-shaped frame portions pivotally mounted together at first and second pivot couplings.
23. The bassinet of claim 22, wherein the first and second U-shaped frame portions comprise base portions and first and second leg members extending therefrom, respectively.
24. The bassinet of claim 22, wherein one or more of the pivot couplings comprise an actuatable member for permitting the collapsing or expansion of the collapsible frame.
25. The bassinet of claim 22, wherein the infant receiving receptacle comprises an infant receiving receptacle frame comprising pivot coupling receivers configured for pivotally coupling to hub extensions of the first and second pivot couplings.
26. The bassinet of claim 25, wherein the infant receiving receptacle frame further comprises lower arcuate supports configured for rocking on the support surface.
Type: Application
Filed: May 27, 2015
Publication Date: Dec 3, 2015
Applicant: KIDS II, INC. (Atlanta, GA)
Inventors: Daniel CORSO (Atlanta, GA), Alex SORIANO (Coventry, RI), Stephen BURNS (Cumming, GA), Yuk Tong Thomas POON (Yuen Long)
Application Number: 14/722,691