DEVICE FOR GENERATING A ROCKING MOVEMENT IN SUPPORTS FOR BABIES

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for generating a rocking movement on supports (2) for babies, comprising a frame (11) arranged on a base (10), with a support arm (12), as well as a traction mechanism (13) which is configured for the suspension of the support (2). The device is characterized in that a drive element (14) is provided to induce an oscillation or an oscillation pulse, wherein a device (15) is provided that oscillates the traction mechanism (13) up and down on the drive element (14), which is configured such that the support (2) transitions into a continuous or intermittent rocking movement by the introduction of the oscillation or of the oscillation pulse . . .

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for generating a rocking movement in supports for babies.

BACKGROUND

Baby swings or baby rockers which can be manually pushed to generate a swinging motion are known from the state of the art. Through the introduction of a manual oscillation or a manual oscillation pulse on these baby swings or baby rockers, the provided support transitions into a rocking motion and oscillates back and forth or up and down.

Furthermore, baby rockers are known from the prior art which consist of a support which is designed for the placement, for example, of baby carriages, baby beds or the like on the baby rocker and are provided with an oscillation mechanism which rocks the furniture back and forth.

The disadvantage of these baby rockers consists primarily in that they are impractical to handle. Moreover, these baby rockers are technically complicated and are associated with high purchase costs.

SUMMARY

An object of the present disclosure is to create a device for the automated generation of a rocking movement in supports for babies which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

The device for generating a rocking movement in supports for babies comprises a frame arranged on a base with a support arm, as well as a traction mechanism which is configured for the suspension the support. All of the following devices, which are usually provided for continuous accommodation, are intended as supports for babies, such as, for example, baby carriers, baby beds, baby carriages, etc., or which are suitable for supporting such accommodations.

A device of the type mentioned in the introduction is characterized in that a drive element is provided for bringing about an oscillation or an oscillation pulse, wherein a device oscillating the traction mechanism up and down on the drive element is configured so that the support transitions into a continuous or intermittent rocking movement by the introduction of the oscillation or the oscillation pulse.

The drive element is preferably an electric motor or a hydraulically or pneumatically operated motor or a motor driven by a spring mechanism or a magnetic drive. In addition, all further, conceivable drives, which are suitable for initiating or maintaining an oscillation or an oscillating pulse, are, of course, also contemplated.

The traction mechanism is usually designed as a rope, chain, textile band or textile round sling, whereby the present invention relates to all types and embodiments of traction mechanisms.

The traction mechanism is arranged between the drive element and the pulled support. The drive element therefore forms the pulling device, the support correspondingly forms the pulled object. The device provided on the drive element according to the invention and which oscillates the traction mechanism up and down for the introduction of the oscillation or oscillation impulse on the support in a continuous or intermittent rocking movement is thereby either part of the drive element itself or is arranged as an independent component on the drive element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features, advantages and possible applications of the device will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows

FIG. 1—a perspective view of a device for the automated generation of a rocking movement in supports for babies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the device 1 for generating a rocking movement in supports 2 for babies comprises a frame 11 arranged on a base 10, with a support arm 12 as well as a traction mechanism 13, which is configured for the suspension of the support 2. The base is preferably configured as a hollow body, which receives the drive element 14. The traction mechanism 13, which is connected to the up and down oscillating device 15, is guided via deflecting devices 16 (preferably deflecting rollers) for the suspension 17 of the support 2 in this advantageous embodiment of the invention.

The support 2 transitions into a continuous or intermittent rocking movement by switching on the drive element 14 and initiating the oscillation or the oscillation pulse by the device 15. In order to avoid an abrupt start-up of the rocking movement, an elastic suspension element 18 is advantageously provided, which may be a spring. In addition, however, an abrupt start-up of the rocking movement can also be avoided by the design of an elastic or springing traction mechanism.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the support 2 consists of a basket-like container 2 for babies.

In the present embodiment, the device 15 consists of a rod-shaped pulling element 15 which is arranged on the rotating drive element 14 and which alternately releases the traction mechanism 13 upwards and pulls it downwards again by rotation, partial rotation or by an up and down oscillating motion.

A controller 19 of the device is preferably provided on the base.

The oscillation speed/frequency of the drive element 14 is adjusted by the switch 19a.

The start-up speed of the drive element 14 is regulated by the switch 19b.

The oscillation amplitude is adjusted by the switch 19c. For this purpose, a further motorized drive element 30 is preferably provided, by means of which the alignment of the device 15 and/or of the drive element 14 can be adjusted. In this case, both a change in the angular orientation or a change in distances or longitudinal orientations is possible with the device 15 or the drive element 14, which causes the oscillation amplitude to change on the traction mechanism 13 and consequently on the support 2.

The spring arranged on the traction mechanism 13 or between the traction mechanism and the support 2 can be exchanged and configured for different weights.

Preferably, at least one acoustic recording and/or output element 20 (for example, an MP3 player with at least one loudspeaker and microphone) is provided above the support 2. This makes it possible, for example, to record and play back cradle songs. A USB/SD card connection may also be provided for this purpose as needed. A video camera is provided in a further preferred embodiment of the invention, by means of which the baby can also be observed from a distance (for example, on a smart phone or a tablet device). In addition to the sound output via loudspeakers, communication with the baby can also take place. For this purpose, a transmitting and receiving device in the form of a WLAN, Bluetooth or another wireless radio network is preferably provided on the device 1.

In a further advantageous embodiment, sensors are provided which determine certain movements, states or noises (expressions) of the baby and automatically initiate pre-programmed actions. Such actions can be the acoustic playback of songs, the initiation of a rocking movement or an alarm, which is carried out, for example, by means of a smart phone. The functions can be switched on and off.

In addition, it is conceivable to provide solar cells on the device for obtaining energy for the drive as well as the supply of said devices in order to be able to also use the device independently as well as outdoors.

For this purpose, it may also be advantageous to equip the device with a battery (preferably with a rechargeable battery).

The device according to the invention is not restricted in its embodiment to the preferred embodiments specified above. Rather, a plurality of design variations are conceivable which make use of the illustrated solution even in a fundamentally different design.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 1 Device
• 2 Support
• 10 Base
• 11 Frame
• 12 Support arm
• 13 Traction mechanism
• 14 Driving element 14
• 15 up and down oscillating device
• 16 Deflection devices
• 17 Suspension
• 18 Elastic suspension element
• 19 Control
• 19a, 19b, 19c Switches
• 20 Recording/Output element
• 30 additional motor drive elements

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A device for generating a rocking movement in a support for a baby, comprising:

a frame arranged on a base;

a supporting arm connected to the frame;

a traction mechanism extending along the frame and the supporting arm, the traction mechanism having a first end from which the support is suspended;

a drive element; and

an oscillating device connecting the drive element to a second end of the traction mechanism,

wherein the oscillating device causes an upward and downward movement of the second end of the traction mechanism which causes a continuous or intermittent rocking movement of the support.

17. The device as in claim 16, wherein the drive element is an electric motor or a hydraulically or pneumatically operated motor or a motor driven by a spring mechanism or a magnetic drive.

18. The device as in claim 16, wherein the drive element is arranged within the base.

19. The device as in claim 16, wherein an elastic suspension element is provided for avoiding an abrupt start-up of the rocking movement.

20. The device as in claim 16, wherein the traction mechanism is elastic or springy, thereby avoiding an abrupt start-up of the rocking movement.

21. The device as in claim 16, wherein the oscillating device comprises a rod-shaped pulling element which is connected to a rotating portion of the drive element and which alternately releases the traction mechanism upwards and pulls the traction mechanism downwards.

22. The device as in claim 16, wherein an oscillation speed and/or frequency of the drive element is adjustable.

23. The device as in claim 16, wherein a start-up speed of the drive element can be regulated.

24. The device as in claim 16, wherein an oscillation amplitude of the upward and downward movement of the second end of the traction mechanism is adjustable.

25. The device as in claim 24, further comprising a second motorized drive element which adjusts an alignment of the oscillating device and/or the drive element.

26. The device as in claim 16, further comprising at least one acoustic recording and/or output element.

27. The device as in claim 16, further comprising a transmitting and receiving device capable of communicating on a WLAN, Bluetooth or other wireless radio network.

28. The device as in claim 16, further comprising one or more sensors which determine movements, states, or noises of a baby and automatically initiate pre-programmed actions via a control.

29. The device as in claim 16, further comprising solar cells for obtaining energy for the drive element.

30. The device as in claim 16, further comprising a battery.