Abstract: A monitor/hands-free intercom system includes a child unit and a parent unit which are each transceivers. The parent unit operates primarily as a receiver, unless and until a talk switch is actuated on the parent unit, enabling the parent unit to transition to a transmitter. The child unit acts primarily as a transmitter unless and until it detects a carrier signal at the appropriate frequency during one of its short sniff periods. If a carrier signal is detected, the child unit extends the sniff period to look for a non-audible hidden tone encoded into the transmission from the parent unit. If the hidden tone is detected, the child unit transitions to a receiver mode and is able to play back the sound waves detected by the parent unit so that the parent can reassure or provide instructions to the child.

Abstract: A tactile baby bottle including a transparent, hard plastic inner layer, and a soft outer layer which provides a more convenient surface for holding and imparts increased toughness and breakage resistance to the structure.

Abstract: A buckle latch mechanism for an infant carrier including a buckle latch mechanism for an infant carrier. The buckle latch mechanism includes a slot formed in a frame adjacent the foot end of an infant carrier essentially transverse to the side walls. A generally rigid plastic latch is reciprocally mounted in the frame forwardly of the slot. The latch has a rearwardly extending lower extent beneath the frame movable from a locking position beneath the slot to an unlocked position forwardly of the slot. The latch has an operator controlled upper extent above the frame movable between a locked orientation in proximity to the slot and an unlocked postioned forwardly thereof. The latch has a vertically extending intermediate extent between the lower extent and the upper extent. The intermediate extent has a cylindrical aperture therethrough. A horizontal post is fixedly positioned beneath the upper surface of the frame.

Abstract: An infant carrier base including a frame having a head edge and a foot edge and side edges with an upper surface and a lower surface. The base has a cylindrical aperture formed vertically through the carrier and female threads extending radially inwardly with respect to the aperture. A cylindrical adjustment rod is provided with male threads extending radially outwardly along the length thereof. A dial is secured with respect to the upper end of the cylindrical adjustment rod and a levelling foot is secured with respect to the lower end of the adjustment rod.

Abstract: A playyard system adapted to be used in a conventional fixed mode or as a rocker including a playyard in a generally rectilinear configuration.

Abstract: A buckle system comprising a fixed part is disclosed. The fixed part has a front face and a rear face with a first leg and a second leg and, therebetween, an interior leg and an exterior leg and a central leg. A movable part has a front face and a rear face with an upper leg and a lower leg. Therebetween is an interior leg and an exterior leg and a central leg. A locking plate extends upwardly from the central leg of the fixed part with a section extending interiorly thereof. The locking plate forms a space between the locking plate and the remainder of the fixed part. The interior leg of the movable part has a height greater than the height of the locking plate and a diameter slightly greater than the space between the locking plate and the remainder of the fixed part.

Abstract: A swing with a pivotably attached tray for pivotable movement about a generally vertical axis, a vibrating mechanism attachable to a seat bottom of the swing, wheels mounted on a frame for selective engagement with the floor when the frame is tilted back when grasping a pair of handles on the frame, a lost motion coupling mechanism for a motorized drive mechanism, and a reclinable seat with an adjustment wire for selecting different reclined positions.

Abstract: A pivotably-mounted extendable gate for restricting access by infants or pets through an opening defined by a pair of opposed vertical surfaces or walls. The gate is pivotably mounted via hinges pivotably attached to the gate which are slidably received within sleeves of retaining brackets mounted to one of the walls. The gate is extendable and retractable via two separate and similar gate members which are slidably coupled together. A pair of vertically-spaced-apart receptacles mounted on the opposite walls receive upper and lower portions of one of the gate members to prevent pivotable movement of the gate when so received. A latch provided on the upper portion of the gate engages with the upper receptacle to prevent sliding movement of the gate.

Abstract: An infant restraint system including an infant carrier, a base couplable to the infant carrier via an improved locking mechanism and having an improved recline mechanism. The infant restraint system further includes an improved handle and an improved belt system, the belt system having a mid-belt adjuster disposed in front of the infant when the infant is positioned in the infant restraint system.

Abstract: A infant carrier base positionable on a vehicle seat for coupling and uncoupling with respect to an infant carrier. The base has an upper surface for the receipt of an infant carrier thereon and a lower surface for being received upon the seat of a vehicle. The base has a foot end, a head end, and generally parallel side walls therebetween. Coupling mechanisms on the base are cooperable with an infant carrier including a first coupling mechanism and a second coupling mechanism. The first coupling mechanism includes an inverted J-shaped hook extending upwardly from the foot end of the base. The hook is provided with an upwardly extending recess with an upper surface beneath the central portion of the hook adapted to receive the upper edge at the foot end of an infant carrier therein.

Abstract: A toddler booster car seat is disclosed. The toddler booster car seat comprises a rigid frame including a generally horizontally disposed seat portion with an upper surface for receiving the seat of a child and a lower surface for being positioned on the seat of a vehicle. The frame also includes a back portion integrally formed with the seat portion and extending generally upwardly from the rear edge of the seat portion. The rigid frame of the back portion is formed with rigid lateral edges. A plurality of apertures is formed in the back portion of the frame. At least one positioning member is formed with a plurality of apertures located therethrough adjacent to its inner edge with a plurality of notches extending inwardly from the outer edge. Each notch has a narrow linear radial extent terminating in an enlarged circumferential extent adapted to receive the fabric of a vehicle seat belt. A plurality of fasteners extend through the apertures of the frame and positioning members.

Abstract: A coupling assembly to removably join a bassinet to a playyard including two rectangular playyard blocks locatable on interior faces of each upper corner bracket of a playyard and spaced from the apex thereof and with vertically extending undercut regions on the edge of each playyard block facing the apex an a cooperable bassinet block removably receivable within each playyard block, each bassinet block having outwardly facing cylindrical apertures at right angles with respect to each other for the receipt of adjacent bassinet rails during operation and use and with a vertically extending projection positionable from above to within the undercut regions of the playyard blocks and with an abutment surface thereabove to limit downward motion of the bassinet blocks when located within the playyard blocks.

Abstract: An infant stroller with a conventional frame which can be collapsed by releasing a latch mechanism mounted on a central portion of the frame. The handle arms of the frame terminate in a handle assembly which includes a handle bar portion designed for two-handed operation and a handle grip designed for one-handed operation of the stroller. The handle grip is provided at an ergonomically comfortable angle in the range of 60 degrees from horizontal. A console tray is provided in the vicinity of the handle assembly for the operator to conveniently store various sundry items. The console tray supports a back edge of a canopy on the infant stroller. The canopy includes a canopy frame and a sunshade depending therefrom which is supported by a separate sunshade frame.