Abstract: An attachment mechanism for suspending one or more toys or other objects from a child-support apparatus such as a crib, bassinet, car seat, stroller, swing, bouncer, play gym, play yard, jumper, or the like. Typically, the child-support apparatus includes one or more beams or other supports where the toy-attachment mechanism is located. The toy-attachment mechanism includes a repositioning track and a slide coupling that is repositionable along the track and from which toys can be suspended. In typical embodiments, the track and the coupling include mating teeth that interlock to hold the coupling in place but that can be disengaged to reposition the coupling and the toys suspended therefrom.

Abstract: A motion device that provides a soothing motion for a child seated within the device to replicate a parent or caregiver cradling and/or swaying the child. Embodiments include a base frame configured to rest on a support surface, a support frame coupled to and extending upward from the base frame, and a seat assembly which is pivotably coupled to the support frame. The seat assembly moves in an oscillating motion about the pivot axis, which is selectively propelled by a drive mechanism or motor. The drive mechanism or motor is coupled to and/or is integral to the assembly and its speed and motion is controlled electronically. The pivot axis about which the seat assembly rotates is preferably configured to be at least slightly offset from the vertical axis, such that the seat assembly will “self-center” when at rest.

Abstract: A sleeping apparatus for infants and children, such as a bassinet, includes a child-receiving sleep receptacle and a frame assembly attached to and supporting the child-receiving sleep receptacle. The child-receiving sleep receptacle includes sidewalls extending between a head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle and a foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle. One or more fasteners extend along one or more of the sidewalls and are operable for opening and closing and thereby lengthening and shortening a height of the one or more sidewalls so as to change an inclination of the foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle or of the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle, or both.

Abstract: A bassinet for infants and children includes a child receiving receptacle and a collapsible frame assembly attached to and supporting the child receiving receptacle. A lock is selectively operable for locking the collapsible frame assembly in its extended configuration and for unlocking the same to allow the collapsible frame assembly to be collapsed. The collapsible frame assembly comprising a first collapsible frame portion collapsible between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration and vice-versa, the collapsible frame assembly further comprising a second collapsible frame portion collapsible between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration and vice-versa. The first and second collapsible frame portions are pivotally coupled to one another for movement between the frame assembly's extended configuration and its collapsed configuration, with each collapsible frame portion including a pair of generally U-shaped frame members pivotally connected to one another.

Abstract: A compact jumper for an infant or young child. The compact jumper includes a support frame, at least one resilient member, and a child-receiving apparatus. The support frame is configured for resting on a support surface and the at least one resilient member is coupled to a portion of the support frame. The child-receiving apparatus is supported by the at least one resilient member and is guided by a portion of the support frame. The child-receiving apparatus is movable with respect to the support surface as the child moves and jumps.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a powered children's swing. In various embodiments, the swing includes a seat, swing frame, one or more swing arms, a first magnetic component, second magnetic component, swing motion sensor, and swing control circuit. The magnetic components are configured to generate a magnetic force that drives the seat along a swing path. The swing control circuit is configured to control the magnetic components based at least on input from the swing motion sensor and generate control signals causing the seat to swing with substantially constant amplitude as specified by a user.

Abstract: A combination soother-toy device includes a soothing device such as a pacifier, a toy such as a plush animal character, and a coupling that removably attaches them together. In some embodiments, the coupling includes a transverse tab and a transverse opening that couple and decouple by a transverse motion. In this way, the axial pulling motion and forces that babies often apply to the toy when holding the pacifier in its mouth do not cause the components to separate. In some embodiments, the tab (transverse or not) is retained on the toy by a primary attachment such as stitching and a secondary retainer for redundancy as a safety feature. For example, the secondary retainer can be a tether attaching the tab extension arm to the toy, or wings extending from the tab extension arm laterally beyond the toy opening through which the extension arm extends.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a children's play gym configured for being converted between different configurations providing unique functionalities. In certain embodiments, the convertible play gym is provided with one or more adaptable entertainer components including various entertainment features (e.g., lights and sound producing devices). In a first configuration adapted for infants, at least one of the entertainer components is suspended above the play gym's mat and configured for reacting to movement, sound, or other input provided by an infant child laying on the play gym's mat. In a second configuration adapted for toddlers, the suspended entertainer component may be detached from the play gym's support members and reconfigured as a children's entertainment table (e.g., by itself or as part of an assembly with other entertain components).

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a children's bouncer apparatus. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a support frame, seat assembly configured to support a child, and bouncer control device. The support frame includes one or more semi-rigid support arms that extend above a base portion and suspend the seat assembly above the base portion. The bouncer control device is configured to impart a driving force on the seat assembly via a magnetic drive assembly, thereby causing the seat assembly to continuously oscillate at the natural frequency of the children's bouncer.

Abstract: A collapsible, portable infant swing having a foldable base movable between an unfolded, extended position and a folded, collapsed position, a lock mechanism for selectively locking/unlocking the foldable base, and support arms supported by the foldable base. Swing arms are pivotally coupled to the support arms for pivotal, back and forth motion and an infant support seat coupled to the swing arms for supporting and swinging an infant. A multi-function handle is provided for housing the lock mechanism for locking/unlocking the foldable base, for grasping the foldable base to fold the foldable base, and for carrying the swing when the foldable base is folded. The multi-function handle is positioned substantially centrally below the seat to make it generally inaccessible by the infant.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a piezoelectric motion sensing apparatus and a bouncer control device configured to control the oscillation of a children's bouncer based on feedback from the piezoelectric motion sensing apparatus. In various embodiments, the piezoelectric motion sensing apparatus is configured to sense the motion of a body to which it is attached, such as a children's bouncer, and provide a feedback signal indicative of the motion. In addition, various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an infant support control device configured to impart soothing sensation to a child positioned in the infant support. In particular, the infant support control device is configured to impart gentle, repetitive pulses to an infant support that mimic the heartbeat of a parent or caregiver.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a children's motion device configured to oscillate a child support about a substantially upright axis of rotation. In various embodiments, the portion of the child support configured for supporting the head of a child positioned therein is configured to remain substantially aligned with the axis of rotation as the child support oscillates.

Abstract: A front wheel assembly for a child support device including a first castor wheel coupled to first swivel joint and a second castor wheel coupled to a second swivel joint, the first and second swivel joints being operatively coupled together by a linkage that steers the wheels in unison and maintains a generally parallel alignment between the wheels. The wheels are sufficiently spaced apart to allow for 360-degree pivoting of each of the wheels. Also a child support device such as a stroller, including such a front wheel assembly.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a powered children's swing. In various embodiments, the swing includes a seat, swing frame, one or more swing arms, a first magnetic component, second magnetic component, swing motion sensor, and swing control circuit. The magnetic components are configured to generate a magnetic force that drives the seat along a swing path. The swing control circuit is configured to control the magnetic components based at least on input from the swing motion sensor and generate control signals causing the seat to swing with a substantially constant amplitude as specified by a user.

Abstract: Particular infant support or nursing pillows are disclosed, for supporting an infant in a variety of settings by providing a stable surface upon which to rest. Various embodiments include a generally crescent shaped device, including a resilient fill material surrounded by a fabric shell and having a top and a bottom surface connected by a band of uniform width extending vertically and wholly about the perimeter of the pillow. The support pillow may be combined with an accessory device to form a support pillow assembly. An attachment mechanism may be configured to attach the accessory device to the support pillow such that the accessory device is arranged to direct a perceptible effect to at least one of the first arm, the second arm, and the medial region of the support pillow.

Abstract: A child containment device and a mattress support assembly for a child containment device providing a generally flat mattress configuration under load of a child supported thereon; a multi-paneled mattress for a child containment device allowing repositioning of mattress panels between an expanded state and a compact state, and wherein in the expanded state, structural couplings maintain the mattress in a generally flat configuration; and a chamfered corner arrangement for resisting curling of a mattress for a child containment device.

Abstract: A male inserter and a female receiver fixed to a toy bar and a child-support device for relative movement between upright locked and inclined unlocked positions. The male inserter includes a lock element and the female receiver includes a catch surface. In the upright unlocked position, the male inserter can pass through the female receiver. But in the inclined locked position, the lock element engages and locks against the catch surface. If a child in the child-support device pulls down and/or forward on the toy bar in the locked position, it does not move to the unlocked position. But an upward lifting force applied to the toy bar causes it to pivot from the locked position to the unlocked position and to then detach from the child-support device.