Abstract: A child enclosure apparatus that includes a hub assembly, a base assembly having four base legs in an X-shaped configuration, a side structure having four side posts, an upper assembly having four pairs of upper arms with each pair connected with medial latch connectors, lower corner assemblies, each having a pair of plates that are pivotally mounted to a side post and a pair of base legs, upper corner assemblies, each having two pair of plates that are configured at a right angle to each other, and cables extending from the base assemblies, through the side posts and being connected to the upper arms and to the latch connectors. The enclosure apparatus is operated by linear movement of the hub assembly.

Abstract: A child car seat includes: a seat base secured to a seat of a vehicle; an infant carrier removably connected to the seat base; and an interface device coupled to at least one of the seat base or the infant carrier and configured to provide an indication to a user that the seat base is properly secured to the seat of the vehicle.

Abstract: Provided is a child restraint system (CRS) with automated installation that provides automated feedback and control of seat installation angle, belt latching and tightening, and confirmation of correct install. The CRS utilizes sensors to monitor CRS base angle relative to level, confirm correct latching of the CRS to its base and then to the vehicle seat, and confirm tightening of the belts to the required tension to be crashworthy. The stepwise operation and confirmation of the installation procedure may be operated via button(s) or other tactical input, and relayed to the user via electronic visual display and/or audible means. All operations will be overseen and processed by an integrated control system, affording minimal user decision or interface. An intelligent latching device which can be adapted for use with an existing CRS is also provided.

Abstract: A child enclosure apparatus that includes a hub assembly, a base assembly having four base legs in an X-shaped configuration, a side structure having four side posts, an upper assembly having four pairs of upper arms with each pair connected with medial latch connectors, lower corner assemblies, each having a pair of plates that are pivotally mounted to a side post and a pair of base legs, upper corner assemblies, each having two pair of plates that are configured at a right angle to each other, and cables extending from the base assemblies, through the side posts and being connected to the upper arms and to the latch connectors. The enclosure apparatus is operated by linear movement of the hub assembly.

Abstract: A foldable structure includes: an upper assembly forming an upper portion of the structure; a base assembly forming a lower portion of the structure; a centrally-located hub assembly operatively connected to the base assembly; and a post extending from each corner of the upper assembly to a corner of the base assembly. The upper assembly includes a plurality of arm assemblies. At least one latching mechanism is provided at each corner of the upper assembly extending from an upper portion of at least one of the posts to a portion of at least one of the arm assemblies.

Abstract: An infant care apparatus includes a base; a drive mechanism disposed on the base; a controller electronically coupled to the drive mechanism; and a support device coupled to the drive mechanism. The support device is configured to be moved in both a horizontal and vertical direction relative to the base by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is controlled by the controller to move the support device in a plurality of motion profiles relative to the base.

Abstract: A variable motion infant seat includes: a vertical reciprocating assembly comprising a first motor for providing vertical motion; a horizontal reciprocating assembly coupled to the vertical reciprocating assembly and comprising a second motor for providing horizontal motion; and a support device coupled to at least one of the vertical reciprocating assembly and the horizontal reciprocating assembly. The first motor and second motor are run at a substantially constant speed, thereby causing the vertical reciprocating assembly and horizontal reciprocating assembly to move the support device in at least one motion profile.

Abstract: A lighting system for a stroller includes: a power generation system coupled to at least one wheel of the stroller; a power source operationally coupled to the power generation system and configured to receive and store power generated by the power generation system; at least one first light source coupled to at least one leg of the stroller and configured to be powered by the power source; and at least one second light source coupled to a central hub of the stroller and configured to be powered by the power source. The at least one first light source is controlled to provide constant lighting for safety purposes and the at least one second light source is controlled to provide light to a pathway in a low light condition.

Abstract: An infant care apparatus includes a base; a drive mechanism disposed on the base; a controller electronically coupled to the drive mechanism; and a support device coupled to the drive mechanism. The support device is configured to be moved in both a horizontal and vertical direction relative to the base by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is controlled by the controller to move the support device in a plurality of motion profiles relative to the base.

Abstract: A user interface for a power folding stroller includes: a rotational mechanical joint positioned on the handlebars of the stroller. The rotational mechanical joint is coupled to electrical sensors that must be activated by the user rotating a ring combined with a second step of pressing a button to activate the folding or unfolding process. Once the ring has been rotated the required distance and returned to a home position, an indication, such as an LED light, may be provided to the user that the second action of pushing the button can be undertaken.

Abstract: A child enclosure apparatus that includes a hub assembly, a base assembly having four base legs in an X-shaped configuration, a side structure having four side posts, an upper assembly having four pairs of upper arms with each pair connected with medial latch connectors, lower corner assemblies, each having a pair of plates that are pivotally mounted to a side post and a pair of base legs, upper corner assemblies, each having two pair of plates that are configured at a right angle to each other, and cables extending from the base assemblies, through the side posts and being connected to the upper arms and to the latch connectors. The enclosure apparatus is operated by linear movement of the hub assembly, either by a motor assembly or manually, to cause simultaneous movement of the base legs, the upper arms and the latch connectors between opened and folded positions by tensioning the cables.

Abstract: A stroller includes: a first stroller component; a second stroller component comprising a child receiving portion; a drive mechanism operatively engaged with at least one of the first and second stroller components to move the at least one of the first and second stroller components from a first position to a second position; and an object sensor operably coupled to the child receiving portion. The object sensor provides a signal that prevents movement of the first and second stroller components from the first position to the second position if the object sensor detects the presence of an object in the child receiving portion.

Abstract: A stroller includes: a first stroller component; a second stroller component comprising a child receiving portion; a drive mechanism operatively engaged with at least one of the first and second stroller components to move the at least one of the first and second stroller components from a first position to a second position; and an object sensor operably coupled to the child receiving portion. The object sensor provides a signal that prevents movement of the first and second stroller components from the first position to the second position if the object sensor detects the presence of an object in the child receiving portion.

Abstract: A stroller includes: a first stroller component and a second stroller component. At least one of the first and second stroller components is movable from a first position to a second position. The stroller also includes: a drive mechanism operatively engaged with the at least one of the first and second stroller components to move the at least one of the first and second stroller components from its first position to its second position; and a disengaging mechanism for disengaging the operative engagement between the drive mechanism and the at least one of the first and second stroller components to facilitate manual movement of the at least one of the first and second stroller components.

Abstract: A stroller includes: a first stroller component; a second stroller component comprising a child receiving portion; a drive mechanism operatively engaged with at least one of the first and second stroller components to move the at least one of the first and second stroller components from a first position to a second position; and an object sensor operably coupled to the child receiving portion. The object sensor provides a signal that prevents movement of the first and second stroller components from the first position to the second position if the object sensor detects the presence of an object in the child receiving portion.

Abstract: A method bathing a baby is provided by a thermally buffered clean water flow universal baby bathing tub which includes a tub body. A baby bathing portion is formed in the tub body and a reservoir is formed in the tub body having a reservoir weir exiting the reservoir into the baby bathing portion, wherein baby bathing portion is configured to receive the bathing water from the source of bathing water through the reservoir and the reservoir weir, whereby the reservoir will provide a thermal buffer for the bathing water between the source of bathing water and the baby bathing portion. A clean water flow baby bathing tub further includes a bathing height regulating hole configured to define the conventional bathing height of the bath in the baby bathing portion. The bathing tub provides a clean water circulating flow for bathing the baby.

Abstract: A child enclosure apparatus that includes a hub assembly, a base assembly having four base legs in an X-shaped configuration, a side structure having four side posts, an upper assembly having four pairs of upper arms with each pair connected with medial latch connectors, lower corner assemblies, each having a pair of plates that are pivotally mounted to a side post and a pair of base legs, upper corner assemblies, each having two pair of plates that are configured at a right angle to each other, and cables extending from the base assemblies, through the side posts and being connected to the upper arms and to the latch connectors. The enclosure apparatus is operated by linear movement of the hub assembly, either by a motor assembly or manually, to cause simultaneous movement of the base legs, the upper arms and the latch connectors between opened and folded positions by tensioning the cables.

Abstract: A remote shower actuator and temperature sensing unit installs in a shower having a shower head in a water line that is downstream of hot and cold water mixing for the shower. The shower actuator includes a battery powered wireless actuated blocking valve, a digital temperature sensor mechanism, a temperature indicating mechanism and generally two independent one wireless controllers. The valve may move between a closed position, an open position and a trickle flow position. The trickle flow position is a significantly reduced flow in response to a potentially hazardous temperature reading. The temperature indicating mechanism may be a visible display on the controllers that constantly displays the measured temperatures, or may be a visible or audible indicator on the controllers that identifies that the flowing water temperature has reached an acceptable steady state temperature, or a combination of the two.