Glider

Abstract

A glider that produces a gliding motion using a plurality of cooperating components. The glider may include a seat for receiving one or more users and a frame connected to the seat for supporting the seat including the weight of the one or more users on the seat. One or more wheel members may be provided and connected to the frame. The apparatus may further include a base surface that is engaged by the wheels. The base surface and the wheels may have generally corresponding configurations so as to produce a back and forth gliding motion within a predefined movement range as the wheels roll on the base surface when the glider is subject to a movement force. The frame transmits the gliding motion to the one or more users in the seat. The glider can also have a mechanism that ensures that the glider returns to a central position in its movement range once a movement force has been stopped.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/588,180, filed Jul. 15, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in general to seating apparatus and, more particularly, to glider incorporating a seat that may produce a gliding or rocking motion for the enjoyment of one or more individuals seated thereon.

Aspects of the present invention may have numerous applications. For example, there are a variety of products in the market that help to calm or placate a child or lull a child to sleep. Examples of such devices include cradles, rockers, cribs, bouncy chairs and swings. Some of these devices include features to impart sensations such as vibration or bouncing on a child to further entertain or soothe a child. Another sensation that may be relaxing for children is a gliding motion; however, there are no devices among children's products that may impart a gliding sensation to a child seated or laying on the device.

A device according to aspects of the present invention is not limited to use with children because the sensation of gliding may be relaxing and enjoyable for individuals of any age. Thus, aspects of the present invention may be applied to almost any furniture including, but not limited to, outdoor furniture, such as porch or patio gliders, and hammocks, and/or indoor items such as couches, chaises or chairs. Current gliders may suffer from several drawbacks including having structure that overhangs the seat portion of the glider, which, in some settings, may not be beneficial.

In light of the above, objects of the invention relate to providing a novel and improved apparatus to impart a gliding motion on an occupant seated on the apparatus. Another object of the invention includes applying such an apparatus to sundry furniture products. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for automatically generating the desired motion at selective settings. Still another object of the invention is to provide child products that selectively glide, bounce and vibrate. One or more of these and other objects of the glider of the present invention are addressed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus that produces a gliding motion in a novel way. A glider according to aspects of the present invention may include a seat for receiving one or more users and a frame connected to the seat for supporting the seat including the weight of the one or more users on the seat. One or more wheel members may be provided and connected to the frame. The apparatus may further include a base surface that is engaged by the wheels. The base surface and the wheels may have generally corresponding configurations so as to produce a back and forth gliding motion within a predetermined movement range as the wheels roll on the base surface when the glider is subject to a movement force. The frame and seat transmit the gliding motion to the one or more users in the seat. The present invention uses a mechanism that ensures that the glider returns to an initial position once the movement force has been stopped.

The wheel members may roll on tracks, which replicates the feel of a swing or glider as it moves back and forth, but without the bulky configuration of ropes, chains or linkages. The tracks may be curved so that they are higher at each end, and lower in the middle. This arrangement replicates the energy efficiency of a swing or glider. This efficiency exists because kinetic energy is created as the wheels move along the track toward the lower middle point. The energy is then used to aid the wheels in climbing up the track toward the higher end point, as new potential energy is created to enable the wheels to roll back down toward the middle point of the track again.

Wheel members may be provided to each side of the seat, and may be linked by linkage rods. The linkage rods may act to index the wheels on each side of the seat together, to eliminate twisting and bending of the seat and also to allow energy to be distributed to both sides of the apparatus evenly.

A self-centering mechanism may be provided to center the glider in the mid-point of its motion when stopped. This may also protect the drive mechanism by allowing the input link to overrun the glider assembly motion or vice versa. The self-centering mechanism may include a cycle switch to cut off power to the wheel members only when the gear is mid-cycle and the seat is at its lowest point. This allows the seat to be moved manually with a motion that feels unrestricted as if no motor or gear mechanism were attached to the seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a glider according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base of a glider according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3-9 are various views of a gear mechanism as used in a glider according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a glider according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a glider according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a glider according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view a frame used in a glider according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view a frame used in a glider according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15-18 are side views of frames used in a glider according to different embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a close-up view of an axle connected to a frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a close-up view of an axle connected to a frame according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a base of a glider according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a close-up view of a housing of a glider according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a glider as incorporated into a cradle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a glider as incorporated into a bouncer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a glider as incorporated into a high chair according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a glider as incorporated into a rocker according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is more particularly described in the following description and examples that are intended to be illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form “a,” “an,” and “the” may include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the specification and in the claims, the term “comprising” may include the embodiments “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

Aspects of the present invention relating to a glider for one or more individuals are described below. Embodiments according to aspects of the present invention as set forth in the detailed description are intended only as exemplary. While embodiments according to aspects of the invention are shown in FIGS. 1-23, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated structure or application.

Again, aspects of the present invention relate to an apparatus that produces a gliding motion in a novel way. A glider according to aspects of the present invention may include a seat for receiving one or more users and a frame connected to the seat for supporting the seat including the weight of the one or more users on the seat. One or more wheel members may be provided and connected to the frame. The apparatus may further include a base surface that is engaged by the wheels. The base surface and the wheels may have generally corresponding configurations so as to produce a back and forth gliding motion within a predetermined movement range as the wheels roll on the base surface when the glider is subject to a movement force. The frame and seat transmit the gliding motion to the one or more users in the seat. The present invention uses a mechanism that ensures that the glider returns to an initial position once the movement force has been stopped.

The glider may further include a housing for enclosing all or a portion of the seat, frame, wheels and/or base surface. Further, the embodiments according to aspects of the present invention may include a control unit for motorized and possibly adjustable operation of the glider. Aspects of the glider may be applied to products for infants, toddlers or children (hereafter collectively referred to as “child” or “children”), but the scope of the invention is not so limited as the invention may be used to create a gliding motion with almost any type of furniture such as couches or chairs as will be discussed below.

As set forth more specifically in FIG. 1 and in more detail in FIGS. 2-9, the gilder of the present invention includes a seat frame formed of a first frame part 29 and a second frame part 30. The seat frame is supported by a base. The base includes a left inner housing member 31 and a right inner housing member 32 that each have a cover 3 to form two base housings, one at each side of the seat frame. Enclosed within the respective housings are a carriages 4 that include one or more means for connecting to and supporting the seat frame (which may be seen in various alternative embodiments in FIGS. 14-19) on which a glider seat may rest. In this embodiment, the connecting means are holes, though it is contemplated that any other suitable means for connecting seat frame parts 29, 30, the carriages 4 may be used including, but not limited to, fasteners, such as bolts, screws, nails, adhesives and the like. The base housings 31, 32, 3 may also include one or more feet 33 on which the glider may rest. Also, connector tubes or rods 27 may be used to connect the left and right housings to one another.

The carriages 4 are the members that glide with respect to the base housings. As may be seen, there is an opening in each housing permitting the carriage to “glide” or move back and forth. Each carriage 4 includes, in the illustrated embodiment, two wheels 2 that are connected to the carriage 4 using axles 1. The wheels 2 are each constrained and roll on a track 34. As shown in FIG. 1, the track 34 has a curved shape. The curved shape of the track 34 may include an arc that is a portion of an elliptical, spherical, parabolic or hyperbolic curve, or may have any other suitable shape. The curvature of the track 34 retains the wheels 2 and permits the glider to come to come to rest at a set position when not in use and/or when no power is being supplied to the glider. The tracks 34 may be formed of any suitable material, such as a plastic material to ensure smooth running of the wheels 162 thereon.

As an example, the track may be curved such that it provides the sense that the device is extended from a 15 inch pendulum, although it is understood that the invention is not limited in this regard; by using this arrangement, the present invention is safer to use than other gliding arrangements, in part, due to the curved or arced shape of the track 34. The tracks 34 may be curved so that they are higher at each end, and lower in the middle. This arrangement replicates the energy efficiency of a swing or glider. This efficiency exists because kinetic energy is created as the wheels move along the track toward the lower middle point. The energy is then used to aid the wheels in climbing up the track toward the higher end point, as new potential energy is created to enable the wheels to roll back down toward the middle point of the track again. If a flat track is used, there would be no period of oscillation, and any positive energy in one direction would need to be stopped or dissipated before the wheel is returned in the other direction. As such, if a flat track is to be used, or a curved track that is not higher at each end thereof, modifications in the glider may be necessary. The glider is selected to operate on any period that may be desired. In one embodiment, the glider may have a period of about 1.4 seconds per oscillation. Of course, any suitable oscillatory period may be employed in the glider, and the tracks 34 may be designed accordingly.

The carriages 4 may be moved using a gear mechanism that, in one embodiment, is designed to cause the glider to always stop moving at the center of the stroke when no power is being supplied to the glider. Therefore, the glider may be moved manually back-and-forth as opposed to or as well as using a battery or other means of powering the device. The gear mechanism may be any suitable mechanism that will allow operation of the glider using a motor, or manual operation, and will allow the glider to stop at the center of its movement range.

One embodiment of a gear mechanism and driving assembly is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3-9. The gear mechanism includes a motor 23 housed in a motor housing having a front 25 and a back 21, and one or more shafts 22 protruding through the motor housing front 25 and back 21. The motor housing may also include one or more rubber mountings 24. The gear mechanism is shown as being in the left housing 31, though it is contemplated that in alternative embodiments, the gear mechanism may be located in the right housing 32.

The motor 23 may be controlled by a control switch 26. The motor 23 is in the illustrated embodiment connected to one shaft 22 which may drive a gear mechanism having a small pulley 15, a large pulley 14, and a drive belt 13 connecting the small and large pulleys 15, 14, all located on the motor housing front 25. The large pulley 14 may be connected to a shaft 22 extending through the motor housing to the motor housing back 21. A gear mechanism located at the back 21 of the motor housing is driven by the pulley 14, and includes a small pulley 38 mounted on the shaft 22, a drive belt 39 and a large pulley 40. Large pulley 40 is mounted on another shaft 22, which extends through motor housing to the front 25 of the housing, on which is mounted a small gear 16. Gear 16 can be meshed with a larger driving gear 12, to which a linkage 5 is pivotally connected. The driving gear 12 may be mounted on a further shaft 22, to which a bushing 20 may be connect at the back 21 of the motor housing.

The linkage 5 may be connected to a self-centering linkage 6, which in turn may be pivotally connected to a drive linkage 10. The self-centering linkage 6 and the drive linkage 10 may each include a stop which acts against the arms of a centering spring 7, which may be interposed between the self-centering linkage 6 and the drive linkage 10. The stops on the linkages 6 and 10 may each include grooves so that the arms of the spring 7 rest securely against the stops. The arms of the centering spring 7 transmit the motion of the centering linkage 6 to the drive linkage 10 such that, upon rotation of the driving gear 12, the linkage 5 causes backwards and forwards motion of self-centering linkage 6, spring 7 and drive linkage 10. In turn, movement of the drive linkage 10 drives the wheel carriage 4 through a roller 9 that may be mounted on a pin 8 to a free end of the drive linkage 10. The roller 9 may be received in a recess 37 in the wheel carriage 34. The motor 23 thus provides a moving force to move the carriages 4, and hence the glider. The drive linkage 10 may be designed to impart a smooth gliding motion to the seat frame 29, 30, and hence to a seat 112 supported thereby, or may be designed to in addition impart another motion to the seat 112 such as a vertical or bouncing motion and/or a vibratory motion. These additional motions may be imparted by any suitable method. For example, a bouncing motion may be provided by a deviation or excursion in the travel of the drive link 10. A vibratory motion may be provided by an eccentric weight attached to the drive link. The self-centering linkage 6 and the centering spring 7 may be pivotally mounted to an elongated axle 36. The axle 36 may extend through a connecting rod 27 which extends between and connects together the two housing sections. A second drive linkage 35 may be attached to the end of axle 36, to drive the opposite wheel carriage 4 via a second roller 9 and pin 8. The linkages index the wheels 2 on each side of the glider to eliminate twisting and bending of the seat 112. A second connecting rod 27 may also extend between the housing sections, and may include an electrical connection. The electrical connection may extend from the motor 23 to the battery provided in the opposite housing section. A battery housing 28 may be included to cover the battery. Of course, the electrical connection may be connected to an external power source, or the battery may be provided in the same housing section as the motor 23.

The self-centering linkage 6 provides a mechanism that allows the glider 110 to be operated independently of the motor 23. Additionally, the self-centering linkage 6, in combination with a cycle switch 17, allows the seat 112 to always come to rest in a central position when the glider 110 is operated by the motor 23. If a user applies a movement force to the seat 112 forwards or backwards by pushing on the seat 112 manually, this causes the wheels 2 to be moved forwards or backwards in wheel tracks 34. Such a movement of the wheels 2 also causes movement of the roller 9 mounted on the drive linkage 10, as the recess in each wheel carriage 34 pushes on the roller 9. The movement of drive linkage 10 causes one of the arms of the centering spring 7 to move outwardly, depending on the direction of movement of the seat 12. As the arms of the spring 7 are not attached to the self-centering linkage 6, but merely rest against the stops provided on the linkage 6, and as the resistance to movement of the driving gear 12 is greater than the force required to open the arms of the spring 7, this movement of the drive linkage 10 does not cause movement of the self-centering linkage 6, and therefore does not affect the motor 23. When the seat 112 reaches the end of its travel, and the user lets go, or pushes it in the other direction, both gravity acting on the wheels 2 in tracks 34 and the force of the arms of the centering spring 7 closing act to move drive linkage 10 back to its neutral or central position. In alternative arrangements, the mechanism allowing the glider to come to a stop in a central position in its movement range may include one or more springs and/or resilient compressible materials connected to ends of the housing and which act to recenter the glider when a movement force is removed. Yet further, in other alternative arrangements, the mechanism allowing the glider to come to a stop in a central position in its movement range may simply be an arrangement of the curved track 34 and wheels 2 that allows gravity and potential energy of the wheels 2 located at the ends of the track to continue the movement of the glider to a central position of the track. This may be achieved due to the relative frictional engagement between the wheels and the track, or may be achieved by having a track that is curved steeply enough at the ends so that the wheels 2 have a tendency to roll towards the lower, central portion of the track.

The gear mechanism also features a self-centering function, and always comes to a stop at the center of the stroke after operation of the motor. This ensures that subsequent manual operation of the glider is easier for a user to accomplish. The gear mechanism includes a cycle switch 17 having two contacts 18 and 19. The cycle switch may be in the form of a generally circular electrically conducting plate or ring that may be attached to one of the gears of the gear mechanism, typically to the driving gear 12. The cycle switch 17 may include a cut-out portion. As the gears of the gear mechanism revolve, the cut-out portion repeatedly cuts the contact between the contacts 18 and 19. This does not affect operation of the motor while the motor 23 is running. However, if the control switch 26 is switched to the “off” condition, the cycle switch 17 maintains the motor 23 in the “on” condition until cut-out portion has completed its revolution to the position that the contact between contacts 18 and 19 is cut. The cycle switch 17 thus completes the switching off of the motor 23, but ensures that the gear mechanism, and hence the drive linkage 10 and seat 112 are returned to a central position before the motor 23 stops. The centering action may be aided by the self-centering spring 6.

The glider may include a power switch 26. In alternative embodiments, the power switch may be a control switch. In still other alternative embodiments, the power switch may be a variable resister that permits consistent movement of the glider depending on the strength of the power source.

Various mechanisms may be provided to ensure silent running of the glider 110, to prevent its operation from disturbing the occupant thereof. For example, feet 33 may be provided, and may be made of a rubberized or silicon type material to prevent the transmission of vibrations to the floor. Bushings 20 and rubber mountings 24 may act to vibrationally isolate the motor 23 from the housing. Other mechanisms may also be used, such as insulation of the motor housing 25.

As noted above, the glider may include any of a number of additional components and/or various alternative embodiments. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a glider 100 may have a seat 112 for accommodating one or more individuals. The seat 112 may include all or a portion of a chair, couch, bed, high-chair, rocker, swing, bouncer, bassinette, cradle, crib, or car-seat. The seat 112 may be any device or surface so long as it may receive and/or hold one or more users and/or support the weight of one or more users. In one aspect, the seat may be ergonomically designed and contoured so as to comfortably receive a user.

The seat 112 may be a single part or it may be an assemblage of parts. In addition, the seat 112 may be made from various materials including, for example, wood, metal, foam, plastics and fabrics. The seat 112 may be made of a single material or it may include two or more materials including any combination of the above-listed materials. As shown in FIG. 12, for example, the seat 112 may comprise a frame 114, such as a metal wire frame, around which and/or to which a fabric cloth 116 is secured. The seat 112 may also include full or partial coverings such as a fabric, leather or plastic covering or upholstery. For example, the seat 112 may be a molded plastic with a fabric covering to make the surface more comfortable and visually attractive. Alternatively, the seat 112 may further include padding or cushioning material to provide further comfort.

The seat 112 may further include a variety of associated features. For example, the seat 112 may be adjustable such as having the ability to recline. In addition, the seat 112 may be collapsible for compact storage and shipping. The seat 112 may have occupant restraints like seat belts, or the seat 112 may have a foot rest. Furthermore, the seat 112 may include built-in or attachable toys, mobiles or music players.

The seat 112 is attached to a frame 114, which supports the seat 112 and transmits the gliding motion of one or more wheels 120 to the seat 112. The seat 112 may be attached to the frame 114 either in a direct or indirect manner. Direct attachment may include, as examples, welding or brazing; alternatively, the connection may be something less permanent in nature such as by any of a number of fasteners including screws, cotter pins, and adhesives, to name a few. In one embodiment, the seat 112 is provided with female receptacles 113 (FIG. 10) for receiving substantially mating portions of the frame 114 such that the seat may be removably placed onto the frame 114. In such case, additional securement features may be employed including at least any of the previously-listed fasteners.

The frame 114 may be made of numerous materials such as plastic, wood and metal, including resilient materials. The frame 114 may take on numerous configurations; it may comprise a single piece, or it may comprise an assembly of two or more components. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the frame 114 may be a single piece of resilient metal rod or wire that is bent into a desired shape. FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment in which the frame 114 includes two wire rod members 122. Each rod member 122 includes a generally horizontal straight portion 124 and a curved portion 126 that curves generally upwardly and generally backward. The curve 126 may have any of a variety of shapes which may be dictated by engineering concerns or by decorative choices, depending on the particular application. The rod members 122 may be disposed generally opposite each other, substantially parallel or otherwise such as converging toward or diverging away from each other.

In one embodiment, the two rod members 122 may serve as side members of the frame 114. In such case, connecting rods 128 may extend between the rod members 122 to form a base portion 130 of the frame assembly and to provide structural support. In this case or in any construction in which multiple parts are used, the frame assembly may be secured together by welding or brazing. Alternatively, the side rods 122 and connecting rods 128 may be joined by any of a number of connectors 132. Examples of connectors 132 include screws, T-fittings and adhesives. In addition, the connectors 132 may provide slots, recesses, grooves or holes into which the ends of the connecting rods 128 and/or rod members 122 may fit. The connectors 132 may also be part of the wheel mounting hardware as discussed below. Further, the frame assembly 114 may be joined using any combination of at least the above described fasteners.

Further variants of the frame may include side rod members 122 which are shown in FIGS. 15-18. FIGS. 15 and 18 show that rod member 122 may have a generally horizontal portion 124 or a generally arc-shaped portion 134 similar to the base legs on a rocking chair. Furthermore, depending on the application, the side rod members 122 may have bends on both the forward and rearward ends 136, 138 respectively, as shown in FIGS. 17-18. For example, as noted above, the forward ends 136 of the side members 122 may be reverse bent to extend generally upwardly and generally rearwardly. Similarly, the aft ends 138 of the side members 122 may be reverse bent to extend generally upwardly and generally forwardly. Both bent ends 136, 138 may be used to provide additional connection points to a seat 112 such as, for example, a high chair. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, the bends 140 in the side members 122 may take on any form such as a relatively simple curve, transitioning from a generally horizontal portion to the desired bend angle. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16-17, the side rod members 122 may have a variety of additional bends and/or curves 142 to achieve desired mechanical properties or to provide a generally more pleasant or unique appearance.

According to aspects of the invention, the frame 114 may also be used to form part of the seat 112. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the seat 112 may be made of upper and lower resilient wire frame sections f1 and f2, respectively. The lower frame f2 may be in the form of a generally horizontal base 144 provided with opposite side members 146 which diverge forwardly from a common cross member 148 in the form of a tube. The forward ends 150 of the side members may be reverse bent to extend upwardly and rearwardly for connection into the upper wire frame f1. In turn, the upper wire frame f1 may have side portions 152 converging into a common, rounded upper back portion 154, and a leg portion 156 may extend forwardly from the lower ends of the side portions 146. A flexible covering 158 may be removably positioned on the upper frame f1 and leg portions 156.

Again, the above examples of the frame 114 are only intended as exemplary. The frame 114 may have a multitude of shapes, sizes, constructions, etc., so long as it at least provides a support for the seat 112 as well as the weight of an occupant. The particular application at hand will dictate the specific construction and configuration of the frame 114. The frame 114 also serves as a structure to which one or more wheels is connected.

A glider 110 accordingly to aspects of the present invention may include one or more wheels 170. While the term “wheel” may suggest structures that are generally round or disk-like, the wheels used in the gliders of the present invention are not so limited. For example, the wheels 170, in cross-section, may generally be at least any of the following: circular, semi-circular, oblong, oval, semi-oval, elliptical, semi-elliptical, polygonal, semi-polygonal, triangular, or hour-glass. The wheels 170 may also be any combination of these shapes. For example, the wheel 170 may be triangular at one end and rounded at its base or engaging end. Moreover, the above cross-sectional shapes may describe the overall cross-sectional shape of the wheel 170 or it may describe the cross-sectional shape of the wheel 170 in a localized area.

In a three-dimensional sense, the one or more wheels 170 may be any of a variety of general configurations including but not limited to a disk, cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, spherical, hemispherical, conical, frusto-conical, polygonal, semi-polygonal, or hour-glass. Again, the wheels 170 may be any of these shapes, overall or locally. The wheels 170 may have any shape so long as they cooperate with other components of the glider 110 to achieve a desired gliding motion.

The wheels 170 may be made of any material including but not limited to metals, rubber, wood, but plastics are particularly well suited. The wheels 170 may be a single, solid piece, or they may be made of several pieces. As an example, the wheel 170 may comprise a ring connected to a generally central hub by a plurality of spokes. The specific application and engineering considerations will dictate the appropriate geometry of the wheels 170.

Any number of wheels 170 may be used. For example, embodiments of the present invention may employ only one wheel 170. In one such case, a single wheel 170 could be, for example, semi-cylindrical in configuration, extending across a majority of the bottom of the frame 114. Naturally, more than one wheel 170 may be used. In one embodiment, four wheels 170 may be used, two on each side of the frame 114. Any quantity of wheels 170 may be used, and, in the case of more than one wheel 170, the wheels 170 need not be identical to each other; that is, the wheels 170 may have different shapes so long as the desired gliding effect is produced. In short, the number and size of the wheels 170 will be dictated by the particular application at hand.

There are many ways in which the wheels 170 may be connected to the frame 114. The attachment may be directly to the frame 114 or the attachment may be indirect such as by interposing an intermediate member. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the frame 114 may provide a laterally protruding axle 172 on which the wheels 170 may be mounted laterally adjacent to the frame 114. Each wheel 170 may operate independently of the other wheels such as by providing each wheel 170 with a respective axle 172. Alternatively, at least two wheels 170 may operate in conjunction on a common axle. Still other arrangements are possible for connecting the wheels 170 to the frame 114. For example, if the wheels 170 are disposed generally below the frame 114, the glider 110 may have wheels 170 in the form of casters which mount into the underside of the frame 114. The wheels 170 may be attached to any member comprising the frame 114 and it is further possible for the wheels 170 to be attached to the seat 112. With respect to embodiments of the frame 114 discussed above, the wheels 170 may be attached to the side rod members 122 or the cross-bar members 128 or, preferably, at each junction 129 (FIG. 14) of the side rod members and the cross-bar members. Again, the wheels 170 may be generally located anywhere relative to the frame 114 so long as the wheels 170 may cooperate with a base surface 190 to set the frame and seat in a gliding motion.

Aspects of the present invention further relate to a base surface 190 for engaging and cooperating with the wheels 170 to create a desired gliding motion or effect. In one embodiment, the base surface 190 may be substantially planar and/or generally horizontal (FIG. 11). In another embodiment, the base surface 190 may be generally planar but may further include recesses, notches, grooves, tracks, rails 192 in which or on which the wheels may roll (FIG. 10). The recesses 192 may be any configuration so long as it provides a relatively smooth surface upon which the wheels may roll to produce the desired gliding effect. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the base surface 190 may be a substantially horizontal surface such as a floor, porch or tabletop. In such case, the wheels 170 of the glider 110 may be generally elliptical. The elliptical wheels 170 engage the substantially horizontal base surface 190 such that the wheels 170 rock back and forth on the surface 190 to create a gliding motion. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the wheels 170 are generally round. Accordingly, elliptical recesses 192 are provided in the base surface 190 so as to glidingly receive the wheels 170 of the glider. In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the base surface 190 may be generally vertically oriented and laterally adjacent to the frame 114. Cutouts 194 may be provided in the base surface 190 to form a path for the wheels 170, which are inserted into and follow along the cutouts 194. One example would be to provide hour-glass shaped wheels 170 with the central portion engaging the thickness of the cutout 194 in the base surface 190. Regardless of the specific configuration, the surface 190 may be made of any material such as plastic, wood, rubber, metal, but plastics are preferred.

The base surface 190 may be a continuous surface, such as a table, but it need not be a continuous surface. For example, in an embodiment of the invention where there are four wheels, two on each side of the frame, two tracks may be provided along each side member of the frame on which a pair of wheels may roll or rock. Alternatively, a track could be provided for the rear two wheels and a track for the front pair of wheels. Further, a track may be provided for each wheel. Yet further, the base surface 190 may be a set of discrete surfaces, each surface dedicated to a particular wheel. The surface 190 may be at least any of these possible surfaces and combination thereof. It will thus be appreciated that the term “base surface” used herein and in the claims is intended to cover both a single surface, discrete surfaces and a track or tracks with which the wheel members 170 interact, and that the term “base surface” is not intended to be limited in this regard.

Aspects of the invention may further include a housing 200, an example of which is shown in FIG. 21, for enclosing substantially all or a portion of the frame 114 so as to provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance, to prevent tampering, and/or to provide safety by preventing children from accessing the wheels of the glider, thus preventing crushed or pinched fingers. The housing 200 may further enclose all or a portion of the wheels 170 and base surface 190 as well. The housing 200 may be made of any material including wood, metal, plastic, or any combination of such materials.

The housing 200 may have any of a number of shapes, and it may be made of one or more parts. In one embodiment, the housing comprises an upper portion 202 (not shown) and a lower portion 204. The lower portion may accommodate the base surface 190 upon which the wheels 170 glide. Depending on the location of the wheels 170 relative to the frame, the base surface 190 may be provided in the bottom of the lower housing 204 or it may comprise a side wall of the lower housing 204.

The lower housing 204 may enclose a portion of the frame 114 including, as an example, the cross-members 128 and the generally horizontal portion 124 of the side rod members 122. The upper housing 202 is generally disposed on above the lower housing 204. The upper housing portion 202 may overlap all or a part of the interior or exterior side walls of the lower housing portion 204. The lower and upper housings 202, 204 may be secured in any of a number of manners including, by way of example, hinges, screws, latches, etc.

Any of the above-described gliders may be operated manually by pushing on the glider or by pulling and releasing it or by an occupant pushing off with his feet. Aspects of the glider of the present invention further relate to a control unit 210 for automatically operating the glider 110. The control unit 210 may be powered by a self-contained power source such as a battery or it may receive power from an external source such as being plugged into a wall socket. The control unit 210 may include a motor drive having an output shaft which may have a drive pulley mounted thereon.

The control unit 210 may be coupled anywhere to the frame 114. In one embodiment, the control unit 210 may be connected to one of the side bar members 122 of the frame 114. Preferably, the control unit 210 may be disposed at least partially within the housing 200. The control unit 210 may additionally be secured to the housing 200 using screws, bolts, and adhesive, to name a few. The housing 200 may provide control switches, dials or knobs 206 that may be operatively associated with the control unit 210 so as to allow a user to interface with the control unit 210 and operate the glider 110. As shown in FIG. 22, for example, the housing 200 may include knobs, buttons, switches, etc., 212 for various features including on/off, movement control functions and/or speed control. Thus, when a user depresses for example the on/off button, in addition to effectuating the gliding motion, the control unit 210 may be used to impart other effects such as vibrating and bouncing on the one or more users of the glider. Such aspects are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,378,940 B1 and 6,431,646 B1, which are incorporated herein by reference at least with regard to these aspects. Preferably, in one embodiment, the housing 200 includes a switch that may be selectively operated by an operator to selectively create one of the three desired effects.

Having described the individual components that may be used according to aspects of the present invention, one illustrative manner in which these components may be assembled is described below. The described assembly steps may be performed in almost any order and not every step described must occur.

First, a lower housing 204 is provided including, along at least a portion of the inner bottom surface of the lower housing, two separate, generally planar surfaces 190 for engaging the wheels 170 of the glider. Next, the frame 114 may be assembled. The frame may include, for example, two side rod members 122 joined by two connecting rods 128 in any of the previously described manners. Round wheels 170 may be secured to the underside of the frame 114 at each junction 129 at which of the connecting rods meet 128 with the side rod members 122. After assembly, the frame 114 may be placed inside of the lower housing 204 such that at least the generally horizontal portion 124 of the side bars 122 may be disposed within the housing 200 and such that the wheels 170 engage the planar surfaces 190. The control unit 210 may be assembled and placed and/or mounted inside of the lower housing 204. The control unit 210 may be operatively associated with one or more user interface knobs, buttons and/or switches on the exterior of the housing 200. Next the top cover 202 may be placed to close the housing 200 such that the rearwardly and upwardly curved end portions 126 of the two side rod members 122 extend out from the housing 200. The seat 112 may be connected to the frame such as by providing female receptacles for receiving at least a portion of the ends 126 of the two side rod members 122.

Having described the individual components that may be used and a manner in which the components may be assembled, illustrative manners in which a glider according to aspects of the present may be used will now be described. The following descriptions merely provide examples of uses and are not intended as an exhaustive list.

The assembled glider according to aspects of the present invention may be operated in any of a number of ways. First, a person sits or is placed in the seat portion of the glider. Once the person is situated, the glider may be activated manually by directly pushing a portion of the glider by hand or indirectly by a user pushing off the floor with a foot or by pulling the glider forward or backward and then releasing. Thus, the wheels 170, such as elliptical wheels, will be set into a back and forth rocking motion without ever making a complete revolution. Alternatively, the wheels 170 may be elliptical and designed to make complete revolutions so that the gliding motion is made by travel of the wheels 170 along a track or base surface, and a and up and down or bouncing motion may be imparted due to the shape of the wheels 170. When the wheels are, for example, generally circular, cylindrical or spherical, it may be acceptable for the wheel to make one or more complete revolutions. It should be noted that while the preferred gliding motion occurs from front to back, it is possible to configure the glider to glide laterally from side to side. Naturally, when the glider is activated manually, the operator will have to periodically reactivate the glider or else the motion will cease. Preferably, the wheels 70 and the base surface 90 cooperate in a low friction manner, because of material selection or because of the addition of a lubricant to either or both of these components, so as to provide a smoother gliding motion of longer duration.

Alternatively, if the control unit is provided, the user may activate the glider by pressing a button. In such case, the user may further control the speed at which the apparatus glides. When finished with the glider, a person may turn the motor off by opening the switch through the on/off button. When the glider comes to a stop, the occupant may leave or be removed from the device.

As will be discussed below, aspects of the present invention may be used in connection with a multitude of commonly known products. The aspects of the present invention provide an additional dimension to each of these products so as to further calm, soothe, entertain an occupant seated on the glider.

For example, aspects of the present invention may be applied to a cradle 300 as shown in FIG. 23. In such case, the bed portion 302 of the cradle 300 may be attached to a frame 304 accordingly to aspects of the present invention. The frame 304 could have a variety of configurations to support and impart gliding motion on the cradle. For example, the frame 304 could include a pair of opposing side bar members 305, each being curved backwardly and upward at one end (such as is shown in FIG. 16) for attachment to the bed 302 of the cradle 300. Alternatively, the side bar members 305 may be curved at the opposite end as well (such as is shown in FIG. 17) for further engagement with and support of the cradle 300. Such a design would be advantageous over conventional cradle designs because it would remove the A-frame support that may be used in connection with cradles. Thus, a parent may view and have access to a child in the cradle without any obstruction from an A-frame. Any of the previously-mentioned aspects of the present invention including motorized features 306 could be applied.

Aspects of the present invention may further be applied a bouncer 320, as shown in FIG. 24. The bouncer 322 includes a seat which may be connected to frame bar members 324 by connectors 326. Alternatively, a portion of the seat 322 may be formed by a part of the frame bar members 324 as discussed earlier. In the shown device, a control unit 328 may be provided to, at a minimum, selectively switch between bouncing and gliding modes of operation. In addition, a housing 330 may be provided to house at least a portion of the frame.

As shown in FIG. 25, aspects of the present invention may further be incorporated into high chairs 350. Children often become sleepy after eating. By applying aspects of the present invention to a high chair 350, a parent may recline the chair and activate the glider whether manually or by the control mechanism. The frame 352 may be generally disposed between the leg structure 354 of the high chair and the chair portion 356 of the high chair. The frame 352 may comprise, for example, two rod members 358 bent upwardly at both ends (see FIG. 17) of each of the side rod members so as to supportingly receive the chair. According to aspect of the invention, the rod members 358 may have wheels (not shown) for sliding on a provided surface (not shown) to create the gliding effect.

Another common child product that may incorporate aspects of the present invention is a rocker 370. As shown in FIG. 26, the rocker 370 may include a seat portion 372 suspended above the base housing 374 by frame members 376. The frame members 376 may be rounded along their middle portion between the each of its upwardly curved ends 378, 380 (an example of which is shown in FIG. 18). For a baby, the rocker 370 may have a motorized gliding action; for a toddler, the glider may be free wheeled.

Beyond child products, the present invention may be applied to products used by one or more individuals irrespective of age. For example, aspects of the invention may be applied to outdoor and indoor furniture products such as porch or patio gliders or indoor couches. Taking a couch as an example, the frame may attach to the couch in any of the above described manners. Depending on the size and weight of the couch and any expected user load, the frame may have two or more rods members 122 to provide the requisite support.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A glider comprising:

a seat and a frame connected to the seat for supporting the seat;

at least one wheel member connected to the frame; and

a base surface that is engaged by the wheels, wherein the base surface and the wheels have generally corresponding configurations so as to produce a back and forth gliding motion within a predefined movement range as the wheels roll on the base surface when the glider is subject to a movement force.

2. The glider of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism that ensures that the glider returns to a central position in its movement range once the movement force has been removed.

3. The glider of claim 1, wherein the base surface includes at least one curved track.

4. The glider of claim 3, wherein the curved track is lower at the central position of the movement range of the glider than at ends of the track.

5. The glider of claim 3, wherein the curved track is in a shape of an arc that is a portion of an elliptical, circular, parabolic or hyperbolic curve.

6. The glider of claim 1, wherein the base surface includes at least one straight track.

7. The glider of claim 1, wherein the wheels have a rolling surface comprising a non-circular curved shape.

8. The glider of claim 7, wherein the curved shape of the wheels includes an arc that is a portion of an elliptical, parabolic or hyperbolic curve.

9. The glider of claim 1, further comprising means to provide the movement force to at least two wheel members, one located on either side of the glider.

10. The glider of claim 1, wherein the glider includes at least two wheels on opposite sides of the base surface and further comprising at least one connecting rod connecting the at least two wheels.

11. The glider of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for returning the glider to a central position includes a gear mechanism.

12. The glider of claim 11, wherein the gear mechanism includes a cycle switch to cut off power to the glider from a power source.

13. The glider of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for returning the glider to a central position includes a self-centering linkage.

14. The glider of claim 13, wherein the self-centering linkage comprises a centering spring.

15. The glider of claim 1, wherein the movement force is provided by a motor.

16. The glider of claim 15, wherein the movement force may be supplied by the motor when the motor is switched on and may be supplied manually by a user when the motor is switched off.

17. The glider of claim 1, wherein at least one of a bouncing and a vibratory motion is imparted to the seat at the same time as the gliding motion is imparted.