Articulating mobile
An apparatus for entertaining a child, the apparatus including a mobile body configured to attach to a side railing of a crib, a plurality of arms pivotally extending from the mobile body along a first end, and a motor operably connected to the arms and including a controller. The arms articulate according to a predetermined sequence of the controller.
This description relates to devices for entertaining and stimulating an infant.
BACKGROUNDDevices have been developed and configured to attach to a crib to provide entertainment and stimulation to an infant. A mobile is one such example.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, an apparatus includes a mobile body configured to attach to a side railing of a crib, a number of arms pivotally extending from the mobile body along at a first end, and a motor operably connected to the arms and including a controller. The arms articulate according to a predetermined sequence of the controller.
In various examples, the mobile includes one or more of the following features. The arms can be attached to the mobile body along a longitudinal axis. The arms can be configured to move in parallel planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The predetermined sequence can include a substantially wavelike motion. The controller provide a user with the capability to adjust the frequency and/or the amplitude of the wavelike motion. The predetermined sequence can include a sinusoidal function.
In certain constructions, the arms of the mobile are each different lengths. Ornamental objects can be attached to the second end of the arms. In some examples, a flexible web extends between the arms. The mobile can also include a remote to control the operation of the mobile with a radiofrequency or infrared signal, for example. In further examples, the mobile includes a speaker to play sound effects and/or music. The mobile can include a number of lights configured to illuminate according to the movement of the arms, the sound effects and/or music.
In another aspect, the mobile includes a mobile body configured to attach to a side railing of a crib, a number of arms pivotally extending from the mobile body and configured to articulate according to a substantially wavelike motion, and a motor operably connected to the arms and including a controller. In some examples, the arms are each different lengths. In certain examples, the controller can adjust the frequency and/or the amplitude of the wavelike motion.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to
The base 15 can include an on/off switch 35 and a number of other controls 40a-40e, which can include lights, for example. The base 15 can include apertures 45 and a speaker positioned behind the apertures for playing sound effects and/or music. The controls 40 can control features of the mobile 10 such as the illumination of the lights contained within the on/off switch 35 and controls 40, the movement of the arms 20, and/or the type and duration of the sound effect and/or music.
In some examples, a flexible web (not shown) can extend between the arms 20. In certain examples, ornaments 50a-50d can be attached to second ends 53a-53d of the arms 20 with a tether 55a-55d. The second ends 53 of arms 20 can be, for example, a loop. The ornaments 50 can include stuffed animals such as a bird, turtle, frog, butterfly and/or fish. During movement of the arms 20, the ornaments 50 move to entertain and stimulate the infant. In some examples, supplemental ornaments 60a-60d can be attached proximate the second end of the arms 20 to further adorn the mobile 10. The supplemental ornaments 60 can include, a leaf, for example.
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The motor 130 is disposed within first and second motor covers 155, 160, respectively, which are all positioned between the first, second, third and fourth motor housing covers 165, 170, 175 and 180, respectively.
The base 15 includes a main controller 200 and a main switch 205. Both the main controller and the main switch 200, 205, can be printed circuit boards, for example, and are secured to the front housing 100 by first and second controller supports 207, 209, respectively. The main switch 205 is operably connected to the controllers 40 to control the movement of the arms 20, the illuminations of controllers 40 and/or the sound effects and music. A speaker 210 is positioned in a speaker mount 215 proximate to the apertures 45 of the front housing 100.
Referring now to
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. An crib mobile comprising:
- a base configured to attach to a side railing of a crib;
- a plurality of arms extending from the mobile body along; and
- a motor operably connected to the arms,
- wherein the arms articulate according to a predetermined sequence.
2. The mobile of claim 1, wherein the arms are attached to the mobile body along a longitudinal axis.
3. The mobile of claim 2, wherein the arms move in parallel planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
4. The mobile of claim 1, wherein the predetermined sequence comprises a substantially wavelike motion.
5. The mobile of claim 4 wherein the controller can adjust the frequency of the wavelike motion.
6. The mobile of claim 4 wherein the controller can adjust the amplitude of the wavelike motion.
7. The mobile of claim 1, wherein the predetermined sequence comprises a sinusoidal function.
8. The mobile of claim 1, wherein the arms are each different lengths.
9. The mobile of claim 1, wherein ornaments are attached to free ends of the arms.
10. The mobile of claim 1, further comprising a flexible web extending between the arms.
11. The mobile of claim 1, further comprising a speaker to play at least one of sound effects and music.
12. The mobile of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of lights configured to illuminate as a function of the movement of the arms.
13. The mobile of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of lights configured to illuminate as a function of at least one of the sound effects and music.
14. The mobile of claim 1, further comprising a remote to control the operation of the arms.
15. The mobile of claim 14, wherein the remote comprises an infrared transmitter.
16. The mobile of claim 14, wherein the remote comprises an radiofrequency transmitter.
17. A crib mobile comprising:
- a body attachable to a side railing of a crib;
- a plurality of arms each extending from the body; and
- a motor contained within the body and operably attached to the arms, such that the motor drives each of the arms in similar oscillatory motions and different phases, such that the motions of the arms together simulate a wave motion.
18. The mobile of claim 17, wherein the arms are each different lengths.
19. The mobile of claim 17, further comprising a controller, wherein the controller can adjust a frequency of the wavelike motion.
20. The mobile of claim 17, further comprising a controller, wherein the controller can adjust an amplitude of the wavelike motion.
Type: Application
Filed: May 22, 2005
Publication Date: Nov 23, 2006
Inventors: Joseph Sejnowski (North Kingstown, RI), John Kearney (Attleboro Falls, MA), Marsha Merianos (East Bridgewater, MA), Aidan Petrie (Jamestown, RI)
Application Number: 11/135,622
International Classification: A63H 33/00 (20060101);