Child Receiving Device with Child Entertainment System

Abstract

An activity center is disclosed, wherein the activity center includes a child receiving device and an activity bar attached thereto. The activity bar may be removably connected to the child receiving device. The activity center includes a number of components including at least one actuator, at least one entertainment component, an electronic control unit and a power supply that all communicate together. Furthermore, the activity bar includes motion members extending upward from and connected to the activity bar by resilient members such that motion of a child seated in the child receiving device is transferred to the motion member through the resilient members to cause the motion members to reciprocate back and forth to entertain the child.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/784,449, filed Mar. 22, 2006, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to infant activity centers, and more particularly child-receiving devices including an infant activity center.

Activity centers provide infants with many developmental benefits. This is true even if, initially, an infant is not developmentally advanced enough to physically interact with the activity center in a skillful, calculated manner. To ensure that even younger infants can benefit from activity centers, younger infants can receive audio and visual stimulation using activity centers that can be actuated either manually or verbally (e.g., via motion switch activation or sound sensing switch activation) and can product either electronic (e.g., lights or sounds) or mechanical/tactile stimulation(e.g., via the use of spinners, rollers, or shakers). For example, even the youngest of infants can benefit from audio or visual stimulation which is actuated when the infant's inadvertent body motion triggers a sensor, transfers energy to a mechanical component, or results in inadvertent contact with a strategically placed actuation switch.

As the infant develops and begins to understand and more effectively control their body movements, they can gradually begin to comprehend the connection between their intended body movements and the audio or visual responses to those movements that are generated by the activity center. One of the simplest action-reaction relationships a child can learn is that of the child's body movement being transferred to an object to set the object in motion (e.g., an object that reciprocates back and forth when the child moves).

As the infant develops, the infant can increase his (or her) physical interaction with the activity center. This physical interaction will further encourage the development of physical attributes such as hand-eye coordination, range of motion, etc. Many conventional activity centers are designed to encourage interaction with the infant's hands. Other effective infant activity-centers combine hand interaction designs with designs that enable infants to interact with the activity center using mere body movement. More recent activity center designs such as the activity center disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,425 to Bapst et al. have also begun to incorporate interactive elements that interact with an infant's feet. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,425 to Bapst et al. is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

There is therefore a need to develop an infant activity center that generates audio and visual stimulation for an infant by providing mechanisms for actuation suitable for infants with a range of developmental levels including those having minimal early stage development. Specifically, there is a need for an infant activity center that mechanically generates sensory stimulation in response to an infant's uncoordinated or inadvertent movement as well as more advanced calculated movements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an infant activity center that includes a first section and a second section. The infant activity center in accordance with the present invention has a removable connection between the first section and the second section that enables detection of infant activity by an actuator in the first section to produce sensory output in the second section. More specifically, the first section of the activity center includes a support frame capable of supporting an infant and the second section includes an activity bar. The removable connection between the first section and the second section allows components in the fist section to be in electrical and mechanical communication with components in the second section. This connection enables detection of infant activity by an actuator in one of the sections to produce sensory output in the other section.

The sensory output generated by the infant activity center can be electronic and/or mechanical. For example, electronic sensory output can be musical sounds or colorful flashing lights. Mechanical output can be a bobbling, colorful attractive object connected to the activity center by a resilient member such as a spring with energy storage capability. By this type of resilient mechanical connection, energy transferred to the activity center by the child's movement is in turn transferred to the object. The object then moves (reciprocates back and forth) for a period of time as the stored energy in the resilient mechanical connection is dissapated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the infant activity center of the present invention integrated with a child receiving device.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the functional characteristics of an infant activity center of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram schematically illustrating a control system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the underlying components of the infant activity center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A shows a front isolated view of the activity bar of the infant activity center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B shows a rear close-up view of the activity bar of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A shows a top view of the leg support portion of a child receiving device of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6B and 6C show a top view and an underside internal view of the activity bar retainer members of the leg support portion of the child receiving device of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A shows the activity bar of the present invention being received into one of the retainer members of FIGS. 6B and 6C.

FIG. 7B shows the activity bar of the present invention as it is completely received in one of the retainer members of FIGS. 6B and 6C.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show fragmentary cross-sectional views of the ends of the activity bar in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic of the electronic components of an infant activity center in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a close-up view of a motion member of the activity bar in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged side view of the motion member of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of portions of the activity bar of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 13 shows an enlarged exploded view that illustrates the resilient mechanical connection of the motion member of FIG. 10 to the is connected to an infant activity center in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the activity bar excluding the motion member to reveal the internals of the connection between the motion member and the activity bar housing in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows an enlarged side view of a motion member in accordance with the present invention illustrating the movement of the motion member as the resilient mechanical connection is flexed.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the child receiving device and activity center in accordance with the present invention with a child received therein and illustrating the movement of the motion members from a first position to a second dotted line position as the child motion of the child's body imparts motion to the child receiving device.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a child activity center including an activity bar supported by a child receiving device. An activity center in accordance with the present invention may include a number of electronic actuators and electronic entertainment components where the actuators (e.g., switch, motion or sound sensors) trigger the entertainment components (e.g., lights, sounds etc.).

The activity center in accordance with the present invention may also include purely mechanical actuation and purely mechanical entertainment component response systems. For example, the child receiving device may function as an actuator when the child receiving device is of the type structured for allowing a active child received in the child receiving device to impart motion to the child receiving device. With regard to mechanical entertainment component response systems, the child activity center may contain an entertainment activity bar including a housing. The activity bar may also include arms having ends for removably connecting the housing to the child receiving device such that motion of the child receiving device (the mechanical actuator) imparts motion to the activity bar housing. The activity center may further include a motion member (an entertainment component) connected to the activity bar housing by a resilient connection member such that motion of the activity bar housing transfers motion to the motion member through the resilient connection member. In operation, movement of the active child received in the child receiving device imparts movement to the child receiving device, which imparts movement to the arms of the activity bar, which imparts movement to the activity bar housing, which imparts movement to the resilient connection member, which, finally, imparts movement to the motion member to entertain the child received in the child receiving device.

One specific embodiment of the present invention is discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

To more clearly illustrate the principles of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of infant activity center 100. Infant activity center 100 can be described in terms of a first section and a second section. The first section includes an infant receiving device 125 including a support frame 110 (in the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 110 is an infant bouncer-type support frame), which supports seating surface 112. When an infant is supported by seating surface 112, the infant's legs are positioned relative to foot actuator section 114. The second section includes activity bar 120, which further includes various infant entertainment components (e.g., lights, sounds or mechanical motion members). Activity bar 120 is coupled to bouncer support frame 110 via retainer elements 132 and 134. As will be described in greater detail below (for electrical actuator/entertainment components combinations), retainer element 134 includes a communication link that enables communication between foot actuator section 114 and an electronic control unit (as illustrated in FIG. 3) disposed in activity bar 120.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram 200 illustrating the electronic functional characteristics of the infant activity center 100 in accordance with the present invention (mechanical actuators and entertainment components will be discussed in further detail below). Infant activity center 100 includes first section 210 and second section 220. In the illustrated embodiment, first section 210 includes infant entertainment component 212 and actuator component 214, while second section 220 includes infant entertainment component 222 and actuator component 224. As would be appreciated, first section 210 and second section 220 can include multiple infant entertainment components and multiple actuator components. For simplicity, only a single entertainment component and a single actuator component have been illustrated on first section 210 and second section 220.

Entertainment components 212, 222 can represent any entertainment component that produces a sensory effect for an infant. For example, entertainment components 212, 222 can include audio generation components, visual effect generation components, or motor driven tactile components.

In general, actuators 214, 224 are operative to detect some form of infant activity. For example, in one embodiment, actuators 214, 224 can be designed to detect movement of an infant, while in another embodiment actuators 214, 224 can be designed to detect a verbal action by an infant. In accordance with the present invention, detected infant action is used to control the activation or state of one or more infant entertainment components 212, 222. As would be appreciated, actuators 214, 224 can be designed to directly control an infant entertainment component 212, 222 or can be used as an input to an infant entertainment control program.

Control over such an infant entertainment control program is enabled through an electronic control unit 226. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, electronic control unit 226 is included within second section 220. As would be appreciated, in an alternative embodiment, electronic control unit 226 could be included within first section 210.

Electronic control unit 226 is operative to receive a set of control inputs. Particular control inputs can be received from actuators disposed in the section 210, 220 within which the electronic control unit resides, or from actuators disposed in the section within which the electronic control unit does not reside. For example, electronic control unit 226 in second section 220 can receive a control input generated by actuator component 224 in second section 220, and a control input generated by actuator component 214 in first section 210. If the actuator component is not disposed in the same section as the electronic control unit, then the communication between the actuator component and the electronic control unit is enabled through communication link 230. Communication link 230 is generally designed to enable communication between electronic components that are disposed in different sections of the infant activity center 100. Communication link 230 can be embodied as a wired or wireless connection between the sections 210, 220.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram 300 schematically illustrating the connectivity of electronic control unit 226. Electronic control unit 226 can be designed to individually control the activation or state of a set of entertainment components 212, 222.

Electronic control unit 226 is also coupled to a power supply 310. Power supply 310 can be used to power both electronic control unit 226 and one or more of entertainment components 212, 222. As would be appreciated, one or more of entertainment components 212, 222 can also be individually powered by separate power supplies with control being provided by electronic control unit 226.

As noted, control over entertainment components 212, 222 is effected by electronic control unit 226 in response to a general set of infant-generated controls. Infant-generated controls are exemplified by actuators 214, 224 and can be disposed in any section 210, 220 within activity center 100. In general, an infant-generated control represents any input to electronic control unit that is generated by a detectable infant action. For example, the detectable infant action can be based on any physical or audible effect generated by the infant.

The flexibility of the placement of actuators 214, 224 relative to electronic control unit 226 is enabled through communication link 230. This flexibility in the placement of the actuators 214, 224 relative to the electronic control unit 226 enables various configurations within activity center 100.

In one embodiment, first section 210 is a base portion of an activity center 100, while second section 220 is an infant entertainment portion. The base portion 210 and the infant entertainment portion 220 are removably coupled together via a removable coupler that includes an electrical communication link 230.

In general, the base portion represents a portion of the activity center that includes an actuator and that can be positioned proximate to the infant. As would be appreciated, the specific form of the base portion can vary depending upon the type of activity center in which it is embodied (e.g., bouncer seat, swing, walker, playpen activity center, crib, infant stroller, infant high-chair, infant activity gym, etc.). Regardless of the form, the base portion is designed to position the actuator proximate to the infant received therein. This proximate positioning can be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment, the base portion can be designed to support the infant, while in another embodiment, the base portion can be designed to be placed relative to an infant.

After the base portion is positioned proximate to the infant, the infant can activate the actuator. Control signals indicative of the activation of the actuator are carried over a communication link to the removable infant entertainment portion (e.g., an activity bar) that includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit can then control the entertainment components throughout the activity center based at least in part on the control signal received over the communication link. As noted, the communication link can be incorporated into a removable coupler that connects the base portion and the removable infant entertainment portion. The communication link can also be independent of the removable coupler.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of infant activity center 100 of FIG. 1 with seating surface 112 removed to reveal the underlying components. As illustrated, infant activity center 100 includes a bouncer support frame 110 including base section 412, leg support section 414, and back support section 416. The combination of back support section 416 and leg support section 414 enables infant activity center 100 to support an infant in a partially reclined position. As will become apparent from the following description, the concepts of the present invention can be applied to any modular or integrated infant support structure.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, activity bar 120 has end members that can be slideably engaged with retainer elements 132, 134, which are disposed on leg support section 414. The slideable engagement enables a removable coupling between activity bar 120 and the bouncer support frame 110. Also disposed on leg support section 414 is foot actuator console 430. Foot actuator console 430 further includes foot actuator buttons 432, 434 that can be pressed by the feet of an infant when the infant is supported by the bouncer support frame 110.

Foot actuator buttons 432, 434 on foot actuator console 430 activate respective actuators that are operatively coupled to an electronic control unit which may be disposed in activity bar 120. This operative coupling enables the detection of infant foot activity to be used as an input into an electronically controlled infant entertainment system. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 4, the electronically controlled infant entertainment system includes infant entertainment components that are disposed on activity bar 120. In other embodiments, infant entertainment components can also be disposed on the infant receiving device (bouncer) support frame 110.

FIG. 5A shows a front view of the activity bar 120 in accordance with the present invention. Activity bar 120 includes a housing 505 from which a number of mechanical entertainment components extend. Specifically, motion members 521A-C extend upward from the top of the housing 505. As discussed above, entertainment components can be mechanical as well as electrical. In the case of mechanical entertainment components such as motion members 521A-C, the actuator 214, 224 can be the entire child receiving device that allows the child to transfer motion to the motion member. Also in a mechanical sense, movement is transferred to the motion members 521A-C through the removable connectors 132, 134 between the activity bar 120 and the child receiving device 125. In addition, tethered motion members 523A and 523B hang below housing 505 from tethers 553 and 554 (shown in FIG. 5B). Also, encased in housing 505 are light lenses 522A-C (made from different colors) and audio speaker component 524.

Connecting the housing 505 of activity bar 120 to the child receiving device 125, are a first arm 511 and a second arm 512. The first and second arms 511, 512 removably support the housing 505 in a raised manner above a child received in the child receiving device 125. The raised location of the housing 505 places the motion members 521A-C above and in front of the child and positions the tethered motion members 523A and 523B in a hanging manner within reach of the child. The first and second arms 511, 512 terminate in end members 531 and 532 and are instrumental in enabling activity bar 120 to be removably integrated with the child activity device 125. In addition, end members 531 and 532 include securing tabs 514 and 516 for securing the end members 531 and 532 to retainer elements 132, 134 (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 5B shows a rear close-up view of the top portion of the activity center 120 in accordance with the present invention. This rear view shows the fasteners 561 for holding the front and rear halves of the housing 505 together. Also shown are corresponding light lenses 525A-C which correspond to light lenses 522A-C on the opposite side of the housing 505. FIG. 5B specifically shows light behind lens 525C illuminated, while the lights behind lenses 525A and 525B are off. In FIG. 5B, the resilient connection members 541A-C, which attach the motion members 521A-C to the housing 505, are visible. This rear view of the housing 505 also best shows tethers 553 and 554 which suspend tethered motion members 523A and 523B under the housing 505 and within the child's reach.

At either end of housing 505 are switches 551 and 552. Switch 551 controls the volume at which audio is played through the audio speaker component 524. On the other side, switch 552 toggles the activity center 100 between different modes of operation. For example, switch 552 may switch the activity center operation between a mode where certain actuators 114, 124 trigger a set of entertainment components 112 and a different mode where the same actuators 114, 124 trigger a different set of entertainment components 122. Specifically, for example, switch 552 could switch the activity center 100 between a mode where foot actuator buttons 432, 434 trigger responses from lights within lenses 522A-C and 525A-C and a mode where foot actuator buttons 432, 434 trigger responses from the audio speaker component 524.

As referenced above in the discussion of FIG. 2, any number of actuators may be provided including foot or other kinds of switch actuators, motion sensor actuators, voice activation actuators, or any similar actuator that receives signals form a child. In addition, any type of sensory entertainment component may be provided for triggering by the various actuators. Finally, any number of combinations of actuators or entertainment components may be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a top view of leg support section 414 of the bouncer support frame 110 in accordance with the present invention. As noted, retainer members 132, 134 and foot actuator console 430 are disposed on leg support section 414. Detection of the activation of the actuators by foot actuator buttons 432, 434 (and connection to a power source housed within foot actuator console 430) are enabled through conductor cable (schematically illustrated as traveling along segment 705). Conductor cable 705 connects the foot actuator buttons 432, 434 within foot actuator console 430 to respective electrical contacts in retainer member 134. FIG. 6A also shows receptor openings 626, 630 of retainer members 132, 134 for receiving arm ends 531, 532 respectively.

Each receptor opening 626, 630 is correspondingly shaped with respect to its respective arm end 531, 532. However, receptor openings 626, 630 are differently shaped from each other to prevent arm end 531 from fitting into receptor opening 630 and arm end 532 from fitting into receptor opening 626. This “keyed” shape convention ensures that the activity bar 120 can only be connected to the retainer members 132, 134 in its proper orientation.

FIGS. 6B and 6C show a top and an underside internal view of the retainer member 134. As illustrated, retainer member 134 includes a receptor opening 630 and recess having a rectangular cross section that is designed to be engaged with end member 532 of activity bar 120. Disposed on opposite walls of the rectangular recess are electrical contacts 610A, 610B, 610C, and 610D. Electrical contacts 610A, 610B, 610C, and 610D are coupled to the electrical contacts of end member 532 when end member 532 is slideably engaged with retainer member 134.

FIG. 6C is an underside internal view of retainer member 134. As illustrated, electrical contacts 610A, 610B, 610C, and 610D are coupled to wire conductors 620A, 620B, 620C, and 620D, respectively. Wire conductors 620A, 620B, 620C, and 620D are enclosed within conductor cable 705.

FIG. 7A shows the activity center of the present invention being received into the retainer 134. As mentioned in the discussion of FIG. 5A, the arms 511, 512 terminate in ends 531, 532 respectively. Each end 531, 532 is appropriately sized and shaped to be received in the corresponding retainer 132, 134 respectively. Each end 531, 532 also has retention tab 514, 516 attached thereto for retaining the ends 531, 532 in receptor openings 626, 630 of retainers 132, 134 respectively. In addition, each retention tab 514, 516 includes a slot 745 therein and each retainer 132, 134 includes a projection 755.

FIG. 7B shows the activity bar 120 of the present invention received in the retainers 132, 134 of the child receiving device 125. As the ends 531, 532 are fully received in the receptor openings 626, 630, the retention tabs 514, 516 will slide over the projections 755 and the projections 755 will be received in the slots 745 to securely connect the arms 511, 512 to retainers 132, 134. This secure connection also provides the activity center with a sufficiently rigid structural frame through which motion energy is transferred from the child receiving device 125 to the motion members 521A-C. FIGS. 7A and 7B also show the power/communication cable 705 for linking the power source 310 to the electronic control unit 226 and the entertainment components 212, 222. Finally, FIGS. 7A and 7B shows how each arm 511, 512 has two half sections 730A, 730B, 740A, 740B respectively such that when placed together, makes up arms 511, 512 respectively.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a fragmentary cross-sectional front and side views of end member 532. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, a first side of end member 532 includes two window sections 810A, 810B that expose a pair of electrical contacts. When end member 532 is slideably engaged with retainer member 134, the exposed electrical contacts of end member 532 are coupled to corresponding electrical contacts of retainer member 134.

In the illustrated embodiment, the exposed electrical contact 824A represents a portion of electrical trace 822A that is embodied in printed wiring board 820-1. Electrical contact 822A is further connected to wire conductor 830A via electrical contact junction 826A. Similarly, the exposed electrical contact 824B is a portion of electrical trace 822B, which is connected to wire conductor 830B via electrical contact junction 826B.

FIG. 8B is a fragmentary cross-sectional right side view of end member 532. As illustrated, end member 532 includes two printed wiring boards 820-1 and 820-2. Printed wiring board 820-1 exposes a first pair of electrical contacts 824A, 824B that are coupled to wire conductors 830A, 830B, while printed wiring board 820-2 exposes a second pair of electrical 824C, 824D contacts that are coupled to wire conductors 830C, 830D. In general, the two pairs of electrical contacts enable an electronic control unit in activity bar 120 to detect the activation of actuators disposed on the bouncer support frame (via foot actuator console 430). The contacts may also be utilized to transmit power from a power source housed within foot actuator console 430 to the components of the activity bar 120.

FIG. 9 shows an electronic schematic diagram 900 in accordance with the present invention that illustrates the connectivity between the electronic control unit and the various control inputs and entertainment components. A first set of control inputs to electronic control unit 910 is the set of foot switches 971, 972 (corresponding to foot actuator buttons 432, 434). A second set of controls is represented by operation mode control 940 and volume control 961 (corresponding to switches 552 and 551). Operation mode control 940 and volume control 961 can be embodied as a slide switch or switches that is/are exposed to an operator of the activity center. Operation mode control 940 enables selection between a plurality of operating modes. In one possible embodiment, the plurality of operating modes includes a disabled mode (off), an infant activated mode that is responsive to infant controls such as foot switches 971, 972, and a continuous play mode that is operative to produce pre-programmed infant entertainment effects. Note the inclusion of power source 950 which is utilized to power the various electronic components of the infant activity center 100 of the present invention.

In the schematic circuit diagram of FIG. 9, the pre-programmed infant entertainment effects are generated using a speaker 960 and lamps 931-933 (e.g., grain of wheat; 4.5 V, 80 mA lights), which correspond to the infant entertainment components illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. These infant entertainment components are activated or controlled by electronic control unit 910 in response to control switches 940, 961, 971, 972. The infant activity center 100 of the present invention may also include a soothing vibration mechanism 920 (including a vibration control switch 922 and a vibration generating motor 923).

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged front view of the motion member 521A of the activity bar 120 in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 10, the motion member 521A is supported by a resilient connection member 541A which is in turn supported by a lower retainer 1010A. Housing 505 encloses the lower retainer 1010A rigidly such that motion of the housing causes movement of the motion member 521A due to the flexibility of resilient connection member 541A.

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged side view of the motion member 521A of the activity bar 120 of the present invention. FIG. 11 further shows housing portions 1100A, 1100B that, when placed together and secured by fasteners 561, form the housing 505. More specifically, each motion member 521A-C includes half collar portions 1110A, 1110B, 1120A, 1120B and 1130A, 1130B respectively. Furthermore, each motion member 521A-C includes half portions 1140A, 1140B, 1150A, 1150B, 1160A, 1160B respectively.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of portions of the activity bar 120 of the present invention. In FIG. 12, arm member 512 includes two half sections 730A, 730B. In addition, housing 505 includes two half sections 505A, 505B which, as discussed above, each have a number of half collar portions 1110A, 1110B, 1120A, 1120B, and 1130A, 1130B. Also, as mentioned in the discussion of FIG. 11 above, each motion member 521A-C has lower retainers 1010A-C. FIG. 12 shows how each lower retainer 1010A-C is enclosed and secured between its two corresponding half collar portions 1110A, 1110B, 1120A, 1120B, and 1130A, 1130B respectively. Furthermore, each motion member 521A-C includes half portions 1140A, 1140B, 1150A, 1150B, and 1160A, 1160B respectively. The half portions 1140A, 1140B, 1150A, 1150B, and 1160A, 1160B, respectively, come to together to enclose a portion of the resilient connection member 541A-C to secure it there between and thereby secure the resilient connection member 541A-C to the motion member 521A-C. The connection between the motion members 521A-C and the resilient connection members 541A-C will be described in more detail below including the string members 1210A-C.

FIG. 13 shows an enlarged exploded view that illustrates how the motion member is connected to the resilient member. As mentioned above, each motion member 521A-C of the activity bar 120 includes half portions 1140A, 1140B, 1150A, 1150B, and 1160A, 1160B, respectively. The half portions 1140A, 1140B, 1150A, 1150B, and 1160A, 1160B, come together to enclose a resilient member holder 1320. One of the half portions 1140A, 1140B, 1150A, 1150B, and 1160A, 1160B of each motion member 521A-C has bosses 1330 that extend through the resilient member holder 1320 and through the other half portions 1140A, 1140B, 1150A, 1150B, and 1160A, 1160B, to secure the motion members 521A-C to the resilient member 541A-C. One end of the resilient member 541A-C is then secured to the resilient member holder 1320 by adhesive or other suitable method. The other end of the resilient members 541A-C hook onto (not shown) the lower retainers 1010A-C. Finally, to prevent the resilient member from being hyper-extended past its intended elastic limit, string 1210A is provided. String 1210A is run through the resilient member 541A and knotted at the resilient member holder 1320 on one end and at the lower retainer 1010A at the other end.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the activity bar 120, but does not show the full extent of the motion members 521A-C in order to reveal the internals of the connection between the motion members 521A-C and the housing 505. A fully assembled housing 505 is shown holding the resilient members 541A-C at their lower end. In addition, bosses 1330 are shown connected to the upper end of the resilient members 541A-C.

FIG. 15 shows an enlarged view of the motion members 521A, 521B illustrating the movement of the motion member 521A as the resilient member 541A flexes. The motion members 521A-C can be flexed in any direction depending on the motion of the housing 505 (and the underlying motion of the support frame 110).

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the activity center 100 with a child 1600 therein and illustrates the movement of the motion members 521A-C from a first position to a second dotted line position 1610A-C as the child 1600 moves the child receiving device 125. As the child 1600 placed on the seating surface 112 and moves the child receiving device 124, motion of the child receiving device is transferred to the arms 511, 512 of the activity bar 120. The arms 511, 512 of the activity bar 120 further translate the child's movement to the housing 505 and then to the resilient members 541A-C. Finally, the child's motion is transferred to the motion members 521A-C through their corresponding resilient members 541A-C. Therefore, the child's energy is transferred to the motion members 521A-C that take the form of friendly, attractive characters that reciprocate back and forth to entertain the child 1600. The additional advantage of the motion members 521A-C extending upward from the activity bar 120 is that the young child (without refined eye control) will have entertainment items above, below, and on the activity bar 120 to maintain his/her interest.

While the embodiment described herein illustrates one arrangement of infant entertainment components relative to an electronic control unit, it should be noted that the principles of the present invention enable flexibility in the particular activity center implementation. The flexibility in placement of the controls is enabled through the provision of a mechanical/electrical communication path between the controls in a first section of the activity center and the control unit in a second section of the activity center. In the embodiment described above, the communication path between controls and the control unit are enabled through the engagement of contacts in retainer member 134 and end member 532.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the present invention could be applied to an activity bar positioned above numerous types of child-receiving devices including, but not limited to, a bouncer seat, swing, walker, playpen activity center, crib, infant stroller, infant high-chair, infant activity gym, etc. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, it is to be understood that terms such as “left”, “right” “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, “inner”, “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.

Claims

1. An activity bar supported by a child receiving device, the child receiving device being configured to allow a child received in the child receiving device to impart motion to the child receiving device by movement of the child, the activity bar being positioned above a child received in the child receiving device and comprising:

a housing;

an arm for connecting the housing to the child receiving device such that motion of the child receiving device imparts motion to the arm and the arm imparts motion to the housing;

a first entertainment component extending upward from the housing, the first entertainment component including a motion member connected to the housing by a resilient member such that motion of the housing transfers motion to the motion member through the resilient member,

wherein movement of a child received in the child receiving device imparts reciprocal movement to the motion member to entertain the child.

2. The activity bar of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is flexible.

3. The activity bar of claim 2, wherein the resilient member is a spring.

4. The activity bar of claim 1, wherein at least one of the housing and the child receiving device includes a second entertainment component.

5. The activity bar of claim 4, wherein the second entertainment component includes at least one of light and sound generation.

6. The activity bar of claim 5, further including an actuator to activate the second entertainment component.

7. The activity bar of claim 6, wherein the actuator includes at least one of a mechanical switch, a sound detector, and a motion detector.

8. A child receiving device comprising:

a child receiving portion configured to allow a child received therein to impart motion to the child receiving device by movement of the child; an activity bar being positioned above a child received in the child receiving device, the activity bar including a housing; an arm connecting the housing to the child receiving device such that motion of the child receiving device imparts motion to the housing; a first entertainment component extending upward from the housing and including a motion member connected to the housing by a resilient member such that motion of the housing transfers motion to the motion member through the resilient member, wherein movement of a child received in the child receiving portion imparts reciprocal movement to motion member to entertain the child.

9. The child receiving device of claim 8 wherein, the resilient member is flexible.

10. The child receiving device of claim 9 wherein, the resilient member is a spring.

11. The child receiving device of claim 8 wherein at least one of the housing or the child receiving portion includes a second entertainment component.

12. The child receiving device of claim 11, wherein the second entertainment component includes at least one of light and sound generation.

13. The child receiving device of claim 12 further including an actuator to activate the second entertainment component.

14. The child receiving device of claim 13, wherein the actuator includes at least one of a mechanical switch, a sound detector, and a motion detector.

15. A method of entertaining a child including the steps of:

providing child activity center including a child receiving device configured to allow a child received in the child receiving device to impart motion to the child receiving device by movement of the child; and

providing a activity bar;

positioning the child activity bar on the child receiving device above a child received in the child receiving device, the child activity bar comprising: a housing; an arm for connecting the housing to the child receiving device such that motion of the child receiving device imparts motion to the housing; a first entertainment component extending upward from the housing and including a motion member connected to the housing by a resilient member such that motion of the housing transfers motion to the motion member through the resilient member, wherein movement of the child received in the child receiving device imparts movement to the child receiving device, which imparts movement to the arm, which imparts movement to the housing, which imparts movement to the resilient member,which finally imparts movement to the motion member to entertain the child.

16. The method of entertaining a child of claim 15, wherein the resilient member is flexible.

17. The method of entertaining a child of claim 16, wherein the resilient member is a spring.

18. The method of entertaining a child of claim 15, wherein at least one of the housing and the child receiving device includes a second entertainment component.

19. The method of entertaining a child of claim 18, wherein the second entertainment component includes at least one of light and sound generation.

20. The method of entertaining a child of claim 16, further including an actuator to activate the second entertainment component, wherein the actuator includes at least one of a mechanical switch, a sound detector, and a motion detector.