METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING MOTION OF A BASSINET

Abstract

An infant apparatus operable to swing manually or automatically. The infant apparatus includes a frame assembly, a lock assembly, and a cradle assembly. The frame assembly includes a housing and a plurality of legs that extend from the housing. The housing includes motor, a first moveable member supported by the housing and coupled to the motor, and a second moveable member supported by the housing and coupled to the first moveable member, the second moveable member including a plurality of nibs. The lock assembly includes a slideable member supported by the housing and adapted to move between a first position and a second position, and a third moveable member coupled to the slideable member, the third moveable member adapted to engage the plurality of nibs when the slideable member is in the second position. The cradle assembly is coupled to the second moveable member and is adapted to swing when the slideable member is in the first position.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional patent application No. 60/857,306, filed Nov. 7, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

A bassinet can be used as a mobile bed for newborn babies. A bassinet usually includes an abundance of padding and covers for the baby's comfort and protection. A bassinet is generally used for infants until they are able to push themselves up on their hands and knees. The infant is then transitioned to a crib or other bedding system.

SUMMARY

Many bassinets include a rocking feature to soothe an infant and/or rock the infant to sleep. The rocking feature may be manual or automatic. A manual rocking bassinet requires the user to push or pull the bassinet to generate motion. An automatic rocking bassinet includes a motor that moves the bassinet back and forth automatically (i.e., without user assistance).

The bassinet of the present invention can be rocked by hand or automatically with a motor. The ability to rock the bassinet can be locked by sliding a lock out switch on the bassinet frame which locks an internal swing mechanism and prevents it from swinging or rocking back and forth. The lock mechanism is a feature that prevents anyone, such as a child, from rocking the bassinet when motion is unintended.

In one embodiment, the invention provides an infant apparatus comprising a frame assembly, a lock assembly, and a cradle assembly. The frame assembly includes a housing and a plurality of legs, at least two of the legs extending from the housing. The housing includes a motor supported by the housing, a first moveable member supported by the housing and coupled to the motor, and a second moveable member supported by the housing and coupled to the first moveable member, the second moveable member including a plurality of nibs. The lock assembly includes a slideable member supported by the housing and adapted to move between a first position and a second position, and a third moveable member coupled to the slideable member, the third moveable member adapted to engage the plurality of nibs when the slideable member is in the second position. The cradle assembly is coupled to the second moveable member and is adapted to swing when the slideable member is in the first position.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an infant apparatus comprising a housing, a cradle assembly, and a lock assembly. The cradle assembly is suspended from the housing and is adapted to swing between a first location and a second location. The lock assembly is supported by the housing and is moveable between a first position and a second position. The lock assembly is adapted to lock the cradle assembly in a location between the first location and the second location when the lock assembly is in the second position.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an infant apparatus comprising a housing a lock assembly, and a cradle assembly. The lock assembly is supported by the housing and the lock assembly includes a first component adapted to slide between a first position and a second position, and a second component adapted to move between a third position and a fourth position, the third position indicative of the first component in the first position and the fourth position indicative of the first component in the second position. The cradle assembly is suspended from the housing and is adapted to move when the first component of the lock assembly is in the first position and the second component of the lock assembly is in the third position.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an automatic rocking bassinet according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion of a housing of the automatic rocking bassinet illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the housing illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lock assembly for use on the automatic rocking bassinet.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lock assembly illustrated in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Although directional references, such as upper, lower, downward, upward, rearward, bottom, front, rear, etc., may be made herein in describing the drawings, these references are made relative to the drawings (as normally viewed) for convenience. These directions are not intended to be taken literally or limit the present invention in any form. In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance.

FIG. 1 illustrates an infant apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The infant apparatus 10 includes a frame assembly 14 and a cradle or bassinet assembly 18. The cradle assembly 18 includes an upper frame having a generally oval shape and a lower frame extending from the upper frame. The cradle assembly 18 also includes a generally planar member supported by the lower frame. The planar member can include an end portion that can be elevated or adjusted such that an infant resting on the planar member can be oriented to a sitting position.

The frame assembly 14 includes a first support assembly 22 and a second support assembly 26. The first support assembly 22 includes a first leg 30 coupled to a first foot 34 and a second leg 38 coupled to a second foot 42. The first support assembly 22 includes a connector 46 coupled to the first foot 34 and the second foot 42. The first support assembly 22 also includes a first housing 50 coupled to the first leg 30, the second leg 38, and the cradle assembly 18.

The second support assembly 26 includes a third leg 54 coupled to a third foot 58 and a fourth leg 62 coupled to a fourth foot 66. The second support assembly 26 includes a connector 68 coupled to the third foot 58 and the fourth foot 66. The second support assembly 26 also includes a second housing 74 coupled to the third leg 54, the fourth leg 62, and the cradle assembly 18.

The frame assembly 14 also includes a first connector 78 coupled to the first foot 34 and the third foot 58 and a second connector 82 coupled to the second foot 42 and the fourth foot 66. The first connector 78 and the second connector 82 connect the first support assembly 22 and the second support assembly 26 together. In addition, the first connector 78, the second connector 82, and the connectors 46, 68 provide support and stability to the infant apparatus 10. The frame assembly 14 may also include a wheel 86 or castor supported by a ground surface and coupled to a combination of the first foot 34, the second foot 42, the third foot 58, and the fourth foot 66. The frame assembly 14 can be comprised of plastic, metal, and/or other suitable materials for children's apparatuses.

With reference to FIG. 2, the first housing 50 includes a plurality of buttons for controlling various features of the infant apparatus 10. A button 90 coupled to an exterior surface of the housing 50 is accessible to the user to activate the rocking feature and to control the speed of the rocking. A button 94 coupled to an exterior surface of the housing 50 is accessible to the user to control the volume of music or sound generated by the infant apparatus 10 and output at the speaker 96. Also, coupled to an exterior surface of the housing 50 is a plurality of buttons 98, 102, 106, and 110 accessible to the user to select the type of music or sound to be played. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each button 98, 102, 106, and 110 is in the form of a unique shape, but it is noted that any shape may be utilized for the buttons. The housing 50 also includes a compartment for a power source, such as one or more batteries.

A portion of the first housing 50 is illustrated in FIGS. 3-4. The first housing 50 includes a first recess 114 adapted to receive the first leg 30 and a second recess 118 adapted to receive the second leg 38. The infant apparatus 10 includes a motor 122 supported by the housing 50. The motor 122 is powered by an electrical source, such as one or more batteries. A worm 126 extends from the motor 122 and meshes with a worm gear 130 and drives a gear train 134. The gear train 134 includes a gear wheel 136 connected to a first moveable member 138 to impart movement to the first moveable member 138 when the gear wheel 136 rotates. The first moveable member 138 is connected to a second moveable member 142, which is connected to the cradle assembly 18. As the first moveable member 138 moves, the second moveable member 142 moves back and forth, thus imparting a rocking or swinging motion to the cradle assembly 18. The housing 50 includes a plurality of guides 146 positioned a predetermined distance from the second moveable member 142 when the second moveable member 142 is in a non-rocking state (as illustrated in FIG. 3). The guides 146 define a range of movement of the cradle assembly 18 and prevent the cradle assembly 18 from rocking too much or swinging too far to one side.

The housing 50 also includes a lock assembly adapted to lock the cradle assembly 18 from unintended motion. The housing 50 includes a recess 150 near an upper portion of the housing 50 and is adapted to receive a slideable member 154. The slideable member 154 includes a first portion 156 positioned outside of the housing 50 and a second portion 158 positioned inside the housing 50. The second portion 158 includes a recess 162 generally oval-shaped and oriented on a diagonal. The recess 162 is adapted to receive a protrusion 166 connected to a locking member 170. The locking member 170 includes a main portion 174 and a reduced portion 178, which extends generally downward from the main portion 174. The reduced portion 178 converges toward a tip 182 at a distal end of the locking member 170. The tip 182 is adapted to be received within a channel 186 formed by two nibs 190 positioned on the second moveable member 142. The nibs 190 are shaped complementary to the tip 182 and divergent sides of the reduced portion 178.

The housing 50 can include a limit switch that deactivates the motor 118 when the nibs 190 engage the locking member 170. Alternatively, the motor 122 can deactivate when the locking member 170 engages the nibs 190. As another alternative, the motor 122 can deactivate a predetermined period of time after the locking member 170 engages the nibs 190.

In operation, the first portion 156 of the slideable member 154 is maneuvered by the user to activate the lock mechanism to prevent movement of the cradle assembly 18. As the slideable member 154 is moved to the left (in FIG. 3), the second portion 158 also moves to the left forcing the protrusion 166 to travel in the recess 162, thus moving the locking member 170 downward. As the locking member 170 moves downward, the nibs 190 engage the tip 182 and the convergent sides of the reduced portion 178, thus preventing the second moveable member 142 from rocking or swinging back and forth.

The housing 50 can include a lock assembly 200 according to another construction as illustrated in FIGS. 5-6. The lock assembly 200 is adapted to lock the cradle assembly 18 from unintended motion. The housing 50 includes a recess on a side panel and is adapted to receive a moveable member 204. The moveable member 204 is connected to a base 208, which is connected to a shaft 212. The shaft 212 is pivotably connected to a first post 216 supported by the housing 50 and a second post 220 supported by the housing 50. The base 208 includes a first portion 224 positioned on a first side of the shaft 212 and a second portion 228 positioned on a second side of the shaft 212. The second portion 228 of the base 208 includes an elongated portion 232, a first side portion 236, and a second side portion 240. The elongated portion 232 has a length defined generally by the width of a portion of the second moveable member 142. Each of the side portions 236, 240 extend downwardly from the elongated portion 232 and adjacent to an outside surface of the second moveable member 142.

In operation, the moveable member 204 is maneuvered by the user to activate the lock mechanism to prevent movement of the cradle assembly 18 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The moveable member 204 may be activated electronically to move with the push of a button. As the moveable member 204 is pivoted downward, the side portions 236, 240 also move downward to engage with the outside surfaces of the second moveable member 142, thus preventing the second moveable member 142 from rocking or swinging back and forth.

Various features and aspects of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An infant apparatus comprising:

a frame assembly including a housing and a plurality of legs, at least two of the legs extending from the housing, the housing including a motor supported by the housing, a first moveable member supported by the housing and coupled to the motor, and a second moveable member supported by the housing and coupled to the first moveable member, the second moveable member including a plurality of nibs;

a lock assembly including a slideable member supported by the housing and adapted to move between a first position and a second position, and a third moveable member coupled to the slideable member, the third moveable member adapted to engage the plurality of nibs when the slideable member is in the second position; and

a cradle assembly coupled to the second moveable member, the cradle assembly adapted to swing when the slideable member is in the first position.

2. The infant apparatus of claim 1 wherein the third moveable member includes a protrusion and the slideable member includes a recess adapted to receive the protrusion, and wherein the protrusion is adapted to travel in the recess when the third moveable member is moved between the first position and the second position.

3. The infant apparatus of claim 2 wherein the third moveable member is adapted to travel in a downward direction to engage the plurality of nibs when the slideable member is moved to the second position.

4. The infant apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a plurality of guide rails adapted to define a range of motion of the second moveable member.

5. The infant apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a gear train adapted to link the motor and the first moveable member and to transfer motion from the motor to the first moveable member.

6. The infant apparatus of claim 1 wherein the motor deactivates when the third member engages the plurality of nibs.

7. The infant apparatus of claim 1 wherein the motor deactivates a predetermined period of time after the third member engages the plurality of nibs.

8. The infant apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cradle assembly includes a frame coupled to the second member.

9. The infant apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cradle assembly is unable to swing when the slideable member is in the second position.

10. The infant apparatus of claim 1 wherein the third moveable member includes a main portion and a reduced portion forming a tip adapted to be received between the plurality of nibs to prevent movement of the second moveable member.

11. An infant apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a cradle assembly suspended from the housing and adapted to swing between a first location and a second location; and

a lock assembly supported by the housing, the lock assembly moveable between a first position and a second position, the lock assembly adapted to lock the cradle assembly in a location between the first location and the second location when the lock assembly is in the second position.

12. The infant apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a motor supported by the housing, the motor operable to swing the cradle assembly.

13. The infant apparatus of claim 12 wherein the motor deactivates when the lock assembly is in the second position.

14. The infant apparatus of claim 12 wherein the motor deactivates a predetermined period of time after the lock assembly is in the second position.

13. The infant apparatus of claim 11 wherein the lock assembly includes a first component and a second component, the first component moveable between a first position and a second position, the second component moveable between a third position and a fourth position, and wherein the third position is indicative of the first component in the first position and the fourth position is indicative of the first component in the second position.

14. The infant apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first component is moveable in a substantially horizontal plane and wherein the second component is moveable is a substantially vertical plane.

15. An infant apparatus comprising:

a housing supported by a plurality of legs;

a lock assembly supported by the housing, the lock assembly including a first component adapted to slide between a first position and a second position, and a second component adapted to move between a third position and a fourth position, the third position indicative of the first component in the first position and the fourth position indicative of the first component in the second position; and

a cradle assembly suspended from the housing, the cradle assembly adapted to move when the first component of the lock assembly is in the first position and the second component of the lock assembly is in the third position

16. The infant apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a motor supported by the housing and adapted to impart motion to the cradle assembly when activated.

17. The infant apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a pair of guide rails adapted to define a range of motion of the cradle assembly.

18. The infant apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first component is moveable in a substantially horizontal plane and wherein the second component is moveable is a substantially vertical plane.

19. The infant apparatus of claim 15 wherein the second component includes a protrusion and the first component includes a recess adapted to receive the protrusion, and wherein the protrusion is adapted to travel in the recess when the first component member is moved between the first position and the second position.

20. The infant apparatus of claim 19 wherein the second component is adapted to travel in a downward direction to engage a plurality of nibs supported on the housing when the first component of the lock assembly is moved to the second position.

21. The infant apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a motor supported by the housing and wherein the motor deactivates when the second component of the lock assembly engages the plurality of nibs.

22. The infant apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a motor supported by the housing and wherein the motor deactivates a predetermined period of time after the second component of the lock assembly engages the plurality of nibs.