CONVERTIBLE INFANT ROCKER
A convertible infant rocker which is adapted for use with a conventional infant/child car seat. The infant rocker includes a frame which is placeable onto an underlying support surface, and includes a support assembly connected thereto. The support assembly itself includes a cradle which defines a cradle cavity. In addition to the cradle, the support assembly includes a liner which is selectively placeable into the cradle cavity and engageable to the cradle, the liner itself being sized and configured to accommodate an infant. The infant rocker is selectively convertible between a liner configuration and a car seat configuration. In the liner configuration, the liner is cooperatively engaged to the cradle, with a portion of the liner being received within the cradle cavity. In the car seat configuration, the liner is disengaged and removed from the cradle, thus allowing for the cradle to accommodate a conventional infant car seat in which the infant may be positioned. In this regard, the cradle cavity is sized and configured to receive and accommodate at least a portion of the car seat when the car seat is cooperatively engaged to the cradle. The frame of the infant rocker may be configured so as to be selectively moveable between a deployed or extended position, and a collapsed or storage position.
Not Applicable.
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to juvenile products and, more particularly, to an infant rocker configured to entertain and/or soothe an infant held therein by providing an entertaining rocking motion alone or in combination with a bouncing motion. The infant rocker of the present invention is specifically adapted to selectively accommodate an infant support structure such as a car seat, and is uniquely configured to be movable between deployed and collapsed states with a minimal amount of time and effort.
2. Description of the Related Art
Infant rockers are well known by parents and persons involved in child care as being effective devices for the entertainment of infants. Various different types of infant rockers exist, with the rockers in general including a seat for receiving an infant and a frame. The seat is connected to the frame which is configured to impart a soothing rocking or swaying motion to the seat in response to movement of the infant, or in response to a light push by a parent or other child caregiver. In some prior art rockers, the frame is also configured to vibrate or bounce in response to the movement of the infant.
However, one deficiency of existing rockers is that they are not well suited structurally to being quickly and easily moved between a collapsed state for storage or transport, and a deployed state for use with the infant. Another deficiency with existing infant rockers having frames outfitted with bouncing capability is that the degree or level of bounce which the frame may undergo is not selectively adjustable based on the size and weight of the infant within the seat of the rocker. In this regard, an infant of greater size and weight may cause an excessive level of bounce or vibration within the frame arising from even subtle movements, whereas an infant of comparatively reduced size and weight may not be able to impart virtually any bounce or vibration within the frame even with more drastic movements.
Another deficiency of existing rockers is that they are incapable of accommodating a support structure such as a car seat in which the infant may already be positioned. In this regard, the configuration of existing rockers typically requires that a sleeping infant be removed from a car seat in which the infant may already be positioned, and placed into the seat of the rockers. As will be recognized, this transfer process may disturb the infant to a point at which he or she is awakened. Additionally, if the infant is to be returned to the car seat in a relatively short period of time, the transfer process must be repeated.
Based on the foregoing, there exists a need in the art for an infant rocker which is specifically adapted to accommodate an infant support structure, and more particularly, a car seat, thus addressing the drawbacks highlighted above in relation to the transfer of an infant back and forth between a car seat and a bouncer. There further exists a need in the prior art for an infant rocker which is uniquely configured to be movable between deployed and collapsed states with a minimal amount of time and effort, and may be outfitted with a mechanism adapted to allow the level of bounce or vibration within the frame of the rocker to be selectively adjustable based on the size and weight of the infant within the seat thereof. The present invention addresses these particular needs, as will be discussed in more detail below.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies in the art. More particularly, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided various embodiments of an infant rocker which is adapted for optional use with a conventional infant/child car seat. In each embodiment, the infant rocker includes a frame which is placeable onto an underlying support surface, and includes a support assembly connected thereto. The support assembly itself includes a cradle which defines a cradle cavity. In addition to the cradle, the support assembly includes a liner which is selectively placeable into the cradle cavity and engageable to the cradle, the liner itself being sized and configured to accommodate an infant. Advantageously, the infant rocker is selectively convertible between a liner configuration and a car seat configuration. In the liner configuration, the liner is cooperatively engaged to the cradle, with a portion of the liner being received within the cradle cavity. In the car seat configuration, the liner is disengaged and removed from the cradle, thus allowing for the cradle to accommodate a conventional infant car seat in which the infant may be positioned. In this regard, the cradle cavity is sized and configured to receive and accommodate at least a portion of the car seat when the car seat is cooperatively engaged to the cradle.
In certain embodiments of the rocker, an adjustment mechanism may be integrated into the frame and operative to allow for the selective adjustment of the bounce or vibration of one portion of the frame (and hence the cradle) relative to another portion thereof. More particularly, the infant rocker may be adapted to allow for the adjustment of the level of bounce or vibration which the frame may undergo, such adjustment being based on the size and weight of the infant placed into either the liner or car seat within the cradle. As indicated above, the rocker of the present invention may be selectively “converted” as may be needed to avoid disturbing the infant by allowing the infant to remain in a car seat which is placeable into the cradle of the rocker subsequent to the removal of the existing liner from therein. Additionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, the frame of the infant rocker may be configured so as to be selectively moveable between a deployed or extended position, and a collapsed or storage position.
The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:
Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReferring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating various embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same,
Referring specifically to
Referring now to
In addition to the front section 16, the frame 12 includes an arcuately shaped back section 18 which is pivotally connected to the third connector hubs 25 by a corresponding pair of pivot members 20. As seen in
In the frame 12, each of the aforementioned adjustment mechanisms 58 is preferably disposed between a corresponding pair of the first and second connector hubs 21, 23 in the manner shown in
In addition to the foregoing components, the frame 12 comprises a generally quadrangular (e.g., rectangular) upper section 48 which is operatively connected to the front section 16. More particularly, as best shown in
In the rocker 10, the aforementioned cradle 46 is operatively connected to the frame 12, and in particular to the upper section 48 thereof. The cradle 46 includes a cradle basket 50 which defines a bottom wall 56 and side walls 54 collectively defining a cavity 57. The cradle basket 50 itself preferably has a generally quadrangular (e.g., rectangular) configuration. The attachment of the cradle basket 50 to the upper section 48 is preferably facilitated by a pair of straps 52 which are attached to and extend along respective ones of the opposed longitudinally extending side walls 54 of the cradle basket 50. As seen in
The rocker 10 of the present invention further comprises a liner 26 which is cooperatively engageable to the cradle 46. The liner 26 comprises a liner shell 28 including a bottom wall 36 and side walls 34 which collectively define a generally quadrangular (e.g., rectangular) liner cavity 38. The bottom wall 36 and side walls 34 each transition to a peripheral rim 30 which includes a plurality (e.g., four) integral support portions 32 protruding outwardly from respective ones of the opposed longitudinal sides thereof.
In addition to the outer shell 28, the liner 26 includes a padded cover 40 which is selectively placeable over a portion of the outer shell 28. More particularly, as seen in
In the rocker 10, the cooperative engagement of the liner 26 to the cradle 46 is facilitated by advancing the outer shell 28 into the cradle cavity 57 and resting the support portions 32 of each adjacent pair upon a respective one of the longitudinally extending side walls 54 of the cradle basket 50. Once the liner 26 is cooperatively engaged to the cradle 46 in the aforementioned manner, the liner 26 may be effectively secured to the cradle 46 through the use of a fastening strap 74, segments of which are attached to respective ones of the opposed longitudinal sides of the upper section 48 of the frame 12 in the manner shown in
In
When an infant is placed within the liner 26 of the rocker 10 in the liner mode, and the back section 18 of the frame 12 is moved to its rocking position, the rocker 10 is able to undergo a gentle rocking or swaying motion attributable to the upward and downward or rocking movement of the frame 12 relative to the support surface 14. As indicated above, such rocking movement can be prevented by simply moving the back section 18 of the frame 12 to its non-rocking position as shown in phantom in
In the rocker 10, the degree or amount of flexion which those portions of the front section 16 extending between corresponding pairs of the first and third connectors 21, 25 may undergo may be selectively adjusted or regulated by the above-described adjustment mechanisms 58. In this regard, as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, the greater the distance separating the distal sleeve portions of the first and second segments 61, 63 from each other, and hence the less compression of the biasing members 65, the greater the amount of flexion that the front section 16 of the frame may undergo. Conversely, the greater the compression of the biasing members 56 attributable to the movement of the distal sleeve portions of the first and second segments 61, 63 toward each other, the less flexion the front section 16 may undergo. Thus, as indicated above, the adjustment mechanisms 58 may adjusted by the rotation of the inner sleeves 60 thereof based on the size and weight of the infant within the bouncer 10, and in particular the liner 26 thereof. As previously explained, an infant of greater size and weight, which may otherwise cause an excessive level of bounce or vibration within the frame 12 even with subtle movements, may be accommodated by “tightening” the adjustment mechanisms 58 and compressing the biasing members 65 so as to reduce the flexion level of the front section 16 of the frame 12. On the other hand, an infant of comparatively reduced size and weight who may find difficulty in imparting any bounce or vibration within the frame 12 even with more drastic movements can be accommodated by “loosening” the adjustment mechanisms 58 and reducing the compression of the biasing members 65. Thus, the rocker 10 finds utility for use in relation to infants of varying size and weight.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that each adjustment mechanism 58 may have a configuration varying from that show in relation to the
As indicated above, the rocker 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention may be selectively converted from the liner mode shown in
Referring now to
The frame 112 comprises a front section 115. The front section 115 comprises a front segment 116 which is preferably formed from a single segment of a resilient, wire-like material which is bent to assume the arcuate shape or configuration shown in
In addition to the front segment 116 and side segment 117, the front section 115 of the frame 112 also includes an identically configured pair of arcuate, resilient top segments 119, each of which also has one end attached to a respective one of the first connector hubs 121. Those ends of the top segments 119 opposite those attached to the first connector hubs 121 are connected to respective ones of identically configured pair of third connector hubs 125. The third connector hubs 125 and the ends of the top segments 119 attached thereto collectively define a spaced pair of end portions of the upper section 115 of the frame 112. As seen in
The frame 112 further includes an arcuately shaped back section 118 which is pivotally connected to the second connector hubs 123 by a corresponding pair of pivot members 120. by virtue of its pivotal connection to the second connector hubs 123 by the pivot members 120, the back section 118 is selectively pivotally moveable between rocking and non-rocking positions relative to the front section 115 in the same manner described above in relation to the back section 18 of the frame 12 of the infant rocker 10. In this regard, when the back section 118 is in its rocking position (shown in
In the frame 112, each of the aforementioned adjustment mechanisms 158 is preferably disposed between a corresponding pair of the second and third connector hubs 123, 125 in the manner shown in
In addition to the foregoing components, the frame 112 comprises a generally quadrangular (e.g., rectangular) upper section 148 which is attached to and suspended from the third connector hubs 125 by an identically configured pair of hangers 166. As best seen in
In the rocker 110, the aforementioned cradle 146 is operatively connected to the frame 112, and in particular to the upper section 148 thereof. The cradle 146 includes a cradle basket 150 which defines a bottom wall 156 and side walls 154 collectively defining a cavity 157. The cradle basket 150 itself preferably has a generally quadrangular (e.g., rectangular) configuration. It is contemplated that the cradle basket 150 may be formed of any one of a variety of materials known by those skilled in the art of requisite durability. The cradle basket 150 is preferably sized and configured to accommodate a portion of a car seat 162 as will be discussed in more detail below.
As seen in
In
When an infant is placed within the liner 126 of the rocker 110 in the liner mode, and the back section 118 of the frame 112 is moved to its rocking position, the rocker 110 is able to undergo a gentle rocking or swaying motion attributable to the upward and downward or rocking movement of the frame 112 relative to the support surface. As indicated above, such rocking movement can be prevented by simply moving the back section 118 of the frame 112 to its non-rocking or stationary position. Irrespective of whether the back section 118 is in its rocking or non-rocking position, the infant within the liner 126 of the rocker 110 is also capable of experiencing an upward and downward or bouncing motion. Such bouncing motion occurs as a result of the resiliency of the frame 112 and, in particular, the flexion of top segments 119 of the frame 112 extending between the first and third connector hubs 121, 125 relative to the remainder of the frame 112. As will be recognized, the bouncing movement of the top segments 119 is imparted to the liner 126 and hence the infant by the hangers 166, the upper section 148 of the frame 112, and the cradle 146 (including the cradle basket 150).
In the rocker 110, the degree or amount of flexion which the top segments 119 extending between corresponding pairs of the first and third connectors 121, 125 may undergo may be selectively adjusted or regulated by the above-described adjustment mechanisms 158. In this regard, an infant of greater size and weight, which may otherwise cause an excessive level of bounce or vibration within the frame 112 even with subtle movements, may be accommodated by “tightening” the adjustment mechanisms 158 so as to reduce the flexion level of the top segments 119 of the frame 112. On the other hand, an infant of comparatively reduced size and weight who may find difficulty in imparting any bounce or vibration within the frame 112 even with more drastic movements can be accommodated by “loosening” the adjustment mechanisms 158 so as to increase the flexion level of the top segments 119 of the frame 112. Thus, the rocker 110 finds utility for use in relation to infants of varying size and weight.
As indicated above, the rocker 110 is preferably provided with the vibration/sound producing device 170 which is integrated into the upper section 148 of the frame 112 thereof. In this regard, the device 170 may be selectively activated to impart a subtle vibration to the upper section 148 of the frame 112, and hence the liner 126 cooperatively engaged thereto. The level of vibration imparted to the frame 112 may be regulated by control buttons 172 included on the device 170. The control buttons 172 may also be used to play music or other soothing sounds from the device 170 at a desired sound level.
Like the rocker 10 described above, the rocker 110 constructed in accordance with the present invention may be selectively converted from the liner mode shown in
Referring now to
The infant rocker 210 comprises a frame 212 which is selectively placeable on an underlying support surface. The frame 212 includes a generally U-shaped lower section 216 which is bent to assume a generally arcuate profile as most easily seen in
In addition to the lower section 216, the frame 212 includes an upper section 220. The upper section 220 includes a generally U-shaped first segment 222 and a generally U-shaped second segment 224 which are pivotally connected to each other and to the lower section 216 of the frame 212. The first segment 222 of the upper section 220 includes an identically configured pair of end connectors 223 attached to respective ones of the opposed end portions thereof. In the frame 212, the end connectors 223 of the first segment 222 of the upper section 220 are pivotally connected to respective ones of the end connectors 218 of the lower section 216. As a result, the first segment 222 of the upper section 220 is selectively pivotally moveable relative to the lower section 216.
Similar to the first segment 222, the second segment 224 of the upper section 220 of the frame 212 includes an identically configured pair of end connectors 225 attached to respective ones of the opposed end portions thereof. The end connectors 225 of the second segment 224 of the upper section 220 are each pivotally connected to an actuation mechanism 226 of the rocker 210. In the rocker 210, the actuation mechanism 226 is operatively connected to both the lower and upper sections 216, 220 of the frame 212, with the connection to the upper section 220 being facilitated via the second segment 224 thereof. As will be described in more detail below, the actuation mechanism 226 is operative to facilitate the selective movement of the frame 212 between an extended or deployed position (as shown in
In the rocker 210, the actuation mechanism 226 comprises an elongate cross member 227, the opposed ends of which are defined by respective ones of an identically configured pair of tubular sleeve portions 228. The sleeve portions 228 of the cross member 227 are slidably advanced over respective ones of the spaced, generally parallel pair of prong portions defined by the lower section 216 in the manner most easily seen in
In the frame 212 of the rocker 210, each of the prong portions of the lower section 216 includes an aperture disposed therein. The aperture within one prong portion is further arranged so as to be disposed in opposed relation to the aperture included in the other prong portion. The apertures of such opposed pair are further sized and configured to accommodate the distal end portions of respective ones of the retention pins when such retention pins are aligned therewith and the actuation handle 232 disposed in the locking position to which it is normally biased.
Further, in the frame 212, the pivotal connection of the first segment 222 of the upper section 220 to the second segment 224 thereof occurs at approximately the mid-sections thereof. More particularly, as is best seen in
As also indicated above, in the rocker 210, the frame 212 may be selectively articulated between the deployed position shown in
From the deployed position, the movement of the cross member 227 along the prong portions of the lower section 216 toward the end connectors 218 effectively places the frame 212 into its stowed or collapsed position. When the frame 212 is moved to its collapsed position, the movement of the cross member 227 along the prong portions of the lower section 216 toward the end connectors 218 in turn causes the first and second segments 222, 224 of the upper section 220 to pivotally move relative to each other in a scissor-like fashion, the first and second segments 222, 224 eventually extending in side-by-side relation to each other when the frame 212 is fully collapsed. The lower section 216 is itself pivoted to extend in generally side-by-side relation to the first and second segments 222, 224 when the frame 212 is fully collapsed. As previously explained, the compression of the actuation handle 232 (i.e., the movement of the actuation handle 232 to its release position) effectively removes the retention pins from within the opposed apertures of the lower section 216, thus allowing the cross member 227 to be slidably advanced along the prong portions of the lower section 216 toward the end connectors 218 which in turn facilitates the movement of the frame 212 from its deployed position to its collapsed position. Conversely, the sliding movement of the cross member 227 away from the end connectors 218 and return of the actuation handle 232 to its locking position as occurs upon the advancement of the retention pins into respective ones of the opposed pair of apertures within the prong portions of the lower section 216 results in the frame 212 reassuming its deployed position.
In the rocker 210, the cross member 227 of the actuation mechanism 226 may be outfitted with a locking switch 240 which is normally biased to a locked position, and selectively moveable to an unlocked position. When the locking switch 240 is in its locked position, the actuation handle 232 of the actuation mechanism 226 is incapable of being compressed (i.e., moved from its locking position to it release position) as is needed to effectively remove the retention pins from with the apertures of the corresponding opposed pair thereof. However, the movement of the locking switch 240 to its unlocked position allows for the compression of the actuation handle 232, thus in turn allowing for the movement of the cross member 227 along the prong portions of the lower section 216 as is needed to facilitate the movement of the frame 212 between its collapsed and deployed positions. As seen in
As best seen in
As seen in
The rocker 210 of the present invention further comprises a cradle 246 comprising a cradle basket 248 which is operatively connected to the frame 212, and in particular to the first and second segments 222, 224 of the upper section 220 thereof. The cradle basket 248 may be formed of any one of a variety of materials of requisite durability as known to those skilled in the art. The cradle basket 248 defines a cradle cavity which is preferably sized and configured to accommodate a portion of a car seat as will be discussed in more detail below.
The rocker 210 further comprises a liner 250 which is cooperatively engageable to the cradle 246, and in particular the cradle basket 248 thereof. The liner 250 is preferably provided in the form of a padded cover. In the rocker 210, the cooperative engagement of the liner 250 to the cradle 246 is facilitated by advancing a portion of the liner 250 into the cradle cavity defined by the cradle basket 248. Once advanced into the cradle basket 248, the liner 250 may be effectively secured to the cradle 246 and/or the upper section 220 of the frame 212 through the use of suitable fastening straps. The liner 250 may further optionally be provided with a two point or three point harness to maintain an infant therein.
In
When an infant is placed within the liner 250 of the rocker 210 in the liner mode, and the front section 240 of the frame 212 is moved to its rocking position, the rocker 210 is able to undergo a gentle rocking or swaying motion attributable to the upward and downward or rocking movement of the frame 212 relative to the underlying support surface. As indicated above, such rocking movement can be prevented by simply moving the front section 240 of the frame 212 to its non-rocking or stationary position. In the rocker 210, it is contemplated that a combination vibration/sound producing device 270 will be integrated into the frame 212, and more particularly into the second segment 224 of the upper section 220 thereof. In this regard, the device 270 may be selectively activated to impart a subtle vibration to the upper section 220 of the frame 212, and hence the liner 250 cooperatively engaged thereto. The level of vibration imparted to the frame 212 may be regulated by control buttons 272 included on the device 270. The control buttons 272 may also be used to play music or other soothing sounds from the device 270 at the desired sound level.
The rocker 210 may also be selectively converted from the liner mode shown in
Though not shown in
The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
Claims
1. An infant rocker adapted for conversion between a liner mode and a car seat mode, the rocker comprising:
- a frame having a lower section and an upper section which are pivotally movable relative to each other between deployed and collapsed positions; and
- an infant support assembly cooperatively engaged to the upper section and including: a cradle connected to the upper section and defining a cradle cavity; and a liner releasably attached to the cradle and at least partially disposed within the cradle cavity when the rocker is in the liner mode;
- the cradle cavity being sized and configured to accommodate at least a portion of a car seat, the rocker being selectively convertible from the liner mode to the car seat mode by the removal of the liner from the cradle and replacement thereof with the car seat which is at least partially disposable within the cradle cavity of the cradle.
2. The rocker of claim 1 wherein the lower section of the frame is arcuately contoured to allow the frame to achieve a rocking motion when placed upon a generally planar underlying support surface.
3. The rocker of claim 2 wherein the frame further comprises a front section pivotally connected to the lower section and selectively moveable between rocking and non-rocking positions relative thereto, the movement of the front section to the non-rocking position effectively preventing any rocking motion of the lower section upon the support surface.
4. The rocker of claim 1 wherein the upper section of the frame includes a vibration device integrated therein.
5. The rocker of claim 1 further comprising an actuation mechanism integrated between the upper and lower sections of the frame, the actuation mechanism being configured to facilitate the movement of the frame between the collapsed and deployed positions.
6. The rocker of claim 5 wherein:
- the lower section of the frame includes a pair of prong portions which extend in spaced relation to each other; and
- the actuation mechanism is slidably mounted to the prong portions of the lower section and operatively coupled to the upper section such that the movement of the actuation mechanism along the prong portions in a first direction facilitates the movement of the frame to the deployed position, and the movement of the actuation mechanism along the prong portions in a second direction opposite the first direction facilitates the movement of the frame to the collapsed position.
7. The rocker of claim 6 wherein the actuation mechanism comprises:
- a cross member slidably attached to the prong portions of the lower section;
- an actuation handle mounted to the cross member and selectively movable between locking and release positions relative thereto; and
- a pair of retention pins movably mounted to cross member and operatively coupled to the actuation handle such that the movement of the actuation handle from the locking position to the release position facilitates the concurrent inward movement of the retention pins relative to the prong portions of the lower section of the frame.
8. The rocker of claim 7 wherein:
- each of the prong portions includes at least one aperture disposed therein, with the aperture of one of the prong portions being arranged so as to be disposed in opposed relation to the aperture included in the other one of the prong portions; and
- the retentions pins are aligned with and partially advanced into respective ones of the apertures of the opposed pair thereof when the actuation handle is in the locking position.
9. The rocker of claim 8 further comprising a pair of stopper members attached to respective ones of the prong portions and positioned thereon such that the abutment of the cross member against the stopper members facilities the alignment of the retention pins with the opposed pair of the apertures.
10. The rocker of claim 7 wherein the cross member includes a pair of tubular sleeve portions which are slidably mounted to respective ones of the prong portions and selectively positionable against respective ones of the stopper members.
11. The rocker of claim 7 wherein the cross member further includes a locking switch movably mounted thereto and operatively coupled to the actuation handle such that the movement of the locking switch from a locked position to an unlocked positions allows the actuation handle to be moved from the locking position to the release position.
12. The rocker of claim 5 wherein the upper section of the frame comprises:
- a first segment pivotally connected to the lower section; and
- a second segment pivotally connected to the first segment and to the actuation mechanism;
- the first and second segments and the lower section extending in generally side by side relation to each other when the frame is moved to the collapsed position.
13. An infant rocker, comprising:
- a frame; and
- an infant support assembly cooperatively engaged to the frame and including a cradle connected to the frame and defining a cradle cavity;
- the cradle cavity being sized and configured to accommodate at least a portion of one of a liner and a car seat.
14. The rocker of claim 13 wherein the frame comprises a lower section, at least a portion of which is arcuately contoured to allow the frame to achieve a rocking motion when placed upon a generally planar underlying support surface.
15. The rocker of claim 14 wherein the frame further comprises a front section pivotally connected to the lower section and selectively moveable between rocking and non-rocking positions relative thereto, the movement of the front section to the non-rocking position effectively preventing any rocking motion of the lower section upon the support surface.
16. The rocker of claim 13 wherein the frame has a lower section and an upper section which are pivotally movable relative to each other between deployed and collapsed positions.
17. The rocker of claim 16 further comprising an actuation mechanism integrated between the upper and lower sections of the frame, the actuation mechanism being configured to facilitate the movement of the frame between the collapsed and deployed positions.
18. An infant rocker adapted for conversion between a liner mode and a car seat mode, the rocker comprising:
- a frame having an actuation mechanism integrated therein, the actuation mechanism being configured to facilitate the movement of the frame between collapsed and deployed positions; and
- an infant support assembly cooperatively engaged to the frame and including: a cradle connected to the frame and defining a cradle cavity; and a liner releasably attached to the cradle and at least partially disposed within the cradle cavity when the rocker is in the liner mode;
- the cradle cavity being sized and configured to accommodate at least a portion of a car seat, the rocker being selectively convertible from the liner mode to the car seat mode by the removal of the liner from the cradle and replacement thereof with the car seat which is at least partially disposable within the cradle cavity of the cradle.
19. The rocker of claim 18 wherein the frame comprises a lower section, at least a portion of which is arcuately contoured to allow the frame to achieve a rocking motion when placed upon a generally planar underlying support surface.
20. The rocker of claim 19 wherein the frame further comprises a front section pivotally connected to the lower section and selectively moveable between rocking and non-rocking positions relative thereto, the movement of the front section to the non-rocking position effectively preventing any rocking motion of the lower section upon the support surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 27, 2010
Publication Date: Oct 27, 2011
Inventors: Michael A. Parness (Solana Beach, CA), Wicky Lee (Irvine, CA), Paul C. Gilles (Amherst, OH)
Application Number: 12/767,990
International Classification: A47D 1/08 (20060101); A47D 13/10 (20060101); A47D 15/00 (20060101);