CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/975,961, filed Apr. 7, 2014, Attorney Docket No. 0621.2206P, entitled “Foldable Infant Jumping Device,” the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in full.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device that enables infants to perform jumping motions. More specifically, the present invention relates to jumping device that can be repositioned between a deployed configuration and a storage configuration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types of infant support structures exist for infants and children to promote the development of large motor skills, such as walking and jumping. Parents of infants are required to purchase multiple infant support structures for their children, including, but not limited to, infant walkers, infant jumpers, infant seats, infant swings, and infant gliders. Each one of these infant support structures requires space for use and storage. Parents who own multiple infant support structures often find themselves burdened by the cost of purchasing multiple infant support structures. Each one of these infant support structures is relatively expensive, and the purchase of multiple infant support structures can be costly.
Moreover, infant jumpers are typically complex structures that take up a large amount of space. Because of their complexity, many infant jumpers fail to have a storage configuration, where the infant jumper can be easily broken down into a storage configuration when the infant jumper is not in use by the infant. Furthermore, if the infant jumper does have a storage configuration, the conversion to the storage configuration from the deployed configuration involves many steps and the removal of many parts.
Therefore, what is needed is an infant support structure that is easy for the parents to set up and maintain. Furthermore, the infant support structure should be relatively inexpensive, but provide both a deployed configuration, for use by the infant, and a storage configuration. Moreover, the conversion from the deployed configuration to the storage configuration, and vice versa, should be relatively quick and easy for a caretaker to perform. In addition, the infant support structure should be fun and easy for the infant to use. Moreover, what is needed is an infant support structure that is safe for the infant to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An infant support structure that includes a base, a first support arm, a second support arm, a seat support, and a resilient member. The base has a first side and a second side. The first support arm includes a first end and a second end. Furthermore, the second end of the first support arm is pivotally coupled to the base at a location that is proximate the first side of the base. Similar to the first support arm, the second support arm has a first end and a second end. The second end of the second support arm, however, is pivotally coupled to the base at a location that is proximate to the second side of the base. Additionally, the seat support includes a first side and a second side, the first side is pivotally coupled to the first end of the first support arm. Moreover, the resilient member is coupled to the second side of the seat support and the first end of the second support arm. The infant support structure is reconfigurable between a deployed configuration and a storage configuration. In the deployed configuration, the first and second support arms extend substantially vertically from the base, and the seat support is spaced from the base. In the storage configuration, the first and second support arms extend substantially horizontally from the base and the seat support is proximate the base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an infant support structure according to the present invention, the infant support structure being positioned in the deployed configuration.
FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of an infant support structure illustrated in FIG. 1A with the infant support structure being positioned in the storage configuration.
FIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the infant support structure illustrated in FIG. 1A with the infant support structure beginning the reconfiguration process from the deployed configuration to the storage configuration.
FIG. 1D illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the infant support structure illustrated in FIG. 1A with the infant support structure continuing the reconfiguration process from the deployed configuration to the storage configuration.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the base of the embodiment of the infant support structure illustrated in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the top of the seat of the embodiment of the infant support structure illustrated in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the bottom of the seat illustrated in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of the first pivot arm of the embodiment of the infant support structure illustrated in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of the inside of the hub of the first pivot arm illustrated in FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the first pivot arm and base of the embodiment of the infant support structure illustrated in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of the second pivot arm of the embodiment of the infant support structure illustrated in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of the inside of the hub of the second pivot arm illustrated in FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second pivot arm and base of the embodiment of the infant support structure illustrated in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of the rear hub assembly of the embodiment of the infant support structure illustrated in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 6B illustrates an interior view of the first hub of the rear hub assembly illustrated in FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6C illustrates a perspective view of the first hub and first gear of the rear hub assembly illustrated in FIG. 6A, the first gear being positioned in the deployed configuration.
FIG. 6D illustrates a perspective view of the first hub and the first gear of the rear hub assembly illustrated in FIG. 6A, the first gear being positioned in the storage configuration.
FIG. 6E illustrates an interior view of the second hub of the rear hub assembly illustrated in FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6F illustrates a perspective view of the second hub and second gear of the rear hub assembly illustrated in FIG. 6A, the second gear being positioned in the deployed configuration.
FIG. 6G illustrates a perspective view of the second hub and the second gear of the rear hub assembly illustrated in FIG. 6A, the second gear being positioned in the storage configuration.
FIG. 6H illustrates a cross-sectional view of the rear hub assembly illustrated in FIG. 6A
FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of the top of the support arm of the embodiment of the infant support structure illustrated in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of the interior of the connector of the support arm illustrated in FIG. 7A.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the infant support structure illustrated in FIG. 1A, the infant support structure including a motion limiting mechanism.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, illustrated is an embodiment of the infant support structure 10. The infant support structure 10 includes a base 100, a first pivot arm 200, a second pivot arm 300, a seat support 400, and a support arm 500. Illustrated in FIG. 1A, the infant support structure 10 is positioned in the deployed configuration A. Illustrated in FIG. 1B, the infant support structure 10 is positioned in the storage configuration B. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first and second pivot arms 200, 300 are pivotally coupled to the base 100. The pivot arms 200, 300 are configured to pivot with respect to the base 100 about axis C. In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the seat support 400 is pivotally coupled to the pivot arms 200, 300 proximate the front of the seat support 400. The rear of the seat support 400 is supported by a resilient member 540 that is further coupled to the support arm 500.
As best illustrated in FIG. 1A, the support arm 500 includes a pivotable mount 510 that is pivotally coupled to the base 100. The support arm 500 further includes a tube 520 with a first end 522 coupled to the pivotable mount 510 and a second end 524 that is coupled to a connector 530. The pivotable mount 510 is configured to pivot with respect to the base 100 about axis E. The support arm 500 extends substantially vertically from the base 100 and is longer than the pivot arms 200, 300. Therefore, the resilient member 540 that is coupled to the connector 530 of the support arm 500 hangs substantially downward from the connector 530 and supports the rear of the seat support 400 from above. When in the deployed configuration A, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, and an infant is placed in the seat support 400, the seat support 400 pivots about axis D with respect to the first and second pivot arms 200, 300 as the resilient member 540 stretches and flexes. Because of the pivotal relationship between the pivot arms 200, 300 and the seat support 400, and the orientation of the resilient member 540 attached to the rear of the seat support 400 and supporting the seat support 400 from above, the infant support 10 is configured to aid an infant perform jumping motions when placed within the seat support 400.
When in the deployed configuration A, the first and second pivot arms 200, 300 extend substantially upward from the base 100. Furthermore, the support arm 500 is configured to extend substantially upward from the base 100. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, when the infant support 10 is in the deployed configuration A, the seat support 400 is spaced from, but supported directly above, the base 100. However, when repositioning the infant support 10 to the storage configuration B, the pivot arms 200, 300 are pivoted rearwardly and downwardly approximately 90 degrees about axis C so that each of the pivot arms 200, 300 lies substantially flat with respect to the base 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1B. Moreover, the seat support 400 is pivoted forwardly about axis D approximately 270 degrees and then folded downward with the pivot arms 200, 300 so that the seat support 400 is oriented upside down, but positioned proximate the base 100. In addition, the support arm 500 is pivoted forwardly approximately 90 degrees about axis E with respect to the base 100. As best illustrated in FIG. 1B, when the infant support 10 is in the storage configuration B, the connector 530, which is coupled to the second end 524 of the tube 520 of the support arm 500, is resting within the underside of seat support 400. When in the storage configuration B, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the infant support 10 is more compact than when in the deployed configuration A, illustrated in FIG. 1A.
Turning to FIGS. 1C and 1D, illustrated is the infant support structure 10 in the process of being reconfigured from the deployed configuration A to the storage configuration B. As illustrated in FIG. 1C, the cap 250 of the first pivot arm 200 and the cap 350 of the second pivot arm 300 are depressed, enabling the pivot arms 200, 300 to begin pivoting rearwardly and downwardly (clockwise) toward the base 100 (as shown in the ghosted lines). Meanwhile, the seat support 400 is being pivoted forwardly (counterclockwise) about the first end 210 of the first pivot arm 200 and the first end 310 of the second pivot arm 300.
As illustrated in FIG. 1D, the seat support 400 has pivoted forwardly (counterclockwise) and the pivot arms 200, 300 have been pivoted rearwardly and downwardly (clockwise) to lie substantially flat with respect to the base 100. Illustrated in FIG. 1D, the button caps 177, 187 of the rear hub assembly 160 have been depressed, enabling the support arm 500 to begin pivoting forwardly (counterclockwise) with respect to the base 100.
In other embodiments, the pivot arms 200, 300 and the support arm 500 may be pivoted more or less than 90 degrees with respect to the base. Furthermore, the seat support 400 may be pivoted more or less than approximately 270 degrees about the pivot arms 200, 300.
Turning to FIG. 2, illustrated is a perspective view of the base 100. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the base 100 includes a front portion 110, a first side member 120, a second side member 130, a first rear side member 140, a second rear side member 150, and a rear hub assembly 160. The front portion 110 is substantially U-shaped and the first side member 120 and second side member 130 are attached to each of the ends of the front portion 110. The first side member 120 includes an inner member 122 and an outer member 123. The inner and outer members 122, 123 form a hub 124 (see FIGS. 4A-4C) that enables the first pivot arm 200 to be pivotally connected to the first side member 120. The second side member 130 includes an inner member 132 and an outer member 133. The inner and outer members 132, 133 form a hub 134 (see FIGS. 5A-5C) that enables the second pivot arm 300 to be pivotally connected to the second side member 130. Furthermore, the rear hub assembly 160 includes a first hub 170 and a second hub 180 that together enable the pivotable mount 510 of the support arm 500 to be pivotally coupled to the rear hub assembly 160.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a number of feet 190 are coupled to various portions of the base 100. Illustrated in FIG. 2, two feet 190 are coupled to the front portion 110, while one foot 190 is coupled to the first side rear portion 140. This embodiment also includes a foot 190 coupled to the second side rear portion 150 at a location similar to that of the first side rear portion 140. Also not shown in FIG. 2, a fifth foot 190 may be coupled to the rear hub assembly 160 to the first hub recess 164 and the second hub recess 166 illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6E. The feet 190 may be a constructed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), rubber, or other similar material, that is configured to frictionally grip the support surface to keep the infant support 10 stationary.
Each one of the elements (the front portion 110, the first side member 120, the second side member 130, the first side rear portion 140, the second side rear portion 150 and the rear hub assembly 160) of the base 100 may be connected to each other in various ways. In one embodiment, the elements may be frictionally fit together. For example, the ends of the front portion 110 may be configured to receive a portion of the first side member 120 and the second side member 130, where friction between the portions of the first side member 120 and second side member 130 with the ends of the front portion 110 keep the elements coupled to one another. Furthermore, the first side rear portion 140 may be configured to frictionally receive another portion of the first side member 120, while the second side rear portion 150 may be configured to frictionally receive another portion of the second side member 130. Finally, the flanges 163, 165 (illustrated in FIGS. 6C, 6D, 6F, and 6G) of the rear hub assembly 160 may be frictionally received by the first and second side rear portions 140, 150. In other embodiments, the elements 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160 may be configured to snap fit together, or may be coupled to one another via screws or other known conventional couplings. In yet another embodiment, the base 100 may include less or more than the elements of a front portion 110, first side member 120, second side member 130, first side rear portion 140, second side rear portion 150, and rear hub assembly 160.
Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, illustrated is the seat support 400 of the infant support 10. FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the top of the seat support 400, while FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the bottom of the seat support 400. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the seat support 400 includes a tray 410 and a seat 430. The tray 410 includes a front side 411, a rear side 412, a first side 413, and a second side 414, as well as a top 422 and a bottom 424. Furthermore, the seat 430 also includes a front side 433, a rear side 434, a first side 442, and a second side 444, as well as a top 431 and a bottom 432. As illustrated, a first extension 416 extends substantially horizontally from the first side 413 of the tray 410 at a location proximate to the front 411 of the tray 400. Furthermore, a second extension 417 extends substantially horizontally from the second side 414 of the tray 410 at a location proximate to the front 411 of the tray 400. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, according to this embodiment, these extensions 416, 417 are cylindrical in shape. The extensions 416, 417 are configured to be received by the first and second pivot arms 200, 300, to enable the seat support 400 to pivot about axis D, which is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The top 422 of the tray 410 further includes orifices 418 that are configured to receive a toy bar. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the orifices 418 are positioned on the top 422 of the tray 410 at a location proximate to the extensions 416, 417. The orifices 418 may retain a toy bar via a friction fit, a snap fit, through the use of screws or pins, or other similar coupling means. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the orifices 418 may be located at a different location on the tray 410.
According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the tray 410 includes a cavity 419 that is centrally located on the tray 410. The cavity 419 further includes an opening 420. The cavity 419 and the opening 420 are configured to receive various inserts, such as different play pattern toys. The shape and depth of the cavity 419 and opening 420 enable an insert to be securely placed on the tray 410 when the infant support 10 is in the deployed configuration A.
Continuing with FIGS. 3A and 3B, the seat 430 includes a central aperture 438. The central aperture 438 includes a collar 440 that extends upwardly from the top 431 of the seat 430 and around the central aperture 438. Moreover, the central aperture 438 is sized and shaped to receive an infant. The central aperture 438 is configured to have a fabric portion 439 (not shown) that has leg openings to enable a child to be securely placed within the central opening 438 of the seat. When a fabric portion 439 is coupled to the central opening 438 and collar 440, the fabric portion 439 will hand below the seat and support the infant within the central opening 438.
Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the rear 434 of the seat 430 has a projection 437. As best illustrated in FIG. 3B, the bottom 432 of the seat 430, and especially the projection 437, is open and forms a cavity-like structure. As best illustrated in FIG. 1B, the projection 437 of the rear 434 of the seat 430 is configured to receive the connector 530 of the support arm 500 when the infant support 10 is in the storage configuration B. However, when the infant support is in the deployed configuration A, as best illustrated in FIG. 1A, the resilient member 540 of the support arm 500 is coupled to the top 431 of the seat 430, specifically on the projection 437.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate that the rear 412 of the tray 410 is coupled to the front 433 of the seat 430. As best illustrated in FIG. 3B, the tray 410 and the seat 430 are connected to one another via a series of protrusions 435 and sockets 415. Illustrated in FIG. 3B is the bottom 424 of the tray 410 and the bottom 432 of the seat 430. Along the edge of the rear 412 of the tray 410 are a series of sockets 415. According to this embodiment, the edge of the rear 412 of the tray 410 includes four sockets 415. Furthermore, along the edge of the front 433 of the seat 430 is a set of four protrusions 435. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the protrusions 435 and the sockets 415 are similarly shaped and sized so that the sockets 415 matingly receive the protrusions 435. The embodiment further includes a set of screws 436 that are inserted upward through the bottom 432 of the seat 430 and into the bottom 424 of the tray 410 to further secure the seat 430 to the tray 410. Other embodiments may include a different means for connecting the tray 410 and the seat 430 together, including snap fitting the tray 410 and seat 430 together, or even constructing the entire seat support 400 out of one molded part.
Turning to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, illustrated is the first pivot arm 200 pivotally coupled to the base 100 and the seat support 400. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the first pivot arm 200 includes a first end 210 and a second end 220. The first end 210 includes a hub 212 and a cap (illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B). The second end 220 includes a hub 230 and a button cap 250 (illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 4C). As shown in FIG. 4A, the cap has been removed to illustrate that the hub 212 of the first end 210 is configured to receive the first projection 416 of the seat support 400. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, the hub 230 of the second end 220 of the first pivot arm 200 is configured to fit within the hub 124 of the first side member 120. As best illustrated in FIG. 4C, inner member 122 and outer member 123 of the first side member 120 each form a side of hub 124. As shown in FIG. 4A, the outer member 123 portion of hub 124 has a cavity 126. As illustrated, this cavity 126 has a circular cross-section. Spaced opposite of each other along the edge of cavity 126 are channels 128. Furthermore, the back of the cavity 126 includes two openings 127. As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the cavity 126 is configured to slidably receive a button cap 250. The button cap 250 has at least two tabs 252 that are configured to align with, and be slidably received in, the channels 128. The tabs 252 are further configured to engage the channels 128 so that the button cap 250 does not slide completely out of the cavity 126 of the hub 124 of the first side member 120.
Furthermore, the top of the hub 124 includes an aperture 129. Aperture 129 enables the first pivot arm 200 to pivot within hub 124 between the deployed configuration A and the storage configuration B. The first pivot arm 200 extends from hub 124 of the first side member 120 through the aperture 129. Illustrated in FIG. 4B, in which the inner member 122 is removed for purposes of illustration, the hub 230 of the first pivot arm 200 houses a gear 240, which includes a set of gear teeth 242 around its periphery. The hub 230 also includes a set of teeth 232 that are configured to mesh with the gear teeth 242 of the gear 240. As best illustrated in FIG. 4A, the gear 240 further includes protuberances 244 that extend through the openings 127 within the cavity 126 of hub 124 of the first side member 120. The protuberances 244 are configured to be engaged with, or coupled to, the button cap 250.
Illustrated in FIG. 4C is a cross sectional view of the hub 124 of the first side member 120 and hub 230 of the first pivot arm 200. The portion of the hub 124 formed by the inner member 122 of the first side member 120 also contains a set of gear teeth 125 around the inner periphery. The gear teeth 125 of the hub 124 of the first side member 120 are stationary because the hub 124 does not rotate. The gear teeth 232 of the hub 230 of the first pivot arm 200 are configured to pivot with respect to the gear teeth 125 of the hub 124 as the hub 230 of the first pivot arm 200 pivots within the hub 124 of the first side member 120. As illustrated by FIG. 4C, the gear teeth 242 of the gear 240 are meshed with the gear teeth 125 of the hub 124 and the gear teeth 232 of the hub 230 of the first pivot arm 200. When the gear 240 is meshed with the hub 124 of the first side member 120 and the hub 230 of the first pivot arm 200, the first pivot arm 200 is unable to move between the deployed configuration A and the storage configuration B because the gear 240 is interconnected with the stationary teeth 125 of the hub 124 of the first side member 120 and the teeth 232 of the hub 230 of the first pivot arm 200.
In order to be able to reconfigure the first pivot arm 200 between the deployed configuration A and the storage configuration B, a user must depress the button cap 250 into cavity 126 of the hub 124 of the first side member 120. As the button cap 250 is depressed, it slides into the cavity 126 along axis C, where it contacts the protuberances 244 of the gear 240. The movement of the cap 250 into the cavity 126 along axis C forces the gear 240 to also slide along axis C so that the teeth 242 of the gear 240 are no longer meshed with the teeth 232 of the hub 230 of the first pivot arm 200. Once the gear teeth 242 of the gear 240 no longer mesh with the teeth 232 of the hub 230, the first pivot arm 200 is free to pivot about the hub 124 of the first side member 120, and specifically about axis C. When the first pivot arm 200 is pivoted to the desired location, the button cap 250 is released, and a resilient member (not shown), such as a spring, slides the gear 240 and the button cap 250 along axis C to their original position, where the gear teeth 242 of gear 240 mesh with both the gear teeth 232 of the hub 230 and the gear teeth 125 of the hub 124 rotationally locking the pivot arm 200 in place.
Turning to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, illustrated is the second pivot arm 300 pivotally coupled to the base 100 and the seat support 400. The description of the second pivot arm 300 is identical to that for the first pivot arm 200 above because the second pivot arm 300 is a mirror image of the first pivot arm 200. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the second pivot arm 300 includes a first end 310 and a second end 320. The first end 310 includes a hub 312 and a cap (illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B). The second end 320 includes a hub 330 and a button cap 350 (illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 5C). As shown in FIG. 5A, the cap has been removed to illustrate that the hub 312 of the first end 310 is configured to receive the second projection 417 of the seat support 400. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C, the hub 330 of the second end 320 of the second pivot arm 300 is configured to fit within the hub 134 of the second side member 130. As best illustrated in FIG. 5C, inner member 132 and outer member 133 of the second side member 130 each form a side of hub 134. As shown in FIG. 5A, the outer member 133 portion of hub 134 has a cavity 136. This cavity 136 has a circular cross-section. Spaced opposite of each other along the edge of cavity 136 are channels 138. Furthermore, the back of the cavity 136 includes two openings 137. As illustrated in FIG. 5C, the cavity is configured to slidably receive a button cap 350. The button cap 350 has at least two tabs 352 that are configured to align with, and be slidably received in, the channels 138. The tabs 352 are further configured to engage the channels 138 so that the button cap 350 does not slide completely out of the cavity 136 of the hub 134 of the first side member 130.
Furthermore, the top of the hub 134 includes an aperture 139. Aperture 139 enables the second pivot arm 300 to pivot within hub 134 between the deployed configuration A and the storage configuration B. The second pivot arm 300 extends from hub 134 of the second side member 130 through the aperture 139. Illustrated in FIG. 5B, in which the inner member 132 is removed for purposes of illustration, the hub 330 of the second pivot arm 300 houses a gear 340, which includes a set of gear teeth 342 around its periphery. The hub 330 also includes a set of teeth 332 that are configured to mesh with the gear teeth 342 of the gear 340. As best illustrated in FIG. 5A, the gear 340 further includes protuberances 344 that extend through the openings 137 within the cavity 136 of hub 134 of the second side member 130. The protuberances 344 are configured to be engaged with, or coupled to, the button cap 350.
Illustrated in FIG. 5C is a cross sectional view of the hub 134 of the second side member 130 and hub 330 of the second pivot arm 300. The portion of the hub 134 formed by the inner member 132 of the second side member 130 also contains a set of gear teeth 135 around the inner periphery. The gear teeth 135 of the hub 134 of the second side member 130 are stationary because the hub 134 does not rotate. The gear teeth 332 of the hub 330 of the second pivot arm 300 are configured to pivot with respect to the gear teeth 135 of the hub 134 as the hub 330 of the second pivot arm 300 pivots within the hub 134 of the second side member 130. As illustrated by FIG. 5C, the gear teeth 342 of the gear 340 are meshed with the gear teeth 135 of the hub 134 and the gear teeth 332 of the hub 330 of the second pivot arm 300. When the gear 340 is meshed with the hub 134 of the second side member 130 and the hub 330 of the second pivot arm 300, the second pivot arm 300 is unable to move between the deployed configuration A and the storage configuration B because the gear 340 is interconnected with the stationary teeth 135 of the hub 134 of the second side member 130 and the pivotable teeth 332 of the hub 330 of the second pivot arm 300.
In order to be able to reconfigure the second pivot arm 300 between the deployed configuration A and the storage configuration B, a user must depress the button cap 350 into cavity 136 of the hub 134 of the second side member 130. As the button cap 350 is depressed, it slides into the cavity 136 along axis C, where it contacts the protuberances 344 of the gear 340. The movement of the cap 350 into the cavity 136 along axis C forces the gear 340 to also slide along axis C so that the teeth 342 of the gear 340 are no longer meshed with the teeth 332 of the hub 330 of the second pivot arm 300. Once the gear teeth 342 of the gear 340 no longer mesh with the teeth 332 of the hub 330, the second pivot arm 300 is free to pivot about the hub 134 of the second side member 130, and specifically about axis C. When the second pivot arm 300 is pivoted to the desired location, the button cap 350 is released, and a resilient member (not shown), such as a spring, returns the gear 340 and the button cap 350 along axis C to their original position where the gear teeth 342 of gear 340 mesh with both the gear teeth 332 of the hub 330 and the gear teeth 135 of the hub 134 rotationally locking the pivot arm 300 in place. Although the hubs for pivot arms 200 and 300 have been described in detail, other substantially similar rotational mechanism could be utilized. For example, note that a non-limiting example of an appropriate rotation mechanism is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,649, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Turning to FIGS. 6A-6H, illustrated are various views of the rear hub assembly 160. Illustrated in the perspective view of the FIG. 6A, the rear hub assembly 160 includes a first hub 170 coupled to a second hub 180. Pivotally coupled within the rear hub assembly 160 is the pivotable mount 510 of the support arm 500. The rear hub assembly 160 includes an aperture 162 that enables the pivotable mount 510 to pivot between the deployed configuration A and the storage configuration B.
Turning to FIGS. 6B and 6E, illustrated are the interior views of the first hub 170 and the second hub 180. The first hub 170 includes a button cap 177 (also illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6H), while the second hub 180 has a button cap 187 (also illustrated in FIGS. 6A, and 6H). As illustrated, each of the hubs 170, 180 includes a circular track of gear teeth 174, 184. Within the center of the circular track of teeth 174, 184 are four gear openings 175, 185 and two cap openings 176, 186. As illustrated in the FIGS. 6B and 6E, the cap openings 176, 186 are configured to receive protuberances 178, 188 of the button caps 177, 187. Moreover, the protuberances 178, 188 of the caps 177, 187 are slidingly engaged with the cap openings 176, 186. The ends of the protuberances 178, 188 may include flanges to prevent the protuberances 178, 188 from becoming completely disengaged from the cap openings 176, 186.
Illustrated in FIGS. 6C and 6D is the exterior view of the first hub 170. Similarly, illustrated in FIGS. 6F and 6G is the exterior view of the second hub 180. As illustrated, the hubs 170, 180 further include gears 171, 181 that are configured to rotate within the rear hub assembly 160. Each of the gears 171, 181 include a pair of projections 173, 183. These projections are configured to extend through two of the gear openings 175, 185 simultaneously. As illustrated, each hub 170, 180 has four gear openings 175, 185, an upper left gear opening, an upper right gear opening, a lower left gear opening, and a lower right gear opening. As illustrated in FIG. 6C, when the infant support 10, and subsequently the gear 171 of the first hub 170, is in the deployed configuration A, the projections 173 extend through the upper left and the lower right gear openings 175. Illustrated in FIG. 6D, when the infant support 10 is reconfigured to the storage configuration B, the gear 171 is rotated so that the projection 173 that was extending through the upper left gear opening 175 in the deployed configuration A now extends through the lower left gear opening 175 in the storage configuration B, while the projection 173 that was extending through the lower right gear opening 175 in the deployed configuration A now extends through the upper right gear opening 175 in the storage configuration B. Conversely, as illustrated in FIG. 6F, when the infant support 10, and subsequently the gear 181 of the first hub 180, is in the deployed configuration A, the projections 183 extend through the upper right and the lower left gear openings 185. However, when illustrated in FIG. 6G, when the infant support 10 is reconfigured to the storage configuration B, the gear 181 is rotated so that the projection 183 that was extending through the upper right gear opening 185 in the deployed configuration A now extends through the lower right gear opening 185 in the storage configuration B, while the projection 183 that was extending through the lower left gear opening 185 in the deployed configuration A now extends through the upper left gear opening 185 in the storage configuration B.
In other embodiments, the hubs 170, 180 may include more than the four gear openings 175, 185. By increasing the number of gear openings 175, 185, the number of configurations of the gears 171, 181 also increases.
Turning to FIG. 6H, illustrated is a cross sectional view of the rear hub assembly 160. As illustrated the pivotable mount 510 is configured to sit between the first hub 170 and the second hub 180. Furthermore, each side of the pivotable mount 510 includes a circular track of gear teeth 512. As illustrated in FIG. 6H, the teeth 172 of the gear 171 of the first hub 170 is simultaneously meshed with the teeth 174 of the first hub 170 and the gear teeth 512 of the pivotable mount 510, while the teeth 182 of gear 181 of the second hub 180 is simultaneously meshed with the teeth 184 of the second hub 180 and the gear teeth 512 of the pivotable mount 510. Moreover, while in this position, where the gears 171, 181 of the hubs 170, 180 are meshed with the teeth 174, 184 of the hubs 170, 180 and the teeth 512 of the pivotable mount 510, the projections 173, 183 of the gears 171, 181 are extending through the gear openings 175, 185. The combination of the meshing of the teeth 172, 182 of the gears 171, 181 with the teeth 174, 184 of the hubs 170, 180 and the extension of the projections 173, 183 of the gears 171, 181 through the gear openings 175, 185 of the hubs 170, 180 prevents the rotation of the gears 171, 181 within the hubs 170, 180. Furthermore, because, in this position, the gears 171, 181 are also meshed with the teeth 512 of the pivotable mount 510, the pivotable mount 510 is unable to pivot about the rear hub assembly 160 between the deployed configuration A and the storage configuration B.
Continuing with FIG. 6H, in order to reconfigure the pivotable mount 510, and as a result the support arm 500, the button caps 177, 187 must be depressed inward so the button caps 177, 187 slide along axis E into the rear hub assembly 160. As the button caps 177, 187 are slid into the rear hub assembly 160 along axis E, the protuberances 178, 188 of the button caps 177, 187 slide through the cap openings 176, 186 in the hubs 170, 180, contacting the gears 171, 181 and sliding the gears 171, 181 along axis E out of engagement with the teeth 174, 184 of the hubs 170, 180. Furthermore, the projections 173, 183 of the gears 171, 181 are also slid out of the gear openings 175, 185 when the button caps 177, 187 are depressed. As the gears 171, 181 are forced to slide along axis E because of the depressing of the button caps 177, 187, the gears 171, 181 are solely meshed with the teeth 512 of the pivotable mount 510. Because the teeth 172, 182 of the gears 171, 181 are no longer meshed with the teeth 174, 184 of the stationary hubs 170, 180 and the projections 173, 183 of the gears 171, 181 are out of engagement with the gear openings 175, 185 when the button caps 177, 187 are depressed, the gears 171, 181 are free to rotate with the pivotable mount 510 of the support arm 500. Therefore, the pivotable mount 510, and thus, the support arm 500, are capable of being reconfigured between the deployed configuration A and the storage configuration B when the button caps 177, 187 are depressed. Once the pivotable mount 510 and the gears 171, 181 have been rotated to either the deployed configuration A or storage configuration B, the button caps 177, 187 can be released, allowing the teeth 172, 182 of the gears 171, 181 to reengage with the teeth 174, 184 of the hubs 170, 180 (via the assistance of a biasing member such as a spring (not shown), locking the pivotable mount 510 into the desired position. Moreover, the projections 173, 183 of the gears 171, 181 become reengaged with different gear openings 175, 185 from their previously configuration. As explained previously, the placement of the gear openings 175, 185 in the hubs 170, 180 enable the reconfiguration of the gears 171, 181, and subsequently the pivotable mount 510 and support arm 500.
Turning to FIGS. 7A, and 7B, illustrated is a perspective view of the connector 530 of the support arm 500. As previously explained and shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the support arm 500 includes a pivotable mount 510 that is pivotally coupled to the base 100, a tube 520 with a first end 522 coupled to the pivotable mount 510 and a second end 524 that is coupled to a connector 530, and a resilient member 540 coupled to the connector 530 and the rear 434 of the seat 430 of the seat support 400. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the connector 530 is connected to the second end 524 of the tube 520. According to the embodiment illustrated, the connector 530 consists of a first side 532 and a second side 534 that are coupled together over the second end 524 of the tube 520. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the second end 524 of the tube 520 includes openings 526. The first side 532 and the second side 536 engage these openings 526 when they are coupled together to remain coupled to the second end 524 of the tube 520. Furthermore, the first side 532 and the second side 536 together formulate an aperture 536. The aperture 536 is configured to receive a portion of the resilient member 540, coupling the resilient member 540 to the connector 530. The resilient member may include a spring or other elastic member. While not illustrated, the resilient member 540 may include a cover. The cover prevents a child from sticking their fingers, toys, and other items in the resilient members 540.
Turning to FIG. 8, illustrated is a perspective view of an embodiment of the infant support structure 10, the infant support structure 10 further includes a motion limiting mechanism 600. The embodiment of the motion limiting mechanism 600 illustrated in FIG. 8 extends between the base 100 and the seat support 400. The motion limiting mechanism 600 is configured to limit the counterclockwise pivotal rotation of the seat support 400 about the pivot arms 200, 300. Thus, the motion limiting mechanism 600 prevents the seat support 400 from pivoting over the pivot arms 200, 300 to a degree that the seat support 400 flips upside down. The motion limiting mechanism 600 serves a safety mechanism that reduces the possibility of the seat support 400 flipping upside down with an infant placed in the seat support 400. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the motion limiting mechanism 600 is a strap with a first strap member 610, a second strap member 620, and buckle 630. The first strap member 610 extends substantially upward from the base 100. The second strap member 620 extends substantially downward from the seat support 400. The buckle 630 enables the first strap member 610 and the second strap member 620 to be removably coupled to one another. Uncoupling the first strap member 610 and the second strap member 620 from one another enables the infant support structure 10 to be positioned in the storage configuration B, illustrated in FIG. 1B. Other embodiments of the motion limiting mechanism 600 may be, but are not limited to, a detent disposed within the first end 210 of the first pivot arm 200 and/or within the first end 310 of the second pivot arm 300 or some other rotational lock within each of the pivot points of the first pivot arm 200 and/or the second pivot arm 300.
It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, generally merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. However, the terms “front” and “rear” as used herein refer specifically to the direction of the child received in the seat, with “front” referring to proximate the child's front side and “rear” referring to proximate the child's rear side as seated in the seat. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention.
Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.
