GLIDING CHILD SUPPORT DEVICE
A child support device such as a bassinet, configured to impart a rocking, swaying or gliding motion to soothe a child occupant includes a frame and an infant receiving receptacle. In example forms, the frame is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The infant receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted to the frame such that the infant receiving receptacle is capable of gliding or swaying relative to the frame. In some example forms, the infant receiving receptacle is removed from engagement with the frame and capable of rocking on a support surface. In example forms, the child support device provides a gliding motion, with limited or no tilting or rocking.
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This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/722,691 filed May 27, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/004,266 filed May 29, 2014; this application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/152,845 filed Apr. 25, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/215,793 filed Sep. 9, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/215,824 filed Sep. 9, 2015 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/215,943 filed Sep. 9, 2015; the entireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to the field of children's accessories and sleeping apparatuses for children and infants, and more particularly to rocking, swaying and gliding child support devices such as bassinets for infants and children.
SUMMARYIn example embodiments, the present invention provides a child support device such as a cradling bassinet, an inclined child sleeper, a child seat, or other child support device that can impart a rocking, swaying or gliding motion to relax and soothe a child occupant to encourage sleeping. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a cradling bassinet including a collapsible frame having first and second frame portions pivotally mounted together at first and second pivot couplings, and an infant receiving receptacle pivotally mounted to the first and second pivot couplings for moving in a side-to-side gliding motion relative to the collapsible frame. A pair of swing arms are pivotally mounted to the first and second pivot couplings at first ends thereof, and second ends of the swing arms are pivotally mounted at each end of the infant receiving receptacle, and whereby the swing arms at each end thereof remain substantially parallel to each other throughout the side-to-side motion.
In example forms, the infant receiving receptacle includes a mattress therein, and wherein the mattress remains substantially horizontal throughout the side-to-side gliding motion. The first and second frame portions are generally U-shaped and each comprise a base portion and upright leg members extending from the base portion. In one example form, a cross brace is provided for connecting together at least one of the upright leg members of each of the first and second frame portions. The cross brace includes a first arm, a second arm, and a pivot coupling for pivotally coupling the first and second arms together. In some example forms, the pivot coupling includes an actuatable lock for permitting or preventing pivotal motion of the first and second arms relative thereto.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a cradling bassinet including a frame and an infant receiving receptacle pivotally mounted to the frame for swaying in a side-to-side motion along a generally arcuate path. The frame includes first and second U-shaped frame members mounted to first and second hubs. The infant receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted to the hubs, and at least one of the hubs includes a motor for providing the side-to-side movement to the infant receiving receptacle. In some example forms, the frame includes first and second U-shaped frame members pivotally mounted together at first and second pivot couplings. Optionally, the infant receiving receptacle includes a canopy mounted thereto for at least partially covering the infant receiving receptacle and a skirt mounted to an outer periphery thereof.
In still another aspect, the invention relates to a bassinet including a collapsible frame and an infant receiving receptacle. In example forms, when the infant receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted to the frame, the infant receiving receptacle is movable relative the collapsible frame in a swaying motion along an arcuate path, and wherein when the infant receiving receptacle is removed from pivotal engagement with the collapsible frame and the infant receiving receptacle is resting atop a support surface, the infant receiving receptacle is movable in a rocking motion along an arcuate path relative to the support surface. In example forms, the collapsible frame includes first and second U-shaped frame portions pivotally mounted together at first and second pivot couplings. The first and second U-shaped frame portions include base portions and first and second leg members extending therefrom, respectively. Optionally, one or more of the pivot couplings can include an actuatable member for permitting the collapsing or expansion of the collapsible frame. The infant receiving receptacle includes an infant receiving receptacle frame having pivot coupling receivers configured for pivotally coupling to hub extensions of the first and second pivot couplings. Preferably, the infant receiving receptacle frame includes lower arcuate supports configured for rocking on the support surface.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a bassinet or other child support device for supporting a child, including a base frame for supporting the child support device on a support surface, a child support unit for receiving and supporting a child on a child support surface of the child support unit, and a swing mechanism movably coupling the child support unit to the base frame. The swing mechanism preferably provides a gliding path of motion to the child support unit relative to the base frame, whereby the angular orientation of the child support surface of the child support unit remains generally constant or consistent throughout substantially the entire path of motion.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a bassinet or other child support device including a base frame, a child support unit, and a swing mechanism coupling the child support unit to the base frame. The swing mechanism preferably includes two pairs of generally parallel swing arms, the swing arms having first portions pivotally connected to the base frame and second portions pivotally connected to the child support unit. In this manner, the child support unit can swing back and forth through a range of swinging motion relative to the base frame with limited tilting of the child support unit by no more than about 10° through the range of swinging motion.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a bassinet or other child support device including a base frame for supporting the child support device on a support surface. The base frame preferably includes first and second U-shaped sections pivotally coupled to one another by frame-fold linkages at each end of the bassinet, to allow the base frame to fold between an expanded configuration and a folded configuration. The bassinet preferably also includes a child support unit having a structural frame and a soft-goods covering supported by the structural frame. The structural frame of the child support unit preferably includes first and second end brackets, at least one lower cross-rail connected between lower ends of the end brackets, and first and second upper frame members pivotally coupled between upper ends of the end brackets and reconfigurable between an expanded configuration and a folded configuration. The bassinet preferably also includes a swing mechanism movably coupling the child support unit to the base frame. The swing mechanism preferably includes two pairs of first and second swing arms, a first pair of swing arms at a first end of the bassinet and a second pair of swing arms at a second end of the bassinet opposite the first end. The swing arms preferably have upper portions pivotally coupled to the base frame and lower portions pivotally connected to the child support unit.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
Generally described, the present invention relates to a cradling bassinet, child sleeper, child seat, or other child support device, which may be in various forms to impart a rocking, swaying or gliding motion to soothe a child occupant. According to some example forms of the present invention, the child support device is a cradling bassinet providing a first motion in a first configuration and a second motion in a second configuration.
With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,
In an example embodiment depicted in
In typical example embodiments, a cross brace 40 is provided between the first and second U-shaped portions 16, 24 to limit the extent of the pivotal motion between the first and second U-shaped portions, for example, between an unfolded, expanded configuration (see
As depicted in
In typical example embodiments, the infant receiving receptacle frame 56 comprises the first and second end frame members 60, a lower support frame member 62 (connecting the first and second end frame members 60 together), and first and second upper frame members 64. Preferably, the ends of the upper frame members 64 are provided with pivot fittings 66 for pivotally coupling the ends of the upper frame members 64 to an upper portion of the first and second end frame members 60. Thus, the upper frame members 64 are capable of pivoting relative to the first and second end frame members 60 between a compacted configuration (see
As described above, the side-to-side motion may be provided by manually pushing or pulling the infant receiving receptacle 14, or may be moved by an electric motor and/or magnetic drive system. In example forms, an electric motor is housed within the pivot coupling 34 and is linked to one or more of the swing arms 52, 54 that are pivotally coupled thereto. Furthermore, a magnetic drive member receiver 70 can be mounted to one of the end frame members 60 for providing interaction with another magnetic drive member of the pivot coupling 46 of the cross brace 40 (see
As depicted in
As depicted in
In the depicted embodiment, the lower base frame 520 comprises a pair of generally U-shaped sections 522, 524, each of which comprise first and second support leg portions 526, 528 and a lower cross-member 530 connected between lower ends of the first and second support leg portions. The first and second U-shaped sections 522, 524 are pivotally or hingedly coupled to one another at upper ends of the support legs 526, 528 by frame-fold linkages 534, 536 at each end of the bassinet 500, as described in greater detail below with reference to
The child support unit 560 generally comprises a structural frame (shown in
The gliding swing mechanism 610 is shown in greater detail in
The swing mechanism 610, according to example embodiments, comprises a four-bar linkage including a pair of swing arms 620, 622 at each end of the bassinet 500. The swing arms 620, 622 are pivotally coupled at their upper ends to a top portion of the base frame 520, and are pivotally coupled at their lower ends to a bottom portion of the end brackets, 570, 572 of the child support unit 560. In the depicted embodiment, four swing arms are provided, a first pair 620, 622 at one end of the child support unit 560 and a second pair at the other end of the child support unit. In example embodiments, the swing arms 620, 622 are generally parallel to one another throughout their range of swinging motion, spaced generally equidistant from one another at upper and lower ends thereof. In alternate embodiments, the swing arms 620, 622 may be obliquely oriented relative to one another, spaced a greater distance apart at upper ends and a lesser distance apart at lower ends, or vice versa, to vary the path of the swinging movement, and/or allow for more or less tilting of the child support unit. In example embodiments, the swing arms 620, 622 are generally L-shaped, having an upper portion hanging generally vertically (in an equilibrium position) from the base frame 520 and a lower portion curved or angled at about 90° from the upper portion and extending generally horizontally under the child support unit 560 into engagement with the end brackets, 570, 572 of the child support unit.
The lower portions of the swing arms 620, 622 are pivotally coupled to the end brackets, 570, 572 of the child support unit 560, for example extending through sleeves or channels formed in the end brackets, into engagement with rocker bearings 700 provided between the ends of the first and second lower cross-rails 576, 578 and the first and second end brackets, 570, 572 of the child support unit 560, as shown in greater detail in
In example embodiments, the geometrical configuration of the gliding swing mechanism 610 and the points of connection of the swing mechanism with the base frame 520 and the child support unit 560, result in a smooth, laterally gliding swing motion of the child support unit relative to the base frame, with limited or no tilting or rocking of the child support unit relative to the horizontal (i.e., the ground, floor, or other support surface on which the base frame rests). The two swing arms 620, 622 at each end of the bassinet are generally equal in length, and their respective connection points at their top ends to the bridging strut member 730 of the base frame 520 and at their bottom ends to the end bracket 570 or 572 are generally equidistantly spaced, resulting a parallelogram-shaped arrangement through the range of swinging or gliding motion (as shown in example form in
An electric motor or electro-magnetic drive system 780 is optionally provided to drive one or more of the swing arms 620, 622 to swing the child support unit 560 relative to the base frame 520. For example, a motor and gearbox with encoder wheel assembly is optionally mounted to one of the bridging strut members 730 to drive one of the swing arms (the driven arm), and the other three swing arms (the follower arms) follow the motion of the driven arm due to the linkage therebetween. In alternate embodiments, a drive system can be provide in each of the frame hubs or bridging strut members 730, to drive two or more of the swing arms 620, 622. Alternatively, the swing motion can be manually actuated by a user.
In example embodiments, a fold latch member 840 provides releasable engagement between at least one of the legs 526, 528 and the bridging strut member 730 to which the leg is pivotally attached, to retain the base frame 520 in its expanded or unfolded configuration until released by a user to fold the frame. The fold latch member 840 comprises a body portion 842 having pivot hubs 844 extending transversely from opposed sides at a medial location on the body, a push-button 846 extending laterally in a first direction proximal a first end of the body, a latch pin 848 extending laterally in an opposite second direction proximal a second end of the body, and a spring arm 850 extending laterally in the first direction from a medial location on the body toward the second end of the body. In the locked state (
In example embodiments, the child support unit 560 is also foldable between an expanded or unfolded configuration for use (
The child support unit 560 optionally also comprises a foldable mattress or sleeping pad 900, an example embodiment of which is shown in
In further example embodiments, the bassinet 500 of the present invention is height adjustable and/or depth adjustable, for example including telescopingly extending sections of the legs 526, 528 of the base frame 520 and/or the frame of the child support unit; and/or can include a recline adjustment mechanism. The bassinet 500 optionally includes an electronic entertainment or soothing device to calm a child, such as for example an audio speaker, music player, audio unit, vibration unit, projector, display or the like, an electronic mobile, a toy bar, or other entertainment features. In alternative embodiments, the child support unit 560 is detachably coupled to the base frame 520 or the swing mechanism 610, and can be used independently as a portable sleep solution. Further example embodiments allow the child support unit 560 to be rotated between two or more different seat facing orientations relative to the base frame 520. The child support unit 560 optionally includes a harness or restraint system for holding a child in place therein.
In example methods of use according to the present invention, the bassinet 500 is positioned in it expanded configuration (
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A support device for supporting a child, comprising:
- a base frame for supporting the device on a support surface;
- a child support unit for receiving and supporting a child on a child support surface of the child support unit; and
- a swing mechanism movably coupling the child support unit to the base frame, the swing mechanism providing a gliding path of motion to the child support unit relative to the base frame, whereby the angular orientation of the child support surface of the child support unit remains generally constant throughout substantially the entire path of motion.
2. The support device of claim 1, wherein the base frame comprises a pair of U-shaped sections, each of which comprise first and second support leg portions and a lower cross-member connected between lower ends of the first and second support leg portions.
3. The support device of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second U-shaped sections are pivotally coupled relative to the other of the first and second U-shaped sections at upper ends of the support legs by frame-fold linkages at each end of the bassinet, to allow the base frame to fold between an expanded configuration and a folded configuration.
4. The support device of claim 3, wherein at least one of the frame-fold linkages comprises a connecting linkage extending between the upper ends of the support legs, the connecting linkage coupling the pivotal motion of the first and second U-shaped sections.
5. The support device of claim 4, wherein the connecting linkage comprises a locking finger that engages with a hooked locking collar of the swing mechanism as the base frame is folded into its folded configuration to lock the position of the swing mechanism relative to the base frame and retain the first and second U-shaped sections in the folded configuration.
6. The support device of claim 5, further comprising a fold latch member providing releasable engagement of the base frame in its expanded configuration.
7. The support device of claim 5, wherein the fold latch member comprises a body portion, pivot hubs extending transversely from opposed sides at a medial location on the body, a push-button extending laterally in a first direction proximal a first end of the body, a latch pin extending laterally in an opposite second direction proximal a second end of the body, and a spring arm extending laterally in the first direction from a medial location on the body toward the second end of the body.
8. The support device of claim 1, wherein the child support unit comprises a structural frame and a soft-goods covering supported by the structural frame for receiving and supporting the child.
9. The support device of claim 8, wherein the structural frame of the child support unit comprises first and second end brackets, at least one lower cross-rail connected between lower ends of the end brackets to support the child support surface of the child support unit, and first and second upper frame members connected between upper ends of the end brackets.
10. The support device of claim 9, wherein the first and second upper frame members are pivotally coupled to the first and second end brackets, and selectively reconfigurable between an expanded configuration and a folded configuration.
11. The support device of claim 10, wherein the child support unit further comprises a foldable sleeping pad.
12. The support device of claim 9, comprising first and second lower cross-rails connected between lower ends of the end brackets, the first and second lower cross-rails extending generally parallel to one another and spaced a distance apart from one another.
13. The support device of claim 1, wherein the swing mechanism comprises two pairs of first and second swing arms, a first pair of swing arms at a first end of the bassinet and a second pair of swing arms at a second end of the bassinet opposite the first end, the swing arms having upper portions pivotally coupled to the base frame and lower portions pivotally connected to the child support unit.
14. The support device of claim 13, wherein the first and second swing arms are maintained generally parallel to one another as the child support unit moves through the path of motion.
15. The support device of claim 13, wherein the lower portions of the swing arms are pivotally connected to the child support unit by rocker bearings having a V-shaped male bearing strut received in a V-shaped female bearing recess, whereby the male bearing strut rocks back and forth within the female bearing recess as the child support unit swings through its path of motion.
16. The support device of claim 13, wherein the base frame comprises two pairs of support legs and first and second bridging strut members coupled between the two pairs of support legs, and wherein the upper portions of the swing arms are pivotally coupled to the bridging strut members.
17. The support device of claim 16, wherein the pivotal coupling between the upper portions of the swing arms and the bridging strut members comprises at least, one bearing.
18. The support device of claim 13, wherein the swing mechanism further comprises a motor drive system for driving swinging motion of at least one of the swing arms.
19. The support device of claim 18, wherein the motor drive system comprises an electric motor, a gearbox, an encoder wheel and a position and speed sensor.
20. The support device of claim 1, wherein the child support unit comprises a detachable canopy.
21. The support device of claim 1, wherein the child support unit further comprises at least one entertainment feature.
22. The support device of claim 1, wherein the base frame further comprises at least one wheel for rolling contact with the support surface.
23. The support device of claim 22, wherein the base frame comprises a plurality of wheels, at least one of the wheels having a first alignment orientation, and at least another of the wheels having a second alignment orientation different from the first alignment orientation.
24. The support device of claim 1, wherein the angular orientation of the child support surface of the child support unit varies by no more than about 10° throughout the path of motion of the swing mechanism.
25. The support device of claim 1, wherein the angular orientation of the child support surface of the child support unit varies by no more than about 5° throughout the path of motion of the swing mechanism.
26. The support device of claim 1, wherein the child support unit comprises a bassinet.
27. A child support device comprising a base frame, a child support unit, and a swing mechanism coupling the child support unit to the base frame, wherein the swing mechanism comprises two pairs of generally parallel swing arms, the swing arms having first portions pivotally connected to the base frame and second portions pivotally connected to the child support unit, whereby the child support unit can swing back and forth through a range of swinging motion relative to the base frame with limited tilting of the child support unit by no more than about 10° through the range of swinging motion.
28. The child support device of claim 27, wherein the child support unit swings back and forth with limited tilting of no more than about 5° through the range of swinging motion.
29. The support device of claim 27, wherein the child support unit comprises a bassinet.
30. A child support device comprising:
- a base frame for supporting the child support device on a support surface, the base frame comprising first and second U-shaped sections pivotally coupled to one another by frame-fold linkages at each end of the child support device, to allow the base frame to fold between an expanded configuration and a folded configuration;
- a child support unit comprising a structural frame and a soft-goods covering supported by the structural frame, the structural frame of the child support unit comprising first and second end brackets, at least one lower cross-rail connected between lower ends of the end brackets, and first and second upper frame members pivotally coupled between upper ends of the end brackets and reconfigurable between an expanded configuration and a folded configuration; and
- a swing mechanism movably coupling the child support unit to the base frame, the swing mechanism comprising two pairs of first and second swing arms, a first pair of swing arms at a first end of the bassinet and a second pair of swing arms at a second end of the bassinet opposite the first end, the swing arms having upper portions pivotally coupled to the base frame and lower portions pivotally connected to the child support unit.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 19, 2016
Publication Date: Aug 11, 2016
Applicant: KIDS II, INC. (Atlanta, GA)
Inventors: Chaitanya TADIPATRI (Alpharetta, GA), Stephen BURNS (Cumming, GA), Yuk Tong POON (Yuen Long)
Application Number: 15/132,528