CONVERTIBLE ROCKER
A convertible child seat or support device having a rocker and an adjustable support frame. The convertible rocker generally comprises a frame and attached child support assembly. The convertible rocker is configured to support an infant in a generally supine position and a toddler in an inclined position. In example embodiments, the frame includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle of incline of the backrest of the child support assembly between an infant position and a toddler position. In other embodiments, the child support assembly is configured to support a child in both an infant and toddler position based on the child's orientation in the child support assembly.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/407,221 filed Oct. 12, 2016, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to the field of children's accessories, and more particularly to a child seat or support device having a rocker base and adjustable support frame.
BACKGROUNDSupport devices such as seats, rockers, bouncers, sleepers, bassinets, and the like are commonly used to hold infants and other small children during rest, play, and entertainment. Infants are supported in a supine position whereas toddlers and other small children are supported in a more inclined position. In many instances, a caregiver acquires a new seat or rocker when the child transitions from an infant to a toddler. Continuing developments and improvements are sought in the field of child seats and rockers that accommodate the seating position of both infants and toddlers.
It is to the provision of a convertible rocker meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARYIn example embodiments, the present invention provides a convertible child seat or support device having a rocker and an adjustable support frame. The convertible rocker generally comprises a frame and attached child support assembly. The convertible rocker is configured to support an infant in a generally supine position and a toddler in an inclined position. In example embodiments, the frame includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle of incline of the backrest of the child support assembly between an infant position and a toddler position. In other embodiments, the child support assembly is configured to support a child in both an infant and toddler position based on the child's orientation in the child support assembly.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a convertible seat and rocking apparatus comprising a frame and a child support assembly. The frame comprises at least one rocking element and the frame is configured to rest on a support surface. The child support assembly has a head end, a foot end, and a back rest portion. The child support assembly is coupled to the frame and the back rest portion is supported at an angle relative to the support surface. The frame comprises at least one adjustable feature configured to adjust the support angle of the back rest portion between an infant support position and a toddler support position.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a convertible seat and rocking apparatus comprising at least one frame member, a child support assembly, and a kickstand. The at least one U-shaped frame member comprises at least one rocking element configured to rest on a support surface. The child support assembly has a head end, a foot end, and a back rest portion. The child support assembly is coupled to the frame and the back rest portion is supported at an angle relative to the support surface. The kickstand is repositionally coupled the frame for repositioning between an extended position preventing rocking motion of the apparatus and a retracted position allowing rocking motion. The back rest portion is repositionable between a supine infant support position and an inclined toddler support position.
In still another aspect, the invention relates to a seat and rocker apparatus comprising a frame and a child support assembly. The frame comprises at least one rocking element configured to rest on a support surface. The child support assembly has a front end, a rear end, and a two sides, wherein the child support assembly has a lengthwise axis extending between the front end and the rear end and has a widthwise axis extending between the sides. The child support assembly is coupled to the frame. A child positioned in the child support assembly along the widthwise axis is supported in an infant, supine position and a child positioned in the child support assembly along the lengthwise axis is supported in a toddler, inclined position.
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 example embodiments are explanatory of example 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 example embodiments 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.
With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,
In the depicted example embodiment, the frame 20 comprises first and second side members 22, 24 attached at a rear hub 26. In example embodiments, the side members 22, 24 have a generally triangular shape when the rocker 10 is viewed from the side as in
Each side member 22, 24 also includes a child support portion 30 extending between a front end of each rocker portion 28 and the rear hub 26. The child support portion 30 is also convexly curved. However, whereas the rocker portions 28 are curved at a relatively uniform angle, whereas the peak of the curve is generally centered along the rocker portion, the curve of the child support portions 30 is off-center or skewed. In the depicted embodiment, the peak 32 of the curve of the child support portion 30 is skewed toward the front or foot end 12 of the rocker 10. In other words, the angle of the front end 12 of the child support portion 30 relative to the support surface S is larger than the rear end 14 of the child support portion relative to the support surface. Differently put, the length of the child support portion 30 o the frame between the front end and the peak 32 is shorter that the length between the peak and the rear hub 26. The skewed curve of the child support portions 30 creates the triangular or tear-shape to the side members 22, 24 as shown in
The frame 20 also includes a back rest member 40 pivotally attached to the first and second side members 22, 24. In the depicted embodiment, the back rest member 40 is U-shaped with each end attached to the child support portion 30 of the first and second side members. The back rest member 40 provides support for the head end 14 of the child support assembly 80. Generally, the angle of the back rest member 40 relative to the child support portions 30 is adjustable in order to adjust the angle of the back rest 82 of the child support assembly 80. In the depicted embodiment, the ends of back rest member 40 are attached to pivot hubs 36 integrally formed in the armrests 34. The pivot hubs 36 include a releasable locking mechanism, such as a push button locking mechanism, configured to hold the back rest portion 40 in at least two support angles. The first back rest portion 40 support angle, shown in
The frame 20 can also include stop surfaces configured to prevent the rocker 10 from rocking past a prescribed angle. The depicted embodiment includes a stop surface 50 on each of the first and second side members. The stop surfaces 50 are positioned at the front end of the child support portions 30. Example embodiments also include a stop surface 52 positioned on the rear hub 26. The frame can also include a bridge 60 formed from a plate attached between the front ends 12 of the child support portions 30 of the first and second side members 22, 24. The bridge 60 provides rigidity to the frame 20. The bridge 60 can also house one or more electronic features and controls. For example a vibration unit 62 can be mounted on the bridge 60. Various other features may optionally be provided, for example an audio unit, automatic rocker, heater, lights, a control unit, wired or wireless connections to a remote control device, cell phone, computer or other electronic device and/or other electronic features. The frame can also include a kickstand 70 discussed further below.
The rocker frame 20 can be disassembled for packaging and storage, as shown in
In the depicted embodiment, the armrest 34, shown in detail in
The frame 20 optionally further comprises a kickstand or brace component 70, shown in detail in
While the invention has been described with reference to 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 convertible seat and rocking apparatus comprising:
- a frame comprising at least one rocking element, wherein the frame is configured to rest on a support surface; and
- a child support assembly having a head end, a foot end, and a back rest portion, wherein the child support assembly is coupled to the frame, and wherein the back rest portion is supported at an angle relative to the support surface;
- wherein the frame comprises at least one adjustable feature configured to adjust the support angle of the back rest portion between an infant support position and a toddler support position.
2. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one rocking element has a first convex curvature in a first dimension and a second convex curvature in a second dimension, wherein the second dimension is offset from the first dimension.
3. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises first and second triangular-shaped side members, wherein one side of each side member includes a rocking apparatus.
4. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of the first and second triangular-shaped side members comprises an armrest.
5. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 4, wherein each armrest includes a sidewall positioned between the side member and the child support assembly.
6. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one adjustable feature comprises a U-shaped back rest support bar having two ends, wherein the first end of the back rest support bar is pivotally coupled to the armrest of the first side member and the second end of the back rest support bar is pivotally coupled to the armrest of the second side member.
7. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a kickstand pivotally coupled for repositioning between an extended position preventing rocking motion of the apparatus and a retracted position allowing rocking motion.
8. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 3, wherein the frame further comprises a bridge coupled between the first and second side members.
9. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 3, wherein a first side of the triangular shaped side members comprises a rocker portion configured to rest on a support surface.
10. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 9, wherein a second and a third side of the triangular shaped side members comprises a child support portion configured to support the child support assembly above the support surface.
11. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second side and third side of the triangular shaped side members are not equal length.
12. A convertible seat and rocker apparatus comprising:
- At least one U-shaped frame member comprising at least one rocking element configured to rest on a support surface;
- a child support assembly having a head end, a foot end, and a back rest portion, wherein the child support assembly is coupled to the frame, and wherein the back rest portion is supported at an angle relative to the support surface; and
- a kickstand repositionally coupled the frame for repositioning between an extended position preventing rocking motion of the apparatus and a retracted position allowing rocking motion;
- wherein the back rest portion is repositionable between a supine infant support position and an inclined toddler support position.
13. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 12, wherein the kickstand comprises an L-shaped member.
14. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 13, wherein a proximal end of the L-shaped member is pivotally coupled to an end of the at least one U-shaped frame member, wherein the L-shaped member has a free, distal end.
15. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 14, wherein in the retracted position, the free end of the L-shaped member is pointed away from the support surface and in the extended position, the free end of the L-shaped member is pointed toward and engages with the support surface.
16. The convertible seat and rocking apparatus of claim 14, wherein the length of the free end of the L-shaped member is adjustable, wherein adjusting the length of the free end of the L-shaped member in the extended position adjust the angle of support for back rest portion of the child support assembly.
17. A seat and rocker apparatus comprising:
- a frame comprising at least one rocking element configured to rest on a support surface; and
- a child support assembly having a front end, a rear end, and a first and second side, wherein the child support assembly has a lengthwise axis extending between the front end and the rear end and has a widthwise axis extending between the first side and the second side, wherein the child support assembly is coupled to the frame;
- wherein a child positioned in the child support assembly along the widthwise axis is supported in an infant, supine position; and
- wherein a child positioned in the child support assembly along the lengthwise axis is supported in a toddler, inclined position.
18. The seat and rocker apparatus of claim 17, wherein the child support assembly is formed from a bowl having a peripheral sidewall wherein the peripheral sidewall has a height at the front end, the rear end, and the first and second sides of the child support assembly.
19. The seat and rocker apparatus of claim 18, wherein the height of the peripheral sidewall at the front end of the child support assembly is lower than the height of the peripheral sidewall at the first and second sides of the child support assembly.
20. The seat and rocker apparatus of claim 18, wherein the height of the peripheral sidewall at the rear end of the child support assembly is higher than the height of the peripheral sidewall at the first and second sides of the child support assembly.
21. The seat and rocker apparatus of claim 17, wherein the child support assembly is pivotally coupled to the frame such that the orientation of the child support assembly relative to the rocking element can be adjusted.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 10, 2017
Publication Date: Apr 12, 2018
Applicant: KIDS II, INC. (Atlanta, GA)
Inventors: Avelina KAPANZHI (Atlanta, GA), Trevor MAST (Atlanta, GA), Jacob SCLARE (Dacula, GA)
Application Number: 15/728,960