INFANT SLEEP STRUCTURE ROCKING DEVICE AND STRETCHER ASSEMBLY
A rocking device attachable to an infant sleep structure is disclosed. The rocking device includes a main body having a curved rocking edge. The rocking device also includes an actuator mounted on the main body. The rocking device further includes at least one stabilizing leg mounted on the main body. The actuator includes arms connecting to the at least one stabilizing leg. When in use, the actuator is configured to actuate the at least one stabilizing leg at a deployed position to prevent the rocking device from rocking, or to actuate the at least one stabilizing leg at a non-deployed position to permit rocking. Also a stretcher assembly for stretching a play yard mattress is disclosed. The stretcher assembly includes an adjustment sleeve. The adjustment sleeve is configured to deploy the stretcher sleeve to an expanded state or a stretched state.
This disclosure relates generally to an infant sleep structure. More specifically, the disclosure relates to rocking devices attachable to an infant sleep structure, and a stretcher assembly for stretching a mattress of the infant sleep structure.
BACKGROUNDParents have long sought ways to comfort and soothe their infants or children in an attempt to get them to sleep faster. Motions such as rocking and swaying have proven effective in helping an infant or a child nod off more quickly.
SUMMARYThe rocking devices described herein relate to a means of permitting a soothing rocking and/or swaying motion for an infant or a child sleeping in a bed or other sleep structure in which an infant may be sleeping. The rocking devices are attachable to each end of an infant sleep structure in which an infant may sleep, which infant sleep structure does not normally have rocking capability. By attaching the rocking devices to the infant sleep structure, the infant sleep structure is provided with rocking capability. The infant sleep structure can be an infant play yard or playpen, a bassinet, a Moses basket, a carry cot, a crib or any other infant structure without rocking capability and for which a caregiver may wish to provide rocking capability. In some embodiments, the infant sleep structure may be portable.
In one embodiment, each of the rocking devices includes a rocking means that is removably attachable to an infant sleep structure to permit soothing rocking and/or swaying motion of the infant sleep structure, a selectively deployable stabilizing means to prevent rocking of the infant sleep structure when desired, and a means to removably connect the rocking means to the infant sleep structure. In another embodiment, the rocking devices can be built into or be integrally formed with the infant sleep structure, rather than being removably attachable.
In one embodiment, each rocking means can include a main rocker body with a curved floor-engaging surface that in use rests on the floor to permit the rocking motion. In one embodiment, the selectively deployable stabilizing means can include an actuator and at least one stabilizing leg. In one embodiment, the means to removably connect the rocking means to the infant sleep structure can be at least one connector.
Two of the rocking devices described herein are connected to two opposing sides or ends of the infant sleep structure. The rocking devices can be substantially identical to one another.
In one embodiment, a rocking device attachable to an infant sleep structure is disclosed. The rocking device includes a main body having a curved rocking edge. The rocking device also includes at least one connector mounted on the main body and configured to removably mount the rocking device to the infant sleep structure. The rocking device further includes an actuator mounted on the main body. Also the rocking device includes at least one stabilizing leg mounted on the main body and connected to the actuator. The at least one stabilizing leg has a non-deployed position that permits rocking of the rocking device, and a deployed position that prevents rocking of the rocking device. The actuator is connected to the at least one stabilizing leg to actuate the at least one stabilizing leg between the non-deployed position and the deployed position.
In one embodiment, a stretcher assembly for stretching a play yard mattress is disclosed. The stretcher assembly includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are connected to one another by a hinge to allow folding of the stretcher assembly. The first portion includes a sleeve that is movable relative to the second portion between an unlocked position and a locked position. At the locked position the sleeve is positioned closer to the second portion than at the unlocked position. At the locked position, the sleeve covers the hinge. The stretcher assembly also includes a lock mechanism on the second portion that releasably locks the sleeve at the locked position.
Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
References are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this disclosure and which illustrate the embodiments in which systems and methods described in this specification can be practiced.
Like reference numbers represent like parts throughout.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe rocking devices disclosed herein can turn an infant sleep structure into an infant rocker. The rocking devices can increase the functionality of the infant sleep structure and provide parents with new options for use of the infant sleep structure. When an infant sleep structure is used for napping, some children find it difficult to fall asleep without movement. The rocking devices described herein can allow the option for gently rocking the child to sleep when the child is on the infant sleep structure.
In one embodiment, the rocking devices described herein are add-on devices that are removably attachable to opposite ends or opposite sides of an infant sleep structure that does not normally have rocking capability. When attached, the rocking devices provide the infant sleep structure with rocking capability.
The rocking device 10 includes a main body 12. The main body 12 has a curved rocking edge 14 that during use rests on the floor to permit a soothing rocking and/or swaying motion of the infant sleep structure 16. It will be appreciated that the curve of the curved rocking edge 14 can be an arc of a circular sector or any other suitable curve that permits a soothing rocking and/or swaying motion.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, the curved rocking edge 14 of the main body 12 can be made of material that is the same as the main body 12. In another embodiment, the curved rocking edge 14 of the main body 12 can be made of material that is different from the main body 12. For example, the curved rocking edge 14 can be formed by a layer or bead of material that is fixed to the curved edge of the main body 12. It will be appreciated that the material of the curved rocking edge 14 of the main body 12 is selected to prevent scratching of the floor, for example hardwood, tile, linoleum or the like, or other surface that the curved rocking edge 14 is engaged with. It will also be appreciated that the material of the curved rocking edge 14 of the main body 12 can be selected to prevent wear and tear over time when the rocking device 10 is placed on, for example, a tiled floor or a floor with a rough surface. It will further be appreciated that the material of the curved rocking edge 14 of the main body 12 can reduce friction and/or provide a smooth motion when the rocking device 10 is used on, for example, a carpeted floor.
The rocking device 10 further includes at least one stabilizing leg 20 that is selectively deployable between a retracted or non-deployed position (shown in
As shown in
Referring to
As shown in
As illustrated in
The material of the actuator 22 and the stabilizing legs 20 of the rocking device 10 can be wood, metal, plastic, rubber or any suitable material that allows the stabilizing legs 20 to prevent all or most rocking motion of the rocking device 10. In one embodiment, the stabilizing legs 20 can be made of material that is the same as the actuator 22. In another embodiment, the stabilizing legs 20 can be made of material that is different from the actuator 22.
It will be appreciated that the material of the stabilizing legs 20 is selected to prevent scratching of the floor, made of hardwood, tile, linoleum or the like, or other surface that the stabilizing legs 20 are engaged with when deployed to prevent rocking motion. It will also be appreciated that the material of the stabilizing legs 20 can be selected to prevent wear and tear over time when the rocking device 10 is placed on, for example, a tiled floor or a floor with a rough surface.
In one embodiment, the actuator 22 can be actuated between the positions shown in
In one embodiment, a releasable lock mechanism (not shown) can be provided to retain the actuator 22 at the upper position and/or at the lower position in the groove 24. The lock mechanism can prevent unintentional movement of the actuator 22 when the actuator is at the upper position or at the lower position in the groove 24. In another embodiment, a lock mechanism is not provided; instead, friction can be used to retain the actuator 22 at the desired positions.
In one embodiment, a biasing mechanism such as a spring (not shown) can be provided that acts on the actuator 22. The biasing mechanism can serve to bias the actuator 22 either toward the upper position shown in
The rocking device 10 further includes at least one connector 30 that is configured to removably connect the rocking device 10 to the infant sleep structure 16. The connector(s) 30 can have any construction suitable for removably connecting the rocking device 10 to the infant sleep structure 16. In the example illustrated in
As illustrated in
The material of the connectors 30 of the rocking device 10 can be metal, plastic, or any suitable material that allows the connectors 30 to support the weight of the infant sleep structure 16 to which the rocking device 10 connects.
In one embodiment, the positions of the connector(s) 30 may be adjustable in order to accommodate different shapes and sizes of the infant sleep structure 16. For example, in one embodiment, the horizontal locations of the connector(s) 30 on the main body 12 may be adjustable to accommodate different widths of the infant sleep structure 16 (i.e., different leg spacing). In another embodiment, the vertical locations of the connector(s) 30 on the main body 12 may be adjustable to accommodate different heights (from the bottom of the legs 36 to the lowest supporting surface of the infant sleep structure 16) of the legs 36. In another embodiment, both the horizontal locations and the vertical locations of the connector(s) 30 on the main body 12 may be adjustable.
In one embodiment, there could be a means (for example, a fastener or adhesive material) for tightening the connectors 30 to the legs 36. In another embodiment, the infant sleep structure 16 may have wheels or other structures instead of or at the ends of the legs 36, in which case the connectors 30 can be configured to hold the wheels/legs to removably connect the rocking device 10 to the infant sleep structure 16.
As shown in
Also the rocking device 100 includes at least one (e.g., two) connector 135 mounted on the main body 105. The at least one connector 135 is configured to removably mount the rocking device 100 to the infant sleep structure 190. It will be appreciated that the infant sleep structure 190 can be, e.g., the infant sleep structure 16 of
The curved rocking edge 110 of the main body 105 is designed to rest on the floor and permit a soothing rocking and/or swaying motion. It will be appreciated that the curve of the curved rocking edge 110 can be an arc of a circular sector, an arc of a segment, or any other suitable curve that permits a soothing rocking and/or swaying motion.
The main body 105 connects to the at least one stabilizing leg 120 via the at least one connector 135. The main body 105 is rotatable in a clockwise and/or counter-clockwise direction. The actuator 115 can be used to actuate the rocking device 100 between the deployed position (shown in
The actuator 115 includes a handle 140, a hinge 145, and the arms 125, 130. The handle 140 is located at and perpendicular to a side 150 of the actuator 115. In one embodiment, the handle 140 extends perpendicular to a plane formed by the hinge 145 and the arms 125, 130. The handle 140 is configured to allow a user to use his/her foot to actuate the rocking device 100 between the rocking and the deployed positions thereby eliminating the need for the user to bend down or use his/her hand(s) to actuate the rocking device 100. The handle 140 can have a substantially flat surface so that the handle 140 can be pressed down and/or pulled up by a user's foot or hand.
In one embodiment, the handle 140 and the hinge 145 of the actuator 115 are integrally formed as one component. The arms 125, 130 are movably connected to the hinge 145. The proximal ends of the arms 125, 130 connect to the hinge 145. In one embodiment, a middle portion of the hinge 145 connects to the proximal ends of the arms 125, 130. Each of the arms 125, 130 is movable at the proximal end of each arm 125, 130. The distal ends of the arms 125, 130 connect to the at least one stabilizing leg 120. In one embodiment, each of the distal ends of the arms 125, 130 connect to a middle portion of the corresponding stabilizing leg 120. A first end of the at least one stabilizing leg 120 fixedly connects to the at least one connector 135. The at least one stabilizing leg 120 is rotatable along an axis at the middle portion of the at least one stabilizing leg 120.
In one embodiment, an end of the hinge 145 fixedly connects to one of the arms 125, 130. As shown in
As shown in
The rocking device 100 can be made of metal or any other suitable materials. The at least one stabilizing leg 120 has an end for engaging with the floor. The material of the second end of the at least one stabilizing leg 120 can be selected to prevent scratching of the floor, made of hardwood, tile, linoleum or the like or other surface that the end is engaged with when the rocking device 100 is in the deployed position. The material of the curved rocking edge 110 can be selected to prevent scratching of the floor, made of hardwood, tile, linoleum or the like, or other surface that the curved rocking edge 110 of the main body 105 is engaged with. The material of the main body 105 can be wood, metal, plastic, rubber or any suitable material that allows the main body 105 to support the weight of the infant sleep structure to which the rocking device 100 connects.
Referring to
As shown in
As shown in
When in use, the grooves of the holder 170 match the shapes of the frame 155 and/or the connect portion 160 of the infant sleep structure 190, and hold the frame 155 and/or the connect portion 160 of the infant sleep structure 190. The leg 195 of the infant sleep structure 190 can partially pass through the gap 165 and be retained in the gap 165. The connect portion 160 of the infant sleep structure 190 can have a hole. The extension 180 of the holder 170 can have a hole. The pin 185 can pass through the hole of the connect portion 160 and the hole of the extension 180, and fixedly connects the connector 135 (and thus the rocking device 100) to the infant sleep structure 190.
It will be appreciated that the main body 175, the holder 170, and the extension 180 of the connector 135 can be integrated as a single piece or be separate components. The material of the connector 135 can be wood, metal, plastic, rubber or any suitable material that allows the connector 135 to support the weight of the infant sleep structure 190 to which the rocking device 100 connects.
Referring to
Referring to
A comfortable yet air-permeable sleep surface is desirable for an infant to sleep on. If the sleep surface is comfortable, the child may potentially sleep better. A play yard mattress with a comfortable sleep surface can be used for the infant to sleep on. The play yard mattress also needs to be firm and breathable.
Comfort can typically be achieved by using soft materials. However, a soft sleep surface can sometimes be considered dangerous if, for example, the infant rolls to a prone position and buries his/her face into the soft material. Carbon dioxide, trapped by soft bedding materials, can build to lethal levels around the infant's nose and mouth causing suffocation or “positional asphyxia”. A highly air permeable sleep surface can help disperse accumulated carbon dioxide, eliminating or minimize the lethal rebreathing of the carbon dioxide. Using a loosely woven mesh material without any filler material can be preferred to accomplish the goal of dispersing accumulated carbon dioxide. The mesh material needs to be made taut enough to be used as a sleep surface, which requires that the mesh material be stretched across a rigid frame.
The play yard mattress can be made of mesh material/fabric. The play yard mattress can also be made of other breathable fabrics that increase the breathability of the mattress. Using mesh material or other breathable fabrics can create a breathable and light-weight mattress. Mesh material can lower the possibility of accidental suffocation. In addition, if a fluid is spilled on the play yard mattress, the fluid can leak through the mesh and onto the floor, thus aiding in drying of the play yard mattress. In one embodiment, the mesh material can include nylon or polyester screen material or other similar materials.
When in use, the play yard mattress needs to be stretched tight. In one embodiment, the play yard mattress can include a frame that can hold the shape of the play yard mattress. A stretcher assembly disclosed herein can stretch the play yard mattress over the frame in a way that the play yard mattress can be made tauter when the play yard mattress stretches over time. The stretcher assembly can also allow the frame to easily collapse for storage or transportation.
As shown in
The play yard mattress 300 has an upper surface (not shown) and a lower surface 320. The play yard mattress 300 can include a frame 305. The frame 305 can form, for example, a rectangular shape. The frame 305 has two sides 310 and two ends 315. In one embodiment, at a location at or near the middle of each of the two sides 310 of the frame 305, each of the two frame connectors 205, 206 of the stretcher assembly 200 can respectively connect to the frame 305 at the lower surface of the play yard mattress 300. Each of the two frame connectors 205, 206 connects to each of the two curved connectors 210, 211, respectively. Each of the two curved connectors 210, 211 connects to each of the two connection bars 215, 220, respectively. The two frame connectors 205, 206 are generally perpendicular to the two connection bars 215, 220. The hinge 250 connects the two connection bars 215, 220. The hinge 250 is configured to allow folding or unfolding of the play yard mattress 300.
Referring to
The distal end of the connection bar 220 connects to the curved connector 211. The proximal end of the connection bar 220 connects to a second guide rib 260 on the first portion 280. The second guide rib 260 can have a substantially flat surface. Two sides of the second guide rib 260 extend beyond a peripheral surface of the connection bar 220. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, only one side of the second guide rib 260 extends beyond a peripheral surface of the connection bar 220. In one embodiment, the proximal end of the connection bar 220 fixedly connects to a middle portion of the second guide rib 260. In one embodiment, the second guide rib 260 divides the connection bar 220 into two symmetrical halves in a cross sectional view (not shown). An end of the second guide rib 260 extends beyond the proximal end of the connection bar 220. The end of the second guide rib 260 movably connects to a second end of the hinge 250.
The connection bar 215 (and the first guide rib 255) is movable at the first end of the hinge 250. At the first end of the hinge 250, the connection bar 215 is rotatable along an axis perpendicular to the flat surface of the first guide rib 255. The connection bar 220 (and the second guide rib 260) is movable at the second end of the hinge 250. At the second end of the hinge 250, the connection bar 220 is rotatable along an axis perpendicular to the flat surface of the second guide rib 260.
In
The sleeve 230 is a hollow structure that the connection bar 220 can pass through. The sleeve 230 includes at least one interior groove. The shape of the at least one interior groove generally matches the shape of the first and second guide ribs 255, 260, so that the sleeve 230 can slide along the first and second guide ribs 255, 260. The at least one interior groove is engageable with the guide rib 260 on the first portion 280 and with the guide rib 255 on the second portion 285 to guide movement of the sleeve 230 between the unlocked position and the locked position. In operation, the sleeve 230 can slide along the connection bar 220 in the longitudinal direction of the connection bar 220. The sleeve 230 can also rotate along the axis of the connection bar 220. When the sleeve 230 slides toward the second guide rib 260, the sleeve 230 can be rotated so that the side(s) of the second guide rib 260 can be inserted in the at least one interior groove of the sleeve 230 (see
A biasing mechanism (e.g., a spring, see 270 in
In operation, after the sleeve 230 passes the first guide rib 255 and slide towards the lock button 235 (see
It will be appreciated that when the lock button 235 engages with the lock hole 245, even if the lock button 235 is pressed down again, a mechanism (not shown) inside the sleeve 230 prevents the sleeve 230 from sliding further away from the connection bar 220. In such case, when the lock button 235 engages with the lock hole 245, if the lock button 235 is pressed down again, the sleeve 230 can slide back toward the connection bar 220, and the stretcher assembly 200 is at the unlocked position. The sleeve 230 is movable relative to the second portion 285 between the unlocked position and the locked position. The lock button 235 on the second portion 285 can releasably lock the sleeve 230 at the locked position.
It will be appreciated that the as shown in
As shown in
When the adjustment sleeve 225 is rotated and move toward the lock button 235, the length of the second portion 285 decreases and the paly yard mattress is loosened, and the stretcher assembly 200 is changed from a stretched state to the expanded state. The stop mechanism 240 can prevent the adjustment sleeve 225 from moving further towards the lock button 235 to avoid under tighten.
When the adjustment sleeve 225 is rotated and move away from the lock button 235, the length of the second portion 285 increases, and the play yard mattress is stretched (or tightened), and the stretcher assembly 200 is changed from an expanded state to the stretched state. A biasing mechanism (e.g., a spring, see 275 in
The connection bar 215 can include an indicator 290. The indicator 290 can indicate when the stretcher assembly 200 in a stretched state, by, for example, showing a color. The indicator 290 can indicate when the stretcher assembly 200 in an expanded state (or non-stretched state), by, for example, showing a color different from the stretched state.
In operation, the stretcher assembly 200 can be changed from a stretched state to the expanded state (but not fully stretched or tightened yet) as shown in
The terminology used in this specification is intended to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms as well, unless clearly indicated otherwise. The terms “includes” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components.
With regard to the preceding description, it is to be understood that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of the construction materials employed and the shape, size, and arrangement of parts, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The word “embodiment” as used within this specification may, but does not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. This specification and the embodiments described are examples only. Other and further embodiments may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof.
Claims
1. A rocking device attachable to an infant sleep structure, the rocking device comprising:
- a main body having a curved rocking edge;
- at least one connector mounted on the main body and configured to removably mount the rocking device to the infant sleep structure;
- an actuator mounted on the main body;
- at least one stabilizing leg mounted on the main body and connected to the actuator, the at least one stabilizing leg having a non-deployed position that permits rocking of the rocking device, and a deployed position that prevents rocking of the rocking device, and the actuator is connected to the at least one stabilizing leg to actuate the at least one stabilizing leg between the non-deployed position and the deployed position.
2. The rocking device according to claim 1, wherein at the deployed position, the at least one stabilizing leg extends beyond the curved rocking edge.
3. The rocking device according to claim 1, further comprising two of the stabilizing legs mounted on the main body and connected to the actuator.
4. The rocking device according to claim 1, further comprising two of the connectors mounted on the main body.
5. The rocking device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one stabilizing leg is mounted on a first side of the main body, and the at least one connector is mounted on a second side of the main body; and the actuator is mounted on the first side of the main body.
6. The rocking device according to claim 3, wherein the actuator further comprises two arms that are connected to the stabilizing legs; the arms are disposed at angle relative to one another when the stabilizing legs are at the non-deployed position, and the arms are parallel to one another when the stabilizing legs are at the deployed position.
7. The rocking device according to claim 1, wherein at the non-deployed position, the at least one stabilizing leg does not extend beyond the curved rocking edge.
8. The rocking device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a handle, the handle extends in a direction perpendicular to a side of the actuator.
9. An infant sleep structure, comprising:
- a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- a first rocking device in accordance with claim 1 removably connected to the first end; and
- a second rocking device in accordance with claim 1 removably connected to the second end.
10. A stretcher assembly for stretching a play yard mattress, the stretcher assembly comprising:
- a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion are connected to one another by a hinge to allow folding of the stretcher assembly;
- the first portion including a sleeve that is movable relative to the second portion between an unlocked position and a locked position, at the locked position the sleeve is positioned closer to the second portion than at the unlocked position;
- at the locked position, the sleeve covers the hinge; and
- a lock mechanism on the second portion that releasably locks the sleeve at the locked position.
11. The stretcher assembly according to claim 10, wherein:
- the second portion includes an adjustment sleeve that is configured to adjust the length of the second portion; and
- the second portion includes a stop mechanism that limits movement of the adjustment sleeve toward the lock mechanism.
12. The stretcher assembly according to claim 10, wherein the lock mechanism comprises a lock button on the second portion, and a lock hole formed in the sleeve.
13. The stretcher assembly according to claim 10, wherein:
- the first portion includes at least one guide rib thereon;
- the second portion includes at least one guide rib thereon;
- the sleeve includes at least one interior groove that is engageable with the at least one guide rib on the first portion and with the at least one guide rib on the second portion to guide movement of the sleeve between the unlocked position and the locked position.
14. A play yard, comprising:
- a mattress having a lower surface, a first side, and a second side; and
- the stretcher assembly of claim 10 having a first end connected to the first side at the lower surface of the mattress and a second end connected to the second side at the lower surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 27, 2018
Publication Date: May 30, 2019
Inventor: William Schmid (Minnetonka, MN)
Application Number: 16/201,228