The present invention relates to an infant support structure and, in particular, to an infant support structure that includes an entertainment portion or mechanism.
Infant support structures are used to support an infant or child. Typically, infant support structures include a frame and a seat or support portion on or in which the infant or child can be placed. Many conventional infant support structures do not include any entertainment objects or elements that can provide amusement or entertainment or interaction for the child on the support structure. In addition, conventional infant support structures lack entertainment objects that produce an output in response to actuation or engagement by the child.
Thus, it is desirable to provide an infant support structure that includes an entertainment portion that is actuated in response to input from a child, thereby enhancing the enjoyment of the child on the support structure.
The present invention is directed to an infant support structure. In one embodiment, the infant support structure includes a frame that has an activity portion or tray area that is located proximate to a seat in which an infant can be placed. The seat is rotatable so that the infant can view and play with different elements in the activity portion. The infant support structure includes an entertainment mechanism that has several movable elements or components coupled to the frame. A drive mechanism is connected to the movable elements and configured so that the drive mechanism moves the movable elements when the drive mechanism is activated. The infant support structure includes at least one input mechanism or switch that can be activated by a child to provide the input to activate the drive mechanism to move the movable elements.
In one embodiment, an infant support structure, comprises a frame including a seat and an activity portion, the seat being configured to support an infant, the activity portion being located proximate to the seat; and an entertainment mechanism coupled to the activity portion, the entertainment portion includes a drive mechanism and an entertainment mechanism, the drive mechanism being actuated by an infant in the seat.
In an alternative embodiment, the entertainment mechanism includes a movable element connected to the drive mechanism and an input switch coupled to the movable element, and the movement of the movable element by the infant actuates the input switch and activates the drive mechanism.
In another embodiment, the movable element is a first movable element, the entertainment mechanism includes a second movable element, and when activated, the drive mechanism causes the second movable element to move.
In another embodiment, the entertainment mechanism includes several movable elements coupled to the frame in the activity portion, and activation of the drive mechanism causes each of the movable elements to move relative to the frame.
In one embodiment, some of the movable elements are connected to each other via transmission mechanisms, such as endless belts, and pulleys.
In another embodiment, some of the movable elements are connected to each other via teeth on gears.
In another embodiment, the seat of the infant support structure includes a set of teeth and the movement mechanism connected to the movable elements of the entertainment mechanism is engaged with the teeth of the seat. In this configuration, rotation of the seat by an infant causes rotation or other movement of the movable elements relative to the frame.
In one embodiment, the activity portion is located around the seat.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
The terms “entertainment object,” “entertainment element,” “entertainment component,” “movable object,” “movable element,” and “play items” are used interchangeably herein to refer to an object that can move, generate an output (whether visual or audible), be engaged by a child, and/or otherwise provide entertainment for a child. The terms “child” and “infant” are used interchangeably herein as well. The term “infant support structure” is used to refer to any frame or structure that is used to support an infant or child. For example, the infant support structure can be a swing, a high chair, a booster, a bouncer, an entertainer, a walker, a jumperoo, or other structure that can be used to support an infant or child.
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The frame 20 includes a seat 32 that is supported by the upper portion 22. In one embodiment, the seat 32 is rotatably mounted on the upper portion 22 so that a child located in the receptacle 34 of the seat 32 can pivot or rotate the seat 32 relative to the rest of the frame 20. As a result, the child in the seat 32 can turn and change the part of the upper portion 22 that is in front of the child.
In this embodiment, the upper portion 22 has an upper surface or side 30 that has several play items or components coupled thereto with which a child can play. Referring to
In addition, the infant support structure 10 includes an entertainment portion or section 100 that has several different portions or components that move relative to the activity surface 22. Referring to
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Mechanism 300 includes a platform 310 that is rotatably mounted in another opening 38 in the activity portion 22. A stand or wall 320 is mounted on the platform 310. In addition, toy figures 330 and 340 are coupled to the platform 310 as well and are located on opposite sides of the wall 320. As the platform 310 spins or rotates about a vertical axis, the toy figures 330 and 340 are alternately visible to the child in the seat 32.
Mechanism 400 includes a housing 410 that is coupled to the activity portion 22. The housing 410 has an upper surface 412 with openings 414 and 416 formed therein. Mechanism 400 includes objects or figures 420 and 422 that are mounted in the openings 414 and 416 are movable relative to the housing 410. As described in detail below, the objects 420 and 422 move up and down in an alternating manner.
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Pulley 524 is connected to pulley 522 such that the pulleys 522 and 524 rotate at the same time. Referring to
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Located beneath mechanism 300 is a lower plate 350 and a pulley 360 that is coupled or connected to platform 310. The pulley 360 is mounted for rotation about axle 365 and includes a groove in which belt 534 is engaged. As pulley 240 rotates, the belt 534 rotates and causes pulley 360 to rotate as well, which imparts rotation to platform 310 about the axis defined by axle 365.
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The drive mechanism 500 also includes a lever 370 that is pivotally mounted to the activity portion 22. The lever 370 includes a pair of arms 372 that is engaged with a pair of slots or notches 368 formed in side walls 366. The lever 370 is mounted for movement relative to the activity portion 22 about the arms 372. The lever 370 has opposite ends as well. One end 371 of the lever 370 is located in the opening 354 and is in engagement or contact with the flange portion 312 of the platform 310. As the shape of the flange portion 312 varies, the lever end 371 in engagement therewith moves, thereby causing the lever 370 to pivot about the arms 372. At the opposite end of the lever 370 is a bar 374 that extends outwardly.
Another lever 380 is pivotally mounted to the activity portion 22. This lever 380 includes a pair of arms 386 that are engaged with notches 369 formed in walls 367. The arms 386 define a pivot axis about which the lever 380 pivots. Lever 380 includes an engagement portion 382 that defines a passageway 384 into which an end of arm 374 is located. As lever 370 pivots about its pivot axis, the engagement of arm 374 with portion 382 causes lever 380 to pivot about its pivot axis. The lever 380 also includes a post 388 extending therefrom on which a biasing mechanism 385, such as a spring, is mounted.
When a lower housing portion (not shown) of the activity portion 22 is coupled to the upper housing portion (shown in
The various movements of the components of the drive mechanism 500 are illustrated in
When the portion of the flange 312 in engagement with the lever end 371 is smaller, end 354 moves along the direction of arrow “F,” in part due to the force from biasing member 385. In particular, biasing member 385 biases lever 380 along the direction of arrow “I,” which causes the connection between levers 370 and 380 to move along the direction of arrow “H.” As a result, lever 370 moves along the direction of arrow “G,” which is permitted by the change in the dimension of the flange 312 with which the lever end 371 is engaged.
Thus, the platform 310 is continuously rotated as the motor 510 is driven. As the platform 310 rotates, the edge 314 in contact with lever 371 varies, which results in levers 370 and 380 moving in a see-saw manner due to the biasing force of spring 385. This movement results in the objects 420 and 422 moving up and down alternately as well.
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In addition, the electronic system includes several input switches 610, 612, 614, and 616 that are connected or coupled to various elements on the activity surface 22 with which a child can play and contact. In this embodiment, some of the elements include a forest or tree, a pond, a dog house, and a car. Each of the switches 610, 612, 614, and 616 is a push switch that is closed when the child engages and moves the corresponding element, such as a portion of or an object relative to the forest, the pond, the dog house, or the car. When the child moves an object, such as by swatting, slapping, hitting, moving, pushing, pulling, spinning, turning or otherwise engaging the object, the corresponding input switch is closed and the electronic system is activated.
The activation of the electronic system results in the motor 510 being driven for a period of time. In one embodiment, the activation of any of the switches 610, 612, 614, and 616 results in the motor 510 being driven for a predetermined period of time, such as 30 seconds. As the motor is activated, the drive mechanism 500 moves the movable portions of the entertainment mechanisms 200, 300, and 400 as described above. In another embodiment, the length of time that the motor 510 is driven after the actuation via an input switch varies. For example, actuation via one of the switches may result in a longer running time for the drive motor 510 than actuation via another one of the switches.
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The activity portion 720 includes several different mechanisms that are movably coupled to the activity portion 720. Each of the mechanisms 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, and 750 is mounted for rotation. Located in the activity portion 720 is a drive mechanism similar to drive mechanism 500 described above. The drive mechanism of the infant support structure 700 is connected to each of the mechanisms 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, and 750 so that as the drive mechanism is operated, each of the mechanisms 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, and 750 rotates as well.
In this embodiment, the drive mechanism of the infant support structure 700 does not include a motor to impart motion to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is connected to the seat 730 by a gear arrangement that engages a set of teeth located on the seat 730. As the seat 730 rotates, the seat 730 rotates an input gear of the drive mechanism as well. The input gear is connected to each of the gears and/or pulleys that are connected to the mechanisms 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, and 750. Accordingly, as the seat 730 rotates, each of the mechanisms 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, and 750 rotates as well. In one embodiment, the seat 730 is rotatable in opposite directions and the direction in which the seat 730 is rotated determines the direction of rotation of the mechanisms 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, and 750.
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.
It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation.
This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/535,651, entitled “Infant Support Structure with Entertainment Portion”, filed Sep. 16, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61535651 | Sep 2011 | US |