Patent Application
20230080213
The present disclosure is generally directed to children's products, and more particularly to systems, methods, and apparatuses for a children's swing.
Various children's swings are well-known in the art. A conventional children's swing is often configured to provide a parent or a user with the ability to move a seat portion of the children's swing back and forth so as to soothe a child when the child is disposed within the children's swing. Typically, a children's swing can include a component for swinging or a component for moving the children's swing such that the child disposed within the children's swing experiences a swinging movement. The components may be configured for automatic movement and/or manual movement.
In many conventional children's swings, it is desired for a children's swing to be configured for multiple multi-directional motions and to incorporate cry detection technology in order to assist with soothing a child. However, in many conventional children's swings, the children's swing may only be configured for a single motion. This solution is not preferred because this solution does not provide a variety of motions to assist a parent or a user in soothing a child. Further, in many conventional children's swings, the children's swing may not incorporate cry detection technology. This solution is not preferred because this solution requires a parent or a user to manually adjust the children's swing in response to a child crying while disposed within the children's swing.
In embodiments, the present disclosure describes a drive system for a children's swing product. The drive system may include a first set of tracks, a second set of tracks substantially parallel to the first set of tracks, and a carriage. The carriage may include a first bar having a first set of wheels configured to travel along the first set of tracks. The carriage may further include a second bar having a second set of wheels configured to travel along the second set of tracks. The carriage further includes a connector. A first end of the connector is mounted to the first bar and a distal second end of the connector is mounted to the second bar. The drive system may further include at least two permanent magnets mounted to the carriage and operable to further control movement of the carriage.
In embodiments, the present disclosure describes a children's swing product. The children's swing product may include a swing module, and a base module having an electromagnetic drive. The electromagnetic drive may include a first set of tracks, a second set of tracks substantially parallel to the first set of tracks, and a carriage. The carriage may include a first bar having a first set of wheels configured to travel along the first set of tracks, a second bar having a second set of wheels configured to travel along the second set of tracks, and a connector. A first portion of the connector may be mounted to the first bar and a distal second portion of the connector is mounted to the second bar. The children's swing product may further include at least two permanent magnets mounted to the carriage and operable to further control movement of the carriage.
In embodiments, the present disclosure describes a method for generating motion in a carriage for a children's swing product. The method may include providing an electromagnetic drive. The electromagnetic drive may include a first set of tracks, a second set of tracks substantially parallel to the first set of tracks, and a carriage. The carriage may include a first bar having a first set of wheels configured to travel along the first set of tracks, a second bar having a second set of wheels configured to travel along the second set of tracks, and a connector. A first portion of the connector is mounted to the first bar and a distal second end of the connector is mounted to the second bar. The electromagnetic drive may further include at least two permanent magnets mounted to the carriage and operable to further control movement of the carriage. The method may further include causing the electromagnetic drive to produce a movement of the carriage of the children's swing product.
In embodiments, the present disclosure describes a drive system for a children's swing product. The drive system may include a first set of tracks, a second set of tracks substantially parallel to the first set of tracks, and a carriage. The carriage may include a first bar having a first set of wheels configured to travel along the first set of tracks, a second bar having a second set of wheels configured to travel along the second set of tracks, and a connector. A first end of the connector may be mounted to the first bar and a distal second end of the connector may be mounted to the second bar. The drive system may further include a transmission operable to control movement of the carriage, and a drive wheel operable to receive power from the transmission and to drive the carriage.
In embodiments, the present disclosure describes a children's swing product. The produce may include a swing module, and a base module having a transmission drive. The transmission drive may include a first set of tracks, a second set of tracks substantially parallel to the first set of tracks, and a carriage. The carriage may include a first bar having a first set of wheels configured to travel along the first set of tracks, a second bar having a second set of wheels configured to travel along the second set of tracks, and a connector. A first portion of the connector may be mounted to the first bar and a distal second portion of the connector may be mounted to the second bar. The product may further include a transmission operable to control movement of the carriage, and a drive wheel operable to receive power from the transmission and to drive the carriage.
In embodiments, the present disclosure describes a method for generating motion in a carriage for a children's swing product. The method may include providing a transmission drive. The transmission drive may include a first set of tracks, a second set of tracks substantially parallel to the first set of tracks, and a carriage. The carriage may include a first bar having a first set of wheels configured to travel along the first set of tracks, a second bar having a second set of wheels configured to travel along the second set of tracks, and a connector. A first portion of the connector may be mounted to the first bar and a distal second end of the connector may be mounted to the second bar. The transmission drive may further include a transmission operable to control movement of the carriage, and a drive wheel operable to receive power from the transmission and to drive the carriage. The method may further include causing the transmission drive to produce a movement of the carriage of the children's swing product.
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.
This disclosure will now provide a more detailed and specific description that will refer to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and specific descriptions of the drawings, as well as any specific or other embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entirety of this disclosure.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. The concepts disclosed herein may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the concepts to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like, but not necessarily the same or identical elements throughout.
Certain relationships between features of the children's products, such as a children's swing, for example, are described herein using the term “substantially” or “substantially equal.” As used herein, the terms “substantially” and “substantially equal” indicate that the equal relationship is not a strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom. Unless context or the description indicates otherwise, the use of the term “substantially” or “substantially equal” in connection with two or more described dimensions indicates that the equal relationship between the dimensions includes variation that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit of the dimensions. As used herein, the term “substantially parallel” indicates that the parallel relationship is not a strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom. As used herein, the term “substantially orthogonal” or “substantially perpendicular” indicates that the orthogonal relationship is not a strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom.
This disclosure relates to, among other things, systems, apparatuses, and methods for a children's swing. In embodiments, a system, method, and apparatus for a children's swing can be provided. Embodiments of the disclosure can provide a technical solution to the problem of configuring a children's swing for multiple multi-directional motions.
In one example embodiment, a system and apparatus for a children's swing having an electromagnetic drive system can be provided. The electromagnetic drive system can include a first set of tracks, a second set of tracks, and a carriage. The set of tracks in each case, can for example, be a pair of tracks in each case.
In embodiments, the first set of tracks can include a first track having a first pivot point and a second track having a second pivot point. In embodiments, the second set of tracks can include a third track having a third pivot point and a fourth track having a fourth pivot point.
In embodiments, each of the first set of tracks and the second set of tracks can be arc-shaped.
In embodiments, the carriage can include a first bar having a set of wheels, a second bar, substantially parallel to the first bar, having a set of wheels, and a connector.
In embodiments, a transmission system can be mounted to the electromagnetic drive system. In embodiments, the transmission system can include a transmission, a drive wheel, a transmission motor, an encoder, an output shaft, and multiple gears. In embodiments, the transmission system can include additional components as needed.
In embodiments, a motor portion of the electromagnetic drive system can be provided. In embodiments, the motor potion can include a motor, a worm, a worm gear, and at least one linkage gear. In embodiments, the motor portion can include additional components as needed.
In embodiments, at least two permanent magnets can be mounted to the carriage. In embodiments, an electromagnet can be mounted to an underside of a seat portion of the children's swing.
In embodiments, a jacking mechanism of the electromagnetic drive system can be provided. In embodiments, the jacking mechanism can include a jacking mechanism motor, at least one pulley, an axle, a worm gear, and a clutch. In embodiments, the jacking mechanism can include additional components as needed.
In embodiments, the children's swing can be configured for at least four motions: a gliding motion, a rocking motion, a sliding motion, and a cradling motion.
In embodiments, the children's swing can be configured to include one or more cry detection technologies. In embodiments, the children's swing can be configured to automatically adjust a combination of motions, sounds, songs, vibrations, and/or speeds if a child is detected to be crying while disposed within the children's swing.
In embodiments, a method for a children's swing can be provided.
Turning to the figures,
In some embodiments, the first set of tracks 102 can include a first track 108 having a first pivot point and a second track 110 having a second pivot point. In some embodiments, the second set of tracks 104 can include a third track 112 having a third pivot point and a fourth track 114 having a fourth pivot point. Each of the first pivot point, the second pivot point, the third pivot point, and the fourth pivot point can be disposed below the first set of tracks 102 or the second set of tracks 104.
The carriage 106 can include a first bar 116 and a second bar 118. In some embodiments, the first bar 116 is substantially parallel to the second bar 118. Each of the first bar 116 and the second bar 118 can include a set of wheels configured to travel along the first set of tracks 102 and the second set of tracks 104 respectively. The carriage 106 can further include a connector 120. In some embodiments, a first end of the connector 120 can be mounted to the first set of tracks 102 and a distal second end of the connector 104 can be mounted to the second set of tracks 104. In some embodiments, the connector 120 can be made of a relatively rigid material. In some embodiments, the carriage 106 can be configured to travel along the first set of tracks 102 and the second set of tracks 104 with reduced friction. For example, the carriage 106 can use bearings or can incorporate materials that aid in reducing friction.
In some embodiments, as depicted in
In some embodiments, the transmission motor 128 can provide rotation, the multiple gears 134 can ensure that a desired amount of torque and speed is applied to the transmission drive system 122, and the encoder 130 can communicate the number of turns that have occurred electronically to a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), so that the PCBA can instruct the transmission motor 128 as to starting and stopping the motor 128. In some embodiments, the output shaft 132 can be coupled to the drive wheel 126 to increase rotational torque. In some embodiments, the transmission 124 can be configured to function bi-directionally, such that the rotation of the transmission 124 in one direction can cause the carriage 106 to travel along the first set of tracks 102 and the second set of tracks 104 until the carriage 106 reaches each respective end of the first set of tracks 102 and the second set of tracks 104. In such an instance, the transmission 124 can be configured to reverse when the carriage 106 has reached each respective end of the first set of tracks 102 and the second set of tracks 104, thus causing the carriage 106 to travel back down towards the middle of the first set of tracks 102 and the second set of tracks 104. Gravity can further assist the carriage 106 in traveling back down towards the middle of the first set of tracks 102 and the second set of tracks 104.
In some embodiments, the electromagnetic drive system 100 includes a first motor portion 136a mounted to the first set of tracks 102 and a second motor portion 136b mounted to the second set of tracks 104.
Although not depicted in
In some embodiments, when the electromagnet 146 is energized, the electromagnet 146 has a magnetic field. In some embodiments, the electromagnet 146 can be energized via power from the PCBA. The polarity of the electromagnet 146 can vary based on the polarity caused by the PCBA. The magnetic field of the electromagnet 146 then acts on the magnetic fields of each of the at least two permanent magnets 148. The inverse polarities of the electromagnet 146 can then cause a pushing and/or pulling force on the carriage 106, thus enabling the carriage 106 to travel along the first set of tracks 102 and the second set of tracks 104. In some embodiments, the electromagnet 146 and the at least two permanent magnets 148 are configured in an arrangement to cause the pushing and/or pulling force to travel in a direction that is substantially parallel to each of the first set of tracks 102 and the second set of tracks 104.
In some embodiments, the electromagnet 146 and the at least two permanent magnets 148 can be arranged to prevent any of the electromagnet 146 and the at least two permanent magnets 148 from pulling together in a direction that is perpendicular to the first set of tracks 102 and the second set of tracks 104. Thus, the at least two permanent magnets 148 are configured such that, as the electromagnet 146 moves, as a result of the children's swing moving, a first permanent magnet 148 is unable to exert a force on the electromagnet 146 until a second permanent magnet 148 has exited the magnetic field of the electromagnet 146. In some embodiments, the PCBA can be configured to switch a polarity of the electromagnet 146 as a center of the second permanent magnet 148 passes a center of the electromagnet 146. The switching of the polarity of the electromagnet 146 in this manner aids in repelling the second permanent magnet 148 as it exits the magnetic field of the electromagnet 146, and in attracting the first permanent magnet 148 as it enters the magnetic field of the electromagnet 146, thus aiding the children's swing in creating and maintaining a swinging motion.
In some embodiments, although not depicted in
In some embodiments, as depicted in
In other embodiments, although not depicted in
In some embodiments, a position of the first set of tracks 102 and the second set of tracks 104 can be controlled by a PCBA that is configured to receive information as to a current position of each of the first set of tracks 102 and the second set of tracks 104.
As a result of the implementation of the electromagnetic drive system 100, the children's swing 200 is capable of generating and maintaining at least four motions. First, the electromagnetic drive system 100 is capable of producing a rocking motion in the children's swing 200, in which the seat assembly 204 moves from front to back with the seat portion tilting outwards in each direction. Second, the electromagnetic drive system 100 is capable of producing a swinging motion, in which the seat assembly 204 moves from front to back with the seat portion tilting inwards in each direction. Third, the electromagnetic drive system 100 is capable of producing a gliding motion, in which the seat assembly 204 moves from front to back while the seat portion stays level with respect to a ground surface. Fourth, the electromagnetic drive system 100 is capable of producing a cradling motion, where the seat portion is tilted inwards in each direction and there is little to none front-to-back movement throughout the children's swing 200. In some embodiments, these motions can be accompanied by changes in vertical elevation of the seat portion with respect to a ground surface. The arc-shaped first set of tracks 102 and the arc-shaped second set of tracks 104, and the corresponding pivot points in each of the first track 108, the second track 110, the third track 112, and the fourth track 114, allow for this variety of multi-directional motions to be achieved.
In some embodiments, the variety of multi-directional motions can be combined with various songs, sound effects, vibrations, and speeds in order to soothe a child that is disposed within the children's swing 200.
In some embodiments, the children's swing 200 can be configured to include cry detection technologies, for example, a cry detection module. In such embodiments, if a crying sound is detected, the children's swing 200 can be configured to automatically initiate a combination of motions, sounds, songs, vibrations, and/or speeds, or to adjust the current combination of motions, sounds, songs, vibrations, and/or speeds in order to attempt to soothe a child that is disposed within the children's swing 200. In some embodiments, the children's swing 200 can be configured to include various preset combinations of motions, sounds, songs, vibrations, and/or speeds, and the children's swing 200 can be configured to cycle through the various preset combinations until the crying child is soothed. In some embodiments, the children's swing 200 can be configured for a parent or a user to select the various pre-set combinations.
Though the disclosed examples include particular arrangements of a number of parts, components, features, and aspects, the disclosure is not limited to only those examples or arrangements shown. Any one or more of the parts, components, features, and aspects of the disclosure can be employed alone or in other arrangements of any two or more of the same.
Although certain product features, functions, components, and parts have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this disclosure covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.
Unless otherwise noted, the terms used herein are to be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In addition to the definitions of terms provided below, it is to be understood that as used in the specification and in the claims, “a” or “an” can mean one or more, depending upon the context in which it is used.
Throughout this application, the term “include,” “include(s)” or “including” means “including but not limited to.” Note that certain embodiments may be described relating to a single component, but the corresponding description should be read to include embodiments of two or more components. Different features, variations, and multiple different embodiments are shown and described herein with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.
Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations could include, while other implementations do not include, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, such conditional language generally is not intended to imply that features, elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or operations are included or are to be performed in any particular implementation.
What has been described herein in the present specification and annexed drawings includes examples of systems, methods, apparatuses, devices, and techniques that, individually and in combination, provide for a children's swing. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methods for purposes of describing the various elements of the disclosure, but it can be recognized that many further combinations and permutations of the disclosed elements are possible. Accordingly, it may be apparent that various modifications can be made to the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, or as an alternative, other embodiments of the disclosure may be apparent from consideration of the specification and annexed drawings, and practice of the disclosure as presented herein. It is intended that the examples put forth in the specification and annexed drawings be considered, in all respects, as illustrative and not limiting. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/243,710, filed on Sep. 13, 2021, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63243710 | Sep 2021 | US |
