GB2132080A - Baby rocking device - Google Patents

Abstract

A baby rocking device (10) is in the form of a container composed of a base (12) and a casing (11) having hooks (13) by means of which it can be attached to, eg, the handle of a perambulator (not shown). Inside the container is an oscillatory mechanism such as a weight (16) rotatable about a shaft (14) by a motor (17). In use, rotation of the weight causes oscillation of the container and applies a reaction force to a perambulator, crib, cot or the like to which it is attached. This sets up a rocking motion of the perambulator. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Baby rocking device This invention relates to a device for use in inducting a baby to sleep imparting a rocking motion to a perambulator, cot or carry-cot.

According to the present invention there is provided a baby rocking device comprising a container adapted to be secured to a perambulator or the like and containing an oscillatory mechanism adapted to apply an oscillatory reaction force to the perambulator or the like to cause rocking thereof.

The term "perambulator" used in this specification includes any carry-cot, crib, cradle or other article within which a baby may sleep.

The invention is particularly applicable to use with perambulators which possess a sprung suspension or a pivotalor tiltable arrangement by which they may be rocked.

The device may comprise a weight disposed in the container and arranged to rotate about an axis which does not pass through the centre of mass thereof.

The weight may be between 50g and 500g, preferably approximately 200g located with the centre of mass at a distance of between 1 and 20 cm and preferably approximately 6 cm from the axis of rotation. The rotation may be caused by a battery driven electric motor, a clockwork motor or any other convenient means. Rotation of the weight causes the container to exhibit an oscillatory movement which may be transmitted in use to a perambulator.

The device may oscillate at any convenient rate but a rate of approximately 30 r.p.m. has been found to be suitable. The rate of oscillation may be variable by means of a control.

The device preferably includes a clamp, clip or other fixture by which it may be secured to a perambulator. A spring clip has been found to be particularly suitable. The device may be suspended in use from the handle of a perambulator, but it is important that the device is not freely suspended, since if that was the case then no oscillation would be imparted to the perambulator. The clip preferably prevents the device from moving once it has been secured to the perambulator. Alternatively the movement is restricted to a single direction.

The device is preferably adapted to be secured in use to a perambulator at a maximum distance from the centre of gravity thereof, for example to the handle.

The container preferably completely encloses the oscillatory apparatus so that a baby cannot insert its fingers into the mechanism. Alternatively the container may be perforated or may only partially enclose the apparatus.

The device may be covered by a cushioning material such as a quilted textile or artificial fur. The control or controls such as an on-off switch may be located beneath the covering material.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying draw ings wherein. Figure 1 is an elevation of a preferred device of the invention; and Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section through the device of Figure 1.

A preferred baby rocking device 10 of the invention comprises a generally cylindrical container composed of a bell-like closed cylindrical casing 11 attached to a base 12 by adhesive or releasable fasteners (not shown). The centre of the top of the casing 11 is provided with attachment means in the form of a pair of parallel, spaced-apart, oppositely directed hooks 13 whereby the device 10 can be attached to an elongate member such as a perambulator handle, by positioning the device adjacent the member with the hooks 13 lying parallel to the member and one on each side of it and then turning the container, about its axis of symmetry, through 90 to cause the hooks 13 to snap over the member.

Mounted on the base 12 is an axially arranged rotatable shaft 14 to which is fixed one end of an arm 15 whose other end carries a weight 16. Shaft 14 is connected to an electric motor 17 by a spur gear train 18. Motor 17 is supplied from a battery (not shown) within the container and its speed can be controlled by means of a potentiometer 19 having knob 20 projecting below the base 12.

In use the device 10 is attached by means of the hooks 13 to handle of a perambulator or to a similar member of a rockable crib or cot. The motor 17 is activated by means of a switch 21 and the weight 16 rotates at a speed determined by potentiometer 19.

Thirty revolutions per minute has been found to be a suitable rate of rotation, but variations around this value are possible. Because the device is attached to the said member, rotation of the eccentric weight 16 causes the device to apply a cyclic reaction force to the member. Usually the member will be relatively immovable parallel to its axis but the usual suspension of a perambulator or the like will enable the reaction force to import an oscillation movement to the body of the perambulator, subjecting an occupying baby to a rocking motion. By adjustment of the potentiometer the speed of rotation of the weight 16 can be chosen to oscillate the perambulator or the like at its natural frequency, thus encouraging a maximum amplitude of oscillation.

The invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing and variations can be made thereto.

For example, instead of the rotary weight, a to-andfro oscillatory hanging weight can be provided, driven by means of a crank or similar arrangement.

In this case it would be necessary to ensure that the direction of oscillation of the weight coincided generally with the direction of rocking of the peram bulator or other item.

Naturally, the shape of the casing and its attach ment means can be varied at will. For example the casing could be shaped to resemble an animal or any other object and thus serve as a toy when not performing its rocking function.

A clockwork motor can replace the electric motor.

Many other variations are possible within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (11)

1. A baby rocking device comprising a container adapted to be secured to a perambulator or the like and containing an oscillatory mechanism adapted to apply an oscillatory reaction force to the perambulator or the like to cause rocking thereof.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mechanism includes a reciprocable weight.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a weight rotatable about an axis remote from the centre of gravity of the weight.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the weight is rotatable by a clockwork motor.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the weight is roratable by an electric motor powered by a battery in the container.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a gear train is disposed between the motor and a shaft carrying the weight.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5, or 6, wherein the speed of the electric motor can be controlled by a potentiometer or the like variable from outside the container.

8. A device as claimed in claim 5,6 or 7 wherein a switch is provided between the motor and battery and is actuable from outside the container.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container has a hook arrangement whereby it can be attached to a perambulator or the like.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the hook arrangement includes a pair of resilient, spaced-apart oppositely directed hooks.

11. A baby rocking device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.