GB2276539A

GB2276539A - Rocking device

Info

Publication number: GB2276539A
Application number: GB9302736A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Albert Oliver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-02-11
Filing date: 1993-02-11
Publication date: 1994-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 2013-02-11
Also published as: GB9302736D0; GB2276539B

Abstract

A base board 1 for supporting an article to be rocked, e.g. a cot or pram, carries a turntable 2 which can be secured by a locking screw 12. A variable speed electric motor 3 is mounted on the turntable 2 to rotate a disc 4 mounted in a vertical plane and provided with a number of eccentric mounting sockets 5. A telescopically adjustable coupling arm 7 can be secured to one of the sockets 5 by a pin 6 and to move with a reciprocating motion, and the arm carries a coupling device 9 having a pair of jaws 14, 15 to grip the article to be rocked. <IMAGE>

Description

ROCKING DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a rocking device for rocking an article such as a babies cot, a perambulator (nowadays more often known as a "pram"), or the like.

BACKGROUND Babies can be extremely difficult to soothe, and parents often spend a great deal of time attempting to get a young baby to sleep.

An aim of the present invention may be viewed as being to provide a device which can be used for this purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes a rocking device comprising a drive unit having an output arm driven with a reciprocating action, and a connecting device disposed at the opposite end of said arm for positive but releasable connection with an article to be rocked.

The connecting device preferably comprises clamping means, which preferably includes a pair of spring-loaded jaws.

The drive unit preferably includes a base board for supporting part of the article to be rocked.

The connecting arm preferably extends from a turntable which is mounted on the base board for rotation about an upright axis, so that the orientation of the arm can be adjusted relative to the base board.

The arm is preferably of adjustable length.

The drive unit preferably includes motor means for driving the arm. The motor means may be arranged to move the arm via a rotatably driven eccentric. The radius of rotation of the eccentric can preferably be adjusted to change the stroke of the arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a rocking device of the invention, and Figure 2 is a side view of an extension rod for use with the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The illustrated device includes a flat base board 1 having a friction surface on the bottom such as a layer of rubber. A turntable 2 is mounted to rotate about a substantially vertical axle on the base board 1. The turntable 2 can rotate through a full 360" and can be non-rotatably locked to the axle by means of a locking screw 12. An electric motor 3 is rigidly fixed on the turntable 2, and is provided with an on/off switch and variable speed control (not shown). The motor 3 is arranged to drive a disc 4, via suitable gearing, for rotation about the axis of the disc. The disc 4 is mounted in a vertical plane and is provided with a number of mounting sockets 5 for a pivot pin 6, all arranged at differing distances from the axis of the disc. The Pin 6 is used to pivotally secure a coupling arm 7 to the disc 4.The arm has a number of telescopic sections 7a-c, which can all be locked in position relative to each other by means of respective locking screws 8. A coupling device 9 in the form of a clip is mounted for rotation about the axis of the arm 7, and can be locked in position by a locking screw 10. The clip 9 has a pair of jaws 14, 15, which are biassed into a closed position by a spring 16.

In use of the device, the leg of a cot, the wheel of a pram, or some other part of an article to be rocked, is stood on the base board 1. After adjusting the length of the arm 7 and the orientation of the turntable 2, and locking both in the required position, the clip 9 is secured to a convenient elevated part of the article. When the motor 3 is switched on, the disc 4 is driven to rotate causing the arm 7 and clip 9 to reciprocate by virtue of the eccentric rotation of the pivot pin 6 about the axis of the disc. If required, the length of the stroke can be adjusted by moving the pin 6 to a different socket 5, and the speed of reciprocation can be varied by adjusting the speed of the motor.

This reciprocating action tends to rock the article to provide the necessary soothing action. The weight of the article resting on the base board 1, combined with the friction surface on the underside of the base board, ensures that the unit will not move relative to the article being rocked.

In some cases it may be necessary to extend the length of the arm 7. This can be achieved by adding an extension arm 20 (Fig. 2) between the clip 9 and the arm 7. The extension arm is again secured using suitable clamping screws.

It will be appreciated that various means could be used for attaching the arm 7 to the article. For example, a C-shaped member could be placed around a suitable part of the article and clamped thereto by means of a clamping screw inserted through the C-shaped member.

Claims

1. A rocking device comprising a drive unit having an output arm driven with a reciprocating action, and a connecting device disposed at the opposite end of said arm for positive but releasable connection with an article to be rocked.

2. A rocking device according to Claim 1, in which the connecting device comprises clamping means.

3. A rocking device according to Claim 2, in which the clamping means includes a pair of spring-loaded jaws.

4. A rocking device according to any preceding claim, in which the connecting device can be rotated relative to the arm and locked in position.

5. A rocking device according to any preceding claim, in which the drive unit includes a base board for supporting part of the article to be rocked.

6. A rocking device according to Claim 5, in which the connecting arm extends from a turntable which is mounted on the base board for rotation about an upright axis, so that the orientation of the arm can be adjusted relative to the base board.

7. A rocking device according to any preceding claim, in which the arm is of adjustable length.

8. A rocking device according to any preceding claim, in which the drive unit includes a motor unit for driving the arm.

9. A rocking device according to Claim 8, in which the motor unit is arranged to move the arm via a rotatably driven eccentric.

10. A rocking device according to Claim 9, in which the radius of rotation of the eccentric can be adjusted to change the stroke of the arm.

11. A rocking device according to Claim 10, in which the eccentric is provided with a plurality of mounting points for the arm, arranged at different distances from the axis of rotation of the eccentric.

12. A rocking device substantially as described with reference to the drawings.