GB2330769A

GB2330769A - Electrovibrator device for babies cots

Info

Publication number: GB2330769A
Application number: GB9822488A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Renzo Ravasio
Original assignee: Makeridea SRL
Current assignee: Makeridea SRL
Priority date: 1997-10-15
Filing date: 1998-10-15
Publication date: 1999-05-05
Also published as: ITTO970209U1; IT236336Y1; SE9803357D0; SE9803357L; FR2769480A3; CN2346324Y; RU10522U1; GB9822488D0; DK199800383U3; ES1041098Y; ES1041098U; DE29817858U1; FR2769480B3

Abstract

An electro vibrator device which can be applied to a cot comprises: a vibrator 10,19,30, attachable to the cot; and elastic supports 42, to be applied to the ends of a pair of the cot legs. Vibrations caused by the vibrator are transmitted both to the cot and the elastic supports to generate a composite oscillatory movement. The vibrator consists of an outer casing (10, fig.2) with brackets 17 to attach it to the cot, an electric motor (11, fig. 2), a motor reducer (13, fig. 2) or reduction gear (25, fig. 4) and a shaft (14, fig. 2) or rotating member (28, fig. 4) with an integral rotating eccentric mass (15, fig. 2). Alternatively, vertical motion can be imparted to a mass (39, fig. 5) on the end of a rocking lever (37, fig. 5) by continuous rotational motion of a cam (34, fig. 5) abutting the rocking lever. The elastic supports may each consist of a cylindrical spring (44, fig. 7) supported by retaining caps (43a,45, fig. 7) or a non-rigid material (such as rubber), terminating in a suction pad (46, fig. 7) to rest on the floor.

Description

2330769 ELECTROVIBRATOR DEVICE THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO BABY COTS FOR

INDUCING SLEEP It is known that certain babies fall asleep easily when their cot is gently shaken, with 5 a constant rhythm, which is, however, not the same as the rocking rhythm, in the longitudinal direction, that can be applied to cradles.

The subject of the present invention is a vibrator device of reduced overall dimensions and limited weight which can be applied indifferently on the face or underneath one of the sides of ordinary baby cots for the purpose of generating and transmitting to the cot an appropriate movement for inducing sleep.

The vibrator device in question is characterised by the fact that it comprises an electric motor associated to a motor reducer of variable speed which sets a shaft connected to an eccentric mass of variable weight rotating, the vertical rotational movement of the said mass generating vibrations that work together with a pair of springs or elastic means installed on the resting ends of a pair of legs on one side of the cot.

Thus, according to the invention we provide a vibrator device that can be applied to baby cots for inducing sleep, comprising, together, a vibrator (10, 19, 30) and a pair of elastic supports (42) to be applied to the ends of a pair of legs (on the same side) of the side (C) of a cot (A), so that the vibrations of the vibrating member, transmitted to the cot, will also be transmitted to the pair of the aforesaid elastic supports, thus generating a composite oscillatory movement deriving from the sum of the oscillations of the cot and the oscillations transmitted to the aforesaid elastic supports.

1 1 1 Alternatively, the vertical rotational movement of the counterweight may be obtained also by a reduction gear which transmits motion by means of smooth belts, toothed belts, V-belts, gearing chains, or the like, or a number of pulleys.

A ftirther variant consists of a vibrator device made up of a mechanical "cam type" member equipped with an appropriately pivoted rocking lever provided at one end with a mass having a vertical motion, which is connected by means of pulleys and a belt to the electric motor.

A further characteristic of the device of the invention lies in the fact that the motor thereof is supplied at low voltage, indifferently by rechargeable batteries or interchangeable batteries, or else by autotransformed mains current, so that any risk of possible electrocution in the use of the said device is eliminated.

A further characteristic of the electrovibrator device is represented by the fact that its operation may be obtained indifferently by a switch, located on the device or on the cable that supplies the device, or by means of a remote control, or else automatically by means of an acoustic sensor which activates the mechanism as soon as the baby starts crying.

The device is described in what follows, on the basis of the schematic drawings attached only for the purpose of providing illustrations, in which:

Figure 1 is a representation of the complete device in reduced scale and axonometric or perspective projection; Figure 2 which is a perspective view at a different scale, illustrates one embodiment of the internal mechanism of the device comprising an electric motor with motor reducer associated to a shaft connected to an eccentric mass; Figure 3) represents one of the possible variants of the structure and shape as regards the eccentric mass represented in Figure 2; 2 Figure 4 is a perspective view of a possible variant of the mechanism consisting of a reduction gear for transmitting the motion by means of belts or the like; Figure 5 illustrates a further variant of the electrovibrator device, consisting 5 of a "cam-type" mechanical member; Figure 6 is an axonometric or perspective projection of an ordinary cot for babies with the device applied; Figure 7 represents a preferred embodiment of one of the pairs of elastic elements, which are applied to the ends of the legs of one side of the cot, considered in longitudinal section, to be used in accordance with the invention instead of the ends (which may already exist or not); Figure 8 illustrates a structural variant of the means referred to in Figure 7.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3 the device as a whole is indicated by the number 10; the device comprises an outer casing, which may be made in any way and may present any suitable geometrical shape, and which has an electric switch 18 clearly shown in the drawings.

The device 10 is provided with adjustable means of constraint, which, in the case represented consist of brackets 17 which can be hooked on one edge, such as, for example, the edge of the side C of a cot A, as shown in Figure 6.

The said brackets are provided with means of constraint 17a, such as clamp screws provided with knobs or other means of adjustment.

A variant of the supporting brackets capable of enabling application of the device underneath the cot side C is designated by 17b.

In the casing 10 are contained and installed the following:

3 an electric motor 11, which can be supplied indifferently by low-voltage electric batteries 12, which may be rechargeable or interchangeable or by low-voltage electric power via autotransformer 21; a circuit of electric conductors connecting the motor 11 to the source of electric current 12, controlled by a switch 18; the motor 11 is mechanically associated to a motor reducer 13 having variable speed, preferably with helical gear wheel and worm screw, or a motor reducer of any other known type; the shaft 14, which comes out of the motor reducer 131 and which is suitably supported, is integral with a vertically rotating eccentric mass 15, the weight of which may vary and the shape of which may anyway be different from the one illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, where the said mass is indicated by 15 and 15a; the weight and arrangement of the mass, instead, are the result of adequate calibration.

The said eccentric mass is established experimentally according to the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations that are to be generated.

Figure 4 illustrates, in accordance with the invention, a variant 19 of the vibrator device, which may be applied to the side C of the cot, using brackets 17 or 17b, the variant comprises; an electric motor 11, powered by the cable 20 carrying low-voltage current by means of the autotransformer 21 under the control of the switch 22 for switching on the motor. The power may be supplied also via low-voltage electric batteries 12, which may be of the rechargeable or the interchangeable type; the motor 11 is coupled, via the pulley 2-31 and the belt 24, to a reduction gear consisting of the pulley 25, which is coaxially integral with the shaft 26, which in turn is associated, via the belt 27, to the rotating member 28, which is integral with the eccentric mass 29 established experimentally according to the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations to be generated; 4 the said system, where transmission may take place by means of smooth belts, toothed belts, V belts, gearing chains or the like, presents the advantage of being extremely quiet.

Figure 5 illustrates, in accordance with the invention, a further variant 30 of the vibrating device, which again can be applied to the side C of a cot by means of brackets 17 or 17b; this variant consists of. an electric motor 11, powered by the cable 20 carrying low-voltage current by means of the autotransformer 21 under the control of the switch 22 for switching on the motor. The power may be supplied also via low-voltage electric batteries 12, which may be of the rechargeable or the interchangeable types; the motor 11 transmits, via the pulleys 31 and 32 and the belt 33, a continuous rotational motion to a mechanical member consisting of the "cam" 34 having a suitable profile 35, which, working in conjunction with the profile of the roller 36 of the rocking lever 37 pivoted at the end 38, imparts a vertical motion to the mass 39, located on the other free end 40, which in turn generates pre-set vibrations. The spring 41 has the function of controlling the roller 36 in its return travel, so as to prevent it detaching from the "cam" 34, which, if it were to bang against the roller, could cause troublesome noises.

Operation of the various electrovibrator devices may be controlled, as an alternative to the switch 18 located on the device or the switch 22 located on the power supply cable, by a remote control, or automatically, by means of a built-in acoustic sensor which activates the mechanism as soon as the baby starts crying.

With reference to Figure 6, if the ends of the legs of the cot A to which it is intended to apply the device, are provided, as often is the case, with swivel wheels B, the latter must be removed from the ends of the side legs and, in their stead, the elastic ends 42, represented in Figure 7 or Figure 8 are attached.

The vibrator device 10, 19 or 30, shown in Figure 6, is hooked either on top of or underneath and fastened to one side C of the cot A.

The elastic ends (Figure 7) comprise a fastening means, such as a screw 43, preferably integral with a retainer cap 43a, which is coaxial with a cylindrical spring 44, or other elastic material, supported by a second retainer cap 45, embedded in an elastic suction pad 46 or other casing.

1 i Given that the suction pad 46, or other casing, is not characterising for the purposes of the invention, in that it may in any case be replaced by a support made of elastic material, or of felt, or of thermoplastic material, or other suitable material, the motor 11 may be activated via the switch 18 or 22 or via a remote control, as well as automatically via the acoustic sensor.

According to the solution adopted, the said electric motor 11 activates the shaft 14 and the eccentric mass 15, which is integral with the said shaft, or else the rotating member 28 and the eccentric mass 29, or again a "cam" 34. In the first two cases, a vertical rotation will be imparted to the eccentric mass 15 or the eccentric mass 29, and in the third case an oscillation, again vertical, will be imparted to the mass 39.

All this generates vibrations which, when transmitted to the cot A, cause it to oscillate. The vibratory motion involves also the pair of elastic means 42, which start oscillating. The vibratory motion of the cot A, together with the movement transmitted to the elastic ends 42, gives rise to a composite movement comprising a slight rolling and pitching of the cot, which, as has been experimentally proved, induces sleep in the baby lying in the cot.

Whilst it remains understood that the invention regards a vibrator device associated to a pair of elastic means 42, which can be fitted on the ends of the legs on one side 3 0 of a baby cot, in order to achieve the purpose illustrated, the constructional details of 6 the said device may, however, vary with respect to those represented herein for purely illustrative purposes.

As represented in Figure 8, for example, the elastic means can advantageously consist of cylinders 17, made of rubber or any other non-rigid material, terminating or otherwise in a suction pad 46 for resting on the floor or in some other system of protection.

The electric motor 11 itself may be a two speed one, and hence, in this case, the switch 18 or 22, or the remote control, may have a number of active positions and a neutral position for the arrest, and for the activation, of the assembly capable of generating vibrations of different frequencies.

The electrovibrator device described herein has a simple structure, a limited weight and a contained cost.

Its advantageous use offers maximum safety deriving from the electrical supply at a very low voltage, which is not at all dangerous.

From what has been set forth, the invention is not limited by the arrangements described and represented, but rather the scope of the patent extends to and comprises any other similar or equivalent solution that is able to achieve the purposes illustrated.

7

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A vibrator device that can be applied to baby cots for inducing sleep, comprising, together, a vibrator (10, 19, 30) and a pair of elastic supports (42) to be applied to the ends of a pair of legs (on the same side) of the side (C) of the cot (A), so that the vibrations of the vibrating member, transmitted to the cot, will also be transmitted to the pair of the aforesaid elastic supports, thus generating a composite oscillatory movement deriving from the sum of the oscillations of the cot and the oscillations transmitted to the aforesaid elastic supports.

1

2. A vibrator device according to Claim 1, wherein the elastic supports (42) applied at the end of the pair of legs on the same side of the cot are made of calibrated cylindrical springs (44) or of other non-rigid material.

3. A vibrator device according to claim 1, in accordance with a variant thereof, wherein the elastic supports (42) applied at the ends of the legs on the same side of the cot consist of cylinders (47) of adequate hardness.

4. A vibrator device according to Claims 2 and 3, wherein the elastic supports terminate with suction pads (46) for resting on the floor, or with another type of casing.

5. A vibrator device according to Claim 1, wherein the eccentric mass (15, 29) or the oscillating mass (39) generating vibrations is activated by an electric motor (11) supplied at a low voltage by electric batteries (12).

8

6. A vibrator device according to Claims 1 and 5, wherein the source of electric power for supplying the motor of the device is represented by rechargeable electric batteries.

7. A vibrator device according to Claims 1 and 5, in accordance with a variant thereof, wherein the low-voltage power supply of the motor (11) is by means of electric current with autotransformer (2 1) located on the cable (20).

8. A vibrator device according to Claim 1, wherein the electric motor (11) 10 thereof is capable of developing at least two or more angular speeds.

9. A vibrator device according to Claim 1, wherein the vibrating system consist of an electric motor (11) associated to a motor reducer (13) which sets a shaft (14) rotating, the said shaft being connected to an eccentric mass (15, 15a) of variable 15 weight, the vertical rotational motion of which generates vibrations.

10. A vibrator device according to Claims 1 and 9, in accordance with a variant thereof, wherein the vibrating system (19) consists of an electric motor (11) which, associated to a gear reducer consisting of belts (24, 27) coupled to one or more 20 rotating members (25, 28), sets the eccentric mass (29) in vertical rotation, the mass thus generating vibrations.

11. A vibrator device according to Claims 1, 9 and 10, according to a further variant (30) thereof, wherein the electric motor (11), associated to a mechanical member consisting of pulleys (31, 32) and a belt (33), imparts a continuous rotational motion to a "cam" (34), the profile (35) of which is coupled to the profile of a roller (36) of the rocking lever (37) pivoted at the end (38), which transmits a vertical 9 motion to the mass (39) located at the opposite end (40), which thus generates vibrations.

12. A vibrator device according to any one of the claims from 1 to 11, wherein the device provided with constraining means (17, 17b), which can be tightened and loosened so that the device may be attached to and/or removed from a side (C) of a baby cot.

13. A vibrator device according to Claims from 1 to 12, wherein for better operation, it is adapted to be applied to one of the sides of a baby cot.

14. A vibrator device according to Claims from 1 to 13, wherein it is adapted such that activation of the said device may be indifferently via a switch (18) located on the device, a switch (22) located on the powersupply cable, a remote control, or automatically via a built-in acoustic sensor which activates the mechanism as soon as the baby starts crying.

15. A vibrator device substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.