GB2428967A

GB2428967A - Baby swing framework folding mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2428967A
Application number: GB0615740A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tse-Chien Wu; Ho-Sheng Chen; Hui-Ju Sun; Yi-Chen Chen
Original assignee: Link Treasure Ltd
Current assignee: Link Treasure Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-08
Filing date: 2006-08-08
Publication date: 2007-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-08
Also published as: GB0615740D0; TWM288146U; US20070049390A1; GB2428967B

Abstract

A baby swing framework (10) folding mechanism includes a front supporting stand (3), a rear supporting stand (5), and a connecting base-plate (4). The connecting base-plate (4) is installed at the top ends of both the front supporting stand (3) and the rear supporting stand (5) and has an extended position recess (41) and a folded position recess (42). When the framework (10) is in its extended (in use) position, the top end of the rear supporting stand (5) is retained in the extended position recess (41) which may by means of a compression spring (50). To fold the framework (10), the operator pulls the connecting base-plate (4) so that the top end of the rear supporting stand (5) leaves the extended position recess (41) and the rear supporting stand (5) is subsequently rotated towards the front supporting stand (5) until the top end of the rear supporting stand (5) is received in the folded position recess (42).

Description

BABY SWING FRAMEWORK FOLDING MECHANISM

The invention relates to a baby swing framework folding mechanism, and more particularly, to a baby swing framework folding mechanism that enables a user to simply pull a part thereof to start a folding action of the framework to allow front and rear supporting stands of the framework to approach each other for folding.

A baby swing is a device for allowing parents to soothe a baby by playing with the baby or by regularly swaying the baby to make the baby fall asleep. The function of a baby swing is similar to that of a baby rocking chair which can be one of two types of product: one being manual, and the other being electrically actuated. US Patent No. 6,319,138 and Taiwanese Patent No. 457,907 disclose examples of baby rocking chairs. Both of these patents disclose electrical means for driving a baby rocking chair to save the operator of the chair labour so that the hands of the operator can be used to do something else. The electrical baby rocking chair includes a supporting frame, two swaying arms, a seat, and a transmitting mechanism. The swaying arms are connected between the transmitting mechanism and the seat and the transmitting mechanism drives the swaying arms to sway the seat back-and-forth.

Since the above-mentioned baby rocking chairs are bulky and not convenient to store and since the cost of carriage is high, their frameworks are normally designed as foldable structures. US Patent No. 6, 702,685 and European Patent No. 1,459,656 for example, both disclose structures including a foldable framework. However, all the framework folding mechanisms for baby swings of the prior art have a button for the operator to press to start the action of folding the framework. This kind of button is exposed on the exterior surface and is subject to being accidentally touched allowing folding which is hazardous.

It is therefore inconvenient to use.

In order to resolve the above-mentioned problems of the framework folding mechanisms of prior art baby swings, the invention provides a framework folding mechanism for a baby swing comprising: a front supporting stand; a connecting base-plate being secured and connected to a top end of the front supporting stand, and having an extended position recess and a folded position recess; a rear supporting stand being pivotally connected to the connecting base- plate; and a resilient element for retaining a top end portion of the rear supporting stand in the extended position recess, the connecting base-plate being arranged to be pulled from the top end portion of the rear supporting stand so that the top end portion disengages from the extended position recess and be received in the folded position recess to achieve the folding action.

In this way, the folding mechanism of the invention is capable of achieving the effect of safety and convenience.

The accomplishment of this and other objectives and the range of suitability of the application of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying schematic drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic and isometric view of the framework supported seat including a framework folding mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the members of the folding mechanism; FIG. 3 is a side view of the members; FIG. 4 is a side view showing the action of folding the framework; and FIG. 5 is a side view showing the state of the folded framework.

As shown in FIG. 1, the framework supported seat includes a framework connected to a swaying arm 20 for supporting a seat 30. The structure is capable of providing enjoyment for a baby which can be swung in comfort.

As shown in FIGS. I to 3, the framework 10 comprises several members including a front supporting stand 3, a connecting base-plate 4, and a rear supporting stand 5. The front supporting stand 3 includes two supporting rods 31 and a supporting bottom rod 32 in-between so that the stand 3 has a "U" shaped structure.

The connecting base-plate 4 is secured at the top end of the front supporting stand 3 and is connected to an end of the swaying arm 20 which is driven by a driver 40 to rock the seat 30 generating a back-and-forth swaying action. Preferably, the connecting base-plate 4 can further include an extended position recess 41 for positioning the rear supporting stand 5 when the framework 10 is in its extended position or configuration and a folded position recess 42 for positioning the rear supporting stand 5 when the framework 10 is in its folded position or configuration.

The rear supporting stand 5 has two supporting rods 51 and a supporting bottom rod 52 in-between so that the stand 5 has a substantially "U" shaped structure which is similar to the front supporting stand 3. The rear supporting stand 5 is pivotally connected to the connecting baseplate 4 by means of a guide slot 53 provided at the top end of the rear supporting stand 5.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, based on the assembly of the above- mentioned members, a resilient element 50 is also provided at the interior or exterior portion of the rear supporting stand 5 for retaining the top end of the rear supporting stand 5 in position at or in the extended position recess 41 making the framework 10 capable of supporting the seat 30 for swaying.

Again, as shown in FIG. 4, when it comes to folding the extended framework 10, the operator steps on the supporting bottom rod 52 of the rear supporting stand 5 and pulls the connecting base-plate 4 by hand to make the guide slot 53 at the top end of the rear supporting stand 5 slide along the pivot connection. This makes the top end of the rear supporting stand 5 separate from the extended position recess 41. Consequently, the rear supporting stand is free to rotate towards the front supporting stand 3 making the top end of the rear supporting stand 5 shift to the folded position recess 42.

To avoid the rocking and swaying of the folded framework 10, it is necessary to have the top end of the rear supporting stand 5 in a secured state by positioning it in the folded position recess 42. The resilient element 50 urges the top end of the supporting stand 5 into the folded position recess 42. This completes the folding action of the framework 10.

Another design alternative makes use of a slanted surface to let the rear supporting stand 5 enter and become positioned in a positioning spot (not shown in the Figure) when the framework 10 is in the process of folding.

In the present embodiment, the resilient element 50 is a compression spring. This may be attached to the connecting base-plate 4 and to the rear supporting stand 5 above the connection to the connecting base-plate 4. In an alternative arrangement (not shown), the resilient element is a tension spring which may be attached to the pivotal connection or the connecting base-plate 4 above a connection to the rear supporting stand 5.

Since the invention does not employ a button-pressing design, when it comes to folding the framework 10, all the operator has to do is pull the connecting base-plate 4 for folding. Thus, the problem of touching a button by mistake is avoided. Therefore, the invention has the advantages over folding mechanisms of the prior art by being safer and more convenient to use.

it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the mechanism of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. In view of the foregoing description, it is intended that all the modifications and variations falling within the scope of the following appended claims are covered.

Claims

Claims 1. A framework folding mechanism for a baby swing comprising: a

front supporting stand; a connecting base-plate being secured and connected to a top end of the front supporting stand, and having an extended position recess and a folded position recess; a rear supporting stand being pivotaJly connected to the connecting base- plate; and a resilient element for retaining a top end portion of the rear supporting stand in the extended position recess, the connecting base-plate being arranged to be pulled from the top end portion of the rear supporting stand so that the top end portion disengages from the extended position recess and be received in the folded position recess to achieve the folding action.
2. The framework folding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the framework of the baby swing is connectable to a swaying arm to drive a seat to generate sway.
3. The framework folding mechanism as claimed in claim 2, including a driver installed at the connecting base-plate to drive the swaying arm and seat to generate sway.
4. The framework folding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the front supporting stand has a substantially "U', shaped structure and comprises two supporting rods and a supporting bottom rod in-between.
5. The framework folding mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rear supporting stand is pivotally connected to the connecting base- plate via a guide slot provided at or adjacent to the top end of the rear supporting stand such that the rear supporting stand is capable of moving along and rotating about the pivot connection via the guide slot.
6. The framework folding mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient element comprises a compression spring.
7. The framework folding mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient element is provided between the connecting baseplate and the rear supporting stand.
8. The framework folding mechanism as claimed in any one of claims I to 6, wherein the resilient element is provided within the rear supporting stand.
9. A baby swing including a framework folding mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim..
10. A framework folding mechanism for a baby swing constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.