GB2503453A - Baby rocking and multifunctional device - Google Patents

Abstract

A baby rocking and multifunctional device comprises a floor standing body 1 that offers multiple functions. These functions may include a baby or infant rocking aid and the aid may have a rope or cord 8 to attach to items to be rocked. The cord or rope may furthermore have changeable fittings 9/9A to allow attachment to differing items. In a second embodiment the device may comprise extended fittings 5 to aid its stability. These fittings may be weighted to further aid in stabilising the device. In a third embodiment the device may rock or move a baby or infant housing automatically. This may be achieved by using a silent motor housed within the device which may work wirelessly once charged. In a further embodiment the device may comprise multiple functions within its body, including a night light 23, thermometer 25, speaker 17, projector 24, camera 20 and microphone 21. In a final embodiment the device may comprise a portable unit that rocks a child in its various resting apparel and provides separate or combined portable entertainment and monitoring functions therein.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

WARREN NEWTON

FOR

BABY ROCKING AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL DEVICE

Field of the Invention

---Th& esén1invëntióñ rélatS to portabledevice used in aiding-the rocking or movement of a child seat or other utility. Encompassing a multiple variation of additional functions within its design to assist or support the care or amusement of a child or infant, within or outside the home environment.

Background -

The rocking motion experienced by a child or infant when positioned within a chair, moveable vehicle child seat or cot provides a soothing method to help them to relax or sleep. This extends from the motion having calming effects on human body and presents a method for parents or carers to aid the infant to sleep. This is usually exhibited by the parent moving the seating or cot manually with their hands or feet, for example. This can become very tiresome and time consuming for the person. This difficulty is extended more so when multiple children require rocking to sleep or soothing in this way.

Children or infants find the more natural and successful sleeping position is found in their chairs, rocker or cot and the addition of sound, music and visual stimulation, as well as monitoring of the child from a different room or location is preferred. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this and the ability to rock multiple styles of sitting or sleeping apparel whilst providing additional entertainment and safety devices within the same housing. Allowing the parent or carer to assist to the further needs of the children.

Prior Art

Accordingly patent applications have been filed to provide a similar solution, including the following: United States patent application ret: US 2002 0145345 (COSTA) Discloses a device for rocking objects such as baby strollers and carriages that is designed to seat under the device and create a rocking motion.

Worldwide patent application ref: WO 2004/062977 (HEPWORTH) Discloses a floor mounted rocking device that provides one or more extended platforms onto which the object is positioned. The platforms then move providing a movement to the object seated thereon.

United States patent ref: US D658,410 S (GEIVETI) Discloses a device that is attached to the underside of the framework of a child seat and provides a rocking motion by using the movement created by a motorised and moving extension.

* United States patent application ref: US 201010176631 (OGLE) Discloses a method for moving a child seat by creating a rocking motion from a device that is suspended from the seat using attachment cables. These being motioned by a rotating interior system.

UK patent application ret GB 2 290 596 (PHELPS, HUGHES) Discloses a device that is attached to the upper area or handle of a bouncing chair and uses a pendulum weight refraction to create movement and simulate a rocking motion therein.

UK patent application ref: GB 2 134 779 (BIBBY) Discloses a baby rocking device that forms a moving platform onto which a baby chair or object may be placed and creates a motion for rocking the child.

UK patent application ret: GB 2 132 080 (TODD) Discloses a rocking device that is attached to the rail or handle of the object and creates a motion within its internal body, creating a swinging motion within itself and therefore rocking the object onto which it is hung.

United States patent ref: US 7, 485, 086 (DICKIE) Discloses a rocking platform that is placed underneath a child seat or bouncer chair and provides a horizontal moving motion that rocks the seated object above.

United States patent ref: US 5860 698 (ASENSTORFER, FISCHER) Discloses a device that is attached to the lowered handle of a child car seat or similar.

Its direct body attachment provides an opening into which the handle is seated and creates a movement that in turn rocks the object to which it is attached.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is a provided a device that is floor standing and provides a method for rocking various child or baby seating or resting apparatus.

The device can be provided in any known shape and encompass popular characters or animal shapes within its design and form, these may also form sleeves produced of a material such as cotton and are slid over a plain more device, to allow interchanging of characters and designs. These sleeves or covers may also act as a carrier article for the unit into which it may be placed and transported having a zipper or tied closure.

A cord or flexible bungee rope is provided from the head or upper surface of the device through an opening and is tensioned within the housing using a mechanism. This would-be pulled and extended by-the user to-be attached. to differing parts of the object that is wished to be rocked, such as a child's bouncer chair handle or a cot rail.

The cord has a filling to its end that is designed to hook over or grip the target objects handle, seat or rail. These fillings would be designed as a single to suit all desired widths of bars or handles or may be interchangeable to the cord end. This would easily be done using a clip or screw on threaded method. The cord itself may be of a flexible or more taught fibre and is tensioned using a sprung filling or similar method at its attachment point inside the unit. A battery charged or mains driven silent motor provides the rotation of a series of drive wheels or similar option within the device to which the cord or rope are attached. As the wheels or similar apparel rotate they cause the rope or cord to project upward through the opening in the top of the device. As the motor continues its rotation the cord or rope descends or retracts creating a pulling motion onto the hook and to the object onto which it is attached. This is repeated with a* predetermined duration speed that creates a rocking sensation to the object or child seat apparatus. These may come in the form of baby bouncing seats or the removable car seats that infants and babies are carried in. Cots may also be included in this usage. Many cots have curved rocking rails to the footing arrangement that would be moved by attaching the cord or rope to the upper rails.

the unit is sufficiently weighted to allow it to remain on the floor and resist the motion tension created by the moving cord or rope. The underneath of the device has platforms that can be extended and retracted from its base which project horizontally outwards to provide further stability for the unit as it operates.

These or similar extensions to these may also attach or be seated under the footing of the seats or cot to apply a downward force to the unit device as it operates, helping to keep it seated to the ground. Owing to the tensioners applied by the internal mechanism to the cord or rope, a fee running effect is created on the.cord to allow it to extend and retract in and out of the device housing without the body of the unit moving.

The device has a various attachments that are variable depending on individual manufacturer's choice such as a thermometer which displays the temperature of the room, a projector that rotates and may display colours or shapes to the surroundings.

A night light which may include a timer and a speaker and playing system to provide sounds and music to the baby or user.

It is also possible to extend these additions with a camera and microphone monitor system to allow the parent or carer to observe the baby or infant from another room using a hand held device screen or mobile telephone receiver and monitor the child's breathing or movements using sound and vision provided by the camera and a microphone. This may also be provided via the phone or similar method. These camera openings or lenses along with the aforementioned night lights lenses may form the features of a character or animal when the sleeve mentioned earlier is placed over the unit. The outward light projected from these additions may aluminate through opening in the sleeve at certain features of the character such as the eyes and another example would be for the speaker to seat behind the mouth of a character or animal design to add a novel and entertaining approach to the design. This may also be incorporated in a printed or semi-permanent design to the outer surface of the unit and applied directly using print or painted and similar methods. Character and animal designs may also be added to the cord or rope and it is suggested that it may form the neck of an animal as its length for example, a giraffe, using a cover over the cord or rope that is printed in the animal skin design and the clip or attachment at the end, whichever type it may be, is formed of an animal head shape to complete the illusion.

This may or may not be applied and all are suggested as possible options.

This additional array of functions may or may not be used when the racking action is taking place, the unit may also be moved and used as a standalone baby monitor for example and the cord or rope retracted during this period or possibly removed.

Brief description of figures

Figures 1 show a sectional view of the device and its interior fittings Figures 2 show a view of the device when in use with a bouncer chair Figures 3 show a view of the device exterior Figures 4 show a view of the device exterior

Detailed description of figures

An embodiment of the baby rocker and multifunctional device is shown in Figure 1. The device comprise a unit bodyl, as shown in Figure 1 that is represented in this figure as a character based design but may be shaped or formed in any way or any method of choice by the maker, providing the shape or form chosen allows the device to perform and function correctly. The unit body 1 forms an encasement of a walled nature having, in this figure as a cylindrical appeal with a rounded upper area as its outer body 2, This provides a suitable stability and width within its configuration and form that would provide a suitable stability when mounted on the floor. A unit base 3 provides contact with the ground or floor and can attend any surface, including smooth or carpeted flooring found in most dwellings. The exterior use of the item is also possible with this stable design providing in all cases the ground is of a level horizontal nature and does not provide a gradient that would create an unstable environ on which to mount the unit body 1.

The exterior surface 2, as shown in Figure 1 may also be of a design that has embellishments or raised or indented patterns or designs formed or pressed into the surface which would be provided normally of a plastic based nature. These may form dimensional patterns or shapes of, for example, animals or characters or a permanent nature as a. design thereon. These may be coloured in any known desired method or may be of a plain format. The application of self-adhesive designs and other exterior decorative apparel is also possible including character or design sleeves' that are formed of a material, for example, cotton, and slid over the surface of the unit body 1 for decorative purposes.

The upper surface of the unit body 1 has an opening from which a cord or rope 8 is extended. The cord or rope 8, as shown in Figure 1 may extend from any given point to the upper surface of the unit body 1; this figure shows one of these many points of exit.

The cord or rope B may be formed of any known material being of a none flexible or flexible nature. To the summit of the rope or cord B is an attachment piece 9, as shown in Figure 1. This attachment piece 9 may form a hook or turned form that is suited to attach to a number of tubular or lengthened structures as the baby chair handle 10 shown. This attachment piece 9 may vary in form as shown within the alternative example area 11, shown on Figure 1 as 9A. A hooked form or curved fitting that is of a solid or flexed nature would provide suitable clearance and attachment to or around tubular or similar lengths formed of baby or infant sleeping or resting apparel or furniture. Owing to the raised or padded material that may form the attachment point of certain seating objects, for example a child car or carry chair seat padding, the attachment piece 9 may require to provide a sprung clipping method to grip the material as an attachment method. This would form two plains of plastic or metal material, for example, having a sprung area within its centre that provides resistance when opened by the users hand and a secure closure aided by the returning sprung action. These attachment pieces 9 and 9A would be formed of a plastic or rubber and similar material and be formed to securely attach to the various types of known handles and rails on various infant or baby apparel and seating, resting or sleeping objects.

It is suggested within this presentation that these attachment pieces by designed to be removed from the cord of rope 8 to allow the user to interchange them to suit different apparel wishing to be rocked.

A child's bouncer chair for example may require a narrower and differently shaped attachment hook than a wider structure rail of a child cot. The attachment piece 9 has a hooked form that surrounds a horizontal handle bar A and is formed or attached to the cord or rope 6. The cord or rope 6 passes vertically in a downward stance through the opening to attach to a drive wheel 13 with the unit body 1 and its interior area 4. A locating pini 6 passes through a looped end where the cord or rope 8 terminates and locates the cord or rope 6 onto the drive wheel as a fixture. A spwng tensioner 12 locates above the termination end of the cord or rope 8 and above the locating pin 16.

This is shown in this figure as an example of its location only and it may be situated in any suitable portion of the interior 4 providing clear passage of the cord or rope 8 is provided through the opening and the mechanism is allowed to function clearly with the required outward spacing surrounding the silent motor, not shown. A composite belt 15 surrounds the drive wheel 13 sifting within a rotation groove to its exterior edge. The belt 15 attaches centrally to a primary drive wheel 14 that is attached to a silent motor.

The surrounding area 4 would be required to provide sufficient air flow from the exterior of the unit body 1, normally provided by venting, not shown, to provide cooling to the motor as it rotates. As the primary drive wheel 14 is caused to rotate by the origin shaft of the motor, it is forced to follow and turn. This proceeds to turn the belt 15 and thus the drive wheel 13 and its attached apparel, in this presentation being the cord or rope 8 that is attached via the locating pin 16. As the drive wheel 13 rotates in either a clockwise or anticlockwise motion the tensioned cord or rope 8 is raised through the opening at the top of the unit. The drive wheel 13 continues its rotation and the cord or rope 8 is extended and retracted within the opening in a horizontal procedure extending from the unit body 1.

The attachment piece 9 would then create a downward pulling tension on the stable baby chair handle 10 and its handle bar A as the internal drive wheel 13 rotates and the cord or rope 8 is caused to descend, offering a retraction of the cord or rope 8 through the opening of the unit wall 2. As the cord or rope 8 pulls in a downward motion on the baby chair handle 10 a movement of the handle 10 occurs in a slight downward motion and the object or baby chair is rocked. As the cord or rope 8 returns in an upward trajectory through the opening of the unit wall 2, the baby chair handle 10 is retumed to its original position and angle momentarily prior to the process repeating under a timed and predetermined motion that creates the rocking action.

A power supply 6 is provided having a standalone ability once charged. This charging is provided by a detachable input cable 7, as shown in Figure 1. This power supply 6 is shown to the lower left of Figure 1 within the unit body 1. This is a single example and this power supply may be located in any desired area that is compatible with the other internal devises and their works.

The mechanism and drive system shown may vary using any known motors and motion applications; the one shown is representative of a common solution only.

An extending base platform 5 is housed within the unit body 1 to the base or ground level area of the device and is housed within the interior space of the unit 4. This platform 5 is designed to slide inside the unit body 1 at the base 3 and may be formed of a plastic or similar material that provides a rigid plain. The extending base platform 5 is deployed by pulling it in an outward extension from its housing following the release button 31 being depressed. This is then extended to form a protruding area to the foot of the unit body 1. These may be housed and extend from opposing sides or locations of the unit base 3, as shown as 5A and 5B in Figure 3. Their rate or length of extension would vary and be determined by the maker and to allow sufficient reach and depth of footing to aid the unit base 3 to remain upright and stable during function.

As the extending base platform 5A and 5B are exposed and pulled from within their housing, the unit body lB may require elevation from the ground 29 and 30 to allow movement or sliding to occur, attending a clearance suitable to allow movement of the extending base platforms 5A and 5B.

Once extended the unit body I B may be placed or returned to the floor surface in free stance. The addition of rubber base mounts 26 as shown in Figure 3 would provide clearance of the floor or ground surface 29 and 30. These may also be produced of a none rubber variant or any desired material. Floor contact surface without the addition of rubber base mounts is shown as 29 and with the addition of rubber base mounts 30 in Figure 3.

The rubber base mounts 28 would be attached to the underside of the unit base 3 in locations to its under surface that would be determined to allow the base to remain in a desired or suitable horizontal levelling, most often in a spacing of several rubber base mounts 28 being equally placed with almost exacting distance between each of them to achieve this. Prior to commencement of the rocking operation the adjacent or available baby chair rail or footing 35 closest to the unit body 1 is placed onto the extending base platform 5A and 5B as shown in Figure 3. This addition of a downward static or moveable weight would assist in maintaining the unit body 18 in place. As the added weight of the baby chair rail or footing 35 or object 36 is installed in place the unit body 1 B would have a more solid and reliable stance. It is suggested that the unit body 1 B be produced to a sufficient weight that it is able to provide its independent down force and remain in place when the cord or rope 8 is in motion. The specific mature of this weight will vary from the size and dimensions of the unit body 1 B and its shape and form will all contribute to this final stability and it may be formed in any number of known shapes and forms and remain within this presentation and disclosure. An additional presentation of this is shown in Figure 4 with a baby or infant cot leg 33 standing on the extended base 5C following release of the button SiC.

The attachment piece SB as shown in Figure 3 is located to the upper area of the unit body 1 B and this is only one of many locations for this to be positioned and to protrude, as shown-The position of the cord or rope 8 and the attachment piece 9B varies in angle and trajectory based on the available location provided following the installation of the other functions.

The angle of extension of the cord or rape B and the attachment piece 9B is determined by the distance at which the unit body 1 is placed from the object or apparel wishing to be rocked. Figure 2 shows the angle variation more clearly as the baby chair 26 and its frame 27, as shown, are positioned adjacent or near to the unit body 1A, in this figure. The cord or rope BA is attached to the baby chair frame 27, as can be seen. This produces angle at which the cord or rope BA will perform in relation to the baby chair 26. The extended base platforms 5A and 53 are shown here providing added stability for the unit body 1A.

Platform 58 is also shown to locate or attach to the baby chair frame 27 in this figure.

The cord or rope 8A may have the design and characteristics of a known Bungee or more elasticated material in its production being of any given dimension or known shape as a more narrow cylindrical form of cord or rope or presented as a flat ribbon' type material, possibly of a rubber or plastic nature and remain within this working description and

disclosure.

The cord or rope BA would be advised to project along the parallel trajectory that is in line with the extended bases 5A and 56. As shown in Figure 2. This would allow any pulling movement or additional force from the cord or rope CA to be in line and in the same direction as the bases 5A and 56 providing a stable resistance from the bases as the motion proceeds when in use.

In accordance with general use any object or weight may be applied to the bases 5A and 5B to produce an improved stance of the unit body 1A and the unit body 1A may also be attached by a small clamp on the extension base nearest to the chair footing to hold the chair and unit together, as shown in Figure 2. An extension, not shown, may also be attached to the unit body 1, IA, 16. This would be attached using a fixture to any suitable lower position of the unit body and form a frame which provides additional width on which a wider chair, such as a child car carry seat can be placed, thus offering improved stability to the unit body 1. As the frame, which could form any shape that is wider than the width of the unit body, is in place and located to the floor surface it is able to retain the unit body in place by the addition of the chair being placed on to its surface and thus being attached to the unit body 1, 1A, 16.

A thermometer 25 as shown in Figure 1 is provided to the unit body 1 and is positioned in any desired location to its surface area. This provides the ability to regulate the ambient room temperature in which the child is housed. A display would be provided in a digital LCD or similar method to display outwardly as shown in both daylight and darkness; this may incorporate an audible alarm should the room temperature rise above desired levels.

In Figure 1 and 3, 4 this is shown as an oval shape but may be of any known shape and apply within this disclosure as a functional addition to the unit body 1. Its power source and unit is supported by the rechargeable battery cell 6. Sounds or music is provided by a speaker music or sound player 17. This provides music or sounds to sooth or entertain the subject and may be positioned as with all additions shown in any location to the unit body 1 and its surface 2. A digital sound player is provided and attached to the speaker shown A night light 23 may also be desired as a further addition; this is powered by the same source 6 and is shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 to the side wall to the outer surface of the unit 2.

This provides a reassuring light to the infant or baby during resting periods and may be positioned at any location on the unit body 1 that is deemed suitable. A projector 24 shown is provided and offers to deliver imagery to the room interior via its lens as shown 24 in Figure 1. The projection of colours and shapes to the ceiling or wall surfaces is provided thus.

This is shown centrally to the upper surface of the unit body 1 but may be positioned in any chosen area of the unit body 1.

A video camera 20 is provided and is optional as are all disclosed additions and may be singularly added to the unit base 1 or in pairs or multiples as chosen. The camera 20 is provided to allow the image of the child or any other known image to be captured and viewed and is supported via the microphone 21, as shown in Figure 1.

Visual and audio monitoring of the resting or sleeping subject is provided. The power supply 6 provides support and may be recharged to allow the power supply cable 22 to be disconnected once charged. A portable wireless unit body 1 is provided thus. Shown in Figure 3.

The visual and audio transmission captured by the camera 20 and the microphone 21 may be viewed using all know system apparel including television, monitor screen, speakers, mobile telephone, computer screen and system, hand held tablet or monitor.

Visual and audio monitoring of the infant or child subject is provided in a portable manner.

The additions, Camera 20, microphone 21, night light 23, projector 24, thermometer 25 and speaker music or sound player 17 are supported and controlled by the control panel 37. as shown in figure 1. A series of buttons or sliders provide individual control of all apparel or additions listed in a single solution area. All additions may be located at any known point of the unit body 1. Figure 1, 3, 4 show only a single example of their location and does not represent the final chosen arrangement that can be achieved of these additions. The design shown which is of a child character nature and a modem rounded oval themed design is a single representation only and does not represent the final chosen arrangement of the unit body 1 and its exterior surface 2.

Claims (11)

1. Claims 1. A baby rocking and multifunctional device has a floor standing body that offers multiple functions.
2. 2. A baby rocking and multifunctional device as claimed in claim 1 has a floor standing body that offers multiple functions including a baby or infant rocking aid.
3. 3. A baby rocking and multifunctional device as claimed in claim 2 wherein a baby or infant rocking aid has a cord or rope to attach to items to be rocked.
4. 4. A baby rocking and multifunctional device as claimed in claim 3 has a cord or rope with changeable fillings to allow attachment to differing items. -
5. 5. A baby rocking and multifunctional device has extending fittings to aid its stability
6. 6. A baby rocking and multifunctional device as claimed in claim 5 wherein extending fittings are provided to aid its stability and is weighted to assist in this
7. 7. A baby rocking and muitifunctional device rocks or moves a baby or infant housing automatically.
8. 8. A baby rocking and multifunctional device as claimed in claim 7 rocks or moves a baby or infant automatically using a silent motor housed therein.
9. 9. A baby rocking and multifunctional device as claimed in claim 8 has a silent motor housed therein that can work wireless once charged.
10. 10. A baby rocking and multifunctional device has multiple functions within its body including a night light, thermometer, speaker, projector, camera and microphone.
11. 11. A baby rocking and multifunctional device as claimed in all previous claims is a portable unit that rocks a child in its various resting apparel and provides separate or combined portable entertainment and monitoring facilities therein.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1) A baby rocking and multifunctional device wherein all forms of infant or child apparel can be rocked using a single unit.2) A baby rocking and multifunctional device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a single device is able to rock all known child seating or rest & sleep apparel by way of interchangeable attachments.3) A baby rocking and multifunctional device as claimed in claim 1 and 2 wherein a single device can be used to rock all child apparel by having a universal attachment.4) A baby rocking and multifunctional device wherein a power source internally allows usage without cabled electricity.

    5) A baby rocking and multifunctional device has multiple functions within its body that assist the infant or baby.

    6) A baby rocking and multifunctional device wherein no third party attachments to the subject being rocked are required to allow the unit to carry out its function.o.fl.o 7) A baby rocking and multifunctional device as claimed in all previous claims is able to rock all known types of child seating, crib or resting apparel using changeable attachments or a universal single clasp, which suits all variations and has various incorporated items that assist the baby or infant within its body, requiring no cabled power and no additional third party attachments to the subject matter. *.,,