GB2513421A

GB2513421A - Portable device for rocking infant carriers, cribs and the like

Info

Publication number: GB2513421A
Application number: GB1307636.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Geoffrey Philip Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-27
Filing date: 2013-04-27
Publication date: 2014-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-27
Also published as: GB2513421B; GB201307636D0

Abstract

A rocking device, suitable for clamping to a pram, an infant carrier or a crib, comprises an imbalanced rotating mass 2 comprising at least one of a rotational means B, for example a motor 3, and an energy storage means A, for example a rechargeable battery 1 or a clockwork spring. Rocking is induced by rotation of the mass around a fixed shaft 6, and drive may be transmitted between mass 2 and shaft 6 via gears 4, 5, a belt, a chain or a shaft drive. A protective casing 15 with an integrated clamp 16 may be provided, and the angular velocity of mass 2 may be adjustable to vary the frequency of the rocking motion. Electrical contact between the mass and stationary elements may be maintained using a brush and stator ring arrangement, mutual induction or radio signals.

Description

Portable Device for Rocking Infant Carriers, Cribs and the Like.

Background

Gently rocking an infant to sleep in their pram, carrier or crib can be a laborious and time consuming task. Infants may require many hours of continual gentle rocking to maintain their sleep. They may especially require this motion when out with parents at parties, in cafes etc. or generally out away from the home. Designs currently exist whereby a device containing a rotating mass powered by an electric motor and battery (or directly from mains electricity) imparts a sinusoidal rocking motion into the pram onto which said device is firmly attached. These are currently particularly heavy and not generally intended for portable use, but intended for use in the home only.

Statement of Invention

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a rocking device that may be attached to a pram, carrier or crib, containing a rotating imbalanced mass where that rotating mass is also the means of rotational power or energy storage, or a combination of the two, thereby eliminating the need for an additional mass exclusively for the rotating element.

Advantages The elimination for the need of a mass specifically for the rotating element may significantly reduce the overall mass and size of the rocking device, making said device more conducive for portable use away from the home.

Preferably the means of rotational power is a compact low voltage electric motor with integral epicyclic gear reduction device and rotation is driven by a pair of spur gears.

Preferably the means of energy storage is a relatively massive rechargeable battery, increasing mass of said components increases centripetal force and thus the amplitude of the rocking motion.

Preferably both motor and battery are fixed together and mounted in a support structure as far away from the axis of rotation as practicable so as to maximise imbalance and so increase centripetal force.

Preferably low friction bearings are used between rotating element and fixed element of device.

Preferably electrical signals such as on/off, rotational angular velocity, battery recharge and continual external power supply are transmitted between motor/battery and an external control panel by means of three brush and stator mechanisms.

Preferably all rotating components are enclosed in a protective and supporting housing which incorporates a securing clamp for the secure fixing of the device to a child pram, carrier or crib.

Introduction to Drawings

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: * Figure 1 shows an exploded assembly of the imbalanced rotating mechanism that creates the rocking motion.

* Figure 2 shows the assembled version of figure 1 * Figure 3 shows how figure 2 is mounted and housed with the surrounding covers and integral carrier fixing clamp.

* Figure 4 shows the completely assembled device and displays an electronic control board

Detailed Description

A rechargeable battery 1, secured by structure 2 provides both rotating mass, and energy for motor with integral epicyclic gearbox 3. Spur gears 4 and S transmit drive from motor/gearbox 3 to fixed shaft 6, spur gearS being fixed to shaft 6. The drive causes items 1,2, and 3 to rotate about shaft 6 via bearings 8, bearings 8 being housed in bearing housings 7. Bearing housings 7 are fixed to structure 2. Items 1, 2 and 3 are designed to be particularly massive in the context of the device and so create the bulk of the centripetal force generated by the rotation. This force manifests itself into a sinusoidally varying force being transmitted into the infant carrier via shaft 6, shaft 6 being secured to and by covers 15 and 17. The covers 15 and 17 are firmly secured to infant carrier by clamp 16 thereby ensuring the transmission of a gentle rocking motion. Electricity is supplied by battery 1 to motor/gearbox 3 via on/off switch 20. Angular rotational velocity (and therefore sinusoidal motion frequency) is variable via control 19. The control circuitry is of the pulse width modulation type. The battery may be recharged, or continual operation of device may be achieved by plugging in an external electrical power source to female jack plug 21. Electrical contact between rotating battery 1, motor/gearbox 3 and fixed switch 20, control 19 female jack plug 21 and pulse width modulation circuitry (not shown) is maintained through the rubbing contact between rotating carbon brushes 11 and fixed stator rings 9. Wiring is routed between control panel 18 circuitry and stator rings 9 via the grooved feature in shaft 6 and insulating stator carrier 10. Stator rings 9 are fixed to shaft 6 via insulating stator carrier 10. Rotating carbon brushes are housed in insulating brush housing 12 which is in turn fixed to bearing housings 7. Forced rubbing contact between carbon brushes 11 and stator rings 9 is maintained by coil springs 13 which are in turn secured by bracket 14, bracket 14 being fixed to brush housing 12.

Claims

Claims. I claim: 1. A pram rocking device that may be attached to a range of infant's prams, carriers, cribs and the like comprising a rotating imbalanced mass element that induces a rocking motion into said infant's prams, carriers, cribs or the like via a fixed shaft about which said rotating imbalanced mass element rotates, where said rotating imbalanced mass element is also the means of rotational power or means of rotational energy storage, or a combination of both said means of rotational power and said means of rotational energy storage.
2. A pram rocking device according to claim 1 comprising electric motor and rechargeable battery cell as the combination of said means of rotational power and said rotational energy storage.
3. A pram rocking device according to claim 1 comprising clockwork spring as said means of rotational power and said rotational energy storage.
4. A pram rocking device according to claim 2 including an electrically conducting brush and stator ring method of maintaining electrical contact between said rotating imbalanced mass element and fixed stationary switches, controls and recharge/power supply.
5. A pram rocking device according to claim 2 that employs mutual induction of as a means of maintaining electrical contact between said rotating imbalanced mass element and said fixed stationary switches, controls and recharge/power supply.
6. A pram rocking device according to claim 2 that employs a radio signal as a means of maintaining electrical contact between said rotating imbalanced mass element and said fixed switches, controls and recharge/power supply.
7. A pram rocking device according to claim 1 including gears as the method of transmitting rotational drive between said rotating imbalanced mass element and said fixed shaft.
8. A pram rocking device according to claim 1 including belt drive as the method of transmitting rotational drive between said rotating imbalanced mass element and said fixed shaft.
9. A pram rocking device according to claim 1 including chain drive as the method of transmitting rotational drive between said rotating imbalanced mass element and said fixed shaft.
10. A pram rocking device according to claim 1 including shaft drive as the method of transmitting rotational drive between said rotating imbalanced mass element and said fixed shaft.
11. A pram rocking device according to claim 4 comprising fixed stationary said stator rings and rotating said brushes.
12. A pram rocking device according to claim 4 comprising rotating said stator rings and fixed stationary said brushes.
13. A pram rocking device according to any preceding and following claims that is enclosed in a protective casing with an incorporated clamping mechanism allowing removal and refitting of said pram rocking device between various said infant's prams, carriers, cribs and the like.
14. A pram rocking device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the angular velocity of the said rotating imbalanced mass element is adjustable so that that the frequency of the said rocking motion may be varied to the infant's particular preference.