NZ573024A

NZ573024A - A movement simulation means, which uses rollers to turn the wheel of a stationary stroller

Info

Publication number: NZ573024A
Application number: NZ57302408A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Aaron Dalton
Original assignee: Aaron Dalton
Priority date: 2008-11-24
Filing date: 2008-11-24
Publication date: 2010-10-29

Abstract

Movement simulation means (1) and their use is disclosed. The movement simulation means (1) comprises a roller (2) and drive means to spin the roller. The roller can receive a wheel of a stroller and spin so that the wheel turns. The turning of the wheel simulates forward and/or backward movement of the stroller. The roller has a wheel receiving portion in a central part (5) of the roller, which is of lesser cross section than the adjacent parts (4) of the roller. When the wheel is in the wheel receiving portion (5), it is prevented from moving laterally out of the recess due to gravity.

Description

573024 1 Patents Form No. 5 THE PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Movement Simulation Means I, AARON DALTON, a New Zealand citizen, of 18b Bowen Street, Queenstown, New Zealand, hereby declare this invention for which l/we pray that a patent may be granted to me/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be 25 particularly described in and by the following statement: 573024 Received at IPONZ on 20 July 2010 2 Title Movement simulation means.

Field of Invention A preferred form of this invention relates to a means for simulating the movement of an infant stroller or of a wheelchair.

Background It is known that movement can assist an infant or other child to sleep, for example 10 when the infant is in a stroller being pushed. The problem with this is the time taken, the energy required and often the need to do so outside. It is an object of a preferred form of the present invention to go at least some way towards overcoming this problem or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

The term "comprising" and derivatives thereof, eg "comprises", if and when used herein in relation to a combination of features should not be taken as excluding the possibility that the combination may have further unspecified features.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention there is provided the use of movement simulation means with a stroller or wheeled chair to simulate forward and/or backward movement of such stroller or chair, the simulation means having a roller and drive means, wheels of the stroller or chair being in contact with the roller wherein the drive means causes movement of the roller to turn such wheels 25 substantially without forward motion of the stroller or chair, the roller having a wheel receiving portion in a central part of the roller which is of lesser cross section than immediately adjacent parts of the roller, the wheel being located in the wheel receiving portion and being prevented from moving laterally out of the wheel receiving portion due to the difference in cross section between the wheel 30 receiving portion and the immediately adjacent parts. 573024 Received at IPONZ on 20 July 2010 3 Preferably there is a second roller arranged substantially parallel to the first mentioned roller and wherein the wheels of the stroller or chair which are in contact with the first mentioned roller are also in contact with the second roller.

Preferably the, or as the case may be each, roller is adapted to move telescopically to adjust the length of the roller.

Preferably the, or as the case may be each, roller is wider at each end to contain the wheels in a central part of the roller.

Preferably the, or as the case may be each, roller has at least one groove to contain the wheel on the roller.

Preferably the, or as the case may be each, roller has a bump or bumps on its 15 surface to cause the stroller to move from side to side, oscillate, vibrate, rock or bounce.

Preferably the, or as the case may be each, roller is held in an elevated disposition by a support at each end.

Preferably the supports are linked by stabilizer bars.

Preferably the drive means comprises an electric motor.

Preferably some wheels of the stroller or chair are not in contact with the roller, or as the case may be, rollers.

Preferably the movement simulation means comprises sensing means which senses movement and/or sound of a human within the stroller or chair and 30 adjusts movement of the first mentioned roller in response to the movement and/or sound sensed.

Preferably the movement simulation means is portable. 573024 Received at IPONZ on 20 July 2010 4 According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided movement simulation means comprising a roller, the roller being adjustable in length, drive means adapted to cause the roller to spin, the movement simulation means adapted to receive wheels of a stroller or wheeled chair on the roller with the 5 roller spinning such that wheels of the stroller or chair turn to simulate forward and/or backward movement of the stroller or wheeled chair, the roller having a wheel receiving portion in a central part of the roller which is of lesser cross section than immediately adjacent parts of the roller, the wheel being located in the wheel receiving portion and being prevented from moving laterally out of the 10 wheel receiving portion due to the difference in cross section between the wheel receiving portion and the immediately adjacent parts.

Preferably there is a second roller arranged substantially parallel to the first mentioned roller such that when the movement simulation means is in use 15 wheels of the stroller or chair contact both rollers.

Preferably the, or as the case may be each, roller is wider at each end to contain the wheels in a central part of the roller when the simulation means is in use.

Preferably the, or as the case may be each, roller has at least one groove suitable for containing a wheel of the stroller or chair on the roller when the 25 simulation means is in use.

Preferably the, or as the case may be each, roller has a bump or bumps on its surface to cause the stroller to move from side to side, oscillate, vibrate, rock or bounce when the simulation means is in use.

Preferably the, or as the case may be each, roller is held in an elevated disposition by a support at each end. 573024 Received at IPONZ on 20 July 2010 Preferably the supports are linked by one or more stabilizer bars.

Preferably the drive means comprises an electric motor.

Preferably the movement simulation means comprises sensing means adapted to sense movement and/or sound of a human when within a stroller or chair when in use with the movement simulation means and adjust movement of the roller in response to the movement and/or sound sensed.

Preferably the movement simulation means is portable.

Description of the Drawing Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a movement simulator; Figure 2 is a plan view of the simulator; and Figure 3 is front and side view of an alternative movement simulator.

Detailed Description Referring to figure 1, the movement simulator 1 has a pair of substantially parallel rollers 2. Each roller 2 is attached at each end to one of two rectangular blocks 3. The pair of rectangular blocks 3 supports the rollers 2 and elevates them slightly off the ground. The rollers 2 and blocks 3 may be made from a suitable 25 plastic, metallic or wooden substance or a combination of these.

Each roller 2 comprises a wider portion 4 and a narrower portion 5 which move telescopically with respect to one another to extend or shorten the length of the roller and therefore the simulator 1. The large arrow 5a indicates the direction 30 the rollers 2 can move to extend the simulator 1. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the rollers may not be length adjustable.

Referring to figure 2, each roller 2 is capable of spinning and does so with respect to each block 3 by way of an axle 6 at each end of the roller 2. Each axle 573024 Received at IPONZ on 20 July 2010 6 passes into an aperture in each block 3 to rotate within a respective bearing 7 set in the respective block 3. There are therefore two bearings 7 in each block to accommodate the rollers 2. Alternatively each axle 6 may be fixed in the blocks 3 such that the roller 2 can turn about a bearing set in the roller 2. In one 5 embodiment of the invention, the simulator 1 has stabilizer bars 8 which provide additional strength. As with the rollers 2, each stabilizer bar 8 has a wider portion 9 and a narrower portion 10 which move telescopically with respect to one another to extend or shorten the length of each bar 8 and thus the length of the simulator 1.

An electric motor (not shown) may be arranged inside one of the rollers 2 to deliver power to spin that roller. Alternatively the motor may be next to or inside one of the blocks 3. The motor is preferably a small two-speed or variable-speed electric motor and is driven by electrical power delivered via a single phase cable 15 11. Alternatively the simulator may have a source of solar or battery power. Where a battery is used, the rollers 2 may work as a dynamo to charge the battery. In an alternative embodiment of the invention a motor may be provided in each roller for additional power or as a back up.

When tired, an infant will sometimes sleep when pushed in a stroller because of its movement. However, this usually necessitates going outdoors which is not always convenient for a parent or care giver. The simulator 1 is designed to recreate the sense of movement that is normally achieved by pushing a stroller outdoors, but has the advantage that it can be used indoors or outdoors while the 25 stroller is stationary, except for the movement made by the simulator 1 itself.

When in use the simulator 1 is adjusted using the telescopic function of the rollers 2 so that it is the correct length to receive a stroller. Then either front or back wheels of the stroller are placed on and between the rollers 2. The front or back 30 wheels that are not between the rollers 2 may simply rest on the floor. Alternatively, the wheels not between the rollers may be placed on mounts (not shown) adapted to prevent any unwanted movement of these wheels. For example each mount may contain one or more grooves in which a wheel or wheels sit to stabilize them. The mounts may be separate to the simulator 1 but 573024 Received at IPONZ on 20 July 2010 7 in an alternative embodiment of the invention they may be attached to the rest of the simulator 1 to form one unit.

Power is then provided to at least one of the rollers 2 which spins, causing the 5 wheels of the stroller in contact with that roller, and also the other roller, to spin/turn. The speed of the motor can be increased or varied. Each roller may have bumps on it and/or the axle 6 and/or bearing at one or each end of the roller 2 may be slightly off centre so that when the rollers 2 spin the wheels of the stroller do not turn smoothly but bounce slightly on the rollers 2. In preferred 10 embodiments the combined effect is to cause the stroller to move slightly from side to side, oscillate, vibrate, rock or bounce as if the stroller were being pushed along over outdoors terrain with the aim of soothing the infant or sending the infant to sleep.

The blocks 3 are higher than the rollers 2 which prevents the wheels of the stroller from sliding sideways off the rollers 2 while the simulator 1 is in use. The rollers 2 may also be wider at each end and lower at the middle so that the wheels naturally tend toward the middle of the rollers 2 rather than toward the blocks 3 at each end. Alternatively there may be a groove or grooves in each 20 roller 2 to hold the wheels in a particular place.

Referring to figure 3, in an alternative embodiment of the invention the simulator 12 may have a base 13, a first vertical arm 14, a second vertical arm 15, and a roller 16. The roller 16 is connected to each arm by an axle 17 around which the 25 roller may spin. The base 13 keeps the simulator 12 stationary on the floor. The first arm 14 is higher than the second arm 15 and is adapted to receive the axle 18 of the stroller. The axle 17 runs between a point near the top of the second arm 15 and a lower point on the first arm 14. When in use the stroller's axle 18 is held by the first arm 14 so that a wheel 19 of the stroller sits on top of the roller 30 16. When the roller 16 is operated to spin the wheel 19 of the stroller also spins. When the axle 18 is released from the first arm 14 the wheel 19 sits on the floor rather than on the roller 16 and the simulator 12 may act as a stand. 573024 Received at IPONZ on 20 July 2010 8 The simulator 1,12 may be equipped with a number of accessories, for example an MP3 player, CD player, tape player or DVD player, and speakers may be incorporated into the simulator to play soothing music, stories, or natural sounds such as running water, birds singing, wind or rain. The simulator may contain an 5 childproof timer control, an infant voice monitor and/or a transmitter. It may also have a sensor for detecting if an infant is restless or quiet and for increasing or decreasing the motion of the simulator accordingly. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the simulator is portable but it may also be built into the stroller for ease of use in a variety of settings. As an alternative to being built into a stroller, 10 the simulator 1 may be attached to the stroller or wheeled chair.

While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

573024 Received at IPONZ on 20 July 2010 9 What I Claim Is

1. The use of movement simulation means with a stroller or wheeled chair to simulate forward and/or backward movement of such stroller or chair, the 5 simulation means having a roller and drive means, a wheel of the stroller or chair being in contact with the roller wherein the drive means causes movement of the roller to turn such wheel substantially without forward motion of the stroller or chair, the roller having a wheel receiving portion in a central part of the roller which is of lesser cross section than immediately adjacent 10 parts of the roller, the wheel being located in the wheel receiving portion and being prevented from moving laterally out of the wheel receiving portion due to the difference in cross section between the wheel receiving portion and the immediately adjacent parts. 15

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein there is a second roller arranged substantially parallel to the first mentioned roller and wherein the wheel of the stroller or chair which is in contact with the first mentioned roller is also in contact with the second roller. 20

3. Use according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the, or if the claim dependency permits each, roller is adapted to move telescopically to adjust the length of the roller.

4. Use according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the, or if the claim dependency permits each, roller is wider at each end to contain the wheel in a central part 25 of the roller.

5. Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the, or if the claim dependency permits each, roller has at least one groove to contain the wheel on the roller. 30

6. Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the, or if the claim dependency permits each, roller has a bump or bumps on its surface to cause the stroller to move from side to side, oscillate, vibrate, rock or bounce. 573024 Received at IPONZ on 20 July 2010 10

7. Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the, or if the claim dependency permits each, each, roller is held in an elevated disposition by a support at each end. 5

8. Use according to claim 7 wherein the supports are linked by stabilizer bars.

9. Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive means comprises an electric motor.

10 10. Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein some wheels of the stroller or chair are not in contact with the roller, or if the claim dependency permits, rollers.

11. Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the movement 15 simulation means comprises sensing means which senses movement and/or sound of a human within the stroller or chair and adjusts movement of the first mentioned roller in response to the movement and/or sound sensed.

12. Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the movement 20 simulation means is portable.

13. Movement simulation means comprising a roller and drive means adapted to cause the roller to spin, the movement simulation means adapted to receive a wheel of a stroller or wheeled chair on the roller with the roller spinning such 25 that the wheel of the stroller or chair turns to simulate forward and/or backward movement of the stroller or wheeled chair, the roller having a wheel receiving portion in a central part of the roller which is of lesser cross section than immediately adjacent parts of the roller, the wheel being located in the wheel receiving portion and being prevented from moving laterally out of the 30 wheel receiving portion due to the difference in cross section between the wheel receiving portion and the immediately adjacent parts.

14. Movement simulation means according to claim 13, wherein there is a second roller arranged substantially parallel to the first mentioned roller such that 573024 Received at IPONZ on 20 July 2010 11 when the movement simulation means is in use the wheel of the stroller or chair contacts both rollers.

15. Movement simulation means according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the, or if the 5 claim dependency permits each, roller is adapted to move telescopically to adjust the length of the roller.

16. Movement simulation means according to claim 13, 14 or 15 wherein the, or if the claim dependency permits each, roller is wider at each end to contain the 10 wheel in a central part of the roller when the simulation means is in use.

17. Movement simulation means according to any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein the, or if the claim dependency permits each, roller has at least one groove suitable for containing the wheel of the stroller or chair on the roller when the 15 simulation means is in use.

18. Movement simulation means according to any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein the, or if the claim dependency permits each, roller has a bump or bumps on its surface to cause the stroller to move from side to side, oscillate, vibrate, 20 rock or bounce when the simulation means is in use.

19. Movement simulation means according to any one of claims 13 to 18 wherein the, or if the claim dependency permits each, roller is held in an elevated disposition by a support at each end. 25

20. Movement simulation means according to claim 19 wherein the supports are linked by one or more stabilizer bars.

21. Movement simulation means according to any one of claims 13 to 20 wherein 30 the drive means comprises an electric motor.

22. Movement simulation means according to any one of claims 13 to 21, comprising sensing means adapted to sense movement and/or sound of a human when within a stroller or chair when in use with the movement 573024 Received at IPONZ on 20 July 2010 12 simulation means and adjust movement of the roller in response to the movement and/or sound sensed.

23. Movement simulation means according to any one of claims 13 to 22 wherein 5 the movement simulation means is portable.

24. Use according to claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 10

25. Movement simulation means according to claim 13 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 15 20 AARON DALTON By His Attorney A.J. Pietras & Co