US2932821A

US2932821A - Infant pacifying device

Info

Publication number: US2932821A
Application number: US750182A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert R Horton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-07-22
Filing date: 1958-07-22
Publication date: 1960-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 1977-04-12

Description

April 12, 1960 R. R. HORTON 2,932,821

INFANT PACIFYING DEVICE Filed July 22, 1958 WWW Arm/em? 2,932,821 INFANT PACIFYING DEVICE Robert R. Horton, St. Paul, Minn. Application July 22, 1958, Serial No. 750,182 Claims. Cl. 340-384) This invention relates to a device for pacifying crying infants and more particularly relates to a small, compact, portable device which can be simply placed on a surface on which an infant is supported, such as a bassinette mattress or the like, and safely operated.

The problem of apparently causeless crying of infants, from birth to about 3 months of age or older, has resulted in countless suggested solutions which have led to the production of such widely divergent pacifying means as simulated nipples and complex crib or bassinette rocking and/ or shaking attachments. Such means have obvious drawbacks which detract from their more general adoption. The use of simulated nipples and similar foolers is often discouraged on the grounds of mental health. The mechanical, and electrical crib rocking attachments and the like are bulky, expensive, and of specialized construction for each particular type of crib.

Of the four senses, sight, sound, touch and taste, presently used pacifiers usually appeal only to one of these senses. In fact, the development of all these senses in an infant is relatively primitive and appeals to the sight are generally meaningless. Appeals to the taste are generally discouraged, as in the case of the simulated nipples, and appeals to the touch such as the rocking attachments and the like are impractical.

It is an object of this invention to provide an infant pacifying device which performs its pacifying function by producing an audible buzzing sound or hum accompanied by the transmission of mild vibration created by the buzzing unit of the device to the supporting surface on which the device is placed. Another object is to provide a small, compact, portable infant pacifying device which may be easily carried in the hand; yet another object is to provide a pacifying device which operates to perform its pacifying function upon simple resting in placement on a mattress or other infant supporting surface. Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The infant pacifying device of this invention comprises a small compactcasing or shell housing a buzzer therewithin which emits a soft, audible buzzing sound accompanied by a mild vibratory effect, such as are encountered in the operation of an electric shaver or the like.

The invention will be more readily understood after a perusal of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated.

Figure l is a perspective view of a pacifying device constructed in accordance with the principles of this in vention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view lengthwise through the pacifying device disclosing the interior thereof;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the bottom of the device;

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the electrical circuit in the device; and

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a bassinette or 2,932,821 Patented Apr. 12, 1960 the like with parts being broken away for clarity of detail to illustrate an environment in which the device operates.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail there is shown in Figure 1 an infant pacifying device constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and designated in its entirety by the numeral 10. The device shown comprises a dome like shell or casing 12 having a flat bottom 14 and may be conveniently formed of molded plastic or the like. In the illustrated embodiment the casing 12 is shown in the shape of a dome for its esthetic appeal as well as for the practical provision of an unobtrusive smoothly rounded casing which is free from protuberances, corners or sharp edges which might possibly injure an infant. While the shell 12 is illustrated as having an access door 16 in the dome for access to the interior thereof, such door may be provided in the bottom 14 (Fig. 2) of the casing.

The casing has mounted therewithin, as .illustrated in Figure 2, a battery holder 18 containing battery means (not shown), an electrical buzzer 20 electrically connected therewith and a combination on-otf switch and timer 22. The buzzer 20 may be a conventional bell type such as used in doorbells and the like or small electric motor. The buzzer 20 is securely and rigidly attached to the casing, as for example by embedding adhesion to the plastic bottom 14, whereby vibrations therefrom are transmitted undiminished to the casing.

In the embodiment shown the bottom 14 of the shell' 12 is recessed as at 24 to accommodate a control 26 of the combination on-otf switch and timer 22. As is apparent from the fragmentary section of the bottom 14 illustrated in Figure 3, the control 26 for the switch and timer 22 is a disc shaped member conveniently disposed within the recess 24 so that it does not project beyond the bottom surface of the shell and wherein it will remain in a concealed spot without protrusion while the device is in operation. The control disc 26 is provided with a center button 28 for turning the same between its off position and a selected timed operating position, the control shown being operable for periods up to 30 minutes. To operate the buzzer, the control 26 is simply turned from its off position to line up the desired time interval with the indicating arrow 29 and the buzzer sounds for the indicated interval and is automatically stopped upon the expiration of the time set.

The electrical circuit is exceedingly simple as shown in Figure 4 and simply comprises battery means 30 connected to the electrical buzzer or bell 20 with the electrical connection being interrupted by the combination timer and switch 22.

In the operation of the device, the device is simply placed on a surface, such as the mattress 34 (Figure 5) of the bassinette 36 and operated. Before placing the device on the bassinette mattress 34,

The buzzing sound emitted by the buzzer accompanied by the mild vibration transmitted from the casing to the mattress 34 has been found to have a remarkable soothing effect on crying infants, apparently appealing favorably both to their sense of touch and their sense of hearing. Being free from corners, edges, presenting only smoothly rounded contours, and having the operational controls recessed in the casing bottom, the device may be operated adjacent an infant in complete safety.

While in the preferred embodiment shown of the device, the device is battery operated so that it comprises a self-contained unit, the batteries being removable and replaceable through the access door 16, it is it may be a' V V t r 3 obviousthat the device could operatefrom a house current source through the medium of an electric cord if desired. Further, while a timer is desirable so that the device will automatically stop and, can remain unattended it is not essentialand a simple on off switch will sufiice.

Also, as in thefca'se of a telephone buzzer or the like, the buzzer 20 may be provided with a volume controlin the forrri of a projecting set screw or the like 38 accessible through the passage 40 through the bottom 14 of the device.

Since other minor modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art after a perusal of the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing, it is not desired to limit the invention to the illustrative embodiment shown and all suitable modifications are contemplated which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A vibratory and audible device for soothing infants and the like, said device comprising a small, compact, portable casing having an electrical buzzer mounted fixedly therewithin and in immediate vibratory contact therewith, operating means for said buzzer including an electrical supply circuit leading from said buzzer for connecting the same to an electric power source, said electric power source comprising battery means housed within said casing, said operating means including switch means for disconnecting the electrical supply circuit from the. buzzer, said buzzer producing an audible hum accompanied by mild vibration of said casing upon actuation thereof, said casing having a smoothly rounded domelike shape free of protuberances and capable of being held comfortably in the palm of the hand.

2. A device for pacifying crying infants, said device comprising a small, compact, portable casing having an electrical'buzzer mounted'therewithin, operating means for said buzzer including an-electrical supply circuit leading from said buzzer for connecting the same to an electric power source, said electric power source comprising battery means housed within said casing, said operating means including switch means for disconnecting the electrical srupply circuit from the buzzer, said casing having a generally flat bottom, said switch means having a control projecting exteriorly of said casing and being recessed in said bottom, said buzzer beingfixedly secured to said 7 1: casing and transmitting mild vibrations thereto upon actuation thereof; a I

3. A small, compact, device for soothing infants adapted to be operated on a crib mattress or the like,

said device comprising a smoothly rounded rigid casing free from protuberances, sharp corners andiedges, said casing having a generally flat bottom wall, and an electric buzzer housed within said casing securely fastened to said bottom wall, said buzzer emitting an audible buzzing sound and mildly vibrating said casi ng upon actuation thereof, and switch means for actuating said buzzer carried by said casing and accessible. from the exterior therei of.

4. A small, compact, device for soothing infants adapted to be operated on a crib mattress or the like, said device comprising a smoothly rounded rigid casing free from protuberances, shaip corners and edges, said casing having a generally flat bottom wall, and an electric buzzer housed withinsaid casing securely fastened to said bottom wall, said buzzer emitting an audible buzzing sound and mildly vibrating said casing upon actuation thereof, and switch means for actuating said buzzer carried by said casing and accessible from the exterior thereof, said casing comprising a smoothly rounded dome, said bottom wall thereof having an opening therein'in which said actuating switch is recessed.

5. A vibratory and audible device for soothing infants and: the like, said device comprising a small, compact,

portable casing having a smoothly rounded dome-like top free from sharp protuberances and capable of being vgrasped comfortably in the palm of the hand, said casing having a bottom wall forming a smoothly curved juncture with the lower edge of said dome-like top, an electric buzzer fixedly secured to said bottom wall, a switch for actuating said buzzer recessed in said bottom wall and accessible from the exterior of said casing, said buzzer vibrating said casing and emitting an audible buzzing sound when actuated.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Baezley June 30, 51953,