US3552388A

US3552388A - Baby patting machine

Info

Publication number: US3552388A
Application number: US774081A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas V Zelenka
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-11-07
Filing date: 1968-11-07
Publication date: 1971-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-05

Abstract

A device for patting a baby to sleep by means of periodic pats upon the rump or hind part of the baby, the device comprising a bracket supporting a motor having pulley on the motor shaft, and the pulley supporting an arm having a soft pad at one end which pats the baby.

Description

United States Patent Thomas V. Zelenka Hanford, Calif. (205 S. Lemoore Ave., Lemoore, Calif., 93245) Nov. 7, 1968 Jan. 5, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented BABY PATTING MACHINE 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 128/55, l28/56, 128/61 Int. Cl A6lh 23/00 Field of Search 128/54- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,062,299 12/1936 Erickson l28/35X 3,403,674 10/ l 968 Alimanestiano. 128/61 3,424,149 H1969 Fujimoto 128/55 Primary Examiner-L. W. Trapp ABSTRACT: A device for patting a baby to sleep by means of periodic pats upon the rump or hind part of the baby, the device comprising a bracket supporting a motor having pulley on the motor shaft, and the pulley supporting an arm having a soft pad at one end which pats the baby. A

BABY PATTING MACHINE This invention relates generally to nursery equipment.

It is generally well-known to most parents of small infants and children that it is sometimes difficult for the infant to fall asleep, and the parent must resort to patting the baby to sleep by repeated pats upon the hind parts thereof. This can be a time consuming operation particularly when the infant is restless and not likely to fall asleep easily, and it is particularly objectionable to the parent when this takes place during the night, thereby disturbing the parents own sleep. This situation is accordingly in want of improvement.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a baby patting machine which will pat a baby to sleep, thereby eliminating the necessity of a parent to do the same manually for an extended period of time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a baby patting machine which can be operated for as long as necessary until the infant has fallen asleep.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a baby patting machine which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will become readily apparent upon a study of the following specification together with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in operative use, and

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view thereof shown partly in cross section.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral represents a baby patting machine, according to the present invention, which can be readily secured to a crib 11 or to a couch or other place where an infant is attempted to be put to sleep.

The machine 10 is comprised of an L-shaped bracket 12including a vertical leg, 13 and a horizontal leg 14. A slideable bar 15 has an opening 16 therethrough near one end thereof so as to receive the leg 14 of the bracket 12, the bar 15 being slideable along the leg 14 and being selectively secured in position by means ofa wing bolt 17 threadingly engaged to the bar 15 and in position to bear against theleg 14, thus locking the bar in selected position. The leg 14 comprises a hollow member receiving telescopically therein one end of a bar 18 and which is selectively secured thereto in a desired telescopic position by means of a wing bolt 19 threadingly engaged in' the leg 14 and in position to bear against the arm or bar 18.

The bar I8 has an electric motor 20 secured thereto by means of a strap 21, the motor having an electric cord 22, extending therefrom, the opposite end 'of the electric cord having a plug 23, which is receivable within an electric socket 24 of a house.

The motor 20 has a motor shaft 25 upon which there is secured a pulley 26, the pulley having an eccentrically mounted pin 27 to which there is secured one end of an arm 28, the arm having at its opposite end a soft pad 29 secured thereto in the form of a glove or mitten, as shown in the draw- 7 In operative use, the baby patting machine may be secured over the side bar 30 of the crib II by simply placing the bracket and sliding the bar 15 against the crib bar 30 thus locking the same between the leg 13 and bar 15, after which the wing bolt 17 is locked down securely. A felt pad 31 may be provided upon the bar 15 and upon the leg 13, if so preferred, so as to prevent scratching the furniture to which it is secured. The exact position of the pad 29 may be controlled by sliding the bar 18 outwardly of the bracket leg 14 and securing it in a selected position by the wing bolt 19. The plug 23 is inserted into the electric socket 24, thus causing the motor to rotate the motor shaft and pulley 26, as the arm 28 rotates, the pad 29 upon each rotation will pat the infant, as shown in FIG. I,

thus inducing the child to fall asleep, without the necessity of a parent standing by and doing this manually. It will be evident' that if the arm 28 is secured upon the single pin 27 the same will be carried upwardly by resting against the motor shaft 24 and be pulled down by gravity from its uppermost position during the patting action, which thus will simulate in feeling the pat from a hand of a person.

While various changes may be made within the detailed construction it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as is defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a baby patting machine, the combination of a bracket, means for securing said bracket to a crib or couch, said bracket carrying a bar, means for longitudinal adjustment of said bar, said bar supporting an electric motor, and means connected to said motor for patting an infant to sleep.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bracket comprises an L-shaped member having a pair of legs at right angles to each other, one of said legs comprising a vertical leg and the other of said legs comprising a horizontal leg, said horizontal leg having a longitudinal opening there within, said opening receiving said bar, said bar carrying said electric motor, and a wing bolt threadingly engaged within said horizontal leg of said bracket for a bearing against said bar for securement thereto in a selected position.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein a second bar comprises a jaw slideable along said horizontal leg of said bracket for receiving a support means therebetween and said vertical leg of said bracket, said second bar having an opening therethrough near one end thereof receiving said horizontal leg of said bracket therethrough, and a wing bolt threadingly engaged within said second bar, said wing bolt bearing against said horizontal leg for securing said second bar in a selected position.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for patting an infant to sleep comprises a motor shaft on said motor, said motor shaft carrying a pulley, said pulley having an eccentric pin, said pin being attached pivotally free to one end of an arm, the opposite end of said arm carrying a rubber pad for patting said infant.