WO1995023722A1

WO1995023722A1 - Automatic motion-producing device for soothing a young child

Info

Publication number: WO1995023722A1
Application number: PCT/GB1995/000474
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald Mccuaig; Peter Kemp
Original assignee: Ronald Mccuaig; Peter Kemp
Priority date: 1994-03-04
Filing date: 1995-03-06
Publication date: 1995-09-08
Also published as: GB9403923D0; AU1853395A

Abstract

There is provided an automatic device for soothing and/or inducing sleep in a young child. The device is capable or producing motion which is transmitted to the child. The device may be operated by an electric power source and may be adapted to alternate between different types or combinations of motion. The device may be adapted to accept or be fitted to the wheels of a pram, pushchair or legs of a cot into which the child is placed. The device may include a timer switch or other child proof controls, a sensor for detecting whether the child is restless and may incorporate means for monitoring the child from a distance.

Description

"AUTOMATIC MOTION-PRODUCING DEVICE FOR SOOTHING A YOUNG CHILD"

This invention relates to a device for rocking a young child (for example a baby) to produce a soothing effect and/or to induce sleep.

Young children and especially babies can experience periods of restlessness manifested by periods of fidgeting or crying. Incessant crying of a young child can be distracting or distressing to the childminder, who is usually a parent. This can make it difficult for the childminder to perform other tasks while coping with the young child, s .ce the child requires the full attention of the childminder for soothing.

Generally it is helpful for the young child to be rocked in order to induce a soothing effect and/or to induce sleep. The childminder may rock the child physically by holding it in their arms or by putting the child in a pram or pushchair and pushing the pram or pushchair about. However, this approach requires the constant attention of the childminder and where the young child requires rocking constantly this can be physically draining to the responsible adult. The problem may be exacerbated where the young child wakes during the night and requires attention at that time.

The present invention provides an automatic device for soothing a young child, such as a baby, said device being capable of producing motion which is transmitted to the child. The motion may be any movement and/or vibration. The device is preferably operated by a power source.

Generally the device according to the invention will be electrical and will run either from a battery unit (which may optionally be rechargeable) or may be run from the mains electricity supply.

The soothing motion of the device according to the invention may be a rocking movement, a seesaw movement, or movement horizontally back and forth, vertically up and down or any combination thereof. Alternatively the device may provide a vibratory motion in any plane and this vibration may be combined with any type of movement, such as those described above.

The device according to the invention may be capable of moving through an angle of up to about 45° either way horizontally and/or up to about 45° vertically.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a device for soothing a young child, said device comprising a pivotally mounted member adapted to receive a pram, pushchair, buggy, cot or the like, said member being rotatable about said pivot.. Desirably the degree of rotation from the rest position is limited in any direction to 45°, usually up to approximately 30° (for example 5° to 25°) . The member may contain one or more flexible regions, for example hinges.

The member may conveniently be substantially H-shaped. Generally an H-shaped member will comprise a rigid cross-bar and flexibly mounted arms which comprise the uprights of the "H" .

Optionally the member may be mounted on rollers or wheels (usually four) which run on tracks during rotation of the member. Generally the tracks will be curved to accord with the rotation of the member about the pivot. Thus viewed from above the tracks will appear curved, in accordance with the path of travel described by the wheels during rotation of the member. Where the member is substantially H-shaped any or all of the arms may be mounted on one or more wheels, usually one or two rollers or wheels per arm is sufficient.

The tracks may each be of uniform height in which case the rotation of the member (and hence of any pram or the like placed thereon) will be substantially smooth and the motion transmitted to the young child will be mostly rotational in character. However it may be desirable for one or more of the tracks to vary in height so that the wheel (s) or roller(s) running thereon rise or lower accordingly, along with the corresponding portion of the member attached thereto. Thus, a track of varying height will cause a rocking motion to be transmitted to the member during rotation thereof and ultimately to the child located in the pram, cot etc. .placed thereon. Suitable.tracks include those that appear convex, concave, corrugated, grooved, undulating etc. when viewed from the side. It may be desirable for one end of the member to rise whilst the other end falls, for example the tracks at the front of the member may be concave and the-tracks at the back of the member may be convex, or vice versa.

It may be convenient for each wheel or roller to have its own track, or alternatively a track may accommodate two or more wheels or rollers. Optionally the tracks may be detachable and interchangeable so that the motion may be varied according to the preferences of an individual child.

In one embodiment the device according to the invention provides a motion comprising both movement and vibration which is transmitted to the young child.

Advantageously, the device may be adapted to alternate between different types or combinations of motion, the motion required being either pre-set by the childminder or the device may have automatic programs of different types or combinations of motions with switch-over being automatically controlled. Thus, for example, the device may produce a variety of motions so that the individual preference of the child can be accounted for. In addition a controlled program of different motions may be of particular utility in inducing sleep in the child.

The device according to the present invention may also be provided with control switches which allow variation in the degree (eg speed, angle of rotation, distance moved etc) of motion produced. Again, in a preferred embodiment the .device may increase or decrease such motion automatically. The device according to the invention transmits a soothing motion to the young child but there is no limitation on where the device is- placed relative to the child.

For example, the device may be placed on the floor or other suitable surface and may be designed to accept the wheels of a pram, pushchair, buggy or legs of a cot (or the like) into which the child is placed. The motion produced by the device is transmitted to the child via the pram, pushchair or cot. Preferably the device will incorporate a mechanism which locks the pram, pushchair or cot securely, in order to prevent unintentional movement of the child.

In one embodiment the device is capable of receiving all of the wheels of a pram or pushchair etc, for example the pram or pushchair etc may be placed completely onto the device. Alternatively the device may be designed to receive only some of the wheels of the pram or pushchair etc, for example to receive a single wheel, the front or back wheels, the wheels down one side or diagonally opposing wheels of the pram or pushchair etc. A similar arrangement may also be produced wherein the legs of a cot are received. Also, instead of the wheels of a pram etc or legs of a cot etc being placed onto the device, the present invention also includes a device adapted to be fitted to the wheels or legs, for example via a simple clamping mechanism.

Optionally the size of the device may be adjustable to fit different sizes of cots, prams, buggies or pushchairs and the like. Means to stabilise the device to prevent toppling would preferably be included.

Alternatively the device may be built into the base of a pram, pushchair or cot and the like, either underneath or on top of any mattress.

Generally the device will include controls permitting the movement and/or vibrations to be switched on and off. Optionally the controls of the device may also include a time switch permitting the length of time for which the device will induce the movement and/or vibration to be pre-set by the childminder and causing automatic switch-off of the device once that period of time has expired. Child-proof controls are preferred to avoid any interference by other children.

Optionally the device may also include the ability to transmit sound, for example music or other soothing noises, including bedtime stories. This may be provided, for example as an audio-tape player which can replay conventional tape cassettes to the child. Alteratively a music box may be permanently included as part of the device. Again the sound may be operated by a time switch and could therefore automatically switch on or off at the end of the pre-set period of time.

Optionally the device may include a microphone to permit the childminder to monitor the child via a suitable sound transmission system.

The device may be formed out of any suitable material and mention may be made of moulded or injected plastic which are generally acceptable for use with young children due to the ease with which these materials may be cleaned. However, the device is not limited in any way by^' the type of material from which it is made.

The movement and/or vibration of the device may be^' power operated by means of an electric motor and gear box (preferably a variable speed gear box) driving a system of cams, levers, drive belts, connecting rods and the like. A low powered engine (for example 0.5 HP) will normally be sufficient. Alternatively a soft vibrations system or the like may be used to produce the movement. Hydraulic, pneumatic or air injected systems may all be used, but any electrically driven operation of mechanical parts is suitable. A motor unit could be driven by a 220-240V electricity supply, which could be driven off the mains via transformer.

Preferably the device includes safety procedures to protect the young child from any accident during operation of the device. For example, the device may include a mechanism to switch off automatically in the event of any irregularity with the power supply. The device may include a mechanism to limit the motion of the device to an acceptable level or a mechanism by which the device is prevented from slipping, sliding or "creeping" across the floor. Optionally, the device may also incorporate other safety features such as, for example a smoke alarm which would give a warning signal to the childminder in the event that smoke was detected, either from the motor of the device or elsewhere. As stated above, any controls are preferably designed to be "child-proof", for example to be key operated.

In one preferred embodiment, the device is able to detect when the baby is restless and/or crying and to switch itself on for a pre-set period of time. Optionally the device may also include means for alerting the childminder to the f ct that the child is restless and/or crying. This would be particularly of use during the night.

The device may be able to detect when the child is quiet or asleep and to automatically adjust the motion accordingly or to switch itself off. Likewise the device may be able to detect when the child is restless (for example is crying) and to switch itself on in order to soothe the child.

The present invention includes a portable version of the device for use during travelling or holiday situations.

In one embodiment the device may be in the form of a plinth. The plinth as a whole may be able to move and/or vibrate with this motion being transmitted to the child. Alternatively only part of the plinth need produce the required motion.

For a rocking motion, the device may be provided with appropriately shaped rockers. Preferably the size of the device is fully adjustable and thus can be suitable for different sizes of prams, carry cots, pushchairs, cots etc.

The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the figures. The embodiments as illustrated in the figures should not be interpreted as limiting this Invention in any way.

Figures la, lb and lc illustrate devices capable of different types of motion (rocking, seesaw and back and forth respectively) , which may be produced in a device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of one embodiment of the device. The arrows indicate a possible rotatory movement.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the device and the arrows indicate the rotatory movement possible.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 5a is a plan view of another embodiment of the device.

Figure 5b is a side view of the device of Figure 5a.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the device. The arrows indicate the movement possible.

Figures 7a and 7b show a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 6.

Figure 8a shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the device.

Figure 8b is a side view of the device illustrated in 8a.

The arrows in F-igures la to lc show 3 possible types of movement which may be produced by the device according to the present invention. Figure la illustrates a device (1) capable of a rocking motion. The device (1) is shaped in a curved form which may optionally include tracks for the wheels of a pushchair, pram or the like. The device (^"1) has a^" curved slide (17) that is ball raced. Figure la is shown with the carriage wheels (2, 2') of a pram or pushchair (not shown) in place with one of the wheels (2') adjacent a wheel stop (4) which prevents further movement of the pram or pushchair. The device illustrated in Figure la is able to rock in the direction of the arrows and may further comprise means for preventing "creeping" across the floor.

Figure lb illustrates a device capable of a see-saw motion. The device (1) is shaped with a shallow keel- shaped bottom with a pivot (5) . The pivot (5) is preferably curved or of a shallow angle as shown in Figure lb. The wheels of a pram, pushchair or the like (2, 2') are shown in location on the device and a wheel (2') is adjacent a wheel stop (4) which prevents further movement of the pram or pushchair etc (not shown) . The device (1) undergoes a seesaw motion in the direction of the arrows.

Figure lc illustrates the side view of a possible shape of a device according to the invention which is capable of a forwards and backwards (substantially horizontal) movement. The device (1) is essentially two- dimensional and may be placed on the floor or other suitable surface. The device (1) has a straight slide (18) that is ball raced. Wheels (2, 2') are shown located on the device and one of the wheels (2') is adjacent wheel stop (4) which prevents further movement of the pram or pushchair etc (not shown) . The device (1) may produce a forwards and backwards (substantially horizontal) motion in direction of the arrows.

Each of _the views illustrated in .Figures la, lb and lc may include stabilising means such as a base plate-upon which that part of the device illustrated is attached. Further, there may be a ramp to facilitate positioning of a pram or pushchair onto the device according to the invention and optionally a lock position behind wheel (2) .

Figure 2 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a device (1) according to the invention. The position of the wheels of the pram or pushchair etc are shown at 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d. A pivot (5) is shown in the centre of the device (1) and produces a limited degree of turning about pivot (5) as illustrated by the arrows. Again, the device will optionally include a ramp to facilitate entry of a pram or pushchair etc onto this device or the device may be adapted to receive the legs of a cot at positions 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the device (1) . In the device (1) illustrated, pivot (5) is located at one edge of device (1) so that the distance moved on turning through the angle of rotation alters depending on the distance from the pivot (5) . The position of the cot legs or pram or pushchair wheels are shown at positions 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d. In the device (1) as illustrated, positions 2c and 2d are located further from the pivot (5) than positions 2a and 2b and thus the distance moved at locations at 2c and 2d will be greater than that in positions 2a and 2b. It is believed that this embodiment, which produces a non- regular motion throughout the length of the device, could imitate the effect of travelling along a pavement in a pushchair and would thus be soothing to the child.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a device (1) according to the present invention. In the device illustrated the pivot (5) is centrally located. The device includes wheel stop (4) and also a ramp (6) to facilitate placing a pram or pushchair etc onto the device (1) . A power cable (7) leads to a power source (not shown) such as a battery or domestic mains electricity. Control knobs (8, 8') have also been included and these are preferably of a "child-proof" design. In the device (1) there are tracks (9, 9') to securely hold the wheels of any pram or pushchair or to hold the legs of a cot. Optionally the device may be adjustable so that any particular size of cot, pram or pushchair may be accommodated. In the device (1) there is a loud speaker (10) incorporated into the device to allow sounds such as music or speech to be relayed to the child. The sound may be produced from any suitable audio system. Additionally, the loud speaker may be switched onto a microphone mode to permit the childminder to monitor sounds produced by the child.

Figure 5a shows the top view of a device (1) according to the present invention. The device illustrated comprises a pivotally mounted member (26) which is substantially H-shaped. A pivot (5) is centrally located in the cross member (19) between two guide channels (9, 9') which form the arms of the "H" . The guide channels (9, 9') are supported by a frame (20) that can be placed on a flat surface (not shown) and has 4 diagonal bars (24) which lie substantially flat on that surface. The frame (20) may also be mounted on wheels (not shown) for ease of transporting the device. The motor drive (not shown) of the device (1) is situated in a box (14) , and the motion of member (26) is partially controlled by a connecting rod (21) between-one of the guide channels- (9) and the motor drive through a curved hole (not shown) in box (14) . A power cable (7) leads to a power source (not shown) which may be a battery or domestic electricity supply. Control knobs (8) have been included, and are preferably of a child-proof design. The guide channels (9, 9') are provided with flexible joints (25) (for example hinges) to allow a variety of movements of each arm of the H-shaped member (26) (for example up to 45°, for example between 5° and 30° each way horizontally and up to 45°, eg about 30° vertically) .

Figure 5b shows a side view of the device (1) of Figure 5a, showing that each end of the guide channel (9') is separately mounted on rollers (22) which move along crescent shaped tracks (23, 23'), one convex and one concave, which are located on the diagonal bars (24) shown in Figure 5a. The other guide channel (9) is mounted similarly on the opposite side.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of device (1) . This device is suitable for producing a rocking motion and has adjustable rockers (11, 11') on a shaft (12). Stabilising elements (13, 13') have been included to provide further stability. The pram or pushchair is mounted onto the rockers (11, 11') which may include wheel or leg stops as part of the guide channels (9, 9') . The motor drive of the device (1) is situated in a box (14) and powered by an electrical cable (7) which leads to the power source (not shown) . The power source may be a battery or domestic mains electricity. Box (14) includes control switches (8, 8') and also a loud speaker (10) to provide sounds and/or monitoring. Figure 7a shows the top view of the device of Figure 6 intended for a pram. In this embodiment the pram (not shown) i-s wheeled up the rockers -{11, 11'). Figure 7b shows the device of Figure 6 adapted to receive a cot. The cot (not shown) is placed transversely across the device (1) with the legs fixed firmly to the rockers (11, 11') .

Figure 8a shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a device (1) according to the invention. In this embodiment the device (1) includes channels (9, 9') adapted to receive the tv/o front or two back wheels (not shown) of a pushchair or pram or to receive two legs (not shown) of a cot. Again, the device (1) includes control knobs (8) and a loud speaker (10) . In the device a smoke alarm (15) has also been included.

Figure 8b is a side view of the device illustrated in Figure 8a and shows the wheel lock (16) in the locked position.

Claims

CLAIMS-

1. An _..automatic device for soothing a young child, said device being capable of producing a motion which is transmitted to the child.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 operated by an electric power source.

3. A device as claimed in either one of Claims 1 and 2 capable of producing one or more of a rocking movement, a seesaw movement, a movement horizontally back and forth, and a vibratory motion in any plane.

4. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 comprising a pivotally mounted member, said member being rotatable about said pivot.

5. A device as claimed in either one of Claims 3 and 4 that is adapted to alternate between different types or combinations of motion.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 5 where said types or combinations of motion are programmed or pre-set.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims that is adapted to receive the wheels of a pram, buggy, pushchair or legs of a cot containing a child.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7 that incorporates a mechanism which locks the pram, buggy, pushchair or cot securely in place.

9. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein said device is built into the base of a pram, buggy, pushchair or cot.

10. A device as claimed in nay one of the preceding Claims including a timer switch or control.

11. A device as claimed in any. one of the preceding Claims in which any control or switch is child proof.

12. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims that includes means for monitoring the child.

13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims that includes means for transmitting and/or receiving sound.

14. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims whereby the motion is produced by an electric motor and variable gear box.

15. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims that has means for detecting when the child is quiet or restless and automatically adjusting the motion accordingly.

16. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims that is portable.

17. Use of a device as claimed in any of Claims 1-16 to soothe a child.

18. A method of soothing a child by using a device as claimed in any of Claims 1-16.

19. A method of inducing sleep in a child by using a device as claimed in any of Claims 1-16.