WO2023084213A1

WO2023084213A1 - A bracket

Info

Publication number: WO2023084213A1
Application number: PCT/GB2022/052841
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew Dyson; Nick Webb
Original assignee: N2M Limited
Priority date: 2021-11-12
Filing date: 2022-11-09
Publication date: 2023-05-19
Also published as: GB202116327D0; GB2612813A; GB2612813B

Abstract

Infant soothing devices may be used to aid an infant in drifting off to sleep or staying asleep. Infants may travel between different locations using a range of different transport systems even over the course of a single day, and may sleep in excess of sixteen hours in that day. Accordingly, there is a need to provide infant soothing devices that are able to provide energy efficient operation and attach to a variety of transport systems. There is provided an infant soothing device bracket (100), configured to releasably mount an infant soothing device to an infant support apparatus (105), the infant soothing device bracket (100) comprising: a first portion (102) comprising an attachment means configured to attach to the infant support apparatus (105); and a second portion (112) comprising a connector (110) configured to connect an infant soothing device to the infant soothing device bracket (100), wherein the second portion (112) is configured to rotate with respect to the first portion (102).

Description

A BRACKET

The present invention relates generally to a bracket for mounting an infant soothing device on an infant support apparatus and a method of initiating an infant soothing device using the bracket and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in initiating a relatively low energy consumption infant soothing device, such as a vibrational sleep aid.

Infants, such as babies and toddlers, have patterns of sleeping that can be inconsistent and difficult to predict. Infants can have difficulty drifting off to sleep and staying asleep. Infant soothing devices may be used to alleviate these issues. Some examples of infant soothing devices include devices that produce soothing vibrations and may be releasably attachable to prams, pushchairs, cots, strollers, etc.

Infant soothing devices may work by moving weights under power, such as offset rotating weights. However, when using lower powered energy sources, such as partially discharged batteries or rechargeable batteries, it has been found that sometimes such devices fail to rotate when switched on.

Embodiments that may solve this problem are provided in accordance with the appended claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an infant soothing device bracket, configured to releasably mount an infant soothing device onto an infant support apparatus, the infant soothing device bracket comprising: a first portion comprising an attachment means configured to attach to the infant support apparatus; and a second portion comprising a connector configured to connect an infant soothing device to the infant soothing device bracket, wherein the second portion is configured to rotate with respect to the first portion.

In this way an infant soothing device can be securely mounted to an infant support apparatus in a number of different orientations. The rotation of the bracket may allow the device to initiate be placed in a particular orientation with respect to the infant support apparatus. It has been found that particular rotational positions improve the likelihood of the device starting. Accordingly, in use, a user may switch it on and, if it fails to start, rotate the device with respect to the handle until it does start.

In some examples, the infant support apparatus may be any one of a pram, pushchair, buggy, rocker, basket, crib and stroller. It is contemplated that the infant soothing device bracket may also be mountable to a cot.

The infant soothing device bracket may be configured to mount an infant soothing device to an infant support apparatus, e.g. on a handle or other member of the apparatus, using an attachment means configured to attach to the apparatus and a connector configured to connect an infant soothing device to the bracket.

The bracket may be mounted to an infant support apparatus on a member, such as a handle, bar, or arm, with a profile that is square, circular, oval, or rectangular. The bar of the infant support apparatus may be any bar suitable for transmitting vibrations to an infant in use. In some examples, the bar may form part of a handle for moving the infant support apparatus. Alternatively, or additionally, the bar may be form part of a frame of the infant support apparatus. The frame may, in use, support the infant being transported by the infant support apparatus.

The attachment means may be configured to attach to a bar, of the infant support apparatus, with any profile. The attachment means may include one or more of a clamp, a strap, a magnet, a screw thread, and an adhesive. The adjustment member may be configured to adjust the size or positioning of the attachment means. For example, the adjustment member may provide mechanical advantage to increase the magnitude of the force, such as friction or magnetism, holding the attachment means to the bar. That is, the adjustment member may move a magnet closer to the bar, and/or reduce the size of a fitting around the bar. Mechanical advantage may be provided by, for example, a lever or screw thread. The attachment means may comprise one or more of a strap, strap retainer, adjustment member, and a tapered groove.

The first portion may be immovable relative to the infant support apparatus when held in place by the attachment means. In some examples, the second portion may be configured to rotate with respect to the first portion into one of a plurality of indexed rotational positions, and wherein the second portion may be configured to be releasably held in said one of the plurality of indexed rotational positions.

In this way, a user may rotate the device until it starts vibrating. In addition, a user may affect the characteristics of the vibration (such as the frequency and direction) by further rotating it, after it has started, to another indexed position.

The indexed rotational positions may be discrete positions and/or preconfigured positions. The rotation of the bracket may allow the infant soothing device to initiate the soothing effects in its most efficient initiation orientation and thus reduce power consumption of the device as well as extending the runtime on a given battery. The most efficient initiation orientation may be that in which gravity does not resist, and/or assists, the initiation of a vibrator. In addition, as the second portion rotates into an indexed position, it may be held by ‘snapping’ or locking into place, which may provide a momentary increase in inertial force.

In this way, the rotation of the bracket may allow the infant soothing device to initiate the soothing effects in its most efficient initiation orientation and inertial forces and thus further reduce power consumption of the device and extend the runtime of a given battery. The indexed positions may ensure that the vibrations lost to the rotatable connector are minimised.

In some examples, the second portion may be held in place with respect to the first portion by corresponding spring biased pins and dimples.

In this way, accidental rotation (e.g. from movement or vibrations) may be prevented and the pins may facilitate the transmission of vibrations between the first portion and the second portion. The dimples may otherwise be referred to as pin beds.

In some examples, the tip of each spring biased pin may be domed.

In this way, the doming may allow automatic engagement and disengagement of the pins by rotation in order to facilitate simple transitions between orientations of the first and second portions.

Dimples that correspond to the spring biased pins may be concave. The doming may enable rotation of the second portion with a predetermined minimum torque to disengage the pins and to enable each of the plurality of indexed rotational positions to be selected. The predetermined minimum torque may be configured to permit intentional forced rotation between indexed rotational positions by a user but prevent accidental rotation, in use, from vibrations of the infant soothing device. Each of the plurality of indexed rotational positions may be configured to, in use, hold the infant soothing device in a different orientation.

In some examples, the number of pins may be at least four.

In this way, transmission of vibrations can be maximised through the more rigid connection between the first and second portions, thereby increasing the system efficiency. Thus, operation with a low power infant soothing device is facilitated.

In some examples, the attachment means may include a tapered groove and may be configured to attach to a bar on the infant support apparatus.

In this way, a varying surface shape is provided to increase the friction between the bracket and a variety of bar shapes, which reduces the risk of unintentional movement of the bracket during operation of the infant soothing device, for a wide range of bar profiles.

The attachment means and/or tapered groove may comprise a high friction surface. The high friction surface may be, for example, a rubberised surface and/or a rough surface profile. A rubberised and/or rough surface may further increase friction to facilitate the provision of an immovable attachment about the bar.

In some examples, the tapered groove may have a first depth with a groove width which is larger than a groove width of a second depth. The second depth of the tapered groove may be deeper into the groove than the first depth.

In some examples, the tapered groove may be a V-shaped groove.

The V-shaped groove provides a particularly angular surface profile to increase friction with the bar onto which it is mounted and thereby further reduce the risk of unintentional movement of the bracket during operation of the infant soothing device, for a wide range of bar profiles.

In some examples, the connector may comprise a slot configured to receive a corresponding stub of the infant soothing device.

In this way, the bracket can be connected to an infant soothing device in one smooth and simple motion.

The connector and corresponding connector may be releasably secured together by an interference fit, lock or a latch.

In some examples, the slot may include a resilient retaining member configured to prevent the corresponding stub from sliding out of the first end of the slot.

In this way, an infant soothing device can be connected to the bracket in one smooth and simple motion, and held in place regardless of the orientation of the infant soothing device.

In some examples, the attachment means may comprise a plurality of resilient protrusions.

In this way, further enhanced friction is provided such that the mount can be positioned about the bar at different angles, even for bars with unusual profiles to facilitate an initiation of a low power infant soothing device.

In some examples, the plurality of resilient protrusions may be deformable fins for gripping a bar.

One or more of the resilient protrusions may be a fin or a spike. In some examples, the resilient protrusions that have a width that is smaller than a height by which they protrude to facilitate immovable mounting to any shape or size of bar of an infant support apparatus. The resilient protrusions may be arranged in one or more rows, such as a row of fins or a row of resilient protrusions on each side of the groove.

The plurality of resilient protrusions of the attachment means and/or the resilient retaining member may be formed from a resilient material, such as rubber, silicone, and/or plastic.

In a second aspect, there is provided an infant soothing system comprising the infant soothing device bracket according to the first aspect and an infant soothing device mounted to the infant soothing device bracket, said infant soothing device comprising a vibration system, and wherein the infant soothing device is configured to provide vibration from the vibration system to the infant soothing device bracket for transmission to the infant support apparatus.

In this way, an infant soothing device can be securely mounted to an infant support apparatus in a number of different orientations with respect to the bar to which it is mounted. This allows the soothing device to provide different soothing sensations. In addition, the rotation of the bracket allows the infant soothing device to initiate the soothing effects in its most efficient initiation orientation and thus reduce power consumption of the device and extend the runtime of a given battery.

In some examples, the infant soothing device may be mounted to the infant soothing device bracket, and the infant soothing device may comprise a rechargeable power source configured to provide a runtime of at least fifteen minutes.

In some examples, the vibration system may comprise at least one of an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor and a linear actuator.

In a third aspect, there is provided a kit of parts comprising parts combinable to provide the features of the first aspect or the second aspect.

In this way parts are provided that can be combined to allow a soothing device to provide different soothing sensations and enable rotation of the bracket to allow the infant soothing device to initiate the soothing effects in its most efficient initiation orientation and thus reduce power consumption of the device and extend the runtime of a given battery.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of initiating a relatively low energy consumption infant soothing device that comprises: releasably mounting an infant soothing device onto the infant soothing device bracket according to the first aspect; and rotating, to a desired position, the infant soothing device on the infant soothing device bracket by rotating the second portion of the infant soothing device bracket with respect to the first portion of the infant soothing device bracket.

In this way an infant soothing device may facilitate rotation of the bracket to allow the infant soothing device to initiate the soothing effects in its most efficient initiation orientation and thus reduce power consumption of the device and extend the runtime of a given battery.

In some examples, rotating the infant soothing device further comprises rotating the infant soothing device into one of a plurality of indexed rotational positions.

In this way, vibrations created by a vibration system attached to the bracket, in use, may be initiated with a reduced amount of power from a power source of the infant soothing device. In addition, the soothing device may provide different soothing sensations which are easily replicable based on the indexed positions.

The indexed positions may be preconfigured. The rotation of the bracket allows the infant soothing device to initiate the soothing effects in its most efficient initiation orientation and thus reduce power consumption of the device and extend the runtime of a given battery. Each indexed position may provide a different soothing effect by changing the direction or strength of the vibrations provided to the bar to which the bracket is attached.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of an infant soothing device bracket.

Figures 3 to 6 are perspective views of parts of the infant soothing device bracket of Figures 1 and 2.

The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim, or that the grouped features are inextricably linked. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances. The use of the term “any” may mean “all” and/or “each” in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

depicts a schematic representation of a side view of an infant soothing device bracket 100 for attaching an infant soothing device to an infant support apparatus. The infant soothing device bracket 100 comprises a first portion 102 and a second portion 112. The first portion 102 comprises attachment means configured to attach to a handle 105 of an infant support apparatus. The handle 105 is shown in broken lines to indicate an example circular cross section, but it may be any bar 105, e.g. having circular, oval, triangular, square, or other cross-sectional shapes. The first portion 102 and section portion 112 are depicted as round disc-like shapes.

The first portion 102 shown includes a strap 106 and a strap retainer 108, wherein the strap retainer 108 holds the strap 106 in a releasably closed position about the bar 105. The strap retainer 108 and strap 106 engage to provide a coarse size adjustment of the closure. The first portion 102 also comprises an adjustment member 109, shown attached to the strap 106, to provide fine control of the length of the closure. The adjustment member 109 provides mechanical advantage to reduce the size of the strap 106 with precise control.

The strap 106 is a toothed strap including teeth 107. The adjustment member 109 in this example provides a screw thread that rotates to advance the strap 106 by pushing the teeth 107 of the strap 106 with a linear motion. Advancing the strap in this way reduces the size of a loop of the strap. The strap retainer 108 in this example is disposed at a first end of the strap. The loop of the strap has a size defined by the length of the strap between the adjustment member 109 and the first end of the strap . The strap 106 shown includes a hole 111 to permit movement of the first portion 102 and section portion 112 along the strap 106.

The second portion 112 comprises a connector 110 configured to connect an infant soothing device to the infant soothing device bracket 100. The second portion 112 is configured to rotate with respect to the first portion 102.

Resilient protrusions 114 may be fins, as shown, or spikes. In some examples, the resilient protrusions 114 are directed toward the inside of the loop formed by the attachment means. Alternatively, or additionally, the resilient protrusions 114 are, in use, directed toward the bar and are deformable about the bar. The resilient protrusions 114 facilitate immovable mounting to any shape or size of bar of an infant support apparatus. That is, the resilient protrusions 114 increase friction with the bar, in use, without damaging the bar or soft grips thereon.

The first portion 102 shown includes a tapered groove 116 on its upper/outer surface. The taper shown is a V-shaped groove. In some examples, the taper may be a U-shaped or C-shaped groove.

In the connector shown comprises a slot 202, on the lower/outer surface of the second portion 112, configured to receive a corresponding stub of the infant soothing device. In some examples, the connector may comprise the stub and the infant soothing device may have the corresponding slot. The slot comprises a first end 204. The first end of the slot 204 comprises an opening configured to receive a stub. The slot 202 comprises a second end 206 that is at least partially enclosed. The slot 202 shown also comprises one or more slot guides 208a, 208b that at least partially enclose the slot 202 and are configured to, in use, guide a stub inserted from the first end of the slot 204 toward the second end of the slot 206.

The slot includes a resilient retaining member 210 configured to prevent the corresponding stub from sliding out of the first end of the slot 204, e.g. under the influence of gravity and/or vibrational forces. The resilient retaining member allows the corresponding stub to slide out of the first end of the slot under the influence of manual force exerted directly along the slot toward the first end of the slot 204.

A rotation pin 212 is provided to secure the first portion 102 to the second portion 112 and simultaneously permit rotation of the first portion 102 and second portion 112 in use. The rotation pin 212 comprises a first end with a larger diameter than a body of the rotation pin 212. The second end of the rotation pin 212 is configured to be deformed, such that the first portion 102 and second portion 112 can be joined, and held, together between its large end and deformed end. For example, the second end of the rotation pin 212 may be configured to be irreversibly deformed.

shows the bracket 100 without the second portion 112. The first portion 102 shown includes pins 302a-d, which are biased by helical springs. Each of these pins has a first portion that has a first shape along its length to enable sliding in and out of a corresponding hole 306a-d. The corresponding holes in this example are provided in a shield 308 of the first portion 102. The corresponding holes 306a-d are sized to allow the protrusion of the pins from the first portion 102. Each pin 302a-d includes a protrusion, such as a collar, perpendicular to its length. The protrusion extends beyond the perimeter of a corresponding hole 306a-d. In this way, the corresponding holes 306a-d limit the protrusion of the pins 302a-d from the first portion 102 by preventing the protrusion from passing through the holes 306a-d. In the example shown in , the holes 306a-d are provided with a dimension smaller than a part of the protrusion perpendicular to the length of the pin.

depicts the inside of the first portion 102 of an infant soothing device bracket 100 without the shield 308. The

pins

302c and 302d are shown in this representation. The pin 302a has been omitted to reveal a helical spring 402a. The spring 402a is configured to, in use, to bias the pin 302a through the shield 308, and/or into a dimple. The pin 302b is omitted, in addition the corresponding spring is omitted to reveal a socket 404b, the socket 404b shown here is round, but in some examples it may be a different shape, such as square, oval, or rectangular. The socket 404b of the first portion 102, in use, receives a corresponding spring and the spring receives a corresponding pin. The corresponding biased pins 302a-d and sockets 404b may be disposed around the first portion 102 at equal radial distances from an axle 304. For example, the corresponding biased pins 302a-d and sockets 404b may be distributed equidistantly about a perimeter of the first portion 102.

Each pin 302a-d, or more specifically each spring biased pin shown here, includes a protrusion 406c-d in the form of a collar 406c-d that extends perpendicularly to the length of the pin 302a-d. The protrusion 406c-d is configured to receive a force from a corresponding spring. The protrusion holds an end of the spring in place relative to the respective pin. The protrusion forms a motion stop to prevent the pin from over extending beyond the shield, or over compressing an associated spring behind the shield. The protrusion may be disposed on the pin between the first portion of the pin with the first shape along its length and the second portion of the pin with the second shape along its length.

The first portion 102 has two cut out

regions

408a, 408b in its outer wall to allow the strap 106 to pass through the first portion 102. The outer wall of the first portion 102 forms a perimeter about the first portion 102.

depicts a schematic representation of a second portion 112. The second portion 112 comprises dimples 502a-d. The dimples 502a-d shown here have a round profile, but in some examples may be have a different profile, such as square, oval, or rectangular. The dimples 502a-d may be disposed around the second portion 112 at equal radial distances from the axle 304. For example, the dimples 502a-d may be distributed equidistantly about a perimeter of the first portion 102.

Only four of the sixteen dimples shown are labelled to aid intelligibility. Sixteen dimples represent sixteen different indexed and/or discrete positions. The dimples 502a-d may have the same profile as the corresponding pins of the first portion 102. The dimples 502a-d in this example are concave. Each of the dimples 502a-d is configured to receive a spring biased pin 302a-d of the spring biased pins 302a-d.

The second portion 112 in comprises an axle guard 504 configured to receive the axle 304. The axle guard 504 facilitates rotation of the second portion 112 with respect to the first portion 102. In some examples, the rotation pin 212 passes through the axle 304 and is permanently fixed into the axle guard 504.

The second portion 112 shown comprises a resilient retaining member receptacle 506 configured to hold the body of a resilient retaining member in a specific position and/or orientation. The resilient retaining member receptacle 506 comprises a resilient retaining member opening 211, through which a resilient retaining member 210 can protrude into the slot 202.

In some examples, the rotational pin 212 may be configured to be inserted through the axle guard 504. The second end of the rotation pin 212 may be configured to be irreversibly deformed to interlock the first portion 102 and the second portion 112. The rotational pin 212 may be insertable through, or form a part of, the axle 304.

depicts a schematic representation of a resilient retaining member 600. The resilient retaining member comprises a body 602 with two supports 604a,b depending downwardly from a first lower surface 606 of the body 602. A tab 608 is shown projecting upwardly away from a second upper surface 610 of the body 602 at a position along the body between the two supports 604a,b. The second surface 610 is on an opposite side of the body 602 from the first surface 606.

In use, this member 600 is located in the receptacle 506 inside the second portion 112. The two supports rest on the base of the receptacle and the tab 608 projects through the opening 211 in the base of the second portion 112 such that an end of the tab projects into the slot 202. The body 602 of the resilient retaining member is configured to flex such that the tab moves in and out of the opening 211, in use. At rest, the tab projects out, into the slot, to retain an infant soothing device when engaged with the bracket via the slot 202. However, sufficient force applied to the infant soothing device may overcome the projection such that it moves into the opening 211 allowing the infant soothing device to be inserted or removed from the slot 202.

Claims

An infant soothing device bracket, configured to releasably mount an infant soothing device onto an infant support apparatus, the infant soothing device bracket comprising a first portion comprising an attachment means configured to attach to the infant support apparatus; and a second portion comprising a connector configured to connect an infant soothing device to the infant soothing device bracket, wherein the second portion is configured to rotate with respect to the first portion.
The infant soothing device bracket of claim 1, wherein the second portion is configured to rotate with respect to the first portion into one of a plurality of indexed rotational positions, and wherein the second portion is configured to be releasably held in said one of the plurality of indexed rotational positions.
3. The infant soothing device bracket of claim 2, wherein the second portion is held in place with respect to the first portion by spring biased pins and corresponding dimples.
The infant soothing device bracket of claim 3, wherein the spring biased pins are domed.
The infant soothing device bracket of claim 4, wherein the number of pins is at least four.
The infant soothing device bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means includes a tapered groove and is configured to attach to a bar on the infant support apparatus.
The infant soothing device bracket of claim 6, wherein the tapered groove is a V-shaped groove.
The infant soothing device bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the connector comprises a slot configured to receive a corresponding stub of the infant soothing device.
The infant soothing device bracket of claim 8, wherein the slot includes a resilient retaining member configured to prevent the corresponding stub from sliding out of the first end of the slot.
The infant soothing device bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprises a plurality of resilient protrusions.
The infant soothing device bracket of claim 10, wherein the plurality of resilient protrusions are deformable fins for gripping a bar.
The infant soothing device bracket of any preceding claim, wherein the infant support apparatus is any one of a pram, pushchair, buggy, rocker, basket, crib and stroller.
An infant soothing system comprising the infant soothing device bracket of any preceding claim and an infant soothing device mounted to the infant soothing device bracket, said infant soothing device comprising a vibration system, and wherein the infant soothing device is configured to provide vibration from the vibration system to the infant soothing device bracket for transmission to the infant support apparatus.
The infant soothing system of claim 13, wherein the infant soothing device is mounted to the infant soothing device bracket, and the infant soothing device comprises a rechargeable power source configured to provide a runtime of at least fifteen minutes.
The infant soothing system of any one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the vibration system comprises at least one of an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor and a linear actuator.
A kit of parts comprising parts combinable to provide the features of any preceding claim.
A method of initiating a relatively low energy consumption infant soothing device that comprises releasably mounting an infant soothing device onto the infant soothing device bracket of any preceding claim; and rotating, to a desired position, the infant soothing device on the infant soothing device bracket by rotating the second portion of the infant soothing device bracket with respect to the first portion of the infant soothing device bracket.
The method of claim 17, wherein rotating the infant soothing device further comprises rotating the infant soothing device into one of a plurality of indexed rotational positions.