Infant Rocker

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/652,660, filed May 28, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to the field of accessories and support devices for children and infants, and more particularly to rocking child seats, rockers, bassinets, inclined sleeping apparatuses, and the like.

Parents today are particularly concerned about every aspect of their baby's well being, from safety and nutrition to physical fitness, and many such parents are looking for the next generation of products that are safe, convenient, practical and well designed, and which give parents the peace of mind they are demanding. With a concern for economics as well, an infant seat system that can support a variety of baby activities, including sleeping, sitting, feeding, soothing, entertainment, and development, which is also compact and portable, would meet these needs in a way not yet satisfied by existing products.

A typical household with an infant tends to have numerous specialized apparatus for cradling, supporting, sleeping or otherwise holding the baby in a variety of positions for the various activities. For example, small cribs or bassinets are common for naps. Motorized swings are common for soothing and entertaining infants.

Variations of such examples include simple hammock-type infant holders, which can function as seats, swings, and places for sleeping. Many of these conventional apparatuses include some form of positional adjustment but provide features that make the seating device unpractical for traveling or going out for a family outing. For example, it is common for dedicated seats and swings to have a reclining seat back to accommodate crossover activities such as sitting or swinging to sleeping, however, with these added conventional features, the seat device becomes too heavy, resulting in families not using these conventional seating devices. Nevertheless, these added conventional features further fail to have operational considerations specific to getting an infant to sleep, again, resulting in families not using these conventional seating devices. Thus, a plurality of dedicated conventional infant-related devices is necessary by households, at a substantial cost in the purchase price, as well as taking up valuable space and storage in the family home.

Despite all the different types and configurations of features for conventional seating devices, there appears not to be one that delivers an infant holder system with features that complement the overall usability or provide easy-use customization by the parents to best care for their infant or child. These conventional seat infant devices seem to provide some feature benefits to products, however, many sacrifice the functionality and usability resulting in parents needing to buy more products to meet their needs and their children. Thus, it would be desirable to address these, and other conventional problems and issues by providing infant holder systems or child seat devices that deliver products that address today's parents' needs and their children's.

The present disclosure solves some of these conventional problems and issues for infant holder systems or child seat devices by addressing today's marketplace technological needs for infant/child product industries and delivering products that seamlessly customize useability and functionality demands for today's parents' lifestyles with use and safety-minded engineering.

The present disclosure relates to infant and child seating apparatuses and devices, and more particularly to seating devices that in combination, allow parents to optimize the uses of the seating devices, which minimizes or eliminates the conventional problems and issues regarding the use, and expands the utility by providing features that enhance and meet the needs of today's demanding parents.

An embodiment of the present disclosure is a folding infant apparatus (also referred to as an infant rocking seat a rocker or infant rocking seat) that includes a frame having an upper portion (or seating for an infant to rest) with a bottom end and a top end positioned along a y-axis. A base portion has a front end and a back end positioned along an x-axis. The bottom end of the upper portion hinges on the front end of the base portion, and a top proximal end of a middle portion or reclining bar is pivotably attached to the upper portion.

One or more recline mechanisms are positioned opposite to each other on sides of the base portion, each recline mechanism includes detents configured to engage with a bottom segment of the middle portion or bar or reclining bar. A locking mechanism positioned within the recline mechanism is configured to lock the reclining mechanism in a detent of the detents. Each detent represents a reclining angle. A lock-out mechanism is structured to prevent the middle portion from unlocking causing the middle portion to rotate away from the detent to transition with the frame from an expanded configuration into a collapsed configuration. A release device positioned on the surface of the reclining mechanism is operable relative to the reclining mechanism to disconnect the middle portion from the reclining mechanism. Wherein, upon simultaneously operating both release devices, actuates the reclining mechanism adjustability. More specifically, the upper portion can be adjusted to a reclining angle per each detent within a reclining range from 90 degrees to 0 degrees.

A motion mechanism is rotatably mounted to the back end of the base portion to impart a rocking motion to the rocker. The motion mechanism (also referred to as an auto-rock housing unit) houses a motorized plunger configured to oscillate and cause the upper portion to rock along the x-axis. The motion mechanism is rotatable on the back end of the base portion to prevent the plunger from contacting a surface the base portion is resting on, which allows for a manual operating rocking motion provided by a human. This is an important feature because rotatability allows parents to have unique customization to maximize the motion mechanism performance resulting in giving the best care to their infant. Further, if a parent decides not to use the motorized features, the parent can turn off the motion mechanism and easily remove the motion mechanism without any hassle. The aspect of rotatability overcame the previously mentioned conventional problems and issues of conventional seating devices, where the conventional features were cumbersome, lacked customizability, added extra weight, and did not deliver the feature in a way that was best useful or operational for the parent and the child (i.e., these conventional features sometimes did not achieve their intended purpose, or because of the added conventional features parents stopped using the conventional seat devices because they took away one or more primary features the parents wanted to use or valued.).

Some other important features integrated with the motion mechanism of the present disclosure include a control panel with capacitive touch controls located on an outer surface of the motion mechanism (referred to as the auto-rock housing unit). The location and adjustability of rotating the control panel add to the parents' experience and make the seating devices more enjoyable and easier to use.

Another aspect of the motion mechanism that can be appreciated in its engineered design and development is a motorized plunger that provides an oscillating effect resulting in the upper portion simulating a rocking motion from the front end to the back end along the x-axis or in a linear direction. This approach allows the infant to experience a rocking motion to help the infant be calm or sleep, also the parent can turn off the motorized motion mechanism and manually rock the seating device, with little effort, as noted above.

Another important feature that address today's parents' demand for seating devices that maximize use and optimize usability with little effort, in the addition the motion mechanism includes a remote-control device in communication with it to allow parents to remotely operate one or more controls of the motion mechanism.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a foldable device includes a frame having an upper portion (i.e., seating surface for an infant to rest) with a bottom end and a top end positioned along a y-axis, and a base portion with a front end and a back end positioned along an x-axis. The bottom end of the upper portion hinges on the front end of the base portion, and a top proximal end of a middle portion (i.e., reclining bar or portion) is pivotably attached to the upper portion. One or more recline mechanisms are positioned opposite to each other on the sides of the base portion, within each recline mechanism includes: (a) a reclining mechanism with detents configured to engage with a bottom segment of the middle bar; (b) a locking mechanism configured to lock the reclining mechanism in a detent of the detents; and (c) a lock-out mechanism structured to prevent the middle portion from unlocking causing the middle portion to rotate away from the detent to transition with the frame from an expanded configuration into a collapsed configuration. Such that a release device is operable relative to the reclining mechanism to disconnect the middle portion from the reclining mechanism. Wherein, upon simultaneously operating release device(s) on the recline mechanism(s), actuates the reclining mechanism adjustability. The base portion is a dual-mode support, usable in a first mode of use mounted to support the upper portion, and a second mode of use independent of supporting the upper portion, that provides a rocking mode in the second mode of use independent of supporting the upper portion, the rocking mode is provided by a motion mechanism that is rotatable on the back end of the base portion to impart a rocking motion to the base.

Another feature that addresses the conventional problems and issues by providing a foldable device of the present disclosure with at least one detachable toy bar connector, many other detachable toy devices are contemplated. For example, it is possible that the infant can play with a hot air balloon toy, and the like while using the seating device.

Another feature is ensuring the safety of the children by designing and developing a safety harness mechanism that provides the best security to the child preventing the infant/child from falling or making the way out of the harness. The harness mechanism or system includes a five-point harness, a T-strap binding, a T-strap exterior, and a T-strap interior, ensuring the infant/child is secure while in the seating device.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an infant rocking seat includes a frame having an upper portion and a base portion, the upper portion is coverable with a fabric, and has a bottom end hinged to a front end of the base portion. The base portion is positioned along an x-axis from the front end to a back end, and the upper portion is along a y-axis from the bottom end to a top end, so the upper portion is adjustable to reclinable angles in a range from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. A recline bar includes a horizontal portion with at least one support extending to, and pivotably attachable to the upper portion. The horizontal position is engageable with detents located in one or more recline mechanisms attached to the base portion, wherein release devices of the recline mechanisms adjust the horizontal portion from one set of detents to another sets of detents resulting in adjusting a recline angle of the upper portion within the adjustable reclinable angle range. Wherein the base frame portion is a dual-mode support, usable in a first mode of use mounted to support the upper frame portion, and a second mode of use independent of supporting the upper frame portion, that provides a rocking mode in the second mode of use independent of supporting the upper frame portion. Wherein the rocking mode is provided by a motion mechanism (i.e., auto-rock housing unit) housing a motorized plunger configured to oscillate and cause the upper portion to rock along the x-axis, and the motion mechanism is rotatable in the vertical plane to selectively prevent the plunger from contacting a surface the base portion is resting on, to allow for a manual operation by a human to provide the rocking motion. Wherein the frame is selectively reconfigurable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration.

The infant rocking seat can be considered an infant apparatus, a child apparatus, a foldable apparatus, a foldable infant apparatus, a foldable device, a foldable baby device, a foldable child device, an infant supporting device, or a foldable infant rocking apparatus.

In another embodiment, the infant rocking seat may include a bottom rocker frame with a U-shaped member that has two curved legs. The seat may have a U-shaped seat frame member with lower legs that can be pivotally attached to the front ends of the curved legs. A U-shaped recliner bar may have ends that are pivotally attached to the underside of the seat frame. The curved legs may have several detents designed to receive the U-shaped recliner bar. A motion mechanism may be attached to the rear portion of the bottom rocker frame, featuring a plunger. The motion mechanism can impart vertical oscillating motion to the plunger, allowing the plunger to make contact with a support surface on which the curved legs may rest, thereby imparting a rocking motion to the bottom rocker frame.

Some examples of the infant rocking seat may have the motion mechanism pivotally attached to the bottom rocker frame.

The motion mechanism of the infant rocking seat may include a controller that can respond to a user interface.

In some examples, the controller may be in wireless communication with a remote control device. The infant rocking seat may also include a latching mechanism on each of the curved legs, designed to securely retain the recliner bar in selected detents where the recliner bar is received and to selectively release the recliner bar from the selected detents.

The engineering and development of the motion mechanism (i.e., auto-rock housing unit) resulted in including a feature to allow the user to rotate the motion mechanism, this adjustability was discovered during testing, which led to a later realization that rotating the motion mechanism provided user customization to be able to manually provide a rocking motion by the user or parent. Another aspect that was discovered is that the user can rotate the motion mechanism in the event the user placed the motion mechanism on a ground surface, causing the ground to contact with the motion mechanism, for example, if the motion mechanism were positioned on the ground in contact with it, it is possible the motion mechanism may not operate correctly preventing or disturbing the intended rocking motion. However, in such scenarios the user could rotate the motion mechanism away from contacting the ground, to allow for proper operation. Thus, the ability to rotate and adjust the motion mechanism away from contacting the ground expands its use allowing it to operate on varying ground surfaces including linear and non-linear incline and decline ground surfaces. Another aspect realized is the further user customization of rotating the motion mechanism vertically upward to allow a manual rocking motion.

Another feature of the motion mechanism is the design which includes a motorized plunger providing an oscillating effect resulting in the upper portion (where the infant rests or sleeps) simulating a rocking motion from the front end to the back end along the x-axis in a linear direction of motion.

As noted above, conventional infant holder systems configurations have included features to complement the overall usability of the infant/child product industries, however, some of these conventional holding/seat devices sacrificed functionality and usability of the infant/child products due to the features. This resulted in parents not using these conventional infant/child products, leaving them to fill a need and having to buy more infant/child products to overcome the product's shortcomings.

The embodiments of the present disclosure have considered and provided solutions to today's parents' technology demands and overcome some of the conventional problems that sacrificed useability or functionality. The embodiment of the present disclosure create infant/child products that can operate and withstand operating in many different types of environments that family lifestyles experience. Including user customization to use and operate the embodiments of the present disclosure on surfaces including linear and non-linear inclines and declines, without inferring with the operation, as well as incorporating innovative concepts that optimize functionality and usability to meet parent's demanding and busy family lifestyle experiences.

Regarding the summary, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It can be understood that not all such advantages can be achieved by any one embodiment. Thus, the apparatuses or methods claimed may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

While the above-identified drawings set forth presently disclosed embodiments, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. This disclosure presents illustrative embodiments by way of representation and not limitation. Numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the presently disclosed embodiments.

is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective right view of an embodiment of an infant rocking seat in an expanded configuration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The infant rocking seat of the present disclosure includes the base portion or a u-shaped bottom frame. A middle portion or u-shaped recline barhas arcuate legs extending to, and pivotally attached to, an undersideof the upper portion or a u-shaped seat framethat is covered with a fabric. The upper portion or the u-shaped seat frameis maintained at an acute angle with respect to the base portion or u-shaped bottom frame. The angle of the upper portion or the u-shaped seat frameis maintained by the middle portion or the u-shaped recline barthat engages with detents defined and located on top of the recline mechanisms. Each recline mechanism is positioned opposite from the other, attached to the base portion or the u-shaped bottom frame. The angle of the upper portion or the u-shaped seat framemay be adjusted by repositioning the middle portion or the u-shaped recline barin another detent. The middle portion or the u-shaped recline barmay be rotated away from the detents in order to fold the upper portion or the u-shaped seat frameinto a flat collapsible configuration.

The motion mechanism or an electronic mechanismis mounted to the back endof the base portion or the u-shaped bottom frame. The motion mechanism or an electronic mechanismincludes a motorized plungerconfigured to oscillate and cause the upper portion or the u-shaped seat frameto impart a rocking motion. The motion mechanism or an electronic mechanismmay have a control panelwith capacitive touch controls, wherein the motion mechanism or an electronic mechanismmay be rotated so that the plungerdoes not contact the ground in case manual rocking is desired. The upper portion or the u-shaped seat framemay include a remote-control device in communication with the electronic mechanism.

The infant rocking seat or rockerhave components including a frame with an upper portion(or a seat for an infant) with a bottom endand a top endpositioned along a y-axis (seein). A base portionhas a front endand a back endpositioned along an x-axis (seein). The bottom endof the upper portionhinges,(see) on the front endof the base portion. The infant rocking seat is configured to keep the infant comfortable, occupied with toys, and safe and secure. The infant has the option of bouncing along with being able to have the upper portion recline at multiple settings (or reclining angles), so the infant can sit, play, relax, etc.

An infant securing system to secure an infant or child to the upper portion (i.e., where the infant/child sits or sleeps), includes a T-strap binding, a T-shaped cover, a shoulder strap(see), a crotch strap, buckles(see), and a five-point harness. The infant securing system allows the infant or baby to have two modes in one: bouncing and rocking. The 5-point harness keeps the infant/baby securely in place and the removable hot air balloon toy provides a fun and play option.

Other features include the one or more recline mechanisms,(see) directly attached or fixed to the sides of the base portion, and each recline mechanism,includes a release device,(see). The release devices,positioned on the outer surface of the recline mechanisms,are operable to disconnect the bottom segmentoffrom the reclining mechanism.

The upper portionis coverable with fabricand includes a seat pad, where the fabric has channel stitching. The upper portionhas a toy bar, a toy bar connector, a toy strapconnected to a hot air balloon toyconfigured on the left side of the infant rocking seat.

A remote-control deviceto the motion mechanism (i.e., auto-rock housing unit)(see) can be detachable to the frame, including the upper portionon the right or the left side. It is contemplated that the remote-control devicecan be located on the back(see) of the upper portion, if so desired by the user. The remote-control deviceis in communication with the motion mechanismlocated on the back endof the base portionto allow for a remote operation of one or more controls of the motion mechanism. The base portion includes feet,(see) that can provide an additional stabilizing effect to the frame.

is a schematic illustrating a perspective left view ofof the infant rocking seat in an expanded configuration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toand, the bottom endof the upper portionhingesininon the front endof the base portion, as noted above. A top proximal end(see) of a middle portion (i.e., a reclining bar)is pivotably attached to the upper portion(see). The reclining mechanismsininare positioned opposite to each other on sides of the base portion, each recline mechanism,is configured with detents to engage with a bottom segment(see) of the middle portion or bar. A locking mechanism configured within each recline mechanism,locks the bottom segmentofin a detent. A lock-out mechanism configured in each recline mechanism,is structured to prevent the bottom segmentoffrom unlocking which could cause the middle portionto rotate away from the detent to transition with the frame from an expanded configuration as viewed inandinto a collapsed configuration as viewed in.

The release devicesininpositioned on the outer surface of the recline mechanisms,are operable relative to the reclining mechanism (seeof) to disconnect the bottom segmentoffrom the reclining mechanism located within each recline mechanism. Operating a release deviceofofon the recline mechanism(s),, actuates the reclining mechanism adjustability. Specifically, activating the reclining mechanism allows the bottom segmentofto release from a detent, and be readjusted to another detent allowing for a different reclining angle for the upper portion(where the infant/child is playing, resting or sleeping) that is within the reclinable range of 90 degrees to 0 degrees (or in a horizontal position along the x-axis).

Alternatively, the upper portioncan have a toy bar, a toy bar connector, a toy strapconnected to a hot air balloon toyconfigured on the right side of the infant rocking seat.

is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective rear view ofof the embodiment of an infant rocking seat in an expanded configuration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to,, and, each release deviceininis positioned on an outer surface of the reclining mechanisms,in a location accessible to a user or parents. The design and development of structuring and arranging the release devices,location and operability was based on extensive engineering, testing, retesting, and more retesting, to ensure maximum safety and durability in operating the reclining mechanism to prevent any sudden or unexpected collapses of the infant holding apparatus. Other engineering and best practices incorporated into the release devices,were the ease of use and accessibility for parents to operate both devices. Specifically, simultaneously operating both release devices resulted in additional safety for the parents and children.

Other features include the reclining mechanisms,directly attached or fixed to the base portion, allowing additional structural integrity to the infant rocking seat. Another feature is the upper portionis coverable with a fabricwith a seat pad.

The infant rocking seat can be referred to as one or more terms or phrases including a Keep in Motion Auto Rocker an infant apparatus, a child apparatus, a foldable apparatus, a foldable device, a foldable infant device, a foldable baby device, a foldable child device, an infant supporting device, or a foldable infant rocking apparatus.

is a schematic diagram illustrating a front view of the auto-rock housing Unit (motion mechanism), according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The auto-rock housing unitis rotatably attached to the back endof the base portion. In particular, the auto-rock housing unithouses a motorized plungerconfigured to oscillate and cause a rocking motion to the upper portionin a direction from the bottom endto the top end(seeand) along the x-axis (seein). Specifically, the motion mechanism provides a rocking motion to the upper portion where the infant rests or sleeps to experience the rocking motion.

A feature of the motion mechanismis its ability to rotate by the user, where the importance of the adjustability was discovered during testing, leading to the later realization of expanding the operational use to allow parents to position the infant rocking seat on many different ground surfaces with effecting its operation. For example, if the motion mechanism were positioned on the ground that resulted in contacting the ground surface, it is possible the motion mechanism may not operate correctly preventing or disturbing the intended rocking motion, and it is possible issues may result. However, the ability to rotate and adjust the motion mechanism expands its use allowing it to operate on varying ground surfaces including linear and non-linear incline and decline ground surfaces.

Another feature of the motion mechanism is the motorized plunger that provides an oscillating effect resulting in the upper portion (where the infant rests or sleeps) simulating a rocking motion from the front end to the back end along the x-axis in a linear direction of motion.

Because the motion mechanism is rotatable in the vertical plane such that the user may move the motion mechanism upward to allow the human or parent to provide a manual rocking motion to the infant rocking seat of the present disclosure.

The motion mechanism includes a control panel with capacitive touch controls on the outer surface of an auto-rock housing unit to operate the motion mechanism simulating the rocking motion to the upper portion. Contemplated is that one or more controls can include one or a combination of, capacitive touch controls, mechanical controls, or both.

A capacitive touch control panelis located on an auto-rock faceplateon the motion mechanismand controls the operation of the motion mechanism (auto-rock housing unit) in response to user touches. The capacitive touch control panel can include a transparent overlay layer, a sensor layer, and a display layer. It is possible the overlay layer can include glass, plastic, or other transparent (or partially transparent) materials, which may have a rigidity sufficient to protect the underlying sensor layer and display layer from damage due to repeated use cycles. Optionally, the capacitive touch control panel can include one or more components manufactured from a flexible substrate.