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Convertible infant rocker

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-10-27
INFANTINO A DOREL
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies in the art. More particularly, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided various embodiments of an infant rocker which is adapted for optional use with a conventional infant/child car seat. In each embodiment, the infant rocker includes a frame which is placeable onto an underlying support surface, and includes a support assembly connected thereto. The support assembly itself includes a cradle which defines a cradle cavity. In addition to the cradle, the support assembly includes a liner which is selectively placeable into the cradle cavity and engageable to the cradle, the liner

Problems solved by technology

However, one deficiency of existing rockers is that they are not well suited structurally to being quickly and easily moved between a collapsed state for storage or transport, and a deployed state for use with the infant.
Another deficiency with existing infant rockers having frames outfitted with bouncing capability is that the degree or level of bounce which the frame may undergo is not selectively adjustable based on the size and weight of the infant within the seat of the rocker.
In this regard, an infant of greater size and weight may cause an excessive level of bounce or vibration within the frame arising from even subtle movements, whereas an infant of comparatively reduced size and weight may not be able to impart virtually any bounce or vibration within the frame even with more drastic movements.
Another deficiency of existing rockers is that they are incapable of accommodating a support structure such as a car seat in which the infant may already be positioned.
As will be recognized, this transfer process may disturb the infant to a point at which he or she is awakened.

Method used

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Examples

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first embodiment

[0028]Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating various embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-4 depict a convertible infant rocker 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. As will be discussed in more detail below, the rocker 10 includes a bounce adjustment mechanism which may be selectively adjusted to alter or vary the magnitude of bounce or vibration within the frame of the rocker 10 which may be achieved by an infant or child disposed therein. As a result, the bounce adjustment mechanism may be adjusted to accommodate children of varying weight. As will also be described in more detail below, it is contemplated that the rocker 10 may be converted into a mode which allows the same to be used in conjunction with a conventional infant / child car seat 62.

[0029]Referring specifically to FIG. 1, the rocker 10 comprises a frame 12 which is selectively placeable on an underly...

third embodiment

[0056]Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, there is shown a convertible infant rocker 210 constructed in accordance with the present invention. As will be discussed in more detail below, the infant rocker 210, in addition to being convertible between the liner and car seat modes as described above in relation to the rockers 10, 110, is further configured to be quickly and easily collapsible for storing the infant rocker 210 during periods of nonuse.

[0057]The infant rocker 210 comprises a frame 212 which is selectively placeable on an underlying support surface. The frame 212 includes a generally U-shaped lower section 216 which is bent to assume a generally arcuate profile as most easily seen in FIG. 9. Attached to respective ones of the opposed end portions of the lower section 216 is an identically configured pair of end connectors 218. As best seen in FIG. 8, each of the end connectors 218 is outfitted with a non-slip pad 219 which is preferably fabricated from rubber and, when viewed fr...

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PUM

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Abstract

A convertible infant rocker which is adapted for use with a conventional infant / child car seat. The infant rocker includes a frame which is placeable onto an underlying support surface, and includes a support assembly connected thereto. The support assembly itself includes a cradle which defines a cradle cavity. In addition to the cradle, the support assembly includes a liner which is selectively placeable into the cradle cavity and engageable to the cradle, the liner itself being sized and configured to accommodate an infant. The infant rocker is selectively convertible between a liner configuration and a car seat configuration. In the liner configuration, the liner is cooperatively engaged to the cradle, with a portion of the liner being received within the cradle cavity. In the car seat configuration, the liner is disengaged and removed from the cradle, thus allowing for the cradle to accommodate a conventional infant car seat in which the infant may be positioned. In this regard, the cradle cavity is sized and configured to receive and accommodate at least a portion of the car seat when the car seat is cooperatively engaged to the cradle. The frame of the infant rocker may be configured so as to be selectively moveable between a deployed or extended position, and a collapsed or storage position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not Applicable.STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Technical Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates generally to juvenile products and, more particularly, to an infant rocker configured to entertain and / or soothe an infant held therein by providing an entertaining rocking motion alone or in combination with a bouncing motion. The infant rocker of the present invention is specifically adapted to selectively accommodate an infant support structure such as a car seat, and is uniquely configured to be movable between deployed and collapsed states with a minimal amount of time and effort.[0005]2. Description of the Related Art[0006]Infant rockers are well known by parents and persons involved in child care as being effective devices for the entertainment of infants. Various different types of infant rockers exist, with the rockers in general including ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A47D1/08A47D13/10A47D15/00
CPCA47D1/08A47D11/00A47D15/006A47D13/107A47D13/102A47D9/016A47D9/053
Inventor PARNESS, MICHAEL A.LEE, WICKYGILLES, PAUL C.
Owner INFANTINO A DOREL
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