Abstract:
A rocking infant carrier includes a seat portion for holding an infant, and oppositely disposed curved rails, that contact the ground surface. A panel is movably mounted to the carrier between the oppositely disposed rails. A mechanism for moving the panel, for rocking the carrier, is in the space between the rails and the panel. Rocking occurs as the panel is moved between retracted and extended positions, while the carrier remains in its initial location (position) during the entire time of rocking. Additionally, the rocking is such that it will normally lull an infant to a relaxed state, whereby they fall asleep.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/570,530, entitled: Rocking Infant Carrier, filed, May 12, 2004. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/570,530 is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is directed to infant carriers or seats. In particular, the present invention is directed to a rocking infant carrier.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Infant safety car seats or infant carriers are designed to be portable, to and from a vehicle such as an automobile or the like. A contemporary exemplary infant safety car seat or infant carrier is shown in  FIG. 1 . This infant carrier  20  is formed of a body  22 , that in a typical orientation includes a seat portion  24 , whose front side  26 , is configured for holding an infant. The body  22  also includes a ground contacting portion  28 , for contacting the ground.  
         [0004]     The body  22  is such that in a typical orientation, the infant&#39;s head and upper body are positioned in the seat portion  24 , at an elevation above the feet. The body  22  is designed to receive a seat belt, such that the infant can be in the infant carrier while in a car or other moving vehicle. The seat portion  24  is typically of a shape that conforms to the shape of an infant or baby, and the infant typically fits snugly therein.  
         [0005]     The infant carrier  20  typically includes a handle  30 , from which the infant carrier  20  is carried. The body  22 , at its ground contacting portion  28 , typically includes rails or side members  32 ,  33 , with an open area or cavity  36 , between the rear  38  of the seat portion  24 , and the rails  32 ,  33 . The rails  32 ,  33 , are continuous with the sides of the ground contacting portion  28 , and as such typically define a curvature, extending along both sides of the carrier  20 . A cover typically is fitted over the seat portion  24  of the body  22  of the infant carrier  20 .  
         [0006]     The infant carrier  20  is designed to be removed from the vehicle, by being disconnected from the seat belt, base and/or other retaining structure. As a result, the infant is carried to the new location in the same infant carrier. This is advantageous, for the infant, who may be sleeping, is not disrupted by being transferred to a different seat or carrier upon leaving the vehicle. Moreover, while the infant is in the carrier in the vehicle, the motion of the vehicle as it travels typically lulls the infant to sleep.  
         [0007]     However, when the infant carrier  20 , with the infant therein, is removed from the vehicle, the infant may wake up. Upon waking up, the infant can sense that they are no longer in motion, and they typically become agitated. To calm the infant, a parent or other person attending to the infant typically rocks the infant carrier manually, to typically lull the infant to sleep.  
         [0008]     Rocking infants (babies) to sleep with rhythmic motion relaxes them. Infants crave movement after birth, because motion is the norm to them. Being still disconcerts infants, as they are very sensitive to outside stimulus, and easily awaken when still.  
         [0009]     Once the infant (baby) falls asleep, they enter an active sleep state (also called light sleep or Rapid Eye Movement sleep). After about  20 - 30  minutes of active sleep, the infant enters a deep sleep state. Rocking the infant typically lulls the infant to sleep, such that they reach the deep sleep state.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention improves on the contemporary art by providing an apparatus for automatically rocking an infant. The apparatus is typically portable. The apparatus includes an infant carrier, with a seat portion for holding an infant, the carrier including oppositely disposed curved rails, that contact the ground surface. A panel is movably mounted to the carrier between the oppositely disposed rails. A mechanism for moving the panel, for rocking the carrier, is in the space between the rails and the panel. Rocking occurs as the panel is moved between retracted and extended positions, while the carrier remains in its initial location (position) during the entire time of rocking. Additionally, the rocking is such that it will normally lull an infant to a relaxed state, whereby they fall asleep.  
         [0011]     An embodiment of the invention is directed to an infant carrier. The carrier includes a body, including a portion configured for holding an infant, and a curved portion for contacting a surface, and a panel. The panel is movably mounted to the body, and the panel is positioned proximate to the curved portion of the body. There is also a movement mechanism at least partially within the body, the movement mechanism operatively connected with the panel for moving the panel between a retracted position with respect to the body, and an extended position with respect to the body, for rocking the body on the surface.  
         [0012]     Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a rocking apparatus for placement at least partially into a partially open space in an infant carrier. The infant carrier includes at least one ground contacting portion. The rocking apparatus includes, a panel movably mounted to the infant carrier, the panel positioned proximate to ground contacting portion of the infant carrier; and, a movement mechanism. The movement mechanism is operatively connected to the panel for moving the panel between a retracted position with respect to the open space in the infant carrier, and an extended position with respect to the open space in the infant carrier, for rocking the infant carrier along the at least one ground contacting portion.  
         [0013]     Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a rocking apparatus for placement at least partially into a partially open space in an infant carrier, the infant carrier including at least one ground contacting portion. The rocking apparatus includes, a movement mechanism, and, a ground contacting member coupled to the movement mechanism, such that movement of the ground contacting member by the movement member causes the infant carrier to rock along the at least one ground contacting portion.  
         [0014]     Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an infant carrier. The infant carrier includes, a body including a portion for holding an infant, and a curved portion for contacting a surface, a movement mechanism, and, a ground contacting member. The ground contacting member is coupled to the movement mechanism, such that movement of the ground contacting member by the movement member causes the body to rock along the curved portion.  
         [0015]     Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for rocking an infant. The method includes providing an infant carrier. The infant carrier includes, a body including a portion configured for holding an infant, and a curved portion for contacting a surface, a panel movably mounted to the body, the panel positioned proximate to the curved portion of the body, and, a movement mechanism at least partially within the body, the movement mechanism for moving the panel between a retracted position with respect to the body, and an extended position with respect to the body, for rocking the body on the surface. An infant is provided to the carrier, typically by placing an infant, into the portion of the body configured for holding an infant, movement mechanism is activated, for rocking the body on the surface.  
         [0016]     Another embodiment of the invention is also directed to a method for rocking an infant. The method includes providing an infant carrier. The infant carrier includes, a body including a portion configured for holding an infant, and a curved portion for contacting a surface, a movement mechanism, and, a ground contacting member coupled to the movement mechanism, such that movement of the ground contacting member by the movement member causes the body to rock along the curved portion. An infant is provided to the carrier, typically by placing an infant, into the portion of the body configured for holding an infant, movement mechanism is activated, for rocking the body on the surface. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     Attention is now directed to the drawing figures, where like numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like components. In the drawings:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional infant carrier;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of the rotation mechanism of the apparatus of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 4A-4D  are side views of the apparatus detailing an exemplary operation;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are partially broken-away side views of an apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are rear perspective views of the apparatus in the positions of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , respectively, showing the rocking mechanisms and the positions of the components therein;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a partial broken-away side view of an apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;  
         [0025]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are partially broken-away side views of an apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 8C  is a rear perspective view of the apparatus, in the position of  FIG. 8A , in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show an apparatus  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus  100  includes an infant carrier  20 , for example, infant carrier  20 , as detailed above and shown in  FIG. 1 , with identical and/or similar components having the same numbers as those on the infant carrier  20 .  
         [0028]     Throughout this document, references are made to the directions, up, down, upward, downward, front, rear, frontward, rearward, and other directional references are made. These directional references are made for exemplary purposes, to describe the embodiments of the invention in typical orientations, and the embodiments of the invention are not limited by these directional references.  
         [0029]     The infant carrier  20 , as stated above, typically includes a seat portion  24 , within the body  22  of the infant carrier  20 . The seat portion  24  is typically covered by a cover  102  ( FIG. 4A ), elastically fitted over the edges of the body  22  of the apparatus  100 . A rocking mechanism  110 , for rocking the infant carrier  20 , is housed, at least partially within the cavity  36  of the body  22 .  
         [0030]     The apparatus  100  includes a carrying handle  30  ( FIGS. 4A-4D ), that is moveable in a rotating manner. The body  22  includes curved rails  32 ,  33  for contacting the ground surface GS ( FIGS. 4A-4D ), that are continuous along the sides of the body  22 , to define a curvature extending from the front end  40  of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  100  to the rear end  41  of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  100 . The curvature allows the infant carrier  20  to rock back and forth, along the ground surface GS ( FIGS. 4A-4D ).  
         [0031]     The rocking mechanism  110  includes a motor  112 , that is coupled to a shaft  114 , that is in turn coupled to a panel  116 . The panel  116  is typically movably mounted to the body  22  of the carrier  20 , and is shaped to typically cover at least a portion of the cavity  36 .  
         [0032]     The motor  112  moves the shaft  114 , that moves the panel  116 , between positions where the panel  116  extends beyond the arc defined by the curvature of the rails  32 ,  33  (an extended position), and retracts to a point at least coincident to, and typically within the arc (a retracted position), in order to cause the carrier  20  of the apparatus  100  to rock back and forth. The motor  112  is typically powered by a power source  120 , typically of one or more batteries, either single use or rechargeable (inside or outside of the apparatus  100 ), and the motor  112  is typically turned on and off by a switch  122 . The motor  112  is typically controlled by a variable controller (MC)  124 .  
         [0033]     The motor  112  is attached to the rear side  38  of the seat portion  24  in the cavity  36  of the rear end  41  of the apparatus  100 . The attachment of the motor  112  to the rear side  38  of the seat portion  24  is typically by clamps or other mechanical fasteners, such that the motor  112  is typically mounted transversely in the apparatus  100 . This transverse mounting of the motor  112  allows rotation of the motor  112  to be in alignment with the rocking motion of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  100 .  
         [0034]     A stub  130  extends from the motor  112 , with an end of the stub  130  attaching to a cam  132 . The cam  132  is typically in the shape of a circular disk. The motor  112  can rotate the stub  130  (and therefore, the cam  132 ), either unidirectionally, or bidirectionally, depending on the motor selected. For example, the cam  132  rotates in the same direction as the motor  112  and shaft  130 , in the direction of the arrow  136  ( FIG. 3 ). The cam  132  includes an opening (not shown) that aligns with an opening  137  on the shaft  114 , at a first end  114   a , to receive a pin  138 , facilitating a moveable attachment between the shaft  114  and the cam  132 . The pin  138  is typically close to the periphery of the cam  132 , offset from the center on the cam  132 . The second end  114   b  of the shaft  114 , opposite the first end  114   a , includes a joint  140 , that is typically pivotally mounted to the end  114   b  of the shaft  114 . The joint  140  attaches to the panel  116 , by mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or combinations thereof.  
         [0035]     The variable controller (MC)  124  is such that it can reduce or increase the speed of rotation of the motor  112 . Typically, the controller (MC)  124  is used to slow down the rocking action. This controller (MC)  124  is controlled by a knob  125 , located on an external surface of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  100 . This controller (MC)  124  is turned on and off by the switch  122 , with rocking speed controlled by moving the knob  125 . The controller (MC)  124  is typically designed to begin the rocking motion at a slower rotational speed, and then build up to the desired speed, for example, of one rotation per second. The controller (MC)  124  may also control (by the user turning the knob  125 ), the direction of rotation of the motor  112 .  
         [0036]     The motor  112  is, for example, a DC motor, with sufficient torque to exert approximately 12 pounds of force pushing down on the panel  116 . This is sufficient force for offsetting the infant&#39;s or baby&#39;s weight, such that the carrier  20  rocks back and forth in the same location, without advancing forward or rearward (from the initial position or location). The motor  112 , alone, or with either or both of the stub  130  and/or the cam  132 , typically form a motor unit.  
         [0037]     The panel  116  typically hides the motor  112 , shaft  114 , cam  132  and the stub  130 . The panel  116  is attached at one of its ends to the body  22  of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  100  by an axle  142  that extends through openings  143   a  in the side walls  143  of the panel  116  and into the body  22  of the carrier  20 . This axial attachment allows the panel  116  to be pivotally or rotationally mounted to the carrier body  22 . The width of the panel  116  is such that the panel  116  fits between the rails  32 ,  33 .  
         [0038]     The panel  116  is typically a tray-like member, with a sheet like portion  146 , intermediate the side walls  143 . The sheet like portion  146  is shaped to conform with the contour of the rails  32 ,  33 , as its outer side  144 , is typically curved convexly along a first portion  116   a , proximate to the rails  32 ,  33 . The panel  116  has an inner side (not shown) that is typically concave. This shape allows the panel  116  to protrude from and return to within the cavity  36 , always staying between the rails  32 ,  33 , by essentially sliding parallel to the rails  32 ,  33 . The panel  116  may have a second portion  116   b  of at least its outer side  144 , of a second curvature, to provide additional cover to the rocking mechanism  110  of the apparatus  100 . The panel  116  is typically formed by a single piece, but may be formed of multiple pieces with multiple curvatures.  
         [0039]     The panel  116  is, for example, of a hard resilient plastic, such as polyethylene, and the like, that provides for sliding along a ground surface. The panel  116  is typically made by conventional plastic forming techniques, such as injection or rotational molding.  
         [0040]     The apparatus  100  also includes a rechargeable battery or other similar power source, as the power source  120 . A removable charging cord (not shown) (attachable to an electrical outlet or the like) can be attached to the power source  120 , that, for example, allows charging of the battery overnight with enough charge for daily use (for example, approximately ten hours).  
         [0041]     Turning to  FIGS. 4A-4D , an exemplary operation of the apparatus  100 , in a typical rocking cycle, is shown with the apparatus  100  in typical positions, resting on the ground surface GS. The apparatus  100  can be such that the panel  116  moves between an inward or retracted position where the panel  116  remains inward of the rails  32 ,  33 , and an outward or extended position, where the panel  116  is outside and beyond the rails  32 ,  33  and all positions in-between. When rocking of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  100  is desired, the rocking mechanism  110 , and in particular, the motor  112 , is activated.  
         [0042]     Once activated, the panel  116  is pushed by the motion of the motor  112  and shaft  114  outwardly and downwardly, so that when the motor  112  is operating, the shaft  114  pushes this panel  116  outward, beyond the rails  32 ,  33 , to the outward or extended position, for example, the maximum outward or extended position, as shown in  FIG. 4A . This outward movement of the panel  116  rocks the carrier  20  of the apparatus  100  forward, as the rails  32 ,  33  at the front end  40  of the carrier  20  have moved toward the ground surface GS. The continued revolution of the cam  132  (in the direction of the arrow  136 ) pulls the shaft  114 , such that the panel  116  begins to retract, moving toward the body  22  of the apparatus  100 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . In  FIG. 4B , the edges of the ground contacting portion  28  formed by the rails  32 ,  33  at the rear end  41  of the carrier move toward the ground surface GS, while the rails  32 ,  33  at the front end  40  of the carrier  20  move upward.  
         [0043]     The cam  132  continues its rotation (as rotated by the motor  112 ), retracting the panel  116 , to a fully retracted position inside of the rails  32 ,  33 , as shown in  FIG. 4C . This complete retraction of the panel, to inside of the curvature of the rails  32 ,  33 , coupled with gravity, places the rails  32 ,  33 , at their rearward portions (proximate to the panel  116 ), again into contact with the ground surface GS (and the rails  32 ,  33  at the front end  40  of the carrier  20  move upward), whereby the carrier  20  of the apparatus  100  rocks back in a rearward direction. With the action of the motor  112 , rotating the disk  132  being continuous, the panel  116  is again pushed outward moving the baby and the carrier  20  of the apparatus  100  in an upward direction, with the panel  116  again in a partially extended position, as shown in  FIG. 4D . In  FIG. 4D , the edges of the rails  32 ,  33  at the rear end  41  move out of contact with the ground surface (GS), while the rails  32 ,  33  at the front end  40  of the apparatus  100  move downward, toward the ground surface GS.  
         [0044]     This motion cycle occurs approximately sixty times a minute. The apparatus  100  returns to its original position, therefore, completing a cycle, approximately once every second. The rotation speed of the motor shaft  130  is approximately sixty revolutions per minute, compared to the approximate speed of normally manually rocking an infant (baby) in a carrier.  
         [0045]     In an alternate embodiment of the apparatus  100 , the panel  116  can be removed, and the joint  140  can be replaced with, or terminate at a rotatable wheel, or a ball-like tip. All other aspects of this alternate embodiment would be similar to the apparatus  100 .  
         [0046]      FIGS. 5A, 5B ,  6 A and  6 B show a second embodiment of a rocking infant carrier apparatus  200 . This embodiment utilizes, for example, the infant carrier  20  detailed above, and shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 5A and 6A  (in  FIG. 6A , the material  219  has been removed) show the apparatus  200  in a position, where the panel  216  is in the inward or retracted position, while  FIGS. 5B and 6B  (in  FIG. 6B , the material  219  has been removed), show the apparatus  200  in an outward or extended position, where the panel  216  is extended beyond the periphery of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  200 . The panel  216  is such that it moves between these retracted and extended, and all positions therebetween, in order to facilitate rocking of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  200 .  
         [0047]     The apparatus  200  is similar to the apparatus  100  detailed above, except for the rocking mechanism  210 , including the panel  216 . In the rocking mechanism  210 , the motor  212  includes a gear box (not shown), for driving a crank  213 , typically “Z” shaped, that connects to a shaft  214 . The motor  212 , alone, or with components such as the crank  213 , typically define a motor unit. The panel  216  functions similarly to the panel  116 , that when coupled to the motor  212 , typically through the crank  213  and shaft  214 , moves the panel  216  to rock the carrier portion  20  of the apparatus  200 . However, in the apparatus  200 , the panel  216  is shaped different from the panel  116  (of the apparatus  100 ). The apparatus  200  may also include a variable controller and controlling knob, associated with the motor  212 , similar to that used with the motor  112  and the apparatus  100  detailed above.  
         [0048]     In the rocking mechanism  210  for the apparatus  200 , the motor  212  mounts to the rear side  38  of the seat portion  24 , typically longitudinally. Mounting of the motor  212  to the rear side  38  of the seat portion is typically by mechanical fasteners, such as screws, brackets, and the like. The motor  212  includes a gearbox (not shown), that attaches to and turns (rotates) a crank  213 , either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the gearing of the motor  212 . The crank  213  is received in the shaft  214  in an opening or slot  215 . The shaft  214  is typically two pieces  217 ,  218 , but may be a single piece or three or more pieces. These pieces  217 ,  218  are typically joined by a member or fastener  218   a , that maintains the pieces  217 ,  218  in a fixed relationship with respect to each other. The second piece  218  is attached to the panel  216 , at a moveable joint  218   b  (similar to the joint  140  described above and shown in  FIG. 3 ) by mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or combinations thereof.  
         [0049]     The motor  212  and shaft  214  typically fit within the cavity  36  of the body  22 , and the panel  216 , at the rear end  41  of the apparatus  200 . There is typically a piece of material  219 , such as cloth or fabric reinforced paper or the like, between the panel  216  and the body  22 , to cover the cavity  36  between the panel  216  and the body  22 . The material  219  is typically folded, so as to be accordion-like or has slack, to allow for expansion, that occurs when the panel  216  moves away from the body  22  during rocking, as the apparatus  200  moves toward the extended position ( FIGS. 5B and 6B ).  
         [0050]     The panel  216  includes a heel portion  230  and a toe portion  232 . The heel portion  230  extends beyond and remains outside of the carrier  20  during operation (rocking) of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  200 . The toe portion  232  is movably attached to the body  22  of the carrier  20 , by an axle  234 , that extends through the panel  216  (through openings  236 ,  237  in the sidewalls  238 ,  239  of the panel  216 ) and into the body  22  of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  200 . This attachment allows for the panel  216  to move pivotally (rotationally) with respect to the body  22  of the carrier  20 . The toe portion  232  is typically attached to the body  22 , such that it remains within the periphery of the curvature of the rails  32 ,  33 .  
         [0051]     The heel portion  230  typically is formed by a linear segment  230   a  and a curved segment  230   b . The arrangement of these segments  230   a ,  230   b , allows the apparatus  200  to be used on surfaces, such as carpet and the like, allowing sliding of the panel  216  without pulling up or getting caught in the carpet. Additionally, when rocking of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  200  is desired, the panel  216 , moves between fully retracted ( FIGS. 5A and 6A ) and fully extended positions ( FIGS. 5B and 6B ), and all positions therebetween.  
         [0052]     When rocking of the apparatus  200  is desired, the switch  240  (similar to the switch  122 , described above), is activated or turned on, activating the motor  212 . The motor  212  rotates the crank  213 , that pulls the shaft  214 . Specifically, the shaft  214  is pulled such that its pieces  217 ,  218  move between a fully retracted position, as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 6A , and a fully extended position, as shown in  FIGS. 5B and 6B , and all positions therebetween, to cause the carrier  20  of the apparatus  200  to rock back and forth along its curvature (the edges defined by the edges of the rails  32 ,  33  at the front  40  and rear  41  ends of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  200 ).  
         [0053]     In  FIG. 7 , another apparatus  100 ′, similar in construction and operation to the apparatus  100  (described above, and shown in  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4 A- 4 D), is shown. This apparatus  100 ′ is similar in all aspects to the apparatus  100 , except that it lacks a moveable panel, and the motor  112  is coupled to a gear  302 . The gear  302  (having a peripheral surface  302   a ) is meshed with a cam  304 , having a correspondingly configured peripheral surface  304   a . The cam  304  is attached to a shaft  306 , in a moveable attachment by a pin  308 , that extends through aligned openings (not shown) in the cam  304  and the shaft  306  (similar to the pin  138 ) detailed above. The shaft  306  extends through an opening  309  in a cover  310 , that covers the cavity  36  of the apparatus  100 ′, at least partially, and the shaft  306  terminates in a wheel  312 , axially mounted to it. The wheel  312  is such that when the apparatus  100 ′ is rocking, the apparatus  100 ′ will remain in its initial location.  
         [0054]      FIGS. 8A-8C  show an apparatus  200 ′, similar in construction and operation to the apparatus  200 , as detailed above and shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B ,  6 A and  6 B. This apparatus  200 ′ is similar in all aspects to the apparatus  200 , except that it includes a wheel  402 , typically centrally mounted to the panel  216 . The wheel  402  is typically rotatably mounted at the heel portion  230 , along the linear segment  230   a . Mounting of the wheel  402  is such that the wheel  402  extends slightly beyond the panel  216 , to contact the ground surface (GS), while the panel  216  remains clear of the ground surface (GS), when the panel  216  of the apparatus  200 ′ is in the fully retracted position ( FIG. 8A ), when the panel  216  of the apparatus  200 ′ is in the fully extended position ( FIG. 8B ), and all positions therebetween.  
         [0055]     While a single wheel  402  is shown, multiple wheels are also permissible, as are one or more rollers or the like. When multiple wheels or rollers are used, they are typically mounted symmetrically on the panel  216 .  
         [0056]     In exemplary operations of the aforementioned apparatus  100 ,  200 ,  100 ′,  200 ′ and alternate embodiments thereto, the apparatus  100 ,  200 ,  100 ′ and  200 ′ is placed onto the ground surface, with the infant therein, or the infant is placed into the portion  24  of the carrier  20  of the apparatus  100 ,  200 ,  100 ′,  200 ′. The motor  112 ,  212  is activated, typically by turning on the respective switch  122 ,  240  and the respective apparatus  100 ,  200 ,  100 ′,  200 ′ rocks back and forth along the curved rails  32 ,  33  at the bottom portion  28  of the body  22 . Rocking speed can be controlled by turning the knob  125  to adjust the controller (MC)  124 . When rocking has lulled the infant to sleep, it can be terminated by deactivating (turning off) the respective switch  122 ,  240 , such that rocking of the respective apparatus  100 ,  200 ,  100 ′,  200 ′ stops.  
         [0057]     There have been shown and described preferred embodiments of a rocking infant carrier. It is apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, variations, modifications, and other uses and applications for the apparatus and its components are possible, and also such changes, variations, modifications, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.