Abstract:
A child&#39;s swing support structure includes a seat assembly having a first configuration and a second configuration. The seat of the swing support structure is able to be configured in a reclined configuration for infants or an upright configuration for toddlers. The seat can be locked into the upright configuration when a tray is connected to the seat of the swing support structure. The seat is rotatably coupled to a frame of the swing support structure, where the swing is free to swing back and forth with respect to the frame. Furthermore, a drive mechanism may be attached to the frame for mechanically swinging the seat back and forth.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 61/623,310, filed Apr. 12, 2012, Attorney Docket No. 0621.1923C, entitled “Infant&#39;s Swing with Reconfigurable Seat” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an infant swing, and in particular a powered infant swing with a seat that may be reconfigured between a reclined configuration and an upright configuration. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various infant support structures for supporting an infant or child above a support surface are known, such as swings and rocker seats. Such support structures provide an enjoyable and safe area for a child or infant. Further, different support structures are used for children at different ages and stages of development. When the child is an infant, it is more desirable for the child to be in a reclined configuration, where the child is laying in the swing support structure. At other times, when the child is older and able to support his or her own head and body, it is more desirable for the child to be in a swing having an upright configuration. As a result, parents and care givers often utilize various types of such support structures as the child grows. However, obtaining and maintaining a variety of support structures may be expensive and cumbersome, given they are often expensive and bulky. Moreover, it would be more desirable for parents and care givers to obtain a swing support system that can be used from a child&#39;s infant years through their growth of the toddler years. 
         [0004]    Therefore, there is a need for a swing support structure with a reconfigurable seat that may be utilized in either a reclined configuration or an upright (non-reclined) configuration. Further, there is a need for swing seat that is efficient and easy to transition between configurations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is directed to a reconfigurable seat of a child&#39;s swing support structure. The swing may include a frame having a lower portion and an upper portion. A housing may be coupled to the upper portion. A drive mechanism may be disposed within the housing. Pivotally coupled to the housing is at least one hanger tube. Coupled to the end of the hanger tube is a seat that is reconfigurable between a reclined position and an upright position. The seat may be biased to be in the reclined position unless it is locked into the upright position. The seat may contain a removable tray that, when attached to the seat, locks the seat into the upright position. 
         [0006]    The present invention is directed to a swing that includes a frame with a lower portion that engages a support surface and an upper portion, a housing portion coupled to the upper portion of the frame, the housing portion including a seat tube that extends substantially downward from the housing portion, a reconfigurable seat that is coupled to the seat tube having a top portion and a bottom portion and is reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, the seat includes a removable tray and a rotating hub with a first configuration and a second configuration, and a drive mechanism that is coupled to the housing portion, the drive mechanism is configured to swing the seat back and forth relative to the swing frame, and when the removable tray is connected to the seat, the tray locks the hub into the first configuration, which retains the seat in the first configuration. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the seat further includes retaining tabs configured to the bottom portion of the seat for storing the removable tray when it is not in use. The seat and the hub are biased to be in the second configuration when the removable tray is not attached to the seat. Furthermore, a seat cover is disposed on the top portion of the seat. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the swing includes a removable seatback tube configured to connect to the seat. Additionally, the seat includes an aperture disposed on the bottom portion that is configured for storing the seatback tube when it is not in use. 
         [0009]    The present invention is directed to a child&#39;s swing that contains a frame including an upper portion and a lower portion that is configured to engage a support surface, a hanger tube that extends substantially downward from the upper portion of the frame, and a reconfigurable seat coupled to the hanger tube, the seat has a top portion and a bottom portion and is reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, the seat includes a removable tray and a removable seatback tube, where connecting the removable tray to the seat locks the seat into the first configuration. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the seat includes retaining tabs configured on the bottom portion of the seat for storing the removable tray when it is not in use. The seat also includes an opening disposed on the bottom portion of the seat for storing the seatback tube when it is not in use. Moreover, the seat is biased to be in the second configuration when the removable tray is not attached to the seat. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the seat includes an aperture on the top portion. Furthermore, the removable tray contains a protuberance configured to slidably engage the aperture on the top portion of the seat that locks the seat in the upright configuration. 
         [0012]    The present invention directed to a child&#39;s swing that includes a frame containing a lower rear portion that is configured to engage a support surface, an upper rear portion that is coupled to the lower rear portion and extending substantially upward from the lower rear portion, and a front portion that extends substantially horizontally from the coupling of lower rear portion and the upper rear portion, the front portion engaging a support surface, a hanger tube pivotally coupled to the upper rear portion of the frame, the hanger tube extending substantially downward, and a reconfigurable seat coupled to the hanger tube, the seat having a top portion and a bottom portion being reconfigurable between an upright configuration and a reclined configuration, the seat contains a rotating hub with a locked upright configuration and a reclined configuration, a removable seatback tube, and a removable tray, where connecting the removable tray to the seat locks the hub into the upright configuration, retaining the seat in the upright configuration. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the seat includes retaining tabs configured on the bottom portion of the seat for storing the removable tray when it is not in use. Furthermore, the seat includes an aperture on the top portion of the seat that is in communication with the rotating hub. The removable tray contains a protuberance that can be slidably inserted into the aperture to lock the hub and the seat in the upright configuration. Additionally, the seat is biased to be in the reclined configuration when the protuberance of the removable tray is not inserted into the aperture. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the swing includes a removable seatback tube configured to connect to the seat via the aperture. Moreover, the seat has an opening disposed on the bottom portion for storing the seatback tube when not in use. Finally, the front portion of the frame is removable for storing the swing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a child&#39;s swing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus being in the reclined configuration; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the apparatus in the upright configuration; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear view of a seat of the apparatus of  FIG. 2  showing the seatback tube stored underneath the seat; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a close-up front perspective view of the seat of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the tray stored underneath the seat; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of the rotating hub of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5   a  illustrates a sectional view of another embodiment of the rotating hub of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates a rear perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a stored configuration; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top perspective view of the canopy of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a swing apparatus  100  with a seat  300  that is reconfigurable between a first configuration A and a second configuration B. In this embodiment, the first configuration A may be a seat in the upright position (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), and the second configuration B may be a seat in a reclined position (illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). The swing apparatus  100  contains a frame  200  that supports the swing apparatus  100  and a user on a support surface. In this embodiment, the frame consists of a lower support member  202 . The lower support member  202  is positioned near the rear of the swing  100  and has a general U shape. The lower support member  202  contains a first foot base  216  and a second foot base  218  (illustrated in  FIG. 6 ). The foot bases  216 ,  218  provide structure and support for the frame  200 , as well as grip on the support surface. In one embodiment, the lower support member  202  may be a tubular member with a diameter of 1.125 inches and a wall thickness of 1.0 mm. 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , attached to the ends of the lower support member  202  are a first coupling elbow  208  and a second coupling elbow  210  (illustrated in  FIG. 6 ). Coupling elbows  208 ,  210  enable the lower support member  202  to be connected to the other portions of the frame  200 . Extending upwardly from the first coupling elbows  208  is first upper support  212 . Extending upwardly from the second coupling elbow  210  is the second upper support  214 . The upper supports  212 ,  214  extend upwardly for supporting the swing mechanism  400 . In one embodiment, the upper supports  212 ,  214  may have a diameter of 1.125 inches and a wall thickness of 1.0 mm. 
         [0027]    Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , extending forwardly from the first coupling elbow  208  is first front member  204 . Similarly, extending forwardly from the second coupling elbow  210  is second front member  206 . As illustrated, the front members  204 ,  206  engage the support surface providing lateral support for the swing apparatus, as well as support in both the fore and aft directions of the swing apparatus. The front members  204 ,  206  may be designed to aid the swing mechanism in gripping the support surface to prevent the swing apparatus from sliding. In one embodiment, the front members  204 ,  206  may have a diameter of 1.125 inches and a wall thickness of 1.0 mm. 
         [0028]    Remaining with  FIGS. 1 and 2 , as illustrated, a swing mechanism  400  is coupled to the top of the upper supports  212 ,  214 . In this embodiment, the swing mechanism  400  contains a first housing  410  and a second housing  420 . First housing  410  is coupled to the top of first upper support  212 , and second housing  420  is coupled to the second upper support  214 . Contained within the first housing  410  is a motor  414  that is used to produce a swinging movement of the seat  300 . Furthermore, first housing  410  contains an interface  412  that is used to control the swing mechanism  400  and the motor  414 . The swing mechanism  400  may produce a swinging movement from the motor  414  as well as sounds and music. Moreover, the interface  412  may control the speed of the motor  414  as well as the sounds that are produced and the volume at which the sounds are produced. 
         [0029]    Connected to the inner sides of the housings  410 ,  420  are hanger arms  416 ,  422 . First hanger arm  416  is rotatably coupled to the first housing  410 , and second hanger arm  422  is rotatable coupled to the second housing  420 . The hanger arms  416 ,  422  extend downwardly from the housings  410 ,  420 . The seat  300  is connected to the ends of both hanger arms  416 ,  422  that are opposite to those connected to the housings  410 ,  420 . In one embodiment, the hanger arms  416 ,  422  may be tubes with a diameter of  0 . 75  inches and wall thickness of 1.0 mm. 
         [0030]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the seat  300  is connected to the hanger arms  416 ,  422 . The seat  300  contains a seatback  310 , and rotating hubs  340 . As illustrated, the hanger arms  416 ,  422  are connected to the seat  300  by way of the rotating hubs  340 . As stated previously,  FIG. 1  illustrates the seat  300  in the second configuration B, where the seat  300  is in a reclined position. In the second configuration B, the seat has seatback tube  320  connected to the seatback  310  and extending rewardly from the top of the seatback  310 . Connected to the top of the seatback  310  and the seatback tube  320  is seat cover  360 . When the seat  300  is in the second configuration B, the seat  300  can support an infant child. The infant can rest within the seatback  310  of the seat  300  in a reclined or laying orientation. The second configuration B of the seat  300  is beneficial to an infant because in the reclined orientation, the infant does not need to support his or her own head. In one embodiment, the seat  300  may be biased, by a spring or other similar means, to default to the second configuration B. 
         [0031]    As the child grows, and is able to support his or her own head, the seat  300  may be configured into the first configuration A, where the seat  300  is in an upright configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, the seat  300  may only be able to be positioned in the first configuration A when the tray  330  is attached to the top of the seatback  310 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The tray  330  contains an integrated crotch post  332  that extends downwardly from the tray  330 . The integrated crotch post  332  creates two leg holes on either side of the post  332  with the seatback  310 . The integrated crotch post  332  allows a child to sit within the seatback  310  without sliding out of the seat  300 . Furthermore, the tray  330  contains alignment apertures  334  and locking protuberances  338  (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ). The seatback  310  contains alignment tabs  318  that align with the alignment apertures  334  of the tray  330 . The alignment apertures  334  receive the alignment tabs  318 , aligning the tray  330  onto the seatback  310  properly. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the rear of the seat  300  and seatback  310  is illustrated. In this embodiment, the seatback  310  contains retaining tabs  316  for storing the tray  330  (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) and rear apertures  314 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the seatback tube  320  stored underneath the seat  300  when the seat  300  is in the first configuration A. The seatback tube  320  is placed underneath the seat  300  when the seatback tube  320  is not connected to the top of the seatback  310 . The rear apertures  314  are configured for storing the seatback tube  320  underneath the seatback  310  when the seat  300  is in the first configuration A. In this embodiment, the seatback tube  320  is formed from a general U-shape and contains locking tabs  322  on each end. In this embodiment, the locking tabs  322  slide into the rear apertures  314  and snap into place. To remove the seatback tube  320  from the rear apertures  314 , a user must push the locking tabs  322  towards the seatback tube  320 , bending the locking tabs  322  slightly. In other embodiments, the seatback tube  320  may be held in the rear apertures by other locking means such as friction, a spring loaded push button, or other similar means. In some embodiments, the seatback tube  320  may not lock into the rear apertures  314 , and may just rest within the apertures  314 . In some embodiments, the seatback tube  320  is a tube with a diameter of 0.5 inches and has a wall thickness of 1.0 mm. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is a front perspective view of the seat  300  and seatback  310  in a second configuration B with the tray  330  stored underneath the seatback  310  on the retaining tabs  316 . The retaining tabs  316  are positioned underneath the bottom of the seatback  310 . In one embodiment, the retaining tabs  316  may be shaped like hooks. The retaining tabs  316  allow the removable tray  330  to be securely stored underneath the seat  300  when the tray  330  is not engaged on the seatback  310 . As illustrated, the edge of the tray  330  slides onto the retaining tabs  316  to be secured to the retaining tabs  316  and the underside of the seatback  310 . 
         [0034]    Additionally,  FIG. 4  illustrates the alignment tabs  318  on the front of the seatback  310 . As stated previously, the alignment tabs  318  aid in the alignment of the tray  330  onto the seatback  310  by slidably engaging the alignment apertures  334  in the tray  330 . Also illustrated in  FIG. 4  is one of the locking protuberances  338  The locking protuberances  338  slidably engage the top apertures  312  on the top of the seatback  310  when the tray is positioned on the top of the seatback  310  to lock the hub  340  and the seat  300  into the first position A. Furthermore, when the seat  300  is in the second position B, and the seatback tube  320  is attached to the top of the seatback  310  by being inserted into the top apertures  312 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , illustrated is an exploded view of the hub  340  of the seat  300 . The hub  340  consists of an outer hub  341  and an inner hub  342 . The outer hub  341  is the portion of the hub  340  that can be seen by the user or parent or caregiver of the user. The inner hub  342  is positioned within the hub  340  and may be positioned partially within a portion of the seatback  310 . The outer hub  341  contains a hanger arm attachment  354 . The hanger arms  416 ,  422  attach to the hanger arm attachment  354  to support the seat  300 . In one embodiment, the inner hub  342  rotates within the outer hub  341 . Therefore, as the seat  300  rotates between the first configuration A and the second configuration B, the inner hub  342  rotates within the outer hub  341  while the outer hub  341  remains stationary. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  illustrates the inner hub  342  containing alignment rings  344 , which enable the inner hub  342  to align itself within the outer hub  341 . Furthermore, the inner hub  342  includes a latch  346  and a locking tab  348 . The latch  346  enables a user to move the hub  340 , and as a result the seat  300 , between the first configuration A and the second configuration B. As stated previously, the seat  300  and the hub  340  are biased to be in the second configuration B. In this configuration, the locking tab  348  is positioned within the locking tab receiver  350  on the outer hub  341 . When a user pulls up on the latch  346 , the locking tab  348  rotates inward, toward the center of the inner hub  342 , disengaging from the locking tab receiver  350 . Once the locking tab  348  disengages the locking tab receiver  350 , the inner hub  342  is able to move counter clockwise within the outer hub  341 , allowing a user to move the seat  300  into the first configuration A. 
         [0037]    Once the inner hub  342  has been rotated, and the seat  300  is in the upright orientation of the first configuration A, the tray  330  can be placed onto the seatback  310 , with the locking protuberances  338  of the tray  300  sliding into the top apertures  312 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The locking protuberances  338  of the tray  330  are of a length that extends through the top apertures  312  down into the alignment rings  344 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the alignment rings  344  contain a notch  352 . Once the inner hub  342  has been rotated into the orientation for the first configuration A, the notch  352  aligns with the top apertures  312 . When the locking protuberances  338  slide through the top apertures  312 , the protuberances  338  engage with the notch  352  of the alignment rings  344 . This locks the inner hub  342  into the upright orientation of the first configuration A of the seat  300  by preventing the inner hub  342  from rotating clockwise back to the second configuration B. Once the tray  330  is removed, and the locking protuberances  338  are disengaged from the notch  352 , the inner hub  342  is free to rotate clockwise, with the locking tab  348  engaging the locking tab receiver  350 . In some embodiments, a torsion spring (not shown) may interact with the inner hub  342  and the outer hub  341  to spring bias the seat  300  to the second configuration B. In one embodiment, the top apertures  312  may be located in the outer hub  341  of the rotating hub  340 . In other embodiments, the top apertures  312  may be located on the top of the seatback  310 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Moreover, the locking tabs  322  of seatback tube  320  are not of a length that are engageable with the notch  352  of the alignment ring  344 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 5   a , illustrated is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the hub  340  and the seatback  310 . Similar to the previous embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the hub  340  includes an outer hub  341  and an inner hub  342  with alignment rings  344 . In this embodiment, the inner hub  342  is connected to the sides of the seat  300  and the outer hub  341  is connected to the hanger arms  416 . Moreover, the seatback  310  contains the top apertures  312 . When the seat  300  moves between first configuration A and second configuration B, the inner hub  342  rotates within the outer hub  341  about rotation C. As illustrated in  FIG. 5   a , the inner hub contains notch  352  and outer hub contains aperture  353 . Further illustrated is a pivot latch  360  that is positioned below the top apertures  312  in the seatback  310  and above the hub  340 . The pivot latch  360  contains an upper arm  362  and a lower arm  364  that form a V-shaped configuration with a gap  366  between the ends of the upper arm  362  and the lower arm  364 . The upper arm  362  is aligned with the top aperture  312  and the lower arm  364  is aligned with the notch  352  in the inner hub  342 . 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5   a , when the seat  300  is rotated to first configuration A, the aperture  353  in the outer hub  341  aligns with the notch  352  in the inner hub  342 . Additionally, once the tray  330  is placed on the seatback  310  with the locking protuberances  338  inserted into the top apertures  312 , the locking protuberances  338  engage the upper arm  362  of the pivot latch  360  causing the pivot latch  360  to pivot. The pivoting by the pivot latch  360  inserts the lower arm  364  to into the aligned aperture  353  and notch  352  locking the seat  300  in the first configuration A and preventing the outer hub  341  and inner hub  342  from rotating. However, if the seat  300  is in the second configuration B, the aperture  353  is misaligned with notch  352 . If the locking protuberances  338  are inserted into the top apertures  312  when the seat is in the second configuration B, the lower arm  364  of the pivot latch cannot be inserted into the aperture  353  and notch  352 . When the seat  300  is in the second configuration B, the lower arm  364  of the pivot latch  360  rests on the outside of the outer hub  341 . This position of the lower arm  364  pivots the pivot latch  360  and the upper arm  362  so that the upper arm  362  is located proximate to the top aperture  312 . When the upper arm  362  is located proximate to the top aperture  312  and the lower arm  364  is resting on the outside of the outer hub  341 , the outer hub  341  and the inner hub  342  are not locked together by the lower arm  364 . 
         [0040]    Furthermore, as the tray  330  is placed on the seatback  310  with the locking protuberances  338  inserted into the top apertures  312 , the insertion of the seatback tube  320  into the top apertures  312  is prevented. Therefore, the seatback tube  320  and the tray  330  cannot be attached to the seatback  310  at the same time. This condition insures that the user operates the swing apparatus  100  with the seat  300  in the first and second configurations A, B as intended, preventing possible injury to an infant placed within the seatback  310  of the swing apparatus  100 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the swing apparatus  100  is shown in a storage configuration C. In this configuration, the front members  204 ,  206  have been removed from the coupling elbows  208 ,  210 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the first foot base  216  contains an aperture  217  and the second foot base  218  contains an aperture  219 . When the swing apparatus  100  is configured to the storage configurations C, the first front member  204  is removed from the first coupling elbow  208  and placed in the aperture  217  on the first foot base  216 . Similarly, the second front member  206  is removed from the second coupling elbow  210  and placed in the aperture  219  on the second foot base  218 . In some embodiments, the front members  204 ,  206  may be frictionally engaged into the coupling elbows  208 ,  210  and the apertures  217 ,  219  of the foot bases  216 ,  218 . In other embodiments, the front members  204 ,  206  may be held into place in the coupling elbows  208 ,  210  and the foot bases  216 ,  218  by spring loaded buttons, or other similar means. In the storage configuration C, the swing apparatus  100  may be leaned against a wall or placed within a closet for easy convenient storage. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , illustrated is the canopy  500  attached to the hanger arms  416 ,  422 . The hanger arms  416 ,  422  may contain coupling members  418 ,  424 . The coupling members  418 ,  424  allow a canopy  500  to be attached to the hanger arms  416 ,  422 . The canopy  500  is used for entertaining a child within the seat  300  or for shading a child from excess light. Furthermore, the canopy  500  may contain toy objects  502  that hang from the canopy  500  via clips  504 . The clips  504  enable a user to easily remove or attach the toy objects  502  to and from the canopy  500 . This allows a parent or care giver to position different toy objections  502  onto the canopy  500  for the child to interact with. In some embodiments, the coupling members  418 ,  424  may be removably engaged with the hanger arms  416 ,  422 . Furthermore, the canopy  500  may be removably engaged with the coupling members  418 ,  424 .