Abstract:
Vibration devices are described that provide soothing movement or motion to a person, such as an infant or toddler, laying in a bed. The vibration devices are not part of, but are separately attachable to/removable from, the bed. The vibration devices utilize a control section that is outside the bed and a passive or active transmission element located underneath the mattress that transfers vibration motion to mattress the person is laying on. The devices described herein may also produce noise resulting from the generated movement that may be soothing to the person laying on the mattress.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to a device used with an infant or children&#39;s bed for soothing and comforting a person laying in the bed. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Parents have long sought ways to comfort and soothe their infants and children when they aren&#39;t carrying them in their arms. Subtle movements or motion such as rocking, swaying, and vibration have proven effective at relieving fussiness and apparent discomfort. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The vibration devices described herein relate to a means of providing soothing movement or motion to a person laying in a bed via a device that is not part of, but is separately attachable to/removable from, the bed. The vibration devices utilize a control section that is located outside the bed and a passive or active transmission element located underneath the mattress that transfers vibration motion to the mattress or other sleep surface the person is laying on. The vibration devices described herein may also produce noise resulting from the generated movement that may be soothing to the person laying on the mattress or other sleep surface. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment, the control section includes an electronic device that can generate vibration such as a motor spinning an eccentric weight or a piezo generator. The vibration generating device can be powered by batteries, low voltage, line voltage or a combination of these power sources. The vibration generating device can be turned ON and OFF with a simple switch on the control section or a remote control and it could have adjustable vibration frequency or intensity controls. In one illustrated example, the control section is spaced away from the crib pickets. This helps to prevent the control section from rattling against the pickets. 
         [0005]    The control section is attached to the transmission element which in one embodiment can be a flat, thin, stiff piece of material that can be placed under the mattress. In this embodiment, the transmission element should be flat and thin enough so it doesn&#39;t affect the mattresses&#39; comfort, yet flexurally rigid enough to efficiently transmit the vibrations to the mattress and bedframe from the control section. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a vibration device for soothing a child in a child&#39;s bed having a mattress disposed on a mattress support includes a vibration generating device that generates vibrations, a generally flat transmission element that fits underneath the mattress between the mattress and the mattress support that transmits vibrations from the vibration generating device into the mattress, a control section that controls operation of the vibration generating device, and a neck that interconnects the generally flat transmission element and the control section. 
         [0007]    In a crib environment it is contemplated that the control section will be located outside the crib&#39;s walls and connect to the transmission element which would be shaped to fit between the crib&#39;s pickets or slats and extend under the mattress with a wide and long enough footprint to successfully transmit the vibration. 
         [0008]    In a toddler bed where the mattress may sit down in a frame that extends up and around the lower portion of the mattress, the transmission element can have a goose-neck between the point where the control section is attached and where the transmission element extends under the mattress. This goose-neck could accommodate the elevation change from the top of the mattress frame to the bottom of the mattress. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the transmission element extends underneath the mattress via one of the side walls of the crib or the side of the toddler bed which helps to ensure a more uniform distribution of the vibrations. However, in other embodiments, the transmission element could be inserted at one of the longitudinal ends of the crib or toddler bed. 
         [0010]    The devices described herein are removable and portable allowing them to be installed on different cribs and toddler beds. 
         [0011]    As used herein and in the claims, the term child is intended to encompass an infant and a toddler unless otherwise indicated, up to children approximately 10 years of age, but exclude children that are older than approximately 10 years in age. In one embodiment, an infant is a child ranging in age from a newborn up to about 12 months in age, and a toddler is a child ranging in age from about 12 months in age to about 36 months in age. A child&#39;s bed as used herein and in the claims, unless otherwise indicated, is intended to encompass an infant&#39;s bed and a toddler&#39;s bed. An infant&#39;s bed is typically referred to as a crib. The vibration devices described herein can be used with mattresses sized for infant&#39;s, sized for toddlers, and twin sized, as well as for larger mattresses such as full, queen or king sized. The term mattress as used herein and in the claims, unless otherwise indicated, refers to any cushioned sleep surface that the child lays on in a bed. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a vibration device described herein. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the vibration device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates the positioning of a transmission element of the vibration device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  relative to a crib. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates the control section of the vibration device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  located outside the crib pickets of the crib of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates the vibration device of  FIGS. 1-4  with the transmission element located underneath the crib mattress and the control section outside the crib pickets. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of a vibration device used with a toddler bed. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a top view of another embodiment of a vibration device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the vibration device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an end view (from the end of the control section) of the vibration device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a longitudinal side sectional view of the vibration device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is an end view (from the end of the transmission element) of the vibration device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the vibration device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is another perspective view of the vibration device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates the vibration device of  FIGS. 7-13  relative to a crib. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the vibration device of  FIGS. 7-13  relative to a crib. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a vibration device  10  is illustrated that includes a control section  12  and a transmission element  14  that is attached, permanently or removably, to the control section  12 . In this embodiment, the control section  12  is configured to generate vibrations that are transmitted to the transmission element  14  which in turn are transmitted from the transmission element  14  to a mattress  16  (see  FIGS. 3-5 ) and a bedframe  18  (see  FIGS. 3-5 ) such as a crib (shown in  FIGS. 3-5 ) or a toddler bed (shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the control section  12  includes a housing  20  that houses a vibration generating device and control electronics for controlling operation of the vibration generating device. Many examples of vibration generating devices are known in the prior art and the vibration generating device can have any configuration suitable for generating vibrations suitable for soothing infant&#39;s or children as described herein. Power for powering the vibration generating device can be provided by one or more batteries disposed for example within the housing  20 , and/or a solar panel operable under room lighting conditions, and/or other low voltage power source. Alternatively, power for powering the vibration generating device can be provided by line voltage in which case a power cord (not illustrated) can extend from the housing  20  which plugs into a suitable wall outlet. 
         [0029]    As discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 7-15 , the housing  20  can be provided with a control panel  22  having one or more control buttons  24  that control various operations of the vibration device  10 . The control buttons  24  can include, but are not limited to, an on/off switch for turning the vibration device  10  on and off which switch can also control operation of the vibration generating device (or a separate on/off switch can be provided to turn the vibration generating device on and off), a switch for increasing or decreasing the intensity of the vibrations generated by the vibration generating device, a switch for controlling one or more night lights on the control section  12  or on a connector that connects the control section  12  to the transmission element  14 , a switch for controlling music or other sounds generated by the vibration device  10 , and other switches. 
         [0030]    The transmission element  14  is a generally flat, planar, plate-like structure that fits under the mattress  16  between the bottom surface of the mattress  16  and a support  26  of the bedframe  18  on which the mattress  16  is supported. The transmission element  14  has a size or an area that is less than the size or area of the mattress  16 . In the illustrated example, the transmission element also has a length L that is greater than its width W. 
         [0031]    The transmission element  14  is connected to the control section  12  by a neck  28  that also transmits vibrations produced by the control section  12  to the transmission element  14 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the vibration device  10  is configured to work with a crib in that the neck  28  of the vibration device  10  is made with a narrowing that allows the neck to fit between the crib&#39;s pickets  30  as best seen in  FIG. 3 , allowing the control section  12  to remain safely outside the sleeping area of the crib. The neck  28  could have soft foam or a padded collar around it to keep the neck  28  centered between the crib pickets  30  and to keep the neck  28  from vibrating against the pickets  30 . Alternatively, or additionally, soft foam or padded collars can be provided on the crib pickets  30  near the neck  28 . In one embodiment, the transmission element  14  can detachably connect to the neck  28  and the neck  28  can detachably connect to the control section  12 . In another embodiment, the neck  28  can be integrally formed with the transmission element  14  and/or with the control section  12 . 
         [0032]    In this embodiment, the vibration device  10  can be installed by rotating the vibration device 90 degrees so the transmission element  14  is rotated 90 degrees on its longitudinal centerline and sliding the transmission element  14  between two adjoining pickets  30 . The vibration device  10  is then rotated 90 degrees back to its original orientation so that the transmission element  14  lays flat on the support  26  when the transmission element  14  is underneath the mattress  16 . In another embodiment, the transmission element  14  can be separated from the control section  12 , with the two pieces then being reattached between two adjoining pickets  30  once they are disposed on opposite sides of the crib wall. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a vibration device that is similar to the vibration device  10  in that the vibration device of  FIG. 6  includes the control section  12  and the transmission element  14 . However, this embodiment of the vibration device  10  is configured to work with a toddler bed where the mattress  16  is recessed into the bed frame  18 . A gooseneck  32  connects the control section  12  to the transmission element  14  to allow the transmission element  14  to fit under the mattress  16  and allow the control section  12  to be conveniently next to the bed as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-15 , another embodiment of a vibration device  50  is illustrated. The vibration device  50  includes a control section  52  and a transmission element  54  that is attached, permanently or removably, to the control section  52 . In this embodiment, the transmission element  54  is configured to generate vibrations using a vibration generating device in the transmission element  54  that are transmitted from the transmission element  54  to a mattress  56  (see  FIG. 15 ) and a bedframe  58  (see  FIG. 14-15 ) such as a crib (shown in  FIG. 14 ) or a toddler bed like shown in  FIG. 6 . Many examples of vibration generating devices are known in the prior art and the vibration generating device can have any configuration suitable for generating vibrations suitable for soothing infant&#39;s or children as described herein. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 7-13 , the control section  52  includes a housing  60  that houses control electronics for controlling operation of the vibration device  50 . Power for powering the vibration generating device in the transmission element  54  can be provided by one or more batteries disposed for example within the housing  60 , and/or a solar panel operable under room lighting conditions, and/or other low voltage power source. Alternatively, power for powering the vibration generating device can be provided by line voltage in which case a power cord (not illustrated) can extend from the housing  60  which plugs into a suitable wall outlet. 
         [0036]    The housing  60  can be provided with a control panel  62  having one or more control buttons  64  that control various operations of the vibration device  50 . The control buttons  64  can include, but are not limited to, an on/off switch for turning the vibration device  50  on and off which switch can also control operation of the vibration generating device (or a separate on/off switch can be provided to turn the vibration generating device on and off), a switch for increasing or decreasing the intensity of the vibrations generated by the vibration generating device, a switch for controlling one or more night lights on the control section  52  or on a connector that connects the control section  52  to the transmission element  54 , a switch for controlling music or other sounds generated by the vibration device  50 , and other switches. 
         [0037]    The transmission element  54  is a generally flat structure that fits under the mattress  56  ( FIG. 15 ) between the bottom surface of the mattress  56  and a support  66  of the bedframe  58  ( FIG. 15 ) on which the mattress  56  is supported. The transmission element  54  has a size or an area that is less than the size or area of the mattress  56 . In the illustrated example, the transmission element also has a length L that is greater than its width W so that some of the transmission element is located near a centerline of the mattress  56 . 
         [0038]    In the illustrated embodiment, the transmission element  54  includes a vibration lever  70  and a supporting board  72 . The vibration lever  70  can be integrally formed with the supporting board  72  at an end  74  thereof nearest to the control section  52 . At the other end of the transmission element  54 , the vibration lever  70  is free of and not connected to the supporting board  72  and the free end can be spaced apart from the supporting board  72  a small distance. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , the vibration generating device  76  can be provided in the vibration lever  70 , for example at or near the free end thereof where the vibration lever  70  is spaced away from the supporting board  72 . In this embodiment, the vibration lever  70  provides increased vibration by having the vibration generating device  76  located directly under the mattress  16 , yet not contacting the mattress support  66  for quieter operation. By locating the vibration generating device in the vibration lever  70 , the vibrations are accentuated allowing the use of a smaller vibration generating device  76 , or a vibration generating device  76  that requires less power, etc. 
         [0040]    In other embodiments, the vibration generating device  76  can be located and/or mounted elsewhere in the transmission element  54  of  FIGS. 7-15 . The vibration generating device  76  can also be mounted within a flat transmission element like the transmission element  14  of  FIGS. 1-6  without the vibration lever  70 . In addition, the vibration generating device  76  can also be mounted in the control section  52  like in the device of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
         [0041]    The transmission element  54  is connected to the control section  52  by a neck  78 , such as a goose neck in the illustrated embodiment. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7-15 , the vibration device  50  is configured to work with a crib in that the neck  78  of the vibration device  50  is made narrow that allows the neck  78  to fit between the crib&#39;s pickets  30  as best seen in  FIG. 14 , allowing the control section  52  to remain outside the sleeping area of the crib. The neck  78  could have soft foam or a padded collar around it to keep the neck  78  centered between the crib pickets  30  and to keep the neck  78  from vibrating against the pickets  30 . Alternatively, or additionally, soft foam or padded collars can be provided on the crib pickets  30  near the neck  78 . In one embodiment, the transmission element  54  can detachably connect to the neck  78  and the neck  78  can detachably connect to the control section  52 . 
         [0042]    In an embodiment, the neck  78  connects to the transmission element  54  at or near the point where the transmission element  54  extends under the mattress  56 . In some embodiments, the structure and function of the neck  78  of the vibration device  50  in  FIGS. 7-15  are substantially the same as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 ; the installation and the portability of the vibration device  50  in  FIGS. 7-15  are substantially the same as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 ; and/or the structure of the transmission element  54  of the device  50  in  FIGS. 7-15  excluding the vibration lever  70  can be substantially the same as the transmission element  14  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 . 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, the neck  78  can include a sound generating device that provides soothing sounds broadcast through one or more speakers  80  on the vibration device  50 , such as on the neck  78 . In other embodiments, the sound generating device can be located in the control section  52 . In an embodiment, one or more night lights  82  can be located on the control section  52 . In another embodiment, one or more night lights can be located on the neck  78 . 
         [0044]    The vibration devices described herein can be powered by batteries, low voltage, line voltage or a combination of these power sources. The vibration devices described herein can also have adjustable frequency and/or intensity controls for, such as, but not limited to, vibration, sounds, and/or night lights. The vibration devices described herein can also have controls for various colors of the night light and/or various types of sounds. The vibration devices described herein can be controlled by using the control panel or using a remote control that wirelessly connects to the control panel using a suitable wireless connection technology such as Bluetooth, infrared, radio frequency, wi-fi, and the like. The remote control can be a dedicated, programmable remote control unit designed specifically for the vibration device, or application software loaded on a smart device such as a smartphone, tablet or the like. The remote control can be programmed to control operation of the vibration device including, but not limited to, setting duration of functions of the device, sequencing of functions of the device, time-of-day based functions that determine when functions of the device turn on or turn off, and the like. 
         [0045]    In this embodiment, the vibration device  50  can be installed by rotating the vibration device 90 degrees so the transmission element  54  is rotated 90 degrees on its longitudinal centerline and sliding the transmission element  54  between two adjoining pickets  30 . The vibration device  50  is then rotated 90 degrees back to its original orientation so that the supporting board  72  of the transmission element  54  lays flat on the support  66  when the transmission element  54  is underneath the mattress  56 . In another embodiment, the transmission element  54  can be separated from the control section  52 , with the two pieces then being reattached between two adjoining pickets  30  once they are disposed on opposite sides of the crib wall. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIGS. 14-15 , when the vibration device  50  is correctly mounted in position, the control section  52  is located outside the crib&#39;s walls, with the neck  78  extending between two pickets  30  to the transmission element  54  which is disposed underneath the mattress  56  between the bottom surface thereof and the support  66 . 
         [0047]    The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.