Abstract:
An infant play gym including a mat, a first arched structure extending over the mat, a second arched structure extending over the mat, and a motion module. The motion module includes a housing couplable to both the first arched structure and the second arched structure, a power source, and a motor positioned within the housing and powered by the power source, the motor operable to cause the first and second arched structures to move with respect to one another.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/241,781 filed on Sep. 11, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Play gyms are typically used with infants to provide entertainment and education. Typically, a play gym includes two arched structures that are crossed in an X-configuration, and which slot into a mat on which the infant is placed. Several small objects are hung from the arched structures so that the infant can grab the objects while playing. 
         [0003]    The objects can include a mirror, one or more objects that make sound when touched, such as “crunchy” material, or may be stuffed animals and toys. Infants can quickly tire of play gyms if they are not continually stimulated, for example, by a caregiver or parent moving one or more of the objects. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention is directed generally to infant play gyms. More specifically, the invention is directed to a play gym having at least two arched structures which are positioned to extend above an infant lying on a support surface. The play gym also has a motor, and a linkage driven by the motor. The motor is connected to a first of the arched structures, and the linkage is connected to a second arched structure such that rotation of the linkage by the motor causes movement of the second arched structure in relation to the first arched structure. At least one of the arched structures can have at least one attachment point for hanging at least one object such as a toy from the arched structure so that the object moves with movement of the arched structures. 
         [0005]    In some embodiments, the present invention provides a motion module for use on a play gym having a mat, a first arched structure extending over the mat and having one or more toy elements coupled thereto, and a second arched structure extending over the mat and having one or more toy elements coupled thereto. The motion module includes a housing couplable to both the first arched structure and the second arched structure, a power source, and a motor positioned within the housing and powered by the power source, the motor operable to cause the first and second arched structures to move with respect to one another. 
         [0006]    In other embodiments, the present invention provides a motion module for use on a play gym having a mat, a first arched structure extending over the mat and having one or more toy elements coupled thereto, and a second arched structure extending over the mat and having one or more toy elements coupled thereto. The motion module includes a housing including a first coupling member couplable to one of the first arched structure and the second arched structure, and a second coupling member couplable to the other of the first arched structure and the second arched structure, wherein movement of the second coupling member with respect to the first coupling member causes the first and second arched structures to move with respect to one another. 
         [0007]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a play gym including a mat having a support surface for supporting an infant, a first arched structure extending over the mat and having one or more toy members coupled thereto, a second arched structure extending over the mat and having one or more toy members coupled thereto, and a motion module. The motion module including a housing having a first coupling member couplable to one of the first arched structure and the second arched structure, and a second coupling member rotatable with respect to the first coupling member and couplable to the other of the first arched structure and the second arched structure, wherein rotation of the second coupling member with respect to the first coupling member causes the first and second arched structures to move with respect to one another 
         [0008]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a play gym according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bottom surface of the play gym illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view of two flexible members of the play gym illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an electronics module coupled to a flexible member of the play gym illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the electronics module coupled to two flexible members of the play gym illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the electronics module of the play gym illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the electronics module of the play gym illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of the electronics module of the play gym illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the components of the electronics module illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged perspective view of one of the components of the electronics module illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view of one of the components of the electronics module illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the electronics module illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a portion of the electronics module illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is an assembly view of a portion of the electronics module illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0024]    Although directional references, such as upper, lower, downward, upward, rearward, bottom, front, rear, etc., may be made herein in describing the drawings, these references are made relative to the drawings (as normally viewed) for convenience. These directions are not intended to be taken literally or limit the present invention in any form. In addition, terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a play gym  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The play gym  10  includes a mat  14  having one or more fabric layers suitable for infant and small child use. The mat  14  includes a defined perimeter and a plurality of connector ends  18  ( FIG. 2 ) spaced around the perimeter (or adjacent to the perimeter) on the top and/or bottom of the mat  14 . The connector ends  18  can be different and can be attached to fabric that can then be sewn or otherwise stitched into the top and/or bottom material of the mat  14 . The perimeter of the mat  14  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2  substantially defines a circle, however, the perimeter can assume any desirable shape and size. 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the play gym  10  also includes a first flexible member  22  having a first end  26  and a second end  30 . The play gym  10  also includes a second flexible member  34  having a first end  38  and a second end  42 . The first flexible member  22  includes a predetermined first length  46  while the second flexible member  34  includes a predetermined second length  50 . The first length is greater than the second length or vice versa. The lengths represented in the drawings are not to scale. The flexible members  22 ,  34  assume a substantially straight orientation and comprise a material such as a form of plastic that is substantially rigid, but flexes, curves, or bends when pressure is applied at the ends. When the pressure at the ends is released, the flexible members  22 ,  34  resume their substantially straight orientation. The flexible members  22 ,  34  can be whole or partially hollow or may be solid. The flexible members  22 ,  34  can have a circular cross-section, or other suitable cross-section, such as oval, square, rectangular, diamond, or cross. 
         [0027]    The first flexible member  22  is positioned within or encased within or substantially covered with a sleeve of fabric  54  that can be padded. The sleeve of fabric  54  can include one or more loops of fabric positioned along its length. The sleeve of fabric  54  includes a first end  58  and a second end  62  with each end  58 ,  62  having a connector end  66  complementary to the connector ends  18  on the mat  14 . The sleeve of fabric  54  includes a length substantially similar to the predetermined first length  46 . The arrangement of connector ends as illustrated in the figures shows that the sleeve of fabric  54  includes a first connector end at one end and a second connector end, different than the first connector end, at the other end of the sleeve of fabric  54 . 
         [0028]    The second flexible member  34  is positioned within or encased within or substantially covered with a sleeve of fabric  70  that can be padded. The sleeve of fabric  70  can include one or more loops of fabric positioned along its length. The sleeve of fabric  70  includes a first end  74  and a second end  78  with each end  74 ,  78  having a connector end  66  complementary to the connector ends  18  on the mat  14 . The sleeve of fabric  70  includes a length substantially similar to the predetermined second length  50 . The arrangement of connector ends as illustrated in the figures shows that the sleeve of fabric  70  includes a first connector end at one end and a second connector end, different than the first connector end at the other end of the sleeve of fabric  70 . 
         [0029]    The complementary mating connector ends  18  on the mat  14  are positioned substantially opposite one another to allow the connector ends  66  on the sleeves of fabric  54 ,  70  to mate with the appropriate connector ends  18  on the mat  14 . The distance between the oppositely oriented connector ends  18  on the mat is smaller than the predetermined first length  46  and the predetermined second length  50  such that when the connector ends  66  are secured to the connector ends  18 , the first flexible member  22  and the second flexible member  34  each bend to form an arch. 
         [0030]    The play gym  10  can have various configurations capable of entertaining an infant or small child placed on the mat  14 . The sleeves  54 ,  70  can include one or more loops or attachment points which permit a user to hang or attach small objects such as toys or educational items from the attachment points. Suitable toys or educational items may include stuffed or representational animals, mirrors, toys having brightly colored or black and white visual elements, toys that make a sound such as bells and rattles, tactile toys such as crunchy material for a child to handle, and many other variations. The toys can be removable such that a parent or caregiver can change the toys in order to maintain the child&#39;s interest in the play gym. 
         [0031]    The flexible members  22 ,  34  are arranged and dimensioned to extend over the infant or child while the play gym  10  is in use. The flexible members  22 ,  34 , when connected to the mat  18 , each bend to form a substantial semi-circle in a defined plane. For example and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first flexible member  22  bends to form a semi-circle in a first plane while the second flexible member  34  bends to form a semi-circle in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane can be substantially perpendicular to one another or arranged at any other suitable angle (e.g., 60 degrees, 45 degrees, etc.) with respect to one another. In addition, because one of the flexible members  22 ,  34  is longer than the other, the longer flexible member is on top of the shorter flexible member. For ease of description, we will designate flexible member  22  as being longer than the flexible member  34 . 
         [0032]    The play gym  10  also includes an electronics module  82  as illustrated in FIGS.  1  and  4 - 14 . The electronics module  82  includes a housing  86  configured to support a processor  90 , a power source  94 , a speaker  98 , a motor  102 , and a gear train  106 . As illustrated in the figures, the housing  86  includes a first portion  110  and a second portion  114 . The first portion  110  includes a compartment or recess  118  configured to support the power source  94 , such as one or more batteries. The power source  94  is accessible from an exterior of the housing  86  via a cover  122 , which encloses the recess  118 . The cover  122  includes a recessed area  126  configured to receive the flexible member  22 . The first portion  110  also supports the processor  90  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0033]    The housing  86  also includes a plurality of brackets  130  extending from an exterior surface of the first portion  110  on opposites sides of the cover  122 . The brackets  130  are configured to support a strap  134  used to couple the housing  86  to one of the flexible members  22 ,  34 . More particularly, the strap  134  wraps around the longer flexible member  22  such that the electronics module  82  hangs from the flexible member  22  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The first portion  110  also includes a switch  138  supported by the housing  14  and operable to provide input from the user to the processor  90 . The switch  138  can activate the processor  90  and the motor  102 , and can activate various music selections stored in memory on the processor  90 . The switch  138  can also activate other features of the electronics module  82 . 
         [0034]    The housing  86  also includes a second portion  114  coupled to the first portion  110  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  7 . The second portion  114  of the housing  86  includes a compartment  146  configured to support the speaker  98  and a compartment  148  configured to support the gear train  106 . The gear train  106  includes a first gear  150  coupled to an output shaft  154  of the motor  102 , a second gear  158  coupled to a shaft  162  on the third portion  142 , and a plurality of intermediate gears positioned between the first gear  150  and the second gear  158 . The gear train  106  is driven by the motor  102  when the motor  102  is activated to thereby cause the third portion  142  to rotate. 
         [0035]    The third portion  142  of the housing  86  includes an outside edge  166  defining the perimeter and the shaft  162 , which is substantially oriented in the center of the third portion  142 . The third portion  142  also includes an aperture  168  positioned adjacent to the outside edge  166 . The aperture  168  is configured to receive a post  170  of a bracket  174 . The post  170  is coupled to a washer  178  and a fastener  182  such that the post can rotate within the aperture with respect to the third portion  142 . The bracket  174  is configured to support a strap  186  used to couple the housing  86  to one of the flexible members  22 ,  34 . More particularly, the strap  186  wraps around the shorter flexible member  34  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0036]    When the electronics module  82  is coupled to the flexible members  22 ,  34  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the motor  102  operates to rotate the third portion  142  of the housing  86  such that the first flexible member  22  moves with respect to the second flexible member  34 . The second flexible member  34  also moves with respect to the first flexible member  22  as the post  170  freely rotates within the aperture  166  of the third portion  142 . The first flexible member  22  can move about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees on either side of the first plane while the second flexible member  34  can move about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees on either side of the second plane. The electronics module  82  imparts a swaying motion of the flexible members  22 ,  34 . The swaying motion of the flexible members  22 ,  34  causes any toys suspended from the attachment points to move thereby entertaining an infant lying on the mat  14 . 
         [0037]    In another configuration, the electronics module  82  can be configured to move along one of the flexible members  22 ,  34 . For example, the electronics module  82  may be arranged to slide along the first flexible member  22  between two raised portions, such that relative forces created during movement of the third portion  142  and second flexible member  34  cause the electronics module  82  to slide backwards and forwards on the first flexible member  22 . This can increase the relative movement between the two flexible members  22 ,  34 . Alternatively, the electronics module  82  can be arranged on a ratchet system or other system that enables the electronics module  82  to move along the flexible member  22 ,  34 , so that the relative movement between the two flexible members  22 ,  34  is greater. 
         [0038]    The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention. 
         [0039]    Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.