Abstract:
An apparatus for entertaining a child, the apparatus including a mobile body configured to attach to a side railing of a crib, a plurality of arms pivotally extending from the mobile body along a first end, and a motor operably connected to the arms and including a controller. The arms articulate according to a predetermined sequence of the controller.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This description relates to devices for entertaining and stimulating an infant.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Devices have been developed and configured to attach to a crib to provide entertainment and stimulation to an infant. A mobile is one such example.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     In one aspect, an apparatus includes a mobile body configured to attach to a side railing of a crib, a number of arms pivotally extending from the mobile body along at a first end, and a motor operably connected to the arms and including a controller. The arms articulate according to a predetermined sequence of the controller.  
         [0004]     In various examples, the mobile includes one or more of the following features. The arms can be attached to the mobile body along a longitudinal axis. The arms can be configured to move in parallel planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The predetermined sequence can include a substantially wavelike motion. The controller provide a user with the capability to adjust the frequency and/or the amplitude of the wavelike motion. The predetermined sequence can include a sinusoidal function.  
         [0005]     In certain constructions, the arms of the mobile are each different lengths. Ornamental objects can be attached to the second end of the arms. In some examples, a flexible web extends between the arms. The mobile can also include a remote to control the operation of the mobile with a radiofrequency or infrared signal, for example. In further examples, the mobile includes a speaker to play sound effects and/or music. The mobile can include a number of lights configured to illuminate according to the movement of the arms, the sound effects and/or music.  
         [0006]     In another aspect, the mobile includes a mobile body configured to attach to a side railing of a crib, a number of arms pivotally extending from the mobile body and configured to articulate according to a substantially wavelike motion, and a motor operably connected to the arms and including a controller. In some examples, the arms are each different lengths. In certain examples, the controller can adjust the frequency and/or the amplitude of the wavelike motion.  
         [0007]     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a mobile.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the mobile of  FIG. 1  attached to a crib.  
         [0010]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show the mobile of  FIG. 1  with the articulating arms in first and second positions, respectively.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective exploded view of the mobile of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 4B  is a detailed view of  FIG. 4A  showing the arms and components for articulated the arms.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a remote for control of the mobile of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
       [0014]     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , a mobile  10  can include a base  15  and a number of arms  20   a - 20   d  (collectively 20) which are pivotally connected at first ends  23   a - 23   d  at connectors  25   a - 25   d  disposed at a connector assembly  30  located on the base  10 . The connectors  25  are configured to articulate the arms  20  in a predetermined sequence. In the example shown in the figures, the mobile  10  includes four arms  20  which are arcuate and include connectors  25   a - 25   d  arranged collinearly along the connector assembly  30 . In other examples, the mobile includes a greater number of arms  20  which are substantially linear and have connectors  25  which are not arranged collinearly along the connector assembly  30 . The arms  20  can also be serpentine or helical for example.  
         [0016]     The base  15  can include an on/off switch  35  and a number of other controls  40   a - 40   e,  which can include lights, for example. The base  15  can include apertures  45  and a speaker positioned behind the apertures for playing sound effects and/or music. The controls  40  can control features of the mobile  10  such as the illumination of the lights contained within the on/off switch  35  and controls  40 , the movement of the arms  20 , and/or the type and duration of the sound effect and/or music.  
         [0017]     In some examples, a flexible web (not shown) can extend between the arms  20 . In certain examples, ornaments  50   a - 50   d  can be attached to second ends  53   a - 53   d  of the arms  20  with a tether  55   a - 55   d.  The second ends  53  of arms  20  can be, for example, a loop. The ornaments  50  can include stuffed animals such as a bird, turtle, frog, butterfly and/or fish. During movement of the arms  20 , the ornaments  50  move to entertain and stimulate the infant. In some examples, supplemental ornaments  60   a - 60   d  can be attached proximate the second end of the arms  20  to further adorn the mobile  10 . The supplemental ornaments  60  can include, a leaf, for example.  
         [0018]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the mobile  10  can be attached to adjacent rails  70  of a crib  75  with a nut  80  which engages threaded post  85  extending from a back side of the base  15 . The nut  80  can include one or more concavities  90  to permit the nut  80  to be secured to the rails  70  without tools. As shown, the second ends  53  of the arms  20  project well above the interior of the crib  75  for entertaining and stimulating an infant when the mobile  10  is in use.  
         [0019]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a mobile  10  is shown with arms  20  of differing length. In  FIG. 3A , the longest arm  20   d  is shown in the highest position, while in  FIG. 3B  the longest arm  20   d  is shown in the lowest position. Beginning from one side of the assembly  30 , each arm  20  is progressively articulated outward in the direction of arrow A and subsequently progressively articulated inward, opposite the direction of arrow A according to a predetermined sequence. In some examples, the motor drives the arms  20  in similar oscillatory motions and different phases, such that the motions of the arms together simulate a wave motion. In certain examples, the arms  20  are articulated according to sinusoidal function. In some examples the arms  20  are articulated substantially randomly. Other predetermined sequential movement of the arms is contemplated.  FIG. 3B  also depicts a web  98  extending between the arms  20  to for an alternative simulated wave motion.  
         [0020]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a front housing  100  and a rear housing  105  define the base  15  of the mobile  10 . The front housing  100  includes a slot  103  sized to receive a top front cover  104  and the arms  20 . The rear housing  105  can include a battery access door  107 . The arms  20  are each connected at the first ends  23  to rockers  110   a - 110   d  and rocker inners  115   a - 115   d.  The rocker inners  115  engage a cam  120  which rotates about a cam shaft  125  to rotate the rocker inners  115  about a rocker shaft  127  and articulate the arms  20  according to a predetermined sequence. The cam  120  and cam shaft  125  are operably linked to a motor  130  by a gear train  135 , a clutch  140  and a rocker axle clutch gear  145 . The clutch  140  and clutch gear  145  disengages the cam shaft  125  from the motor  130  should the arms  20  become obstructed. The arms  20  can be biased in or against the direction of the arrow A ( FIG. 3 ) by spring elements  150   a -150 d.    
         [0021]     The motor  130  is disposed within first and second motor covers  155 ,  160 , respectively, which are all positioned between the first, second, third and fourth motor housing covers  165 ,  170 ,  175  and  180 , respectively.  
         [0022]     The base  15  includes a main controller  200  and a main switch  205 . Both the main controller and the main switch  200 ,  205 , can be printed circuit boards, for example, and are secured to the front housing  100  by first and second controller supports  207 ,  209 , respectively. The main switch  205  is operably connected to the controllers  40  to control the movement of the arms  20 , the illuminations of controllers  40  and/or the sound effects and music. A speaker  210  is positioned in a speaker mount  215  proximate to the apertures  45  of the front housing  100 .  
         [0023]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a remote  220  include a remote base  225 , at least one remote switch  230  and an antenna  235 . In one embodiment, the antenna  235  is arcuate to serve as a hook for hanging the remote  220  in a convenient location. The remote  220  is configured to wirelessly communicate with the main controller  200  of the mobile  10  by an infrared or radiofrequency signal, for example. A corresponding infrared or radiofrequency receiver can be located on the base  15  (not shown). In various examples, the remote  220  can control the movement of the arms  20 , the illuminations of controllers  40  and/or the sound effects and music of the mobile  10 .  
         [0024]     A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.