Abstract:
A support frame for a infant or child support device is disclosed. The frame includes oval shaped side members that provide a wide, safe base and a smooth rocking action to the rocker. The kickstand may be used to convert the support frame from a rocking configuration into a stable, non-rocking configuration. The support frame may also include a seat that can be removed from the support frame.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/165,620, entitled “Rocker Device,” filed Aug. 15, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. D,480,884 Attorney Docket No. FSHR-050/00US, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to an infant support device, and more particularly, to a frame for an infant rocker. 
     Conventional infant supports have various types of frames. Some infant supports are configured to be stationary or static while other infant supports are configured for movement with respect to a support surface. For example, some infant supports are configured to rock back and forth and are referred to generally as rockers. 
     The configuration of the frame of an infant support can determine the type of movement achieved by an infant support. For example, some infant supports have planar bases and resilient frames that allow the upper portion of the frame to move with respect to the ground. Other infant supports have rigid frames that are fixed relative to the ground. Still other infant supports, such as the infant rockers, have curved lower surfaces or bases that facilitate rocking of the infant support. 
     Thus, there is a need for a frame that facilitates both rocking and stationary use of an infant support. There is also a need for an infant support frame with an efficient design. A need also exists for an easily adjustable infant support that is reconfigurable between a rocking configuration and a static configuration. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An infant support includes a support frame. In one embodiment, the support frame includes side members and a cross member extending between the side members. In one embodiment, the cross member is a kick stand that can be selectively disposed in multiple positions. In one position, the kick stand is retracted and does not prevent movement of the infant support. In another position, the kick stand is extended and prevents movement of the infant support with respect to a support surface. 
     In one embodiment, the support frame includes a back support bar. The back support bar is coupled to the side members. The back support bar can be selectively disposed in multiple positions with respect to the support frame. In one embodiment, softgoods in the form of a seat can be disposed on the frame. 
     In another embodiment, the infant support is an infant rocker that includes a frame and a softgoods seat that can be used to support the weight of an infant. The infant support can include an output generator that outputs soothing or stimulating effects such as vibration and/or audible outputs. The infant support can include a toy bar coupleable to the frame. The toy bar can include multiple objects suspended therefrom. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the frame illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the frame illustrated FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a frame in a stable configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a frame in a rocking configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An infant support includes a support frame. In one embodiment, the support frame includes side members and a cross member extending between the side members. In one embodiment, the cross member is a kick stand that can be selectively disposed in multiple positions. In one position, the kick stand is retracted and does not prevent movement of the infant support. In another position, the kick stand is extended and is configured to prevent movement of the infant support with respect to the support surface on which the frame is disposed. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the support frame includes a back support bar. The back support bar is coupled to the side members. The back support bar can be selectively disposed in multiple positions with respect to the remainder of the support frame. In one embodiment, a softgoods seat can be disposed on the frame to support the weight of an infant. 
     In another embodiment, the infant support is an infant rocker that includes a frame and a softgoods seat that can be used to support the weight of an infant. The infant support can include an output generator that outputs soothing or stimulating effects such as vibration and/or audible outputs. In one embodiment, the infant support can include a toy bar that is coupleable to the frame. The toy bar can include multiple objects suspended therefrom. 
     A support device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG.  1 . In this embodiment, the support device  5  includes a frame  10 . Frame  10  includes side members  12  and  14  and several support or structural members  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22 . Support or structural members  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  can be referred to alternatively as cross members because each is coupled to both side members  12  and  14 . In alternative embodiments, the frame can have any number of support or structural members. 
     Support member  16  can be referred to as a back portion or back support bar  16 . Back support bar  16  can be substantially U-shaped and is configured to support softgoods material (not illustrated in FIG. 1) thereon. The softgoods material can be any conventional fabric material on which an infant can be supported. Support member  20  is configured to support a front end (i.e., the end adjacent a foot support portion) of a softgoods seat disposed on the frame  10 . 
     Support member  18  is coupled to the lower portions of the side members  12  and  14 . Support member  18  provides additional stability to the frame  10  by maintaining a constant distance between the two side members. Support member  18  can also provide a ground-engaging contact surface to modify the rocking motion of the frame. 
     Support member  22  is pivotally coupled to the frame  10  and is selectively movable between an extended position and a retracted position, as discussed in greater detail below. 
     The frame  10  includes connection assemblies  30 ,  50  that are configured to couple various components of the frame  10  together. Connection assembly  30  couples side member  12  and support member  16 . Similarly, connection assembly  50  couples side member  14  and support member  16 . 
     The connection assemblies  30 ,  50  include a moveable portion  38 ,  58  and a release mechanism  40  that allows the moveable portion  38 ,  58  to move with respect to the frame  10  when the button  40  is pushed. The back support bar  16  is attached to the moveable portion  38 ,  58  such that when the moveable portion  38 ,  58  is moved, the back support bar  16  moves with respect to the side members  12 ,  14  to vary the relative position of the back support bar  16  with respect to the side members  12 ,  14 . 
     Each side member  12 ,  14  has a generally curved shape that includes multiple curved portions. Referring to FIG. 1, side member  12  includes an upper portion  60 , a lower portion  62 , a rear portion  64  and a front portion  66 . The portions  60 ,  62 ,  64  and  66  form a continuous support frame. Similarly, side member  14  includes an upper portion  70 , a lower portion  72 , a rear portion  74  and a front portion  76 . The portions  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  form a continuous support frame. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, side members  12  and  14  are mirror images of one another. Accordingly, only side member  12  is discussed in detail where appropriate. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the configuration of side member  12  is illustrated. 
     The lower portion  62  of the side member  12  includes a lower surface that contacts a support surface, such as a floor. The lower portion  62  has a slightly curved configuration and a large radius of curvature. The extent of the curvature of the lower portion  62  determines the particular rocking motion imparted to the frame. 
     The upper portion  60  can have a greater radius of curvature than the lower portion  62 . However, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper portion  60  has a smaller radius of curvature than the lower portion  62 . As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the side members  12 ,  14  are angled inwardly, the distance between the upper portions  60 ,  70  being less than the distance between the lower portions  62 ,  72 . The inward angle provides a wider footprint of the device  5 , thereby increasing the overall stability of the frame  10 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 3, the side member  12  is approximately twice as long as it is tall. Moreover, the upper curved portion extends approximately twice the distance above the axis defined between the apices of the front and rear curved portions as the lower curved portion. This configuration provides an efficient design that allows a long, smooth rocking motion without sacrificing stability. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the side members  12 ,  14  also include rear feet  68 ,  78  and front feet  69 ,  79 . The feet  68 ,  69 ,  78 ,  79  are configured to prevent the frame  10  from traveling too far and tipping over when rocking. The combination of the shape and dimension of side members  12 ,  14  and the inclusion of feet  68 ,  69 ,  78 ,  79  provides a stable support frame. The lower cross member  18  is attached to the side members  12 ,  14  and is operative to provide rigidity to the frame as discussed above. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the frame  10  also includes a front support member  20 . The front support member  20  is attached between the side members  12 ,  14 . The front support member  20  is configured provide stiffness for the frame  10  and support a seat that is attachable to the frame  10  as will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the frame  10  also includes support member  22 . The support member  22  is pivotally coupled to the side members  12 ,  14  at pivot portions  67 ,  77  of the front feet  69 ,  79 . The pivot portions  67 ,  77  of the front feet  69 ,  79  can pivot with respect to the front feet  69 ,  79 . Thus, the support member  22  can be repositioned between an extended position in which it engages the ground to prevent the frame  10  from rocking, and a retracted or a folded position to allow the frame  10  to rock as discussed above. Detent assemblies (not illustrated) can be provided between the pivot portions  67 ,  77  and the front feet  69 ,  79  to maintain the support member  22  in the extended and retracted positions. 
     Each of the support members  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  described above may be attached to the side members  12 ,  14  with any manner of conventional attachment means, including screws, bolts, rivets, friction fit, adhesive, welding, etc. Moreover, each of the support members  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  can be formed from lightweight metal tubing of sufficient strength to support the weight of an infant. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention. The illustrated rocker  100  includes a support frame  110  similar to frame  10  discussed above and further includes a seat  190 . The frame  110  includes side members  112 ,  114 , and support members  116 ,  118 ,  120  and  122 . 
     Connection members  130  (only one visible in FIGS. 4 and 5) include an actuator  140  to allow the relative position of the back support bar  116  to be modified with respect to the side members  112 ,  114 . The ability to move the back support bar  116  relative to the side members  112 ,  114  allows the seat  190  to be positioned in multiple configurations (i.e., varying degrees of recline). 
     The seat  190  is substantially elliptical or oval in plan view and includes an upper seating surface  192  upon which an infant can be positioned and a lower foot portion  194  adjacent the upper seating surface  192 . The foot portion  194  and the upper seating surface  192  may be integrally formed or may be removably coupled. The seat  190  can be manufactured from fabric or similar material. Alternatively, the seat  190  may be manufactured from other flexible materials such as vinyl, molded plastic or the like. The seat  190  may include a quilted surface to provide greater comfort for the infant positioned therein and may be manufactured using multiple layers of fabric between which batting material may be accommodated. The seat  190  may also include a rigid backing (not illustrated) to provide additional support. The rigid backing may be integral to the seat  190  or may be detachable from the seat  190 . Alternatively, the rigid backing may also be removably or fixedly coupled to the frame  110 . 
     The seat  190  is adapted to be supported on the support frame  110 . To support the seat  190  on the frame  110 , attachments are provided such that when an infant is positioned on the seat  190 , the weight of the infant is carried by the support frame  110  so that the support frame  110  bears the load. The attachments may be in the form of pockets on a rear surface of the seat  190  that are adapted to engage the support frame  110 . For example, a first pocket can slidably receive the back support bar  116 , and a second pocket can slidably receive the front support member  120 . Alternatively, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, clips, pins, etc. may be used to couple the seat  190  to the frame  110 . 
     To maintain the infant securely in seat  190 , a belt  195  may be coupled to the seat  190 . The belt  195  can be provided with separable buckles for easy operation. Any infant restraint device known to those skilled in the art may be utilized with the seat  190  without departing from the scope of the invention. The belt  195  can be removed from the seat  190  such that the rocker can be used by older children as a rocking chair. 
     The rocker  100  can include a toy bar  197  suspended above the seat  190  (see FIG.  5 ). A fastener  198  is provided and configured to suspend an article  199  from the toy bar  197  within reach of an infant positioned on the upper seating surface  192 . In an alternative embodiment, several fasteners  198  and several articles  199  can be provided. 
     Each article  199  may be an infant toy or a variety of infant toys and may be removably or permanently attached to the fastener  198  by a fastener such as a hook and loop type fastener or a ring coupled through a fabric loop. The toy bar  197  can be removably coupled to the connection assemblies  130  by conventional methods. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the rocker  100  includes an output generator  180  coupled to front support member  120 . The output generator includes at least one actuator switch  182 . The output generator includes a battery compartment (not illustrated) and is configured to output vibrations and/or soothing sounds such as music or other soothing and/or stimulating sounds. Any combination of outputs may be provided. 
     The vibrations generated by the output generator are imparted to the frame  110  and the seat  190  to sooth the infant or child using the rocker  100 . The sounds are emitted from a transducer such as a speaker contained in the output generator  180 . The vibrations and sounds are selected from vibration patterns and sounds saved in memory local to the electronics box and may include a variety of different vibrations and sounds. 
     In use, the device  100  can be utilized in a stationary configuration as illustrated in FIG.  4 . In such a configuration, the support member  122  is used as a kickstand to retain the position of the seat  190  relative to the support surface on which the device  100  is situated (i.e., to prevent rocking motion). Moreover, in the stationary configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, the rear feet (only rear foot  168  is illustrated) are biased toward the ground to provide greater stability. 
     To be utilized as a rocker, the support member  122  is retracted or nested with the lower portion of side members  112 ,  114  as illustrated in FIG.  5 . The curvature of support member  122  can be substantially similar to that of the side members  112 ,  114  such that it does not interfere with the rocking motion. Detent assemblies can be provided between pivoting portions  167 ,  177  and feet  169 ,  179  to maintain the support member  122  in the expanded or retracted configurations. 
     While particular, illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and modifications exist that would not depart from the scope of the invention. For example, although the support members  22 ,  122  are described as having a curved configuration, the support members  22 ,  122  can be any configuration such that each provides the required stability in the expanded configuration and does not interfere with the rocking motion when in the retracted configuration. 
     Although the support members  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122  are described as being formed from metal tubing, the support members may be formed from plastic or similar materials with sufficient strength to support the weight of an infant. 
     Although the support members  22 ,  122  are described as being pivotally coupled to the corresponding frame, the support members  22 ,  122  may be removably coupled to the frame such that each is coupled to the frame for use of the device in the static configuration and removed from the frame for use of the device in the rocker configuration. 
     While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.