Patent Publication Number: US-2010123341-A1

Title: Baby swing car seat system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional application is claiming benefit from prior original provisional application No. 61/116,006 filed on Nov. 19, 2008. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The new invention pertains to baby swings, baby swing accessories and swing systems particularly related to; baby car seats, reels for adjusting swing height and simple swing hangers. 
     Babies especially enjoy the motion of a swing. Traditional Baby swings are well known commercially available products that are commonly offered in two main forms; 1) Baby swings for attachment to swing sets, and 2) Baby swings with their own support frame. In the current art, baby swings for attachment to swing sets have many of the same features as a traditional playground swing has, however the baby swing seating area is generally formed or structured to assist in supporting and preventing the baby from falling out of the seat. Some patents that teach the typical baby swing seating configurations are; U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,512 to Hobson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,099 to Marra et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,934 to Miller and U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,736 to Brown. In these patents, their designated seat configuration is a requirement of the invention in order to establish the baby swing. Also in the current art, there are many popular baby swings having independent support frames with designated seating configurations. The swing is limited to a short height and a short swinging arc. Some patent examples of baby swings having their own support structures are; U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,994 to Clarke and U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,996 to Dillner et al. Although baby swings are known to be available in many shapes and forms, none of the previous mentioned patents teach the use of a baby car seat to establish the seating portion of the swing, each requires a custom seating portion. 
     Baby car seats are well known commercially available products used to safely position and support a baby in a vehicle during transportation. The car seat attaches to the vehicle&#39;s safety restraint system and it also has an independent harness restraint system for the baby. Baby car seats are made for two different age groups, infants and toddlers. Baby car seats made for infants under  12  months old are currently available in the market equipped with; a base portion that attaches to the vehicle&#39;s safety restraint system and a detachable car seat carrier portion. The detachable car seat carrier incorporates a pivotally adjustable handle that locks into positions to easily carry the car seat and baby. Baby car seats for toddlers are larger and formed to fit the vehicle seat, they are less portable and usually stay attached in the vehicle. Baby car seat dimensions and general geometry are essentially the same for the various model types currently available in the market. Many governments, including the United States, have mandatory laws requiring that all children must be seated in an appropriately rated car seat for transportation in an automobile. Laws also state that the owner cannot buy or sell a used car seat. During the growth of a child, the child&#39;s caregiver may own several different car seats having one primary functional use; most car seats are given away to family or friends or discarded. 
     There are known swing accessories that attach to a baby car seat. One swing product is currently offered under the trade name “SnugGlider” and consists of a small portable frame having a rigid mounting receptacle intended for use with only one particular car carrier model type. The rigid car carrier mounting receptacle pivots in the frame to create a short swing arc. There are also patents that describe the use of a car seat for a swing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,073 to Weathersby teaches an infant car seat carrier apparatus. The U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,073 patent teaches a base assembly much like the more traditional swings described above that requires their own support frame. The method of attachment of the car seat to the apparatus is by a rigid mount. The short swing arc center is positioned below the car seat, not from a point above the car seat, as is traditionally done. U.S. Pat. No. 7,037,205 to Bowman, describes an improved baby car carrier device having an integral swinging mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 7,037,205 does not teach the use of existing car seats to create a swing, however it teaches a new type of car seat incorporating an integral swing mechanism that is stored in the handle portion. In all of the known existing swing accessories the car seat attaches to an integrated frame or base. 
     Slings are well known industrial products used for lifting or hanging heavy loads. Standard slings are available in different forms including a continuous closed loop. Standard sling materials include load rated woven strapping, chain, wire rope and ropes. Due to the closed loop geometry the sling can drape over an open object and the opposite end can thread through the draped loop end. When pulled tightly the sling rigidly secures itself to the bar with out the use of any hardware. The standard industrial sling is primarily used for supporting heavy loads and is not recognized for use with baby swings. 
     Many existing structures are suitable for supporting the weight of a baby swing. Some have open beams such as; a swing set crossbeam or a sturdy tree branch. Other existing structures that are suitable for supporting the weight of a baby swing have covered structural beams such as; structural features on buildings including, (floor joists covered by flooring, doorway headers covered by door casings, deck joists covered by decking, archways and ceilings covered by sheathing such as sheetrock as well as other structural support beams). The use of appropriate hardware is required to properly attach to the closed beam structures. Installation of common hardware normally requires appropriate tools such as wrenches or screw drivers. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and novel swing accessory for use with existing baby car seats and existing overhead structures, establishing a new baby swing system. The baby swing system easily attaches to existing car seats and preferably infant baby car seat carriers where multiple methods of attachment can facilitate varying incline positions for the baby. The swing system safely and easily installs onto existing open overhead beam structures without the use of hardware, this is accomplished by knotting the sling&#39;s attachment end with a clove. Further, the new system exists in simple fixed length form and also a preferred variation having adjustable length to accommodate height variations of existing overhead beam structures and desired swing height. One or more reels are used to adjust the swing systems main cord length and therefore positional height of the swing from the ground. The reel also functions as a portable storage for the swing accessory cord length. A preferred reel has a locking retractable mechanism that is designed to support the swing loads, however, simple manual winding reels can also be used. Additional features to the accessory further include; optional hangers for installation into covered overhead support beams. A new and novel hanger design is easily installed by hand without the use of tools. Other features of the new baby swing system include ornamental attachments with optional recorded sounds having particular appeal to babies. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS AND DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a simple embodiment of the design. 
         FIG. 1A  is a front elevation view of a preferred simple embodiment of the system. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side elevation view of a preferred simple embodiment of the system. 
         FIG. 2  is cross sectional view of a wire rope cord end connection 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of a simple embodiment of the design incorporating a manual reel. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded assembly of a single spring loaded retractable reel. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a side by side double spring loaded retractable reel. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a stacked double spring loaded retractable reel. 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of a double reel connected by cords. 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of a hanger design mounted vertically and horizontally to an over head structure. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of one embodiment using a supporting cord creating a sling. 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of one embodiment using a supporting cord creating a sling with reel and sling in an alternate position. 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the system showing an attachment to a toddler car seat. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the components that make up the preferred baby swing accessory system kit. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the system attached to a single hanger and a car seat carrier in the prone position. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the system attached to a single hanger and a car seat carrier in a partially inclined position. 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention attached to a single hanger and a car seat carrier in an upright position. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention attached with double reel split and system engaging a dual hanger. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIGN 
     The new baby swing system has numerous variations of embodiments, including combinations of; cord types, cord configurations, optional cord reels, practical attachment methods to the car seat carrier and configurations of fastening methods and hardware to overhead structures. The following detailed descriptions are intended to provide a general understanding of the main elements of the baby swing system as well as new or novel features of these elements as implemented in the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     The cord assembly can exist in many material types rated for the swing system loading including; wire rope, nylon webbing, braided fabric rope, chain and variations thereof. 
     Cord assembly configurations consist of single or multiple main cord lengths that extend between the overhead support structure and the car seat carrier. Attachments to the car seat carrier may consist of the main cord and additional supporting cords or cinching straps that attach to the main cord. The additional cords and cinching straps secure to rigid portions of the car seat such as; the carrying arm, the pivot joint of the carrying arm and to the car seat carrier&#39;s base structures. The use of supporting cords and cinching straps will be further described below as they pertain to embodiments of the new invention. 
     Existing overhead structures are sturdy structures suitable to support the swing loading forces. Such overhead structures include; traditional swing set cross beams, sturdy horizontally growing natural tree branches and horizontal supporting beams installed in modern building construction such as, (floor joists, rafters, decks, interior door frame headers, and supported ceilings). Other custom made frame structures may also be suitable for supporting the new swing accessory. Fastening methods and hardware used for attachment of the swing system to these structures will be further described as they pertain to specific embodiments. 
     Simple embodiments of the invention are described in  FIGS. 1 ,  1 A and  1 B. The swing system  1  is established by a cord assembly  2  that is secured to an overhead beam  3  and also secured to a baby car seat carrier  4 . In these simple embodiments, the cord assembly  2  is a continuous loop where a first side of the loop  2   a  is draped over the overhead beam  3  and the opposite end of the cord  2   b  is threaded under the overhead beam and through the exposed opening of the first loop  2   a . The assembly is pulled tightly downward establishing a secured grip to the overhead beam  3 . Now the second side of the looped cord assembly  2   b  is capable of securing and attaching to the car seat carrier  4  in the following methods when the car seat carrier handle  4   a  is in its upright locked position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the second side of the cord assembly  2   b  passes under the front side of the car seat handle  4   a , and then loops around the backside of the carrier and further continues to wrap all the way around the front side of the carrier. The slack in the cord assembly is pulled upward toward the beam  3 , resulting in the cord assembly  2  fully wrapping around the carrier handle, securing the cord to the handle, as shown. 
     The preferred installation of the cord assembly  2  to the car seat carrier  4  is depicted In  FIGS. 1A  front elevation view and  1 B side elevation view. To install the cord in this method, the second side of the cord assembly  2   b  passes under the front side of the car seat handle  4   a , and then loops around the backside of the carrier  4   c  shown in  FIG. 1B  and further continues to wrap all the way around the front side of the carrier, then continuing back underneath the handle and finally wrapping around the backside of the carrier  4   c  for a second time. Then the main cord assembly is tightly pulled upwards to remove the slack in the cord assembly resulting in the cord assembly  2  securely wrapping around the carrier handle while the second side of the cord assembly loop  2   b  rests tight against the backside of the carrier base  4   c  as shown in  FIG. 1B , thus establishing a secure support and attachment of the cord assembly  2  to the car seat carrier  4 . 
     An optional reel  5  is positioned along the main cord length. The optional reel  5  is for coiling the cord  2  for storage and for adjusting the cord length to establish desired height positions of the swing system  1 . The optional reel  5  can be manual winding as described in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , or the reel may have a spring loaded retractable mechanism as described in  FIG. 4 . The optional reel  5  can also have many configurations and positions along the cord assembly as will be further described as it applies to particular embodiments. 
     For added security, two cinching straps  6  are optional but will help to secure the main cord  2  to the car seat handle  4   a . Cinching strap  6  is made from nylon webbing having a grommet that the main cord  2  passes through to easily position the cinching strap  6  in a desired position along the cord length. One end of the cinching strap has a sewn in fitting. The other end of the cinching strap inserts through fitting and is pulled tightly around the handle  4   a . The cinching strap length contains opposing hook and loop grip for secure installation and removal of the cinching strap to the car seat handle  4   a.    
     The preferred material of the main cord assembly is ( 3/32-⅛ inch) plastic coated galvanized wire rope selected for its corrosion resistance, strength and small diameter.  FIG. 2  describes the connection of two ends of a cord assembly  2  made from wire rope. Ends  2   c  and  2   d  of the wire rope have had the outer plastic coating removed. The wire rope ends  2   c  and  2   d  overlap each other by the length of the aluminum oval sleeves  7  used to connect the wire ends together. The ends of the wire install into the oval sleeves  7  as shown. The oval sleeves are secured by crimping with a special sleeve crimping tool. The secured joint is covered with a protective section of shrink tubing  8  to conceal the joint and to protect the user from sharp wire ends. Other means for connecting cord ends together that fall within the claims and true spirit of the invention are; linking rings, threaded fittings, hooks, latches etc. 
       FIG. 3  describes another embodiment of this invention that utilizes a manual winding reel assembly  10 . A cord  11  has a continuous loop construction with two loop ends  12  and  13  that correspond to loop end  2   a  and  2   b  in  FIGS. 1 ,  1 A and  1 B. The loop ends  12  and  13  install to the overhead beam and the car seat carrier in the same manner as the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1   a.  The manual winding reel assembly  10  includes a reel  14  which is a single component, made up of a center diameter  15 , two outer flanges  16  and two inner flanges  17 . The cord  11  is installed through the central groove  18  and passed through the hole  20  on opposing sides, so that the cord  11  engages both outer grooves  19 . The cord ends are joined together as shown in  FIG. 2  to create the cord loop. The reel is positioned down the length of the cord as desired. To adjust overall cord length of the assembly  10  between loop ends  12  and  13 ; The cord length extending from the center diameter  15  of the reel to cord loop end  13  is wound around the reel  14  and captured in outside grooves  19 . The cord length extending from the center diameter  15  and cord loop end  12  is wound around the reel  14  and captured within central groove  18 . When the opposing load is applied to both loop ends of the cord, the reel supports the load due to the winding configuration of the cord around the reel. The reel  14  can contain the entire length of cord  11  when the reel  14  is centrally positioned on cord length. The preferred circumferential length of the cord in this embodiment is 20 feet. 
     A preferred configuration of the reel is one that has a locking, spring loaded retractable mechanism.  FIG. 4  describes one embodiment of a single reel with locking retractable mechanism. The components of the reel consist of; An outer casing  30  providing structural rigidity, A flat wire constant force spring  31 , An internal drum  32  supporting the cord  33 , a compression spring  34  loading the locking button  35  against a cover  36  that threads into the outer casing  30  securing the assembly together. The flat wire constant force spring  31 , would have an uncoiled length approximately the same length as the cord. The inside end of the flat wire constant force spring  31  would engage a slot positioned on the center of the outer casing  30  and the outside end of the flat wire constant force spring  31  would engage slots in the outside edge of the internal drum  32 . The cord  33  is coiled around the internal drum  32 . The internal drum has securing means to the inside end of the coiled cord. The locking mechanism incorporates the use of a compression spring  34 , a hardened pin  35  having a spline  37 , (or even a hexagon shape not shown). The spline  37  normally engages the female spline  41  in the outer body  30  and also engages a central hardened spline insert  38  positioned within the internal drum  32 , the compression spring  34  loads the assembly thus locking the spline  37  to spline insert  38  to keep the desired cord  33  length in place. To release the lock, the side button  35  would be activated against compression spring  34  to temporarily disengage the spline  37  from the internal drum socket  38 . The lock would re-engage when the side button  35  was released. When the lock is disengaged the extended portion of the cord  33  would naturally want to retract into the body  30  due to the spring load generated by the flat wire spring  31 . Also, when the lock is disengaged the desired cord length can be extended. 
     For versatile attachment, the reel housing incorporates a mounting eye  40  and the cord  33  may be equipped with a safety latch hook  39  or vice versa for connection to the car seat carrier and overhead supports. The latch hook  39  can also connect to eye  40 , creating an adjustable length continuous loop for connecting the swing assembly together as is described in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 ,  1 A and  1 B. The cord  33  can alternatively be fixed to the reel outer casing creating a permanent continuous cord loop as indicated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  for double reel designs 
     A second opposing retractable cord reel mechanism can be incorporated making it a double reel. The double reel can be positioned side by side as shown in  FIG. 4A , or in a stacked position as shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C , where both reels are encased inside a common housing. In these alternate reel embodiments, the cord  33  extends to connect to the second reel for use in both retractable assemblies, creating a functional loop for attachment to the car seat carrier as is described as item  2   a  and  2   b  in embodiments of  FIGS. 1 ,  1 A and  1 B, and items  12  and  13  in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, each reel can have its own cord for independent attachment to the car seat carrier or the over head hanger. For added appeal to babies, battery operated digital music devices and ornamental covers are installed onto the reel casings of embodiments in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  4 A  4 B and  4 C (not shown). 
     The embodiments described so far have been shown to connect to open overhead beams. The new swing system includes hardware that connects to overhead structures such as floor joists, door frame headers decks and sheathed ceilings that do not have open top beam structures. Traditional hardware can be employed for hanging the swing system such as eye-bolts;, eye and hook shaped lag screws, bolted on brackets comprising connecting hooks or rings and other hardware typically used to hang swings including porch swings and hammocks. 
     One new preferred swing hanger design is described in  FIG. 5 . The novel feature of the hanger  50  is that it can be installed by hand without the use of other tools into a wooden structure  51  (shown in cross section, having a top sheathing cover  51   a ). This particular hanger embodiment is capable of being installed on the side of the beam  52  or the bottom of the beam  53 . The formed hanger geometry  55  provides a lever arm and comfortable hand grip to torque the screw portion  54  into the wooden structure  51  without the use of any other tools. Screw portion  54  is self tapping into the wooden structure, no drilled hole is required. When the hanger  50  is mounted to either the side of the beam  52  or the bottom of the beam  53  the formed hanger geometry  55  provides a closed loop to support the swing cord in any position. An optional washer  56  (shown in cross section) is used to provide a uniform bearing surface for the hanger formed geometry  55  against the mounting surfaces  52  and  53 . Attachment of the swing main cord to the hanger is accomplished by looping the cord through the central opening in the formed geometry  55  as described in  FIGS. 1 ,  1 A and  1 B to connect the continuous cord loop to the over head beam, or by the use of traditional hardware connected to the main cord such as a latch hook. 
       FIG. 6  describes an alternate embodiment of the system  100  that further incorporates a second supporting cord loop  104 , having a length of approximately 53 inches. The second cord loop can be formed when the two ends of the cord overlap each other and each end is crimped to the main cord length via crimped oval wire sleeves  105 . Another way to form the second cord loop is to add a fixed length cord that attaches in two places to the main cord loop  102  via crimped oval wire sleeves  105 . The purpose for the second loop is to provide added support to the car seat carrier  4  at base portions  4   d  and  4   e  by supporting loops  103  and  104  as shown. Cinching strap  6  is positioned along the cord assembly of system  100  to add optional securing points to rigid portions of the car seat carrier including, the carrier arm  4   a  or around the arm pivot joint  4   c . In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the car seat carrier arm  4   a  can be positioned in its folded down position as shown in  FIG. 6  or in its up right carrying position. 
       FIG. 7  describes the system in  FIG. 6  but the supporting cord loop  103  engages slot  4   c  of the cars seat carrier to adjust the incline of the seat  4   
       FIG. 8  depicts the attachment of a toddler car seat  110  into the system, cinching strap  6  secures to the car seat&#39;s seat belt restraint system (not shown). 
     Now that we have established the general variations for attachment and the concepts for use of reels and hangers the invention will be more obvious referring to the preferred embodiments as described in  FIGS. 9 through 12 .  FIG. 9  depicts the preferred system components  120 . The swing accessory  121  has a double reel comprised of reel  122  and reel  123  joined together by interface  124 . Reel  123  has a cord  33  that retracts through opening  126 . The cord is fixed to reel  122  via fitting  127 . Cords  128  and  129  are both retractable together into reel  122 , both cords  1228  and  129  are fixed to reel  123  via fitting  130 . Cinching straps  6  are incorporated onto cord  128 , there are adjustable slides  132  that are used to slideably position the cinching strap along cord length into a desired position. Cinching straps  6  slide over cord through grommet fitting  136 . Cinching straps are secured by wrapping end  134  around desired point of attachment and inserting end  134  through end loop  135 . The strap is then pulled snugly and fastened to itself using hook and loop properties. The system will be supplied with multiple hangers such as hanger  50  with washer  55  for installation into overhead beams without tools. The standard porch hangers  145  having open hooks  147  would be provided for user&#39;s option for hanging the system in a desired location. The sharp screw tips would be protected by vinyl caps  146 . The system would also comprise a toy attachment  140  for the swing. Clips  144  are slidably positioned along string  143  to grip the cord in desired locations so the baby can view or play with ornaments  141  and  142 . Ornaments may have sounds, lights and shapes that are appealing for babies. The system accessory will be contained within a carry pouch  149  for neat and compact portability. 
       FIG. 10  describes the preferred system attached to a single overhead hanger  50  installed into an over head beam  150  that has a ceiling cover  151 . The reels  122  and  123  are attached together. The car seat carrier  4  is in a prone position for the baby to sleep. Toy attachment  140  is engaged onto cord  128 . In this configuration the baby can easily rest. The single point attachment to the overhead beam allows the swing to generate a pendulum motion, where the baby can easily be swung front to back or side to side else a combination of the two. Also gentle tipping of the car seat carrier results in a gentle oscillation or rocking of the car seat without the swinging motion that is soothing to the baby. 
       FIG. 11  depicts an alternate attachment of the preferred embodiment of the system resulting in a partially inclined position of the car seat. Both cords  128  and  129  engage car seat slot  4   c  and cords are secured to handle  4   a  using cinching straps  6 . In this configuration the car seat handle  4   a  adds support, due to the multiple positions of the car seat handle, the inclined positioning of the car seat is adjustable, as is shown in  FIG. 11A , by adjusting the handle  4   a  down the car seat is positioned fully upright. The baby is now in an upright sitting position. In this position the baby can be easily fed as in a high chair, with the reels providing height adjustment. 
     To further describe the versatility of the system,  FIG. 12  depicts the function of separating the reels  122  and  123 . The reels are normally engaged via a twist lock interface where pin  161  from reel  123  engages a radial slot  160  on reel  122  (not shown), and vice versa. By separating the reels the cord  33  can engage two hangers  145  installed into an over head beam  150 . The preferred spacing between hangers  145  is 16 inches. This configuration is more conducive to forward and backward swinging and for attachment to both car seat carriers and toddler car seats. 
     It should now be obvious to any one skilled in the art, that the swing system comprising main cords, supporting cords, cinching straps, the use of cord reels, cord end fittings and the overhead hanging methods of the new car seat swing apparatus can be arranged in other suitable embodiments that satisfy the claims while remaining within the true spirit of the invention.