Patent Publication Number: US-8992283-B2

Title: Entertainment device with mode indicator

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 10/718,565, entitled “Infant Seat” and filed on 24 Nov. 2003, which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/466,735, entitled “Entertainment Device with Slide Switch” and filed 1 May 2003. The disclosures of both above-mentioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     This application is also related to a Design Application Ser. No. 29/194,276, filed 24 Nov. 2003 and entitled “Infant Seat,”, now Pat. No. D492851. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to an infant seat, and in particular, to an infant seat that provides a stable, enhanced seating position for an infant and includes a sensory stimulus unit with a slide switch that, when actuated, effectuates a change in visual appearance of the stimulus unit and a corresponding change in the sensory output. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Infant seats have been generally found to be relatively effective for comfortably and securely supporting infants in a seated position. Such seats include bouncer-type seats which are generally formed from a wire frame having a base frame including a main portion adapted to receive and support a seat on a supporting surface and a pair of angular members that extend angularly upwardly and rearward from a front end of the main portion. Such bouncer seats also generally include leg and back frame portions that are supported by the angular frame members and a fabric cover that extends over the leg and back frame members for supporting an infant thereon. The angular members of the base frame are normally resiliently deflectable slightly downward toward the main portion of the base frame thereof. When an infant is supported by the fabric covering the leg and back frame members of a seat of this type, the infant can be gently rocked (bounced) in the seat by the moving the back and leg frame members slightly up and down so that the angular members are slightly resiliently bent downwardly and then resiliently moved upwardly. 
     Existing infant bouncer-type seats have been generally effective at bouncing an infant and supporting the infant in an upright/seated position. However, such seats have not had deep pockets in which an infant can sit and thus provide a more secure and stable setting in which an infant can sit. 
     Free-standing infant seats are particularly useful to parents for soothing or entertaining an infant or providing an infant with an upright view of a room or surroundings, apart from being held by the parent. The need exists for an infant seat that can provide a broader, deeper, more stable seat for the infant. 
     Visual appearance and music have particular effects on infants and parents, for example, a cheery face or lively music can energize an infant or his/her parent, while quiet music and a less visually stimulating appearance can soothe or calm an infant, and in turn, his/her parent. The need exists for a sensory stimulus unit that includes a switch that can effectuate a change in visual appearance and a corresponding change in the sensory output to entertain a user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, an infant seat can be used to soothe and/or entertain an infant in addition to securely holding the infant in an upright, seated position, thus freeing a parent or caregiver&#39;s hands/arms. An infant seat can bounce, vibrate, play music, or any combination thereof. In conjunction with an infant seat according to the present invention, a sensory stimulus unit with a slide switch can, when actuated, effectuate a change in the visual appearance of the sensory stimulus unit and a corresponding change in the sensory output, i.e., such as an audio output. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description, drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an infant bouncer seat (including soft goods) in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 1  with the toy bar and blanket removed for clarity. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a right side view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a frame of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 2  with soft goods, sensory stimulus unit, toy bar, and blanket removed for clarity. 
         FIG. 11  is a side perspective view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a left side view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  is a right side view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 16  is a bottom view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 17  is a front view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 18  is a rear view of the infant bouncer seat of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 19  is a front view of the sensory stimulus unit of the present invention, showing a first visual appearance including an exemplary embodiment of a slide switch showing a first visual appearance. 
         FIG. 20  is a front view of the sensory stimulus unit of  FIG. 19 , showing a second visual appearance. 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  are side views of the ball disposed within the sensory stimulus unit housing of  FIG. 19  and the slide switch with the faceplate portion of the housing removed. 
         FIG. 23  is a side view of the ball disposed within the sensory stimulus unit housing in relation to the faceplate portion of the housing. 
         FIGS. 24-26  are various views of the ball within the sensory stimulus unit housing in relation to the slide switch of  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 24  is a close-up top view of the ball disposed within the sensory stimulus unit housing.  FIG. 25  is a top perspective view of the ball and the interior of the sensory stimulus unit housing.  FIG. 26  is a side perspective view of the ball and the interior of the sensory stimulus unit housing. 
         FIGS. 27A and 27B  illustrate front views of the exemplary embodiment of the sensory stimulus unit of  FIGS. 19 and 20  in use with an infant seat. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , a bouncer-type infant seat  100 , in accordance with the present invention, may include a frame  110  and soft goods  190 . Generally, a frame  110  may be formed of metal or any other suitable material, and may include a main portion  120 , a front leg portion  130 , and a rear base portion  140 . Each portion of frame  110  will be described in detail below. 
     Along each side (right, left) of frame  110 , a handle  150 ,  152  may be included. The handles  150 ,  152  can assist in providing portability of the infant seat  100 , whether the infant is in or out of the seat. Also, on the frame  110 , there may be a sensory stimulus/entertainment unit  160 . An entertainment unit  160  in accordance with the present invention will be described in detail below. 
     Infant seat  100  may also include a toy bar  170  (See  FIG. 1 ). Toy bar  170  may be covered with a coordinating soft goods material  172 . Each end of toy bar  170  may be inserted into a socket (not shown) on each respective side of frame  110 . At least one toy  175  may hang from toy bar  170  at an appropriate height for an infant to interact with the toy  175 . For example, as illustrated, two character toys  175   a ,  175   c  hang from the toy bar  170 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , between the two character toys  175   a ,  175   c  hangs a sun-themed toy  175   b . The sun-themed toy  175   b  includes a sun that may be turned 180° and a pull loop. Each toy  175   a - c  may be removably attached (via a hook and loop type fastener or other appropriate means) to toy bar  170 . 
     Soft goods material  190  may be provided on the frame  110  of the infant seat  100 . The soft goods material  190  may be designed to fit securely and snugly on the frame  110 . The soft goods material  190  may, for convenience, be removable and washable. Soft goods material  190  may have a themed pattern, for example, such as a brightly colored “happy” sun and smiling moon set on a brightly colored background (described herein as a “Fiesta-Siesta” theme). The soft goods material  190  may also include an attached blanket  192 , which can be rolled up and secured with two hook and loop type fasteners  194   a ,  194   b.    
     Soft goods material  190  in conjunction with the frame  110  of the infant seat  100  provides a seating portion for an infant. The soft goods material  190  can support the infant in a seated/upright position. As shown in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5 , the design of the soft goods material  190  in conjunction with the frame  110  of the infant seat  100  of the present invention provides a seat pocket  196  for receiving an infant. As a result, the seat pocket  196  of infant seat  100  of the present invention is deeper, wider, and fuller than the usual seat pocket of a conventional infant bouncer seat, and thus, the uprighted infant can sit more securely within the infant seat  100 . This deeper seat pocket  196  also can provide additional space in order for a larger infant to fit within the infant seat  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-18 , frame  110  may include a main portion  120 , a front leg portion  130 , and a rear base portion  140 . The main portion  120  may have a generally U-shaped configuration. As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the main portion  120  may include a right leg portion  122 , a left leg portion  124 , and a back portion  126 . 
     Back portion  126  forms the bend of the U-shape of the main portion  120  of the frame  110 . Back portion  126  may include an upper portion  126   a , and right and left lower portions  126   c ,  126   b . Right and left lower portions  126   c ,  126   b  intersect the respective right and left leg portions  122 ,  124 . Upper portion  126   a  may be canted slightly rearward, relative to a plane (see plane X in  FIG. 13 ) extending from the right and left lower portions  126   c ,  126   b  of the back portion  126 . This canting can be at an angle of approximately 30°, as shown by Y in  FIG. 13 . By providing this canting to the upper portion  126   a  of frame  110 , the seat pocket  196 , provided by the soft goods  190  on frame  110 , can be deeper, as compared to conventional infant seats. The deeper seat pocket can provide a bigger place for an infant to be positioned. Also, an infant can be better angled to view ongoing activities and its surroundings. 
     Right and left leg portions  122 ,  124  can be arranged at an upward angle, relative to a surface on which the infant seat  100  may be rested. At a central portion  122   a ,  124   a  of each right and left leg portion  122 ,  124 , respectively, the leg portion  122 ,  124  can bow outward, i.e., away from a central line C of the infant seat, to form a curve in each leg portion  122 ,  124  (see  FIGS. 11 ,  17 , and  18 ). As shown in  FIG. 11 , above the central portion  122   a ,  124   a  of each right and left leg portion  122 ,  124 , the leg portions  122 ,  124  may intersect the back portion  126  of the main portion  120  of the frame  110 . Proximate to the leg portion  122 ,  124  and the back portion  126  intersections, a handle  150 ,  152  may be disposed. Note that each portion  122 ,  124 ,  126  may be formed separately from or integrally with any other part to form the main portion  120  or any other part of frame  110 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the front leg portion  130  may include right and left side portions  132   a ,  132   b , and a front portion  134 . The front leg portion  130  may be generally U-shaped with an indented section to support the sensory stimulus/entertainment unit  160 . The front leg portion  130  may extend forward, and can be slightly angled downward with respect to the back portion  120  of frame  110 , in the direction of Z as shown in  FIG. 13 . Front leg portion  130  can be also rotatably movable with respect to back portion  120  of frame  110  (at points labeled Q in  FIG. 11 ) so as to provide for folding of the frame  110  and attachment of the soft goods material  190 . Also, a sensory stimulus/entertainment unit  160  may be disposed on the front leg portion  130 , as seen in  FIG. 1 . By having the front leg portion  130  angling slightly downward, the seat pocket  196 , provided by the soft goods  190  on frame  110 , can be deeper and more secure, as compared to conventional infant seats. The deeper seat pocket may provide more space for an infant to be positioned. Also, an infant can be better angled to view the ongoing activities within its surroundings. 
     Right and left side portions  132   a ,  132   b  of front portion  134  may extend from back portion  120  of frame  110  substantially in parallel, as each side portion  132   a ,  132   b  curves inward from back to front, i.e., toward the central line C of the infant seat, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 17 . Right and left side portions  132   a ,  132   b  intersect the front portion  134  of front leg portion  130 . Note that each portion  132   a ,  132   b ,  134  may be formed separately from with or integrally with any other part to form the front leg portion  130  or any other part of frame the  110 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , rear base portion  140  may be substantially U-shaped. Rear base portion  140  may include a right base portion  142 , a left base portion  144 , and a back base portion  146 . Right base portion  142  and left base portion  144  may extend forwardly i.e., toward the front of the infant seat, in the direction designated by F in  FIG. 12 , from back base portion  146 . At respective front portions  142   a ,  144   a , right and left base portions  142 ,  144  may intersect right and left leg portions  122 ,  124  of main portion  120  of frame  110 , respectively. At this intersection, a distance D between the front portions  142   a ,  144   a  of each of the right and left base portions  142 ,  144  may be greater than a distance d between rear portions  142   b ,  144   b  of each of the right and left base portions  142 ,  144 . At respective rear portions  142   b ,  144   b , right and left base portions  142 ,  144  may intersect each end  146   a ,  146   b  of back base portion  146 . Back base portion  146  may be substantially horizontal, and oriented substantially perpendicular to right and left base portions  142 ,  144 . By having the distance D between the front portions  142   a ,  144   a  of each of the right and left base portions  142 ,  144  be greater than a distance d between rear portions  142   b ,  144   b  of each of the right and left base portions  142 ,  144 , the seat pocket  196 , provided by the soft goods  190  on frame  110 , can be deeper and more secure, as compared to conventional infant seats. Note that each portion of the rear base portion  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146  may be formed separately from or integrally with any other part to form the rear base portion  140  or any other part of frame  110 . 
     As described briefly above, the infant seat  100  may include a sensory stimulus/entertainment unit  160  disposed on the front leg portion  130  of the frame  110  of the infant seat (see  FIG. 1 ). The entertainment unit  160  may provide amusement to an infant through, for example, a variety of outputs, i.e., sensory stimuli, and changes provided thereon. The entertainment unit  160  may, for example, follow a themed pattern, such as Fiesta-Siesta to coordinate with the theme of the soft goods material  190 . As shown in  FIGS. 19-27B , a slide switch  520  may be mounted on an entertainment unit  160 . The slide switch  520  can effectuate a change in visual appearance and a corresponding change in sensory output, i.e., sensory stimulus of the entertainment unit  160 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , an entertainment unit  160  may be mounted on a juvenile product (swing, bassinet, bouncer seat, car seat, high chair, etc.) and may include a control panel  500 . Control panel  500  may include a housing  510  that has a slide switch  520 , a mode indicator ball  530 , and a slide switch opening  535 . Housing  510  may also include a faceplate portion  510   a  and an outer casing  550  (see  FIGS. 21 ,  22 ,  25 , and  26 ). The faceplate portion  510   a  may have a visually appealing shape and may include a groove  511  formed integrally therein. Groove  511  may be disposed proximate to a lower edge portion  511   a  of the faceplate portion  510   a  of the housing  500 . Slide switch  520  may be adapted to move transversely along groove  511 . Slide switch  520  may be formed to be grasped by a user&#39;s thumb and/or forefinger and be manipulated along groove  511 . 
     Opening  535  may have a circular shape and may be formed integrally with faceplate portion  510   a  of housing  510 . Opening  535  may be adapted to rotatably retain mode indicator ball  530  therein. Mode indicator ball  530  may be shaped like a sphere and may have at least one visual indicia  530   a ,  530   b  provided thereon. For example, mode indicator ball  530  may have, as shown in  FIG. 19 , a “happy” sun indicia  530   a , and as shown in  FIG. 20 , a “sleepy” moon indicia  530   b . The visual indicia  530   a ,  530   b  of mode indicator ball  530  may be painted, molded, or otherwise attached to or formed thereon. For example, the indicia  530   a ,  530   b  of mode indicator ball  530  may be molded integrally with mode indicator ball  530 . 
     Control panel  500  can also include an operational control unit  545  that may include a switch  540  to select an operational state. For example, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the switch  540  may select one of four operational states: “power off” state  540   a , “music only” state  540   b , “vibration only” state  540   c , and “music and vibration” state  540   d . As illustrated herein, entertainment unit  160  may optionally include other components, such as an audio generating unit and a vibration generating unit, as appropriate or desired. 
     In use, generally, when a user places slide switch  520  into position  520   a , a first visual indicia is be displayed by mode indicator ball  530  and sensory output, i.e., sensory stimulus, such as music corresponding to the first visual indicia  530   a , is generated. When a user moves slide switch  520  into position  520   b , mode indicator ball  530  is rotated to display a second, different, visual indicia  530   b  and a second, different, sensory output, i.e., sensory stimulus, corresponding to the second visual indicia  530   b , is generated. 
     More particularly, when, as shown in  FIG. 19 , a user moves slide switch  520  along groove  511  towards a first side  512   a  of housing  510  to position  520   a , mode indicator ball  530  is rotated to display a first visual indicia  530   a , i.e., “happy” sun, and, when mode indicator ball  530  displays the first visual indicia, an output, i.e., sensory stimulus, generator (not shown), i.e., an audio generating unit, provides corresponding output, for example, lively, upbeat music to entertain the user as well as the infant received in the juvenile product. When a user moves slide switch  520  towards a second side  512   b  of housing  510  to position  520   b , mode indicator ball  530  is rotated to display a second, different, visual indicia  530   b , i.e., “sleepy” moon, as shown in  FIG. 20 , and, when mode indicator ball  530  displays the second visual indicia, the output generator, i.e., the audio generating unit, provides corresponding output, for example, quiet, sleepy music to soothe the user and the infant received in the juvenile product. 
       FIGS. 21-26  depict the detailed interaction between mode indicator ball  530  and slide switch  520  within the control panel housing  510  when slide switch  520  is actuated. Slide switch  520  may be moved transversely along groove  511  of housing  510 . Housing  510  may also include a grooved component  521  (shown in more detail in  FIGS. 24 and 25 ), which extends rearward, towards the back of housing  510  of control panel  500 . Grooved component  521  may include a groove  521   a  formed therein. Mode indicator ball  530  may include an extension or raised boss  531  that is adapted to move within groove  521   a  of component  521 . Extension  531  may include a biasing member  532  that helps ensure that the mode indicator ball  530  rotates a full 180° and that the slide switch  520  moves completely to the left or right upon actuation. The biasing member  532  may comprise a steel spring or a torsion spring, or any other appropriate biasing member. One end  531   a  of the biasing member may be provided in a groove on extension  531 . A second end  531   b  of the biasing member may be provided on a knob  533  (see  FIG. 23 ) located on a lower side of the face plate. Biasing member  532  extends between extension  531  and knob  533 . Note that the slide switch  520  may still move along groove  511  and rotate mode indicator ball  530 , even if there is biasing member. 
     When slide switch  520  is actuated, i.e., moved transversely along groove  511  of housing  510 , grooved component  521  is translated causing extension  531  to move within groove  521   a , and mode indicator ball  530  is rotated about a fixed vertical axis to change its visual appearance. More particularly, when switch  520  is moved in direction of arrow R in  FIG. 22 , grooved component  521  also moves in direction R, extension  531  is moved within groove  521   a  of grooved component  521 , and mode indicator ball  530  is thus rotated in the direction of arrow X to display the second visual indicia  530   b.    
     Alternatively, when slide switch  520  is moved in the direction of arrow L in  FIG. 22 , grooved component  521  also moves in direction L, extension  531  is moved within groove  521   a  of grooved component  521 , and mode indicator ball  530  is thus rotated in the direction of arrow Y to display the first visual indicia  530   a . When slide switch  520  reaches position  520   a  or  520   b  and the respective visual indicia is displayed. Also, when slide switch  520  reaches position  520   a  or  520   b  electrical contact is made proximate knobs  533 ,  534  and the electronic portion of the entertainment unit  160  causes the output corresponding to the displayed visual indicia to be generated. Thus, movement of slide switch  520  to positions  520   a  or  520   b  not only rotates the mode indicator ball  530 , but also electrically communicates with the controller (not shown) to causes the output corresponding to the displayed visual indicia to be generated. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 27A and 27B , for example, the entertainment unit  160  with the slide switch  520  described above may be used with a juvenile product, such as a bouncer seat  1000 . The control panel  500  including slide switch  520  may be connected to the frame of the bouncer seat  1000 , for example, on the portion of the bouncer seat frame providing leg support to the infant received therein. In this example, the bouncer seat  1000  has a Hispanic themed design and includes a conventional audio output generating unit (not specifically illustrated) and a conventional vibration generating unit (not specifically illustrated). The audio output generated can be lively, “fiesta” type music or quiet, “siesta” type music. The control panel  500  also includes an operational control unit  545  that includes a switch  540  to select an operational state. The switch  540  selects one of four operational states: “off”  540   a , “music only”  540   b , “vibration only”  540   c , and “music and vibration”  540   d.    
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , for only music to play, the operational control switch  540  is set to “music only” position  540   b . When, as shown in  FIG. 27A , slide switch  520  is moved to the “fiesta” side  512   a  of housing  510  in position  520   a , mode indicator ball  530  displays a “happy” sun face, first indicia  530   a , and the audio generating unit provides lively music to entertain the user and the infant received in the bouncer seat  1000 . Slide switch  520  may be moved to the “siesta” side  512   b  of housing  510  to position  520   b . Mode indicator ball  530  rotates to display a “sleepy” moon, second visual indicia  530   b , as shown in  FIG. 27B , and the audio generating unit provides quiet, sleepy music to soothe the user and the infant received in the bouncer seat  1000 . Other themed designs and corresponding output may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     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 can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the slide switch may be used with a variety of products, including, but not limited to juvenile products (as described above) or a toy product. Also, for example, the corresponding output may include sensory stimulus in addition to or in the alternative to audio output. Other outputs may include visual or tactile or motion output, such as lights or texture change or vibration. Accordingly, 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.