US 6,471,597 B1Granted

Open top swing

AssigneeRegalo International, LLC

InventorsMark A. Flannery, Timothy L. Edwards

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Abstract

An open top baby swing having a frame which in turn includes legs and a base and wherein the legs of the frame extend from only a front portion of the base. A transition from the base to the legs is integral so as to provide a solid frame. Upper ends of the transition are tied together with a cross member. A swing mechanism for controlling swinging of the baby seat includes two drive trains isolated from each other by a coil spring. Any movement or ceasing thereof by one end of the first drive train exerts a respective movement or ceasing thereof on the end of the coil spring to which the other end of the first drive train is engaged, and vice versa. Any movement or ceasing thereof by one end of the second drive train exerts a respective movement or ceasing thereof on the end of the coil spring to which the other end of the second drive train is engaged, and vice versa. A control unit for the swing mechanism includes a bank of lights running in a line that is user friendly.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A baby swing, comprising:

a) a frame and a baby seat swingably engaged to the frame via an arm;
and
b) a swing mechanism engaged to the frame for swinging of the baby seat, wherein the swing mechanism comprises:
i) a housing;
ii) an electric motor engaged to the housing;
iii) a worm gear extending from the electric motor and being driven by the motor;
iv) a rotating gear pivotally affixed to the housing and including a crank;
v) an axle drive mounted to the housing via a bearing, wherein the axle drive includes a slot, wherein the axle drive is driven by the crank engaging the slot;
vi) an axle having a first and second end, with the axle further having a spline, wherein the axle drive drives the axle, wherein the first end of the axle is fixedly received by the axle drive which is formed to receive the spline of the axle such that rotation and oscillation is prevented between the axle drive and axle;
vii) a cap having a central aperture shaped to receive the axle and the spline of the axle in a nonrotating, fixed fashion, wherein the cap further includes a peripheral aperture;
viii) an integral coil spring having first and second ends, wherein the first end is engaged in the peripheral aperture of the cap such that the cap must immediately drive said first end;
ix) a hanger mount, wherein the hanger mount is pivotally joined to the second end of the axle via a bearing between the second end of the axle and the hanger mount such that the hanger mount may oscillate relative to the axle, wherein the coil spring is received within the hanger mount and the cap closes off the hanger mount with the coil spring received therein, wherein the hanger mount engages the arm that in turn is engaged to the baby seat, wherein the hanger mount includes an aperture to receive the second end of the coil spring such that said second end must immediately drive said hanger mount such that rotation of the worm gear immediately rotates the crank which in turn immediately oscillates the axle drive which in turn immediately oscillates the cap which in turn immediately oscillates one end of the coil spring which in turn is isolated from the second end of the integral coil spring which in turn immediately oscillates the hanger mount which in turn immediately oscillates the arm which in turn immediately oscillates the baby seat.

9 more elements

A baby swing, comprising:

a) a base;
b) a first leg, wherein the first leg is engaged to the base, wherein the first leg includes upper and lower portions;
c) a second leg, wherein the second leg is engaged to the base, wherein the second leg includes upper and lower portions;
d) a first housing engaged to the upper portion of the first leg;
e) a second housing engaged to the upper portion of the second leg;
f) a first arm pivotally joined to the first housing, wherein the first arm includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the first arm is swung directly by the first housing;
g) a second arm pivotally joined to the second unit, wherein the second arm includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the second arm is swung indirectly by the first housing;
h) a baby seat engaged to the distal portions of the arms, wherein the first and second legs provide support for the baby seat relative to the base;
i) wherein the baby swing comprises a frame, wherein the frame comprises the base, the first and second legs, and the first and second housings, wherein the frame further comprises a first side section and a second side section, wherein the first side section comprises the first leg and the first housing, wherein the second side section comprises the second leg and the second housing, wherein each of the first and second side sections of the frame comprises an upper portion, and wherein the frame is free of cross supports extending between the upper portions of the side sections of the frame such that the baby swing is an open top baby swing;
j) wherein the first housing comprises a control unit having a swing mechanism for swinging the proximal end of the first arm;
k) wherein the second housing is a look-alike housing that has a generally similar appearance to the first housing;
l) wherein the swing mechanism comprises an electric motor and a power source;
m) wherein the control unit further comprises a first digital readout associated with a speed of the electric motor;
and
n) wherein the control unit further comprises a second digital readout associated with a chosen period of time for turning the electric motor on or off.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.