US 8,783,769 B2Granted

Electromagnetic children's bouncer

AssigneeKids II, Inc.

InventorsDavid Gilbert, Peter D Jackson, Alex E Soriano, Jing Ru Chen

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Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a children's bouncer apparatus. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a support frame, seat assembly configured to support a child, and bouncer control device. The support frame includes one or more semi-rigid support arms that extend above a base portion and suspend the seat assembly above the base portion. The bouncer control device is configured to impart a driving force on the seat assembly via a magnetic drive assembly, thereby causing the seat assembly to continuously oscillate at the natural frequency of the children's bouncer.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A bouncer control device for controlling the motion of a children's bouncer, the bouncer control device comprising:

a housing configured to be secured to the children's bouncer;
a mobile member operatively connected to the housing and configured to pivot relative to the housing and independently from the children's bouncer;
a first magnetic component operatively connected to the housing;
a second magnetic component operatively connected to the mobile member such that the second magnetic component moves toward and away from the first magnetic component as the mobile member pivots, wherein at least one of the first magnetic component and second magnetic component comprises an electromagnet configured to create a magnetic force with the other of the first and second magnetic components when supplied with electric current;
a power supply configured to transmit electric current to the electromagnet;
and
a bouncer control circuit configured to generate a control signal that causes the power supply to supply electric current to the electromagnet and thereby generate a magnetic force causing the mobile member to oscillate within the housing.

4 more elements

A children's bouncer apparatus for providing a controllable bouncing seat for a child, the apparatus comprising:

a seat assembly for supporting a child;
a support frame configured to support the seat assembly, the support frame comprising:
a base portion configured to rest on a support surface;
one or more resilient support arms extending upwardly from the base portion to suspend the seat assembly above the support surface, the one or more support arms being configured to flex in order permit the seat assembly to oscillate in response to a motive force;
and
a bouncer control device comprising:
a housing secured to at least one of the one or more support arms;
and
a magnetic drive assembly positioned within the housing and comprising at least one electromagnet and a mobile member configured to oscillate relative to the housing, the electromagnet being configured to generate a magnetic force causing the mobile member to oscillate and thereby impart a motive force that causes the seat assembly to oscillate.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/751,999Filed 28 Jan 2013 · continuation
Priority: 10 Nov 2008
Published: US 2013/0134752 A130 May 2013
Granted: 22 Jul 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

A47D 13/107
Rocking-chairs; Indoor Swings ; Baby bouncers: resiliently suspended or supported, e.g. baby bouncers
A47D 9/057
With rocking mechanisms: driven by electric motors
A47D 15/00
Accessories for children's furniture
H01F 7/0242
Magnetic circuits with PM for power or force generation: magnetic drives, magnetic coupling devices

Family

Application61/112,837Us provisional application · filed 10 Nov 2008
Application12/614,703Parent of this continuation · filed 9 Nov 2009
US 2013/0134752 A1Pre-grant publication · published 30 May 2013
US 8,382,203 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2010/0117418 A1Published application
US 8,783,769 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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