Rocking infant carrier

Abstract

A rocking infant carrier includes a seat portion for holding an infant, and oppositely disposed curved rails, that contact the ground surface. A panel is movably mounted to the carrier between the oppositely disposed rails. A mechanism for moving the panel, for rocking the carrier, is in the space between the rails and the panel. Rocking occurs as the panel is moved between retracted and extended positions, while the carrier remains in its initial location (position) during the entire time of rocking. Additionally, the rocking is such that it will normally lull an infant to a relaxed state, whereby they fall asleep.

1 . An infant carrier comprising: 
 a body including a portion configured for holding an infant, and a curved portion for contacting a surface;    a panel movably mounted to the body, the panel positioned proximate to the curved portion of the body; and,    a movement mechanism at least partially within the body, the movement mechanism in communication with the panel for moving the panel between a retracted position with respect to the body, and an extended position with respect to the body, for rocking the body on the surface.    
   
   
       2 . The infant carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the movement mechanism comprises: 
 a motor unit; and,    a shaft, the shaft in communication with the panel and in communication with the motor unit, the shaft moveable by the motor unit.    
   
   
       3 . The infant carrier of  claim 1 , additionally comprising: an axle extending through the panel and into the body for movably mounting the panel to the body.  
   
   
       4 . The infant carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes a curved portion.  
   
   
       5 . The infant carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes at least one wheel.  
   
   
       6 . The infant carrier of  claim 2 , wherein the motor unit includes: 
 a motor; and    a cam, the cam in communication with the motor, and, movably coupled to the shaft, the cam for translating rotational motion from the motor to the shaft for moving the panel.    
   
   
       7 . The infant carrier of  claim 6 , wherein the cam is attached to the shaft at a location off of the center of the cam.  
   
   
       8 . The infant carrier of  claim 2 , wherein the motor unit includes: 
 a motor including a gearbox; and    a crank operative coupled to the gearbox, the crank movably coupled to the shaft, the crank for translating rotational motion from the motor to the shaft for moving the panel.    
   
   
       9 . A rocking apparatus for placement at least partially into a partially open space in an infant carrier, the infant carrier including at least one ground contacting portion, comprising: 
 a panel movably mounted to the infant carrier, the panel positioned proximate to ground contacting portion of the infant carrier; and,    a movement mechanism, the movement mechanism in communication with the panel for moving the panel between a retracted position with respect to the open space in the infant carrier, and an extended position with respect to the open space in the infant carrier, for rocking the infant carrier along the at least one ground contacting portion.    
   
   
       10 . The rocking apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the movement mechanism comprises: 
 a motor unit; and,    a shaft, the shaft in communication with the panel and in communication with the motor unit, the shaft moveable by the motor unit.    
   
   
       11 . The rocking apparatus of  claim 9 , additionally comprising: an axle extending through the panel and configured for receipt in the infant carrier, for movably mounting the panel to the infant carrier.  
   
   
       12 . The rocking apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the panel includes a curved portion.  
   
   
       13 . The rocking apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the panel includes at least one wheel.  
   
   
       14 . The rocking apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the motor unit includes: 
 a motor; and    a cam, the cam in communication with the motor, and, movably coupled to the shaft, the cam for translating rotational motion from the motor to the shaft for moving the panel.    
   
   
       15 . The rocking apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the cam is attached to the shaft at a location off of the center of the cam.  
   
   
       16 . The rocking apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the motor unit includes: 
 a motor including a gearbox; and    a crank operative coupled to the gearbox, the crank movably coupled to the shaft, the crank for translating rotational motion from the motor to the shaft for moving the panel.    
   
   
       17 . A rocking apparatus for placement at least partially into a partially open space in an infant carrier, the infant carrier including at least one ground contacting portion, comprising: 
 a movement mechanism; and,    a ground contacting member coupled to the movement mechanism, such that movement of the ground contacting member by the movement member causes the infant carrier to rock along the at least one ground contacting portion.    
   
   
       18 . The rocking apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the movement mechanism includes a motor, and the ground contacting member includes a rod, the rod including a first end and a second end, the first end of the rod in moveable communication with the motor.  
   
   
       19 . The rocking apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the second end includes a rounded portion.  
   
   
       20 . The rocking apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the second end includes a wheel.  
   
   
       21 . An infant carrier comprising: 
 a body including a portion configured for holding an infant, and a curved portion for contacting a surface;    a movement mechanism; and,    a ground contacting member coupled to the movement mechanism, such that movement of the ground contacting member by the movement member causes the body to rock along the curved portion.    
   
   
       22 . The infant carrier of  claim 21 , wherein the movement mechanism includes a motor, and the ground contacting member includes a rod, the rod including a first end and a second end, the first end of the rod in moveable communication with the motor.  
   
   
       23 . The infant carrier of  claim 21 , wherein the second end includes a rounded portion.  
   
   
       24 . The infant carrier of  claim 21 , wherein the second end includes a wheel.  
   
   
       25 . A method for rocking an infant comprising: 
 providing an infant carrier comprising: 
 a body including a portion configured for holding an infant, and a curved portion for contacting a surface;  
 a panel movably mounted to the body, the panel positioned proximate to the curved portion of the body; and,  
 a movement mechanism at least partially within the body, the movement mechanism in communication with the panel for moving the panel between a retracted position with respect to the body, and an extended position with respect to the body, for rocking the body on the surface;  
   providing an infant to the portion of the body configured for holding an infant; and,    activating the movement mechanism for rocking the body on the surface.    
   
   
       26 . A method for rocking an infant comprising: 
 providing an infant carrier comprising: 
 a body including a portion configured for holding an infant, and a curved portion for contacting a surface;  
 a movement mechanism; and,  
 a ground contacting member coupled to the movement mechanism, such that movement of the ground contacting member by the movement member causes the body to rock along the curved portion;  
   providing an infant to the portion of the body configured for holding an infant; and,    activating the movement mechanism for rocking the body on the surface.