Sleep inducing and/or comforting device for infants

Abstract

A device for comforting and/or inducing sleep in an infant comprising a hollow body or other vibration transmitting means disposable at least partially beneath an infant's body or beneath or within a mattress or other body upon which an infant is laid, the space within the hollow body when provided, containing only a liquid and having at least one moveable or flexible wall portion or region permitting the body to change in volume in response to a change in the pressure of the liquid within the hollow body, the hollow body being in liquid communication or the transmitting means being in mechanical connection with a signal generator by means of an elongate tube or rod respectively whereby the signal generator can be placed at location remote from the hollow body or transmitting means, the signal generator, in use, producing pressure pulses in the liquid contained within the hollow body or vibrational movement of a predetermined pattern of varied frequency and magnitude, the pressure pulses causing vibrational movement of the moveable or flexible wall portion or region of the hollow body or the transmitting means, wherein the signal generator comprises a closed chamber or mechanical connection and an electrically powered voice coil or solenoid operatively connected to a flexible or moveable region of the closed chamber, the closed chamber being in fluid communication with the hollow body by means of the elongate tube or the means otherwise, the voice coil or solenoid being operatively connected to a programmable electronic controller whereby the flexible or moveable region of the closed chamber or the means can be reciprocated at a predetermined pattern or varied frequency and magnitude.

1 . A device for comforting and/or inducing sleep in an infant comprising a hollow body disposable at least partially beneath an infant's body or beneath or within a mattress or other body upon which an infant is laid, the space within said hollow body containing only a liquid and having at least one moveable or flexible wall portion or region permitting the body to change in volume in response to a change in the pressure of the liquid within the hollow body, said hollow body being in liquid communication with a signal generator by means of an elongate tube whereby the signal generator can be placed at location remote from the hollow body, said signal generator, in use, producing pressure pulses in the liquid contained within said hollow body of a predetermined pattern of varied frequency and magnitude, said pressure pulses causing vibrational movement of the moveable or flexible wall portion or region of the hollow body, wherein the signal generator comprises a closed chamber and an electrically powered voice coil or solenoid operatively connected to a flexible or moveable region of said closed chamber, said closed chamber being in fluid communication with said hollow body by means of said elongate tube, said voice coil or solenoid being operatively connected to a programmable electronic controller whereby said flexible or moveable region of said closed chamber can be reciprocated at a predetermined pattern or varied frequency and magnitude.  
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a single elongate tube is provided.  
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the signal generator is capable of producing vibration of the moveable or flexible region of the hollow body at a frequency of between 1 and 40 Hz.  
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the liquid contained within the hollow body comprises water.  
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible or moveable wall portion of the hollow body includes a flexible diaphragm forming a wall of the liquid containing part of the hollow body connected in displacing relationship to an upper moveable plate member for transmitting the vibrations to an infant or to the mattress on which an infant is placed or to be placed.  
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the total volume of the fluid contained with the device is less than 200 cm 3 , possibly about 100 cm 3  or preferably greater.  
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said elongate tube is flexible.  
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hollow body comprises a flexible bladder.  
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said hollow body comprises a first rigid portion, said at least one moveable or flexible wall portion or region comprising a rigid wall section joined to said first rigid portion of the hollow body by means of a flexible diaphragm whereby said first rigid portion, diaphragm and rigid wall section together define a closed chamber.  
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said rigid wall section includes a substantially circular liquid containing portion as part of a base plate member, said diaphragm being connected between the periphery of said circular portion and an opening in said first rigid portion.  
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the signal generator is such as to cause vibrational movement of a frequency and magnitude simulating the motion experienced by an infant when travelling in a buggy or other vehicle.  
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the flexible bladder forms a mattress or over mattress and comprises a flexible body partially divided into a plurality of interconnected compartments filled with liquid.  
     
     
         13 . A device for comforting and/or inducing sleep in an infant comprising a movement or vibration transmitting member, disposable at least partially beneath an infant's body or beneath or within a mattress or other support means upon which an infant is laid, the transmitting member or device having at least one vibratable portion or region permitting the member or device to transmit vibrations communicated from a signal generator by means of an elongate mechanical vibration communicating means whereby the signal generator can be placed at location remote from the vibration transmitting device, said signal generator, in use, producing vibrations in the transmitting member of a predetermined pattern of varied frequency and magnitude, wherein the signal generator comprises an electrically powered voice coil or solenoid with the moving part thereof being operatively connected to one end of said elongate mechanical vibration communicating means, said voice coil or solenoid being operatively connected to a programmable electronic controller whereby said vibration transmitting member can be reciprocated at a predetermined pattern or varied frequency and magnitude.  
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 13 , in which the vibration communicating means is inertial (either done with a single rod and a weighted voice coil) or by mechanical push or pull means (such as with a Bowden cable, rigid or flexible or concentric rod type).  
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 14 , whenever in contact with a cot or bed having a slatted/perforated suspended floor wherein the rod is passed therethrough, and the vibration transmitting device is located under a mattress.  
     
     
         16 . A device for comforting and/or inducting sleep in an infant comprising a vibration transmitting member disposable at least partially beneath an infant's body or beneath or within a mattress or other body upon which an infant is laid, the transmitting member having at least one vibratable part, portion or region permitting the member to transmit vibrations communicating from a signal generator by means of an elongate mechanical vibration communicating means whereby the signal generator can be placed at location remote from the hollow body, said signal generator, in use, producing vibrations in the transmitting member of a predetermined pattern of varied frequency and magnitude, wherein the signal generator comprises an electrically powered, weighted voice coil or solenoid suspended by a rod connected to the non-weighted side of the voice coil such that the reactive forces created in accelerating the weighted side of the voice coil up and down are transmitted through the rigid rod to the vibration transmitting means/platen to create inertial vibrations, said voice coil or solenoid being operatively connected to a programmable electronic controller whereby said flexible or moveable region of said vibration transmitting member can be reciprocated at a predetermined pattern or varied frequency and magnitude.