Rotatable device for a child and method of use

Abstract

A rotatable device configured to support an infant in a prone position and to rotate upon a force applied by the infant. The device includes a pedestal and a support assembly. The pedestal includes a cradle and a header coupled to the support assembly. The support assembly includes a base, a plate, a bearing ring, a plurality of ball bearings, and a coupler ring. The plate and the coupler ring are coupled together sandwiching the bearing ring, the ball bearings, and the base between them. The pedestal is also coupled to the coupler ring. The pedestal, coupler ring, and plate rotate with respect to the base. The rotatable device is position on an exploration mat enabling a child placed in the pedestal to rotate herself to explore different areas of the exploration mat.

1 . An infant entertainment device comprising:
 a support assembly; and   a pedestal including a header and a cradle supported by the header, the header rotatably coupled to the support assembly and the cradle configured to support an infant lying in a prone position.   
     
     
         2 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 1  wherein the support assembly includes a base having a recess defining a channel, a first ring configured to be received within the channel, and a second ring coupled to the first ring and configured to rotate with respect to the first ring. 
     
     
         3 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 2  wherein the base includes an aperture having a first diameter, and wherein the support assembly further includes a plate having a second diameter being greater than the first diameter and being positioned beneath the channel of the base, the plate coupled to the second ring. 
     
     
         4 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 3  wherein the second ring is coupled to the pedestal. 
     
     
         5 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 3  wherein the second ring is coupled to the header. 
     
     
         6 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 2  wherein the first ring includes a plurality of bearing cups and a plurality of bearings, each bearing supported by a bearing cup, and wherein the second ring includes a track on an underside thereof, the track configured to glide on the bearings. 
     
     
         7 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 1  wherein the support assembly includes a base having a recess defining a channel and a ring configured to be received within the channel, the ring configured to rotate with respect to the base. 
     
     
         8 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 7  wherein the ring is coupled to the header. 
     
     
         9 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 1  wherein the cradle includes a body having a front end and a rear end, and a portion extending from the front end, the body of the cradle oriented at an angle with respect to the support assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 9  wherein the cradle further includes a first side wall extending from the body and a second side wall extending from the body. 
     
     
         11 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 10  wherein the cradle further includes a first shoulder formed at an intersection of the first side wall and the portion and a second shoulder formed at an intersection of the second side wall and the portion, the shoulders providing space for the infant's arms to apply a force to and rotate the cradle with respect to the support assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 1  further comprising a mat having a plurality of areas and wherein the support assembly is positioned on the mat, the pedestal configured to rotate with respect to the support assembly to position the infant to view one of the areas. 
     
     
         13 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 1  further comprising an electronics module supported by the pedestal and a plurality of electronic devices positioned remote from the electronics module, the electronics module configured to generate a signal to cause the electronic device to perform an action. 
     
     
         14 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 13  wherein the electronics module and the electronic devices communicate via infrared signals. 
     
     
         15 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 13  wherein the electronics module includes a processor configured to generate an audio signal when the electronic device performs the action. 
     
     
         16 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 13  wherein the electronics module is electrically connected to the electronic device, and wherein the electronics module is configured to detect when the infant activates the electronic device and to transmit a signal to the electronic device to instruct the electronic device to perform an action in response to activation of the electronic device by the infant. 
     
     
         17 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 1  further comprising a mat having a power center secured thereto and configured to receive an electronic device, and an electronics module supported by the pedestal, and wherein the mat includes a pathway between the power center and the electronics module to provide electronic communication between the electronics module and the electronic device. 
     
     
         18 . An infant entertainment device comprising:
 a support assembly including
 a base having a recess defining a channel, a first ring configured to be received within the channel, and a second ring coupled to the first ring and configured to rotate with respect to the first ring; and 
   a pedestal including
 a header, and 
 a cradle supported by the header, the header rotatably coupled to the second ring and the cradle configured to support an infant lying in a prone position, the cradle including a body having a front end and a rear end, and a portion extending from the front end, the body of the cradle oriented at an angle with respect to the base. 
   
     
     
         19 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 18  wherein the base includes an aperture having a first diameter, and wherein the support assembly further includes a plate having a second diameter being greater than the first diameter and being positioned beneath the channel of the base, the plate coupled to the second ring. 
     
     
         20 . The infant entertainment device of  claim 19  wherein the cradle further includes a first shoulder formed at an intersection of a first side wall of the body and the portion and a second shoulder formed at an intersection of a second side wall of the body and the portion, the shoulders providing space for the infant's arms to apply a force to and rotate the cradle with respect to the support assembly.