Collapsible infant bouncer

Abstract

An infant bouncer comprising a lower frame which is placeable upon an underlying surface, and an upper frame which is pivotally connected to the lower frame and selectively moveable relative thereto between a deployed or extended position, and a collapsed or storage position. An adjustment mechanism may be integrated into the frame and operative to allow for the selective adjustment of the bounce or vibration of the upper frame relative to the lower frame when the upper frame is in its deployed position. An infant seat is connected to the upper frame. If outfitted with the adjustment mechanism, the infant bouncer allows for the adjustment of the level of bounce or vibration which the frame may undergo, such adjustment being based on the size and weight of the infant placed into the bouncer.

1 . An infant bouncer, comprising:
 a frame having an actuation mechanism integrated therein, the actuation mechanism being configured to facilitate the movement of the frame between collapsed and deployed positions, and to allow for the bouncing movement at least one portion of the frame relative to another portion thereof; and   an infant seat cooperatively engaged to the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The bouncer of  claim 1  wherein:
 the frame comprises a lower section and an upper section which are pivotally movable relative to each other between the deployed and collapsed positions; and 
 the infant seat is connected to the upper section of the frame. 
 
     
     
         3 . The bouncer of  claim 2  wherein the actuation mechanism is further configured to allow for a selective adjustment in an angle of inclination of the upper section relative to the lower section. 
     
     
         4 . The bouncer of  claim 2  wherein the upper section of the frame includes a vibration device integrated therein. 
     
     
         5 . The bouncer of  claim 2  wherein:
 the lower section of the frame includes a pair of prong portions which extend in spaced relation to each other; and 
 the actuation mechanism is slidably mounted to the prong portions of the lower section and operatively coupled to the upper section such that the movement of the actuation mechanism along the prong portions in a first direction facilitates the movement of the frame to the deployed position, and the movement of the actuation mechanism along the prong portions in a second direction opposite the first direction facilitates the movement of the frame to the collapsed position. 
 
     
     
         6 . The bouncer of  claim 5  wherein the actuation mechanism comprises:
 a cross member slidably attached to the prong portions of the lower section; 
 an actuation handle mounted to the cross member and selectively movable between locking and release positions relative thereto; and 
 a pair of retention pins movably mounted to cross member and operatively coupled to the actuation handle such that the movement of the actuation handle from the locking position to the release position facilitates the concurrent inward movement of the retention pins relative to the prong portions of the lower section of the frame. 
 
     
     
         7 . The bouncer of  claim 6  wherein:
 each of the prong portions includes at least two apertures disposed therein in spaced relation to each other, with the apertures of one of the prong portions being arranged so as to be disposed in opposed relation to respective ones of the apertures included in the other one of the prong portions; and 
 the retentions pins are aligned with and partially advanced into respective ones of the apertures of a corresponding opposed pair thereof when the actuation handle is in the locking position. 
 
     
     
         8 . The bouncer of  claim 7  wherein the apertures within each prong portion are interconnected by an elongate groove extending therebetween. 
     
     
         9 . The bouncer of  claim 7  further comprising a pair of stopper members attached to respective ones of the prong portions and positioned thereon such that the abutment of the cross member against the stopper members facilities the alignment of the retention pins with an opposed pair of the apertures. 
     
     
         10 . The bouncer of  claim 9  wherein the cross member includes a pair of tubular sleeve portions which are slidably mounted to respective ones of the prong portions and selectively positionable against respective ones of the stopper members. 
     
     
         11 . The bouncer of  claim 6  wherein the cross member further includes a locking switch movably mounted thereto and operatively coupled to the actuation handle such that the movement of the locking switch from a locked position to an unlocked positions allows the actuation handle to be moved from the locking position to the release position. 
     
     
         12 . The bouncer of  claim 6  wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a pair of shock absorbers pivotally connected to and extending between the cross member and the upper section of the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The bouncer of  claim 2  further comprising a seat support member pivotally connected to the upper section of the frame, the infant seat being connected to the upper frame and the seat support member which is pivotally movable relative to the upper section between an extended position and a retracted position. 
     
     
         14 . The bouncer of  claim 13  wherein:
 the upper section of the frame includes a pair of prong portions which extend in spaced relation to each other; 
 a pair of support bosses are attached to and protrude outwardly from respective ones of the prong portions of the upper section; 
 a pair of spring biased retention pins are moveably attached to and protrude outwardly from respective ones of the prong portions of the upper section in close proximity to respective ones of the support bosses; and 
 the upper section is operatively captured between the support bosses and the retention pins when in the extended position. 
 
     
     
         15 . An infant bouncer, comprising:
 a frame having at least one adjustment mechanism integrated therein, the adjustment mechanism being configured to allow for a selective adjustment in the level of bouncing movement at least one portion of the frame may undergo relative to another portion thereof; and   an infant seat cooperatively engaged to the frame.   
     
     
         16 . The bouncer of  claim 15  wherein:
 the frame comprises a lower section and an upper section which are pivotally movable relative to each other between deployed and collapsed positions; 
 the infant seat is connected to the upper section of the frame. 
 
     
     
         17 . The bouncer of  claim 16  wherein a spaced pair of the adjustment mechanisms are integrated between the upper and lower sections of the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The bouncer of  claim 17  wherein each of the adjustment mechanisms comprises:
 a biasing member; and 
 an adjustment member which is cooperatively engaged to the biasing member and operative to selectively increase or decrease a preload applied thereto. 
 
     
     
         19 . The bouncer of  claim 18  wherein the biasing member is an elastomeric spring. 
     
     
         20 . The bouncer of  claim 15  wherein the infant seat comprises a seat frame which includes a lower frame section pivotally connected to an upper frame section.