Infant-supporting devices

Abstract

An infant-supporting device is disclosed. The infant-supporting device can include a base assembly having a pair of arms and a support base, a seat assembly, and a mobile assembly. The base assembly can be collapsible. The seat assembly can be releasably coupled to the base assembly, and the mobile assembly can be releasably coupled to the seat assembly. A spring member can be positioned in the base assembly. When the infant-supporting device is assembled, the seat assembly can bounce relative to the support base. The infant-supporting device can also include a vibration-generating system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An infant-supporting device, comprising:
 a seat assembly; and   a support assembly, comprising:
 a base; 
 at least one arm movable between an extended orientation and a collapsed orientation relative to said base, wherein said at least one arm comprises:
 a first arm end rotatably coupled to said base at a joint; and 
 a second arm end, wherein said seat assembly is releasably mountable to said second arm end, and wherein said second arm end is configured to rotate inward and downward toward said base when said at least one arm moves toward the collapsed orientation; and 
 
 a spring, comprising:
 a first spring end mounted to said base; and 
 a second spring end mounted to said at least one arm, wherein said spring is configured to facilitate oscillation of said seat assembly relative to said base when said seat assembly is mounted to said second arm end. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 1 , wherein said spring extends through the joint. 
     
     
         3 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 1 , wherein said seat assembly comprises a seat frame and an infant-supporting sling releasably attached to said seat frame. 
     
     
         4 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 3 , wherein said seat assembly further comprises a vibration-generating system secured to said seat frame. 
     
     
         5 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 1 , wherein said base further comprises a rotational stop, and wherein said at least one arm further comprises a stop surface configured to abut said rotational stop when said at least one arm is in the extended orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one arm further comprises a camming surface configured to bias said at least one arm toward the extended orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 1 , wherein said base further comprises a spring-loaded detent, and wherein said at least one arm further comprises a groove configured to engage said spring-loaded detent when said at least one arm is in the extended orientation. 
     
     
         8 . An infant-supporting device, comprising:
 a seat assembly; and   a support assembly, comprising:
 a base, wherein a centerline is defined through said base; 
 an arm, comprising:
 a first end portion rotatably coupled to said base at a joint; and 
 a second end portion, wherein said seat assembly is mountable to said second end portion, wherein said arm is configured to rotate between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to said base, and wherein said second end portion is configured to rotate toward the centerline as said arm rotates between the first orientation and the second orientation. 
 
   
     
     
         9 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 8 , further comprising a spring mounted to said base and said arm, wherein said second end portion of said arm is deflectable relative to said base. 
     
     
         10 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 9 , wherein said spring is enclosed in said support assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 9 , wherein said second end portion comprises a joint body supported for rotation relative to said base, and wherein said spring extends through said joint body. 
     
     
         12 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 8 , further comprising a second arm, comprising:
 a first end portion rotatably coupled to said base at a second joint; and   a second end portion, wherein said seat assembly is mountable to said second end portion, wherein said second arm is configured to rotate between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to said base, and wherein said second end portion is configured to rotate toward the centerline as said second arm rotates between the first orientation and the second orientation.   
     
     
         13 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 8 , wherein said seat assembly further comprises a quick-release button configured to release said seat assembly from said second end portion. 
     
     
         14 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 8 , wherein said seat assembly further comprises a vibration-generating system. 
     
     
         15 . An infant-supporting device, comprising:
 a seat assembly; and   a collapsible support assembly, comprising:
 a base; 
 a pivot joint coupled to said base; and 
 a spring member extending through said pivot joint, wherein said spring member comprises:
 a first end portion secured to said base; and 
 a second end portion configured to deflect relative to said first end portion. 
 
   
     
     
         16 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 15 , wherein said spring member is enclosed in said collapsible support assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 16 , wherein said collapsible support assembly further comprises an arm, and wherein said second end portion is secured to said arm. 
     
     
         18 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 17 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to hold said arm in an extended position relative to said base when said locking mechanism is engaged. 
     
     
         19 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 18 , wherein said locking mechanism comprises a spring-loaded detent, and wherein said arm further comprises a groove configured to engage said spring-loaded detent when said arm is in the extended position. 
     
     
         20 . The infant-supporting device of  claim 19 , wherein said spring-loaded detent further comprises a camming surface configured to bias said arm toward the extended position.