Gliding child support device

Abstract

A child support device such as a bassinet, configured to impart a rocking, swaying or gliding motion to soothe a child occupant includes a frame and an infant receiving receptacle. In example forms, the frame is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The infant receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted to the frame such that the infant receiving receptacle is capable of gliding or swaying relative to the frame. In some example forms, the infant receiving receptacle is removed from engagement with the frame and capable of rocking on a support surface. In example forms, the child support device provides a gliding motion, with limited or no tilting or rocking.

1 . A support device for supporting a child, comprising:
 a base frame for supporting the device on a support surface;   a child support unit for receiving and supporting a child on a child support surface of the child support unit; and   a swing mechanism movably coupling the child support unit to the base frame, the swing mechanism providing a gliding path of motion to the child support unit relative to the base frame, whereby the angular orientation of the child support surface of the child support unit remains generally constant throughout substantially the entire path of motion.   
     
     
         2 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the base frame comprises a pair of U-shaped sections, each of which comprise first and second support leg portions and a lower cross-member connected between lower ends of the first and second support leg portions. 
     
     
         3 . The support device of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first and second U-shaped sections are pivotally coupled relative to the other of the first and second U-shaped sections at upper ends of the support legs by frame-fold linkages at each end of the bassinet, to allow the base frame to fold between an expanded configuration and a folded configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The support device of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the frame-fold linkages comprises a connecting linkage extending between the upper ends of the support legs, the connecting linkage coupling the pivotal motion of the first and second U-shaped sections. 
     
     
         5 . The support device of  claim 4 , wherein the connecting linkage comprises a locking finger that engages with a hooked locking collar of the swing mechanism as the base frame is folded into its folded configuration to lock the position of the swing mechanism relative to the base frame and retain the first and second U-shaped sections in the folded configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The support device of  claim 5 , further comprising a fold latch member providing releasable engagement of the base frame in its expanded configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The support device of  claim 5 , wherein the fold latch member comprises a body portion, pivot hubs extending transversely from opposed sides at a medial location on the body, a push-button extending laterally in a first direction proximal a first end of the body, a latch pin extending laterally in an opposite second direction proximal a second end of the body, and a spring arm extending laterally in the first direction from a medial location on the body toward the second end of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the child support unit comprises a structural frame and a soft-goods covering supported by the structural frame for receiving and supporting the child. 
     
     
         9 . The support device of  claim 8 , wherein the structural frame of the child support unit comprises first and second end brackets, at least one lower cross-rail connected between lower ends of the end brackets to support the child support surface of the child support unit, and first and second upper frame members connected between upper ends of the end brackets. 
     
     
         10 . The support device of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second upper frame members are pivotally coupled to the first and second end brackets, and selectively reconfigurable between an expanded configuration and a folded configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The support device of  claim 10 , wherein the child support unit further comprises a foldable sleeping pad. 
     
     
         12 . The support device of  claim 9 , comprising first and second lower cross-rails connected between lower ends of the end brackets, the first and second lower cross-rails extending generally parallel to one another and spaced a distance apart from one another. 
     
     
         13 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the swing mechanism comprises two pairs of first and second swing arms, a first pair of swing arms at a first end of the bassinet and a second pair of swing arms at a second end of the bassinet opposite the first end, the swing arms having upper portions pivotally coupled to the base frame and lower portions pivotally connected to the child support unit. 
     
     
         14 . The support device of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second swing arms are maintained generally parallel to one another as the child support unit moves through the path of motion. 
     
     
         15 . The support device of  claim 13 , wherein the lower portions of the swing arms are pivotally connected to the child support unit by rocker bearings having a V-shaped male bearing strut received in a V-shaped female bearing recess, whereby the male bearing strut rocks back and forth within the female bearing recess as the child support unit swings through its path of motion. 
     
     
         16 . The support device of  claim 13 , wherein the base frame comprises two pairs of support legs and first and second bridging strut members coupled between the two pairs of support legs, and wherein the upper portions of the swing arms are pivotally coupled to the bridging strut members. 
     
     
         17 . The support device of  claim 16 , wherein the pivotal coupling between the upper portions of the swing arms and the bridging strut members comprises at least, one bearing. 
     
     
         18 . The support device of  claim 13 , wherein the swing mechanism further comprises a motor drive system for driving swinging motion of at least one of the swing arms. 
     
     
         19 . The support device of  claim 18 , wherein the motor drive system comprises an electric motor, a gearbox, an encoder wheel and a position and speed sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the child support unit comprises a detachable canopy. 
     
     
         21 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the child support unit further comprises at least one entertainment feature. 
     
     
         22 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the base frame further comprises at least one wheel for rolling contact with the support surface. 
     
     
         23 . The support device of  claim 22 , wherein the base frame comprises a plurality of wheels, at least one of the wheels having a first alignment orientation, and at least another of the wheels having a second alignment orientation different from the first alignment orientation. 
     
     
         24 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the angular orientation of the child support surface of the child support unit varies by no more than about 10° throughout the path of motion of the swing mechanism. 
     
     
         25 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the angular orientation of the child support surface of the child support unit varies by no more than about 5° throughout the path of motion of the swing mechanism. 
     
     
         26 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein the child support unit comprises a bassinet. 
     
     
         27 . A child support device comprising a base frame, a child support unit, and a swing mechanism coupling the child support unit to the base frame, wherein the swing mechanism comprises two pairs of generally parallel swing arms, the swing arms having first portions pivotally connected to the base frame and second portions pivotally connected to the child support unit, whereby the child support unit can swing back and forth through a range of swinging motion relative to the base frame with limited tilting of the child support unit by no more than about 10° through the range of swinging motion. 
     
     
         28 . The child support device of  claim 27 , wherein the child support unit swings back and forth with limited tilting of no more than about 5° through the range of swinging motion. 
     
     
         29 . The support device of  claim 27 , wherein the child support unit comprises a bassinet. 
     
     
         30 . A child support device comprising:
 a base frame for supporting the child support device on a support surface, the base frame comprising first and second U-shaped sections pivotally coupled to one another by frame-fold linkages at each end of the child support device, to allow the base frame to fold between an expanded configuration and a folded configuration;   a child support unit comprising a structural frame and a soft-goods covering supported by the structural frame, the structural frame of the child support unit comprising first and second end brackets, at least one lower cross-rail connected between lower ends of the end brackets, and first and second upper frame members pivotally coupled between upper ends of the end brackets and reconfigurable between an expanded configuration and a folded configuration; and   a swing mechanism movably coupling the child support unit to the base frame, the swing mechanism comprising two pairs of first and second swing arms, a first pair of swing arms at a first end of the bassinet and a second pair of swing arms at a second end of the bassinet opposite the first end, the swing arms having upper portions pivotally coupled to the base frame and lower portions pivotally connected to the child support unit.