Device for automatic rocking of baby buggies

Abstract

A rocking device provided with a fastening means (9) for mounting to for example a baby buggy to create an automatic rocking movement of the baby buggy. It comprises a rotating, asymmetrical weight (14) driven by an electric moto (24). The motor and weight are suspended in a rigid fastening bracket. The fastening bracket (13) is fastened to a first side of a vibration dampening connection element (3) of an at least partly soft material. The fastening means is fastened to the other side of the vibration dampening connection element (3), such that the movement of the weight is transmitted through the fastening bracket (13), via the vibration dampening connection element (3) and the fastening device, to the baby buggy. The fastening bracket with motor a weight is enclosed by an outer cover (1, 2) which is not in contact with the fastening bracket, motor or weight. The outer cover is fastened to the vibration dampening connection element (3), such that vibrations from the motor and the weight are not transmitted to the outer cover.

Claims

1. A rocking device provided with a fastening means for mounting to for example a baby buggy to create an automatic rocking movement of the baby buggy, wherein to create rocking movement the rocking device comprises a rotating asymmetrical weight driven by an electric motor; wherein the motor and the weight are suspended in a rigid fastening bracket, wherein the fastening bracket is fastened to a first side of a vibration dampening connection element of an elastomeric material having predetermined softness; that the fastening means is fastened to the other side of the vibration dampening connection element, such that the movement of the weight is transmitted through the fastening bracket via the vibration dampening connection element and the fastening means to the baby buggy; wherein the fastening bracket with the motor and the weight is enclosed by an outer cover that is not in contact with the fastening bracket, the motor or the weight; and wherein the outer cover is fastened to the vibration dampening connection element, such that vibrations from the motor and the weight are not transmitted to the outer cover.

2. The rocking device according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor if fastened to the fastening bracket, possibly via a battery and motor holder which in turn is fastened to the fastening bracket at the vibration dampening motor suspension.

3. The rocking device according to claim 2, wherein vibration dampening motor suspension comprises several arms extending between the motor and the fastening bracket or possibly between the motor a battery- and motor holder.

4. The rocking device according to claim 3, wherein arms comprise weakening details in the form of cut outs to increase the elasticity of the arms.

5. The rocking device according to claim 1, wherein the weight is rotationally connected with the motor via a shaft and that the shaft comprises a flexible joint.

6. The rocking device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible joint comprises an elastomer.

7. The rocking device according to claim 1, wherein the weight has an asymmetrical design with approximately all mass concentrated in a sector between 30 and 180 degrees.

8. The rocking device according to claim 1, wherein the outer cover is in a two-part form and the parts are to be connected with a gasket in between.

9. The rocking device according to claim 1, wherein it is provided with an electronic control system with sensor and software, to intercept movements and/or sound from a child and automatically start the rocking movement when the child is moving and/or cries, and stop the rocking movement again after a predetermined time.

10. The rocking device according to claim 9, wherein the sensor is provided in the outer cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention seen from outside.

(2) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the same embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 shows only the motor and the motor suspension alone as described in the same embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the middle of the same embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) The following describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is only a non-limiting description for understanding the invention.

(6) When the following description refers to terms as “front”, “rear”, “upper” or “lower” or corresponding terms, these only refer to the orientation as shown in the drawings. It should be understood that the orientation can be different from the drawings without departing from the principles of the invention.

(7) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention seen from the outside.

(8) It comprises a front cover (1) and a rear cover (2) for example made of hard plastic, and a vibration dampening connection element (3) for example made of a partly soft elastomer. Squeezed between the front cover (1) and rear cover (2) is a gasket (4) of a suitable gasket material for example of a soft elastomer which seal against ingress of moisture between the parts. The gasket can be integrated in, for example molded with one of the covers.

(9) A fastening device (9) made up of a ratcheting buckle (5) where it is fastened a ratchet strap (6) and a ratcheting bracket (7) with a release part (8), provides a flexible and easy assembling and disassembling of the unit to a suitable tube part on the baby buggy. On the front cover (2) it is provided three push buttons (10, 11, 12) controlling the different functions of the unit.

(10) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the inner structure of the same preferred embodiment. It comprises a central and rigid fastening bracket (13) made of a rigid material, for example steel, to which all parts are directly or indirectly fastened to. The purpose of the rigid central bracket (13) is to transfer the rocking movement provided by the weight (14) when it rotates on the shaft (15) as directly as possible to the handle of baby buggy. The shaft (15) is suspended by and runs trough the ball bearings (16, 17) kept in position in vibration dampening bushes (18, 19), for example made of soft or partly soft elastomer. The upper vibration dampening bush (18) is mounted on battery and motor cage (34) which again is fastened to the central bracket (13). The weight (14) which is fastened between roller bearings (16, 17) on the lower part of the shaft, and having an asymmetrical design with approximately all mass concentrated in a sector between 30 and 180 degrees, or more preferred between 45 an d90 degrees, and with the main section of the mass provided so far out from the shaft (15) as allowed by the outer geometry of the unit. The weight (14) is made of a material with high specific gravity, for example brass, to give a large deflection as possible in the rocking movement. The shaft (15) is connected to the motor shaft (22) from the electric motor (24) which can be with or without a gearbox (23), via e flexible coupling (25). For example made of a soft or partly soft elastomer, which dampens the start of each staggering movement in that the shaft (15) twists and will underlie the movement of the shaft (14) in the rotational direction and will thereby not expose the motor gearbox (23) directly for the weight's (14) jerkily and start and stop movements which else had caused great wear and tear of the electric motor (24) and/or the gearbox. The shaft (15) twists back to the starting point when the movement of the weight (14) is diminishing and the torsion load on the shaft (15) ceases.

(11) The electric motor (24) with or without the integrated gearbox (23) is a noise source, and this unit is therefore suspended in one or more enclosing elastic motor suspension (26, 27), for example made of a soft or partly soft elastomer, which is fastened to the rigid bracket (13) or fastened to a battery or motor cage (34) fastened to the rigid bracket (13), such that noise causing vibrations are damped and will not be transferred further and amplified.

(12) The motor suspension (26, 27) is provided with two or more fixation points and can be designed as protruding arms (28, 29) to increase the elasticity and the dampening effect. The protruding arms (28, 29) can have a homogenous cross-section or can be provided with details, for example incisions (30) to increase the elasticity further.

(13) The drawing shows a circuit board (35) and three push buttons (10, 11, 12) having the following functions: 1) ON (and to increase the speed when the device is in use) 2) OFF (and to reduce the speed when the unit is in use) 3) OFF/ON of sensor mode. The circuit board (35) is in this embodiment provided on the inside of the outer cover (1).

(14) The drawing shows the charging contact (31) and two rows of rechargeable batteries (32, 33) which is fastened to a battery—and motor holder (34). In another embodiment, the charging contact (31) is provided beneath the fixation point to the tube of the baby buggy to prevent that the unit can be re-charged when it is fastened to the baby buggy, and additionally that the charging contact is protected against fall of rain when the unit is in use. In another embodiment the unit can be provided with exchangeable batteries and a cover protecting these. The circuit board (35) is connected to the motor (24), batteries (32, 33), sonic sensor (21) and the charging contact (31) by one or ore cables (not shown in the drawings).

(15) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the motor (24) and motor suspension (26, 27).

(16) FIG. 4 is a cross-section view through the middle of the unit for the same preferred embodiment and shows how the shaft (15) is mounted in the roller bearings (16, 17) and how it is connected to the motor shaft (21) from the gearbox via the flexible coupling (24) in one end and how it is mounted in the conic roller bearing (17) in the other end. The vibration dampening bush (19) of the roller bearing (17) is enclosed, but not in touch, with a flange (20) protruding from the inside of the front (1) and rear (2) cover. The flange (20) delimit the possible movement of vibration dampening bush (19) out of its centered position if the unit falls down on a hard base. Consequently, this prevents the fastening bracket (13) and weight (14) from coming into contact with and damage the outer covers (1, 2). Contact between the vibration dampening bush (19) and the flange (20) in the outer covers (1, 2) shall cease after the drop is over in that the vibration dampening bush (19) will center itself again.

(17) The drawing shows a sonic sensor (21) which pick up screams from the child and sends a signal to the control unit that immediately is programmed to start the rocking movement if the sensor function has been activated with button (12). The unit can be programmed such that the rocking movement proceed for a predetermined time (for example 10 minutes) before the motor is turned off and the sensor again listens for sounds from the child. It is also easy to provide the invention with a movement sensor (not shown in the drawings here) which reacts when the child starts to sleep uneasy and start to wake up. It is preferred that the sonic sensor (21) is pointing towards the child when the device is fastened to the baby buggy. In this embodiment, the sonic sensor (21) is provided on the unit on the opposite side of the buttons (10, 11, 12), since it is most probable that these are pointing towards the care person when the unit is mounted to the baby buggy.

(18) The covers (1, 2) and gasket (4) enclose, but is not in contact with, the inner construction and is mounted with a vibration dampening connection element (3) lying squeezed between the rigid fastening bracket (13) of the inner construction and the ratcheting bracket (5) of the fastening device (9), such that a little as possible vibrations and sound are transmitted to the covers (1, 2).

(19) The preferred embodiment of the invention has several advantages.

(20) The main function of the invention is to calm down the child, and it is therefor important that the rocking movement does not make noise that can disturb the child. All elements that can create or transmit noise by its own movement or contact with other movable parts are therefore mounted with fasteners giving god noise and vibration dampening effect and makes the unit virtually noiseless.

(21) The embodiment allows use of a reasonably priced and noisy motor (24) since the suspension of this is effectively vibrationally damped, in addition to that the noise from the motor is shielded by the outer covers (1, 2) which are only fastened to each other and up against a soft and elastic connection element (3), and a such is not in contact with the unit's inner structure and noise creating parts. It is also possible to combine the outer covers (1, 2) to a component which only is fastened to the soft and elastic connection element (3) and as such is not in contact with the unit's inner structure and noise creating parts.

(22) The design allows the use of a cheap gearbox (23) to achieve optimum rotational speed, e.g., between 50 and 240 revolutions per minute, because the power exchange between the shaft (15) of the weight and the shaft (25) of the gearbox is via a flexible and twistable coupling (25), which dampens the movements and spares the gears of the gearbox of wear.

(23) The embodiment has a fastening device (6, 7, 8) which fits all types of baby buggies, and which can be mounted in areas which are not in the way normal use and handling of the buggy. The ratcheting bracket (7) makes it possible to obtain a tight fixation with use of a small power, and thereby an as effective as possible transfer of movement from the unit to the buggy.

(24) The unit can be mounted vertically, i.e. perpendicular, from the fastening tube on the baby buggy, or in an angle out from the vertical plane. When the unit is fastened in an angle, the force of the movement increases, since the weight (14) must overcome an ascent for each rotation, and thereafter higher speed in the subsequent descent. If the angel becomes too large, the motor (24) will not be able to lift the weight (14). The flexible coupling (25) will then start to skid/spin, i.e. slide around without intervention, and thereby spare the motor (24) from over-heating and permanent function failure.

(25) The unit can also be provided with a communication unit on the circuit board (not shown in the drawings) for example of Bluetooth-type, which can communicate with an application on the care person's smartphone and surveille and notify about the child's condition via this.

(26) The unit according to the inventions is primarily adapted to use on baby buggies, but is not limited to this, since it due to its flexible mounting also can be mounted on other products, in which the child can sit or lie, where it is possible to create a rocking movement.

(27) The present invention has been explained with reference to a preferred embodiment to give a better understanding of the invention and it will be obvious for a skilled person that the present invention includes all legal modifications within the scope of what is described here and in the accompanying patent claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(28) 1 front cover

(29) 2 rear cover

(30) 3 vibration dampening connection element

(31) 4 gasket

(32) 5 ratcheting bracket

(33) 6 ratchet strap

(34) 7 ratcheting bracket

(35) 8 releaser

(36) 9 fastening device

(37) 10 push button upper

(38) 11 push button middle

(39) 12 push button lower

(40) 13 fastening bracket

(41) 14 weight

(42) 15 shaft

(43) 16 roller bearing upper

(44) 17 roller bearing lower

(45) 18 vibration dampening bush upper

(46) 19 vibration dampening bush lower'

(47) 20 flange

(48) 21 sonic sensor

(49) 22 motor shaft

(50) 23 gearbox

(51) 24 electric motor

(52) 25 flexible coupling

(53) 26 motor suspension upper

(54) 27 motor suspension lower

(55) 28 protruding arms upper

(56) 29 protruding arms lower

(57) 30 incision

(58) 31 charging contact

(59) 32 batteries left

(60) 33 batteries right

(61) 34 battery and motor holder

(62) 35 circuit board