US3371358A - Rocking cradle - Google Patents

Description

March 5, 1968 J. T. SHACKEL 3,371,353

' ROCKING CRADLE Filed. Feb, 5, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

6; JOSEPHTSHACKEL BY M W W March 5, 1968 J. T. SHACKEL 3,371,358

ROCKING CRADLE Filed Feb. 5, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 NVEN TOR.

JOSEPH TSHACKEL BY v United States Patent 3,371,358 ROCKING CRADLE Joseph T. Shackel, 14636 Bringard, Detroit, Mich. 48215 Filed Feb. 3, 1%67, Ser. No. 613,906 8 Claims. (Cl. -108) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A crib unit supported on a wheel bearing chassis for self-rocking movement relative to the chassis. A motor provides a source of motion to the crib unit through a semi-rigid link. The link provides a motion transmitting connection from the motor to the crib when the crib is in a balanced condition. However, the link in response to a predetermined force opposing the motion of the crib about its axis, assumes a non-rigid connection between the motor and the crib.

The crib unit is mounted at a selectively variable height to the chassis by a horizontal tubular support member having a pair of locking elements interengageable in sockets provided in a pair of upright supports. A lever member is operable to actuate the locking elements into a disengaged position with respect to their sockets upon the release of a safety latch.

Background of the invention (1) Field of the invention.This invention relates to cradles and more specifically to a cradle supported for powered rocking movement on a wheel bearing chassis, the connection between the source of power and the cradle taking the form of a semi-rigid link.

(2) Description of the prior art.Motor driven cradles of the prior art generally comprise a cradle assembly supported for pendular movement to a suitable frame with some form of drive means arranged to achieve a continual motion. A serious drawback inherent in conventional motor-driven cradle arrangements is that the driving means continues to produce a reciprocal pivotal movement of the cradle irrespective of the position of the infant disposed therein. It is desirable that the drive means provide a continuous motion of the cradle while the infant is disposed in a normal position in the center of the crib so that the infant is subjected to a gentle rocking motion. However, as is common with infants, they sometimes manage to work themselves into an unbalanced position wherein they are disposed along the sidewall of the cradle in an abnormal position. Until noticed by the mother, the infant is otfen subjected to bouncing toward and away from the sidewall of the cradle as the motor continues its driving motion. The elimination of this problem is one of the major features of the present invention wherein is disclosed a novel form of link between the output of the driving motor and the cradle. When the infant is in a normal position, the link provides a driving connection between the output of the motor and the cradle, however, when the infant is in an abnormal unbalanced position, the link provides a non-driving connection between the motor and the cradle.

It is often desirable to adjust the height of the cradle relative to its frame, however, the means for achieving this height adjusting feature in the prior art requires a complicated locking apparatus. The reason for this is the inherent requirement for a high safety factor in articles for retaining infantsv There must exist no possibility that the height adjusting device can be accidentally disengaged. For this reason, a simple reliable height and adjusting device has not been available for baby buggies. This is another major problem associated with the prior art and which is solved by the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Summary of the invention The preferred embodiment of the present invention, which will be subsequently described in greater detail, obviates the aforementioned problems involved in the prior art and in addition provides some special advantages. The preferred embodiment takes the form of a wheeled chasis having a pair of spaced, upright supports and a supporting framework attached to the upright supports at a selectively variable height. A pair of pivot elements are mounted to the supporting framework and are movable between an upright braced position and a collapsed position. In the upright position, the pivots provide a pivotable support for the cradle unit. In the collapsed position, the cradle unit rests directly on a supporting frame so that it is nonmovable relative to the chassis.

A suitable driving motor, which may take the form of a spring powered motor, a battery powered motor, an AC plug in type motor or the like, is mounted to one of the upright supports with an output member adapted to rotate about a generally horizontal axis parallel to the pivotal axis of the cradle. Preferably, an elongated coil spring member provides a link between the output member of the motor and the cradle. The coil spring link has a stiffness such that it normally provides a direct, rigid connection between the output of the motor and the cradle so that the cradle assumes a pendular motion. However, a force applied on the cradle tending to oppose the rocking motion produced by the motor causes the link to yield so that the cradle assumes a motionless state while the motor continues to rotate.

The yieldable link provides an important advantage in that the weight of an infant disposed in an abnormal position along the side of the cradle produces a torque sufiicient to override the stiffness of the link so that the cradle remains motionless until the infant is rearranged in a normal position. Another advantage of this drive arrangement is that the mother can readily impose a force on the cradle effective to override the motor and maintain the cradle in a stationary state without rendering the motor inoperative.

Another feature of the preferred embodiment illustrating the invention takes the form of means for locking the cradle at a selected height to the upright supports above the base of the device. The cradle is supported by a framework having a transverse supporting member spanning the two upright members. The transverse support has spring loaded locking elements projectable from its ends into suitable sockets provided in the upright members. Although this arrangement for locking a pair of units in a selected relative position is old, the means for disengaging the locking elements in their respective sockets provides a special safety advantage over the art. This disengaging handle has a safety latch preventing inadvertent disengagement of the cradle supporting framework from the upright supporting member. Thus, there is no possibility of an unintentional manipulation of the locking unit permitting the cradle to collapse while the infant is disposed therein.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved motorized rocking cradle wherein the link between the output of the motor and the cradle achieves a continual rocking motion which can be overridden by an opposing force applied to the cradle so that the cradle assumes a motionless state while the motor continues to operate.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a motorized cradle arranged on a wheeled chassis and supported by a mounting arrangement permitting the cradle to be locked to the chassis at a selected height.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a safety latch arrangement to prevent inadvertent disengagement of a locking apparatus of the type wherein a first elongated member having locking elements projectable into and out of its extreme ends is associated with a pair of spaced transverse members having longitudinally spaced sockets for receiving the locking elements.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a buggy for infants having a supporting framework convertible between a first condition wherein a cradle is fixed relative to the chassis and a second condition wherein the cradle is pivotably supported to the chassis.

Still further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains upon reference to the following detailed description.

Descripiion f the drawings The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a self-rocking cradle illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view of a section of the cradle illustrating the engagement with the drive link;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the drive motor illustrating its connection with the lower end of the drive link and its associated upright suport member;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of the carrier unit and illustrating the means for pivotably supporting the cradle in a raised position with the alternative non-pivoting position illustrated in phantom;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the locking arrangement for locking the cradle supporting frame to the chassis; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating details of the upright support and cradle supporting framework.

Description of the preferred embodiments Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a wheeled chassis generally indicated at 10 provided with a movable supporting assembly 12. A cradle unit 14 is pivotably supported to the supporting assembly 12 and operably connected through a motor 16 to achieve a continuous pendular motion.

The chassis 10 comprises a pair of spaced apart, parallel, longitudinal extending, preferably tubular side bars 18 connected at their forward end to a transverse, tubular forward bar 20 preferably by fixtures 22. The sidebars 18 and the forward bar 20 form a framework to which a gridlike platform 24 is secured.

A conventional, pivotable wheel assembly 26 is supportably atached to each of the fixture 22.

A sleeve 28 is slidably connected near the rear end of the sidebars 18. A downwardly directed lug 30 depends from each of the sleeves and provides means for supporting a rear axle 32 provided with traction wheels 34. The sleeves 28are interconnected one to the other by a brace 46 and intended to be locked at a predetermined position to the side bars 28 through a pin and socket arangement (not shown) which is releasably connected to handles 38.

A wheel braking and locking mechanism 40 comprises a pedal 42 connected through a toggle arrangement 44 to a braking bar 46. A second pedal 48 is interconnected for cooperative movement with pedal 42. The pedals 42 and 46 are arranged so that they are alternately in either a raised or lowered position. Thus, when the operator steps on the pedal 42 the braking bar 46 engages the wheels 34 to lock the wheels in a nonrotatable position. In this lowered position of the pedal 42, the pedal 43 is in a raised position. To disengage the braking bar 46 from the wheels 34, the operator steps on the raised pedal 48 to move it to a lowered position, the pedal 42 goes to a raised position. Thus it can be seen that the operator actuates the braking bar 46 to either a released position or a locked position by stepping on whichever pedal is in the raised position. The actuating force is always applied by the sole of the operators foot.

The supporting assembly 12 comprises a pair of tubular upright members 50 joined at their upper end by a connecting cross bar 52. The lower ends of the uprights 50 are joined to socket portions 54 forming an integral part of the sleeves 28.

A generally U-shaped handle bar 56 is pivotably secured at 58 to the upright members 50. A loop element 60, connected to each of the uprights 50, is arranged to engage an abutment portion 62 provided on each leg of the handle bar 56 to hold the handle bar in a raised position. The handle bar 56 may therefore be locked in a horizontal position by the loops or released to a lowered downward position as desired.

Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, a suporting fixture 64 is slidably associated with each of the upright members 50 and interconnected one to the other by a transverse support member 66. The uprights 50 are provided with a series of longitudinally spaced apertures 68. A pair of plungers 70, are slidably disposed in the transverse support 66, and biased by a spring member 72 toward an extended position wherein they engage a selected pair of apertures 68 in the uprights 50.

A release handle '74 pivotably connected to the support member 66 at 76, provides means for retracting the plungers 70 through a pair of links 78. The release handle 74 is movable betwen a lowered position wherein it retracts the plungers 70 from engagement with the uprights 5t) and a raised position associated with the extended position of the plungers 7 t A safety catch is pivotably connected to the release handle 74 and arranged such that when the handle 74 is in its raised position, the lower end of the safety catch 80 drops into one or the other of notches 82 provided in the support member 66. When the safety catch 80 is engaged with one of the notches 82, the release handle 74 is locked against movement toward a release position. To lower the release handle 74, the safety catch 80 must be raised to a position illustrated in phantom so that the handle '74 can be lowered by an intentional manipulative movement.

Now, referring to FIGURE 6, the fixtures 64 also are provided with sockets 82. A U-shaped, elongated, cradle suporting member 84 has downwardly turned fingers 86 at the end of each of its legs which fit into the sockets 82. An annular locking ring 88 having a depending ear 90 is associated with each of the sockets 82. Each locking ring 88 is rotatable between a first position wherein the car 90 is disposed over the finger 86 and prevents the finger 86 from being disengaged from its respective socl et 82, and a second position wherein the car 90 is rotated to a position wherein it clears the socket 82 to permit disengagement of the finger 86.

A spring member 92 biases the locking ring 88 away from the socket 82 and toward a locking element 94. Each locking element 94 has a downwardly depending extension 96 which engages a cutout portion 98 in the ring 88 when the ear 90 is arranged over its associated socket 82. Thus, it can be seen that the U-shaped support 84 may be quickly assembled and locked in a variety of selected vertical poistions to the uprights 50.

As can best be seen in FIGURE 1, a pair of springloaded legs 100 are pivotably connected to the forward portion of the support member 84 through lugs 102. The lower end of the legs 100 as provided with a narrowed end (not shown) arranged to fit in sockets 104 provided in fixtures 22.

Referring to F165. 1 and 4, the opposite legs of the support member 84 are interconnected by a cross brace 106 joined adjacent the uprights 50. A finger 108 is movably attached to the cross brace 106 by means of a pin 110 engaged in a closed elongated slot 112 formed in the finger 108. The finger 108 is movable between a raised upright position wherein a slot 114 provided at the lower end of the finger 108 clears a pin 116 and a lowered upright position wherein the slot 114 engages the pin 116. In the lowered position, the finger 108 is rigidly locked in an upright position by the pins 110 and 116. By raising the finger 108 so that the slot 114 clears the pin 116, the finger 108 can be lowered to a horizontal position as illustrated in phantom at 118 wherein a cutout 120 formed in the finger 108 engages a locking pin 122 carried by the brace 106. To further assist the brace 106 in retaining the finger 108 in its lowered position, the finger 108 is provided with a dimple portion 124 which engages a complimentarily shaped bulge (not shown) provided in the brace 106.

The upper end of the finger 108 has an open ended slot 126 to receive a pin 128 carried by a rectangular, rigid, frame 130 defining the upper open end of the cradle unit 14. It is to be understood that the forward end of the support member 84 has a similarly arranged finger infant is to be disposed in the portion 132 which is fabricated from a suitable flexible, clothlike, plastic material.

A pair of handle members 134 fixed to the frame 130 provides means for lifting the cradle unit 14 away from its supporting members.

A hood assembly 136 provided with a pair of pivotably interconnected braces 138 and 140 is arranged for movement between a position wherein it partially encloses the upper open end of the cradle assembly 14 and a collapsed position wherein it permits access to the interior of the basket portion 132. This motion is achieved by pivotably connecting the brace positions 140 at their lower end at 142 to the support 130. Preferably the hood 13 5 is lowered and raised from the rearward position of the frame 130.

A second pair of interconnected brace members 144 and 146 are pivotably connected at 148 to the frame 130 and carry a transparent hood 150. The interconnected braces 144 and 146 are arranged such that they can be collapsed toward the forward end of the cradle unit 14 or raised to a position wherein the transparent hood 150 cooperates with the hood 136 to totally enclose the interior of the carrier unit 14. In the raised positions, the hoods are interconnected by a latch 152 carried by the hood 136 which engages a pin 154. Thus an infant may be disposed in the carrier unit 14 and completely protected from the elements while at the same time being readily observable by the mother.

Now, referring to FIG. 3 the motor 16 preferably is spring-wound by a separable handle 156. The frame of the motor 16 carries an arcuate locking portion 158. The locking portion has a diameter generally corresponding to the diameter of the tubular upright 50 and carries a pin 160. The pin 160 has a diameter permitting it to be engaged with one of the apertures 68 formed in the upright 50. Thus, the motor 16 can be affixed to the upright 50 by arranging the pin 160 wherein it engages one of the apertures 68 and the arcuate portion 158 partially embraces the upright 50. A locking member 162 is hinged to the motor 16 and arranged such that a slot 164 engages a threaded pin 166 carried by the portion 158. The locking portion 162 is securely fastened to the portion 158 by a wing nut 168. This mounting arrangement for the motor 16 permits the motor to be rigidly 6 secured to the upright 50 at a selected position relative to the cradle unit 14.

The motor 16 is preferably mounted so that an output member 170 is supported for rotation about an axis generally parallel to the axis of pivotal movement of the cradle unit 14. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a coiled spring member 172 provides a link between the output member 170 of the motor 16 and the frame of the cradle unit 14. The lower end of the spring 172 has an eye portion 174 which engages an eccentrically arranged pin 176 carried by the output member 170. A locking sleeve 178 is movable towards and away from the eye 174 with a slot 180 to engage the pin 176 to retain the eye 174 thereon.

The upper end of the spring 172 has a bent portion 182 to engage an aperture 184 defines in a short side of the frame 130 spaced from the axis of pivotal movement of the cradle 14.

Thus, it can be seen that as the output member rotates, the spring 172 provides a driving connection with the carrier 14 to produce a reciprocal rotational movement about the axis of pivotal support of the cradle unit 14. The spring 172 has a stiffness such that it produces a gentle rocking motion of the cradle unit 14. However, when a weight is imposed on the cradle unit 14 tending to oppose the rocking movement thereof, the spring 172 has a stiffness such that it yields or buckles in response to rotation of the output member 170. This stiffness of the spring 172 is chosen so that when the weight of an infant in the cradle unit 14 is disposed in an abnormal position, a torgue is produced acting on the spring 172 suflicient to override the longitudinal movement of the spring so that the cradle portion 14 remains motionless while permitting the output member 172 to continue to rotate.

The motor 16 also is provided with an operating lever 186 to permit the operator to manually actuate the motor 16 into a rotating or nonrotating condition.

Although I have described and illustrated but one preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that various changes and improvements may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A self-rocking cradle assembly comprising:

(a) a cradle unit;

(b) a frame;

(c) support means, said support means arranged to pivotally support said cradle unit to said frame for movement about a generally horizontal axis;

(d) motor means, said mot-or means adapted to provide a source of continuous motion;

(e) a connection between said motor means and said cradle, said connection arranged to produce a pendular motion of said cradle unit relative to said frame, said connection comprising an elongated link, said link having a resilient character, said link having one end connected to the output of said motor means and the opposite end attached to said cradle unit, said link having a first condition wherein said link has a stiffness sufficient to transmit motion from said motor means to said cradle uni-t and a second condition wherein said link assumes a yieldable condition to provide a non-driving connection between the output of said motor and said cradle unit where in said link element comprises an elongated coil spring, said coil spring yieldable in response to a predetermined longitudinal compressive force.

2. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 1, wherein said motor means includes a drive member, said drive member supported for rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of pendular motion of said cradle unit, means rotating said drive member about said axis of rotation, said link having a connection to said drive a member laterally spaced from said axis of rotation and a second opposite connection to said cradle unit laterally spaced from the axis of pendular motion of said cradle unit.

3. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 2, including:

(a) ground engaging wheels supporting said frame;

(b) said frame having a pair of spaced apart support sections overlying said wheels;

(c) a pivot element carried by each of said support sections, said pivot elements movable between an upright position wherein said cradle unit is suspended therefrom for reciprocal pivotal movement an-d a second collapsed position wherein said cradle unit is supported in a weight bearing relationship on said support members and restrained against relative movement with respect to said frame.

4. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 3, wherein said frame has an upright support member, said link is releasably connected to said cradle and said motor means, and including means releasably locking said motor means at a selected vertical height relative to the axis of pendula-r motion of said cradle to said upright support member.

5. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 4, wherein said locking means comprises;

(a) said upright support member having a socket;

(b) said motor means having a pair of depending, co-

operating collar halves, said collar halves arranged to releasably embrace said upright support member;

(c) a depending lug, said depending lug affixed to one of said collar halves, said depending lug interengageable with said socket when said collar halves are embracingly engaged with said upright support member.

6. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 3, wherein said frame has a pair of spaced apart, parallel, elongated upright support sections; and including means for supporting said cradle unit at a selected height from the base of said frame, said cradle supporting means comprising;

(a) a plurality of longitudinally spaced sockets provided in said upright support members, said sockets arranged in pairs and facing one another;

(b) a transverse support member spanning said upright support members, said transverse support member having a tubular configuration including opposite open ends;

(c) a bolt element associated with each of said open ends, said bolt elements axially slidably disposed within said transverse support member;

(d) means biasing said bolt elements toward an extended position wherein the outer ends of said bolt elements project in to a selected pair of sockets;

(e) handle means for retracting said bolt elements from said sockets and into said transverse support member, said handle means movable between a first position associated with the extended position of said locking elements and a second position associated with the retracted position of said locking elements, and

(f) means releasably locking said handle means in said first position to prevent unintentional manipulation of said handle means toward said second position; and

(g) means supporting said cradle unit to said transverse support member.

7. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 6, including a hood assembly attached to said cradle unit, said hood assembly including a pair of cooperating hood sections arranged for movement between a raised position wherein said hood halves combine with said cradle unit to provide a totally enclosed container, and a collapsed condition wherein said hood halves permit access to the interior of said cradle unit.

8. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 7, wherein at least one of said hood halves is formed of a transparent material, said transparent hood half permitting visual observation of the contents of said cradle unit when said hood halves are in said raised condition.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,0 7,209 3/1962 Nielsen 108-146 3,225,365 12/1965 Miller et a1 5-109 3,311,337 3/1967 Von Hagen 108-144 X 3,319,271 5/1967 Austin 5-108 CASMlR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

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