GB2061836A

GB2061836A - Apparatus for use with a perambulator to assist in lulling to sleep a baby carried therein

Info

Publication number: GB2061836A
Application number: GB8034560A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-10-26
Filing date: 1980-10-27
Publication date: 1981-05-20

Abstract

At least one rail (10) to be tracked by the wheels of the perambulator is provided on one or both sides thereof. A motor (13) has a drive shaft (14) connectible to an axle of the perambulator through a pivotal rod arrangement (15, 16, 17) whereby rotary movement of the drive shaft (14) causes reciprocable movement of the outer end of the rod arrangement (15, 16, 17) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail to move the perambulator towards and away from the prime mover (13). A safety panel 19 may be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for use with a perambulator This invention relates to apparatus for use with a perambulator to assist in lulling to sleep a baby carried therein.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for use with a perambulator to assist in lulling to sleep a baby carried therein, the apparatus comprising a rail to be tracked by the wheels of the perambulator on one lateral side thereof, and a prime mover mounted above the rail in fixed positional relation thereto, said prime mover having a drive shaft connectible to an axle of the perambulator through a pivoted rod arrangement whereby rotary movement of the drive shaft causes reciprocal movement of the outer end of the rod arrangement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail to move the perambulator towards and away from the prime mover.

Preferably, a safety panel is provided upstanding from along the outer lateral side of the rail to mask the wheels of the perambulator.

Preferably also, a second rail is provided in parallel spaced relation to the first rail to be tracked by the wheels on the other lateral side of the perambulator.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an apparatus for use with a perambulator according to the present invention, and showing also the wheels and axles of the perambulator with the wheels tracking two rails; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the line ll-ll of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus for use with a perambulator to assist in lulling to sleep a baby carried therein comprises two grooved rails 10 and 11 parallely spaced apart by two transverse distance bars 1 2 secured adjacent to each corresponding ends of the rails 10 and 11.

A prime mover, namely an electric motor 13, is mounted in a housing 1 8 located at one end of one rail 10 and fixedly connected thereto. The motor 1 3 is positioned with its drive or output shaft 1 4 spaced above the level of and extending at right angles to rail 10 parallel to the distance bars 12. An arm 1 5 has one end fast with the outer end of the shaft 14 and extends radially therefrom with its other end pivoted to a length-adjustable rod 1 6. The outer end of the rod 1 6 has a clamp 1 7 of delta shape.The housing 1 8 is of rectangular cross-section and of part-ex- panded metal for ventilation, and an upright slot 1 6A is provided in the wall adjacent to the rail 10 through which slot the rod 1 6 passes and moves up and down when the motor is energised. An on/off switch is provided just inside the housing 1 8 opposite to a hole in the housing and through which the switch is reached for switching. The switch is interposed in cable from the motor 1 3 to a mains supply. A safety panel guard 1 9 upstands from along the outer lateral edge of rail 10 and serves to provide a protective and safety shield for children. One wall of the housing 18 is formed by an extension 1 9A of the guard 1 9. The apparatus may be used indoors or outdoors.It is preferably located near a wall with rail 10 remote therefrom so that when a perambulator is positioned with its wheels tracking the grooves in rails 10 and 11, the wheels and groove on rail 10 are substantially shielded from children. The clamp 1 7 is then secured astride the axle or axle casing of the perambulator nearer to the motor 1 3, the rod 1 6 being lengthened or shortened as required. The motor is switched on causing arm 1 5 to rotate and through the rod 1 6 the perambulator is moved slowly backwards and forwards on the rails 10 and 11, this movement providing a soothing distraction to assist in lulling to sleep a baby in the perambulator.

Blocks or small obstructions 20 may be located in the grooves of one or both rails; this being to provide a variation in movement as the wheels pass over them.

In a simplified embodiment, rail 11 and distance bars 1 2 may be dispensed with.

The rail or rails ensure that the perambulator is retained in position relative to the rod arrangement and prime mover; thus no twisting of the rod arrangement will occur because the perambulator cannot deviate to one side or the other. The length-adjustable rod can be replaced by a standardised rod of predetermined length.

1. An apparatus for use with a perambulator to assist in lulling to sleep a baby carried therein, the apparatus comprising a rail to be tracked by the wheels of the perambulator on one lateral side thereof, and a prime mover mounted above the rail in fixed positional relation thereto, said prime mover having a drive shaft connectable to an axle of the perambulator through a pivoted rod arrangeanent whereby rotary movement of the drive shaft causes reciprocal movement of the outer end of the rod arrangement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail to move the perambulator towards and away from the prime mover.

2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein, a safety panel is provided upstanding from along the outer lateral side of the rail to mask the wheels of the perambulator.

3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein, a second rail is provided in paral

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Apparatus for use with a perambulator This invention relates to apparatus for use with a perambulator to assist in lulling to sleep a baby carried therein. According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for use with a perambulator to assist in lulling to sleep a baby carried therein, the apparatus comprising a rail to be tracked by the wheels of the perambulator on one lateral side thereof, and a prime mover mounted above the rail in fixed positional relation thereto, said prime mover having a drive shaft connectible to an axle of the perambulator through a pivoted rod arrangement whereby rotary movement of the drive shaft causes reciprocal movement of the outer end of the rod arrangement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail to move the perambulator towards and away from the prime mover. Preferably, a safety panel is provided upstanding from along the outer lateral side of the rail to mask the wheels of the perambulator. Preferably also, a second rail is provided in parallel spaced relation to the first rail to be tracked by the wheels on the other lateral side of the perambulator. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an apparatus for use with a perambulator according to the present invention, and showing also the wheels and axles of the perambulator with the wheels tracking two rails; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the line ll-ll of Fig. 1. Referring to the drawings, the apparatus for use with a perambulator to assist in lulling to sleep a baby carried therein comprises two grooved rails 10 and 11 parallely spaced apart by two transverse distance bars 1 2 secured adjacent to each corresponding ends of the rails 10 and 11. A prime mover, namely an electric motor 13, is mounted in a housing 1 8 located at one end of one rail 10 and fixedly connected thereto. The motor 1 3 is positioned with its drive or output shaft 1 4 spaced above the level of and extending at right angles to rail 10 parallel to the distance bars 12. An arm 1 5 has one end fast with the outer end of the shaft 14 and extends radially therefrom with its other end pivoted to a length-adjustable rod 1 6. The outer end of the rod 1 6 has a clamp 1 7 of delta shape.The housing 1 8 is of rectangular cross-section and of part-ex- panded metal for ventilation, and an upright slot 1 6A is provided in the wall adjacent to the rail 10 through which slot the rod 1 6 passes and moves up and down when the motor is energised. An on/off switch is provided just inside the housing 1 8 opposite to a hole in the housing and through which the switch is reached for switching. The switch is interposed in cable from the motor 1 3 to a mains supply. A safety panel guard 1 9 upstands from along the outer lateral edge of rail 10 and serves to provide a protective and safety shield for children. One wall of the housing 18 is formed by an extension 1 9A of the guard 1 9. The apparatus may be used indoors or outdoors.It is preferably located near a wall with rail 10 remote therefrom so that when a perambulator is positioned with its wheels tracking the grooves in rails 10 and 11, the wheels and groove on rail 10 are substantially shielded from children. The clamp 1 7 is then secured astride the axle or axle casing of the perambulator nearer to the motor 1 3, the rod 1 6 being lengthened or shortened as required. The motor is switched on causing arm 1 5 to rotate and through the rod 1 6 the perambulator is moved slowly backwards and forwards on the rails 10 and 11, this movement providing a soothing distraction to assist in lulling to sleep a baby in the perambulator. Blocks or small obstructions 20 may be located in the grooves of one or both rails; this being to provide a variation in movement as the wheels pass over them. In a simplified embodiment, rail 11 and distance bars 1 2 may be dispensed with. The rail or rails ensure that the perambulator is retained in position relative to the rod arrangement and prime mover; thus no twisting of the rod arrangement will occur because the perambulator cannot deviate to one side or the other. The length-adjustable rod can be replaced by a standardised rod of predetermined length. CLAIMS

3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein, a second rail is provided in paral lel spaced relation to the first rail to be tracked by the wheels on the other lateral side of the perambulator.

4. An apparatus substantially as hereinbe- fore described with reference to the accompa- nying drawings.