GB2574611A

GB2574611A - A hanging infant mobile device comprising displaceable covers and associated system

Info

Publication number: GB2574611A
Application number: GB1809586.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jones Britt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-06-12
Filing date: 2018-06-12
Publication date: 2019-12-18
Also published as: GB201809586D0

Abstract

A hanging infant mobile device comprises a body 2, one or more hangers 1 and one or more hanging holders 3 arranged with a displaceable cover 4 for provision of interchangeable visual stimuli for an infant without affecting the body or hanger. The hanging holders 3 may be conical in shape with a flat bottom for receipt of the covers 4. The covers 4 may be comprise planar circular discs and may be detachably attached to the bottom of the hanging holders by hook and loop fasteners.

Description

A HANGING INFANT MOBILE DEVICE COMPRISING DISPLACEABLE COVERS

AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile device, in particular a device for providing a hanging mobile for an infant; more particularly a device for providing a variety of interchangeable visual stimuli for an infant.

Background

It is commonly understood that visual stimuli can aid an infant’s brain and eye development.

It is also commonly understood that these stimuli should change based on an infant’s age - for example a newborn can only distinguish high contrast images close to its face, while older children can appreciate all shades of colours and see into the distance.

Prior Art

GB2471564 (WATERS) discloses an apparatus for accommodating an infant comprising support means, first and second mounting means and a frame means with a stimulus wherein the frame can be attached to either of the mounting means to position the stimulus in a different position. The frame may be an arch which, depending on the mounting, extends vertically or horizontally from the support and may have toys hanging from it. The mounting means may be coupled or integrally formed with the support and may comprise recesses to engage with the frame. The apparatus may also comprise a base and a mat to provide a cushioning layer. The apparatus may also come as a kit with a storage receptacle.

US 2008 248 713 (MULRINE) discloses a magnetic valance for attachment to baby carriers, strollers, infant car seats and other baby travel systems, to which an array of toys can be easily secured for the baby's enjoyment and stimulation. The valance comprises a fabric panel having an array of magnets sewn directly into the margins of the material allowing the margins to attract one another magnetically and grasp any object about which it is wrapped, and an array of tie-straps for supporting the attachable toys. The valance can be wrapped around the sunshade of infant carriers, and strollers, and attached onto itself via the internal magnets, with the tie-straps exposed in front of the baby for attaching infant toys.

US8312575 (MARAJ) discloses a protective crib liner for a child includes a full protective liner configured to surround an inner length and height of the crib and to wrap-around a top perimeter portion of the crib. Up to eight fasteners may be affixed to the liner to secure it to the crib. Tethers attach child development items to the liner and extend through the liner to tie around a portion of the crib. The items are attached at various heights to stimulate the child's mind, motor functions and senses. A pocket hanger attaches to the top of the liner and hangs on a top perimeter of the crib to secure the pocket hanger and the liner to the crib. A method facilitating the child's development includes attaching the development items inside the liner at various heights the child may reach thereby encouraging the child to move up, down and across in the crib.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hanging infant mobile device comprising a body, one or more hangers and one or more hanging holder arranged with a displaceable cover for provision of interchangeable visual stimuli for an infant without affecting the body or hanger.

In this way the device of the present invention provides a mobile with interchangeable visual stimuli is intended to offer a single device with a variety of stimuli appropriate to an infant’s age.

In some embodiments the device of the present invention allows for a modular arrangement of embodiments.

For example the displaceable covers may enable a user to adjust what an infant sees above them, as the device is envisaged to be placed in use above the infant. For example the displaceable covers may be displaced from the base of the holders.

In some embodiments the displaceable covers may attach to and displace from the holders using ferromagnetism, allowing for easy interchanging of the covers from all the holders. In other embodiments the covers may be rendered displaceable from the holders using hook and loop portions such as Velcro (RTM). In still further embodiments the displaceable covers may be arranged to slide into and out of the holders. For example in such embodiments the holders may comprise a channel or a window into which covers may be slid.

The covers may comprise a first face, arranged for display of information. In some embodiments the cover may comprise opposing faces, each displaying information, such that the cover may be reversible in use.

The holders may be arranged to depend below, and may be arranged to hang on, the body. The body may be arranged to depend below, and/or be arranged to hang on, the hanger. In some embodiments the holders comprise displaceable items, for example such that the user may adjust the number of holders in use at a time or vary the arrangement.

The hanger may be arranged to extend above, and/or provide a means of suspending, the body.

The body may comprise a circular form, or other form for example where the infant may view a regular or standardised view of the holders and/or covers from below from a plurality of angles and where there is no need to orient the holders or covers.

In some embodiments the bases of the holders, and/or the covers themselves, may be circular or other form for example where the infant may view a regular or standardised view of the holders and/or covers from below.

In this way it may be envisaged that the device may be arranged to turn or rotate in use, to provide a more visually engaging spectacle for the infant.

The hanger may consequently be envisaged to extend or suspend central to the body.

In some embodiments the hanger and/or body may be provided in use, for example such that according to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided one or more holders, substantially as described herein, arranged for hanging on a hanger.

In some embodiments the body may be annular or describe a central perforation. For example the body may comprise a vertically arranged band, with a plurality of centrally extending connections to the hanger, and a plurality of perimetrically depending holders, or positions for holders.

In some embodiments the body may comprise a central holder, which may differ from the other holders, wherein the central holder may comprise a fixed item, which item may not comprise a displaceable cover.

In some embodiments of the invention and according to a second aspect of the invention the covers may be envisaged to provide educative messages or stimulating information, wherein the invention provides a system or kit of parts for providing visual stimulus to an infant, capable of adjustment to more pertinent stimuli as the infant ages without disrupting the device’s location or form.

In some embodiments the device, covers or holders may comprise an electrical energy source, and/or may comprise at least one illumination source.

In some embodiments the covers may comprise means to display auditory stimuli to the infant. For example in some embodiments of the device or system the covers, device and/or holders may comprise means of storing and controlling electrical energy and transmitting audio data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system of providing updateable visual stimuli according to a child’s evolving developmental needs, and a kit of parts therefor, comprising a device or holders substantially as described herein arranged for displacement and replacement of covers containing stimuli. The holders substantially described herein may be conical with a base covered by the cover, such that the infant is liable only to see the cover from a location below the relevant hanger in use. In some embodiments flexibility in distance and location of the hanger relative the infant may be encompassed as a part of any device operating the system or kit of parts according to the second aspect of the present invention.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

All figures show sketches subject to later formalisation or removal as appropriate.

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to a first aspect of the present invention from below;

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, from above;

Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the bottom of the holder, and the cover, from the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows the body, and a holder from the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a view from below of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

and

Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the cover face up, from the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference generally to the embodiment shown in the Figures there is generally shown a hanging infant mobile device according to the first aspect of the invention 99 comprising a body 2, a hanger 1 and four hanging holders 3 each arranged with displaceable covers 4, and another hanging item 11.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment shows a vertically extending and arranged annular banded hoop 6, comprising a top edge 14 arranged for hanging the device 99, and a bottom edge 15 arranged to hang holders 3.

The holders 3 each comprise conical bodies 8, having a flat bottom face and a hanging strap 5 extending from the top of the cone.

The holders are displaceable, so in further embodiments of the device different embodiments of the holders may be envisaged, such as square or cuboid.

The flat face of the holder is arranged with a centrally adhered circular disc 22 of thermoplastics hook portion from a hook and loop material such as Velcro (RTM), being arranged to connect with a loop portion 21 from the same material, which loop portion is arranged centrally on the bottom face of the cover 4.

The embodiment shown has four depending holders 3 each of which has covers 3 secured to the bottom face of each of the holders in the pictured embodiment in Figure 1.

The covers 3 are planar circular parts, having a central face 9 for display of information and a hemmed edge 10. The hemmed edge 10 and conical body 8 of the holders are provided in the same material as the inner and outer surfaces of the annular body 6. Advantageously this may be envisaged to cause the faces 9 of the covers 3 to stand out.

It may be envisaged further the thin annular form of the body means that an infant below the device in use will not see much of the body, further ensuring that the major visual impact of the device will be the circular cover faces.

In some embodiments the body may comprise a thin, elongated flexible portion, such as a gooseneck.

The embodiment further includes a depending central part 11, comprising a stuffed star shaped part, hanging central to the body in use. This has a neutral colouring and is envisaged to disguise the hanging straps 5, 12, 7 of the embodiment as well as providing an interesting further moveable item.

Three hanging straps 12 are used to hang the device in use, converging above the centre of the body to a single vertical strap 5. The straps in the pictured embodiment comprise ribbons, but may comprise any other elongate flexible material.

The faces of the covers as pictured comprise high-contrast geometric shapes, and may be easily changed as required by the user, without affecting the rest of the embodiment.

In this way the covers may be changed to more appropriate visual stimuli as the child ages. In addition or the alternative the hangers may be rearranged to approximate the child.

Further embodiments of the covers or faces thereof may comprise light emitting faces, lettering, numbering, pictorial elements or any combination thereof. In some embodiments the faces of the covers comprise user provided or providable faces. For example the faces may be writeable and/or displaceable.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. A hanging infant mobile device comprising a body, one or more hangers and one or more hanging holder arranged with a displaceable cover for provision of interchangeable visual stimuli for an infant without affecting the body or hanger.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the cover covers the lower surface of the holder.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the holders depend from the body.

4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the body is a vertical extending annular band.

5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the body is a flexible elongated portion.

6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the covers comprise planar substantially circular discs.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the covers and holders comprise hook and loop material such as Velcro (RTM).

8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the holder is conical with a flat bottom for receipt of the cover.

9. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the holders are attached by straps to the body.

10. A holder according to any preceding claim, arranged for hanging on a hanger.

11. A holder according to claim 9 comprising a conical form, arranged to hang from a hanger at or adjacent the cone tip, and be covered with a cover at the cone base.

12. A cover for a holder according to any preceding claim.