Child support with multiple electrical modes

Abstract

A child receiving device is disclosed herein. The device includes a seat pivotally connected to a frame. The device may further include a power transmission line that connects to a remote power source such as an electrical outlet. The transmission line may be hidden within the frame, and may separate when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the line. The child receiving device further includes an electrical device, an alternating current (AC) power supply connection, a direct current (DC) power supply connection, and a switch that selectively engages either the AC or DC power supply connections. The electrical device may operate in either a first operational mode, in which the power source is an AC power source, or a second operational mode, in which the power source is a direct current (DC) power source. The electrical device may be a motor that drives the motion of the seat.

1 . A child receiving device comprising:
 a frame;   a child-receiving portion coupled to the frame;   an alternating current (AC) power source receiving portion;   a direct current (DC) power source receiving portion; and   an electrical device driven by a power source, wherein the electrical device is adapted to selectively operate in a first electrical mode in which the power source is an alternating current (AC) power source and a second electrical mode in which the power source is a direct current (DC) power source.   
   
   
       2 . The child-receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the operational modes are controlled by a switch. 
   
   
       3 . The child-receiving device of  claim 2 , wherein the switch is one of an automatic switch and a manual, user-actuated switch. 
   
   
       4 . The child-receiving device of  claim 2  wherein the switch is a manual, user-actuated switch. 
   
   
       5 . The child-receiving device of  claim 4 , wherein the manual, user-actuated switch comprises a switch selected from the group consisting of a slide switch, a rotary switch, and a push switch. 
   
   
       6 . The child-receiving device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the alternating current power source is located remote from the child receiving device; and   the child receiving device further comprises a power transmission line operable to connect the electrical device to the remote power source.   
   
   
       7 . The child-receiving device of  claim 6 , wherein the transmission line comprises a transformer operable to convert alternating current to a direct current. 
   
   
       8 . The child-receiving device of  claim 6 , wherein the transmission line is at least partially disposed within the frame. 
   
   
       9 . The child-receiving device of  claim 6 , wherein the transmission line comprises a first segment and a second segment releasably connected to the first segment. 
   
   
       10 . The child-receiving device of  claim 9 , wherein the first segment of the transmission line is at least partially disposed within the frame and the second segment disposed entirely outside the frame. 
   
   
       11 . The child-receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical device is includes at least one of a motor, a speaker, and a light source. 
   
   
       12 . The child-receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical device is a motor capable of moving the child receiving portion from a first position to a second position. 
   
   
       13 . The child-receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the direct current (DC) power source is a battery source removeably coupled to the frame. 
   
   
       14 . A child receiving device comprising:
 a frame including a supporting surface engaging portion, wherein at least one section of the frame is hollow;   a child receiving portion coupled to the frame above the supporting surface engaging portion;   an electrical device attached to the frame proximate the child receiving portion; and   a power cord comprising:
 a first portion coupled to the electrical device and being housed within the hollow section of the frame and exiting the frame proximate the supporting surface engaging portion, 
   
     a second portion located outside the frame and being configured to connect to a power source remote from the child receiving device, wherein the power cord is configured to supply power to the electrical device from a the remote power source. 
   
   
       15 . The child receiving device of  claim 14 , wherein the frame further comprises exit point proximate the supporting surface engaging portion, and wherein the first portion of the power cord terminates proximate the exit point. 
   
   
       16 . The child receiving device of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion of the power cord is releasably connected to the second portion of the power cord. 
   
   
       17 . A method of selecting the electrical mode of a child support device comprising:
 (a) providing a child support device including an electrically powered component,   (b) operating the electrically powered component in a first operational mode in which the power source is an alternating current (AC) power source; and   (c) alternately operating the electrically powered component in a second operational mode in which the power source is a direct current (DC) power source.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the child support device includes a switch configured to select the first and second operational modes;   step (b) comprises (b.1) engaging the switch to select the first operational mode; and   step (c) comprises (c.1) engaging the switch to alternately select the second operational mode.