Undulating Motion Infant Support Structure

Abstract

An infant support structure includes a base member and a seat pivotally coupled to the base member. The seat includes an inner surface defining a receiving area configured for supporting a child and an outer surface. An engagement member is coupled to the outer surface of the seat. A drive member is rotatably coupled to the base member and in engagement with the engagement member. One of the engagement member and the drive member includes an undulated surface so that the seat rocks back and forth relative to the base member as the drive member rotates.

1 . An infant support structure, comprising:
 a base member;   a seat pivotally coupled to the base member, the seat including an inner surface defining a receiving area configured for supporting a child and an outer surface;   an engagement member coupled to the outer surface of the seat;   a drive member rotatably coupled to the base member and in engagement with the engagement member, one of the engagement member and the drive member including an undulated surface so that the seat rocks back and forth relative to the base member as the drive member rotates.   
     
     
         2 . The infant support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the drive member is a wheel including an undulated surface. 
     
     
         3 . The infant support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement member is rotatably coupled to the outer surface of the seat. 
     
     
         4 . The infant support structure of  claim 3 , wherein the engagement member has a generally cylindrical configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The infant support structure of  claim 3 , wherein the drive member is a wheel, the wheel rotating about a first axis in a first direction, and the engagement member rotating about a second axis in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         6 . The infant support structure of  claim 5 , wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to the second axis. 
     
     
         7 . The infant support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the drive member is detachably coupled to the base member. 
     
     
         8 . The infant support structure of  claim 7 , wherein the drive member is a first drive member, the undulated surface of the first drive member having a first configuration, further comprising:
 a second drive member rotatably coupleable to the base member, the second drive member having an undulated surface having a second configuration different than the first configuration.   
     
     
         9 . An infant support structure, comprising:
 a base member including an underside configured for engaging a supporting surface and an opposing upper side;   a seat coupled to the upper side of the base member and pivotable between a first position and a second position relative to the base member, the seat including a back portion and a bottom portion;   an engagement member rotatably coupled to an outer surface of the back portion of the seat;   a drive wheel rotatably coupled to the upper side of the base member and engaging the engagement member, the drive wheel including an undulated surface so that the seat is moved back and forth between its first and second positions as the drive wheel rotates.   
     
     
         10 . The infant support structure of  claim 9 , wherein the engagement member is rotatable about a first axis, and the seat is pivotable about a second axis relative to the base member, the first axis substantially parallel to the second axis. 
     
     
         11 . The infant support structure of  claim 9 , further comprising a motor coupled to the base member, the drive wheel rotatable via the motor. 
     
     
         12 . The infant support structure of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom portion of the seat includes a distal end portion and an interface portion coupled to the back portion. 
     
     
         13 . The infant support structure of  claim 12 , wherein the seat is pivotally coupled to the base member proximate the distal end portion thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The infant support structure of  claim 12 , wherein the seat is pivotally coupled to the base member proximate the interface portion thereof. 
     
     
         15 . An infant support structure, comprising:
 a base member;   a seat including an inner surface defining a receiving area configured for supporting a child and an outer surface, the seat pivotally coupled to the base member and rotatable about a first axis;   an engagement member rotatably coupled to the outer surface of the seat and rotatable about a second axis;   a drive member rotatably coupled to the base member and rotatable about a third axis, the drive member engaging the engagement member, wherein rotation of the drive member about the third axis causes the engagement member to rotate about the second axis and the seat to rotate about the first axis.   
     
     
         16 . The infant support structure of  claim 15 , wherein the first, second and third axes are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         17 . The infant support structure of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the engagement member and the drive member has an undulated surface, so that the seat pivots between a first position and a second position as the drive member rotates. 
     
     
         18 . The infant support structure of  claim 15 , further comprising a toy bar coupled to the seat and rotatable about a fourth axis, the fourth axis substantially parallel to the third axis. 
     
     
         19 . The infant support structure of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the drive member and the seat is detachably coupled to the base member. 
     
     
         20 . The infant support structure of  claim 15 , wherein the seat is pivotally coupled to the base member so that a weight of the seat biases the engagement member against the drive member.