Infant Support Structure With Entertainment Portion

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an infant support structure. In one embodiment, the infant support structure includes a frame that has an activity portion or tray area that is located proximate to a seat in which an infant can be placed. The seat is rotatable so that the infant can view and play with different elements in the activity portion. The infant support structure includes an entertainment mechanism that has several movable elements or components coupled to the frame. A drive mechanism is connected to the movable elements and configured so that the drive mechanism moves the movable elements when the drive mechanism is activated. The infant support structure includes at least one input mechanism or switch that can be activated by a child to provide the input to activate the drive mechanism to move the movable elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An infant support structure, comprising:
 a frame including a seat and an activity portion, the seat being configured to support an infant within the frame and above a supporting surface, the activity portion being located proximate to the seat; and   an entertainment mechanism coupled to the activity portion, the entertainment portion includes an electronic drive mechanism and an entertainment mechanism, the drive mechanism being actuated by an infant in the seat.   
     
     
         2 . The infant support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the entertainment mechanism includes a movable element connected to the drive mechanism and an input switch coupled to the movable element, and the movement of the movable element by the infant actuates the input switch and activates the drive mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The infant support structure of  claim 2 , wherein the movable element is a first movable element, the entertainment mechanism includes a second movable element, and when activated, the drive mechanism causes the second movable element to move. 
     
     
         4 . The infant support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the entertainment mechanism includes several movable elements coupled to the frame in the activity portion, and activation of the drive mechanism causes each of the movable elements to move relative to the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The infant support structure of  claim 2 , wherein the seat is rotatably mounted within the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The infant support structure of  claim 5 , wherein the activity portion includes an upper surface that surrounds the seat. 
     
     
         7 . The infant support structure of  claim 6 , wherein the seat is positioned above the supporting surface such that a child in the seat can rotate the seat within the frame and with respect to the activity portion and the upper surface. 
     
     
         8 . The infant support structure of  claim 2 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor and an output shaft, the motor being actuated by the input switch connected to the moveable element. 
     
     
         9 . The infant support structure of  claim 3 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor, an output shaft, and a pulley, wherein the motor is actuated by the input switch connected to the moveable element and the pulley drives the movement of the second movable element. 
     
     
         10 . The infant support structure of  claim 3 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor, an output shaft, and at least one gear, wherein the motor is actuated by the input switch connected to the moveable element and the at least one gear drives the movement of the second movable element. 
     
     
         11 . An infant support structure, comprising:
 a frame including a seat and an activity portion, the seat being configured to support an infant within the frame and above a supporting surface, the activity portion including an upper surface which surrounds the seat; and   an entertainment mechanism coupled to the activity portion, the entertainment portion includes an electronic drive mechanism and an entertainment mechanism, the drive mechanism being actuated by an infant in the seat.   
     
     
         12 . The infant support structure of  claim 11 , wherein the entertainment mechanism includes a movable element operably coupled to the upper surface and connected to the drive mechanism and an input switch coupled to the movable element, and the movement of the movable element by the infant actuates the input switch and activates the drive mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The infant support structure of  claim 12 , wherein the movable element is a first movable element, the entertainment mechanism includes a second movable element also operably coupled to the upper surface, and when activated, the drive mechanism causes the second movable element to move. 
     
     
         14 . The infant support structure of  claim 11 , wherein the entertainment mechanism includes several movable elements operably coupled to the upper surface, and activation of the drive mechanism causes each of the movable elements to move relative to the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The infant support structure of  claim 11 , wherein the seat is rotatably mounted within the frame. 
     
     
         16 . The infant support structure of  claim 11 , wherein the seat is positioned above the supporting surface such that a child in the seat can rotate the seat within the frame and with respect to the activity portion. 
     
     
         17 . The infant support structure of  claim 12 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor and an output shaft, the motor being actuated by the input switch connected to the moveable element. 
     
     
         18 . The infant support structure of  claim 13 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor, an output shaft, and a pulley, wherein the motor is actuated by the input switch connected to the moveable element and the pulley drives the movement of the second movable element. 
     
     
         19 . The infant support structure of  claim 13 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor, an output shaft, and at least one gear, wherein the motor is actuated by the input switch connected to the moveable element and the at least one gear drives the movement of the second movable element.