Infant Support

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward an infant seat (for example a bouncer seat) including a base frame and a support assembly having a frame and a pliable support suspended from the frame. The pliable support includes a head support portion and a foot support potion. The foot support potion of the pliable support includes an interactive feature operable to be engaged by the feet of an infant positioned in the bouncer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An infant support structure comprising:
 a base configured to be placed on a support surface;   a child receiving assembly supported above the support surface by the base, the child-receiving assembly including a backrest portion operable to support the torso of an infant placed within the child receiving assembly, and a footrest portion extending forward from the backrest portion, the footrest portion configured to support the feet of the infant placed within the child receiving assembly; and   a mechanical sound generating device operable to generate sensory output, the mechanical sound generating device being housed within the footrest portion of the child receiving assembly,   wherein the mechanical sound generating device is capable of being engaged by the feet of an infant positioned within the child receiving assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The infant support structure of  claim 1  further comprising an entertainment bar disposed over the child receiving assembly, the entertainment bar positioning an entertainment device over the infant support structure. 
     
     
         3 . The infant support structure of  claim 2 , wherein the entertainment bar extends from a first lateral side of the infant support structure to a second lateral side of the infant support structure. 
     
     
         4 . The infant support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a softgoods cover configured to enclose at least a portion of the child receiving assembly and the mechanical sound generating device is housed within the cover. 
     
     
         5 . The infant support structure of  4 , wherein:
 the cover comprises a base material layer and a pocket material layer secured to the base material layer such that a cavity is defined within the cover; and   the mechanical sound generating device is housed within the cavity.   
     
     
         6 . An infant support comprising:
 an infant receiving portion comprising:
 a first frame section including a medial section, a first arm, and a second arm oriented in substantially parallel relation to the first arm, and 
 a second frame section coupled to the first frame section, the second frame section disposed at an angle with respect to the first frame section; 
   a support portion supporting the infant receiving portion above a supporting surface; and   a cover suspended from the infant receiving portion, the cover extending from the first frame section to the second frame section, wherein the cover defines an engagement surface that engages and supports an infant received within the infant support device; and   a sensory device operable to generate sensory output, the sensory device being housed within the cover, wherein movement of an infant positioned on the infant receiving portion contacts the engagement surface, engaging the sensory device and generating sensory output.   
     
     
         7 . The infant support of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first frame section defines a backrest of the infant receiving portion, the backrest being configured to support the torso of an infant received within the infant receiving portion; and   the second frame section defines a footrest of the infant receiving portion, the footrest being configured to support the feet of the infant received within the infant receiving portion.   
     
     
         8 . The infant support of  claim 7 , wherein the sensory device is housed within the cover at location disposed solely within the footrest of the infant receiving portion. 
     
     
         9 . The infant support of  claim 6 , wherein the sensory device is a non-motorized sensory device. 
     
     
         10 . The infant support of  claim 9 , wherein the sensory device is selected from the group consisting of a rattle and a bell. 
     
     
         11 . An infant bouncer comprising:
 a frame including:
 a base frame portion configured to be placed on support surface, and 
 a receiving portion disposed above the base frame portion, the receiving portion configured to receive an infant or child, the receiving portion having an upper end and a lower end; 
   an entertainment portion coupled to the frame proximate to the receiving portion; and   a cover suspended from the receiving portion of the frame to define a child support surface, the cover supporting a child positioned on the infant bouncer, wherein the cover comprises an audio generation device.   
     
     
         12 . The infant bouncer of  claim 11 , wherein the cover comprises softgoods material. 
     
     
         13 . The infant bouncer of  claim 11 , wherein receiving portion of the frame comprises:
 a first frame section defining a backrest of the receiving portion, the backrest being configured to support the torso of an infant received within the receiving portion; and   a second frame section defining a footrest of the receiving portion, the footrest being configured to support the feet of the infant received within the receiving portion.   
     
     
         14 . The infant bouncer of  claim 13 , wherein the audio generating device is housed within the cover a location disposed solely within the footrest of the receiving portion. 
     
     
         15 . The infant bouncer of  11 , wherein:
 the cover comprises a base material layer and a pocket material layer secured to the base material layer such that a cavity is defined within the cover; and   the audio generating device is housed within the cavity.