Cradling bassinet

Abstract

A cradling bassinet to impart a rocking, swaying or gliding motion to soothe a child occupant includes a frame and an infant receiving receptacle. In example forms, the frame is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The infant receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted to the frame such that the infant receiving receptacle is capable of gliding or swaying relative to the frame. In some example forms, the infant receiving receptacle is removed from engagement with the frame and capable of rocking on a support surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cradling bassinet comprising:
 a collapsible frame comprising first and second frame portions pivotally connected at first and second pivot couplings; and   an infant receiving receptacle pivotally mounted to the first and second pivot couplings for moving in a side-to-side gliding motion relative to the collapsible frame, wherein a pair of swing arms are pivotally mounted to the first and second pivot couplings at first ends thereof, and wherein second ends of the swing arms are pivotally mounted at each end of the infant receiving receptacle, and whereby the swing arms at each end thereof remain substantially parallel to each other throughout the side-to-side motion.   
     
     
         2 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 1 , wherein the infant receiving receptacle comprises a mattress, and wherein the mattress remains substantially horizontal throughout the side-to-side gliding motion. 
     
     
         3 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second frame portions are generally U-shaped and each comprise a base portion and upright leg members extending from the base portion. 
     
     
         4 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 3 , further comprising a cross brace connecting together at least one of the upright leg members of each of the first and second frame portions. 
     
     
         5 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 4 , wherein the cross brace comprises a first arm, a second arm, and a pivot coupling for pivotally coupling the first and second arms together. 
     
     
         6 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 5 , wherein the pivot coupling comprises an actuatable lock for permitting or preventing pivotal motion of the first and second arms relative thereto. 
     
     
         7 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 1 , wherein the infant receiving receptacle comprises an infant receiving receptacle frame comprising first and second end frame members, a lower support frame member, and first and second upper frame members 
     
     
         8 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 7 , wherein the second ends of the swing arms pivotally mount to the first and second end frame members. 
     
     
         9 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second upper frame members pivotally mount to the first and second end frame members such that the infant receiving receptacle frame is movable between an expanded, erect configuration and a collapsed, compact configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the pivot couplings comprise an electric motor therein for moving the infant receiving receptacle in a side-to-side motion. 
     
     
         11 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 5 , wherein a portion of the cross brace comprises at least a component of a magnetic drive system for facilitating a side-to-side motion of the infant receiving receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of one of the end frame members comprises a component of the magnetic drive system for interaction with the component of the magnetic drive system of the cross brace. 
     
     
         13 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second frame portions comprise one or more feet for providing a stable footing for the collapsible frame when the collapsible frame is resting atop a support surface. 
     
     
         14 . A cradling bassinet comprising:
 a frame; and   an infant receiving receptacle pivotally mounted to the frame for swaying in a side-to-side motion along a generally arcuate path.   
     
     
         15 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 14 , wherein the frame comprises first and second U-shaped frame members mounted to first and second hubs. 
     
     
         16 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 15 , wherein the infant receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted to the hubs. 
     
     
         17 . The cradling basinet of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the hubs comprises a motor for providing the side-to-side movement to the infant receiving receptacle. 
     
     
         18 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 14 , wherein the frame comprises first and second U-shaped frame members pivotally mounted together at first and second pivot couplings. 
     
     
         19 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 18 , wherein the infant receiving receptacle comprises a canopy mounted thereto for at least partially covering the infant receiving receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The cradling bassinet of  claim 18 , wherein the infant receiving receptacle comprises a skirt mounted to an outer periphery thereof. 
     
     
         21 . A bassinet comprising:
 a collapsible frame; and   an infant receiving receptacle, wherein when the infant receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted to the frame, the infant receiving receptacle is movable relative the collapsible frame in a swaying motion along an arcuate path, and wherein when the infant receiving receptacle is removed from pivotal engagement with the collapsible frame and the infant receiving receptacle is resting atop a support surface, the infant receiving receptacle is movable in a rocking motion along an arcuate path relative to the support surface.   
     
     
         22 . The bassinet of  claim 21 , wherein the collapsible frame comprises first and second U-shaped frame portions pivotally mounted together at first and second pivot couplings. 
     
     
         23 . The bassinet of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second U-shaped frame portions comprise base portions and first and second leg members extending therefrom, respectively. 
     
     
         24 . The bassinet of  claim 22 , wherein one or more of the pivot couplings comprise an actuatable member for permitting the collapsing or expansion of the collapsible frame. 
     
     
         25 . The bassinet of  claim 22 , wherein the infant receiving receptacle comprises an infant receiving receptacle frame comprising pivot coupling receivers configured for pivotally coupling to hub extensions of the first and second pivot couplings. 
     
     
         26 . The bassinet of  claim 25 , wherein the infant receiving receptacle frame further comprises lower arcuate supports configured for rocking on the support surface.