Travel swing with detachable rocker

Abstract

A portable travel swing and rocker device for children includes a swing frame and a rocker. Either or both of the swing frame and the rocker are foldable for ease of transport. The rocker can be used in a first swinging motion mode when attached to the swing frame, or independently in a second rocking motion mode when detached from the swing frame. Electronic features and controls are optionally provided on the rocker for dual mode operability.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable travel swing and rocker device for children, comprising:
 a swing frame comprising a first leg assembly and a second leg assembly, the first and second leg assemblies connected by at least one frame hub, and further comprising at least one swing arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the at least one frame hub and a second end comprising a coupling bracket; and   a rocker comprising a seat, a rocker base attached to the seat, and a mounting hub for detachable coupling with the coupling bracket of the swing frame.   
     
     
         2 . The portable travel swing and rocker device of  claim 1 , wherein the rocker is operable in a first mode for swinging when mounted to the swing frame, and operable in a second mode for rocking when detached from the swing frame. 
     
     
         3 . The portable travel swing and rocker device of  claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic drive mechanism for imparting a swinging motion to the rocker when mounted to the swing frame. 
     
     
         4 . The portable travel swing and rocker device of  claim 3 , wherein substantially all powered components of the magnetic drive mechanism are mounted to the rocker. 
     
     
         5 . The portable travel swing and rocker device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the swing frame and the rocker are foldable from an expanded configuration to a compact configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The portable travel swing and rocker device of  claim 1 , wherein the rocker comprises at least one remotely-controlled electronic feature. 
     
     
         7 . The portable travel swing and rocker device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one swing arm is inwardly directed, to provide operational clearance between the swing frame and the rocker. 
     
     
         8 . The portable travel swing and rocker device of  claim 1 , having a height of less than 30 inches and a weight of less than 25 pounds. 
     
     
         9 . A portable child motion device comprising a base frame and a child support unit configured for removable attachment to the base frame, wherein the child support unit is operable to move in a coupled mode when attached to the base frame, and wherein the child support unit is operable to move in an independent mode when detached from the base frame. 
     
     
         10 . The portable child motion device of  claim 9 , wherein the child support unit swings relative to the base frame in the coupled mode, and rocks on a support surface in the independent mode. 
     
     
         11 . The portable child motion device of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the base frame and the child support unit are foldable from an expanded configuration for use to a compact configuration for portability. 
     
     
         12 . The portable child motion device of  claim 9 , wherein both of the base frame and the child support unit are foldable from an expanded configuration for use to a compact configuration for portability. 
     
     
         13 . The portable child motion device of  claim 9 , wherein the base frame comprises a first leg assembly and a second leg assembly, the first and second leg assemblies being pivotally connected to one another by first and second frame hubs, and further comprising first and second swing arms, each swing arm having a first end pivotally coupled to one of the first and second frame hubs. 
     
     
         14 . The portable child motion device of  claim 9 , wherein the child support unit comprises a rocker comprising a support surface for receiving a child and a rocker base attached to the support surface. 
     
     
         15 . The portable child motion device of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one electronic feature, the at least one electronic feature being a part of the child support unit and separable from the base frame when the child support unit is in the independent mode. 
     
     
         16 . The portable child motion device of  claim 15 , further comprising a control for the at least one electronic feature, the control being onboard the child support unit and/or part of a remote control separate from the child support unit and the base frame. 
     
     
         17 . The portable child motion device of  claim 9 , having a height of less than 30 inches and a weight of less than 25 pounds. 
     
     
         18 . A children's swing and rocker device comprising:
 a swing frame comprising a first leg assembly and a second leg assembly, the first and second leg assemblies being pivotally connected to one another by first and second frame hubs, whereby the swing frame is foldable from an expanded configuration for use to a compact configuration for portability, the swing frame further comprising first and second swing arms, each swing arm having a first end pivotally coupled to one of the first and second frame hubs and a second end comprising a first coupling portion; and   a rocker comprising a support surface for receiving a child, a rocker base attached to the support surface and defining at least one arcuate rocking surface, and second coupling portions for releasable engagement with the first coupling portions of the swing arms.   
     
     
         19 . The children's swing and rocker device of  claim 18 , wherein the rocker is operable in a swinging motion mode when attached to the swing frame, and wherein the rocker is operable independently of the swing frame in a rocking motion mode when detached from the swing frame. 
     
     
         20 . The children's swing and rocker device of  claim 18 , further comprising an electromagnetic drive system for imparting a swinging motion of the rocker relative to the swing frame. 
     
     
         21 . The children's swing and rocker device of  claim 20 , wherein a powered component of the electromagnetic drive system is mounted to the rocker, and a passive component of the electromagnetic drive system is mounted to the swing frame. 
     
     
         22 . The children's swing and rocker device of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one electronic feature, the at least one electronic feature being a part of the rocker and removable from the swing frame. 
     
     
         23 . The children's swing and rocker device of  claim 22 , further comprising a control unit for the at least one electronic feature, the control unit being selected from an onboard control unit being a part of the rocker, a remote control unit not part of the rocker or the swing frame, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The children's swing and rocker device of  claim 18 , wherein the rocker base is hingedly attached to the support surface of the rocker. 
     
     
         25 . The children's swing and rocker device of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second swing arms are inwardly directed, defining a wider spacing between the first ends of the swing arms at their points of connection with the frame hubs and a narrower spacing between the second ends of the swing arms at the first coupling portions. 
     
     
         26 . The children's swing and rocker device of  claim 18 , having a height of less than 30 inches and a weight of less than 25 pounds.