U.S. patent application number 10/306983 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-27 for umbrella crib cover.
Invention is credited to Li, Bian Hung, Wen, Sun Hua, Zhang, Mei.
Application Number | 20040099301 10/306983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32325803 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040099301 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zhang, Mei ; et al. |
May 27, 2004 |
Umbrella crib cover
Abstract
A cover for the protection of an infant comprises a central hub
member which is pivotally connected at one end to an extendable and
collapsible support frame made up of link arms and pivotally,
flexible connected frame ribs. The ribs reside in channels in an
exterior surface covering of mesh cloth or transparent or opaque
material. The hub member is connected, at its other end, to a
string-like line which extends through an opening on the top of the
cover. The line is attached to a handle. With the cover in a
collapsed position, the handle is pulled upwards, which causes the
attached line and the hub to move upward. This results in the link
arms pivoting the frame ribs outward and upward. Upon continued
pulling on the handle, the hub is pulled into and secured within
the opening, causing the frame and surface covering to become fully
extended. The cover forming the resulting enclosed space is
lightweight and can readily be secured to a crib or simply placed
on a bed, the ground, or other unprotected area. The surface
covering is provided with a zippered opening to allow for internal
access to the cover. By simply pushing down on the hub when the
cover is extended, the cover will be caused to collapse.
Inventors: |
Zhang, Mei; (Cherry Hill,
NJ) ; Wen, Sun Hua; (Fucheng, CN) ; Li, Bian
Hung; (Fucheng, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hollstein Keating Cattell Johnson & Goldstien P.C.
Willow Ridge Executive Office Park
Suite 301
750 Route 73 South
Marlton
NJ
08053
US
|
Family ID: |
32325803 |
Appl. No.: |
10/306983 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/135 ;
5/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 7/00 20130101; E04H
15/28 20130101; A47C 29/006 20130101; E04H 15/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/135 ;
005/097 |
International
Class: |
A47D 007/00; A47C
029/00; E04H 015/36 |
Claims
1. A cover for the protection of infants, said cover comprising;
(a) exterior surface means configured to form an enclosed space,
said surface means being collapsible; (b) extendible and
collapsible frame means for maintaining the surface means as an
enclosed space when the frame means is extended and for supporting
the surface means when it is collapsed; (c) hub means connected to
the frame means for moving the surface means from its collapsed
position to an enclosed space; (d) actuating means secured to the
hub means for pulling the hub means towards the surface means,
whereby when the actuating means is pulled, the hub means compels
extension of the frame means and the surface means, forming the
enclosed space.
2. The cover as in claim 1 wherein the actuating means extends
through and out of the cover when the surface means is
collapsed.
3. The cover as in claim 1 wherein the actuating means comprises a
line and attached handle.
4. The cover as in claim 2 wherein the actuating means comprises a
line and attached handle.
5. The cover as in claim 1 wherein the frame means is pivotally
connected to the hub means.
6. The cover as in claim 5 wherein as the hub means is pulled
towards the surface means, the frame means extends by pivoting
outward and upward.
7. The cover as in claim 1 wherein the hub means is connected at
one of its ends to the actuator means and at its other end to the
frame means.
8. The cover as in claim 1 wherein when the frame means is
collapsed, the hub is supported by the cover solely at one end by
the actuating means and at its other end by the frame means.
9. The cover as in claim 1 wherein when the frame means is
extended, the hub means is secured to the top of the cover.
10. The cover as in claim 1 further comprising an opening means for
insertion of the hub means when the frame means is extended.
11. The cover as in claim 10 wherein the opening means is
positioned at the top of the cover and, when the frame means is
extended, the hub means is secured within the opening means.
12. The cover as in claim 1 wherein the surface means comprises a
surface covering material.
13. The cover as in claim 12 further comprising means to access the
enclosed space through the surface covering material.
14. The cover as in claim 1 wherein the frame means comprises link
arms and frame ribs, the link arms being pivotally connected to the
frame ribs and to the hub means.
15. The cover as in claim 14 wherein the frame ribs are flexibly
resilient and are positioned in channels in the surface means.
16. A cover for the protection of infants, said cover comprising:
(a) hub means for controlling the opening and closing of the cover;
(b) extendible and collapsible frame means supporting an exterior
surface means, said surface means configured to form an enclosed
space when the frame means is extended and to collapse when the
frame means is collapsed; (c) actuating means for pulling the hub
means towards the surface means, the hub means being supported
within the cover solely by connection to the actuating means and
the frame means when the frame means is collapsed, the hub means
being further secured to the top of the cover when the frame means
is extended.
17. The cover as in claim 16 wherein the actuating means extends
through and out ofthe cover when the surface means is
collapsed.
18. The cover as in claim 16 wherein the actuating means comprises
a line and attached handle.
19. The cover as in claim 17 wherein the actuating means comprises
a line and attached handle.
20. The cover as in claim 16 wherein the frame means is pivotally
connected to the hub means.
21. The cover as in claim 20 wherein as the hub means is pulled
towards the surface means, the frame means extends by pivoting
outward and upward.
22. The cover as in claim 16 wherein the hub means is connected at
one of its ends to the actuator means and at its other end to the
frame means.
23. The cover as in claim 16 further comprising an opening means
for insertion ofthe hub means when the frame means is extended.
24. The cover as in claim 23 wherein the opening means is
positioned at the top of the cover and, when the frame means is
extended, the hub means is secured within the opening means.
25. The cover as in claim 16 wherein the surface means comprises a
surface covering material.
26. The cover as in claim 25 further comprising means to access the
enclosed space through the surface covering material.
27. The cover as in claim 16 wherein the frame means comprises link
arms and frame ribs, the link arms being pivotally connected to the
frame ribs and to the hub means.
28. The cover as in claim 27 wherein the frame ribs are flexibly
resilient and are positioned in channels in the surface means.
29. A cover for the protection of infants, said cover comprising:
(a) a hub connected at one end to an extendible and collapsible
frame and at its other end to actuating means for pulling the hub
to extend the frame; (b) an exterior covering surface secured to
the frame; (c) an opening means into which the hub is inserted when
the frame is fully extended, whereby upon insertion of the hub into
the opening means, the covering surface forms an enclosed
space.
30. The cover as in claim 29 wherein the actuating means extends
through and out of the cover when the surface means is
collapsed.
31. The cover as in claim 29 wherein the actuating means comprises
a line and attached handle.
32. The cover as in claim 30 wherein the actuating means comprises
a line and attached handle.
33. The cover as in claim 29 wherein the frame is pivotally
connected to the hub.
34. The cover as in claim 33 wherein as the hub is pulled, the
frame extends by pivoting outward and upward.
35. The cover as in claim 29 wherein when the frame is collapsed,
the hub is supported by the cover solely at one end by the
actuating means and at its other end by the frame.
36. The cover as in claim 29 wherein when the frame is extended,
the hub is secured to the top of the cover.
37. The cover as in claim 29 wherein the covering surface comprises
a covering material.
38. The cover as in claim 29 further comprising means to access the
enclosed space through the covering surface.
39. The cover as in claim 29 wherein the frame comprises link arms
and frame ribs, the link arms being pivotally connected to the
frame ribs and to the hub.
40. The cover as in claim 39 wherein the frame ribs are flexibly
resilient and are positioned in channels in the covering surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] A defenseless infant who is placed in a crib, playpen, or a
bed or even on a blanket on the floor or ground is susceptible to
hazards from the environment. For instance, an infant so positioned
may be bothered by a pet, such as a dog or cat. There is also the
risk of falling objects on the child. When in the outdoors, a baby
is vulnerable to insects and exposure from the sun.
[0002] To account for these hazards, various crib and playpen
covers or canopies have been developed. Examples of these are shown
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,820,468; 3,546,721; 4,945,584; and 6,123,091.
However, while these covers provide a measure of protection for
infants, they, like most prior covers, require extensive efforts
during set-up and take-down. For instance, the '468 and '584
patents require that a number of components laboriously be
assembled and then connected to a crib or playpen; and the '468
patent can only be used on an infant enclosure. The covering shown
in the '721 patent also must be tightly secured to a crib
structure, by the weaving of line around its perimeter. The '091
patent shows a canopy which is foldable and appears to have
components which make it heavy and difficult to install and
transport.
[0003] It is thus an object of the present invention to overcome
the disadvantages and limitations of existing infant protection
covers.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
infant cover which provides an enclosed space for the safety and
protection of infants from pets, insects, the outside elements, and
other hazards.
[0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
infant cover which can be automatically and quickly assembled and
disassembled.
[0006] It is further object of the present invention to provide an
infant cover which is a self-contained unit with inter-connected
components, for ease of assembly and disassembly.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
infant cover which is lightweight and readily transportable.
[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an infant cover which is collapsible for easy storage.
[0009] These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by
the present infant protection cover which opens and closes in
umbrella-like fashion. It comprises a central hub member which is
pivotally connected at one end to an extendable and collapsible
support frame made up of link arms and pivotally, flexible
connected frame ribs. The ribs reside in channels in an exterior
surface covering of mesh cloth or transparent or opaque material.
The hub member is connected, at its other end, to a string-like
line which extends through an opening on the top of the cover. The
line is attached to a handle. With the cover in a collapsed
position, the handle is pulled upwards, which causes the attached
line and the hub to move upward. This results in the link arms
pivoting the frame ribs outward and upward. Upon continued pulling
on the handle, the hub is pulled into and secured within the
opening, causing the frame and surface covering to become fully
extended. The cover forming the resulting enclosed space is
lightweight and can readily be secured to a crib or simply placed
on a bed, the ground, or other unprotected area. The surface
covering is provided with a zippered opening to allow for internal
access to the cover. By simply pushing down on the hub when the
cover is extended, the cover will be caused to collapse.
[0010] The novel features which are considered as characteristic of
the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims.
The crib cover itself, however, both as to its design,
construction, and use, together with additional features and
advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the
following detailed description with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows the cover of the present invention in its
extended position for placement over a crib.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows the support frame of the cover of the present
invention in its fully collapsed position.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows the support frame of the cover of the present
invention in its fully extended position, viewed from the bottom of
the cover.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows the support frame of the cover of the present
invention in its fully extended position, viewed from the side of
the cover and as it would be placed over a crib or other
unprotected area.
[0015] FIG. 5 shows the cover in collapsed position for insertion
into its storage bag.
[0016] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the components comprising
the support frame of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 shows the support frame of the cover of the present
invention prior to it assuming its fully extended position.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a detailed, close-up view of the hub member and
link arms, when the support frame of the present invention is in
its fully collapsed position.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a detailed, close-up view of the end of one of the
ribs of the support frame of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of the components comprising
the connection between a link arm and rib of the support frame of
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 11 shows the connection between a link arm and rib of
the support frame of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Protective cover 2 of the present invention comprises
central hub member 4. Hub 4 is pivotally connected at one end to
four link arms 7, which are in turn each pivotally connected to one
of four lightweight, flexibly resilient ribs 8. The lower ends of
ribs 8, as shown in FIG. 9, comprise rounded end caps 23. The four
link arms 7 and four ribs 8 form the support frame of the
invention. The upper ends of each of the ribs 8 are pivotally
connected to lower cover sleeve 10. Intermediate cover sleeve 12 is
configured to be positioned over lower sleeve 10. Upper cover
sleeve 14 is configured to be positioned over intermediate cover
sleeve 12. Each of the sleeves 10, 12, and 14, has an opening
therethrough, indicated at 11, 13, and 15 respectively, to accept
hub 4, when cover 2 is in its fully open, extended position.
[0023] Wire connector 16 extends around exterior channel 9 of
sleeve 10 and through holes 38 at the upper ends of each of ribs 8,
to secure the ribs to the sleeve. Wire connector 18 extends around
exterior channel 5 of hub 4 and through holes 39 at the lower ends
of each of link arm 7, to secure the link arms to the hub. As shown
in FIGS. 10 and 11, link arms 7 are secured to ribs 8 by rivets 29
or similar connectors, extending through holes 26 through tabs 25
on ribs 8 and corresponding holes 28 through tabs 27 at the upper
ends of link arms 7. In this manner, link arms 7 are fully
pivotable in relation to hub 4 and ribs 8, and ribs 8 are fully
pivotable in relation to sleeve 10 and link arms 7.
[0024] The end of hub 4 which is not connected to link arm 7 is
connected to line 20, which may be string, cord, twine, thin wire,
or other similar flexible elongated components. When cover 2 is
collapsed, as shown in FIG. 2, line 20 extends from hub 4 through
openings 11, 13, and 15 of sleeves 10, 12, and 14, and out to the
exterior of the cover, where it is connected to handle 22.
[0025] As seen in FIG. 1, cover 2 has exterior surface covering 24
with four channels 40 into which the four ribs 8 are positioned.
Surface covering 24 can be of mesh material construction or of
transparent or opaque material, depending on the use contemplated.
A transparent material, of course, would provide a more enclosed
space, but would still permit observation of the infant. An opaque
material would prevent exposure from the sun.
[0026] A zipper is provided on surface covering 24, at location 42,
which permits internal access to cover 2 through zippered opening
28. As shown in FIG. 5, storage bag 31 with zipper attachment 35
and handle 33, is provided for storage and carriage of cover 2 when
in its collapsed position.
[0027] In use, cover 2, in collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 5,
is removed from storage bag 31. Once cover 2 is removed, handle 22
of the cover is simply pulled upward, which causes line 20 and hub
4 to also move upward. This results in link arms 7 pivoting frame
ribs 8 outward and upward. Upon continuing pulling of handle 22,
frame ribs 8 become extended, as shown in FIG. 7, until hub 4 is
pulled completely into openings 11, 13, and 15 and is wedged in
place within sleeves 10, 12 and 14. This causes link arms 7 to
fully extend which bends resilient frame ribs 8 into the downwardly
extending, bowed configuration of fully extended cover 2, as shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0028] Thus, the cover forming the resulting enclosed space is
automatically opened to form a complete and lightweight enclosure.
Cover 2 can then readily be secured, for instance, to crib 50 by
means of retention straps 32 and end flap 34, which can be tied
onto the crib. Cover 2 is also lightweight enough to allow it to be
picked up and placed on a playpen, bed, the ground or other
unprotected area.
[0029] By simply pushing down on hub 4 when cover 2 is extended,
the hub will retreat through openings 11, 13, and 15 and
automatically collapse the entire cover. It can then be returned to
bag 31 where it can easily, once again, be stored.
[0030] Certain novel features and components of this invention are
disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at
least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood
that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the
exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that
various modifications and changes may be made without departing
from the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *