U.S. patent application number 11/324778 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-05 for playard having a bassinet assembly to accommodate two children.
This patent application is currently assigned to Graco Children's Products Inc.. Invention is credited to Cindy L. Berkey, Jason A. Carpenter, Charles E. Crane, Art Gehr, Jonathan M. Pacella.
Application Number | 20060218725 11/324778 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37068591 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060218725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carpenter; Jason A. ; et
al. |
October 5, 2006 |
Playard having a bassinet assembly to accommodate two children
Abstract
A bassinet assembly for use with a playard includes a sleep
compartment structure including first and second separate sleep
compartments that are sized to accommodate first and second
children, respectively; and at least one bassinet mount to attach
the bassinet assembly to the playard.
Inventors: |
Carpenter; Jason A.;
(Denver, PA) ; Pacella; Jonathan M.; (Coatesville,
PA) ; Berkey; Cindy L.; (Honey Brook, PA) ;
Crane; Charles E.; (Coatesville, PA) ; Gehr; Art;
(East Earl, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP;SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
Graco Children's Products
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37068591 |
Appl. No.: |
11/324778 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60668072 |
Apr 5, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/93.1 ;
5/95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/093.1 ;
005/095 |
International
Class: |
A47D 7/00 20060101
A47D007/00 |
Claims
1. A bassinet assembly for use with a playard comprising: a sleep
compartment structure including first and second separate sleep
compartments that are sized to accommodate first and second
children, respectively; and at least one bassinet mount to attach
the sleep compartment structure to the playard.
2. The bassinet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sleep
compartment structure includes a divider to partition the sleep
compartment structure into the first and second sleep
compartments.
3. The bassinet assembly according to claim 2, wherein the sleep
compartment structure includes a floor panel and a side panel
connected to the floor panel, and wherein the divider connects to
at least one of the floor panel and the side panel to partition the
sleep compartment structure into the first and second sleep
compartments.
4. The bassinet assembly according to claim 3, wherein the divider
connects to the side panel, and the bassinet assembly further
comprises a pad configured to be placed under the divider and on
top of the floor panel of the sleep compartment structure.
5. The bassinet assembly according to claim 2, wherein the divider
includes a window.
6. The bassinet assembly according to claim 2, wherein the divider
includes at least one ventilation opening.
7. The bassinet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first
and second sleep compartments are substantially equal in size.
8. The bassinet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sleep
compartment structure includes a bassinet wall mounted to at least
one of the floor panel and the side panel in one of the first and
second sleep compartments.
9. The bassinet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sleep
compartment structure includes a canopy mounted to at least one of
the first and second sleep compartments.
10. A juvenile product comprising: a playard including at least one
receiving mount; and a bassinet assembly, the bassinet assembly
including: a sleep compartment structure including first and second
separate sleep compartments sized to accommodate first and second
children, respectively; and at least one bassinet mount to attach
the sleep compartment structure to the least one receiving mount of
the playard.
11. The juvenile product according to claim 10, wherein the sleep
compartment structure includes a divider to partition the sleep
compartment structure into the first and second sleep
compartments.
12. The juvenile product according to claim 11, wherein the sleep
compartment structure includes a pad configured to be placed under
the divider and on top of a floor panel of the sleep compartment
structure.
13. The juvenile product according to claim 10, wherein the first
and second sleep compartments are substantially equal in size.
14. A bassinet assembly for use with a playard comprising: a sleep
compartment structure including a floor panel, a side panel
connected to the floor panel, and a divider that is connected to at
least one of the floor panel and the side panel to partition the
sleep compartment structure into first and second separate sleep
compartments sized to accommodate first and second children,
respectively; and at least one bassinet mount to attach the sleep
compartment structure to a playard.
15. The bassinet assembly according to claim 14, wherein the
divider is positioned perpendicular to a long side of the bassinet
assembly.
16. The bassinet assembly according to claim 14, wherein the
divider includes a window.
17. The bassinet assembly according to claim 14, wherein the
divider is connected to the side panel, and wherein the bassinet
assembly further comprises a pad configured to be placed under the
divider and on top of the floor panel.
18. The bassinet assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first
and second sleep compartments are substantially equal in size.
19. The bassinet assembly according to claim 14, wherein the sleep
compartment structure includes a bassinet wall mounted to at least
one of the floor panel and the side panel in one of the first and
second sleep compartments.
20. The bassinet assembly according to claim 14, wherein the sleep
compartment structure includes a canopy mounted to at least one of
the first and second sleep compartments.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/668,072, filed Apr. 5, 2005, which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a bassinet assembly for a playard.
More specifically, this invention relates to a bassinet assembly
that can be attached to a playard and that provides two
side-by-side isolated sleep compartments for children.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Playards provide a child containment area in which a child
can be placed by a caregiver. Playards often include accessories
that can be releasably attached to the playard's top rails and/or
corner mounts. Such accessories can include a bassinet, a canopy, a
toy bar, and a changing table.
[0004] Traditionally, a bassinet with only a single sleeping
compartment has been configured to attach to a playard. Parents of
twins thus must purchase two playards, each with its own bassinet
to provide two sleeping areas for the two children.
[0005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a bassinet assembly
that can be attached to a playard and that can accommodate two
children in isolated sleep compartments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a bassinet assembly
for use with a playard that includes a sleep compartment structure
including first and second separate sleep compartments that are
sized to accommodate first and second children, respectively; and
at least one bassinet mount to attach the sleep compartment
structure to the playard.
[0007] Another aspect of the invention relates to a juvenile
product that includes a playard including at least one receiving
mount and a bassinet assembly. The bassinet assembly includes a
sleep compartment structure including first and second separate
sleep compartments sized to accommodate first and second children,
respectively; and at least one bassinet mount to attach the sleep
compartment structure with the least one receiving mount of the
playard.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention relates to a bassinet
assembly for use with a playard that includes a sleep compartment
structure including a floor panel, a side panel connected to the
floor panel, and a divider that is connected to at least one of the
floor panel and the side panel to partition the sleep compartment
structure into first and second separate sleep compartments sized
to accommodate first and second children, respectively; and at
least one bassinet mount to attach the sleep compartment structure
to a playard.
[0009] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several
embodiments of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a juvenile product including
a bassinet assembly mounted to a playard in accordance with the
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a close-up perspective view of a divider of an
alternative bassinet assembly, in which the divider includes a mesh
window.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
juvenile product including a bassinet assembly mounted to a playard
in accordance with the invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top view of the juvenile product of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the juvenile product of FIG.
3.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a close-up perspective view of the juvenile
product of FIG. 3 illustrating a mount for attaching the bassinet
assembly to the playard and a canopy attachment mechanism.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a close-up perspective view of the juvenile
product of FIG. 3 illustrating support bars inserted into pockets
in a floor panel.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the juvenile product of FIG.
3 illustrating a playard pad being inserted over the floor
panel.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the juvenile product of FIG.
3 illustrating the playard pad being further inserted over the
floor panel.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the juvenile product of
FIG. 3 illustrating a divider board being inserted into a divider
pocket of the bassinet assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. An effort has been made to use the same
reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or
like parts.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a juvenile product that
includes a playard 100 and a bassinet assembly 200. The juvenile
product provides an advantage over conventional playard/bassinet
assembly juvenile products. When the bassinet assembly 200 is
mounted to the playard 100, two separate sleep compartments are
provided for two children, such as twins. Accordingly, two children
can sleep near each other and can hear each other, but also can be
content in their individual compartments so that the children do
not roll over onto each other or wake each other up by movement of
their arms and/or feet. FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative bassinet
assembly feature. FIGS. 3-10 illustrate an alternate juvenile
product that provides this advantage. Embodiments of a juvenile
product in accordance with the invention now will be described.
[0023] The playard 100 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 generally can
include a collapsible frame and a softgoods/fabric enclosure
mounted to and supported by the collapsible frame. The playard 100
provides a safe, confined environment for a child. The playard 100
can be used as a play space and is sized to accommodate a child and
toys. The playard 100 also can be used as a sleep space; a child
can sleep either on the floor of the playard 100 or in a bassinet
assembly 200 suspended from top rails of the playard frame.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the frame of the playard 100 can
include, for example, top rails 112, 114, 116, 118; vertical corner
posts 110; corner brackets 111; and a bottom frame including a
center hub (not shown), supports 124, and a cross-bracing beam(s)
(not shown). The top rails 112, 114, 116, 118 and the corner posts
110 are covered by the softgoods enclosure and, therefore, are
labeled with hidden lines. The softgoods enclosure of the playard
100 can include a floor area 109 and four upright walls 102, 104,
106, 108 that surround the floor area 109 and that form sides of
the playard 100. Although playard 100 has four sides, the number of
sides of the playard is not limiting and other embodiments may have
one (e.g., circular), two, three, or five or more sides. The
bassinet assembly 200 (described below in detail) can be modified
to be mounted to playards other than four-sided playards.
[0025] In the four-sided embodiment of FIG. 1, two of the top rails
are side rails 112, 116 and extend along a long side of the playard
100 on opposite sides, and two of the top rails are end rails 114,
118 and extend along opposite ends of the playard.
[0026] The four-sided embodiment of FIG. 1 also includes four
corner posts 110. A corner bracket 111 is mounted to the top end of
each corner post 110. Each of the corner brackets 111 receives an
end of a side rail 112, 116 and an end of the adjacent end rail
114, 118. The corner brackets 111 may pivotally receive the ends of
the rails 112, 114, 116, 118 such that the playard 100 may be
collapsed into a storage configuration. In addition, each of the
side rails 112, 116 and end rails 114, 118 may include a fold latch
that allows the respective rail to fold to collapse the playard 100
into a storage configuration.
[0027] The playard 100 may be provided with one or more wheels 120
at the bottom end of one or more corner posts 110. For example,
wheels 120 can be mounted to the bottom ends of corner posts 110 on
either side of end wall 104. The wheels 120 may be used to
facilitate movement of the playard 100.
[0028] As previously mentioned, the playard frame also may be
provided with one or more supports 124 and/or cross-bracing beams.
The supports 124 and the beams may be used to maintain the floor
area 109 in a position above a surface on which the playard 100
rests.
[0029] FIG. 1 also illustrates a bassinet assembly 200 that is
configured to be releasably mounted to the playard 100. The
bassinet assembly 200 includes a sleep compartment structure 210
and a bassinet mount to attach the sleep compartment structure 210
to the playard 100. The sleep compartment structure 210 defines
first and second separate sleep compartments 212, 214 that are
sized to accommodate first and second children, respectively.
[0030] The sleep compartment structure 210 includes a floor panel
242 (shown covered by a playard pad in FIG. 1), a side panel 244,
and a divider 230. The side panel 244 is connected to and extends
upright from the floor panel 242. The side panel 244 can be
continuous or can be formed of distinct side panel portions. For
example, the side panel 244, as shown in FIG. 1, includes four side
panel portions 245, 246, 247 and 248, in which panel portions 245
and 246 are end panel portions and panel portions 247 and 248 are
length panel portions.
[0031] The divider 230 partitions the sleep compartment structure
210 into the first and second sleep compartments 212, 214. The
divider 230 can be connected to the side panel 244 and be spaced
apart from the floor panel 242; alternatively, the divider 230 can
be connected to both the side panel 244 and the floor panel 242;
or, alternatively, the divider 230 can be connected to the floor
panel 242 and spaced apart from the side panel 244. The divider 230
of FIG. 1 can be permanently attached to the side panel 244 and/or
the floor panel 242, for example, by sewing the divider 230 to one
or more of the panels 242, 244. Alternatively, the divider 230 can
be removably attached to the side panel 244 and/or the floor panel
242. The divider 230 is positioned perpendicular to a long side of
the bassinet assembly 200, such that the divider 230 is
perpendicular to length panel portions 247, 248. The divider 230
may be fabric, fabric with a pocket and a board, or any other
suitable type of divider 230. The divider 230, as shown in FIG. 1,
is made of fabric, such as nylon.
[0032] The first and second sleep compartments 212, 214 are
partitioned by the divider 230 to be side-by-side. The first and
second sleep compartments 212, 214 may be adjacent each other, for
example, where the divider 230 forms a common wall between the
compartments 212, 214, or the first and second sleep compartments
212, 214 can be separated by a gap, for example, where the divider
230 includes a pair of spaced parallel walls, one for each
compartment 212, 214. The divider 230 can isolate the first and
second sleep compartments 212, 214 so that children sleeping in the
compartments 212, 214 will not disturb each other.
[0033] The divider 230 also can be arranged in the bassinet
assembly 200, such as shown in FIG. 1, to partition the sleep
compartment structure 210 into first and second sleep compartments
212, 214 of substantially equal size. Alternatively, the first and
second sleep compartments 212, 214 may have different sizes.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows an alternative divider 230'. Divider 230'
includes a mesh window 234 to allow a child in one of the sleep
compartments 212, 214 to view a child in the other of the sleep
compartments 212, 214. Alternatively, the divider 230' can include
a clear plastic window, an opening(s), or any other type of
suitable viewing window. The window 234 can extend along the entire
length of the divider 230', or it can extend along only a portion
of the divider 230'. The window 234 increases visual stimulation
between the children in the two sleep compartments 212, 214.
[0035] The bassinet mount is configured to removably attach the
sleep compartment structure 210 to the playard 100. The bassinet
mount includes first and second end rods 222, 224 and a plurality
of clamps 226. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first and
second end rods 222, 224 are attached to end panel portions 245,
246, respectively and mount to the corner brackets 111 on the
playard 100. The rods 222, 224 can be slid into pockets formed in
the respective end panel portions 245, 246.
[0036] The plurality of clamps 226 are attached to the length panel
portions 247, 248 of the sleep compartment structure 210 and clamp
over the top rails 112, 116 of the playard 100. The clamps 226 are
C-clamps, and the bassinet assembly 200 of FIG. 1 includes four
clamps 226. Of course, any suitable number of clamps 226 may be
used.
[0037] FIGS. 3-10 illustrate another embodiment of a bassinet
assembly 300 that is configured to be releasably mounted to a
playard 400. Playard 400 includes generally the same structures as
playard 100. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the frame of the playard
400 can include, for example, top rails 412, 414, 416, 418;
vertical corner posts 410; corner brackets 411; and a bottom frame
including a center hub (not shown), supports 424, and a
cross-bracing beam(s) (not shown). The top rails 412, 414, 416, 418
and the corner posts 410 can be bowed to increase the interior
play/sleep area of the playard 400. The top rails 412, 414, 416,
418 and the corner posts 410 are covered by the softgoods enclosure
and, therefore, are labeled with hidden lines. The softgoods
enclosure of the playard 400 can include a floor area 409 and four
upright walls 402, 404, 406, 408 that surround the floor area 409
and that form sides of the playard 400. Although playard 400 has
four sides, the number of sides of the playard is not limiting and
other embodiments may have one (e.g., circular), two, three, or
five or more sides. The bassinet assembly 300 (described below in
detail) can be modified to be mounted to playards other than
four-sided playards.
[0038] In the four-sided embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 5, two of the
top rails are side rails 412, 416 and extend along a long side of
the playard 400 on opposite sides, and two of the top rails are end
rails 414, 418 and extend along opposite ends of the playard.
[0039] The four-sided embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 5 also includes
four corner posts 410. A corner bracket 411 is mounted to the top
end of each corner post 410. Each of the corner brackets 411
receives an end of a side rail 412, 416 and an end of the adjacent
end rail 414, 418. The corner brackets 411 may pivotally receive
the ends of the rails 412, 414, 416, 418 such that the playard 400
may be collapsed into a storage configuration. In addition, each of
the side rails 412, 416 and end rails 414, 418 may include a fold
latch that allows the respective rail to fold to collapse the
playard 400 into a storage configuration.
[0040] The playard 400 may be provided with one or more wheels 420
at the bottom end of one or more corner posts 410. For example,
wheels 420 can be mounted to the bottom ends of corner posts 410 on
either side of end wall 408. The wheels 420 may be used to
facilitate movement of the playard 400.
[0041] As previously mentioned, the playard frame also may be
provided with one or more supports 424 and/or cross-bracing beams.
The supports 424 and the beams may be used to maintain the floor
area 409 in a position above a surface on which the playard 400
rests.
[0042] The bassinet assembly 300 includes a sleep compartment
structure 310 and a bassinet mount to attach the sleep compartment
structure 310 to the playard 400. The sleep compartment structure
310 defines first and second separate sleep compartments 312, 314
that are sized to accommodate first and second children,
respectively.
[0043] The sleep compartment structure 310 also includes a floor
panel 342 (see FIG. 5), a side panel 344 and a divider 330. The
side panel 344 is connected to and extends upright from the floor
panel 342. The side panel 344 can be continuous or can be formed of
distinct side panel portions. For example, the side panel 344, as
shown in FIG. 3, includes for side panel portions 345, 346, 347 and
348, in which panel portions 345 and 346 are end panel portions and
panel portions 347 and 348 are length panel portions. The length
panel portions 347, 348 may be divided or separated by the divider
330. The end panel portions 345, 346 and length panel portions 347,
348 may be shorter than the corresponding side of the playard 400,
or may run the entire length of the corresponding side of the
playard 400.
[0044] The divider 330 partitions the sleep compartment structure
310 into the first and second sleep compartments 312, 314. The
divider 330 can be connected to the side panel 344 and be spaced
apart from the floor panel 342, as shown in FIGS. 8-10;
alternatively, the divider 330 can be connected to both the side
panel 344 and the floor panel 342; or, alternatively, the divider
330 can be connected to the floor panel 342 and spaced apart from
the side panel 344. The divider 330 of FIGS. 3-10 is permanently
attached to the side panel 344 by sewn seams. Alternatively, the
divider 330 can be permanently attached to the floor panel 342, or
the divider 330 can be removably attached to the side panel 344
and/or the floor panel 342. The divider 330 is positioned
perpendicular to a long side of the bassinet assembly 300, such
that the divider 330 is perpendicular to length panel portions 347,
348. The divider 330 may be fabric, fabric with a pocket and a
board, or any other suitable type of divider 330. The divider 330,
as shown in FIG. 1, is made of fabric, such as nylon.
[0045] The first and second sleep compartments 312, 314 are
partitioned by the divider 330 to be side-by-side. The first and
second sleep compartments 312, 314 may be adjacent each other, or
the first and second sleep compartments 312, 314 can be separated
by a gap. The divider 330 can isolate the first and second sleep
compartments 312, 314 so that children sleeping in the compartments
312, 314 will not disturb each other.
[0046] The divider 330 also can be arranged in the bassinet
assembly 300, such as shown in FIG. 3, to partition the sleep
compartment structure 310 into first and second sleep compartments
312, 314 of substantially equal size. Alternatively, the first and
second sleep compartments 312, 314 may have different sizes.
[0047] The divider 330, as shown in FIG. 10, can include a pocket
332 to receive a divider board 334. The divider board 334 is a
stiff board, which may stabilize the position and shape of the
divider 330. The divider board 334 may be inserted into the pocket
332 after the sleep compartment structure 310 is mounted to the
playard 400, or may be inserted before the sleep compartment
structure 310 is mounted to the playard 400. The divider board 334
slides through the pocket 332. A pocket enclosure (not shown), such
as a hook-and-loop area, can seal or close off the pocket 332.
[0048] The divider board 334 can include a plurality of ventilation
holes, as shown in FIG. 10. The ventilation holes enable air to
ventilate through the divider board 334 and into the first and
second sleep compartments 312, 314. The ventilation holes shown in
FIG. 10 are exemplary only and any suitable number and/or type of
ventilation holes may be used in the divider board 334.
[0049] The sleep compartment structure 310 also includes at least
one bassinet wall 360, as shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4, mounted to
at least one of the floor panel 342 and the side panel 344 in one
of the first and second sleep compartments 312, 314. The bassinet
wall 360 can be generally oval in shape to replicate the look of an
oval-shaped stand-alone bassinet. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
3, a bassinet wall 360 is mounted in each of the sleep compartments
312, 314. An exterior side 362 of the bassinet wall 360 in the
first sleep compartment 312 is mounted to the divider 330, end
panel portion 345, and a portion of each of the length panel
portions 347, 348, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. An interior side
361 of the bassinet wall 360 faces inside the first sleep
compartment 312 and can be padded with soft goods. The bassinet
wall 360 can be sewn to the side panel 344 and the floor panel 342,
or it can be attached by snaps, zippers, hook-and-loop areas,
buttons, or any other suitable attaching mechanism. The bassinet
wall 360 may be permanently fixed in the one sleep compartment 312,
314 or removably attached to the one sleep compartment 312,
314.
[0050] The bassinet mount is configured to removably attach the
sleep compartment structure 310 to the playard 400. The bassinet
mount includes first and second end rods 322, 324 and a plurality
of clamps 326. The first and second end rods 322, 324, which can be
bowed to follow the curve of the respective end walls 404, 408, are
attached to end panel portions 345, 346, respectively and mount
into the corner brackets 411 on the playard 400. The end panel
portions 345, 346 each include a pocket 323 for receiving one of
the end rods 322, 324, as can be seen in FIG. 6. The corner
brackets 411 each include a receiving mount or slot 411a to receive
an end of one of the first and second end rods 322, 324. Each end
rod 322, 324 fits into the receiving mounts 411a to suspend the
sleep compartment structure 310 adjacent the end rails 414,
418.
[0051] The plurality of clamps 326 are attached to the length panel
portions 347, 348 of the sleep compartment structure 310 and mount
to the top rails 412, 416 of the playard 400. Each clamp 326
includes a curved end 326a and a distal end 326b, as shown in FIG.
10. The distal end 326b is attached to one of the length panel
portions 347, 348 by sewn seams, or any other suitable mechanism.
The curved end 326a clamps over a portion of one of the top rails
412, 416. The clamps 326 are C-clamps and the bassinet assembly 300
of this embodiment includes four clamps 326. Of course, any
suitable number of clamps 326 may be used. For example, three, four
or five clamps 326 may be used for each top rail 412, 416. For
another example, a single clamp 326 may be used for each top rail
412, 416 and can extend for the length of the corresponding top
rail 412, 416.
[0052] The sleep compartment structure 310, as shown in FIG. 3,
includes at least one canopy 370 mounted to the bassinet wall 360.
In the embodiment shown, each sleep compartment 312, 314 includes a
canopy 370 mounted to the corresponding bassinet wall 360 in each
sleep compartment 312, 314. The canopy 370 is movable between a
first, or retracted position, such as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and a
second, or open position, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.
[0053] The canopy 370 includes a canopy mount 380, as shown in FIG.
6, to maintain the canopy 370 in the open position. FIG. 6
illustrates an enlarged area of a right-hand front section of FIG.
3. The canopy mount 380 includes at least one set of first and
second mating strips 382, 383, which are hook-and-loop type
structures (i.e. Velcro.RTM.). In the embodiment shown, each canopy
370 includes two sets of first and second mating strips 382, 383. A
first set of mating strips 382, 383 is located at a first side of
the canopy 370 and the second set of mating strips 382, 383 is
located on an opposing side of the canopy 370. The first mating
strip 382 is attached to a top rim 373 of the canopy 370 and the
second mating strip 383 can be attached to the interior side 361 of
the bassinet wall 360. Alternatively, the second mating strip 383
may be attached to the exterior side 362 of the bassinet wall 360
(as shown in FIG. 7), to one of the end panel portions 345, 346, or
to a portion of the divider 330. FIG. 8 illustrates the canopy 370
in the first sleep compartment 312 in the open position and the
canopy 370 in the second sleep compartment 314 in the closed
position.
[0054] FIGS. 5 and 7 illustrate two floor support rods 370. The
floor support rods 370 are positioned on the floor panel 342 of the
sleep compartment structure 310, with each end of each floor
support rod 370 extending into floor pockets 372. The floor pockets
372 may be sewn into the floor panel 342 or formed in any other
suitable manner. A floor pocket 372 is included in the floor panel
342 for each end of each floor support rod 370. Of course, any
suitable number of floor support rods 370 may be used.
[0055] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a playard pad 390 being positioned
into the sleep compartment structure 310. The playard pad 390
serves multiple functions in the juvenile product. The playard pad
390 can be formed into a rectangular shape (see FIG. 5) to store
the playard 400 and the bassinet assembly 300 when both are
collapsed for storage; the playard pad 390 can be positioned on the
floor area 409 of the playard 400 to form a play surface when the
bassinet assembly 300 is not mounted to the playard 400; and the
playard pad 390 can be positioned on the floor panel 342 of the
bassinet assembly 300 to provide a comfortable sleep surface when
the bassinet assembly 300 is mounted to the playard 400. In this
latter function, the playard pad 390 can be inserted beneath the
divider 330 and over the floor panel 342 and the floor support rods
370 to create a comfortable surface upon which children in the
first and second sleep compartments 312, 314 can lie. The playard
pad 390 may be inserted before or after the sleep compartment
structure 310 is mounted to the playard 400. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the
playard pad 390 being inserted after the sleep compartment
structure 310 is mounted to the playard 400.
[0056] Assembly of the bassinet assembly 300 to the playard 400 in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention now will be
described. FIG. 5 shows the bassinet assembly 300 disassembled from
the playard 400. The bassinet assembly 300 includes sleep
compartment structure 310, end rods 322, 324, floor support rods
370, and divider board 334. Initially, end rods 322, 324 can be
slid into pockets 323 of end panel portions 345, 346. FIGS. 4 and 6
show the end rods 322, 324 in the corresponding pockets 323. The
clamps 326 on three sides of the sleep compartment structure 310
then can be mounted to the respective top rails 414, 416, 418 of
the playard frame. Once the sleep compartment structure 310 is
partially mounted to the playard 400, the divider board 334 can be
inserted into the pocket 332 of the divider 330, as shown in FIG.
10. The remaining clamps 326 then can be mounted to the top rail
412. Floor support rods 370 can be positioned on the floor panel
342 of the sleep compartment structure 310, with each end of each
floor support rod 370 extending into floor pockets 372, as shown in
FIG. 7. Finally, playard pad 390 can be inserted beneath the
divider 330 and over the floor panel 342 and the floor support rods
370 to create a comfortable surface upon which children in the
first and second sleep compartments 312, 314 can lie. It will be
understood that the above-described assembly method is but one
assembly method, and the order of assembly steps is not restricted
to the above-described assembly method.
[0057] The sleep compartments of the above-described embodiments
each have a smaller sleeping area than available in a conventional
full-sized bassinet assembly mountable to a playard. Accordingly,
to compensate for the reduced sleeping area, playards 100, 400 may
be sized larger than a conventional playard so that the sleep
compartments each can have a sleeping area of similar size to the
sleeping area of a stand-alone bassinet. For example, the playards
100, 400 may have a width (measuring from top rail 112, 412 to top
rail 116, 416 across the widest span of the playards 100, 400) of
31 inches or greater, such as a width in the range of 31 to 36
inches. Alternatively, the width of the playards 100, 400 may be 33
inches or greater. The length of the playards 100, 400 (measuring
from top rail 114, 414 to top rail 118, 418 across the widest span
of playards 100, 400) may be 42 inches or greater, such as a length
in the range of 42 to 46 inches. Alternatively, the length of the
playards 100, 400 may be 46 inches or greater.
[0058] It will be recognized that the bassinet assembly of any of
the above embodiments may include mesh or ventilation areas in the
bassinet wall, canopy, and/or any other suitable location.
[0059] Further, any type of mount, such as, for example, snaps,
buttons, sewn stitches, or zippers may be used for the bassinet
mount in the above embodiments.
[0060] In the above-described embodiments, the bassinet mount
removably attaches the sleep compartment structure 210, 310 to the
playard 100, 400. It will be recognized that, in an alternative
embodiment, the bassinet mount can permanently attach the sleep
compartment structure to the playard; that is, in such an
alternative embodiment, the sleep compartment structure would not
be designed to be removable from the playard by a child
caregiver.
[0061] It will be recognized that the sleep compartment structure
may be formed by two separate structures that are positioned
adjacent each other.
[0062] The preferred embodiments have been set forth herein for the
purpose of illustration. This description, however, should not be
deemed to be a limitation on the scope of the invention. Various
modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may occur to one
skilled in the art without departing from the claimed inventive
concept. The true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated
by the following claims.
* * * * *