U.S. patent application number 11/101821 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-12 for rockable sleeping compartments attachable to play yards and methods of operating the same.
Invention is credited to Ted Bretschger, Damon Oliver Casati Troutman.
Application Number | 20060225204 11/101821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37081716 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060225204 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bretschger; Ted ; et
al. |
October 12, 2006 |
Rockable sleeping compartments attachable to play yards and methods
of operating the same
Abstract
Rockable sleeping compartments attachable to play yards and
methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example
includes a play yard and an infant sleeping compartment mounted to
the play yard for rocking movement.
Inventors: |
Bretschger; Ted; (Hinsdale,
IL) ; Casati Troutman; Damon Oliver; (Lake Forest,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HANLEY, FLIGHT & ZIMMERMAN, LLC
20 N. WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 4220
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
37081716 |
Appl. No.: |
11/101821 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/93.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 7/04 20130101; A47D
9/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/093.1 |
International
Class: |
A47D 7/00 20060101
A47D007/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a play yard; and an infant sleeping
compartment mounted to the play yard for rocking movement.
2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the infant sleeping
compartment is mounted to a top rail of the play yard.
3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the infant sleeping
compartment has a rounded shape.
4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the rounded shape is
an oval.
5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the infant sleeping
compartment comprises a bassinet or a cradle.
6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the infant sleeping
compartment further comprises: a frame; first and second clips
coupled to opposite top rails of the play yard; and first and
second hubs rotatably coupling the frame to the first and second
clips, respectively.
7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 further comprising a motor to
rotate the first and second hubs with respect to the first and
second clips.
8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 further comprising: a spindle
projecting from the first hub; and an opening defined in the first
clip to receive the spindle.
9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the spindle further
comprises: a shaft having a first end and a second end, the first
end being coupled to the first hub; and a lug located on the second
end, wherein the shaft is sized to pass through the opening, and at
least a portion of the lug is sized to not pass through the
opening.
10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the opening
comprises a first opening in communication with a second opening
sized to permit removal of the lug from the clip.
11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the second opening
is located above the first opening.
12. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 further comprising a bracket
on the first clip.
13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the bracket further
comprises a body defining a channel to receive a mounting clip
associated with the first hub.
14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein the mounting clip
includes a spring button to removably secure the mounting clip to
the bracket.
15. An apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein the bracket defines
a cup to receive a projection associated with the mounting
clip.
16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the cup defines a
slot to receive a flange on the projection to prevent rotation of
the projection in the cup.
17. An apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein the mounting clip
is rotatably coupled to the first hub.
18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 further comprising a shaft
penetrating the mounting clip and the first hub to define an axis
of rotation.
19. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein the mounting clip
includes a projection which engages the first hub.
20. An apparatus as defined in claim 19 further comprising a
partition to limit rocking of the first hub relative to the
mounting clip.
21. An apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein the partition is
located within the projection.
22. An apparatus as defined in claim 19 further comprising a lug
associated with the first hub, the lug penetrating the
projection.
23. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 further comprising a motor
wherein the motor rotates the mounting clip with respect to the
first hub.
24. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the first clip has a
surface to secure a second sleeping compartment beneath the rocking
infant sleeping compartment.
25. An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein the second sleeping
compartment is fastened to the surface by a mechanical or chemical
fastener.
26. An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein the second sleeping
compartment is sewn to the surface.
27. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the first clip
further includes a first bracket to receive a support rail.
28. An apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein the second clip
further includes a second bracket to receive the support rail.
29. An apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein the support rail is
not straight.
30. An apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein the support rail
supports an accessory adjacent the infant sleeping compartment.
31. An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein the accessory
comprises at least one of a storage compartment, a changing table,
or a non-rocking infant sleeping compartment.
32. An apparatus as defined in claim 30 further comprising a
changing table mounted to the play yard adjacent the accessory.
33. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein the changing table
is non-rectangular.
34. An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein the changing table
further comprises: third and fourth clips coupled to opposite top
rails of the play yard; a second support rail coupled to the third
and fourth clips; and a changing surface.
35. An apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein the second support
rail supports the accessory.
36. An apparatus as defined in claim 34 further comprising a first
mounting clip coupling the second support rail to the third clip
and a second mounting clip coupling the second support rail to the
fourth clip.
37. An apparatus as defined in claim 34 further comprising a first
bracket on the third clip to receive the first mounting clip and a
second bracket on the fourth clip to receive the second mounting
clip.
38. An apparatus as defined in claim 34 further comprising a fifth
clip to couple a side of the changing table to the play yard.
39. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a
changing table mounted to the play yard adjacent the infant
sleeping compartment.
40. An apparatus as defined in claim 39 wherein the changing table
is non-rectangular.
41. An apparatus as defined in claim 39 wherein the changing table
further comprises: first and second clips coupled to opposite top
rails of the play yard; a support rail coupled to the first and
second clips; and a changing surface.
42. An apparatus as defined in claim 41 further comprising a first
mounting clip coupling the support rail to the first clip and a
second mounting clip coupling the support rail to the second
clip.
43. An apparatus as defined in claim 42 further comprising a first
bracket on the first clip to receive the first mounting clip and a
second bracket on the second clip to receive the second mounting
clip.
44. An apparatus as defined in claim 43 wherein the first mounting
clip includes a spring button to releasably secure the first
mounting clip to the first bracket.
45. An apparatus as defined in claim 41 further comprising a third
clip to couple a side of the changing table to the play yard.
46. An apparatus as defined in claim 39 further comprising at least
one storage compartment located between the infant sleeping
compartment and the changing table.
47. An apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein the at least one
storage compartment is located to fill at least one entrapment
space between the infant sleeping compartment and the changing
table.
48. An apparatus comprising: a play yard having top rails; a first
sleeping area mounted to the top rails with a plurality of clips;
and an infant sleeping compartment removably mounted to at least
two of the clips.
49. An apparatus as defined in claim 48 wherein the infant sleeping
compartment is mounted to the at least two clips for rocking
movement.
50. An apparatus as defined in claim 48 wherein a motor is coupled
to the clips to produce rocking movement.
51. An apparatus as defined in claim 48 wherein the first sleeping
area comprises a full bassinet.
52. An apparatus as defined in claim 51 wherein the infant sleeping
compartment is mounted above the full bassinet.
53. An apparatus for use with a play yard having top rails
comprising: an infant sleeping compartment structured to be
rotatably mounted to the play yard.
54. An apparatus as defined in claim 53 further comprising a motor
to rotate the sleeping compartment.
55. An apparatus as defined in claim 53 further comprising: a
changing table structured to be mounted to the play yard adjacent
to the sleeping compartment.
56. An apparatus as defined in claim 55 further comprising at least
one storage compartment located between the infant sleeping
compartment and the changing table.
57. An apparatus as defined in claim 53 further comprising a full
bassinet structured to be mounted to the play yard with the infant
sleeping compartment mounted above the full bassinet.
58. A method of assembling a play yard comprising: erecting the
play yard from a collapsed position to an erected position;
mounting at least two clips to the play yard; and rotatably
coupling an infant sleeping compartment to the at least two
clips.
59. A method as defined in claim 58 wherein mounting the at least
two clips to the play yard comprises mounting a full sleeping
compartment in the play yard, and rotatably coupling the infant
sleeping compartment to the at least two clips comprises mounting
the infant sleeping compartment above the full sleeping
compartment.
60. A method as defined in claim 59 further comprising mounting a
changing table to the play yard.
61. A method as defined in claim 60 wherein the changing table is
mounted adjacent to the infant sleeping compartment.
62. A method as defined in claim 59 further comprising removing the
infant sleeping compartment from the play yard to expose the full
sleeping compartment.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to childcare products,
and, more particularly, to rockable sleeping compartments
attachable to play yards and methods of operating the same.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent years portable play yards have become very
popular. Portable play yards typically include a frame, a flexible
enclosure supported by the frame, and a removable floor board or
mat. The frame is largely or completely contained within the
flexible enclosure so that there are few, if any, loose parts when
the frame is collapsed or when the frame is erected. When
collapsed, the portable play yard typically has a compact form
factor to enable easy transport and storage of the play yard.
Sometimes, the floor board is wrapped around the collapsed frame to
prevent the frame from inadvertently leaving the fully collapsed
state during transport or storage. A play yard of this type is the
play yard sold by Kolcraft Enterprises under the trademark
Travelin' Tot.RTM..
[0003] The floor of a portable play yard is typically located a few
inches above the ground surface on which the play yard is erected.
Therefore, in the weeks immediately following birth, it may not be
comfortable for a new mother to bend to place an infant on the
floor. Accordingly, bassinets and other accessories have been
developed for use with portable play yards.
[0004] These bassinets and other accessories typically include a
plurality of clips or hooks that are structured to releasably
engage the top rails of the portable play yard such that the
corresponding bassinet or other accessory is suspended within the
play yard a distance above the floor of the play yard. In
particular, the floor of the bassinet and/or other accessory is
located at a height to facilitate easy access to the bassinet
and/or other accessory by a standing adult. As a result, a child
can be easily placed into such a bassinet or other accessory
without requiring the adult to significantly bend or kneel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example rockable sleeping
compartment constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
invention and shown mounted on an example play yard.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rockable sleeping
compartment and play yard of FIG. 1 with second and third
accessories shown exploded from the play yard.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rockable sleeping
compartment and play yard of FIG. 1 with the second and third
accessories of FIG. 2 mounted on the play yard.
[0008] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the top rail of the play yard
of FIG. 1 and the accessories of FIGS. 1-3 shown with the soft
goods of the accessories removed to reveal their frames.
[0009] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an example rockable
connector.
[0010] FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view of the example rockable
connector of FIG. 5 shown secured on an example rail of an upper
frame of an example play yard.
[0011] FIG. 6b is an enlarged exploded view of the example rocking
mounting clip and example rocking hub of FIGS. 5 and 6a.
[0012] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a second example rockable
connector.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the example rockable
connector of FIG. 7 shown secured to an example rail of an upper
frame of an example play yard.
[0014] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of an example stationary
connector.
[0015] FIG. 10 is cross-sectional view of the example stationary
connector of FIG. 9 as an example accessory is being attached.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but showing the
stationary connector after the accessory has been attached.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an example full bassinet
suspended on the top rail of an example play yard and an example
rockable bassinet suspended above the full bassinet using the
rockable connector of FIGS. 5-6b.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In this patent, the term "rockable connector" is used to
refer to any connector used to releasably suspend an object from a
play yard or crib, which allows for rotation, to some degree, of
the suspended object relative to a portion of the play yard. Also,
in this patent the term "stationary connector" is used to refer to
any connector used to releasably suspend an object from a play yard
or crib substantially without permitting movement of the object
relative to a portion of the play yard or crib. A lock-out may be
used with a rockable connector to preclude rocking of the accessory
mounted to the play yard via the rockable connector. Further, in
this patent, the term "primary clip" is used to refer to any
connector used to releasably suspend an object from the upper edge
of a play yard or crib. Also, in this patent the terms "mounting
clip" and "accessory mounting clip" are used interchangeably to
refer to any connector used to mount a stationary or rocking
accessory to a primary clip.
[0019] An example rocking sleeping compartment 150 constructed in
accordance with the teachings of the invention is shown in FIG. 1.
In the example of FIG. 1, the rockable sleeping compartment 150 is
suspended within the upper perimeter of an example portable play
yard 100. The example play yard 100 has a collapsible frame that
includes a plurality of top rails 102 and a plurality of lower
rails 104 that are connected by vertical posts 106. In the
illustrated example, the play yard 100 is a rounded play yard which
is fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/063,811,
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
However, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that,
although the illustrated example play yard 100 is a rounded
portable play yard, any other play yard or crib of any other shape
or construction (e.g., square, triangular, rounded, portable,
not-portable, collapsible, not-collapsible, etc.) could be used in
place of the rounded play yard 100.
[0020] For the purpose of enabling rocking movement of the example
sleeping compartment 150 relative to the play yard 100, opposite
ends of the sleeping compartment 150 are rotatably connected to
opposite top rails 102 of the play yard 100. The example rockable
sleeping compartment 150 of FIG. 1 is sized to provide a sleeping
space for a small child or infant. Thus, the rotatable connectors
between the rockable sleeping compartment 150 and the play yard 100
enable rocking of the sleeping compartment to, for example, soothe
a small child to sleep. As explained below, the rocking movement
may be imparted manually (e.g., by a caregiver applying a force to
a side of the sleeping compartment 150 or by movement of the
occupant of the sleeping compartment 150), or automatically (e.g.,
by a wound spring or powered motor drive system).
[0021] In the illustrated example, the rockable sleeping
compartment 150 is removable from the top rails 102 of the play
yard 100. When the rockable bassinet 150 is removed, the play yard
100 can be used in a conventional manner to provide an enclosure
for the child or infant.
[0022] In the example of FIG. 1, the infant sleeping compartment
150 is a bassinet or cradle. However, persons of ordinary skill in
the art will appreciate that other types of sleeping compartments
and/or non-sleeping accessories may be substituted for the rocking
bassinet 150. Similarly, in the illustrated example, the infant
sleeping compartment has a rounded shape. In particular, the shape
of the illustrated rocking bassinet 150 is oval. However, persons
of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the
sleeping compartment 150 may have any desired shape (e.g., rounded,
not rounded, oval, half-oval, circular, rectangular, square, or any
combination of rounded and/or straight sides, etc.)
[0023] In the illustrated example, the infant sleeping compartment
150 does not fill the entire upper opening of the play yard 100.
Therefore, it is possible to mount one or more additional
accessories to the play yard 100 adjacent to the rocking bassinet
150. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2-3, a changing table 200
and/or a storage compartment 300 may be mounted to the play yard
100 adjacent to the infant sleeping compartment 150. Additionally
or alternatively, a full bassinet 400 may be mounted to the play
yard 100 and the rocking infant sleeping compartment 150 may be
rotatably mounted above and/or within the full bassinet 400 as
shown in FIG. 12. In the example of FIG. 12, the full bassinet 400
substantially fills the upper opening of the play yard 100 and is
installed for use when the rocking bassinet 150 is removed from the
play yard 100.
[0024] In order to provide the infant sleeping compartment 150 with
structural integrity, the illustrated sleeping compartment 150 is
provided with a frame. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the illustrated frame
includes two curved rails 152 defining the oval shape of the
bassinet 150. The opposed ends of the curved rails 152 are coupled
to respective rocking hubs 154 via mechanical fasteners as
explained below in connection with FIGS. 5-6. Rivets 156 are
inserted through the rocking hubs 154 and the cylindrical receiving
members 158 of the rocking accessory mounting clips 160 to secure
the rocking accessory mounting clips 160 and the rocking hubs 154
together. Thus, when the rocking accessory mounting clips 160 are
secured in the brackets 162 of their respective primary clips 164
as shown, for example, in FIGS. 4-6, the rocking hubs 154, and,
thus, the bassinet 150, are free to rock back and forth within a
predetermined range of movement relative to the opposed primary
clips 164. This rotatable connection is discussed in greater detail
below.
[0025] The rails 152 of the rocking bassinet 150 are encased in
sleeves defined in fabric, plastic or other soft goods material
that forms the sidewalls 166, 168 and bottom 170 of the bassinet
150. A substantially rigid board and/or a foam cushion (which may,
for example, be located on top of the board) may be encased within
the soft goods material to create a comfortable bassinet floor 170.
In addition, the rockable bassinet 150, of the illustrated example,
includes a retractable canopy 172 that can cover the rockable
bassinet 150, at least partially, and be used, for example, to
shade the child or infant in the rockable bassinet 150. When the
example bassinet 150 is removed from the top rails 102 of the play
yard 100, the bassinet 150 is collapsible, which increases the ease
with which the bassinet 150 and play yard 100 can be transported
and stored.
[0026] FIGS. 5-6 illustrate an example connector that may be used
to rockably secure an accessory, such as the example sleeping
compartment 150 to a play yard 100 or crib. The example rockable
connector is described in more detail in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 20014/10062), which is hereby
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
[0027] The example rockable connection of FIGS. 5, 6a, and 6b
includes a primary clip 164. The primary clip 164 has a hub 174
that is disposed over a top rail 102 of an example play yard 100. A
bracket 162 is mounted on a face of the primary clip 164. The
bracket 162 includes a u-shaped body that cooperates with the
primary clip 164 to define an open-ended channel 176 sized to
receive a mounting clip 160 associated with an accessory. In the
illustrated example, the channel 176 is generally vertically
oriented such that a mounting clip 160 may slide down through the
open top of the channel 176 and extend out of the bottom of the
channel 176. When a mounting clip 160 is positioned in the channel
176, the mounting clip 160 is captured between the bottom of the
u-shaped body and the primary clip 164. The illustrated stationary
accessory mounting clip 160 includes a substantially planar body
157 and a cylindrical receiving member 158. The planar body 157
includes a spring button 178 to removably secure the planar body to
the bracket 162. The spring button 178 of the illustrated example
is implemented by a resilient flange which is cantilevered at an
angle from the planar body. The cylindrical receiving member 158 of
the example of FIGS. 5, 6a and 6b is structured to receive an
extension 184 from a rockable hub 154. When so positioned, the
spring button 178 engages a bottom surface of the u-shaped body to
prevent the mounting clip 160 from being inadvertently withdrawn
from the bracket 162. To withdraw the mounting clip 160 from the
bracket 162, a user must depress the spring button 178 until the
spring button 178 becomes substantially co-planar with the planar
body 157 and then move the mounting clip 160 upward and out of the
channel 176. Because the spring button 178 assumes an angular
orientation when the spring button 178 is in its rest position, the
spring button 178 is automatically depressed by the u-shaped body
when the mounting clip 160 is inserted into the bracket 162.
[0028] In order to receive the cylindrical receiving member 158 of
the mounting clip 160, the bracket 162 of FIGS. 5, 6a, and 6b is
provided with a cup 180. In the illustrated example, the cup 180 is
defined by two rounded extensions. The extensions of the
illustrated example are symmetrical with respect to each other and
are separated by a small distance to define a slot (not shown). The
cylindrical receiving member 158 of the mounting clip 160 includes
a downwardly extending strut or flange 182 which is sized and
positioned to enter the slot defined by the rounded extensions. The
rounded extensions and the flange 182, thus, cooperate to ensure
the cylinder of the cylindrical receiving member 158 does not
rotate within the cup 180 and, thus, that the mounting clip 160
does not rotate within the bracket 162.
[0029] The rocking accessory mounting clip 160 is coupled to the
rocking hub 154. In the example of FIGS. 5, 6a and 6b the rocking
hub 154 includes a cylindrical projection 184 and a plurality of
lugs 185 radiating from the cylindrical projection 184. The
cylindrical projection 184 is received within a cylindrical chamber
159 defined in the cylindrical receiving member 158 (see FIG. 6b).
There is a plurality of partitions 161 in the cylindrical chamber
159. The lugs 185 are received in apertures defined between the
partitions 161 of the cylindrical receiving member 158. The
partitions 161 and the lugs 185 cooperate to limit rotation of the
rocking hub 154 relative to the cylindrical receiving member 158
and, thus, relative to the rocking accessory mounting clip 160 to a
predetermined range or angle.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6a and 6b, a rivet 156 is inserted
through the rocking hub 154 and the cylindrical receiving member
158 of the rocking accessory mounting clip 160 to secure the
rocking accessory mounting clip 160 and the rocking hub 154
together with the lugs 185 within their respective apertures in the
cylindrical receiving member 158. Thus, when the rocking accessory
mounting clip 160 is secured in a bracket 162, the rocking hub 154
is free to rock back and forth within the predetermined range of
movement defined by the interaction of the lugs 185 and partitions
161, as stated above. The fastener 156 defines the axis of
rotation. The fastener 156 may be a nail, screw, rivet or other
mechanical fastener. The rocking hub 154 and the rocking bassinet
150 rotate about the axis, and, thus, the fastener 156, while the
mounting clip 160 is secured in the bracket 162. The rocking hub
154 also serves as the connection point for the top frame rails 152
of the rocking bassinet 150. The frame rails 152 are coupled to the
rocking hub 154 through fasteners 186 that are passed through bore
holes 187 in the rocking hub 154, which is also detailed in U.S.
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 20014/10062).
[0031] Although the rocking accessory mounting clip 160 is shown
mounted to a bracket 162 located on the hub 174 of the primary clip
164, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate
that the rocking accessory mounting clip 160 could be used with a
bracket 162 located at another position on the primary clip
164.
[0032] A second example rockable connection is shown in FIGS. 7-8.
The example connection of FIGS. 7-8 includes a primary clip 350,
which is disposed over a top rail 102 of an example play yard. The
clip 350 has a hub 352 in which an opening 354 is formed. The
opening 354 includes an upper opening 356 and a lower opening 358
that is located below the upper opening 356. The upper and lower
openings 356, 358 are in communication via a u-shaped flange 360.
Other than its hub 352, the primary clip 350 may be substantially
identical to the primary clip 164 described above and in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
20014/10062). Thus, it may include engagement members, joining
members, side walls, etc., to grip the top rails 102 of the play
yard 100.
[0033] In the example of FIGS. 7-8, the top rails 152 of the
rockable bassinet 150 are connected in a rocking hub 362 through
mechanical fasteners 364. The rocking hub 362 is similar to the
rocking hub 154. However, the rocking hub 362 has a cylindrical
spindle 366 projecting from it. The spindle 366 includes a
cylindrical shaft 368. One end of the spindle 366 is a lug 370,
which, in the illustrated example, is a flattened cylindrical piece
that has a larger diameter than the shaft 368. The other end of the
spindle 366 is connected to the rocking hub 362 by a fastener 372,
which traverses the entire rocking hub 362 and is inserted into the
shaft 368 of the spindle 366, as shown in FIG. 8. The fastener 372
defines the axis of rotation for the rocking bassinet 150 and can
be a nail, screw, rivet or any other mechanical fastener.
[0034] To attach the rocking hub 362, and consequently, the rocking
bassinet 150, to the clip 350, the lug 370 of the spindle 366 is
inserted into the upper opening 356. The spindle 366 and rocking
hub 362 are moved downward so that the shaft 368 of the spindle 366
passes through the flange 360 and is rotatably mounted in the lower
opening 358. To prevent the lug 370 from traversing the lower
opening 358 and to secure the spindle 366 and rocking hub 362 to
the clip 350, the diameter of the lug 370 is larger than the
diameter of lower opening 358. The rounded surface at the
circumference of the shaft 368 of the spindle 366 supports the
rocking bassinet 150 on the flange 360 at the bottom of the lower
opening 358. The rounded shape of the lower opening 358 and the
shaft 368 of the spindle 366 enable the rocking bassinet 150 to
rotate.
[0035] To remove the spindle 366 and rocking hub 362 from the clip
350, the spindle 366 and rocking hub 362 are lifted upward and
passed through the upper opening 356. The diameter of the lug 370
is smaller than the diameter of the upper opening 356, which allows
the lug 370 to pass through the upper opening 356. As a result, the
entire spindle 366 and rocking hub 362 combination can be easily
removed from the clip 350.
[0036] To limit the range of rotation of the rocking hub 362
relative to the clip 350, the example rockable connection of FIGS.
7-8 is also provided with a motion limiter 374. The motion limiter
374 of the illustrated example is a projection extending from the
face of the clip 350 below the lower opening 358. The motion
limiter 374 extends into a recess formed in the rocking hub 362.
The sides of the recess engage the motion limiter 374 at either end
of the range of rotation of the rockable sleeping compartment 150,
thus limiting the rotation of the rockable sleeping compartment 150
to a predetermined range or angle.
[0037] As mentioned above, the rockable sleeping compartment 150
may be structured for manual and/or automatic rocking. If automatic
rocking is desired, one or more of the rockable connectors
described above may be coupled to the drive shaft of a motor
(perhaps through a suitable gear reduction mechanism) to enable
automatic rocking of the sleeping compartment. The motor may be
battery powered or spring loaded. An example motor, which may be
used in this role, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,072, which
is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0038] As mentioned above in the example of FIGS. 2-4, a second
accessory, namely, a changing table 200, is secured to the play
yard 100 adjacent to the infant sleeping area 150 via a plurality
of primary clips 202, 204. The changing table 200 provides a space
to change the child or infant's clothing or diapers. The primary
clips 202 are secured to opposite ones of the top rails 102. The
illustrated changing table 200 is coupled to the primary clips 202
via a support rail 206 and bracket 208 (see FIG. 4). The
interaction of the primary clip 202 and the top rail 102 and the
connection of the support rail 206 and the bracket 208 are
described in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 9-11.
[0039] In the illustrated example, the primary clips 204 are sewn
to the changing table 200. However, persons of ordinary skill in
the art will appreciate that the primary clips 204 can be glued,
fused or otherwise fastened to the changing table 200 with any
known mechanical or chemical fasteners. Though the illustrated
example employs four primary clips 202, 204 to support the changing
table 200, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that any number of primary clips may be used to support these
accessories.
[0040] The side of the illustrated changing table 200 opposite the
support rail 206 is supported on the top rail 102 of a short side
of the play yard 100 by primary clips 204. In the illustrated
example, the primary clips 204 engaging the short side of the play
yard 100 include only one hook and no mounting bracket. In this
example, two separate primary clips 204 are employed to secure the
illustrated changing table 200 to the short side of the play yard
100. However, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that the two primary clips 204 could alternatively be formed as a
single clip such as the primary clip 202 shown in FIG. 9 (with or
without the bracket 222). Regardless of whether one primary clip,
two primary clips, or more than two primary clips are used to
couple the changing table 200 to the short side of the play yard
100, the soft goods of the changing table 200 are preferably
mechanically or chemically fastened to the wall(s) of those primary
clip(s).
[0041] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate an example stationary connector that
is used to secure a non-rockable accessory, e.g., the changing
table 200, to an example play yard 100 or a crib. A similar
stationary connector is discussed in more detail in related
application U.S. application No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
20014/10062). The stationary connector includes a clip 202 that has
a hook 214 to engage a top rail 102 of a play yard or crib. A wall
216 depends from the hook 214. The hook 214 has a lip 218 that may
be gripped by a user to facilitate the mounting or dismounting of
the primary clip 202 to/from the top rail 102 of the play yard 100
or crib. Specifically, the lip 218 is pulled away from the top rail
102 to increase the distance between the lip 218 of the hook 214
and the wall 216 such that the primary clip 202 can be mounted or
dismounted to/from the top rail 102.
[0042] The wall 216 provides a surface for securing an accessory
(e.g., a bassinet, a changing table, a cradle, a storage
compartment, etc) to the primary clip 202. The accessory can be
attached to the surface of the wall 216 by any known mechanical or
chemical fasteners. For example, the accessory may include soft
goods (i.e., a fabric or plastic material such as an enclosure, a
side wall, etc.) that is sewn or glued to the wall 216.
[0043] In the illustrated example, the primary clip 202 includes a
second hook 220. The second hook 220 of the illustrated example is
largely identical to the first hook 214 described above. However,
in the illustrated example, the second hook 220 is located a
distance away from the first hook 214. In the illustrated example,
the first hook 214 and the second hook 220 are joined by the wall
216. More specifically, in the primary clip 202 of FIG. 9, the
first hook 214, the second hook 220 and the wall 216 are integrally
formed.
[0044] Although the illustrated primary clip 202 includes two hooks
214, 220 separated by a distance, persons of ordinary skill in the
art will readily appreciate that other numbers of hooks would
likewise be appropriate. For example, the primary clip 202 could
alternatively be shortened to include only one of the hooks 214,
220, the hooks 214, 220 could be joined into one continuous hook,
or three or more hooks could alternatively be employed.
[0045] As mentioned above, an accessory (e.g., a bassinet, a
changing table, a cradle, a storage compartment, etc.) may be
chemically or mechanically fastened to the wall 216 of the primary
clip 202. When included, such an accessory will typically be
non-removably coupled along the lower portion of the side wall. For
example, the plastic or fabric side wall of a bassinet to be
suspended by the primary clip 202 from the top rail 102 of a play
yard or crib may be sewn or glued to the wall 216. Persons of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the accessories may
be removably or non-removably coupled to any portion (i.e., the
top, middle, or bottom) of the inner or outer walls of the primary
clip 202, to any portion of the hooks of the primary clip 202, or
to any other portion of the primary clip 202, depending upon the
structure and need of the accessory.
[0046] In order to permit one or more accessories to be removably
mounted to the primary clip 202, the primary clip 202 of the
illustrated example is further provided with one or more brackets
222. The accessor(ies) coupled to the bracket(s) 222 may be used in
place of, or in addition to, an accessory permanently affixed to
the lower portion of the wall 216. Although the illustrated primary
clip 202 includes only one bracket 222, persons or ordinary skill
in the art will appreciate that two or more brackets 222 may
alternatively be included.
[0047] In the interest of brevity, the description of the structure
of the bracket 222 and corresponding mounting clip 224 of the
stationary connection are substantially similar to the structure of
the bracket 162 and the mounting clip 160 of the rockable
connection of FIGS. 5-6 and will not be repeated here. Instead, the
interested reader is referred to the above-description of the
bracket 162 and the mounting clip 160 of the example rockable
connection of FIGS. 5-6 for a more detailed discussion of those
structures. A notable difference is that the cylindrical receiving
member 226 of the stationary mounting clip 224 is substantially
hollow for non-rotatably receiving a rod or rail 206 of an
accessory, while the cylindrical receiving member 158 of the
mounting clip 160 contains partitions 161, which, as described
above allow for limited rotation of the rockable hub 154.
[0048] In the illustrated example, the soft goods material of the
changing table 200 is a flexible fabric, plastic or other material.
Like the soft goods used for the infant sleeping compartment 150,
the soft goods of the changing table 200 are preferably
stain-resistant and washable or otherwise cleanable. To provide a
firm and comfortable surface, the floor 210 of the changing table
200 may comprise a rigid board with a foam cushion that is encased
in the soft goods covering. In the example of FIGS. 2-4, the side
walls 212 of the changing table 200 angle upward from the floor 210
at a gentle angle to provide some depth to the changing table 200
while enabling easy access to an infant or small child lying on the
changing table 200. The side walls 212 of the changing table 200
are preferably integrally formed with the floor 210.
[0049] As discussed above, the side of the changing table 200
adjacent the center of the play yard 100 is supported by the
support rail 206. The support rail 206 of the illustrated example
is enclosed in a sleeve of the fabric or plastic covering of the
changing table 200. When the changing table 200 is removed from the
top rail 102 of the play yard 100, the changing table 200 is
collapsible and foldable, which increases the ease with which the
changing table 200 and play yard 100 can be transported and stored.
The changing table 200 and the clips 202, 204 that connect the
changing table 200 to the top rails 102 are discussed in greater
detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket
No. 20014/10062), which has been incorporated in full by
reference.
[0050] As mentioned above, FIGS. 2-4 also illustrate that a third
accessory, namely, storage compartments 300, are positioned on the
top rails 102 of the play yard 100 via primary clips 164, 202. The
storage compartments 300 of the illustrated example are open top
structures generally filling the rounded triangular spaces defined
between the straight side of the changing table 200 and the curved
side of the rocking bassinet 150. Thus, the storage compartments
300 serve to fill spaces that could otherwise serve as entrapment
points. The pockets 300 can be used to store any item(s). For
example, the compartments 300 may be used to store ointments, baby
wipes, diapers, etc. Although the storage compartments 300 of the
illustrated example are open top structures, persons of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that the compartments 300 could be
provided with covers (e.g., zippered flaps) if desired.
[0051] In the example of FIGS. 2-4 the storage compartments 300 are
defined by soft goods mounted on the support rail 206 and a curved
rail 302. The rail 302 is located adjacent the infant sleeping
compartment 150 and is curved to reflect the curved shape of the
bassinet 150. To attach the storage compartment 300 to the primary
clip 164, the primary clip 164 is provided with a second bracket
304. The second bracket 304 is similar to the first bracket 162 in
that the second bracket 304 has a body defining channel (not
shown), a cup 306 and a slot (not shown). The body defining channel
is configured to receive a mounting clip 308. The mounting clip 308
has a snap or spring button 310 that secures the mounting clip 308
into the bracket 304 in the same manner as the spring button 178
secures the mounting clip 160 to the primary clip 164, described
above. The mounting clip 308 also has a coupling 312, which
receives an end of the curved rail 302 that supports the storage
compartment 300 (FIGS. 2, 4). The coupling 312 also has a flange
similar to the flange 182 of FIGS. 5, 6a and 6b. The flange sits in
the slot of the cup 306 to secure the coupling 312 and prevent
side-by-side movement of the mounting clip 308, coupling 312 and
the curved rail 302 relative to the primary clip 164.
[0052] The other rail is the straight rail 206, which is described
above. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate
that rails 206, 302 of other shapes and/or sizes could
alternatively be employed. For example, in some examples, the rail
302 is split into two tubes which are secured to the straight rail
206 via clips. In the illustrated example, the rails 206, 302 are
received in sleeves of the soft goods defining the storage
compartments 300. The soft goods for the storage compartments may
be constructed of, for example, fabric, or plastic. When the
storage compartments 300 are removed from the top rail 102 of the
play yard 100, they are collapsible and foldable, which increases
the ease with which the storage compartments 300 and play yard 100
can be transported and stored.
[0053] In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, a first accessory
150 is implemented as a rocking bassinet 150, a second accessory
200 is implemented as a changing table 200, and a third accessory
300 is implemented as storage compartments 300. However, persons of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the accessories 150,
200, 300 could be implemented by other types of structures (e.g., a
cradle, a reduced size, stationary bassinet, etc.) and/or a
different number of accessories may be employed (e.g., 1, 2, 4,
etc.).
[0054] For instance, in the example of FIG. 12, the play yard 100
has a first accessory 400, which is a full bassinet, larger than
the rockable bassinet 150 of the prior examples. In the example of
FIG. 12, the full bassinet 400 is supported around the perimeter of
the play yard 100 by a plurality of primary clips 164, 202, and
covers substantially the entire opening of the play yard 100. The
example full bassinet 400 of FIG. 12 is comprised of sidewalls 402
and a floor 404. The sidewalls 402 may be constructed from a shear,
mesh or solid fabric or flexible plastic. The floor 404 of the
illustrated full bassinet 400 includes one or more foam pads
secured to one or more boards. The pad(s) and/or board(s) are
encased in one or more fabric or plastic sleeves. The illustrated
full bassinet 400 of FIG. 12 is not rockable. Therefore, it is not
connected to the primary clips 164, 202 with the rotatable
connections illustrated in prior examples. Instead the full
bassinet 400 is fastened to the primary clips 164, 202 with any
other known mechanical or chemical fasteners. For example, the
primary clips 164, 202 may be sewn, glued or fused directly to the
side walls 402 of the full bassinet 400. Additionally, the full
bassinet 400 may be coupled to the top rails 102 through any
combination of the example clips disclosed herein and/or in U.S.
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 20014/10062).
[0055] Because the full bassinet 400 of the illustrated example is
coupled to the lower portion of the primary clips 164, 202 (e.g.,
by sewing), one or more other accessories may also be coupled to
the top rails 102 by the same primary clips 164, 202. For example,
rockable sleeping compartment, changing tables, and/or storage
compartments, may be connected to the primary clips 164, 202 in
manners the same as or analogous to those described above.
[0056] Further, although only a rocking bassinet 150 and a full
bassinet 400 are illustrated in FIG. 12, persons or ordinary skill
in the art will readily appreciate that there are many other
accessories that could be secured to the top rails 102 of the play
yard 100, including, e.g., storage compartments, cradles
(stationary or rocking), and/or other items that would facilitate
baby care-taking functions. Any of these accessories could be
supported on the top rails 102 of the play yard 100 adjacent to, or
in place of, the rocking bassinet 150, even while the full bassinet
400 is also supported on the top rails 102.
[0057] The connections described herein are not limited for use
with the rockable sleeping compartments or other accessories
described herein. For instance, the rockable connectors may be used
with swings. In addition the rockable connectors and stationary
connectors are not limited for use with play yards. The rockable
connectors and stationary connectors may be used to secure
accessories to cribs, cradles, or other structures on which
accessories would be used. In addition, although the rockable
connectors and stationary connectors described above have been
shown and described as attached to the top rails of a play yard,
persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that they may
alternatively be connected to other structures. For example, the
rockable connectors and/or the stationary connectors may be
connected to the corner posts of a play yard either in addition to
or in lieu of the top rails of the play yard. Thus, the rockable
sleeping compartments disclosed herein may be rockably mounted to
any portion of a play yard or crib.
[0058] Although certain methods, apparatus and articles of
manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of
this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent
covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly
falling within the scope of the claims either literally or under
the doctrine of equivalents.
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