Security Top Or Guard For Infant's Dressing Table Or The Like

Abstract

A top or guard for an infant's dressing table or dresserette is provided which is so designed and constructed as to reduce or minimize the possibility of the infant rolling or falling off the table. The top is of such construction that it can be shortened to conform in dimensions or area with the table or dresserette when folded or closed. It comprises sections, one of which is telescopically movable in relation to the other, with the sections provided with means for limiting movement of one section relatively to the other. Other features include track means for maintaining the sections in alignment during movement relatively to each other, and safety belt means secured to one of the sections.

Description

This invention relates generally to dressing tables for infants, but has reference more particularly to a top for such tables.

The invention will be described more particularly with reference to a dressing table of the foldable type, although it may be used with other types of infant's dressing tables.

In Rocker U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,584, an infant's dressing table of the foldable type is disclosed, provided with a top which is adapted to support the infant during dressing and undressing of the infant, and with drawers disposed below the table top, some of which drawers are movable into superimposed or tier-like relationship with other drawers, when the table is folded or closed.

Although the table top is disclosed in said patent as being provided with a strap which is adapted for securing the infant to the top during the dressing and undressing of the infant, there is always the possibility, either through failure to secure the strap to the infant, or if the strap is only loosely secured in place, or if the strap has not been secured in place and the infant is left unattended, that the infant can roll or fall off the table top, with resultant serious injury to the infant.

The present invention has, as its primary object, the provision of a top for such dressing tables, which is of such construction as to reduce or minimize the possibility of the infant rolling or falling off the top of the table.

Another object of the invention is to provide a top of the character described, which can be shortened to a length such that when the dressing table is not in use and is folded or closed, the top will conform in dimensions to the dimensions of the folded or closed table.

A further object of the invention is to provide a top of the character described, comprising sections movable relatively to each other to extend the top, and embodying means for limiting such extension.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infant's dressing table, in open or unfolded condition, and showing the table top in extended position, and with a removable protective or cushioning pad thereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the table in closed or folded condition, and showing the table top in its collapsed or closed position, after the cushioning pad has been removed;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the table top in its extended position or condition, without the cushioning pad;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 7--7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 9--9 of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 10--10 of FIG. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the table, without the top, is of a construction similar to that shown in the aforesaid Rocker patent, and may be briefly described as follows:

The top of the dressing table comprises two sections, one a stationary section, designated generally by reference numeral 40, and the other a section longitudinally slidable relatively to the section 40, and designated generally by reference numeral 41.

Each of the sections 40 and 41 is molded, in one piece, of a plastic, such, for example, as high impact styrene.

The dressing table comprises a pair of long tubular end legs 1 and 2, a second pair of tubular end legs 3 and 4, a short intermediate leg 5, and a long intermediate leg 6. The end legs 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the intermediate leg 6, are flared outwardly at their lower ends for purposes of stability and attractiveness of appearance, and these flared portions as well as the lower end of the leg 5 terminate in ball-shaped elements 7 which facilitate movement of the dressing table along a floor. For this purpose, coasters, glides, casters and the like may be used.

Secured to the legs 1 and 2, in the manner described in the aforesaid Rocker patent, is a pair of vertically-spaced drawers or bins 9, each of which is preferably molded, in a single piece, from a plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

The intermediate leg 5 of the dressing table extends upwardly to a level just below the upper edge of the lower drawer or bin 9, and is secured to the side of this drawer by means of sheet metal screws (not shown).

The intermediate leg 6 of the dressing table extends through tubular corners 22 of the drawers 9, and is locked against vertical movement relatively to these drawers by means of a sheet metal screw which extends through the tubular corner 22 of the lower of the drawers 9 and into the leg 6, as described in the aforesaid patent.

The dressing table further includes a pair of vertically-spaced drawers or bins, in staggered and overlapping relationship to the drawers 9, and which are designated generally by reference numeral 31. Each of these drawers 31 is preferably of a construction and material identical with the drawers 9.

The drawers 31 are secured to the legs 3 and 4 of the dressing table in the same manner that the drawers 9 are secured to the legs 1 and 2.

Each of the drawers 31 is molded at its rear left corner, as viewed in FIG. 1, to provide a tubular corner (not shown) through which the leg 6 extends.

With the drawers 31 and 9 assembled in the manner shown in FIG. 1, the drawers 31 rest on the drawers 9, and the portion of the table comprising the drawers 31 and the legs 3 and 4 may be swung horizontally about the leg 6 to the closed position shown in FIG. 2.

The section 40 is molded to provide a flat base 42 having spaced rectangular openings 43 which serve to lighten the weight of the section, a pair of transversely spaced parallel grooves or tracks 44 and 45 which serve a purpose to be presently described, and a pair of transversely spaced depending strengthening ribs 46 and 47 (see FIG. 5), which are substantially parallel with the grooves or tracks 44 and 45.

The section 40 also includes a flange which extends from the periphery of the base 42, at one end of the base, and the two sides of the base, as seen in FIG. 3. The flange, as best seen in FIG. 7, comprises an inner wall 48 which extends upwardly from the base and is inclined outwardly, a substantially flat crest portion 49 which lies in a plane parallel with the base 42, and an outer wall designated generally by reference numeral 50 which extends downwardly from the outer edge of the portion 49, is inclined outwardly and consists of portions 50a, 50b and 50c which lie in planes offset from each other, whereby to strengthen the outer wall 50.

The flange 48-49-50 is closed at that end of the flange adjacent the legs 5 and 6 by end walls 51 (see FIG. 8).

The portions of the flange which lie adjacent the sides of the base 42 are interrupted to provide recesses 53 and 54, which serve a purpose to be presently described.

The portions 50c of the flange 50 are provided adjacent the end walls 51 with embossments 55 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), which serve as abutments or stops in a manner to be presently described.

The base 42 is also provided with depending bosses 57 (FIG. 10), which are secured, as by screws 58, to the horizontal legs 59 of angles 60, the vertical legs 61 of which are secured, as by screws 62, to the upper ends of the legs 1 and 2.

The base 42 is further provided with a depending boss (not seen) which is secured to the upper end of the leg 6 of the table in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 11 of the aforesaid Rocker patent.

The movable section 41 of the table top is molded to provide a flat base 64 having spaced rectangular openings 65 which serve to lighten the weight of the section, a pair of transversely spaced parallel depending ribs 66 and 67 (FIG. 6), which serve a purpose to be presently described, and a pair of transversely spaced upstanding strengthening ribs 68 and 69, which are substantially parallel with the ribs 66 and 67.

The section 41 also includes a flange which extends from the periphery of the base 64, at one end of the base and the two sides of the base, as seen in FIG. 3. The flange, as best seen in FIG. 7, comprises an inner wall 70, which extends upwardly from the base and is inclined outwardly, a substantially flat crest portion 71, which lies in a plane parallel with the base 64, and an outer wall designated generally by reference numeral 72, which extends downwardly from the outer edge of the portion 71, is inclined outwardly, and consists of portions 72a, 72b and 72c which lie in planes offset from each other, whereby to strengthen the outer wall 72.

The portion 72c of the wall 72 of those portions of the flange which are spaced from the sides of the base 64 is provided at its lower edge with an inturned flange 73 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), which, when the section 40 of the top is telescopically engaged with the section 41, as shown in FIG. 7, engages the lower edges of the embossments 55 so as to prevent vertical displacement of the section 41 from the section 40 of the top.

The portion 72c of the wall 72 is also provided at its left end, as viewed in FIG. 1, with inturned flanges 74 (see FIG. 8), which are adapted to come into abutment with the embossments 55, to thereby prevent removal of the section 41 from the section 40, in a longitudinal direction.

In assembling the section 41 with the section 40, the section 41 is placed over the section 40 in a position slightly to the left of that shown in FIG. 3, and the flange 70-71-72 pressed downwardly over the flange 48-49-50. This causes the flange 70-71-72 to spread slightly, and then contract to bring the flange 73 under the embossment 55, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

At the same time, the ribs 66 and 67 are forced into the grooves or tracks 44 and 45, thereby assuring that the section 41 is always in alignment with the section 40, and that the section 41 will always slide easily with respect to the section 40.

The table top is also provided with a safety belt for securing the infant to the top, or, rather, to an underlying cushion or pad, shown in FIG. 1, placed on the top.

This safety belt, which is best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, and is preferably made of a plastic, such as vinyl, comprises a tongue section 76, which is secured, as by a screw 77, to a boss 78, which depends from the bottom of the recess 54, as seen in FIG. 5.

The belt further comprises a section 79, which is secured, as by a screw 80, to a boss 81, which depends from the bottom of the recess 53.

The section 79 has a rebent portion 79a which forms a loop for holding a buckle 82, and is heat-sealed to the section 79, as at 79b. The section 79 is also provided with an extension 79c, to the end of which a second buckle 83 is secured.

When the table top is in extended position, as in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, and it is desired to secure the infant to the top, the tongue section 76 of the belt is pulled through the buckle 83, to an extent such that the end of the section 76 is within reach of the buckle 82, but is not secured to the buckle 82.

The infant is then laid on the portion 79c of the belt, and is secured to this portion of the belt by pulling the end of the section 76 through the buckle 82. This holds the infant snugly and safely on the table top or pad.

In order to collapse the table top, that is, to move the section 41 from the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to that shown in FIG. 2, it is necessary that the two parts of the safety belt be detached from each other, passed outwardly of the recesses 53 and 54, and permitted to hang freely from their end supports, so as not to interfere with the aforesaid movement of the section 41. This movement is quickly and easily effected, since the section 41 of the top is not, in any manner, connected to the legs 3, 4 and 6 of the dressing table.

With the table top thus collapsed or closed, the legs 3 and 4 of the dressing table, together with the drawers 31 which are supported thereby, can be swung horizontally from the position shown in FIG. 1 to that shown in FIG. 2.

It is thus seen that we have provided a top for an infant's dressing table, which is of such construction as to reduce or minimize the possibility of an infant rolling or falling off the table.

It is further seen that we have provided a top of the character described, which is especially adapted for use with a table or dresserette which is foldable, since the top can be shortened or callapsed to a dimension which conforms substantially to the dimensions of the folded table or dresserette.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. In combination with an infant's dressing table or the like, said table comprising a stationary section, and a movable section which is pivotally movable and nestable into the stationary section, a top for said table, said top comprising a substantially flat base and upstanding flanges at the periphery of said base of substantial height and adapted to prevent an infant on said top from rolling or falling off the top, said top further comprising a stationary section secured to the stationary section of said table and a section slidably movable in relation to the stationary section of said top when the movable section of the table has been nested into the stationary section of the table.

2. The combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein said upstanding flanges which are telescopically movable relatively to each other.

3. A security top for an infant's dressing table or the like, said top comprising sections having upstanding peripheral flange portions, one of said sections movable relatively to the other to vary the length of said top, one of said sections being provided with stop means, and the other of said sections having means adapted when said other section is moved relatively to said first section to abut said stop means to limit said movement, said first section being provided with track means, and the other of said sections being provided with rib means movable in said track means, said flange portions being of inverted substantially V-shaped cross section.

4. A security top, as defined in claim 3, wherein one of said sections is provided with inturned flange means engaging portions of the flange of the other section, whereby to prevent vertical displacement of the first section relatively to the other section.

5. A security top, as defined in claim 4, wherein the flanges of said first section are recessed, and safety belt means are provided which extend through said recesses.

6. A security top, as defined in claim 5, wherein said safety belt means comprises a belt section secured to one side of said first-named section of the top, and a second belt section secured to the other side of said first-named section of the top and releasably engageable with said first-named belt section.

7. A security top for an infant's dressing table or the like, said top comprising a first section having upstanding peripheral flange portions of substantial height and of substantially inverted V-shaped cross-section, and a second section slidably movable in relation to said first section and having peripheral flange portions of substantially V-shaped cross-section and into which the flanges of the first section are telescopically movable when the second section is moved relatively to the first section.

8. In combination with an infant's dressing table or the like, comprising a stationary section and a movable section which is nestable into the stationary section, a top for said table comprising a stationary section secured to the stationary section of said table and a section slidably movable in relation to the stationary section of said top when the movable section of the table has been nested into the stationary section of said table, said stationary top section including peripheral edges with upstanding flanges of substantial height, and said movable top section is provided at peripheral edges thereof with upstanding flanges into which the flanges of the movable top sections are telescopically movable when the movable section of the table has been nested into the stationary section of the table.