Patent Application
20150342366
The present invention relates generally to the field of sleeping apparatus for children and infants, and more particularly to bassinets, inclined sleeping apparatuses, and the like.
In example embodiments, the present invention provides a bassinet or similar sleeping apparatus for infants and children including a child receiving receptacle and a collapsible frame assembly attached to and supporting the child receiving receptacle. The collapsible frame assembly includes a first collapsible frame portion collapsible between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration and vice-versa. The collapsible frame assembly further includes a second collapsible frame portion collapsible between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration and vice-versa. The first and second collapsible frame portions are pivotally coupled to one another for pivotal collapsing movement between the collapsible frame assembly's extended configuration and its collapsed configuration. Preferably, each collapsible frame portion includes a pair of generally U-shaped frame members pivotally connected to one another. Preferably, at least one lock is provided and is operable for locking the collapsible frame assembly in its extended configuration and for unlocking the same to allow the collapsible frame assembly to be collapsed.
Preferably, the first and second collapsible frame portions each comprise A-frames pivotally coupled to one another and one of the A-frames is oriented with its open end facing up and the other A-frame is oriented with its open end facing down. Preferably, each of the collapsible frame portions comprises a pair of A-frames on opposite ends of the bassinet.
Preferably the lock includes a hand-operated control for locking and unlocking the lock, including a hand-operated knob for unlocking the lock.
Defined another way, the invention comprises a bassinet or similar sleeping apparatus for infants and children including a child receiving receptacle and a collapsible frame assembly attached to and supporting the child receiving receptacle. The collapsible frame assembly includes first and second collapsible frame portions each being collapsible between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration and vice-versa. The first and second collapsible frame portions are pivotally coupled to one another for pivotal collapsing movement between the collapsible frame assembly's extended configuration and its collapsed configuration. A lock is operable for locking the collapsible frame assembly in its extended configuration and for unlocking the same to allow the collapsible frame assembly to be collapsed.
In yet another example, the invention provides a bassinet or similar apparatus for infants and children and having a child receiving receptacle and a collapsible frame assembly attached to and supporting the child receiving receptacle. The collapsible frame assembly includes first and second collapsible frame portions collapsible between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration and vice-versa, with each collapsible frame portion including a pair of generally U-shaped frame members pivotally connected to one another. Preferably, each collapsible frame portion forms a folding wishbone frame structure at opposite ends of the bassinet. Preferably, at each of the bassinet's ends, one of the folding wishbones is oriented with an open end facing up and the other folding wishbone is oriented with an open end facing down. Optionally, a lock is operable for locking the collapsible frame assembly in its extended configuration and for unlocking the same to allow the collapsible frame assembly to be collapsed.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
As shown, the frame 202 includes first and second generally U-shaped frame portions 210, 220. The frame portions 210, 220 include upright leg members, such as 211, 221, 223, configured to support the bassinet 200 on a support surface. The leg members, such as 211, 221, 223, are spanned by base portions 212, 222 configured to rest on the support surface. The base portions 212, 222 are curved such that the bassinet 200 can rock front-to-back on the support surface. Other embodiments of the bassinet 200 may be configured to rock side-to-side or in multiple directions, or may not be configured to rock at all. The U-shaped frame portions bear wheels at one end of the bassinet and fixed resilient feet at the other end. For example, see wheel 225 and feet 226, 216. As will be seen more clearly in connection with subsequent figures, the generally U-shaped frame portions 210, 220 are pivotally mounted to one another for movement between an extended configuration shown in
The infant receiving receptacle 203 preferably comprises a reclined seat portion and opposing side walls configured to retain an infant within the infant receiving receptacle 203. The infant receiving receptacle 203 can be a fabric sling, a hard shell seat, or other construction, as desired. Preferably, the side walls are at least partially formed from a breathable material, such as a mesh. The infant receiving receptacle 203 is supported by an upper frame 250 which is pivotally mounted the lower frame (in particular to the generally U-shaped frame members 210, 220). The upper frame 250 somewhat mirrors the lower frame in that the upper frame 250 also has generally U-shaped frame members, such as U-shaped frame member 260. The upper frame 250 also defines A-frames at each end of the bassinet, with the upper frame's A-frames oriented with the open ends facing up (the lower frame's A-frames have their open ends pointing down).
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Preferably, the bassinet 200 is also convertible between an erect orientation, as shown in
Certain example embodiments of the bassinet may also include wheels or rollers (or other conventional means for sliding/rolling across the support surface), as shown in various figures herein. The wheels allow the bassinet to be transported easily from room to room, without disturbing an infant positioned therein. The depicted embodiments include a wheel at the rear of each base portion, but other embodiments may include fewer or more wheels (or other means for sliding/rolling) positioned anywhere on base portions. The bassinet can also include a handle 213 which a caregiver may grasp as they push or pull the bassinet 200 to various locations. The handle 213 is preferably positioned at the front of the infant receiving receptacle 203, such that the front is elevated above the support surface when a caregiver grasps and lifts the handle 213. Thus, the weight of the bassinet 200 is transferred to the wheels 225 at the rear of the base portions.
Thus, as shown in various ones of the figures, the present invention includes a bassinet for infants and children. See for example bassinet 100, 200, etc. Such a bassinet includes a child receiving receptacle, such as receptacle 103, 203, etc. The bassinet includes a collapsible frame assembly attached to and supporting the child receiving receptacle, such as frame assembly 102, 202, etc. The collapsible frame assembly has first and second collapsible frame portions collapsible between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration and vice-versa. See, for example frame portions 210, 220. The first and second collapsible frame portions are pivotally coupled to one another for pivotal collapsing movement between the collapsible frame assembly's extended configuration and its collapsed configuration, with each collapsible frame portion including a pair of generally U-shaped frame members pivotally connected to one another. In this regard, the generally U-shaped frame members form A-frames at each end of the bassinet, with one A-frame at each end pointing down and one A-frame at each end pointing up. Thus, at each end of the bassinet, there is a pair of A-frames pivotally connected to one another, with one oriented up and one oriented down. These A-frames can also be described as foldable wishbone-like frames.
Advantageously, preferably there is provided at least one lock operable for locking the collapsible frame assembly in its extended configuration and for unlocking the same to allow the collapsible frame assembly to be collapsed. Preferably, the lock includes a hand-operated control for unlocking the lock in the form of a hand-operated knob.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 13/829,667 filed Mar. 14, 2013, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/762,039 filed Feb. 7, 2013, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61762039 | Feb 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13829667 | Mar 2013 | US |
| Child | 14824190 | US |
