Method and device for establishing a place of rest for small children

Abstract

A device for providing a resting place for toddlers, partly on top of, partly in front of a seat in an object of public transportation. It comprises a suitcase, comprising of a trunk box and a reversible suitcase lid. The suitcase lid is in first position closed and suitable for transportation, while the suitcase lid in another, ready-to-use position, is upside down as compared with the first position and secured over, and to, the trunk box by means of an arranged attachment mechanism. The side of the lid which is facing upwards in the ready-to-use position, is substantially planar and thereby adapted to act as part of a bed base.

Claims

1. A device for establishing a place of rest for small children, partly on top of and partly in front of, a seat in an object of public transportation, the device having a form of a suitcase comprising: a trunk box (3) having a front side, a rear side, and lateral sides between the front side and the rear side, and a turnable suitcase lid (4), wherein the suitcase lid (4) is movable between a first position, which is closed and arranged for transportation and a second position, which is turned upside down in relation to said first position and attached above the trunk box (3) via an attachment mechanism (8a,b; 18a,b) arranged therein, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises at least two vertical rods attachable to the suitcase lid (4), wherein each one of the at least two vertical rods is substantially centered between the lateral sides, said suitcase lid (4) having a height that is adjustable relative to the trunk box (3) in the second position, and the side of the suitcase lid (4) facing upwards in the second position being substantially flat and functional as a bed bottom, wherein the suitcase lid (4) is height adjustable via the attachment mechanism (8a,b; 18a,b).

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the suitcase lid (4) is fixated in the second position by means of said attachment mechanism.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises at least two vertical rods (81, 8b) attachable to the suitcase lid (4).

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least two vertical rods (8a, 8b) penetrate the suitcase lid (4) in the second position.

5. The device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of wheels (1,2).

6. The device of claim 5, comprising four wheels (1,2).

7. The device of claim 5, wherein at least one of said wheels is lockable.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein two wheels of the plurality of wheels comprise front wheels, wherein the front wheels are proximate the front side of the trunk box, and wherein one of the at least two vertical rods is proximate the front side.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein two wheels of the plurality of wheels comprise rear wheels, wherein the rear wheels are proximate the rear side of the trunk box, and wherein one of the at least two vertical rods is proximate the rear side.

10. The device of claim 5, wherein two wheels of the plurality of wheels comprise front wheels, and wherein one of the at least two vertical rods is between the lid and the front wheels.

11. The device of claim 5, wherein two wheels of the plurality of wheels comprise rear wheels, and wherein one of the at least two vertical rods is between the lid and the rear wheels.

12. The device of claim 1, comprising a mattress (9) having a length corresponding substantially to the distance between two aircraft seats and a width corresponding substantially to the width of standard aircraft seat (1).

13. A method for establishing a place of rest for small children, partly on top of and partly in front of, a seat in an object of public transportation, comprising: positioning a device as defined by claim 1 between two seats (11); arranging the suitcase lid (4) in the second position, and adjusting the height of the suitcase lid (4) relative to the trunk box (3).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lid is fixated in the second position.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the suitcase lid (4) is height adjustable in the second position via the attachment mechanism (8a,b; 18a,b).

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the suitcase lid (4) is height adjustable in the second position via the attachment mechanism (8a,b; 18a,b).

17. The device of claim 1, comprising a mattress (9) having a length corresponding substantially to the distance between two aircraft seats and a width corresponding substantially to the width of standard aircraft seat (11).

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the device comprises a mattress (9) having a length corresponding substantially to the distance between two aircraft seats and a width corresponding substantially to the width of standard aircraft seat (11).

19. A method for establishing a place of rest for small children, partly on top of and partly in front of, a seat in an object of public transportation, comprising: positioning a device as defined by claim 1 between two seats (11); arranging the suitcase lid (4) in the second position, and adjusting the height of the suitcase lid (4) according to the height of the seat (11) in front of which it is positioned.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the turnable suitcase lid comprises a front side, a rear side, and lateral sides between the front side and the rear side, wherein the turnable suitcase lid further comprises a first lock button on the front side and a second lock button on the rear side, and wherein the at least two vertical rods are between the first lock button and the second lock button.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following text, the invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows in perspective, an embodiment of the disclosed device in closed position,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in ready-to-use position,

(4) FIG. 3 shows in an end view, an alternative embodiment of the disclosed device,

(5) FIG. 4 shows in principle the same as FIG. 2a, but with additional equipment,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a passenger seat, in which an embodiment of the disclosed device is placed in ready-to-use position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the disclosed device, which in appearance is a wheeled suitcase with four wheels. The front wheels 1 has swivel, to be able to control the direction when rolling, while the rear wheels 2 has a fixed orientation. The suitcase comprises a trunk box 3, and a suitcase lid 4. The suitcase lid 4 has handles 5a, 5b, and two through holes 6a, 6b in the illustrated embodiment. On each side of the trunk box 3, substantially vertical rods 8a, 8b may be internally arranged. These are adapted to penetrate each of its holes 6a, 6b. This is to enable height adjustment of the suitcase lid 4 in ready-to-use position. The suitcase lid 4 is raised and lowered by pressing the two spring-loaded locking buttons 7 on the short sides of the suitcase lid 4. The vertical rods 8a, 8b may be permanent, and possibly with adjustable mounting in the trunk box 3, or the trunk box 3 can be provided with inner recesses, that the rods will fit in, and be placed in, after the lid is opened.

(8) FIG. 2 shows the device with the suitcase lid 4 inverted, which means the suitcase lid is turned 180 degrees about a horizontal axis compared to the first position. The suitcase lid's 4 flat underside is then turned up, and it is planar or substantially planar. The suitcase lid 4 is locked in the two vertical rods 8a, 8b, using a fixation which goes into effect when you release the lock button 7. The through holes 6a, 6b in the suitcase lid 4 allows the suitcase lid 4 to be used with the flat side both up and down. In ready-to-use position, the vertical rods 8a, 8b penetrates the suitcase lid 4.

(9) FIG. 3 shows schematically, and very simplified, a device according to the disclosure, having an alternative attachment mechanism to the combination of the rods 8a, 8b and custom holes 6a, 6b which are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This alternative consists of an attachment mechanism 18a, 18b that each includes extendable intersecting struts which with purpose can be locked with locking bolts 19. A lower cross beam 16 may be attached in the suitcase, while an upper crossbeam 17 could be adapted to operate with a recess in the suitcase lid. It must be understood that there will be one such fastening mechanism 18a at one end of the suitcase, and another attachment mechanism 18b at the opposite end, similar to the rods 8a, respectively 8b. By extracting fastening mechanisms 18a, 18b to the desired level, and lock them, the desired height adjustment will be achieved.

(10) It is described above that the said attachment mechanism, whether it includes vertical rods 8a, 8b or extendable cross bracings 18a, 18b, only operates with the suitcase lid 4 when the lid is facing with the substantially planar side up and the device is thus ready for use. But, the establishment of an attachment mechanism (not illustrated) which also cooperates with the lid in its closed position, could also very well be done. However, typically the lid is held in the closed position by means of conventional latches.

(11) A skilled professional in the field will understand that other possibilities for the height adjustment is also present within the scope of the invention. An example of another method of height adjustment of the suitcase lid is the use of actuators and/or height adjustment by means of an electric, battery-powered motor.

(12) FIG. 4 shows the disclosed device with a mattress 9 on top. The mattress 9 can be rolled up and is shown with sidewalls 10a, 10b which is suitable to prevent the baby from rolling out. In this Figure, the suitcase lid 4 is fixed in position on the vertical rods 8a, 8b, using the latch in the lock buttons 7 on the suitcase lid 4 short sides.

(13) FIG. 5 shows the disclosed device in front of an aircraft seat 11, in ready-to-use position. The device is here set up at the innermost aircraft seat, near a window 12. The mattress 9 is rolled out across the suitcase lid 4 flat side and also the seat cushion on the aircraft seat 11, to which the device is placed in front of. The wheels 1 are locked in position to prevent lateral displacement.