Abstract
A mountable bassinet is provided. The bassinet is configured to remain in an upright, usable configuration when mounted to a structure, such as a playard. However, when the bassinet is removed from the playard, the bassinet automatically changes configuration to signal to the user that the bassinet should no longer be used (for example, the bassinet should not be used to hold a child while the bassinet is on the ground). For example, this may be accomplished by providing supporting arms on the bassinet that are configured to remain locked while the bassinet is mounted on the playard, but unlock, causing the bassinet to tilt or collapse when the bassinet is removed from the playard.
Claims
1. A system comprising: a structure; and a bassinet comprising one or more supporting members configured to be received by the structure, wherein the bassinet is elevated from a surface by the structure, wherein the one or more supporting members are configured to retain the bassinet in an upright position while the bassinet is mounted on the structure, and wherein the one or more supporting members are configured cause the bassinet to adjust into a configuration that is unusable as a sleeping surface upon removal of the bassinet from the structure.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure is a playard.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure further comprises a docking portion configured to receive a first supporting member of the one or more supporting members while the bassinet is mounted on the structure.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the bassinet further comprises a sprung lever arm and a spring, wherein the sprung lever arm is pressed against the docking portion by the spring while the bassinet is mounted on the structure.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein a first supporting member of the one or more supporting members comprises a first portion and a second portion connected via a hinge.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first supporting member further comprises a locking member provided in the second portion, a spring, and a strut including an aperture configured to receive the locking member, wherein the locking member is pushed upwards into the aperture by the structure of the structure while the bassinet is provided on the structure of the structure, and wherein the locking member is pushed downwards and out of the aperture by the spring upon removal of the bassinet from the structure, wherein the first supporting member rotates about the hinge upon the locking member being pushed out of the aperture.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the bassinet further comprises a top rail comprising a first portion and a second portion, a first gear connected to the first portion, and a second gear connected to the second portion, wherein a first supporting member of the one or more supporting members prevents rotation of the first gear and second gear while the bassinet is mounted on the structure.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein a first supporting member of the one or more supporting members includes a spring connected to a pulley about a rotation point, wherein the spring is connected to the bassinet and causes a rotation of the first supporting member about the rotation point.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein a first supporting member of the one or more supporting members is a telescoping leg including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the telescoping leg is locked in an extended configuration while the bassinet is mounted on the structure, and wherein the telescoping leg collapses downward upon the bassinet being removed from the structure.
10. A bassinet comprising: one or more supporting members that are configured to engage with a structure to mount the bassinet on the structure such that the bassinet is elevated from a surface, wherein the one or more supporting members are configured to retain the bassinet in an upright position while the bassinet is mounted on the structure, and wherein the one or more supporting members are configured cause the bassinet to adjust into a configuration that is unusable as a sleeping surface upon removal of the bassinet from the structure.
11. The bassinet of claim 10, wherein a first supporting member of the one or more supporting members is configured to be received by a docking portion of the structure while the bassinet is mounted on the structure.
12. The bassinet of claim 11, further comprising a sprung lever arm and a spring, wherein the sprung lever arm is pressed against the docking portion by the spring while the bassinet is mounted on the structure.
13. The bassinet of claim 10, wherein a first supporting member of the one or more supporting members comprises a first portion and a second portion connected via a hinge.
14. The bassinet of claim 13, wherein the first supporting member further comprises a locking member provided in the second portion, a spring, and a strut including an aperture configured to receive the locking member, wherein the locking member is pushed upwards into the aperture by the top rail of the structure while the bassinet is provided on top rail of the structure, and wherein the locking member is pushed downwards and out of the aperture by the spring upon removal of the bassinet from the structure, wherein the first supporting member rotates about the hinge upon the locking member being pushed out of the aperture.
15. The bassinet of claim 13, further comprising a top rail comprising a first portion and a second portion, a first gear connected to the first portion, and a second gear connected to the second portion, wherein a first supporting member of the one or more supporting members prevents rotation of the first gear and second gear while the bassinet is mounted on the structure.
16. The bassinet of claim 13, wherein a first supporting member of the one or more supporting members includes a spring connected to a pulley about a rotation point, wherein the spring is connected to the bassinet and causes a rotation of the first supporting member about the rotation point.
17. The bassinet of claim 13, wherein a first supporting member of the one or more supporting members is a telescoping leg including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the telescoping leg is locked in an extended configuration while the bassinet is mounted on the structure, and wherein the telescoping leg collapses downward upon the bassinet being removed from the structure.
18. The bassinet of claim 13, wherein the structure is a playard.
19. A system comprising: a bassinet; and a structure comprising one or more supporting members configured to receive the bassinet, wherein the one or more supporting members are configured to retain the bassinet in an upright position while the bassinet is provided on the structure, and wherein the bassinet collapses from the upright position upon removal from the structure.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the one or more supporting members comprise a first cavity configured to receive a top rail of the structure, and wherein the one or more supporting members further comprise a second cavity configured to receive a protrusion on the bassinet.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a system including a bassinet and a playard.
[0009] FIG. 2A shows a side view of an engagement system for a bassinet.
[0010] FIG. 2B shows a close-up front view of a portion of the engagement system of FIG. 2A.
[0011] FIG. 2C shows another side view of the engagement system of FIG. 2A in which the bassinet is engaged with the playard.
[0012] FIG. 2D shows a front view of the bassinet of FIG. 2A that is removed from a playard.
[0013] FIG. 3A shows a front view of another bassinet for use with a playard.
[0014] FIGS. 3B-3C show a front view of the bassinet of FIG. 3A that is removed from the playard.
[0015] FIG. 3D shows a close-up view of a locking mechanism of the bassinet of FIG. 3A.
[0016] FIGS. 3E-3I show a transition of the locking member of FIG. 3C from a locked position to an unlocked position.
[0017] FIG. 4A shows a front view of another bassinet for use with a playard.
[0018] FIG. 4B shows a front view of the bassinet of FIG. 4A that is removed from the playard.
[0019] FIG. 5A shows a front view of another bassinet for use with a playard.
[0020] FIGS. 5B-5D show a front view of the bassinet of FIG. 5A that is removed from the playard.
[0021] FIGS. 5E-5H show a transition of a locking member of the bassinet of FIG. 5A from a locked position to an unlocked position.
[0022] FIG. 6A shows a front view of another bassinet for use with a playard.
[0023] FIG. 6B shows a close-up view of a locking member of the bassinet of FIG. 6A in a locked position.
[0024] FIG. 7A shows a front view of another bassinet for use with a playard.
[0025] FIGS. 7B-7D show a front view of the bassinet of FIG. 7A that is removed from the playard.
[0026] FIGS. 7E-7H show a close-up view of the engagement mechanism used to engage the bassinet and the playard of FIG. 7A.
[0027] FIG. 8A shows a front view of another bassinet for use with a playard.
[0028] FIGS. 8B-8D show a front view of the bassinet of FIG. 8A that is removed from the playard.
[0029] FIGS. 8E-8F show a close-up view of a locking member of the bassinet of FIG. 8A.
[0030] FIG. 8G shows a close-up view of a locking member of the bassinet of FIG. 8A in a locked position.
[0031] FIG. 9A shows a side view of another bassinet provided on a playard and in a first configuration.
[0032] FIG. 9B shows a side view of the bassinet of FIG. 9A that is removed from the playard and in a second configuration.
[0033] FIG. 10A shows a side view of another bassinet provided on a playard and in a first configuration.
[0034] FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 10A provided on the playard in the first configuration.
[0035] FIG. 10C shows a side view of the bassinet of FIG. 10A that is removed from the playard and in a second configuration.
[0036] FIG. 10D shows a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 10A that is removed from the playard and in a second configuration.
[0037] FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of another bassinet provided on a playard and in a first configuration.
[0038] FIG. 11B shows a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 11A that is removed from the playard and in a second configuration.
[0039] FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of another bassinet provided in a first configuration.
[0040] FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 12A provided in a second configuration.
[0041] FIG. 12C shows a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 12A provided in a third configuration.
[0042] FIG. 12D shows a front view of the bassinet of FIG. 12A provided on a playard.
[0043] FIG. 12E shows the bassinet of FIG. 12A removed from the playard and in the first configuration.
[0044] FIG. 12F shows a close-up view of a locking mechanism of the bassinet of FIG. 12A.
[0045] FIG. 13A shows a perspective view of another bassinet provided in a first configuration on a playard.
[0046] FIG. 13B shows a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 13A provided in a second configuration on the playard.
[0047] FIG. 13C shows a close-up view of the bassinet of FIG. 13A on the playard.
[0048] FIG. 13D shows a frame of the bassinet of FIG. 13A.
[0049] FIG. 13E shows a close-up view of another bassinet provided on a playard.
[0050] FIG. 13F shows a frame of the basinet of FIG. 13E.
[0051] FIG. 13G shows a side-view of the bassinet of FIG. 13A provided in the first configuration on the playard.
[0052] FIG. 13H shows a side-view of the bassinet of FIG. 13A provided in the second configuration on the playard.
[0053] FIG. 14A shows a perspective view of another bassinet provided in a first configuration on a playard.
[0054] FIG. 14B shows a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 14A provided in a second configuration without the playard.
[0055] FIG. 14C shows a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 14A provided in the second configuration on the playard.
[0056] FIG. 14D shows a frame of the basinet of FIG. 14A in the first configuration.
[0057] FIG. 14E shows a frame of the basinet of FIG. 14A in the second configuration.
[0058] FIG. 14F shows a perspective view of another bassinet in a first configuration.
[0059] FIG. 14G shows a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 14F in a second configuration.
[0060] FIG. 14H shows a perspective view of another bassinet in a first configuration.
[0061] FIG. 14I shows a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 14H in a second configuration.
[0062] FIG. 14J shows a perspective view of another bassinet provided on a playard in a first configuration.
[0063] FIG. 14K shows a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 14J provided on the playard in a second configuration.
[0064] FIG. 14L shows the bassinet of FIG. 14J removed from the playard in the first configuration.
[0065] FIG. 15A shows a perspective view of another bassinet provided on a playard.
[0066] FIG. 15B shows a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 15A on a playard.
[0067] FIG. 15C shows a perspective view of another bassinet provided on a playard.
[0068] The present disclosure provides a more detailed and specific description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and specific descriptions of the drawings, as well as any specific or other embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entirety of this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0069] Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. The concepts disclosed herein may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the concepts to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like, but not necessarily the same or identical elements throughout.
[0070] The present disclosure describes a system including a bassinet that is configured to automatically lock into a usable configuration when mounted on a structure but transitions into an unusable configuration when the bassinet is removed from the structure and placed on the ground. As a non-limiting example, the structure may be a playard and the basinet may be mounted to a top rail of the playard when it is desired for the bassinet to be used to hold a child. This allows the bassinet to comply with any relevant regulations that require the bassinet to only be used at certain heights above the ground.
[0071] In embodiments, this may be accomplished by providing one or more supporting members on the bassinet (these supporting members may instead be provided on the playard in some embodiments). The one or more supporting members may include mechanisms that allow for the one or more supporting members to automatically lock in a fixed configuration when the bassinet is mounted to the playard. This provides a rigid vertical structure that allows the bassinet to remain upright and usable while mounted to the playard. When the bassinet is removed from the playard, however, the mechanisms may cause the supporting members automatically unlock, which eliminates the rigid vertical structure that was provided by the supporting members when the bassinet was mounted on the playard. The bassinet is then able to tilt, collapse, or otherwise signal to a user that the bassinet should no longer be used as a sleeping space for a child now that the bassinet is not mounted on the playard. Different examples of such mechanisms that cause the bassinet to automatically transition between the usable and unusable configurations are shown in greater detail in the figures described below.
[0072] While reference is made to the bassinet being mounted on a playard, this is not intended to be limiting and the bassinet may similarly be mounted to another type of structure as well. Additionally, while reference is generally made to one or more supporting members that lock and unlock, the transition of the bassinet between the usable and the unusable configurations may also be effectuated using other types of mechanisms, as shown in the figures described below.
[0073] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a system 100 including a bassinet 102 and a playard 104. FIG. 1 provides an example of the bassinet 102 being mounted on the playard 104 such that the bassinet 102 is provided at a threshold height above the ground in accordance with any applicable regulations. As shown in the figure, the bassinet 102 is mounted to a top rail 106 of the playard 104, however, the bassinet 102 may also be mounted to any other structure on the playard 104. Additionally, the bassinet 102 is shown as being mounted to the playard 106 via a first supporting member 108 and a second supporting member 110, however, any other number of supporting members may be used to mount the bassinet 102 to the playard 104. This is also applicable to any of the other figures described herein. That is, while the perspectives shown in the figures may only show one supporting member (or a certain number of supporting members), this is not intended to be limiting and any other number of supporting members may be used in any of the embodiments show in the figures.
[0074] FIG. 2A shows a side view of an engagement system for a bassinet 200 (only a portion of the basinet 200 is shown) that is configured to be removably coupled to a playard 210 (only one rail 212 of the playard 210 is shown). The engagement system includes a supporting member 202 that is provided on the bassinet 200. For example, the supporting member 202 may be affixed to a top rail 204 of the bassinet 200, however, the supporting member 202 may also be affixed to any other structure of the bassinet 200. The engagement system also includes a docking portion 214 that is provided on the top rail 212 of the playard 210 (the docking portion 214 may also be affixed to any other structure of the playard 210). The supporting member 202 is configured to be received within the docking portion 214 provided on the playard 210 by sliding the supporting member 202 into the docking portion 214. Once the supporting member 202 is received by the docking portion 214, the bassinet 200 may be secured in place on top of the playard 210. For example, FIG. 2B shows a close-up front view of a portion of the supporting member 202 that is inserted into the docking portion 214.
[0075] The supporting member 202 also includes a sprung lever arm 206 that is provided on the bassinet 202 proximate to the supporting member 202. A spring 208 is provided that produces a force against the sprung lever arm 206. The force pushes the sprung lever arm 206 in a direction towards the supporting member 202. Thus, when supporting member 202 of the bassinet 200 is inserted into the docking portion 214 of the playard 210, the sprung lever arm 206 presses against the docking portion 214 by the force of the spring 208. The docking portion 214 may also include one or more apertures 216 that may receive one or more protrusions 207 provided on the sprung lever arm 206. When supporting member 202 is engaged with the docking portion 214, the one or more protrusions 207 of the sprung lever arm 206 may be pressed into the one or more apertures 216 of the docking portion 214 by the spring 208. This provides further stability to the bassinet 200 when the bassinet 200 is mounted on the playard 210. FIG. 2C shows another side view of the engagement system of FIG. 2A in which the bassinet 200 is engaged with the playard 210.
[0076] When a user desires to remove the bassinet 200 from the playard 210, the user may disengage the sprung lever arm 206 from the one or more apertures 216 and pull the supporting member 204 upwards and out from the docking portion 214. FIG. 2D shows a front view of the bassinet 200 of FIG. 2A that is removed from the playard 210. Particularly, FIG. 2D shows that when the bassinet 200 is placed on the ground instead of being mounted on the playard 210, the bassinet 200 is unable to remain upright and is unusable. This is because the supporting member 202 protrudes beyond the bottom 220 of the bassinet 200 and prevents the bottom 220 of the bassinet 200 from resting flush on the ground. This provides an indication to a user that the bassinet 200 should only be used when provided on the playard 210. This is an example of an embodiment in which the supporting member 202 remains a rigid, vertical structure even when the bassinet 200 is removed from the playard 210 but still signals to the user that the bassinet 200 should not be used when removed from the playard 210 (or another structure that allows the bassinet 200 to be provided at a given height above the ground). Other embodiments described below instead involve the supporting member transitioning between a rigid, locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.
[0077] An example of such an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3A-3I. FIG. 3A shows a front view of another bassinet 300 for use with a playard 302. The bassinet 300 includes supporting member 303, which includes a first portion 304 and a second portion 306. A similar supporting member may also be provided at the rear of the bassinet 300 (and/or any other side of the bassinet 300). The supporting member 303 is configured to be locked in a rigid, vertical arrangement (for example, the first portion 304 and the second portion 306 align as shown in FIG. 3A to create a rigid vertical structure to support the bassinet 300 in an upright position) when the bassinet 300 is attached to the playard 302. When the bassinet 300 is removed from the playard 302, a hinge 305 automatically unlocks and the first portion 304 of the supporting member 303 may then rotate relative to the second portion 306 of the supporting member 303 (for example, as shown in FIGS. 3B-3C). This allows the bassinet 300 to then tip over into a position that is unusable (shown in FIG. 3C). This provides a different type of indication to a user that the bassinet 300 should not be used when the bassinet is removed from the playard 302.
[0078] FIG. 3D shows a close-up view of the supporting member 303 of the bassinet 300 of FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 3D, the supporting member 303 includes a first portion 304 and a second portion 306 that are connected via the hinge 305. While reference is made here to a hinge 305, any other type of mechanism that allow for the rotation of the first portion 304 relative to the second portion 306 may also be used. That is, the hinge may be more generally referred to as a rotation point. This may also be applicable to any other hinge described herein.
[0079] Provided within the second portion 306 is a locking member 308 that is configured to be movable within the second portion 306 along a vertical axis 307. A spring 310 is also provided in the supporting member 303 that produces a downward force against the locking member 308, pushing the locking member 308 downward into a first position (for example, shown in FIG. 3D) in which a portion of the locking member 308 slightly protrudes from the second portion 306.
[0080] When the bassinet 300 is provided on the playard 302, the top rail 320 of the playard 302 presses upwards against the portion of the locking member 308 that protrudes from the second portion 306. This produces a force against the locking member 308 in the upward direction, causing a compression of the spring 310 and causing the locking member 308 to move upward within the second portion 306 (as shown in FIG. 3F). The upward force on the locking member 308 pushes the locking member 308 into an aperture 312 provided within a strut 311 located at the hinge 305. The locking member 308 being within the aperture 312 prevents the rotation of the first portion 304 of the supporting member 303 relative to the second portion 306 of the supporting member 303. Thus, when the bassinet 300 is provided on the playard 302, the supporting member 303 is locked in the vertical configuration such that the bassinet 300 remains upright and usable.
[0081] In contrast, when the bassinet 300 is removed from the playard 302, the locking member 308 is no longer being forced upwards by the top rail 320 of the playard 302. As a result, the spring 310 de-compresses and forces the locking member 308 back downwards along the vertical axis 307 such that the locking member 308 again protrudes from the second portion 306. This allows the supporting member 303 to then freely rotate about the hinge 305, causing the bassinet 300 to tip over, as shown in FIG. 3C. FIGS. 3E-3I illustrate this transition of the supporting member of FIG. 3D from a locked position to an unlocked position.
[0082] FIG. 3D shows that the supporting member 303 may further include additional locking mechanisms for securing the bassinet 300 to the playard 310. For example, FIG. 3D shows the supporting member as also including a locking mechanism 314. When the bassinet 300 is provided on the playard 310, the locking mechanism 314 engages with the top rail 320 of the playard 310, providing an additional point at which the bassinet 300 is secured to the playard 310. A user may disengage the locking mechanism 314 from the top rail 320 when it is desired for the bassinet 300 to be removed from the playard 310 (or the locking mechanism 314 may disengage automatically when the bassinet is pulled upwards from the playard 310).
[0083] Additionally, in some embodiments, rather than the supporting member 303 simply being able to rotate about the hinge 305 when the bassinet 300 is removed from the playard 310, the spring 310 may actively pull the supporting member 303 into a collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 3I such that the bassinet 300 is actively tipped over when the bassinet 300 is removed from the playard 310. This may be accomplished by providing the spring 310 horizontally offset from a center vertical axis through the supporting member 303, for example.
[0084] FIG. 4A shows a front view of another bassinet 400 for use with a playard 406. The basinet 400 includes supporting member 404. A similar supporting member may also be provided at the rear of the bassinet 400 (and/or any other side of the bassinet 400). The supporting member 404 includes a spring-loaded rod 405. The spring-loaded rod 405 is engaged with one or more gears provided at the top of the bassinet 400. A first gear 408 of the one or more gears is attached to a first portion 410 of the top rail of the bassinet 400 and a second gear 409 of the one or more gears is attached to a second portion 411 of the top rail of the bassinet 400. Accordingly, a rotation of the first gear 408 results in a rotation of the first portion 410 of the top rail of the bassinet 400 and a rotation of the second gear 409 results in a rotation of the second portion 411 of the top rail of the bassinet 400. Although the figure shows two gears being provided, any other number of gears may be used. Further, any other type of mechanism may be used to cause the rotation of the first portion 410 and the second portion 411 as well.
[0085] When the bassinet 400 is provided on the playard 402 (as shown in FIG. 4A), the playard 402 (for example, a top rail of the playard 406 or any other structure of the playard 406) produces an upward force against the spring-loaded rod 405. This compresses the spring 407 engaged with the spring-loaded rod 405 and causes the spring-loaded rod 405 to engage with the first gear 408 and the second gear 409, preventing a rotation of the first gear 408 and the second gear 409. This locks the first portion 410 of the top rail of the bassinet 400 and the second portion 411 of the top rail of the bassinet 400 in the horizontal configuration shown in FIG. 4A such that the bassinet 400 is usable.
[0086] In contrast, when the bassinet 400 is removed from the playard 406 (as shown in FIG. 4B), the spring 407 is no longer compressed by the force of the playard 406 against the spring-loaded rod 405, and the spring 407 de-compresses and forces the spring-loaded rod 405 back downward. This causes the spring-loaded rod 405 to disengage from the first gear 408 and the second gear 409, causing first gear 408 and the second gear 409 to freely rotate. As aforementioned, the rotation of the first gear 408 and the second gear 409 also causes rotation of the first portion 410 of the top rail of the bassinet 400 and the second portion 411 of the top rail of the bassinet 400. This results in the bassinet 400 collapsing into a configuration that is not usable, as shown in FIG. 4B. This provides yet another type of indication to a user that the bassinet 400 should not be used when the bassinet 400 is removed from the playard 406.
[0087] FIG. 5A shows a front view of another bassinet 500 for use with a playard (not shown in the figure). The bassinet 500 includes first supporting member 502, second supporting member 508, and third supporting member 514. Although not shown in the perspective of the figure, the bassinet 500 may also include a fourth supporting member at the rear of the bassinet that is similar to the third supporting member 514.
[0088] The first supporting member 502 and the second supporting member 508 may include a similar mechanism as the supporting member 303 of FIG. 3D. For example, the first supporting member 502 includes a first portion 504 and a second portion 506 that are connected via a hinge. Provided within the second portion 506 is a member that is configured to be movable within the second portion 506 along a vertical axis. A spring (shown in FIGS. 5F-5H) is also provided in the first supporting member 502 that produces a downward force against the member, pushing the member downward into a first position in which a portion of the member slightly protrudes from the second portion 506.
[0089] When the bassinet 500 is provided on the playard, the top rail of the playard presses upwards against the portion of the member that protrudes from the second portion 506. This produces a force against the member in the upward direction, causing a compression of the spring and causing the member to move upward within the second portion. The upward force on the member pushes the member into an aperture provided within a strut located at the hinge. The member being within the aperture prevents the rotation of the first portion 504 of the first supporting member 502 relative to the second portion 506 of the first supporting member 502. Thus, when the bassinet 500 is provided on the playard, the first supporting member 502 is locked in the vertical configuration such that the bassinet 500 remains upright and usable.
[0090] In contrast, when the bassinet 500 is removed from the playard, the member is no longer being forced upwards by the top rail of the playard. As a result, the spring de-compresses and forces the member back downwards along the vertical axis such that the member again protrudes from the second portion 506. A similar mechanism may be provided in the second supporting member 508.
[0091] When the bassinet 500 is removed from the playard (as shown in FIGS. 5B-5D), the first supporting member 502 and the second supporting member 508 pivot about their respective hinges and the bassinet 500 collapses downward on itself into an unusable configuration (shown in FIG. 5D). Similar to FIGS. 3E-3I, FIGS. 5E-5H illustrate the transition of the first supporting member 502 or the second supporting member 508 from a locked position to an unlocked position.
[0092] Additionally, the third supporting member 514 (and/or the fourth supporting member) may also include a first portion 516 and a second portion 518. The first portion 516 and second portion 518 are configured to move relative to one another such that when the bassinet 500 is removed from the playard and the first supporting member 502 and the second supporting member 508 pivot about their respective hinges, the first portion 516 and the second portion 518 may move relative to one another to allow the bassinet 500 to collapse downward, as shown in FIG. 5D.
[0093] FIG. 6A shows a front view of another bassinet 600 for use with a playard 606. The basinet 600 includes supporting member 604. A similar supporting member may also be provided at the rear of the bassinet 600 (and/or any other side of the bassinet 600).
[0094] The supporting member 604 is shown in further detail in FIG. 6B. Particularly, FIG. 6B shows that the supporting member 604 includes a spring 607 that is connected to a pulley mechanism 608, where the spring 607 and pulley mechanism 608 are provided about a rotation point 605 in the supporting member 604. The spring 607 may be attached to a structure of the bassinet 600. For example, the spring 607 may be attached to a top rail of the bassinet 600, however, may also be attached to any other structure as well. When the bassinet 600 is provided on the playard 606, the supporting member 604 is locked in a vertical configuration (as shown in FIG. 6B) based on the top rail 620 of the playard 606 engaging with a portion 618 of the supporting member 604 and preventing rotation of the supporting member 604 about the rotation point 605. In this configuration, the spring 607 is decompressed and, without the engagement of the portion 618 and the top rail 620 and the supporting member 604, would compress and pull the pulley mechanism 608 towards the spring 607, causing a rotation of the supporting member 604 about the rotation point 605.
[0095] FIG. 7A shows a front view of another bassinet 700 for use with a playard 706. Particularly, FIG. 7A shows an embodiment in which a supporting member 704 used to support the bassinet 700 on the playard 706 is provided on the playard 706 rather than being provided on the bassinet 700. In this embodiment, the bassinet 700 may not have any rigid vertical supporting structure such that when the bassinet 700 is removed from the playard 706, the bassinet 700 collapses downwards on itself (for example, FIGS. 7B-7D show the bassinet 700 being removed from the playard 706 and collapsing down on itself into an unusable configuration). However, when the bassinet 700 is provided on the playard 706, the basinet 700 engages with the supporting member 704 on the playard 706, and the supporting member 704 provides this rigid vertical supporting structure such that the bassinet 700 remains un-collapsed and usable while on the playard 706.
[0096] FIGS. 7E-7H show a close-up view of the supporting member 704 used to engage the bassinet 700 and the playard 706 of FIG. 7A. FIGS. 7E-7H only show half of the supporting member 704 that may be provided on the playard 706 and another half of the supporting member 704 may also be provided (for example, a similar structure as shown in FIG. 7E that is mirrored across the axis 713). The supporting member 704 includes a first member 708 with a first cavity 707 that is configured to receive a top rail 713 of the playard 706. The supporting member 704 also includes a second member 709 that is affixed to the first member 708 and includes a second cavity 710 configured to receive a protrusion 718 provided on the bassinet 700.
[0097] FIGS. 7E-7H also show that the playard 706 may include a platform 712 that is rotatable from an upright position into a horizontal position (shown in FIGS. 7E-7F). When the platform 712 is rotated to the horizontal position, the platform 712 serves as a solid surface on which the bassinet 700 may rest. FIG. 7F also shows that a mattress 714 or other type of soft surface may be provided on top of the platform 712 as a more suitable surface on which a child may rest in the bassinet 700.
[0098] FIGS. 7G-7H show the bassinet 700 being provided on the playard 706 and engaging with the supporting member 704. Particularly, FIG. 7G shows the bassinet 700 being inserted downwards on the playard 706. The bassinet 700 includes a rigid structure including a protrusion 718 that is received by the second cavity 710 included in the second member 709 of the supporting member 704. FIG. 7H shows the protrusion 718 provided within the second cavity 710 and the bassinet 700 fully engaged with the playard 706. As shown in FIG. 7H, with the bassinet 700 fully engaged with the playard 706, the mattress 714 (or other soft structure) is located at the bottom of the bassinet 700 and serves as a suitable resting place for a child. To remove the bassinet 700 from the playard 706, a user may disengage the protrusion 718 from the second cavity 710 and lift the bassinet 700 from the playard 706.
[0099] FIG. 8A shows a front view of another bassinet 800 for use with a playard 816. The bassinet 800 includes a first telescoping leg 802, which includes a first portion 804 and a second portion 806. The bassinet 800 also includes a second telescoping leg 807, which includes a first portion 808 and a second portion 810. The bassinet further includes a third telescoping leg 812, which includes a first portion 814 and a second portion 816. The bassinet 800 may also include a fourth telescoping leg and/or any other number of telescoping legs (including two or fewer telescoping legs as well).
[0100] When the bassinet 800 is provided on the playard 816, the first telescoping leg 802, the second telescoping leg 807, and the third telescoping leg 812 are locked in an extended configuration (shown in FIG. 8A) such that the bassinet may be usable. However, when the bassinet 800 is removed from the playard 816, the first telescoping leg 802, the second telescoping leg 807, and the third telescoping leg 812 collapse downwards, causing the bassinet 800 to also collapse into an unusable configuration (shown in FIG. 8D).
[0101] FIGS. 8E-8G show a close-up view of a telescoping leg, of the bassinet 800 of FIG. 8A. Particularly, FIGS. 8E-8G show a close-up view of the first telescoping leg 802, however, similar structure and functionality may be associated with any of the other telescoping legs.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 8E, the first telescoping leg 802 includes a spring-loaded rod 820 that has a slider 822 at the top that supports the top part of the whole assembly. The spring-loaded rod 820 is held in place by the top rail 824 of the playard 816. When the first telescoping leg 802 is removed from the top rail 824, the spring-loaded rod 820 is pushed down by the spring, making the slider 822 move to the right and out of engagement with the stop 828 on the upper part 826 of the assembly. The spring-loaded rod 802 may include a pin in a slotted groove in the slider 822 such that when the spring attached to the spring-loaded rod 802 pushes the spring-loaded rod 802 down, the pin travels down and moves the slides 822 to the right. Gravity pulls the upper part 826 of the assembly down. When the user resets the telescoping leg 802, a spring 830 at the slider 822 locks the slider 822 in place when the user places the bassinet 800 on the playard 816. The spring-loaded rod 802 is pushed upward by the top rail of the playard 816, causing the pin to travel upward in the slotted groove of the slider 822, sliding it to the left with the assistance of spring 830, putting the bassinet 800 in the locked configuration with the stop 828.
[0103] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate another manner in which a bassinet may be converted between multiple configurations. Specifically, rather than the bassinet converting between a usable and an unusable configuration, the bassinets shown in FIGS. 9-11 are converted between a configuration for one type of a use and a configuration for a different type of use (for example, converting between a bed for a child and a seat for a child).
[0104] Beginning with, FIGS. 9A-9B a side view of another bassinet 900 is shown. In FIGS. 9A-9B, there is a spring-driven mechanism that converts the sleeping area of the bassinet 900 into an inclined seating area (shown in FIG. 9B) when the bassinet 900 is removed from the playard 922. Accordingly, the sleeping mode of the basinet 900 is only accessible when the bassinet 900 is mounted to the playard 922.
[0105] FIG. 9A shows a first configuration in which the bassinet 900 is mounted on the playard 922 and is in the sleeping mode. In this configuration, a key 920 is pushed upward (in a similar manner as the supporting members of FIG. 3D is shown as being pushed upward, for example) and locked into place. When the key 920 is pushed upward when the bassinet 900 is mounted to the playard 922, an arm 908 is pushed horizontally outward (to the right in the figure). This, in turn, moves a ramp 916 out of engagement with a to the right drives purple arm outward which moves the green ramp out of engagement with an element 912 that is attached to the sleeping surface 904 of the bassinet 900.
[0106] FIG. 9B shows a side view of the bassinet of FIG. 9A that is removed from the playard 922 and in a second configuration. When the bassinet 900 is removed from the playard 922, the spring 918 that is connected to the key 920 forces the key 920 downward. This causes the arm 908 to be pulled back horizontally inward (to the left in the figure), pulling the ramp 916 into engagement with the element 912 and pushing the element 912 inward as well. The movement of the element 912 causes a first end 914 of the sleeping surface 904 to move inward (to the left in the figure) as well. This causes the sleeping surface 904 to transition into the angled configuration 904 shown in FIG. 9B in which the sleeping surface 904 is at an incline as a seating surface rather than a sleeping surface.
[0107] FIG. 10A shows a side view of another bassinet 1000 provided on a playard 1008 and in a first configuration. FIG. 10A shows a side view of the bassinet 1000 and the playard 1008 and FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of the bassinet 1000 and the playard 1008. FIG. 10A shows that the bassinet 1000 also includes a sleeping surface 1002 including a first portion 1004 and a second portion 1006 that are connected by a hinge 1007 (or other type of pivot point). When the bassinet 1000 is provided on the playard 10008, the sleeping surface 1002 remains in the horizontal configuration (or near horizontal configuration). However, when the bassinet 1000 is removed from the playard 1008, gravity causes the sleeping surface 1002 to fall at the hinge 1007 (as shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D). FIG. 10D shows the bassinet 1000 being provided on its side and that the bassinet 1000 is unusable unless it is flipped upside down in the configuration shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. To maintain the sleeping surface 1002 in a fixed configuration until the bassinet 1000 is removed from the playard 1008, the hinge 1007 may include a hard stop at 180 degrees, which keeps the sleeping surface 1002 flat when provided on the bassinet 1000. When it is flipped, the hinge 1007 can rotate to the seat configuration. Further, there may be stops and/or other structure built into lower rails that keep the sleeping surface 1002 flat and out of the playard 1008.
[0108] FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of another bassinet 1100 provided on a playard 1102 and in a first configuration. Similar to the bassinet 1000 of FIG. 10A, when the bassinet 1100 is provided on the playard 1102, the sleeping surface 1104 is in a configuration that allows a child to rest on the sleeping surface 1104.
[0109] FIG. 11B shows a perspective view of the bassinet 1100 of FIG. 11A that is removed from the playard 1102 and in a second configuration. Similar to the sleeping surface 1002 of FIG. 10A, the sleeping surface 1104 of FIG. 11B converts into a seat when the bassinet 1100 is removed from the playard 1102. To accomplish this change in configuration, the sleeping surface 1104 includes a first portion 1106, a second portion 1108, and a third portion 1110. The first portion 1106 and the second portion 1108 may be fixed to a frame of the bassinet 1100 such that the first portion 1106 and the second portion 1108 remain fixed even when the bassinet 1100 is removed from the playard 1102 and flipped upside down. However, rather than being affixed to the frame of the bassinet 1100, the third portion 1110 is instead secured to the first portion 1106 and the second portion 1108 in a manner that allows the third portion 1110 to fall downward due to gravity when the bassinet 1100 is flipped upside down. For example, the third portion 1110 may be connected to the first portion 1106 and the second portion 1108 via string or any other suitable mechanism.
[0110] When the bassinet 1110 is in the second configuration with the third portion 1110 being separated from the first portion 1106 and the second portion 1108 due to gravity, the sleeping surface 1104 is converted into a seat for a child. In some instances, a foldable seat 1112 may be provided on the third portion 1110 and may be folded upwards for use when the bassinet 1100 is in the second configuration. When the bassinet 1100 is flipped back to an upright position (the first position shown in FIG. 11A), gravity causes the third portion 1110 to fall back onto the first portion 1106 and second portion 1108, forming a more flat surface that may be used for sleeping by a child.
[0111] FIGS. 12A-12F show another bassinet 1200 that is configured to be converted between one configuration (which may be referred to as a bassinet configuration) in which the bassinet 1200 is mounted on a playard (such as playard 1290 shown in FIG. 12C or any other playard) and is usable as a standard bassinet for a child, and another configuration (which may be referred to as an entertainment configuration) in which the bassinet 1200 is separated from the playard and is usable as a tabletop/play surface. The bassinet 1200 may be converted from the bassinet configuration to the entertainment configuration by removing the bassinet 1200 from the playard and flipping the bassinet 1200 upside down (relative to the original orientation of the bassinet 1200 on the playard). The bassinet 1200 includes supporting structure that allows the bassinet 1200 to rest on a surface (such as the ground) when flipped to allow the bassinet 1200 to be usable as the tabletop/play surface in the entertainment configuration. When it is desired to again use the bassinet 1200 as a standard bassinet, the bassinet 1200 may be flipped once more and mounted on the playard.
[0112] Beginning with FIGS. 12A-12B, FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of the bassinet 1200 provided in the bassinet configuration. FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of the bassinet 1200 provided in the entertainment configuration). In one or more embodiments, the bassinet 1200 includes a supporting rail 1232, one or more legs (for example, first leg 1202 and second leg 1220), and a supporting surface 1230. While the figures specifically show a bassinet with two legs, it should be noted that this is not intended to be limiting and any other number of legs may also be provided.
[0113] In one or more embodiments, the supporting rail 1232 and the supporting surface 1230 are configured to serve different purposes depending on the configuration of the bassinet 1200 (that is, whether the bassinet 1200 is in the bassinet configuration or the entertainment configuration). For example, in the bassinet configuration (shown in FIG. 12A), the supporting rail 1232 serves to support any additional elements of the bassinet 1200 (for example, the materials that form the walls of the bassinet 1200). In the bassinet configuration, the supporting surface 1230 serves as the surface that supports a child placed in the bassinet 1200 (a mattress, soft pad, etc. may also be provided on the supporting surface 1230 to provide a comfortable surface for the child). When the bassinet 1200 is converted into the entertainment configuration (shown in FIG. 12B), the supporting rail 1232 serves as a structure to support the bassinet 1200 on a surface, such as the ground. Additionally, in the entertainment configuration, the supporting surface 1230 serves as a tabletop for holding items (e.g., toys, etc.) and a play surface for a child.
[0114] In some embodiments, the supporting surface 1230 is configured to be completely removed from the remainder of the bassinet 1200 such that the supporting surface 1230 can be placed directly on a surface, such as the floor (as shown in FIG. 12C). This is beneficial for small children who are unable to stand and may have trouble reaching the supporting surface 1230 (serving as the tabletop/play surface for the child) if the supporting surface 1230 is located at a certain height above the ground (as shown in FIG. 12B).
[0115] In one or more embodiments, the one or more legs may include two separate components, with one of the components being configured to receive the other component. For example, the first leg 1202 includes a first portion 1202 that is affixed to the supporting rail 1232, and the first leg 1202 also includes a second portion 1206 that is affixed (removably or permanently) to the supporting surface 1230. The second portion 1206 may include an inner channel that is sized and shaped to slidably receive the first portion 1204. Accordingly, the first portion 1204 may be inserted into and removed from the second portion 1206 as desired. Likewise, the second leg 1220 includes a first portion 1222 that is affixed to the supporting rail 1232, and the second leg 1220 also includes a second portion 1224 that is affixed (removably or permanently) to the supporting surface 1230. The second portion 1224 may also include an inner channel that is sized and shaped to slidably receive the first portion 1222.
[0116] In one or more embodiments, the bassinet 1200 may include structures on the legs of the bassinet 1200 that allow the bassinet 1200 to be mounted on top of the playard in the bassinet configuration (as illustrated in FIG. 12D). Specifically, FIG. 12A shows the first leg 1202 as including a first structure 1208 that extrudes outwards from the outer surface of the first leg 1202 and the second leg 1220 as including a second structure 1226 that extrudes outwards from the outer surface of the second leg 1220. Each of these structures may include a concave region (such as first concave region 1260 the first structure 1208 and second concave region 1262 on the second structure 1226). These concave regions are sized and shaped to at least partially receive a top rail of the playard. Accordingly, to mount the bassinet 1200 to the playard, the bassinet 1200 may be positioned over the playard and the concave regions of the aforementioned structures may be aligned with the top rail of the playard. The bassinet 1200 may be fully supported by the top rail of the playard in this manner. This also allows for easy removal of the bassinet 1200 from the playard by lifting the bassinet 1200 from the top rail of the playard. FIG. 12D shows the bassinet 1200 provided on a playard 1290 while the bassinet 1200 is upright and in the bassinet configuration (rather than the entertainment center configuration). Specifically, the bassinet 1200 is supported by the playard 1290 via the top rail 1270 of the playard 1290.
[0117] In one or more embodiments, the height of the bassinet 1200 is also adjustable. The height may be adjusted by adjusting the position of the first portion 1204 of the first leg 1202 within the channel of the second portion 1206 of the first leg 1202 (and similarly, the position of the first portion 1222 of the second leg 1220 within the second portion 1224 of the second leg 1220). For example, to increase the height of the bassinet 1200, the first portion 1204 of the first leg 1202 and the second portion 1222 of the second leg 1220 may be slid away from the distal ends of the two legs. This allows for the height of the supporting surface 1230 to be adjusted in the entertainment configuration to accommodate for children of varying heights. This also allows the height of the bassinet 1200 to be adjusted in the bassinet configuration as well (for example, the height of the walls can be adjusted to provide for taller walls for larger children).
[0118] The bassinet 1200 may also include locking mechanisms that allow the height of the bassinet 1200 to be fixed once the bassinet 1200 is adjusted to the desirable height. One example of such a mechanism is shown in FIG. 12A. In this example, the second portion 1224 of the second leg 1220 includes a plurality of apertures (for example, apertures 1240-1244) provided at various intervals along an inner surface of the second portion 1206. The first portion 1222 may include a protrusion 1250 that aligns with the positions of the aperture on the second portion 1224 as the first portion 1222 is adjusted within the channel of the second portion 1224. When the protrusion 1250 is within one of the apertures, the first portion 1222 of the second leg 1220 is locked into place relative to the second portion 1224 of the second leg 1220. To adjust the height of the bassinet 1220, a user may provide a force against the protrusion 1250 to press the protrusion 1250 into the channel of the second portion 1224, allowing the first portion 1222 to then slide within the channel relative to the second portion 1224. A close-up view of a locking mechanism is also shown in FIG. 12F. Specifically, FIG. 12F shows the bassinet 1200 adjusted to a second height with the protrusion 1250 within the second aperture 1242 instead of the first aperture 1240.
[0119] Although the perspective of FIG. 12A only shows apertures and other elements of the locking mechanism for the second leg 1220, similar elements may also be provided at the first leg 1202 such that the height of the first leg 1202 may also be fixed in a similar manner. Additionally, although the figures show only three apertures, any other number of apertures may be provided to allow for even further adjustability. Furthermore, this is only one example of a locking mechanism for fixing the height of the bassinet 1200 during the adjustment process and other mechanisms may also be used.
[0120] FIG. 12E shows that the bassinet 1200 is only usable in the bassinet configuration when mounted to the playard. Specifically, FIG. 12E illustrates that if the bassinet 1200 is removed from the playard and placed on a flat surface in the first configuration (without flipping the bassinet 1200 into the second configuration for the entertainment system), then the bassinet 1200 is unable to remain upright on the surface and would tip over. Accordingly, the bassinet 1200 is prevented from being used in the first configuration (as the standard bassinet) unless attached to the playard or another type of structure. Specifically, the one or more legs of the bassinet 1200 may include distal ends (FIGS. 12A-12B show the first leg 1202 having first distal end 1210 and second leg 1220 having second distal end 1228) that are rounded to prevent the bassinet 1200 from standing upright in the first configuration once removed from the playard. The distal ends of the legs do not necessarily need to be rounded but may also be other shapes that prevent the bassinet 1200 from remaining upright once removed from the playard.
[0121] FIGS. 13A-13H show another bassinet 1300 that is configured to be converted between one configuration (which may be referred to as an unstowed configuration) in which the bassinet 1300 mounted on a playard 1320 and is usable as a bassinet 1300 for a child, and another configuration (which may be referred to as the stowed configuration) in which the bassinet 1300 is still attached to the playard 1320 but is rotated for storage on a side of the playard 1320 when the bassinet 1300 is not in use. The bassinet 1300 is also configured to be modified into a more compact form factor when being converted into the stowed configuration (such that the bassinet 1300 is as flush with the side of the playard 1320 as possible when stored in the stowed configuration).
[0122] As an example, the bassinet 1300 may be provided in the unstowed configuration (shown in FIG. 13A) when it is desired to use the bassinet 1300 to hold a child. When the bassinet 1300 is no longer in use, the bassinet 1300 may be rotated into the stowed configuration (shown in FIG. 13B) to allow greater access to the playard 1320 (for example, if it is desired to place the child in the playard 1320 instead of the bassinet 1300). This provides the convenience of allowing for the bassinet 1300 to be rotated back into the unstowed configuration when it is desired to use the bassinet 1300, rather than requiring the bassinet 1300 to be stored separately from the playard 1320, and re-attached to the playard 1320 every time it is desired to use the bassinet 1300.
[0123] FIG. 13C shows a close up-view of the bassinet 1300 mounted to the playard 1320. FIG. 13C shows that the bassinet 1300 includes a plurality of legs (such as first leg 1302, second leg 1304, etc.) that support the bassinet 1300 on the playard 1320. Although only two legs are visible in the perspective of FIG. 13C, there may be two additional legs provided opposite to the first leg 1302 and the second leg 1304 (shown in FIGS. 13D and 13F and described in further detail below). Additionally, although the figures show that the bassinet 1300 includes four legs, this is not intended to be limiting and the bassinet 1300 may include any other number of legs.
[0124] FIG. 13D shows the frame 1301 of the bassinet 1301 without any of the additional elements of the bassinet 1300 (such as the materials that form the walls of the bassinet, the supporting surface on which the child is provided in the bassinet 1300, etc., In FIG. 13D, the two additional legs (the third leg 1305 and fourth leg 1303) are also visible. The third leg 1305 may be provided opposite to the second leg 1304 and may the same or substantial the same structurally as the second leg 1304. Likewise, the fourth leg 1303 may be provided opposite to the first leg 1302 and may be the same or substantially the same structurally as the first leg 1302. The position of each of the legs relative to the supporting rail 1312 (which may be similar to supporting rail 1232) is not intended to be limiting and the legs may also be arranged at other positions.
[0125] In one or more embodiments, certain legs may serve different purposes for the bassinet 1300. A first set of legs (including the first leg 1302 and the fourth leg 1303) that are removably or permanently affixed to the playard 1320 serve as the pivot point around which the bassinet 1300 is rotated between the stowed and unstowed configurations. For example, the first set of legs may be removably or permanently affixed to the top rail 1310 that extends around the perimeter of the top of the playard 1320, however, the first set of legs may also be removably or permanently affixed to any other structure of the playard 1320. Regardless of whether the bassinet 1300 is in the stowed or unstowed configuration, the bassinet 1300 may still be attached to the playard 1320 via the first set of legs.
[0126] To allow for the rotation that facilitates the transition between the stowed and unstowed configurations, each of the first set of legs includes a rotation mechanism (for example, rotation mechanism 1330 of the first leg 1302 and rotational mechanism 1334 of the fourth leg 1303). The rotation mechanisms allow one portion of a leg to rotate relative to another portion of a leg such that the bassinet 1300 can then be flipped about the rotation mechanisms into the stowed configuration (or back into the unstowed configuration). For example, the first leg 1302 includes first portion 1332 and second portion 1333. When the bassinet 1300 is converted from the unstowed configuration (shown in FIG. 13D) into the stowed configuration, the second portion 1333 of the first leg 1302 is rotated relative to the first portion 1332 of the first leg 1302 about the rotation mechanism 1330. Likewise, the second portion 1337 of the fourth leg 1303 is rotated relative to the first portion 1336 of the fourth leg 1303 about the rotation mechanism 1334.
[0127] In one or more embodiments, the bassinet 1300 may be affixed to the playard 1320 via the first portion 1332 of the first leg 1302 and the first portion 1336 of the fourth leg 1303. Specifically, the first portion 1332 of the first leg 1302 and the first portion 1336 of the fourth leg 1303 may be inserted into receiving structures provided on the playard 1320 (the receiving structures may either be removable structures or may be permanent structures of the playard 1320). For example, FIG. 13C shows a first receiving structure 1350 that is configured to receive the first portion 1332 of the first leg 1302. To receive the first portion 1332, the receiving structure 1350 may include a hollow inner channel that is sized and shaped to receive the first portion 1332. Accordingly, the bassinet 1300 may be provided on the playard 1320 by inserting the first portion 1332 of the first leg 1302 into the channel of the receiving structure 1350 and may be removed from the playard 1320 by removing the first portion 1332 of the first leg 1302 from the channel of the receiving structure 1350. A second receiving structure (not visible in the perspective of FIG. 13C) may be provided opposite to the first receiving structure 1350 that is configured to receive the first portion 1336 of the fourth leg 1303 in a similar manner. The engagement between the first set of legs and corresponding receiving structures in this manner allows for the bassinet 1300 to be easily added to and removed from the playard 1320, while also ensuring that the bassinet 1300 remains attached to the playard 1320 regardless of the configuration of the bassinet 1300 (stowed or unstowed). This is merely one exemplary manner by which the first set of legs may be removably or permanently affixed to the playard 1320 and other structures are also possible.
[0128] A second set of legs (including the second leg 1304 and the third leg 1305) serve to support the bassinet 1300 upright on the playard 1320 (for example, on the top rail 1310 of the playard 1320) when the bassinet 1300 is in the unstowed configuration on top of the playard 1320. The second set of legs may be configured to support the bassinet 1300 on the playard 1320 in a similar manner that the first leg 1202 and second leg 1220 are configured to support the bassinet 1200 shown in FIG. 12A. Specifically, the second leg 1304 and the third leg 1305 include concave structures (concave structure 1312 and concave structure 1314) at an end of each of the legs. Similar to the first concave region 1260 the first structure 12087 and second concave region 1262 on the second structure 1226 of the bassinet 1200, the concave structure 1312 and concave structure 1314 are sized and shaped to at least partially receive the top rail 1310 of the playard 1320. Accordingly, when the bassinet 1300 is flipped into the unstowed configuration, the concave structure 1312 and concave structure 1314 are provided on the top rail 1310 of the playard 1320 to support the bassinet 1300 on the playard 1320.
[0129] In one or more embodiments, the second set of legs are also configured to be folded towards the supporting rail 1312 when the bassinet 1300 is converted into the stowed configuration and is flipped to the side of the playard 1320. For example, a proximal end 1333 of the second leg 1304 may include a hollow channel (and the supporting rail 1312 may be provided within the hollow channel). Likewise, a proximal end 1340 of the second leg third leg 1305 may also include a hollow channel). Accordingly, the second leg 1304 and the fourth leg 1305 can rotate about the supporting rial 1312 at the proximal ends of the legs and the second leg 1304 and the fourth leg 1305 can be folded inward for more compact storage in the stowed configuration. When the bassinet 1300 is converted back into the unstowed configuration, the second leg 1304 and the fourth leg 1305 may be rotated back outward (into the position shown in FIG. 13D) as the bassinet 1300 is flipped back on top of the playard 1320. In some embodiments, the side of the playard 1320 and/or bassinet 1300 may also include structure(s) configured to hold the bassinet 1300 more flush against the side of the playard 1320 in the stowed configuration.
[0130] The specific size and shape of the bassinet 1300 depicted in FIGS. 13C-13D is not intended to be limiting. For example, FIGS. 13E-13F show a variation of the bassinet 1300 in which the supporting rail 1312 is a different size (providing for a larger bassinet 1300 to accommodate a larger child). Additionally, the second leg 1304 and the third 1305 leg are curved.
[0131] FIGS. 13G-13H show a simplified representation of a side view of the playard 1320 and bassinet 1300 to further illustrate the distinction between the stowed and unstowed configurations for the bassinet. Specifically, FIG. 13G shows the bassinet in the unstowed configuration and FIG. 13H shows the bassinet 1300 in the stowed configuration. As mentioned above, in the unstowed configuration the bassinet 1300 is provided on top of the playard 1320 when it is desired to use the bassinet 1300. In the stowed configuration, the bassinet 1300 is rotated to a side of the playard 1320 to store the bassinet 1300 for later use and provide greater access to the playard 1320 (if it is desired to use the playard 1320 instead of the bassinet 1300).
[0132] FIGS. 14A-14L show various embodiments for another bassinet that is configured to be converted between one configuration (which may be referred to as a bassinet configuration) in which the bassinet is mounted on a playard and is usable as a bassinet for a child, and another configuration (which may be referred to as a seat configuration) in which the bassinet is used as a seat for the child. For example, in the bassinet configuration, the supporting surface of the bassinet is flat or substantially flat (so a child can sleep on the supporting surface within the bassinet). In the seat configuration, the supporting surface of the bassinet is at an incline to support the child in a more upright seating position.
[0133] Beginning with FIG. 14A, a perspective view of a bassinet 1400 in the bassinet configuration 1400 (with the bassinet 1400 provided on a playard 1420) is shown. FIG. 14B shows a perspective view of the bassinet 1400 provided in the seat configuration (specifically, FIG. 14B shows that the bassinet 1400 may be removed from the playard 1420 and used as a standalone seat in the seat configuration). FIG. 14C also illustrates that the bassinet 1400 may still be provided on the playard 1420 when in the seat configuration.
[0134] FIGS. 14D-14E show a portion of the frame 1402 of the basinet 1400 (without any of the additional elements of the bassinet 1400 included). For example, the portion of the frame 1402 may be the portion that extends downward into the playard when the bassinet 1400 is mounted on the playard 1420 in the bassinet configuration.
[0135] In one or more embodiments, the portion of the frame 1402 includes a first structure 1404 and a second structure 1406. The second structure 1406 is angled relative to the first structure 1404. The portion of the frame 1402 is shaped in this manner to prevent the bassinet 1400 from being usable in the bassinet configuration when removed from the playard 1420. To illustrate this, FIG. 14D shows the orientation of the frame 1402 in the bassinet configuration and FIG. 14E shows the orientation of the frame 1402 in the seat configuration. FIG. 14D illustrates that when the bassinet 1400 is removed from the playard 1420 and placed on the ground, the angle of second structure 1406 causes the bassinet 1400 to tip over, making the bassinet 1400 unusable in the bassinet configuration when removed from the playard 1420. However, FIG. 14E illustrates that the bassinet 1400 may then be flipped over and usable in the seat configuration when removed from the playard 1420 (because the first structure 1404 of the frame can support the bassinet 1400 upright on a surface (such as the ground).
[0136] FIG. 14F-14G show another embodiment of a bassinet 1430 that is configured to be converted between a bassinet configuration (shown in FIG. 14G) and a seat configuration (shown in FIG. 14F).
[0137] FIGS. 14H-14I show another embodiment of a bassinet 1440 that is configured to be converted between a bassinet configuration (shown in FIG. 14H) and a seat configuration (shown in FIG. 14I).
[0138] FIGS. 14J-14L show yet another embodiment of a bassinet 1450 provided in a seat configuration on the playard 1420 (FIG. 14J), in a bassinet configuration on the playard 1420 (FIG. 14K), and in a seat configuration in which the bassinet 1470 is removed from the playard 1420 (FIG. 14L).
[0139] FIGS. 15A-15C show additional bassinets and playards that are configured to allow for manual motions of the bassinet relative to the playard. For example, the bassinets and playards may be configured to allow a user to manually glide, rock, and/or bounce a bassinet relative to a playard (or perform any other types of movements).
[0140] Beginning with FIG. 15A, a bassinet 1500 is shown as being provided on a playard 1520 via a plurality of tracks. For example, the perspective of FIG. 15A shows a first track 1504 and a second track 1506, however, there may also be additional tracks provided as well. Each of the tracks may include corresponding structure such that the tracks are affixed to the playard 1520 and extend over the playard 1520 (as shown in FIG. 15A). This structure to affix the tracks to the playard 1520 is merely exemplary and other structures are also possible.
[0141] In one or more embodiments, the tracks are configured to receive wheels of the bassinet 1500. For example, the perspective of FIG. 15A shows first wheel 1510 and second wheel 1512 provided on the first track 1504 and second track 1506, respectively. These may also be any other type of component that is configured to rotate relative to the bassinet (and does not necessarily need to be wheels). Although FIG. 15A shows separate tracks for each of the wheels, in other embodiments, larger tracks may be provided that are configured to receive multiple wheels. For example, the first track 1504 and the second track 1506 may be combined into one track and the first wheel 1510 and the second wheel 1512 may both be provided on this combined track.
[0142] As shown in FIG. 15A, the top surfaces of the tracks may be sloped. As the bassinet 1500 is pushed forward or backward, the wheels move along their respective tracks. The slopes of the tracks cause the bassinet 1500 is move upward and downward as the wheels move along the tracks, causing a rocking effect for the bassinet 1500. The amount of upward and downward motion and the rate at which the upward and downward motion occurs can be varied by varying the slopes of the tracks. In some embodiments, the tracks may be substantially or entirely flat to eliminate the upward and downward motion and only allow a gliding back and forth motion of the bassinet 1500 relative to the playard 1520. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 15B, housings may be provided on the tracks to prevent the wheels from being disengaged from the tracks. For example, FIG. 15B shows a first housing 1516 provided over the first track 1504 and a second housing 1518 provided over the second track 1506.
[0143] FIG. 15C shows another bassinet 1550 and playard 1570 that are configured to allow the bassinet 1550 to glide relative to a playard 1570. Specifically, the playard 1570 includes a plurality of rails 1572 that extend across the playard 1570. The plurality of rails 1572 may be affixed to the top rail of the playard 1570, for example. The bassinet 1550 may include structures 1574 configured to receive the plurality of rails 1572. The structures may further be configured to slide along the plurality of rails 1572. In this manner, a user can glide the bassinet 1500 forward and backward via the plurality of rails 1572.
[0144] Though the disclosed examples include particular arrangements of a number of parts, components, features, and aspects, the disclosure is not limited to only those examples or arrangements shown. Any one or more of the parts, components, features, and aspects of the disclosure may be employed alone or in other arrangements of any two or more of the same.
[0145] Although certain product features, functions, components, and parts have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.
[0146] Unless otherwise noted, the terms used herein are to be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In addition to the definitions of terms provided below, it is to be understood that as used in the specification and in the claims, a or an may mean one or more, depending upon the context in which it is used.
[0147] Throughout this application, the term include, include(s) or including means including but not limited to. Note that certain embodiments may be described relating to a single glass, but the corresponding description should be read to include embodiments of two or more glasses. Different features, variations, and multiple different embodiments are shown and described herein with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.
[0148] Conditional language, such as, among others, can, could, might, or may, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations could include, while other implementations do not include, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, such conditional language generally is not intended to imply that features, elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or operations are included or are to be performed in any particular implementation.
[0149] What has been described herein in the present specification and drawings includes examples of systems, apparatuses, methods, devices, and/or techniques. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methods for purposes of describing the various elements of the disclosure, but it may be recognized that many further combinations and permutations of the disclosed elements are possible. Accordingly, it may be apparent that various modifications may be made to the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, or as an alternative, other embodiments of the disclosure may be apparent from consideration of the specification and annexed drawings, and practice of the disclosure as presented herein. It is intended that the examples put forth in the specification and annexed drawings be considered, in all respects, as illustrative and not limiting. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
