MXPA04005084A

MXPA04005084A - Bassinet selectively rockable when mounted upon a support as well as being displaced therefrom.

Info

Publication number: MXPA04005084A
Application number: MXPA04005084A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Drobiniski Jerome
Original assignee: Simplicity Inc
Priority date: 2003-05-29
Filing date: 2004-05-27
Publication date: 2005-07-01
Also published as: US20050005353A1; US20070209112A1; CA2468572A1

Abstract

A bassinet is releasably mounted upon a support frame which is capable of being selectively rocked or locked against rocking and having locking casters which are releasable to selectively rollingly move the support frame. The bassinet when released from the support frame may be rocked by rocking members provided along the underside. Anti-rocking assemblies provided at opposite ends of each rocking member may be moved to and locked in an anti-rocking position to prevent rocking. Mounting members are provided along the underside of the bassinet and preferably joined to the rocking members releasably locking the bassinet into place upon the support frame.

Description

CRADLE THAT CAN BE MADE SELECTIVELY WHEN IT IS MOUNTED IN A SUPPORT AS WELL AS WHEN IT MOVES FROM THE SAME Field of the Invention This invention relates to cradles, and more particularly, to cribs that can be rocked selectively.

BACKGROUND The applicant's co-pending application, Serial Number 10 / 103,580 filed March 21, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference as being fully disclosed, discloses a cradle mounted on a cradle that can be rocked to form selective The bracket includes movable swiveling wheel mounts, which can be lowered and secured in place for shifting movement at any desired location. Rotating wheel assemblies can be selectively secured to prevent support movement and to prevent movement. The support with the cradle mounted on it can be additionally attached to an adult bed to convert the crib into a headboard. The cradle of the applicant's previous application, can not be rocked when separated from its support. It is desired to provide a cradle that is a separate, independent and rocking cradle, when separated from its support.

Brief Description The present invention provides an infant enclosure that has a support for an infant of sufficient size to accommodate and support an infant. The enclosure also has a support frame that has rails to support the infant's support. The infant carrier also has mounting brackets of one size and placed on one side of the infant carrier to be attached to an associated rail of the rails. The enclosure also has separate wedge assemblies mounted on the same side as the mounting brackets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood from a consideration of the appended figures in which like elements are designated by similar numbers and wherein: Figure 1 illustrates the support and the cradle frame incorporating the principles of the present invention in a fully assembled condition. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the support frame. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a rocking chair mounted on the bottom of the cradle having a pair of bifurcated, fixed arms. Figure 4 is a perspective of another view of the rocking chair of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a detailed view of a bifurcated arm shown in Figure 4. Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views showing the members assembled in a rotating provided at the ends of each rocking chair and Figure 8 is a perspective view with separation of parts of the components constituting the rotatably mounted assembly, shown at 6 and 7. Figure 9 shows one of the members mounted in a form rotating in the erect position and is useful in the explanation of the balance / anti-tearing operation. Figure 10 shows an alternative mode for an anti-tear assembly. Figures 11 through 14 are perspective views showing another alternative embodiment of the present invention and showing the members of the rocking chair in the shifting position and the folded down position, as well as the details of a rocking member.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modes Figures 1 and 2 show a cradle assembly 10 comprised of a support frame 20 and a cradle 50. The support frame 20 comprises a pair of arched members 21, 22 having respective housings 23-26 of rotating wheels, secured at their ends. Each housing has mounted on it a mounting of rotating wheels that can be moved between a first fully enclosed position within the housing, which allows the support frame to be rocked, and a second extended position that allows the movement of a balance. Wheelsettings and the mechanism for raising and lowering them as described in the co-pending application of the United States Serial Number 10/103, 580, mentioned above, are suitable for use in the present invention. However, other rotating wheels can be used with the balancing mechanism and lifting / lowering. The housings 23-26 preferably extend beyond the ends of the arcuate tubular members to limit the degree to which the support frame can be tilted, thereby increasing the stability of the support frame. The support frame has four uprights 27, 28, 29 and 30 which are preferably joined at their upper ends with the central portion CP to form inverted U-shaped members. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, the uprights 27-30 may terminate, respectively, at the upper ends which are received within the tubular openings 31 a to 34 a while the lower ends are folded into hollow cylindrical portions 23 a , 24a, 25a and 26a of the housing 23, 24, 25 and 26, respectively, as shown in both Figure 1 and Figure 2. Instead of the central portions CP of Figure 1, the embodiment of Figure 2 employs a pair of rails 35 and 36 which are secured within the openings 31b-34b and vertically aligned openings 31b-34b of the brackets 31-34. The crossed rails 37 and 38 are each secured within horizontally aligned openings 31c-32c and 33c-34c. Rails 35, 36, 37 and 38 provide strength and structural rigidity to the support frame. Figure 1 illustrates only the bottom table 51 and the frame 70 of the infant enclosure 20 (a cradle in this illustrative embodiment) in order to better understand the features of the present invention. Table 51 of the bottom is a sturdy, flat board made of a material suitable for supporting an infant, such as plastic, wood or a composition board, by way of example. The frame 70 is comprised of the supports 72 mounted on the table 51 and supporting the rail 71, handle type above the table 51. The oscillating mounted curved struts support a canopy (not shown). The rail 71 supports a fabric surrounding the board 51. As shown in Figures 2 through 10, the lower part of the board is provided with a pair of rocking members 52, 52, substantially parallel, spaced, secured to the bottom of table 51 by suitable fastening means, such as rivets or bolts, not shown for the purpose of simplicity. Since the rocking members 52 are substantially identical in design and function, only one of them will be described in detail. Referring to Figure 3, the rocking member 52 has an upper surface 52a that is substantially planar and a bottom surface 52b that is arched at the intermediate portion between its end portions 52c, 52d, which are substantially parallel to the bottom surface 52a. This parallel arrangement is preferred but is not required to obtain the advantages of the invention. The arcuate surface 52b is configured to engage a support surface, such as a floor, and allow for tearing when the anti-tear mounts 53 collapse in the rocking member as will now be described. Each end 52c, 52d of the rocking member 52 defines a hollow depression to respectively receive a rotationally mounted anti-wedge assembly 53. The anti-flip assembly 53 is comprised of a rectangular, hollow-shaped housing 53a having an open side. A button 53 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is slidably mounted within the housing opening 53a. a spring (not shown) has one end thereof secured within the hollow interior of the button 53d and the opposite end thereof which presses against the inner surface of the housing 53a when the button 53d is mounted thereon. Preferably, the spring is normally under compression. The button 53d has a pair of projections 53e-53f of circular shape extending outwardly from the side 53d-1 and a similar pair of projections 53g-53h extending outward from the side 53d-2. The projections 53e and 53f are slidably received within a pair of elongated slots 53a-1 and 53a-2 provided in a sidewall of the housing 53a and a similar pair of slots 53a-1 and 53a-2 in another sidewall of the housing 53a. The projections on the button 53d cooperate with the slots 53a-1 and 53a-2 to limit the range of movement of the button 53d. A pin P or other suitable fastener extends through an opening (not shown) in the rear wall of the housing 53a as well as extending through the openings 52e-52f provided in the side walls forming the depression 52d for mounting in the form Rotating anti-tear assembly within rocking member 52. Operation of anti-tear assembly 53 is as follows: With the anti-wedge assembly in the upright position shown in Figures 3, 6, 7 and 9, the aforementioned coil spring pushes the button 53d to extend outward and away from the housing 53a and in the notch 52g of the rocking member 52 to prevent the craving. The S-terminal surfaces, free of the anti-tear mounts 53 are separated at a distance D (Figures 6 and 9) from the bottom of the support board 51 which is substantially equal to the distance from the center point Cp of the arched surface 52b of the bottom of the table 51 so that when the anti-tear members are in the position shown in Figure 3, the table 51 is prevented from rocking by making the line L extending between the surfaces S substantially tangential to the point central Cp of the arcuate surface 52b. Table 51 is thus prevented from rocking while the rocking member nevertheless provides support at the center point Cp, together with the anti-tearing mounts, which serve as support legs. By pressing the button 53d inwardly for a distance sufficient to clear the notch 52g, the anti-tear mounts can be rotated within the depression 52d, as shown in Figure 9, thereby allowing the support table 51 It rocks. If desired, a "medium pressure" condition can be achieved by folding mounts 53 on only one side. Anti-tear mounts move from the collapsed position to the extended position when a downward force is applied (such as the pressure of a finger in the R region as shown in Figure 7. An alternative anti-tear mount is shown in Figure 10 wherein a switch clamping device 100, similar to that used to raise and lower the caster wheels and shown in detail in the co-pending application Serial Number 10 / 103,580, can be used to raise and lower the anti-wedge assemblies The rocking members 52 and 54 are each additionally provided with a pair of mounting members for releasably mounting the cradle to the supporting frame.These members are, in one embodiment, design and function For simplicity purposes, a pair of mounting members will be described, the rocking member 52 shown in Figure 4 is provided with a pair of mounting brackets Bl and B2 integrally joined to it The brackets are substantially of a U-shape and each of the arms A1 and A2 are joined together by a central portion C. The arms A1 are integrally joined to the rocking member 52. Referring to Figure 5, the inner surfaces of the arms Al and A2 are provided with projections extending towards the other and are defined by two arcuate concave surfaces SI, S2 which are at an intermediate point Pl. The sides A2 have similar concave surfaces S3 and S4 which are at an intermediate point P2. The supports Bl and B2, for example, are mounted on a cross piece 37 by placing the open ends of the U-shaped brackets above the cross piece 37 as shown in Figure 5. As Table 51 is pressed towards below, arm A2, which is flexible, moves away from the arm As the cross rail 37 moves between point Pl and P2. When the cross piece 37 leaves the points Pl and P2 clear, the arm A2 is fastened inwardly securing the brackets Bl and B2 to the cross rail. Preferably, the squares of one of the rocking members are inserted into one of the crossed rails and subsequently the second member is assembled in a similar manner, using the assembled assembly as a pivot around which the table 51 can be rotated. The length of the rocking members 52-53 is slightly less than the distance between the interior surfaces of the supports 31 and 32, allowing the rocking members to fit between them. As an alternative to the mounting brackets described above in this, a set of mounting brackets can be aligned so that its arms extend horizontally and so that the center piece C integrally attaches to the rocking member. The rocking member having these arms horizontally oriented, is then first mounted by tilting the support board 52 by an amount sufficient to align the open ends of the brackets that the arms have horizontally aligned with the cross rail, such as the cross rail 37 When these brackets are fastened in place, the support board can then be turned down using the end connected as a pivot to secure the vertically aligned arms of the remaining rocking member with the remaining cross rail 38. As a further alternative, they can rotatably mount a pair of mounting brackets Bl 1 and B21, separated from one of the rocking members. The brackets on the remaining rocking member, which may be similar to the brackets described hereinabove, are integrally attached to the rocking arm and have lateral walls that extend either horizontally or vertically. These brackets are first mounted to one of the cross rails and the support board is then rotated down using the pivot mounting cross rail, after which the swivel mounted brackets rotate to a vertical position to secure the cradle to the support frame.

Figures 11 through 14 show another alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the cradle 50, shown mounted to the frame 20, is provided with a pair < of rocking members 60 and 62 which are preferably hollow tubular members formed of either metal or plastic. The intermediate portions of members 60 and 62 are arched smoothly. The ends are bent substantially at a right angle and are mounted rotatably within the brackets 61a, 61b and 63a and 63b. the brackets are provided with a snap-fit arrangement that secures the rocking members 60 and 62 in the vertical or shifting position shown in Figure 6, as well as in the folded down position, shown in Figure 12. The bottom part of table 51 is further provided with two pairs of e: Bl and B2 mounting squares having bifurcated arms extending in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the table 51 and configured in a manner similar to that shown in the Figure 1 for securing by snap fit the cradle 50 to the cross piece 38. A bracket 64 is provided with an elongated depression 64a having a curved bottom that conforms to the shape of the tubular member 37. A fastening member 65 is assembled from rotary shape to the bracket 64 by a suitable pivot pin and can be moved within a wedge position shown in Figures 11 and 12 and an open position which, although not shown, should be understand that the clamping arm 65 is rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise by one turn of a quarter to move from the elongated slot 64a. The cradle 50 is assembled in a manner similar to that described hereinabove, specifically the brackets Bl and B2 are aligned with the cross piece 38 and press fit thereto. The cradle is then rotated downward in a position where it receives the cross rail 37 within the slot 64a. The clamping arm 65 is then rotated from the open position through a quarter turn to cooperate with the depression 64a to embrace the tubular member 37. When the cradle 50 of Figure 1 is removed from the support frame 20 and the members rocking chairs 60, 62 move to the vertical position shown in Figure 11, the cradle can be rocked. When it is desired to use the cradle without the warping feature, the rocking members 60 and 62 are rotated to their folded down positions shown in Figure 12, after which the cradle is supported by the brackets Bl and B2 and bracket 64. of subject The length of the clamping brackets 64 can be increased, if desired, in order to increase the stability of the cradle when supported by the brackets Bl, B2 and 64. Alternatively, a pair of brackets can be fixedly mounted. legs Ll and L2 to the bottom side of the table 51 to further improve the stability of the cradle when it is separated from the support frame 20 and being used with the folded rocking members. It should be understood that the infant receiving portion can take any desired shape as long as it has a support or background table, such as table 51 shown in Figures 1 and 11, which will support the infant's weight and supports. desired. Figures 11 and 12 show a shape of the cradle structure which may include a frame 70 of a substantially oval shape, supported on the opposite longitudinal sides of the board 51 by supports S mounted at one end to the opposite longitudinal sides of the frame. table and its opposite ends to the frame 70 of oval shape. A pair of CB canopy brackets are mounted on opposite sides of the frame 70 (only one shown in Figure 12) to support and rotatably mount a pair of reinforcement plates Gl, G2 that are typically covered with a fabric (not shown) that serve as a canopy that can either be placed or folded. The oval-shaped frame 70 is likewise covered with a suitable fabric (not shown) in a similar manner, an example which is shown in the above copending application serial number 10 / 103,580.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An infant enclosure, comprising: an infant carrier of sufficient size to accommodate and support an infant; a support frame having crossed rails, spaced apart, to support the infant support; the infant support having mounting brackets made of one size and placed on one side of the infant support to be attached to an associated rail of the rails; and separate rocking mounts mounted on the same side of the infant stand as the mounting brackets. The infant enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the end portions of the rocking mounts each have retractable anti-tear mounts that can be moved between an extended state and a collapsed state; and the extended state that prevents infant support from rocking and the collapsed state that allows infant support to rock. The infant enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the wedge assemblies are rotatably mounted on the infant support and can be rotated between an extended vertical state and a collapsed, folded state. The infant enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the support frame has a pair of rotatable wheel assemblies and a pair of arcuate, spaced apart members positioned therebetween; the assembly of swiveling wheels that can be moved into a collapsed position that allows the frame to be rocked and an extended position that prevents the frame from being rocked and that supports the frame on a supporting surface. The infant enclosure according to claim 4, wherein the rotatable wheel assemblies are provided with mechanisms for releasably securing the rotating wheel assemblies to prevent wheel casters from rolling. The infant enclosure according to claim 4, wherein the arcuate members are hollow tubular members of light weight that provide an arcuate convex surface to allow the supporting surface to allow the apparatus to be swung when the rotatable wheel assemblies are in the collapsed position. The infant enclosure according to claim 3, wherein the opposite ends of the rocking members each provided with a depression for rotatably mounting an anti-tear member and for receiving the anti-tear member when in the collapsed position. The infant enclosure according to claim 7, wherein each anti-tearing assembly includes a spring button pushed towards a side wall of its associated depression; the side wall having a slot for receiving a portion of the button when the ani-wedge assembly is in the extended position, thereby maintaining the anti-wedge assembly in the extended position. 9. The infant enclosure according to the claim 8, wherein the button is foldably mounted within a cooperating housing that allows the button to be depressed to leave the slot in the open allowing the rotationally mounted anti-wedge assembly to be rotated to the collapsed position. 10. The infant enclosure according to the claim 9, wherein the button is an elongated member having a longitudinal axis where, when the cooperating housing is rotated to the collapsed position, the longitudinal axis of the button is transverse to the slot and wherein the rotation of the housing engages the position Extended moves the longitudinal axis of the button in alignment with the slot that allows the button to snap into the slot. The infant enclosure according to claim 8, wherein each button has guide pins on the opposite side walls and each housing has guide grooves in the opposite side walls that receive an associated spike of the guide pins to limit the movement of the button inside. of a given interval. The infant enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the mounting brackets for mounting the infant support on the cross pieces comprise two pairs of forked arms on each rocking member to embrace the associated cross rail. 13. The infant enclosure according to claim 12, wherein a pair of mounting brackets is fixedly secured to the lower part of the infant bracket and another pair of mounting brackets is rotatably secured to the lower part of the infant bracket. 14. The infant enclosure according to claim 12, wherein both pairs of mounting brackets are fixedly secured to the lower part of the infant support. 15. The infant enclosure according to claim 14, wherein a set of mounting brackets has arms aligned transverse to the arms of the other set of mounting brackets. 16. The infant enclosure according to claim 14, wherein both sets of mounting brackets have support arms that are aligned in a given direction. 17. The infant enclosure according to claim 12, wherein the mounting brackets each have at least one flexible arm and include a means for receiving in the form of press fit a rail crossed therebetween. 18. An infant support of a sufficient size to accommodate and support an infant; comprising: a pair of rocking mounts mounted on the lower part of the infant support in a separate manner, the rocking mounts having each a central, convex, arched portion, mounts that can be moved between a first position that allows the support is rocked and a second position that prevents the bending of the support. The support according to claim 18, wherein the rocking mounts each have a pair of retractable counter-balance mounts arranged at the ends of the rocking mounts and movable between an extended and a collapsed state, respectively, which corresponds to the first and second positions; and the extended state that prevents infant support from rocking and the collapsed state that allows infant support to rock. 20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the end portions of the rocking mounts each have retractable counter-movable mounts that can be moved between an extended and a collapsed state, respectively, corresponding to the first and second positions.; and the extended state that prevents infant support from rocking and the collapsed state that allows infant support to rock. 21. The infant support according to claim 18, wherein the opposite ends of the rocking members each provided with a depression for rotatably mounting an anti-tear member and for receiving the anti-tear member when in the collapsed position. 22. The infant support according to the claim 21, wherein each anti-tearassembly includes a sprloaded button pushed towards a side wall of its depression . associated; the side wall hava groove for receiva portion of the button when the anti-wedge assembly is in the extended position thereby maintainthe anti-wedge assembly in the extended position. Q 23. The infant support accordto the claim 22, where the. The button is mounted in a collapsible manner within a cooperathousthat allows the button to be pressed to release the slot, allowthe anti-wedge assembly to be mounted; rotatshape is rotated to 5 collapsed position. 24. The infant support accordto the claim 23, wherein the button is an elongated member hava longitudinal axis wherein, when the cooperathousis rotated to the collapsed position, the longitudinal axis of the button is transverse to the slot and wherein the rotation of the housengages the Extended position moves the longitudinal axis of the button in alignment with the slot, allowthe button to snap into the slot. The infamte support accordto claim 5 22, wherein each button has guide pins on opposite side walls and each houshas guide slots in opposite side walls each receivan associated spike of the guide pins to limit the movement of the button within a given interval. ^ 26. Infant support accordto the claim 18, wherein also comprismembers fixedly mounted to the lower part of the support for supportthe infant support on a supportsurface when the rockassemblies are in the collapsed, folded position. 0 27. The infant support accordto the claim 18, wherein each of the rockmounts comprises mountbrackets for the rotatably mountof an arched rockmember, the supports respectively securthe rockmember in the extended, vertical and collapsed, folded positions. 28. The infant enclosure accordto claim 1, wherein one of the mountbracket assemblies comprises a member hava depression for receivone of the crossed rails and a pivoted-mounted arm 0 movable between a position. Secured over the depression to span and secure a cross rail in the position of an open depression displaced from the depression to remove / replace the cross rail. 29. An infant enclosure, which can be moved selectively, compris an infant support platform havan infant support side and an opposite side; and separate rockmounts, mounted on the opposite side of the infant support platform, each of the movable assemblies havan arcuate portion that couples a rocksupport surface and a means to selectively prevent that the arcuate portion will fit snugly with the supportsurface. 30. The enclosure accordto claim 29, wherein the means for selectively preventthe arcuate portion from engagthe support surface with a wedge are stops located adjacent to the arcuate portions. 31. The enclosure accordto claim 29, wherein the means for preventthe arcuate portion from engagthe supportsurface with movement are pivots for movthe arcuate portions adjacent to the opposite side of the infant support platform. 32. The enclosure accordto claim 29, further comprismeans for mountthe enclosure in a support frame.