Combination Bassinet and Toddler Chair
A combination bassinet and toddler chair is disclosed. One dual-purpose frame is provided which is capable of supporting both the bassinet and the toddler chair with minimal reconfiguration effort by the parent or caretaker. In one configuration, a bassinet is held horizontally onto one or more frame members by coupling members mounted to the frame members and mounting mechanisms mounted on either side of the bottom panel of the bassinet. Easy-to-use lever mechanisms are provided on the sidewall of the bassinet that release the latches and allow for removal of the bassinet. With the bassinet removed, a toddler chair, with fabric loops on either side of the seating area, slides over the frame members and is frictionally held in place and suspended between the frame members.
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Furniture for infants and small children is disclosed. More particularly, a combination bassinet/toddler chair assembly is disclosed with a single frame that is capable of functioning as a bassinet in one configuration and that can be easily and quickly converted to a toddler chair in a second configuration.
BACKGROUNDBaby and child accessories such as bassinets and toddler chairs are well known. Bassinets are used provide a safe environment in which an infant can rest or sleep. Bassinets are typically elevated with a frame or stand and include a padded horizontal sleeping surface with enclosed with sidewalls or a continuous sidewall enclosure. Bassinets also normally include a canopy above the sidewall to shade the infant from excess light.
On the other hand, toddler chairs are generally used to comfortably support an infant or toddler in an upright, seated position when the child is awake and wishes to sit up to participate in surrounding activities. Typically, the toddler chair is covered with a soft fabric, is inclined slightly and the supporting frame may permit some type of rocking or bouncing motion.
It is not uncommon for families with a small child to purchase both a bassinet and a toddler chair. However, all of these units occupy storage or closet space, and the costs of purchasing a bassinet and a toddler chair can be prohibitive or burdensome to some families. Bassinet-playpen combinations are known which fill the need for a compact, easy-to-store piece of furniture that provides multiple ways for the child to play and rest. Bassinet-changing table combinations, bassinet-bedside sleeper combinations, bassinet-bouncer combinations, and stroller-toddler chair combinations are also known.
However, there is a need for a combination bassinet and toddler chair that is easy to configure by a parent or caretaker. Moreover, a single combination assembly that functions as both a bassinet and toddler chair is desirable as separately purchased devices create additional costs and require more storage space, which is a limited commodity in many households.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREAccordingly, a combination bassinet and toddler chair apparatus is disclosed which is easy to store, easy to switch between bassinet and toddler chair configurations, and which provides both a sleeping area and sitting area for a small child or infant.
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a combination toddler chair and bassinet assembly is disclosed which comprises a bassinet, a toddler chair and a support frame. The toddler chair comprises a middle seating surface disposed between two opposing loops, loops or means of attachment. The support frame comprises a horizontal base connected to one or frame members that extend upward from the base and that terminate at two space-apart distal ends. The assembly further comprises one or more coupling members connected to each frame member proximal the distal end of each frame member. The distal end of each frame member is detachably connected to a head rail. The head rail extends between and connects the distal end of the frame member(s). The head rail also supports and protects one end of the bassinet, where the infant's head is typically placed. The coupling members are detachably connected to the bassinet when the frame member(s), coupling members and head rail support the bassinet on top of the frame member(s). Upon removal of the head rail and coupling members from the frame member(s), the frame member(s) receive the opposing loops of the toddler chair and frictionally support the toddler chair between the frame member(s).
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a combination toddler chair and mounting frame for the toddler chair is disclosed which comprises a base and a toddler chair. The base is connected to one or more frame members that extend upward from the base. The frame member(s) each comprise a distal end and bottom end connected to the base. The toddler chair comprises left and right loops with a seat area disposed there between. Each loop is preferably tubular with a bottom opening for receiving a distal end of one of the frame members so the seat area is suspended between the frame when the distal ends of the frame are inserted through the loops of the toddler chair. The bottom ends of the frame are spaced apart by a greater distance than the distal ends of the frame and by a greater distance than the loops of the toddler chair. As a result, the toddler chair is frictionally held in space on the frame or suspended between the frame when the toddler chair is slid downward over the frame.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the sidewall of the bassinet includes one or more fabric layers supported by an internal side frame that provides a soft continuous sidewall with structural integrity. The bottom panel is connected to two downwardly extending latch mechanisms disposed on either side of the bottom panel. The sidewall, or more accurately, the internal frame of the sidewall, is connected to two handles disposed on either side of the sidewall and above the latch mechanisms. The handles each comprise a lever. Each lever is connected to a cable. Each cable is connected to one of the latch mechanisms for releasing the latch mechanisms from a locked position with respect to the coupling members mounted near the distal ends of the frame.
It will be noted that the bassinet may be secured to the frame by a variety of means including hook and loop fasteners, magnetic couplers, snap fit connectors, etc. The latch mechanism disclosed here is just one of many exemplary ways to secure the bassinet on top of the frame in a secure horizontal position.
These and other aspects and features of the disclosure will become more readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description when considered with the accompanying drawings.
While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSReferring now to the drawings and with specific reference to
A base 30 comprises a cross rail 31, two bottom base legs 29, with a rear cross member 35 for enhanced stability. An outer head support 33 at the rear of the bassinet 25 provides stability and security for the bassinet 25. A music device 26 is attached to the sidewall 34 by means of a clamp 27. An accessory shelf 37 is provided beneath the bassinet to hold items such as diapers and baby wipes, and is detachably connected to opposing end pieces 39 of the cross rail 31 by the downwardly extending posts 38 that are received in holes 36 in the end pieces 39 (
Referring to
The connection between the latches 51 disposed on either side of the bottom panel 50 of the bassinet 25 and the coupling members 40 of the frame member(s) 28 is shown in greater detail in
Turning to
Turning to
Accordingly, a bassinet 25 and toddler chair 85 are provided in one assembly, using a common frame 30 that saves space and cost.
While only certain embodiments have been set forth, alternatives and modifications will be apparent from the above description to those skilled in the art. These and other alternatives are considered equivalents and within the spirit and scope of this disclosure and the appended claims.
Claims
1. A combination toddler chair and bassinet assembly, comprising:
- a bassinet;
- a toddler chair comprising a middle seating surface disposed between two opposing loops;
- a support frame comprising a horizontal base connected to two spaced-apart frame members extending upward from the base and terminating at two spaced-apart distal ends;
- one or more coupling members connected to each frame member proximal the distal end of each frame member, the distal end of each frame member being detachably connected to a head rail with the head rail extending between and connecting the distal ends of the frame members;
- the coupling members being detachably connected to the bassinet when the frame members, coupling members and head rail support the bassinet on top of the frame members;
- upon removal of the head rail from the frame members, the frame members receiving the opposing loops of the toddler chair and supporting the toddler chair between the frame members.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the bassinet comprises a bottom panel, the bottom panel being connected to two spaced-apart latches disposed on either side of the bottom panel, the latches being detachably coupled to the coupling members when the bassinet is detachably connected to the coupling members and supported above the frame members by the coupling members, frame members and head rail.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein each latch is connected to a release cable, each release cable being connected to a lever, movement of each lever causing each latch to move from a locked to an unlocked position with respect to its respective coupling member.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein each lever is disposed within a handle assembly mounted on either side of the bassinet above the latches.
5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein each latch is accommodated in a housing connected to opposing sides of the bottom panel of the bassinet, each latch housing accommodating a spring, the springs biasing the latches towards a locked position.
6. The assembly of claim 2, wherein each coupling member comprises a traverse rod received by one of the latches when the latches are in a locked position and the bassinet is detachably connected to the coupling members.
7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein each latch comprises one or more spaced-apart fingers including a lower finger and upper finger, the traverse rod of each coupling member being disposed between the fingers when the latch is in a locked position and the bassinet is detachably connected to the coupling members.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein each latch is pivotally connected to its respective housing by a pin, and wherein upward tension on each release cable causing the upper finger of each latch to pivot downward past the traverse rod of its respective coupling member to unlock the latches and detach the bassinet from the coupling members.
9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an accessory shelf removably mounted to the base when the bassinet is detachably connected to the frame members.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the accessory shelf comprises one or more spaced-apart downwardly extending posts and the horizontal base comprises one or more spaced-apart holes for receiving the posts of the accessory shelf.
11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the horizontal base comprises lower horizontal portions of the frame members that are connected by a rear cross rail and a front cross rail, the spaced-apart holes for receiving the posts of the accessory shelf being disposed along the front cross rail.
12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling members are detachably connected to each frame element and the coupling members are removed prior to the frame members receiving the opposing loops of the toddler chair.
13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling members are secured to the frame members by at least one removable fastener.
14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein
- the frame members are separated by a greater distance at their distal ends than at the horizontal base.
15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the toddler chair is frictionally held in place on the frame members as lower portions of the frame members that are spaced apart by a greater distance than distal ends of the frame members apply tension to the opposing loops of the toddler chair as the toddler chair is slid downward over the frame members.
16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the opposing loops of the toddler chair are tubular with lower openings that each receive one of the distal ends of the frame members and upper openings through which the distal ends of the frame members extend when the toddler chair is disposed on the frame members and ready for use.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the loops of the toddler chair and the coupling members are sized so removal of the coupling members prior to installment of the toddler chair on the frame members is not required.
18. The assembly of claim 16 further comprising a second head rail for attachment to the distal ends of the frame members when the toddler chair is installed over the frame members, the second head rail and padding disposed on an upper end of the toddler chair serving as a head rest.
19. A combination toddler chair and mounting frame for the toddler chair, comprising:
- a base connected to one or more spaced-apart frame members that extend upward from the base, the frame members each comprising a distal end and bottom end connected to the base;
- the toddler chair comprising left and right loops with a seat area disposed there between, each loop being tubular with a bottom opening for receiving a distal end of one of the frame members so the seat area is suspended between the frame members when the frame members are inserted through the loops of the toddler chair, the bottom ends of the frame members being spaced apart by a greater distance than the distal ends of the frame members and by a greater distance than the loops of the toddler chair thereby enabling the toddler chair to be frictionally held in space on the frame members when the toddler chair is slid downward over the frame members.
20. A combination toddler chair and bassinet assembly, comprising:
- a bassinet comprising a bottom panel connected to a continuous sidewall extending upward from the bottom panel, the bottom panel being connected to two downwardly extending latch mechanisms disposed on either side of the bottom panel, the sidewall being connected to two handles disposed on either side of the sidewall and above the latch mechanisms, the handles each comprising a lever, each lever being connected to a cable, each cable being connected to one of the latch mechanisms for releasing the latch mechanisms from a locked position;
- a toddler chair comprising a middle seating surface disposed between two opposing loops, each loop comprising a bottom opening;
- a support frame comprising a horizontal base connected to two spaced-apart frame members curving upward from the base and terminating at two spaced apart distal ends, the frame members being spaced apart by a first distance at the base and a second distance at the distal ends of the frame members, the first distance being greater than the second distance, the bottom openings of the toddler chair being separated by a third distance that is at least as great as the second distance and less than the first distance;
- one or more coupling members connected to each frame member proximal the distal end of each frame member, the distal end of each frame member being detachably connected to a head rail with the head rail extending between and connecting the distal ends of the frame members;
- the coupling members been detachably connected to the bassinet when the frame members, coupling members and head rail support the bassinet on top of the frame members;
- upon removal of the head rail from the frame members, the frame members receiving the opposing loops of the toddler chair and frictionally supporting the toddler chair between the frame members as the bottom openings of the loops of the toddler chair are slid downward towards the base.
Type: Application
Filed: May 14, 2008
Publication Date: Nov 19, 2009
Applicant: BABY PLANET LLC (Glen Ellyn, IL)
Inventor: Peter Jonathan Myers (Wheaton, IL)
Application Number: 12/120,521
International Classification: A47D 11/00 (20060101); A47D 1/00 (20060101); A47D 7/00 (20060101);