CHILD CONTAINMENT DEVICE AND RETENTION DEVICE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A retention device is assembled to a child containment device and is rotatable about each side of the retention device. In particular, the retention device (e.g., a tray or toy bar) includes a first engagement portion adjacent a first end of the retention device and a second engagement portion adjacent a second end of the retention device. The child containment device includes a seat portion, a first frame member adjacent a first side of the seat portion, and a second frame member adjacent a second side of the seat portion. Mating engagement portions are disposed on each frame member and engage the engagement portions of the retention device. To rotate the retention device relative to the child containment device, one of the engagement portions is disengaged from the respective mating engagement portion, and the retention device is rotated relative the other engagement portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many child containment products, such as swings, strollers, high chairs, and bouncer seats, have retention devices, such as trays or toy bars, that are disposed in adjacent to the portion of the child containment product that supports the child (e.g., a seat). In addition, the retention device in many child containment products serves as a restraint device, helping to retain the child in the seat so the child does not fall out and sustain injuries. The retention devices, therefore, are typically installed in such a fashion that the child cannot be removed from, or placed into, the seat of the child containment device without removing the retention device or somehow moving the tray or toy bar away from the seat.

Most existing products allow for the retention device to simply unsnap from both sides and completely disengage from the supporting structure. A problem with these existing products is that it can be difficult to disengage the sides of the retention device while holding a child.

Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved method of assembling a retention device (e.g., trays, toy bars) to a child containment device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the invention are directed to a child containment device and retention device assembly. The retention device includes: (1) an elongated body having a first end and a second end opposite and spaced apart from the first end, (2) a first engagement portion disposed adjacent the first end, and (3) a second engagement portion disposed adjacent the second end. The child containment device includes: (1) a seat portion in which a child is supportable therein, (2) a first frame member disposed adjacent a first side of the seat portion, (3) a second frame member disposed adjacent a second side of the seat portion, wherein the first side is spaced apart from the second side, and (4) a first mating engagement portion disposed adjacent the first frame member and a second mating engagement portion disposed adjacent the second frame member. The retention device is removably secured adjacent the child containment device by engaging the first engagement portion with the first mating engagement portion and the second engagement portion with the second mating engagement portion. In addition, the first engagement portion includes a detachable collar that defines a slot that extends through a portion of the detachable collar, and the slot is disposed within a perimeter of the detachable collar. Furthermore, the first mating engagement portion includes a tab that extends radially outwardly from the first frame member of the child containment device, and the tab is configured to engage the slot of the first engagement portion. The retention device is pivotable about the first frame member via the first engagement portion by disengaging the second engagement portion from the second mating engagement portion and rotating the retention device about an axis extending through the first frame member such that the tab moves within the slot.

Various other embodiments are directed to a child containment device and retention device assembly, wherein the first engagement portion disposed on the first side surface of the elongated body of the retention device includes a detachable collar that defines a tab which extends radially inwardly from an inner surface of the detachable collar. In addition, the first mating engagement portion disposed adjacent the first frame member of the child containment device defines a slot that extends radially inwardly relative to an outer surface of the first frame member of the child containment device. The tab is configured to engage the slot of the first mating engagement portion, and the retention device is pivotable about the first frame member via the first engagement portion by disengaging the second engagement portion from the second mating engagement portion and rotating the retention device about an axis extending through the first frame member such that the tab moves within the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of a child containment device and a retention device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one side of a first engagement portion disposed adjacent the retention device and a first mating engagement portion disposed adjacent the child containment device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the other side of the first engagement portion and the first mating engagement portion shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front, upper perspective view of a retention device mounted to a seat portion of a child containment device according to a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the retention device and the seat portion of the child containment device shown in FIG. 4 in which the retention device is pivoted to the right of the seat portion.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of the retention device and the seat portion shown in FIG. 4 in which the retention device is pivoted to the left of the seat portion.

FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the retention device and the seat portion shown in FIG. 5 in which the retention device is pivoted to the right of the seat portion.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of a retention device and a child containment device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Brief Summary

Various embodiments include an assembly of a retention device to a child containment device. According to various embodiments, the child containment device can be any device in which a child may be placed and supported above a support surface. For example, a child containment device may include a swing, a stroller, a high chair, a bouncer seat, a bassinet, a play yard, a co-sleeper, an infant carrier, or a booster seat. In addition, the retention device can be any device that spans across at least a portion of the child containment device and attaches to the child containment device such that each of two opposite and spaced apart ends of the retention device are removably secured to the child containment device. For example, the retention device may include a tray, a toy bar, or one or more bars on which a tray or other device, such as a car seat or accessories holder, may be mounted. In the embodiment of the assembly shown in FIG. 1, for example, the child containment device is a swing, and the retention device is a tray that extends across a seat portion of the swing.

According to various embodiments, the retention device includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end that is opposite and spaced apart from the first end. A first engagement portion is disposed adjacent the first end, and a second engagement portion is disposed adjacent the second end. Each engagement portion includes a detachable collar. In the particular embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 and described below, the engagement portions are C-shaped clips.

The child containment device, according to various embodiments, includes a seat portion in which a child is supportable therein, a first frame member disposed adjacent a first side of the seat portion, and a second frame member disposed adjacent a second side of the seat portion. The first frame member is spaced apart from the second frame member, and the seat portion is substantially between the frame members. In addition, the first frame member includes a first mating engagement portion, and the second frame member includes a second mating engagement portion. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 and described below, the mating engagement portions are sleeves disposed around portions of the frame members that have a substantially cylindrical outer surface, and the outer surfaces of the sleeves are engageable by the C-shaped clips of the retention device.

To removably secure the retention device to the child containment device, the first engagement portion is engaged with the first mating engagement portion, and the second engagement portion is engaged with the second mating engagement portion. Similarly, to remove the retention device from the child containment device, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are disengaged from the first and second mating engagement portions, respectively. Furthermore, the retention device may be rotated relative to the first end or the second end of the retention device by disengaging one of the engagement portions from the corresponding mating engagement portion and rotating the retention device about the other engagement portion that remains engaged with the other corresponding mating engagement portion.

Various embodiments of the retention device, the child containment device, and methods of assembly and use are described in more detail below.

Retention Device

As noted above, FIG. 1 illustrates a tray retention device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. The tray 100 includes an elongated body 101, an upper surface 102, a lower surface 104 (shown in FIG. 5), a first end 106, a second end 108, a front edge 110, and a rear edge 112 (shown in FIG. 5). The upper surface 102 is spaced apart and opposite from the lower surface 104, and the upper surface 102 is configured for holding items, such as food, drinks, or toys, that a child or caregiver may want to put on the tray. The first end 106 is spaced apart and opposite from the second end 108, and the upper 102 and lower surfaces 104 extend between the first end 106 and the second end 108. Similarly, the front edge 110 and back edge 112 are opposite and spaced apart from each other, and each edge 110, 112 extends between the ends 106, 108 and the upper 102 and lower surfaces 104.

According to various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, a first engagement portion 114 is disposed adjacent the first end 106, and a second engagement portion 116 is disposed adjacent the second end 108. FIGS. 2 through 7 illustrate embodiments of the engagement portions 114, 116 in which the engagement portions 114, 116 are substantially C-shaped clips. In particular, each C-shaped clip 114, 116 has two edges 122, 123 and a flange 124 that extends radially outwardly from the outer edge 122.

In addition, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an attachment portion 125 extends radially outwardly from a portion of each C-shaped clip 114, 116 disposed between the edges 122, 123. The attachment portion 125 of the first C-shaped clip 114 is secured to the lower surface 104 of the tray 100 adjacent the first end 106, and the attachment portion 125 of the second C-shaped clip 116 is secured to the lower surface 104 adjacent the second end 108. In this particular embodiment, each clip 114, 116 and its attachment portion 125 is separately formed from the tray 100. To secure the attachment portion 125 to the tray 100, a fastener (e.g., a screw, a bolt, or other suitable fastener) is engaged in each of one or more openings 127 extending through the attachment portion. However, in other embodiments (not shown), the attachment portion may be secured to the tray 100 by a snap fit, tongue and groove fit, adhesive, or other suitable means. In other alternative embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 through 7, the attachment portion 425 is integrally formed with the tray 100.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown FIGS. 1 through 3, each C-shaped clip 114, 116 defines an elongated slot 128 that extends through the surface of the clip 114, 116. The opening defined by the slot 128 is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the clips 114, 116 and the boundaries of the slot 128 are within the perimeter of the clip 114, 116. However, in other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 through 7, the clips 114, 116 do not include slots 128.

The C-shaped clips 114, 116 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 are molded from a resilient material, such as plastic (e.g., polyolefin, ABS, or other suitable plastic material), thin sheet metal (e.g., stamped or rolled), or combination thereof, and the edges 122, 123 are biased substantially toward each other. To urge edge 122 in a radially outward direction away from edge 123, a user pulls the flange 124 extending from the edge 122 away from the edge 123 and/or pulls the flange 124 toward the upper surface 102 of the tray 100, which moves the edge 122 in a radially outward direction from the edge 123.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, the tray 100 includes a horn 135 that extends downwardly from the lower surface 104 of the tray 100 and is disposed adjacent the front surface 110 of the tray 100. When the tray 100 is secured to the swing 200, a distal end of the horn 135 is adjacent a seat portion 202 of the swing 200 to prevent a child seated therein from slipping out of the seat portion 202 underneath the tray 100. In various other embodiments (not shown), the horn may be part of the seat portion of the swing, extending upwardly therefrom such that the distal end of the horn is adjacent the lower surface of the tray and is thus not part of the tray 100.

In the embodiments described above and shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, the upper 102 and lower surfaces 104 of the tray 100 have a substantially rectangular shape. However, in other various embodiments, the upper and lower surfaces of the tray may be substantially triangular, substantially elliptical, substantially trapezoidal, substantially circular, or other suitable polygonal shape.

In addition, the engagement portions according to the embodiments described above and shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 are substantially C-shaped clips. However, in various other embodiments, the engagement portions may be detachable collars that define a substantially cylindrically shaped inner surface. For example, in a particular alternative embodiment (not shown), the detachable collars may include at least two arcuate shaped portions that are hingedly connected along a first edge of each portion. The second edges of each portion, which are opposite and spaced apart from the first edges, are biased toward each other by a spring that is disposed adjacent the first edges.

Furthermore, in the embodiments described above and shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, the retention device is a tray. However, in other various embodiments, the retention device may be any suitable device that is attachable to a child containment device, including, but not limited to, a toy bar, a retention bar, or one or more bars on which other devices (e.g., a tray, a car seat, or an accessories holder) may be mounted.

Child Containment Device

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a swing child containment device 200. The swing 200 includes a seat portion 202 in which a child is disposed and supported above a support surface and frame members 204, 206 adjacent each of two opposite and spaced apart sides of the seat portion 202. A first mating engagement portion 208 is disposed adjacent the first frame member 204, and a second mating engagement portion 209 is disposed adjacent the second frame member 206.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, each frame member 204, 206 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the first and second mating engagement portions 208, 209 each include a sleeve that has a substantially cylindrical outer surface 229 and is disposed around at least a portion of each frame member 204, 206. Each sleeve 208, 209 includes circumferential walls 210 adjacent the ends of each sleeve 208, 209, and each wall 210 extends radially outwardly from the outer surface 229 of the sleeve 208, 209. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a tab 214 is disposed between the walls 210 of each sleeve 208, 209 and extends radially outwardly from the outer surface 229 of the sleeve 208, 209.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, the sleeves 208, 209 are separately formed from the frame members 202, 204 and are disposed thereon. In one embodiment, the sleeves 208, 209 are riveted to the frame members 202, 204. In addition, in certain embodiments, the sleeves 208, 209 are formed of a plastic material (e.g., ABS, polypropylene, nylon, or other suitable plastic material), a metallic material, or combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the sleeves 208, 209 are formed by injection molding.

As discussed above, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, the frame members 204, 206 have a substantially cylindrical shape. However, in other alternative embodiments (not shown), each frame member may have an elongated, non-cylindrical shape, such as substantially elliptical, substantially triangular, substantially rectangular, or other suitable polygonal shape. In some of these alternative embodiments, an inner surface of the sleeve that is disposed around a portion of the frame member has a shape that is substantially similar to the shape of the frame member such that the sleeve does not rotate relative to the frame member.

In addition, in the embodiments described above in relation to FIGS. 1 through 7, the sleeves 208, 209 are separately formed from the frame members 204, 206 and are disposed thereon. However, in various other embodiments, the sleeves may be integrally formed on the frame members such that each frame member defines two substantially circumferential walls that are axially spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis of the frame member. In a particular embodiment, a tab extends in a radially outward direction from the frame member and is disposed between the substantially circumferential walls.

Furthermore, in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 through 7, the circumferential walls 210 are shown to be solid, having no breaks in them. However, in other various embodiments (not shown), the circumferential walls may include two or more sections that are spaced apart along the circumference of the sleeve (or the frame member).

Furthermore, in the embodiments described above and shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, the child containment device is a swing, and reference is made to a seat portion 202 of the swing 200 in which a child may be placed and supported above a support surface. Because the child containment device could include any suitable device for supporting a child above a support surface, including, but not limited to, a stroller, a high chair, a bouncer seat, an infant carrier, a booster seat, a bassinet, a play yard, or a co-sleeper, the term “seat portion” should include any portion of the child containment device in which a child may be disposed and supported above a support surface, not just portions in which a child can be disposed in a seated, or substantially upright position.

Methods of Assembly and Use

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate embodiments in which the tray 100 is secured to the swing 200 by engaging the first engagement portion 114 with the first mating engagement portion 208 and the second engagement portion 116 with the second mating engagement portion 209. To secure the tray 100 to the swing 200, the user urges the flange 124 of each C-shaped clip 114, 116 (one at a time or simultaneously) in a direction away from the edge 123 (e.g., radially outwardly from the edge 123 and/or toward the upper surface 102) to expand the width of the opening between the edges 122, 123 of the clip 114, 116, which allows the outer surface 229 of each sleeve 208, 209 to be engaged adjacent the inner surface 129 of each clip 114, 116, respectively. The user then releases the flange 124 of each clip 114, 116, and the inner surface 129 of each clip 114, 116 is biased against the outer surface 229 of each sleeve 208, 209. Each clip 114, 116 is disposed around each sleeve 208, 209, respectively, such that side edges 131, 132 of each clip 114, 116 are disposed between the circumferential walls 210 of each sleeve 208, 209, respectively. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tab 214 of each sleeve 208, 209 is disposed within the slot 128 of each clip 114, 116, respectively. In such an embodiment, the tab 214 has a length and a width that is less than a corresponding length and width of the slot 128 such that the tab 214 fits within the slot 128.

The tray 100 may be completely removed from the swing 200 or rotated about each frame member 204, 206. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the tray 100 may be rotated to the right of the seat portion 202 about the second frame member 206 by disengaging the first clip 114 from the first sleeve 208. In particular, the flange 124 of the first clip 114 is urged away from the edge 123, and the first end 106 of the tray 100 is urged away from the first frame member 204 such that the inner surface 129 of the clip 114 disengages the outer surface 229 of the sleeve 208. While the first end 106 of the tray 100 is being urged away from the first frame member 204, the second clip 116 rotates about the second sleeve 209. The second clip 116 is prevented from moving axially along the second frame member 206 by the circumferential walls 210 of the second sleeve 209.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in which the clips 114, 116 include the slot 128 and the sleeves 208, 209 include in the tab 214, the slot 128 of the first clip 114 also disengages the tab 214 by being moved radially outwardly from the tab 214 with the urging of the flange 124 away from the edge 123 of the clip 114. In addition, the tab 214 of the second sleeve 209 moves through the slot 128 of the second clip 116 to guide the motion of the tray 100 about the longitudinal axis X extending through the second frame member 206. According to one embodiment, the length of the slot 128 defines the limits of the range of motion the tray 100 can travel about the particular axis of rotation by the distance the tab 214 can travel along the length of the slot 128.

Referring back to the embodiments described in FIGS. 1 through 7, to rotate the tray to the left of the seat portion 202 about the first frame member 204, the second clip 116 is disengaged from the second sleeve 209, and the tray 100 is rotated about the longitudinal axis X extending through the first frame member 204. FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment in which the tray 100 is rotated to the left of the seat portion 202 of the swing 200. In addition, to completely disengage the tray 100 from the swing 200, both clips 114, 116 are disengaged from the sleeves 208, 209, respectively, one at a time or simultaneously, and the tray 100 is moved away from the swing 200.

In the embodiment described above in relation to FIGS. 2 and 3, each clip 114, 116 defines slot 128 that receives tab 214 that extends radially outwardly from each sleeve 208, 209, respectively. However, in various alternative embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 8, a protrusion or tab 318 extends radially inwardly from an inner surface 329 of each clip 314, 316, and a slot 428 is defined on an outer surface 429 of each sleeve 408, 409. When the clips 314, 316 are engaged with the sleeves 408, 409, the tab 318 on each clip 314, 316 is engaged into the slot 428 defined in each sleeve 408, 409, respectively.

In the embodiments described above and shown in FIGS. 1 through 8, the tray is rotatable about the first or second frame member of the swing through a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the support surface (i.e., about an axis that is substantially parallel to the support surface). However, in other various embodiments (not shown), the tray or other type of retention device may be rotated through a plane that is at an angle less than 90° to the support surface. For example, in various embodiments, the retention device may be attached to vertically or diagonally oriented frame members of a child containment device, and, accordingly, the retention device would be rotatable relative to the frame members through a plane that is substantially parallel or at an angle of between 0° and about 90° relative to the support surface.

Claims

1. A child containment device and retention device assembly, the assembly comprising: a retention device comprising: a child containment device comprising: wherein:

an elongated body having a first end and a second end opposite and spaced apart from the first end;

a first engagement portion disposed adjacent the first end and a second engagement portion disposed adjacent the second end,

a seat portion in which a child is supportable therein;

a first frame member disposed adjacent a first side of the seat portion;

a second frame member disposed adjacent a second side of the seat portion, wherein the first side is spaced apart from the second side; and

a first mating engagement portion disposed adjacent the first frame member and a second mating engagement portion disposed adjacent the second frame member,

the retention device is removably secured adjacent the child containment device by engaging the first engagement portion with the first mating engagement portion and the second engagement portion with the second mating engagement portion;

the first engagement portion comprises a detachable collar defining a slot extending through a portion of the detachable collar, the slot disposed within a perimeter of the detachable collar;

the first mating engagement portion comprises a tab extending radially outwardly from the first frame member of the child containment device, the tab being configured to engage the slot of the first engagement portion; and

the retention device is pivotable about the first frame member via the first engagement portion by disengaging the second engagement portion from the second mating engagement portion and rotating the retention device about an axis extending through the first frame member such that the tab moves within the slot.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the detachable collar is a first detachable collar, the slot is a first slot, the tab is a first tab, and the axis is a first substantially horizontal axis;

the second engagement portion comprises a second detachable collar defining a second slot extending through a portion of the second detachable collar, the second slot disposed within a perimeter of the second detachable collar;

the second mating engagement portion comprises a second tab extending radially outwardly from the second arm of the child containment device, the second tab being configured to engage the second slot of the second engagement portion; and

the retention device is pivotable about a second substantially horizontal axis extending through the second frame member through the second engagement portion by disengaging the first slot of the first detachable collar from the first tab and rotating the retention device about the second substantially horizontal axis such that the second tab moves within the second slot.

3. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a sleeve secured adjacent an outer surface of the first frame member of the child containment device, the sleeve comprising the tab.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the detachable collar is a C-shaped clip.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the detachable collar is biased toward the outer surface of the first frame member.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the detachable collar is biased toward the outer surface of the first frame member.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the detachable collar further comprises a flange that extends radially outwardly from the detachable collar.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the detachable collar is a C-shaped clip, and the flange extends from an edge of the C-shaped clip.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the retention device is a tray having an upper surface and a lower surface spaced apart from and opposite the upper surface.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the retention device is a toy bar.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the retention device comprises at least one bar that extends across the seat portion of the child containment device by engaging the first engagement portion with the first mating engagement portion and the second engagement portion with the second mating engagement portion.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the axis of the first frame member is a substantially horizontal axis relative to a support surface on which the child containment device rests.

13. A child containment device and retention device assembly, the assembly comprising:

a retention device comprising: an elongated body having a first side surface and a second side surface opposite and spaced apart from the first side surface; a first engagement portion disposed adjacent the first side surface and a second engagement portion disposed adjacent the second side surface,

a child containment device comprising: a seat portion in which a child is supportable therein; a first frame member disposed adjacent a first side of the seat portion; a second frame member disposed adjacent a second side of the seat portion,

wherein the first side is spaced apart from the second side; and a first mating engagement portion disposed adjacent the first frame member and a second mating engagement portion disposed adjacent the second frame member,

wherein: the retention device is removably secured adjacent the child containment device by engaging the first engagement portion with the first mating engagement portion and the second engagement portion with the second mating engagement portion; the first engagement portion comprises a detachable collar defining a tab extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of the detachable collar; the first mating engagement portion defines a slot extending radially inwardly relative to an outer surface of the first frame member of the child containment device, the tab being configured to engage the slot of the first mating engagement portion; and the retention device is pivotable about the first frame member via the first engagement portion by disengaging the second engagement portion from the second mating engagement portion and rotating the retention device about an axis extending through the first frame member such that the tab moves within the slot.

14. The assembly of claim 13 further comprising a sleeve secured adjacent the outer surface of the first frame member of the child containment device, an outer surface of the sleeve defining the slot.