TABLE GUARD ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A guard system for a furniture element includes a rail spaced apart from the furniture element, and a support member connected with the rail. The guard system also includes a bracket configured contact at least two surfaces of the furniture element. A resilient connection member is attached to the bracket and the support member.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/154,172 filed May 21, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present description relates generally to the field of safety or guard assemblies for use with the edge of a table or other surface. More specifically, the present description relates to a furniture or table guard useful to protect a toddler from injuring himself or herself on the edge thereof and also to provide a flexible support for use by the toddler when learning to walk.

BACKGROUND

It is well known that it is important to shield the sharp edges of tables such as coffee tables so that a toddler or child does not hurt himself if he falls. Typical devices directed to this field in the past use foam or other soft materials that are either glued or elastically attached to the perimeter of the table. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,230 entitled “Baby Bumpers” is directed to a stretchable rubber bead that snap-fits around the periphery of a piece of furniture such as a table. While this device and similar devices may fulfill particular objectives and requirements, these devices have limitations because toddlers often want to pull themselves up to a standing position and find the sides of tables convenient for this purpose. However, when grabbing the edge material or bumper, toddlers may pull it off as they hold the edge material or bumper. Because this edge material or bumper may be pulled off, there is the possibility that a toddler may injure himself as he falls back to the ground. In addition, when toddlers are trying to stand near a table, they may grab at items left on the table in an attempt to pull themselves up. Again, this leads to the possibility that a toddler may hurt himself by pulling an item off the table and then falling to the ground.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a table guard that provides for a more resilient protection around the surface of a furniture element. In addition, there is the need for a more resilient table guard assembly that provides assistance to a toddler as he learns to walk.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A guard system for a furniture element includes a rail configured to be spaced apart from the furniture element, and a support member connected with the rail. The guard system also includes a bracket configured contact at least two surfaces of the furniture element. A resilient connection member is attached to the bracket and the support member.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims and be defined by the following claims. Further aspects and advantages are discussed below in conjunction with the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The system and/or method may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles. In the figures, like referenced numerals may refer to like parts throughout the different figures unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table guard assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention shown attached to a table.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the table guard assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the table guard assembly of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of one of the support members of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a table guard assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the table guard assembly as shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present description is directed to a furniture guard assembly that provides improved protection for a toddler with greater versatility than baby bumpers of previous constructions. In addition to providing protection against injury from the edge of a furniture element, the present invention provides a flexible rail that a toddler can hold as he walks along the edge of the furniture element. Further, the movable and flexible nature of the rail provides an assembly that makes it easier for the toddler to hold onto the rail.

As used herein, the term “furniture element” or “table” may be interpreted broadly to include known furniture items such as known tables of various shapes, sizes and constructions and known cabinets and other known furniture elements. As also used herein, the term “rail” may be interpreted broadly to include round shapes, rectangular shapes or other known shapes. As further used herein, the term “toddler” may be interpreted broadly to include infants and children.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the table guard assembly 10 according to the present invention. The table guard assembly 10 is shown attached to the table 12. The table 12 is just one representative example of the known tables or surfaces that may implement the table guard assembly 10 of the present invention. The table 12 includes legs 14 and a table top 16 having an edge 18. In the present embodiment, the table top 16 is formed from glass although it should be recognized that other materials may be accommodated with the present invention.

The table guard assembly 10 includes the rail 22, support members 24 and resilient connection elements or springs 26. The rail 22 and support members 24 are shown formed from a tubular material such as PVC pipe. However, it should be recognized that other materials having other shapes and sizes may also be implemented with the present invention. In addition, the rail 22 is shown spaced apart from the edge 18 of the table top 6 in the present embodiment. This feature is useful because it allows for a toddler to grasp the rail 22 while also providing enough recoil room for fall protection. In addition, the rail 22 is spaced above the table top 16. This feature is useful because it will help prevent a toddler from pulling an object off the table top 16. In an alternate embodiment, it should be recognized that the rail 22 could be spaced closer to the edge 18.

The support members 24 may include a first portion 32 that extends downward and inward and a second portion 34 that extends inward and upward to meet the bottom surface 36 of the table top 16. The second portion 34 of the support member 24 includes an end 41 that slidably engages the bottom surface 36 of the table top 16. The support members 24 have a generally V-shaped construction in the present embodiment. However, it should be recognized that the support members 24 may be formed from other shapes such as the rectangular embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-6.

The spring 26 provides for a resilient connection between the support members 24 and the edge 18 of the table top 16. The spring 26 is secured using a clip 40. While a spring 26 is illustrated, other known means such as other types of springs may be implemented to provide for a resilient connection between the support member 24 and the table top 16. For example, an elastomer spring may be preferred because it does not have any sharp edge of pinch points. In addition, the exact location of the connection spring 26 between the support member 24 and table top 16 may be varied as shown, for example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 5-6.

The table guard assembly 10 provides a rail 22 having a capability for a horizontal movement, a vertical movement or a combination thereof. The rail 22 is capable of a constrained movement in a plurality of directions in order to provide support for a toddler learning to walk. The rail 22 is capable of moving a limited distance down and then in to protect a toddler against falls. In other words, the present embodiment is capable of greater movement in the horizontal direction than in the vertical so that a toddler may use it as a rail 22.

The table guard assembly 10 provides a device that helps protect a toddler from injury should he fall adjacent the rail 22. In particular, the movement of the rail 22 provides a surface that will give if a toddler falls into the rail 22. The movement of the rail 22 helps lessen any potential injury as a result striking the rail. The rail 22 actually describes a somewhat elliptical path with a vertical blow so that it moves down and in away from the impact in order to protect the toddler.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate the support member 24 in greater detail. In particular, a hook 60 is shown on a central portion 61 of the support member 24. The clip 40 extends over the lower support rail 64. The clip 40 provides an opening to receive a first end 66 of the spring 26 with the second end of the spring 68 shown attached to the hook 60.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate a second embodiment of the table guard assembly 70 that operates in the same general manner as in FIG. 14, except for a variance in the specific construction of the support members 72 and the resilient connection to the table top 74. The present embodiment provides for a more universal connection to tables of varying construction.

The support members 72 have a generally rectangular construction and are connected to a bracket 78. The bracket 78 is connected to the edge 76 of the table top 74. In particular, the bracket 78 has a generally C-shaped construction that fits around the edge 76 of the table top 74. Screws 80 secure the bracket 78 to the table top 74. In the present embodiment, springs 82, 84 interconnect the support members 72 to the bracket 78. More specifically, the spring 82 interconnects a central portion 88 of the support member 72 to a tab 90 that is connected to the bracket 78. The spring 84 interconnects the end 92 of the support member 72 to the tab 90. This embodiment provides for a similar type of movement by the rail 94 as demonstrated by previous embodiments.

The embodiments described above and shown herein are illustrative and not restrictive. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the present invention may be used on furniture elements other than tables, and the exact size and construction of the elements of the present invention may be varied in a manner other than as specifically described or illustrated in the figures. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations beyond those discussed herein are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A guard system for a furniture element, comprising:

a rail configured to be spaced apart from the furniture element;

a support member connected with the rail;

a bracket configured to contact at least two surfaces of the furniture element; and

a resilient connection member attached to the bracket and the support member.

2. The guard system of claim 1, where the support member is perpendicular to the rail.

3. The guard system of claim 1, where the resilient connection member comprises a first spring interconnecting the bracket and the support member and a second spring interconnecting the bracket and the support member.

4. The guard system of claim 3, where the first spring is positioned substantially perpendicular to the second spring.

5. The guard system of claim 1, where the support member includes a first portion extending downward from the rail, a second portion in contact with the bracket or a bottom surface of the furniture element, and a central portion interconnecting the first portion and the second portion.

6. The guard system of claim 5, where the first portion is positioned substantially parallel to the second portion.

7. The guard system of claim 5, where the resilient connection member comprises a first spring connected with the central portion of the support member and the bracket, and a second spring connected with the second portion of the support member and the bracket.

8. The guard system of claim 1, where the bracket is configured to simultaneously contact a top surface, a side surface, and a bottom surface of the furniture element.

9. The guard system of claim 1, where the support member and the resilient connection member are configured to facilitate a constrained vertical movement for the rail and a constrained horizontal movement for the rail such that when a force is applied to the rail, the rail moves a limited distance and then resists further movement.

10. A guard system for a furniture element, comprising:

a rail configured to be spaced apart from and extending along an edge of the furniture element; and

a connector connecting the rail to the furniture element, the connector including a support member that extends from the rail to a bottom surface of the furniture element and a spring interconnecting the support member and the furniture element, the connector configured to facilitate a constrained vertical movement for the rail and a constrained horizontal movement for the rail such that when a force is applied to the rail, the rail moves a limited distance and then resists further movement.

11. The guard system of claim 10, where the rail has a substantially rounded cross-section.

12. The guard system of claim 10, where the rail is positioned substantially parallel to the edge of the furniture element.

13. The guard system of claim 10, where the rail is configured to move vertically and horizontally in response to a vertical downward applied force.

14. The guard system of claim 10, where the spring is positioned under the bottom surface of the furniture element.

15. A guard system, comprising:

a support member configured to contact a bottom surface of a furniture element;

a resilient connection member attached to the support member and configured to connect the support member with the furniture element; and

a rail connected with the support member, the rail configured to be spaced apart from an edge of the furniture element.

16. The guard system of claim 15, where the support member comprises a tubular material.

17. The guard system of claim 15, where the support member is generally rigid and inflexible.

18. The guard system of claim 15, where the rail comprises a tubular material.