Assembly For Attachment To A Crib
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an assembly for attachment to a crib. The assembly may include a cross member configured to span a width of the crib. In addition, the assembly may include a substantially U-shaped cross member connector configured to receive one end of the cross member. Also, the assembly may include a substantially U-shaped crib rail connector configured for attachment of the cross member connector, the crib rail connector further configured to be non-destructively attached to and removed from a side rail of the crib.
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This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/510,329, entitled “Assembly for Attachment to a Crib,” and filed on Jul. 21, 2011, which application is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to an assembly for attachment to a crib and, more particularly, to a bassinet and/or diaper changing station assembly configured to be non-destructively attached to and removed from a crib.
BACKGROUNDA bassinet or portable play yard with a bassinet feature is often used by new parents in their own bedroom during their baby's first 0-6 months of life in order to keep the baby close when the parents are sleeping. Often, portable play yards used for such a purpose are used as a stationary bassinet/bed/playpen/diaper changer product. Many parents who utilize a play yard/bassinet in such a manner also utilize a separate crib for the nursery to provide a sleeping area for their baby after the baby has outgrown the bassinet. It can be expensive to purchase a play yard with a bassinet feature in addition to a separate crib, plus, in some cases, a diaper changing table/product as well. It would be advantageous to provide a single product including a bassinet, a changing table, and a full-size crib for use in the nursery as the baby grows.
The present disclosure is directed to improvements in existing bassinet and crib arrangements.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an assembly for attachment to a crib. The assembly may include a cross member configured to span a width of the crib. In addition, the assembly may include a substantially U-shaped cross member connector configured to receive one end of the cross member. Also, the assembly may include a substantially U-shaped crib rail connector configured for attachment of the cross member connector, the crib rail connector further configured to be non-destructively attached to and removed from a side rail of the crib.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a softgoods component for a crib. The component may include an end panel configured to be attached to a cross member spanning from a top portion of one side rail of the crib to a top portion of a second side rail of the crib. The end panel may be further configured to extend upward from the cross member to completely cover all spaces in a headboard or footboard of the crib.
Advantages and features of novelty characterizing aspects of the presently disclosed embodiments are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. Additional systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following descriptive matter and accompanying figures.
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
The following discussion and accompanying figures are directed to an assembly for attachment to a crib. Specifically, the disclosed embodiments include a bassinet/diaper changing station assembly that is configured to attach firmly to a full-size crib in a secure, but removable manner. The bassinet/changer assembly may be configured to be non-destructively attached to and removed from the rails of the crib.
General Description of Crib and Bassinet/Diaper Changing Station Assembly
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “full-size crib” shall refer to a crib configured in accordance with ASTM standards and/or regulations set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for full-size cribs. On of Dec. 28, 2010, the CPSC published 37 C.F.R. §1219, which adopts the voluntary standard promulgated by ASTM International, ASTM Standard F 1169-10a, 2010, “Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Full-Size Baby Cribs,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa. As set forth in ASTM F 1169-10a, the characteristic that most distinguishes a full-size crib from a non-full-size crib is the interior dimensions of the crib. Notably, as set forth in ASTM F 1169-10a, which is formally incorporated into 37 C.F.R. §1219 by reference, a full-size crib has specific interior dimensions of 28+/−⅝ inches (71+/−1.6 centimeters) in width and 52⅜+/−⅝ inches (133+/−1.6 centimeters), and is designed to provide sleeping accommodations for an infant. ASTM Standard F 1169-10a is incorporated herein by reference. According to the CPSC, a 2005 survey indicates that approximately 88 percent of crib models are full-size cribs. Thus, a full-size crib may also be referred to as a “standard” crib.
In addition, it will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that, also on Dec. 28, 2010, the CPSC published 37 C.F.R. §1220, which adopts ASTM F 406-10a, 2010, “Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa. ASTM Standard F 406-10a is incorporated herein by reference. ASTM, and therefore the CPSC, distinguishes non-full-size baby cribs and play yards from full-size baby cribs. According to the CPSC, a non-full-size crib may be either smaller or larger than a full-size crib, or shaped differently than the usual rectangular crib. The category of non-full-size cribs includes oversized, specialty, undersized, and portable cribs, but does not include any product with mesh/net/screen siding, non-rigidly constructed cribs, cradles, car beds, baby baskets, or bassinets.
The ASTM standards for full-size and non-full-size cribs include standards for the width between slats of the side rails, head board, and foot board, as well as the minimum strength of the spindles/slats. Thus, the ASTM standards, and therefore the CPSC regulations incorporating the ASTM standards, limit full-size and non-full-size cribs to hard-sided cribs, and do not categorize play yards, playpens, and other soft-sided (for example, mesh or fabric-sided) products as cribs, either full-size or non-full-size. Accordingly, ASTM voluntary standards and CPSC regulations distinguish between full-size cribs and non-full-size cribs, and further distinguish between cribs (both full-size and non-full-size) and play yards and playpens. These distinctions are also generally recognized by those having ordinary skill in the art.
An additional difference between typical full-size cribs and play yards is that typical full-size cribs include rails made of wood, whereas play yards include rails made of metal. Therefore, the wooden rails of a full-size crib are more susceptible to damage from attaching equipment than are the metal rails of a play yard. Accordingly, attachments may often be readily attached to and removed from the metal rails of play yards without damaging the rails. In contrast, attachments to full-size cribs may often include clamps, screws, and/or other fasteners to attach, for example, accessories, such as toy bars, mobiles, music boxes and other equipment. The clamps, screws, and other fasteners may damage the frame aesthetically and/or structurally. Therefore, if such a piece of equipment is attached and then removed, the crib may be left with permanent damage.
The disclosed bassinet/changer assembly may include connectors that are configured to non-destructively attach the bassinet/changer frame to a wooden crib. In addition, the bassinet/changer assembly may be non-destructively removed from the crib. In some embodiments, the connectors may provide universal attachment to any of a variety of crib rail shapes. Also, in some embodiments, the bassinet/changer assembly may be assembled without using any tools. For example, as described in further detail below, the assembly may include claims that snap or clip onto the crib rails and to each other. In addition, other components, such as side bars and cross members may slide into and out of the connectors. Thus, the assembly may be assembled and attached to the crib with no tools, and without any fasteners (such as screws or bolts) to connect the assembly to the crib. Rather, the assembly components may simply snap and/or slide together, and the assembly may clip onto the crib rails. In addition, a finger release may enable the connectors to be detached from the crib rails, without damaging the crib rails.
As shown in
The bassinet/changer assembly may incorporate both hard and softgoods components. For example, the framework of the assembly may include connectors, side bars, and cross members formed of metal and/or hard plastic, and the sides and bottom of the bassinet and changing station may be formed of fabrics, meshes (or other breathable/ventilated panel materials), padding, and other relatively soft components. In addition, the assembly may include linens, such as a skirt that hangs over the rails, as shown in
The crib may also include casters or another type of wheel, in order to facilitate moving the crib. For example, when used with the bassinet/changer assembly attached, the crib may be located in the parents' bedroom, in which case it may be desirable to move the crib to different portions of the room to permit the parents to utilize the floor space of the room for daily living and move the crib closer to the parents' bed at night.
Framework Overview
Framework Components Generally
Interlocking of Rail Connector and Cross Member Connector
Cross members 110 and side bars 135 may be formed of metal or hard plastic. In some embodiments, cross members 110 and/or side bars 135 may be tubular (hollow). In some embodiments, cross members 110 and/or side bars 135 may be solid.
Cross member connectors 120 and rail connectors 125 may be formed of a suitably rigid material to provide strength and support to the assembly. Crib rail connectors 125 may be configured to be non-marking to the side rails of the crib. For example, in some embodiments, rail connectors 125 may be formed of a plastic material that is gentle on wooden side rails. In some embodiments, rail connectors 125 may be formed of a metal or plastic, and may further include a soft liner material, such as rubber or felt at contact points with the crib side rails.
In addition to non-marking rail connectors 125, bassinet/changer assembly 105 may also be configured to prevent damage to the crib, by having contact with the crib at relatively few points. For example, assembly 105 may contact the crib only at rail connectors 125 (for example, at six points corresponding with six rail connectors 125 in some embodiments).
Rail Connector Detail
Rail connector 125 may further include a base portion 165 configured to join the first leg 145 and the second leg 150. Base portion 165 may include at least one indentation 170 configured to receive a portion of cross member connector 120. In some embodiments, second rail connector leg 150 may be longer than first rail connector leg 145, and may extend further from rail connector base portion 165 than first rail connector leg 145, for example, as shown in
Cross Member Connector Detail
Recess 170 of rail connector 125 may be configured to receive one of the first and second cross member connector legs 200 and 205 to secure cross member connector 120 to rail connector 125. For example, as shown in
As also shown in
Alternative Connector Configuration
As also illustrated in
Recess 370 of rail connector 325 may be configured to receive one of the first and second cross member connector legs 400 and 405 to secure cross member connector 320 to rail connector 325. For example, first cross member connector leg 400 may be configured to clip into recess 370 of rail connector 325.
As also shown in
Cross Members and Side Bars
Bassinet/Diaper Changing Station Fabric
In some embodiments, the fabric of softgoods component 210 may be sewn around side bars 135 to form side bar loops 225. In other embodiments, side bar loops 225 may be pre-formed, and side bars 135 may be inserted through loops 225. In some embodiments, the fabric of softgoods component 210 may be sewn around cross members 110 to form cross member loops 220. In other embodiments, cross member loops 220 may be pre-formed, and cross members 110 may be inserted through loops 220. In some embodiments, side bar loops 225 may be sewn around side bars 135 during manufacturing, and cross members 110 may be inserted into cross member loops 220 by the consumer during assembly.
As also shown in
The dimensions of softgoods component 210 may vary depending on the configuration of bassinet/changer assembly 105. Further, the dimensions of softgoods component 210 may be suited for an assembly 105 configured to be attached to a full-size crib. Alternative dimensions may be possible for embodiments configured for attachment to other types of cribs. In addition, the fabric/material selected for softgoods component 210 may be any suitable material including, for example, textiles, flexible plastics, and other suitable materials. Persons having ordinary skill in the art will recognize other suitable materials for softgoods component 210.
Mattress Support Members
In some embodiments, the components of bassinet/changer assembly 105 may be configured to be compactly stored when disassembled. For example, in some embodiments, disassembled bassinet/changer components may be configured to fold into a compact configuration that may be stored in a sack or storage bag. Accordingly, in some embodiments, side bars 135 and/or cross members 110 may be configured to break down into shorter length sections. For example, in some embodiments, side bars 135 and/or cross members 110 may include male and female ends configured to be assembled and disassembled in the manner shown and discussed with respect to male support tube 255 and female support tube 260.
Bassinet Mattress
Diaper Changing Station Pad
End Panel
In some embodiments, an upper portion of end panel 265 may be shaped to substantially match the shape of the headboard or footboard. For example, in some embodiments, the upper portion of end panel 265 may be substantially curved to substantially match the shape of an arched headboard or footboard, as shown in
In some embodiments, the upper portion of end panel 265 may include one or more ties that are configured to fasten end panel 265 to the headboard or footboard, as shown in
Accessories
Bassinet/changer assembly 105 may be configured to have one or more accessories connected to the components of assembly 105. For example,
Additional accessories may be provided as part of a set with bassinet/changer assembly 105. For example,
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Features of any embodiment described in the present disclosure may be included in any other embodiment described in the present disclosure. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.
Claims
1. An assembly for attachment to a crib, comprising:
- a cross member configured to span a width of the crib;
- a substantially U-shaped cross member connector configured to receive one end of the cross member; and
- a substantially U-shaped crib rail connector configured for attachment of the cross member connector, the crib rail connector further configured to be non-destructively attached to and removed from a side rail of the crib.
2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the substantially U-shaped crib rail connector includes a first rail connector leg configured to mate with a first side of a rail of a crib, a second rail connector leg configured to mate with a second side of the rail, the second leg being flexible and including a distal tip having a catch member extending toward the first rail connector leg, the catch member being configured to extend below the rail to secure the rail connector to the rail, wherein the second leg may be flexed away from the first leg to release the catch member from under the rail, thereby enabling non-destructive removal of the rail connector from the rail by lifting the rail connector in an upward direction.
3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the U-shaped crib rail connector further includes a base portion configured to join the first and second legs, the base portion including at least one indentation configured to receive a portion of the cross member connector.
4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cross member connector includes a base portion having a cross member recess configured to receive one end of the cross member, and wherein the cross member connector further includes a first cross member connector leg extending from the cross member connector base portion and a second cross member connector leg extending from the cross member connector base portion; and
- wherein the rail connector includes a recess configured to receive one of the first and second cross member connector legs to secure the cross member connector to the rail connector.
5. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the second rail connector leg is longer than the first rail connector leg and extends further from the rail connector base portion than the first rail connector leg.
6. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the rail connector is configured to mate with a crib rail having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape.
7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cross member has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, and the recess in the cross member connector includes a substantially cylindrical bore configured to receive the substantially circular cross member.
8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly includes:
- a plurality of cross members configured to span the width of the crib;
- a plurality of substantially U-shaped cross member connectors configured to receive ends of the cross members; and
- a plurality of substantially U-shaped crib rail connectors configured for attachment of the cross member connectors, the crib rail connectors further configured to be non-destructively attached to and removed from side rails of the crib;
- wherein the plurality of cross members, the plurality of cross member connectors, and the plurality of rail connectors, when assembled, form a bassinet frame configured to be non-destructively attached to and removed from the crib.
9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the assembly further forms a diaper changing station frame adjacent the bassinet frame.
10. The assembly according to claim 8, further including first and second side bars, each side bar being configured to connect the rail connectors on one side of the crib, wherein the side bars form side portions of the bassinet frame, and wherein two of the plurality of cross members form end portions of the bassinet frame.
11. The assembly according to claim 8, further including one or more softgoods components configured to form bassinet panels extending between the cross members and side bars of the bassinet frame.
12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the bassinet panels formed by the softgoods components include side panels formed at least in part from a mesh material.
13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the bassinet panels formed by the softgoods components include end panels formed at least in part from a mesh material.
14. A softgoods component for a crib, comprising:
- an end panel configured to be attached to a cross member spanning from a top portion of one side rail of the crib to a top portion of a second side rail of the crib, the end panel further configured to extend upward from the cross member to completely cover all spaces in a headboard or footboard of the crib.
15. The softgoods component according to claim 14, wherein an upper portion of the end panel is shaped to substantially match the shape of the headboard or footboard.
16. The softgoods component according to claim 15, wherein the upper portion of the end panel is substantially curved to substantially match the shape of an arched headboard or footboard.
17. The softgoods component according to claim 14, wherein an upper portion of the end panel includes one or more ties that are configured to fasten the end panel to the headboard or footboard.
18. The softgoods component according to claim 14, wherein the end panel includes padding, configured to provide cushioning against the headboard or footboard.
19. The softgoods component according to claim 18, wherein the padding includes rib members configured to be aligned between spaced-apart upright members of the headboard or footboard.
20. The softgoods component according to claim 19, wherein the end panel is formed at least in part from a mesh material.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 23, 2012
Publication Date: May 23, 2013
Applicant: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC. (Woonsocket, RI)
Inventors: Jon DeHart (Reading, PA), Ken Hopkins (Morgantown, PA), David Ellis (Morgantown, PA), Paul Bias (Morgantown, PA), Steve Wood (Kutztown, PA)
Application Number: 13/556,180
International Classification: A47D 7/00 (20060101);