CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/754,860, filed Jan. 21, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated entirely herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to furniture, and more particularly, to furniture, such as cribs, that are customizable to include any combination of a variety of accessories.
2. Description of Related Art
Different types of mass produced furniture have a particular design, style and function. The nature of mass production does not allow the consumer to easily customize their cribs and furniture to suit their particular needs or tastes. There are many infant toys, decorations and monitoring devices on market but they cannot be easily and safely attached to their cribs and furniture.
SUMMARY According to aspects of the present invention, systems and methods allow furniture, such as cribs, to be easily customized to suit the consumer's specific style, personality, and needs. For example, systems and methods employ techniques for easily attaching any combination of selected accessories to customize the furniture. Such accessories may fulfill decorative, functional, educational, and/or entertainment functions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a crib including example accessory attachment systems, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 2A illustrates an example accessory attachment system, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 2B illustrates the example accessory attachment system of FIG. 2A receiving an example decorative accessory, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 2C illustrates the example accessory attachment system of FIG. 2A receiving an example computer accessory, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 2D illustrates the example accessory attachment system of FIG. 2A receiving the example computer accessory of FIG. 2C, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 2E illustrates another example accessory attachment system receiving another example decorative accessory, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 2F illustrates an exploded view of aspects of an example accessory attachment system, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 3A illustrates another example accessory attachment system, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 3B illustrates the example accessory attachment system of FIG. 3A receiving an example toy accessory, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 3B illustrates the example accessory attachment system of FIG. 3A receiving the example toy accessory of FIG. 3B, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example accessory attachment system receiving a series of accessories, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates another example accessory attachment system receiving a series of accessories, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example accessory attachment system attaching accessories to a panel, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a crib with a combination of accessory attachment systems, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a crib with another combination of accessory attachment systems, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 9 illustrates a crib with yet another combination of accessory attachment systems, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates a crib with a further combination of accessory attachment systems, according to aspects of the present invention.
FIG. 11 illustrates a crib with yet a further combination of accessory attachment systems, according to aspects of the present invention.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as described below.
DESCRIPTION According to aspects of the present invention, systems and methods allow furniture, such as cribs, to be easily customized to suit the consumer's specific style, personality, and needs. For example, systems and methods employ techniques for easily attaching any combination of selected accessories to customize the furniture. Such accessories may fulfill decorative, functional, educational, and/or entertainment functions.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example crib 100 that is customizable according to aspects of the present invention. As described herein, the structures of the crib 100 may be formed from any combination of suitable materials, including, but not limited to, wood, plastic, metal, and the like. In addition, the structures may be assembled according to any combination of fastening techniques, including, but not limited to, the use of screws, nails, pegs, rods, rivets, bolts, supporting brackets and plates, interlocking elements, press-fit connections, adhesives, and the like.
The crib 100 includes a first vertical side structure 110, a second vertical side structure 120, a third vertical side structure 130, and a fourth vertical side structure 140, which combine to define an enclosure 102 within which a child may be situated. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the crib 100 accommodates a horizontal supporting surface, such as a mattress, that provides support for a child situated within the enclosure 102. The side structures 110, 120, 130, and 140 are dimensioned to prevent the child from getting out of the crib 100 on his/her own.
The first side structure 110 is generally defined by a series of spaced vertical bars 112, and similarly, the second side structure 120 is generally defined by a series of spaced vertical bars 122. The spaced vertical bars 112 and 122 allow a person to see through the first side structure 110 and the second side structure 120, respectively, in order to monitor the child in the crib 100. Meanwhile, the third side structure 130 is generally defined by a vertical panel 132, and the fourth side structure 140 is generally defined by a vertical panel 142.
According to aspects of the present invention, the third side structure 130 includes an accessory attachment system 200, and the fourth side structure 140 includes another accessory attachment system 300. The accessory attachment systems 200 and 300 allow accessories to be attached to the crib 100 in order to customize the crib 100. The accessory attachment system 200 is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2A-E, while the accessory attachment system 300 is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3A-C.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the accessory attachment system 200 includes a vertical slot-shaped compartment 210 that extends downwardly into the third side structure 130. A narrow access 220 running along a top structure 134 of the third side structure 130 provides access to the compartment 210. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, for example, a substantially planar decorative accessory 10 can be inserted through the access 220 and received into the compartment 210. Depressions 222 are disposed on both sides of the access 220 to facilitate insertion/removal of the decorative accessory 10 into/from the compartment 210. The accessory attachment system 200 also includes an opening 230 in the panel 132 of the third side structure 130. The opening 230 makes the decorative accessory 10 disposed in the compartment 210 visible through the panel 132. As such, the accessory attachment system 200 creates a frame for the decorative accessory 10. The opening 230 is generally smaller in area than the compartment 210 and the decorative accessory 10 to prevent the decorative accessory 10 from slipping out of the compartment 210 through the opening 230. In addition, the opening 230 is safely dimensioned to ensure that a child cannot insert his/her head or other body part through the opening 230 and become accidentally trapped.
As FIG. 2B shows, the decorative accessory 10 includes an image (e.g., a cartoon bumblebee) that can be used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the crib 100 and/or to provide visual entertainment for a child in the crib 100. Other similar accessories providing other images or decorations can be selected to customize the crib 100 as desired. The decorative accessory 10 may be formed from any combination of suitable materials that provide sufficient stiffness to help maintain the decorative accessory 10 stably in the compartment 210 and that allow an image to be applied to the decorative accessory 10. For example, the decorative accessory 10 may include a piece of cloth with a stitched or printed image that is wrapped around board. In some embodiments, the decorative accessory 10 may include any combination of images to be interchangeably and selectively attached to a panel that is then inserted into the compartment 210. For example, selected images can be attached to the panel according to any suitable technique, e.g., hook and loop fasteners, reappliable adhesive surfaces, snap fasteners, clips, tacks, screws/bolts, etc.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the opening 230 passes completely through the third side structure 130. In this case, when the decorative accessory 10 is received into the compartment 210, the decorative accessory 10 can be seen through the panel 132 from either side of the third side structure 130. A first side of the decorative accessory 10 faces inwardly toward the enclosure 102 of the crib 100, while a second side of the decorative accessory 10 faces outwardly away from the crib 100. The first side and the second side of the decorative accessory 10 may have the same or different images. Indeed, the decorative accessory 10 may include a first image on the first side and a different second image on the second side, so that the accessory 10 can be selectively inserted to make the first image face inwardly toward the enclosure 102 of the crib 100 and to make the second image face outwardly away from the crib 100, or vice versa. In some embodiments, the decorative accessory 10 can also be rotated to a particular orientation before it is inserted into the compartment 210. Any one of the sides of the decorative accessory 10 can be correspondingly aligned along the top, bottom, left, or right sides of the compartment 210. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the decorative accessory 10 can be inserted to make the cartoon bumblebee image “right side up,” “upside down,” etc.
FIGS. 2C and 2D show that the accessory attachment system 200 can accommodate other types of accessories. In particular, a planar computer accessory 20 is inserted into the compartment 210 via the access 220. The computer accessory 20, for example, may be a tablet computer with a touch screen. As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the computer accessory 20 is inserted so that the screen faces inwardly into the enclosure 102. Alternatively, the computer accessory 20 may be inserted so that the screen is visible on the other side of the third side structure 130. The computer accessory 20 may present any audio and/or video content, e.g., to entertain a child within the crib 100. For example, the computer accessory 20 may play stored audiovisual content (e.g., movies, television shows), stream content from an Internet connection, play music, show images, play interactive content (e.g., video games that receive input through the touch screen), etc. Although not shown, the accessory attachment system 200 in some embodiments may include a docking station that can provide power to the computer accessory 20, connect the computer accessory 20 to peripheral speakers, connect the computer accessory 20 to a network, etc.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-D, the opening 230 passes completely through the third side structure 130 to make an accessory visible from both sides of the third side structure 130. FIG. 2E, however, shows that the opening 230 in alternative embodiments only passes partially through the third side structure 130 so that only one side of the decorative accessory 30 can be seen on one side of the third side structure 130. For example, only the side of the decorative accessory 30 facing inwardly toward the enclosure 102 is visible. In such cases, the embodiment of FIG. 2E provides a one-sided frame for the decorative accessory 30.
FIG. 2F illustrates an exploded view of the accessory attachment system 200. As shown in FIG. 2E, the panel 132 includes a first sub-panel 132A, a second sub-panel 132B, and a third sub-panel 132C. The first sub-panel 132A faces inwardly toward the enclosure 102, and second sub-panel 132B faces outwardly from the other side of the third side structure 130. Meanwhile, the third sub-panel 132C is disposed between the first and second sub-panels 132A and 132B. The first sub-panel 132A forms the opening 230 for the accessory attachment system 200. In the embodiment of FIG. 2F, the opening 230 only passes partially through the third side structure 130, and as such, the second sub-panel 132B is completely closed and the accessory is visible only through the first sub-panel 132A. It is understood, however, that in other embodiments the second sub-panel 132B may also form the opening 230, so that the opening 230 passes completely through the panel 132. The third sub-panel 132C forms the slot for the compartment 210 between the first and second sub-panels 132B and 132C. The top structure 134 and a reveal 136 underlying the top structure 134 form the access 220 of the accessory attachment system 200.
Although the example embodiments in FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate the insertion of accessories downwardly through an access disposed along a top of a side structure of a crib, other embodiments may employ other approaches for the insertion of accessories into a compartment in the crib. For example, in some embodiments, accessories can be inserted sideways in a compartment through an access that is disposed along a side surface of the crib. In addition, although the example embodiments described herein may show accessory attachment systems employed in particular structures of a crib, e.g., one or two side structures of a crib, it is understood that the accessory attachment systems in other embodiments may be employed on any part or combination of parts of a crib. Moreover, it is further understood that aspects of the present invention are not limited to use in structures of a crib. Features of accessory attachment systems described herein can be used in any part or combination of parts of other types of furniture. For example, a table top can include a compartment into which an accessory, e.g., decorative or computer accessory, is inserted. Indeed, example accessory attachment systems are described further below with reference to a dresser.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the accessory attachment system 300 includes an opening 330 that extends through the fourth side structure 140. The opening 330 may be located anywhere along the fourth side structure 140. The opening 330 is also safely dimensioned to ensure that a child cannot insert his/her head or other body part through the opening 330 and become trapped. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, a toy accessory 40 is inserted into the opening 330. In contrast to the accessory attachment system 200 described above, the accessory attachment system 300 does not receive accessories through a narrow access into a slot-shaped compartment. As such, the accessories received by the accessory attachment system 300 are not limited to substantially planar objects. Indeed, the toy accessory 40 may have a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the fourth side structure 140. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, aspects of the toy accessory 40 may extend a distance from the fourth side structure 140. In some embodiments, the opening 330 can employ friction (similar to a press fit) to maintain a stable hold on the toy accessory 40. In other embodiments, a separate locking device, such as locking tabs, clips, hook and loop fasteners, screws/bolts, etc., may be employed to hold the toy accessory 40 in the opening 330. For example, such a device may be employed to prevent a child in the crib 100 to push the toy accessory out of the opening 330. Alternatively, the opening 330 may be configured to pass only partially through the fourth side structure 140 so that a closed sub-panel (similar to sub-panel 132B above) prevents the toy accessory 40 from being pushed out.
Although FIGS. 2B-D and 3B-C may illustrate the use of decorative accessories, computer accessories, and toy accessories, it is understood that aspects of the present invention may be employed to accept any variety of accessories, including, but not limited to toys, decorative pieces, photos, fabric panels, baby monitors, mirrors, lights, audio output devices, computer devices, and other electronic devices.
As shown in FIG. 4, a series of accessories 50A-E (e.g., accessories with decorative images) can be attached to a vertical side structure 410 (headboard) using accessory attachment systems 420A-E, respectively, in a panel 412 of the side structure 410. The accessory attachment systems 420A-E may be configured similar to the accessory attachment 200 or the accessory attachment system 300 described above. In one example, the accessories 50A-E may be inserted into respective slot-shaped compartments through narrow accesses disposed along a top structure 414 of the side structure 410. In another example, the accessories 50A-E may be inserted directly into respective openings in the panel 412. Locking devices, such as locking tabs, hook and loop fasteners, screws, etc., may be employed to hold the accessories 50A-E in place.
As FIG. 5 illustrates, a series of accessories 60A-E (e.g., decorative letters) can be attached to a vertical side structure 510 (headboard) using another accessory attachment system 520. The accessory attachment system 520 includes a front panel 526 and a back panel 528 that form a compartment 522. The compartment 522 extends horizontally between a left post 511 and a right post 512, which support the side structure 510 on a floor surface. The compartment also extends vertically between a top structure 514 and a bottom structure 516 that extend between the left post 511 and the right post 512. The top structure 514 can be removed to allow the accessories 60A-E to be inserted into the compartment 522 according to a desired order and spacing. The top structure 514 can be attached to the side structure 510 with at least one releasable locking device 515. The locking device 515, for example, may include a spring loaded bolt on the top structure 514 that extends into an aperture in the post 511 or 512. A button is operated to press the spring loaded bolt out of the aperture and release the top structure 514 from the side structure 510. The front panel 526 is translucent so that the accessories 60A-E are visible after they are inserted into the compartment 522. For example, the front panel 526 may be formed from a translucent acrylic or other plastic material.
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, accessories may be attached to various panels on furniture. FIG. 6A illustrates a side structure 610 with a panel 612 onto which an accessory 70 is directly attached. FIG. 6B illustrates a dresser 630 with a panel 632 onto which an accessory 80 is also directly attached. Different types of accessories may be attached to the panels of accessories. For example, as illustrated, the accessory 70 is a decorative fabric panel, while the accessory 80 is a chalkboard panel onto which other accessories (such as decorative letters or images) can be magnetically attached. In addition, although several embodiments described herein may include a crib, FIG. 6B demonstrates that accessories can be attached to other types of furniture, such as a dresser.
FIGS. 7-10 show that different attachment systems can be combined to customize furniture. FIG. 7 illustrates a crib 700, which includes vertical side structures 730 and 740. Attachment systems 750A and 750B attach toy accessories 90A and 90B to the side structures 730 and 740, respectively. The attachment systems 750A and 750B may be similar to the attachment system 200 or 300 described above. The crib 700, however, also employs additional attachment systems 760A-D that allow accessories 15A-D to be attached to legs 731, 732, 741, and 742, respectively. As shown, the accessories 15A-D may be covers made of soft fabric (among other materials) to decorate the legs 731, 732, 741, and 742, respectively. The accessories 15A-D may employ different decorative designs.
FIG. 8 illustrates a crib 800, which includes legs 831, 832, 841, and 842. Attachment systems 860A-D allow accessories 25A-D to be attached to legs 831, 832, 841, and 842, respectively. As shown, the accessories 25A-D may be covers made of soft fabric (among other materials) to decorate the legs the legs 831, 832, 841, and 842, respectively. The crib also includes a side structure 830 with a panel 833. An attachment system 850 allows accessories 35 to be attached to the panel 833. As shown, any combination of decorative accessories 35 may be attached to the panel 833 according to any suitable technique, e.g., hook and loop fasteners, reappliable adhesive surfaces, snap fasteners, clips, tacks, screws/bolts, etc.
FIG. 9 illustrates a crib 900, which includes side structures 910 and 920 with spaced vertical bars 912 and 922, respectively. The vertical bars 912 extend between a top structure 914 and a bottom structure 916, which in turn extend between legs 932 and 941 of the crib 900. Similarly, the vertical bars 922 extend between a top structure 924 and a bottom structure 926, which extend between legs 931 and 942. Attachment systems 960A and 960B allow accessories 45A and 45B to be attached to the top structures 914 and 924, respectively. The accessories 45A and 45B may be covers made of soft fabric (among other materials) to decorate the top structures 914 and 924, respectively. As shown, the crib 900 also includes attachment systems 960A-C that allow accessories 55A-C to be attached to the bottom (feet) of the legs 931, 932, and 941, respectively. The accessories 55A-C may be formed from fabric, plastic, rubber, etc., and are designed to decorate the legs 931, 932, 941, respectively. Furthermore, the 900 includes an attachment system 970 that allows accessories 65 to be attached to a transparent panel 933 on a side structure 930. As shown, any combination of decorative accessories 65 may be attached to the panel 933, e.g., reappliable adhesive surfaces, etc.
FIG. 10 illustrates a crib 1000, which includes a side structure 1010 with spaced vertical bars 1012. Attachment system 1050 allows any number of accessories 75 to be attached to the spaced vertical bars 1012. The accessories 75, for example, may be toys or decorations. The crib 900 also includes a lighted canopy 1020 with an attachment system 1060 that allow hanging accessories 85 (e.g., toys) to be attached to the canopy 1020.
FIG. 11 illustrates a crib 1100, which includes a side structure 1110 with spaced vertical bars 1112. Attachment system 1150 allows any number of decorative accessories 95 to be attached to the spaced vertical bars 1112. The crib 1100 also includes an attachment system 1160 that allows a decorative accessory 17 to be attached to a panel 1133 on a side structure 1130. As shown, the decorative accessory 17 may be attached to the panel 1133 according to any suitable technique, e.g., hook and loop fasteners, reappliable adhesive surfaces, snap fasteners, clips, tacks, screws/bolts, etc.
In view of the foregoing, aspects of the present invention provide accessory attachment systems that allow furniture, such as cribs, to be easily customized to suit the consumer's specific style, personality, and needs. Such accessories may fulfill decorative, functional, educational, and/or entertainment functions.
While the present invention has been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the present inventions are not so limited, but rather cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. For example, although some aspects of the present invention may be described with reference to separate elements, it is understood that some elements may be combined to provide an integrated structure while satisfying the functions of the elements. Furthermore, it is also understood that aspects of the present invention are not limited to the particular shapes and dimensions described or illustrated in this present application. Moreover, it is understood that any combination of any number of features described with reference to any number of the embodiments may be employed according to principles of the present invention.
