Folding Patents (Class 5/99.1)
  • Patent number: 6907627
    Abstract: A foldable crib having substantially similar head and foot ends and folding sides either fixedly or pivotally mounted to the head and foot ends, the pivotally mounted ends closer to the head and foot ends being spaced at differing lengths so as to provide a folded structure which is compact and provides a small “footprint” as well as providing a compartment for storing the crib mattress in an upright manner which further contributes to the small “footprint”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Simplicity, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Waldman, Jerome Drobinski
  • Patent number: 6907626
    Abstract: A foldable bassinet is disclosed. The bassinet can be transformed from an erected position wherein a floor of the bassinet is substantially horizontal to ground, and elevated therefrom by a stand, to a folded position wherein the bassinet is compacted into a relatively small size. Using a uni-directional hinge in the floor of the bassinet, and a plurality of over-center locks, the floor of the bassinet can be locked into the horizontal position easily and effectively, without any structure provided directly below the center of the bassinet floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Welsh, Jr., Peter J. Myers
  • Patent number: 6895611
    Abstract: A toy storage cover for a portable play yard includes four outer panels shaped to surround the outer walls of the play yard attached at their top edges to four inner panels shaped to line the play yard. A floor panel joins the inner panels and is secured to the floor of the play yard by a mattress pad shaped to fit within the inner panels above the floor of the play yard. A series of pockets are attached to the outer panels of the cover. The pockets have smaller pockets within them or on their outer surfaces. Tie-down straps, fitted foot pockets or attachments through the play yard walls are used to secure the cover to the play yard. The toy storage cover may be adapted to play yards of various designs, cribs or other open topped containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Arms Reach Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Tharalson, Diana Tharalson, Bruce Martin
  • Patent number: 6886195
    Abstract: A cradle includes first and second frames in the form of an inverted “U”, the legs thereof crisscrossing and being connected to one another by sliding clamps in the crisscrossing point. Above the crisscrossing points, the structure has a third frame supporting a basket. The third frame is hinged to opposite points of the legs of the second frame and linked to the first frame so that altogether there are at least three connecting points between the first, second and third frames. An element adjustably joining both parts of the first and second frames is provided beneath the crisscrossing points, the element fixing the degree of opening between the frames thereby regulating the height of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Miguel Rimbau Vidal
  • Patent number: 6865756
    Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for a playard. The collapsible frame structure includes a plurality of legs, and a plurality of cross members arranged so that at least one cross member extends between, and is pivotally connected to, respective adjacent legs to form a side of the playard. The frame structure also includes a plurality of slider joints, each slider joint slidingly engaging a respective one of the legs, and a plurality of pivot joints, each pivot joint on a respective one of the legs. The frame structure also includes at least one latch mechanism configured to selectively engage at least one of the slider joints with its respective leg, wherein each cross member is mounted to the respective adjacent legs by the slider joint on a first of the respective adjacent legs and by the pivot joint on a second of the respective adjacent legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Michael L. Longenecker, Arthur L. Gehr
  • Patent number: 6851135
    Abstract: A foldable skeleton for a playpen foldable skeleton includes an upper frame, four upright rods, and a bottom frame. The upper frame includes two pairs of first rods, two pairs of second rods, four joints, and four connecting seats. Each of the joints includes a main base, a press button, a cover, a locking block, an elastic member, and two linking blocks. The bottom frame includes four support seats, four bottom rods, two linking gears, a connecting base, a pull member, and an operation member. Thus, the teeth of the two linking gears mesh with each other, so that the two linking gears are rotated relative to each other in a synchronous manner, and the bottom rods are folded synchronously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Owen Chen
  • Patent number: 6851136
    Abstract: A portable “pop-up” structure comprising a first part (10) forming a receptacle, and a second part (11) forming an enclosure for the receptacle. The first and second parts are separable and each may be folded into a plurality of overlying loops for storing. Each part of the structure is made from a flexible coilable material frame with a foldable cloth-like material between the frame members. Thus, the structure forms a portable cot or animal bed which may be quickly released and erected using the “pop-up” principle, yet readily folded and stowed when not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Finecard International Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Paul Brereton
  • Patent number: 6848129
    Abstract: A crib apparatus comprises a headboard and a footboard, the headboard and footboard being spaced from and arranged substantially parallel to one another, and first and second side rails. The first and second side rails are spaced from and arranged substantially parallel to one another and substantially orthogonal to the headboard and the footboard. Each of the first and second side rails is operatively attached to the headboard and footboard. The crib apparatus further includes a mattress frame for supporting a mattress, the mattress frame being operatively attached to at least the headboard and footboard and being substantially orthogonal to the headboard, footboard and side rails. At least one of the headboard and the footboard includes an access opening therein through which the mattress can be slidably removed from the crib apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Research for Strategic Management, LLC
    Inventors: Mary Anne G. Amato, Johan A. Julin
  • Publication number: 20040244110
    Abstract: A foldable crib having substantially similar head and foot ends and folding sides either fixedly or pivotally mounted to the head and foot ends, the pivotally mounted ends closer to the head and foot ends being spaced at differing lengths so as to provide a folded structure which is compact and provides a small “footprint” as well as providing a compartment for storing the crib mattress in an upright manner which further contributes to the small “footprint”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Simplicity, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Waldman, Jerome Drobinski
  • Publication number: 20040237191
    Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for a playard. The collapsible frame structure includes a plurality of legs, and a plurality of cross members arranged so that at least one cross member extends between, and is pivotally connected to, respective adjacent legs to form a side of the playard. The frame structure also includes a plurality of slider joints, each slider joint slidingly engaging a respective one of the legs, and a plurality of pivot joints, each pivot joint on a respective one of the legs. The frame structure also includes at least one latch mechanism configured to selectively engage at least one of the slider joints with its respective leg, wherein each cross member is mounted to the respective adjacent legs by the slider joint on a first of the respective adjacent legs and by the pivot joint on a second of the respective adjacent legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Michael L. Longenecker, Arthur L. Gehr
  • Patent number: 6817046
    Abstract: The one hand folding crib includes a generally rectangular enclosure having a central opening and a mattress platform disposed within the central opening for supporting a mattress. The generally rectangular enclosure is defined by a dropside gate slidably mounted on a pair of front corner posts, a rear wall fixed to a pair of rear corner posts, and a pair of collapsible, folding end walls that extend between the front and rear corner posts. Each end wall comprises a pair of hinged end panels that are hingedly attached to each other and to the adjacent corner posts. The mattress platform is pivotally attached to the rear corner posts. In order to collapse or fold the crib, the mattress platform may be swiveled upwards and each end wall may be inwardly folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Srour, Joey Srour
  • Publication number: 20040187207
    Abstract: A baby furniture includes a boundary frame, a body supporting member spaced apart with the boundary frame, and a plurality of supporting legs connected the boundary frame with the supporting member. A boundary shelter is supported by the boundary frame to surround an interior space within the supporting legs and define a play yard cavity within the supporting legs at a position above the body supporting member and a bassinet cavity within the supporting legs at a position below the body supporting member. Therefore, the baby furniture functions as a play yard when an opening of the play yard cavity faces upwardly and as a bassinet when an opening of the bassinet cavity faces upwardly by flipping the baby furniture in an up side down manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Ben Ming Hsia
  • Publication number: 20040181873
    Abstract: A combination bassinet, bedside sleeper and changing table apparatus including a supporting frame having a rocking feature convertible through adjustable locking casters for easy rolling. A fabric member comprised of sidewalls and a skirt is draped over the frame. The apparatus may be placed against one side of an adult bed for easy access by a parent. The bedside sleeper is secured to the parents' bed with safety straps. One sidewall may be lowered to facilitate access to an infant by removal of a removably mounted sidewall/skirt supporting rod. The apparatus is adjustable in height to align the bedside sleeper with the parents' bed and when used as a changing table to accommodate for differences in the height of the parent. The bassinet is provided with a removable, adjustable hood for shielding light from the baby's eyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Simplicity, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Waldman, Jerome Drobinski
  • Publication number: 20040133977
    Abstract: The cradle comprises first and second frames (1 and 2) in the form of an inverted “U”, the legs thereof crisscrossing and being connected to one another by sliding clamps (9) in the crisscrossing points (7). Above said crisscrossing points, the structure has a third frame (3a) supporting a basket (3). The third frame (3a) is hinged to opposite points (8a) of the legs of the second frame (2) and linked to the first frame (1) so that altogether there are at least three connecting points between said first, second and third frames (1, 2, 3a). An element (6) having means to adjustably join both parts of said first and second frames (1, 2) is provided beneath the crisscrossing points (7), said element fixing the degree of opening between the frames thereby regulating the height of the basket (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Miguel Rimbau Vidal
  • Patent number: 6735796
    Abstract: A combination play pen, bassinet and changing table includes a bassinet assembly removably supported on the upper frame assembly of the play pen. The bassinet assembly includes a pair of bassinet frame assemblies, each consisting of a pair of J-tube assemblies joined by a cross tube. The J-tube assemblies include outer ends adapted to overly the upper frame. Bassinet side panels and end panels extend upwardly from the floor panel to form a coffer-like enclosure. An adapter supports the J end of the bassinet tube that overlies a collapsible joint assembly at the midpoint of one upper rail assembly. A changing table assembly includes a tubular frame comprised of paired side tubes and end tubes joined in a rectangular configuration. Two vertices of the changing table frame are adjacent to the adapters of the bassinet assembly. A keyed elbow connector at each vertex includes a T-shaped key received in a key slot of an adapter in supporting fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Warner, Jr., Richard Essex
  • Patent number: 6725475
    Abstract: A foldable mechanism for a seat of a playyard comprising a center seat pivotally connecting with a plurality of bars with pins; a stationary block having horizontal grooves and being fixed in the center seat; a movable block having inclined grooves; movable pins penetrating the horizontal grooves of the stationary block and inclined grooves of the movable block so as to restrict pivotally moving of the bars; and a resilient element being positioned between the stationary block and the movable block. When the movable block is pulled up, the movable pins in the inclined grooves of the movable block move toward center of the seat, so that restriction of pivotally rotation of the bars by the movable pins is removed, the bars are rotating vertically, the seat of the playyard is collapsed, and then the movable pins move back to the original positions by the recovery force of the resilient element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Shun-Min Chen
  • Publication number: 20040074000
    Abstract: A toy storage cover for a portable play yard includes four outer panels shaped to surround the outer walls of the play yard attached at their top edges to four inner panels shaped to line the play yard. A floor panel joins the inner panels and is secured to the floor of the play yard by a mattress pad shaped to fit within the inner panels above the floor of the play yard. A series of pockets are attached to the outer panels of the cover. The pockets have smaller pockets within them or on their outer surfaces. Tie-down straps, fitted foot pockets or attachments through the play yard walls are used to secure the cover to the play yard. The toy storage cover may be adapted to play yards of various designs, cribs or other open topped containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas Tharalson, Diana Tharalson, Bruce Martin
  • Patent number: 6721971
    Abstract: A baby bed has four upper corner elements joined to horizontal and vertical rods. Each upper corner element includes a main body, and an ornamental cover detachably fitted over the main body; the main body has a connecting hole on a bottom extension, and the ornamental cover has a hook for engaging the connecting hole of the main body. Two ends of the main body are formed with narrow slots, and two ends of each horizontal support rods are formed with thin and flat shape; the horizontal support rods are inserted into the slots of the main body at the plate-shaped end portions, and pivotally connected to the main body with pivotal pins. Dimensions of the baby bed can be reduced when it is in a folded position because the slots of the main body occupy relatively little space as compared with a round hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Pao-Hsien Cheng
  • Patent number: 6721970
    Abstract: A baby bed has feet connected to lower ends of vertical supporting legs. Each of the feet has an upper fixed part, which is joined to corresponding leg when the baby bed is assembled in the factory, and a lower part, which is to be fitted to the upper part later by the user for the baby bed to be used. The upper part has elongated protrusions formed along the bottom, and the lower part has corresponding trenches on the top so that the lower part can be fitted to the upper part with the trenches being mounted onto the protrusions. All of the lower parts of the feet are placed in spare space of a packing box to save space in storage and transportation when the baby bed is folded and put in the box after assembling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Pao-Hsien Cheng
  • Publication number: 20040064887
    Abstract: A baby bed has feet connected to lower ends of vertical supporting legs. Each of the feet has an upper fixed part, which is joined to corresponding leg when the baby bed is assembled in the factory, and a lower part, which is to be fitted to the upper part later by the user for the baby bed to be used. The upper part has elongated protrusions formed along the bottom, and the lower part has corresponding trenches on the top so that the lower part can be fitted to the upper part with the trenches being mounted onto the protrusions. All of the lower parts of the feet are placed in spare space of a packing box to save space in storage and transportation when the baby bed is folded and put in the box after assembling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Pao-Hsien Cheng
  • Patent number: 6711760
    Abstract: The present application provides a self-lock hub unit of the lower frame of the playyard includes a body (10) having a plurality of slots formed at a periphery thereof for receiving tube legs of the playyard and a vertical cavity formed at the center thereof; an actuating member (20) which is vertically movably received in the cavity; two sliding engaging assemblies (30) movably mounted two oppositely positioned tube legs respectively, each sliding engaging assembly having a first member, a second member coupled to the first member for movably coupling the first member to one of the tube legs, and a biasing member disposed in the tube leg to bias the first and second members toward an open end of the tube leg, wherein the two oppositely positioned tube legs are rotatably received in two radially opposite slots of the body respectively; two locking means (16, 17) formed on the body at positions corresponding to the sliding engaging assemblies respectively and having a guiding portion (18, 18′) and an eng
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Mission Hills Investment Corporation
    Inventor: Kai-Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 6704949
    Abstract: A combination bassinet, bedside sleeper and changing table apparatus including a supporting frame having a rocking feature convertible through adjustable locking casters for easy rolling. A fabric member comprised of sidewalls and a skirt is draped over the frame. The apparatus may be placed against one side of an adult bed for easy access by a parent. The bedside sleeper is secured to the parents' bed with safety straps. One sidewall may be lowered to facilitate access to an infant by removal of a removably mounted sidewall/skirt supporting rod. The apparatus is adjustable in height to align the bedside sleeper with the parents' bed and when used as a changing table to accommodate for differences in the height of the parent. The bassinet is provided with a removable, adjustable hood for shielding light from the baby's eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Simplicity, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Waldman, Jerome Dropinski
  • Publication number: 20040045085
    Abstract: The present application provides a self-lock hub unit of the lower frame of the playyard includes a body (10) having a plurality of slots formed at a periphery thereof for receiving tube legs of the playyard and a vertical cavity formed at the center thereof; an actuating member (20) which is vertically movably received in the cavity; two sliding engaging assemblies (30) movably mounted two oppositely positioned tube legs respectively, each sliding engaging assembly having a first member, a second member coupled to the first member for movably coupling the first member to one of the tube legs, and a biasing member disposed in the tube leg to bias the first and second members toward an open end of the tube leg, wherein the two oppositely positioned tube legs are rotatably received in two radially opposite slots of the body respectively; two locking means (16, 17) formed on the body at positions corresponding to the sliding engaging assemblies respectively and having a guiding portion (18, 18′) and an eng
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Kai-Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 6701547
    Abstract: A foldable frame includes a supporting frame, which is adapted for supporting a boundary shelter thereto, including a pair of first supporting arms in a parallel manner and a pair of second supporting arms connected to the first supporting arms end to end respectively, a pair of U-shaped folding arms each having two upper ends pivotally connected to the two first supporting arms respectively, and a securing device attached between each bottom portion of the folding arms and each of the second supporting arms of the supporting frame to retain an unfolded distance between the two bottom portions of the folding arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Ben M. Hsia
  • Patent number: 6698042
    Abstract: A base of a foldable baby bed has two axles each trunally passed through a pair of receiving holes of a main body. The axles are each pivoted to two connecting rods form two ends; the connecting rods are pivoted to the frame of the bed. The main body has a controlling handle with two end cam parts being fitted onto hollows on two sides of the main body. A pivotal bolt is passed through the cam parts, through hole on the hollows, connected to a connecting bolt up-and down movably passed through a receiving room on a top portion of the main body. The through holes have elongated opening for the pivotal bolt, and the connecting bolt to move up and down by pivoting the handle on the pivotal bolt. The connecting bolt is connected to an engaging board movably received in the main body. The engaging board has engaging holes on two end portions for separably engaging rod-shaped engaging parts sticking out from the middle of the corresponding axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Ying-Hsiung Cheng
  • Patent number: 6687927
    Abstract: A toy storage cover for a portable play yard is described. The toy storage cover includes four outer panels shaped to surround the outer walls of the play yard attached at their top edges to four inner panels shaped to line the play yard. A floor panel joins the inner panels and is secured to the floor of the play yard by a mattress pad shaped to fit within the inner panels above the floor of the play yard. A series of pockets are attached to the outer panels of the cover. The pockets have smaller pockets within them or on their outer surfaces. Tie-down straps, fitted foot pockets or attachments through the play yard walls are used to secure the cover to the play yard. The toy storage cover may be adapted to play yards of various designs, cribs or other open topped containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Arms Reach Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Tharalson, Diana Tharalson, Bruce Martin
  • Patent number: 6687928
    Abstract: A portable child's bed is a bassinet hangably suspended from a pair of frame members. The bassinet includes a pair of opposing sidewalls that have a seam which allows for the sidewalls to inwardly pivot and then fold so as to allow for the compaction of the bassinet unit. The bassinet also includes a plurality of storage pockets capable of holding such infant-care related items such as diapers, powder, ointments, small blankets, towelettes, formula, feeding bottles and many other related items. The bassinet may also include a canopy for shielding the infant's head while resting or sleeping. The frame members include a telescoping strut which extendably expands or contracts within a strut housing. The telescoping strut and strut housing are in fluid communication and connected by a rotatable joint having an anterior and posterior sleeve to accommodate the pair of frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Michelle Wilson
  • Patent number: 6675413
    Abstract: A lightweight bottom wall structure for playyard, pen, and cot, which includes a boundary frame constructed to support a fabric made boundary shelter, wherein the lightweight bottom wall includes a bottom frame supported at a bottom portion of the boundary frame and defines a central window. A bottom wall includes a first layer having a tension surface and a second layer overlapped with the first layer to define a receiving groove between the first and second layers, wherein the bottom frame has a size and shape adapted to be fittedly received in the receiving groove so as to mount the first layer covering the central window to form the tension surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Ben M. Hsia
  • Patent number: 6671902
    Abstract: A detachable supporting leg for a baby playpen is disclosed. The supporting leg comprises a leg body and a coupling block releasably coupled with each other. The leg body has an upper coupling portion and a lower supporting portion integrally connected by a horizontal supporting wall. The coupling block is releasably coupled with the coupling portion of the leg body so as to be supported on the supporting wall. The coupling block is adapted to fixedly connect thereto an end portion of a vertical rod of the baby playpen and to pivotally connect thereto an end portion of a horizontal base rod of the baby playpen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Kenny Cheng
  • Patent number: 6665895
    Abstract: A playyard floor support frame includes a lock hub arranged to lie under a playyard floor, first and second floor support rails arranged to be mounted for movement in rail-receiving channels formed in the lock hub, and a base for receiving and elevating the lock hub above ground underlying the base. The frame further includes a lock controller mounted on the lock hub and configured to move the first and second floor support rails (at the option of a user) toward one another to establish a “locked” position of the frame and away from one another to establish an “unlocked” position of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: William St. Pierre, Michael C. Dorsey, Richard Glover
  • Patent number: 6651275
    Abstract: A foldable portable crib comprises a pair of opposing side assemblies and a pair of opposing end assemblies supporting a mattress therebetween to form a crib frame. A mattress support platform is pivotally mounted to a pair of first corner posts, and moveable from an open, generally horizontal position to a folded, generally vertical position. In the folded position, the mattress support platform is positioned from a first side assembly a sufficient distance to stow a mattress and detached second side assembly therebetween. A portion of the end assembly is pivotally moveable about first corner posts for folding against the mattress support platform. A curved hinge joint and hinge brackets are provided for enhanced stability of the crib in its open, usable position. In the folded position, the portable crib is in a unitary, compact, and freestanding configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Generation 2 Worldwide, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Dean Rummell
  • Patent number: 6634039
    Abstract: A folding structure of a baby bed includes a joining member, and an elongated co-moving plate. The baby bed has a base including first and second supporting rods; the supporting rods being pivoted to respective end portions of the joining member. The joining member is formed with a curved slot thereon. The elongated co-moving plate is pivotally connected to the supporting rods at two end so that part of force exerted on one of the supporting rods for same to pivot on the joining member is imparted to the other supporting rod. A pin is passed through the curved slot as well as one of the supporting rods so that movement of the supporting rods is restricted in folding operation of the baby bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Ying-Hsiung Cheng
  • Patent number: 6634038
    Abstract: A collapsible playpen includes a top frame to support a boundary shelter, a bottom frame, and a boundary shelter supported by the top frame to surround the interior space and define a playpen cavity therein. A detachable cot includes a surrounding wall and a bottom wall to define a supporting cavity therebetween, wherein the surrounding wall has an upper side holder for fittedly mounting on the top frame of the playpen, and a fastening device including a plurality of first fastener units provided on the side holder of the surrounding wall and a plurality of second fastener units provided on the boundary shelter for detachably fastening with the first fastener units respectively, so as to securely mount the detachable cot on the collapsible playpen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Ben M. Hsia
  • Patent number: 6625826
    Abstract: A safety device for a foldable baby bed has a pivotal block fitted to one of pivotally connected base rods of the bed, and a locking member fitted to another of the base rods. A tube is pivoted to the pivotal block at a first end; the tube has a down facing cavity at a second end. The tube is movably passed through the locking member from the second end so that the cavity can fit onto a protrusion of the locking member when the bed is stretched to an in-use position where the base rods are positioned substantially on a plane; thus, the safety device prevents folding of the bed caused by unexpected force. The cavity is disengaged from the protrusion for allowing displacement of the base rods by means of lifting the second end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Pao-Hsien Cheng
  • Patent number: 6615424
    Abstract: An improvement on a base of a baby bed has a locking plate having a central elongated hole, and two locking holes at two ends. The locking plate can be moved up and down for unlocking and locking the base. The locking holes retain respective engaging pins, with which lower support rods of the base are associated, when the locking plate is in the locking position. Owing to increased length of the elongated hole, the locking plate can slide lengthwise besides moving up and down. Therefore, in case one of the locking holes fails to disengage its corresponding engaging pin completely when the locking plate is moved to allow folding operation of the baby bed, the engaging pin still can be disengaged from the locking hole automatically on the course of exerting force on the lower support rods to fold the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Ying-Hsiung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20030154547
    Abstract: A foldable playyard includes a first surrounding frame, a second surrounding frame, a boundary shelter including a plurality of boundary walls mounted between the first and second surrounding frames to define a playyard cavity within the boundary walls, and a supporting frame, which is surrounded by the boundary shelter, including a plurality of supporting arms, in such a manner that each of the supporting arms is capable of moving between a folded position and an unfolded position. In the folded position, the first surrounding frame is adapted to fold towards the second surrounding frame so as to minimize a depth of the playyard cavity, and in the unfolded position, each of the supporting arms is arranged to substantially support between the first and second surrounding frames and to tensely stretch the boundary shelter, so as to form a tension surface on each of the boundary walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Ben M. Hsia
  • Patent number: 6588033
    Abstract: A foldable bassinet is disclosed. The bassinet can be transformed from an erected position wherein a floor of the bassinet is substantially horizontal to ground, and elevated therefrom by a stand, to a folded position wherein the bassinet is compacted into a relatively small size. Using a uni-directional hinge in the floor of the bassinet, and a plurality of over-center locks, the floor of the bassinet can be locked into the horizontal position easily and effectively, without any structure provided directly below the center of the bassinet floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Welsh, Jr., Peter J. Myers
  • Publication number: 20030106149
    Abstract: A foldable frame includes a supporting frame, which is adapted for supporting a boundary shelter thereto, including a pair of first supporting arms in a parallel manner and a pair of second supporting arms connected to the first supporting arms end to end respectively, a pair of U-shaped folding arms each having two upper ends pivotally connected to the two first supporting arms respectively, and a securing device attached between each bottom portion of the folding arms and each of the second supporting arms of the supporting frame to retain an unfolded distance between the two bottom portions of the folding arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Ben M. Hsia
  • Patent number: 6571408
    Abstract: An improved oscillatory device for a collapsible playpen includes for oscillatory devices respectively engaged the receiving space of four lower corner members of a collapsible playpen. The improved oscillatory devices each has a hollow interior base seat, a pedal member, an elastic resistance member and a suspending member sequentially disposed into the base seat and rotatably secured by axial pins respectively, an inverse U-shaped suspending rod and a compressed spring suspending the oscillatory device into the lower corner member. Thereby tread an extension of the base seat and simultaneously lift up the playpen to lead the suspending member moving upward. The playpen is able to oscillated steadfastly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: Kun Wang
  • Patent number: 6568004
    Abstract: A retraction control device especially is employed to a baby joyful bed for controlling the retraction processes of the baby joyful bed. The retraction control device includes a shell, a pad, two clips, a plate and an auxiliary stand. When the user would like to retract the baby joyful bed, the user is only needed to pull up the pad. The pad will move the clips and therefore move the plate. In this case, the four bottoms will be released, rotated and retracted downwardly. Moreover, the dynamic forces are delivered via the inclined and curved surfaces of the retraction control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Dongguan Crown Shin Baby Appliances Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Ke-Wei Sun
  • Publication number: 20030066129
    Abstract: A lightweight bottom wall structure for playyard, pen, and cot, which includes a boundary frame constructed to support a fabric made boundary shelter, wherein the lightweight bottom wall includes a bottom frame supported at a bottom portion of the boundary frame and defines a central window. A bottom wall includes a first layer having a tension surface and a second layer overlapped with the first layer to define a receiving groove between the first and second layers, wherein the bottom frame has a size and shape adapted to be fittedly received in the receiving groove so as to mount the first layer covering the central window to form the tension surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Ben M. Hsia
  • Patent number: 6543070
    Abstract: A playard includes a changing table. The changing table includes two arm assemblies and first and second rails connected therebetween. Each arm assembly has a pivot arm and a folding arm pivotally attached to the pivot arm. The pivot arms are attachable to upper side rail members of the playard. The pivot arms are connected to the first rail and the folding arms are connected to the second rail. The folding arms are pivotal about the pivot arms so that the changing table is movable between an open position in which the second rail is positioned away from the first rail and a closed position in which the second rail is positioned adjacent to the first rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jason D. Covill
  • Publication number: 20030061658
    Abstract: A latch arrangement for a foldable playard has a top rail comprised of first and second tubular members, a bracket to which the first and second tubular members are pivotally supported, and a latch mechanism operatively interconnecting opposed ends of the first and second tubular members. The latch mechanism includes first and second pivotal pawls. which are pivotally supported on the bracket. The pawls can have cam followers that extend inwardly toward each other, as well as engagement end portions which engage end portions of the first and second tubular members. The latch mechanism also includes a cam supported on the bracket so as to be displaceable in a direction essentially parallel with axes about which the pawls pivot. The latch mechanism further includes a spring biasing the pawls in contra-rotating directions to cause the cam followers to engage the cam. In such a latch, a button can be formed integral with the cam, and a layer of fabric can overlay the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventor: Michael L. Longenecker
  • Publication number: 20030061657
    Abstract: A playard including a frame and a hub. The frame includes first and second legs configured to move between a stowed position and a deployed position. The hub includes a hub body, at least one locking arm operably coupled to the hub body, and a user interface. Each locking arm includes a socket and is configured to releasably couple to a leg when in the deployed position. An end of the leg extends through a passage in the hub body so that an outer surface of the end of the leg is captured within the socket. The legs are coupled to the hub body by a ring that is captured by at least one retention member in a snap fit engagement. The user interface is configured to release the locking arms and includes a strap with a pleat to prohibit the strap from passing through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jason D. Covill
  • Publication number: 20030046761
    Abstract: A bassinet includes a fabric boundary having a receiving cavity to provide at least an opening edge, a supporting board fittedly disposed in the receiving cavity, a supporting frame including an edge supporting rim mounted on the opening edge of the fabric boundary, two folding arms pivotally connected to the edge supporting rim and arranged to move between a fully opened position and a closed position, and a locking means provided on the supporting board for locking up the two folding arms in the fully opened position, and a mounting arrangement for detachably mounting on the play pen and cot respectively. In which, in the fully opened position, the two folding arms are move to perpendicularly bias against the supporting board, and in the closed position, the two folding arms are pivotally rotated towards to the top opening so as to reduce a depth of the receiving cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Ben M. Hsia
  • Patent number: 6526608
    Abstract: A bassinet includes a fabric boundary having a receiving cavity to provide at least an opening edge, a supporting board fittedly disposed in the receiving cavity, a supporting frame including an edge supporting rim mounted on the opening edge of the fabric boundary, two folding arms pivotally connected to the edge supporting rim and arranged to move between a fully opened position and a closed position, and a locking mechanism provided on the supporting board for locking up the two folding arms in the fully opened position, and a mounting arrangement for detachably mounting on the play pen and cot respectively. In which, in the fully opened position, the two folding arms are move to perpendicularly bias against the supporting board, and in the closed position, the two folding arms are pivotally rotated towards to the top opening so as to reduce a depth of the receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Ben M. Hsia
  • Patent number: 6516823
    Abstract: A canopy for covering the top of a playyard, the canopy comprising a canopy cover, a canopy support adapted to be coupled to a playyard and configured to support the canopy cover, the canopy support includes a rod connector and four support rods, each support rod includes an inner end pivotably coupled to the rod connector and an outer end adapted to be coupled to one of four corner pieces included in the playyard to retain the canopy support on the playyard, and the rod connector includes a connector ring arranged to pass through apertures formed in the inner ends of each support rod to establish a pivot axis of each support rod about the connector ring and about which each support rod is free to pivot relative to the connector ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Glover, Jerome J. Drobinski
  • Patent number: 6510569
    Abstract: The present invention “Double locks for the chassis of game-bed” includes two locks on the center of the chassis of game-bed. The edges of double locks are connected to the vertical stands of game-bed via several pillars. When the bars inside the second cylinders stretch out, the chassis is locked. So, the game-bed cannot be folded if kids carelessly try to fold it; and thus the kids are safe. When users pull the handle of double locks, the bar will be forced to contract. Then, user may fold the game-bed for storage, thereby save space. The present invention promotes safety for the game-bed, is easy to use, and is a highly practical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen Hu
  • Patent number: 6510570
    Abstract: A playard includes a leg, a flexible side panel, and a corner panel. The flexible side panel hugs against the leg so that the flexible side panel forms first and second side panel portions extending at an angle relative to each other about the leg to form a corner of the playard. The corner panel attaches to the inner sides of the angled first and second side panel portions. The corner panel is spaced from and covers the leg. In one embodiment, the corner panel comprises a flexible sheet stretched between the angled first and second side panel portions. In addition, the corner panel and portions of the first and side panel portions can form a corner pocket that hides the leg therein. The legs can be straight or bowed inwardly or bowed outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis M. Hartenstine, Michael L. Longenecker
  • Patent number: 6510568
    Abstract: A playyard top rail comprising a left rail and a right rail pivotably coupled to the left rail to enable pivotable movement of the right rail relative to the left rail about a pivot axis, and wherein the right rail is formed to include a locking aperture, and also including a lock coupled to the left rail, and wherein the lock includes a lock button arranged along the left rail displaced a distance from the pivot axis to move between a locked position extended into the locking aperture formed in the right rail to block pivotable movement of the right rail relative to the left rail and an unlocked position withdrawn from the locking aperture formed in the right rail to allow pivotable movement of the right rail relative to the left rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome J. Drobinski, Carl J. Simmons