Children's lounger

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a bassinet, particularly a bassinet capable of being adjusted to various heights for a given situation.Background of the Invention

[0002] Bassinets are often rigid in their construction and lack the ability to be adjusted to various heights for a given situation. Caregivers desire a bassinet that is portable, can be used in a play yard, and can be used at bedside height. Bassinets that can achieve these features typically require a separate frame which the bassinet is placed on when used in bedside mode. The additional components, cost and complexity of such bassinets are undoubtedly a disadvantage to the caregiver.

[0003] CN 209 003 360 U discloses a foldable electric baby cradle bed. The bed comprises left and right stand columns, left and right swing rods and a bed frame, the lower ends of the left stand column and the right stand column are each provided with a supporting foot assembly capable of being unfolded and folded. A first pivoting seat and a second pivoting seat are respectively arranged at the upper ends of the left upright post and the right upright post. The upper ends of the left swing rod and the right swing rod are rotatably pivoted on the first pivoting seat and the second pivoting seat respectively, A motor used for driving the swing rods to swing is arranged on one pivoting seat. A first supporting piece and a second supporting piece are arranged at the lower ends of the left swing rod and the right swing rod respectively. The bed frame comprises a first frame body and a second frame body. The first frame body and the second frame body are pivoted to the two sides of the first supporting piece and the two sides of the second supporting piece in an up-down turnover mode, respectively.

[0004] US 871 692 A discloses a hammock supporter comprising adjustable side bars, an upper cross bar removably connected to the side bars, hangers revolubly supported on the upper cross bar, said hangers comprising slidably connected sections, and a spring resisting independent movement of the sections in opposing directions.

[0005] US 2010 / 263121 A1 discloses a convertible bassinet comprising a frame with a bottom and spaced apart sides extending from the bottom. A first chamber is attachable to the frame and has a first bottom panel and a first plurality of walls with a first minimum wall height. A second chamber is attachable to the frame and has a second bottom panel and a second plurality of walls with a second minimum wall height. The frame can be arranged in a first position resting on one of the sides and supporting the first chamber and in a second position resting on the bottom and supporting the second chamber. The second minimum wall height in one example is greater than the first minimum wall height. A first elevation of the first bottom panel is greater than a second elevation of the second bottom panel in another example.Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims at providing a bassinet capable of being adjusted to various heights for a given situation, thereby resolving the aforesaid problems.

[0007] This is achieved by a bassinet according to claim 1. The dependent claims pertain to corresponding further developments and improvements.

[0008] As will be seen more clearly from the detailed description following below, the claimed bassinet includes a rail structure, a first support member, a second support member, a latch mechanism, a sleeping surface and a base. The first support member is in an inverted U-shape connected to the rail structure and has a handle above the rail structure. The second support member is telescopically connected to the first support member. The first support member and the second support member are able to slide with respect to each other to adjust a height of the bassinet. The rail structure further comprises two U-shaped rails and two rail sockets, the U-shaped rails are inserted into the rail sockets and attached with snap buttons of the rail sockets, and both ends of the first support member are attached to the rail sockets.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] In the following, the invention is further illustrated by way of example, taking reference to the accompanying drawings thereof: FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a bassinet according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 being adjusted to another height, FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 2 being adjusted to another height, FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the latch mechanism shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 2 being placed in a play yard, FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a bassinet according to an example of the related art, FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 6 being adjusted to another height, FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 7 being placed in the play yard, FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 7 being hung on the top frame of the play yard, FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a bassinet according to another example of the related art, FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a bassinet according to another example of the related art, FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 12 being adjusted to another height, FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 13 being adjusted to another height, FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 14 being placed in the play yard, FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating a bassinet according to another example of the related art, FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 16 being adjusted to another height, FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 16 being placed in the play yard, FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating a bassinet according to another example of the related art, FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 19 being adjusted to another height, and FIG. 21 is a side view illustrating the bassinet shown in FIG. 19 being placed in the play yard. Detailed Description

[0010] Referring to FIGs. 1 to 4, FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a bassinet 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet 1 shown in FIG. 1 being adjusted to another height, FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet 1 shown in FIG. 2 being adjusted to another height, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the latch mechanism 16 shown in FIG. 3.

[0011] As shown in FIGs. 1 to 3, the bassinet 1 includes a rail structure 10, a first support member 12, a second support member 14, a latch mechanism 16, a sleeping surface 18 and a base 20. In practical applications, the bassinet 1 may be further equipped with a canopy, a softgoods clothing and / or other accessories. The sleeping surface 18 may be accommodated in the softgoods clothing attached to the rail structure 10.

[0012] The rail structure 10 includes two U-shaped rails 100 and two rail sockets 102. The U-shaped rails 100 are inserted into the rail sockets 102 and attached with snap buttons 104 of the rail sockets 102. A user may press the snap buttons 104 to detach the U-shaped rails 100 from the rail sockets 102. The first support member 12 is connected to the rail structure 10. The first support member 12 is in an inverted U-shape and both ends of the first support member 12 are attached to the rail sockets 102. Accordingly, the first support member 12 may have a handle 122 above the rail structure 10 for a user to carry the bassinet 1. The latch mechanism 16 may be disposed on the bottom of the first support member 12. In this embodiment, the bassinet 1 may include two latch mechanisms 16 disposed on both bottoms of the first support member 12.

[0013] In this embodiment, the second support member 14 may include two vertical tubes connected to the base 20 with snap buttons 200. A user may press the snap buttons 200 to detach the second support member 14 from the base 20. The second support member 14 is telescopically connected to the first support member 12 and the latch mechanism 16 is configured to lock or unlock the first support member 12 and the second support member 14. When the latch mechanism 16 locks the first support member 12 and the second support member 14, a height of the bassinet 1 is fixed. When the latch mechanism 16 unlocks the first support member 12 and the second support member 14, the first support member 12 and the second support member 14 are able to slide with respect to each other to adjust the height of the bassinet 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the height of the bassinet 1 may be lengthened to achieve bedside height. As shown in FIG. 3, the height of the bassinet 1 may be shortened to be close to the ground. As shown in FIG. 2, the height of the bassinet 1 may be adjusted to an intermediate height between FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. Accordingly, the bassinet 1 of the invention can be adjusted to various heights for a given situation.

[0014] In this embodiment, the latch mechanism 16 may include a housing 160, a latch member 162, an operating member 164 and an elastic member 166, as shown in FIG. 4. The housing 160 is attached to the bottom of the first support member 12. The operating member 164 is movably disposed on the first support member 12 and one end of the operating member 164 is accommodated in the housing 160. The elastic member 166 is disposed in the housing 160, wherein opposite ends of the elastic member 166 abut against the operating member 164 and the housing 160.

[0015] The first support member 12 includes a first slot 120 and the second support member 14 includes a plurality of second slots 140. Each of the second slots 140 corresponds to one height shown in FIGs. 1 to 3. The latch member 162 is movably disposed in the housing 160. As shown in FIG. 4, the latch member 162 passes through the first slot 120 of the first support member 12 and engages with one of the second slots 140 of the second support member 14 so that the height of the bassinet 1 is fixed.

[0016] The operating member 164 has a guiding groove 1640 and the latch member 162 has a guiding portion 1620 disposed in the guiding groove 1640. In this embodiment, the guiding groove 1640 may be inclined with respect to a direction of movement of the operating member 164 indicated by arrows A1 and A2.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 4, when the operating member 164 is operated to move towards the direction of arrow A1, the guiding groove 1640 drives the guiding portion 1620 to move towards the direction of arrow A3 so that the latch member 162 disengages from the second slot 140 of the second support member 14 and the elastic member 166 is compressed by the operating member 164. At this time, the user can slide the first support member 12 with respect to the second support member 14 to adjust the sleeping surface 18 of the bassinet 1 to a desired height. When the desired height is reached, the first slot 120 is aligned with one of the second slots 140 and the operating member is released, the elastic member 166 forces the operating member 164 to move towards the direction of arrow A2, so as to return the latch member 162 into the second slot 140 towards the direction of arrow A4. Accordingly, the sleeping surface 18 of the bassinet 1 is fixed at the desired height.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet 1 shown in FIG. 2 being placed in a play yard 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the bassinet 1 may be placed in a play yard 3. For example, the bassinet 1 may be adjusted to the desired height and placed on an elevated mattress 30 of the play yard 3, such that the sleeping surface 18 of the bassinet 1 may be flush with or higher than a top frame 32 of the play yard 3. The bassinet 1 placed on the mattress 30 of the play yard 3 can provide a higher position of use, such that a caregiver can easily monitor a baby or child sleeping in the bassinet 1. Since the bassinet 1 of the invention can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard 3, the bassinet 1 of the invention is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

[0019] Referring to FIGs. 6 to 9, FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a bassinet 1' according to an example of the related art, FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet 1' shown in FIG. 6 being adjusted to another height, FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet 1' shown in FIG. 7 being placed in the play yard 3, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet 1' shown in FIG. 7 being hung on the top frame 32 of the play yard 3.

[0020] As shown in FIGs. 6 and 7, the first support member 12 of the bassinet 1' may include four upper tubes and the second support member 14 may include four lower tubes. In this example, the second support member 14 is also telescopically connected to the first support member 12, but the latch mechanism 16 is disposed on the second support member 14. In this example, the bassinet 1' may include four latch mechanisms 16 disposed on the tops of four lower tubes of the second support member 14. The latch mechanism 16 is configured to lock or unlock the first support member 12 and the second support member 14. It should be noted that the configuration and operation of the latch mechanism 16 have been mentioned in the above and those will not be depicted herein again. As shown in FIG. 6, the height of the bassinet 1' may be lengthened to achieve bedside height. As shown in FIG. 7, the height of the bassinet 1' may be shortened to be close to the ground. Accordingly, the bassinet 1' of the related art can be adjusted to various heights for a given situation.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 8, the bassinet 1' may be placed in the play yard 3. For example, the bassinet 1' may be adjusted to the desired height and placed on the elevated mattress 30 of the play yard 3, such that the sleeping surface 18 of the bassinet 1' may be flush with or higher than the top frame 32 of the play yard 3. The bassinet 1' placed on the mattress 30 of the play yard 3 can provide a higher position of use, such that a caregiver can easily monitor a baby or child sleeping in the bassinet 1'.

[0022] In this example, the rail structure 10 of the bassinet 1' may include two hanging members 22 disposed on opposite sides. As shown in FIG. 9, the hanging members 22 are configured to hang the bassinet 1' on the top frame 32 of the play yard 3 to provide a lower position of use, such that the caregiver can easily put a baby or child into the bassinet 1' or take the baby or child out of the bassinet 1'. Since the bassinet 1' of the related art can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard 3, the bassinet 1' of the related art is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a bassinet 1" according to another example of the related art. The main difference between the bassinet 1" and the aforesaid bassinet 1' is that the rail structure 10 of the bassinet 1" further includes a socket 24 and the first support member 12 of the bassinet 1" is detachably connected to the socket 24. Accordingly, the first support member 12 together with the second support member 14 can be removed from the bassinet 1". Furthermore, the second support member 14 of the bassinet 1" may include two U-shaped tubes instead of four individual tubes. Needless to say, the bassinet 1" can also be placed on the elevated mattress 30 of the play yard 3 shown in FIG. 8 to provide a higher position of use and the bassinet 1" can also be hung on the top frame 32 of the play yard 3 by the hanging members 22 to provide a lower position of use. Since the bassinet 1" of the related art can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard 3, the bassinet 1" of the related art is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

[0024] Referring to FIGs. 11 to 14, FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a bassinet 5 according to another example of the related art, FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating the bassinet 5 shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the bassinet 5 shown in FIG. 12 being adjusted to another height, and FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the bassinet 5 shown in FIG. 13 being adjusted to another height.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 11, the bassinet 5 includes a rail structure 50, a first support member 52, a second support member 54, a link member 56, a sleeping surface 58 and a pivot hub 60. In practical applications, the bassinet 5 may be further equipped with a canopy, a softgoods clothing and / or other accessories. The sleeping surface 58 may be accommodated in the softgoods clothing attached to the rail structure 50. The sleeping surface 58 is located below the rail structure 50.

[0026] In this example, the pivot hub 60 is located on a perimeter of the rail structure 50. As shown in FIG. 11, there are two pivot hubs 60 located on the perimeter of the rail structure 50 and opposite to each other. The first support member 52 is pivotally connected to the pivot hub 60, the second support member 54 is pivotally connected to the first support member 52, and the link member 56 is pivotally connected to the pivot hub 60 and the second support member 54. Furthermore, the pivot hub 60 may have an actuating member 600 configured to unlock the first support member 52. When the actuating member 600 is depressed, the first support member 52 is able to rotate to adjust a height of the bassinet 5. As shown in FIG. 12, the height of the bassinet 5 may be lengthened to achieve bedside height. As shown in FIG. 14, the height of the bassinet 5 may be shortened to be close to the ground. As shown in FIG. 13, the height of the bassinet 5 may be adjusted to an intermediate height between FIG. 12 and FIG. 14. Accordingly, the bassinet 5 of the related art can be adjusted to various heights for a given situation.

[0027] In this example, the first support member 52 may include two U-shaped upper tubes and the second support member 54 may include two U-shaped lower legs. The upper end of the first support member 52 is pivotally connected to the pivot hub 60 via pivot axis A and can rotate when the actuating member 600 is depressed. The second support member 54 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the first support member 52 via pivot axis C. The link member 56 is pivotally connected to the pivot hub 60 via pivot axis B and pivotally connected to the second support member 54 via pivot axis D. Accordingly, the first support member 52, the second support member 54, the link member 56 and four pivot axes A-D create a four-bar linkage, such that the second support member 54 can be maintained in a vertical orientation by the four-bar linkage between the pivot hub 60, the first support member 52, the second support member 54 and the link member 56 while the first support member 52 rotates. Therefore, the second support member 54 can always support the bassinet 5 on a plane after rotating the first support member 52 to adjust the height of the bassinet 5.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 15, FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating the bassinet 5 shown in FIG. 14 being placed in the play yard 3. As shown in FIG. 15, the bassinet 5 may be placed in the play yard 3. For example, the bassinet 5 may be adjusted to the desired height and placed on the elevated mattress 30 of the play yard 3. The bassinet 5 placed on the mattress 30 of the play yard 3 can provide a higher position of use, such that a caregiver can easily monitor a baby or child sleeping in the bassinet 5. Since the bassinet 5 of the related art can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard 3, the bassinet 5 of the related art is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

[0029] Referring to FIGs. 16 to 18, FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating a bassinet 5' according to another example of the related art, FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating the bassinet 5' shown in FIG. 16 being adjusted to another height, and FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating the bassinet 5' shown in FIG. 16 being placed in the play yard 3.

[0030] The main difference between the bassinet 5' and the aforesaid bassinet 5 is that the bassinet 5' only includes the first support member 52 without the second support member 54 and the link member 56 mentioned in the above. Furthermore, the pivot hub 60 is located on the perimeter of the sleeping surface 58. The first support member 52 is pivotally connected to the pivot hub 60, such that the first support member 52 can rotate between an upward position (as shown in FIG. 16) and a downward position (as shown in FIG. 17). The pivot hub 60 may have a locking mechanism (not shown) that allows the first support member 52 to rotate 180 degrees and locked at the upward position and the downward position.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 16, when the first support member 52 rotates to the upward position, the first support member 52 can be served as a handle for carrying the bassinet 5' and the height of the bassinet 5' can be shortened to be close to the ground. At this time, the bassinet 5' can function similar to a carry-cot. As shown in FIG. 17, when the first support member 52 rotates to the downward position, the first support member 52 can be served as a stand for supporting the bassinet 5' on a plane and the height of the bassinet 5' can be lengthened to achieve bedside height. Accordingly, the bassinet 5' of the related art can be adjusted to various heights for a given situation.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 18, the bassinet 5' in the carry-cot mode may be placed in the play yard 3. For example, the bassinet 5' may be placed on the elevated mattress 30 of the play yard 3. The bassinet 5' placed on the mattress 30 of the play yard 3 can provide a higher position of use, such that a caregiver can easily monitor a baby or child sleeping in the bassinet 5'. Since the bassinet 5' of the related art can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard 3, the bassinet 5' of the related art is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

[0033] Referring to FIGs. 19 to 21, FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating a bassinet 5" according to another example of the related art, FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating the bassinet 5" shown in FIG. 19 being adjusted to another height, and FIG. 21 is a side view illustrating the bassinet 5" shown in FIG. 19 being placed in the play yard 3.

[0034] The main difference between the bassinet 5" and the aforesaid bassinet 5' is that the pivot hub 60 of the bassinet 5" is located on the perimeter of the rail structure 50. The first support member 52 is pivotally connected to the pivot hub 60, such that the first support member 52 can rotate between an upward position (as shown in FIG. 19) and a downward position (as shown in FIG. 20). The pivot hub 60 may have a locking mechanism (not shown) that allows the first support member 52 to rotate 180 degrees and locked at the upward position and the downward position.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 19, when the first support member 52 rotates to the upward position, the first support member 52 can be served as a handle for carrying the bassinet 5" and the height of the bassinet 5" can be shortened to be close to the ground. At this time, the bassinet 5" can function similar to a carry-cot. As shown in FIG. 20, when the first support member 52 rotates to the downward position, the first support member 52 can be served as a stand for supporting the bassinet 5" on a plane and the height of the bassinet 5" can be lengthened to achieve bedside height. Accordingly, the bassinet 5" of the related art can be adjusted to various heights for a given situation.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 21, the bassinet 5" in the carry-cot mode may be placed in the play yard 3. For example, the bassinet 5" may be placed on the elevated mattress 30 of the play yard 3. The bassinet 5" placed on the mattress 30 of the play yard 3 can provide a higher position of use, such that a caregiver can easily monitor a baby or child sleeping in the bassinet 5". Since the bassinet 5" of the related art can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard 3, the bassinet 5" of the related art is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

[0037] As mentioned in the above, in an embodiment, the invention may telescopically connect the first support member and the second support member together and utilize the latch mechanism to lock or unlock the first support member and the second support member, so as to adjust the height of the bassinet by sliding the first support member and the second support member with respect to each other. In an example, the related art may pivotally connect the first support member to the pivot hub on the bassinet, so as to adjust the height of the bassinet by rotating the first support member. Accordingly, the bassinet of the related art can be adjusted to various heights for a given situation. For example, the height of the bassinet may be shortened to be close to the ground or be lengthened to achieve bedside height. Furthermore, the bassinet may be adjusted to a desired height and then placed in a play yard without requiring additional components. Since the bassinet of the related art can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard, the bassinet of the related art is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

Claims

1. A bassinet (1) characterized by the bassinet (1) comprising: a rail structure (10); a first support member (12) in an inverted U-shape connected to the rail structure (10) and having a handle (122) above the rail structure (10); a second support member (14) telescopically connected to the first support member (12); a latch mechanism (16); a sleeping surface (18); and a base (20), wherein the first support member (12) and the second support member (14) are able to slide with respect to each other to adjust a height of the bassinet (1), wherein the rail structure (10) further comprises two U-shaped rails (100) and two rail sockets (102), wherein the U-shaped rails (100) are inserted into the rail sockets (102) and attached with snap buttons (104) of the rail sockets (102), and wherein both ends of the first support member (12) are attached to the rail sockets (102).

2. The bassinet (1) of claim 1 further characterized in that the bassinet (1) is adapted to be placed in a play yard (3) and a sleeping surface (18) of the bassinet (1) is flush with or higher than a top frame (32) of the play yard (3).