Changing furniture

Abstract

A changing unit (1) comprising a frame (2) and a child's sleeping surface (3), said frame (2) comprising an enclosure (4) delimited by a top face (5), a bottom face (6), and side walls (7), at least a portion of the top face (5) being formed by a platform (8) adapted to define said sleeping surface (3). The unit (1) includes a drive device (10) for raising and lowering the platform (8), and one of the side walls (7) is a flexible, deformable wall (71) extending between the platform (8) and the bottom face (6) of the enclosure (4), said flexible wall (71) being coupled to said platform (8) for fixed mounting during movement with said platform (8), said flexible wall (71) being configured to move from an extended position to a folded position in parallel with the movement of the platform (8) from a raised position to a lowered position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a changing unit with at least the function of a changing table.

[0002] It relates in particular to a changing unit comprising a frame and a sleeping surface on which a child is able to sit in order to be changed, said frame comprising an enclosure delimited by a top face, an opposite bottom face and side walls, at least part of the top face being formed by a platform able to define, alone or in cooperation with a mattress, said sleeping surface.

[0003] Such a changing unit is known, as illustrated by patent DE202012006760. The unit is used to store, for example, diapers. Such changing units require the person changing the child to lift them onto the changing surface. To reduce the initial investment, it is often considered that this type of unit should only be used when the child is older for dressing and undressing, as this is easier when the child is at hand height. However, lifting the child onto the changing surface becomes extremely cumbersome when the child is between one and three years old due to their weight.

[0004] One aim of the invention is to provide a changing unit whose design allows it to be used over a wide age range of the child without compromising its ease of use.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a changing unit with at least the function of a changing table, said unit comprising a frame and a sleeping surface on which a child is able to sit in order to be changed, said frame comprising an enclosure delimited by a top face, an opposite bottom face and side walls, at least a part of the top face being formed by a platform capable of defining, alone or in cooperation with a mattress, said sleeping surface, characterized in that the unit comprises a drive device for moving the platform up and down disposed of inside the enclosure and in that at least one of the side walls is a flexible, deformable wall extending between the platform and the bottom face of the enclosure, said flexible wall being coupled to said platform for a fixed mounting in movement with said platform,said flexible, deformable wall being configured to move from a deployed position to a folded position in parallel with the movement of the platform from a high position to a low position.

[0006] The presence of a flexible, deformable panel coupled with the platform allows the platform to be lowered simultaneously with a section of the flexible panel, enabling the child to directly access the platform by climbing onto it themselves when the platform is in the lowered position, without operator intervention and without risk of injury to the child. In the lowered position, the platform is framed by the side panels other than the flexible, deformable panel. This allows the child to naturally position themselves on the sleeping surface.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible, deformable wall comprises a lower edge and an opposing upper edge, and said flexible wall is coupled to the platform by its upper edge. This results in optimized access to the platform.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible, deformable wall is a pleated wall. The pleating helps to limit the bulk of the flexible wall when folded.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pleating of the flexible wall is an accordion pleating with the pleats of the pleating extending longitudinally in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement up and down of the platform.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the frame is a mobile frame equipped with rolling or sliding elements for floor support. The presence of rolling and / or sliding elements facilitates the movement of the changing unit on the floor, which can be used like a push or pull cart to allow, for example, movement from one location to another in a communal setting.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the changing unit comprises at least one battery for powering the drive mechanism that raises and lowers the changing table, and a device for monitoring the battery's charge level. The presence of a monitoring device capable of emitting an audible and / or visual signal when the battery charge level is too low alerts the operator to recharge the battery if necessary, for example, by simply connecting the changing unit to the mains power supply. The changing unit can thus function as a standalone changing unit when the battery charge is sufficient.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism for raising and lowering the changing table platform comprises a scissor-type lifting structure disposed between the platform and the underside of the enclosure, at least one actuator, and at least one control element for said actuator. The presence of the flexible, deformable wall, in cooperation with the other side walls of the enclosure, prevents access to the drive mechanism for raising and lowering the platform, thus ensuring the safe operation of the changing unit.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the furniture is positioned on a flat horizontal surface, the top is, in the lowered position, raised from the ground by a distance of no more than 210 mm. This facilitates access to the sleeping surface for a child.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the side walls of the enclosure, other than the flexible, deformable wall, are rigid walls forming a horizontal U-shape open towards the flexible, deformable wall when the platform is in its lowest position. These side walls, which form a horizontal U-shape towards the flexible, deformable wall when the platform is in its lowest position, are stationary walls that remain independent of the platform's movement. Thus, the platform can be raised and lowered while the rigid side walls remain in the same position. The side walls thus form a cocoon that reassures the child, encouraging them to enter the U-shape. These side walls also act as a guardrail, limiting the risk of the child falling when the platform is raised. Finally, these side walls allow for greater modularity of the furniture by enabling the addition of side storage compartments.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the changing unit is equipped with a pair of guide rails for the flexible, deformable panel, within which the flexible panel is able to slide, when moved, between its extended and retracted positions. The rails extend in a direction parallel to the upward and downward movement of the changing table. The flexible panel is thus easily guided during movement. Brève description des dessins

[0016] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a perspective view of a changing unit, according to the invention, with the top in its raised position and the flexible panel deployed; [ Fig. 2 ] represents a perspective view of a changing unit, according to the invention, with the top in the lowered position and the flexible panel folded down; [ Fig. 3 ] represents another perspective view of a changing unit according to the invention with the top in its raised position and the flexible panel deployed; [ Fig. 4 ] represents a partial perspective view of the furniture with the drive mechanism moving the tabletop up and down in a configuration corresponding to the tabletop's highest position; Fig. 5 ] represents a partial perspective view of the furniture with the drive mechanism moving the tabletop up and down in a configuration corresponding to the tabletop's lowest position; Fig. 6 ] represents a perspective view of a changing unit, according to the invention, in its deployed storage position; [ Fig. 7 ] represents a perspective view of a changing unit, according to the invention, in its deployed storage position; [ Fig. 8 ] represents a cross-sectional view of a changing unit, according to the invention, to visualize the drive device associated with a detail view.

[0017] As mentioned above, the invention relates to a changing unit of the type shown in the figure 1 This changing unit is designed to serve as a changing table to assist in changing the child for children aged 0 to 3 years inclusive, whether the child is lying down or sitting up.

[0018] By "change", we mean the operations of changing diapers but also, in particular, the operations of dressing and undressing the child.

[0019] This piece of furniture 1 includes a frame 2 and a sleeping surface 3 on which the child is able to sit or lie down, or even stand up.

[0020] The sleeping surface 3 can be at least partially combined with part of the frame 2. This frame 2 comprises an enclosure 4 delimited by a top face 5, an opposite bottom face 6, and side walls 7. This enclosure 4 is generally parallelepiped in shape. Some of the side walls 7 can be fitted externally, that is, on the side facing outwards from the enclosure, with shelves, folding shelves 16 with a support 17, sliding elements, or other elements to allow for the creation of storage spaces, as illustrated by the figures 3 , 6 And 7 .

[0021] Thus, at least part of the top face 5 of the enclosure 4 is formed by a platform 8 capable of defining, alone or in conjunction with a mattress 9, the sleeping surface 3. The mattress 9 can be placed on the top face 5, as illustrated in the figure 1 , or integrated into said top face 5.

[0022] The unit 1 also includes a drive device 10 for raising and lowering the platform 8, allowing the platform 8 to move between a low and a high position. The drive device 10 is located inside the enclosure 4. The enclosure 4 is a variable-volume enclosure, the smallest volume of which corresponds to the low position of the platform 8. This drive device 10 is shown in the figures 4 And 8 in a configuration corresponding to the high position of the platform and the figure 5 in a configuration corresponding to the lower position of the 8th plate.

[0023] This drive device 10 for raising and lowering the platform 8 includes a scissor-type lifting structure 100 located between the platform 8 and the underside 6 of the enclosure 4, inside the enclosure 4. In the example shown, this structure 100 is formed by two superimposed pairs of scissors. Each pair of scissors consists of two scissors positioned opposite each other at the same level. Each scissor arm is formed by two arms articulated at their midpoint by a pivot joint with an axis perpendicular to the direction of raising and lowering the platform. Some of the ends of the scissor arms are pivotally coupled either to the ends of the arms of a scissor arm located at a different level, or to the platform 8, or to the underside 6 of the frame 2. Other ends of the scissor arms are slidingly coupled either to the platform 8 or to the underside 6 of the frame 2.

[0024] The device 10 for moving up and down, i.e. up and down the platform 8, includes at least one actuator 101 made in the form of a cylinder arranged here between the underside face 6 and the pair of scissors arranged at the lowest level of the lifting structure 100.

[0025] Extending or retracting the cylinder rod causes the scissors to pivot around their axis between a lowered position of the platform 8, where the scissors are closed, and a raised position of the platform, where the scissors are open, with the scissor arms forming a non-flattened X shape. To ensure optimal and safe operation of the actuator 101, the unit 1 includes load cells 15 located beneath the platform 8. Thus, if an excessive load is placed on the platform 8, the operation of the actuator 101 can be prevented.

[0026] The plate 8 coupled to the pair of scissors, occupying the highest level, thus passes under the action of said actuator 101, from a low position to a high position and vice versa.

[0027] The actuator 101 is controlled by a control element 102, which may be a control button mounted on the frame, a remote control, or something else. This control element 102 is visible in the figure 4 To enable the operation of the actuator 101, which is preferably an electric cylinder, the unit 1 includes at least one battery 12 for supplying electricity to the drive device 10 for raising and lowering the platform 8, and a monitoring device 13 for the charge level of said battery 12. Ideally, the battery 12 is located in a storage compartment as illustrated in the figure 7 .

[0028] Battery 12 is recharged by connecting the changing unit 1, equipped with an electrical cable, to a power outlet.

[0029] The battery charge level monitoring device 13 for battery 12 may be in the form of an audible and / or visual alarm device. This device may thus be a siren that emits a sound when the charge level is low, or an indicator light that illuminates when the battery charge level is low.

[0030] The presence of an energy storage unit in the form of a battery allows the changing unit to form a self-contained changing unit that can be easily moved without having to be permanently connected to the mains.

[0031] To assist this movement, the frame 2 is a mobile frame equipped with rolling or sliding components 11 for ground support. These rolling or sliding components 11 can be made of wheels or pads.

[0032] The frame 2 can also be fitted with a handle 18 for moving it like a trolley. This handle 18 can be positioned at the top of a storage unit, as shown in the figure 2 .

[0033] Characteristically to the invention, at least one of the side walls 7 is a flexible, deformable wall 71 extending between the platform 8 and the underside of the enclosure 4. This flexible wall 71 is coupled to the platform 8 for a fixed mounting during movement with the platform 8. This flexible wall 71 is deformable and configured to move from a deployed position to a folded position in parallel with the movement of the platform 8 from a high position to a low position.

[0034] In the examples shown, only one flexible side wall is provided; the other side walls are rigid, i.e., non-deformable.

[0035] In practice, the flexible deformable wall 71 comprises a lower edge 711 and an opposing upper edge 712, and the flexible wall 71 is coupled to the platform 8 by its upper edge 712. The flexible deformable wall 71 is a pleated wall, the pleating of the flexible wall 71 being an accordion pleat with the pleats of the pleat extending longitudinally in a direction orthogonal to the direction of up and down movement of the platform 8.

[0036] Thus, in the folded position of the flexible wall 71, the upper 712 and lower 711 edges of the flexible wall 71 are brought closer together, as illustrated in the figure 2 , while in the deployed position, the upper 712 and lower 711 edges of the flexible wall 71 are separated from each other as illustrated in the figure 1 .

[0037] To facilitate the movement of the flexible wall and its passage from one position to another, the changing unit 1 is equipped with a pair of guide rails 14 for the deformable flexible wall inside which the flexible wall is able to slide in the driven state in movement between its deployed position and its folded position.

[0038] These rails 14 extend in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the platform up and down. These rails 14 are arranged, one on one of the side walls, the other on the other of the side walls which extend opposite and adjoin the flexible wall.

[0039] As illustrated by the figure 2 The side walls of the enclosure, other than the flexible, deformable wall, are rigid walls forming a horizontal U-shape, open towards the flexible, deformable wall when the tabletop is in its lowest position. In this lowered position, with the unit placed on a flat, horizontal surface, the tabletop is raised no more than 210 mm from the floor. The side walls of the enclosure, other than the flexible, deformable wall, move independently of the tabletop when it is raised or lowered. Thus, when the tabletop is lowered, the side walls of the horizontal U do not lower. These side walls of the horizontal U are non-deformable.

[0040] Thus, in the lowered position of the platform, the child can easily slip between the arms of the U-shape to rest on the sleeping surface. The sleeping surface can then be raised without risk of the child falling, as they are surrounded by rigid side panels, each forming a guardrail.

[0041] In the raised position of the platform, the child is under the operator's supervision and within the operator's reach. The operator is positioned facing the flexible wall.

[0042] The presence of a flexible, deformable wall that follows the movements of the platform also prevents the child from getting their fingers caught in the 100 elevation structure of the 10 training device during the up and down movement of the platform.

[0043] The operation of a changing table, as described above, can be as follows.

[0044] It is assumed that the platform is in the raised position and the flexible wall is in the deployed position as illustrated in the figure 1 It is assumed that a child aged, for example, 3 years old must take their place on said sleeping surface formed by the platform.

[0045] To this end, the operator acts on the control element 102 to command, via the actuator 101, the movement of the lifting structure from the high position, as shown in the figure 4 , to a lowered position. This results in the platform moving from the raised to the lowered position, in parallel with the movement of the flexible wall from the deployed to the folded position, as illustrated by the movement of the figure 1 to the figure 2 .

[0046] In the lowered position of the platform, the child can independently get onto the sleeping surface. The operator can then raise the platform to a height of hand reach, allowing for easy dressing and undressing of the child.

[0047] When the child is an infant, the changing unit can be used in the same way as a traditional changing table.

Claims

1. Changing unit (1) with at least the function of a changing table, said unit comprising a frame (2) and a sleeping surface (3) on which a child is able to sit in order to be changed, said frame (2) comprising an enclosure (4) delimited by a top face (5), an opposite bottom face (6) and side walls (7), at least a part of the top face (5) being formed by a platform (8) able to define, alone or in cooperation with a mattress (9), said sleeping surface (3), characterized in that the furniture (1) includes a drive device (10) for moving the platform (8) up and down, located inside the enclosure (4) and in thatat least one of the side walls (7) is a flexible deformable wall (71) extending between the platform (8) and the underside face (6) of the enclosure (4), said flexible wall (71) being coupled to said platform (8) for a fixed mounting in movement with said platform (8), said flexible deformable wall (71) being configured to move from a deployed position to a folded position in parallel with the movement of the platform (8) from a high position to a low position.

2. Changing unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible, deformable wall (71) comprises a lower edge (711) and an opposite upper edge (712) and in that said flexible wall (71) is coupled to the plate (8) by its upper edge (712).

3. Changing unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flexible (71) deformable wall is a pleated wall.

4. Changing unit (1) according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe pleating of the flexible wall (71) is an accordion pleating with the pleats of the pleating extending longitudinally in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement up and down of the platform (8).

5. Changing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the frame (2) is a mobile frame equipped with rolling or sliding ground support elements (11).

6. Changing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the furniture (1) includes at least one battery (12) for supplying electricity to the drive device (10) for moving the platform (8) up and down and a monitoring device (13) for the charge level of said battery (12).

7. Changing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe device (10) for moving up and down the platform (8) includes a scissor-type lifting structure (100) disposed between the platform (8) and the underside face (6) of the enclosure (4), at least one actuator (101) and at least one control element (102) of said at least one actuator (101).

8. Changing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the positioned state of the furniture (1) on a horizontal flat surface, the tray (8) is, in the lowered position, raised from the ground by a distance of no more than 210 mm.

9. Changing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the side walls (7) of the enclosure (4) other than the flexible wall (71) deformable are rigid walls forming between them a horizontal U open towards the flexible wall (71) deformable in the lower position of the platform (8).

10. Changing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in thatIt is equipped with a pair of guide rails (14) for the flexible wall (71) deformable within which the flexible wall (71) is able to slide in the driven state in movement between its deployed position and its folded position, said rails (14) extending in a direction parallel to the direction of movement in raising and lowering of the platform (8).

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