Playard Changing Table Assembly With Safe Adjustable Mounting Height

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional playards with integrated changing tables face challenges in height adjustability, which can lead to entrapment hazards due to fixed attachment points, limiting flexibility and safety in child care settings.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a playard with upper and lower frame posts of different heights, allowing the changing table to be mounted at either end, providing adjustable height without altering the distance between the table and the playard's top rails, thus preventing entrapment hazards while maintaining flexibility in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the changing table is fixed at a single attachment point, then the structure is simple and stable, but the height is not adjustable and may create entrapment hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustabilityVSAvoidframe structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame employs asymmetric post heights where vertical posts at opposite ends extend to different heights above the lower frame. This asymmetry enables the changing table to be mounted at different vertical positions while maintaining structural integrity and preventing entrapment hazards between the table and playard top rails

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The frame is divided into distinct vertical posts of different heights, allowing the changing table to be selectively mounted at different locations. This segmentation provides height adjustability without requiring a completely reconfigurable structure, balancing adaptability with structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the changing table height is adjusted, then flexibility in use is improved, but the distance between the table and playard top rails may change creating entrapment hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting flexibilityVSAvoidentrapment hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By designing vertical posts with different fixed heights, the system provides multiple safe mounting positions for the changing table. Each mounting position maintains an appropriate distance from the playard top rails, eliminating entrapment hazards while providing operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The frame structure is pre-configured with vertical posts of different heights during manufacturing, establishing safe mounting positions in advance. This preliminary design ensures that when the changing table is mounted, it will be at a safe distance from the playard top rails, preventing entrapment hazards before use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8997277B2Playards, changing table assemblies, and methods of operating the same

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 KOLCRAFT ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

A playard having a floor and an upper frame is disclosed. The upper frame includes a first end supported a first distance above the floor, a second end supported a second distance above the floor, and at least two opposed sides. Each of the opposed sides includes a first rail, a second rail, and a joint joining the first and second rails. The joint is positioned in a first plane when the joint secures the first and second rails in an erected position, the first plane being transversely oriented with respect to the floor.