EP1493361A1

EP1493361A1 - A child support arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP1493361A1
Application number: EP04254025A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Howard Lee Cooper; Steven Wagstaff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-04
Filing date: 2004-07-03
Publication date: 2005-01-05
Also published as: GB0315684D0

Abstract

A child support arrangement (10) comprises a base arrangement (12) comprising first and second base members (16, 18). A hinge arrangement (20) is provided to connect the first and second base members (16,18) to each other. The first and second base members (16,18) can be folded about the hinge arrangement (20) between an open condition and a folded condition. Locking means (60) is associated with the hinge arrangements (20) for taking the first and second base members (16, 18) in at least the open condition.

Description

This invention relates to a child support arrangement. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to bassinettes, for example, collapsible bassinettes.
Bassinettes, or Moses' baskets, are often used tc provide places for small infants and babies to sleep prior to being at an age to be put in a cot. Known Moses' baskets have the disadvantage that they can be difficult to store and transport.
According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a child support arrangement comprising a base arrangement comprising first and second base members, a hinge arrangement connecting the first and second base members to each other, wherein the first and second base members can be folded about the hinge arrangement between an open condition and a folded condition, and locking means associated with the hinge arrangement for locking the base members in at least the open condition.
The locking means may be constructed to lock the base members either in the folded condition or such that the base members cannot be moved from the folded condition beyond a partially open condition.
Preferably, the locking means comprises an insertion member insertable into the hinge arrangement to lock the hinge arrangement. The insertion member may be elongate, and may comprise a pin.
The hinge arrangement may comprise first and second co-operable hinge members. Preferably, the first hinge member is provided on the first base member, and the second hinge member is provided on the second base member.
Preferably, the hinge arrangement comprises a pivot about which the first and second hinge members can pivot.
The hinge arrangement may comprise a first locking portion on the first base member, and a second locking portion on the second base member. Preferably, the first and second locking portions co-operate with the insertion member to lock the base members.
Preferably, the insertion member is movable between a locking condition, in which the first and second locking portions co-operate with the insertion member, and a released condition, in which one or none of the locking members co-operates with the insertion member.
Preferably, when the insertion member is in the locking condition, the insertion member is received by the first and second locking portions. Preferably, when the insertion member is in the released condition, the insertion member is received by the first locking portion.
The first and second locking portions may comprise tubes through which the insertion member can be inserted.
Preferably, the assembly includes urging means to urge the insertion member to the locking condition. In the preferred embodiment, the urging means urges the insertion member to a position in which it co-operates with the first and second locking portions.
Preferably, the urging means is in the form of a resilient spring mountable between at least one of the first and second hinge members and a formation on the insertion member.
The child support assembly may further include an upper frame arrangement to support a fabric between the frame arrangement and the base arrangement. Preferably, the frame arrangement comprises first and second frame members pivotally attached to each other. The frame arrangement may be attached to the base arrangement by releasable support means.
Each releasable support means may comprise first and second arms pivotally mounted to each other. Preferably, the first arm is attached to the base arrangement, and second arm is attached to the frame arrangement.
Preferably, each arm is pivotally attached either to the frame arrangement or to the base arrangement.
Preferably, each arm includes a pivot portion by which the arms are attached together.
Preferably, the arms are pivotally movable relative to each other from a first position in which the support means supports the assembly in an erect condition, and a second position in which the assembly is in a collapsed condition.
Embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a child support;
Fig. 2 is a close up of the region marked II in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows a first hinge member of the first embodiment;
Fig. 4 shows a second hinge member of the first embodiment;
Fig. 5 shows an insertion member of the first embodiment;
Fig. 6 shows a base member of the first embodiment;
Fig. 7 shows a first support arm of the first embodiment;
Fig. 8 shows a second support arm of the first embodiment;
Fig. 9 shows a connector of the first embodiment for connecting the second support arm to one of the base members;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a child support arrangement;
Fig. 11 is a close-up of the region marked X1 in Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 shows a first hinge arrangement of the second embodiment;
Fig. 13 shows a second hinge arrangement of the second embodiment;
Fig. 14 shows an insertion member of the second embodiment;
Fig. 15 shows a base member of the second embodiment;
Fig. 16 shows a view of from below of the second embodiment;
Fig. 17 shows a first support arm of the second embodiment;
Fig. 18 shows a second support arm of the second embodiment; and
Fig. 19 shows a connector of the second embodiment for connecting the second support to one of the base members.
Fig. 1 shows a child support arrangement 10, which comprises a lower base arrangement 12, and an upper frame arrangement 14.
The base arrangement 12 comprises first and second base members 16, 18 and a hinge arrangement 20 connecting the first and second base members 16, 18 to each other.
The upper frame arrangement 14 comprises first and second opposed U-shaped tubular members 22, 24 which are connected together by suitable frame connectors 26, about which the tubular members 22, 24 can pivot.
A plurality of support means 28 are provided to connect the first and second frame members 22, 24 to the first and second base members 16, 18.
A fabric 19 (only a portion of which is shown, for clarity) is attached between the frame arrangement 14 and the base arrangement 12. The fabric 19 extends substantially wholly around the frame arrangement from the frame arrangement 14 to the base arrangement 12. The fabric 19 also extends across the base arrangement 12 and may cover a thin mattress. The fabric 19 is maintained in a taut condition to apply a compression force to support means 28 to hold them in their open condition, as shown.
Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown the region marked II in Fig. 1. The hinge arrangement 20 comprises first and second hinge members 30, 32 attached respectively to adjacent corner regions of the first and second base members 16, 18. The hinge members 30, 32 are pivotally attached to each other about a pivot 34, by suitable attachment means, for example a rivet.
The two hinge members 30, 32 are shown in more detail in Figs. 3 and 4.
The first hinge member 30, shown in Fig. 3, comprises a first hinging element 37 comprising a first main portion 37A having an edge 50. The fork portions 37B extend from the main portion 37A to define a recess 38, the purpose of which will be described below. An aperture 39 extends through both fork portions 37B to receive the rivet or other member to provide the pivot 34. The first hinge member 30 also includes a first attachment portion 40 for attaching the first hinge member 30 to the first base member 16. The first attachment portion 40 includes suitable screw bores 42 through which threaded members, for example, in the form of screws can be threadably secured via apertures 44 in the first base member 16. The first hinging element 37 also defines a locking aperture 45 for receiving an insertion member 62 as will be described below.
As shown in Fig. 3, the hinging portion 37 and the connecting portion 40 are orthogonal to each other.
Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown the second hinge member 32 which comprises a second hinging element 46 comprising a main portion 46A having inwardly extending shoulders 48. The second hinging element 46 also includes an outwardly extending portion 46B which can be received in the recess 38 to provide the hinge. The outwardly extending portion 46B defines an aperture 47 extending therethrough to receive the rivet or other member to provide the pivot 34. The shoulders 48 engage the edge 50 of the second hinging portion 36 (see Fig. 3) of the first hinge member 30. The second hinge member 32 also includes a second attachment portion 52 which defines screw apertures 54 to allow screws to be used to attach the second hinge member 32 to the second base member 19 via apertures 56 in the second base member 18.
The assembly 10 also includes a locking arrangement 60 which comprises an insertion member 62 (see Fig. 5) and a first locking formation 63, provided on the first base member 16 (see Fig. 1), and a second locking formation 65 provided on the second base member 18.
The insertion member 62 is shown in Fig. 5 and comprises a first cylindrical portion 68 and a second co-axial cylindrical portion 70 of greater diameter than the first cylindrical portion 68 and defining a shoulder 69 extending radially and outwardly from the first cylindrical portion 68. The insertion member 72 has a spigot 72 to which a knob 74 (see Figs. 1 and 2) is attached to allow the insertion member 62 to be retracted as described above. A spring member shown schematically at 76 is provided around the first portion 68 and engages between a shoulder 69 and the main portion 37A of the first hinging element 37, as will be explained below.
Referring to Fig. 6, there is shown a first base member 16 which includes the first locking formation 63 comprising a first main tube 64A and a first subsidiary tube 66A. The second base member 18 is identical to the first base member 16 and is shown in broken lines in Fig. 6. The second base member 18 includes the second locking formation 65 comprising a second main tube 64B and a second subsidiary tube 66B.
The first and second main and tubes 64A, B and 66A,B of the first and second base members 16, 18 define respective bores 78 which are aligned with the locking aperture 45 in the first hinging element 37 of the first hinge member 30 so that the insertion member 62 can be inserted therethrough. The insertion member 72 is of a suitable length to extend to the point marked X if inserted from the end Y as shown in Fig. 6.
As can be seen from Fig. 3, the locking aperture 45 is offset from the pivot aperture 39 about which the first and second hinge members 30, 32 pivot. When the insertion member 62 is inserted into the end Y up to the point X, the base members 16, 18 cannot be folded to a folded condition. Alternatively, if the base members are already in the folded condition, they cannot be unfolded beyond a partially folded condition.
However, when the insertion member 62 is retracted such that its end remote from the knob 72 region is within the first main tube 64A of the first base member 16, for example at the point Z, then the first and second base members 16, 18 can be folded to the folded condition, or unfolded beyond the partially folded condition to an unfolded condition in which the first and second base members 16, 18 lie planar with respect to one another.
Fig. 2 also shows the support means 28, each of which comprises upper and lower arms 90, 92 which are pivotally attached to each other via a pivot assembly 94. The lower arm 92 is connected to the respective base member 16, 18 by a connector 96.
The upper and lower arms 90, 92 and the connector 96 are shown in more detail respectively in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 respectively.
Referring to Fig. 7, the upper arm 90 comprises an elongate supporting portion 100 having a top end 102 for attachment to the frame arrangement 14 by a suitable pivot member 104, for example, a rivet (see Fig. 2), which extends through a pivot hole 105.
The upper arm 90 also includes a pair of lower forked pivot members 104 which provide part of the pivot assembly 94, and define therebetween a recess 106. Pivot apertures 108 extend through each of the forked pivot members 104. The upper and lower arms 90, 92 are pivoted about the pivot in the pivot apertures 108, between a supporting position, as shown in Fig. 2 in which the upper arm 90 is in an over top dead centre position relative to the lower arm 92.
Referring to Fig. 8, there is shown one of the lower arms 92, which comprises a lower elongate support portion 110 having at the lower end thereof a pivot element 112.
At the upper end of the lower elongate supporting element 110, there is provided a further pivot portion which is receivable in the recess 106, and defines a recess 114 to receive a suitable pivot member 116 (see Fig. 2) for example a rivet.
A pair of stop members 118 are provided on opposite sides of the pivot portion 114 and provide a stop to prevent the relative pivoting movement of the upper and lower legs extending too far in one direction.
Referring to Fig. 9, there is shown one of the connectors 96 which comprises an attachment part 120 defining two bores 122 to allow screws to attach the connector 96 to the base member 16 or 18 via apertures 124 in the base members 16, 18.
The connector 96 comprises a receiving portion 126 for receiving the lower end 112 of the lower arm 92. The receiving portion 126 defines a recess 130 for receiving the lower end portion 112 of the lower arm 92 and defines apertures 128 for receiving an appropriate pivot member 134 therethrough, and through the aperture 132 in the lower end portion 112 of the lower arm 92.
Referring back to Fig. 2, spring means shown schematically at 140 is provided in the support means 28, between the upper and lower arms 90, 92. In the embodiment shown, the spring means 140 is provided in the region of the pivot members 104 of the upper arm 90, and the pivot portion 114 of the lower arm 92. The spring means 140 urges the support means 28, and hence the arrangement 10 to a partially open condition.
In order to move the arrangement from the open condition to a folded condition, the insertion member 62 is first retracted to unlock the locking arrangement, and the support means 28 released from their over top dead centre condition so that the upper and lower arms 90, 92 can be folded onto each other.
In order to move the arrangement from the folded condition to the open condition, the insertion member 62 is retracted to unlock the locking arrangement. The spring means 140 in each support means 28 moves the respective support means 28 and, hence, the arrangement 10 to the partially open condition. The arrangement 10 can then be moved to the fully open condition shown in Fig. 1 by pushing the support means 28 so that the upper arm 90 is in its over top dead centre position relative to the lower arm 92, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs 10-21, which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figs 1-9, and the same features have been designated with the same reference numerals as in Figs 1-9.
The embodiment shown in Figs 10-21 differs from that shown in Figs 1-9 in that the child support arrangement 200 comprises a child carrying part 201 and support legs 202 to support the child carrying part 201 above the ground. The support legs 202 comprise feet 204 which are connected together by a tie arrangement 206. The support legs 202 are received within respective receiving members 208, as explained below.
The child support arrangement 200 comprises a lower base arrangement 212 and an upper frame arrangement 14. The upper frame arrangement 14 is the same as the frame arrangement 14 shown in Figs 1-9. A fabric (not shown in Fig 10) extends from the upper frame arrangement 14 to the base arrangement 212.
Referring to Fig 11, there is shown a close-up of the region marked XI in Fig 10. The base arrangement 212 comprises a hinge arrangement 220. The upper frame arrangement 26 is connected to the base arrangement 212 by support means 228.
The hinge arrangement 220 comprises first and second hinge members 230, 232.
Referring to Fig 12, there is shown the hinge member 230 in more detail. The hinge member 230 comprises a first hinge plate 234 at the opposite end of which are arranged hinge elements 236. The hinge elements 236 are provided adjacent one edge 238, and extend over the edge 238, as shown. Also extending from the edge 238 is the first locking formation 263. The first locking formation 263 comprises a first main tube 264A and a first subsidiary tube 264B. The first main tube 264A extends from one of the hinge elements 236 to a point just before the centre of the edge 238. The first subsidiary tube 266A, is about a quarter of the length of the first main tube 264A and is provided just the other side of the centre of the edge 238, so that a first gap 268A is provided between the first main tube 264A and the first subsidiary tube 266A.
The hinge elements 236 comprise many of the features of the hinge elements 30 shown in Fig. 3, and these have been designated with the same reference numerals.
The hinge elements 236 differ from the hinge elements 30 in that the main portion 37A defines a circular aperture 245 and a guide element 245A extends radially inwardly part way towards the centre of the circular aperture 245. The aperture 245 performs the same function as the aperture 45 shown in Fig 3 as explained below.
The plate 230 is provided with securing elements in the form of lugs 240 defining separate apertures 242 to receive bolts 244 (see Fig 11) to secure the hinge element 230 to a base member as explained below.
Referring to Fig 13 there is shown the hinge member 232, which comprises a plate 250 from which is mounted hinge elements 252 at opposite ends thereof. The hinge elements 252 are provided at an edge 256 of the plate 250 and extend therefrom. Also provided along the edge 256 is the second locking formation 265, comprises a second main tube 264B and a second subsidiary tube 26B, which correspond in size and position to the locking elements 264A 266A such that a second gap 268B is provided between the second main and subsidiary tubes 264B 266B.
In use, the second subsidiary tube 266B is received in the first gap 268A and the first subsidiary tube 266A is received in the second gap 268B.
Fig 14 shows an insertion member 270 comprising a first cylndrical portion 272 which corresponds to the first cylindrical portion 68 provided on the insertion member 62 shown in Fig 5. The insertion member 270 also includes a second coaxial generally cylindrical portion 274 which corresponds to the cylindrical portion 70 of the insertion member 62 shown in Fig 5.The insertion member 270 shown in Fig 14 is shown with a knob 276 provided on a spigot (not visible) on the first cylindrical portion 272. The first cylindrical portion 272 defines an elongate guide recess 278 into which the guide member 245A on the hinge element 236 can be received. The guide element 278 has a first portion 278A which extends from the knob 276 generally longitudinally of the first cylindrical portion 272 and a circumferentially extending part 278B which extends around the circumference of the first cylindrical portion 272. A spring (not visible in Fig 14) extends from the shoulder 69 provided by the second cylindrical portion 274 to the knob 276 for the same purpose as the spring member 76 shown in Fig 5. The insertion member 270 performs the same function as the insertion member 69, but the insertion member shown in Fig 14 provided with a guide recess 278 which can lock the insertion member when it has been retracted by simply twisting the insertion member 270 such that the guide member 245A is seated within the circumferentially extending recess 278B. This allows the base members 16, 18 to be folded relative to each other.
Fig 15 shows one of the base members 16 or 18 which is generally the same as the base member 16 shown in Fig 6, but is devoid of the locking member 64A, 64B, 66A, 66B but which corresponding locking members 264A, 264B, 266A, 266B are now provided on the hinge members 230, 232 as explained above. The hinge members 230, 232 are secured to the locking members via apertures 280 provided int eh base member 16 or 18.
Referring to Fig 16, there is shown the underside of the child support arrangement 200, in which a clip member 282 is hingedly attached to the base member 230, and a clip member 284 is hingedly attached to the base member 232. Slip member 282 extends from a pivot 286 on the hinge member 230 across to the main detent (not visible) on the hinge member 232. Similarly, the clip member 284 is attached at a pivot 288 on the hinge member 232 and extends across to a detent (not visible) on the hinge element 230 thus, the clips members 282 are clipped in position as shown in Fig 16 to hold the base member in its open condition.
Referring to Fig 17, there is shown an upper support arm 290, which is similar to the upper support arm 90 and has many of the same features. These features have been designated with the same reference numeral as use din Fig 7, and perform the same function.
The embodiment shown in Fig 17 differs from that shown in Fig 7 by the provision of a protective flap 292 which extends downwardly over the recess 106 to prevent fingers being trapped when the support leg 290 is moved to its supporting condition.
Fig 18 shows a lower support arm 294, which is generally the same as the support arm 92 and the same features have been designated with the same reference numerals.
Referring to Fig 19, there is shown a connector 300 to attach one of the lower arms 290 to the base arrangement. The connector 300 comprises some of the features of the connector 96 shown in Fig 9, and these have been designated with the same reference numeral.
In addition, the connector 300 comprises a leg receiving member 302 to receive an upper end region of one of the legs 202. The leg receiving member 302 comprises a detent arrangement 304 to secure the leg 202 therein.
Referring to Fig 20, there is shown one of the feet 204 which comprises a bore 310 to receive the lower end region of one of the legs 202, and an attachment member 306 to attach the tie 206 thereto. Fig 21 shows the tie 206 which comprises a central rotary member 308 and four outwardly extending tie members 310 extending therefrom. The rotary member 308 allows the tie members to be rotated relative to each other so that they lie one above the other. At the end of each of the legs 310 there is provided a loop member 312 which can be received over the attachment member 306 on the foot 204, as shown in Fig 10.
There is thus provided a frame arrangement for a bassinette which allows easy erection for use and collapsing for transport and storage and is also provided with means to lock the device in the collapsed and erected conditions.
Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the child support arrangement could be a carry cot.
Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

A child support arrangement comprising a base arrangement comprising first and second base members, a hinge arrangement connecting the first and second base members to each other, wherein the first and second base members can be folded about the hinge arrangement between an open condition and a folded condition, and locking means associated with the hinge arrangement for locking the base members in at least the open condition.
A child support arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein the locking means is constructed to lock the base members such that the base members cannot be moved from the folded condition beyond a partially open condition.
A child support arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the locking means comprises an insertion member insertable into the hinge arrangement to lock the hinge arrangement.
A child support arrangement according to Claim 3 wherein the insertion member is elongate.
A child support arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the hinge arrangement comprises first and second co-operable hinge members.
A child support arrangement according to claim 5 wherein the first hinge members fixedly provide on the first base member and the second hinge member is fixedly provided on the second base member.
A child support arrangement according to claim 5 wherein the first hinge member is removably mountable on the first base member and the second hinge member is removably mountable on the second base member.
A child support arrangement according to claim 7 wherein the first and second hinge members respectively comprise a carrying member and at least one hinge element provided on the carrying member.
A child support arrangement according to Claim 8 wherein the first and second hinge members respectively comprise a pair of said hinge elements, the hinge elements of the pair being provided at respective opposite ends of the carrying member.
A child support arrangement according to Claim 8 or 9 wherein the carrying member comprises a plate.
A child support arrangement according to any of claims 5 to 10 when dependent or ultimately dependent upon claim 3 or 4 wherein the hinge arrangement comprises a first and second locking formation, the first and second locking formations being co-operable with the insertion member to lock the base members.
A hinge arrangement according to Claim 11 when dependent on Claim 6 wherein the first locking formation is fixedly provided on the first base member and the second locking formation is fixedly provided on the second base member.
A hinge arrangement according to Claim 11 when dependent upon any of Claims 8 to 10 wherein the first holding formation is provided on the carrying member of the first hinge member and the second locking formation is provided on the carrying member of the second locking portion.
A child support arrangement according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the insertion member is movable between a locking condition, in which the first and second locking formations co-operate with the insertion member, and a released condition, in which one or none of the locking formation co-operates with the insertion member.
A child support arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the insertion member is in the locking condition, the insertion member is received by the first and second locking formations, and, when the insertion member is in the released condition, the insertion member is received by the first locking formation.
A child support arrangement according to any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the first and second locking formations comprise tubes through which the insertion member can be inserted.
A hinge arrangement according to Claim 16 wherein each locking formation comprises a pair of tubes defining a gap therebetween wherein one of the tubes of the first locking formation can be received in the gap between the tubes of the second locking formation can be received in the gap between the tubes of the first locking formation
A child support arrangement according to any of claims 11, to 17 wherein the assembly includes urging means to urge the insertion member to the locking condition.
A child support arrangement according to claim 18 wherein the urging means urges the insertion member to a position in which it co-operates with the first and second locking portions.
A child support arrangement according to claim 18 or 19 wherein the urging means is in the form of a resilient spring mountable between at least one of the first and second hinge members and a formation on the insertion member.
A child support arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the hinge arrangement comprises a pivot about which the first and second hinge members can pivot.
A child support arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the child support assembly further includes an upper frame arrangement to support a fabric between the frame arrangement and the base arrangement, the frame arrangement comprising first and second frame members pivotally attached to each other.
A child support arrangement according to claim 22 wherein the frame arrangement is attached to the base arrangement by releasable support means.
A child support arrangement according to claim 23 wherein each releasable support means comprises first and second arms pivotally mounted to each other, the first arm being attached to the base arrangement, and second arm being attached to the frame arrangement.
A child support arrangement according to claim 24 wherein each arm is pivotally attached either to the frame arrangement or to the base arrangement.
A child support arrangement according to claim 24 or 25 wherein each arm includes a pivot portion by which the first and second legs are attached together.
A child support arrangement according to claim 24, 25 or 26 wherein the legs are pivotally movable relative to each other from a first position in which the support means supports the assembly in an erect condition, and a second position in which the assembly is in a collapsed condition.