Abstract:
A child holding accessory includes a reversible resting support and at least one fixture for attaching the resting support with a rigid support frame. The reversible resting support has a first and a second bearing surface facing opposite directions, the first and second bearing surfaces respectively having different profiles, and each of the first and second regions being positionable to be upwardly facing to receive a child thereon.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/207,489 filed on Aug. 11, 2011, which respectively claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/401,310 filed on Aug. 11, 2010; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/463,390 filed on Feb. 16, 2011; and China Patent Application No. 201110215584.0 filed on Jul. 29, 2011, which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to child holding accessories that may be suitable for use with play yards. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Play yards are used to contain and provide a safe environment for a child to sleep or play. Currently, most play yards are constructed to include a frame around which a fabric element is wrapped and stretched to form the boundaries of the play yard. Due to the wide spread use of play yards, efforts have been made to increase their versatility to caregivers. For example, some child holding accessories may be added to play yards, such as changing tables (also commonly called “changers”, bassinets, and child sleeping beds (also sometimes called “nappers”). While these different types of accessories may provide more versatility, it may be expensive to purchase a different accessory for each use. Moreover, it may also be cumbersome to store multiple child holding accessories, or to change the accessory for each different use. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is a need for an improved child holding accessory that may be more convenient in use, provide comfortable resting support and address at least the foregoing issues. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present application describes a child holding accessory that can be used in combination with a rigid support frame. The child holding accessory can be desirably installed on the rigid support frame, and integrate multiple regions adapted to receive the child in different configurations of use. Examples of construction for these holding regions can include, without limitation, a changing table and a child sleeping bed. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the child holding accessory includes a reversible resting support and at least one fixture for attaching the resting support with a rigid support frame. 
         [0009]    The reversible resting support has a first and a second bearing surface facing opposite directions, the first and second bearing surfaces respectively having different profiles, and each of the first and second regions being positionable to be upwardly facing to receive a child thereon. 
         [0010]    Moreover, the present application also describes an infant support apparatus that includes a rigid support frame, a reversible resting support, and at least one fixture rotatably connected with the resting support. The reversible resting support has a first and a second bearing surface facing opposite directions, the first and second bearing surfaces respectively having different profiles, and each of the first and second regions being positionable to be upwardly facing to receive a child thereon. The fixture is configured to attach the resting support with the rigid support frame at an elevated position above a floor, and the resting support being rotatable relative to the fixture attached to the rigid support frame to position either of the first and second bearing surfaces upwardly facing. 
         [0011]    At least one advantage of the structures described herein is the ability to provide a child holding accessory that can integrate two opposite regions adapted to receive the child in different configurations of use. The bearing surfaces associated with the two regions can deform differently when the child is placed thereon. Accordingly, the bearing surfaces of the two regions can be designed to provide differential firmness and bending curvature that suits the different functional uses of the two regions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating a play yard provided with a child holding accessory in a first configuration of use; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating the play yard of  FIG. 1  with the child holding accessory in a second configuration of use; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating a first side of the child holding accessory; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating a second side of the child holding accessory opposite to the first side; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic side view of the child holding accessory with the second region turned upward; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the construction of a resting support in the child holding accessory; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating the construction of a support board that can be assembled in the resting support; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a partially enlarged view illustrating portion A of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view illustrating another embodiment of a support board that can be assembled in the resting support; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a partially enlarged view illustrating portion B of  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating yet another embodiment of a support board that can be assembled in the resting support of the child holding accessory. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    The present application describes a child holding accessory that can be used in combination with a play yard. The child holding accessory can integrate multiple regions adapted to receive the child in different configurations of use. Examples of construction for these holding regions can include, without limitation, a changing table and a child sleeping bed. Each of the holding regions can be designed to deform differently when the child is placed thereon so as to provide adequate resting support. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are schematic views illustrating an embodiment of a child holding accessory  102  suitable for use with a play yard  104 , and  FIGS. 3 and 4  are schematic views respectively illustrating two opposite sides of the child holding accessory  102 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the play yard  104  can include a rigid support frame  106  over which is held an enclosure  108  that defines an inner space  110  opened upward. In one embodiment, the enclosure  108  can be made of a flexible cloth material that is stretched around the support frame  106  to define multiple sidewalls surrounding the inner space  110 . The child holding accessory  102  can be detachably mounted at an upper side of the enclosure  108  above the inner space  110 . The child holding accessory  102  is thereby adapted to receive a child at an elevated position on the play yard  104  for facilitating the care of the child. 
         [0025]    The child holding accessory  102  can be constructed as an adjustable module that includes a resting support  114  having multiple regions adapted to receive the child. Examples of these regions can include, without limitation, a first region R1 constructed as a changing table, and a second region R2 constructed as a child sleeping bed on a side opposite to the side of the first region R1. The child holding accessory  102  can be adjustable to turn the second region R2 downward and the first region R1 upward to be used as a changing table (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), or to reversely turn the first region R1 downward and the second region R2 upward to be used as a child sleeping bed (as shown in 
         [0026]      FIG. 2 ). This adjustment of the child holding accessory  102  can be permitted by using one or more adjustable fixtures  130 A,  130 B to attach the resting support  114  with the play yard  104 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the resting support  114  can include a surrounding frame  132  formed from multiple tubular segments connected together, and a bearing platform  134  affixed with the surrounding frame  132 . The adjustable fixtures  130 A and  130 B may be mounted with two opposite sides of the surrounding frame  132 , and are adapted to fasten the resting support  114  with two opposite handrails of the play yard  104 . In one embodiment, at least one of the two adjustable fixtures, for example adjustable fixture  130 A, can include a rotary mechanism that is operable to permit relative rotation of the resting support  114 . While the adjustable fixture  130 A is attached with the support frame  106 , the resting support  114  thus can be rotated relative to the play yard  104  to turn either of the first region R1 and the second region R2 upward. The other fixture  130 B can have an adjustable catch  136  that can bear on the associated handrail of the play yard  104 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows the first region R1 of the child holding accessory  102 , and 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows the second region R2 of the child holding accessory  102 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first region R1 used as a changing table can have a relatively flat bearing surface BS 1 . The first bearing surface BS 1  thus can provide a stable support to allow a parent to conveniently change the child&#39;s diaper. The second region R2 used as sleeping bed can have a second bearing surface BS 2  that has a raised head portion  138  that is higher than other regions of the second bearing surface BS 1 . According to one embodiment, the head portion  138  can be formed by a piece of fabric that has one edge sewed at a higher position, or that is securely held with the fixture  130 A via a strap. The child can be placed on the second bearing surface BS 2  with the head resting at a higher level on the head portion  138  so as to provide a more comfortable sleeping position. 
         [0030]    The left and right sides of the surrounding frame  132  can also include side frame segments  132 A that have a curved shape. When the first region R1 is turned upward, the side frame segments  132 A can respectively have curved shapes that project/arch upward to gather and tighten a fabric material between the surrounding frame  132  and the first bearing surface BS 1 . Moreover, the side frame segments  132 A can increase the height of the left and right side edges of the changing table, which can prevent the child from accidentally falling down and provide safer use. When the second region R2 is turned upward, the curved shapes of the side frame segments  132 A are projecting/arching downward to facilitate downward bending of the second bearing surface BS 2  and provide comfortable sleeping support. 
         [0031]    In conjunction with  FIGS. 3 and 4 ,  FIG. 4A  is a schematic side view illustrating the child holding accessory  102  with the second region R2 turned upward. The surrounding frame  132  can also include a head-side frame segment  132 B and a foot-side frame segment  132 C that are transversally connected between the side frame segments and respectively mounted with the fixtures  130 A and  130 B. The fixtures  130 A and  130 B can respectively define pivot points P1 and P2 through which a rotation axis a can pass. The head-side frame segment  132 B and the foot-side frame segment  132 C can be arranged at different distances H1 and H2 from the rotation axis α, such that the head-side frame segment  132 B can be higher than the foot-side frame segment  132 C. 
         [0032]    According to one embodiment, the surrounding frame  132  can be entirely located at a same side of the rotation axis α, and the distance H1 between the head-side frame segment  132 B and the rotation axis α can be smaller than the distance H2 between the foot-side frame segment  132 C and the rotation axis α. When the first bearing surface BS 1  is turned upward, the surrounding frame  132  can be located above the rotation axis α and the foot-side frame segment  132 C can be at a position higher than the head-side frame segment  132 B to facilitate diaper changing. In contrast, when the second bearing surface BS 2  is turned upward to be used as a sleeping bed, the surrounding frame  132  can be located below the rotation axis α and the foot-side frame segment  132 C can be at a position lower than the head-side frame segment  132 B to provide comfortable sleeping support. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the resting support  114 . The bearing platform  134  can include a flexible cushion element  140  and a support board  142 . The cushion element  140  can be assembled to enclose the support board  142 , and include a first layer  144  on the side of the first region R1, and a second layer  146  on the side of the second region R2. The first and second layers  144  and  146  can be joined together by sewing, bonding or other suitable techniques. In one embodiment, the first layer  144  used for the changing table can include a fabric that is water-proof and easy to wipe-off, like polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)-based polymer materials. The second layer  146  used for the sleeping bed can include soft and comfortable fabric, like cotton cloth or flannelette. It will be understood that the first and second layers  144  and  146  are not limited to the aforementioned examples, and other flexible/soft materials may be included, such as webbing materials, foamed polymer pad and the like. 
         [0034]    The support board  142  can be placed between the first and second layers  144  and  146 , and have a first side  142 A and an opposite second side  142 B. Two opposite ends of the support board  142  can be connected with the surrounding frame  132  via connecting elements  148 , such as straps, cords, and the like. The support board  142  can provide a support sufficiently rigid for sustaining the weight of the child received in either of the first and second region R1 and R2. In the meantime, the support board  142  can also be designed to deform differently depending on whether the child is supported on the bearing surface BS 1  or BS 2 . For example, the support board  142  can bend freely when the child is placed on the bearing surface BS 2  to conform to the child&#39;s body and provide comfortable sleeping. On the other hand, when the child is placed on the bearing surface BS 1 , bending of the support board  142  is reduced or prevented to provide a flat and stable surface for better accessibility while changing the child&#39;s diaper. Exemplary embodiments of the support board  142  are described hereafter with reference to  FIGS. 6 through 10 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating one embodiment of a support board  202  that can be assembled in the bearing platform  134  and provide the aforementioned deformation capabilities, and  FIG. 7  is a partially enlarged view illustrating portion A of  FIG. 6 . The support board  202  can be integrally formed in a single piece from a plastics material. The support board  202  can have a first side  202 A and an opposite second side  202 B, and include an array of hollow cells  210  that are joined together. Each cell  210  can include a plurality of sidewalls  210 A,  210 B and  210 C that delimit an inner cavity  212  of the cell  210 . Adjacent cells  210  can have their respective sidewalls  210 B connected each other on the second side  202 B, such that that the cells  210  can be joined together at the second side  202 B of the support board  202 . On the other hand, the first side  202 A of the support board  202  can include a plurality of slits  216  that are respectively delimited between the sidewalls  210 C of each pair of adjacent cells  210 , and separate from one another the sidewalls  210 A of the cells  210  on the first side  202 A of the support board  202 . 
         [0036]    The slits  216  can partly disconnect the cells  210  from one another so as to allow relative deflecting movements between the cells  210 . When the support board  202  is assembled with the cushion element  140 , the first side  202 A can lie adjacent to the first layer  144  (i.e., corresponding to the first region R1), and the second side  202 B adjacent to the second layer  146  (i.e., corresponding to the second region R2). 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , when the child is supported on the second region R2, the weight of the child is applied from the second side  202 B of the support board  202 . This pressure can cause the cells  210  to pivot about their respective joining portions. As a result, the cells  210  can deflect relative to one another in a way that enlarges the slits  216  and splits the sidewalls  210 C of adjacent cells  210  away from each other. Accordingly, the support board  202  can freely bend in a first direction D1, which causes the bearing surface BS 2  to sink and suitably conform to the child&#39;s body for providing a comfortable resting position. Aside bending movements, the inner cavities  212  can also permit the cells  210  to deform to provide comfortable support of the child. 
         [0038]    On the other hand, when the child is supported on the first region R1, the weight is applied from the first side  202 A of the support board  202 . This pressure can cause the sidewalls  210 C of adjacent cells  210  to contact against each other, which can substantially prevent bending of the support board  202  in a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1. As a result, the first bearing surface BS 1  can provide a flat and stable support for better accessibility while changing the child&#39;s diaper. 
         [0039]    The support board  202  can therefore deform differently depending on whether the load of the child&#39;s weight is exerted from the first side  202 A or the second side  202 B of the support board  202 , which can result in different firmness of the first and second bearing surfaces BS 1  and BS 2 . The firmness of the first and second bearing surfaces BS 1  and BS 2  can be assessed by determining how each of the first and second bearing surfaces BS 1  and BS 2  bends and the depth to which it sinks upon application of a load pressure, i.e., the bend curvature and sinking depth of the support board  202  can be different depending on whether the child&#39;s weight is applied from the first side  202 A or second side  202 B For example, the second bearing surface BS 2  can bend and sink to a greater depth when the child is placed thereon, whereas the first bearing surface BS 1  can hardly sink when the child is placed thereon. Accordingly, the bearing platform  134  can provide adequate support curvatures respectively in accordance with the required use conditions, e.g., the changing table requires a flat surface for easy accessibility, and the sleeping bed requires a bent curvature for increased comfort. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view illustrating another support board  302  suitable for use with the bearing platform  134  described previously, and  FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of portion B shown in  FIG. 8 . The support board  302  can be similar to the support board  202  in construction, having a first side  302 A and an opposite second side  302 B, and including an array of hollow cells  310  that are joined together. Each cell  310  can include a plurality of sidewalls  310 A,  310 B,  310 C and  310 D that delimit an inner cavity  312  of the cell  310 . Adjacent cells  310  can have their respective sidewalls  310 B connected each other on the second side  302 B, such that the cells  310  can be joined together at the second side  302 B of the support board  302 . On the other hand, the first side  302 A of the support board  302  can include a plurality of slits  316 A and  316 B that respectively extend parallel to two intersecting directions X and Y. The slits  316 A can be delimited between the sidewalls  310 C of two adjacent cells  310 , and the slits  316 B can be delimited between the sidewalls  310 D of two adjacent cells  310 . As a result, the sidewalls  310 A of the cells  310  can be separated from one another, and the slits  316 A and  316 B can partly disconnect the cells  310  so as to allow relative deflecting movements between the cells  210 . 
         [0041]    When the support board  302  is assembled with the cushion element  140 , the first side  302 A can lie adjacent to the first layer  144  (i.e., corresponding to the first region R1), and the second side  302 B adjacent to the second layer  146  (i.e., corresponding to the second region R2). Like previously described, when the child is supported on the second region R2, the weight of the child is applied from the second side  302 B of the support board  302 . This pressure can cause the cells  310  to pivot about their respective joining portions. Because the joining portions of the cells  310  extend along two directions X and Y, the support board  302  can bend in different planes of curvature. As a result, the capacity of the support board  302  to deform is increased to better fit the shape of the child&#39;s body. When the child is supported on the first region R1, the weight is applied from the first side  302 A of the support board  302 . This pressure can cause the sidewalls  310 C and  310 D of adjacent cells  310  to contact against each other, which can substantially prevent bending of the support board  302  in the second direction D2. 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating the construction of another support board  402 . The support board  402  can include two board elements  404 , and a resilient joint element  408 . The board elements  404  can be made from any rigid materials, such as plastics, woods and the like. The joint element  408  can elastically deform to allow relative displacement between the board elements  404 . In one embodiment, the joint element  408  can have a flex structure similar to that of the support board  202  or  402 , having opposite first and second sides  408 A and  408 B and including a plurality of hollow cells  410  provided with inner cavities  412 . The cells  410  can be joined together on the second side  408 B of the joint element  408 , and disconnected on the first side  408 A via a plurality of slits  414 . The joint element  408  can thus freely deform when the load pressure is applied from the second side  408 B. In contrast, bending deformation of the joint element  408  can be substantially prevented when the load pressure is applied from the first side  408 A. 
         [0043]    It is worth noting that the support board structures described herein may be advantageously used for any child holding devices in general. For example, seat modules in stroller, car seat, high chair and swing apparatuses may also use any of the support board structures illustrated above to provide increased comfort. 
         [0044]    At least one advantage of the structures described herein is the ability to provide a child holding accessory that can integrate two opposite regions adapted to receive a child in different configurations of use. In particular, the child holding accessory can include a support board that can deform differently depending on the region where the child is placed. As a result, the bearing surfaces associated with the two regions can present different firmness to provide adequate resting of the child. 
         [0045]    Realizations in accordance with the present invention therefore have been described only in the context of particular embodiments. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided for components described herein as a single instance. Structures and functionality presented as discrete components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.