Abstract:
A guard system for a furniture element includes a rail spaced apart from the furniture element, and a support member connected with the rail. The guard system also includes a bracket configured contact at least two surfaces of the furniture element. A resilient connection member is attached to the bracket and the support member.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/154,172 filed May 21, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present description relates generally to the field of safety or guard assemblies for use with the edge of a table or other surface. More specifically, the present description relates to a furniture or table guard useful to protect a toddler from injuring himself or herself on the edge thereof and also to provide a flexible support for use by the toddler when learning to walk. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is well known that it is important to shield the sharp edges of tables such as coffee tables so that a toddler or child does not hurt himself if he falls. Typical devices directed to this field in the past use foam or other soft materials that are either glued or elastically attached to the perimeter of the table. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,230 entitled “Baby Bumpers” is directed to a stretchable rubber bead that snap-fits around the periphery of a piece of furniture such as a table. While this device and similar devices may fulfill particular objectives and requirements, these devices have limitations because toddlers often want to pull themselves up to a standing position and find the sides of tables convenient for this purpose. However, when grabbing the edge material or bumper, toddlers may pull it off as they hold the edge material or bumper. Because this edge material or bumper may be pulled off, there is the possibility that a toddler may injure himself as he falls back to the ground. In addition, when toddlers are trying to stand near a table, they may grab at items left on the table in an attempt to pull themselves up. Again, this leads to the possibility that a toddler may hurt himself by pulling an item off the table and then falling to the ground. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there exists a need for a table guard that provides for a more resilient protection around the surface of a furniture element. In addition, there is the need for a more resilient table guard assembly that provides assistance to a toddler as he learns to walk. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A guard system for a furniture element includes a rail configured to be spaced apart from the furniture element, and a support member connected with the rail. The guard system also includes a bracket configured contact at least two surfaces of the furniture element. A resilient connection member is attached to the bracket and the support member. 
         [0006]    Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims and be defined by the following claims. Further aspects and advantages are discussed below in conjunction with the description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The system and/or method may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles. In the figures, like referenced numerals may refer to like parts throughout the different figures unless otherwise specified. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a table guard assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention shown attached to a table. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the table guard assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the table guard assembly of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of one of the support members of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a table guard assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section of the table guard assembly as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The present description is directed to a furniture guard assembly that provides improved protection for a toddler with greater versatility than baby bumpers of previous constructions. In addition to providing protection against injury from the edge of a furniture element, the present invention provides a flexible rail that a toddler can hold as he walks along the edge of the furniture element. Further, the movable and flexible nature of the rail provides an assembly that makes it easier for the toddler to hold onto the rail. 
         [0015]    As used herein, the term “furniture element” or “table” may be interpreted broadly to include known furniture items such as known tables of various shapes, sizes and constructions and known cabinets and other known furniture elements. As also used herein, the term “rail” may be interpreted broadly to include round shapes, rectangular shapes or other known shapes. As further used herein, the term “toddler” may be interpreted broadly to include infants and children. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the table guard assembly  10  according to the present invention. The table guard assembly  10  is shown attached to the table  12 . The table  12  is just one representative example of the known tables or surfaces that may implement the table guard assembly  10  of the present invention. The table  12  includes legs  14  and a table top  16  having an edge  18 . In the present embodiment, the table top  16  is formed from glass although it should be recognized that other materials may be accommodated with the present invention. 
         [0017]    The table guard assembly  10  includes the rail  22 , support members  24  and resilient connection elements or springs  26 . The rail  22  and support members  24  are shown formed from a tubular material such as PVC pipe. However, it should be recognized that other materials having other shapes and sizes may also be implemented with the present invention. In addition, the rail  22  is shown spaced apart from the edge  18  of the table top  6  in the present embodiment. This feature is useful because it allows for a toddler to grasp the rail  22  while also providing enough recoil room for fall protection. In addition, the rail  22  is spaced above the table top  16 . This feature is useful because it will help prevent a toddler from pulling an object off the table top  16 . In an alternate embodiment, it should be recognized that the rail  22  could be spaced closer to the edge  18 . 
         [0018]    The support members  24  may include a first portion  32  that extends downward and inward and a second portion  34  that extends inward and upward to meet the bottom surface  36  of the table top  16 . The second portion  34  of the support member  24  includes an end  41  that slidably engages the bottom surface  36  of the table top  16 . The support members  24  have a generally V-shaped construction in the present embodiment. However, it should be recognized that the support members  24  may be formed from other shapes such as the rectangular embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-6 . 
         [0019]    The spring  26  provides for a resilient connection between the support members  24  and the edge  18  of the table top  16 . The spring  26  is secured using a clip  40 . While a spring  26  is illustrated, other known means such as other types of springs may be implemented to provide for a resilient connection between the support member  24  and the table top  16 . For example, an elastomer spring may be preferred because it does not have any sharp edge of pinch points. In addition, the exact location of the connection spring  26  between the support member  24  and table top  16  may be varied as shown, for example, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-6 . 
         [0020]    The table guard assembly  10  provides a rail  22  having a capability for a horizontal movement, a vertical movement or a combination thereof. The rail  22  is capable of a constrained movement in a plurality of directions in order to provide support for a toddler learning to walk. The rail  22  is capable of moving a limited distance down and then in to protect a toddler against falls. In other words, the present embodiment is capable of greater movement in the horizontal direction than in the vertical so that a toddler may use it as a rail  22 . 
         [0021]    The table guard assembly  10  provides a device that helps protect a toddler from injury should he fall adjacent the rail  22 . In particular, the movement of the rail  22  provides a surface that will give if a toddler falls into the rail  22 . The movement of the rail  22  helps lessen any potential injury as a result striking the rail. The rail  22  actually describes a somewhat elliptical path with a vertical blow so that it moves down and in away from the impact in order to protect the toddler. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 3-4  illustrate the support member  24  in greater detail. In particular, a hook  60  is shown on a central portion  61  of the support member  24 . The clip  40  extends over the lower support rail  64 . The clip  40  provides an opening to receive a first end  66  of the spring  26  with the second end of the spring  68  shown attached to the hook  60 . 
         [0023]      FIGS. 5-6  illustrate a second embodiment of the table guard assembly  70  that operates in the same general manner as in  FIG. 14 , except for a variance in the specific construction of the support members  72  and the resilient connection to the table top  74 . The present embodiment provides for a more universal connection to tables of varying construction. 
         [0024]    The support members  72  have a generally rectangular construction and are connected to a bracket  78 . The bracket  78  is connected to the edge  76  of the table top  74 . In particular, the bracket  78  has a generally C-shaped construction that fits around the edge  76  of the table top  74 . Screws  80  secure the bracket  78  to the table top  74 . In the present embodiment, springs  82 ,  84  interconnect the support members  72  to the bracket  78 . More specifically, the spring  82  interconnects a central portion  88  of the support member  72  to a tab  90  that is connected to the bracket  78 . The spring  84  interconnects the end  92  of the support member  72  to the tab  90 . This embodiment provides for a similar type of movement by the rail  94  as demonstrated by previous embodiments. 
         [0025]    The embodiments described above and shown herein are illustrative and not restrictive. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the present invention may be used on furniture elements other than tables, and the exact size and construction of the elements of the present invention may be varied in a manner other than as specifically described or illustrated in the figures. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations beyond those discussed herein are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.