Patent Publication Number: US-2015059088-A1

Title: Pivotable Joint and Infant Support Structure Including the Same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of International Patent Application PCT/US2013/057219, filed Aug. 29, 2013, entitled “Pivotable Joint and Infant Support Structure Including the Same,” Attorney Docket No. 0643.2137i, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a joint, and in particular, to a joint that may rotatably or pivotably secure an item to a frame. More specifically, the present invention relates to a joint that can pivotably couple an infant support structure to a tubular frame. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Parents have available to them a myriad of infant support devices. For example, infant mats or gyms are easily portable, and provide an infant with a comfortable, sanitary place to rest. While infant mats can be easily packed away into a car or a diaper bag, such supports cannot be rocked or otherwise manipulated to soothe and pacify the infant. However, alternative support devices, such as bassinets and cradles, are typically not easily to collapsed for storage or transport. Furthermore, conventional bassinets are not capable of being rocked and, while sturdy, are often expensive, especially when considering that they are generally only used during the first few months of an infant&#39;s life. As a result, strollers are often used as makeshift cribs when away from home. While many strollers can be quickly collapsed and stored in the trunk or back seat of a car, they are generally not recommended for use with very small infants as a portable crib or cradle because the seat portion may not offer adequate support for the infant&#39;s back and neck. 
     In order to remedy the aforementioned issues, some foldable or collapsible infant support structures have been provided, but many of these infant support structures are only foldable or collapsible insofar as their frames include foldable or collapsible legs. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a joint for an infant support structure that allows the infant support structure to quickly and easily fold upon its frame such that a portable, secure infant support structure is provided. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, an infant support structure with a pivotable joint includes a frame, a child receiving portion, and a pivotable joint. The pivotable joint is coupled to both the frame and the child receiving portion and configured to pivotally couple the child receiving portion to the frame such that the infant support structure is movable between an extended configuration and a storage configuration. 
     According to one exemplary embodiment, a pivotable joint for an infant support structure includes an insert fixedly coupleable to a first portion of an infant support structure, a sleeve including a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion, and a fastener configured to couple the insert to the first portion of the infant support structure. The sleeve is fixedly coupled to a second portion of the infant support structure via the first engagement portion and the insert is rotatably mounted within the second engagement portion. Additionally, the fastener is disposed entirely interiorly of the second engagement portion. In some embodiments of the above pivotable joint, the infant support structure is a bassinet and the pivotable joint allows the bassinet to move between an expanded configuration and a folded configuration. 
     In other embodiments of the above pivotable joint, the insert comprises an annular cylinder including at least one aperture formed in the outer surface of the annular cylinder. In some of these embodiments, the annular cylinder includes exterior ribs and the ribs are configured to space the insert from the sleeve while allowing the insert and sleeve to rotate with respect to each other. In others, the annular cylinder is formed from a first portion and a second portion configured to be mated together. 
     In some embodiments where the annular cylinder is formed from a first portion and a second portion, the second engagement portion includes an interior opening, the first portion includes a first base, and the second portion includes a second base. In these embodiments, the first base is configured to extend beyond the periphery of the interior opening at a first end of the interior opening and the second base is configured to extend beyond the periphery of the interior opening at a second end of the interior opening to longitudinally secure the insert within the sleeve. In other embodiments, the first portion includes at least one of the at least one aperture, the second portion includes at least one of the least one apertures and the apertures are configured to be linearly aligned when the first portion is mated to the second portion. 
     In still further embodiments where the insert comprises an annular cylinder including at least one aperture formed in the outer surface of the annular cylinder, the second engagement portion includes at least one radial aperture and the radial aperture is selectively alignable with at least one of the at least one aperture included on the insert to allow the fastener to pass through the sleeve and engage the insert. In some of these embodiments, the diameter of the at least one aperture included on the insert is less than the diameter of the radial aperture such that the fastener may pass through the radial aperture but be retained in the aperture. 
     According to the present invention, a method of installing the above pivotable joint onto an infant support structure may include: inserting the first portion of the insert into a first end of the second engagement portion of the sleeve; inserting the second portion of the insert into a second end of the second engagement portion of the sleeve; mating the first portion to the second portion; inserting the first portion of the infant support structure through the insert; coupling the insert to the first portion of the infant support structure with the fastener; and coupling the second portion of the infant support structure to the first engagement portion of the sleeve. 
     In some embodiments, the second engagement portion includes at least one radial aperture and the steps of coupling the insert to the first portion of the infant support structure with the fastener and coupling the insert to the first portion of the infant support structure with the fastener further comprise the steps of: rotating the sleeve about the insert in order to align the radial aperture of the sleeve with the at least one aperture of the insert; inserting a fastener into the at least one aperture through the radial aperture; securing the insert to the first portion of the infant support frame with the fastener; and rotating the sleeve around the insert to conceal the fastener. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an infant support structure with a pivotable joint includes a frame, a child receiving portion, and a pivotable joint. The pivotable joint includes a first portion fixedly coupled around the frame and a second portion fixedly coupled to the child receiving portion. The first portion includes a cylindrical annulus configured to encircle the frame and the second portion includes a cylindrical portion configured to rotatably receive the cylindrical annulus, such that the cylindrical annulus of the first portion is rotatably coupled to the second portion when received therein, thereby rotatably coupling the frame to the child receiving portion. 
     In some embodiments of the above infant support structure the second portion further includes at least one aperture adjacent the child receiving portion and the at least one aperture is configured to receive a fastener to fixably couple the second portion to the child receiving portion. 
     In other embodiments, the annular cylinder includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a first base extending radially from the first end of the annular cylinder, a second base extending radially from the second end of the annular cylinder; and at least one aperture formed in the annular cylinder. In some of these embodiments, the cylindrical portion of the second portion also includes an opening, the at least one aperture and opening being selectively alignable. In other embodiments, the first portion includes at least one rib substantially encircling an outer face of the cylindrical annulus, the aperture and ribs collectively allowing a fastener to be received within the first portion in a position where the fastener does not contact the second portion. In still other embodiments, the first portion is formed from a first piece and a second piece, the first piece including the first base and a portion of the annular cylinder and the second piece including the second base and the remainder of the annular cylinder, and the first and second piece may be mated together. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an infant support structure with a pivotable joint includes a frame, a child receiving portion, and a pivotable joint. The pivotable joint includes an annular insert including a first portion and a second portion and a sleeve. The first portion of the annular insert includes a first aperture and the second portion includes a second aperture and the first and second portion are mateable to form the annular insert. The first aperture and second aperture are linearly aligned when the first and second portion are mated together. The sleeve includes a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion being coupleable to the child receiving portion and the fourth portion being configured to rotatably receive the insert, wherein the pivotable joint is configured to pivotally couple the child receiving portion to the frame such that the infant support structure is movable between an extended configuration and a storage configuration. 
     In some embodiments of this infant support structure, the sleeve also includes an opening that is selectively alignable with each of the first and second apertures and configured to allow a fastener to be inserted into each of the first and second apertures, the sleeve remaining rotatable with respect to the insert subsequent to insertion of a fastener. In other embodiments, the child receiving portion includes a softgoods support mounted on tubular rails and only the softgoods support moves when the infant support structure is moved between the extended configuration and the storage configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an infant support structure including a pivotable joint in accordance with the present invention 
         FIG. 2  shows a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a first part or portion of the pivotable joint shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3-8  show various perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a second part or portion of the pivotable joint shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 9-13  show various perspective views of the pivotable joint of  FIG. 1  in various stages of assembly. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally referring to the figures, at least one exemplary embodiment of a pivotable joint is shown. As will be discussed below in further detail, the pivotable joint includes two parts or portions: an engagement portion that may be coupled to the frame of an infant support structure and a sleeve that may rotate or pivot around, about, or within the engagement portion. Alternatively, the sleeve may be referred to as a first part or portion and the engagement portion may be referred to as the second part or portion. In use, the pivotable joint may pivotally couple the child receiving portion of a bassinet, cradle, or other child support structure to a frame or stand for that child support structure. In some embodiments, the frame or stand may be configured to allow the infant support structure to rock and the pivotable joint may securely couple the child receiving portion thereto. Preferably, the joint is configured to allow an infant support structure to easily move between an expanded configuration and a collapsed or storage configuration. 
     For example, and as seen in  FIG. 1 , a pivotable joint  100  may be installed on a rocking bassinet  10  that includes an child receiving portion  12  and a frame  14  in order to allow the bassinet  10  to move between an expanded configuration “C1” and a folded configuration (not pictured). When in the expanded configuration C1, the bassinet may be configured to receive and support a child, as seen in  FIG. 1 , and in the storage configuration, the frame  14  and/or child receiving portion  12  may fold or collapse onto each other in order to reduce the footprint of the bassinet and allow it to be easily stored in a closet, drawer or other such storage area. One example of such a collapsible frame is illustrated in US Patent Publication No. US 2011/0148155A1, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     In order to effectuate movement between the expanded and storage configurations, two pivotable joints  100  are installed at a first end  16  of the bassinet  10 , and the two pivotable joints  100  pivotally connect the child receiving portion  12  to the frame  14 . At a second and opposite end  18 , the child receiving portion  12  may either rest upon the frame  14  or be removably coupled thereto. Either way, when the second end  18  of the child receiving portion  12  is free to move with respect to the frame  14 , the pivotable joint  100  may allow the child receiving portion  12  to pivot with respect to/fold onto the frame  14  in order to move the bassinet  10  into its storage configuration. Additionally, the pivotable joint  100  is securely coupled to each portion—the child receiving portion  12  and the frame  14 —of the bassinet  10  in order to ensure that movement between configurations is simple, repeatable, and safe. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2-3 , a pivotable joint  100  is shown in more detail. As seen in  FIGS. 2-3 , pivotable joint  100  includes a sleeve  200  and an insert  110  which is insertable into and engagable with the sleeve  200 . Turning specifically to  FIG. 2 , sleeve  200  includes two engagement portions: engagement portions  202  and  212  which are configured to be engaged with the frame  14  and child receiving portion  12 , respectively. Thus, engagement portion  202  may alternatively be referred to as frame engaging portion  202  and engagement portion  212  may alternatively be referred to as child receiving portion engaging portion  212 . However, in other embodiments, engagement portions  202  and  212  may each engage any portion of an infant support structure, as desired. In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, engagement portion  202  is configured to be coupled to insert  110  for rotation there between, such that when insert  110  is coupled to a portion of an infant support structure, the sleeve  200  is thereby rotatably coupled to that same portion. For example, in the embodiment seen in  FIG. 1 , sleeve  200  is fixedly coupled to the child receiving portion  12 , insert  110  is fixedly coupled to frame  14  and, thus, sleeve  200  is rotatably coupled to frame  14 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , engagement portion  212  is a cylindrical, tubular section that includes a pair of aligned apertures  216  which extends through engagement portion  212 , such that a fastener may be inserted through engagement portion  212 . Thus, once a portion of the child receiving portion  12  is engaged with sleeve  200 , perhaps by inserting a portion of the infant support structure into an opening (not shown) included in the end of engagement portion  212 , a fastener may be inserted through aligned apertures  216 , such that the fastener fixedly secures the portion of the infant support structure to sleeve  200 . In contrast, the frame engaging portion  202  is configured to rotatably receive the insert  110  within an opening  204 . The opening  204  is surrounded by a peripheral wall  208  and includes a single aperture  206  which extends through wall  208 , such that aperture  206  may allow fasteners and or tools to be passed through wall  208  and into opening  204 . In some embodiments, aperture  206  allows a single fastener to be installed into insert  110  (perhaps at openings  130 ,  150 ) so that the fastener is hidden from view and/or inaccessible by a child disposed within the infant support structure. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, insert  110  includes two halves or portions, first portion  120  and second portion  140 . Together, portions  120  and  140  form insert  110 , which, in this embodiment, is a ribbed, annular, cylinder that is configured to rotatably engage engagement portion  202 . As will be described in more detail below, each portion  120 ,  140  includes an opening  130 ,  150  (see  FIG. 4 ), respectively, and openings  130 ,  150  may be aligned with each other when portions  120  and  140  are coupled together. Each opening  130 ,  150 , may also include a collar  132 ,  152 , which may restrict the size of opening  132 ,  152 . Collars  132 ,  152  may, in some embodiments, be fully contained within openings  130 ,  150 , such that they may be referred to as being countersunk or embedded within openings  130 ,  150 . Furthermore, each portion  120 ,  140  includes a base  122 ,  142 , which may alternatively be referred to as an end or side. For example, in some embodiments, base  122  may be referred to as the first base, first end or first side and base  142  may be referred to as the second base, second end, or second side. 
     Turning next to  FIGS. 4-5 , the first and second portions  120 ,  140  are shown separated from each other. As seen best in  FIG. 5 , first portion  120  includes a base  122  with a protrusion  124  that extends upwards from the base  122  and second portion  140  includes a base  142  with a protrusion  144  that extends upwards from the base  142 . In this particular embodiment, and as best seen in  FIG. 5 , the protrusions  124 ,  144  are a portion of cylindrical annulus and also include ribs  126 ,  146 , respectively, on the exterior surface of protrusion  124 ,  144 . Furthermore, each protrusion  124 ,  144  also includes an opening  130 ,  150 , however opening  130  is adjacent to the distal end of protrusion  124  while opening  150  is adjacent to the proximate end of protrusion  144 , insofar as distal and proximate are used with reference to the respective bases  122 ,  142  as oriented in  FIGS. 4-5 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , each portion  120 ,  140  also includes mating or matching features which allow portions  120 ,  140  to be removably coupled together. Particularly, in this embodiment, portion  120  includes a slit  128  at the distal end of protrusion  124  and a tab  136  which extends from base  122  opposite from protrusion  124  (see  FIG. 5 ). In contrast, second portion  140  includes a cavity  148  at the distal end of protrusion  144  and a knob  156  which extends from base  142  opposite from protrusion  144  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     In this embodiment, and as seen in  FIGS. 6-7 , the knob  156  is configured to engage slit  128  (see  FIG. 7 ) and tab  136  is configured to be secured within cavity  148  (see  FIG. 6 ). However, in this embodiment, engaging knob  156  with slit  128 , and tab  136  with cavity  148  only serve to restrict two degrees of freedom (vertical and rotational) of the two portions  120 ,  140  with respect to one another as oriented in  FIG. 7 . Thus, these mating features do not secure portions  120  and  140  together unless these features are mated or engaged with each other when portions  120  and  140  are installed within opening  204  of sleeve  200 . However, when the portions are mated together within opening  204 , as will be described below, the sleeve  200  serves to restrict at least one additional degree of freedom (i.e. radial and horizontal) of the two portions  120 ,  140  with respect to one another as oriented in  FIG. 7  and, thus, allows the two portions  120 ,  140  to be firmly coupled together. In other embodiments, tab  136 , cavity  148 , knob  156 , and slit  128  may simply serve to hold or key portions  120  and  140  together as an aid to assembly until a fastener can be driven through at least one of openings  130  and  150 . In still other embodiments, tab  136 , cavity  148 , knob  156 , and slit  128  may serve as indicators to ensure that a person assembling insert  110  has one portion  120  and one portion  140 . 
     In fact, in this particular embodiment, the knob  156  and slit  128  do not restrict any motion and, instead, are merely included to ensure that portions  120  and  140  are properly aligned when portions  120 ,  140  are coupled together. By comparison, tab  136  has an interference or friction fit with cavity  148  which prevents portions  120  and  140  from moving longitudinally (i.e. vertically in  FIG. 7 ) or rotationally with respect to each other but allows radial movement (i.e. movement in the z-axis of in  FIG. 7 ) of the portions  120 ,  140  with respect to one another. However, in other embodiments, the first and second portion  120 ,  140  may include any desirable features which allow portions  120  and  140  to be securely and/or fixedly coupled together in any location, such as when portions  120 ,  140  are not disposed within opening  204  of sleeve  200 . 
     Now turning to  FIG. 8 , portions  120  and  140  are shown coupled together and the insert  110  is shown from a bottom perspective view. As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , due to the aforementioned features and geometry of portions  120 ,  140 , when portions  120 ,  140  are coupled together, portions  120  and  140  form a cylindrical tube, with what appears to be a single set of ribs encircling the exterior of the tube. However, in this particular embodiment, ribs  126 ,  146  are simply configured to align with each other such that it appears that there is only a single set of ribs. Additionally, as can be seen in  FIG. 8 , in this embodiment, openings  130  and  150  align when portions  120  and  140  are coupled together, such that a fastener or rod could be inserted therethrough. 
     Although the features of portions  120  and  140  align in this embodiment, in other embodiments portions  120  and  140  may include any desirable alignment or misalignment consistent with the scope of this invention. However, in preferred embodiments, the openings  130 ,  150  are at least vertically aligned, insofar as they are both the same distance from bases  122 ,  142 , such that when insert  110  is disposed within opening  204 , rotation of the insert  110  can align either opening  130 ,  150  with aperture  206 . Additionally, in preferred embodiments, the ribs  126 ,  146  may or may not align, but the ribs  126 ,  146  will be configured to extend away from protrusions  124 ,  144  an amount which allows them to contact the interior face of wall  208 . Thus, ribs  126 ,  146  function as stand-offs which allow insert  110  to fit tightly (although not tight enough to prevent rotational movement) within opening  204  and not wobble or tilt while disposed therein. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 9-13 , the insert  110  is shown being inserted within the sleeve  200 . In  FIG. 9 , second portion  140  has been inserted (from beneath opening  204 ) into opening  204 . Once portion  140  is positioned, at least partially, within opening  204 , the first portion  120  may be inserted into opening  204  (from above opening  204 ), as shown in  FIG. 10 , until the tab  136  is secured within cavity  148 . When portions  120 ,  140  are within opening  204  and tab  136  is secured within cavity  148 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , the insert  110  will be rotatably secured within opening  204 , such that it may only move rotationally, in either direction, in accordance with dual-headed directional arrow D1. In order to ensure that the insert  110  is securely held within opening  204 , the insert  110  may be sized such that bases  122 ,  142  slightly protrude from either end of opening  204  and extend over a portion of wall  208 . In this particular embodiment, the bases  122 ,  142  of portions  120  and  140  are sized as such and, thus, prevent insert  110  from sliding longitudinally within opening  204 . 
     Finally, as shown in  FIGS. 12-13 , when the insert  110  is rotatably mounted within the sleeve  200 , it may be rotated to selectively align the openings  130 ,  150  with aperture  206 . Rotating at least one of the openings  130 ,  150  into alignment with opening  206  may allow a user to insert a fastener, such as a screw, through sleeve  200  (via aperture  206 ) and into opening  130  and/or  150 . However, since openings  130 ,  150  include collars  132 ,  152 , respectively, a fastener may sit within opening  130 ,  150 , once it is inserted therein, instead of passing therethrough (allowing the fastening of insert  110  directly to the frame  14 ). Additionally, in some embodiments, the collars  132 ,  152  may be embedded or countersunk within openings  130 ,  150 , such that a fastener can sit thereon without protruding or extending past the exterior bounds of insert  110 . The fastener may also be further protected from extending beyond the exterior bounds of insert  110  by the inclusion of ribs, such as ribs  126 ,  146 , which extend outward from protrusions  124 ,  144 . Thus, in some embodiments, collars  132 ,  152  and ribs  126 ,  146  may collectively ensure that a fastener for securing insert  110  directly to the frame  14  inserted into openings  130 ,  150  does not extend beyond the exterior bounds of insert  110  and, thus, does not prevent or deter the opening  204  from being rotatable with respect to insert  110 . Additionally, and as mentioned above, these features may also allow any fastener installed in insert  100  to be hidden from view or access by being rotated out of alignment with aperture  206 . 
     In use, the first and second portions  120 ,  140  may first be inserted into opposite ends of opening  204  and secured together while disposed therein. Then, a tube or portion of a frame  14  may be inserted within or through the insert  110 . A user may then rotate the insert  110  until one of the openings  130 ,  150  aligns with opening  206 , thereby allowing a user to install a fastener into insert  110  and through the inserted portion of frame  14 . The user may keep the opening  130 ,  150  aligned with opening  206  until the fastener is fully installed and coupling the insert  110  to the portion of the frame  14  inserted therethrough. Once the insert  110  is coupled to the frame  14 , insert  110  will remain in a fixed position with respect to the frame  14 , but the sleeve  200  will remain free to rotate about the insert  110 . Thus, when the sleeve  200  is coupled to a child receiving portion  12  of a child support structure  10 , the child receiving portion  12  will be both securely and rotatably coupled to the frame  14  via the pivotable joint  100 . 
     It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention. 
     Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.