Patent Publication Number: US-7581269-B2

Title: Changing table for playard

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a changing table for a playard which is simple and easy to operate, and may preclude the child caregiver&#39;s hands from crush injury when the changing table is accidentally collapsed or pressed down, which frequently happens in the playard of the known type. The present invention further provides an organizer for storing diaper changing supplies. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Changing tables for playards are well known in the prior art. A parent or caretaker can change a child&#39;s diaper or perform other baby caretaking tasks on a changing table that can be mounted to the top of the playard. The changing table, which is generally rectangular in shape, can be supported on its sides by upper frame supports of the playard. After the child&#39;s diaper has been changed, the changing table can be removed from the playard, or in some applications, can be swung about an upper frame support of the playard to a storage position exterior of the playard. In this respect, the parent or caretaker can lift one side of the changing table and can swing the changing table about the upper frame support to its storage position at an exterior side of the playard. The changing table can then rest in its storage position exterior of the playard. 
   An exemplary apparatus in the prior art is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,070 incorporated herein by reference. In this conventional changing table, the folding arms 14, 16 are designed to pivot about the pivot joint 12, and thus the changing table can be swung about the upper frame support of the playard to its storage position. However, this changing table has a disadvantage in that, when the baby is placed on the changing table, a rolling movement of the baby may accidentally move the folding arms 14, 16 to pivot about the pivot joint 12, causing the folding arms 14, 16 to collapse and harm the baby. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,849 disclosed an organizer for diaper changing supplies, such as diapers, disposable wet wipes, and baby powder. Such organizer is attached to the playyard simply by suspending, which is insecure and may fall off easily. 
   Furthermore, in conventional playyard, the changing table is located above the playyard and thus a gap is formed therebetween. Such a gap may accidentally harm the child caregiver&#39;s fingers and trap the child&#39;s head, creating a potentially hazardous area. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The main objective of the present invention is to provide a changing table for a playard which tends to obviate the aforementioned problem. The changing table according to the present invention enables the child caretakers to conveniently move the changing table between an operation position and a storage position. The present invention may overcome the defects of the conventional changing tables, such as accidental collapse and harm to the child and caregiver. Furthermore, the changing table may also connect an organizer in the present invention. When the changing table is in the storage position, the user could use the organizer without any interference. 
   A changing table for a playard is provided. The changing table comprises an upper end rail member, a pair of upper side rail members, and a pair of comer pieces connected to the upper end rail member and upper side rail members respectively. The changing table is mounted on top of the playard, and characterized in that: a first rail is disposed on top of the upper end rail member a second rail opposed to the first rail, and a pair of side rails are respectively connected to the first and second rails. The pair of side rails, comprises a first portion connected to the first rail, and a second portion connected to the second rail. The first portion is connected to the second portion at an angle so that a portion of the side rail is disposed below the upper side rail members of the playard. 
   Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the description to follow. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims as well as the appended drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a playard attached with a changing table in accordance with preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the pivot joint and the organizer of the changing table in accordance with preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view illustrating the assembly of the pivot joint and the organizer of the changing table in accordance with preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the changing table in accordance with preferred embodiment of the present invention attached to a playard in the assembled state. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a playard attached with a changing table according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a playard  20  is shown with a changing table  30  mounted thereto in accordance with the present invention. The playard  20  can be any conventional playard having one upper end rail member  21  and a pair of upper side rail members  23 ,  25 . In general, the upper side rail members  23 ,  25  are connected to two sides of the end rail member  21  respectively through other structural members, such as legs, comer pieces  22 , etc. 
   Changing table  30  includes first and second frames  32 ,  34  and a pair of side frames  36  respectively connected to the first and second frames  32 ,  34  to form a platform  38 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the side rail  36  extends backwards a further distance from the juncture with the first frame  32  and terminates at one end which is mounted a first pivot joint  40 . The first pivot joint  40  is pivotally connected to a second pivot joint  50 . The first pivot joint  40  and second pivot joint  50  can be any pivot joints of the known type, and exemplary pivot joints in the prior art are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,197 incorporated herein by reference. The changing table  30  is movable between an operation position and a storage position by the operation of the pivot joints. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the second pivot joint  50  includes a protruding portion  51  at one surface opposed to the surface adjoining the first pivot joint  40 . The protruding portion  51  is substantially semi-circular shaped in this embodiment, and formed on the upper half portion of the surface of the second pivot joint  50 . 
   An organizer  60  attached to the second pivot joint  50  has an indentation  61  that corresponds to the protruding portion  51  formed generally on the central portion of each of the side surfaces. The protruding portion  51  may fit into the indentation  61  so that the second pivot joint  50  is securely locked with the organizer  60 . 
     FIG. 3  is a sectional view illustrating in detail the engagement between the protruding portion  51  of the second pivot joint  50  and the indentation  61  of the organizer  60 . It is seen that the indentation  61  is depressed inwardly to form a recess and an inverted U-shaped slot  62  defines the side wall of the recess. The recess has a resilient piece  63  at the bottom end. The resilient piece  63  has an opening  64  at the center. The protruding portion  51  includes a projected flange  52  formed at the periphery, and a wedge  53  formed at the lower edge and extending transversely. To engage the second pivot joint  50  with the organizer  60 , first force the projection  52  of the protruding portion  51  into the slot  62  of the indentation  61 , and then exert a force to move the protruding portion  51  upwards, so that the projection  52  of the protruding portion  51  slides into the slot  62  and is locked therein. The resilient piece  63  of the indentation  61  is urged by the convex  53  and forced to flex inwards, until the convex  53  is locked in the opening  64 , thereby achieving a secure engagement. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the protruding portion  51  and the indentation  61  is replaceable with each other. That is, the indentation  61  can be provided on the second pivot joint  50 , while the protruding portion  51  can be provided on the organizer  60 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the second pivot joint  50  connects a tube  37  which is removably inserted into a slot of the comer piece  22  of the playard  20 , to thereby achieve a secure connection between the changing table  30  and the playard  20 . The tube  37  has a retaining device  39  to position the tube  37  on the playard  20 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the side rail  36  of the changing table  30  is not horizontally disposed, but extends slantingly and downwardly below the side rail members  23 ,  25  of the playard  20 , and then curves upwardly for a predetermined distance. The side rail  36  includes a first portion  361  connected to the first frame  32 , and a second portion  362  connected to the second frame  34 . The first portion  361  is connected to the second portion  362  at an angle so that a portion of the side rail  36  is disposed below the side rail members  23 ,  25  of the playard  20 . Such an arrangement can preclude that the fingers of the child caregiver are jammed during the operation of the changing table  30 , and more importantly, can prevent the child&#39;s neck from being trapped between the side rail members  23 ,  25  and side rail  36  of the changing table  30 , and thus avoid potential smothering. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the changing table  30  attached to a playard  20  in the assembled state. The changing table  30  includes a fabric enveloping the first frame  32 , second frame  34  and side rail  36  to form the platform  38 . The fabric can cover up the gap defined by the side rail  36  and side rail members  23 ,  25  of the playard  20 , and attain the objective the present invention. 
   The design of the present invention enebles the changing table  30  to pivot about the organizer  60 . Therefore, as the changing table  30  is moved to the storage position, platform  38  will not cover the upper side of the organizer  60  to interfere with the organizer  60 . The platform  38  of the changing table  30  is moved to the side of the playard  20  and is below the organizer  60  when the changing table  30  is in the storage position. User could use the organizer  60  without any interference. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a playard attached with a changing table according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, like numerals indicate like parts. The difference between this embodiment and the above mentioned embodiment lies in that the changing table is not attached to the organizer in this embodiment. 
   In this embodiment, the first pivot joint  40  and second pivot joint  50  are located between the side rail  36  and the first frame  32 , the first pivot joint  40  is disposed on the side rail  36 , and the second pivot joint  50  is disposed on the first frame  32 . The changing table  30  can be swung to move between the operation (in-use) position and storage position by the rotation movement between the first pivot joint  40  and second pivot joint  50 . The side rail  36  is not disposed horizontally, just as similar to that of the first embodiment. 
   The side rail  36  includes a first portion  361  connected to the first pivot joint  40 , and a second portion  362  connected to the second frame  34 . The first portion  361  is connected to the second portion  362  at an angle so that a portion of the side rail  36  is disposed below the side rail members  23 ,  25  of the playard  20 . 
   After the fabric has been put on the changing table  30 , it will cover up the gap defined by the side rail  36  and side rail members  23 ,  25  of the playard  20 , and attain the objective the present invention. 
   Although the foregoing has been described in terms of presently preferred and alternate embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The apparatus of the present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting the present invention.