Patent Publication Number: US-8112835-B2

Title: Bassinet with height adjustable wall

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application entitled “Bassinet with Height Adjustable Wall,” filed Mar. 16, 2009, and assigned Ser. No. 61/160,614, and U.S. provisional application entitled “Bassinet with Height Adjustable Wall,” filed Sep. 30, 2009, and assigned Ser. No. 61/247,528, the entire disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to bassinets, and more particularly to adjustable bassinets. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A typical bassinet is constructed to accommodate an infant through the age of three months, the infant development period referred to as “stage one.” During that time period, caregivers usually place the bassinet outside of the nursery, often in another bedroom where the caregiver sleeps. However, many parents are inclined to continue this sleeping arrangement beyond the first three months. Indeed, medical research has expressed the benefits of continuing the sleeping arrangement for an extended time. However, once the infant reaches three months of age, the infant can or soon will be capable of pushing up on hands or knees. As a result, child safety compliance standards state that the wall height of a bassinet, crib, or playard should increase from 8-10 inches for a stage one child to 20 inches for infant children around three months old or 15 lbs, the development period referred to as stage two. 
     One common approach to addressing the stage one to stage two transition involves temporarily setting up a crib in the caregiver bedroom. Unfortunately, cribs are typically too large to fit through a doorway after assembly. As a result, the crib is first assembled in the parent bedroom, and then later disassembled and reassembled when the child begins to sleep in the nursery. 
     Another solution adopted by parents involves the use of a playard. Some commercially available playards can be equipped with a bassinet directed to stage one. Once the infant exceeds the weight/age limits of the bassinet, the bassinet is removed, and the infant is placed on the primary, lower surface of the playard. As a result, the infant is surrounded by the panels of the playard, thereby exceeding the minimum wall height requirement. One example of these playard-bassinet combinations is the Graco Pack&#39;n Play with Newborn Napper, which provides yet another sleep surface over the bassinet for a newborn. The Newborn Napper attaches to the bassinet to reduce the sleep surface footprint for the newborn infant. 
     Another example of the playard-bassinet combination is available from Arms Reach, which manufacturers a playard-like bassinet that has a drop-down side wall. The drop-down wall is primarily employed to provide better access to the infant for night-time feeding. 
     Many cribs, bassinets, and most playards have walls that make placement and/or removal of a child difficult. These cribs, bassinets and, and playards frequently have tall side walls and/or a sleep surface that is close to the ground, forcing a caregiver to bend over significantly to attend to the child. Many of these products also employ removable components in an attempt to accommodate a broad age range. Unfortunately, these components may be lost and complicate the assembly of the product. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a bassinet includes a frame, and a bed basket supported by the frame, the bed basket defining an infant sleep surface. The frame and the bed basket are pivotably coupled to allow the bed basket to rotate relative to the frame to convert between a first bassinet configuration and a second bassinet configuration. The second bassinet configuration has a greater wall height about the infant sleep surface than the first bassinet configuration. 
     In some cases, the bed basket is inverted relative to the frame to convert between the first and second bassinet configurations. 
     The frame may include a pair of stands. Each stand may be inverted relative to a rest surface to convert between the first and second bassinet configurations. The bed basket may be inverted relative to each stand to convert between the first and second bassinet configurations. 
     In some cases, the bassinet also includes a pivot shaft that couples the bed basket and the frame. Alternatively or additionally, the bassinet also includes a storage basket. The storage basket may include soft goods suspended from the frame. The bed basket may be inverted relative to the frame and the frame is inverted relative to a rest surface to convert from the first bassinet configuration to the second bassinet configuration in which the soft goods of the storage basket form a wall structure about the infant sleep surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a front side, perspective view of an exemplary bassinet constructed in accordance with several aspects of the disclosure and configured in a first stage orientation. 
         FIG. 2  is an end side, perspective view of the bassinet of  FIG. 1  shown with portions of soft goods removed to reveal structural components of an exemplary frame. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the bassinet of  FIG. 1  to reveal sleep and storage spaces thereof made available in the first stage orientation. 
         FIG. 4  is an end side, perspective view of the bassinet of  FIG. 1  during an adjustment between the first stage orientation and a second stage orientation. 
         FIG. 5  is another end side, perspective view of the bassinet of  FIG. 1  showing a basket bed in an inverted position during the adjustment between the first and second stage orientations. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the bassinet of  FIG. 1  as the frame is flipped during the adjustment between the first and second stage orientations. 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are further end, perspective views of the bassinet of  FIG. 1  after the frame has been flipped to revert the bed basket to an upright position and while soft goods are repositioned or replaced to create the deeper sleep space of the second stage orientation. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are perspective views of an alternative frame for use in connection with the bassinet of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are sectional views of a lock-and-release mechanism for use in connection with the bassinet of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment taken along lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are plan views of a lock-and-release mechanism for use in connection with the bassinet of  FIG. 1  in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a bassinet frame constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 12B  is a partial perspective view of the bassinet frame of  FIG. 12A  to show an adjustable rocker base in greater detail. 
         FIGS. 13A and 13B  are perspective views of a bassinet frame constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment in which an axle or shaft enables rotational adjustment between first and second stage orientations. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  are perspective views of a bassinet frame constructed in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment in which an axle or shaft enables rotational adjustment between first and second stage orientations. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective views of a bassinet frame constructed in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment in which an axle or shaft enables rotational adjustment between first and second stage orientations. 
         FIG. 16  is a partial, perspective view of a bassinet frame having adjustable feet to reconfigure a base for use in either a first stage orientation or a second stage orientation. 
         FIGS. 17A-17C  are perspective views of another exemplary bassinet configured for wall height adjustment via frame rotation and constructed in accordance with several aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 18A and 18B  are perspective views of yet another exemplary bassinet configured for wall height adjustment via frame rotation and constructed in accordance with several aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 19A and 19B  are perspective views of still another exemplary bassinet configured for wall height adjustment via frame rotation and constructed in accordance with several aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 20A-20D  are perspective views of still another exemplary bassinet configured for wall height adjustment through rotation and constructed in accordance with several aspects of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure is generally directed to bassinets that are adjustable or reconfigurable to accommodate a wide infant age range and, thus, multiple stages of infant development. The adjustment of the disclosed bassinets generally involves increasing the height of walls structures (e.g., side panels or other walls) to create a deeper sleeping area or space so that the bassinet remains appropriate for infants beyond stage one development (0-3 months). As a result, caregivers who wish to keep an infant in the caregiver bedroom need not rely on a full-size crib or playard when the infant transitions from stage one to stage two (3-9 months). The disclosed bassinets instead provide a non-full size crib solution that nonetheless presents a deeper sleeping space or area with higher side walls for safety during stage two. 
     Several of the examples described below are converted between the stage one and stage two orientations via a rotatable bed basket and an invertible frame assembly. In some cases, the disclosed bassinets include a frame and a bed basket rotatably coupled to the frame. To switch between the orientations, the bed basket is rotated relative to the frame to an upside down (or inverted) position, and then the frame is also inverted (or flipped over), which reverts the bed basket to an upright position. Because the rotation axis of the bed basket is offset from the center of the frame, flipping the frame changes the depth of the sleeping space. 
     One challenge addressed by the disclosed bassinets involves avoiding a significantly lower infant sleep surface despite the increase in wall height. In this way, the infant can be easily placed and removed from the bassinet without forcing the caregiver to bend over and strain to access the infant. In some of the examples described below, the infant sleep surface remains at the same height (or nearly the same height) relative to the rest surface despite the adjustment to the surrounding walls. 
     One benefit of the disclosed bassinets is that the adjustability is achieved without adding or removing components of the bassinet. This feature avoids the common scenario in which components separated from the rest of the product are lost over the time period, often months, between adjustments. 
     The disclosed bassinets may include a locking mechanism to selectively maintain the bassinet in either the first or second stage orientation or configuration. In some cases, the locking (or unlocking) mechanism can be operated with one hand. To that end, the mechanism may be located at or near a hub or other rotation joint. Alternatively or additionally, the mechanism may be located at or near the midpoint of a cross bar or brace as described below. These and other aspects of the disclosed bassinets lead to the convenient nature in which the transition from the first infant stage to the second infant stage can be made. In some cases, the adjustment can be achieved with a single hand. 
     The disclosed bassinets may include a storage basket or space. In some cases, the storage space becomes part of the infant sleep space when the bassinet is converted to the second stage orientation. To that end, the storage space may be defined by portions of the frame and/or soft goods that define the walls of the infant sleep space of the second stage orientation. 
     Turning now to the drawing figures,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a bassinet  30  configured for convertibility between first and second stage orientations or configurations. The bassinet  30  includes a bed basket  32  and a frame assembly  34  that structurally supports the bed basket  32  above a rest surface. The bed basket  32  generally defines a sleep surface or bed  36  ( FIG. 1 ) for the infant. The space contained by the bassinet  30  (e.g., the sleep space or infant space) above the bed  36  varies based on the orientation of the bassinet  30 . The bed basket  32  may be generally box-shaped and enclosed with the exception of an open top. In this example, the bed basket  32  has a pair of opposed side walls  38  and a pair of opposed end walls  40  that together form a wall structure that surrounds the bed  36  and defines a perimeter thereof. The basket side walls  38  and the basket end walls  40  extend upward from a bottom  42  of the bed basket  32  to reach opposed pairs of upper edges  44 ,  46 , respectively. Together, the upper edges  44 ,  46  define an upper or top rim of the bed basket  32 . The bottom  42  of the bed basket  32  may include a mattress or other soft goods, as described and shown below. In this example, the bed basket  32  is slightly wider between the side walls  38  at the top rim than at the bottom  42 . To that end, the basket side walls  38  may be oriented at an angle, leaning outward from the bottom  42  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The bassinet  30  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  oriented in a first infant stage configuration. In this example, the height of the infant sleep space in the first infant stage configuration corresponds with the height of the above-described wall structure defined by the basket side walls  38  and the basket end walls  40 . That is, the infant experiences a wall height equal to the distance from the bottom  42  to the upper edges  44 ,  46 , or top rim, of the bed basket  32 . In some cases, the wall height of the infant sleep space may be, for example, about 8-10 inches. 
     The frame assembly  34  is generally configured to provide structural support for the bed basket  32  and enable the adjustment of the bassinet  30  between the first and second stage orientations. In this example, the frame assembly  34  includes a pair of end stands  48  spaced apart from one another generally by the width of the bed basket  32 . The end stands  48  are, thus, vertically oriented in respective, parallel planes disposed along or adjacent to the end walls  40  of the bed basket  32 . The plane of each end stand  48  is disposed laterally outward of the plane of the basket end wall  40  to which it is adjacent. Thus, the spacing of the end stands  48  generally defines the width of the footprint of the bassinet  30 . Each end stand  48  includes a pair of uprights or legs  50  and a base  52  from which the uprights  50  generally extend upward. The base  52  of each end stand  48  includes a lower cross beam  54  that connects the uprights  50  at or near lower ends thereof. As a result, the lower cross beam  54  may act as a foundation or rail (e.g., a footer or a rocker) when the bassinet  30  is configured in the stage one orientation as shown, i.e., when the base  52  is in contact with the rest surface. The uprights  50  are also connected at their upper ends by an upper cross beam  56  and at a neck section  58  of each stand  48  by a middle cross beam  60 . As described below, the upper cross beam  56  may also act as a foundation or rail when the bassinet  30  is oriented in a stage two configuration. Each of the beams  54 ,  56 , and  60  act as cross braces to provide rigidity to the stand  48 . 
     The neck section  58  separates the stand  48  into two support sections, a short support section  62 , and a long support section  64 . In the first stage orientation shown, the long support sections  64  act as support legs. In contrast, in the second stage orientation, the long support sections  64  become supports for the wall structure for the infant space, while the short support sections  62  act as support legs as described below. The support sections  64 ,  62  are defined by linear segments  66 ,  68  of each upright  50 , respectively. The linear segments  66  are disposed between and connect the base  52  and the neck section  58 . From the neck section  58 , the other linear segments  68  are disposed between and connect the neck section  58  and the upper cross beam  56 . Each linear segment  66  is longer than each linear segment  68 , thereby resulting in the length difference between the short and long support sections  62 ,  64 . As a further result of this relative difference in length, the neck section  58  and the middle cross beam  60  are offset from the midpoint of the stand  48 . That is, the neck section  58  and the middle cross beam  60  are closer to the upper cross beam  56  than the lower cross beam  54 . 
     The beams  54 ,  56 ,  60  and the uprights  50  may be formed as integral components of each end stand  48 . For example, each end stand  48  may have a wooden or molded composition, and each of the aforementioned components may be shaped as slats or strips cut or formed in the desired shapes. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the linear segments  66 ,  68  may be oriented at an angle to increase the depth (or width) of the cross beams  54 ,  56 , and, thus, provide a broader foundation in either of the orientations of the bassinet  30 . In this example, the linear segments  66  are oriented at an angle to slope outward, or away from, the other upright  50  within the plane of the stand  48  as they extend downward from the neck section  58 . The other linear segments  68  are also oriented at an angle with respect to vertical, and similarly angle outward as they extend upward from the neck section  58 . The segments  66 ,  68  may be offset from vertical by equal but opposite angles. With these angled orientations of the segments  66 ,  68 , the pair of uprights  50  define an hour-glass shaped outline of each end stand  48 . 
     The bed basket  32  is adjustably coupled to the frame  34  via one or more connections between the stands  48  and the bed basket  32 . To this end, each end wall  40  includes a rigid end panel  70 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , a connection is secured via a fastener  72  (e.g., an Allen head or other screw fastener) that passes through a hole  74  in the neck section  58  to engage an aligned hole (not shown) in one of the end panels  70 . To that end, the bed basket  32  and, thus, each of the end panels  70  are positioned at an elevation for overlap with at least part of the neck section  58 . In this example, the bottom  42  of the bed basket  32  is disposed slightly below the midpoint of the cross beam  60  in the first stage orientation. The top rim of the basket  32  ends up roughly in line with, or at the same height of, the cross beam  56 . 
     The end panels  70  may be disposed in a generally upright orientation. Thus, each end panel  70  is oriented in parallel with a respective one of the stands  40 . The end panels  70  provide structural support for the end walls  46  and may be composed of wood as shown or other rigid materials. Each end panel  70  is positioned adjacent to, or laterally inward of, a respective one of the stands  40 . As described below, each end panel  70  may be spaced from the respective stand  40  to allow the bed basket  32  to rotate relative to the frame  34 . 
     A layer of soft goods  76  may be secured to or otherwise disposed along the interior face of each end panel  70 . For example, quilting or other padded fabric may provide cushioning along the end walls  46  within the infant space defined by the wall structure of the bed basket  32 . The soft goods layer  76  is shown partially cutaway in  FIG. 2  to reveal the underlying end panel  70 . Along the side walls  44 , further quilt or other soft goods  78  are suspended from upper and lower lateral support rods  80 ,  82  ( FIG. 2 ) that extend between the end panels  70 . Each rod  80 ,  82  may have a looped end  84  ( FIG. 2 ) to facilitate a secure connection with the end panel  70  via an appropriate fastener (not shown). The soft goods  78  may be looped over or around the rods  80 ,  82  with or without stitching. The soft goods  78  may also extend across the bottom  42  ( FIG. 1 ) of the bed basket  32  to define or support a floor or other soft goods that, in turn, define the sleep surface or bed  36 . 
     The side walls  38  and the end walls  40  of the bed basket  32  may be configured with a variety of different arrangements of soft goods and rigid components for a desired combination of comfort and structural support. Thus, the shape, size, and other characteristics of the above-described components of the bed basket  32  and the frame  34  may vary considerably from the example shown. For example, the stands  48  need not neck down via angled uprights. Instead, the uprights of each stand may be vertically oriented. Additional soft goods or support components may also be incorporated, including, for instance, support straps that extend across the bottom  42  of the bed basket  32 . Each strap may wrap around or otherwise engage the lower rods or be stitched or otherwise attached to the soft goods of the side walls. A number of other alternatives are described below in connection with several alternative embodiments. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bassinet  30  has a storage basket  86  disposed below the bed basket  32  in the first stage orientation. The storage basket  86  is largely defined by a soft goods arrangement suspended from the segments  66  of each stand  48 . The storage basket  86  may be box-shaped and enclosed on all sides with the exception of an open top for access. The storage basket  86  may be separated by a divider  88  into a pair of adjacent storage spaces. Side walls  90  of the storage basket  86  extend between the stands  48 , while end walls  92  extend between the uprights  50  of each one of the stands  48 . Respective soft goods panels may be used to define the divider  88 , the side walls  90 , the end walls  92 , and a bottom  94  ( FIG. 1 ). As will become evident from the description below, a top rim  96  of the storage basket  86  may be spaced from the bottom  42  of the bed basket  32  by a distance equal to, or approximately equal to, a radial height of the bed basket  32 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , each side wall  90  and end wall  92  of the storage basket  86  has a double-layered soft goods construction. The side walls  90  are schematically shown in the sectional view of  FIG. 3  to reveal an interior layer  98  and an exterior layer  100 . Further interior and exterior layers  102 ,  104  of one of the end walls  92  are also revealed. Each of these layers may be primarily composed of a mesh or other netting-like fabric material to provide a see-through appearance. The mesh portions of the soft goods of the interior and exterior layers may have the same or similar construction, but are depicted differently for ease in illustration. 
     In this example, the soft goods of the exterior layers  100  generally extend upward from lower rods  106  to reach upper rods  108 , which may be captured in fabric loops or channels  110 ,  112 . The exterior layers  100  may be angled inward as shown as they follow the orientation of the uprights  50  of the stand  48 . The lower rods  106  and the upper rods  108  are connected between the end stands  48 , thereby helping to define the two side walls of the basket  86 . Screw or other fasteners  113  ( FIG. 2 ) may be used to connect the rods  106 ,  108  to each end stand  48 . After reaching the upper rods  108 , the soft goods material of the interior layers  98 ,  102  generally fall downward to define the storage space of the basket  86 . Along the side walls  90 , the interior layers  98  may constitute a continuation of the fabric loops  112 . Along the end walls  92 , the interior layers  102  may fall downward from, and be stitched to, welting  114  stretched between, and secured to, the upper rods  108 . The welting  114  may be used to define the transition between the interior and exterior layers  102 ,  104  along the end walls  92 . In addition to the welting  114 , the exterior layers  104  may further include one or more bands  116  of quilt or other fabric to secure each exterior layer  104  to the stand  48 . The top-most quilt band  116  may be secured to the mesh of the exterior layer  104  via a line  118  of stitching. One of the bands  116  may also be configured as a fabric channel or loop in which a support rod (not shown) is captured. The support rod may be used to provide support for the soft goods suspended along the end walls of the storage basket  86 , especially when the bassinet  30  is oriented in the stage two configuration described below, during which the end panel soft goods are suspended from the support rod. 
       FIG. 3  also depicts an exemplary arrangement of soft and hard goods in the bed basket  32 . In this case, the quilt layers  76  include loops or channels  120  for attachment to the lower rods  82 , as well as exterior sections  122  that extend up and over the upper rods  80 . The quilt layers  76  then fall back downward, forming interior sections  124  that eventually define the bottom  42  of the bed basket  32 . A mattress pad  126  is placed on the portion of the interior sections  124  lying on the basket bottom  42 . The mattress pad  126  may be composed of a variety of layers for comfort and structural support, including, for instance, a foam or batting layer  128  and a stiffening panel or board  130 . The stiffening panel  130  may be composed of medium density fiberboard (MDF) or plywood, and may be sewn into the mattress pad  126  to maintain a consistent position and orientation therein. The pad  126  and, more specifically, the board  130  rest upon the lower rods  82 . An optional cross bar (not shown) may be connected between the lower rods  82  for additional support. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, the bed basket  32  is rotationally adjustable relative to the frame  34  to allow a caregiver to reorient the bed basket  32  relative to the frame  34 . Generally speaking, one or more connections between the bed basket  32  and the frame  34  are disengaged to allow the rotational adjustment to occur. In some cases, the bed basket  32  is rotationally coupled to the frame  34  to allow the bassinet  30  to be oriented in either the first or second stage configuration. In other cases, the bed basket  32  is completely disconnected from the frame  34  so that the caregiver can reassemble or reconnect the bed basket  32  in an inverted orientation. Thus, the adjustment need not rely on a rotational coupling. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in this example, each end panel  70  is rotationally coupled to a respective one of the end stands  48  via a pair of pivot assemblies  132 . Each pivot assembly  132  includes a bolt  134  that passes through holes (not shown) in the neck  58  and the end panel  70 . The bolts  134  and the holes are aligned along a common axis about which the bed basket  32  rotates. Each bolt  134  may be secured in position by a nut  136  ( FIG. 3 ) on the inside face of the beam  60 . One or more washers  138  ( FIG. 2 ), spacers, bushings, or bearings may be used to support the rotational coupling. For example, a plastic insert (not shown) may provide a bearing surface for the bolt  134 , as well as a support surface(s) for the locking fastener  72 . More generally, the neck  58  (or the beam  60 ) acts as a pivot joint mount. To enable a rotational adjustment in this example, the fastener  72  ( FIG. 2 ) is disengaged from the end panel  70 , such that the panel  70  is free to rotate about the axis defined by the bolts  134 . 
       FIGS. 4-7  illustrate the steps taken during the conversion, or reorientation, of the bassinet  30  from the first stage configuration of  FIG. 1  to the second stage configuration, which is shown in  FIG. 8 . The conversion is generally based upon a rotatable frame assembly. The conversion may also include a soft goods adjustment or reconfiguration once the frame assembly is in position. For example, as a preliminary step, the mattress pad  126  ( FIG. 3 ) may be removed from the bed basket  32  before the frame rotation steps occur. The frame-related aspects of the conversion generally involve two steps which may be performed in any order or simultaneously. As shown in  FIG. 4 , one step involves rotating the bed basket  32  relative to the frame  34 . That step begins with a disengagement of the bed basket  32  and the frame  34  via removal of the fastener  72  ( FIG. 2 ) from the hole  74 . The bed basket  32  rotates about the pivot axis defined by the bolts  134  mounted in the neck section  58 , which may have a center area shaped as a hub  140  to highlight the rotation and the pivot axis. 
     Once the bed basket  32  is flipped or inverted  180  degrees to the bottom-up position shown in  FIG. 5 , the fastener  72  is reinserted in the hole  74  to lock the bed basket  32  in place. To that end, the fastener  72  engages another hole (not shown) in the end panel  70  located opposite the hole through which the fastener  72  passes in the stage one configuration. The two holes in the end panel  70  are spaced equidistant from the pivot axis hole. 
     The intermediate state of the conversion shown in  FIG. 5  also depicts a bed basket receiving region  142  made available between the long support sections  64  of the stands  48 . The region  142  lies below the neck section  58  (or the cross beam  60 ) and above the storage basket  86 . The storage basket rim  96  lies low enough to allow the bed basket  32  to rotate into the region  142  and assume the inverted position shown. In order for the bed basket  32  to clear the rim  96  during rotation, the radial distance or height of the bed basket  32  does not exceed the distance between the rod  108  and the pivot axis. On the other hand, the storage basket  86  is configured in positioned such that the rim  96  of the storage basket  86  is in close proximity to the top rim of the bed basket  32 . As a result, the edges of the side walls and the end walls (or panels) of the two baskets are also in close proximity. Along the end walls, the welting  114  is shown with a slight downward sag for ease in illustration of the interior soft goods (e.g., mesh) of the storage basket  86 . 
     Once the bed basket  32  is inverted, the walls or panels of the two baskets are also aligned. Along the side walls, the exterior mesh of the storage basket is aligned with the quilt layer of the bed basket. Along the end walls, the exterior mesh of the storage basket is aligned with the end panel  70 . As a result of this alignment, the exterior portions of the storage basket  86  form an extension of the bed basket  32 . In this example, the extension is oriented at the same angle with respect to vertical, because the side panels and the long support section  64  and the linear segments  66  of the uprights  50  are inclined at the same angle. 
       FIG. 6  depicts the other frame rotation step. In this example, the entire frame  34  is flipped or inverted to reach the stage two orientation or configuration. To that end, the caregiver lifts the frame  34  off the rest surface so it no longer rests upon the cross beams  54 . The caregiver then rotates the frame  34  until it rests upon the cross beams  56 , which now act as the bases or foundations of the bassinet  30 . In this example, the cross beam  56  is arched to act as a rocker. More generally, as a result of this step, the stands  48  are rotated to an orientation 180 degrees from the orientation shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , such that the long support section  64  of each upright  50  is now disposed above the short support section  62  thereof. 
       FIG. 7  shows the bassinet  30  after both frame rotation steps have been completed. The combination of both steps results in an upward facing orientation of the bed basket  32 . That is, the frame rotation shown in  FIG. 6  reverses the bottom-up orientation of the bed basket  32  shown in  FIG. 5 . In contrast, the soft goods of the storage basket  86  ( FIGS. 1-5 ) are now disposed in a bottom-up orientation. More specifically, the interior mesh layer  98  of the storage basket  86  is falling down toward the space within the bed basket  32 . Instead of looping or passing over the rods  108  ( FIG. 3 ) to form the storage basket  86  as shown in  FIG. 3 , the frame rotation causes the interior mesh layer  98  to extend past the rods  108  toward the bed basket  32 . The interior mesh layer  98  may thus be pushed downward into the space within the bed basket  32  until forming taut or smooth sides. A caregiver is shown in  FIG. 7  pushing the interior mesh layer  98  downward to flatten it against the bottom  42  of the bed basket  32 . To this end, the interior mesh layer  98  may be configured and sized to match the dimensions of the bed basket  32 . In that case, the divider  88  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the storage basket soft goods is folded down or flat to complete the formation of the stage two bed basket space. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , to complete the conversion, the mattress pad  126  is reinserted and placed into the bed basket space on top of any soft goods of the storage basket  86  ( FIGS. 1-5 ) flattened against the bottom  42  of the bed basket  32 . The soft good layers associated with the storage basket  86  now contribute to the wall structure of the bassinet  30  to achieve a stage two configuration. With the added height of the storage basket soft good layers, the wall height may be increased from about 8 inches to, for example, about 20 inches. 
     The rotation of the bed basket  32  need not rely a pivot assembly or other rotatable coupling with the frame  34 . In alternative cases, the bed basket  32  may be disengaged from the frame  34 , inverted to the orientation shown in  FIG. 5 , and re-engaged with the frame  34 . Despite the lack of connection during the inversion step, the inversion of the bed basket still involves rotation of the bed basket. However, incorporation of the rotational coupling arrangements described herein may provide assistance during assembly. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , an alternative frame assembly  150  has a swivel shaft or rod  152  to support the above-described rotational conversion. Instead of a pair of bolts for each end panel, a swivel shaft or axle  150  is coupled to both end panels  154  and mounted to pivot plates or cross bars  156  at each leg stand  158 . As a result, the swivel shaft  150  extends the lateral width of the frame assembly  150  and may provide structural support to a mattress or other platform (not shown) that forms the bottom or bed of the bed basket. The swivel shaft  152  may be accompanied by any number of other components (e.g., nuts, spacers, etc.) to complete a rotator assembly at each end panel  154  and each mounting plate or bar  156 . 
     The frame assembly  150  differs in several other ways from the above-described embodiment. The leg stands  158  may be formed of materials other than wood, such as metal or plastic. Nonetheless, some of the sections of the leg stands  158  may, but need not, be shaped as slats. The frame assembly  150  includes a number of support tubes  159  that may be made of a variety of materials in contrast to the, for instance, wire form or other rod-based construction of the example described above. The tubes  159  may be secured in place in a variety of ways, including via, for instance, threaded tips or ends that engage a fastener disposed in or on the end panels  154  or the leg stands  158 . 
     The frame assembly  150  also has an alternative lock-and-release mechanism  160  for securing the frame assembly  150  in either the stage one orientation or the stage two orientation. The mechanism  160  replaces the fastener-based approach described above, but may be disposed in a similar location. Instead of a screw fastener, the mechanism  160  includes a spring-loaded pin or plunger  162  that fires into one of two holes  164  in one of the end panels  154 . 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  show the lock-and-release mechanism  160  of the frame assembly  150  in greater detail. The pin  162  passes through the mounting plate  156  to reach the end panel  154 . A spring  165  carried by the pin  162  is disposed between the plate  156  and a flange  166  to bias the pin  162  toward the end panel  154  and, thus, the engaged or locked position shown in  FIG. 10A . A caregiver pulls on a handle or head  168  of the pin  162  to compress the spring  164  against the mounting plate  156  (or a stationary washer adjacent thereto) and retract the pin  162  from the end panel  154  as shown in  FIG. 10B , thereby allowing the end panel  154  to rotate. Another flange  170  may be carried on the pin  162  or the plate  156  to limit travel of the pin  162  once a head  172  of the pin  162  is released by the caregiver. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , another lock-and-release mechanism  180  utilizes a pair of spring-loaded pins to engage a pair of opposed end panels  182 . In this example, a hub  184  is rotatably mounted or otherwise disposed on or along a panel or platform  186  between the end panels  182 . The panel  186  may be, in turn, disposed adjacent a pivot shaft  187 . The panel  186  may form a bottom of the bed basket. The hub  184  has a hinged handle  188  that can flip upright for a caregiver to grasp to rotate the hub  184 . As it rotates, the hub  184  pulls a pair of cables  190  in opposite tangential directions. Each cable  190  terminates in a pin assembly  192  having a pin  193  that is pulled inward as shown in  FIG. 11B , thereby disengaging from the respective end panel  182 . A return spring  194  within each pin assembly  192  is configured to bias the pin assembly  192  toward the engaged positions shown in  FIG. 11A  once the handle  188  is released by the caregiver. 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  show an alternative bassinet  200  having a frame  202  constructed in accordance with several aspects of the disclosure. In this example, the frame  202  includes a short support section  204  with a cross beam  206  having an arcuate shape to act as a rocker rail. The cross beam  206  provides a base or foundation for the bassinet  200  during use in the second stage orientation, as described above. As shown in  FIG. 12B , the cross beam  206  has a pair of feet  208  that can be extended laterally to widen the foundation of the bassinet  200  in the second stage orientation. The feet  208  may slide on tracks (not shown) or be otherwise slidably engaged with the cross beam  206  so that they can be retracted to the storage positions shown in  FIG. 12A . In some cases, each foot  208  may have an arcuate shape that matches the shape of the cross beam  206 . In this way, the bassinet  200  can still be used as a rocker in the second stage orientation when the feet  208  are deployed as shown in  FIG. 12B . 
     Alternatively or additionally, any of the bassinets described herein may be equipped with feet or other base structures to prevent rocking while providing a wider foundation for stability. For example, the feet may slide along the cross beam or rail from a storage position outward to a deployed position. Alternatively, the feet may clip or otherwise attach to the cross-brace or rail when additional stability is desired. 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  show an alternative bassinet  210  with a frame assembly  212  composed primarily of tubular frame components, including a rotation shaft  214  ( FIG. 13B ) that runs the width of the bassinet  210 . In some cases, each tubular component includes a metal frame tube. Shorter cross braces or rails  216  of leg stands  218  are curved to form second stage rockers. In this example, a bed basket  220  has a wall structure defined by end walls or panels  222  and side walls  224 . In contrast to the embodiments described above, the side walls  224  may include a rigid or semi-rigid panel in addition to soft goods. For example, each side wall  224  may be composed of a molded plastic plate shaped as desired. Despite the use of hard goods, each side wall  224  may be supported via one or more rods, wire form structures, or other structures that extend laterally between the end walls  222 . A perimeter of a storage basket  226  may be defined by first and second sets of rods  228 ,  230  that support a screen  232  extending therebetween. The rod sets  228 ,  230  and the screen  232  may provide structural support for soft goods (not shown) used in both the stage one orientation ( FIG. 13A ) and stage two orientation ( FIG. 13B ). 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  show a bassinet  250  with an alternative frame assembly having two separate or discrete leg stands  252 ,  254  at each end of the bassinet  250  for use in the stage one and stage two orientations, respectively. The stands  252  is pivotably coupled to a bed basket  256  defined by end panels  258  via a pivot mount  260 . The stands  254  are fixedly coupled to the bed basket  256  to rotate therewith during conversion, and act as risers to elevate the sleeping surface during use in the stage two orientation as shown in  FIG. 14B . In this example, the pivot mounts  260  may include a bushing  262  in which a rotator shaft  264  is captured. A lateral stabilizer bar  264  connects the stands  254  for added rigidity when the stands  254  serves as the base or foundation of the bassinet  250 . 
       FIG. 15  depicts another alternative frame assembly  270  that also includes discrete or separate leg stands  272 ,  274  at each end of the assembly. In this example, each leg stand  272  includes a bed frame section  276  and a riser section  278 . The bed frame section  276  is directed to providing structural support for the hard and soft goods of the bed basket, while the riser section  278  includes a pair of legs  280  and a rocker base  282  to support the bed frame section  276  at a desired height during stage two operation. The rocker base  282  may also be use to support a platform that can act as a shelf during orientation in the stage one configuration. 
     The frame assembly  270  differs from the examples described above in its use of a number of frame joints. For example, frame joints  284  are configured to capture and position lateral rods or tubes  286  for extension from the leg stands  272 . Corner frame joints  288 ,  290  may configured to assemble the tubing or other components of the leg stands  272  themselves. The corner frame joints  290  may also be configured with a T-shaped handle  292  that allows a caregiver to pull a spring-loaded plunger  294  to release and disengage the leg stands  272 ,  274  from one another. Each plunger  294  includes a pin embedded in a joint  296 . In this way, some of the joints are used to lock and release the frames, thereby permitting the conversion between orientations. 
       FIG. 16  shows an example of a bassinet base  300  with feet or stabilizers  302  that also act as risers to elevate the bassinet. The feet  302  are pivotably coupled to the base  300  for rotation as shown. In this way, the bassinet may alternately rests on the feet  302  or on cross beams or rails  304  as desired. The rails  304  may be arcuate shaped as described above to allow for operation as a rocker. In those cases, the feet  302  may also provide an anti-rocker feature. The feet  302  may be incorporated into the frames of any of the above-described embodiments. The stabilizing nature of the feet may be helpful in situations where a broader base is desired. 
     In other examples, the disclosed bassinets convert between orientations or configurations via rotation adjustments other than flips, yet still manage to change from a typical bassinet size and geometry to a “non-full size crib” size and geometry that presents a deeper sleeping space with higher side walls. 
       FIGS. 17A-17C  show another example of a rotatable bassinet  310  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In this example, the bassinet  310  is adjusted between stage one and stage two orientations via placement of a bed basket  312  on a base  314  in at least two different configurations or positions. The bed basket  312  has at least two flat lengthwise panels  316  that project outward to engage a matching depression or receptacle  318  in the base  314 . The first stage position is shown in  FIG. 17B , in which an opening in the bed basket  312  is oriented to face laterally outward. A lip  320  that defines the height of the wall structure presented at the opening. The second stage position is shown in  FIG. 17C , and is reached via a 90 degree rotation of the bed basket  312  from the first stage position. The bed basket  312  rests on another of the panels  316  that orients the opening upward to increase the wall height to correspond with the height of a side wall  322  of the bed basket  312 . 
       FIGS. 18A and 18B  show another example of a bassinet  330  with a height adjustable wall structure via a bed basket  332  that rotates about a pair of hubs  334  supported above a rest surface by stands  336 . The hubs  334  are disposed at ends of two upstanding posts of the stands  336  that may connect to a base (not shown) that rests on a floor surface. Conversion between the first stage and second stage orientations (or any orientation therebetween) involves rotating the bed basket  332  about the rotation axis defined by the hubs  334 . In this example, the bed basket  330  is substantially cylindrical and includes an opening for access to an interior sleeping area. The sleeping area has a surface that is substantially at a bottom of the bed basket  330 . The sleeping surface may be stationary and independent of the rotational position or orientation of the bed basket  332 . The opening has axial edges along the length of the cylinder that adjustably define the height of the walls. In the first stage position ( FIG. 18A ), the axial edges are offset in elevation, defining an angled opening with an upper edge and a lower edge. The spacing between the surface of the sleeping area and the lower edge determines the lowest adjustable wall height. In this example, the lower wall height in the first stage position may be 8-12 inches.  FIG. 18B  shows the bed basket  332  in the second stage position in which the axial edges may be at substantially the same elevation with the opening facing up. 
       FIGS. 19A and 19B  show another example of a rotatable bassinet  340 . In this case, the bassinet  330  has a substantially spherical bed basket  342 . The bassinet  340  is adjusted between a first stage position ( FIG. 19A ) and a second stage position ( FIG. 19B ) via changes to the elevation of an opening having arcuate edges  344 . However, the spherical nature of this example allows the bed basket  342  to be positioned in any number of rotational orientations, including but not limited to a first stage position with a low side wall height of 8 inches, an intermediate stage position with a low side wall height of 12 inches, and a second stage position with a 20 inch wall height on either side of the opening. 
     In this example, the spherical bed basket  342  has a shell  346  that rests on a frame  348 , which may include a stand or base for a support ring  350 . The stand of the frame  348  may include a number of upstanding posts as shown. Because the bed basket  342  is spherical, its outer surface is engaged by the support ring  350  regardless of its rotational position. In some cases, the bed basket  342  includes a rigid shell portion and a screen portion as shown. 
     As with each of the disclosed bassinets, the bassinet  340  may also include a locking mechanism (not shown) that locks movement of the outer surface relative to the support ring  350 . The locking mechanism may include a button on the support ring to simplify unlocking and repositioning of the bassinet. Other options include a storage area that hangs from the support ring beneath the bed basket  342 . 
     In this example, the bed basket  342  has a stationary sleep surface or bed  352  about which the wall structure rotates to adjust the wall height. The sleep surface  352  can remain at the same height relative to the ground because the walls adjust rather than the sleep surface (e.g., as opposed to lowering the sleep surface). One benefit of this aspect of the bassinet  340  involves easy child placement and removal during stage two use, especially relative to playards that force a caregiver to bend over to access the low sleeping surface. Alternatively, the child may sleep directly on an inner wall surface instead of a separate sleeping surface or mattress. 
       FIGS. 20A-20D  show another example of a bassinet  360  with height adjustable walls and a stationary sleep surface. The bassinet  360  has a bed basket  362  that includes two octagonal end panels  364  and up to seven rectangular or lengthwise sidewall panels  366  that connect seven of eight corresponding edges of each end panel  364 . At least one of the lengthwise panels  366  may be permanently affixed to the end panels  364 . The rest of the lengthwise panels  366  can be selectively attached to the end panels  364  in order to (i) adjust the wall height of the bassinet, (ii) change the extent of enclosure of a bassinet interior, and (iii) select the desired access opening size. One or more of the panels  366  may include soft goods, including, for instance, one or more transparent and/or mesh windows. One of the panels  366  is used as a bottom panel that rests on a frame assembly  368  to define the sleeping surface. A number of methods can be employed to accomplish attachment of the lengthwise panels to the end panels including zippers, clips, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or the like. 
       FIG. 20A  illustrates the bassinet  360  in an enclosed position with all the lengthwise panels  366  attached to the end panels  364  to create, for instance, a second stage bassinet with a  20  inch low side wall height from the bottom panel to a panel edge.  FIG. 20B  illustrates the bassinet  360  in a mostly enclosed position with all but one lengthwise panel  366  attached to establish, for instance, a first stage orientation or configuration.  FIG. 20C  illustrates the bassinet  360  after a top or upper panel  370  is detached from the end panels  364  to establish a second stage configuration.  FIG. 20D  illustrates one of several other optional configurations with a number of other panels  366  detached to accommodate various needs of the caregiver. 
     Described above are a number of examples of reconfigurable bassinets that employ height adjustable wall features to comply with existing safety standards and simplify usage of the bassinet. These features and benefits regarding the height of the bassinet walls are provided without adding or taking away other components. Each example may be reconfigured to present bassinet walls in a stage one orientation or configuration as well as a stage two orientation or configuration. In each of the embodiments described herein, the cross beams, braces or rails may be shaped to act as a rocker in either stage one or stage two configurations. 
     The rotated components or sections of the above-described bassinets may have shapes and sizes that vary considerably from the examples shown. For instance, a substantially elliptical basket may be used in connection with the above-described embodiments, a shape which may present efficient and comfortable proportions for the sleep surface. 
     The structural and other components of the disclosed bassinets may be constructed of wood, metal (e.g., aluminum), plastic, or any combination thereof. For example, the composition of the above-described basket walls in any of the above-described examples may include an aluminum composition. Each end or other wall of the basket may include an aluminum skeleton or framework wrapped with textiles. Nonetheless, the end walls may be composed of a number of materials, such as wood, steel, plastic or aluminum. Each of the above-described bassinets may have a variety of different soft good arrangements to provide comfort, aesthetic, support, and other aspects, as desired. For instance, the soft goods may include mesh or substantially transparent portions to allow the child and/or caregiver to see through the walls. 
     The term “bassinet” is used herein in a broad sense to include products, devices, or systems directed to comfortably supporting a sleeping infant. 
     The disclosed bassinets address the problem of the limited range of infant ages for which typical bassinets are suitable, usually only the 0-3 month period. The disclosed bassinets provide caregivers an alternative to large, full-size cribs or playards for the second stage period that follows. The disclosed bassinets can convert between a first bassinet configuration to a second, “non-full size crib” configuration very easily, without any change in product footprint, and without requiring any additional components. In this way, the disclosed bassinets remain safe for second stage infants and comply with applicable safety standards while providing an infant-appropriate sized product for the caregiver&#39;s bedroom or other non-nursery location. 
     Although certain bassinets have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this disclosure is not limited thereto. On the contrary, all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents are disclosed by implication herein.