Patent Publication Number: US-2022211192-A1

Title: Reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture. More particularly, this invention relates to reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture configurable at least between a stowed configuration and a daybed cot configuration and, in embodiments, a feeding chair and change table configurations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture of various configurations exist, including WO 2017/153980 A1 (TAMOOZ C.S. LTD.) which discloses a convertible stroller having a foldable framework supporting wheels and a horizontal bifurcated base which folds upwardly when the framework is collapsed and which lies horizontally when the framework is opened. A front pivot arm can suspend the net around the base, thereby forming a daybed in one configuration. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,461 B2 (EMERSON) discloses a multiuse convertible infant carrying device that can convert to a stroller, a walker, a high chair, a carrier, a bassinet and a backpack which discloses a substantially A-frame wheeled framework and various attachment points to which various accessories may be attached, such as bassinets, capsules and the like. 
     US 2014/0014791 A1 (SHAN) discloses an A-frame framework joint which facilitates the folding and unfolding of the framework and to which seats, bassinets and the like may be selectively engaged. 
     EP 1493361 A1 (COOPER, HOWARD LEE; WAGSTAFF, STEVEN) discloses a foldable bassinet having collapsible support members which support a peripheral frame. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,138,070 B1 (DELTA ENTERPRISE CORP.) discloses a collapsible bassinet having an A-frame and a bifurcated base and framework attached thereto which each fold upwardly when the A-frame is collapsed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,697 A (ROVIDA) discloses a foldable crib having an A-frame which supports a bifurcated foldable base. Pivotable framework members extending horizontally from apex of the framework suspend netting therefrom to enclose the base. 
     The present invention seeks to provide reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. 
     It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     There is provided herein reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture comprising a supportive framework comprising a pair of side A-frames supporting a foldable base therebetween. 
     A connection is provided at each A-frame apex for the releasable attachment of an accessory including, in embodiments, a reconfigurable seat. 
     The foldable base comprises a pair of baseboards configured for folding between a daybed configuration wherein the baseboards each are adjacently horizontal thereby forming a flat bed surface therebetween and a stowed configuration. In the stowed configuration, the baseboards may be substantially vertical. 
     The furniture further comprises four supports each connected between a respective outer corner of a respective baseboard and an upper edge of a net. Furthermore, each support is extendable. 
     As such, in the stowed configuration, each support is contracted and lies against a respective baseboard as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, in the daybed configuration, each support is extended and stands perpendicularly with respect to the respective baseboard is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  such that the net has a length less than twice the height thereof. 
     Whereas the arrangement of TAMOOZ as a foldable bed and netting therearound, TAMOOZ uses a pivoting arm to hold a front edge of the netting up with the rear of the netting suspended from the rear handle of the framework. 
     Furthermore, whereas the arrangements of SHAN, COOPER and DELTA ENTERPRISE CORP. disclose a foldable bed and a collapsible framework for suspending netting therearound, these arrangements at least differ from the configuration of the present supports being connected at outer corners of the baseboard and the location of the baseboards between lower regions of the A-frames being connected beneath the vertical midpoints of the A-frames such that the net can have a length less than twice the height thereof. In other words, the present configuration provides netting of sufficient height to therefore meet relevant safety standards (as compared to the arrangements of SHAN, COOPER and DELTA ENTERPRISE CORP. which do not) which is yet foldable into a conveniently stowed configuration. 
     Furthermore, the configuration of ROVIDA, whilst having a baseboard connected at lower regions between A-frames and a foldable base, does not disclose the present arrangement of extendable supports which lie flat against the baseboards in the stowed configuration. 
     According to one aspect, there is provided reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture comprising a supportive framework comprising a pair of side A-frames cooperating to support a foldable base beneath vertical midpoints of the A-frames, the base comprising a pair of baseboards configured for folding between a daybed configuration wherein the baseboards each are adjacently horizontal thereby forming a bed surface therebetween and a stowed configuration and supports each connected between a respective outer corner of a respective baseboard and an upper edge of a net and wherein each support is extendable and wherein, in the stowed configuration, each support is contracted and lies against a respective baseboard and wherein, in the daybed configuration each support is extended and stands perpendicularly with respect to the respective baseboard. 
     In the daybed configuration, the net may have a length less than twice the height thereof. 
     Each support may be telescopic. 
     Each support may be biased towards an extended configuration. 
     Each support may be pivotally coupled to the respective outer corner. 
     Each support may be biased towards a perpendicular orientation with respect to the respective baseboard. 
     Each A-frame may comprise a converging pair of vertical sidebars and the framework may comprise a pair of horizontal cross bars extending between corresponding lower ends of the vertical sidebars. 
     Each A-frame further may comprise a horizontal sidebar extending between lower ends of each A-frame. 
     The horizontal sidebar may comprise a pivotable arrangement of adjacent horizontal sidebar members which pivot upwardly at a centre pivot thereof. 
     The baseboards may be pivotally coupled between horizontal sidebars. 
     The reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture may further comprise a soft bed extending across the baseboards. 
     The soft bed may comprise edging which diminishes at a central region between the baseboards. 
     The reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture may further comprise a connection at an apex of each A-frame. 
     The connection may comprise a vertical slot within which a corresponding interlocking tab of an accessory may be slidably retained. 
     The reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture may further comprise a releasable locking mechanism between the vertical slot and the interlocking tab. 
     The reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture may further comprise a reconfigurable seat connectable between the connections wherein the reconfigurable seat may comprise a seat portion and a back portion and a lower portion pivotally coupled thereto such that the reconfigurable seat may be configurable in a seat configuration wherein the back portion may be pivoted upwardly with respect to the seat portion of the lower portion may be pivoted downwardly with respect to the seat portion and a change table configuration wherein the back portion may be pivoted downwardly to define a substantially coplanar change table surface with respect to the seat portion and the leg portion may be pivoted upwardly to define a substantially coplanar change table surface with respect to the seat portion. 
     The reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture may further comprise sidearms extending from the seat portion and wherein the sidearms may be configured for connection to the connections. 
     The lower portion may be extendable. 
     The lower portion may comprise an upper portion and a lower portion and wherein the lower portion of slidably retained by the upper portion. 
     The reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture may further comprise releasable locking mechanisms between the rear portion and the seat and the lower portion and the seat. 
     Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a side elevation view of reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture in a stowed configuration; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the furniture in the stowed configuration; 
         FIG. 3  shows a side elevation view of the furniture in an open daybed configuration; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the furniture in the open daybed configuration; 
         FIGS. 5 and 7  show front and rear perspective views respectively of a reconfigurable seat in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6  shows an A-frame connection in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Reconfigurable children&#39;s furniture  100  comprises a supportive framework comprising a pair of side A-frames  101 . 
     Each A-frame  101  may comprise converging vertical sidebars  103  meeting at an apex thereof. Lower ends of each vertical side bar  103  may be connected by a horizontal cross bar  104 . Rubber bumpers  105  may cover distal ends of the horizontal cross bars  104  or lower ends of each vertical side bar  103  for frictional enhancement. 
     Lower ends of each vertical side bar  103  may be connected by a horizontal sidebar  106 . In embodiments, horizontal side restraints  110  may connect between adjacent vertical sidebars  103 . 
     The furniture  100  comprises a foldable base  111  supported between the A-frames  101 . The foldable base  111  are supported from lower regions between the A-frames  101  so as to be able to provide an enclosure of a particular configuration as alluded to below. In this regard, the term “lower region” should be construed as being connected beneath a vertical midpoint of the A-frames  101 . 
     The base  111  comprises a pair of baseboards  112  configured for folding between a daybed configuration as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  when the baseboards  112  are each adjacently horizontal, thereby forming a bed surface therebetween. The baseboards  112  are further configured for folding to a stowed configuration is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In the embodiment shown, the baseboards  112  are substantially vertically arranged but, in embodiments, angles between horizontal and vertical are envisaged which also compactly stow the baseboards  112  in the stowed configuration. 
     In the embodiments shown, the baseboards  112  are pivotally coupled so as to fold upwardly at outer edges thereof. The baseboards  112  may be pivotally coupled from the horizontal sidebar  106 . 
     In embodiments, the baseboards  112  are pivotally connected at a centrepoint of the horizontal sidebar  106 . However, in the embodiment shown, each baseboard  112  is pivotally connected at a connection point between a centrepoint of the horizontal sidebar  106  and a respective end thereof. 
     In embodiments, the horizontal sidebar  106  may comprise a pivotable arrangement of horizontal sidebar members  107  which are able to pivot upwardly between a central pivot  108  and respective outer pivots  109  such that the A-frame  101  is collapsible. 
     The furniture  100  further comprises four supports  113  each connected between a respective outer corner  114  of a respective baseboard  112  and an upper edge of a net  115  or other flexible enclosure. Furthermore, each support  113  is extendable. 
     In the stowed configuration, the supports  113  are contracted and lie against each respective baseboard  112 . However, in the daybed configuration, the supports  113  are extended and stand substantially perpendicularly from each respective corner  114 , thereby supporting the net is shown in  FIG. 3  wherein the length L thereof is less than twice the height h thereof. 
     The net  115  may comprise an upper edge  116  which, with reference to  FIG. 6 , may be connected to an adjacent A-frame  101  by connection points  117  at each vertical sidebar  103 . The connection points  117  may comprise press stud fasteners such that the upper edge  116  can be easily connected thereto by pressing male fasteners thereof against female fasteners on the vertical sidebar  103 . In alternative arrangements, different types fasteners may be used at the connection points  117 , such as hooks. 
     The upper edge  116  may be less flexible than that of netted material of the net  115  so as to hold the upper edge  116  substantially horizontal as shown. 
     In a preferred embodiment, each support  113  is telescopic comprising a slidable arrangement of telescopic members. However, in alternative embodiments, each support  130  may be foldable in comprising at least two bars which are pivotally coupled at a pivot which are unfolded into alignment. 
     In embodiments, the telescopic members may be biased towards the extended configuration by virtue of compression spring, gas strut or the like. Alternatively, the telescopic members may comprise an interlocking detent and aperture arrangement therebetween allowing each support  113  to be locked in an extended configuration and collapsed by disengaging the detent from the aperture. 
     In embodiments, each support  113  may be pivotally coupled from each respective corner  114 . However, in alternative embodiments, each corner  114  may comprise an aperture within which a lower distal end of each support  113  is inserted. 
     In embodiments, each support  113  may be biased perpendicularly or beyond the perpendicular so as to hold the upper edge  116  of the net  115  taught. In embodiments, the lower end of each support  113  may be connected from the corner  114  by a torsion spring which biases the support  113  outwardly. 
     In alternative embodiments, the lower end of each support  113  and the corner  114  is supported by a diagonal strut (not shown) to hold each support  113  perpendicularly. Each strap may be collapsible such as by comprising a foldable arrangement of pieces or alternatively disengageable at an end thereof by way of a detent and aperture interlocking arrangement. 
     The furniture  100  may further comprise a soft bed  117  such as foam or similar padding laid across the baseboards  112  and comprising a length substantially twice that of each baseboard  112  so as to lie flat across the entire length of the furniture  100  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     The soft bed  117  may comprise edging  118  comprising a central avoidance  119  which assists the folding of the soft bed  117  at the centre thereof in the stowed configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Each corner  114  may comprise a right-angled lower bumper  120  such as a plastic, rubber or foam. Furthermore, each upper end of each support  113  may comprise a right-angled upper bumper  121  similarly of plastic, rubber or foam. 
     In embodiments, adjacent supports  113  at each end of the furniture  100  are adjoined by a horizontal upper bar  122  such that the adjoining supports  113  extend in unison. 
     Each apex of each A-frame may comprise an A-frame connector  123  as shown in  FIG. 6 . In embodiments, the A-frame connector  123  allows pivotable movement between the vertical sidebars  103 . 
     The connector  123  may comprise a vertical slot  124  within which a corresponding tab  125  of an accessory device is slidably retained. An interlocking mechanism may lock the tab  125  within the slot  124 . 
     In embodiments, the furniture  100  comprises a reconfigurable seat  125 . The seat  125  may comprise a back portion  126 , seat portion  127  and lower portion  128 . The back portion  126  and the lower portion  128  may be pivotally coupled to the seat portion  127 . As such, the reconfigurable seat  125  may be configured in a seat configuration as substantially shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7  wherein the back portion  126  is pivoted upwardly with respect to the seat portion  127  and the lower portion  128  is pivot down from the seat portion  127 . 
     However, in embodiments, the portions  126  and  128  may be pivoted horizontally with respect to the seat portion  127  so as to define a change table surface therebetween. 
     A pushbutton locking mechanism  129  may be provided between the seat portion  127  and the lower portion  128 . Similarly, a push-in locking mechanism  130  may be provided at a rear of the back portion  126  to release a locking mechanism between the back portion  126  and the seat portion  127 . Furthermore, a rear of the back portion  126  may comprise a rear netted pocket  131 . 
     In embodiments, the lower portion  128  may be extendable comprising an upper portion  132  and a lower portion  133  wherein the lower portion  133  is slidably retained by the upper portion  132 . With reference to  FIG. 7 , the upper portion  132  may comprise a pair of channels  134  within which respective pins  135  of the lower portion are slidably retained. The upper portion  132  may comprise padding  136 . 
     The reconfigurable seat  125  may comprise a shoulder harness  137  and the back portion  126  and the seat portion  127  may similarly be padded with padding  138 . 
     The reconfigurable seat  125  may further comprise a releasable table  139  having a centre leg piece  140  therebetween and a downwardly extending sidearms  141  that engage out a rising edges  142  of the seat portion  127 . 
     The reconfigurable seat  125  may comprise sidearms  143  extending sideways from the seat portion  127  and which have the downwardly extending interlocking tabs  125  there underneath which engage within the respective slots  124  of the connections  123 . 
     In the stowed configuration, the furniture  100  may comprise a locking mechanism, clips or the like to hold the A-frames  101  or the baseboards  112  together. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.