Patent Publication Number: US-6669625-B2

Title: Movable canopy for an infant care unit

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/170,066, filed Dec. 10, 1999, the complete disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to infant care units of the type comprising a base with an infant-support surface above the base and either or both a canopy and a warmer located over the infant-support surface. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     Infant care units, such as an infant incubator that includes an isolation chamber and various systems that maintain the isolation chamber at a controlled temperature and humidity to facilitate the development of a premature infant, are known. Such incubators conventionally include an infant-support surface for supporting the infant in the isolation chamber and some type of overhead structure, such as a canopy, above the infant-support surface. In some cases, the isolation chamber is encompassed by a set of panels arranged around the infant-support surface. The canopy cooperates with these panels to enclose the isolation chamber. Conventionally, access openings through which caregivers gain access to the infant are provided in either the canopy or in the panels. Such incubators may include canopies that have access doors to provide further access to the infant. 
     The isolation chamber will often include air circulation systems that provide controlled movement of air within the isolation chamber. The canopy is oftentimes arranged to direct the flow of air within the isolation chamber. It is, therefore, important for the canopy to be aligned over the patient-support surface to properly direct the flow of air. In addition, it is desirable for the canopy to be aligned with the set of panels that encompass the isolation chamber to minimize air and heat losses between the panels and the canopy. 
     The caregiver, however, may desire to have substantially unrestricted access to the infant for a myriad of reasons, including observation and/or treatment. Though incubators of the conventional type, that include canopies with access doors, are vertically adjustable, or separate and pivot, providing access to the infant, they do not provide completely uninhibited access to the infant. The canopy itself is still positioned directly above the infant even if portions of it are moved for access. If the incubator includes a warmer in lieu of, or in addition to, the canopy over the infant, that too, will obstruct access to the infant. 
     It would be desirable, therefore, to provide an incubator that includes a canopy and an apparatus for moving the canopy from above of the infant-support surface, thus, allowing unrestricted access to the infant by the caregiver. 
     Accordingly, an infant care unit and method for accessing an infant therein by allowing unrestricted access to same are provided. The unit includes a canopy movable between a central position directed at a platform upon which an infant rests, and a position spaced therefrom. In one illustrative embodiment, a radiant heater is disposed relative to the platform to have a central position from which it is effective to warm the infant by radiation. The heater is also movable between the central position to a position spaced therefrom. Another illustrative embodiment includes a mechanism for locking either or both the heater and the canopy in their central position when they are returned from the position spaced therefrom. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the infant care unit includes a combination incubator and infant warmer that comprises a radiant heater and a canopy. The incubator and infant warmer include a generally vertical support adjacent a platform. The radiant heater is mounted on the vertical support for movement about the platform. The heater has a central position directed at the platform and retracted positions away from the platform. The canopy is movable with the heater and is configured to provide a closed space directed at the platform. A mechanism is also provided for releasably locking the heater in the central position. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the infant care unit is provided which includes a patient support apparatus comprising a base, a patient support platform, an overhead arm and a mounting assembly. The patient support platform is carried by the base. The overhead arm is located generally above the patient support platform. The mounting assembly couples the overhead arm to the base for pivoting movement relative thereto. The pivoting movement is in a second plane that is generally parallel to a first plane which is defined by the patient support platform. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the infant care unit is provided which includes a hood at a central position directed at a platform. The hood is movable from the central position to a position spaced therefrom. The hood may be a canopy comprised of a plurality of plexiglass panels. In addition, a radiant warmer may be coupled to the canopy for warming an infant. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the infant care unit is provided which includes a mounting assembly attached to a base and a canopy. The assembly also includes a pivot mechanism configured to permit movement of the canopy laterally in a plane above a patient support between a central position and a position spaced therefrom. The mounting assembly has upwardly extending telescoping members supporting the canopy in its lower use position and its upper spaced-apart position. In addition, the assembly includes a lock mechanism. The illustrative lock mechanism is configured to permit the canopy to move laterally when the canopy is extended upwardly to its upper spaced-apart position. The lock mechanism also comprises a structural member that is attached to the mounting assembly. The structural member is engagable with the pivot mechanism when the canopy is in its lower use position for preventing lateral movement of the canopy. 
     Another illustrative embodiment comprises a plate that is attached to the canopy. The plate is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the base. In addition, a notch is formed in the plate. A locking finger is provided that is engagable with the notch when the canopy is in the central position. The locking finger may be configured to be urged into the notch when the canopy is in the central position. The plate may also comprise a second notch engagable with the structural member of the lock mechanism when the canopy is not spaced apart from the patient support. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the infant care unit is provided which includes a patient support and canopy for isolating an infant. The canopy is engaged with the patient support forming an isolation chamber and defining a central position. A means for disengaging and moving the canopy between an upper spaced-apart apart position from the patient support and a lowered use position is provided. A means for moving the canopy between the cental position and a position spaced therefrom when the canopy is in the upper spaced-apart position is also provided. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the infant care unit is provided which includes a patient support apparatus comprising a base, a patient support platform, an overhead arm and a mounting assembly. The patient support platform is carried by the base. The overhead arm is located generally above the patient support platform. The mounting assembly couples the overhead arm to the base for pivoting movement relative thereto. The mounting assembly comprises a stationary first plate and a second plate. The second plate is movable relative to the first plate in a second plane that is generally parallel to a first plane defined by the infant-support platform. 
     A method is provided for accessing an infant in an infant care unit. The infant care unit provides a platform upon which the infant rests and a canopy positioned above the platform forming an isolation chamber that defines a central position. The method comprises the steps of raising the canopy upwardly relative to the platform between a lower use position and an upper spaced-apart position, and moving the canopy in a plane above the platform between the central position and a position spaced therefrom. 
     Additional features and advantages of the infant care unit will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed descriptions exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the apparatus as presently perceived. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The illustrative apparatus will be described hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infant care unit; 
     FIG. 2 is a side and partial cross-sectional view of the arm assembly from the unit of FIG. 1 shown in the lowered position; 
     FIG. 3 is a side and partial cross-sectional view of the arm assembly from the unit of FIG. 1 shown in the raised position; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the swing bracket assembly from the unit of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the swing bracket assembly from the unit of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the swing bracket assembly of the unit along lines A—A of FIG. 4 shown in the movable position; 
     FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the swing bracket assembly of the unit along lines A—A of FIG. 4 shown in the locked “home ” position; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the two portions of the split pin from the unit of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is a top cross-sectional view of the split pin and pivot plate bore of the support along lines B—B of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a canopy support arm and mounting assembly; and 
     FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a canopy support arm and mounting assembly including another embodiment of a home-position apparatus. 
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of this application in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An infant care unit or incubator  2  includes a base  4 , a plurality of castors  6  supporting base  4 , and an infant support  7  supported above base  4  as shown in FIG.  1 . Infant support  7  includes a pedestal  8  coupled to base  4  for vertical movement, a platform tub  10  supported by pedestal  8 , and a support surface (not shown) positioned in platform tub  10 . 
     A pair of transparent side guard panels  24  and a pair of transparent end guard panels  26  extend upwardly from platform tub  10  having top edges  13  and  15  disposed generally coplanar. Side and end guard panels  24 ,  26  cooperate with canopy halves  22 ,  23  and overhead arm  18  to define an isolation chamber  12 . Panels  24  include hinges  28  that are also attached to platform tub  10  allowing a caregiver to pivot panels  24  downwardly away from canopy  20  providing side access to an infant within chamber  12 . End guard panels  26  also include hinges  32 , which also pivot downwardly for access to the infant in chamber  12 . 
     A pair of access ports  34  is provided on side guard panels  24 . Ports  34  are normally closed by access port covers  36 . Access port covers  36  can be removed to allow access to the infant in chamber  12  while isolated in unit  2 . 
     At least one end guard panel  26  is formed to include at least one pass-through grommet  38 . Wires and tubes (not shown) can be routed into chamber  12  through pass-through grommet  38 . 
     A canopy support arm assembly  14  includes a telescoping vertical arm  16  and the horizontal overhead arm  18 . Canopy  20  is coupled to overhead arm  18  and is positioned above platform tub  10 . It is contemplated that overhead arm  18  includes a warmer  55  directing heat to either the infant or the canopy. (See FIG. 1.) Canopy halves  22 ,  23  are coupled to overhead arm  18  for pivoting movement between raised and lowered positions. Each canopy half  22 ,  23  comprises side faces  40 ,  42 , and adjacent end faces  44 ,  46 , respectively. Edges  48 ,  50 ,  52  of faces  40 ,  42 ,  46 , respectively, are disposed generally coplanar and positioned adjacent each other. It is contemplated that the edges between the canopy and the sides are configured to produce a fit for preventing a substantial amount of warm air from escaping. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, canopy  20  is rotatable in the horizontal plane about axis  68 , as indicated by reference numerals  54 ,  70 . Canopy  20 , thus, no longer obstructs access to isolation chamber  12  when moved to a spaced-apart position shown by hatched lines  45 . Canopy  20  is also shown in FIG. 1 in its central or home position indicated by reference numeral  47 . Home position  47  is defined as the location where canopy  20  covers isolation chamber  12  such that edges  48 ,  50 ,  52  of halves  22 ,  23  mate with edges  13 ,  15  of side and end panels  24 ,  26 . It is contemplated that a stop mechanism can be added to prevent canopy  20  from rotating 180 degrees from home position  47 . This prevents the possibility of cable running between overhead arm  18  and vertical arm  16  from being twisted and damaged. 
     Other features of patient-support apparatus  20  are discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,310, titled “Canopy Adjustment Mechanisms for Thermal Support Apparatus, ” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, canopy support arm assembly  14  includes a telescoping vertical member  16  and horizontal overhead arm  18 . As shown in FIG. 2, member  16  comprises outer and inner telescoping members  60 ,  62 . The range of motion available to member  16  in directions  61 ,  63  is appreciated by comparing FIGS. 2 and 3. A hub  64  is positioned aloft end  66  of inner member  62 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, hub  64  is rotatable about axis  68  relative to tub  10  in directions  54 ,  70 . Canopy  20  is coupled to hub  64  via a bridge  72 . Bridge  72  is a conduit for receiving wires for coupling of same between canopy  20  or overhead arm  18  and the rest of unit  2 . A lever  74  extends from hub  74  which, when engaged, allows canopy  20  to move in directions  54 ,  70 . 
     It is contemplated that to rotate canopy  20 , it should not contact an infant inside chamber  12 . Rather, canopy  20  should clear side and end guard panels  24 ,  26 , or otherwise not interfere with isolation chamber  12 . Accordingly, inner member  62  is movable upwardly in direction  61 . In addition, a stop mechanism assembly  76  is coupled to both members  60 ,  62  for preventing canopy  20  from rotating unless member  16  has raised in direction  61  sufficiently a distance  118 . (See FIG. 2.) As shown in both FIGS. 2 and 3, assembly  76  comprises a block  80  attached to member  60  by four bolts  82 . A bore  84  is vertically disposed through block  80 . A rod  86  extends through bore  84 . End  88  of rod  86  is a threaded end. Two nuts  89 ,  90  and washer  92  are shown attached to threaded end  88 . Opposite end  88 , an end pin  94  is formed at end  96  of rod  86  selectively extending through bores  98 ,  100 ,  101  disposed through plates  102 ,  104  and bearing spacer  103  of hub  64 . (See cross-sectional views in FIGS. 2 and 3.) A retaining ring  105  extends from the periphery of end pin  94  for limiting the length with which end pin  94  can extend through bores  98 ,  100 ,  101 . Rod  86  also extends through a bracket  106 . Opposed spacers  108 ,  110  are attached to bracket  106  via bolts  112 ,  114 . Spacers  108 ,  110  space bracket  106  apart from plate  102  a distance  116 . A bias member or spring  119  is positioned about rod  86  between retaining ring  105  and washer  120  adjacent bracket  106 . 
     In operation, plate  104  is movable about axis  68  on bearing spacer  103  relative to plate  102 , as shown in FIG.  3 . As depicted in FIG. 2, however, member  62  has not been raised a distance  118 . Accordingly, bias from spring  119  acts on end pin  94  maintaining same within bores  98 ,  100 ,  101 . End pin  94 , thus, blocks the movable path of plate  104 , which, therefore, prevents canopy  20  from moving about axis  68 , thereby maintaining its home position  47 . This measure prevents a caregiver from inadvertently pivoting canopy  20  away from tub  10  while an infant is inside causing contact without first raising canopy  20  a distance  118  above isolation chamber  12  and the infant. 
     However, when member  62  is raised a sufficient height, defined by a distance greater than length  118  between the lower edge  120  of block  80  and washer  92 , end pin  94  is retracted from bore  100  allowing plate  104 , and, thus, canopy  20 , to move about axis  68 . (See FIG. 3.) Once member  62  has moved upwardly in direction  61  a length  118 , washer  192  engages edge  120 . As member  62  travels in direction  61  a distance greater than length  118 , rod  86  is prevented from moving. Consequently, the continued upwardly movement of member  62  causes bracket  106  to compress spring  119  and plate  104  to rise above tip  122  of end pin  94 . Once tip  122  is removed from bore  100 , plate  104  is free to move about axis  68 . 
     When canopy  20  is returned over tub  10  to its home position  47 , it is contemplated that this is a precise location over tub  10  so as to properly mate canopy  20  with side and end panels  24 ,  26 . To move canopy  20  and arm  18 , they are attached to a swing bracket assembly  124  positioned on end  66  of member  62 . (See FIGS. 4 and 5 through  7 .) Assembly  124  comprises plates  102 ,  104  with bearing surface  103  positioned therebetween, a lever  74 , a pin bracket  126 , a coupling bracket  128 , a split pin  130 , and a spring  131 . By moving lever  74  in direction  132 , split pin  130  is lifted from bores  150 ,  164  of bushings  148 ,  162  in plates  102 ,  104  and surface  103 . This frees plate  104  and provides canopy  20  unrestricted movement in directions  54 ,  70  relative to plate  102 . 
     An exploded view of assembly  124  is shown in FIG.  5 . Base plate  102  includes a centrally located bore  134  configured to receive the base  138  of bearing post  136 . In the illustrated embodiment, bore  134  is not disposed through the entirety of plate  102 , rather, a bottom surface  142  is provided upon which base  138  is supported. A shaft  140  extends upwardly from post  136  configured to extend through bores  144 ,  146  of bearing surface  103  and plate  104 , respectively. A base plate bushing  148  having a bore  150  is received in bore  154  and is configured to receive pin  130 . (See also FIGS. 6 and 7.) Bushing  148  is illustratively made of steel as is pin  130 . It is appreciated, however, that other materials may be used for bushing  148 . 
     Base plate  102  is attached to end  66  of member  62  via pins or bolts extending through bolt holes  152  disposed through plate  2 . FIG. 5 shows pin bore  98  disposed through plate  102  and coaxially aligned with bores  100 ,  101  for receiving end pin  94  that extends upwardly therethrough. A plurality of bores  160  are disposed through bearing surface  103  and co-axially aligned to bores  152  for receiving the pins or bolts for secure bearing surface  103  to plate  102 . Thus, plate  102  and bearing surface  103  being fixed relative to member  62 , and bearing post  136  provide smooth surfaces against which pivot plate  104  rotates. End pin  94  extends through bores  98 ,  100 ,  101 , to prevent such movement. In addition, roller bearing,  166  thrust washer  168 , and hex nut  170  all include apertures  172 ,  174 ,  176  through which shaft  140  also extends. 
     Another bushing  162 , similar to bushing  148 , is positioned in bore  158  and includes its own bore  164  configured to receive pin  130 . Both bushings  148 ,  162  are sized to receive split pin  130 . As depicted in FIG. 8, split pin  130  comprises two divided portions  178 ,  180 . Both portions  178 ,  180  extend through bores  150 ,  164  to lock hub  64  into place against bushing  148 . (See also FIGS. 6,  7  and  9 .) It is contemplated that bores  154 ,  156 ,  158  and  150 ,  164  are positioned on plates  102 ,  104 , bushing  103  and bushings  148 ,  162  to define home position  47  of canopy  20 . As depicted in FIG. 5, pin  130  is configured to extend through aperture  182  disposed through base  184  of coupling bracket  128 . It is further contemplated that bores  150 ,  164  have different cross-sections to produce a tight fit with pin  130  for maintaining home position  47  of canopy  20 . (See again, FIGS. 6,  7  and  9 .) 
     Split pin  130  is disposed through spring  131  and extends through apertures  188 ,  200  of bushing  186  and panel  198 . Lever  74  extends through openings  202 ,  204  of pin portions  178 ,  180 , respectively, and is pivotally fixed to pin  207  at end  203 , thus, serving as a cantilever. End  203  extends through a slot  205  in face plate  214  and into a slot  210  of block  206 . A pin  207  extends through aperture  228  which is disposed through end  203  of pin  74 . Pin  207  also extends through bore  208  which is disposed through a bore  208 . Block  206  is attached to the rear side  212  of face plate  214  of bracket  126  via screws  216 . (See FIGS. 6 and 7.) 
     Extending transversely from face panel  214  are side panels  218 ,  220 . Extending outwardly from the lower-most extent of panels  218 ,  220  are flanges  222 ,  224  having apertures  225  disposed therethrough. Apertures  225  are sized to receive a screw or bolt  226  for securely attaching bracket  126  to pivot plate  104 . (See also FIG. 4.) Accordingly, bores  229  are also disposed through pivot plate  104  configured to receive bolts  226 . 
     During operation, moving canopy  20  first requires that it be raised in direction  61  as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Canopy  20  can then be rotated in either direction  54  or  70  by moving lever  74  in direction  132  and by applying a force against the canopy  20  in either direction  54  or  70 . (See FIGS. 1,  4 , and  6 .) Moving lever  74  in direction  132 , pin  130  is caused to be removed from bushings  148 ,  162 , thereby releasing pivot plate from any obstruction and allowing it to move freely. It is contemplated that swing bracket assembly  124  will move canopy  20  between its home position  47  over tub  10  and its spaced-apart position  45  away from tub  10 . The home position  47  of canopy  20  forms proper mating between edges  48 ,  50 ,  52  of canopy halves  22 ,  23  and edges  13 ,  15  of end and side panels  24 ,  26 . 
     The operation of swing bracket assembly  124  placing canopy  20  in the precise home position  47  over side and end panels  24 ,  26  are shown in FIGS. 6-9. Assembly  124  is shown in its locked position, for example, in FIGS. 7 and 9. This locked position indicates that canopy  20  is in its home position  47 . The locked position is defined as pin  130  extending through bushings  148 ,  162 . To ensure the precise location of canopy  20 , pin  130  must fit precisely into, specifically, bore  150  of bushing  148  allowing no tolerance or gap between pin  130  and bore  150 . Split pin  130  with its two portions  178 ,  180  is best shown in FIG.  8 . Tips  230 ,  232  of portions  178 ,  180  are each biased in directions  234 ,  236 , respectively, eliminating any gap between pin  130  and bushing  148  that might affect the precise positioning of canopy  20 . (See FIG. 9.) 
     In the illustrated embodiment, FIG. 6 shows lever  74  extending through openings  202 ,  204  in the raised position. Tips  230 ,  232  are removed from both bushings  148 ,  162  which allows pivot plate  104  to move relative to base plate  102 , as previously discussed. Spring  131  is positioned about the narrow portions  240 ,  242  and abutting ledges  244 ,  246  of pin  131  biasing same downwardly in direction  248 . Raising lever  74  in direction  132  creates a resistance force against the bias of spring  131 . Accordingly, when lever  74  is released, the bias directs split pin  130  downwardly into bushings  148 ,  162 . 
     Assembly  124  is shown in FIG. 7 with split pin  130  extending through bores  150 ,  164  of bushings  148 ,  162 , thus locking canopy  20  at its home position  47 . To prevent any gap from existing between pin  130  and, specifically, bore  150 , portions  178 ,  180  of pin  130  have a larger diameter  250  than the inner diameter  254  of the first portion  252  of bore  150  of bushing  148 . (See also FIG. 8.) Furthermore, a second portion  256  of bore  150  is wider than diameter  280  of portions  178 ,  180 . A five (5) degree bevel  260  is provided between the first and second portions  252 ,  256  for mating with corresponding five (5) degree bevels  262 ,  264  on portions  178 ,  180 . Because diameter  250  of portions  178 ,  180  is greater than diameter  254  of bore  150 , notches  270 ,  272  are disposed at their lower ends. Accordingly, each end  230 ,  232  of each portion  178 ,  180  has a lesser diameter  280  than diameter  254  of bushing  148 . The difference between diameters  250  and  280  in combination with bevels  262 ,  264  and  261  creates lateral forces  234 ,  236  each directed outwardly forcing bevels  262 ,  264  adjacent the bevel of portion  256 . Accordingly, no tolerance or gap exists between bevels  262 ,  264  of pin  130  and the bevel of portion  256  of bore  150 . This creates a precise and repeatable mating of canopy  20  with sides  22 ,  24  at its home position  47 . 
     It is contemplated that angle  260  can be any angle sufficient to assist in effecting forces  234 ,  236  outwardly. Such an angle is dependent on the material used for the pin and bushing with the desire that any frictional force created by the mating of the pin and bushing does not cause the pin to become stuck in the bushing. Furthermore, it is contemplated that other pin-type devices or other apparatus that effectively locks canopy  20  in a precise home position, by eliminating the possibility of a tolerance or gap between an apparatus and a corresponding receptacle can be used. 
     Vertical arm  436  includes an outer tubular column  400 , an inner tubular column  410 , and a telescoping drive assembly  412  as shown in FIG.  10 . Drive assembly  412  includes a motor (not shown) encased by a motor housing  414  and a telescoping lead screw that extends and retracts in response to actuation of the motor encased by motor housing  414 . 
     As shown in FIG. 10, the alignment mechanism  426  includes a bottom plate  446  which is pivotably mounted to plate  424  by a bolt  448  and nut  450  about axis  454 . A bearing plate  452  is located between plates  424  and plate  446 . Plate  424  is coupled to the tubular column  410 . The mounting assembly shown in FIG. 10 permits rotation of the overhead arm  438  about an axis  454  extending through the telescoping arm  436 . Therefore, as plate  446  and bearing  452  rotate relative to plate  424  as shown by arrows  456 , the overhead arm  438  rotates about axis  454  relative to the patient support  7 . (See also FIG. 1.) Therefore, the overhead arm  438  can be rotated about axis  454  to an out-of-the-way position relative to patient support  7 . 
     As also shown in FIG. 10, the canopy halves  552  include end panels  582  which are coupled to cover  580  by extension sections  584 . Canopy halves  552  also include an angled transparent surface  586  and inwardly extending top portions  588 . Top portions  588  engage each other to provide an enclosure around the patient support surface which is spaced apart from the overhead arm  438 . 
     Another embodiment of a home position apparatus for use with an infant care unit is shown in FIG. 11, and is indicated by reference numeral  500 . Device  500  includes a swivel plate  502 , a bearing pad  504  and a stationary block  506 . Block  506  is attached to column  410 . Illustratively, screws (not shown) extend through bores  508  which are disposed through block  506  to attach block  506  to column  410 . The pattern of bores  508  is dependent on the pattern of corresponding bores in column  410 . Bores  510 ,  512  are configured to receive plungers  514 ,  516  configured to extend slightly from top surface  518  of block  506 . A central bore  520  is disposed in block  506 , illustratively between bores  510 ,  512 . It is contemplated, however, that bore  520  may be placed in other positions on block  506 . Bore  520  is configured to receive shoulder screw  522 . 
     Bearing pad  504  comprises two plunger holes  524 ,  526  as well as a central hole  528 . Holes  524 ,  526  are configured to receive the ends of plungers  514 ,  516 . Central hole  528  is configured to receive shoulder screw  522 . Pad  504  is attached to top surface  518  of block  506 , thus, providing a smooth surface upon which lower surface  530  of plate  502  can pivot. 
     Plate  502  has a central bore  532  disposed there through configured to receive shoulder screw  522 . Bores  532 ,  528  and  520  are coaxially aligned such that when shoulder screw  522  is disposed through each bore, block  502  pivots about screw  522  relative to the infant support. Specifically, the threaded end  540  of screw  522  engages corresponding threads (not shown) in bore  520  of block  506 . This engagement attaches screw  522  to block  506 . A bearing surface  542  on screw  522  allows the surfaces of hole  528  of pad  504  and bore  532  of plate  502  to pivot there about. A cap  544  extends beyond the diameter of bearing surface  542  and seats within a recess  546  in bore  532  to secure plate  502  to apparatus  500 . 
     Two detents  534 ,  536 , are provided on the lower surface  530  of plate  502  and are configured to receive the ends of plungers  514 ,  516 , respectively. Because plate  446  is configured to attach to the top surface  538  of plate  502 , as plate  502  pivots relative to the infant support, so too does the canopy halves  552 . (See also FIG. 10.) Detents  534 ,  536  are coaxially aligned with holes  524 ,  526  and plungers  514 ,  516 , respectively, and are positioned relative to the position of the canopy halves  552  to define a home position. Accordingly, when canopy halves  552  pivot to this home position, plungers  514 ,  516  will extend upwardly through holes  524 ,  526  and engage detents  534 ,  536 , respectively. This engagement, holds plate  502  in position relative to block  506  to produce a reproducible stop position indicating to the caregiver that canopy halves  552  are in the home position. 
     Although the foregoing embodiments have been described, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the apparatus, and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of this application, as described by the claims which follow.