Patent Description:
Bassinets are often rigid in their construction and lack the ability to be adjusted to various heights for a given situation. Caregivers desire a bassinet that is portable, can be used in a play yard, and can be used at bedside height. Bassinets that can achieve these features typically require a separate frame which the bassinet is placed on when used in bedside mode. The additional components, cost and complexity of such bassinets are undoubtedly a disadvantage to the caregiver.

<CIT> discloses a foldable electric baby cradle bed. The bed comprises left and right stand columns, left and right swing rods and a bed frame, the lower ends of the left stand column and the right stand column are each provided with a supporting foot assembly capable of being unfolded and folded. A first pivoting seat and a second pivoting seat are respectively arranged at the upper ends of the left upright post and the right upright post. The upper ends of the left swing rod and the right swing rod are rotatably pivoted on the first pivoting seat and the second pivoting seat respectively, A motor used for driving the swing rods to swing is arranged on one pivoting seat. A first supporting piece and a second supporting piece are arranged at the lower ends of the left swing rod and the right swing rod respectively. The bed frame comprises a first frame body and a second frame body. The first frame body and the second frame body are pivoted to the two sides of the first supporting piece and the two sides of the second supporting piece in an up-down turnover mode, respectively.

<CIT> discloses a hammock supporter comprising adjustable side bars, an upper cross bar removably connected to the side bars, hangers revolubly supported on the upper cross bar, said hangers comprising slidably connected sections, and a spring resisting independent movement of the sections in opposing directions.

<CIT> discloses a convertible bassinet comprising a frame with a bottom and spaced apart sides extending from the bottom. A first chamber is attachable to the frame and has a first bottom panel and a first plurality of walls with a first minimum wall height. A second chamber is attachable to the frame and has a second bottom panel and a second plurality of walls with a second minimum wall height. The frame can be arranged in a first position resting on one of the sides and supporting the first chamber and in a second position resting on the bottom and supporting the second chamber. The second minimum wall height in one example is greater than the first minimum wall height. A first elevation of the first bottom panel is greater than a second elevation of the second bottom panel in another example.

The present invention aims at providing a bassinet capable of being adjusted to various heights for a given situation, thereby resolving the aforesaid problems.

This is achieved by a bassinet according to claim <NUM>. The dependent claims pertain to corresponding further developments and improvements.

As will be seen more clearly from the detailed description following below, the claimed bassinet includes a rail structure, a first support member, a second support member, a latch mechanism, a sleeping surface and a base. The first support member is in an inverted U-shape connected to the rail structure and has a handle above the rail structure. The second support member is telescopically connected to the first support member. The first support member and the second support member are able to slide with respect to each other to adjust a height of the bassinet. The rail structure further comprises two U-shaped rails and two rail sockets, the U-shaped rails are inserted into the rail sockets and attached with snap buttons of the rail sockets, and both ends of the first support member are attached to the rail sockets.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a bassinet <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet <NUM> shown in <FIG> being adjusted to another height, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet <NUM> shown in <FIG> being adjusted to another height, and <FIG> is a sectional view illustrating the latch mechanism <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the bassinet <NUM> includes a rail structure <NUM>, a first support member <NUM>, a second support member <NUM>, a latch mechanism <NUM>, a sleeping surface <NUM> and a base <NUM>. In practical applications, the bassinet <NUM> may be further equipped with a canopy, a softgoods clothing and/or other accessories. The sleeping surface <NUM> may be accommodated in the softgoods clothing attached to the rail structure <NUM>.

The rail structure <NUM> includes two U-shaped rails <NUM> and two rail sockets <NUM>. The U-shaped rails <NUM> are inserted into the rail sockets <NUM> and attached with snap buttons <NUM> of the rail sockets <NUM>. A user may press the snap buttons <NUM> to detach the U-shaped rails <NUM> from the rail sockets <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> is connected to the rail structure <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> is in an inverted U-shape and both ends of the first support member <NUM> are attached to the rail sockets <NUM>. Accordingly, the first support member <NUM> may have a handle <NUM> above the rail structure <NUM> for a user to carry the bassinet <NUM>. The latch mechanism <NUM> may be disposed on the bottom of the first support member <NUM>. In this embodiment, the bassinet <NUM> may include two latch mechanisms <NUM> disposed on both bottoms of the first support member <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the second support member <NUM> may include two vertical tubes connected to the base <NUM> with snap buttons <NUM>. A user may press the snap buttons <NUM> to detach the second support member <NUM> from the base <NUM>. The second support member <NUM> is telescopically connected to the first support member <NUM> and the latch mechanism <NUM> is configured to lock or unlock the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>. When the latch mechanism <NUM> locks the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>, a height of the bassinet <NUM> is fixed. When the latch mechanism <NUM> unlocks the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>, the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> are able to slide with respect to each other to adjust the height of the bassinet <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the height of the bassinet <NUM> may be lengthened to achieve bedside height. As shown in <FIG>, the height of the bassinet <NUM> may be shortened to be close to the ground. As shown in <FIG>, the height of the bassinet <NUM> may be adjusted to an intermediate height between <FIG> and <FIG>. Accordingly, the bassinet <NUM> of the invention can be adjusted to various heights for a given situation.

In this embodiment, the latch mechanism <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>, a latch member <NUM>, an operating member <NUM> and an elastic member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The housing <NUM> is attached to the bottom of the first support member <NUM>. The operating member <NUM> is movably disposed on the first support member <NUM> and one end of the operating member <NUM> is accommodated in the housing <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> is disposed in the housing <NUM>, wherein opposite ends of the elastic member <NUM> abut against the operating member <NUM> and the housing <NUM>.

The first support member <NUM> includes a first slot <NUM> and the second support member <NUM> includes a plurality of second slots <NUM>. Each of the second slots <NUM> corresponds to one height shown in <FIG>. The latch member <NUM> is movably disposed in the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the latch member <NUM> passes through the first slot <NUM> of the first support member <NUM> and engages with one of the second slots <NUM> of the second support member <NUM> so that the height of the bassinet <NUM> is fixed.

The operating member <NUM> has a guiding groove <NUM> and the latch member <NUM> has a guiding portion <NUM> disposed in the guiding groove <NUM>. In this embodiment, the guiding groove <NUM> may be inclined with respect to a direction of movement of the operating member <NUM> indicated by arrows A1 and A2.

As shown in <FIG>, when the operating member <NUM> is operated to move towards the direction of arrow A1, the guiding groove <NUM> drives the guiding portion <NUM> to move towards the direction of arrow A3 so that the latch member <NUM> disengages from the second slot <NUM> of the second support member <NUM> and the elastic member <NUM> is compressed by the operating member <NUM>. At this time, the user can slide the first support member <NUM> with respect to the second support member <NUM> to adjust the sleeping surface <NUM> of the bassinet <NUM> to a desired height. When the desired height is reached, the first slot <NUM> is aligned with one of the second slots <NUM> and the operating member is released, the elastic member <NUM> forces the operating member <NUM> to move towards the direction of arrow A2, so as to return the latch member <NUM> into the second slot <NUM> towards the direction of arrow A4. Accordingly, the sleeping surface <NUM> of the bassinet <NUM> is fixed at the desired height.

Referring to <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet <NUM> shown in <FIG> being placed in a play yard <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the bassinet <NUM> may be placed in a play yard <NUM>. For example, the bassinet <NUM> may be adjusted to the desired height and placed on an elevated mattress <NUM> of the play yard <NUM>, such that the sleeping surface <NUM> of the bassinet <NUM> may be flush with or higher than a top frame <NUM> of the play yard <NUM>. The bassinet <NUM> placed on the mattress <NUM> of the play yard <NUM> can provide a higher position of use, such that a caregiver can easily monitor a baby or child sleeping in the bassinet <NUM>. Since the bassinet <NUM> of the invention can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard <NUM>, the bassinet <NUM> of the invention is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a bassinet <NUM>' according to an example of the related art, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet <NUM>' shown in <FIG> being adjusted to another height, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet <NUM>' shown in <FIG> being placed in the play yard <NUM>, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the bassinet <NUM>' shown in <FIG> being hung on the top frame <NUM> of the play yard <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first support member <NUM> of the bassinet <NUM>' may include four upper tubes and the second support member <NUM> may include four lower tubes. In this example, the second support member <NUM> is also telescopically connected to the first support member <NUM>, but the latch mechanism <NUM> is disposed on the second support member <NUM>. In this example, the bassinet <NUM>' may include four latch mechanisms <NUM> disposed on the tops of four lower tubes of the second support member <NUM>. The latch mechanism <NUM> is configured to lock or unlock the first support member <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>. It should be noted that the configuration and operation of the latch mechanism <NUM> have been mentioned in the above and those will not be depicted herein again. As shown in <FIG>, the height of the bassinet <NUM>' may be lengthened to achieve bedside height. As shown in <FIG>, the height of the bassinet <NUM>' may be shortened to be close to the ground. Accordingly, the bassinet <NUM>' of the related art can be adjusted to various heights for a given situation.

As shown in <FIG>, the bassinet <NUM>' may be placed in the play yard <NUM>. For example, the bassinet <NUM>' may be adjusted to the desired height and placed on the elevated mattress <NUM> of the play yard <NUM>, such that the sleeping surface <NUM> of the bassinet <NUM>' may be flush with or higher than the top frame <NUM> of the play yard <NUM>. The bassinet <NUM>' placed on the mattress <NUM> of the play yard <NUM> can provide a higher position of use, such that a caregiver can easily monitor a baby or child sleeping in the bassinet <NUM>'.

In this example, the rail structure <NUM> of the bassinet <NUM>' may include two hanging members <NUM> disposed on opposite sides. As shown in <FIG>, the hanging members <NUM> are configured to hang the bassinet <NUM>' on the top frame <NUM> of the play yard <NUM> to provide a lower position of use, such that the caregiver can easily put a baby or child into the bassinet <NUM>' or take the baby or child out of the bassinet <NUM>'. Since the bassinet <NUM>' of the related art can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard <NUM>, the bassinet <NUM>' of the related art is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

Referring to <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a bassinet <NUM>" according to another example of the related art. The main difference between the bassinet <NUM>" and the aforesaid bassinet <NUM>' is that the rail structure <NUM> of the bassinet <NUM>" further includes a socket <NUM> and the first support member <NUM> of the bassinet <NUM>" is detachably connected to the socket <NUM>. Accordingly, the first support member <NUM> together with the second support member <NUM> can be removed from the bassinet <NUM>". Furthermore, the second support member <NUM> of the bassinet <NUM>" may include two U-shaped tubes instead of four individual tubes. Needless to say, the bassinet <NUM>" can also be placed on the elevated mattress <NUM> of the play yard <NUM> shown in <FIG> to provide a higher position of use and the bassinet <NUM>" can also be hung on the top frame <NUM> of the play yard <NUM> by the hanging members <NUM> to provide a lower position of use. Since the bassinet <NUM>" of the related art can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard <NUM>, the bassinet <NUM>" of the related art is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a bassinet <NUM> according to another example of the related art, <FIG> is a side view illustrating the bassinet <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a side view illustrating the bassinet <NUM> shown in <FIG> being adjusted to another height, and <FIG> is a side view illustrating the bassinet <NUM> shown in <FIG> being adjusted to another height.

As shown in <FIG>, the bassinet <NUM> includes a rail structure <NUM>, a first support member <NUM>, a second support member <NUM>, a link member <NUM>, a sleeping surface <NUM> and a pivot hub <NUM>. In practical applications, the bassinet <NUM> may be further equipped with a canopy, a softgoods clothing and/or other accessories. The sleeping surface <NUM> may be accommodated in the softgoods clothing attached to the rail structure <NUM>. The sleeping surface <NUM> is located below the rail structure <NUM>.

In this example, the pivot hub <NUM> is located on a perimeter of the rail structure <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, there are two pivot hubs <NUM> located on the perimeter of the rail structure <NUM> and opposite to each other. The first support member <NUM> is pivotally connected to the pivot hub <NUM>, the second support member <NUM> is pivotally connected to the first support member <NUM>, and the link member <NUM> is pivotally connected to the pivot hub <NUM> and the second support member <NUM>. Furthermore, the pivot hub <NUM> may have an actuating member <NUM> configured to unlock the first support member <NUM>. When the actuating member <NUM> is depressed, the first support member <NUM> is able to rotate to adjust a height of the bassinet <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the height of the bassinet <NUM> may be lengthened to achieve bedside height. As shown in <FIG>, the height of the bassinet <NUM> may be shortened to be close to the ground. As shown in <FIG>, the height of the bassinet <NUM> may be adjusted to an intermediate height between <FIG> and <FIG>. Accordingly, the bassinet <NUM> of the related art can be adjusted to various heights for a given situation.

In this example, the first support member <NUM> may include two U-shaped upper tubes and the second support member <NUM> may include two U-shaped lower legs. The upper end of the first support member <NUM> is pivotally connected to the pivot hub <NUM> via pivot axis A and can rotate when the actuating member <NUM> is depressed. The second support member <NUM> is pivotally connected to the lower end of the first support member <NUM> via pivot axis C. The link member <NUM> is pivotally connected to the pivot hub <NUM> via pivot axis B and pivotally connected to the second support member <NUM> via pivot axis D. Accordingly, the first support member <NUM>, the second support member <NUM>, the link member <NUM> and four pivot axes A-D create a four-bar linkage, such that the second support member <NUM> can be maintained in a vertical orientation by the four-bar linkage between the pivot hub <NUM>, the first support member <NUM>, the second support member <NUM> and the link member <NUM> while the first support member <NUM> rotates. Therefore, the second support member <NUM> can always support the bassinet <NUM> on a plane after rotating the first support member <NUM> to adjust the height of the bassinet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> is a side view illustrating the bassinet <NUM> shown in <FIG> being placed in the play yard <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the bassinet <NUM> may be placed in the play yard <NUM>. For example, the bassinet <NUM> may be adjusted to the desired height and placed on the elevated mattress <NUM> of the play yard <NUM>. The bassinet <NUM> placed on the mattress <NUM> of the play yard <NUM> can provide a higher position of use, such that a caregiver can easily monitor a baby or child sleeping in the bassinet <NUM>. Since the bassinet <NUM> of the related art can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard <NUM>, the bassinet <NUM> of the related art is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> is a side view illustrating a bassinet <NUM>' according to another example of the related art, <FIG> is a side view illustrating the bassinet <NUM>' shown in <FIG> being adjusted to another height, and <FIG> is a side view illustrating the bassinet <NUM>' shown in <FIG> being placed in the play yard <NUM>.

The main difference between the bassinet <NUM>' and the aforesaid bassinet <NUM> is that the bassinet <NUM>' only includes the first support member <NUM> without the second support member <NUM> and the link member <NUM> mentioned in the above. Furthermore, the pivot hub <NUM> is located on the perimeter of the sleeping surface <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> is pivotally connected to the pivot hub <NUM>, such that the first support member <NUM> can rotate between an upward position (as shown in <FIG>) and a downward position (as shown in <FIG>). The pivot hub <NUM> may have a locking mechanism (not shown) that allows the first support member <NUM> to rotate <NUM> degrees and locked at the upward position and the downward position.

As shown in <FIG>, when the first support member <NUM> rotates to the upward position, the first support member <NUM> can be served as a handle for carrying the bassinet <NUM>' and the height of the bassinet <NUM>' can be shortened to be close to the ground. At this time, the bassinet <NUM>' can function similar to a carry-cot. As shown in <FIG>, when the first support member <NUM> rotates to the downward position, the first support member <NUM> can be served as a stand for supporting the bassinet <NUM>' on a plane and the height of the bassinet <NUM>' can be lengthened to achieve bedside height. Accordingly, the bassinet <NUM>' of the related art can be adjusted to various heights for a given situation.

As shown in <FIG>, the bassinet <NUM>' in the carry-cot mode may be placed in the play yard <NUM>. For example, the bassinet <NUM>' may be placed on the elevated mattress <NUM> of the play yard <NUM>. The bassinet <NUM>' placed on the mattress <NUM> of the play yard <NUM> can provide a higher position of use, such that a caregiver can easily monitor a baby or child sleeping in the bassinet <NUM>'. Since the bassinet <NUM>' of the related art can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard <NUM>, the bassinet <NUM>' of the related art is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> is a side view illustrating a bassinet <NUM>" according to another example of the related art, <FIG> is a side view illustrating the bassinet <NUM>" shown in <FIG> being adjusted to another height, and <FIG> is a side view illustrating the bassinet <NUM>" shown in <FIG> being placed in the play yard <NUM>.

The main difference between the bassinet <NUM>" and the aforesaid bassinet <NUM>' is that the pivot hub <NUM> of the bassinet <NUM>" is located on the perimeter of the rail structure <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> is pivotally connected to the pivot hub <NUM>, such that the first support member <NUM> can rotate between an upward position (as shown in <FIG>) and a downward position (as shown in <FIG>). The pivot hub <NUM> may have a locking mechanism (not shown) that allows the first support member <NUM> to rotate <NUM> degrees and locked at the upward position and the downward position.

As shown in <FIG>, when the first support member <NUM> rotates to the upward position, the first support member <NUM> can be served as a handle for carrying the bassinet <NUM>" and the height of the bassinet <NUM>" can be shortened to be close to the ground. At this time, the bassinet <NUM>" can function similar to a carry-cot. As shown in <FIG>, when the first support member <NUM> rotates to the downward position, the first support member <NUM> can be served as a stand for supporting the bassinet <NUM>" on a plane and the height of the bassinet <NUM>" can be lengthened to achieve bedside height. Accordingly, the bassinet <NUM>" of the related art can be adjusted to various heights for a given situation.

As shown in <FIG>, the bassinet <NUM>" in the carry-cot mode may be placed in the play yard <NUM>. For example, the bassinet <NUM>" may be placed on the elevated mattress <NUM> of the play yard <NUM>. The bassinet <NUM>" placed on the mattress <NUM> of the play yard <NUM> can provide a higher position of use, such that a caregiver can easily monitor a baby or child sleeping in the bassinet <NUM>". Since the bassinet <NUM>" of the related art can be used alone and can also be used with the play yard <NUM>, the bassinet <NUM>" of the related art is more flexible in use than a conventional bassinet.

Claim 1:
A bassinet (<NUM>) characterized by the bassinet (<NUM>) comprising:
a rail structure (<NUM>);
a first support member (<NUM>) in an inverted U-shape connected to the rail structure (<NUM>) and having a handle (<NUM>) above the rail structure (<NUM>);
a second support member (<NUM>) telescopically connected to the first support member (<NUM>);
a latch mechanism (<NUM>);
a sleeping surface (<NUM>); and
a base (<NUM>),
wherein the first support member (<NUM>) and the second support member (<NUM>) are able to slide with respect to each other to adjust a height of the bassinet (<NUM>),
wherein the rail structure (<NUM>) further comprises two U-shaped rails (<NUM>) and two rail sockets (<NUM>), wherein the U-shaped rails (<NUM>) are inserted into the rail sockets (<NUM>) and attached with snap buttons (<NUM>) of the rail sockets (<NUM>), and
wherein both ends of the first support member (<NUM>) are attached to the rail sockets (<NUM>).