AU2020276320B2

AU2020276320B2 - Reconfigurable children's furniture

Info

Publication number: AU2020276320B2
Application number: AU2020276320A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Darryl De Abreu; Jackie De Abreu
Original assignee: Kidverter Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Kidverter Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-16
Filing date: 2020-05-15
Publication date: 2021-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-15
Also published as: EP3952702A1; WO2020227782A1; AU2020276320A1; EP3952702A4; US20220211192A1; CN113825433A

Abstract

Reconfigurable children's furniture has 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 has 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. Supports are each connected between a respective outer corner of a respective baseboard and an upper edge of a net and each support is extendable. In the stowed configuration, each support is contracted and lies against a respective baseboard. In the daybed configuration, each support is extended and stands perpendicularly with respect to the respective baseboard.

Description

Reconfigurable children's furniture

Field of the I nvention

[1] This invention relates generally to reconfigurable children's furniture . M ore particularly, this invention relates to reconfigu rable children's furniture configurable at least between a stowed configuration and a daybed cot configuration and, in em bodiments, a feeding chair a nd change table configurations.

Background of the Invention

[2] Reconfigurable children's furniture of various configurations exist, incl uding WO 2017/153980 A1 (TAMOOZ C.S. LTD. ) which discloses a convertible strol ler having a foldable framework supporting wheels and a hori zontal bifurcated base which folds upwardly when the framework is col lapsed and which l ies horizontal ly when the framework is opened. A front pivot arm can suspend the net around the base, thereby form ing a daybed in one configuration.

[3] US 7497461 B2 ( EM E RSON ) discloses a m ultiuse 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, capsu les and the like.

[4] 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.

[5] EP 1493361 A1 (COOPER, HOWARD LE E; WAGSTAFF, STEVEN ) discloses a foldable bassinet having collapsible support mem bers which support a periphera l frame.

[6] US 9138070 B1 ( DELTA ENTE RPRISE 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.

[7] US 4455697 A ( ROVI DA) discloses a foldable crib having an A-frame which supports a bifurcated foldable base. Pivotable framework mem bers extending ho rizontally from apex of the framework suspend netting therefrom to enclose the base.

[8] The present invention seeks to provide reconfigurable children's furniture, which wil l overcome or substantially amel iorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [9] It is to be understood that, if a ny prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an adm ission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[10] There is provided herein reconfigura ble children's furniture com prising a supportive framework com prising a pair of side A-frames su pporting a foldable base therebetween.

[11] A connection is provided at each A-frame apex for the releasable attachment of an accessory incl uding, in em bodiments, a reconfigurable seat.

[12] The foldable base com prises a pair of baseboards configured for folding between a daybed configuration wherein the baseboards each are adjacently horizontal thereby form ing a flat bed surface therebetween and a stowed configuration. I n the stowed configuration, the baseboards may be substantially vertical.

[13] The furniture further com prises 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.

[14] As such, in the stowed configuration, each support is contracted and lies against a respective baseboard as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Flowever, in the daybed co nfiguration, each support is extended and stands perpendicularly with respect to the respective baseboard is shown in Figures 3 and 4 such that the net has a length less than twice the height thereof.

[15] 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.

[16] Furthermore, whereas the arrangements of SFIAN, COO PER and D ELTA ENTE RPRISE CO RP. disclose a folda ble 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 a nd the location of the baseboards between lower regions of the A-frames being connected beneath the vertical m idpoints of the A-frames such that the net can have a length less than twice the height thereof. I n other words, the present configuration provides netting of sufficient height to therefore meet relevant safety standards (as com pared to the arrangements of SFIAN, COOPE R and DELTA ENTERPRISE CO RP. which do not) which is yet foldable into a conveniently stowed configuration. [17] Furthermore, the configuration of ROVI DA, whilst having a baseboard connected at lower regions between A-frames and a foldable base, does not disclose the present arrangement of extenda ble supports which lie flat against the baseboards in the stowed configuration.

[18] According to one aspect, there is provided reconfigurable children's furniture com prising a supportive framework com prising a pair of side A-frames cooperating to support a foldable base beneath vertical m idpoints of t he A-frames, the base com prising a pair of baseboards configured for folding between a daybed configuration wherein the baseboards each are adjacently horizontal thereby form ing 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 t he daybed configu ration each su pport is extended and stands perpendicularly with respect to the respective baseboard.

[19] In the daybed configuration, the net may have a length less than twice the height thereof.

[20] Each support may be telescopic.

[21] Each support may be biased towards an extended configuration.

[22] Each support may be pivotally coupled to the respective outer corner.

[23] Each support may be biased towards a perpendicular orientation with respect to the respective baseboard.

[24] Each A-frame may com prise a converging pair of vertical sidebars a nd the framework may comprise a pair of horizontal cross bars extending between corresponding lower ends of the vertical sidebars.

[25] Each A-frame further may com prise a horizonta l sidebar extending between lower ends of each A-frame.

[26] The horizontal sidebar may comprise a pivotable arrangement of adjacent horizontal sidebar mem bers which pivot upwardly at a centre pivot thereof.

[27] The baseboards may be pivotal ly coupled between horizontal sidebars.

[28] The reconfigurable children's furn iture may further com prise a soft bed extending across the baseboards.

[29] The soft bed may com prise edging which dim inishes at a central region between the baseboards. [30] The reconfigure ble ch ildren's furniture may further com prise a connection at an apex of each A-frame.

[31] The connection may com prise a vertical slot within which a corresponding interlocking tab of an accessory may be slidably retained.

[32] The reconfigurable children's furniture may further com prise a releasable locking mechanism between the vertical slot and the interlocking tab.

[33] The reconfigurable child ren's furniture may further com prise a reconfigurable seat connectable between the connections wherein the reconfigurable seat may com prise a seat portion and a back portion and a lowe r portion pivotal ly 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 configu ration wherein the back portion may be pivoted downwardly to define a substantial ly coplanar change table surface with respect to the seat portion and the leg portion may be pivoted upwardly to define a substantial ly coplanar cha nge table surface with respect to the seat portion.

[34] The reconfigurable children's furnitu re may further com prise sidearms extending from the seat portion and wherein the sidearms may be configured for connection to the connections.

[35] The lower portion may be extendable.

[36] The lower portion may com prise an upper portion and a lower portion and wherein the lower portion of sl idably retained by the upper portion.

[37] The reconfigurable children's furniture may further com prise releasable locking mechanisms between the rear portion and the seat and the lower portion and the seat.

[38] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[39] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fal l within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure wil l now be described, by way of exam ple only, with reference to the accom panying drawings in which :

[40] Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of reconfigura ble children's furniture in a stowed configuration;

[41] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the furniture in the stowed configuration; [42] Figure 3 shows a side elevation view of the furnitu re in an open daybed configuration;

[43] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the furniture in the open daybed configuration;

[44] Figures 5 and 7 show front and rear perspective views respectively of a reconfigurable seat in accordance with an em bodiment; and

[45] Figure 6 shows an A-fra me connection in accordance with an em bodiment.

Description of Em bodiments

[46] Reconfigurable children's furniture 100 com prises a supportive framework com prising a pair of side A-frames 101.

[47] Each A-frame 101 may com prise converging vertical sidebars 103 meeting at an a pex thereof. Lower ends of each vertical side bar 103 may be connected by a horizontal cross bar 104. Rubber bum pers 105 may cover distal ends of the horizontal cross bars 104 or lower ends of each vertical side bar 103 for frictional enhancement.

[48] Lower ends of each vertical side bar 103 may be connected by a horizontal sidebar 106. I n em bodiments, horizontal side restraints 110 may connect between adjacent vertical sidebars 103.

[49] 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 configu ration as al luded to below. In this regard, the term "lower region" should be construed as being connected beneath a vertical m idpoint of the A-frames 101.

[50] The base 111 com prises a pair of baseboards 112 configured for folding between a daybed configuration as shown in Figures 3 and 4 when the baseboards 112 are each adjacently horizontal, thereby form ing a bed surface therebetween. The baseboards 112 a re further configured for folding to a stowed configuration is shown in Figures 1 and 2. In the em bodiment shown, the baseboards 112 are substantial ly vertical ly arranged but, in em bodiments, angles between horizontal and vertical are envisaged which also compactly stow the baseboards 112 in the stowed configurati on.

[51] In the em bodiments shown, the baseboards 112 are pivotal ly coupled so as to fold upwardly at outer edges thereof. The baseboards 112 may be pivotally coupled from the horizontal sidebar 106.

[52] In embodiments, the baseboards 112 are pivotally connected at a centrepoint of the horizontal sidebar 106. However, in the em bodiment shown, each baseboard 112 is pivotally connected at a connection point between a centrepoint of the horizontal sidebar 106 and a respective end thereof.

[53] In embodiments, the horizontal sidebar 106 may com prise a pivotable arrangement of horizontal sidebar mem bers 107 which are able to pivot upwardly between a central pivot 108 and respective outer pivots 109 such that the A-frame 101 is col lapsible.

[54] The furniture 100 further com prises 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.

[55] 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 Figure 3 wherein th e length L thereof is less than twice the height h thereof.

[56] The net 115 may com prise an u pper edge 116 which, with reference to Figure 6, may be connected to an adjacent A-frame 101 by connection points 117 at each vertical sidebar 103. The connection points 117 may com prise 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. I n alternative arrangements, different types fasteners may be used at the connection points 117, such as hooks.

[57] 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.

[58] In a preferred em bodiment, each support 113 is telescopic com prising a slidable arrangement of telescopic mem bers. However, in alternative em bodiments, each support 130 may be foldable in com prising at least two bars which are pivotally coupled at a pivot which are unfolded into al ignment.

[59] In em bodiments, the te lescopic mem bers may be biased towards the extended configuration by virtue of com pression spring, gas strut or the l ike. Alternatively, the telescopic mem bers may com prise an interlocking detent a nd aperture arrangement therebetween al lowing each support 113 to be locked in an extended configuration and collapsed by disengaging the detent from the aperture.

[60] In em bodiments, each support 113 may be pivotally coupled from each respective corner 114. However, in alternative em bodiments, each corner 114 may com prise an aperture within which a lower distal end of each support 113 is inserted. [61] In embodiments, each support 113 may be biased perpendicularly or beyond the perpendicu lar so as to hold the upper edge 116 of the net 115 taught. In em bodiments, the lower end of each support 113 may be connected from the corner 114 by a torsion spring which biases the support 113 outwardly.

[62] In alternative em bodiments, the lower end of each support 113 and the corner 114 is supported by a diagonal strut (not shown) to hold e ach support 113 perpendicularly. Each strap may be collapsible such as by com prising a foldable arra ngement of pieces or alternatively disengageable at an end thereof by way of a detent and aperture interlocking arrangement.

[63] The furniture 100 may further comprise a soft bed 117 such as foam or sim ilar padding laid across the baseboards 112 and com prising 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 Figure 3 and 4.

[64] The soft bed 117 may com prise edging 118 com prising a central avoidance 119 which assists the folding of the soft bed 117 at the centre thereof in the stowed configuration as shown in Figure 1.

[65] Each corner 114 may com prise a right-angled lower bum per 120 such as a plastic, rubber or foam . Furthermore, each upper end of each support 113 may com prise a right- angled upper bum per 121 sim ilarly of plastic, rubber or foam .

[66] In em bodiments, adjacent supports 113 at each end of the furniture 100 are adjoined by a horizontal upper bar 122 such that the adjoining su pports 113 extend in un ison.

[67] Each apex of each A-fra me may com prise a n A-frame connector 123 as shown in Figure 6. In embodiments, the A-frame connector 123 al lows pivotable movement between the vertical sidebars 103.

[68] The connector 123 may com prise a vertical slot 124 within which a corresponding tab 125 of an accessory device is sl idably retained. An interlocking mechanism may lock the tab 125 within the slot 124.

[69] In embodiments, the furniture 100 com prises a reconfigurable seat 125. The seat 125 may com prise 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 m ay be configured in a seat configuration as substantially shown in Figure 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. [70] However, in em bodiments, 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.

[71] A pushbutton locking mechanism 129 may be provided between the seat portion 127 and the lower portion 128. Sim ilarly, 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 com prise a rear netted pocket 131.

[72] In em bodiments, the lower portion 128 may be extendable com prising 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 Figure 7, the upper port ion 132 may comprise a pair of channels 134 within which respective pins 135 of the lower portion are sl idably retained. The upper portion 132 may comprise padding 136.

[73] The reconfigurable seat 125 may com prise a shoulder harness 137 and the back portion 126 and the seat portion 127 may sim ilarly be padded with padding 138.

[74] The reconfigurable seat 125 may further com prise a releasable ta ble 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.

[75] The reconfigurable seat 125 may com prise 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 th e connections 123.

[76] In the stowed configuration, the furniture 100 may com prise a locking mechanism, cl ips or the l ike to hold the A-frames 101 or the baseboards 112 together.

[77] The foregoing description, for purposes of expla nation, used specific nomenclatur e to provide a thorough u nderstanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skil led in the art that specific details are not required in order to practi se the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific em bodiments of the invent ion are presented for purposes of ill ustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to lim it 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 util ize the invention and various em bodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contem plated. It is intended that the fol lowing claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Cla i ms

1. Reconfigurable children'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.

2. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the daybed configuration, the net has a length less than twice the height thereof.

3. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 1, wherein each support is telescopic.

4. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 1, wherein each support is biased towards an extended configuration.

5. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 1, wherein each support is pivotally coupled to the respective outer corner.

6. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in cla im 5, wherein each support is biased towards a perpendicular orientation with respect to the respective baseboard.

7. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 1, wherein each A-frame comprises a converging pair of vertical sidebars and the f ramework comprises a pair of horizontal cross bars extending between corresponding lower ends of the vertical sidebars.

8. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 1, wherein each A-frame further comprises a horizontal sidebar extending between lower ends of each A-frame.

9. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 8, wherein the horizontal sidebar comprises a pivotable arrangement of adjacent horizontal sidebar members which pivot upwardly at a centre pivot thereof.

10. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 8, wherein the baseboards are pivotally coupled between horizontal sidebars.

11. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 1, further com prising a soft bed extending across the baseboards.

12. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 11, wherein the soft bed comprises edging which dim inishes at a central region between the baseboards.

13. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 1, further com prising a connection at an apex of each A-frame.

14. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 13, wherein the connection comprises a vertical slot within which a corresponding interlocking tab of an accessory is slidably retained.

15. Reconfigurable children's fu rniture as claimed in claim 14, further com prising a releasable locking mechanism between the vertical slot and the interlocking tab.

16. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 13, further com prising a reconfigurable seat connectable between the connections wherein the reconfigurable seat comprises a seat portion and a back portion and a lower portion pivotal ly coupled thereto such that the reconfigurable seat is configurable in a seat configuration wherein the back portion is pivoted upwardly with respect to the seat portion of the lower portion is pivoted downwardly with respect to the seat portion and a change table configuration wherein the back portion is pivoted downwardly to define a substantially coplanar change table surface with respect to the seat portion and the leg portion is pivoted upwardly to define a substantially coplanar change table surface with respect to the seat portion.

17. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 16, further com prising sidearms extending from the seat portion and wherein the sidearms are configured for connection to the connections.

18. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 16, wherein the lower portion is extendable.

19. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 18, wherein the lower portion comprises an upper portion and a lower portion and wherein the lower portion of slidably retained by the upper portion.

20. Reconfigurable children's furniture as claimed in claim 16, further com prising releasable locking mechanisms between the rear portion and the seat and the lower portion and the seat.