GB2105581A - Nursery furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

An item of nursery furniture, for example a support for dressing or changing an infant, comprising a frame (1), having at least two members (2, 3) which are movable with respect to each other between closed and open positions thereof, and a foldable support (6) which has a generally rectangular base (7) connected at one pair of opposed sides thereof to respective ones of the frame members (2, 3), and side walls (8) extending along at least a major portion of respective ones of its other pair of opposed sides, such that, when the frame (1) is in its closed position, the support (6) is in a folded condition and when the frame (1) is in its open position, the support (6) extends in a generally planar manner between the frame members (2, 3), with the side walls (8) upstanding from the base (7). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Item of nursery furniture This invention relates to an item of nursery furniture for changing or dressing an infant at a height above the floor which is sufficient to enable the person changing or dressing the infant to do so in a standing position.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided an item of nursery furniture comprising a frame, having at least two members which are movable with respect to each other between closed and open positions thereof, and a foldable support which has a generally rectangular base connected at one pair of opposed sides thereof to respective ones of the frame members and side walls extending along a major portion of respective ones of its other pair of opposed sides, such that, when the frame is in its closed position, the support is in a folded condition and, when the frame is in its open position, the support extends in a generally planar manner between the frame members, with the side walls upstanding from the base.

Preferably, the base of the support, as well as the side walls, consists of a flexible material, such as, a plastics material which can be readily wiped clean. Otherwise, each side wall may be made of a rigid material and be hingedly divided at its centre, such that, when the frame is in its closed position with the flexible base of the support in its folded condition, the two halves of each side wall overlap each other.

In an alternative embodiment, the base of the support can consist of two rigid halves which are hingedly connected together at the centre of the base, such that these halves overlie each other when the support is in its folded condition with the frame in its closed position. In this case, the side walls may be either flexible or rigid but, in any case, foldable about their centres.

The frame preferably comprises a pair of tubular metal members which are pivotally connected together to provide a X-shaped frame when in the open position. Such an arrangement has the two frame members lying generally in the same plane when in the closed position, with the folded support also lying generally in that plane.

The side walls, which extend along the major portion, and preferably the whole length, of the opposed sides of the base which are not connected to the frame members, are of a sufficient height to prevent an infant from rolling off the base.

Additionally, the item of furniture in accordance with the invention may be equipped with pockets which can be detachably connected to the frame at suitable locations, whilst the foldable support can be arranged to receive a changing mat, mattress or washable lining, when the frame is in the open position.

A preferred embodiment of an item of nursery furniture in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the item in the open position; Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the opened item; Fig. 3 is a plan view; and Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the item in the closed position.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, an item of nursery furniture comprises a frame 1 consisting of two tubular metal frame members 2, 3 which are pivotally connected together at 4 so that they can be folded into a closed position. A stay 5, connected between lower portions of the respective members 2, 3, is provided to prevent the lower ends of the members from moving outwardly with respect to each other, thereby preventing the frame 1 from collapsing under load.

A foldable support 6 comprises a base 7 which is made of a flexible plastics material and which is connected at opposed ends to respective crossbars 2', 3' at the top of the frame members 2, 3 by means of a flap 8' which extends from the top edge of each end wall 9, is looped over each crossbar and is attached to the outer surface of the end wall by means of press-studs 1 0. Each of the opposed side edges of the base 7 is provided with an upstanding side wall 8 which is made of the same material as the base 7. The top edge of each side wall 8 can be provided with a pair of strengthening rods 11 which assist in maintaining the sides walls in upstanding relationship with respect to the base 7, when the frame 1 is in its open position, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

Preferably, the side walls 8 are of a double thickness material, so that the rods 11 can be sandwiched between each thickness inside the walls.

When the members 2, 3 are pivoted about the point 4, such that the frame 1 is moved into its closed position, the base walls 7 and side walls 8 of the support 6 fold generally about their respective transverse centre lines, such that all the components of the item lie in substantially the same general plane, as shown in Fig. 4.

The adjacent ends of the strengthening rods 11 may be hingedly connected together, whilst pocket attachments for carrying any articles associated with the changing, dressing or like of the infant, can be detachably secured, by means of any suitable connector, to either or both crossbars 2', 3'.

The area of the base 7 may be of any suitable size to receive a changing mat, mattress or washable lining, when the frame 1 is in the open position.

The frame 1 can be arranged to be of any suitable height such as to enable the person who is changing or dressing the infant to do so in a standing position.

As previously indicated, the base 7 and/or side walls 8 may be of a rigid material hinged at the transverse centre line, to enable the components of the item to lie in substantially the same general plane, with the frame 1 in its closed position.

Furthermore, each end wall 9 is preferably detachably secured to its respective crossbar 2', 3' of the frame 1, so that the support 6 may be removed therefrom for cleaning or replacement purposes. In the particular embodiment described, this detachable securement is effected by the use of press-studs 10, although any other suitable means may be employed.

Claims (12)

1. An item of nursery furniture comprising a frame, having at least two members which are movable with respect to each other between closed and open positions thereof, and a foldable support which has a generally rectangular base, connected at one pair of opposed sides thereof to respective ones of the frame members, and side walls extending along at least a major portion of respective ones of its other pair of opposed sides, such that, when the frame is in its closed position, the support is in a folded condition and, when the frame is in its open position, the base extends in a generally planar manner between the frame members, with the side walls upstanding from the base.

2. An item of nursery furniture according to claim 1, wherein the base of the support comprises a flexible material.

3. An item of nursery furniture according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side walls comprise a flexible material.

4. An item of nursery furniture according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each side wall comprises a rigid material and is hingedly divided at its centre such that, when the frame is in its closed position with the base of the support in its folded condition, the two halves of each side wall overlap each other in a generally confronting relationship.

5. An item of nursery furniture according to claim 3 or 4, when dependent upon claim 1, wherein the base of the support comprises two rigid halves which are hingedly connected together at the centre of the base, such that, when the frame is in its closed position with the base in its folded condition, the two base halves overlie each other in a generally confronting relationship.

6. An item of nursery furniture according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises a pair of tubular metal members which are pivotally connected together to define a generally X-shaped frame in its open position.

7. An item of nursery furniture according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is detachably secured to the frame.

8. An item of nursery furniture according to any preceding claim, wherein the top edge of each side wall has at least one strengthening member associated therewith, to assist in maintaining the side walls in upstanding relationship with respect to the base, when the frame is in its open position.

9. An item of nursery furniture according to claim 8, wherein each side wall is of a double thickness material, with the or each strengthening member being sandwiched therebetween.

1 0. An item of nursery furniture according to claim 8 or 9, wherein each side wall has two rods which constitute strengthening members and which are hingedly connected together at the centre of the base.

11. An item of nursery furniture according to any preceding claim including at least one storage pocket.

12. An item of nursery furniture according to claim 11, wherein the or each store pocket is detachably securable to the frame and/or support.

1 3. An item of nursery furniture substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.