GB2470347A

GB2470347A - A platform for placement on a seat to provide a sleeping surface for infants

Info

Publication number: GB2470347A
Application number: GB0907217A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hermanus Jacobus Le Roux
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-28
Filing date: 2009-04-28
Publication date: 2010-11-24
Also published as: GB0907217D0

Abstract

A sleeping platform assembly 10 for supporting a child comprises a platform 12, support legs 14,16 disposed at one end of the platform, and retaining means [ 18, 20, Fig. 1]for retaining a safety belt of a seat at the other end of the platform. In use, the platform rests on and is secured to a vehicle seat, e.g. an aircraft seat, to provide a bed for a child [Fig. 4]. A cushion 50, which may be inflatable, can be disposed on top of the platform 12. The platform assembly 10 may be folded into to a stowed position [shown in Fig. 1]. The support legs 14,16 may be telescopic and can be hinged to the base of the platform.

Description

Title: Platform Assembly The present invention relates to a platform assembly and particularly hut not exclusively to a platform assembly for use by young children on an aircraft to help them sleep.

Background to the Invention

When travelling by aircraft, particularly in economy class, there is often nowhere suitable for a young child to sleep. A baby, toddler or any young child may fall asleep on the lap of an adult such as a parent or guardian, but this can be uncomfortable for the adult, especially if they are also trying to fall asleep. On a long haul flight, the problem is exacerbated, because the child is on the flight for much longer, and if the child does not sleep, the child will become tired and upset.

It is an object of the invention to provide a platform assembly which reduces or substantially obviates the above mentioned problems

Statement of Invention

According to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a platform assembly for supporting a child comprising a platform, support means connected to and extending downwardly from an end region of the underside of the platform and means for retaining a seat belt at the other end region of the platform.

The platform is advantageous because it can be supported from one end on a seat and supported at the other end from the floor by the support means. The assembly is held to the seat by the seat belt, which is held in the retaining means. In this manner, a substantially flat surface is provided for a child to sleep on, which utilises the available space of the seat and associated footwell or legroom space.

Preferably the platform is made from at least first and second substantially planar members.

Preferably the first and second substantially planar members are connected at a hinge and are foldable about the hinge between a stowed position in which upper side of the first and second substantially planar members are face to face and an operative position in which the first and second substantially planar members lie in the same plane.

The ability to fold the platform enables it to be conveniently reduced in size, i.e. in half, for storage and transit.

Preferably locking means is provided for retaining the first and second substantially planar members in the stowed and operative positions.

The means for retaining a seat belt to the underside of the platform may comprise at least one clip disposed on the underside of the first substantially planar member and preferably comprises a pair of spaced clips disposed on the underside of the first substantially planar member.

Preferably a third substantially planar member is slidingly mounted to the underside of the second substantially planar and is movable from stowed position substantially underlying the second substantially planar member to an operative position in which the third substantially planar member is at least partially displaced from the stowed position to extend the length of the platform.

Advantageously, the third planar member can be used to extend the length of the platform in aircraft or areas where there is a generous amount of leg room.

Preferably the support means comprises a pair of adjustable legs. The adjustable legs are preferably hinged to the underside of the second substantially planar member and are preferably telescopic.

Preferably the legs are lockable in a position extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the platform.

Preferably retaining clips are mounted to the underside of the platform for retaining the legs in a stowed position.

Preferably a cushion is provided on top of the platform for making the platform more comfortable. The cushion may be filled with any conventional filling or may be inflatable. Preferably the inflatable cushion is at least partially filled with foam and is self-inflating when a valve of the inflatable cushion is opened.

Preferably an adjustable strap is provided for strapping a child to the assembly. The strap my wrap around the platform area and be secured on either side thereof.

Preferably a handle is disposed on one edge of the assembly for ease of carrying the assembly.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a sleeping arrangement for a child comprising a platform assembly in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, a seat and a safety strap, one end of the platform being supported from the seat and the other end of the platform being supported by the support means, and the safety strap being retained by the retaining means.

Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a platform assembly in a folded position for storage and carriage; Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the platform assembly of Figure 1 in an operative position for mounting to a seat, for example, of an aircraft; Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of the platform assembly of Figure 1 in the operative position; Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the platform assembly of Figure 1 in use in an aircraft cabin, with a child asleep on the assembly; Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the platform assembly of Figure 1 in an operative position, with the platform being extended by a third planar member; and Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the platform assembly of Figure 1 being opened to the operative position from the stowed position, with a latch for locking the assembly in the operative position, shown inset.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3. a platform assembly is indicated generally at 10.

The platform assembly 10 includes a platform 12, first and second supporting legs 14, 16 mounted to the underside of the platform 12 and retaining means comprising a pair of clips 18, 20 for retaining a safety belt. The platform 12 comprises first and second substantially planar members 22, 24, which are rectangular in shape and are connected together along one edge by hinges 26, 28, disposed on the outside edges of the members. Any other suitable hinge arrangement could be utilised, for example, a piano hinge or strap hinge arrangement. The planar members 22, 24 are arranged to fold about the hinges between a collapsed or stowed position as shown in Figure 1 and an open or operative position as shown in Figures 2 and 3. A resilient latch member for locking the members 22 24 in the open position, best seen in the inset portion of Figure 6, is attached to the first planar member 22 and locates in an aperture 32 on the second planar member 24, when the planar members reach the open position. The latch can be released for closing the members 22, 24 by depressing the latch member 30.

The first and second supporting legs 14, 16 are telescopic and are each formed from an upper tubular member 34 and a lower tubular member 36. The lower tubular members 36 are connected together by a cross member 38. The upper and lower tubes are adapted to slide one within the other and are locked together in any desired position by means of an over-centre cam lock 40. The upper tubular members 34 are pivotally connected to the underside of the second planar member 24 and are arranged to rotate between a stowed position, in which the legs 14, 16 are retained substantially parallel to the plane of the second planar member 24 by resilient clips 42 and a supporting position, in which the legs extend substantially perpendicularly downwards from the underside of the second planar member 24. Feet 44, are pivotally mounted to the lower ends of the legs 14, 16, which can be adjusted to lie flat on a floor, even if the legs are not disposed vertically in relation to the floor. The pivotal axis of the feet is parallel with the pivotal axis of rotation of the legs 14, 16. A latch means 46 is provided on each leg hinge for locking the legs in the open position.

The latch is released by pressing a latching button which engages an aperture to prevent movement.

Referring also to Figure 5, a third substantially planar member 48 is mounted on sliders, similar to drawer slides or runners, underneath the second planar member 24.

The third planar member can he extended from the end of the platform 12, in order to extend its length and is useful on aircraft, particularly where there is a greater distance between seats.

In order to make the platform 12 comfortable for a child to lie on, a cushion 50 is disposed over the surface of the members 22, 24. The cushion may be inflatable and may also be foam filled. A valve seals the cushion and when the valve is released, air is sucked into the cushion 50 causing it to expand in known manner, for use.

In use, as indicated in Figure 4, the platform assembly 10 is opened and placed on a seat, for example in an aircraft cabin. The legs 14, 16 are extended until they are supported by the floor 54 and the cam locks 40 are locked. The seat safety belt (not shown) is fed through and retained by the clips 18, 20. The cushion 50 is inflated as described above and a safety belt 56 is used to restrain a child 58 on the surface of the platform assembly 10. The safety belt 56 is of the recoil type and is housed in a block 60 mounted to one side of the planar member 24. A conventional press button latch 62 mounted to the other side of the planar member 24 secures the free end of the belt and can he done up or released as desired.

if the third planar member 48 is utilised, then two further cushions, which are stowed underneath the main cushion 50 can be utilised.

It is envisaged that the platform assembly 10 will be carried on all commercial long haul flights, and can be used to provide a comfortable sleeping platform for a small child, particularly in the economy cabin. However, the platform assembly 10 can also be utilised, for example on ships or in other places where a temporary sleeping facility is required. By virtue of the length of the legs 14, 16 being adjustable, the platform can be used with any height of seat, and the three planar members 22, 24, 48 can be extended to at least 1.2m, thereby providing a platform suitable for small children to sleep on. Although the cushion 50 is described as being inflatable, it is also possible for the cushion to be simple foam or other pad. The cushion 50 is preferably coated in vinyl, to facilitate cleaning of the cushion. It is envisaged that the structure of the platform assembly will be manufactured from aluminium and plastics.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A platform assembly for supporting a child comprising a platform, support means connected to and extending downwardly from an end region of the underside of the platform and means for retaining a seat belt at the other end region of the platform.
2. A platform assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the platform is made from at least first and second substantially planar members.
3. A platform assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the first and second substantially planar members are connected at a hinge and are foldable about the hinge between a stowed position in which upper side of the first and second substantially planar members are face to face and an operative position in which the first and second substantially planar members lie in the same plane.
4. A platform assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which locking means is provided for retaining the first and second substantially planar members in the stowed and operative positions.
5. A platform assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which the means for retaining a seat belt to the underside of the platform comprises at least one clip disposed on the underside of the first substantially planar member.
6. A platform assembly as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, in which the means for retaining a seat belt to the underside of the first substantially planar member comprises a pair of spaced clips disposed on the underside of the first substantially planar member.
7. A platform assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a third substantially planar member is slidingly mounted to the underside of the second substantially planar and is movable from stowed position substantially underlying the second substantially planar member to an operative position in which the third substantially planar member is at least partially displaced from the stowed position to extend the length of the platform.
8. A platform assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support means comprises a pair of adjustable legs.
9. A platform assembly as claimed in claim 8, in which the adjustable legs are hinged to the underside of the second substantially planar member.
10. A platform assembly as claimed in claim 9, in which the adjustable legs are telescopic.
11. A platform assembly as claimed in claim 9 or 10, in which the legs are lockable in a position extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the platform.
12. A platform assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, in which retaining clips are mounted to the underside of the platform for retaining the legs in a stowed position.
13. A platform assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a cushion is provided on top of the platform.
14. A platform assembly as claimed in claim 13, in which the cushion is inflatable.
15. A platform assembly as claimed in claim 14, in which the inflatable cushion is at least partially filled with foam and is self-inflating when a valve of the inflatable cushion is opened.
16. A platform assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which an adjustable strap is provided for strapping a child to the assembly.

17 A platform assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a handle is disposed on one edge of the assembly for carrying the assembly.

18 A sleeping arrangement for a child comprising a platform assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, a seat and a safety strap, one end of the platform being supported from the seat and the other end of the platform being supported by the support means, and the safety strap being retained be the retaining means.

19 A platform assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.