NL2021321B1

NL2021321B1 - An infant supporting apparatus

Info

Publication number: NL2021321B1
Application number: NL2021321A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Willem Hendricus Nieuwenhuizen Marco; Oudshoorn Teije
Original assignee: Royalty Bugaboo Gmbh
Priority date: 2018-07-17
Filing date: 2018-07-17
Publication date: 2020-01-24

Abstract

An infant supporting apparatus is provided that comprises a support frame (100) comprising a bar (103,104) having an longitudinal opening (113,114), a holder (301) for holding the infant, and at least one coupling member (201) for removably coupling the holder to the support frame. The coupling member comprises a holder engagement part (401) connected to the holder (301), and at least one bendable snapin connector (403) to be snapped in into the opening (114) of the bar (103,104) so as to connect the coupling member (201) to the support frame (100). The snap-in connector (403) comprises an outer end (801) which, in the coupled state, extends out of the opening (113,114), and which can be operated by a user so as to unlock the snap-in connector and remove the coupling member (201) from the support frame (100). In this way the holder can easily be removed from the frame.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an infant supporting apparatus, such as a carrycot.

BACKGROUND ART

Cots for infants are known as such and are also referred to as bassinets. Some cots have stiff frames combined with a fabric container or holder to place the infant. Some cots are portable, such as the well-known carrycots. A carrycot actually functions as a portable bed or seat for an infant. The current patent application relates to cots and carrycots, but also to other types of infant supporting apparatus, such as child seats, beds, strollers or buggies.

The utility model CN203318477(U) discloses a carrycot which can be dismounted and mounted by means of a zipper. The carrycot, referred to as seat body structure, comprises a support frame and a seat body made of cloth. The seat body structure is characterized in that the seat body is fixed to the support through a connecting device. This connecting device comprises a first primary connecting device and a first secondary connecting device matched with the first primary connecting device, the first primary connecting device is detachably connected with the first secondary connecting device, the first primary connecting device is arranged on the support, the first secondary connecting device is arranged at the corresponding position of the seat body, and the first secondary connecting device and a second primary connecting device detachably fix the seat body to the support frame.

Although the seat body discussed above is easy to detach from the support frame, i.e. by way of unzipping the zipper, one part of the zipper (i.e. the first primary connecting device) will always stay affixed to the support frame. So a complete dismantling of the seat is not possible. This may be disadvantageous in case the user needs to thoroughly clean the whole seat body and frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an infant supporting apparatus in which an infant holder can be completely and easily be detached from a support frame.

The invention provides an infant supporting comprising:

- a support frame comprising a bar having an longitudinal opening;

- a holder for holding the infant, and

- at least one coupling member for removably coupling the holder to the support frame.

The coupling member comprises a holder engagement part connected to the holder, and at least one bendable snap-in connector to be snapped in into the opening of the bar so as to connect the coupling member to the support frame, the snap-in connector comprising an outer end which, in the coupled state, extends out of the opening, and which can be operated by a user so as to unlock the snap-in connector and remove the coupling member from the support frame.

Due to the snap-in mechanism, the coupling member can easily be coupled to the support frame creating the coupling of the holder to the support frame in a convenient way. The user can easily disconnect the holder from the support frame by unlocking the snap-in connectors from the at least one coupling member. After disconnected the holder, the support frame is free of any coupling components and is thus easy to handle and to clean.

Optionally, the holder engagement part and the at least one bendable snapin connector are manufactured as an integral part.

Optionally, the holder engagement part is connected to the holder by way of stitching, gluing or welding.

Optionally, the longitudinal opening in the bar is longer that a width of a coupling member. Preferably, the opening of the bar extends along a major part of the length of the bar, whereas the width of the coupling member may be as small as 5 cm or less. In such embodiments, the user can easily couple the coupling members into the bar without having to search for connection points. Furthermore, the position of the coupling members can be readjusted after connection by pushing the coupling members sideward until they are in the correct position.

Optionally, the holder is made out of a flexible material. Examples of such a flexible material are fabric, foam and/or plastic. Such materials are preferred because they lightweight but still strong enough to hold an infant.

Optionally, the holder comprises a bottom and side walls, wherein the at least one coupling member is attached to the holder at or near an outer end of the side walls at the outside of the walls. In this way, the holder can be positioned next to or inside a frame, and then the coupling members, already connected to the holder, can be mounted easily to the support frame. The coupling members can be present all along the side walls arranged at suitable locations. Alternatively, a single coupling member is used, possibly combined with outer types of coupling means for coupling the holder to the support frame.

Optionally, a cross section of the bar comprises a C-shaped part. Such a shape provide for a bar having a longitudinal groove at one side. Such a shape is easy to manufacture, and is also relatively easy to bent.

Optionally, the cross section of the bar comprises at least one reinforcement enclosed in the C-shaped part. Such reinforcements provide for improved strength of the bar.

Optionally, the at least one reinforcement is coupled to the C-shaped part at a distance from the opening defined by the C-shaped part. This results in a reinforcement of the bar while still keeping the entrance of the opening of the bar free for the coupling member to be inserted.

Optionally, the couplings member comprises a first groove at a top side and a second groove at a bottom side, the second groove being arranged in parallel to the first groove, wherein during coupling, first a top edge of the opening in the bar is placed in the first groove, and then the coupling member is rotated relative to the bar around the top edge of the opening, and next the snap-in connector is snapped into the opening after which a lower edge of the opening in the bar is placed in the second groove.

Optionally, the snap-in connector comprises a lip arranged at a lower side of the at least one snap-in connector, which lip avoids the snap-in connector from leaving the opening of the bar, unless an force is used to compress the snap-in connector.

Optionally, the coupling member comprises one snap-in connector arranged between two legs which legs have narrowed outer ends wherein at the coupled state, the legs have entered the opening except for their outer ends. This results in a stable design where the snap-in connectors acts as a locker while the legs provide the rigidness of the coupling member. It is noted that the number of legs and also that of the snap-in connectors may vary. For example, the coupling member may have two snap-in connectors arranged on both sides of one central leg.

In invention also relates to a coupling member for use in an apparatus as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. In the drawings,

Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a support frame according to an embodiment;

Figure 2 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a cross section of the support frame of Figure 2;

Figure 4 schematically shows a cut out view of part of the bar together with one coupling member according to an embodiment;

Figures 5A-5F show some examples of a cross section of the frame bars; Figure 6A schematically shows a perspective view of a coupling member according to an embodiment;

Figure 6B schematically shows a perspective view of the back side of the coupling member according to the embodiment of Figure 6A;

Figure 7A schematically shows a perspective view of a coupling member according to a further embodiment;

Figure 7B schematically shows a perspective view of the back side of the coupling member according to the embodiment of Figure 7A;

Figure 8 schematically shows a top view of the coupling member of Figure 6A and 6B;

Figure 9 schematically shows a cut-out view of the device cut-out from Figure 8; Figures 10A-10D show a cross section of the bar together with a cut-out view of the coupling member in different stages of the coupling procedure, and Figures 11A-11E show different states of a procedure of removing the coupling member from the frame bar.

It should be noted that items which have the same reference numbers in different Figures, have the same structural features and the same functions, or are the same signals. Where the function and/or structure of such an item has been explained, there is no necessity for repeated explanation thereof in the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a support frame 100 according to an embodiment. In this example, only the frame 100 of the cot is visible, and other parts, such as a fabric holder, are not shown. The support frame 100 comprises a first joint 101 and a second joint 102. The frame 100 also comprises a first bar 103, and a second bar 104. In this example, both bars 103 and 104 are U-shaped bars, wherein each bar begins at a first joint, e.g. joint 101, and end at the other joint, e.g. joint 102. The bars 103, 104 together with part of the joints 101, 102 form an upper part of the support frame 100 and define an opening of the cot to receive an infant.

The support frame 100 further comprises a bottom plate 106 and a number of support feet 107 to support the bottom plate 106. Finally, the support frame 100 comprises a first connection member 108 and a second connection member 109.

According to an embodiment, the first bar 103 comprises a longitudinal opening 113 extending all along the bar 113. The same accounts for bar 104, see longitudinal opening 114. The openings 113, 114 are arranged to receive coupling members for removably installing a holder (also referred to as seat body), as will be explained below in more detail.

Figure 2 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 1. The bar 103, 104 together with the joints 101 and 102, form a closed loop construction. In this example, the closed loop is rectangular shaped with rounded edges. As can be seen from Figure 2, the bottom plate 106 has substantially the same shape as the loop, but in this example, is smaller in size.

In Figure 2 a number of coupling members 201 are also shown. These coupling members can be connected to the inner circumference of the bars 103, 104 and are used to connect the holder to the support frame 100.

Figure 3 shows a cross section of the frame 100 of Figure 2 across the line Ill-Ill. In Figure 3, a fabric holder 301 is now shown. The fabric body holder 301 functions as a seat or bed to hold an infant (not shown). As such, the holder 301 comprises a bottom and a number of side walls 302. It is noted that other embodiments of the holder 301 are conceivable, using non-fabric materials such as a flexible plastic. The holder 301 may even be made of a non-flexible material, such as a hardened plastic, EPP foam or aluminum. If the holder 301 is made out of a non-flexible material, the bottom plate 106 may be obsolete. The holder 301 is connected to the frame bar 104 by means of the coupling members 201.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the holder 301 is stitched at its outer ends to the coupling members 201 using a thread 304. Other solutions to connect the holder 301 to the coupling members 201 are possible, such as gluing, welding or using screws and/or bolts. The coupling members 201 are connected at the outer surface of the holder 301, so that they face outwards and in the direction of the opening of the bar 104. The coupling members 201 can be aligned with the outer end of the holder. Alternatively, they can be connected at a distance from the outer end, for example at a distance between 5-10 cm.

Figure 4 schematically shows a cut-out view of part of the bar 104 together with one coupling member 201 according to an embodiment. The coupling member 201 comprises a holder engagement part 401, an insertion part 402 and a bendable snap-in connector 403 arranged to engage with the opening 114. In Figure 4, only an outer end 801 of the snap-in connector 403 is visible, which extension extends out of the opening 114. This outer end 801 can be operated by a user so as to unlock the snap-in connector 403 and remove the coupling member 201 from the support frame, as will be explained in more detail below.

In Figure 4 also the cross section of the bar 104 is shown. Figures 5A-5F show some examples of the cross section. Figure 5A shows a cross section of the bars 103,104 having an outer elliptic profile 501 with an opening 114. Figure 5B shows an embodiment wherein the cross section comprises the ellipse of Figure 5B and additionally two reinforcement elements 503, 504 at both sides of the opening 114. Figure 5C shows an embodiment wherein the cross section comprises ellipse of Figure 5A and additionally two curls 505, 506 and two reinforcement elements 507, 508 at both sides of the opening 114 and arranged between the curls 505, 506 and the elliptic profile 501. In Figure 5D, a further embodiment is shown in which the outer elliptic profile 501 is reinforced by a reinforcement element 510 that is L-shaped. Figure 5E shows an embodiment in which a reinforcement element 511 is arranged which at first extends in a horizontal direction towards an outer end 520 of the C-shaped profile 501, and then bends off and meets the C-shaped profile 501 at a distance away from the outer end 520. By bending off, a space is created/reserved inside the bar. At the upper part of the bar this space is for receiving the ridge 706 which is discussed with reference to Figure 6B. At the lower part, this space is for receiving a lip 701 to be discussed with reference to Figure 6B. It is noted that the embodiments shown in

Figures 5B-5E all have this feature of connecting the reinforcement elements at a distance away from the outer end(s) of the C-shaped profile 501, and thus at a distance from the opening 114. It is noted that other cross sections are conceivable. A possible example is given in Figure 5F which shows an embodiment with reinforcement elements 512 being connected at the outer ends of the C-shaped profile. To create a sufficient space for the above mentioned ridge 706 and lip 701, in this embodiment the reinforcement elements 512 comprise a U-shaped part shown in Figure 5F.

The bars shown in Figure 5A-5F can be made without using milling or drilling techniques. The opening 114 can be created by bending a plate so that a Cshaped cross section occurs, i.e. there is no need to remove material for creating the opening 114. Furthermore, an open bar having a longitudinal opening is easy to bend, as compared to e.g. closed profiles having milled openings. The bending of a bar that is open at one side is easier than bending closed bars because there is one back wall, so no internal guide is needed during bending.

Figure 6A schematically shows a perspective view of a coupling member 201 according to an embodiment. In Figure 6 a front side of the coupling member 201 is shown. This front side will face the holder 301 and is therefore also referred to as the holder facing side. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the coupling member 201 comprises two flaps 601, 602 and two so-called legs 605, 606 at both sides of the snap-in connector 403. In this embodiment, the holder facing side has a flat surface which consists of the areas 610, 611,612, 615 and 616.

Figure 6B schematically shows a perspective view of the back side of the coupling member 201 according to the embodiment of Figure 6. In Figure 6B, the curved form of the snap-in connector 403 is visible. At the lower side of the snap-in connector 403, a lip 701 is arranged. This lip 701 forms a ridge on the surface of the snap-in connector 403 and is arranged to function as a lock as will be explained below in more detail. The coupling member 201 comprises a wall 702 arranged between the flaps 601 and 602. In this embodiment, the wall 702 is thicker than the flaps 601, 602 so as to provide for sufficient stiffness of the coupling member 201. In the wall 702, an ally 704 may be arranged which can help the (manual) positioning during stitching of a thread 703 (see dashed line) through the coupling member 201 when connecting the holder 301 to the coupling member 201.

Preferably, the flaps 601, 602 have a thickness less or equal to 1 mm; such dimensions make it easy to stitch them to the fabric holder parts and also give the flaps some flexibility, which flexibility will also depend on the material used. A possible material to use for the fabrication of the flaps and/or the other parts of the coupling member 201 is a plastic, such as polypropylene.

The above mentioned flexibility is advantageous in case the coupling members 201 are positioned in a curved corner of the frame bars 103, 104, see also Figure 2. It is noted that the coupling member 201 may only comprise the flaps in case it is positioned in the corners, and that the coupling member 201 has no flaps in case it is coupled to the bars at locations where the bar is more or less straight. It is further noted that the flaps, and optionally the wall 702, may be curved (when seen from above) so as to follow the curvature of the bars 103, 104 in the corners. In that case, different types of coupling members may be needed, a first type for the straight parts of the frame bars 103, 104, and a second type for the curved parts of the bars 103, 104.

In the example of Figure 6B each of the legs 605, 606 has a narrowed outer end also referred to as feet 605” and 606”.

Figure 7A schematically shows a perspective view of a coupling member

202 according to a further embodiment. In Figure 7A a front side of the coupling member 202 is shown. Figure 7B shows a perspective view of the back side of the coupling member 202. As compared to the embodiment of Figures 6A and 6B, the coupling member 202 is identical to coupling member 201 except for the flaps being absent.

In the embodiments of Figures 6A, 6B and 7A, 7B, the coupling member 201 comprises a plateau 705 which extends between and across the legs 605 and 606. The plateaus 705 together with the legs 605, 606 form a U-shaped structure partly surrounding the snap-in connector 403. It is noted that the legs 605,606 in this embodiment are hollow and open at the bar facing side (i.e. the side shown in Figures 6B and 7B). This open structure is advantageous because it provides for sufficient strength while saving material and thus manufacturing costs.

A ridge 706 is arranged on the plateau 705, the ridge 706 extending in a direction parallel to the wall 702. The ridge 706 together with an upper surface of the plateau 705 and the wall 702 create a groove 901, as will be explained below with reference to Figure 9.

In the examples described above the coupling members 201,202 have two legs and one snap-in connector. It should be noted that other embodiments are contemplated. For example, the coupling members 201,202 may have two snap-in connectors arranged on both sides of a single foot. Alternatively, the number of feet may be larger than two or may even be zero meaning that no feet are present, and that only one or more snap-in connectors are present in the coupling member 201,202.

Figure 8 schematically shows a top view of the coupling member 201 of Figure 6 and 7. When looked at from above, the outer end 801 of the snap-in connector 403 extends away from the surface of the wall 702. Figure 8 also shows the top surface of the plateau 705 and the ridge 706. Figure 9 schematically shows a cut-out view of the coupling member 201 cut-out from Figure 8 along the line IX-IX. As can be seen from Figure 9, the cut-out view shows a groove 901 present between the wall 702 and the ridge 706. The groove 901 ends at the top surface of the plateau 705. At the bottom side of the coupling member 201, a further groove 902 is present which is formed by the lip 701 of the snap-in connector 403 and the feet 606”, 607”. It is noted that in the cut-out view of Figure 9, leg 606 is visible, and that leg 607 has been cut away.

Figures 10A-10D show a cross section of the bar 104 together with a cutout view of the coupling member 201 in different stages of the coupling procedure. Straight thick arrows are shown which indicate the location where a force may be applied in order to couple the coupling member 201 to the frame bar 104. In Figures 10A-10D the holder 301 is not visible. Figure 10A shows a first state wherein the coupling member 201 is put into contact with the bar 104. The coupling member 201 is rotated relative to the opening of groove of the bar 104 and inserted into the groove. At the top, the wall 702 contacts the outer surface of the bar 104.

In Figure 10B it is shown that a top edge of the groove in the frame bar 104 has entered the recess 901, and once this is achieved, a force is applied at the side of the device 201 to move the lower part of the coupling member 201 towards the opening of the frame bar 104. Figure 10C shows a next state wherein the snap-in connector 304 is forced to bend due to the fact that the lip 701 meets the lower edge of the opening in the bar 104. Once the lip 701 passes the lower edge of the opening, the snap-in connector will return to its non-biased shape, and the lip 107 will function as a lock which fixes the coupling member 201 in the groove of the frame bar 104. Figure 10D shows the assemble state wherein the coupling member 201 is coupled and fixed to the bar 104. The feet 606” will abut against the outer surface of the frame bar 104. To put it differently: the lower edge of the opening 114 in the frame bar 104 has entered the recess 902 which is indicated in Figure 10A.

As can be seen from Figure 10D, the extension 801 extends out of the groove towards the holder (not shown in Figure 10D). So the extension 801 is accessible for a user, using her finger or a suitable tool, to push the extension 801 upwards to unlock the snap-in connector as will be explained with reference to Figures 11A-11E.

In Figure 10D is seems that the coupling member 201 is resting on top of the groove in the bar and that a force downwards may result in an unwanted bending of the snap-in connector. However, it is noted that in fact the coupling member 201 contacts the lower edge of the opening 114 in the bar 104 also via the bottom surface of the legs 605, 606 next to the feet. As a result, the coupling member 201 is rigid in the direction of expected load, being the weight of the infant sitting or lying in the holder 301.

Figures 11A-11E show different states of a procedure of removing the coupling member 201 from the frame bar 104. In these drawings, straight thick arrows indicate the forces applied to the coupling member 201. In Figure 11B it is shown that a force is applied (e.g. by a finger of a user) to the extension 801 so as to bend the snapin connector 304. Figure 11C that the coupling member 201 is rotated and during a beginning of this rotational movement, the snap-in connector 403 is still pressed in as will be clear to the skilled reader. Figure 11D and 11E show further stages of the removing of the coupling member 201 out of the opening 114 of the frame bar 104.

In the example of Figures 5A-5F, the bar 104 has an elliptic cross section. It should however be noted that the bars 103, 104 could alternatively have a circular cross section, or a rectangular cross section.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb comprise and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article a or an preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A child supporting device comprising:

- a support frame (100) comprising a rod (103, 104) with an opening in the longitudinal direction (113, 114);

- a holder (301) for holding the child;

- at least one coupling member (201) for removably coupling the holder to the support frame, the coupling member comprising a holder engaging portion (401) connected to the holder (301), and at least one flexible snap-in connector (403) to be snapped into the opening (114) of the rod (103, 104) so as to connect the coupling member (201) to the support frame (100), the snap-in connector (403) comprising an end (801) extending extends out of opening (113, 114) in coupled condition, and which can be operated by a user to unlock the snap-in connector and remove the coupling member (201) from the support frame (100).

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder engagement portion (401) and the at least one flexible snap-in connector (403) are made as an integral part.

Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the holder engagement portion is connected to the holder (301) by sewing, gluing or welding.

Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening in the rod (103, 104) is longer than a width of a coupling member.

The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder (301) is made from a flexible material.

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flexible material comprises woven fabric, foam and / or plastic.

An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder (301) comprises a bottom and side walls, the at least one coupling member being attached to the holder at or near an end of the side walls on the outside of the walls.

Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cross section of the rod (103, 104) comprises a C-shaped part.

The device of claim 8, wherein the cross section of the rod (103, 104) comprises at least one reinforcing element enclosed in the C-shaped portion.

An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one reinforcing element is coupled to the C-shaped part at a distance from the opening defined by the C-shaped part.

An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling member comprises a first groove (901) on an upper side and a second groove (902) on a lower side, the second groove being arranged parallel to the first groove (901), wherein during coupling first an upper edge of the opening in the rod is placed in the first groove (901), and then the coupling member is rotated relative to the rod around the upper edge of the opening, and then the snap-in connector in the opening is clicked, after which a lower edge of the opening in the rod is placed in the second groove (902).

An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the snap-in connector comprises a lip (701) mounted on a bottom side of the at least one snap-in connector (403), said lip (701) preventing the snap-in connector from opening the can leave the bar unless a force is used to compress the snap-in connector.

Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling member comprises one snap-in connector arranged between two legs (605, 606) which legs have narrow ends (605, 606), wherein in the coupled state, the legs have the opening have entered except their ends.

A coupling member (201) for use in an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.

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