US3492680A

US3492680A - Combination portable foldable bassinet and carrying case

Info

Publication number: US3492680A
Application number: US699874A
Authority: US
Inventors: John K Coolidge
Original assignee: Hankscraft Co
Current assignee: Hankscraft Co
Priority date: 1968-01-23
Filing date: 1968-01-23
Publication date: 1970-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 1987-02-03
Also published as: GB1204597A

Description

Feb. 3, 1970 J. K. COOLIDGE COMBINATION PORTABLE FOLDABLE BAS'SINE'I' AND CARRYING CASE Filed Jan. 23, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJ FIG .4

INVE N TOR JOHN K. COOL/06E Feb. 3, 1970 J. K. coouoss 3,492,630

COMBINATION PORTABLE FOLDABLE BASSINE'I AND CARRYING CASE Filed Jan. 23; 1968 3Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,492,680 COMBINATION PORTABLE FOLDABLE BASSINET AND CARRYING CASE John K. Coolidge, Reedsburg, Wis., assignor t0 Hankscraft Company, Reedsburg, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Jan. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 699,874

, Int. Cl. A47c 7/00 US. Cl. -99 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The bassinet and carrying case comprises a rectangular bottom wall having a pair of spaced apart fold lines therein extending substantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof to define first, second, and third bottom wall portions, a pair of upstanding side panels respectively joined to the edges adjacent the first bottom wall portion, a first end panel joined to the side panels and to one shorter edge of the bottom wall to define a compartment, a pair of sidewalls foldably joined to respective ones of the longer edges of the bottom wall, a second end panel foldably joined to the other shorter edge of the bottom wall and to the shorter edges of the sidewalls adjacent thereto, and fold lines formed in the sidewalls aligned with the fold lines in the bottom wall, the second end panel and the sidewalls and the bottom wall being foldable to the disposed within the compartment.

It is an object of this invention to provide a combination portable foldable bassinet and carrying case which in the folded p-ostiion thereof serves as a case for carrying the bassinet and additional equipment, and in the unfolded position thereof serves as a crib or bassinet.

A further object of the invention is to provide a portable foldable bassinet which is, in the unfolded position thereof, safe and relatively strong, yet easily folded up.

In summary, the portable foldable bassinet incorporating the features of the invention comprises a generally rectangular bottom wall having a pair of substantially parallel shorter edges and a pair of substantially parallel longer edges, a pair of spaced apart bottom fold lines formed in the bottom wall and extending substantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof to define a first bottom wall portion located between one of the shorter edges of the bottom wall and the one of the bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a second bottom wall portion located between the pair of bottom fold lines, and a third bottom wall portion located between the other of the shorter edges of the bottom wall and the one of the bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a pair of upstanding side panels joined to the portion of respective ones of the longer edges of the bottom wall adjacent the first bottom wall portion, a first end panel having a lower edge joined to the one shorter edge of the bottom wall, the first end panel having a pair of side edges joined to respective Ones of the side panels to define a hollow compartment therewith and with the first bottom wall portion, a pair of sidewalls each having a shorter edge opposite the first end panel and each having a longer edge foldably joined to respective ones of the longer edges of the bottom wall, a second end panel having a lower edge foldably joined to the other shorter edge of the bottom wall, the second end panel having a pair of side edges folda-bly joined to respective ones of the shorter edges of the sidewalls, a pair of parallel side fold lines formed in each of the side walls and extending substantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof and aligned with respective ones of the bottom fold lines in the bottom wall, a diagonal side fold line formed in the end portion of each of the sidewalls 3,492,680 Patented Feb. 3, 1970 adjacent the second end panel and extending diagonally upwardly and toward the first end panel, the sidewalls being foldable inwardly along the longer edge thereof and along the diagonal side fold lines to overlie the bottom wall, the second end panel being foldable inwardly along the lower and side edges thereof and along the diagonal side fold lines to overlie the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the sidewalls being respectively foldable along the bottom fold lines and along the parallel side fold lines to a position wherein the second bottom wall portion extends substantially parallel to the first end panel and wherein the second end panel and the sidewalls and the third bottom wall portion are disposed within the compartment.

The portable foldable bassinet may further comprise a pair of spaced apart elongated bottom reinforcement members disposed in the bottom wall and extending substantially parallel to and substantially coextensive with the shorter edges thereof, a pair of spaced apart elongated side reinforcement members disposed in each of the sidewalls and extending substantially parallel to and substantially coextensive with the shorter edges thereof and aligned with the bottom reinforcement members, and hinges individually joined to the ends of the bottom reinforcement members and to adjacent ones of the ends of the side reinforcement members, each of the hinges including a limiting device for precluding the sidewalls from forming an angle greater than approximately with the bottom wall, and a spring biasing device for snapping the sidewalls to portions approximately normal to or parallel to the bottom wall.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts whereby the aboveoutlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination portable foldable bassinet and carrying case constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, and illustrated in a folded position;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the combination bassinet and carrying case and illustrating the cover therefor in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the combination bassinet and carrying case illustrated in a partially unfolded posi tion;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the combination bassinet and carrying case illustrated in a more complete unfolded position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the combination bassinet and carrying case in an unfolded position with a portion of the sidewall broken away to illustrate the reinforcement members therein;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the combination bassinet and carrying case in an unfolded position with a portion of the side panel broken away to illustrate the construction of one of the end panels;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view in vertical section through the side and bottom walls of FIG. 5 along the lines 77 thereof showing most of the covering materials removed and showing a portion of such materials in an exploded condition;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section through one sidewall of FIG. 5 along the lines 8-8 thereof; and

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the combination bassinet and carrying case;

FIG. is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section along the lines 1010 of FIG. 7 and illustrating the hinge; and

FIG. 11 is a view in vertical section of the hinge of FIG. 10 along the lines 1111 thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a combination portable foldable bassinet and carrying case which as illustrated in FIG. 1 may be folded up to provide a compact, light-weight unit, and which as illustrated in FIG. 2 has room for carrying additional equipment such as a baby blanket and the like, and which as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be unfolded by a minimum number of steps to provide a crib or bassinet.

Referring now more specifically to FIG. 9 to describe the construction of the combination bassinet and carrying case 20 of FIGS. 1 to 4 in the unfolded condition thereof, there is shown a generally rectangular bottom wall having a pair of substantially parallel longer edges 31 and a pair of substantially parallel shorter edges 32. Formed in the bottom wall 30 are a pair of spaced apart bottom fold lines 33 extending substantially parallel to the shorter edges 32 to define an end bottom wall portion 34a located between one of the shorter edges 32 and the fold line 33 nearest thereto, a central bottom wall portion 34b located between the bottom fold lines 33, and a second end bottom wall portion 34c located between the other shorter edge 32 and the bottom fold line 33 nearest thereto. Disposed in each of the

bottom wall portions

34a, 34b and 340, and conforming to the shape thereof, is a fiber board 35 to provide rigidity for each of the

bottom wall portions

34a, 34b and 340.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, it will be seen that a pair of spaced apart elongated bottom reinforcement members 36 are disposed in the bottom wall 30 and more particularly in the central bottom wall portion 34b, which bottom reinforcement members are substantially coextensive with the shorter edges 32 of the bottom wall 30 and extend alongside of respective ones of the bottom fold lines 33. The bottom reinforcement members 36 are preferably formed of metal to give additional strength and rigidity to the bottom wall 30. The bottom reinforcement members 36 have on the ends thereof upturned flanges 37 for reasons to be explained in detail hereinafter. Resting on the bottom wall 30 and substantially coextensive therewith is a mattress 38 formed of a relatively pliable material such as polyurethane foam to permit folding thereof and to provide a soft surface for the baby.

The combination bassinet and carrying case 20 further comprises, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, a pair of generally rectangular upstanding side panels 40 having a pair of substantially parallel longer edges 41 and a pair of substantially parallel shorter edges 42, the lower one of the shorter edges being joined to the portion of res ective ones of the longer edges 31 of the bottom wall 30 adjacent the first end bottom wall portion 34a. Each of the side panels 40 have therein a fiber board (not shown) constructed of material similar to that used in the bottom wall 30 thereby to provide a relatively strong and rigid pair of side panels.

The combination bassinet and carrying case 20 further comprises, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a generally squareshaped first end panel the parallel side edges of which are respectively joined to the adjacent ones of the longer edges 41 of the side panels 40, whereby a compartment 58 (FIG. 2) is defined by the side panels 40, the end panel 50 and the first end bottom wall portion 34a of the bottom wall 30. The end panel 50 is constructed of a plurality of layers as illustrated in FIG. 6, which layers include a fiber board 54 generally coextensive with the end panel 50 and a layer of cushioning material 55 generally coextensive with the end panel 50 which provides protection for the babys head disposed near the e d p el 59- Furth r p ovided on the n ide of the en panel 50 is a layer of flexible plastic material 56, which plastic material additionally covers the inner surfaces of the bottom wall 30, the side panels 40, the

end panels

50 and 100, the cover 60, and the side walls 70 thereby to provide a liquid and stain resistent surface covering the interior of the combination bassinet and carrying case 20. Formed on the outside of the panel 50 is a layer of decorative cloth 57, which cloth also covers the outer surfaces of the bottom wall 30, the side panels 40, the

end panels

50 and 100, the cover 60, and the sidewalls 70, thereby to provide a decorative covering on the exterior of the combination bassinet and carrying case 20.

The combination bassinet and carrying case 20 further comprises a generally rectangular cover 60, one of the longer edges of which is foldably joined to the upper edge of the end panel 50, which cover conforms generally to the shape of the first end bottom wall portion 34a of the bottom wall 30, whereby in the closed position thereof the cover 60 overlies the upper ones of the shorter edges 42 of the side panels 40, a hood being defined by the side panels 40, the end panel 50 and the cover 60 in the closed position thereof. Preferably, the fiber boards in the cover 60, in the end panel 50 and in the

bottom wall portions

34a and 34b are of unitary construction and scored at the junctions of these parts to permit the cover 60 to be foldable and to provide the bottom fold line 33 between

bottom wall portions

34a and 34b. Formed on the opposing shorter side edges of the cover 60 are a pair of flaps 63 disposed adjacent to respective ones of the side panels 40 in the closed position of the cover 60. Also provided is an interengageable locking element 54 comprising a piece of metal bent to form a slot 65 in the fiap 63, and a locking member hingedly joined to the side panel 40 and extending through the slot 65 and pivotable downwardly to lock the cover 60 in the closed position thereof. A similar interengageable locking element (not shown) is provided on the other side panel 40. Alternately, each locking element could comprise a pair of mating snaps.

The combination bassinet and carrying case 20 further comprises a pair of generally rectangular sidewalls each having a pair of parallel longer edges 71 and a pair of parallel shorter edges 72, the lower one of the longer edges 71 being respectively foldably joined to the longer edges 31 of the bottom wall 30. The longer edges are preferably coextensive with the longer edges 31, whereby the lefthand (as viewed in FIG. 5) portion of each of the sidewalls 70 is disposed within the compartment 58 and extends adjacent to respective ones of the upstanding side panels 40. Formed in each of the sidewalls 70 are a pair of spaced apart parallel side fold lines 76 extending substantially parallel to the shorter edges 72 and aligned with respective ones of the bottom fold lines 33 in the bottom wall 30, to define an end sidewall portion 78a, located between one of the shorter edges 72 and the fold line 76 nearest thereto, a central sidwall portion 7811 located between the side fold lines 76 and a second end sidewall portion 780 located between the other shorter edge 72 and the side fold line 76 nearest thereto. Formed in the second end sidewall portion 780 of each of the sidewalls 70, is a diagonal side fold line 77 extending diagonally upwardly and toward the first end panel 50.

As is more clearly shown in FIG. 8, a layer of cushioning material 74 is disposed in the first end sidewall portion 78a and in the central sidewall portion 7812, which cushioning material is similar to that used in the first end panel 50 thereby to surround at least the upper portion of the babys body with soft material. Formed in each of the

sidewall portions

78a, 78b and 780 and on either side of fold line 77 are fiber boards 73 to give rigidity to the sidewalls 70 the fiber boards being similar in construction to the fiber boards in the bottom wall 30.

D po ed n a h of the idewalls 70 is a P f spaced apart elongated vertical side reinforcement members 75 extending substantially parallel to and substantially coextensive with the sidewall shorter edges 72 and extending alongside of respective ones of the parallel side fold lines 76 and aligned with respective ones of the bottom reinforcement members 36. Connecting the upper ends of the vertical side reinforcement members 75 is a horizontal side reinforcement member 79, whereby a frame is defined by the

reinforcement members

75 and 79 to give additional strength and rigidity to the sidewalls 70.

The combination bassinet and carrying case 20 further comprises a set of four hinges 80 respectively joining the two vertical side reinforcement members 75 in one sidewall '70 and the two vertical side reinforcement members in the other sidewall to the adjacent ends of the bottom reinforcement members 36. More specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. and 11, the hinge 80 comprises a first body portion 81 joined by rivets 82 or the like to the upturned flange 37 of the associated bottom reinforcement member 36. Formed in the body portion 81 are a pair of end fingers 83 rolled over at the upper ends thereof at 85 to define a cylindrical opening therethrough. Between the end fingers 83 is formed a resilient central finger 84 extending beyond the rolled over portion 85. The hinge 80 further includes a second body portion 90 joined to the vertical side reinforcement member 75 by a rivet 99, the body portion 90 having at one end thereof a depending finger rolled over at 91 to define a cylindrical opening communicating with the openings in the rolled over portions 85, with a pinion 95 extending through the rolled over

portions

85 and 91 to pivotally join the

body portions

81 and 90.

The rolled over portion 91 has a projection 92 depending slightly downwardly and towards the resilient central finger 84, which projection 92 has an abutment surface 93 at the end surface thereof engaging the resilient central finger 84 when the vertical side reinforcement member 75 is in a first position, namely when it extends normal to the bottom reinforcement member 36 (see FIG. 7 also). The projection 92 has a second abutment surface 94 on the surface thereof facing the bottom reinforcement member 36, the abutment surface 94 engaging the resilient central finger 84 when the vertical side reinforcement member 75 is in a second position, namely when it extends towards an opposing side reinforcement member 75 and extends slightly downwardly toward the bottom'reinforcement member 36. At any position of the vertical side reinforcement member 75 other than said first and second positions, the corner formed by the

abutment surfaces

93 and 94 engages the resilient finger 84 and there will be a tendency for the vertical side reinforcement members 75 to revert to either said first or said second position, whereby the hinge 80 has a spring biasing feature to cause the sidewalls 70 containing the vertical side reinforcement members 75 to tend to snap between positions normal to or slightly toward the bottom wall 30 containing the bottom reinforcement member 36. As shown in FIG. 7, the thickness of the mattress 38 which rests on the bottom wall 30 is such that the top surface thereof is aligned with the rolled-over

portions

85 and 91 of the hinge 80, whereby the sidewalls 70, in the down position thereof, will be approximately parallel to the bottom wall 30. The spring biasing feature of the hinges 80 causes the sidewalls 70, in the down position thereof, to retain the mattress 38 in place. The hinge 80 further includes a bracket 96 having an attachment flange 97 joined to the body portion 90 and to the vertical side reinforcement member 75 by the rivets 99. Depending from one end of the attachment flange 96 and normal thereto is a limiting flange 98 resting upon the upper edge of the resilient central finger 84 when the sidewalls 70 are in the upstanding position, thereby to limit the sidewalls 70 from forming an angle of greater than 90 with the bottom wall 30.

The combination bassinet and carrying case 20 further comprises a second generally rectangular end panel 100 having the lower one of the longer edges thereof foldably joined to the adjacent shorter edge 32 of the bottom wall 30, the shorter side edges of the end panel 100 being foldably joined to respective ones of the side wall shorter edges 72 opposite the first end panel 50.

As shown in FIG.4 a strap is connected to the outer surface of each of the side walls 70 for use in carrying the combination bassinet and carrying case 20 in the unfolded position thereof. To shorten the length of the strap 105 when it is not in use, the mid-portion 104 thereof is snapped together at 106. Unsnapping the mid-portion 104 lengthens the strap 105, whereby the strap 105 is adapted to carry the combination bassinet and carrying case 10. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, there is provided a strap 107 having the ends thereof attached to the upstanding side panels 40, which strap is useful in carrying the combination bassinet and carrying case 20 in the folded position thereof. A separable fastener such as a Zipper 110 has one portion thereof joined to the longer edge of the side panel 40 opposing the end panel 50 and the mating portion thereof joined to the bottom wall longer edge 31 adjacent the central bottom wall portion 34b. A similar Zipper (not shown) is joined to the other side panel 40 and to the other of the longer edges of the bottom wall 30.

In folding the combination bassinet and carrying case 20, the side walls 70 are folded inwardly along the lower ones of the longer edges 71 thereof and on the hinges 80 and along the diagonal side fold lines 77 to overlie the bottom wall 30. The end panel 100 is then folded inwardly along the lower and side edges thereof and along the diagonal side fold lines 77 to overlie the bottom wall 30 and the sidewalls 70. The bottom wall 30, the sidewalls 70 and the end panel 100 are then folded successively on the bottom fold lines 33 and the parallel side fold lines 76 to a position wherein the central bottom wall, portion 34b extends substantially parallel to the end panel 50, the distance between the bottom fold lines 33 being approximately equal to the height of the upstanding side panels 40 to completely close the compartment 58 when the cover 60' is locked in place. The end panel 100, the sidewalls 70, the bottom wall portion 340 and the mattress 38 of the bottom wall 30 then extend within the compartment 58. The zippers 110 are then fastened to maintain the combination bassinet and carrying case 20 in the closed position thereof. If may be seen in FIG. 2 that the volume of the compartment 58 taken up by the mattress 38, the end bottom wall portion 34c, the sidewalls 70 and the end panel 100 in the folded positron thereof is less than the total volume of the compartment 58, whereby the remainder of the compartment 58 may be used to carry additional equipment such as a baby blanket and the like. In unfolding the combination bassinet and carrying case 20, the steps just described are reversed as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable foldable bassinet comprising a generally rectangular bottom wall having a pair of substantially parallel shorter edges and a pair of substantially parallel longer edges, a pair of spaced apart bottom fold lines formed in said bottom wall and extending substantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof to define a first bottom wall portion located between one of the shorter edges of said bottom wall and the one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a second bottom wall portion located between said pair of bottom fold lines, and a third bottom wall portion located between the other of the shorter edges of said bottom wall and the one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a pair of upstanding side panels joined to the portion of respective ones of the longer edges of said bottom wall adjacent said first bottom wall portions, a first end panel having a lower edge joined to said one shorter edge of said bottom wall, said first end panel having a pair of side edges joined to respective ones of said side panels to define a hollow compartment therewith and with said first bottom wall portion, a pair of sidewalls each having a shorter edge opposite said first end panel and each having a longer edge foldably joined to respective ones of the longer edges of said bottom wall, a second end panel having a lower edge foldably joined to said other shorter edge of said bottom wall, said second end panel having a pair of side edges foldably joined to respective ones of the shorter edges of said sidewalls, a pair of parallel side fold lines formed in each of said sidewalls and extending substantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof and aligned with respective ones of said bottom fold lines in the bottom wall, a diagonal side fold line formed in the end portion of each of said sidewalls adjacent said second end panel and extending diagonally upwardly and toward said first end panel, said sidewalls being foldable inwardly along the longer edges thereof and along said diagonal side fold lines to overlie said bottom wall, said second end panel being foldable inwardly along the lower and side edges thereof and along said diagonal side fold lines to overlie said bottom wall, said bottom wall and said sidewalls being respectively foldable along said bottom fold lines and along said parallel side fold lines to a position wherein said second bottom wall portion extends substantially parallel to said first end panel and wherein said second end panel and said side walls and said third bottom wall portion are disposed within said compartment.

2. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a generally rectangular cover foldably joined to the upper edge of said first end panel and pivotable between an open position "wherein at least a portion of the interior of said compartment is exposed and a closed position wherein said cover overlies the upper edges of said upstanding side panels, whereby in the closed position thereof a hood is defined by said first end panel, said side panels and said cover.

3. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 2, and further comprising a pair of flaps extending from respective opposing edges of said cover and disposed adjacent to respective ones of said side panels in the closed position of said cover, a first pair of interengageable locking elements respectively on one of said side panels and one of said flaps, and a second pair of interengageable locking elements respectively on the other of said side panels and the other of said fiaps.

4. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a pair of separable fastening means respectively on the edge of each of said side panels opposing said first end panel and respectively on the portion of the longer edges of said bottom wall between said pair of bottom fold lines.

5. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 4, and wherein each of said separable fastening means is a zipper.

6. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a first strap attached to the outer surfaces of said side panels for carrying the bassinet in a folded condition thereof, and a pair of straps attached to respective ones of the outer surfaces of said sidewalls for carrying the bassinet in an unfolded condition thereof.

7. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 1, wherein the distance between said bottom fold lines in said bottom wall is approximately equal to the height of said upstanding side panels.

8. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a mattress resting on said bottom wall and substantially coextensive therewith, said mattress being formed of relatively pliable material to permit folding thereof along with said bottom wall.

9. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 8, wherein the volume of said compartment taken up by said third bottom wall portion, said sidewalls and said second end panel, in the folded position thereof is less than the total volume of said compartment, whereby the remainder of said compartment may be used to carry equipment.

10. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a pair of spaced apart elongated bottom reinforcement members disposed in said bottom wall and extending substantially parallel to and substantially coextensive with the shorter edges thereof, a pair of spaced apart elongated side reinforcement members disposed in each of said sidewalls and extending substantially parallel to and substantially coextensive with the shorter edges thereof and aligned with said bottom reinforcement members, and four hinges individually joined to the ends of said bottom reinforcement members and to adjacent ones of the ends of said side reinforcement members.

11. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 10, wherein each of said hinges includes limiting means for precluding said sidewalls from forming an angle greater than approximately degrees with said bottom wall, and spring biasing means for snapping said sidewalls to positions approximately normal to or parallel to said bottom wall.

12. A portable foldable bassinet comprising a generally rectangular bottom wall having a pair of substantially parallel shorter edges and a pair of substantially parallel longer edges, a pair of spaced apart bottom fold lines formed in said bottom wall and extending substantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof to define a first bottom wall portion located between one of the shorter edges of said bottom wall and the one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a second bottom wall portion located between said pair of bottom fold lines and a third bottom wall portion located between the other of the shorter edges of said bottom wall and the one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a pair of elongated bottom reinforcement members disposed in said bottom wall and substantially coextensive with the shorter edges thereof and extending alongside of respective ones of said bottom fold lines, a pair of upstanding side panels joined to the portion of respective ones of the longer edges of said bottom wall adjacent said first bottom wall portion, a first end panel having a lower edge joined to said one shorter edge of said bottom wall, said first end panel having a pair of side edges joined to respective ones of said side panels to define a hollow compartment therewith and with said first bottom wall portion, a pair of sidewalls each having a shorter edge opposite said first end panel and each having a longer edge disposed adjacent to respective ones of the longer edges of said bottom wall, a second end panel having a lower edge joined to said other shorter edge of said bottom wall, said second end panel having a pair of side edges operably joined to respective ones of the shorter edges of said sidewalls, a pair of parallel side fold lines formed in each of said sidewalls and extending substantially parallel to said shorter edge thereof and aligned with respective ones of said bottom fold lines in said bottom wall, a pair of elongated side reinforcement members disposed in each of said sidewalls and substantially coextensive with the shorter edge thereof and aligned with said bottom reinforcement members, and four hinges individually joined to the ends of said bottom reinforcement members and to adjacent ones of the end of said side reinforcement members, each of said hinges including limiting means for precluding said sidewalls from forming an angle greater than approximately 90 degrees with said bottom wall, each of said hinges further including spring biasing means for snapping said sidewalls to positions approximately normal to or parallel to said bottom wall; said sidewalls being foldable inwardly on said hinges to overlie said bottom wall, said second end panel being foldable inwardly along the lower edge thereof to overlie said bottom wall, said bottom wall and said sidewalls being respectively foldable along said bottom fold lines and along said parallel side fold lines to a position wherein said second bottom wall portion extends substantially parallel to said first end panel and wherein said second end panel and said sidewalls and said third bottom wall position are disposed within said compartment.

13. The portable foldable bassinet set forth in claim 12, and further comprising a diagonal side fold line formed in the end portion of each of said side walls adjacent said second panel and extending diagonally upwardly and toward said first end panel, with said side walls and said second end panel being foldable inwardly along said diagonal side fold lines to overlie said bottom wall.

14. A portable foldable bassinet comprising a generally rectangular bottom wall having a pair of substantially parallel shorter edges and a pair of substantially parallel longer edges, a pair of spaced apart bottom fold lines formed in said bottom wall and extending substantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof to define a first bottom wall portion located between one of the shorter edges of said bottom wall and the one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a second bottom wall portion located between said pair of bottom fold lines, and a third bottom wall portion located between the other of the shorter edges of said bottom wall and the one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a pair of upstanding side panels joined to the portion of respective ones of the longer edges of said bottom wall adjacent said first bottom wall portion, a first end panel having a lower edge joined to said one shorter edge of said bottom wall, said first end panel having a pair of side edges joined to respective ones of said side panels to define a hollow compartment therewith and with said first bottom wall portion a pair of side walls each having a shorter edge opposite said first end panel and each having a longer edge foldably joined to respective ones of the longer edges of said bottom wall, a second end panel having a lower edge foldably joined to said other shorter edge of said bottom wall, said second end panel having a pair of side edges operably joined to respective ones of the shorter edges of said side walls, a pair of parallel side fold lines formed in each of said sidewalls and extenlding substantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof and aligned with respective ones of said bottom fold lines in said bottom wall, and a pair of hinges pivotably joining respective ones of the longer edges of said bottom wall to the longer edges of respective ones of said side walls, each of said hinges including means for precluding said sidewalls from forming an angle greater than approximately 90 degrees with said bottom wall, each of said hinges including spring biasing means for snapping said side walls to positions approximately normal to or parallel to said bottom wall, said side walls being foldable inwardly on said hinges to overlie said bottom wall, said second end panel being foldable inwardly along the lower edge thereof to overlie said bottom wall, said bottom wall and said side walls being respectively foldable along said bottom fold lines and along said parallel side fold lines to a position wherein said second bottom wall portion extends substantially parallel to said first end panel and wherein said second end panel and said sidewalls and said third bottom wall portion are disposed within said compartment.

15. A portable foldable bassinet comprising a generally rectangular bottom wall having a pair of substantially parallel shorter edges and a pair of substantially parallel longer edges, a pair of spaced-apart bottom fold lines formed in said bottom wall and extending substantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof to define a first bottom wall portion located between one of the shorter edges of said bottom wall and the one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a second bottom wall portion located between said pair of bottom fold lines, and a third bottom wall portion located between the other of the shorter edges of said bottom wall and the one of said bottom fold lines nearest thereto, a pair of upstanding side panels joined to the portion of respective ones of the longer edges of said bottom wall adjacent said first bottom wall portions, a first end panel having a lower edge joined to said one shorter edge of said bottom wall, said first end panel having a pair of side edges joined to respective ones of said side panels to define a hollow compartment therewith and with said first bottom wall portion, a pair of rigid sidewalls each having a shorter edge opposite said first end panel and each having a longer edge foldably joined to respective ones of the longer edges of said bottom wall, a generally rectangular cover foldably joined to the upper edge of said first end panel and pivotable between an open position wherein at least a portion of the interior of said compartment is exposed and a closed position wherein said cover overlies the upper edges of said upstanding side panels, whereby in the closed position thereof a hood is defined by said first end panel and said side panels and said cover, a second end panel having a lower edge foldably joined to said other shorter edge of said bottom wall, said second end panel having a pair of side edges foldably joined to respective ones of the shorter edges of said rigid side walls and extending substantially parallel to the shorter edges thereof and aligned with respective ones of said bottom fold lines in the bottom wall, a diagonal side fold line formed in the end portion of each of said rigid side walls adjacent said second end panel and extending diagonally upwardly and toward said first end panel, said rigid side walls being foldable inwardly along the longer edge thereof and along said diagonal side fold lines to overlie said bottom wall, said second end panel being foldable inwardly along the lower and side edges thereof and along said diagonal side fold lines to overlie said bottom wall, said bottom wall and said rigid side walls being respectively foldable along said bottom fold lines and along said parallel side fold lines to a position wherein said second bottom wall portion extends substantially parallel to said first end panel and wherein said second end panel and said rigid side walls and said third bottom wall portion are disposed within said compartment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,738,521 3/1956 Billgren 5-99 2,823,390 2/1958 Hagehfeldt 5-99 2,908,020 10/1959 Barton 599 3,096,917 7/1963 Gudiksen 224-6 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 598; 224-6