US3756680A

US3756680A - Infant dressing table

Info

Publication number: US3756680A
Application number: US00204968A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Lerner
Original assignee: FORMULETTE CO Inc
Current assignee: FORMULETTE CO Inc
Priority date: 1971-12-06
Filing date: 1971-12-06
Publication date: 1973-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-04

Abstract

A dressing table for an infant or the like comprising first and second sections, each of which comprises two pairs of spaced legs between which at least one drawer is arranged. One pair of legs of one section is freely arranged between the two pairs of legs of the other section so that the two sections are linearly slidable with respect to each other. Preferably, each section is provided with two or more drawers in staggered spaced relationship permitting the drawers to be arranged in tier formation.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Lerner 1 Sept. 4, 1973 I541 INFANT DRESSING TABLE 1,588,771 6/1926 Richardson 312 201 3,162,484 12/1964 Kleffman [751 lnvemor- Lem", Roslyn 3,543,355 12/1970 Wyckoff et a1 24/81 cc [73] Assignee: Formulette Company, Inc., Long island City, NY. Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Att M h ff 22 Filed: Dec. 6, 1971 Sc a at [21] App]. N0.: 204,968 [57] ABSTRACT A dressing table for an infant or the like comprising 52 us. c1. 312 237 first and Second Sections, each of which comprises two [51] Int. Cl A47b 83/00 Pairs of Spaced legs between which at least one draw" [58] Field of Search 312/237, 201; is arrangedone P of legs of one Section is freely 297/248; 24/81 248/316 PC ranged between the two pairs of legs of the other section so that the two sections are linearly slidable with 5 References Cited respect to each other. Preferably, each section is pro- UNITED STATES PATENTS vided with two or more drawers in staggered spaced relationship permitting the drawers to be arranged in tier 3,313,584 4/1967 Rocker 312/201 formation 3,010,775 11/1961 Giovar'melliul. 312/250 X 2,884,478 4/1959 Becker et al 24/81 CC S'Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PA ENTEB 3.756.680

\62 INVENTOR.

ROBERT LERNER BY FIG.6 W J4 ATTORNEY INFANT DRESSING TABLE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to baby and infant dressing tables.

An essential feature of infant dressing tables is that they be easily collapsible and portable since they are generally used in nurseries and rooms where space is limited and since they are only used for a very short time and must, thereafter, be stored until the birth of a new infant. Another essential feature of such tables is that they be provided with as many drawers and shelves as is possible to contain the many diapers, lotions, powders and other articles necessary for the dressing of the baby. These two essential features sometimes act in contradiction to each other, since by multiplying drawers, shelves, etc., it becomes difficult to produce an easily collapsible and storable table. Thus the conventional tables are usually of complex construction, difficult to manufacture and costly. They are difficult to assemble, collapse and store.

An object of the present invention is to provide an infant dressing table, which issimpler and easier to manufacture, as well as use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an infant dressing table which is easily assembled by the user and has a minimum of parts required for the assembly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an infant dressing table which is easily collapsible, requiring a minimum of manipulation and area to do so.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an infant dressing table which is safe and without dangerous projections, or mechanisms possibly harmful to the child and which can be maintained clean and sanitary.

These objects, as well as other together with numerous advantages will be apparent from the foregoing description description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the present invention a dressing table for an infant or the like is provided comprising first and second sections, each of which comprises'two pairs of spaced legs between which at least one drawer is arranged. One pair of legs of one section is freely arranged between the two pairs of legs of the other section so that the two sections are linearly slidable with respect to each other. Preferably, each section is provided with two or more drawers in staggered spaced relationship permitting the drawers to be arranged in tier formation.

The drawers are provided with integrally formed vertical sleeves at each of its four comers. The sleeves fit over the legs and are preferably secured thereto by suitable fasteners.

A handle is provided on one of the sections and a foldable cover is fixed to the other section. The cover being openable to rest on the handle for stabilization.

Full details of the present invention will be found in the following description and in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the drawings:

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Turning now to the drawings, the dressing table of the present invention comprises a primary section 10 and a secondary section 12 which are linearly slidable relative to each other to be inserted one within the other in tiered, superimposed relation. A foldable top 14 is provided capable of overlying the two sections when open and foldable to be coextensive with the primary section when the two sections are enclosed one within the other.

The primary section 10 comprises a first pair of elongated tubular legs 16 extending outwardly at the bottom, and an opposed pair of straight tubular legs 18. The secondary section 12 comprises a pair of short legs 20 and a third pair of long legs 22. Except for the short legs 20, all the legs are of the same height. Arranged between the legs of each section are at least two container drawers 24. As seen more clearly in FIG. 3, each container drawer 24 is an open rectangular box having a front wall 26, a back wall 28, two opposed side walls 30 and a bottom 32. Each drawer is preferably formed from a plastic such as P.V.C., polyethylene or the like, by injection or blow molding so as to be unitary and have an integral construction. They may be colored and decorated as desired. Adjacent each of the four comers of each drawer is a sleeve bracket 34 comprising a hollow cylindrical member having a single hole 36 extending radially therethrough. The sleeves 34 are arranged so that those adapted to fit over the first and third pair of

legs

16 and 22 respectively, are both formed on the same side panel of the drawer, while the sleeves adapted to fit over the second pair of legs 18 and the short legs 20 are formed on the front and back panels of the drawer respectively. To accomplish this the drawers may be considered and formed as mirror images of each other.

As will be seen in FIG. 1, the first pair of legs 16 define end stops for the secondary section 12 limiting its movement inward of the primary section, while the second pair of legs 18 are arranged on the outside of the drawers to permit the secondary section 12 to slide outwardly. The short legs 20 of the secondary section are also arranged outside of the drawers permitting the sections to slide, however, they are arranged intermediately the first and second pair of legs of the first section so that they cooperate with the second pair of legs 18 to also act as end stops, limiting outward movement of the two sections. The short legs 20 are preferably provided with a slight bend at the bottom to permit them to be spaced from the second pair of legs 18, although, this is not absolutely necessary. They do not extend the entire distance to the floor since they are not needed theirupper ends arranged in a plane coextensive with the upper ends of the first, second and third pairs of legs to provide a rest for the top cover 14.

As seen the drawers 24, in each section, are vertically spaced and staggered with respect to each other so that the sections and 12 are movable into superimposed tier like fashion interlocking with each other. The drawers are held by screws 38 extending through the holes 36 seating in similar holes formed in the tubular legs. By pre-drilling the holes in the legs, the exact distance between the drawers can be fixed eliminating the need of the assembler or user to be required to locate the same.

The cover or top 14 is secured to each of the

legs

16 and 18 of the first section by providing it with brackets 40 at each of its four corners. As seen in the enlargement FIG. 4, the bracket 40 comprises a first dowel portion 42 adapted to seat within the hollow end of the legs and a tab 44 which is bendable over the edge of the leg and secured to it by a screw or similar fastener. The cover 14 comprises, in conventional form, a flat inflexible board like base 46 and a padded soft exterior 48 sheathed by a plastic or fabric sheeting.

A handle 50 having a generally U-shap is secured to the outer portions of each of the third pair of legs 22 by suitable screw fasteners. The bight portion 52 of the handle is fiat and the handle itself is formed and arranged on the legs so that the bight 52 lies co-planar with the upper ends of the legs. In this manner the handle also serves as a rest for the foldable portion of the table cover 14 when it is opened, as seen in FIG. 1. The handle 50 also permits the table to be easily transported when the two sections are interlocked and may, at times, serve as a towel rack.

In order to secure the two sections in open condition at least one clasp 54 is provided. As seen in FIG. 5, the clasp comprises a first sleeve portion 56 adapted to he slipped over the tubular short leg 18 and a second semicircular portion 58 adapted to clamp about the adjacent leg 18 of the second pair. The clasp 54 is easily swingable into and out of operative position and requires no mechanical moving parts or screw fastenings. The clasp is preferably made of plastic material, or thin aluminum so as to have a degree of resiliency or memory allowing the semi-circular portion to tightly grasp the tubular legs and not be dislodged under constant use.

Various accessories may be provided. For example,

as seen in FIG. 2, a waste basket 60 is provided. The

basket 60 can be of any shape and size suitable to the overall design. It is held by two brackets 62 to the first pair of legs 16 opposite to that of the handle 50. Each of the brackets 62, as seen in FIG. 6 comprise a semicircular portion 64 adapted to fit over the tubular legs 16, and a U'shape hook portion 66 in which the lip 68 or similar edge of the basket 60 can rest. The brackets 62 are firmly secured to the tubular legs at a given height above the floor by screws extending radially through the semi-circular portion 64.

The bottom ends of the legs are provided with skid proof caps 70. Wheels may be provided on one or more of the pairs of legs, if desired. The cover top 14 may have a restraining belt 72.

The table thus described may be easily assembled simply by arranging the tubular legs in the selected pairs and by successively slipping the drawers thereover, so that the sleeves enter the tubes, as indicated. No special tools are needed for assembly except a simple screw driver and except for the screws, the safety clasp and brackets there are no loose parts. Exceptfor the screws and the tubular legs, which are preferably metal, all the parts are plastic. Since the legs and brackets all come with pre-bored screw holes the exact spacing of the parts is simplified.

The construction described provides a very strong table since the drawers and legs are interlocked by a bracket at each corner which is integral with the drawer and fastened to the legs. Even should one or more of the screws loosen, during use, the sleeve portions of the brackets encircle the tubular legs and maintain the table rigid and secure.

The table is easily collapsible, being merely slidably meshing in superimposed relationship, when storage or transport is desired. The sections do not pivot relatively to each other as with known prior devices and therefore, do not need excessive room in which to be closed.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that various changes and modifications are possible. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative only and not limiting of the scope of the invention.

What is claimed:

1. An infant dressing table comprising a first and second section, each section comprising two pairs of spaced legs and at least one drawer, each of said drawers being supported adjacent of its comers to said legs in the corresponding section, one pair of legs of one section being freely arranged between the spaced pairs of said other section, one pair of legs of said one section being wider than both pairs of legs of the other section between which they are arranged and shorter so as not to extend to the floor, and the drawers being staggered with respect to each other thereby permitting the two sections to slidably intermesh with each other in linear closed and open positions defined by the engagement of the wider pair of legs with each of the pairs of legs between which they are arranged and wherein the short leg is supported by the longer legs of the other sections.

2. The dressing table according to claim 1, wherein said drawers are provided with cylindrical sleeves at each comer, said sleeves fitting over the legs of its associated section and means for securing said sleeves to said legs to fixedly support said drawers thereon.

3. The dressing table according to claim 2, wherein all of said drawers are similarly formed of moldable plastic, the sleeves being integrally formed with said drawers to provide a unitary construction.

4. The dressing table according to claim 1, including a cover comprising a first portion secured to the upper ends of the legs of one section, a second portion foldabe relative thereto between a first position overlying the same and a second position overlying the ends of the legs of the other section when said sections are in open position.

5. The dressing table according to claim 4, including means for securing said cover to said section, said means including a dowel portion adapted to fit within the end of said legs and a tab adapted to be secured to the exterior of said legs.

Claims

1. An infant dressing table comprising a first and second section, each section comprising two pairs of spaced legs and at least one drawer, each of said drawers being supported adjacent of its corners to said legs in the corresponding section, one pair of legs of one section being freely arranged between the spaced pairs of said other section, one pair of legs of said one section being wider than both pairs of legs of the other section between which they are arranged and shorter so as not to extend to the floor, and the drawers being staggered with respect to each other thereby permitting the two sections to slidably intermesh with each other in linear closed and open positions defined by the engagement of the wider pair of legs with each of the pairs of legs between which they are arranged and wherein the short leg is supported by the longer legs of the other sections.

2. The dressing table according to claim 1, wherein said drawers are provided with cylindrical sleeves at each corner, said sleeves fitting over the legs of its associated section and means for securing said sleeves to said legs to fixedly support said drawers thereon.