Mountable Bassinet

This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/653,819 filed May 30, 2024, which is herein incorporated by reference.

The present disclosure is generally in the field of bassinets, and more particularly related to bassinets that are mountable on playards.

A bassinet is a cradle provided in a smaller, more portable form factor that is configured to accommodate a baby. A bassinet may include a mattress or other soft surface on which the baby may rest and thus serves as a useful tool for parents (or another guardian of the baby). However, certain regulations (for example, regulations created by the consumer product safety commission) may require that the bassinet is only usable when provided on a stand or a playard. That is, the regulations may require that the bassinet is not usable when placed on the floor or otherwise not provided on a stand or a playard.

In embodiments, the present disclosure describes a system. The system includes a playard including a top rail. The system also includes a bassinet including one or more supporting members configured to be received by the top rail of the playard, wherein the one or more supporting members are configured to retain the bassinet in an upright position while the bassinet is mounted on the playard, and wherein the one or more supporting members are configured cause the bassinet to tilt or collapse upon removal of the bassinet from the playard.

In embodiments, the present disclosure describes a bassinet. The bassinet includes one or more supporting members that are configured to engage with a top rail of a playard to mount the bassinet on the playard, wherein the one or more supporting members are configured to retain the bassinet in an upright position while the bassinet is mounted on the playard, and wherein the one or more supporting members are configured cause the bassinet to tilt or collapse upon removal of the bassinet from the playard.

In embodiments, the present disclosure describes system including a bassinet. The system also includes a playard including one or more supporting members configured to receive the bassinet, wherein the one or more supporting members are configured to retain the bassinet in an upright position while the bassinet is provided on the playard, and wherein the bassinet collapses from the upright position upon removal from the playard.

The present disclosure provides a more detailed and specific description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and specific descriptions of the drawings, as well as any specific or other embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entirety of this disclosure.

Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. The concepts disclosed herein may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the concepts to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like, but not necessarily the same or identical elements throughout.

The present disclosure describes a system including a bassinet that is configured to automatically lock into a usable configuration when mounted on a structure but transitions into an unusable configuration when the bassinet is removed from the structure and placed on the ground. As a non-limiting example, the structure may be a playard and the basinet may be mounted to a top rail of the playard when it is desired for the bassinet to be used to hold a child. This allows the bassinet to comply with any relevant regulations that require the bassinet to only be used at certain heights above the ground.

In embodiments, this may be accomplished by providing one or more supporting members on the bassinet (these supporting members may instead be provided on the playard in some embodiments). The one or more supporting members may include mechanisms that allow for the one or more supporting members to automatically lock in a fixed configuration when the bassinet is mounted to the playard. This provides a rigid vertical structure that allows the bassinet to remain upright and usable while mounted to the playard. When the bassinet is removed from the playard, however, the mechanisms may cause the supporting members automatically “unlock”, which eliminates the rigid vertical structure that was provided by the supporting members when the bassinet was mounted on the playard. The bassinet is then able to tilt, collapse, or otherwise signal to a user that the bassinet should no longer be used as a sleeping space for a child now that the bassinet is not mounted on the playard. Different examples of such mechanisms that cause the bassinet to automatically transition between the usable and unusable configurations are shown in greater detail in the figures described below.

While reference is made to the bassinet being mounted on a playard, this is not intended to be limiting and the bassinet may similarly be mounted to another type of structure as well. Additionally, while reference is generally made to one or more supporting members that “lock” and “unlock”, the transition of the bassinet between the usable and the unusable configurations may also be effectuated using other types of mechanisms, as shown in the figures described below.

shows a side view of a systemincluding a bassinetand a playard.provides an example of the bassinetbeing mounted on the playardsuch that the bassinetis provided at a threshold height above the ground in accordance with any applicable regulations. As shown in the figure, the bassinetis mounted to a top railof the playard, however, the bassinetmay also be mounted to any other structure on the playard. Additionally, the bassinetis shown as being mounted to the playardvia a first supporting memberand a second supporting member, however, any other number of supporting members may be used to mount the bassinetto the playard. This is also applicable to any of the other figures described herein. That is, while the perspectives shown in the figures may only show one supporting member (or a certain number of supporting members), this is not intended to be limiting and any other number of supporting members may be used in any of the embodiments show in the figures.

shows a side view of an engagement system for a bassinet(only a portion of the basinetis shown) that is configured to be removably coupled to a playard(only one railof the playardis shown). The engagement system includes a supporting memberthat is provided on the bassinet. For example, the supporting membermay be affixed to a top railof the bassinet, however, the supporting membermay also be affixed to any other structure of the bassinet. The engagement system also includes a docking portionthat is provided on the top railof the playard(the docking portionmay also be affixed to any other structure of the playard). The supporting memberis configured to be received within the docking portionprovided on the playardby sliding the supporting memberinto the docking portion. Once the supporting memberis received by the docking portion, the bassinetmay be secured in place on top of the playard. For example,shows a close-up front view of a portion of the supporting memberthat is inserted into the docking portion.

The supporting memberalso includes a sprung lever armthat is provided on the bassinetproximate to the supporting member. A springis provided that produces a force against the sprung lever arm. The force pushes the sprung lever armin a direction towards the supporting member. Thus, when supporting memberof the bassinetis inserted into the docking portionof the playard, the sprung lever armpresses against the docking portionby the force of the spring. The docking portionmay also include one or more aperturesthat may receive one or more protrusionsprovided on the sprung lever arm. When supporting memberis engaged with the docking portion, the one or more protrusionsof the sprung lever armmay be pressed into the one or more aperturesof the docking portionby the spring. This provides further stability to the bassinetwhen the bassinetis mounted on the playard.shows another side view of the engagement system ofin which the bassinetis engaged with the playard.

When a user desires to remove the bassinetfrom the playard, the user may disengage the sprung lever armfrom the one or more aperturesand pull the supporting memberupwards and out from the docking portion.shows a front view of the bassinetofthat is removed from the playard. Particularly,shows that when the bassinetis placed on the ground instead of being mounted on the playard, the bassinetis unable to remain upright and is unusable. This is because the supporting memberprotrudes beyond the bottomof the bassinetand prevents the bottomof the bassinetfrom resting flush on the ground. This provides an indication to a user that the bassinetshould only be used when provided on the playard. This is an example of an embodiment in which the supporting memberremains a rigid, vertical structure even when the bassinetis removed from the playardbut still signals to the user that the bassinetshould not be used when removed from the playard(or another structure that allows the bassinetto be provided at a given height above the ground). Other embodiments described below instead involve the supporting member transitioning between a rigid, locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.

An example of such an embodiment is shown in.shows a front view of another bassinetfor use with a playard. The bassinetincludes supporting member, which includes a first portionand a second portion. A similar supporting member may also be provided at the rear of the bassinet(and/or any other side of the bassinet). The supporting memberis configured to be locked in a rigid, vertical arrangement (for example, the first portionand the second portionalign as shown into create a rigid vertical structure to support the bassinetin an upright position) when the bassinetis attached to the playard. When the bassinetis removed from the playard, a hingeautomatically unlocks and the first portionof the supporting membermay then rotate relative to the second portionof the supporting member(for example, as shown in). This allows the bassinetto then tip over into a position that is unusable (shown in). This provides a different type of indication to a user that the bassinetshould not be used when the bassinet is removed from the playard.

shows a close-up view of the supporting memberof the bassinetof. As shown in, the supporting memberincludes a first portionand a second portionthat are connected via the hinge. While reference is made here to a hinge, any other type of mechanism that allow for the rotation of the first portionrelative to the second portionmay also be used. That is, the hinge may be more generally referred to as a rotation point. This may also be applicable to any other hinge described herein.

Provided within the second portionis a locking memberthat is configured to be movable within the second portionalong a vertical axis. A springis also provided in the supporting memberthat produces a downward force against the locking member, pushing the locking memberdownward into a first position (for example, shown in) in which a portion of the locking memberslightly protrudes from the second portion.

When the bassinetis provided on the playard, the top railof the playardpresses upwards against the portion of the locking memberthat protrudes from the second portion. This produces a force against the locking memberin the upward direction, causing a compression of the springand causing the locking memberto move upward within the second portion(as shown in). The upward force on the locking memberpushes the locking memberinto an apertureprovided within a strutlocated at the hinge. The locking memberbeing within the apertureprevents the rotation of the first portionof the supporting memberrelative to the second portionof the supporting member. Thus, when the bassinetis provided on the playard, the supporting memberis locked in the vertical configuration such that the bassinetremains upright and usable.

In contrast, when the bassinetis removed from the playard, the locking memberis no longer being forced upwards by the top railof the playard. As a result, the springde-compresses and forces the locking memberback downwards along the vertical axissuch that the locking memberagain protrudes from the second portion. This allows the supporting memberto then freely rotate about the hinge, causing the bassinetto tip over, as shown in.illustrate this transition of the supporting member offrom a locked position to an unlocked position.

shows that the supporting membermay further include additional locking mechanisms for securing the bassinetto the playard. For example,shows the supporting member as also including a locking mechanism. When the bassinetis provided on the playard, the locking mechanismengages with the top railof the playard, providing an additional point at which the bassinetis secured to the playard. A user may disengage the locking mechanismfrom the top railwhen it is desired for the bassinetto be removed from the playard(or the locking mechanismmay disengage automatically when the bassinet is pulled upwards from the playard).

Additionally, in some embodiments, rather than the supporting membersimply being able to rotate about the hingewhen the bassinetis removed from the playard, the springmay actively pull the supporting memberinto a collapsed configuration shown insuch that the bassinetis actively tipped over when the bassinetis removed from the playard. This may be accomplished by providing the springhorizontally offset from a center vertical axis through the supporting member, for example.

shows a front view of another bassinetfor use with a playard. The basinetincludes supporting member. A similar supporting member may also be provided at the rear of the bassinet(and/or any other side of the bassinet). The supporting memberincludes a spring-loaded rod. The spring-loaded rodis engaged with one or more gears provided at the top of the bassinet. A first gearof the one or more gears is attached to a first portionof the top rail of the bassinetand a second gearof the one or more gears is attached to a second portionof the top rail of the bassinet. Accordingly, a rotation of the first gearresults in a rotation of the first portionof the top rail of the bassinetand a rotation of the second gearresults in a rotation of the second portionof the top rail of the bassinet. Although the figure shows two gears being provided, any other number of gears may be used. Further, any other type of mechanism may be used to cause the rotation of the first portionand the second portionas well.

When the bassinetis provided on the playard(as shown in), the playard(for example, a top rail of the playardor any other structure of the playard) produces an upward force against the spring-loaded rod. This compresses the springengaged with the spring-loaded rodand causes the spring-loaded rodto engage with the first gearand the second gear, preventing a rotation of the first gearand the second gear. This locks the first portionof the top rail of the bassinetand the second portionof the top rail of the bassinetin the horizontal configuration shown insuch that the bassinetis usable.

In contrast, when the bassinetis removed from the playard(as shown in), the springis no longer compressed by the force of the playardagainst the spring-loaded rod, and the springde-compresses and forces the spring-loaded rodback downward. This causes the spring-loaded rodto disengage from the first gearand the second gear, causing first gearand the second gearto freely rotate. As aforementioned, the rotation of the first gearand the second gearalso causes rotation of the first portionof the top rail of the bassinetand the second portionof the top rail of the bassinet. This results in the bassinetcollapsing into a configuration that is not usable, as shown in. This provides yet another type of indication to a user that the bassinetshould not be used when the bassinetis removed from the playard.

shows a front view of another bassinetfor use with a playard (not shown in the figure). The bassinetincludes first supporting member, second supporting member, and third supporting member. Although not shown in the perspective of the figure, the bassinetmay also include a fourth supporting member at the rear of the bassinet that is similar to the third supporting member.

The first supporting memberand the second supporting membermay include a similar mechanism as the supporting memberof. For example, the first supporting memberincludes a first portionand a second portionthat are connected via a hinge. Provided within the second portionis a member that is configured to be movable within the second portionalong a vertical axis. A spring (shown in) is also provided in the first supporting memberthat produces a downward force against the member, pushing the member downward into a first position in which a portion of the member slightly protrudes from the second portion.

When the bassinetis provided on the playard, the top rail of the playard presses upwards against the portion of the member that protrudes from the second portion. This produces a force against the member in the upward direction, causing a compression of the spring and causing the member to move upward within the second portion. The upward force on the member pushes the member into an aperture provided within a strut located at the hinge. The member being within the aperture prevents the rotation of the first portionof the first supporting memberrelative to the second portionof the first supporting member. Thus, when the bassinetis provided on the playard, the first supporting memberis locked in the vertical configuration such that the bassinetremains upright and usable.

In contrast, when the bassinetis removed from the playard, the member is no longer being forced upwards by the top rail of the playard. As a result, the spring de-compresses and forces the member back downwards along the vertical axis such that the member again protrudes from the second portion. A similar mechanism may be provided in the second supporting member.

When the bassinetis removed from the playard (as shown in), the first supporting memberand the second supporting memberpivot about their respective hinges and the bassinetcollapses downward on itself into an unusable configuration (shown in). Similar to,illustrate the transition of the first supporting memberor the second supporting memberfrom a locked position to an unlocked position.

Additionally, the third supporting member(and/or the fourth supporting member) may also include a first portionand a second portion. The first portionand second portionare configured to move relative to one another such that when the bassinetis removed from the playard and the first supporting memberand the second supporting memberpivot about their respective hinges, the first portionand the second portionmay move relative to one another to allow the bassinetto collapse downward, as shown in.

shows a front view of another bassinetfor use with a playard. The basinetincludes supporting member. A similar supporting member may also be provided at the rear of the bassinet(and/or any other side of the bassinet).

The supporting memberis shown in further detail in. Particularly,shows that the supporting memberincludes a springthat is connected to a pulley mechanism, where the springand pulley mechanismare provided about a rotation pointin the supporting member. The springmay be attached to a structure of the bassinet. For example, the springmay be attached to a top rail of the bassinet, however, may also be attached to any other structure as well. When the bassinetis provided on the playard, the supporting memberis locked in a vertical configuration (as shown in) based on the top railof the playardengaging with a portionof the supporting memberand preventing rotation of the supporting memberabout the rotation point. In this configuration, the springis decompressed and, without the engagement of the portionand the top railand the supporting member, would compress and pull the pulley mechanismtowards the spring, causing a rotation of the supporting memberabout the rotation point.

shows a front view of another bassinetfor use with a playard. Particularly,shows an embodiment in which a supporting memberused to support the bassineton the playardis provided on the playardrather than being provided on the bassinet. In this embodiment, the bassinetmay not have any rigid vertical supporting structure such that when the bassinetis removed from the playard, the bassinetcollapses downwards on itself (for example,show the bassinetbeing removed from the playardand collapsing down on itself into an unusable configuration). However, when the bassinetis provided on the playard, the basinetengages with the supporting memberon the playard, and the supporting memberprovides this rigid vertical supporting structure such that the bassinetremains un-collapsed and usable while on the playard.

show a close-up view of the supporting memberused to engage the bassinetand the playardof.only show half of the supporting memberthat may be provided on the playardand another half of the supporting membermay also be provided (for example, a similar structure as shown inthat is mirrored across the axis). The supporting memberincludes a first memberwith a first cavitythat is configured to receive a top railof the playard. The supporting memberalso includes a second memberthat is affixed to the first memberand includes a second cavityconfigured to receive a protrusionprovided on the bassinet.

also show that the playardmay include a platformthat is rotatable from an upright position into a horizontal position (shown in). When the platformis rotated to the horizontal position, the platformserves as a solid surface on which the bassinetmay rest.also shows that a mattressor other type of soft surface may be provided on top of the platformas a more suitable surface on which a child may rest in the bassinet.

show the bassinetbeing provided on the playardand engaging with the supporting member. Particularly,shows the bassinetbeing inserted downwards on the playard. The bassinetincludes a rigid structure including a protrusionthat is received by the second cavityincluded in the second memberof the supporting member.shows the protrusionprovided within the second cavityand the bassinetfully engaged with the playard. As shown in, with the bassinetfully engaged with the playard, the mattress(or other soft structure) is located at the bottom of the bassinetand serves as a suitable resting place for a child. To remove the bassinetfrom the playard, a user may disengage the protrusionfrom the second cavityand lift the bassinetfrom the playard.

shows a front view of another bassinetfor use with a playard. The bassinetincludes a first telescoping leg, which includes a first portionand a second portion. The bassinetalso includes a second telescoping leg, which includes a first portionand a second portion. The bassinet further includes a third telescoping leg, which includes a first portionand a second portion. The bassinetmay also include a fourth telescoping leg and/or any other number of telescoping legs (including two or fewer telescoping legs as well).

When the bassinetis provided on the playard, the first telescoping leg, the second telescoping leg, and the third telescoping legare locked in an extended configuration (shown in) such that the bassinet may be usable. However, when the bassinetis removed from the playard, the first telescoping leg, the second telescoping leg, and the third telescoping legcollapse downwards, causing the bassinetto also collapse into an unusable configuration (shown in).

show a close-up view of a telescoping leg, of the bassinetof. Particularly,show a close-up view of the first telescoping leg, however, similar structure and functionality may be associated with any of the other telescoping legs.

As shown in, the first telescoping legincludes a spring-loaded rodthat has a sliderat the top that supports the top part of the whole assembly. The spring-loaded rodis held in place by the top railof the playard. When the first telescoping legis removed from the top rail, the spring-loaded rodis pushed down by the spring, making the slidermove to the right and out of engagement with the stopon the upper partof the assembly. The spring-loaded rodmay include a pin in a slotted groove in the slidersuch that when the spring attached to the spring-loaded rodpushes the spring-loaded roddown, the pin travels down and moves the slidesto the right. Gravity pulls the upper partof the assembly down. When the user resets the telescoping leg, a springat the sliderlocks the sliderin place when the user places the bassineton the playard. The spring-loaded rodis pushed upward by the top rail of the playard, causing the pin to travel upward in the slotted groove of the slider, sliding it to the left with the assistance of spring, putting the bassinetin the locked configuration with the stop.

illustrate another manner in which a bassinet may be converted between multiple configurations. Specifically, rather than the bassinet converting between a usable and an unusable configuration, the bassinets shown inare converted between a configuration for one type of a use and a configuration for a different type of use (for example, converting between a bed for a child and a seat for a child).

Beginning with,a side view of another bassinetis shown. In, there is a spring-driven mechanism that converts the sleeping area of the bassinetinto an inclined seating area (shown in) when the bassinetis removed from the playard. Accordingly, the sleeping mode of the basinetis only accessible when the bassinetis mounted to the playard.

shows a first configuration in which the bassinetis mounted on the playardand is in the sleeping mode. In this configuration, a keyis pushed upward (in a similar manner as the supporting members ofis shown as being pushed upward, for example) and locked into place. When the keyis pushed upward when the bassinetis mounted to the playard, an armis pushed horizontally outward (to the right in the figure). This, in turn, moves a rampout of engagement with a to the right drives purple arm outward which moves the green ramp out of engagement with an elementthat is attached to the sleeping surfaceof the bassinet.

shows a side view of the bassinet ofthat is removed from the playardand in a second configuration. When the bassinetis removed from the playard, the springthat is connected to the keyforces the keydownward. This causes the armto be pulled back horizontally inward (to the left in the figure), pulling the rampinto engagement with the elementand pushing the elementinward as well. The movement of the elementcauses a first endof the sleeping surfaceto move inward (to the left in the figure) as well. This causes the sleeping surfaceto transition into the angled configurationshown inin which the sleeping surfaceis at an incline as a seating surface rather than a sleeping surface.

shows a side view of another bassinetprovided on a playardand in a first configuration.shows a side view of the bassinetand the playardandshows a perspective view of the bassinetand the playard.shows that the bassinetalso includes a sleeping surfaceincluding a first portionand a second portionthat are connected by a hinge(or other type of pivot point). When the bassinetis provided on the playard, the sleeping surfaceremains in the horizontal configuration (or near horizontal configuration). However, when the bassinetis removed from the playard, gravity causes the sleeping surfaceto fall at the hinge(as shown in).shows the bassinetbeing provided on its side and that the bassinetis unusable unless it is flipped upside down in the configuration shown in. To maintain the sleeping surfacein a fixed configuration until the bassinetis removed from the playard, the hingemay include a hard stop at 180 degrees, which keeps the sleeping surfaceflat when provided on the bassinet. When it is flipped, the hingecan rotate to the seat configuration. Further, there may be stops and/or other structure built into lower rails that keep the sleeping surfaceflat and out of the playard.

shows a perspective view of another bassinetprovided on a playardand in a first configuration. Similar to the bassinetof, when the bassinetis provided on the playard, the sleeping surfaceis in a configuration that allows a child to rest on the sleeping surface.

shows a perspective view of the bassinetofthat is removed from the playardand in a second configuration. Similar to the sleeping surfaceof, the sleeping surfaceofconverts into a seat when the bassinetis removed from the playard. To accomplish this change in configuration, the sleeping surfaceincludes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portionand the second portionmay be fixed to a frame of the bassinetsuch that the first portionand the second portionremain fixed even when the bassinetis removed from the playardand flipped upside down. However, rather than being affixed to the frame of the bassinet, the third portionis instead secured to the first portionand the second portionin a manner that allows the third portionto fall downward due to gravity when the bassinetis flipped upside down. For example, the third portionmay be connected to the first portionand the second portionvia string or any other suitable mechanism.

When the bassinetis in the second configuration with the third portionbeing separated from the first portionand the second portiondue to gravity, the sleeping surfaceis converted into a seat for a child. In some instances, a foldable seatmay be provided on the third portionand may be folded upwards for use when the bassinetis in the second configuration. When the bassinetis flipped back to an upright position (the first position shown in), gravity causes the third portionto fall back onto the first portionand second portion, forming a more flat surface that may be used for sleeping by a child.

show another bassinetthat is configured to be converted between one configuration (which may be referred to as a “bassinet configuration”) in which the bassinetis mounted on a playard (such as playardshown inor any other playard) and is usable as a standard bassinet for a child, and another configuration (which may be referred to as an “entertainment configuration”) in which the bassinetis separated from the playard and is usable as a tabletop/play surface. The bassinetmay be converted from the bassinet configuration to the entertainment configuration by removing the bassinetfrom the playard and flipping the bassinetupside down (relative to the original orientation of the bassineton the playard). The bassinetincludes supporting structure that allows the bassinetto rest on a surface (such as the ground) when flipped to allow the bassinetto be usable as the tabletop/play surface in the entertainment configuration. When it is desired to again use the bassinetas a standard bassinet, the bassinetmay be flipped once more and mounted on the playard.