Clips for mounting accessories to play yards and methods of operating the same

• US 20060225205A1
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises Incorporated (Hasbro Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises Incorporated (Hasbro Inc.)
• Inventors: Troutman, Damon Oliver Casati
• Granted Patent: US 7,458,114 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/93.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 13/06 Children's play- pens
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 5/00 Dressing-tables or diaper changing supports for children
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 9/016 capable of being suspended from, or attached to, other articles or structures, e.g. adult's bed
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/22 of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material F16B2/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 9/05 by way of an intermediate member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/23 Bedclothes holders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44043 Channel and inserted bar
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/606 Leaf spring

Abstract

Clips for securing one or more accessories to a play yard or crib and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example includes a first engagement member, a second engagement member, and a first joining member joining the first and second engagement members. The first and second engagement members are joined in a spaced apart relation such that a distance between the first and second engagement members is less than a diameter of the rail.

Claims

1. A clip for securing an accessory to a rail of a play yard or crib, the clip comprising:

a first engagement member;

a second engagement member;

a first joining member joining the first and second engagement members in spaced apart relation such that a distance between the first and second engagement members is less than a diameter of the rail.

2. A clip as defined in claim 1 wherein the first joining member is structured to overlie the rail while the first and second engagement members are disposed beneath the rail.

3. A clip as defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second engagement members engage a bottom of the rail when the clip is secured to the rail.

4. A clip as defined in claim 1 further comprising a second joining member joining the first and second engagement members.

5. A clip as defined in claim 4 wherein the second joining member comprises a hub.

6. A clip as defined in claim 4 wherein the first and second joining members are separated a distance corresponding to a length of the first engagement member.

7. A clip as defined in claim 6 wherein the first and second joining members are structured to overlie the rail while the first and second engagement members are disposed beneath the rail.

8. A clip as defined in claim 6 wherein the first and second joining members and the first and second engagement members define an opening to receive the rail.

9. A clip as defined in claim 4 wherein the first and second joining members and the first and second engagement members are integrally formed of a resilient material.

10. A clip as defined in claim 1 wherein the first joining member is located at an end of the first engagement member and an end of the second engagement member.

11. A clip as defined in claim 1 wherein the first joining member comprises first and second side walls respectively coupled to the first and second engagement members, and a cross-member joining the first and second side walls.

12. A clip as defined in claim 11 wherein the first and second sidewalls are separated by a distance which is greater than the distance between the first and second engagement members.

13. A clip as defined in claim 12 wherein at least one of the first and second side walls provides a grip to facilitate separating the first and second engagement members.

14. A clip as defined in claim 1 further comprising a hub joining the first and second engagement members.

15. A clip as defined in claim 14 wherein the hub is coupled to first ends of the first and second engagement members and the first joining member is coupled to second ends of the first and second engagement members.

16. A clip as defined in claim 15 wherein the hub has an opening to receive a spindle of a rockable accessory to be mounted to the clip.

17. A clip as defined in claim 15 further comprising:

a third engagement member having a first end coupled to the hub;

a fourth engagement member having a first end coupled to the hub; and

a second joining member joining the third and fourth engagement members in spaced apart relation such that a distance between the third and fourth engagement members is less than the diameter of the rail.

18. A clip as defined in claim 17 wherein the second joining member is coupled to second ends of the third and fourth engagement members.

19. A clip as defined in claim 18 wherein the hub, the second joining member and the third and fourth engagement members define an opening to receive the rail.

20. A clip as defined in claim 15 further comprising a bracket to receive a portion of an accessory to be mounted to the clip.

21. A clip as defined in claim 20 wherein the bracket is located on the hub.

22. A clip as defined in claim 20 wherein the bracket is located on the first joining member.

23. A clip as defined in claim 20 wherein the bracket comprises:

a body defining a channel to receive a mounting clip associated with an accessory; and

a cup to receive a cylinder.

24. A clip as defined in claim 23 wherein the mounting clip includes a spring button to removably secure the mounting clip to the bracket.

25. A clip as defined in claim 23 wherein the cylinder receives a rod associated with an accessory.

26. A clip as defined in claim 23 wherein the cup defines a slot to receive a flange on the cylinder to prevent rotation of the cylinder in the cup.

27. A clip as defined in claim 23 wherein the cylinder rotatably connects the mounting clip to a rocking accessory.

28. A clip as defined in claim 27 wherein the cylinder includes a partition to limit rocking of the accessory relative to the cylinder.

29. A clip as defined in claim 20 wherein the bracket comprises a body defining a channel to receive a mounting clip associated with an accessory.

30. A clip as defined in claim 29 wherein the mounting clip includes a spring button to removably secure the mounting clip to the bracket.

45. A clip as defined in claim 23 wherein the cylinder receives the rail.

31. A clip for securing an accessory to a rail of a play yard or crib, the clip comprising:

first and second walls;

first and second living hinges joining the first and second walls; and

an opening defined above the first and second walls and between the first and second hinges to receive the rail.

32. A clip as defined in claim 31 wherein at least one of the first and second living hinges overlies the rail when the rail is in the opening.

33. A clip as defined in claim 32 wherein at least one of the first and second walls is located beneath the rail when the rail is in the opening.

34. A clip for securing one or more accessories to a rail of a play yard or crib, the clip comprising:

a hook to engage the rail;

a wall depending from the hook; and

a bracket on the hook or the wall to secure a rail from a first accessory.

35. A clip as defined in claim 34 wherein the wall has a surface to secure a second accessory.

36. A clip as defined in claim 35 wherein the second accessory is fastened to the wall by a mechanical or chemical fastener.

37. A clip as defined in claim 35 wherein the second accessory is sewn to the wall.

38. A clip as defined in claim 37 wherein the second accessory is a soft good.

39. A clip as defined in claim 38 wherein the second accessory is a bassinet, a changing table, a storage compartment, or a cradle.

40. A clip as defined in claim 38 wherein the first accessory is a bassinet, a changing table, a storage compartment, or a cradle.

41. A clip as defined in claim 34 wherein the hook includes a grip.

42. A clip as defined in claim 34 wherein the bracket comprises:

a body defining a channel to receive a mounting clip associated with the rail of the first accessory; and

a cup to receive a cylinder.

43. A clip as defined in claim 42 wherein the mounting clip includes a spring button to removably secure the mounting clip to the bracket.

44. A clip as defined in claim 42 wherein the cylinder comprises the portion of the mounting clip.

46. A clip as defined in claim 42 wherein the cup defines a slot to receive a flange on the cylinder to prevent rotation of the cylinder in the cup.

47. A clip as defined in claim 42 wherein the cylinder rotatably connects the mounting clip to the first accessory.

48. A clip as defined in claim 47 wherein the cylinder includes a partition to limit rocking of the first accessory relative to the cylinder.

49. A clip as defined in claim 34 wherein the bracket comprises a body defining a channel to receive a mounting clip associated with the first accessory.

50. A clip as defined in claim 49 wherein the mounting clip includes a spring button to removably secure the mounting clip to the bracket.

51. A clip as defined in claim 34 further comprising a second hook coupled to the wall.

52. A clip as defined in claim 51 wherein the first and second hooks are separated by a distance.

53. A clip as defined in claim 51 wherein the first and second hooks and the wall are integrally formed.

54. For use with a play yard or crib having a rail, an apparatus comprising:

a first accessory;

a hook to engage the rail to suspend the first accessory within the play yard;

a second accessory;

a bracket coupled to the hook to support the second accessory above the first accessory.

55. An apparatus as defined in claim 54 wherein the first accessory includes a soft good.

56. An apparatus as defined in claim 54 wherein the first accessory comprises a bassinet, a changing table, a storage compartment, or a cradle.

57. An apparatus as defined in claim 55 wherein the second accessory comprises a bassinet, a changing table, a storage compartment, or a cradle.

58. An apparatus as defined in claim 54 wherein the second accessory is coupled to the bracket via a rail.

59. An apparatus as defined in claim 54 wherein at least one of the first and second accessories is rockable while attached to the play yard.

60. An apparatus comprising:

a play yard having rails;

a full bassinet suspended in the play yard by a plurality of clips coupled to the rails; and

a changing table, storage compartment, cradle, reduced bassinet, or rocking bassinet at least partially supported on at least one of the clips supporting the full bassinet.

61. An apparatus as defined in claim 60 wherein the at least one of the at least one clip comprises:

first and second walls;

first and second living hinges joining the first and second walls; and

an opening defined above the first and second walls and between the first and second hinges to receive the rail.

62. An apparatus as defined in claim 61 wherein at least one of the first and second living hinges overlies the rail when the rail is in the opening.

63. An apparatus as defined in claim 62 wherein at least one of the first and second walls is located beneath the rail when the rail is in the opening.

64. An apparatus as defined in claim 60 wherein the at least one of the at least one clip comprises:

a hook to engage the rail;

a wall depending from the hook; and

a bracket on the hook or the wall to secure a portion of a support for the changing table, the storage compartment, the cradle, the reduced bassinet, or the rocking bassinet.

65. An apparatus as defined in claim 64 wherein the full bassinet is fastened to the wall.

66. An apparatus as defined in claim 64 wherein the at least one of the at least one clip further comprises a second bracket on the hook or the wall.

67. An apparatus as defined in claim 66 wherein the second bracket is spaced from the first bracket and receives a mounting clip coupled to the changing table, the storage compartment, the cradle, the reduced bassinet, or the rocking bassinet.

68. An apparatus as defined in claim 67 wherein the mounting clip is sewn to the changing table, the storage compartment, the cradle, the reduced bassinet, or the rocking bassinet.

69. An apparatus as defined in claim 64 wherein the support comprises a rail is coupled to the changing table, the storage compartment, the cradle, the reduced bassinet, or the rocking bassinet.

70. An apparatus as defined in claim 64 wherein the changing table, the storage compartment, the cradle, the reduced bassinet, or the rocking bassinet includes at least one additional clip coupled to the support of the play yard.

71. A clip for securing one or more accessories to a play yard or crib, the clip comprising:

a hook to engage the play yard or crib;

a wall depending from the hook;

a first bracket on the hook or the wall to secure a portion of a first accessory; and

a second bracket on the hook or the wall to secure a mounting clip from the first or a second accessory.

72. A clip for securing one or more accessories to a play yard or crib, the clip comprising:

a hook to engage the play yard or crib;

a wall depending from the hook;

a first connection to a first accessory; and

a second connection to a second accessory.