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Convertible infant care apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Beds, CribConvertible infant care apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050241064, Convertible infant care apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to an infant care apparatus, particularly to an infant carrier supportable on a frame for use as a bassinet. BACKGROUND [0002] Many ideas have been advanced for how to reduce the sheer number of pieces of equipment needed to care for infants. Many parents purchase several items that are not used simultaneously but that nevertheless occupy a significant amount of space in a nursery. SUMMARY [0003] Various aspects of the present invention feature an infant care apparatus having an infant carrier that can be placed on a supporting frame for use as an elevated bassinet, or used separately to transport an infant. [0004] According to one aspect of the invention, an infant care apparatus includes a structural frame defining spaced-apart rails at an upper end of the structural frame, and a carrier configured to be laterally constrained when placed between the rails. The carrier defines a compartment sized to accommodate an infant sleeping in the carrier while supported by the frame. The carrier is removable from the frame to expose a changing table surface between the rails. The changing table surface is secured to the structural frame and disposed below the carrier when the carrier is resting between the rails, with the rails extending above the changing table surface to form at least part of a safety rim above the changing table surface. [0005] The apparatus preferably also includes a restraint secured to the frame and extending above the changing table surface for holding an infant during changing. [0006] In some embodiments, the carrier includes a carrier frame having wall members extending from an infant support member to an upper rim of the carrier to define a receptacle for holding an infant, and a handle attached to the carrier frame. The handle is preferably pivotable between a carrying position in which the handle extends relatively perpendicularly from the rim, and a stowed position in which the handle approaches the rim. [0007] In some cases the removable carrier also includes a battery-powered device, with the handle carrying a button electrically connected to the battery-powered device for activation thereof. The battery-powered device may be a light mounted on the removable carrier, or an audio speaker, as examples. [0008] The carrier preferably includes a restraint disposed within the compartment to secure an infant within the compartment while carrying. [0009] In some configurations, the frame has a lower end configured for rocking the apparatus upon a supporting floor. Preferably, the frame is also supported on wheels mounted on caster pivots. In some cases, the frame has retractable wheels selectively extendable for rolling of the apparatus upon a supporting floor. The wheels may be retractable to enable rocking of the apparatus upon the floor, for example. [0010] In some instances, the frame is formed generally as a framework of connected, tubular steel members. Preferably, the frame is adjustable in height. [0011] In some cases, the carrier has an infant support surface with a head end selectively tiltable with respect to a foot end of the infant support surface, for inclining a torso of an infant placed on the supporting surface. [0012] Some versions of the apparatus also include means to releasably secure the apparatus adjacent a bed. For example, in some cases, the apparatus includes an anchor insertable between a mattress and mattress support of an adult bed, and at least one strap extending from the anchor. The strap preferably carries a releasable fastener for releasably securing the apparatus to the adult bed. In some cases, multiple straps are included, each separately securable to or about respective portions of the apparatus. In some cases, the anchor comprises a restraint cushion of sufficient thickness that the mattress conforms about a contour of the cushion to hold the cushion in place. In some instances, the anchor comprises a flat, flexible sheet of material insertable between the mattress and mattress support and the flat pad and having a surface that generates sufficient frictional resistance against the mattress to resist a pull-out force of at least 10 pounds. [0013] In some embodiments, the spaced-apart rails of the frame are each elevated above opposite sides of the safety rim. In some cases, the spaced-apart rails of the frame are disposed at opposite ends of the apparatus. Preferably, the spaced-apart rails define pockets at either end of the frame to receive and laterally restrain the carrier when the carrier is placed between the rails. The spaced-apart rails may comprise tubular steel members, for example, and may be curved. [0014] According to another aspect of the invention, an infant care apparatus includes a changing table portion and a removable carrier. The changing table portion includes a changing table frame with a receiving portion defining an aperture in an upper region of the changing table frame, and a charging table surface of a size to accommodate an infant. The changing table surface is supported by the changing table frame and arranged within the aperture, sidewalls of the receiving portion rising above an upper surface of the changing table surface. The removable carrier is of an interior size to accommodate an infant and an exterior size to fit through the aperture so as to rest in an engaged position on the receiving portion, such that placing the removable carrier in the engaged position configures the infant care apparatus as a bassinet and removing the removable carrier from the engaged position exposes the changing table surface for use as a changing table. [0015] In some embodiments, the changing table frame includes a base having a plurality of rocking members oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the changing table frame, and a plurality of longitudinal members extending between the rocking members. The rocking members each have a lower surface together defining an arc for engagement with a floor supporting the infant care apparatus for rocking. In some cases, the rocking members each include a plurality of wheels movable between a recessed position, in which the wheels are withdrawn within the arc, and an extended position in which the wheels are exposed beyond the arc for engagement against the floor. Preferably, the rocking members each further comprise a lock engagable to secure the wheels against movement between the recessed and extended positions. [0016] In some cases, the changing table frame is adjustable to change a height of the changing table surface with respect to the floor. [0017] Preferably, the changing table surface includes a rigid planar member supported by the changing table frame in a substantially horizontal position. The changing table surface further may also include a pad with a non-absorbent upper surface overlying the planar member. Preferably, such a pad is detachable from the planar member for washing. [0018] In some cases, the changing table surface is provides as part of a sling suspended from and spanning a top portion of the changing table frame. Preferably, the sling has a non-absorbent upper surface and is removable for washing. [0019] In some embodiments, the removable carrier is collapsible between an expanded position, in which the frame forms an upper rim spanning an open receptacle for receiving an infant, and a collapsed position in which opposite sides of the rim are pivoted toward one another. Preferably, the carrier includes a lock operable to maintain the carrier in its expanded position, and releasable to fold the carrier to its collapsed position. [0020] Another aspect of the invention features a method of securing an infant bed to an adult bed. The method includes placing an anchor mat between a mattress of the adult bed and a supporting surface on which the mattress rests, the anchor mat comprising a flexible sheet of material with an upper surface exposed for engagement against the mattress. The upper surface of the mat is configured to generate frictional resistance against the mattress to resist relative sliding of the mat against the mattress, with the anchor mat being otherwise unsecured to the mattress. The method also includes releasably connecting the infant bed to the anchor mat. [0021] In some embodiments the infant bed is releasably connected to the anchor mat by releasable buckles secured to straps attached to the anchor mat. Continue reading about Convertible infant care apparatus... Full patent description for Convertible infant care apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Convertible infant care apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Convertible infant care apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Multiple level roll-in cot Next Patent Application: Bedding structure with improved door/tracking system Industry Class: Beds ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Convertible infant care apparatus patent info. 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