Rockable sleeping compartments attachable to play yards and methods of operating the same

Abstract

Rockable sleeping compartments attachable to play yards and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example includes a play yard and an infant sleeping compartment mounted to the play yard for rocking movement.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a play yard; and    an infant sleeping compartment mounted to the play yard for rocking movement.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the infant sleeping compartment is mounted to a top rail of the play yard.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the infant sleeping compartment has a rounded shape.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 3  wherein the rounded shape is an oval.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the infant sleeping compartment comprises a bassinet or a cradle.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the infant sleeping compartment further comprises: 
 a frame;    first and second clips coupled to opposite top rails of the play yard; and    first and second hubs rotatably coupling the frame to the first and second clips, respectively.    
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 6  further comprising a motor to rotate the first and second hubs with respect to the first and second clips.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 6  further comprising: 
 a spindle projecting from the first hub; and    an opening defined in the first clip to receive the spindle.    
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 8  wherein the spindle further comprises: 
 a shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the first hub; and    a lug located on the second end, wherein the shaft is sized to pass through the opening, and at least a portion of the lug is sized to not pass through the opening.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 9  wherein the opening comprises a first opening in communication with a second opening sized to permit removal of the lug from the clip.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 10  wherein the second opening is located above the first opening.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 6  further comprising a bracket on the first clip.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 12  wherein the bracket further comprises a body defining a channel to receive a mounting clip associated with the first hub.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 13  wherein the mounting clip includes a spring button to removably secure the mounting clip to the bracket.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 13  wherein the bracket defines a cup to receive a projection associated with the mounting clip.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 15  wherein the cup defines a slot to receive a flange on the projection to prevent rotation of the projection in the cup.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 13  wherein the mounting clip is rotatably coupled to the first hub.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 17  further comprising a shaft penetrating the mounting clip and the first hub to define an axis of rotation.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 17  wherein the mounting clip includes a projection which engages the first hub.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 19  further comprising a partition to limit rocking of the first hub relative to the mounting clip.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 19  wherein the partition is located within the projection.  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 19  further comprising a lug associated with the first hub, the lug penetrating the projection.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 17  further comprising a motor wherein the motor rotates the mounting clip with respect to the first hub.  
   
   
       24 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 6  wherein the first clip has a surface to secure a second sleeping compartment beneath the rocking infant sleeping compartment.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 24  wherein the second sleeping compartment is fastened to the surface by a mechanical or chemical fastener.  
   
   
       26 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 24  wherein the second sleeping compartment is sewn to the surface.  
   
   
       27 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 6  wherein the first clip further includes a first bracket to receive a support rail.  
   
   
       28 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 27  wherein the second clip further includes a second bracket to receive the support rail.  
   
   
       29 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 28  wherein the support rail is not straight.  
   
   
       30 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 28  wherein the support rail supports an accessory adjacent the infant sleeping compartment.  
   
   
       31 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 30  wherein the accessory comprises at least one of a storage compartment, a changing table, or a non-rocking infant sleeping compartment.  
   
   
       32 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 30  further comprising a changing table mounted to the play yard adjacent the accessory.  
   
   
       33 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 32  wherein the changing table is non-rectangular.  
   
   
       34 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 32  wherein the changing table further comprises: 
 third and fourth clips coupled to opposite top rails of the play yard;    a second support rail coupled to the third and fourth clips; and    a changing surface.    
   
   
       35 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 34  wherein the second support rail supports the accessory.  
   
   
       36 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 34  further comprising a first mounting clip coupling the second support rail to the third clip and a second mounting clip coupling the second support rail to the fourth clip.  
   
   
       37 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 34  further comprising a first bracket on the third clip to receive the first mounting clip and a second bracket on the fourth clip to receive the second mounting clip.  
   
   
       38 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 34  further comprising a fifth clip to couple a side of the changing table to the play yard.  
   
   
       39 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a changing table mounted to the play yard adjacent the infant sleeping compartment.  
   
   
       40 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 39  wherein the changing table is non-rectangular.  
   
   
       41 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 39  wherein the changing table further comprises: 
 first and second clips coupled to opposite top rails of the play yard;    a support rail coupled to the first and second clips; and    a changing surface.    
   
   
       42 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 41  further comprising a first mounting clip coupling the support rail to the first clip and a second mounting clip coupling the support rail to the second clip.  
   
   
       43 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 42  further comprising a first bracket on the first clip to receive the first mounting clip and a second bracket on the second clip to receive the second mounting clip.  
   
   
       44 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 43  wherein the first mounting clip includes a spring button to releasably secure the first mounting clip to the first bracket.  
   
   
       45 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 41  further comprising a third clip to couple a side of the changing table to the play yard.  
   
   
       46 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 39  further comprising at least one storage compartment located between the infant sleeping compartment and the changing table.  
   
   
       47 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 46  wherein the at least one storage compartment is located to fill at least one entrapment space between the infant sleeping compartment and the changing table.  
   
   
       48 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a play yard having top rails;    a first sleeping area mounted to the top rails with a plurality of clips; and    an infant sleeping compartment removably mounted to at least two of the clips.    
   
   
       49 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 48  wherein the infant sleeping compartment is mounted to the at least two clips for rocking movement.  
   
   
       50 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 48  wherein a motor is coupled to the clips to produce rocking movement.  
   
   
       51 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 48  wherein the first sleeping area comprises a full bassinet.  
   
   
       52 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 51  wherein the infant sleeping compartment is mounted above the full bassinet.  
   
   
       53 . An apparatus for use with a play yard having top rails comprising: 
 an infant sleeping compartment structured to be rotatably mounted to the play yard.    
   
   
       54 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 53  further comprising a motor to rotate the sleeping compartment.  
   
   
       55 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 53  further comprising: 
 a changing table structured to be mounted to the play yard adjacent to the sleeping compartment.    
   
   
       56 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 55  further comprising at least one storage compartment located between the infant sleeping compartment and the changing table.  
   
   
       57 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 53  further comprising a full bassinet structured to be mounted to the play yard with the infant sleeping compartment mounted above the full bassinet.  
   
   
       58 . A method of assembling a play yard comprising: 
 erecting the play yard from a collapsed position to an erected position;    mounting at least two clips to the play yard; and    rotatably coupling an infant sleeping compartment to the at least two clips.    
   
   
       59 . A method as defined in  claim 58  wherein mounting the at least two clips to the play yard comprises mounting a full sleeping compartment in the play yard, and rotatably coupling the infant sleeping compartment to the at least two clips comprises mounting the infant sleeping compartment above the full sleeping compartment.  
   
   
       60 . A method as defined in  claim 59  further comprising mounting a changing table to the play yard.  
   
   
       61 . A method as defined in  claim 60  wherein the changing table is mounted adjacent to the infant sleeping compartment.  
   
   
       62 . A method as defined in  claim 59  further comprising removing the infant sleeping compartment from the play yard to expose the full sleeping compartment.