US3034153A - Infant table - Google Patents

Description

y 1962 M. J. SARGENT 3,034,153

INFANT TABLE Filed July 9, 1959 147 TOP/VA Y5 United States Patent 3,034,153 INFANT TABLE Mary J. Sargent, Austin, Minn. (24 Cabrillo Court, San Rafael, Calif.) Filed July 9, 1959, Ser. No. 825,920 2 Claims. (Cl. 5-98) This invention relates to infant tables suitable for dress ing, bathing or changing an infant thereon and more particularly to infant tables of this type having guard means surrounding said table top to prevent the infant rolling oif thereof.

An important object of this invention is a novel infant table provided with upstanding sides or guard rails surrounding the table top to confine the infant thereto and prevent the infant rolling therefrom, at least one of said sides being adapted to be raised or lowered to permit the attendant to attend to the infant without being subjected to the inconvenience of having to reach over an interfering rail or side portion and which permits said side to be raised into guarding, confining, retaining position if necessity requires the infant to be momentarily left unattended.

Still another object is an infant table of the class described having an apron or pocket strip depending from the front or working side thereof adjacent to the movable side or guard rail in which the side or rail is adapted to be lowered so as not to interfere with obtaining access to said pockets.

A further object is an infant table of the collapsible variety having upstanding sides or guard rails surrounding the table top thereof which sides are adapted to fold into or assume an out of the way position when the table is collapsed or folded together and which do not materially add to the thickness of the collapsed table unit.

Still another object is a collapsible or folding infant table of the class described having detachable bracing means which also function as towel racks when the table is set up in operative condition.

A further object is a collapsible or folding infant table having a freely depending apron or pocket strip disposed on the Working side thereof which is adapted to remain in substantially upright vertical position in both collapsed and set up condition to prevent spilling of the contents therefromn A more specific object is a collapsible table having a collapsible table top portion which is adapted to fold inwardly upon itself when in collapsed condition with the side portion disposed normal to the fold line thereof being also of collapsible structure to permit folding of said sides or ends into collapsed condition simultaneously with the collapsing of said table top portion to permit collapsing of said table to a minimum thickness.

Another more specific object is a folding infant table having guard rails surrounding the table top portion in Y which the table is adapted to fold over and overlie the supporting legs of said table when in collapsed condition to assume a position generally parallel thereto in which the sides surrounding said table are hingedly mounted thereto and adapted to assume a position generally parallel to said table top when in collapsed condition so as not to materially increase the overall thickness of the table unit when in collapsed folded condition.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of my invention in setup operative condition;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the structure of FIG. 1 in collapsed folded condition;

3,634,153 Patented May 15, 1962 FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail view in section and perspective showing an alternate form of my invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating still another form of my invention; and FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the form of invention shown in FIG. 4 in collapsed folded condition.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention, the infant table of my invention comprises a table supporting frame including spaced apart pairs of crossed supporting legs 10 and 11 which are pivotally connected inter-mediate their ends by a suitable connecting pin as at 12, which pins also support the pivotally mounted shelf 13 disposed beneath the table top 14. Detachable diagonal braces 15 of springy or resilient nature are pivotally carried by said shelf 13, the other ends of said diagonal braces 15 being adapted for detachable locking engage ment with the front legs 10 as by insertion in a suitable aperture provided for receivingsame in said legs 10. The frame is also provided with horizontal bracing members 16 of suitable spring material which are preferably pivotally mounted at one end to one of said legs 10 or 11 and are preferably sufiiciently resilient to permit the removable insertion of said other end into a suitable aperture provided in the opposite leg by slight bending or temponary deformation thereof, the resiliency of the material being sufiioient to hold the braces I16 in locked position.

In setup operative locked position as shown in FIG. 1,

the braces 16 not only maintain the legs 10 and 11 in lapsing of the tables during use but are also preferably disposed adjacent the table top 14 within convenient reach of the attendant to permit articles such as towels, washcloth's, and infants clothes to be hung or draped therefrom.

The back legs 11 are integrally connected to and united by alongitudinally disposed table supporting front bar 17 and the front legs 10 are integrally connected to and united by a 'back longitudinally disposed table supporting bar 18 which bars 17 and 18 provide the front and back marginal edges of the table top respectively. The table top 14 spans the distance between the front and back bars 17 and 18 respectively and is secured thereto by any suitable means. In the form shown in FIGS. land 2, the table top 14 is preferably constructed of collapsible ma terial or foldable fabric such as treated canvas. This type of collapsible fabric material is generally preferable for use on infant tables since it provides a somewhat yielding surface Which is generally more comfortable for the infant than would be a solid table top of conventional design. In addition, the collapsible fabric material also permits a collapsing or folding thereof as shown in FIG. 2 which would not otherwise be possible or achievable if a solid table top were used. An apron or pocket strip.19 is suspended from the front longitudinal supporting bar 17 and is provided with a plurality of pockets 2.0 which are opened at the top and which are adapted to receive toilet articles such as-brushes, soap,

pins and the like and place said articles within convenient'reach of the attendant.

The infant table of my invention is provided; with guard or restraining means'for enclosing the table top 14 on all sides thereof to confine the infant thereto and prevent its falling off the table, saidmeans'compris'ing a The front member or panel 22 is adapted to be raised or. lowered as desired for the convenience of the attendant legs and 11. Thus, it canbe seen that the infant table movement, the rail consisting of an elongate top portion 7 3 25 and side portions 25a which are hingedly mounted at their lower ends to the supporting bar 17. V

'In the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is no paneling provided or carried by the rail 25, the rail 25 being of a height which in upstanding locked condition is suf ficient to restrain the infant and confine the same to the table and low enough to prevent the infant from sliding underneath or becoming caught thereunder and possibly strangling itself.

The back member 21 may also be of open rail construction similar to rail 25, but in the form shown it is provided with paneling-such as the collapsible material used for the table top 14, said back panel 21 being provided with an upper rail portion 21a extending between the'corner posts 24, disposed at the rear corners of the :table.

In the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the end or side members or panels 23 are of collapsible fabric preferably corresponding to that employed for the table top.

14 and are secured at each end to the, corner posts 24.

These sideor end panels 23 are preferably sturdy enough and of a length which when in set up operative position arernaintained in a generally upstanding position and are preferably united at their lower edge to the marginal edge of the table top 14 to prevent the infantfrom slipping therebetween. In this form of my invention the endipanels 23 are'not provided with any rigid rail structure extending between the front and back panels or corners 24 which would interfere with the ready collapse. of said I back panels when the table is folded or unfolded. The

front. restraining member 22 is provided with any suitablemeans for detachably locking" the member inupstanding positively fixed position to the front corner posts 24, which locking means areso designed as to prevent the menmber from being detached or disconnected from the corner posts in the event that outward pressure is applied to the member by the infant.

In short, the latch means provided should exert a posi- .tive locking action to prevent accidental disengagement.

These locking means may consist of a latch member, 26 pivotally connected to the front members 22. and adapted to detachably and lockingly engage one of the side members 23 or front corner posts. 24.

In the form shown in FIGS. 1 and 2-, the front, open rail structure is adapted to swing downwardly so that the of my invention as set forth in FIGS. 1 and 2 permits the the same to be collapsed or folded into a readily transportable or storable unit of minimum thickness with the protective or confining sides or panels designed so as not to interferewith this collapsible feature and which do not add tothe overall thickness of the collapsed folded structure. a

An alternative form of my invention is shown in FIGS.

4 and 5, which structure is basically similar both structurally and functionally to the form shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 but which is adaptedprimarily for use with a rigid table top. In the form shown in FIGS. 4 and S the basic supporting structure is the same foldable one as that hers or panels of the confining structure are the same as top rail portion 25 lies beneath-or adjacent the bottom of 1 said pockets to permit the attendant to have ready access to the pockets 20. In the event that the front member 22 is provided with paneling 2242' as best seen in FIGl 3,

as an alternate form. of this invention, then the apron 19 is' made somewhat longer so that the 'pocketszllare I disposed beneath the front member 22 when the same is .in lowered depending position as best seen in FIG. 3to prevent the paneling 22a from overlying the opentopsof the pockets 20 and interfering with convenient access to said-pockets. 1

s For ease in transport ngor storagefthe infant table "illustrated in'FIGS. land 2 is collapsed or broken clown by simply disengaging the-diagonal braces 15 and the horizontal braces 16 and folding the supporting bars 17 and 18 inwardly towards one another, the table top 14 thereby folding in on itself and handing downwardly between said supporting bars 17- and 18, the collapsible end or side panels 23 also folding inwardly permitting the table structure to assume the collapsed position best seen in FIG. 2. In collapsed position the. shelf 13assumes a position generally parallel to the folded cross shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, in this instance the table top is of rigid structure, such as sheet metal stamped out of aluminum, which rigid table top 27 is hingedly mounted to one of the supporting bars 17 or 18 as by a hinge member 28 and is adapted for detachable engagement with said other of the supporting bars 17 or 18 as by clamping means 29. In this form the table top. in collapsed position is disengaged at one side thereof from one of the supporting bars 17 or 18 and is permitted to swing down and overlie the legs 10 and 11 when in folded position so as to be generally parallel thereto as seen best infFIG. 5.

In thisform 'of my invention the front and back mempreyiously described, the back panels 21 being optionally fixedly s'ecured in upstanding position to the back supporting her 17 or hingedly mounted thereto or to the table tops 27 as at 30- in FIG. 4 and the front member 22may be as previously'described. The side 'or end pan el s.23 may also be collapsibleas per FIGS. 1 and 2 or for added protection they may be of solid construction or be of collapsible paneling witha supporting rail structure as shown by the side members 31 in FIG. 4. If the side or end panels 31'of this alternate form of my inventionare of rigid construction, then they are provided with a hinge or pivot connection to the rigid table top 27 as at 32 so as to permit them to be swung into upstanding confining position or to be folded downwardly so as to overlie the table top in folded or collapsed position when not in use as in FIG. 5. a

In this form of my invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, positive locking means are provided for securing the side panels to the back panel to lock the same in upright confining position when an infant is disposed on the table top. In the form shown, these locking means consist of a looped member 33 pivotally secured at one end to the back panel and adapted .to he slid over an upstanding retaining pin or abutment 34 carried by the side'or end panels at the corners thereof to' engage said pin and positively hold the end panel in upright position. However, it should be clearly understood that it is within the scope of my invention to provide any suitable locking means between said side'and back panels which wouldlock the side panels in upstanding position and which will not disengage if subjected to an outwardly directed pressure as by an infant body resting against them, and which may be easily released or unlocked to permit folding of the table into the smallest unit possible. 'The'front panel structure 2 is detachably fastened to the end panels 31 in upright restraining position by any suitable means such as fastener 35.

Thus, from the foregoing, the advantages of my invention are readily apparent. I have provided an in fant table which is especially suited to the bathing; dressing or changing of an infant thereon and which is readily off the table particularly when the infant is left unattended.

In addition, the confining structure is adapted so as to readily collapse with the frame and table structure and yet provide a sturdy restraining influence when in setup extended position. In addition, the provision of a front restraining rail or panel which may be raised or lowered as desired permits the person attending the infant to conveniently do so by lowering the front rail or panel to an out of the way position and yet is readily raisable to a locked position to completely surround and enclose the table top if the attendant must leave the infant unattended for a short period of time.

Further advantages consist in the fact that the pocket structure is adapted to always hang free in a generally vertical position whether in collapsed or set up position to prevent spilling of the contents therefrom and the front panel is so designed as to not interfere with access to said pocket when the rail or panel is in lowered position.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. An infant table comprising a foldable collapsible body supporting table top, collapsible supporting structure for said table top including opposing frame portions connected to opposite sides of said top for holding said top in extended body supporting condition when said supporting structure is unfolded, said frame portions being adapted for movement towards each other into substantially juxtaposed side-by-side relationship with each other when said supporting structure is collapsed whereby said opposite sides of said top are brought into juxtaposition and said top is collapsed and folded upon itself and nested between said frame portions, and body retainingwalls mounted about the entire periphery of said table top, one of the retaining walls on one side of said top being disconnectible from the remainder of said retaining walls and adapted for independent movement into and out of retaining position, the retaining walls located on the other opposite sides of said top and extending between said frame portions being collapsible and adapted to be collapsed and folded upon themselves when said supporting structure is collapsed.

2. An infant table including a body supporting table top and a supporting structure therefor, and retaining walls adjacent the marginal edges of said table top substantially completely enclosing said table top to confine an infant thereon, one of said retaining walls being disconnectible from said other walls and adapted for independent movement into and out of retaining position, said independently movable wall being an open generally rectangular rigid frame member hingedly mounted on said supporting structure, and including an apron suspended from the supporting structure below said hingedly mounted frame member, said apron having open topped article receiving pockets disposed on the outer face thereof immediately below the table top, the frame when in lowered position being disposed below and to the sides of said apron so as not to interfere with the accessibility to said pockets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 902,508 Rathborne Oct. 27, 1908 1,219,715 Eiseman Mar. 20, 1917 1,426,160 Driver Aug. 15, 1922 1,777,275 Goodman Sept. 30, 1930 1,889,340 Anderegg Nov. 29, 1932 2,484,382 Kennedy Oct. 11, 1949 2,514,735 Wilson et al. July 11, 1950

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