Beds – Crib
Reexamination Certificate
2003-04-15
2004-10-05
Luu, Teri Pham (Department: 3673)
Beds
Crib
C005S658000, C005S663000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06799337
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to accessories for articles of furniture, and more particularly to a series of embodiments of attachments for a baby crib or similar article. The present baby crib attachments comprise a series of decorative panels which secure removably to the exterior of the crib, and which provide adult accessible storage pockets and infant or toddler accessible pockets for toys and the like, as well as other features. The attachments may comprise various caricatures or other representations, and include padding and/or upholstery to provide a limited three-dimensional or bas-relief appearance.
2. Description of the Related Art
The need for safe, secure, and comfortable bedding for infants, toddlers, and small children has long been recognized. Accordingly, a number of smaller cribs, cradles, bassinettes, and similar small beds have been developed in the past for infants and small children. Most of these devices are reasonably functional, with side rails and/or other features to contain and protect an infant or small child therein.
It was realized that additional comfort and protection could be provided by means of upholstery or padding disposed within the crib railing, to provide a soft surface between a child within the crib and the crib railing. These devices are known as “bumpers”, and may include additional features such as decorative or educational elements, etc.
However, very few devices have been developed for attachment to the outside of a crib or similar sleep furniture for an infant or small child. While innumerable quilts, coverlets, and the like containing various designs or patterns thereon, e.g. trains, airplanes, western motifs, etc., have been developed in the past, these articles cannot be applied to a crib or the like, with its relatively high railings. Other devices have been developed to hang over a crib or attach to the side railings of a crib, e.g., mobiles, toys, mirrors, etc., to stimulate an infant or child contained within the crib or similar bedding. However, these devices do nothing to alter the external appearance of the crib.
Another concern of at least some importance to most parents and caregivers of infants and small children is the need for convenient storage pockets or containers close at hand to the location of the child. Such pockets may be used to contain bottles, toys, diapers and accessories, medication and treatments, etc. as desired. As a result, a number of storage devices have been developed for attachment to a crib or the like, for containing articles used by an adult caregiver in the care of an infant or small child. However, these devices are generally not particularly decorative in their appearance.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a series of decorative panels which may be removably attached to the various surfaces of a crib, cradle, or other structure as desired. The present invention responds to this need by means of a series of such panels which may be removably and interchangeably installed upon the exterior of a crib or the like, with the present panels providing a limited three dimensional or bas-relief effect due to their upholstery and padding. The present attachments include decorative elements or themes thereon, in various representations or caricatures (animals, vehicles, etc.). The present panels are also functional, as they include adult accessible pockets for containing various articles for the care of an infant or small child within the crib, and may further include infant or toddler accessible pockets for use by the child when not contained within the crib.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,072 issued on Jun. 10, 1986 to Robert L. Cowell, titled “Infant's Soft, Simulated Auto Dashboard,” describes a relatively small, padded toy for installation to the inside of a crib railing or the like. The Cowell device is much too small to cover essentially the entire exterior of a crib or the like, and as the device is intended for installation within a crib, the attachment straps are much too short to position the device close to the floor for access by a crawling toddler. Moreover, no adult accessible storage pockets are provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,600 issued on Jan. 31, 1989 to Marilyn J. Baum, titled “Decorative Crib Bumper,” describes a three-dimensional clown caricature for removable installation within a crib or the like. The caricature primarily comprises padded tubular elements resembling arms and legs, which substantially encircle the crib interior. The Baum device more closely resembles a conventional crib bumper, than it does the present invention which installs upon the exterior of the crib. Moreover, Baum does not disclose any form of adult or toddler accessible pockets or other elements on her crib bumper.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,734 issued on Oct. 17, 1989 to Dianne J. Pollard, titled “Bumper Sheet,” describes a bed sheet having a series of elongate peripheral pockets therein. A corresponding series of padded or inflated elements are removably installed within the pockets, to serve as crib bumpers or the like. Pollard teaches away from the present invention, as there is no way to secure the Pollard elements to the exterior of a crib or other similar structure. Moreover, Pollard does not disclose any supplementary pockets for storing other articles, nor does she disclose any decorative elements.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,346 issued on Jan. 2, 1990 to Judith Rist, titled “Infant Crib Enclosure,” describes a series of peripheral crib bumpers and an intermediate bumper which may be extended across the crib to partition the space into smaller areas. The Rist assembly more closely relates to a conventional crib bumper which installs within the crib, than to the present invention with its exterior installation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,584 issued on Aug. 7, 1990 to Mark A. LaMantia, titled “Crib Cover,” describes a tent-like structure for removable installation over the top of a crib or playpen. The LaMantia device includes opposed end panels which install within the end walls or panels of the crib or pen. No external panels, three dimensional padding, caricatures or representations of other articles, or adult or toddler accessible pockets are disclosed by LaMantia.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,279 issued on Nov. 6, 1990 to Rosemary Smith, titled “Infant Toy,” describes a toy for hanging from a crib rail to the interior of the crib. No three dimensional padding or adult or toddler accessible pockets are disclosed by Smith. Moreover, the hanging straps for the Smith toy are much too short to position the toy close to the floor if the toy is suspended to the outside of the crib, thereby precluding access by a crawling toddler.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,564 issued on Dec. 23, 1997 to Deborah A. Heh, titled “Detachable Organizing Apparatus For Children Furniture,” describes a basket which attaches removably to the exterior of a crib or other article of furniture. A removable inner liner is also provided for the basket. No decoration, caricatures, or representation of any other article is provided for the Heh basket, nor is any three dimensional padding or upholstery provided. The Heh basket is intended for use only by adult caretakers, with no access being provided for a toddler or small child.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,534 issued on Jan. 13, 1998 to Teresa K. Sherman, titled “Protective Bumper Pad,” describes a device intended for use as a conventional bumper, installing to the inside of the crib sides and railing. An inwardly extending horizontal portion tucks beneath the crib mattress to secure the lower edges of the bumper pads, with conventional ties securing the upper portions of the pads to the crib bars and rails. The Sherman bumper cannot be secured to the exterior of the crib, due to the inwardly extending portion which secures beneath the mattress. Moreover, no adult or child accessible pockets are disclosed by She
Davis Haden
Raphael-Davis Danielle
Conley Fredrick
Litman Richard C.
Luu Teri Pham
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