(19)
(11) EP 2 363 045 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
27.03.2013 Bulletin 2013/13

(21) Application number: 10155301.4

(22) Date of filing: 03.03.2010
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A47D 7/00(2006.01)
A47D 13/06(2006.01)

(54)

Pinch-proof structure

Struktur die das Einklemmen verhindert

Structure empêchant le pincement


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR

(43) Date of publication of application:
07.09.2011 Bulletin 2011/36

(73) Proprietor: Wu, Sung-Tsun
Pan Chiao City, Taipei Hsien (TW)

(72) Inventor:
  • Wu, Sung-Tsun
    Pan Chiao City, Taipei Hsien (TW)

(74) Representative: Gee, Steven William 
D.W. & S.W. GEE 1 South Lynn Gardens London Road
Shipston on Stour Warwickshire CV36 4ER
Shipston on Stour Warwickshire CV36 4ER (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
US-A- 6 148 456
US-B1- 6 721 971
US-A1- 2005 262 629
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION


    1. Field of the Invention



    [0001] The present invention relates generally to a pinch clamp-proof structure, and more particularly, to a pinch-proof structure adapted for a folding joint of a playpen.

    2. The Prior Arts



    [0002] Generally, during the earlier growing stage, infants are usually curious to the moving objects around them. They are also energetic, and used to crawling here and there and trying to grasp the objects which attract them. Therefore, as a measure of protecting their baby, parents often buy a playpen and let the baby play inside the playpen. In such a way, the infant is restricted in a safe space from scrawling out there. Therefore, the parents may have the time for temporary leave for cooking, going to washroom, doing homework.

    [0003] A conventional playpen is typically consisted of a flat rectangular platform, usually square in shape, with vertical bars on four sides, so that the child can see outside. Such a playpen is usually unfoldable, space-occupied and inconvenient to conserve. Recently, a foldable playpen has been proposed. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a playpen adapted for convenient folding up operation, carrying out and conservation. The conventional playpen 1 includes a rectangular shaped frame consisted of a plurality of beams 111, and a bottom platform 18. A joint socket 911 is employed for pivotally coupling two adjacent beams 111, so as to allow the two adjacent beams 111 being folded up. Each beam 111 is coated with an overcoating layer 1110 for safely protecting the infant inside the playpen 1.

    [0004] However, as shown in Fig. 3, there is a gap 919 existed between the joint socket 911 and a beam 111 connected thereto. When such a beam 111 is pivotally turned for folding up the playpen, the user may incautiously a pinch finger in the gap 919, and thus get the finger injured. Further, the infant staying inside the playpen 1 may also occasionally put his hand into the gap 919 and get his hand stuck there and injured. US patent No. 6,721,971 B1 discloses an upper corner element of a playpen. The upper corner element includes a joint unit secured to the playpen. The joint unit includes a joint socket and a beam pivotally coupled with the joint socket, and the beam is coated with an overcoating layer. However, when the user folds up the playpen, the user may accidentally a pinch his finger in the gap disposed between the beams and the joint socket.

    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



    [0005] Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a pinch-proof structure adapted for a playpen. The a pinch-proof structure is simple and convenient to fabricate, and has low cost. The a pinch -proof structure has an outstanding a pinch-proof performance when employed in a playpen.

    [0006] For achieving the foregoing objective, the present invention provides a a pinch-proof structure adapted for a playpen.

    [0007] The a pinch-proof structure includes a joint unit and a pinch-proof unit. The joint unit is secured to the playpen. The joint unit includes a joint socket and at least one beam pivotally coupled to the joint socket. The beam is coated with an overcoating layer.

    [0008] The a pinch-proof unit includes a constraining member and a baffle member. The constraining member is secured to the joint socket of the joint unit. The baffle member is disposed between the joint socket of the joint unit and the constraining member of the a pinch-poof unit. The baffle member covers the joint socket of the joint unit, and extends to the overcoating layer for being secured thereto. The baffle member shields a gap defined between the joint socket and the overcoating layer.

    [0009] In operation, when a user turns the beam to fold up or laid open the playpen, the baffle member shields the gap defined between the joint socket and the overcoating layer, during which the baffle member is positioned immediately adjacent to the joint socket and the constraining member so as to prevent the user's finger from being a pinch in the gap, and protecting the hand of the infant in the playpen from being injured in the gap.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0010] The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

    [0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional playpen;

    [0012] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a joint socket of the conventional playpen;

    [0013] Fig. 3 illustrates the status of the joint socket when a user folds up the playpen;

    [0014] Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a a pinch-proof structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

    [0015] Fig. 5 is another exploded view of the clamp-proof structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

    [0016] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the a pinch-proof structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

    [0017] Fig. 7 is an exploded view illustrating the operation status of the a pinch-proof structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

    [0018] Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the operation status of the clamp-proof structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; a pinch-proof

    [0019] Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a folding-up status of the clamp-proof structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

    [0020] Fig. 10 illustrates the playpen employing the a pinch-proof structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT



    [0021] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawing illustrates embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention.

    [0022] Referring to Figs. 4-10, there is shown a pinch-proof structure adapted for a playpen 8. The a pinch-proof structure includes a joint unit 10 secured to the playpen 8, and a pinch-proof unit 2. The joint unit 10 includes a joint socket 11 and at least one beam 811 pivotally coupled to the joint socket 11. The beam 811 is coated with an overcoating layer 8110.

    [0023] The a pinch-proof unit 2 includes a constraining member 21, and a baffle member 22. The constraining member 21 is secured to the joint socket 11 of the joint unit 10. The constraining member 21 for example can be threadly, engagedly, or sheathedly secured to the joint socket 11. The baffle member 22 is disposed between the joint socket 11 of the joint unit 10 and the constraining member 21 of the a pinch-proof unit 2. The constraining member 21 clamps the baffle member 22 to have the baffle member 22 being constrained. The baffle member 22 covers the joint socket 11 of the joint unit 10, and extends to be further secured to the overcoating layer 8110. The baffle member 22 shields a gap defined between the joint socket 11 and the overcoating layer 8110.

    [0024] The constraining member 21 is configured with at least one first through hole 210, and the baffle member 22 is configured with at least one second through hole 220. The joint socket 11 is configured with at least one third through hole 110. The first through hole 210, the second through hole 220, and the third through hole 110 are correspondingly positioned. A fixing member 3 is employed passing through the first through hole 210, the second through hole 220, and the third through hole 110, so as to fix the baffle member 22 between the constraining member 21 and the joint socket 11.

    [0025] The fixing member 3 is a screw bolt, and preferably, the first through hole 210 and the third through hole 110 are threaded through holes.

    [0026] Referring to Fig. 9, when a user turns the beam 811 to fold up or laid open the playpen 1, the baffle member 22 shields the gap defined between the joint socket 11 and the overcoating layer 8110, during which the baffle member 22 is positioned immediately adjacent to the joint socket 11 and the constraining member 21 so as to prevent the user's finger from being a pinched in the gap, and protecting the hand of the infant in the playpen from being injured in the gap

    [0027] In summary, the a pinch-proof structure of the present invention is simple and convenient to fabricate, and has low cost. The a pinch-proof structure has an outstanding -proof performance when employed in a playpen. The provision of the a pinch -proof unit 2 dose not interfere the folding up operation of the playpen 8. The a pinch-proof unit is designed in accordance with the shape of the joint socket 11. As such, the a pinch-proof unit can be conveniently equipped to the joint socket 11 by configuring a threaded through hole or a buckle structure.

    [0028] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.


    Claims

    1. a pinch-proof structure adapted for a playpen (8), comprising:

    a joint unit (10), secured to the playpen, the joint unit (10) comprising:

    a joint socket (11); and

    a beam (811) pivotally coupled with the joint socket (11), wherein the beam (811) is coated with an overcoating layer (8110); and

    characterized by:

    the a pinch-proof structure further comprising a pinch-proof unit (2), the a pinch-proof
    unit (2) comprising:

    a constraining member (21), secured to the joint socket (11) of the joint unit (10); and

    a baffle member (22), disposed between the joint socket (11) of the joint unit (10) and the constraining member (21), wherein the baffle member (22) covers the joint socket (11) of the joint unit (10), and extends to the overcoating layer (8110) for being secured thereto for shielding a gap defined between the joint socket (11) and the overcoating layer (8110).


     
    2. The a pinch-proof structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the constraining member (21) comprises at least a first through hole (210), the baffle member (22) comprises at least a second through hole (220), and the joint socket (11) comprises at least a third through hole (110), wherein the first through hole (210), the second through hole (220), and the third through hole (110) are correspondingly positioned, and at least one fixing member (3) is provided through the first through hole (210), the second through hole (220), and the third through hole (110) for fixing the baffle member (22) between the constraining member (21) and the joint socket (11).
     
    3. The a pinch-proof structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first through hole (210) and the third through hole (110) are threaded through holes.
     
    4. The a pinch-proof structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the constraining member (21) clamps the baffle member (22) to have the baffle member (22) being constrained.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Einklemmschutz gewährende Struktur, die für ein Laufgitter (8) angepasst ist, umfassend:

    eine Gelenkeinheit (10), die an dem Laufgitter befestigt ist, die Gelenkeinheit (10) umfassend:

    einen Gelenksockel (11); und

    eine schwenkbar mit dem Gelenksockel (11) gekoppelte Strebe (811),

    wobei die Strebe (811) mit einer Bezugsschicht (8110) bedeckt ist; und

    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

    die Einklemmschutz gewährende Struktur des Weiteren eine Einklemmschutzeinheit (2) umfasst, die Einklemmschutzeinheit (2) umfassend:

    ein Festhalteelement (21), das an dem Gelenksockel (11) der Gelenkeinheit (10) befestigt ist; und

    ein Prallflächenelement (22), das zwischen dem Gelenksockel (11) der Gelenkeinheit (10) und dem Festhalteelement (21) angeordnet ist, wobei das Prallflächenelement (22) den Gelenksockel (11) der Gelenkeinheit (10) verdeckt und sich bis zu der Bezugsschicht (8110) erstreckt, um daran befestigt zu werden, damit eine Lücke abgeschirmt wird, die zwischen dem Gelenksockel (11) und der Bezugsschicht (8110) definiert ist.


     
    2. Einklemmschutz gewährende Struktur gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei das Festhalteelement (21) mindestens ein erstes Durchgangsloch (210) aufweist, das Prallflächenelement (22) mindestens ein zweites Durchgangsloch (220) aufweist und der Gelenksockel (11) mindestens ein drittes Durchgangsloch (110) aufweist, wobei das erste Durchgangsloch (210), das zweite Durchgangsloch (220) und das dritte Durchgangsloch (110) zueinander passend positioniert sind und mindestens ein Befestigungselement (3) bereitgestellt wird, das durch das erste Durchgangsloch (210), das zweite Durchgangsloch (220) und das dritte Durchgangsloch (110) hindurch verläuft, um das Prallflächenelement (22) zwischen dem Festhalteelement (21) und dem Gelenksockel (11) zu befestigen.
     
    3. Einklemmschutz gewährende Struktur gemäß Anspruch 2, wobei das erste Durchgangsloch (210) und das dritte Durchgangsloch (110) mit Gewinde versehene Durchgangslöcher sind.
     
    4. Einklemmschutz gewährende Struktur gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei das Festhalteelement (21) das Prallflächenelement (22) einklemmt, damit das Prallflächenelement (22) festgehalten wird.
     


    Revendications

    1. Une structure anti-pincement adaptée pour un parc pour enfants (8), comportant :

    une unité de jointure (10), assujettie au parc pour enfants, l'unité de jointure (10) comportant :

    une cavité de jointure (11), et

    une traverse (811) couplée avec la cavité de jointure (11) de façon à pouvoir pivoter, dans laquelle la traverse (811) est revêtue d'une couche de revêtement (8110) ; et

    caractérisée par :

    la structure anti-pincement comporte de plus une unité anti-pincement (2), l'unité anti-pincement (2) comportant :

    un élément de serrage (21), assujetti à la cavité de jointure (11) de l'unité de jointure (10) ; et

    un élément formant déflecteur (22), disposé entre la cavité de jointure (11) de l'unité de jointure (10) et l'élément de serrage (21), dans lequel l'élément formant déflecteur (22) couvre la cavité de jointure (11) de l'unité de jointure (10), et s'étend jusqu'à la couche de revêtement (8110) pour être assujetti à cette dernière pour protéger un interstice défini entre la cavité de jointure (11) et la couche de revêtement (8110).


     
    2. La structure anti-pincement telle que revendiquée dans la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'élément de serrage (21) comporte au moins un premier trou traversant (210), l'élément formant déflecteur (22) comporte au moins un deuxième trou traversant (220), et la cavité de jointure (11) comporte au moins un troisième trou traversant (110), dans laquelle le premier trou traversant (210), le deuxième trou traversant (220), et le troisième trou traversant (110) sont positionnés de façon correspondante, et au moins un élément de fixation (3) est prévu à travers le premier trou traversant (210), le deuxième trou traversant (220), et le troisième trou traversant (110) pour fixer l'élément formant déflecteur (22) entre l'élément de serrage (21) et la cavité de jointure (11).
     
    3. La structure anti-pincement telle que revendiquée dans la revendication 2, dans laquelle le premier trou traversant (210) et le troisième trou traversant (110) sont des trous traversants taraudés.
     
    4. La structure anti-pincement telle que revendiquée dans la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'élément de serrage (21) serre l'élément formant déflecteur (22) afin que l'élément formant déflecteur (22) soit serré.
     




    Drawing



































    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description