IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,727,683
Granted Patent B2
US 12,727,683 · App. 18/893,700 · Granted Sep 8, 2026

Systems and methods for child support systems with a divisable support structure

Inventors: Alexis Jude Schaffer (Philadelphia, PA); Annette C. Stella (Downingtown, PA)
Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
A47D9/012A47D13/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,727,683
App. No.
18/893,700
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Child support systems that include a support structure and a divider connected to the support structure for transitioning the support structure between an undivided space and a divided space is provided. The child support system may include a divider that may be connected to a bottom portion of a support structure and may transition between an upward position for dividing the usable space of the support structure and a downward position for leaving the useable space of the support structure in an undivided configuration. The divider may be secured using wings, velcro attachments and/or tabs.

Claims (24)

1 . A child support system having dividable spaces, the child support structure comprising:

a support structure having a set of walls and a bottom portion coupled to the set of walls, a first and second wall of the set of walls each having a connection portion, and a third wall of the set of walls having a first pocket;

a divider positioned between the first and second wall, the divider coupled to the bottom support and configured to transition between a first position parallel with the bottom portion and a second position orthogonal to the bottom portion, the divider having connectors at a first and a second end of the divider configured to couple to a respective connection portion, and the divider having a second pocket; and

a multi-paneled structure having a first end configured to be positioned in the first pocket and a second end configured to be positioned in the second pocket.

2 . The child support system of claim 1 , wherein the child support structure is a playard or a crib.

3 . The child support system of claim 1 , further comprising a base with four walls, wherein the support structure is configured to couple to an upper portion of the base.

4 . The child support system of claim 1 , wherein the divider has a first wing having a first side connected to the divider, a second side connected to the bottom portion, and third side that is freestanding, wherein the first wing is positioned at a first end of the divider.

5 . The child support system of claim 4 , wherein the first wing has a connection region configured to connect to the first wall.

6 . The child support system of claim 4 , wherein the divider has a second wing having a fourth side connected to the divider, a fifth side connected to the bottom portion, and sixth side that is freestanding, wherein the second wing is positioned at a second end of the divider.

7 . The child support system of claim 6 , wherein the second wing has a connection region configured to connect to the second wall.

8 . The child support system of claim 1 , wherein the multi-paneled structure is configured to extend along a length of the bottom portion.

9 . The child support system of claim 8 , wherein the multi-paneled structure has an initial panel configured to be inserted into the first pocket, a final panel configured to be inserted into the second pocket, and at least one panel configured to be positioned between the initial panel and the final panel.

10 . The child support system of claim 1 , wherein the connection portion of each of the first and second wall are a first velcro side and the connectors of the divider are second velcro sides configured to mate with respective first velcro sides.

11 . The child support system of claim 1 , wherein the connection portions of each of the first and second wall are loop structures.

12 . The child support system of claim 11 , wherein the connectors of the divider are tabs having velcro portions and configured to extend through respective loop structures to secure the divider to the set of walls.

13 . The child support system of claim 11 , wherein the connectors of the divider are tabs having button portions and configured to extend through respective loop structures to secure the divider to the set of walls.

14 . The child support system of claim 1 , wherein the divider is coupled to the bottom portion such that the divider divides the bottom portion into a first half and a second half of the bottom portion when the divider is in the second position.

15 . A child support system having dividable spaces, the child support structure comprising

a support structure having a set of walls and a bottom portion coupled to the set of walls, a first and second wall of the set of walls each having a connection portion;

a divider positioned between the first and second wall, the divider coupled to the bottom support and configured to transition between a first position parallel with the bottom portion and a second position orthogonal to the bottom portion, and the divider having connectors at a first and second end of the divider configured to couple to respective connection portions to secure the divider in the second position, wherein the set of walls includes a third wall having a first pocket and wherein the divider has a second pocket; and

a multi-paneled structure configured to cover the bottom portion when the divider is in the first position and configured to at least partially fit into the first pocket and the second pocket when the divider is in the second position.

16 . The child support system of claim 15 , wherein the divider is coupled to the bottom portion such that the divider divides the bottom portion into a first half and a second half of the bottom portion when the divider is in the second position.

17 . The child support system of claim 15 , wherein the divider has a first wing having a first side connected to the divider, a second side connected to the bottom portion, and third side that is freestanding, and wherein a first connector of the connectors is positioned on the third side.

18 . The child support system of claim 17 , wherein the divider has a second wing having a fourth side connected to the divider, a fifth side connected to the bottom portion, and sixth side that is freestanding, and wherein a second connector of the connectors is positioned on the sixth side.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 14, 2024
From: SCHAFFER, ALEXIS JUDE; STELLA, ANNETTE C.
To: GRACO CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS INC.
Reel/Frame 068888/0972 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63587405 · Oct 2, 2023
Related Publication 20250107639A1 · Apr 3, 2025
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