Happy 2022!
This is my first project post of the year, about the mobile hanger designed for my daughter’s pack and play.
The Graco pack and play version acquired for my daughter did not include a mobile and does not seem to be sold separately. Aside from that the Graco mobile design does not seem to be the most interactive anyway with three stars that are not actually facing the child. This seems to be a big trend with many of the mobiles on the market in that they seem to be made for parents more than babies. The characters or shapes facing outward and not down toward the child.
Ikea has a few in the GULLIGAST line that face the characters down so that the child can see them. Nice work Ikea. The new opportunity was that the mobile needs to be suspended somehow. Ikea asks in the instructions to suspend it from the ceiling but that was not feasible in this space.
While not the recommended route, attaching an arm to the pack and play was the solution that meet the current need. Not recommend because of the risk of the baby being able to pull on or otherwise bring the arm down into the crib area. She will be supervised at all times in this crib so it was less of a concern.
The sections of the arm were designed to be as large as the print bed would allow. A simple cylinder pin interlock with tight tolerances is used to hold the two main sections together. The hook is the part of this design that could use work. It is a one way assembly but the part still could be larger to be less of a chocking hazard.
The whole assembly suspends the mobile far enough away from the child so that she cannot reach. The arm can also be used in any of the four corners of the pack and play and can easily swing out of the way when needed.
Overall it has been working well this past week and she seems very engaged by the characters on the mobile. Well…When she is settled enough to enjoy them.
Thanks for reading and best of luck with what you create this year!