U.S. patent application number 11/044488 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-27 for infant evacuation crib.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shamrock Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to David E. Campbell, James I. Geeslin, Joseph A. Lawlor.
Application Number | 20060162070 11/044488 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36695086 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060162070 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lawlor; Joseph A. ; et
al. |
July 27, 2006 |
Infant evacuation crib
Abstract
An infant evacuation crib is provided including a crib frame, a
mattress support, and a visual identifier generating a locating
signal visible to humans for locating the crib in a diminished
light environment. The mattress support connects with the crib
frame and is adapted to support an associated mattress relative to
the crib frame. Wheels are selectively provided as desired for
adapting the frame for rolling along an associated support surface.
The crib may be of a wood or steel construction or of a fabric and
mesh construction. The visual identifier is formed of a
photoluminescent material or a highly reflective material applied
to a first portion of the crib frame. The photoluminescent material
glows in the dark to enable rescuers to quickly locate the crib in
an emergency situation. The reflective material reflects light
directed onto the crib from rescue searchlights or the like. In one
aspect, the visual identifier includes printed indicia including
instructions and other useful information.
Inventors: |
Lawlor; Joseph A.; (Medina,
OH) ; Geeslin; James I.; (Seville, OH) ;
Campbell; David E.; (Westfield Center, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAY, SHARPE, FAGAN, MINNICH & MCKEE, LLP
1100 SUPERIOR AVENUE, SEVENTH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Assignee: |
Shamrock Industries, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36695086 |
Appl. No.: |
11/044488 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/93.1 ;
5/905 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 7/02 20130101; A47D
13/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/093.1 ;
005/905 |
International
Class: |
A47D 7/00 20060101
A47D007/00; A47D 13/06 20060101 A47D013/06; A47D 15/00 20060101
A47D015/00 |
Claims
1. An infant evacuation crib comprising: a portable crib frame; a
mattress support connected with said crib frame and adapted to
support an associated mattress relative to said crib frame; and, a
visual identifier on said portable crib frame, the identifier
generating a locating signal visible to humans for locating the
crib in a diminished light environment.
2. The crib according to claim 1, wherein the visual identifier
includes a one of a photoluminescent material and a reflective
material applied to a first selected portion of the crib frame.
3. The crib according to claim 2, wherein the photoluminescent
material includes a one of a visibly phosphorescent material and a
visibly fluorescent material applied to said first selected portion
of said crib frame.
4. The crib according to claim 2, wherein: said portable crib frame
includes fabric and mesh materials supported by a set of
substantially rigid outer frame members; and, said visual
identifier further includes a panel affixed to the fabric and mesh
materials of the portable crib frame, the panel carrying said one
of said reflective material and said photoluminescent material.
5. The crib according to claim 2, wherein: said portable crib frame
includes fabric and mesh materials supported by a set of
substantially rigid outer frame members; and, said visual
identifier further includes a one of said reflective material and
said photoluminescent material painted directly onto said first
selected portion of the fabric and mesh materials.
6. The crib according to claim 1, wherein the visual identifier
includes: a panel carried on the crib frame; and, a one of a
photoluminescent material and a reflective material applied to said
panel.
7. The crib according to claim 6, wherein said crib frame defines a
recess and said panel is disposed in said recess.
8. The crib according to claim 6, wherein the photoluminescent
material or the reflective material is arranged on said panel to
form symbols intelligible to humans to communicate information.
9. The crib according to claim 8, wherein said symbols formed by
said photoluminescent material or the reflective material
communicate information relating to an evacuation instruction of
said crib.
10. The crib according to claim 8, wherein said symbols formed by
said photoluminescent material or the reflective material
communicate information relating to one or more occupants of said
crib.
11. The crib according to claim 1, wherein the visual identifier
includes a plastic panel impregnated with a one of a
photoluminescent material and a reflective material.
12. The crib according to claim 1, wherein the visual identifier
includes: a first sheet of a substrate material; a second sheet of
an overlay material; and, at least a one of a visibly
phosphorescent material and a visibly fluorescent material disposed
between said first and second sheets.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to furniture for locating and
evacuating people from a dangerous condition such as a fire and,
more particularly, to portable infant cribs and portable evacuation
cribs with a visual identifier for easily locating the cribs in low
light conditions for evacuating one or more juveniles from a
dangerous environment.
[0002] Traditionally, cribs have been designed to contain and
provide a safe sleeping environment for children. In addition,
other features have been added in both full-size and non-full-size
cribs including the addition of sliding drop sides, hinged drop
sides, and adjustable height mattress supports. Further, some cribs
have been designed for easy conversion into a youth bed for
extended use. Traditionally, cribs are made of wood slat
construction, steel tubular construction, or mesh and fabric
supported by a frame structure construction.
[0003] Although most cribs are sold for use in the home or in a
residential environment to provide for a sleeping environment for
children, other cribs are sold into institutional environments such
as in day care centers, nursery schools, and hotels. In
institutional and commercial environments, however, safety
precautions necessitate the formulation of an evacuation plan to
quickly identify and evacuate children from the building in the
event of a fire or other disaster. In support of this,
manufacturers and distributors of cribs for institutional or
commercial use also provide a separate evacuation frame that can be
added to selected cribs in the nursery designated as evacuation
cribs. Those cribs thus outfitted with the evacuation frame are
useful for evacuation of several children contained in the crib as
a group. This expedites the evacuation process.
[0004] However, in keeping with the need to provide for a quick
evacuation of children in a disaster situation, identification of
cribs in a darkened room is a critical element in that process. The
identification of the cribs, particularly the evacuation cribs, in
an emergency situation must be expedited.
[0005] Cribs used in commercial applications such as for hotel use
are typically formed of either wood, steel, or a fabric and mesh
construction. More particularly, for a fabric and mesh crib the
portable crib frame includes a fabric and mesh material supported
by a set of substantially rigid outer frame members. Rescue workers
in an emergency must be able to quickly locate and identify these
cribs as well. However, they are typically at a disadvantage
because it is difficult for hotels to maintain an accurate list of
crib usage at any given time. The workers must therefore search for
those cribs using specialized spotlights and the like.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for providing on
cribs and other furniture a means for generating a locating signal
such as a visual identifier or other signal or beacon for drawing
attention of rescuers to the furniture for purposes of evacuation
or locating children. In addition, by being easily located and
identified, the evacuation cribs allow rescue workers to quickly
locate children and carry them away from the threatened area. The
visual identifiers may contain intelligible information as well for
instructing rescuers during an emergency.
[0007] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0229940
describes stationary bunk beds having ornamental glow-in-the-dark
members. The bunk beds, however, are not practical for purposes of
evacuation since they are not portable. In addition, the
glow-in-the-dark components of the stationary bunk beds are for
purposes of entertainment and, with regard to younger children, to
allow their bedroom to glow for several minutes after a light is
turned off, thereby giving them a sense of pleasure and free them
from fear. Therefore, the bunk beds taught there have no practical
application in the case of an emergency evacuation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the present application, portable infant
cribs and portable evacuation cribs are provided having a visual
identifier means for enabling searchers or rescuers to locate the
cribs in low light conditions. The evacuation crib includes a crib
frame and a mattress support connected with the crib frame. The
mattress support is adapted to support an associated mattress
relative to the crib frame. Wheels may be provided on the crib
frame as desired for adapting the frame to be rolled along an
associate support surface. The portable mesh and fabric cribs such
as those used for commercial applications including hotel use
provide a frame and structure to provide a safe sleeping
environment and may include wheels as desired. Those cribs may also
be formed of a fabric and mesh construction supported by a set of
substantially rigid plastic or steel outer frame members. A visual
identifier is disposed on a one of the crib frame and the mattress
support, but preferably on an outside surface of the crib frame
inaccessible to children within the crib, but visible to rescuers.
The visual identifier is adapted to generate a locating signal
visible to humans for locating the crib in a diminished light
environment. Accordingly, the present application provides a
portable infant crib and a portable evacuation crib with a visual
identifier for enabling safety personnel to quickly locate the crib
in the dark such as during fires or other catastrophes. The visual
identifier may also be fashioned to communicate information, such
as evacuation instructions, to the recess.
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the visual
identifier provided on the portable infant crib and on the
evacuation crib is a photoluminescent material, a reflective
material, or a battery powered indicator applied to the crib such
as on the crib frame or on fabric or other portions of the
crib.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect, the visual identifier
includes a panel carried on the crib frame with a photoluminescent
or reflective material applied to the panel.
[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect of the application,
the photoluminescent material is either a visibly phosphorescent
material or a visibly fluorescent material. In visibly
phosphorescent materials, luminescent radiation continues after
termination of the exciting radiation. In visibly fluorescent
materials, the luminescent radiation ceases as soon as the exciting
radiation is removed. Preferably, the photoluminescent material is
visibly phosphorescent after exposure to exciting radiation in the
visible range. Thus, the visual identifier glows in the dark in the
event of a diminished light environment or total darkness such as
during a fire, catastrophe, or other emergency. The visual
identifier is thus used as a visual identifier means for locating
the crib in low light conditions.
[0012] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the
reflective material applied onto the portable cribs is highly
reflective for providing a visual identifier of the crib. Because
of the high reflectivity of the material, the reflected light is
highly visible and is easily generated when light is directed at
the crib from a light source such as a flashlight, searchlight, or
the like. In many commercial applications such as in hotel use, the
searchers are not favored with information regarding the location
of the infants or cribs and thus must search for them in typically
low light conditions. Accordingly, the reflective material provides
a means for locating the cribs in low light conditions for
emergency evacuation of the children from the crib or of the
children contained within the crib together, as desired.
[0013] In accordance with yet a further aspect of the application,
the visual identifier is provided in association with a child crib
in an area non-accessible to the child. Since children are known to
chew or mouth surfaces and to pull on or put items that are in
their environment into their mouths, the visual identifier is
placed on a surface that is not accessible to the occupants of the
crib.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
visual identifier is protected from access by a child by covered by
another part of the crib such as a clear teething rail cover,
placed in a recess or stapled, screwed, or covered at the ends to
prevent access to the corners for picking.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
a portable infant evacuation crib having a wooden frame
construction;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional drawing taken along line 2-2 in
FIG. 1;
[0017] FIGS. 3A and 3b show a visual identifier formed in
accordance with a further preferred embodiment;
[0018] FIGS. 4a and 4b show a visual identifier formed in
accordance with a further preferred embodiment;
[0019] FIGS. 5a and 5b show a visual identifier formed in
accordance with a further,preferred embodiment;
[0020] FIGS. 6a and 6b show a visual identifier formed in
accordance with further preferred embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 7 shows a visual identifier formed in accordance with a
further preferred embodiment;
[0022] FIGS. 8a-8c show a visual identifier formed in accordance
with a still further preferred embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further preferred
embodiment of a portable infant evacuation crib having a fabric and
mesh construction;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fabric and mesh crib of
FIG. 9 illustrating an alternative preferred visual identifier
construction; and,
[0025] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the portable fabric and
mesh evacuation crib of FIG. 9 shown an alternative preferred
visual identifier construction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] With reference to FIG. 1, an infant evacuation crib 10
formed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the
application is illustrated. As shown there, the crib 10 includes a
crib frame 12 provided with wheels 14 operatively connected with
the crib frame for adapting the crib to be rolled along an
associated support surface. A mattress support 16 is provided for
supporting an associated mattress 18 relative to the crib frame 12.
Also as shown, a visual identifier 20 is affixed to the crib frame
12 in a conspicuous area such as under the "teething rail" of the
crib. The visual identifier is adapted to generate a locating
signal visible to humans for locating the crib 10 in a diminished
light environment such as in the event of a fire or the like. In a
first preferred embodiment, the visual identifier 20 is an adhesive
label or paper strip 22 carrying a photoluminescent ink thereon.
Preferably, the visual identifier 20 is provided on the crib frame
12 under the rail as illustrated and at one or more other locations
as desired which are easily visible by non-occupants of the crib
and out of reach of juveniles within the crib.
[0027] The preferred form of evacuation furniture in accordance
with this application is an infant crib 10 as shown in the figure.
To that end, the crib includes a pair of opposing side assemblies,
namely, a first side assembly 30 and a second side assembly 32,
connected to a pair of opposing end assemblies 34, 36 to form the
overall crib frame 12. A mattress support platform 16 is provided
between the first and second side assemblies 30, 32 and the first
and second end assemblies 34, 36.
[0028] As shown, the first side assembly 30 includes an upper rail
40 and a lower rail 42 connected by a plurality of slats 44. The
first side assembly 30 is slidably carried between the first and
second end assemblies 34, 36 using grooves or slides
[0029] In accordance with techniques well known in the art.
Preferably, however, the first side assembly 30 forms a drop side
of the crib so that babies can be easily placed into and removed
from the crib 10.
[0030] The second side assembly 32 is preferably not movable
relative to the first and second end assemblies 34, 36. The second
side assembly 32 includes an upper rail 50 and a lower rail 52
connected by a plurality of vertical slats 54.
[0031] Each of the opposing end assemblies 34, 36 are bounded on
each side by corner posts and an upper headboard portion. More
particularly, the first end assembly 34 includes first and second
vertical corner posts 60, 62 and a horizontal headboard portion 64.
Similarly, the second end assembly 36 includes first and second
vertical corner posts 70, 72 and a horizontal headboard portion 74.
Further, in its preferred form, the infant crib 10 includes clear
end panels 66, 76 carried in the first and second end assemblies
34, 36, respectively. The end panels 66, 76 are preferably formed
of a non-distorting acrylic and are provided to promote interaction
while maximizing child safety. Alternatively, the end panels 66, 76
can be formed of a mirrored material, solid plastics, or the like
as desired.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows the preferred embodiment of a visual identifier
20 used in the crib 10 of the present application. With references
now to that figure, the visual identifier 20 is integrated into the
teething rail portion of the infant crib 10. More particularly, the
upper rail 40 of the first side assembly 30 carries a "C" shaped
plastic strip 82 on an upper end thereof. Preferably, the strip 82
is clear and forms a pair of hook portions 84 on opposite ends
thereof. The hook portions 84 engage a corresponding set of
recesses 86 formed on the front and back surfaces of the upper rail
40 forming the teething rail 80. Preferably, the teething rail 80
extends the entire width of the upper rail 40 of the first side
assembly 30. In the embodiment illustrated, the visual identifier
20 includes a photoluminescent strip 90 held between the clear
plastic strip 82 of the teething rail 80 and the upper portion of
the upper rail 40. Although this embodiment has been described in
connection with the upper rail 40 of the first side assembly 30, it
is to be appreciated that the photoluminescent strip 90 and clear
strip 82 can be applied elsewhere on the crib frame 12 as desired
such as, for example, on the upper rail 50 of the second side
assembly 32.
[0033] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a further embodiment of the subject
infant evacuation crib 10 wherein the visual identifier 20 is
formed as an adhesive photoluminescent label 100 affixed to the
upper portion of the clear plastic end panel 76 of the second end
assembly 36. As illustrated, the photoluminescent strip 100 extends
the entire width of the end panel 76 from the first corner post 70
to the second corner post 72. Also, as illustrated, the
photoluminescent strip 100 is preferably immediate adjacent the
headboard portion 74 and is placed on the outside of the crib so it
can be easily noticed by rescuers and is out of the immediate reach
of the child contained within the crib. Further, the strip 100 may
be made to extend horizontally into the grooves formed in the
corner posts 70, 72 and vertically into the groove formed by
headboard portion 74, as desired. In that way, the majority of
strip edges are protected against picking or the like.
[0034] FIGS. 4a and 4b show a further alternative embodiment of an
infant evacuation crib 10 including a visual identifier 20 located
in a recess 110 formed in the outer side of the upper rail 40 of
the first side assembly 30. In its preferred form, the visual
identifier 20 of this embodiment is a rectangular photoluminescent
label 112. It is to be appreciated that the photoluminescent label
112 can be provided in any size, shape or configuration and may
carry markings such as evacuation instructions or the like as
desired.
[0035] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate yet a further embodiment of the
subject infant evacuation crib wherein the visual identifier 20 is
disposed in a recess 120 formed on the outer surface of one or both
of the headboards 64, 74. In the embodiment illustrated, the visual
identifier 20 is preferably an adhesive-backed label 122 applied to
the recess area 120 of the headboard. Preferably, the
photoluminescent label 122 is positioned on the outside surface of
the headboards 64, 74 so that it can be easily observed by rescuers
and out of direct contact by children occupying the crib 10.
[0036] FIGS. 6a and 6b show a further embodiment of the subject
infant evacuation crib wherein the visual identifier 20 is disposed
in a recess 130 formed in the outer surface of one or both of the
headboards 64, 74. Preferably, the visual identifier 20 is an
adhesive-backed label carrying a photoluminescent material so that
it glows in the dark to help guide rescuers to the subject crib. In
the embodiment illustrated, the recess 130 has smooth tapered ends
134 which are created using alternative manufacturing methods for
forming the recess 130.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the subject infant
evacuation crib wherein the visual identifier 20 is held in place
on the outer surface of the upper rail 40 of the first side
assembly 30 using an attachment means 140 substantially as
illustrated. As shown, the visual identifier 20 includes a
photoluminescent label 142 held in place at its outside edges by
the attachment means 140 which, as shown, preferably includes a set
of fasteners 144 such as screws, nails, or the like extending
through a rectangular cap member 146. One advantage of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is that the attachment means 140
effectively isolates the edges and corners of the photoluminescent
label 142 so that they cannot be picked at or otherwise disturbed
by infants occupying the crib. Preferably, the cap members 146 are
formed of a rigid plastic material.
[0038] Yet a still further embodiment of the subject infant
evacuation crib is illustrated in FIGS. 8a -8c wherein a visual
identifier 20 is provided in the form of an elongate
photoluminescent label 150 which is fastened to the extreme edges
of the upper rail 40 of the first side assembly 30 using a suitable
fastener 152. As shown, the label 150 extends across the front face
41 of the upper rail 40 but is held in place at the edges 43
thereof by the fastener 152. One advantage of this embodiment is
that the edges of the visual identifier are not accessible by
infants occupying the crib.
[0039] A further preferred embodiment of a portable infant crib in
accordance with the present application is shown in. FIG. 9 in the
form of a fabric and mesh construction crib 10'. As shown there,
the crib 10' includes fabric and mesh materials 11 carried on a set
of substantially rigid outer frame members 12'. More particularly,
in the embodiment illustrated, the fabric and mesh materials 11
include a set of vertically disposed substantially rectangular mesh
panel 160 suspended relative to the frame 12' by a plurality of
rectangular panel portions 162, the panel portions 162 and mesh
portions 160 being formed typically of a nylon or other similar
material. A plurality of legs 164 extend downwardly from the set of
outer frame members 12' for elevating a mattress support portion
166 relative to the associated floor surface. Cribs 10' of the type
shown in FIGS. 9-11 are typically used in commercial applications
such as hotels or the like.
[0040] Of particular significance in connection with the crib 10'
shown in FIG. 9 is a set of visual identifiers 20' sewn into the
lower panel portions 170 as illustrated. The visual identifiers 20'
can be located anywhere on any of the panel portions 162 as desired
and their placement and/or location is not limited to the manner
shown in FIG. 9. More particularly, the visual identifiers 20' can
be located on the upper panel portion 172 as well as on the lower
panel portion 170. A further visual identifier 20' is provided on a
lower end panel portion 174 to illustrate that the location of the
visual identifier 20' can take on any form as desired.
[0041] In its preferred form, the visual identifier includes a
highly reflective material comprised of retroreflective lenses
and/or microprisms bonded to a substrate or other backing material
such as a transfer film, fabric, or pressure-sensitive adhesive.
One such suitable material is commercially available from 3M called
"Scotchlite".TM.. However, any materials can be used that have good
reflective properties.
[0042] It is to be appreciated that the visual identifier 20'
enables searchers and rescuers to easily locate the crib 10' when a
flashlight or other searchlight is cast into the general vicinity
of the crib. This is useful for locating cribs in low light
conditions such as in hotels during a fire, blackout, or other form
of emergency.
[0043] With reference next to FIG. 10, a fabric and mesh
construction crib 10' is illustrated as having a plurality of
visual identifiers 20' provided in the form of a reflective paint
material 180 applied directly to one or more panel portions 162 of
the crib 10'. As shown, the reflective paint material 180 is
applied to the lower panel portion 170 and the end panel portion
174 in a manner and at general locations as shown in the embodiment
of FIG. 9. However, it is to be appreciated that the reflective
paint material 180 can be applied to the upper panel portion 172 or
on any other surface of the fabric and mesh crib 10' as
desired.
[0044] Turning next to FIG. 11, a fabric and mesh crib 10' is
illustrated having the general form and construction of the cribs
discussed above in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10. As shown in FIG.
11, however, the visual identifier 20' is provided in the form of a
reflective trim material 182 and stitched, bonded, or otherwise
connected at the interface between the panel portions 162 and the
mesh panels 160. Essentially, in the embodiment illustrated, the
reflective trim is highly reflective for enabling searchers or
rescuers to easily locate and identify the subject crib 10' in a
low light environment such as during a fire, blackout condition, or
other emergency. It is to be appreciated that although the
reflective trim 182 is illustrated surrounding one of the mesh
panels 160, the trim 182 can be provided anywhere on the crib 10'
as desired.
[0045] The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference
to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and
alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the
preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary
embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and
alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended
claims or the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *