U.S. patent application number 11/102434 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-12 for crib having movable and stationary sides, multiple bases, and a base connector.
Invention is credited to Jean Kasem.
Application Number | 20060225206 11/102434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37072267 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060225206 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kasem; Jean |
October 12, 2006 |
CRIB HAVING MOVABLE AND STATIONARY SIDES, MULTIPLE BASES, AND A
BASE CONNECTOR
Abstract
A crib has a base portion, base connector, crib side sections
extending from the base portion and crib legs to support the base
portion and the crib side sections above the ground. A front
stationary crib side middle section, a back stationary crib side
middle section and the base connector may be removed to reveal a
crib side openings and separate stationary crib side sections may
be added to allow the crib to be converted into separate cribs.
Inventors: |
Kasem; Jean; (Los Angeles,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN
12400 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
SEVENTH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90025-1030
US
|
Family ID: |
37072267 |
Appl. No.: |
11/102434 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/93.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/066 20130101;
A47D 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/093.1 |
International
Class: |
A47D 7/00 20060101
A47D007/00 |
Claims
1. A crib comprising: a first base, a first movable crib side
section and a first stationary crib side end section, one end of
the first stationary crib side end section is adjacent to one end
of the first movable crib side section, and a first crib side back
section extending from the first base; a second base, a second
movable crib side section and a second stationary crib side end
section, one end of the second stationary crib side end section is
adjacent to one end of the second movable crib side section, and a
second crib side back section extending from the second base; a
front stationary crib side middle section having one end adjacent
to another end of the first movable crib side section and another
end adjacent to another end of the second movable crib side
section; a back stationary crib side middle section having one end
adjacent to one end of the first crib side back section and another
end that is adjacent to one end of the second crib side back
section; and a base connector coupled in between the first base and
the second base such that the centers of the first base, the second
base and the base connector are in alignment with one another.
2. The crib of claim 1, wherein the front stationary crib side
middle section, the back stationary crib side middle section and
the base connector are removable to convert the crib into at least
two separate cribs each of which has a crib side opening between
the movable crib side section and the crib side back section that
is to be closed with a further stationary crib side section.
3. The crib of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of crib legs
connected to the first base and the second base to raise the first
base and the second base off the ground and each leg positioned
between two adjacent crib side sections wherein the front
stationary crib side middle section is secured to respective crib
legs at its opposite ends.
4. The crib of claim 3, wherein the one end of the first crib side
back section and the one end of the back stationary crib side
middle section are secured to a respective crib leg, and the other
end of the back stationary crib side middle section and the one end
of the second crib side back section are secured to a respective
crib leg.
5. The crib of claim 1, further comprising: a first mattress whose
perimeter matches that of the first base, a second mattress whose
perimeter matches that of the second base, and a third mattress
whose perimeter matches that of the base connector.
6. The crib of claim 1, wherein each crib side section comprises: a
plurality of vertical, elongated bars spaced around its base to
prevent a child lying on the base from removing herself from the
base.
7. The crib of claim 1, further comprising: a set of angled rods
wherein an angled rod extends vertically through each of the first
movable crib side section and the second movable crib side section
for guiding the movable crib side sections in a vertical
direction.
8. The crib of claim 3, further comprising a set of holes in each
crib leg for connecting the base portion to each leg at various
positions along the crib legs.
9. A kit of parts for a crib, comprising: a base portion having a
first base, a second base, and a base connector, a portion of the
first base and a portion of the second base to be adjacent to
opposite ends of the base connector when assembled, a plurality of
crib side sections to surround the base portion, the crib side
sections comprised of a first movable section, and a first back
section; a second movable section, and a second back section; a
front stationary middle section having one end adjacent to another
end of the first movable crib side section and another end adjacent
to another end of the second movable crib side section; a back
stationary middle section having one end adjacent to one end of the
first back section and another end that is adjacent to one end of
the second back section; and a plurality of crib legs each to be
positioned between two adjacent crib side sections and wherein the
one end of the front stationary middle section and the another end
of the second movable section are secured to the same crib leg, the
another end of the front stationary middle section and the another
end of the first movable section are secured to the same crib leg,
the one end of the back stationary middle section and the one end
of the second back section are secured to the same crib leg, and
the another end of the back stationary middle section and the one
end of the first back section are secured to the same crib leg.
10. The kit of claim 9, wherein the front stationary middle section
and the back stationary middle section are to be positioned
adjacent to opposite ends of the base connector.
11. The kit of claim 9, wherein the perimeter of the base connector
has opposite portions each of which conforms to a respective
adjacent portion of the perimeter of the first and the second
bases, and a top surface of the base connector is within the same
plane as a top surface of each base.
12. The kit of claim 9, wherein the kit further comprises a
conversion kit for converting the crib into at least two separate
cribs each of which has a crib side opening between the movable
section and the back section that is to be closed with a further
stationary section.
13. The kit of claim 9, wherein each crib side section comprises: a
plurality of evenly spaced vertical elongated bars spaced around
its base portion to prevent a child lying on the base portion from
removing herself from the crib.
14. The kit of claim 9, wherein the plurality of crib legs are to
be connected to the base portion.
15. The kit of claim 9, wherein fasteners selected from one of a
bolt, nail, screw, bracket and hinge are to secure the crib side
sections to the crib legs.
16. The kit of claim 9, further comprising: a canopy; and a
plurality of canopy legs for being connected to the canopy at one
end and for being removably coupled to the upper portion of the
crib legs near another end.
17. The kit of claim 9, further comprising: a set of angled rods
wherein an angled rod extends vertically through each of the first
movable section and the second movable section for guiding the
movable sections in a vertical direction.
18. The kit of claim 9, further comprising: a set of mattresses
wherein a first mattress whose perimeter matches that of the first
base is to be positioned on top of the first base, a second
mattress whose perimeter matches that of the second base is to be
positioned on top of the second base, and a third mattress whose
perimeter matches that of the base connector is to be positioned on
top of the base connector.
19. A method for converting a twin crib into two separate cribs
comprising: forming a first crib side opening by removing one end
of a front stationary crib side middle section from a crib leg
secured to a second movable crib side section, and another end from
a crib leg secured to a first movable crib side section wherein the
crib legs are secured to the sections by fasteners spaced along the
length of the crib legs; forming a second crib side opening by
removing one end of a back stationary crib side middle section from
a crib leg secured to a second crib side back section, and another
end of the back stationary crib side middle section from a crib leg
secured to a first crib side back section wherein the crib legs are
secured to the crib side sections by fasteners spaced along the
length of the crib legs; removing a base connector that is coupled
to a first base and a second base adjacent to the crib side
sections; and then securing separate stationary crib side sections
to at least one of the bases and the crib legs with fasteners to
create at least two separate cribs.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein a rail of the separate
stationary crib side sections is secured to the crib legs with one
of a bolt, nail, screw and bracket.
21. The method of claim 19 further comprising: positioning a
respective mattress over each base to provide a cushioned sleeping
area for an infant.
Description
[0001] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the crib according
to an embodiment of the invention.
[0002] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the crib being
converted into two separate cribs.
[0003] FIG. 3 is a top view of the crib base portion according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0004] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement of
the crib side sections according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0005] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the crib base portion
according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0006] In this section we shall explain several preferred
embodiments of this invention with reference to the appended
drawings. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects
of the parts described in the embodiments are not clearly defined,
the scope of the invention is not limited only to the parts shown,
which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration.
[0007] FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a crib for
more than one infant. The crib may be assembled to allow the
infants to move from one section of the crib to another. In another
embodiment, the crib may be assembled into two separate, smaller
cribs.
[0008] In one embodiment, the crib 10 may have a base portion, crib
side sections and crib legs for supporting the base portion and the
crib side sections above the ground. The base portion, the crib
side sections and the crib legs may be assembled to provide a
comfortable area for infants to sleep or play without constant
adult supervision. The crib parts may be of any materials and may
be assembled in compliance with the crib safety regulations set
forth by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission in
the Code of Federal Regulations. In one embodiment, referring now
to FIG. 2, the base portion may have a first base 22a and a second
base 22b connected to each other by a base connector 24. The base
connector 24, the first base 22a and the second base 22b, once
assembled as shown, are preferably planar such that the base
portion has a top surface that is all within the same plane. The
first base 22a and the second base 22b are preferably essentially
identical, and the base connector 24 perimeter conforms to the
shapes on either side of it. When the first base 22a, the second
base 22b and the base connector 24 are shaped in the preferred
manner shown, the perimeter of the base portion is shaped
essentially like a figure eight. As an alternative, the perimeter
of the base can be of a different shape (such as rectangular), and
the base connector in that case would have a perimeter that
conforms to the straight sides of the two bases. The first base 22a
may be secured to the base connector 24 by inserting a bolt through
one side of the base connector 24 and one side of the first base
22a. The other side of the base connector 24 may then be secured to
the second base 22b by a similar fastening mechanism. In another
embodiment, the base connector 24 may be removed so that each of
the first base 22a and the second base 22b may be used as a base
for the smaller cribs. In still another embodiment, the base
portion may have additional bases and base connectors coupled to
each other in sequence.
[0009] In one embodiment, a plurality of crib side sections may
extend from the base portion. When the first base 22a and the
second base 22b are connected by the base connector 24, the crib
side sections may extend from the perimeter of the first base 22a,
the second base 22b and the base connector 24. The crib side
sections may be of a height (above the base portion) that prevents
an infant from climbing over the crib side sections. The crib side
sections may be of the same size and shape. Thus, when the
dimensions of one crib side section are determined, the remaining
crib side sections may be efficiently manufactured by duplicating
the crib side section. When the first base 22a and the second base
22b are curved (e.g., circular as shown in the figures), the crib
side sections may be shaped to conform to the perimeter of the base
portion such that the crib appears as two connected round cribs in
a side by side configuration. This is in contrast to arranging two
standard cribs in a stacked configuration with one crib positioned
above the other. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the two
cribs are symmetrical. Thus, once the dimensions of a first crib
are determined, the second crib may be manufactured advantageously
by merely duplicating the dimensions of the first crib.
[0010] In one embodiment, a front stationary crib side middle
section 16a may extend vertically from the base portion. In the
example shown, the front stationary crib side middle section 16a
also runs horizontally along portions of the sides of the first
base 22a, the second base 22b and the base connector 24. As an
alternative, the middle section 16a may conform essentially only to
the base connector's perimeter, if the base connector 24 is deep
enough (such as shown in FIG. 5). The front stationary crib side
middle section 16a may have a horizontal top rail 54a and a
horizontal bottom rail 54b. A number of bars 66 may extend
vertically between and are permanently attached to the top rail 54a
and the bottom rail 54b. The bars 66 may be spaced at distances
from each other to prevent a child's head from fitting between the
bars 66, and to allow the child lying in the crib to be easily seen
from outside the crib.
[0011] The front stationary crib side middle section 16a is
preferably curved as shown (conforming to the front side of the
base connector 24), so as not to present any sharp angles to the
child inside the crib.
[0012] The bottom rail 54b may be secured to portions of the first
base 22a, the second base 22b and the base connector 24. Any
acceptable securing mechanism, such as bolts, nails, screws or
brackets, may be used to secure the bottom rail 54b to the first
base 22a, the second base 22b and the base connector 24. In one
embodiment, the front stationary crib side middle section 16a may
be removed from the base portion so that the crib may be converted
into two separate cribs.
[0013] In one embodiment, a back stationary crib side middle
section 16b may extend from the base portion, at a location that is
directly opposite the front middle section 16a. The back stationary
crib side middle section 16b may conform to the perimeter of the
first base 22a, the second base 22b in FIG. 3 and the base
connector 24 as shown. The back stationary crib side middle section
16b may be preferably of the same shape and size as the front
stationary crib side middle section 16a such that one may be used
in place of the other. The back stationary crib side middle section
16b may have a horizontal top rail 56a and a horizontal bottom rail
56b. Bars 66 may extend vertically between and may be permanently
attached to the top rail 56a and the bottom rail 56b. In one
embodiment, the bottom rail 56b may be secured to portions of the
first base 22a, the second base 22b and the base connector 24 that
are directly opposite those to which the bottom rail 56a may be
attached. Any acceptable securing mechanism, such as bolts, nails,
screws or brackets, may be used to secure the bottom rail 56b to
the first base 22a, the second base 22b and the base connector 24.
In one embodiment, the back stationary crib side middle section 16b
may be removed from the base portion so that the crib may be
converted into two separate cribs.
[0014] The back stationary crib side middle section 16b is
preferably curved as shown (conforming to the back side of the base
connector 24), so as not to present any sharp angles to the child
inside the crib.
[0015] A first movable crib side section 18a may extend vertically
from the base portion. In one embodiment, the first movable crib
side section 18a is a separate piece located adjacent to the first
base 22a and runs (horizontally) along a part but not all of the
complete perimeter of the base 22a. In the example shown, the
section 18a cuts an arc of about ninety degrees around the complete
circle defined by the perimeter of the base 22a. The first movable
crib side section 18a may have a horizontal top rail 58a and a
horizontal bottom rail 58b. A plurality of bars 66 may extend
vertically between and are permanently attached to the top rail 58a
and the bottom rail 58b. In another embodiment, the plurality of
bars 66 may be positioned in any direction between the top rail 58a
and the bottom rail 58b. The bars 66 may be spaced at any distance
from each other sufficient to prevent a child's head from fitting
between the bars 66, and to allow the child lying in the crib to
easily see outside the crib all around herself. The bottom rail 58b
may be secured to the base portion. The bottom rail 58b may
preferably be secured to the first base 22a. Any acceptable
securing mechanism, such as bolts, nails, screws or brackets may be
used to secure the bottom rail 58b to the base portion.
[0016] A second movable crib side section 18b may extend vertically
from the base portion. In one embodiment, the second movable crib
side section 18b is a separate piece located adjacent to the second
base 22b and runs (horizontally) along a part but not all of the
complete perimeter of the base 22b. In the example shown, the
section 18b cuts an arc of about ninety degrees around the complete
circle defined by the perimeter of the base 22b. The second movable
crib side section 18b may be preferably of the same shape and size
as the first movable crib side section 18a such that one may be
used in place of the other. In one embodiment, the second movable
crib side section 18b may have a horizontal top rail 60a and a
horizontal bottom rail 60b. A plurality of bars 66 may extend
vertically between and are permanently attached to the top rail 60a
and the bottom rail 60b. In another embodiment, the plurality of
bars 66 may be positioned in any direction between the top rail 60a
and the bottom rail 60b. The bars 66 may be spaced at any distance
from each other sufficient to prevent a child's head from fitting
between the bars 66. The bottom rail 60b may be secured to the base
portion. The bottom rail 60b may preferably be secured to the
second base 22b. Any acceptable securing mechanism, such as bolts,
nails, screws or brackets may be used to secure the bottom rail 50b
to the base portion.
[0017] A first stationary crib side end section 14a may extend
vertically from the base portion. In one embodiment, the first
stationary crib side end section 14a is a separate piece located
adjacent to the first base 22a and runs (horizontally) along a part
but not all of the complete perimeter of the base 22a. In the
example shown, the section 14a cuts an arc of about ninety degrees
around the complete circle defined by the perimeter of the base
22a. The first stationary crib side end section 14a may be of the
same shape and size as the movable sections 14a, 14b. The first
stationary crib side end section 14a may have a horizontal top rail
50a and a horizontal bottom rail 50b. A plurality of bars 66 may
extend vertically between the top rail 50a and the bottom rail 50b.
In another embodiment, the plurality of bars 66 may be positioned
in any direction between the top rail 50a and the bottom rail 50b.
The bars 66 may be spaced at distances from each other to prevent a
child's head from fitting between the bars 66, and to meet other
useful features described above including full view of the outside
by the child lying in the crib, as well as full view by those
outside the crib. The bottom rail 50b may be secured to the base
portion. The bottom rail 50b may preferably be secured to the first
base 22a. Bolts, nails, screws, brackets or any other similar
securing mechanism may be used to secure the bottom rail 50b to the
base portion.
[0018] A second stationary crib side end section 14b may extend
vertically from the base portion. In one embodiment, the second
stationary crib side end section 14b is a separate piece located
adjacent to the second base 22b and runs (horizontally) along a
part but not all of the complete perimeter of the base 22b. In the
example shown, the section 14b cuts an arc of about ninety degrees
around the complete circle defined by the perimeter of the base
22b. The second stationary crib side end section 14b may be
preferably of the same shape and size as the first stationary crib
side end section 14a such that one may be used in place of the
other. The second stationary crib side end section may have a
horizontal top rail 52a and a horizontal bottom rail 52b. A
plurality of bars 66 may extend vertically between the top rail 52a
and the bottom rail 52b. In another embodiment, the plurality of
bars 66 may be positioned in any direction between the top rail 52a
and the bottom rail 52b. The bars 66 may be spaced at distances
from each other to prevent a child's head from fitting between the
bars 66. The bottom rail 52b may be secured to the base portion.
The bottom rail 52b may preferably be secured to the second base
22b. Bolts, nails, screws, brackets or any other similar securing
mechanism may be used to secure the bottom rail 52b to the base
portion.
[0019] A first crib side back section 20a may extend vertically
from the base portion. In one embodiment, the first crib side back
section 20a is a separate piece located adjacent to the first base
22a and runs (horizontally) along a part but not all of the
complete perimeter of the base 22a. In the example shown, the
section 20a cuts an arc of about ninety degrees around the complete
circle defined by the perimeter of the base 22a. The first crib
side back section 20a may be of the same shape and size as the
movable and end crib side sections 14a, 14b, 18a, 18b. The first
crib side back section may have a horizontal top rail 62a and a
horizontal bottom rail 62b. A plurality of bars 66 may extend
vertically between the top rail 62a and the bottom rail 62b. In
another embodiment, the plurality of bars 66 may be positioned in
any direction between the top rail 62a and the bottom rail 62b. The
bars 66 may be spaced at distances from each other to prevent a
child's head from fitting between the bars 66. The bottom rail 62b
may be secured to the base portion. The bottom rail 62b may
preferably be secured to the first base 22a. Bolts, nails, screws,
brackets or any other similar securing mechanism may be used to
secure the bottom rail 62b to the base portion. In one embodiment,
the first crib side back section 20a may be movable.
[0020] A second crib side back section 20b may extend vertically
from the base portion. In one embodiment, the second crib side back
section 20a is a separate piece located adjacent to the second base
22b and runs (horizontally) along a part but not all of the
complete perimeter of the base 22b. In the example shown, the
section 22b cuts an arc of about ninety degrees around the complete
circle defined by the perimeter of the base 22b. The second crib
side back section 20b may be preferably of the same shape and size
as the first crib side back section 20a such that one may be used
in place of the other. The second crib side back section 20b may
have a horizontal top rail 64a and a horizontal bottom rail 64b. A
plurality of bars 66 may extend vertically between the top rail 64a
and the bottom rail 64b. In another embodiment, the plurality of
bars 66 may be positioned in any direction between the top rail 64a
and the bottom rail 64b. The bars 66 may be spaced at distances
from each other to prevent a child's head from fitting between the
bars 66. The bottom rail 64b may be secured to the base portion.
The bottom rail 64b may preferably be secured to the second base
22b. Bolts, nails, screws, brackets or any other similar securing
mechanism may be used to secure the bottom rail 64b to the base
portion. In one embodiment, the second crib side back section 20b
may be movable.
[0021] In one embodiment, the crib legs 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e,
12f, 12g, 12h may be adjacent to the base portion. The crib legs
may be preferably of the same shape and size such that they support
the base portion evenly above the floor. The crib legs 12a, 12b,
12g, 12h may be secured to the perimeter of the first base 22a. The
crib legs 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f may be secured to the perimeter of the
second base 22b. In one embodiment, a set of holes 38, 40, 42 may
be formed in the crib legs 12a-h so the base portion may be secured
to the crib legs 12a-h at various heights to allow the parent to
adjust the distance between the base portion and the top rail of
the crib side sections. Bolts, nails, screws, brackets or any other
similar securing mechanism may be used to secure the crib legs
12a-h to the base portion and crib side sections.
[0022] In one embodiment, the crib legs 12a-h may be adjacent to
the crib side sections. The crib legs 12a-h may be secured to their
adjacent crib side sections. The crib legs 12a-h may be secured to
the top rail and the bottom rail only of an adjacent crib side
section. In still another embodiment, the crib legs 12a-h may be
secured to a vertically extending bar positioned between a top rail
and a bottom rail of an adjacent crib side section.
[0023] In one embodiment, the crib side sections may be adjacent to
one another such that a crib in the shape of two side by side cribs
is formed. In one embodiment, one end of the first stationary crib
side end section 14a may be adjacent to one end of the first
movable crib side section 18a. One end of the second stationary
crib side end section 14b may be adjacent to one end of the second
movable crib side section 18b. One end of the front stationary crib
side middle section 16a may be adjacent to another end of the first
movable crib side section 18a. Another end of the front stationary
crib side middle section 16a may be adjacent to another end of the
second movable crib side section 18b. One end of the back
stationary crib side middle section 16b may be adjacent to one end
of the first crib side back section 20a. Another end of the back
stationary crib side middle section 16b may be adjacent to one end
of the second crib side back section 20b. Another end of the first
stationary crib side end section 14a may be adjacent to another end
of the first crib side back section 20a. Another end of the second
stationary crib side end section 14b may be adjacent to another end
of the second crib side back section 20b.
[0024] In one embodiment, the crib legs 12a-h may be secured to
adjacent crib side sections. Any securing mechanism, such as bolts,
nails, screws or brackets, may be used to secure the crib legs
12a-h to adjacent crib side sections. In one embodiment, one end of
the first stationary crib side end section 14a and one end of the
first movable crib side section 18a may be secured to a crib leg
12a. One end of the second stationary crib side end section 14b and
one end of the second movable crib side section 18a may be secured
to a crib leg 12d. One end of the front stationary crib side middle
section 16a and another end of the first movable crib side section
18a may be secured to a crib leg 12b. Another end of the front
stationary crib side middle section 16a and another end of the
second movable crib side section 18b may be secured to a crib leg
12c. One end of the back stationary crib side middle section 16b
and one end of the second crib side back section 20b may be secured
to a crib leg 12f. Another end of the back stationary crib side
middle section 16b and one end of the first crib side back section
20a may be secured to a crib leg 12g. Another end of the first
stationary crib side end section 14a and another end of the first
crib side back section 20a may be secured to a crib leg 12h.
Another end of the second stationary crib side end section 14b and
another end of the second crib side back section 20b may be secured
to crib leg 12e. In another embodiment where the crib is in a
stacked configuration, crib legs 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f and the
adjacent crib side sections are positioned on top of crib legs 12a,
12b, 12g, 12h and the adjacent crib side sections.
[0025] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a further embodiment of the
crib. In this embodiment, the crib is shown being converted into
two separate cribs. In this illustration, one end of the front
stationary crib side middle section 16a is shown removed from crib
leg 12c. The second movable crib side section 18b remains secured
to crib leg 12c. Another end of the front stationary crib side
middle section 16a is shown removed from crib leg 12b. The first
movable crib side section 18a remains secured to crib leg 12b. One
end of the back stationary crib side middle section 16b is shown
removed from crib leg 12f. The second crib side back section 20b
remains secured to crib leg 12f. Another end of the back stationary
crib side middle section 16b is shown removed from crib leg 12g.
The first crib side back section 20a remains secured to crib leg
12g. The crib side middle sections 16a, 16b may then be removed
from the crib legs 12b, 12c, 12f, 12g and adjacent base portion to
form a first and second crib side openings 46a, 46b. The base
connector 24 that is coupled to the first base 22a and the second
base 22b of the base portion may further be removed. The crib side
openings 46a, 46b may then be closed with separate stationary crib
side sections (not shown). This action results in each base being
so that two smaller cribs are formed. The separate stationary crib
side sections may be completely surrounded by crib side sections,
preferably of the same size and shape as the stationary crib side
sections previously discussed. Horizontal rails of the stationary
crib side sections may be secured to the adjacent crib legs 12b,
12c, 12f, 12g. Any type of fastener or securing mechanism, such as
bolts, nails, screws or brackets may run along the length of the
crib legs and be used to secure the crib side sections 16a, 16b,
18a, 18b, 20a, 20b to crib legs 12b, 12c, 12f, 12g.
[0026] In one embodiment, a mattress is provided to cushion the
infant sleeping area. A illustrated in FIG. 2, a set of mattresses
28a, 28b may be positioned on top of the base portion. The set of
mattresses may have a first mattress 28a with a perimeter matching
that of the first base 22a. The first mattress 28a may be
positioned on top of the first base 22a. The set of mattresses may
further have a second mattress 28b with a perimeter matching that
of the second base 22b. The second mattress 28b may be positioned
on top of the second base 22b. The first mattress 28a and the
second mattress 28b may preferably have matching perimeters such
that they may be used interchangeably. The set of mattresses may
have a third mattress 48 with a perimeter matching that of the base
connector 24. The third mattress 48 may fit between the first
mattress 28a and the second mattress 28b so that it may be
positioned on top of the base connector 24. The set of mattresses
may be removable from the base portion. In the embodiment where the
first base 22a and the second base 22b are separated, the first
mattress 28a and the second mattress 28b may be used to cushion the
first base 22a and the second base 22b.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a further embodiment of the
crib. In this embodiment, the base portion of the crib is shown.
The first base 22a is secured to one side of the base connector 24
and the second base 22b is secured to another side of the base
connector 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the base connector 24 may be
secured to the first base 22a and the second base 22b with bolts
26, nails, screws, brackets or any other similar securing
mechanism. The crib legs 12a-h are also shown secured to the
perimeter of the base portion and adjacent crib side sections.
[0028] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a further embodiment of the
crib. In this embodiment, the crib side sections are shown adjacent
to one another. In one embodiment, adjacent crib side sections may
be movable in a vertical direction. The first movable crib side
section 18a and the second movable crib side section 18b may be
movable in the vertical direction. In the embodiment shown, each
movable crib side section 18a, 18b is guided by a pair of rods 30
that extend vertically through either side of the movable side
members 18a, 18b. The top portion of the rod 30 is looped to return
downwards and connects to a portion of the crib, preferably the
crib legs 12b, 12c, which are stationary with respect to the
movable crib side sections 18a, 18b. A rail connector bolt 44 may
be used to attach the crib legs 12b, 12c, to the ends of the front
stationary crib side middle section 16a through a flat end of the
rod 30. There are alternatives to the use of the angled rod 30 that
also permit easy access to the child in the crib. For instance, a
vertical track attached to the side of the crib legs may be used to
allow the crib side sections to slide up and down. An alternative
to the rod and the track which are external to the crib legs is a
groove formed inside the crib leg. The groove guides a dowel, which
is attached to the side member and protrudes horizontally to engage
the groove. An alternative to the vertically moving side members is
to have a top portion of the side member be hinged like a door,
allowing a lower access to the inside of the crib after being
rotated open.
[0029] FIG. 5 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of
the crib. In this embodiment, the base portion of the crib is
shown. The first base 22a is secured to one side of the base
connector 24 and the second base 22b is secured to another side of
the base connector 24. In this embodiment, the crib side middle
sections 16a, 16b are shown conforming essentially only to the
perimeter of the base connector 24 when the base connector 24 is
deep enough. Thus, when the base connector 24 is deep enough, the
crib side middle sections 16a, 16b are positioned essentially only
on top of the base connector 24. The crib legs 12b, 12c, 12f, 12g
may be adjacent to the base connector 24 and the first and second
bases 22a, 22b. The crib legs 12b, 12c may be secured to the same
side of the base connector 24. The crib legs 12f, 12g may be
secured to the same side of the base connector 24. The crib legs
12b, 12c, 12f, 12g are also shown secured to the perimeter of the
base portion and adjacent crib side sections at the points where
the first and second bases 22a, 22b meet the base connector 24. As
shown in FIG. 2, the base connector 24 may be secured to the first
base 22a and the second base 22b with bolts, nails, screws,
brackets or any other similar securing mechanism. The base
connector 24 may be secured to the crib legs 12b, 12c, 12f, 12g and
the crib side middle sections 16a, 16b with bolts, nails, screws,
brackets or any other similar securing mechanism.
[0030] In an alternative embodiment, the crib 10 may have a canopy
assembly as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,455 issued to Jean
Kasem entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING A CANOPY CRIB
TO A STANDARD CRIB." The canopy may be of a variety of shapes,
including flat, concave, or cone. The frame for supporting the
canopy can be attached, using the techniques described in the '455
patent, to a number of canopy legs. The canopy legs may in turn be
removably connected to the crib, and in particular to the crib
legs. Note how the manner in which adjacent base portions are
connected (FIG. 1) allows a canopy to be attached above each base,
advantageously without having to modify the supporting frame or the
crib legs.
[0031] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will,
however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be
made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, in
one embodiment the movable crib side sections may be secured to a
crib leg with a hinge such that the movement of the movable crib
side sections may be similar to that of a hinged door. The
specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
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