U.S. patent application number 13/625309 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-28 for crib assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to LaJobi, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is LaJobi,Inc.. Invention is credited to Barry Jacobs.
Application Number | 20130074258 13/625309 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47909603 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130074258 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jacobs; Barry |
March 28, 2013 |
CRIB ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A crib includes a plurality of crib legs, a headboard structured
disposed on a first side of the crib and extending between a first
pair of crib legs, a footboard structure disposed on a second side
of the crib and extending between a second pair of crib legs, and a
supporting surface disposed between the headboard structure and the
footboard structure. The footboard structure includes a fixed
section positioned on an internal side and a movable section
positioned on an external side of the crib. A top of the fixed
section is positioned a first distance above the support surface,
and the movable section is positionable a second distance above the
top of the fixed section and is configured to move from the second
distance above the top of the fixed section to a position at or
below the top of the fixed section.
Inventors: |
Jacobs; Barry; (Highland
Park, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LaJobi,Inc.; |
Cranbury |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
LaJobi, Inc.
Cranbury
NJ
|
Family ID: |
47909603 |
Appl. No.: |
13/625309 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61538023 |
Sep 22, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 7/02 20130101; A47C
19/022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/100 |
International
Class: |
A47D 7/02 20060101
A47D007/02 |
Claims
1. A furniture assembly, comprising: a crib including: a plurality
of crib legs; a headboard structure disposed on a first side of the
crib and extending between a first pair of the plurality of crib
legs; a footboard structure disposed on a second side of the crib
and extending between a second pair of the plurality of crib legs;
and a supporting surface disposed between the headboard structure
and the footboard structure, wherein the footboard structure
includes a fixed section and a movable section, the fixed section
being positioned on an internal side of the crib and the movable
section being positioned on an external side of the crib, a top of
the fixed section being positioned a first distance above the
support surface, and a top of the movable section being
positionable a second distance above the top of the fixed section,
the top of the movable section being configured to move from the
second distance above the top of the fixed section to a position at
or below the top of the fixed section.
2. The furniture assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first
side structure disposed on a third side of the crib and extending
between a third pair of the plurality of crib legs; a second side
structure disposed on a fourth side of the crib and extending
between a fourth pair of the plurality of crib legs, the first side
structure, the second side structure, the headboard, and the
footboard forming an enclosure for the crib.
3. The furniture assembly of claim 2, wherein the first side
structure, the second side structure, and the footboard each
include spaced vertical bars, and the headboard includes spaced
vertical bars or a solid panel.
4. The furniture assembly of claim 1, wherein the first distance is
at least 20 inches above the supporting surface.
5. The furniture assembly of claim 1, wherein the top of the
movable section is at least 26 inches above the supporting surface
when the top of the movable section is the second distance above
the top of the fixed section.
6. The furniture assembly of claim 1, wherein the position of the
fixed section may not be adjusted.
7. The furniture assembly of claim 1, further comprising means for
moving the movable section from the second distance above the top
of the fixed section to a position at or below the top of the fixed
section and means for locking the movable section at selected
positions.
8. The furniture assembly of claim 7, further comprising a
childproof lock, wherein the childproof lock requires at least one
of being accessible from the external side of the crib and
requiring a tool to unlock the childproof lock.
9. The furniture assembly of claim 1, wherein each one of the
second pair of the plurality of crib legs includes tracks disposed
thereon, the movable section being configured to be guided along
the tracks and to be locked at selected positions along the
tracks.
10. A furniture assembly, comprising: a crib including: a headboard
structure disposed on a first side of the crib; a footboard
structure disposed on a second side of the crib; and a supporting
surface disposed between the headboard structure and the footboard
structure, wherein the footboard structure includes a fixed section
and a movable section disposed in front of the fixed section, a top
of the fixed section being positioned at least 20 inches above the
support surface, and the movable section being configured to move
between a plurality of positions relative to the support
surface.
11. The furniture assembly of claim 10, further comprising a
plurality of crib legs, wherein the headboard structure extends
between a first pair of the plurality of crib legs and the
footboard structure extends between a second pair of the plurality
of crib legs, the furniture assembly further comprising: a first
side structure disposed on a third side of the crib and extending
between a third pair of the plurality of crib legs; a second side
structure disposed on a fourth side of the crib and extending
between a fourth pair of the plurality of crib legs, the first side
structure, the second side structure, the headboard, and the
footboard forming an enclosure for the crib.
12. The furniture assembly of claim 10, wherein the first side
structure, the second side structure, and the footboard each
include spaced vertical bars, and the headboard includes spaced
vertical bars or a solid panel.
13. The furniture assembly of claim 10, wherein the plurality of
positions includes a position wherein a top of the movable section
is at least 26 inches above the support surface and a position
where the top of the movable section is substantially flush with
the level of the top of the fixed section.
14. The furniture assembly of claim 10, wherein the position of the
fixed section may not be adjusted and wherein the crib includes a
childproof lock configured to prevent inadvertent movement of the
movable section.
15. The furniture assembly of claim 10, wherein each one of the
second pair of the plurality of crib legs includes tracks disposed
thereon, the movable section being configured to be guided along
the tracks and to be locked at selected positions along the
tracks.
16. A crib assembly, comprising: a plurality of crib legs; a
headboard structure disposed on a first side of the crib and
extending between a first pair of the plurality of crib legs; a
footboard structure disposed on a second side of the crib and
extending between a second pair of the plurality of crib legs; a
first side structure disposed on a third side of the crib and
extending between a third pair of the plurality of crib legs; a
second side structure disposed on a fourth side of the crib and
extending between a fourth pair of the plurality of crib legs; and
a supporting surface disposed between a structure defined by the
headboard structure, the footboard structure, the first side
structure, and the second side structure, wherein the footboard
structure includes a fixed section and a movable section, a top of
the fixed section being positioned a first distance above the
support surface, and a top of the movable section being
positionable a second distance above the top of the fixed section,
the top of the movable section being configured to move from the
second distance above the top of the fixed section to a position at
or below the top of the fixed section.
17. The crib assembly of claim 16, wherein the fixed section is
located on an internal portion of the crib and the movable section
is located on an external portion of the crib.
18. The furniture assembly of claim 16, further comprising means
for moving the movable section from the second distance above the
top of the fixed section to a position at or below the top of the
fixed section and means for locking the movable section at selected
positions.
19. The crib assembly of claim 16, wherein the plurality of
positions includes a position where the top of the moveable section
is at least 26 inches above the support surface and a position
where the top of the movable section is substantially even with the
top of the fixed section.
20. The crib assembly of claim 16, wherein each one of the second
pair of the plurality of crib legs includes tracks disposed
thereon, the movable section being configured to be guided along
the tracks and to be locked at selected positions along the tracks.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/538,023, filed Sep. 22, 2011, the contents of
which are incorporated entirely herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to furniture, and
more particularly, to a crib assembly.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Different types of furniture are specially designed for use
for babies and young children. As is known, a crib is a bed with
high sides, e.g., barred or latticed sides, for a young child or
baby. The sides are sufficiently high to prevent the child from
climbing over the sides and falling from the crib. The height of
these sides, however, may make it more difficult for a person,
particularly one of smaller stature, to reach into the crib and
attend to the child.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a furniture
assembly including a crib. The crib includes a plurality of crib
legs, a headboard structure, a footboard structure, and a
supporting surface. The headboard structure is disposed on a first
side of the crib and extends between a first pair of the plurality
of crib legs. The footboard structure is disposed on a second side
of the crib and extends between a second pair of the plurality of
crib legs. The supporting surface is disposed between the headboard
structure and the footboard structure. The footboard structure
includes a fixed section and a movable section. The fixed section
is positioned on an internal side of the crib, and the movable
section is positioned on an external side of the crib. A top of the
fixed section is positioned a first distance above the support
surface. A top of the movable section is positionable a second
distance above the top of the fixed section. The top of the movable
section is configured to move from the second distance above the
top of the fixed section to a position at or below the top of the
fixed section.
[0007] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a
furniture assembly including a crib. The furniture assembly
includes a headboard structure, a footboard structure, and a
supporting surface disposed between the headboard structure and the
footboard structure. The headboard structure is disposed on a first
side of the crib. The footboard structure is disposed on a second
side of the crib. The supporting surface disposed between the
headboard structure and the footboard structure. The footboard
structure includes a fixed section and a movable section disposed
in front of the fixed section. A top of the fixed section is
positioned at least 20 inches above the support surface. The
movable section is configured to move between a plurality of
positions relative to the support surface.
[0008] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a
crib assembly. The crib assembly includes a plurality of crib legs,
a headboard structure, a footboard structure, a first side
structure, a second side structure, and a supporting surface. The
headboard structure is disposed on a first side of the crib and
extends between a first pair of the plurality of crib legs. The
footboard structure is disposed on a second side of the crib and
extends between a second pair of the plurality of crib legs. The
first side structure is disposed on a third side of the crib and
extends between a third pair of the plurality of crib legs. The
second side structure is disposed on a fourth side of the crib and
extends between a fourth pair of the plurality of crib legs. The
supporting surface is disposed between a structure defined by the
headboard structure, the footboard structure, the first side
structure, and the second side structure. The footboard structure
includes a fixed section and a movable section. A top of the fixed
section is positioned a first distance above the support surface. A
top of the movable section is positionable a second distance above
the top of the fixed section. The top of the movable section is
configured to move from the second distance above the top of the
fixed section to a position at or below the top of the fixed
section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an example crib in a first operating
mode, according to aspects of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates the example crib of FIG. 1 in a second
operating mode, according to aspects of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a partial assembly of the example crib of
FIG. 1, according to aspects of the present invention.
[0012] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way
of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein.
It should be understood, however, that the invention is not
intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather,
the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as described below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] According to aspects of the present invention, FIG. 1
illustrates an example crib assembly 100 in a first operating mode,
and FIG. 2 illustrates the example crib 100 in a second operating
mode. As described herein, the structures of the crib 100 may be
formed from any combination of suitable materials, including, but
not limited to, wood, plastic, metal, and the like. In addition,
the structures may be assembled according to any combination of
fastening techniques, including, but not limited to, the use of
screws, nails, pegs, rods, rivets, bolts, supporting brackets and
plates, interlocking elements, press-fit connections, adhesives,
and the like.
[0014] The crib 100 includes a left rear post 101, a right rear
post 102, a left front post 103, and a right front post 104, all of
which extend upwardly from a floor surface to support the other
structures of the crib 100. The crib 100 includes a supporting
surface 105 that provides support for a young child or baby
situated in the crib 100. The supporting surface 105, for example,
provides a sleeping surface for the child. As shown in FIG. 1, the
supporting surface 105 is defined by the top surface of a crib
mattress 106.
[0015] A headboard 110 extends upwardly along the rear side of the
crib 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the headboard 110 includes a
combination of spaced vertical bars 111 and a planar surface 112.
In alternative embodiments, the headboard 110 may include only
spaced vertical bars or only planar surfaces. The headboard 110 is
supported by the left rear post 101 and the right rear post 102.
The headboard 110 may be positioned against a wall and, like most
headboards, may include features that make the crib 100 consistent
with a particular design style.
[0016] A left side 115 extends upwardly along the left side of the
crib 100. The left side 115 is supported by the left rear post 101
and the left front post 103. The left side 115 includes spaced
vertical bars 116, which allow a person to see the child in the
crib 100 through the left side 115.
[0017] A right side 120 extends upwardly along the right side of
the crib 100, opposite from the left side 115. The right side 120
is supported by the right rear post 102 and the right front post
104. The right side 120 includes spaced vertical bars 121, which
allow a person to see the child in the crib 100 through the right
side 120.
[0018] A footboard assembly 130 extends upwardly along the front
side of the crib 100, opposite from the headboard 110. The
footboard assembly 130 is supported by the left front post 103 and
the right front post 104.
[0019] The headboard 110, the left side 115, the right side 120,
and the footboard assembly 130 define the sides of an enclosure 107
above the supporting surface 105. The sides of the enclosure 107
are dimensioned to prevent the child from getting out of the crib
100 on his/her own. In the first operating mode shown in FIG. 1,
the footboard assembly 130 extends to a height similar to the left
side 115 and the right side 120. While the footboard assembly 130
may be lower than the headboard 110, it may still be difficult for
a person, particularly one of smaller stature, to reach over the
footboard assembly 130 and into the crib 100 to attend to the
child. Advantageously, however, the crib 100 provides a second
operating mode which lowers the footboard assembly 130 to a more
convenient height.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the footboard assembly 130
includes a fixed section 131 and a movable section 135. The fixed
section 131 is fixed to the left front post 103 and the right font
post 104. The height of the fixed section 131 remains at a fixed
height and cannot be adjusted. The fixed section 131 ensures that
the height of the footboard assembly 130 is at least this fixed
height. The partial assembly of the crib 100 shown in FIG. 3
(without the movable section 135) illustrates the fixed section 131
more clearly.
[0021] Meanwhile, the movable section 135 is disposed in front of
the fixed section 131 and can be adjusted relative to the fixed
section 131 to extend to varying heights. The movable section 135
is coupled to the left front post 103 and the right front post 104
in any appropriate manner to allow it to move up and down and lock
at the varying heights. For example, the movable section 135 may be
guided along tracks disposed respectively along the left front post
103 and the right font post 104 and may be locked at selected
heights by manually-operated spring-biased pins. In alternative
embodiments, the movable section 135 may be guided downwards or
upwards relative to the supporting surface 105 by an automated
mechanism or another electro-mechanical mechanism, which may be
controlled by a remote and/or by a control mechanism located on the
crib 100 that is not accessible to the child in the crib 100. In
alternative embodiments, the movable section 135 may swing down to
lock at a lower height. The fixed section 131 includes spaced
vertical bars 132 and the movable section 135 includes spaced
vertical bars 136. Together the vertical bars 132 and 136 allow a
person to see the child in the crib 100 through the footboard
assembly 130.
[0022] While the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3 show the use of
vertical bars 132, 136, 111, 116, and 121, it is understood that
any combination of the headboard footboard assembly 130, headboard
110, left side 115, and the right side 120 may include any
combination of solid vertical panels, spaced vertical bars, and/or
other structures, e.g., lattice structures, structures with
patterned apertures, etc. Indeed, according to some embodiments,
both the left side 115 and the right side 120 include one or more
solid panels.
[0023] In the first operating mode shown in FIG. 1, the movable
section 135 is in a raised position where the top of the movable
section 135 is at a maximum height, which is higher than the fixed
height of the fixed section 131. In the raised position, the bottom
of the movable section 135 may be even with the bottom of the fixed
section 131, which is disposed below the supporting surface 105. In
alternative embodiments, the crib 100 may include locks or other
childproof mechanisms preventing inadvertent unlocking and lowering
of the movable section 135. The locks may be unlocked in any
suitable manner, including by using a key, entering a combination
lock, or performing a predetermined mechanical movement.
[0024] In the second operating mode shown in FIG. 2, the movable
section 135 is moved to a lowered position so that the top of the
movable section 135 is even with the top of the fixed section 131
at the fixed height. With the movable section 135 at the lowered
position, a person can more easily reach over the footboard
assembly 130 and into the crib 100, while still preventing the
child from getting out of the crib 100. When the person is no
longer attending to the child, the movable section 135 can be
raised to the safer height shown in FIG. 1.
[0025] Regulations or standards may govern aspects of crib design.
For example, United States federal safety regulations require that
the tops of the fixed sides of a crib, including the footboard,
extend to a height of at least 26 inches above the supporting
surface, e.g., the crib mattress. In addition, according to U.S.
regulations, the footboard must be coupled to the rest of the crib
in a manner that prevents the footboard from becoming partially
detached and creating a gap that may allow the child or a part of
the child to slip though and/or get trapped between the footboard
and the rest of the crib.
[0026] As discussed previously, it may be difficult for a person to
reach over the footboard at the height of 26 inches. U.S. federal
safety regulations, however, allow some aspects of the crib to be
movable. Thus, the footboard may be designed to move between a
raised position (at 26 inches) and a lowered position. The height
of the footboard in the lowered position must be no less than 20
inches above the supporting surface 105. In general, no movable
portion of the crib can have a horizontal surface, which can be
used as a toe-hold by the child in the crib, at less than 20 inches
above the supporting surface at any time.
[0027] Advantageously, the crib 100 can be configured to comply
with the U.S. federal safety regulations above. The fixed section
131 of the footboard assembly 130 can be fixed to the crib 100 at a
height of 20 inches from the supporting surface 105. The fixed
section 131 is securely fixed particularly to prevent the creation
of a gap between the footboard assembly 130 and the rest of the
crib 100. The top of the movable section 135 has a height of 26
inches in the raised position and a height of 20 inches in the
lowered position. The fixed section 131 and the movable section 135
do not have a horizontal surface that presents a toe-hold hazard
between the supporting surface 105 and 20 inches above it. In sum,
the crib 100 allows a person to reach over the footboard assembly
130 and reach into the crib 100 more easily, while complying with
safety standards.
[0028] While the present invention has been described in connection
with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the
present inventions are not so limited, but rather cover various
modifications and equivalent arrangements. For example, although
some aspects of the present invention may be described with
reference to separate elements, it is understood that some elements
may be combined to provide an integrated structure while satisfying
the functions of the elements. Furthermore, it is also understood
that aspects of the present invention are not limited to the
particular shapes and dimensions described or illustrated in this
present application.
* * * * *