U.S. patent number 3,789,439 [Application Number 05/301,287] was granted by the patent office on 1974-02-05 for foldable and adjustable crib.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Cross-River Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Donald P. Berg, Hugh F. Groth.
United States Patent |
3,789,439 |
Berg , et al. |
February 5, 1974 |
FOLDABLE AND ADJUSTABLE CRIB
Abstract
There is disclosed a crib which can be folded into a highly
compact form, and which can be converted for use as a playpen or a
dressing table with a minimum of effort. The unit includes four
legs each of which is pivoted at its upper end to a side of a
foldable rim, and each of which has a link which connects another
point on the same side of the rim to an intermediate point on the
leg. Between those pivot points on the leg connected between the
rim and the link there is provided a hinge joint which permits the
two sections of each leg to be rotated 180.degree. relative to each
other. At a point further below the link pivot on each leg, there
is provided another link which connects the leg to the side of a
floorboard section. The four lower links permit the floorboard to
be switched between two distinct positions with a minimum of
effort.
Inventors: |
Berg; Donald P. (Shaker
Heights, OH), Groth; Hugh F. (Brecksville, OH) |
Assignee: |
Cross-River Products, Inc.
(Croton-on-Hudson, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
23162730 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/301,287 |
Filed: |
October 27, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/99.1; 5/93.2;
5/98.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D
9/005 (20130101); A47D 13/063 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47D
13/06 (20060101); A47D 7/00 (20060101); A47D
13/00 (20060101); A47c 027/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;5/11,93R,98A,99R,99B,99C |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nunberg; Casmir A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gottlieb, Rackman, Reisman &
Kirsch
Claims
What we claim is:
1. A foldable crib comprising a pair of U-shaped rim frame members;
a pair of connecting means each pivoted at the two ends thereof to
ends of different ones of said frame members; a pair of base
members each having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by a
respective one of said frame members; a pair of legs associated
with each of said frame members; means for pivoting the upper end
of each of said legs to a respective side of the associated frame
member; link means associated with each of said legs; first means
for pivoting one end of each link means to the associated leg and
second means for pivoting the other end of each link means to the
respective side of the associated frame member; means for coupling
each of said base members to a pair of respective legs at points
below the respective first pivoting means along said legs; flexible
fabric means for providing end and side walls for the crib between
said frame members and said base members; and hinge joint means
positioned along each of said legs between the upper end thereof
and the respective first pivoting means for allowing said legs to
be selectively set in extended and folded positions; the lengths of
said link means and the positions of said hinge joint means being
such that (1) when said legs are in their extended positions each
of said legs extends downwardly from said frame members and
outwardly from said connecting means, each of said link means
extends upwardly and outwardly from the associated leg, and said
frame members are substantially coplanar, and (2) when said legs
are in their folded positions said frame members extend downwardly
from said connecting means and are substantially parallel, and each
of said link means is disposed below the respective hinge joint
means and extends downwardly and outwardly from the respective leg
to the respective side of the associated frame member.
2. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said
hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the
respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to
each other through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.
3. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 further including
means for hinging said base members together along facing edges
thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face
each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are
in their folded positions.
4. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 further including two
cross-strut means each extended between the lower portions of the
legs in a respective one of said pairs, and means for locking said
cross-strut means adjacent to and parallel to each other when said
legs are in their folded positions.
5. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said
legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for
locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping
positions.
6. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the
coupling means for one of said base members includes a pair of
links each pivoted at one end thereof to a respective side of said
base member and pivoted at the other end thereof to one of the
respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point
intermediate the ends thereof for gripping the respective leg at
two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions
of said link relative to said leg whereby said base members may be
maintained coplanar in two separate positions below said frame
members when said legs are in their open positions.
7. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 1 wherein the coupling
means for said base members include means for positioning said base
members coplanar in two separate switchable positions below said
frame members when said legs are in their open positions.
8. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 7 further including
means for hinging said base members together along facing edges
thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face
each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are
in their folded positions.
9. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said
hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the
respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to
each other through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.
10. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said
legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for
locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping
positions.
11. A foldable crib comprising a pair of rim frame members; means
for joining said frame members in the configuration of a rim for
the crib; a pair of base members each having a shape conforming to
the area enclosed by a respective one of said frame members; a pair
of legs associated with each of said frame members; means for
pivoting the upper end of each of said legs to a respective side of
the associated frame member; a pair of means for coupling each of
said base members to a pair of respective legs; flexible fabric
means for providing end and side walls for the crib between said
frame members and said base members; hinge joint means positioned
along each of said legs between the upper end thereof and the
respective coupling means for allowing said legs to be selectively
set in extended and folded conditions; and means for maintaining
said legs when they are in their extended conditions in positions
which extend downwardly from said frame members and outwardly
therefrom such that said frame members are substantially coplanar;
said hinge joint means being operative when said legs are in their
folded conditions to allow both of said frame members to extend
downwardly with said base members being maintained vertically
therebetween.
12. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of
said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the
respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to
each other through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.
13. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 further including
means for hinging said base members together along facing edges
thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face
each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are
in their folded conditions.
14. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 further including
two cross-strut means each extended between the lower portions of
the legs in a respective one of said parts, and means for locking
said cross-strut means adjacent to and parallel to each other when
said legs are in their folded conditions.
15. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of
said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for
locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping
positions.
16. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of
said coupling means for one of said base members includes a pair of
links each pivoted at one end thereof to a respective side of said
base member and pivoted at the other end thereof to one of the
respective legs, and means fixed to each of said links at a point
intermediate the ends thereof for gripping the respective leg at
two separate positions therealong for two extreme rotated positions
of said link relative to said leg whereby said base members may be
maintained coplanar in two separate positions below said frame
members when said legs are in their open conditions.
17. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 11 wherein the
coupling means for said base members include means for positioning
said base members coplanar in two separate switchable positions
below said frame members when said legs are in their open
conditions.
18. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 17 further including
means for hinging said base members together along facing edges
thereof to permit said base members to be folded inwardly to face
each other with said hinging means being raised when said legs are
in their folded conditions.
19. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 17 wherein each of
said hinge joint means is operative to allow the two parts of the
respective leg on either side thereof to be rotated relative to
each other through an angle of approximately 180.degree..
20. A foldable crib in accordance with claim 17 wherein each of
said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for
locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping
positions.
21. An adjustable crib comprising a pair of U-shaped rim frame
members; means for connecting respective ends of different ones of
said frame members; a pair of base members each having a shape
conforming to the area enclosed by a respective one of said frame
members; a pair of legs associated with each of said frame members;
means for connecting each of said legs to a respective side of the
associated frame member; means for maintaining each of said legs in
a position extending downward from the associated frame member and
outward from said connecting means; flexible fabric means for
providing end and side walls for the crib between said frame
members and said base members; and means for coupling each of said
base members to a pair of respective legs; each of said coupling
means including a pair of links each pivoted at one end thereof to
a respective side of said base member and pivoted at the other end
thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each of
said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for engaging
the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two
extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby
said base members may be maintained coplanar in two separate
positions below said frame members.
22. An adjustable crib in accordance with claim 21 further
including means for hinging said base members together along facing
edges thereof.
23. An adjustable crib in accordance with claim 21 wherein each of
said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for
locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping
positions.
24. An adjustable crib comprising a frame rim; floorboard means
having a shape conforming to the area enclosed by said frame rim; a
pair of legs associated with each end of said frame rim; means for
connecting each of said legs to a respective side of the associated
frame rim; means for maintaining each of said legs in a position
extending downward from said frame rim and outward from the center
thereof; flexible fabric means for providing end and side walls for
the crib between said frame rim and said floorboard means; means
for coupling each end of said floorboard means to a pair of
respective legs; each of said coupling means including a pair of
links each pivoted at a first end thereof to a respective side of
said floorboard means at one end thereof and pivoted at a second
end thereof to one of the respective legs, and means fixed to each
of said links at a point intermediate the ends thereof for engaging
the respective leg at two separate positions therealong for two
extreme rotated positions of said link relative to said leg whereby
said floorboard means may be set in two separate positions below
said frame members; and means for permitting said floorboard means
to be moved manually between said two positions but to be
maintained fixed in each of said positions after being set
therein.
25. An adjustable crib in accordance with claim 24 wherein each of
said legs includes a pair of telescoping leg sections and means for
locking said leg sections in at least two discrete telescoping
positions.
Description
This invention relates to cribs, and more particularly to foldable
cribs and cribs which can be converted to playpens and dressing
tables.
Many types of foldable and/or adjustable cribs have been designed
and marketed in the past. However, such cribs have exhibited little
flexibility in use (at least without considerable effort to adjust
them) and have been incapable of compact folding. There has long
been a need for an easily portable crib which is highly compact in
its folded condition. Such a foldable crib would have widespread
commercial appeal if it could further function as a playpen and as
a dressing table with very little effort being required to convert
the single unit from one form of infant structure to another.
It is a general object of our invention to provide a foldable crib
which is highly transportable and compact in its folded condition,
and which can further be converted with a minimum of effort to a
playpen or a dressing table.
It is a further object of our invention to provide a crib which
permits easy access to an infant in it, even when the floorboard is
in its lowest possible position relative to the upper rim of the
unit.
In accordance with the principles of our invention, we provide a
pair of conventional U-shaped rim frame members disposed in a
horizontal plane at the top of the crib when it is in its open
condition. A pair of double-hinged connecting elements couple the
two frame members to each other so that when the unit is open a
rectangular rim is disposed at the top of it. The connecting
elements permit the frame members to be rotated downward until they
are both vertical and essentially parallel. As will be described,
the other structural elements of the folded crib are contained
within the confines of the vertical frame members and thus the
overall width of the folded crib is approximately equal to the
length of each of the two connecting elements, which in a typical
case is no more than a few inches.
Prior art cribs have been provided with telescoping legs in order
to adjust the crib levels. Although each telescoping leg can be
reduced in length when use of the crib is no longer required, the
length of the leg cannot be reduced to a length less than that of
the shortest telescoping section. The length of the shortest
section is generally greater than the length of a side of the
U-shaped rim frame members. Thus, when the crib is folded, the
height of the unit is usually considerably greater than the length
of one of the rim sides. In the crib of our invention, the outer
section of each telescoping leg is provided with a hinge joint
capable of approximately 180 degrees of rotation. When the crib is
folded and the two U-shaped rim members extend downward, the legs
of the unit extend only slightly past the rim ends at the bottom of
the unit. This contributes to a much reduced height for the folded
unit.
A pair of legs is associated with each of the U-shaped rim frame
members. The upper end of each leg is pivoted to a respective side
of the associated frame member. A link is associated with each leg.
One end of the link is pivoted to the leg at a point below the
respective hinge joint and the other end of the link is pivoted to
the respective side of the frame member. When any leg is in its
open position, it extends downward from the respective frame member
and outward from the central rim frame connecting elements.
Further down along each leg, below the connection point to the
respective link, there is provided another link, one end of which
is pivotally fixed to the leg. The other end is pivotally fixed to
a side of one of two floorboard sections. Each floorboard section
is thus pivotally connected at its sides to two links which depend
from a respective pair of legs, and a hinge is extended along the
facing edges of the floorboard sections to secure them to each
other. Intermediate the ends of each depending link there is
provided an angular flex-lock which can be snap-fitted onto the
respective leg at two different positions. In one position, the
depending link extends downward from its pivot point on the leg and
is fixed to the leg by one end of the flex-lock. In the other
position, the link extends upward from its pivot point on the leg
and is secured to the leg by the other end of the flex-lock. Thus,
in one position the ends of the depending links which are connected
to the sides of the floorboards are below the pivot points on the
respective legs and in the other condition they are above them.
This permits the floorboard to be maintained in one of two
different positions below the upper rim. The height of the
floorboard below the upper rim can be changed simply by raising or
lowering the ends of the floorboard and snap-fitting ends of the
flex-locks onto the legs.
The hinge joints are designed such that they can be released in
order to fold the legs simply by depressing buttons on them
provided for this purpose; the legs can be locked into their open
extended positions simply by rotating each leg section around its
respective hinge joint until the two sections snap into place
automatically. In order to open the crib from its initial collapsed
condition, all that is required is to lift the end of each of the
rim frame members. As will be described below, by so doing all
elements fall into place and the crib can be set up in a matter of
only a few seconds.
The height of the unit can be adjusted by appropriately setting the
telescoping legs. When the legs are made short and the floorboard
is at its lowermost position relative to the upper rim, the unit
has the appearance of a playpen. When the legs are extended, the
unit has the appearance of a crib. Finally, if the floorboard is
then raised relative to the upper rim (which operation can also be
accomplished in a matter of a few seconds), the unit can function
as a dressing table inasmuch as the height of the floorboard above
the floor is comparable to the height of a conventional infant
dressing table.
In order to fold the crib structure, what is first required is to
release the four hinge joints. Each rim frame member falls down so
that it slopes downward from the center of the crib with the two
sections of each leg automatically rotating relative to each other
around the respective hinge joint so that they are adjacent and
parallel to each other. After both rim frame members have been
released in this manner, the two facing edges of the floorboard
sections are gripped (holes are provided for this purpose) and
pulled upward. The unit automatically assumes its folded position
in which the two rim frame members extend downward and are parallel
to each other, with the other structural elements of the unit being
disposed substantially within their confines.
An added advantage of the construction is that if only the two
hinge joints on one side of the crib are released, then the
respective rim frame member falls down (sloping downward from the
center of the crib) without any elements collapsing on an infant in
the crib. In such a case, the floorboard remains substantially
straight (although a slight incline is exhibited). For all intents
and purposes, one end of the crib is collapsed and an infant can be
lifted from the unit endwise of it rather than vertically as is the
case in conventional structures of this type. This feature is
particularly advantageous when the unit is used as a playpen and
the floorboard is close to the floor.
In the folded condition, the floorboard sections are substantially
vertical and parallel with each other. The overall width of the
folded unit is approximately equal to the lengths of the two center
connecting elements, and these elements are made just long enough
to permit insertion of a folded mattress adjacent to one of the
floorboard sections. Thus the mattress can actually be carried
within the folded unit and need not be carried separately.
Further objects, features and advantages of our invention will
become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description in conjunction with the drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the crib of our invention in its open
condition and with its leg sections telescoped inward so that the
unit functions as a play pen;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and is
designed to illustrate the component elements of each of the four
legs;
FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the hinge joint which is
included in each leg;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the hinge joint taken through the
line 6--6 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 depicts the operation of the hinge joint when the crib is
being folded;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the depending link mechanism
which is secured to each leg for controlling the height of the
floorboard sections relative to the upper rim of the crib;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view through line 9--9 of FIG. 17 and further
depicts the interior of each leg and illustrates one of the two
cross-struts which may be provided for stability purposes;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view through the line 10--10 of FIG. 1 and
illustrates the construction of the two central connector
elements;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view through the line 11--11 of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view through the line 12--12 of FIG. 16 and
illustrates a mechanism for locking the crib in its folded
condition;
FIG. 13 illustrates the unit with one of its rim frame members
collapsed for providing easy access to an infant on the
floorboard;
FIG. 14 illustrates the unit with both rim frame members collapsed
(achieved by releasing both pairs of hinge joints) preparatory to
the final folding step;
FIG. 15 illustrates the unit in its folded condition, which
condition is obtained simply by gripping the center of the
floorboard when the unit is in the configuration shown in FIG. 14
and then pulling upward;
FIG. 16 is a side view of the unit in its folded condition;and
FIG. 17 illustrates use of the unit as a changing table after the
legs are extended and the floorboard is raised to its upper
position.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper rim of the crib consists of
two cushioned U-shaped rim frame members 24. Adjacent ends of the
two frame members are pivoted to connector elements 25 by pivot
pins 80, as seen most clearly in FIG. 10. Each connector element
includes two pin stops 81. When the two rim frame members are
collapsed inward around pivots 80, the frame members 24 bear
against pin stop 81 as shown (FIG. 10). In the folded condition of
the unit, as shown by phantom lines 24, the two frame members are
vertical and parallel to each other.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view through the line 11--11 of
FIG. 10. As shown, plastic strip 26a is folded over the upper
surface 25a of the connector element and the two edges are secured
to the webbing 35 by stitching 26b. A pin 80 extends through an end
of each of rim frame element 24 and is secured to the two side
sections 25b of the connector element to permit rotation of the rim
frame member from the horizontal position shown in solid lines in
FIG. 10 to the vertical position shown in phantom. The additional
pin 81 extended between triangular extensions on the two side
sections 25b serves as a stop to limit inward movement of rim frame
member 24 in the closed position.
As seen most clearly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 10, the frame members are
surrounded by soft rubber 27 to provide a cushioning effect. A
strip of plastic 26a is folded over the cushioned frame members and
and connector elements. On either side of each of the connector
elements 25, the plastic is cut as shown by the numeral 26a' in
FIG. 10 in order to permit pivoting of the rim frame members
relative to the connector elements. The folded over edges of the
plastic strip 26a are sewn together as shown by the numeral 26b in
FIGS. 2 and 3, with the upper end of webbing 35 being secured
between the two folded over edges.
A similar plastic strip 26c is provided at the bottom of the
webbing, as seen most clearly in FIG. 3. The numeral 26d shows the
stitch line for securing the webbing 35 within the folded over
edges of plastic strip 26c. The plastic strip is bent as shown in
the drawing all around the two floorboard sections 22a and 22b,
which floorboard sections support mattress 21. The plastic strip
26c can be secured to the floorboard by any conventional means such
as tacks (not shown).
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the unit includes four legs shown by
the numerals 28. Each leg includes a hinge joint 33 with one leg
section extending above it and another leg section extending below
it when the crib is open. Although the hinge joint will be
described in detail below, at this point it should be noted that it
serves to permit the two leg sections to be rotated relative to
each other by 180.degree.. In FIG. 13, the left leg is shown in its
open or extended position, while the right leg is shown in its
folded position.
The upper end of each leg is pivoted to the side of a respective
rim frame member as shown by the numeral 30 in FIG. 2. A link 29 is
provided for each leg, the link being pivoted at one end 32 to the
leg (at a point along the leg below hinge joint 33) and at the
other end 31 to the respective rim frame member. The legs are not
pivoted directly to the floorboard sections 22a and 22b. Instead, a
link mechanism shown generally by the numeral 64 in FIG. 2 is used
to secure a side of each floorboard section to a respective leg. It
is this link mechanism which permits the floorboard to be switched
between two positions relative to the level of the upper rim.
FIG. 3 depicts the construction of each leg and the manner in which
it is connected to a rim frame member and a floorboard section. The
upper section of the leg consists of a tubular member 43 with a
plastic plug 44 sealing its upper end. A pin 30 extends through
tube 43 and the connected rim frame member 24, with a spacer 34
being provided to separate the two elements. The leg can thus pivot
around the pin.
In order to maximize the cushioning of the unit, cushioned bumpers
are provided for the legs just as they are provided for the rim
frame members. A cylindrical section of foam rubber 46 surrounds
tubular member 43, the foam rubber being encased in a plastic
sleeve 45, as shown.
Hinge joint 33, to be described in detail below with reference to
FIGS. 4-7, includes two plastic sections 47 and 50. The two
sections are hinged together by pin 51. A circular section of
member 47 fits within an end of tubular member 43 and is fixed to
it by pin 48. Similarly, a circular section of plastic element 50
is inserted into an end of tubular section 55 and the two elements
are fixed together by pin 56. Also shown in FIG. 3 is spring member
49, which is part of the hinge joint and whose function will be
described below. For present purposes, all that is required is to
note that the two tubular sections 43 and 55 of the leg 28 can
pivot around pin 51 between the open position shown on the left
side of FIG. 13 and the closed position shown on the right
side.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 9, telescoping leg section 59 moves
axially within tubular section 55 of the leg. The lower end of the
inner section terminates in a plastic plug 53. Within the inner
section there is provided a detent button 60 which is biased
outward by spring 61. The button extends through a hole in inner
section 59 and is designed to extend through one of the two holes
55 in outer section 55 for locking the inner section in either a
closed or extended position. As shown in FIG. 3, the leg is in its
closed position. Cushioning rubber 58 surrounds the upper portion
of tubular member 55, and it is enclosed by plastic sleeve 57 to
provide still more cushioning for the structural elements. The
bumper includes the hole shown by the numeral 57 in order that
access be had to button 60. In order to move telescoping section
59, the button is pushed inwardly and the telescoping section is
then moved from its present position to the other position, with
the detent button springing out into one of the holes 55' to lock
the leg in its desired position.
In order for the telescoping section to remain aligned within
tubular section 55 so that the detent button can spring out into
one of holes 55', the telescoping section is indented all along its
outer surface as shown by the numeral 59a in FIG. 9. A screw 68
secures a cross-strut 67 to the leg and extends past the inner
diameter of tubular section 55. Thus the screw not only secures the
cross-strut member in place, but also functions as a guide to
maintain the telescoping section 59 aligned properly. A cross-strut
67 is used to provide greater stability by linking the two tubular
members 55 on each side of the crib. The cross-strut is tubular but
is bent at each end as shown by the numeral 67a at the bottom of
FIG. 3, so as to form a collapsed end 67b which fits around tubular
section 55 and is secured to it by screw 68.
Link 29 is pivoted to a rim frame member as shown by the numeral 31
in FIG. 2, and is pivoted to leg section 55 by pin 32. The link is
separated from the leg section by spacer 36. The inner end of the
pin further guides telescoping section 59 of the leg just as does
the inner end of screw 68.
Link element 41 serves to couple one side of base section 22a to
the leg. The link element is shown most clearly in FIG. 8. A
bracket 39 supports the floorboard section and is secured to it by
means of a screw 40, the folded over plastic strip 26c being
secured between the lower face of the floorboard section and the
bracket. The bottom end of link 41 is secured to the base section
by extending screw 42 through a hole in the link and the bracket to
the floorboard section. The screw serves as a pivot so that the
link can rotate relative to the floorboard when the latter is
switched from one position to the other. The other end of the link
is secured by a pin 62 to tubular section 55, as shown most clearly
in FIGS. 3 and 8, the two elements being separated from each other
by spacer 63. The inner end of pin 62 also serves to keep the
telescoping section 59 properly aligned within outer section
55.
It is apparent from an inspection of FIG. 8 that link 41 can rotate
around pin 62 between the position shown in solid lines and the
position shown in phantom. These two positions correspond to the
lower position of the floorboard shown in FIG. 2 and the elevated
position shown in FIG. 17. Although, as will be described below,
once the four links 41 are rotated to raise or lower the floorboard
it remains in the new position by reason of the design of the
linkages, it is still desirable to provide a locking mechanism to
secure the floorboard in the selected position (the locking
mechanism being required more for the upper position of the
floorboard than for the lower position). For this purpose an
angular flex-lock element 64 is provided. The locking member is
made of plastic material and is secured to link 41 by two screws 65
and two nuts 66 (FIG. 3). Each end of the flex-lock element has two
fingers 64a and a curved inner surface 64b. The fingers at either
end tightly grip tubular element 55 with the curved surface 64b
bearing against it. The solid lines in FIG. 8 show one end of the
locking element secured to tubular member 55, and the phantom lines
show the other end secured to the leg. By rotating each link 41
upward as shown by arrow 77a in FIG. 8, the floorboard is elevated
in the direction of arrow 77b.
When the floorboard is in the elevated position of FIG. 17, each of
screws 42 is higher than it is when the floorboard is in the lower
position of FIG. 2. However, because of the symmetry of each of
flex-locks 64, the two positions of each screw 42 are along the
same vertical line. This insures that the two floorboard sections
are coplaner in both positions. The two facing edges of the
floorboard sections are hinged by hinge 23 (FIG. 1), the hinge
being disposed at the bottom of the floorboard sections and
permitting the two sections to be folded together. The two
floorboard sections cannot be pulled apart (horizontally in the
drawing). But since each of screws 42 moves in an arc around a
respective pin 62 as the floorboard is moved from one position to
another, it would appear that the two floorboard sections would
have to be pulled apart in order to raise both sections
simultaneously or even one section first and then the other.
The simple raising or lowering of the floorboard can be effected
due to the provision of connector elements 25. If the floorboard of
the crib shown in FIG. 2 has both of its ends raised
simultaneously, all four legs 28 rotate slightly inward. This, in
turn, causes both of the rim frame members to slope down slightly
from the crib center; this motion can be effected since both rim
frame members are pivoted to the two connector elements.
Consequently, while the floorboard is being raised (or lowered),
the two pairs of legs rotate slightly and both rim frame members
slope slightly. This causes pins 62 to move inward; as the
floorboard is moved and each screw 42 moves outward and then inward
relative to its respective pin 62, the pin similarly moves inward
and then outward. The movements counteract each other so that each
screw 42 can move vertically. As the floorboard nears its new
terminal position, the structural elements restore to their fully
open positions and the flex-locks can be snapped onto the
respective legs. Even when the floorboard is in the raised position
of FIG. 17, the weight of an infant on the floorboard tends to keep
the two pairs of legs spread apart. This, in turn, prevents the
floorboard from dropping because for it to do so the bottom tips of
the legs must all move slightly inward. For maximum safety,
however, the flex-lock elements are provided as described.
It is, of course, possible to first raise or lower only one side of
the floorboard and then to repeat the operation for the other side.
In such a case, one side of the floorboard can be locked into
position, followed by the other. It is in fact usually easier to
follow this precedure when adjusting the height of the floorboard
relative to the upper rim.
FIGS. 4-6 show a hinge joint 52 in its locked position in which
case the two connected tubular elements 43 and 55 are co-axial. The
hinge joint includes a first plastic element 47 (FIG. 6), the upper
end of which is cylindrical and is secured within tubular element
43 by pin 48. The tubular section bears against shoulder 47b of the
plastic element. The next lowest section 47c has a U-shaped bracket
52 fitted around it, on top of pivot section 47d.
Plastic element 50 includes a cylindrical section 50c which fits
into an end of tubular leg section 55 and is secured by a pin 56. A
ridge 50b is provided for placement therein of an end of
rectangular retainer spring 49. The bottom of the spring is held
fixed in the ridge by means of a button extension 50d provided on
the plastic element. Above the neck 50e of the plastic element
there are two fingers 50a. Pivot section 47d of the upper plastic
element fits within the two fingers 50a of the lower plastic
element, and the three elements are pivotally secured together by
screw 51. Retainer spring 49 bears against the flat rear faces of
the two fingers 50a, and surrounds the rear tip of pivot section
47d of the upper element.
In order to release the hinge joint it is necessary to push the top
of retainer spring 49 to the right in FIG. 6. Toward this end, the
U-shaped bracket 52 is provided around neck 47c of the upper
element, resting on top of the two fingers 50a of the lower
element. At the open end of the U-shaped element 52, there is
provided a plastic insert 72 which closes off the open end and has
a portion fitted within the two legs of the element. A screw 73 is
used to secure plastic insert 72 to the U-shaped bracket 52. When
the U-shaped bracket is pushed manually to the right in FIG. 6, the
top of retainer spring 49 moves outward. As long as the retainer
spring is in place, the upper and lower leg sections cannot be
rotated relative to each other; for this to be accomplished it
would be necessary for pivot section 47d to move the retainer
spring upward and this cannot happen because the lower end is
secure within plastic element 50. However, once the top of the
retainer spring is pushed to the right in FIG. 6, the upper right
corner of section 47d can move upward and counter-clockwise
relative to the lower leg section. This motion is shown in FIG.
7.
If the U-shaped bracket 52 is pushed inward in the direction of
arrow 76a so as to free pivot section 47d from retainer spring 49,
then the lower leg section 55 can be rotated in the direction of
arrow 76c while the upper end of the retainer spring 49 simply
bears and slides against the rear surface of section 47d as it
moves in the direction of arrow 76b. Once the hinge joint is
released, the two leg sections can be rotated all the way around
relative to each other until they are approximately parallel as
shown in FIGS. 13-16. On the other hand, when a leg is opened, its
two sections 43 and 55 are rotated around the pivot 51 until they
are co-axial with each other. As soon as the upper end of retainer
spring 49 clears the upper edge of pivot section 47d (FIG. 6), the
retainer spring snaps inward to lock the two elements in place.
FIG. 17 shows the crib as it would be used as a dressing table --
all legs are extended and the floorboard is in its uppermost
position. In order to close the crib, the legs should first be
telescoped inward and the floorboard should be lowered, i.e., the
unit should be placed in its playpen condition as shown in FIG. 2.
Thereafter, the first step in folding up the playpen is to fold the
mattress and to place it on top of one of the floorboard sections.
In the second step, the two hinge joints on one side of the unit
are released. The natural weight of the rim frame member on that
side causes that side of the unit to collapse as shown in FIG. 13
(although it is sometimes necessary to apply a slight downward
force on the upper frame member after first bending the two legs
slightly so as to keep the hinge joint in the released position).
In the next step, the two hinge joints on the other side of the
unit are released so that the other side of the unit collapses. The
resulting collapsed unit is shown in FIG. 14. Referring to FIGS. 1
and 16, it will be noted that a hole is provided along each of the
two facing edges of the floorboard sections. This permits an adult
to grip the center of the floorboard and to pull upward. If this is
done to the collapsed unit of FIG. 14, the lower ends of the
collapsed legs move inward toward each other and the unit assumes
its final collapsed position of FIGS. 15 and 16. To insure that the
unit does not open inadvertently, a locking clip 37 is secured to
the center of one of cross struts 67. This clip is shown in FIGS.
13-16, and in the greatest detail in FIG. 12. The clip is designed
to hold the cross-struts adjacent to each other so that the sides
of the collapsed unit cannot be moved apart without the application
of some degree of force for causing one end of the clip to be
released from its respective cross-strut.
In the course of describing the folding of the unit, reference was
made to FIG. 13. It should be noted that if the intent is not to
fold the unit but rather to lift an infant out of the playpen, it
is sometimes advantageous to collapse only one side of the playpen.
This allows an infant to be moved into and out of the playpen
endwise of the unit without having to lift the infant vertically.
In the playpen position of FIG. 13, the floorboard is tilted
slightly because of the unequal slopes of the two pairs of legs;
however, the tilt is so slight that it causes no discomfort to the
infant even if the infant is left in the playpen with one side
collapsed.
To open the crib, the two pairs of legs are first separated, simply
by pulling apart the two cross-struts 67 and allowing the
floorboard sections to drop, the unit assuming the position shown
in FIG. 14. Thereafter, the end of one rim frame member can be
raised, the two associated hinge joints automatically locking the
respective leg sections in place toward the end of the movement.
Then the other rim frame member can be lifted and locked in place
in the same way. The folded mattress, which prior to this time has
been held within the folded unit of FIG. 15 adjacent to one of the
floorboard sections, is then opened and placed on top of both
floorboard sections. The unit now has the configuration of a
playpen. To change it to a crib, the four legs are extended, and to
convert it to a dressing table the floorboard is raised as
described above.
There is thus provided a triple-function mechanism which can be
converted from one configuration to another with a minimum of
effort, which can be opened and closed with similar ease, and which
is highly compact in its folded condition. It should be noted that
the lower end of each link 29 (FIG. 2) is pivoted to the respective
leg below its hinge joint 33. The length of the link and the
position of the respective hinge joint along the leg are such that
in the open position of the crib the two rim frame members are
coplanar, and in the folded position of the crib the two rim frame
members extend downward and are substantially parallel to each
other. In the folded condition (FIG. 15) the four hinge joints 33
are above the four links 29, it being the link-hinge joint
combination that controls the 90-degree rotation of each of the rim
frame members between the open and closed positions. The reduced
height of the collapsed unit (FIG. 5) is due to the fact that each
leg folds at a point along its length which in the open condition
is disposed between the upper rim and the mechanism for coupling
the leg to the floorboard. The hinge joints are provided with
spring-type locks so that upon opening the unit they need not be
manually manipulated at all, whereas to collapse a side of the
unit, all that is required in most cases is to release the two
hinge joints on that side of the crib.
With reference to FIG. 10 it will be noted that the upper section
25a on each connector element extends outward so that it bears
against an end of a rim frame member. This prevents the two rim
frame members from rotating further upward. This is important
because in the open condition the weight of the unit would
otherwise force the center of the crib to move downward, with the
bottom tips of the legs spreading outward. Because the connector
elements 25 cannot move downward to a level below that of the ends
of the rim frame members when they are in their open positions,
there results a stable bridge-type configuration which can stand
without any tie pieces other than the links 29.
In all collapsible structures which are used for infants, there is
concern for unwanted releases of movable members; there should
never be a possibility of the overall unit collapsing with an
infant in it. The crib of our invention is perfectly safe in this
regard. Even if all hinge joints release accidentally all that
happens is that the upper frame members collapse but the infant
would then remain secure on the mattress within the structure
having a configuration as shown in FIG. 14. And if the flex-locks
release from the legs, even when the floorboard is in the raised
position, it cannot drop down. In order for the floorboard to move
downward, both legs must move inward slightly. This is prevented by
the weight of the infant itself on top of the floorboard. The only
way that the unit can be totally collapsed is by lifting the center
of the floorboard and this, of course, is not possible by
accident.
Although the invention has been described with reference to a
particular embodiment, it is to be understood that this embodiment
is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the
invention. For example, a non-folding crib can be made if the hinge
joints are omitted, and yet the floorboard could still be simply
switched between two positions if the links 41 are provided. Thus
it is to be understood that numerous modifications may be made in
the illustrative embodiment of the invention and other arrangements
may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
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