U.S. patent number 3,837,019 [Application Number 05/340,477] was granted by the patent office on 1974-09-24 for modular cradle-like structure.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey Alan Hoff.
United States Patent |
3,837,019 |
Hoff |
September 24, 1974 |
MODULAR CRADLE-LIKE STRUCTURE
Abstract
A modular cradle-like structure in which a frame, detachably
built up from tubular members and socketed couplings, and having
bowed triangular ends joined in spaced parallel alignment by
spacers connecting aligned sides of said triangles at approximately
their mid-points, provides suspending means for a unitary body
support, said body support being formed of flexible sheet material
having generally traingular end pockets for engagement with
upwardly oriented apexes of said triangular ends, and means along
opposed edges intermediate said pockets for detachably securing the
same to the two upwardly oriented spacers. Whether produced as a
small, infant cradle device, or a large adult camping or emergency
sleeping unit the modular construction of the frame and flexible
body support permits stowing of the disassembled parts in a minimum
of space.
Inventors: |
Hoff; Jeffrey Alan (New York,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
23333512 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/340,477 |
Filed: |
March 12, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/93.1; 4/572.1;
5/98.1; 5/105; 5/114; 5/120; 5/127; 5/413R; 297/440.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
17/64 (20130101); A47D 9/005 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47D
9/00 (20060101); A47C 17/00 (20060101); A47C
17/64 (20060101); A47c 027/08 (); A47d 009/00 ();
A47d 007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;5/93R,93B,99R,101,105,113,114,116,120,121,126,127,130
;297/1,3,440,441 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nunberg; Casmir A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Thompson, Jr.; Howard E.
Claims
I claim:
1. A modular cradle-like structure comprising a frame built up from
elongated tubular members having limited axial flexibility and
rigid socketed coupling members slidably receiving said tubular
members, said frame comprising essentially triangular ends joined
in spaced parallel alignment by spacers connecting aligned sides of
said triangles at approximately their mid-points, said triangular
ends each comprising three tubular members of equal length and
trans-axially flexed to a bowed contour as engaged by said rigid
socketed coupling members, said frame providing suspending means
for a unitary body support, said body support comprising an
elongated sheet of flexible material having generally triangular
pockets at opposed ends thereof for engagement with upwardly
oriented apexes of said triangular ends and extending substantially
to the mid-points of the tubular members forming said apexes, and
means along opposed side edges intermediate said pocketed ends for
detachably securing the same to the two upwardly oriented spacers
of said frame.
2. A modular cradle-like structure as defined in claim 1 wherein
said rigid socketed couplings are selected from the class
consisting of ell, tee and straight pipe couplings having sockets
closely and slidably engaging said tubular members.
3. A modular cradle-like structure as defined in claim 2 wherein
the use of ell couplings at the apexes of said triangular ends
imparts the bowed contour to said ends.
4. A modular cradle-like structure as defined in claim 2 wherein
the use of tee couplings centrally of each side of each of said
triangular ends positions and orients said spacers with respect
thereto.
5. A modular cradle-like structure as defined in claim 2 wherein
the use of at least one straight coupling intermediate the ends of
each spacer serves to reduce the overall length of the disassembled
parts of said structure.
6. A modular cradle-like structure as defined in claim 2 wherein
selected couplings and tubular members are fixedly secured together
by inward offsetting of the material of the socket portion of said
coupling while in engagement with said tubular member.
7. A modular cradle-like structure as defined in claim 2 wherein
each side of each triangular end comprises two tubular members of
substantially equal length mounted in the aligned sockets of a tee
coupling and an ell coupling at one end of said assemblage, said
couplings being rigidly secured to said tubular members to dispose
the axies of the unoccupied sockets of said tee and ell couplings
at right angles to each other, whereby joining together any three
sides assemblages imparts a bowed contour to said triangular end,
and orients the unoccupied sockets of said tee couplings at the
same side of said end.
8. A modular cradle-like structure as defined in claim 7 wherein
the three side assemblages of a triangular end are pivotally joined
together by three links having a common pivot axis centrally of
said triangle and each pivotally coupled with the tee coupling of
one of said side assemblages.
9. A modular cradle-like structure as defined in claim 1 wherein
the pockets at opposed ends of said body support are disposed at
the upper surface thereof disposing the main panel of the body
support outwardly of said ends as the pockets engage the apexes
thereof.
10. A modular cradle-like structure as defined in claim 9 wherein
the central portion of said body support when assembled to said
frame is relatively taut, while yielding to the weight of a body
therein, and the assembled structure is adapted for use as a
sleeping facility.
11. A modular cradle-like structure as defined in claim 9 wherein
the central portion of said body support when assembled to said
frame is substantially downwardly bowed and waterproofed, and the
assembled structure is adapted for use as a bathing facility.
Description
This invention relates to a modular cradle-like structure which is
quickly and easily assembled and disassembled, and which provides
when assembled a safe and confortable cradle-like structure, while
in the disassembled form being extremely compact and easily stored
and transported from place to place.
Regarded in certain of its broader aspects, the modular cradle-like
structure of the present invention comprises a frame detachably
built up from tubular members and socketed couplings and having
bowed triangular ends joined in spaced parallel alignment by
spacers connecting aligned sides of said triangles at approximately
their mid points, the assembled frame providing suspending means
for a unitary body support, said body support being formed of
flexible sheet material, having generally triangular end pockets
for engagement for parallel oriented apexes of said triangular
ends, and means along opposed side edges intermediate said pockets
for detachably securing the same to the two upwardly oriented
spacers.
The flexible body support can be relatively taut in which event the
body support provides a comfortable sleeping surface. Alternatively
the body support between the engaged spacers can assume a
downwardly bowed contour and be fashioned from plastic,
plastic-coated, or otherwise waterproofed material to form a water
retaining recess suitable for bathing, and the like.
Whether produced as a small, infant cradle and/or bathing device,
or as a large adult camping or emergency sleeping and/or bathing
unit, the modular construction of the frame and flexible body
support permit storing of the disassembled parts in a minimum of
space. The ease and compactness of storage is particularly
advantageous in the small infant size adaptation of the device
since it facilitates providing for the infant familiar sleeping and
bathing facilities while the family unit may be moving from place
to place by automobile or by air, where transportation of
conventional sleeping and bathing facilities would be difficult or
even impossible. The compact storage and easy assemblage and
disassembly are also very advantageous in larger adaptations of the
device since in camping and other situations where supplementary
sleeping and bathing facilities may be needed, storage space is
generally at a premium.
The modular cradle-like structure in accordance with the present
invention will be readily understood from the following description
together with the accompanying drawing in which preferred
adaptations of the invention have been illustrated with the various
parts thereof identified by suitable reference characters in each
of the views, and in which
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the assembled device;
FIG. 2 is a view of one end of the device taken substantially on
the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view generally similar to FIG. 2 showing the parts of
the end structure in partially assembled but unstressed
relation;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view substantially on a line 4--4 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 5 is a view showing the components of FIG. 3 in collapsed
position;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the detail of one means for
providing fixed engagement between tubular members and coupling
members as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3; and
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the body support means as shown in FIG. 1
with the ends thereof in extended planner relation to the main body
portion.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cradle-like structure comprises
identical end frame assemblages 10 of stressed or bowed triangular
contour having centrally of each side thereof socket members 11 for
receiving tubular spacers 12 which connect the end assemblages 10
and support the same in the parallel aligned relationship as shown
in FIG. 1.
The tubular members 12 are preferably built up of a plurality of
similar sections 12a, 12b axially joined and connecting means 13 to
facilitate compact storage when disassembled.
The end frames, as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 3, comprise
three axially resilient side members 14 with the couplings 11 at
substantially the mid-point thereof, and with each of the sides 14
having at one end thereof an elbow socket coupling 15 in which the
socket portions are disposed at 90.degree. to each other. There is
sufficient axial resilience in the side members 14 to permit manual
flexure to align the free end of one member 14 with the open socket
of the elbow 15 on the adjacent member 14; and when the three
corners have been thus assembled the end frame assumes the bowed
contour shown in FIG. 2.
As illustrated in the drawing the three sides 14 of each end
assemblage are pivotally joined together with three links 16, the
inner ends of which have a common pivot 17 and the outer ends of
which are pivoted to the couplings 11. While this structure is not
essential to the functioning of the assembled device it is
desirable from the standpoint of maintaining proper orientation of
the disassembled parts, i.e., sockets 15 aligned with the free end
of adjacent side 14, and sockets 11 properly oriented to receive
the spacers 12. The double pivoting of the links 16 permit the
detached end assemblage to assume the compact collapsed or stored
position as shown in FIG. 5.
The couplings 11, 13 and 15 can suitably be conventional tee,
straight and elbow plumbing couplings of the type having smooth
walled sockets for sweated or soldered joining of copper tubing and
the like. By selecting tubular members 12 and 14, of a diameter to
provide close slidable engagement with the sockets of these
couplings easy assemblage and disassemblage is provided with little
chance of accidental disengagement when the device is in use. The
tensioning of the sides 14 to the bowed configuration shown in FIG.
2 enchanses the frictional engagement with sockets of the elbows
15, and the longitudinal tension provided by the body support
member 18 tends to prevent accidental displacement of the spacers
12 from the couplings 11.
When it is desired that particular couplings be maintained in
predetermined orientation with respect to each other, as for
example, the predetermined orientation of the open pockets of
elbows 15 and tee coupling 11 on each side of member 14, this can
be accomplished by providing one or more inward offsets 19 of a
socket portion 20 as it engages the tubular member 14, as shown in
FIG. 6 of the drawing.
When the couplings 11 take the form of conventional (plumbing) tee
couplings as above described, each of the sides 14 will comprise
two short tubular members 14a, 14b, with at least the section 14a
being fixedly secured to couplings 11 and 15 in the manner shown in
FIG. 6, so that the open socket of coupling 11 and the open socket
of coupling 15 are properly oriented for assemblage of the device
as above described. The tubular member 14b can also be keyed to the
coupling 11 for the purpose of maintaining together the
subassemblage shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, but for more compact storage
the tubular members 14b can remain detachably inserted in the
couplings 11.
The tubular members 12 and 14 can be fashioned from various
materials such as metal, plastics, or even appropriate hickory or
other resilient wooden dowels. From the standpoint of cost and ease
of fabrication the members 12 and 14 are preferably extruded
plastic tubing having appropriate axial resilience for the
particular size device being produced. Obviously in larger sizes
the size and strength of members 12 and 14 must be increased, and
in an adult sized version of the device it could be preferable to
employ metal piping or tubing to provide the desired combination of
strength and resilience.
When the ends 10 have been joined together by the spacers 12 any of
the sides 14 can become the bottom or supporting portion of the
assemblage with the opposed apex 21 in the orientation shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 being upwardly oriented and providing means for
receiving triangular socketed portions 22 of the body support 18.
As shown in FIG. 7 of the drawing the body support 18 comprises a
sheet of flexible material which may be fabric, plastic sheeting or
combinations thereof, with tringular portions 22a superimposed on
the upper surface thereof, and secured thereto as by stitching on
the outer sides 22b. This forms a socketed end 22 which is engaged
with the apexes 21 of the end assemblages by passing through the
end assemblage and sliding pocket 22 over the apex 21.
Side edges 23 of the body support member 18 are adapted to wrap
around the two upwardly disposed spacers 12 as shown in FIG. 4 and
be secured to the under side of the body support 18 by suitable
fastening means 24. These fastening means 24 have been shown for
the purpose of illustration as comprising snap fasteners, but it
will be understood that buttons, zippers, or any other conventional
fastening means can be employed for this purpose. A fastening means
which could be practical and permit considerable variation in the
tension of the body support between the engaged spacers 12 would
involve applying to the surfaces to be joined tapes of plastic
loops and plastic hooks, respectively, which automatically provide
a locking engagement when pressed together but are easily separated
by a peeling motion. Such fastening means are well known and
extensively used in garment closures, adjustable bandages, and
strappings, and the like.
When it is intended that the assemblage be used primarily as a
reclining or sleeping facility the body support means in its
central portion will sag below the spacers 12 to an extent
generally shown at 25 in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing. As increased
firness might be desired, the level of the line 25 should be
considered as raised toward the level of the supporting members 12.
The slight sagging of the central portion of the body support, as
shown at 25, however, provides in the assembled device a
hammock-like effect which is both comfortable and safely confining
when the device is to be used as a cradle or sleeping facility for
an infant or small child.
It will be noted in this connection that a bowed configuration of
the downwardly oriented or supporting sides 14 of the end
assemblages provide a rocker-like support very similar to that
provided in a conventional cradle. This rocking action coupled with
the slight resilience of the spacers 12 at the side of body support
18 provide in the body support extreme comfort when used as a
sleeping facility. Furthermore, it will be evident from considering
FIG. 2 of the drawing that the structure in cradle configuration is
extremely stable due to the fact that the rocker forming portions
14 of the frame extend laterally well beyond the dimensions of the
body support 18 as it engages the spacers 12. In practice it is
found to be virtually impossible for a small child to cause the
device to tip when climbing in and out of the body support 18.
While the device has been described as providing primarily a cradle
or hammock-like sleeping facility the basic structure lends itself
equally well to the provision of a readily portable bathing
facility. By contouring the body support member 18 to have a
substantial sag as seen at 25a and utilizing a water-impervious
material such as plastic sheeting, waterproof impregnated fabrics,
and the like, throughout this portion of the body support 18, it
will be apparent that the sagging portion can provide a practical
recess or reservoir for bathing water. In other words, merely by
having interchangeable body supports 18 the user can quickly and
easily transform the device from a sleeping facility to a bathing
facility, whether the device is of a small size intended for infant
and small child use or a larger version intended as a portable
emergency or camping facility for adults.
Depending on the conditions of intended use and particularly when
the device is to be used for outdoor camping and the like, it may
be desirable to employ various protective means such as netting to
ward off insects, hood portions to provide shade and/or protection
from rain or snow. Such protective means whether secured to the
body support 18 or independent thereof can be readily suspended
above the occupant by engagement with the end frame apexes 21.
It is also within the scope of the present invention to fashion the
central portion of the body support 18 as a sleeping bag with
conventional insulation and zippered or other closure means so that
as assembled the device becomes a self-contained, off-the-ground,
cold weather sleeping facility.
Such supplemental protective means would not add significantly to
the size and bulk of the disassembled device and they are mentioned
in order that the reader may more fully appreciate the versatility
in the use of the modular frame construction and associated body
support.
Various changes and modifications in the modular cradle-like
structure herein disclosed may occur to those skilled in the art,
and to the extent that such changes and modifications are embraced
by the appended claims, it is to be understood that they constitute
part of the present invention.
* * * * *