Toddler bed construction utilizing crib converter kit

This invention relates to a youth bed construction. More particularly, this invention utilizes the springs and mattresses from a conventional baby crib together with a baby crib conversion kit to build a youth toddler bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a youth bed construction. More particularly, this 
invention utilizes the springs and mattresses from a conventional baby 
crib together with a baby crib conversion kit to build a youth toddler 
bed. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
It is usually necessary for parents to wait long after a child has learned 
to walk before providing the child with an adult bed. When this is done, 
the child initially requires a great deel of adult supervision in getting 
into and out of the bed. It is also necessary to make sure that the child 
does not fall out of the bed while sleeping. The initial investment for an 
adult bed can be substantial when the cost of the springs and mattress is 
considered. In view of this, it is clearly desirable to construct a 
toddler bed from a crib so as to enable toddlers to enter and exit their 
own bed without adult supervision being necessary. 
Convertible beds are known per se in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 
2,677,832; 2,266,370; 3,135,973 and 3,299,450 all relate to convertible 
beds which can accomodate babies and toddlers. Each of the above 
inventions, however, require special or multiple sets of springs and 
mattresses, such requirement being a definite disadvantage. 
Guard rails which fit onto conventional beds are also known in the art. 
Warren (U.S. Pat. No. 2,648,850) and Arliss (U.S. Pat. No. 2,567,047) 
disclose such apparati. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the present 
invention to provide a crib conversion kit which utilizes the springs and 
mattresses of a conventional crib for the construction of a toddler bed. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide a simple construction 
incorporating the guard rail into the design of the bed, much the same as 
a conventional crib, however, leaving an opening for a child to enter and 
exit the bed without the lowering and raising of the frame necessary in 
conventional cribs. 
It is still another object of this invention to provide a simple 
construction which utilizes a conventional baby crib mattress and springs 
to provide an economical and practical way for providing a bed for 
toddlers. 
Yet, a further object of this invention is to provide a toddler bed which 
can be shipped in pieces or kit form and assembled by those not 
particularly mechanically inclined. 
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to 
those skilled in the art, from a consideration of the following detailed 
description taken in consideration with the accompanying drawings, which 
form a part of the specification, with the understanding, however, that 
the invention is not confined to strict conformity with the drawings, but 
may be changed or modified, so long as such changes or modifications make 
no material departure from the salient features of the invention as 
expressed in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the figures which illustrate the preferred embodiments of 
the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates the overall bed assembly of a toddler 
bed construction. A rectangular frame 1 is assembled which consists of two 
rectangular end members 25 and two substantially longer side members 24. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, the means for assembling the frame 1 is shown. 
Each of the side members has flat hook-type latches 26 disposed at either 
end. The end members 25 have corresponding apertures 27 at either end 
which accept the latches 26. The apertures are so designed that the 
openings 27 are large enough to accept the latches 26 and then allow the 
latches 27 to slide down inside to form a secure connection. The 
rectangular legs 16 are secured to the end members 24, 25 by conventional 
means and upon assembly of the main frame members 24, 25 the leg members 
16 are secured near the bottom by conventional fastener means such as 
screws or nails. 
Special brackets 8 are used to support the conventional baby crib spring 
structure as schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. Brackets 8 are shown in 
FIG. 2. Each bracket consists of three flat surfaces, two of which extend 
at 45.degree. angles from either end of the center surface. The end 
surfaces are provided with apertures 10 which accomodate a fastener, such 
as a nail or screw (not shown), for securing the brackets to the leg 
members at a distance below the top of the main frame 1 so that the 
combined height of the conventional baby crib springs and mattress (not 
shown) extend approximately 1 inch above the main frame 1. 
Immediately inside each leg at the head and foot of the frame 1 is a 
rectangular guard rail support member 3, which is attached to the frame 1 
and extends upward. The parallel guard rails 4, 5 are rectangular in shape 
with the edges rounded and are attached by conventional means to the 
vertical support members 3. One rail 4 is attached at the top of the 
support member and the other rail 5 is attached half-way between the upper 
rail and the main frame. 
The side guard rails are constructed in much the same manner as the end 
rails. One each of vertical support members 19 is attached approximately 
16" from the foot on either side of the bed frame 1 and another member 20 
is attached substantially at the head and either side of the frame 1. The 
rails 22, 23 are attached to the vertical support members 19, 20 in the 
same manner as the end guard rails. 
FIG. 3 illustrates the special brackets 9 used to stabilize the 
conventional baby crib spring structure to prevent lateral movement. The 
bracket 9 consist of a straight flat section 11 and a semi-circular flat 
section 12. The straight flat section 12 is provided with an apperture 18 
which accomodates a conventional fastener such as a nail or screw for 
attachment to the main frame 1. Two each of the special brackets 9 are 
attached to the top of each member of the main frame 1 and disposed such 
that the curved portion 12 is facing inward and the opening in the curve 
is facing downward so as to fit over the topmost frame element is a 
conventional baby crib spring. 
The steps 6 enable a toddler to enter and exit from either side of the bed 
without adult supervision. Each step comprises two members 13, 14. One 
each of members 13 is attached to either side of the main frame 1 and 
extends down at a 90.degree. angle to the frame 1. One each of the other 
member 14 is attached half way down between the frame 1 and the floor on 
each of the two legs 2 at the foot of the frame 1 and extends outward 
horizontally from the leg 2 and attaches to the other member 13 at a 
90.degree. angle.