Abstract:
The present invention relates to collapsible cribs. The cribs have one or more of the following characteristics: adjustable length and/or, width and/or height, lightweight, easily collapsed, very compact when collapsed and easily carried, stored and transported. Embodiments disclosed relate to pens, cribs, and play yards with and without wheels.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a third Continuation-in-Part of parent U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/642,948 filed on Aug. 22, 2000—now U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,033 and a first Continuation-in-Part U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/014,125 filed on Dec. 11, 2001—now U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,433 and a second Continuation-in-Part U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/075,862 filed Feb. 13, 2002. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to collapsible cribs. The cribs have one or more of the following characteristics: adjustable length and/or, width and/or height, lightweight, easily collapsed, very compact when collapsed and easily carried, stored and transported. Embodiments disclosed relate to pens, cribs, and play yards with and without wheels.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     Baby Beds, Cribs, Play Pens, Play Yards, etc.  
       [0003]     This invention relates generally to walled collapsible structures like baby beds and including devices that act as cribs, playpens or play yards and the like.  
         [0004]     Traveling or camping with babies and very young children is often very difficult because a large amount of equipment is necessary to provide for the baby or young child. While it is known that certain devices may be collapsed for easier transport, many of these devices are still relatively difficult to store in a relatively small space. In addition, many or these devices are heavy, making it difficult to carry all of the necessary items for supporting the baby or young child.  
         [0005]     For example, while collapsible playpens or play yards are known, they generally include a relatively heavy frame connected by hinges. The frame may be collapsed with some effort, and it is still necessary to transport the relatively heavy device from place to place. Moreover, as the size of the child increases the size and weight of the devices to accommodate them also tends to significantly increase. For a family traveling or camping with a baby or young child, this may mean not only must they transport the youngster, the youngster&#39;s clothing and food, but the heavy bed and perhaps playpen must be moved as well.  
         [0006]     Another limitation on existing cribs, playpens and play yards is the size of baby or child that can be accommodated by the devices. A full size baby crib would generally be considered much to big for a new born infant and a bassinet obviously would be to small for a one or two year old child. Thus the need to purchase several different beds and playpens to accommodate a child&#39;s early sleeping and play needs.  
         [0007]     Thus, there is a continuing need for a baby and young child&#39;s bed and/or confined play area which may be readily transported from place to place which may be easily set up at a new location, and which adequately protects the baby or young child. More over, it would be most desirable if one device could provide sleeping and play needs for the early periods of a child&#39;s life.  
         [0008]     Thus, there is a continuing need for a baby and young child&#39;s bed and/or confined play area which may be readily transported from place to place which may be easily set up at a new location, and which adequately protects the baby or young child. More over, it would be most desirable if one device could provide sleeping and play needs for the early periods of a child&#39;s life.  
         [0009]     In this specification we disclose solutions to the aforementioned problems related to baby beds, cribs, play pens, play yards, etc.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     In this specification we describe a number of possible collapsible crib configurations and applications. All of the collapsible cribs contain one or more of the following elements: anti-torque posts, crossed support arms, flexible Structure Locking Elements (SLE), Anti-Collapse Mechanisms (ACM), telescoping crossed support arms detachable horizontal support bar assemblies, and telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies.  
         [0011]     In the detailed description we describe how each of the aforementioned elements are constructed and operate in relation to cribs that collapse in at least two directions simultaneously. We disclose crib structures with fixed dimensions when opened and those whose dimensions can be altered. We disclose collapsible cribs with and without wheels. In the details we provide a number of specific application examples for the collapsible structures enumerated. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     1.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a basic collapsible four-sided cart frame.  
         [0013]     2. FIG. 2  illustrates the effect of a heavy weight applied to the cart frame without anti-torque posts.  
         [0014]     3.  FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the front of a cart frame with anti-torque posts.  
         [0015]     4.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a collapsible four-sided cart frame with anti-torque posts.  
         [0016]     5.  FIG. 5  illustrates a flexible Structure Locking Element attached by grommets to vertical posts passing through corner brackets.  
         [0017]     6.  FIG. 6  illustrates a flexible Structure Locking Element attached by shackles to upper corner brackets.  
         [0018]     7.  FIG. 7  illustrates a corner bracket modification to permit attachment of Structure Locking Elements from inside the collapsible frame structure.  
         [0019]     8.  FIG. 8  illustrates a collapsible frame with an Anti Collapse Locking Mechanism attachment.  
         [0020]     9.  FIG. 9  illustrates telescoping crossed support arm assemblies that are used to adjust the length of a cart.  
         [0021]     10.  FIG. 10  illustrates the inner and outer tubular sections of a telescoping crossed support arm assembly of the type employed in this invention.  
         [0022]     11.  FIG. 11  illustrates a mechanism for locking the inner and outer telescoping tubular sections of the crossed support arm assemblies at points equal distance from the point of intersection of the two cross support arms.  
         [0023]     12. FIG. A is a schematic illustration with telescoping crossed support arm assemblies unextended.  
         [0024]     13.  FIG. 12B  illustrates the cart of  19 A with telescoping crossed support arm assemblies extended  
         [0025]     14.  FIG. 13  illustrates an extendable collapsible cart having pivotally connected detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies.  
         [0026]     15.  FIG. 14  illustrates a pivotally connected detachable telescoping horizontal support bar.  
         [0027]     16.  FIG. 15A  is a schematic illustration of a cart having pivotally connected detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies in an open but unextended position.  
         [0028]     17.  FIG. 15B  is a schematic illustration of a cart having pivotally connected detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies in an open and extended position.  
         [0029]     18.  FIG. 16  illustrates an extendable collapsible crib frame.  
         [0030]     19.  FIG. 17A  illustrates an extendable collapsible crib frame in an open extended position.  
         [0031]     20.  FIG. 17B  illustrates an extendable collapsible crib frame in an open unexteded position.  
         [0032]     21.  FIG. 17C  illustrates an extendable collapsible crib frame in a partially closed position.  
         [0033]     22.  FIG. 18  illustrates a collapsible crib frame with flexible sidewalls and a flexible bottom.  
         [0034]     23.  FIG. 19  illustrates a collapsible crib frame constructed with detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies.  
         [0035]     24.  FIG. 20  illustrates a collapsible crib frame constructed with detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies and flexible sidewalls and a flexible bottom.  
         [0036]     25.  FIG. 21  illustrates a collapsible structure sitting on leg extensions from the lower corner brackets and a rigid SLE attached to the lower corner brackets.  
         [0037]     26.  FIG. 22  illustrates a Tie Down Assembly to prevent tipping of a collapsible structure.  
         [0038]     27.  FIG. 23  illustrates an Anti-Tipping Assembly incorporated into a corner bracket design.  
         [0039]     28.  FIG. 24  illustrates an Anti-Tipping Assembly incorporated into a corner bracket with provision for a ground spike. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]     In this specification like reference characters are used for like parts throughout the several views and similar parts at different locations are indicated by a letter following the part reference number. Thus for example, referring to  FIG. 1  (This figure is also  FIG. 1  from the parent application Ser. No. 09/642,948 filed on Aug. 22, 2000—now U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,033—and hereafter referred to as “Parent”) the four lower corner brackets  60 A,  60 B,  60 C, and  60 D may be referenced as individual brackets in this specification or when not referring to a specific bracket but rather the brackets in general as lower corner brackets  60 . Also, in this specification the term “open” when used in connection with the description of a crib is meant to mean the crib in its functional or use configuration and “closed” is meant to mean the device in its collapsed or non-functional configuration. We define crib as an enclosure that will confine a child or animal within the area created by the crib walls when in the open position.  
         [0041]     Turning now to a discussion of the drawings.  FIG. 1  illustrates a collapsible frame having two bisecting pivotally connected at  55  crossed support arms,  50 A and  50 B,  50 C and  50 D,  50 E and  50 F and  50 G and  50 H, per side with all crossed support arms being of equal length, four lower corner brackets,  60 A,  60 B,  60 C and  60 D, four upper corner brackets,  40 A,  40 B,  40 C and  40 D, to which said support arms  50  are attached as illustrated. Also illustrated are four casters,  70 A,  70 B,  71 A and  71 B, one attached below each of lower corner brackets,  60 A,  60 B,  60 C and  60 D.  FIG. 1  also illustrates two vertical posts  30 A and  30 B with quick disconnects  220 A and  220 B for a push bar  20 .  
         [0042]     It is from this basic collapsible frame structure that a number of cribe embodiments are disclosed. Although we will disclose each of the new embodiments individually, it is our intent that the reader understand that many permutations and combinations of the new embodiments illustrated are possible.  
         [0043]     We have found that when heavy loads are applied to the frame illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the front upper corner brackets  40 C and  40 D, and the front lower corner brackets,  60 C and  60 D will tend to move out of vertical alignment. This is a problem since the wheels  70 A and  70 B, are mounted directly below the corner brackets  60 C and  60 D and are thus also forced out of vertical alignment and render the wheel inoperative as illustrated in  FIG. 2  (this figure is also  FIG. 10A  from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/014,125 filed on Dec. 11, 2001—now U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,433 a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/642,948 filed on Aug. 22, 2000—now U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,033 (hereafter referred to as CIP-1))with a slight modification—[footrest attachment brackets  133 A and  133 B removed])  
         [0044]     The solution for this problem is the addition of telescoping anti-torque posts  35 A and  35 B, as shown In  FIG. 3  (This figure is also  FIG. 10  of the CIP-1 with a slight modification—[hand grips  57 , seat  100 , and arm rests  105  have been removed]).  FIG. 3  is a front cross sectional view of a wheeled frame front illustrated in  FIG. 4 . (this is also  FIG. 4  from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/075,862 filed Feb. 13, 2002 which is a first Continuation-in-Part U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/014,125 filed on Dec. 11, 2001—now U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,43 and of parent U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/642,948 filed on Aug. 22, 2000—now U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,033 (hereafter referred to as CIP-2)). (It should be noted that similar telescoping anti-torque posts  35  are also illustrated in  FIG. 13  of CIP-1).  FIG. 4  is identical to  FIG. 1  with the exception of the addition of two telescoping anti-torque posts,  35 A and  35 B. In this embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , two telescoping vertically aligned anti-torque posts,  35 A and  35 B, are comprised of lower posts,  132 A and  132 B attached to the two lower front corner brackets  60 C and  600 . A second set of hollow slidable posts  131 A and  131 B are positioned over lower posts  132 A and  132 B. In the preferred embodiment of this invention the upper ends of  132  A and  132 B are connected the upper front corner brackets  40 C and  40 D and in another embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the upper posts  131 A and  131 B extend through the upper front corner brackets  40 C and  40 D and are slidable within those brackets.  
         [0045]     The system shown in  FIG. 3  solves the caster twisting technical problem by preventing such torque distortion. This is accomplished by adding vertical telescoping anti-torque posts assemblies  35 A and  35 B that keep the upper and lower front corner brackets  40 C and  40 D and  60 C and  60 D in vertical alignment. In turn, this is because the torque forces are less than the vertical force of anti-torque posts  35 A and  35 B. Anti-torque post assemblies can be used on each corner of a crib.  
         [0046]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower sections  132 A and  132 B (see  FIG.3 ) of the telescoping anti-torque posts  35 A and  35 B have the smaller diameter and slide inside the larger diameter sections  131 A and  131 B that are on top. It is known, however, that the reverse orientation could have been applied. In addition, the inside posts may be of hollow or solid construction.  
         [0047]     The length of the lower sections of the telescoping anti-torque posts,  132 A and  132 B, is such that these posts have a considerable overlap with the front upper sections of the anti-torque posts,  131 A and  131 B, when the device is in the collapsed position such that they will not be easily separated. Thus, a portion of the interior sections  132 A and  132 B are always contained within the upper outer sections  131 A and  131 B. For the first time in the art of crib design this telescoping system makes it possible to use a flexible or removable crib frame support structure and maintain the casters in alignment during use and still have a collapsible crib closing simultaneously in the X and Y direction.  
         [0048]     Turning now to the Structure Locking Element embodiment that we will also refer to as SLE. For easy of understanding we have defined the SLE as the component element which when attached at or to the four upper corner brackets and/or at or to the four lower corner brackets holds the frame in a rigid fixed open position. The SLE keeps the frame in its desire upright position and prevents it from collapsing to the floor in the absence of a cross members such as the push bar  20  in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0049]     SLEs can be of many shapes, sizes and materials and can be attached to or at the corner brackets in many ways. We will attempt to provide a number of general examples, however, these should not be considered as an all inclusive list, but rather only as examples of the embodiment.  
       EXAMPLE 1  
       [0050]     We start with a variation on a well known form of SLE, the seat for a camping chair. In this example we illustrate a SLE made of a flexible material such materials as webs, belts, fabric, rope, etc.  FIG. 5  ( FIG. 7  from CIP-2), that is identical to  FIG. 4  except for the addition of a flexible SLE  200  made of a nylon web, illustrates the corners of the SLE attached at the upper corner brackets  40 A,  40 B,  40 C and  40 D. In this example the SLE  200  is in the shape of a square because all of the crossed support arms are of equal length and thus by definition must form a square when open. In  FIG. 5  we have illustrated grommets  210  placed in the four corners of the nylon web SLE  200  and the corner grommets  210  sliding over the rear vertical posts,  30 A and  30 B, and over the telescoping anti-torque posts,  35 A and  35 B. Thus the frame in  FIG. 5  is held in a rigid fixed open position.  
         [0051]     At this point it is important to mention that although the SLEs  200  we discuss in this and the following examples are for frames having square openings in upper or lower corner brackets, the principles will also be applicable to other shaped openings such as triangular, rectangular and pentagon shaped frame embodiments that we will disclose later in the specification.  
       EXAMPLE 2  
       [0052]     Although this example uses a fabric web similar to that in Example 1, it differs significantly in that the SLE is offset inside the frame. This is very important when side walls are attached to the SLE since the offset prevents children and animals from striking or touching the collapsible frame when incorporated into play pens, cribs, and animal crates.  
         [0053]     This new offset flexible SLE  202  is illustrated in  FIG. 6  ( FIG. 9  in CIP-2. In  FIG. 6  the flexible nylon web SLE  202  is attached to each of the upper corner brackets  40  by means of shackles  211 . In this example, the upper corner brackets  40 A,  40 B,  40 C and  40 D have been modified as illustrated in  FIG. 7  ( FIG. 10  in CIP-2), which is an enlarged view the area around the upper corner bracket  40 B, so as to have a ring  212  upon which to clip the shackles  211 . The shackles are attached to straps  201  which are attached to the outside corners of a flexible nylon web thus forming the SLE  202 .  
         [0054]     Turning now to another new embodiment that we define as the “Anti-Collapse Locking Mechanism” or ACLM. We use  FIG. 8  ( FIG. 15  in CIP-2) to introduce the concept of a flexible Anti-Collapse Locking Mechanism. In  FIG. 8 , shackles  211  are attached to each end of a nylon belt  139 . One shackle  211  on the end of the nylon belt is clipped to the clip ring  212  in upper corner bracket  40 D previously described in  FIG. 7 . A similar clip ring  212  has been incorporated into the lower corner bracket  60 D and the other shackle  211  is clipped to the lower corner bracket  60 D thus preventing the structure from collapsing should upward, downward or sidewise pressure be applied to the upper SLE  202 . For cribs it is most desirable to lock the collapsible frame in an open position with an ACLM to prevent accidentally collapsing the frame and causing injury should a child push on a SLE.  
         [0055]     Any rigid or flexible means or structure can be used to create an ACLM as long as it prevents the upper and lower corner brackets from separating and thus collapsing the frame while the device is in an open position. For example, ACLM&#39;s may be incorporated into rigid vertical posts, flexible sidewalls of a crib or as separate members as demonstrated by the nylon strap  139  in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0056]     In yet another embodiment of the invention we disclose how to adjust at least one dimension (length, width, or height) of the basic collapsible frame illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 9  ( FIG. 16  in CIP-2), illustrates adjustability in the front to back direction. In  FIG.9 , the crossed support arms  50 C and  50 D and  50 G and  50 H shown in  FIG. 4  have been replaced by two pair of pivotally connected telescoping crossed support arm assemblies  350 C and  350 D and  350 G and  350 H.  FIG. 10  ( FIG. 17  in CIP-2), illustrates a pair of telescoping crossed support arm assemblies  350  where each support arm is essentially identical with its pivotally bound counter part and each crossed support arm is comprised of an intermediate tubular section  351  and a pair of outer tubular sections  352  that telescope opposite ends into and out of said intermediate section  351 . The telescoping crossed support arms in  FIG. 17  are illustrated as having hollow intermediate tubular sections  351  and outer tubular sections  352 , however, either the outer or the inner sections may be solid and the sections may slide over each other in either direction.  
         [0057]     The point where the telescoping support arms  350  bisect each other and are pivotally connected is shown as  55 . The point where each crossed support arm  350  is pivotally connected to an upper or lower corner bracket  40  or  60  is shown as  56 .  FIG. 11  ( FIG. 18  in CIP-2) illustrates a means for locking all of the outer telescoping tubular sections  352  at positions equal distance to the pivotal connection point  55 . Each outer tubular section  352  has formed therein a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes  321 . Said holes  321  are spaced identically for each of the outer tubular sections  352  and on both sides. Thus assuring that the pivotal connection point  55  for each pair of crossed support arms  350  remains centered within the side defined by a string stretched around the outmost ends of the four outer tubular sections  352  and because opposite sides are also identical, the opposite side is also centered in an identical position. Each intermediate tubular section  351  has a hole  322  formed therein similar to hole  321 . A hairpin or V-shaped leaf spring  323  is housed in the inner end of each tubular section  351  and compressed between the opposing inside faces of tubular proximate holes  322 . One of the legs of each leaf spring  323  is provided with a radially projecting button  324  terminating in a rounded end and slidable engaging hole  322  and a selected axially aligned hole  321  to releasably lock intermediate tubular section  351  and respective tubular elements  352  and thus releasably lock crossed support arm assemblies  350  at a desired adjusted length.  
         [0058]      FIG. 12A  ( FIG. 19A  in CIP-2) is a schematic illustration of the collapsible frame in  FIG. 16  with the telescoping crossed support arm  350 C and  350 D and  350 G and  350 H in a non-extended position.  FIG. 12B  ( FIG. 19B  in CIP-2) shows the same frame with telescoping crossed support arm assemblies  350 C and  350 D and  350 G and  350 H extended. Thus, by extending all of the telescoping opposite side crossed support arms (this keeps the bisecting points of the two sides of the collapsible frame centered) the length of the collapsible frame can be extended without changing the height or width. The width of a cart and or crib can also be adjusted by applying the same principle of telescoping crossed support arms to the front side and back side. Like wise, the length and the width can both be adjusted independently of each other on the same collapsible frame by using telescoping crossed support arm pairs on all sides of a of the frame. Moreover, a frame&#39;s height can also be raised or lowered while keeping the same width and length through the use of telescoping crossed support arm pairs on all sides.  
         [0059]     In yet another embodiment of the invention an adjustable collapsible frame  FIG. 13  ( FIG. 20  in CIP-2) illustrates a collapsible frame having telescoping crossed support arm assemblies  350 G and  350 H on one side and pivotally connected detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies  355 C and  355 D on the other side.  
         [0060]     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the detachable telescoping horizontal support bar  355 C is pivotally connected to front upper corner bracket  40 C at  56  and has a snap fitting  280  mounted on the other end in order to quickly connect and disconnect from the front upper corner bracket  40 B. The other detachable telescoping support bar  355 D is pivotally connected to front lower corner bracket  60 B and has a snap fitting  280  mounted on the other end in order to quickly connect and disconnect from the front lower corner bracket  60 C. The rear upper corner bracket  40 B and the front lower corner bracket  60 C have been modified to include a ring into which the snap fittings  280  can be connected. The pivotally connected detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies  355 C and  355 D telescope in a manner similar to that previously described for an intermediate and outer section of a telescoping crossed support arm. It should be noted that although not illustrated in a figure, the detachable horizontal support bars  355 C and  355 D can also be constructed of a single rigid member that is of a corresponding predetermined length to form a unique desired frame configuration for the collapsible frame in an open position.  
         [0061]      FIG. 14  ( FIG. 21  in CIP-2), illustrates the pivotally connected telescoping support bar  355  in  FIG. 13 . Each support bar has an inner tubular section  351  that slides within an outer tubular section  352 . The outer tube  352  has formed therein a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes  321 . Said holes  321  are spaced to create a predetermined bar length. The intermediate tubular section intermediate tubular section  351  has a hole  322  formed therein similar to hole  321 . A hairpin or V-shaped leaf spring  323  is housed in the inner end of each tubular section  351  and compressed between the opposing inside faces of tubular proximate holes  322 . One of the legs of each leaf spring  323  is provided with a radially projecting button  324  terminating in a rounded end and slidable engaging hole  322  and a selected axially aligned hole  321  to releasably lock intermediate tubular section  351  and respective tubular element  352  and thus releasably lock the telescoping horizontal support bar  355  in a fixed position. Predetermined bar lengths are established to keep the frame in a rectangular shape, thus keeping an equal distance between upper corner brackets  40 C and  40 B and  40 A and  40 D and lower corner brackets  60 A and  60 D and  60 C and  60 B.  
         [0062]      FIG. 15A  ( FIG. 22A  in CIP-2) is a schematic illustration of the collapsible frame in  FIG. 14  with the telescoping crossed support arm assemblies  350 G and  350 H the detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies  355 C and  355 D in an open non-extended position.  FIG. 15B  ( FIG. 22B  in CIP-2) shows the same frame with telescoping crossed support arm assemblies  350 G and  350 H and the detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies  355 C and  355 D extended. Thus, by extending all of the telescoping crossed support arm assemblies  350 G and  350 H and keeping the bisecting point centered and by extending the detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies  355 C and  355 D the length of the collapsible frame can be extended without changing the height or width. The width of a collapsible frame can also be adjusted by applying the same principle of telescoping crossed support arm assemblies to the front side or back side and detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies to the opposite front or back side. Likewise, the length and the width can both be adjusted independently of each other on the same collapsible frame by using a combination of telescoping crossed support arm pairs and detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies on all sides. Moreover, a frame&#39;s height can also be raised or lowered while keeping the same width and length through the use of telescoping crossed support arm pairs on all sides.  
         [0063]     Referring now to cribs, beds, playpens, pens or play yards or a combination of these devices for use by babies, young children or pets. When the words crib, bed, playpen, pen or play yard are used in this specification it should be understood that they are being used interchangeably within this specification.  
         [0064]     The collapsible frame structures and related embodiments that have previously been described for collapsible frames are applicable to those of cribs, beds, playpens, play yards and pens. When referring to the following drawings we continue to use like reference characters. The collapsible open-topped frame  100 , shown in  FIG. 16  ( FIG. 25  in CIP-2), which can fulfill the function of a collapsible frame for a crib for a baby or young child or as a frame for a playpen or play yard when the baby or young child is not sleeping, was the basis for CIP-2.  
         [0065]     The open topped collapsible frame in  FIG. 16  is comprised of four telescoping sides with each side having a pair of crossed support arms  350 A and  350 B,  350 C and  350 D,  350 E and  350 F and  350 G and  350 H. Each pair of crossed support arms  350 A and  350 B,  350 C and  350 D,  350 E and  350 F and  350 G and  350 H are pivotally connected at the their center of rotation  55  and all crossed support arms  350  are of equal length.  
         [0066]     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , each crossed support arms  350 A and  350 B,  350 C and  350 D,  350 E and  350 F and  350 G and  350 H are essentially identical in construction with each arm comprised of an intermediate tubular section  351  and a pair of outer tubular sections  352  that telescope opposite ends into and out of said intermediate section  351 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a means for locking the outer telescoping tubular sections  352  at points equal distance to the pivotal connection point. Each outer tubular section  352  has formed therein a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes  321 . Said holes  321  are spaced identically for each of the out tubular sections on a side and for each of the tubular sections on the side opposite. Thus assuring that the pivotal connection point  55  for each pair of crossed support arms  350  remains centered within the side defined by a string stretched around the outmost ends of the four outer tubular sections  352  on each side and also centered with the side opposite. Each intermediate tubular section  351  has a hole  322  formed therein similar to hole  321 . A hairpin or V-shaped leaf spring  323  is housed in the inner end of each tubular section  351  and compressed between the opposing inside faces of tubular element  351  proximate holes  322 . One of the legs of each leaf spring  323  is provided with a radially projecting detent  324  terminating in a rounded end and slidably engaging hole  322  and a selected axially aligned hole  321  to releasably lock intermediate tubular section  351  and respective tubular elements  352  and thus releasably lock telescoping crossed support arms  350  at a desired adjusted length.  
         [0067]     For purposes of explanation the crib&#39;s  100  sides shall be labeled as follows, the side containing telescoping crossed support arms  350 A and  350 B shall be designated as the back and the side containing telescoping crossed support arms  350 E and  350 F shall be designated as the front. The left side as seen from the back facing the front incorporates telescoping crossed support arms  350 G and  350 H and the right side incorporates telescoping crossed support arms  350 C and  350 D.  
         [0068]     As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the crib  100  is comprised of four upper corner brackets  40 A,  40 B,  40 C and  40 D and four lower corner brackets  60 A,  60 B,  60 C, and  60 D and have telescoping cross support arms  350 A and  350 B,  350 C and  350 D,  350 E and  350 F and  350 G and  350 H attached to them as follows. The lower ends of the front right and left crossed support arms  350 E and  350 F and the lower ends of the right side telescoping crossed support arm  350 C and the left side crossed support arms  350 G are connected to the lower right and left front corner brackets  60 C and  60 D; and the lower ends of the right and left rear crossed support arms  350 B and  350 A and the lower end of the rear right side telescoping crossed support arm  350 D and the left side telescoping crossed support arm  350 H are connected to lower right and left rear corner brackets  60 B and  60 A; and similarly, the upper ends of the left and right front telescoping crossed support arms  350 F and  350 E and the upper front ends of the right and left side telescoping crossed support arms  350 D and  350 H are connected to upper right and left front corner brackets  40 C and  40 D and upper ends of the left and right rear crossed support arms  350 A and  350 B and the upper back ends of the right and left side telescoping crossed support arms  350 C and  350 G are connected to the upper right and left rear corner brackets  40 B and  40 A.  
         [0069]     All of the crossed telescoping support arms  350  are pivotally connected to the four upper corner brackets  40 A,  40 B,  40 C and  40 D and four lower corner brackets  50 A,  60 B,  60 C, and  60 D allowing the frame to expand or collapse simultaneously in both the X and Y direction. This is illustrated in  FIG. 17A ,  FIG. 17B  and  FIG. 17C  ( FIG. 26A ,  FIG. 26B  and  FIG. 26C  in CIP-2) which through schematic drawings.  FIG. 17A —an open collapsible crib frame with telescoping crossed support arms extended,  FIG. 17B —an open collapsible crib frame with telescoping arms unextended and a nearly collapsed crib frame and  FIG. 17C —the collapsible frame in the near closed position. It can be seen that as the collapsible frame is closed all crossed support arms become essentially parallel to each other and upper and lower corner brackets will be separately aggregated together.  
         [0070]      FIG. 18  ( FIG. 27  in CIP-2) is a cut away view of a crib frame that has flexible sidewalls  171  and a flexible bottom  80  attached. In the preferred embodiment of the CIP-2 invention, the sidewalls incorporate an SLE strap or web  200  into their construction. Said sidewalls  171  are generally placed inside the frame to form a protective barrier against a child falling and hitting the crossed support arm. The sidewalls  171  will generally be constructed of a flexible mesh fabric and the bottom will be made of a moisture barrier material to protect beds from possible urination accidents and children from dampness and moisture from the ground when used as a playpen. In a preferred embodiment, the perimeter formed by the sidewalls  171  is designed to be smaller than the perimeter defined by the four upper corner brackets  40  or the lower corner bracket  60 . In this example, the sidewalls are also designed to act as an Anti Collapse Locking Mechanism. The sidewalls  171  are attached to the lower corner brackets when the crib is open thus locking the structure in an open position by preventing the upward movement of the upper corner brackets  40  that is required to collapse the structure when the collapsible frame is sitting on a hard surface.  
         [0071]     A removable mattress (not shown) may also be added to the bed or play pen. In addition a top netting or cover may also be added to the collapsible frame structure(not shown).  
         [0072]     The subject of this application is yet another version of the collapsible crib frame as illustrated in  FIG. 19  ( FIG. 28  in the CIP-2), Because the patent office has determined the crib illustrated by  FIG. 19  to be a different species than that of  FIG. 18 , we describe our invention in more detail. The back, front and left sides of the crib are constructed as previously described in  FIG. 18 . For purposes of explanation, the four-sided crib frame  101  illustrated in  FIG. 19  has been labeled in a manner similar to that of the four-sided crib frame of  FIG. 18 . The side containing telescoping crossed support arms  350 A and  350 B is designated as the back, the side containing telescoping crossed support arms  350 E and  350 F is designated as the front and the side containing crossed support arms  350 G and  350 H is designated as the left side. The remaining side is comprised of two telescoping horizontal telescoping crossed support arms  355 A and  355 B and is designated as the right side.  
         [0073]     Each pair of telescoping crossed support arms  350  is pivotally connected where the support arms bisect each other and are of equal length. As illustrated previously in  FIG. 10 , each telescoping crossed support arm is essentially identical and is comprised of an intermediate tubular section  351  and a pair of outer tubular sections  352  that telescope opposite ends into and out of said intermediate section  351  and is similar in functionality to those described in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 19  illustrates, two detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies  355 . One support bar  355 B is pivotally connected to front lower corner bracket  60 B and has a snap fitting  280  mounted on the other end in order to quickly connect and disconnect from the front lower corner bracket  60 C. The other detachable telescoping horizontal support bar  355 A is pivotally connected to the front upper corner bracket  40 C and has a snap fitting  280  mounted on the other end in order to quickly connect and disconnect from the upper corner bracket  40 B. The detachable telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies  355 A and  355 B telescope in a manner similar to that previously illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Each bar has an inner tubular section  351  that slides within an outer tubular section  352 . The outer tube  352  has formed therein a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes  321 . Said holes  321  are spaced to create a predetermined bar length when the previously described V-shaped or hairpin spring  323  is engaged into a specific hole. The predetermined bar lengths are established to keep the frame in a rectangular shape, thus keeping an equal distance between upper corner brackets  40 A and  40 D and  40 B and  40 C and lower corner brackets  60 A and  60 D and  60 B and  60 C.  
         [0074]     As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the crib frame  101  is comprised of four upper corner brackets  40 A,  40 B,  40 C and  40 D and four lower corner brackets  60 A,  60 B,  60 C and  60 D. All telescoping crossed support arms  350  for the back and left and right sides are connected to the upper and lower corner brackets as described in  FIG. 16 . The pivotal end of the upper detachable telescoping horizontal support bar  355 A is attached to the upper corner bracket  40 C and the pivotal end of the lower detachable telescoping horizontal support bar  355 B is attached to the lower corner brackets  60 B.  
         [0075]     Thus, the three pair of telescoping crossed support arms, the detachable horizontal telescoping support bar assemblies and the corner brackets form a size adjustable, collapsible open topped frame when the upper corner brackets  40  and the lower corner brackets  60  are spread apart and the horizontal telescoping bar assemblies  355  are connected. The collapsible frame can be made into a crib and locked into position with the addition of an SLE. We have previously described in  FIG. 18  an SLE  200  incorporated into the sidewalls  171 , and a bottom  80  that could also be used with the collapsible frame illustrated in  FIG. 19 . As previously described for  FIG. 16 , the crib frame is locked into its open position by SLE  200  which has been incorporated into the sidewalls  171  and the side walls also acts as an Anti Collapse Locking Mechanism.  
         [0076]     When it is desired to collapse the frame illustrated in  FIG. 19  for storage or transit, the two detachable horizontal support bar assemblies,  355 A and  355 B are detached from corner brackets  60 C and  40 D. Once detached, these brackets can be telescoped inwards upon themselves and rotated so to a vertical alignment. Thus when all of the upper corner brackets are together, and all of the lower corner brackets are together, and all of the crossed support arms are lined up in essentially parallel alignment, the two detachable horizontal bar assemblies,  355 A and  355 B will also lay essentially in parallel alignment.  
         [0077]      FIG. 20  is similar to  FIG. 18  in that it illustrates a crib with a flexible liner  171  and floor  80 . The collapsible frame, which contains four upper corner brackets  40 A,  40 B,  40 C and  40 D, four lower corner brackets  60 A,  60 B,  60 C, and  60 D, three telescoping cross arm supports  350 A and  350 B,  350 C and  350 D, and  350 G and  350 H and two detachable horizontal support arm assemblies  355 E and  355 F, can be made into a crib and locked into position with the SLE  171 . We have previously described in  FIG. 18  an SLE  200  incorporated into the sidewalls  171 , and a bottom  80  that could also be used with the collapsible frame illustrated in  FIG. 20 . In  FIG. 20  we have also incorporated a flexible Anti-Collapse Locking Mechanism  139  into the liner. This concept has been previously discussed in connection with  FIG. 8 .  
         [0078]     The crib designs illustrated in this specification are but a few of the designs that are possible based on using combinations of the embodiments of pivotally connected cross support arms  50 , pivotally connected telescoping cross support arms  350 , telescoping anti-torque posts  35 , detachable horizontal support bar assemblies (not shown), detachable horizontal telescoping support bar assemblies  355 , SLE&#39;s and Anti-locking Mechanism disclosed in this specification. It is not our intent to limit possible crib designs to those designs disclosed in this specification, but rather to consider them as examples of the many possible designs which can be created using the disclosed design elements.  
         [0079]     Although we have not discussed it during our presentation of crib frames, it is possible to attach or extend telescoping legs from the lower corner brackets  61  such that the crib sleeping area will be raised above the ground. As illustrated in  FIG. 21 a  rigid SLE  304  is attached to lower corner brackets  61 A,  61 B,  61 C, and  61 D to provide a surface upon which a mattress could be placed for sleeping. Telescoping anti-torque posts  35  are extended below the lower corner brackets  61  and are held in place by a locking mechanism.  
         [0080]     A preferred embodiment is to place the collapsible crib upon a juvenile or adult bed and thus take advantage of an existing sleeping space and mattress. To achieve this end we introduce an embodiment that makes this possible—Anti-Tip Assemblies. Small babies and children who do not crawl or walk are often left on beds in bassinets or similar type portable beds to rest as there is little risk or fear of the child tipping the portable bed by rolling over. However, as the child grows and gains the ability to stand and apply weight to the upper edges of a portable bed, the potential exists for the child to topple the portable bed and fall onto the floor increases dramatically. Thus, children with the ability to stand and walk are not placed in portable beds resting on juvenile or adult beds.  
         [0081]      FIG. 22  illustrates an Anti-Tip Assembly (tie down straps) that can be incorporated into the lower or upper corner brackets of collapsible beds that eliminates the potential for children who can stand and walk from tipping a collapsible crib. In  FIG. 30 , a collapsible crib frame  100  is placed upon a mattress  3 . An Anti-Tip Assembly  12  consists of detachable straps  600  that attach to each other or to the bed mattress  3  or frame and to the lower corner brackets  60 .  FIG. 22  illustrates one end of detachable straps  600 A,  600 B,  600 C, and  600 D attached with clips  601  onto each lower corner brackets  60 A,  60 B,  60 C and  60 D respectively. The straps  600 A and  600 B are placed underneath the mattress  3  and are connected to a buckle  602  on  600 D and  600 C respectively. The straps  600  are then tightened to lock the collapsible crib frame to the mattress  3  thus preventing it from tipping or skidding should a child&#39;s weight be applied to in a manner that might otherwise cause the crib to tip or skid.  
         [0082]     Once the concept of an Anti-Tip Assembly for securing the collapsible frame to a juvenile or adult bed is recognized, one skilled in the art can derive many means of accomplishing the task of anchoring a collapsible crib frame to a bed. For example, to avoid having to go under the mattress  3  one might use a U shaped hook attached to a strap to hook onto the side of a mattress and then secure the strap to a corner bracket with a cinch buckle.  
         [0083]     Alternatively, if the collapsible crib is to be used as a playpen on the ground, there will be no mattress to anchor the frame to in order to avoid tipping.  FIG. 23  illustrates an Anti-Tipping Assembly that can be used with and without ground anchors. The Anti-Tipping Assembly consists of a lower corner bracket  60  that has pivotal connection points  56  for support arms such as crossed support arms, telescoping crossed support arms or telescoping horizontal support bar assemblies. The corner bracket  60  also has a cut out area  701  into which an anti-tip extension bar  700  fits. The cut out area on the lower corner bracket  60  is design such that the anti-tip extension bar  700  provides a resistance force to any pressure applied to the frame in the direction of the anti-tip extension bar  700  and thus keeps the collapsible structure from tipping over. The lower corner bracket  60  is also designed to allow the anti-tip extension bar  700  to be removed from the corner bracket by moving the extended end of the anti-tip extension bar  700  downward to a perpendicular angle to the bottom of the corner bracket  60 , rotating the bar  90  degrees and dropping it out the bottom of the corner bracket  60 . Thus the crib can be collapsed to a very small size when the anti-tip extension bar  700  is removed when the frame is collapsed, yet provide stability when the frame is open and the anti-tip bar is installed.  
         [0084]     When the anti-tip extension bar  700  is to be used for other collapsible structures such as protective sheds for building products, an additional ground spike modification is added to keep the collapsible structure from being lifted by the wind.  FIG. 32  illustrates the addition of a spike  701  that is inserted into the ground through a hole in the anti-tip extension bar  700 . For easy of removing the spike  701  from the ground when it is desire to collapse the structure, a ring  702  has been added to the head of the spike  700 .  
         [0085]     Throughout this specification we have described telescoping crossed support arms  350  as being comprised of intermediate sections  351  and outer sections  352 . This was done for convenience in describing the embodiments. It should be understood that any telescoping element can consist of a number of intermediate sections and outer sections and that what is an outer section to a centered intermediate section may also be an intermediate section to a further outer section. Thus, any description of telescoping arm elements should be considered to assume that the arm can have at least three or more sections.  
         [0086]     Throughout this specification we have depicted the corner bracket in illustrations as a solid piece to which the crossed support arms are pivotally attached such as illustrated with corner bracket  61 B in  FIG. 18 . The corner brackets may, however, also be made of flexible materials such as a shock cording material which will permit the support members to pivot from an open to closed position and vice versa.  
         [0087]     In the specification we talk about bisecting crossed support arms and bisecting telescoping crossed support arms. It is our intent that the length being divided in half is the distance between the upper and lower corner brackets on each arm. Moreover, it is also our intent that when support arms are considered to be the same length, that the length is measured between the upper and lower corner brackets.  
         [0088]     In the specification we refer to intermediate telescoping sections  351  and outer telescoping sections  352  in relation to the center point of the arm with respect to the other sections and not to whether a section slides inside or outside of another tubular section. Although the examples have been illustrated with the intermediate section being the smaller diameter tube over which the outer tube sides the converse is also possible.  
         [0089]     Inner and outer tubular sections of telescoping bar assemblies  355  are also reversible and the telescoping bars may consist of more than two telescoping sections.  
         [0090]     Most of the discussion in the specification has been related to four sided collapsible frames with closing occurring in the X and Y directions. This has been for easy of understanding the basic concept of the invention. It is our intent that collapsible structures can be made of three or more sides and that each corner bracket which has attached members shall have pivoting support arms which open and close to form an enclosed area within the open frame. Moreover, such support arms weather they be horizontal or crossed can may be constructed as telescoping or fixed in length.