Abstract:
A connecting arrangement for slidably securing a drop side rail to vertical posts of the headboard and footboard of a crib, including first and second elongated slots in the vertical posts of the headboard and footboard, respectively, third and fourth elongated slots at opposite sides of the drop side rail, first and second levers having one end pivotally mounted to opposite sides of the drop side rail and an opposite end slidably mounted with the first and second elongated slots, respectively, third and fourth levers having one end pivotally mounted to the vertical post of the headboard and footboard, respectively, and an opposite end slidably mounted with the third and fourth elongated slots, respectively, and a holding arrangement for releasably holding the drop side rail in an upper raised position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to infant cribs, and more particularly, is directed to a drop side rail for a crib. 
   Generally, in cribs, one side rail is fixed or stationary, and the opposite side rail can be slid vertically between an upper closed position and a lower open position to aid in the removal of the child from the crib or for placing the child in the crib. However, recently, because of incorrect assembly of the drop side rail by some consumers, children have been able to partially separate or disassemble the drop side rail from the main body of the crib, resulting in a body part of a child getting caught therebetween, causing injury to the child. For this reason, and because of various government proposed regulations, at a recent industry convention, it was proposed to make both side rails permanent and eliminate the drop side nature of one side entirely. 
   This, however, makes it much more difficult to remove the child from the crib or place the child in the crib, and has been deemed unsatisfactory. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a crib with a drop side rail that overcomes the aforementioned problems. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a crib with a drop side rail that is both pivotally and slidably lowered. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a crib with a drop side rail in which only an upper rail section of the side rail can be lowered, and in which the lower rail section is stationary. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a crib with a drop side rail having an upper rail section that slides relative to a lower rail section and is connected via levers so that the upper rail section slides in parallel relation to and in front of the lower rail section. 
   In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a connecting arrangement for slidably securing a drop side rail of a crib to respective vertical posts of the headboard and footboard of the crib. The connecting arrangement includes a first elongated guide in a vertical post of the headboard, and a second elongated guide in a vertical post of the footboard. A first lever has one end pivotally mounted to the drop side rail and an opposite end slidably mounted with the first elongated guide, and a second lever has one end pivotally mounted to the drop side rail and an opposite end slidably mounted with the second elongated guide. A holding arrangement releasably holds the drop side rail in an upper raised position. 
   The drop side rail includes a stationary lower side rail section fixedly mounted to respective vertical posts of the headboard and footboard of the crib, and an upper side rail section that is movable relative to the stationary lower side rail section, for movement between a raised position above and substantially coplanar with the lower side rail section and a lowered position in front of the lower side rail section, wherein the one end of the first and second levers are pivotally mounted to the upper rail section of the drop side rail. 
   The connecting arrangement further includes a third elongated guide at one side of the drop side rail, a fourth elongated guide at an opposite side of the drop side rail, a third lever having one end pivotally mounted to the vertical post of the headboard and an opposite end slidably mounted with the third elongated guide, and a fourth lever having one end pivotally mounted to the vertical post of the footboard and an opposite end slidably mounted with the fourth elongated guide. 
   Each elongated guide includes an elongated slot and the opposite end of each lever includes a pin slidably mounted in a respective the slot. 
   Further, the first lever is vertically movable relative to the third lever, and the second lever is vertically movable relative to the fourth lever. In this regard, the first lever is positioned above the third lever, and the second lever is positioned above the fourth lever. 
   The one end of the first lever is pivotally mounted to the drop side rail at a position above the third elongated guide, and the one end of the second lever is pivotally mounted to the drop side rail at a position above the fourth elongated guide. Also, the one end of the third lever is pivotally mounted to the vertical post of the headboard at a position below the first elongated guide, and the one end of the fourth lever is pivotally mounted to the vertical post of the footboard at a position below the second elongated guide. 
   The holding arrangement preferably includes a blind opening in the vertical post of at least one of the headboard and the footboard, and a post secured to the opposite end of at least one of the first and second levers for engaging in the blind opening in the vertical post of the at least one of the headboard and the footboard, to releasably hold the drop side rail in an upper raised position. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, crib is provided having the aforementioned connecting arrangement. Specifically, the crib includes a headboard having a pair of spaced apart vertical posts; a footboard having a pair of spaced apart vertical posts; a mattress support for supporting a mattress between the headboard and footboard; a first side rail secured to respective vertical posts of the headboard and footboard on one side of the crib; a drop side rail; and the aforementioned connecting arrangement for slidably securing the drop side rail to respective vertical posts of the headboard and footboard on an opposite side of the crib, the connecting arrangement including a first elongated guide in a vertical post of the headboard, a second elongated guide in a vertical post of the footboard, a first lever having one end pivotally mounted to the drop side rail and an opposite end slidably mounted with the first elongated guide, a second lever having one end pivotally mounted to the drop side rail and an opposite end slidably mounted with the second elongated guide, and a holding arrangement for releasably holding the drop side rail in an upper raised position. 
   The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the crib according to the present invention, with the upper rail section of the drop side rail in a raised position; 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the crib of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a left side elevational view of the crib of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the crib of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the crib of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the crib according to the present invention, with the upper rail section of the drop side rail in a lowered position; 
       FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the crib of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a right side elevational view of the crib of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the crib of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the crib of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the crib according to the present invention, with the upper rail section of the drop side rail in a raised position; 
       FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of the crib of  FIG. 11  at the upper end of one front corner post; 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the crib of  FIG. 4 , taken along line  13 - 13  thereof; 
       FIG. 14  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the crib of  FIG. 13  at the upper end of the front corner post; 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 13 , but with the upper rail section raised so that the post is at the upper end of the L-shaped blind opening, during lowering of the upper rail section; 
       FIG. 16  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the crib of  FIG. 15  at the upper end of the front corner post; 
       FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of the crib, with the upper rail section of the drop side rail in a raised position, but with the post at a position out of the L-shaped blind opening, during the next step of lowering of the upper rail section; 
       FIG. 18  is an enlarged perspective view of the crib of  FIG. 17  at the upper end of one front corner post; 
       FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 13 , corresponding to the position of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 20  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the crib of  FIG. 19  at the upper end of the front corner post; 
       FIG. 21  is a front perspective view of the crib, with the upper rail section of the drop side rail in a slightly lowered position, during the next step of lowering of the upper rail section; 
       FIG. 22  is an enlarged perspective view of the crib of  FIG. 21  at the upper end of one front corner post; 
       FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 13 , corresponding to the position of  FIG. 21 ; 
       FIG. 24  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the crib of  FIG. 23  at the upper end of the front corner post; 
       FIG. 25  is a front perspective view of the crib, with the upper rail section of the drop side rail in the fully lowered position; 
       FIG. 26  is an enlarged perspective view of the crib of  FIG. 25  at the upper end of one front corner post; 
       FIG. 27  is a rear perspective view of the crib, with the upper rail section of the drop side rail in the fully lowered position; 
       FIG. 28  is an enlarged perspective view of the crib of  FIG. 27  at the upper end of one front corner post; 
       FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of the crib of FIG.  9 , taken along line  29 - 29  thereof; 
       FIG. 30  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a corner portion the crib of  FIG. 29 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention provides a different arrangement for the drop side rail so that only the upper rail section of the drop side rail is slid down relative to the lower rail section thereof. 
   Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to  FIGS. 1-5  thereof, a crib  10  according to the present invention includes a headboard  12  and a footboard  14  connected together in a parallel, spaced apart relation to each other. A first side of crib  10  is closed by a stationary rail  18 , while the opposite side is closed by a partial drop side rail  20 , the upper portion of which can be lowered or raised, as will be described in greater detail hereafter. 
   Preferably, headboard  12  and footboard  14  are connected together only by stationary rail  18  and partial drop side rail  20 . Hooks or the like (not shown), as are well known, can extend from headboard  12  and footboard  14 , for supporting a mattress support  22  that can include, but is not limited to, a mattress board, a slat assembly, a steel spring deck, etc. 
   Alternatively, as shown in the figures, headboard  12  and footboard  14  are connected together at lower positions thereat by two parallel, spaced apart stabilizer bars  16 . Stabilizer bars  16  can be connected to headboard  12  and footboard  14  in any suitable manner such as screws or the like. Stabilizer bars  16  may be connected in accordance with the teachings in U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,956, issued Feb. 3, 1987, the entire disclosure or which is incorporated herein by reference. In such case, mattress support  22  is supported by stabilizer bars  16  for supporting a mattress (not shown) thereon. 
   As shown best in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , headboard  12  is formed by two parallel, spaced apart posts  24   a  and  24   b  which form corner posts for crib  10 . Posts  24   a  and  24   b  are connected at their upper ends by a horizontally oriented upper cross brace  26  and are connected at positions approximately one-quarter of the length thereof measured from the lower ends by a horizontally oriented lower cross brace  28 . A plurality of equidistantly spaced apart vertical slats or rods  30  interconnect upper cross brace  26  and lower cross brace  28 . 
   In like manner, as shown in  FIG. 1 , footboard  14  is formed by two parallel, spaced apart posts  34   a  and  34   b  which form corner posts for crib  10 . Posts  34   a  and  34   b  are connected at their upper ends by a horizontally oriented upper cross brace  36  and are connected at positions approximately one-quarter of the length thereof measured from the lower ends by a horizontally oriented lower cross brace  38 . A plurality of equidistantly spaced apart vertical slats or rods  40  interconnect upper cross brace  36  and lower cross brace  38 . 
   During assembly, headboard  12  and footboard  14  are first assembled with two stabilizer bars  16  on opposite sides of crib  10 , for example, according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,956. Each stabilizer bar  16  is formed by an elongated, rectangular parallelepiped shaped bar having an inwardly directed ledge spaced slightly down from the upper end thereof for supporting mattress board  22  thereon. Each ledge preferably extends the length of the bar, but can be made shorter in length than each respective rectangular parallelepiped shaped bar. As is well known, mattress board locks (not shown) in the form of a flat, generally triangular shape can be pivotally mounted to the upper surface of the rectangular parallelepiped shaped bar by screws. In this manner, when mattress board  22  is supported on the ledges, the locks can be pivoted inwardly to lock mattress board  22  in place. 
   As shown best in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 , stationary rail  18  includes an upper rail member  42  and a substantially parallel, spaced apart lower rail member  44  connected together by plurality of equidistantly spaced apart vertical slats or rods  46 . 
   Stationary rail  18  can be secured to headboard  12  and footboard  14  in any suitable manner, such as screws or the like. Alternatively, stationary rail  18  is secured to headboard  12  in the manner disclosed in applicant&#39;s copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/862,919, filed Sep. 27, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , partial drop side rail  20  includes a stationary or fixed lower rail section  50  and a slidable and pivotal upper rail section  52 . Stationary lower rail section  50  includes a rectangular frame  51  comprised of an upper framing bar  54 , a parallel, spaced apart lower framing bar  56  and side framing bars  55  and  57 , with upper framing bar  54  and lower framing bar  56  connected together by a plurality of equidistantly spaced apart vertical slats or rods  58 . Stationary lower rail section  50  is fixed to corner posts  24   a  and  34   a  by any suitable means, such as screws or the like. 
   Upper rail section  52  includes a rectangular frame  60  comprised of an upper framing bar  62 , a parallel, spaced apart lower framing bar  64  and side framing bars  66  and  68  connected together in a rectangular configuration. Upper rail section  52  further includes a board  70  mounted to framing bars  62 - 68  in the opening of rectangular frame  60 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 11-30 , the upper inner face of corner post  24   a  of headboard  12  which faces side framing bar  66  includes a vertical elongated guide, preferably in the form of a vertical elongated closed slot  72 , in direct opposition to side framing bar  66  when upper rail section  52  is in its raised position. Immediately above slot  72  and not connected therewith is an L-shaped blind opening  74  which includes a vertical opening leg  74   a  that is closed at its lower end and that is in vertical alignment with slot  72  and a forwardly directed opening leg  74   b  that is in open communication with the upper end of vertical opening leg  74   a  and that extends forwardly and is open at the front face of corner post  24   a . The inner face of corner post  34   a  of headboard  12  which faces side framing bar  68  also includes the same arrangement of a vertical elongated slot and L-shaped blind opening. 
   The outer face of side framing bar  66  which faces corner post  24   a  includes a vertical elongated guide, preferably in the form of a vertical elongated closed slot  76 , immediately opposite vertical elongated closed slot  72 . In like manner, the outer face of side framing bar  68  which faces corner post  34   a  includes a vertical elongated closed slot (not shown) immediately opposite the vertical elongated closed slot in corner post  34   a.    
   An upper lever  78  is pivotally fixed at the outer face of side framing bar  66  by a pivot pin  80 , and the opposite end of lever  78  includes a pin  82  that is captured in and slidably positioned in elongated slot  72  for movement therealong. Pin  80  extends outwardly of the outer face of side framing bar  66  to form a post  84 , as shown best in  FIGS. 22 and 26 . The same arrangement of an upper lever arm (not shown) is provided at the opposite side of rectangular frame  60  between corner post  34   a  and side framing bar  68 . 
   In the closed or raised position of upper rail section  52 , post  84  fits within L-shaped blind opening  74 . In this position, upper rail section  52  is positioned above and in vertical alignment in the same plane with stationary lower rail section  50 . 
   A lower lever  86  is pivotally fixed by a pivot pin  88  to the inner face of corner post  24   a , and the opposite end of lever  86  has a pin  90  slidably positioned in elongated slot  76  for movement therealong. 
   In order to lower upper rail section  52 , upper rail section  52  is first raised upwardly so that post  84  rises within L-shaped blind opening  74 , and specifically, rises up to the open end of vertical opening leg  74   a , as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , and then is moved forwardly where it escapes L-shaped blind opening  74  through forwardly directed opening leg  74   b . Post  84  is then pulled outwardly away from the crib until post  84  escapes L-shaped blind opening  74 , as shown in  FIGS. 17-20 . In this position, upper rail section  52  is no longer in vertical alignment with lower rail section  50 , but rather, is positioned forwardly therefrom. Further, in this position, levers  78  and  86  are in parallel relation at an angle of about 45° to the vertical. 
   Thereafter, upper rail section  52  is lowered, whereby levers  78  and  86  assume a horizontal, spaced-apart position, as shown in  FIGS. 21-24 . During the lowering operation, pin  90  rides within elongated slot  76 , and pin  82  rides within elongated slot  72 . As such, lever  78  approaches lever  86 , until upper rail section  52  is fully lowered, as shown best in  FIGS. 25-30 . In this position, upper rail section  52  is positioned in front of lower rail section  50  and superimposed thereon. The child can then be removed from or placed into the crib. 
   In order to raise upper rail section  52  to its closed position of  FIG. 1 , the reverse operation is performed such that upper rail section  52  is raised up until post  84  is inserted within L-shaped blind opening  74  in order to prevent accidental opening of the crib. 
   Thus, there is both a sliding and pivoting action of levers  78  and  86  that results in upper rail section  52  being moved between an upper closed position in which it is coplanar in vertical alignment with stationary lower rail section  50  and a lowered position in which it is positioned in front of stationary lower rail section  50  in parallel, spaced apart relation thereto. 
   In addition, although not shown, a separate latching or locking mechanism can be provided once upper rail section  52  is moved to the upper closed position, to prevent accidental opening by a child. 
   It will be appreciated that the present invention will operate with only elongated slot  72  and lever  78 , and that elongated slot  76  and lever  86  merely provide extra guidance during movement of upper rail section  52 . 
   Having described a specific preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.