Abstract:
Concealed hardware for controlling the raising and lowering of the crib side, permits the construction of a crib which includes no projecting or exposed parts. The hardware comprises a channel member embedded within the end stiles of the crib side and an engaged coupling element fastened to the adjacent crib end. The channel member restricts movement of the crib side to vertical translation, and includes a latching chamber at the bottom which selectively traps or releases the coupling element when it is desired to secure the crib side in an elevated position.

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/288,150 filed Apr. 8, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     a) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a child&#39;s crib having a releasable side that can be raised and lowered at will. More particularly, it relates to such a crib wherein the hardware that secures and controls the movement of the releasable side is completely concealed and inaccessible whether the side is in a raised or lowered position. 
     (b) Description of Related Art 
     For convenience and ease of use, most child&#39;s cribs are provided with at least one side that can be lowered for better access to the child. While movement of the side changes the structure of the crib, it must be effected without weakening the rigidity of the crib assembly. By regulation and practice, it is now recognized that the mechanism for latching and locking movable crib sides, should engage automatically and should require two separate positive and simultaneous actions to release the locking mechanism that holds the side in a raised position. 
     Perhaps the most common crib hardware for a releasable side, is a vertical rod mounted parallel to each crib end post and extending through grommets in the top and bottom rails of the side. A latching bar is provided along the bottom rail, which projects into and engages stationary catch elements on the surface of the end posts. The latching bar is spring biased and the catch elements are configured so that simultaneous turning of the bar and a slight lifting of the side, is required to release the latch and permit lowering of the side. 
     The presence of exposed hardware is objectionable in crib structures. Aside from being aesthetical disturbing, children find hardware a curiosity that demands investigation, touching and tasting. Exposed hardware projections act to catch children&#39;s garments and crib bedding, and at worst, raise the risk of laceration. Exposed hardware cavities create the threat of having a child&#39;s tiny fingers pinched as the side is raised or lowered. 
     There are many crib designs that attempt to minimize the exposure of babies to the potential attractions and dangers of crib hardware. For example, the gap between the ends of a releasable crib side and ends of the crib has been reduced by the simple expedient of providing posts at the ends of the side, with mounting hardware coupling the posts to the adjacent crib ends. U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,436, to Schwartz, illustrates a design with slotted end posts providing a guide path for spring biased locking pins in the side posts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,593, to Pham, shows a pin guiding track embedded in the end posts which engage a spring loaded pin mounted in the side post. Until the present invention, there has been no successful design that completely concealed the crib hardware whether the side was in its raised or lowered position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a safe and secure child&#39;s crib. 
     Another important object of the present invention to provide a child&#39;s crib with an improved latching mechanism for a releasable side. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide improved latching hardware and guide means for a crib side that remain concealed whether the side is raised or lowered. 
     The present invention features a child&#39;s crib with a releasable side, that contains no exposed hardware for effecting the mounting, latching, or movement of the side. 
     The present invention also features unique latching and guide hardware adapted for mounting within the end posts of a crib side, to the support the crib ends while latching and guiding transitional movements of the crib side. 
     According to the invention, there is provided a child&#39;s crib having a releasable side interposed between crib ends; coupling elements bridge each side and the adjacent end, at the upper and lower sections of each side; the spacing between the coupling elements being less than the height of the side; latching and guide elements are mounted within and below the surface of the side end posts engaging respective coupling elements; whereby the coupling elements are always within the transit path of the side and the latching and guide elements are concealed in proximity to the end posts at all times. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided latching hardware for a releasable side crib including a guide element, a latching/guide mechanism, and several coupling elements; the upper guide element having an elongated slot for engagement with one of the coupling elements; the latching/guide mechanism having an elongated slot for guiding the other coupling element, said slot terminating in a latching cavity with biasing means that releasably retain the associated coupling element; both the guide element and the latching/guide mechanism being adapted for mounting below the surface of an end post of the crib side. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A particular embodiment of the invention is described in connection with the drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child&#39;s crib embodying the features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged and reoriented view of the crib end post adjacent to the end of a detached releasable crib side; 
     FIG. 3 is a still more enlarged view of the crib end post in proximity to the adjacent crib side, broken away to illustrate engagement between a coupling element and the latching/guide mechanism of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an end view of the lower edge of the crib side, showing the mounted latching/guide mechanism that controls raising, lowering and locking of the crib side; 
     FIG. 5 is a view of the housing of the latching/guide mechanism; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  7 — 7  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the latching cavity of the latching/guide mechanism with the latching cam in the quiescent position; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  9 — 9  in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the latching cam, removed from the latching chamber of the latching/guide mechanism housing; and 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a coupling element of the type that is advantageously used in a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 12 is an end view of the upper edge of the crib side, showing the mounted guide element that controls vertical movement of the top of the crib side and couples the side to the adjacent crib end. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a child&#39;s crib  10 , comprising the features of a preferred embodiment of the invention. It includes end units  11 ,  12 , and side units  13 ,  14 . Although both sides may be releasably mounted for raising and lowering, for purposes of the current description, only releasable crib side  14  will be described. 
     The crib structure includes a stabilizing bar or rail  15  rigidly interconnecting the lower portion of ends  11 ,  12 . This bar might also optionally support a typical mattress spring  16 . A similar bar might be provided on the other side of the crib. 
     Releasable crib side  14  comprises upper and lower horizontal rails  20 ,  21 , respectively, interconnecting vertical side posts  22 ,  23  and, typically, a plurality of spaced elements  24  which permit visibility through the side and insure safety of the crib&#39;s occupant. Similar vertically spaced elements  25 ,  26  are shown in ends  11 ,  12 ; however, it will be appreciated that the use of such elements is not germane to the invention. 
     Side posts  22 ,  23  are adjacent to the proximate ends of crib  10 . It will be noted that there is no visible hardware on the crib ends  11 ,  12  or between the side posts  22 ,  23  and the ends. This characteristic feature is made possible by the unique crib design and crib hardware of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an end post  17  of the type typically supporting and forming part of crib end  11 . Structurally, though not necessary, end post  17  may be on of the legs of crib  10 . End post  17  is shown adjacent to, and separate from, crib side  14 , to which it will be attached in the final crib structure. Spaced longitudinally along end post  17 , are first and second coupling elements  30 ,  31 . These coupling elements serve distinct functions and will be described more completely hereinafter. In the illustrated embodiment they are of similar configuration, acting as both fasteners and followers; however, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, that distinct configurations may be selected to cooperate effectively with the specific design chosen to implement the functions and features of the related guide element or latching guide mechanism. 
     Mounted within the face surface of side post  22  of crib side  14 , there is a guide element  40  and a latching/guide mechanism  50 . When assembled, as illustrated in FIG. 1, upper coupling element  30  is engaged in the track  42  of guide element  40 , and lower coupling element  31  is nested within the channel  60  of latching/guide mechanism  50 . 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of end post  17  when engaged with side post  22  by means of coupling element  31  and latching/guide mechanism  50 . In the position shown, the head  84  of coupling element  31  is trapped between a resiliently biased follower  52  and a dividing partition  64  within latching/guide mechanism  50 . The interaction between coupling element  31  and latching/guide mechanism  50  will be understood by consideration of the structure of the latching/guide mechanism as illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 10. 
     FIG. 4 shows latching/guide mechanism  50  mounted within a cavity  27  in side post  22 . The depth of the latching/guide mechanism  50  and that of cavity  27 , are substantially the same so that the surface of the mechanism housing  51 , is flush with the surface of side post  22 . Latching/guide mechanism  50  is held in position with fasteners  56 ,  57  which are countersunk to insure that they too are beneath the surface of side post  22 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, latching/guide mechanism  50  will be seen to comprise an elongated housing  51  with a latching chamber  63  at the lower end and a longitudinally disposed guide channel  60 . Housing  51  is essentially a solid component, made of either plastic or metal. It includes channel  60 , of constant depth, extending from top to bottom. Section  61 , of channel  60 , extends longitudinally from one side of latching chamber  63 , inclining slightly in order to attain a central position at the top of the housing. Section  62 , of channel  60 , lies adjacent the bottom of section  61 , creating a top for the latching chamber  63  with a projecting partition  64  separating the two sections. The width of channel  60 , in both sections, is selected to permit nesting and guidance of coupling element  31 . Thus, for example, the head of coupling element  31  is illustrated in FIG. 4 by dashed outline. 
     Within latching chamber  63 , housing  51  includes two short posts  67 ,  68  for mounting and guidance of springs  53 ,  54  (illustrated in FIG.  8  and to be described hereinafter). At the back of latching chamber  63 , an aperture  66  extends up and beyond partition  64  to provide a retaining channel for the mounting tongue  78  of a latching cam  52  (illustrated in FIG.  10  and to be described hereinafter). In addition, at the upper end of channel  60 , an aperture  70  is provided for convenience in mounting a bumper element. Shouldered cavities  71 ,  72  are advantageously furnished at the ends of housing  51 , to accept fasteners  56 ,  51  for securing latching/guide mechanism  50  within side post  22 . 
     Latching cam  52  is a tongued element, adapted for mounting to move vertically within latching chamber  63 . As shown in FIGS. 8-10, latching cam  52  comprises a body portion  75  having a camming surface  79  and a projecting tongue  78 . Holes  76 ,  77  are provided in the end of the cam remote from the camming surface  79 , to receive biasing springs  53 ,  54 . Camming surface  79  bears upon and guides coupling element  31  between sections  61 ,  62  of channel  60  when an operator raises or lowers crib side  14 . 
     Latching cam  52  is mounted within housing  51 , with tongue  78  projecting through cavity  66  and along the extension  69  thereof. Springs  53 ,  54  are mounted upon pins  67 ,  68  and into cavities  76 ,  77  of latching cam  52 . Thus, the cam is resiliently biased in an upward direction into contact with dividing partition  64  that separates sections  61  and  62  of channel  60 . Latching cam  52  reacts to pressure from coupling element  31  on camming surface  79  to move downward against the bias of springs  53 ,  54 , thereby permitting coupling element  31  to move from section to section of channel  60 , under the control of an operator. 
     It should be appreciated that while carrying out latching and locking operations, the releasable side of the crib is moved, while the crib itself remains stationary. Thus, vertical and horizontal movements of the crib side in which latching/guide mechanism  50  is mounted, provide the initiating forces that cause interaction between stationary coupling element  31  and latching/guide mechanism  50 . 
     The description of components has been directed to the coupling between the left edge of crib side  14  and crib end  11 . A corresponding coupling will be provided between the right edge of crib side  14  and the opposite end  12  of the crib. It will be understood that this corresponding coupling includes a latching/guide mechanism that is substantially a mirror image of the one described. 
     Returning attention to FIG. 2, the top of crib side  14  is held in position and guided in travel, by coupling element  30  and guide element  40 ; the former being fastened to project from end post  17  and the latter being mounted flush within the surface of side post  22 . 
     As noted earlier, in this particular embodiment, coupling element  30  is identical to the coupling element  31 , used to interact with latching/guide mechanism  50 . It is shown in FIG.  11 . The element comprises a threaded portion  81 , a shoulder portion  82 , and a head portion  84  separated from the shoulder by a shank portion  83 . When acting in conjunction with latching/guide mechanism  50 , head portion  84  travels within channel  60  and interacts also with latching cam  52  in latching chamber  63 . When acting in conjunction with guide element  40 , shank portion  83  constrains coupling element  30  to stay within particular track  42  while head portion  84  couples crib side  14  to crib end  17 . 
     FIG. 12 shows guide element  40 , mounted flush near the top and within the face of side post  22 . It includes an elongated track  42  having a length substantially equal to that of section  61  of channel  60 , in latching/guide mechanism  50 . Track  42  encloses a cavity within side post  22  and has an opening throughout its length, slightly greater than the diameter of shank portion  83  of coupling element  30 . A larger opening  43  is provided at the top of track  42 , to permit passage into the cavity, of head  84  of coupling element  30 . Thus, when side  14  is assembled to crib ends  11 ,  12  the upper portion of crib side  14  is constrained to move only vertically, while simultaneously acting as a brace holding the tops of ends  11 ,  12 . 
     Return to FIGS. 3 and 4, and consider the interaction of coupling element  31  and latching/guide mechanism  50 . Head  84  of coupling element  31  projects into channel  60  of latching/guide mechanism  50 . Due to the force of gravity upon side  14 , the lower tip of partition  64  is pressing against head  84 . The cam surface of latching cam  52  is pressed upward into contact with head  84  under the action of the biasing springs  53 ,  54 . This is only a transitory position and is not stable. Slight horizontal movement of post  22 , i.e. side  14 , will cause it: to move inwardly and drop slightly to trap coupling element  31  at the top of section  62 , locking side  14  in a raised position; or to move outwardly sliding down with coupling element  31  in section  61  until it comes to rest in contact with bumper  55 , leaving side  14  in a lowered position. 
     With an understanding of the crib structure and hardware, the operations of raising, lowering and locking releasable side  14  can be described. Refer to FIGS. 4 and 12. When the crib is assembled, guide element  40  and latching/guide mechanism  50  are vertically disposed at the top and bottom edges of crib side  14 . Coupling elements  30 ,  31  are fastened to end post  17 , spaced so that each falls within the same portion of the transit path through their respective guides  42 ,  61 . For purpose of example, coupling element  30  is shown on phantom outline within track  42  of guide element  30  and coupling element  31  is shown in phantom outline within section  61  of latching/guide mechanism  50 . 
     When crib side  14  is in its uppermost position, coupling elements  30  and  31  are disposed at the lowermost portions of guide element  40  and latching/guide mechanism  50 . When crib side  14  is locked in the raised position, coupling element  31  is nested in latching chamber  63  at the top of section  62 . It is held in this position by the weight of crib side  14 . To lower crib side  14 , the operator first pulls it upward slightly, while simultaneously pulling the bottom outward (post  22  moves to the right as viewed in FIG.  4 ). This forces coupling element  31  down against camming surface  79  of cam  52 , around and past the point of partition  64 , and into section  61  of channel  60 . As crib side  14  is lowered, coupling element  31  guides it along section  61  until stopped when it contacts bumper  55 . Crib side  14  is now down. 
     To raise side  14  and lock it in its uppermost position, the operator simply pulls it upward, causing the side to rise within section  61  guided by coupling element  31  until it comes into contact with camming surface  79  of latching cam  52 . Due to the contour of surface  79 , as upward motion continues the side is pressed inwardly (post  22  moves to the left as viewed in FIG. 4) and coupling element  31  traverses surface  79  of latching cam  52  to its lower end where it is free to move up into section  62  of channel  60  as the operator releases crib side  14 . Crib side  14  has now been raised and locked in its uppermost position. 
     A particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described. The invention relates to a combination of components and their interrelationship to one another. It also relates specifically to the structure and operation of crib hardware. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the unique hardware of the invention can be fabricated of numerous materials and furthermore that the structure of the components may be modified. In so far as such modifications come within the spirit of the invention, they are contemplated by the inventor and are intended to come within the scope of the following claims.