Abstract:
A foldable crib having substantially similar head and foot ends and folding sides either fixedly or pivotally mounted to the head and foot ends, the pivotally mounted ends closer to the head and foot ends being spaced at differing lengths so as to provide a folded structure which is compact and provides a small “footprint” as well as providing a compartment for storing the crib mattress in an upright manner which further contributes to the small “footprint”.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/474,277 filed on May 29, 2003, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to cribs. More particularly, the present invention relates to foldable cribs which are simple to operate and which provide a highly compact arrangement when folded which further has a small “footprint”.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    Facilities such as daycare centers, shelters employed for emergency purposes as well as homeless shelters, to name just a few, have the need for cribs, among other bedding. Since floor space is often quite precious, it is advantageous to utilize such floor space for a multiplicity of different functions. For example, the floor space may be utilized over-night for sleeping purposes and, during daylight hours, for daily activities such as eating, classroom activity and working, to name just a few. It is thus highly advantageous to provide bedding which may be folded up and stored during daylight hours or during periods of non-use and which occupies a minimum amount of space and thus makes a small “footprint” when so folded.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0004]    The present invention is characterized by comprising a foldable crib having uniquely designed, foldable sidewalls which are easy to operate and yet provide a highly compact crib assembly when folded and which creates a well-defined storing region for supporting a crib mattress and mattress support in an upright fashion and in such a manner as to contribute to the small “footprint”. The mattress support is pivotally mounted to the crib which allows the mattress to be easily moved between a folded and unfolded position. The mattress support includes a frame which snap-fits into holding clips in the unfolded position. The clips retain the mattress in place and rigidify the crib sides to provide a sturdy structure. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0005]    The present invention will be understood from a consideration of the following description and drawings in which like elements are designated by like numerals and, wherein:  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a foldable crib embodying the principles of the present invention and occupying the unfolded position.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the foldable crib of FIG. 1 in the folded position.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIGS. 3A and 3B are detailed views of the locking/pivot members shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and respectively showing the arms connected thereto in the unfolded and folded positions.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4A is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention showing the bottom, one crib side and the headboard and footboard in the erected position.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 4A showing the crib in the erect position and looking down on the crib to disclose the differences between FIGS. 4A and 4B.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the FIG. 4B embodiment in the folded position.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views respectively showing an offset hinge mounted to the associated arms of one of the crib sides and having the holding clip joined to the frame for supporting the mattress and one half of the offset hinge of FIG. 6A.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views respectively showing the manner in which the mattress support frame is mounted to the crib and the manner in which the mattress is supported when the crib is in the folded position.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7C is a detailed perspective view of one of the in-line hinges shown in FIGS. 4A and 5, for example.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7D is a perspective view of one of the bumpers provided in the embodiment of FIG. 5, for example. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “lower,” “upper,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words noted above as well as derivatives thereof and words of similar import.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 shows a crib assembly  10  embodying the principles of the present invention and comprised of crib ends  12  and  14  and crib sides S 1  and S 2 . Crib ends  12  and  14  can serve as a headboard and footboard, or vice versa, for the crib assembly  10 . Crib ends  12  and  14  are substantially identical in design and function and are respectively comprised of inverted, substantially U-shaped members  12   a ,  14   a  the free ends of which form legs  12   b ,  14   b  which support the crib assembly  10 . Optionally, the bottom of legs  12   b ,  14   b  may be fitted with casters (not shown). Each of the crib ends  12  and  14  are also provided with a plurality of spaced parallel members  12   c ,  14   c  joined at their upper ends to the yoke portion of the crib ends  12  and  14  and at their bottom ends to cross-pieces  13 ,  15  which are respectively joined to the lower ends of the crib ends  12  and  14 .  
         [0018]    The members  12   a ,  14   a ,  12   c ,  14   c ,  13  and  15  are preferably hollow, tubular members formed of a suitable metallic or plastic material. For example, these members may be formed of metal such as steel or aluminum or a suitable plastic material. However, the members  12   a ,  14   a ,  12   c ,  14   c ,  13  and  15  may be solid and may be formed of wood, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.  
         [0019]    A pair of stationary arms  16  and  18  have their left-hand ends fixedly secured to the right-hand side of crib end  12 . A pair of arms  20  and  22  are pivotally coupled at their left-hand ends to the right-hand ends of stationary arms  16  and  18  by suitable pivot assemblies  17  and  19 . The pivot assemblies  17 ,  19  may, for example, be pivot pins having their upper ends extending into arms  16  and  22  and their lower ends extending into arms  20  and  18 .  
         [0020]    The right-hand ends of arms  20  and  22  are pivotally coupled to the left-hand ends of arms  24  and  26 . The combination locking/pivotal connections L and L′ arranged therebetween are further provided with suitable locking members to lock the arms  22  and  26  and  20  and  24  in the unfolded position shown in FIG. 1, and further allowing the arms  20  and  24  and  22  and  26  to respectively pivot about the connections L′ and L.  
         [0021]    One such pivotal connection L is shown in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  wherein two (2) cooperating hinge halves  36  and  34  have their integral projections  36   a ,  34   a  respectively telescoped into arms  24  and  20 . Hinge halves  36  and  34  are pivotally coupled to one another by hinge pin  38 . A strap  42  has its right-hand end  42   a  integrally joined to hinge half  36  and has a snap member  42   b  arranged at its free end. A cooperating button  44  is arranged on hinge half  34 . FIG. 3A shows the arms  20  and  24  in the unfolded position. In this position, strap  42  is pressed against hinge half  34  and snap member  42   b  is snap-fitted into button  44 .  
         [0022]    In order to unfold the arms, member  42  is unsnapped from button  44  and the arms  20 ,  24  are moved to the position shown in FIG. 3B. It should be understood that any other pivotal coupling/locking assembly may be employed which provides easy folding/unfolding and locking/unlocking.  
         [0023]    The right-hand ends of arms  24  and  26  are respectively pivotally coupled to the left-hand ends of stationary arms  28  and  30  by pivot assemblies  21  and  23  which are similar in design and function to the pivot assemblies  17  and  19  described above. The right-hand ends of arms  28  and  30  are fixedly connected to the right-hand end of crib end  14 , such connections may be made mechanically by suitable fasteners or by welding, for example. Arms  16 ,  20 ,  24  and  28  comprise an upper railing and arms  18 ,  22 ,  26  and  30  comprise a lower railing for side S 2 . Arms  20 ′,  24 ′ and  28 ′ comprise an upper railing for side S 1 . The lower railing of side S 1 , which is hidden from view, is similar in design and function to the upper railing of side S 1 .  
         [0024]    On the opposite side S 1  of the crib, arm  28 ′ is similar in function and design to arm  28  but is longer in length than arm  28 . Arm  24 ′ is similar in design and function to arm  24 . Arm  20 ′ is similar in design and function to arm  20  except that arm  20 ′ is pivotally connected at its left-hand end to crib end  12  by a pivot assembly  32 . Arms  20  and  20 ′ and arms  24 ′ and  24  are equal in length.  
         [0025]    Lower arms that are substantially the same as upper arms  28 ′,  24 ′ and  20 ′ on side S 1  of crib  10  are hidden from view by mattress M but it should be understood that they function in substantially the same manner as the arms  28 ′,  24 ′ and  20 ′. It should be noted, however, that the lower hidden arm which is equivalent to arm  20 ′ is directly pivotally connected at its left-hand end to crib end  12  by a pivot assembly  33 .  
         [0026]    Arms  20 ′ and  24 ′ are hingedly connected by a combination hinge and lock assembly L″ which is similar in design and function to the locking/pivotal connection L′. Likewise, the lower arms hidden by mattress M and are similar to upper arms  20 ′ and  24 ′ and are hingedly connected by a combination hinge/lock assembly similar to assembly L.  
         [0027]    Mattress M is either provided with a rigid supporting board or is placed on a separate supporting board, preferably supported at its ends by support portions such as by clips preferably provided on inward facing sides of cross-pieces  13  and  15  and/or the vertical leg portions of the crib ends  12  and  14 , as is conventional. Mattress M preferably has supporting ribs arranged along its long sides to provide structural support there along.  
         [0028]    The sides S 1  and S 2  each have a plurality of elongated spaced parallel members  27 , typically referred to as “slats”, which are joined to the upper and lower arm assemblies in a manner similar to the spaced parallel members  12   c ,  14   c    
         [0029]    Making reference to the collapsed view of the crib  10  shown in FIG. 2, mattress M is moved from the assembled position shown in FIG. 1 to the upright position shown in FIG. 2. Arm  20 ′, in the folded position, is immediately adjacent the inner side of crib end  12 . Arm  24 ′ folds directly against arm  20 ′. Arm  20  folds against a portion of arm  24 ′. This folded arrangement is obtained as a result of the short stationary arm  16  to which arm  20  is pivotally connected, assuring side by side arrangement of the arms  20 ′,  24 ′,  20  and  24 . Also, by arranging arms  24  and  20  below arms  28  and  16 , this allows the arms to pivot freely relative to one another and be positioned in close proximity when folded. This is also true of the arms on the lower end of side S 1  and of the arms on the upper and lower ends of sides S 2 .  
         [0030]    Arm  24  rests directly against arm  20 . It should be noted that stationary arm  28 ′ is longer than stationary arm  28  to provide adequate space for arms  20 ′ and  24 . Arm  16 , which spaces the left-hand end of arm  20  at a greater distance from crib end  12  than the left-hand end of arm  20 ′ (which is pivotally connected to pivot  32 ), performs a function similar to arms  28 ,  28 ′ by providing adequate space for arms  20 ′ and  24 ′. The length of arm  28  is chosen so that mattress M fits snuggly between crib end  14 , arm  28 , arm  24  and arm  28 ′, which four (4) arms confine the side surfaces SS, front surface FS and back surface BS of the mattress M in the upright position shown in FIG. 2. Holding mattress M in the upright position with the long sides aligned vertically, further reduces the “footprint” of the crib.  
         [0031]    Although FIG. 1 shows the upper sides and lower sides of the sidewalls as being provided with locking/pivotal connections L′ and L, it should be understood that the lower end latch L may be omitted and replaced by a pivot assembly similar to pivot assemblies  19 ,  23 .  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 4A, 4B and  5  show another embodiment  10 ′ of the present invention wherein like elements as between the embodiment  10  of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the embodiment  10 ′ of FIGS. 4A-5 are designated by like numerals. For purposes of simplicity, only the differences as between the embodiments  10  and  10 ′ will now be described. Additional differences between FIG. 4A and FIGS. 4B-5 will be pointed out below.  
         [0033]    One of the principal differences of the embodiment  10 ′ is the utilization of aligned hinges employed to hingedly connect the upper and lower railings of the crib  10 ′ sidewalls S 1  and S 2 , which enables the arms, when the crib  10 ′ is unfolded and erected as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, to have their longitudinal axes co-axial with one another. For example, making reference to FIG. 4B, hinge assemblies  17 ′ and  21 ′ of the upper railing of side S 2 , as well as hinge assemblies  19 ′ and  23 ′ of the lower railing of side S 2 , are in-line hinge assemblies. It should be noted that side S 1  of crib  10 ′ includes similar hinge assemblies which will not be discussed in detail for purposes of brevity. Noting FIG. 7C, which shows hinge assembly  23 ′, in greater detail, the in-line hinge assembly  23 ′ is comprised of hinge halves  23   a ′ and  23   b ′ having mounting portions of reduced diameter, which are telescopingly received within the hollow arms  26  and  30 , respectively. These anchoring portions are secured to arms  26  and  30  by fastening members  23   c ′ and  23   d ′. A vertically aligned pin  23   e ′ pivotally connects the hinge halves  23   a ′ and  23   b ′ to one another. Member  23   a ′ is maintained stationary while portion  23   b ′ rotates about pivot pin  23   e ′ when the portable crib  10 ′ is moved between the folded and unfolded position. Members  23   a ′ and  23   b ′ have diagonally aligned engaging surfaces which meet along the diagonal line DL when the crib  10 ′ is in the unfolded position and is erected for use. A spring (not shown) may be provided between one enlarged end of pin  23   e ′ and one of the hinge halves to allow some displacement between the diagonally aligned engaging surfaces during rotation of member  23   a ′ about pivot pin  23   e ′. All of the remaining in-line hinge assemblies  19 ′,  17 ′, and  21 ′ are substantially similar in design and function to the in-line hinge assembly  23 ′ and therefore a detailed description of the remaining in-line hinge assemblies will be omitted for purposes of brevity.  
         [0034]    The in-line hinge assemblies  19 ′,  23 ′ and  17 ′,  21 ′ and offset hinge assemblies  52 ′,  52  of the upper and lower railing of side S 2 , as well as the in-line hinge assemblies and offset hinge assemblies  52 ″,  52 ′″ of the upper and lower railing of side S 1 , enable the arms of the upper and lower railing of both sides S 1  and S 2  to be aligned so that their longitudinal axes are co-axial when the crib  10 ′ is in the unfolded position shown in FIG. 4B.  
         [0035]    Each of the pairs of legs  12   b  and  14   b  is provided with annular-shaped bumpers B, one of which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 7D. The bumpers B are preferably made of rubber or rubber-like material, however, it can be appreciated by one of skill in the art that other suitable materials may be used. Each of the bumpers B is provided with radial slots  39  extending inwardly from the outer periphery thereof and terminating a spaced distance from the inner, smooth surface of the bumper B. The bumper B is provided with a through-cut C to enable each bumper to be mounted to one of the associated legs  12   b ,  14   b . Preferably each leg is provided with two (2) spaced apart bumpers B, as shown best in FIG. 5.  
         [0036]    The embodiment  10 ′, in addition to incorporating a mattress M, further includes a rigid support member  40  made of suitable board or board-like material. A rigid frame  45  is secured to the underside of support member  40  as shown best in FIG. 4A. The frame  45  has two (2) long sides  45   a  and  45   b  respectively running parallel to the crib sides S 1  and S 2 , and two short sides  45   c  and  45   d  which extend parallel to the crib ends  12  and  14 . Opposite ends of long sides  45   a  and  45   b  are joined to adjacent ends of short sides  45   c  and  45   d  to form integral curved corners such as corners  45   g.    
         [0037]    Frame  45  is further comprised of a pair of cross pieces  45   e  and  45   f  aligned parallel to the short sides  45   c  and  45   d . All of the frame members  45   a - 45   f  are secured to the underside of support member  40 . The frame members  45   a - 45   f  may be hollow, tubular metallic or plastic members or may be solid members formed of wood, plastic or the like.  
         [0038]    A pair of pivot pins  47 , such as the pivot pin  47  shown in FIG. 7A, are arranged along opposite sides (S 1  and S 2 ) of the frame  45  to pivotally mount the frame  45  and support member  40  to the crib  10 ′. More specifically, pivot pin  47  extends through an opening in lower arm  30  of side S 2  and a similar pivot pin (not shown) extends through lower arm  30 ′ of crib side S 1  (see FIG. 4B) to pivotally mount frame  45  and hence the frame members  45   a - 45   f  and support member  40  to the crib assembly  10 ′.  
         [0039]    The embodiment  10 ′is moved from the unfolded position shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, to the folded position shown in FIG. 5, preferably by lifting the frame  45  at the end where short side  45   d  is located, causing the right-hand end of the frame  45 , support member  40  and mattress M relative to FIG. 4A, to be lifted and pivot about the aforementioned pivot pins, such as pivot pin  47 . These pivot pins  47  permit the frame  45  and support member  40  to be swung to the vertical position shown in FIG. 5. Although support member  40  is fixedly secured to the frame  45  in the embodiment of FIG. 4A, mattress M is not fixedly secured to the upper surface of support member  40  and is free to be lifted out for purposes of cleaning, mounting a sheet upon the mattress, etc. To prevent the mattress from slipping downwardly from the frame  45  when it has been moved to the vertical position, cross piece  15 , provided at crib end  14 , has secured thereto a wire-like mattress supporting bracket  46 , shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B and having two vertically aligned, downwardly depending arms  46   a ,  46   b  with their upper ends being secured to cross piece  15  by any suitable fastening arrangement such as welding or the like. Arms  46   a  and  46   b  are bent inwardly forming bent portions  46   c ,  46   d  to thereby form a horizontally aligned C-shaped support frame comprised of elongated portion  46   e  integrally joined to the outer ends of horizontally aligned portions  46   f  and  46   g  along bends  46   h  and  46   i . When the frame  45  and support member  40  are moved to the vertical position shown in FIG. 7A, in which the mattress M has been omitted for purposes of clarification, the C-shaped support comprised of the wire portions  46   e ,  46   f , and  46   g , engage the lower end of the mattress M and thereby support the mattress M in the vertical position.  
         [0040]    When it is desired to move the crib from the folded position shown in FIG. 5 to the unfolded position, shown, for example, in FIG. 4A, the left-hand end of the mattress M, support member  40  and frame  45  are lowered, enabling the frame  45  and support member  40  to pivot about the pivot pins such as pin  47 . As the frame  45  and support member  40  are moved to the horizontal position, the frame  45  is supported by a pair of brackets  48  and  50  joined to cross-piece  13  forming part of the crib end  12 , as shown in FIG. 4B and extending inwardly so as to support opposite ends of the frame  45  short piece  45   d  at locations near the corners  45   g  of the frame  45 , thus supporting the frame  45 , support member  40  and mattress M in the unfolded and erected position. If desired, the pivot pins  47  may be omitted and replaced by brackets similar to brackets  48  and  50  and arranged along the cross-piece  15 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 4B, 5 and  7 C depict another alternative manner for pivotally mounting the frame  45  to the crib. A pair of triangular brackets  62 , only one being shown in FIGS. 4B, 5 and  7 C, are each secured to one of the two vertical slats  27  by fasteners  64 , only one bracket being described for simplicity. Bracket  62  has an elongated slot  62   a . A pivot pin  63  slides within slot  62   a  and is secured to frame side  45   a . The frame  45 , support member  40 , and mattress M pivot about pins  64  when the end of frame  45  opposite pivot pins  64  is lifted. Slot  62   a  provides clearance for the frame  45 , support member  40 , and mattress M, enabling these members to move between the erected and folded positions and avoid interference with the crib end  14 . In the embodiment of FIGS. 4B, 5 and  7 C, the frame  45  is a spaced distance above the bottom side rails. The cross pieces  13  and  15  at the crib ends  12  and  14  may both be provided with brackets  48  and  50  to support both ends  45   c  and  45   d  of the frame  45 . Note that the cross pieces  13  and  14  are a spaced distance above the bottom side rails, see members  15  and  30  in FIG. 7C, for example. The brackets  48 ,  50  are provided on both cross pieces  13 ,  15  serve to support substantially the full weight of the frame  45 , support member  40 , and mattress M thereby enabling use of a combination bracket  62  and pivot pin  63  of reduced strength and lighter weight.  
         [0042]    In order to provide additional structural strength to the lower railings, the offset hinge  52  shown in detail in FIG. 6A, is provided with an integral locking bracket  52   d . The offset hinge assembly  52  shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is similar to locking/pivotal connection L shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and is comprised of cooperating hinge halves  52   a  and  52   b  each having integral, reduced diameter portions for insertion into adjacent lower rail members  26 ,  22 , the reduced diameter portions (only one being shown in FIG. 6B) being secured to arms  26  and  22  by suitable fasteners through openings  54  and  56  on arms  26 ,  22 . The hinge halves  52   a  and  52   b  are secured by a hinge pin  52   c  which enables the hinge halves to pivot about hinge pin  52   c  relative to one another. A locking bracket  52   d  is integrally joined to hinge  52   b  shown in greater detail in FIG. 6B. The locking bracket  52   d  has a curved configuration which conforms to the shape of the associated frame member so that when the crib  10 ′ is moved to the unfolded and erect position and the frame  45 , and support member  40  are lowered, the long sides such as, for example, the long side  45   b  of frame  45  snaps into mating engagement with the concave surface  52   e  of the locking bracket  52   d . It should be understood that locking bracket  52   d  is provided at each of the lower railings on each of the crib sides S 1  and S 2 , providing rigidity to the crib sides S 1  and S 2  when the crib  10 ′ and mattress M are in the erected position. The locking brackets  52   d  are not relied upon to provide supporting strength to the mid-portion of the frame  45  and support member  40  but do provide a locking feature to prevent the sides S 1  and S 2  from moving either toward one another or away from another about the offset hinges  52 ,  52 ′ thereby rigidifying the sides S 1  and S 2 . It should be noted that the locking bracket  52   d  is shaped to conform to the frame member which it receives and if the frame member has a rectangular, square or other polygonal shape, the locking bracket  52   d  is designed to have a shape to conform thereto. The upper hinges  52 ′,  52 ″ may have locking members of the type shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, see member  42  having a projection which snap fits into a button  44 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6B shows the portion  52   b - 1  of hinge half  52   b  which is inserted into the hollow opening of lower rail member  26 , for example. Openings on opposite sides of the reduced diameter portion  52   b - 1 , such as opening O, receive the fastening member to secure the hinge half  52   b  to rail member  26 . The hinge half  52   a  is secured to rail member  22  in similar fashion. The hinge  52  is also shown in FIG. 4A. It should be noted that the embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 6A differ from that shown in FIGS. 4B, 5, and  7 C in that the frame  45  and the lower rails of the crib lie in a common plane.  
         [0044]    While various methods, configurations, and features of the present invention have been described above and shown in the drawings for the various embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that any combination of the above features can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is recognized by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the above described methods and embodiments of the invention without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular methods and embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications which are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and/or shown in the attached drawings.