Abstract:
A crib includes a headboard; footboard; a first stationary side rail connected between the headboard and footboard and including upper and lower rails; a second side rail connected between the headboard and footboard; pivot lock hardware including a first engagement member at ends of the upper rail member and a second engagement member at respective corner posts, each second engagement member pivotally engaged with a first engagement member to permit pivotal movement of the first stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard and to lock the stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard; and swivel lock hardware including a third engagement member at ends of the lower rail member and a fourth engagement member at respective corner posts, each fourth engagement member being pivotally engaged with a respective third engagement member to lock the stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to infant cribs, and more particularly, is directed to a structure for safely assembling a stationary side rail without tools in a secure and foolproof manner. 
     Generally, in cribs, one or both side rails are fixed or stationary. In some cribs, one side rail, called a drop 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. At a recent industry convention, it was proposed to make both side rails permanent and eliminate the drop side nature of one side rail entirely. 
     Generally, each stationary side rail is secured to the corner posts of the headboard or sideboard in any suitable manner, such as screws or the like. This, however, becomes burdensome for the consumer to assemble the stationary side rail. Alternatively, the stationary rail can be secured to the corner posts of the headboard and footboard 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. 
     In addition, in conventional structures, in order to disassemble the crib for storage, screws must be removed and can get lost. Also, the federal standard requires that the screws need to be machine screws, and not wood screws. However, machine screws tend to loosen over time as the child shakes the crib and jumps in the crib. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a safe, secure and foolproof way of assembling the stationary side rails, without the use of any tools. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a structure for assembling a stationary side rail of a crib that overcomes the aforementioned problems. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a structure for assembling a stationary side rail without tools. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a structure for assembling a stationary side rail that utilizes a pivoting action of the side rail during assembly. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a structure for assembling a stationary side rail that prevents inadvertent disassembly thereof. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a crib includes a headboard having a pair of spaced apart corner posts; a footboard having a pair of spaced apart corner posts; a first stationary side rail connected between a first one of the corner posts of the headboard and a first one of the corner posts of the footboard, the first stationary side rail including an upper rail section and a lower rail section; and a second side rail connected between a second one of the corner posts of the headboard and a second one of the corner posts of the footboard. Locking hardware is provided for securing one or both of the upper rail member and lower rail member to the first corner posts of the headboard and footboard. The locking hardware includes a first engagement member at each end of either a respective rail member, or respective corner posts. The locking hardware also includes a second engagement member at the other of each end of either the respective rail member, or the respective corner posts. Each second engagement member is pivotally engaged with a respective first engagement member to releasably lock the stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard. 
     In one embodiment, the locking hardware includes pivot lock hardware which permits pivotal movement of the first stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard and which releasably locks the stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard when the stationary rail, headboard and footboard are all in a vertical orientation. 
     Preferably, the first engagement member includes a plate having a keyed guide, and the second engagement member includes a male key head assembly which engages with the keyed guide. Specifically, the keyed guide includes a keyed female opening in the plate, and the male key head assembly engages within the keyed female opening. 
     The keyed female opening includes a central opening in the plate and at least one wing opening in the plate in communication with the central opening. The male key head assembly includes a main body member for rotatably engaging within the central opening and at least one wing member connected with the main body member for engaging within the wing opening to a position behind the plate to permit the pivotal movement of the first stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard and to releasably lock the stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard when the stationary rail, headboard and footboard are all in a vertical orientation. The second engagement member also includes a securing member for securing the main body and the at least one wing member to each end of a respective rail member, and the plate is secured to the respective corner posts in covering relation to a bore in the respective corner posts. 
     Preferably, there are two diametrically opposite wing openings and two diametrically opposite wing members. Also, the at least one wing opening and the at least one wing member are oriented at different angles relative to each other when the stationary rail, headboard and footboard are all in a vertical orientation. 
     In a second embodiment, the locking hardware includes swivel lock hardware. In such case, the first engagement member includes a plate having an arcuate guide, and the second engagement member includes a male key head assembly pivotally mounted relative to the other of each end of either the respective rail member, or the respective corner posts. The male key head assembly includes a pivotal engagement member which engages in a first initial position with the arcuate guide when the first and second engagement members are initially engaged, and which engages in a second locking position with the arcuate guide when the male key head assembly is pivotally moved relative to the other of each end of either the respective rail member, or the respective corner posts, to releasably lock the stationary side rail to the headboard and footboard. 
     Specifically, the arcuate guide includes a female plate having an arcuate slot with an enlarged opening at one portion thereof corresponding to the first initial position, and the pivotal engagement member includes a swivel plate pivotally mounted to the other of each end of either the respective rail member, or the respective corner posts. A pin with an enlarged head that fits within the arcuate slot is secured to the swivel plate and extends behind the female plate. 
     The female plate also includes a pivot opening adjacent the enlarged opening, and the pivotal engagement member includes a pivot pin that extends through the pivot opening and about which the pivotal engagement member is pivoted relative to the other of each end of either the respective rail member, or the respective corner posts. The female plate also includes a locking opening, and the pivotal engagement member includes a spring biased button for releasably engaging within the locking opening in the second locking position. Further, there is a finger grasp member connected with the swivel plate to enable the pivoting movement of the swivel plate. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a crib includes a headboard having a pair of spaced apart corner posts; a footboard having a pair of spaced apart corner posts; a first stationary side rail connected between a first one of the corner posts of the headboard and a first one of the corner posts of the footboard, the first stationary side rail including an upper rail section and a lower rail section; and a second side rail connected between a second one of the corner posts of the headboard and a second one of the corner posts of the footboard. Pivot lock hardware is provided for securing the upper rail member or lower rail member to the first corner posts of the headboard and footboard. The pivot locking hardware includes a first engagement member at either each end of either a respective rail member, or respective corner posts, and a second engagement member at the other of either each end of either the respective rail member, or the respective corner posts. Each second engagement member is pivotally engaged with a respective first engagement member to permit pivotal movement of the first stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard and to releasably lock the stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard when the stationary rail, headboard and footboard are all in a vertical orientation. Swivel lock hardware is also provided for securing the other of either the upper rail member and lower rail member to the first corner posts of the headboard and footboard. The swivel lock hardware includes a third engagement member at one of either each end of either a respective rail member, or respective corner posts, and a fourth engagement member at the other of either each end of either the respective rail member, or the respective corner posts. Each fourth engagement member is pivotally engaged with a respective third engagement member to releasably lock the stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard. 
     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 two stationary side rails; 
         FIG. 2  is a left side elevational view of the crib of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the crib of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the crib of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the crib of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded, rear perspective view of the key head assembly of the keyed pivot lock assembling hardware; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded, front perspective view of the key head assembly of the keyed pivot lock assembling hardware; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view, showing the first step of assembly of the key head assembly with the female plate of the keyed pivot lock assembling hardware; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view, showing the second step of assembly of the key head assembly with the female plate of the keyed pivot lock assembling hardware; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view, showing the third and final step of assembly of the key head assembly with the female plate of the keyed pivot lock assembling hardware in a locked condition; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view, showing the first step of assembly of the swivel lock bottom assembling hardware; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view, showing the second step of assembly of the swivel lock bottom assembling hardware; 
         FIG. 13  is a front perspective view, showing the third step of assembly of the swivel lock bottom assembling hardware in a locked condition; 
         FIG. 14  is a rear perspective view, showing the third step of assembly of the swivel lock bottom assembling hardware in a locked condition; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the headboard, with the female elements of the assembling hardware shown in an exploded state; 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged perspective view of the upper end of the inner face of one corner post of the headboard, with the female element of the key head assembly shown in an exploded state; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged perspective view of the upper end of the inner face of the other corner post of the headboard, with the female element of the key head assembly shown in an exploded state; 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged perspective view of the lower end of the inner face of the one corner post of the headboard, with the female element of the swivel lock bottom assembling hardware shown in an exploded state; 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged perspective view of the lower end of the inner face of the other corner post of the headboard, with the female element of the swivel lock bottom assembling hardware shown in an exploded state; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the headboard, with the female elements of the assembling hardware shown assembled therewith; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of one stationary side rail, with the male elements of the assembling hardware shown in an exploded state; 
         FIG. 22  is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the upper rail of the stationary side rail, with the male element of the key head assembly shown in an exploded state; 
         FIG. 23  is an enlarged perspective view of the other end of the upper rail of the stationary side rail, with the male element of the key head assembly shown in an exploded state; 
         FIG. 24  is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the lower rail of the stationary side rail, with the male element of the swivel lock bottom assembling hardware shown in an exploded state; 
         FIG. 25  is an enlarged perspective view of the other end of the lower rail of the stationary side rail, with the male element of the swivel lock bottom assembling hardware shown in an exploded state; 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view showing a first step of connecting one stationary side rail to the upper ends of respective corner posts of the headboard and footboard, prior to engagement of the male and female elements of the key head assembly; 
         FIG. 27  is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the upper rail and the respective upper end of the corner post of the headboard of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is an enlarged perspective view of the other end of the upper rail and the respective upper end of the corner post of the footboard  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view showing a second step of connecting the one stationary side rail to the upper ends of respective corner posts of the headboard and footboard, including engagement of the male and female elements of the key head assembly while the stationary side rail is in a tilted position; 
         FIG. 30  is an enlarged, partially broken away, perspective view of the one end of the upper rail and the respective upper end of the corner post of the headboard of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 31  is an enlarged, partially broken away, perspective view of the other end of the upper rail and the respective upper end of the corner post of the footboard  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view showing a third step of connecting the one stationary side rail to the lower ends of respective corner posts of the headboard and footboard, in which the stationary side rail is pivoted about the key head assembly to a vertical orientation and with the swivel lock bottom assembling hardware connected in an unlocked state; 
         FIG. 33  is an enlarged perspective view of the other end of the upper rail and the respective upper end of the corner post of the footboard of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 34  is an enlarged, partially broken away, perspective view of one end of the lower rail and the respective lower end of the corner post of the headboard  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 35  is an enlarged perspective view of the other end of the lower rail and the respective lower end of the corner post of the footboard  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view showing a fourth step of connecting the one stationary side rail to the lower ends of respective corner posts of the headboard and footboard, in which the swivel lock bottom assembling hardware is in a locked state; 
         FIG. 37  is an enlarged perspective view of the one end of the lower rail and the respective lower end of the corner post of the headboard  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 38  is an enlarged perspective view of the other end of the lower rail and the respective lower end of the corner post of the footboard  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 39  is a perspective view of the crib of  FIG. 36  in a fifth step of assembly, showing the spring deck for supporting a mattress, assembled therewith; 
         FIG. 40  is an enlarged perspective view showing a first corner of the spring deck being secured to a corner post of the footboard; 
         FIG. 41  is an enlarged perspective view showing a second corner of the spring deck being secured to the other corner post of the footboard; 
         FIG. 42  is an enlarged perspective view showing a first corner of the spring deck being secured to a corner post of the headboard; 
         FIG. 43  is an enlarged perspective view showing a second corner of the spring deck being secured to the other corner post of the headboard; and 
         FIG. 44  is a perspective view showing a sixth step of connecting the other stationary side rail to the upper ends of respective corner posts of the headboard and footboard, including engagement of the male and female elements of the key head assembly while the stationary side rail is in a tilted position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. Headboard  12  and footboard  14  are connected together by stationary side rails  16  and  18 , and a spring deck  20  is mounted within the area enclosed by headboard  12 , footboard  14  and stationary side rails  16  and  18  for supporting a mattress (not shown) thereon. 
     Headboard  12  is formed by two parallel, spaced apart posts  22  and  24  which form corner posts for crib  10 . Posts  22  and  24  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, footboard  14  is formed by two parallel, spaced apart posts  32  and  34  which form corner posts for crib  10 . Posts  32  and  34  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 . 
     Stationary rail  16  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 , while stationary rail  18  includes an upper rail member  48  and a substantially parallel, spaced apart lower rail member  50  connected together by plurality of equidistantly spaced apart vertical slats or rods  52 . 
     The securement of stationary side rails  16  and  18  to headboard  12  and footboard  14  will now be discussed. 
     Specifically, keyed pivot lock hardware  60  is provided for connecting upper rail members  42  and  48  to headboard  12  and footboard  14 , while swivel lock hardware  62  is provided for connecting lower rail members  44  and  50  to headboard  12  and footboard  14 . 
     As shown best in  FIGS. 6-10 ,  15 - 17  and  20 - 23 , pivot lock hardware  60  includes female plates  64  which fit snugly within recesses  66  of the same shape and dimensions in the upper inner face of each corner post  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34 . Although female plates  64  and recesses  66  are shown to have an elongated shape with rounded ends, the present invention is not limited thereby, and any suitable shape can be provided. Each recess  66  includes a central bore  68  and two smaller holes  70  on opposite sides of central bore  68 . Each female plate  64  includes two openings  72  in alignment with holes  70  when the female plate  64  is positioned in recess  66  for receiving screws  74  that secure female plate  64  in the respective recess  66 , as shown best in  FIGS. 20 and 28 . Each female plate  64  further includes a keyed female opening comprised of a central opening  76  in alignment with central bore  68  and two diametrically opposite wing openings  78  in communication with central opening  76 , as best shown in  FIG. 8 . The outer diameter of an imaginary circle circumscribing the outer ends of wing openings  78  corresponds to the diameter of central bore  68 . When a female plate  64  is secured in a recess  66 , the exposed face of female plate  64  seats flush with the inner face of the respective corner post  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34 , as shown best in  FIG. 28 . Further, when so secured in a recess  66 , wing openings  78  extend at an angle of about 45 degrees from vertical, the purpose for which will be understood from the description which follows. However, the present invention is not limited to this angular orientation, and wing openings  78  can extend along any angle other than zero degrees horizontal. 
     As shown best in  FIGS. 6-10 ,  15  and  18 - 20 , pivot lock hardware  60  further includes a male key head assembly  80  formed by an L-shaped plate  82  having a first vertically oriented leg plate  84  and a second horizontally oriented leg plate  86  connected at a right angle with leg plate  84 . A horizontally oriented slot  88  is formed at a lower portion of vertically oriented leg plate  84  and includes an enlarged opening portion  90  at the center thereof. In addition, vertically oriented leg plate  84  includes an opening  92  near the free end thereof and horizontally oriented leg plate  86  includes an opening  94  near the free end thereof to secure each L-shaped plate  82  to the end of a respective upper rail member  42 ,  48  by screws  96 , as shown in  FIGS. 21-23 . In this position, horizontally oriented leg plate  86  is positioned against the undersurface of a respective upper rail member  42 ,  48  and vertically oriented leg plate  84  is positioned against an end face of the respective upper rail member  42 ,  48 . The end face and undersurface of the respective upper rail member  42 ,  48  is preferably provided with small openings  98  for receiving screws  96 . 
     Male key head assembly  80  further includes a male key  100  formed by a hollow cylindrical member  102  having diametrically opposite projections  104  at one axial end that fit within horizontally oriented slot  88  in surrounding relation to enlarged opening portion  90 . A rivet  106  has a stem  108  and an enlarged head  110  at one end, with stem  108  being force fit through cylindrical member  102  and enlarged opening portion  90  to fixedly secure male key  100  to L-shaped plate  82 . Male key  100  further includes two diametrically opposite wings  112  at the opposite end of cylindrical member  102 , and which correspond in shape and dimensions to wing openings  78 . Wings  78  do not extend the entire axial distance along cylindrical member  102 , thereby being spaced by a gap  114  from the opposite end of cylindrical member  102  by a distance equal at least to the thickness of a female plate  64 . 
     With this arrangement, male key  100  can be connected with a female plate  64 . Specifically, hollow cylindrical member  102  and wings  112  are respectively fit within a central bore  76  and wing openings  78  of a respective female plate  64 , until wings  112  extend behind the female plate  64  into the respective central bore  68 , as shown in  FIGS. 26-28 . In this position, it will be appreciated that the stationary side rail  16 ,  18  is caused to be oriented outwardly at the same 45 degree angle as wing openings  78 . 
     However, because wings  112  extend behind the female plate  64  into the respective central bore  68 , male key  100 , and stationary side rail  16  or  18  therewith, are permitted to rotate, with female plate  64  fitting within gap  114 . When stationary side rail  16  or  18  is rotated down to a vertical orientation, wings  112  are no longer aligned with wing openings  78 , so that wings  112  are positioned behind female plate  64 , thereby locking the respective stationary side rail  16 ,  18  to headboard  12  and footboard  14 . 
     This is because wings  112  are oriented at zero degrees horizontal relative to the vertical direction of stationary rails  16 ,  18 . The present invention, however, is not limited to this angular arrangement. For example, wing openings  78  can be oriented at zero degrees horizontal and wings  112  at 45 degrees. Alternatively, both wing openings  78  and wings  112  can be oriented at an angle relative to horizontal. The only limitation is that both wing openings  78  and wings  112  are not oriented at the same angle when stationary rail  16  is in the same vertical assembled orientation as headboard  12  and footboard  14 . 
     As a further alternative, it will be appreciate that, in plate of the keyed opening formed by central opening  76  and wing openings  78 , guides can be provided on plate  64  for guiding wings  112  in the same manner. 
     To detach the respective stationary side rail  16 ,  18  to headboard  12  and footboard  14 , the reverse operation is performed, and the respective stationary side rail  16 ,  18  is rotated up to the same 45 degree angle where wings  112  are again in alignment with wing openings  78  and can be removed. 
     As shown best in  FIGS. 11-15 ,  18 - 21 ,  24  and  25 , swivel lock hardware  62  includes female plates  120  which fit snugly within recesses  122  of the same shape and dimensions in the lower inner face of each corner post  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34 . Although female plates  120  and recesses  122  are shown to have an elongated shape with rounded ends, the present invention is not limited thereby, and any other suitable shape can be used. Each recess  122  includes a central bore  124  and two smaller holes  126  on opposite sides of central bore  124 . Each female plate  120  includes two openings  128  in alignment with holes  126  when the female plate  120  is positioned in recess  122  for receiving screws  130  that secure female plate  120  in the respective recess  122 , as shown best in  FIGS. 18-20 . Each female plate  120  further includes an arcuate slot  132  in alignment with central bore  124 , with the upper end of arcuate slot  132  having an enlarged opening  134 , the purpose for which will become apparent from the description which follows. Female plate  120  further includes a pivot opening  136  adjacent the upper end of enlarged opening  134 , and a lower lock opening  138 . When a female plate  120  is secured in a recess  122 , the exposed face of female plate  120  seats flush with the inner face of the respective corner post  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34 . 
     As shown best in  FIGS. 11-14 ,  21 ,  24  and  25 , swivel lock hardware  62  further includes a male key head assembly  140  formed by an L-shaped plate  142  having a first vertically oriented leg plate  144  and a second horizontally oriented leg plate  146  connected at a right angle with leg plate  144 . A pivot pin  150  is press fit in and extends outwardly from an opening  148  formed at a lower portion of vertically oriented leg plate  144 . In addition, vertically oriented leg plate  144  includes an opening  152  near the free end thereof and horizontally oriented leg plate  146  includes an opening  154  near the free end thereof to secure each L-shaped plate  142  to the end of a respective lower rail member  44 ,  50  by screws  156 , as shown in  FIGS. 21 ,  24  and  25 . In this position, horizontally oriented leg plate  146  is positioned against the undersurface of a respective lower rail member  44 ,  50  and vertically oriented leg plate  144  is positioned against an end face of the respective lower rail member  44 ,  50 . The end face and undersurface of the respective lower rail member  44 ,  50  is preferably provided with small openings  158  for receiving screws  156 . 
     Male key head assembly  140  further includes a male swivel key  160  formed by an elongated swivel plate  162  having an opening  164  at one end which is rotatably mounted on pivot pin  150 . The length of swivel plate  162  is greater than that of female plate  120 . A pivot guide  166  is fixed to swivel plate  162  adjacent opening  164  and is formed by a stem  168  fixed to swivel plate  162  and extending outwardly therefrom, and an enlarged head  170  fixed to the free end of stem  168 . Male swivel key  160  further includes a finger grip  172  at the opposite end thereof by which a person can rotate swivel plate  162  about pivot pin  150 . 
     Male swivel key  160  also includes a bent spring  174  which is fixed by a rivet  176  to the rear surface of swivel plate  162  at the end opposite to opening  164  and extends in a direction toward opening  164 . The free end of bent spring  174  includes a button  178  that extends through an opening  180  in swivel plate  162 . 
     In operation, when stationary side rails  16 ,  18  are pivoted down to the vertical position, as previously described, and as shown in  FIGS. 29-31 , the pivot pin  150  on each side of the respective lower rail member  44 ,  50  is inserted on each side in the pivot opening  136  of the respective female plate  120 . At the same time, stem  168  and enlarged head  170  are inserted through enlarged opening  134  at the upper end of arcuate slot  132 . In this position, each swivel plate  162  is oriented horizontally, as shown in  FIGS. 32 ,  34  and  35 . A person then grasps each finger grip  172  and rotates swivel plate  162  downwardly into alignment with female plate  120 , as shown in  FIGS. 36-38 . When button  178  hits against the side edge of the respective corner post, it is biased inwardly against the force of bent spring  174 , until swivel plate  162  reaches the position where button  178  is in alignment with lower lock opening  138 . In this position, button  178  is no longer restrained, and bent spring  174  biases button  178  into lower lock opening  138  to releasably lock the lower end of the respective stationary side rail  16 ,  18  to headboard  12  and footboard  14 . 
     To detach the lower end of the respective stationary side rail  16 ,  18  from headboard  12  and footboard  14 , the reverse operation is performed. In such case, a person merely pulls the respective stationary side rail  16 ,  18  outwardly at the lower end. The pulling force results in button  178  riding out of lower lock opening  138  to allow this operation to occur. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 39-43 , after one stationary side rail  16 ,  18  is secured to headboard  12  and footboard  14 , spring deck  20  is secured to the partially assembled crib  10 . Spring deck  20  includes a rectangular frame formed by two parallel side bars  182  and two parallel end bars  184 , with a mattress support arrangement  186  provided within the interior of the rectangular frame. Four connecting bars  188  are provided, one at end corner of spring deck  20 . One end of each connecting bar  188  is pivotally connected by a rivet  190  to an end of a respective side bar  182 , while the opposite end of each connecting bar  188  is pivotally connected to an inner face of a respective corner post  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34  by bolts  192 . 
     Thereafter, the other stationary side rail  16 ,  18  on the opposite side of crib  10  is assembled in the same manner, as shown in  FIG. 44 . Alternatively, a drop side rail can be assembled with headboard  12  and footboard  14 . 
     It will therefore be appreciated that the present invention provides a safe, secure and foolproof way of assembling the stationary side rails  16 ,  18 , without the use of any tools. 
     It will be appreciated that, while the present invention has been discussed with respect to keyed pivot lock hardware  60  at the upper end of the stationary side rail  16 ,  18  and swivel lock hardware  62  at the lower end of the stationary side rail  16 ,  18 , the present invention is not so limited. 
     For example, keyed pivot lock hardware  60  can be provided at the lower end of the stationary side rail  16 ,  18  and swivel lock hardware  62  at the upper end of the stationary side rail  16 ,  18 . 
     As a further alternative, keyed pivot lock hardware  60  can be provided at the upper end of the stationary side rail  16 ,  18 , and the lower end can be secured in a conventional manner by screws. As a further alternative, swivel lock hardware  62  can be provided at the upper end of the stationary side rail  16 ,  18 , and the lower end can be secured in a conventional manner by screws. As a still further alternative, swivel lock hardware  62  can be provided at the upper and lower ends of the stationary side rail  16 ,  18 . 
     Still further, it will be appreciated that the parts of the present invention can be reversed. For example, female plates  64  can be provided on stationary side rails  16 ,  18 , and male key head assemblies  80  can be provided on corner posts  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34 . In like manner, female plates  120  can be provided on stationary side rails  16 ,  18 , and male key head assemblies  140  can be provided on corner posts  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34 . 
     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.