Abstract:
An infant evacuation crib is provided including a crib frame, a mattress support, and a visual identifier generating a locating signal visible to humans for locating the crib in a diminished light environment. The mattress support connects with the crib frame and is adapted to support an associated mattress relative to the crib frame. Wheels are selectively provided as desired for adapting the frame for rolling along an associated support surface. The crib may be of a wood or steel construction or of a fabric and mesh construction. The visual identifier is formed of a photoluminescent material or a highly reflective material applied to a first portion of the crib frame. The photoluminescent material glows in the dark to enable rescuers to quickly locate the crib in an emergency situation. The reflective material reflects light directed onto the crib from rescue searchlights or the like. In one aspect, the visual identifier includes printed indicia including instructions and other useful information.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to furniture for locating and evacuating people from a dangerous condition such as a fire and, more particularly, to portable infant cribs and portable evacuation cribs with a visual identifier for easily locating the cribs in low light conditions for evacuating one or more juveniles from a dangerous environment.  
         [0002]     Traditionally, cribs have been designed to contain and provide a safe sleeping environment for children. In addition, other features have been added in both full-size and non-full-size cribs including the addition of sliding drop sides, hinged drop sides, and adjustable height mattress supports. Further, some cribs have been designed for easy conversion into a youth bed for extended use. Traditionally, cribs are made of wood slat construction, steel tubular construction, or mesh and fabric supported by a frame structure construction.  
         [0003]     Although most cribs are sold for use in the home or in a residential environment to provide for a sleeping environment for children, other cribs are sold into institutional environments such as in day care centers, nursery schools, and hotels. In institutional and commercial environments, however, safety precautions necessitate the formulation of an evacuation plan to quickly identify and evacuate children from the building in the event of a fire or other disaster. In support of this, manufacturers and distributors of cribs for institutional or commercial use also provide a separate evacuation frame that can be added to selected cribs in the nursery designated as evacuation cribs. Those cribs thus outfitted with the evacuation frame are useful for evacuation of several children contained in the crib as a group. This expedites the evacuation process.  
         [0004]     However, in keeping with the need to provide for a quick evacuation of children in a disaster situation, identification of cribs in a darkened room is a critical element in that process. The identification of the cribs, particularly the evacuation cribs, in an emergency situation must be expedited.  
         [0005]     Cribs used in commercial applications such as for hotel use are typically formed of either wood, steel, or a fabric and mesh construction. More particularly, for a fabric and mesh crib the portable crib frame includes a fabric and mesh material supported by a set of substantially rigid outer frame members. Rescue workers in an emergency must be able to quickly locate and identify these cribs as well. However, they are typically at a disadvantage because it is difficult for hotels to maintain an accurate list of crib usage at any given time. The workers must therefore search for those cribs using specialized spotlights and the like.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for providing on cribs and other furniture a means for generating a locating signal such as a visual identifier or other signal or beacon for drawing attention of rescuers to the furniture for purposes of evacuation or locating children. In addition, by being easily located and identified, the evacuation cribs allow rescue workers to quickly locate children and carry them away from the threatened area. The visual identifiers may contain intelligible information as well for instructing rescuers during an emergency.  
         [0007]     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0229940 describes stationary bunk beds having ornamental glow-in-the-dark members. The bunk beds, however, are not practical for purposes of evacuation since they are not portable. In addition, the glow-in-the-dark components of the stationary bunk beds are for purposes of entertainment and, with regard to younger children, to allow their bedroom to glow for several minutes after a light is turned off, thereby giving them a sense of pleasure and free them from fear. Therefore, the bunk beds taught there have no practical application in the case of an emergency evacuation.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In accordance with the present application, portable infant cribs and portable evacuation cribs are provided having a visual identifier means for enabling searchers or rescuers to locate the cribs in low light conditions. The evacuation crib includes a crib frame and a mattress support connected with the crib frame. The mattress support is adapted to support an associated mattress relative to the crib frame. Wheels may be provided on the crib frame as desired for adapting the frame to be rolled along an associate support surface. The portable mesh and fabric cribs such as those used for commercial applications including hotel use provide a frame and structure to provide a safe sleeping environment and may include wheels as desired. Those cribs may also be formed of a fabric and mesh construction supported by a set of substantially rigid plastic or steel outer frame members. A visual identifier is disposed on a one of the crib frame and the mattress support, but preferably on an outside surface of the crib frame inaccessible to children within the crib, but visible to rescuers. The visual identifier is adapted to generate a locating signal visible to humans for locating the crib in a diminished light environment. Accordingly, the present application provides a portable infant crib and a portable evacuation crib with a visual identifier for enabling safety personnel to quickly locate the crib in the dark such as during fires or other catastrophes. The visual identifier may also be fashioned to communicate information, such as evacuation instructions, to the recess.  
         [0009]     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the visual identifier provided on the portable infant crib and on the evacuation crib is a photoluminescent material, a reflective material, or a battery powered indicator applied to the crib such as on the crib frame or on fabric or other portions of the crib.  
         [0010]     In accordance with another aspect, the visual identifier includes a panel carried on the crib frame with a photoluminescent or reflective material applied to the panel.  
         [0011]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the application, the photoluminescent material is either a visibly phosphorescent material or a visibly fluorescent material. In visibly phosphorescent materials, luminescent radiation continues after termination of the exciting radiation. In visibly fluorescent materials, the luminescent radiation ceases as soon as the exciting radiation is removed. Preferably, the photoluminescent material is visibly phosphorescent after exposure to exciting radiation in the visible range. Thus, the visual identifier glows in the dark in the event of a diminished light environment or total darkness such as during a fire, catastrophe, or other emergency. The visual identifier is thus used as a visual identifier means for locating the crib in low light conditions.  
         [0012]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the reflective material applied onto the portable cribs is highly reflective for providing a visual identifier of the crib. Because of the high reflectivity of the material, the reflected light is highly visible and is easily generated when light is directed at the crib from a light source such as a flashlight, searchlight, or the like. In many commercial applications such as in hotel use, the searchers are not favored with information regarding the location of the infants or cribs and thus must search for them in typically low light conditions. Accordingly, the reflective material provides a means for locating the cribs in low light conditions for emergency evacuation of the children from the crib or of the children contained within the crib together, as desired.  
         [0013]     In accordance with yet a further aspect of the application, the visual identifier is provided in association with a child crib in an area non-accessible to the child. Since children are known to chew or mouth surfaces and to pull on or put items that are in their environment into their mouths, the visual identifier is placed on a surface that is not accessible to the occupants of the crib.  
         [0014]     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the visual identifier is protected from access by a child by covered by another part of the crib such as a clear teething rail cover, placed in a recess or stapled, screwed, or covered at the ends to prevent access to the corners for picking. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a portable infant evacuation crib having a wooden frame construction;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional drawing taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 3A and 3   b  show a visual identifier formed in accordance with a further preferred embodiment;  
         [0018]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show a visual identifier formed in accordance with a further preferred embodiment;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  show a visual identifier formed in accordance with a further,preferred embodiment;  
         [0020]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show a visual identifier formed in accordance with further preferred embodiment;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  shows a visual identifier formed in accordance with a further preferred embodiment;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  show a visual identifier formed in accordance with a still further preferred embodiment;  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of a portable infant evacuation crib having a fabric and mesh construction;  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the fabric and mesh crib of  FIG. 9  illustrating an alternative preferred visual identifier construction; and,  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the portable fabric and mesh evacuation crib of  FIG. 9  shown an alternative preferred visual identifier construction. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an infant evacuation crib  10  formed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the application is illustrated. As shown there, the crib  10  includes a crib frame  12  provided with wheels  14  operatively connected with the crib frame for adapting the crib to be rolled along an associated support surface. A mattress support  16  is provided for supporting an associated mattress  18  relative to the crib frame  12 . Also as shown, a visual identifier  20  is affixed to the crib frame  12  in a conspicuous area such as under the “teething rail” of the crib. The visual identifier is adapted to generate a locating signal visible to humans for locating the crib  10  in a diminished light environment such as in the event of a fire or the like. In a first preferred embodiment, the visual identifier  20  is an adhesive label or paper strip  22  carrying a photoluminescent ink thereon. Preferably, the visual identifier  20  is provided on the crib frame  12  under the rail as illustrated and at one or more other locations as desired which are easily visible by non-occupants of the crib and out of reach of juveniles within the crib.  
         [0027]     The preferred form of evacuation furniture in accordance with this application is an infant crib  10  as shown in the figure. To that end, the crib includes a pair of opposing side assemblies, namely, a first side assembly  30  and a second side assembly  32 , connected to a pair of opposing end assemblies  34 ,  36  to form the overall crib frame  12 . A mattress support platform  16  is provided between the first and second side assemblies  30 ,  32  and the first and second end assemblies  34 ,  36 .  
         [0028]     As shown, the first side assembly  30  includes an upper rail  40  and a lower rail  42  connected by a plurality of slats  44 . The first side assembly  30  is slidably carried between the first and second end assemblies  34 ,  36  using grooves or slides  
         [0029]     In accordance with techniques well known in the art. Preferably, however, the first side assembly  30  forms a drop side of the crib so that babies can be easily placed into and removed from the crib  10 .  
         [0030]     The second side assembly  32  is preferably not movable relative to the first and second end assemblies  34 ,  36 . The second side assembly  32  includes an upper rail  50  and a lower rail  52  connected by a plurality of vertical slats  54 .  
         [0031]     Each of the opposing end assemblies  34 ,  36  are bounded on each side by corner posts and an upper headboard portion. More particularly, the first end assembly  34  includes first and second vertical corner posts  60 ,  62  and a horizontal headboard portion  64 . Similarly, the second end assembly  36  includes first and second vertical corner posts  70 ,  72  and a horizontal headboard portion  74 . Further, in its preferred form, the infant crib  10  includes clear end panels  66 ,  76  carried in the first and second end assemblies  34 ,  36 , respectively. The end panels  66 ,  76  are preferably formed of a non-distorting acrylic and are provided to promote interaction while maximizing child safety. Alternatively, the end panels  66 ,  76  can be formed of a mirrored material, solid plastics, or the like as desired.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows the preferred embodiment of a visual identifier  20  used in the crib  10  of the present application. With references now to that figure, the visual identifier  20  is integrated into the teething rail portion of the infant crib  10 . More particularly, the upper rail  40  of the first side assembly  30  carries a “C” shaped plastic strip  82  on an upper end thereof. Preferably, the strip  82  is clear and forms a pair of hook portions  84  on opposite ends thereof. The hook portions  84  engage a corresponding set of recesses  86  formed on the front and back surfaces of the upper rail  40  forming the teething rail  80 . Preferably, the teething rail  80  extends the entire width of the upper rail  40  of the first side assembly  30 . In the embodiment illustrated, the visual identifier  20  includes a photoluminescent strip  90  held between the clear plastic strip  82  of the teething rail  80  and the upper portion of the upper rail  40 . Although this embodiment has been described in connection with the upper rail  40  of the first side assembly  30 , it is to be appreciated that the photoluminescent strip  90  and clear strip  82  can be applied elsewhere on the crib frame  12  as desired such as, for example, on the upper rail  50  of the second side assembly  32 .  
         [0033]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show a further embodiment of the subject infant evacuation crib  10  wherein the visual identifier  20  is formed as an adhesive photoluminescent label  100  affixed to the upper portion of the clear plastic end panel  76  of the second end assembly  36 . As illustrated, the photoluminescent strip  100  extends the entire width of the end panel  76  from the first corner post  70  to the second corner post  72 . Also, as illustrated, the photoluminescent strip  100  is preferably immediate adjacent the headboard portion  74  and is placed on the outside of the crib so it can be easily noticed by rescuers and is out of the immediate reach of the child contained within the crib. Further, the strip  100  may be made to extend horizontally into the grooves formed in the corner posts  70 ,  72  and vertically into the groove formed by headboard portion  74 , as desired. In that way, the majority of strip edges are protected against picking or the like.  
         [0034]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show a further alternative embodiment of an infant evacuation crib  10  including a visual identifier  20  located in a recess  110  formed in the outer side of the upper rail  40  of the first side assembly  30 . In its preferred form, the visual identifier  20  of this embodiment is a rectangular photoluminescent label  112 . It is to be appreciated that the photoluminescent label  112  can be provided in any size, shape or configuration and may carry markings such as evacuation instructions or the like as desired.  
         [0035]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate yet a further embodiment of the subject infant evacuation crib wherein the visual identifier  20  is disposed in a recess  120  formed on the outer surface of one or both of the headboards  64 ,  74 . In the embodiment illustrated, the visual identifier  20  is preferably an adhesive-backed label  122  applied to the recess area  120  of the headboard. Preferably, the photoluminescent label  122  is positioned on the outside surface of the headboards  64 ,  74  so that it can be easily observed by rescuers and out of direct contact by children occupying the crib  10 .  
         [0036]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show a further embodiment of the subject infant evacuation crib wherein the visual identifier  20  is disposed in a recess  130  formed in the outer surface of one or both of the headboards  64 ,  74 . Preferably, the visual identifier  20  is an adhesive-backed label carrying a photoluminescent material so that it glows in the dark to help guide rescuers to the subject crib. In the embodiment illustrated, the recess  130  has smooth tapered ends  134  which are created using alternative manufacturing methods for forming the recess  130 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 7  shows a further embodiment of the subject infant evacuation crib wherein the visual identifier  20  is held in place on the outer surface of the upper rail  40  of the first side assembly  30  using an attachment means  140  substantially as illustrated. As shown, the visual identifier  20  includes a photoluminescent label  142  held in place at its outside edges by the attachment means  140  which, as shown, preferably includes a set of fasteners  144  such as screws, nails, or the like extending through a rectangular cap member  146 . One advantage of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  is that the attachment means  140  effectively isolates the edges and corners of the photoluminescent label  142  so that they cannot be picked at or otherwise disturbed by infants occupying the crib. Preferably, the cap members  146  are formed of a rigid plastic material.  
         [0038]     Yet a still further embodiment of the subject infant evacuation crib is illustrated in  FIGS. 8   a  - 8   c  wherein a visual identifier  20  is provided in the form of an elongate photoluminescent label  150  which is fastened to the extreme edges of the upper rail  40  of the first side assembly  30  using a suitable fastener  152 . As shown, the label  150  extends across the front face  41  of the upper rail  40  but is held in place at the edges  43  thereof by the fastener  152 . One advantage of this embodiment is that the edges of the visual identifier are not accessible by infants occupying the crib.  
         [0039]     A further preferred embodiment of a portable infant crib in accordance with the present application is shown in.  FIG. 9  in the form of a fabric and mesh construction crib  10 ′. As shown there, the crib  10 ′ includes fabric and mesh materials  11  carried on a set of substantially rigid outer frame members  12 ′. More particularly, in the embodiment illustrated, the fabric and mesh materials  11  include a set of vertically disposed substantially rectangular mesh panel  160  suspended relative to the frame  12 ′ by a plurality of rectangular panel portions  162 , the panel portions  162  and mesh portions  160  being formed typically of a nylon or other similar material. A plurality of legs  164  extend downwardly from the set of outer frame members  12 ′ for elevating a mattress support portion  166  relative to the associated floor surface. Cribs  10 ′ of the type shown in  FIGS. 9-11  are typically used in commercial applications such as hotels or the like.  
         [0040]     Of particular significance in connection with the crib  10 ′ shown in  FIG. 9  is a set of visual identifiers  20 ′ sewn into the lower panel portions  170  as illustrated. The visual identifiers  20 ′ can be located anywhere on any of the panel portions  162  as desired and their placement and/or location is not limited to the manner shown in  FIG. 9 . More particularly, the visual identifiers  20 ′ can be located on the upper panel portion  172  as well as on the lower panel portion  170 . A further visual identifier  20 ′ is provided on a lower end panel portion  174  to illustrate that the location of the visual identifier  20 ′ can take on any form as desired.  
         [0041]     In its preferred form, the visual identifier includes a highly reflective material comprised of retroreflective lenses and/or microprisms bonded to a substrate or other backing material such as a transfer film, fabric, or pressure-sensitive adhesive. One such suitable material is commercially available from 3M called “Scotchlite”™. However, any materials can be used that have good reflective properties.  
         [0042]     It is to be appreciated that the visual identifier  20 ′ enables searchers and rescuers to easily locate the crib  10 ′ when a flashlight or other searchlight is cast into the general vicinity of the crib. This is useful for locating cribs in low light conditions such as in hotels during a fire, blackout, or other form of emergency.  
         [0043]     With reference next to  FIG. 10 , a fabric and mesh construction crib  10 ′ is illustrated as having a plurality of visual identifiers  20 ′ provided in the form of a reflective paint material  180  applied directly to one or more panel portions  162  of the crib  10 ′. As shown, the reflective paint material  180  is applied to the lower panel portion  170  and the end panel portion  174  in a manner and at general locations as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . However, it is to be appreciated that the reflective paint material  180  can be applied to the upper panel portion  172  or on any other surface of the fabric and mesh crib  10 ′ as desired.  
         [0044]     Turning next to  FIG. 11 , a fabric and mesh crib  10 ′ is illustrated having the general form and construction of the cribs discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 9 and 10 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , however, the visual identifier  20 ′ is provided in the form of a reflective trim material  182  and stitched, bonded, or otherwise connected at the interface between the panel portions  162  and the mesh panels  160 . Essentially, in the embodiment illustrated, the reflective trim is highly reflective for enabling searchers or rescuers to easily locate and identify the subject crib  10 ′ in a low light environment such as during a fire, blackout condition, or other emergency. It is to be appreciated that although the reflective trim  182  is illustrated surrounding one of the mesh panels  160 , the trim  182  can be provided anywhere on the crib  10 ′ as desired.  
         [0045]     The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.