Abstract:
A collapsible baby bed includes a fabric cover which covers a collapsible tubular frame. The frame may include a plurality of links which are coupled by a resilient cord such that when in use, the bed may take a conventional crib or playpen shape and when the links are decoupled, the bed may be folded into a collapsed shape for storage or transport.

Description:
This is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 09/169,412 filed Oct. 9, 1998 U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,466. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates generally to baby beds including devices which act as cribs, playpens or playards and the like. 
     Traveling with babies is often very difficult because a large amount of equipment is necessary to provide for the baby. While it is known to provide devices which may be collapsed for easier transport, many of these devices are still relatively difficult to store in a relatively small space. In addition, many of these devices are heavy, making it difficult to carry all the necessary items for supporting the baby. 
     For example, while collapsible playpens or playards are known, they generally include a relatively heavy frame connected by hinges. The frame may be collapsed with some effort, and it is still necessary to transport the relatively heavy device from place to place. For a mother traveling with a baby, this may mean that not only must the mother transport the baby, the baby&#39;s clothing and food, but the heavy bed must be moved as well. 
     Thus, there is a continuing need for a baby bed which may be readily transported from place to place, which may be easily set up at a new location, and which adequately protects the young child. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a collapsible baby bed includes a collapsible frame including at least two resiliently coupled links that may be selectively rigidly coupled to one another. A fabric cover is adapted to cover the frame. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame utilized in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line  3 — 3  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the frame shown in FIG. 2 in its collapsed state; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mattress shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mattress shown in FIG. 5 in a folded configuration; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the baby bed as shown in FIG. 1 in a stowed condition; and 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line  8 — 8  in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters are used for like parts throughout the several views, a baby bed  10 , shown in FIG. 1, acts as a sleeping bed for a baby and as a playpen or playard when the baby is not sleeping. It includes a fabric cover  12  and a mattress  14  situated on the fabric cover  12 . The fabric cover  12  includes, in the illustrated embodiment, four sides  16 . The fabric cover  12  also includes flaps  18  which encircle a frame  20 , shown in FIG.  2 . 
     The frame  20  includes a plurality of links  26  connected by couplings  24  or  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the frame  20  includes four legs  28  formed by links  26  which connect with a rectangularly shaped portion  29  formed of links  26 . Each of the links  26 , coupled by a coupling  24  or  30 , is of such a size that when the frame is collapsed, as shown in FIG. 4, the frame may take a relatively compact configuration. 
     The couplings  24  may be in-line couplings while the couplings  30  are used at the corners to connect three links  26  at right angles to one another. A foot  32  may be included at the bottom of each leg  28 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, each of the links  26  is connected by a coupling  24  or  30  as illustrated. The links  26  may be hollow tubes and the couplings  24  and  30  may likewise be hollow such that the links  26  telescope within the couplings  24  or  30 , as illustrated in FIG.  3 . In the illustrated embodiment, two adjacent links  26  abut at a joint  36  within a tubular coupling  24  or  30 . Each link  26  may include a coupling  24  or  30  which is fixedly connected to one end of the link. The other end of each link may be removably telescoped within the interior of the coupling  24  or  30 . Thus, the connection between adjacent links may be undone for storing the bed  10 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4A, a tubular rubber boot  56  may be provided to cover the ends when the couplings are disconnected. This helps to prevent fingers from getting caught in the joint. 
     An elastic cord  38  extends through the interiors of all of the links  26  so that they are resiliently coupled to one another. When the frame is in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the cord  38  is under tension, rigidly connecting all the links together to take the shape shown in FIG.  2 . When the frame  20  is collapsed, as shown in FIG. 4, the cord  38  may no longer be in tension, and the frame  20  is no longer rigidly configured. In this configuration, the frame  20  may be folded and stored in a convenient fashion. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the mattress  14  may be formed of fabric enclosing a padding material. The side  50 , opposite the side  52  (FIG.  5 ), may include a pair of catches  46  which mate with a pair of catches  48  on an end of the side  50  as shown in FIG.  6 . In this way, the mattress  52  may be rolled up, as illustrated in FIG. 7, and the mattress ends may be connected to one another. In other words, the frame  20  may be folded up inside the cover  12 , situated within the mattress  14 , and the whole assembly may be connected together in a shape comparable to that of a sleeping bag. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, each of the flaps  18  of the cover  12  may fold over to be secured by buttons  54  or Velcro, as examples, to the inside surface of each side  16 . Thus, if it is desired to wash the cover  12 , the buttons  54  can be unattached, the frame  20  may be removed and the cover  12  may be washed. The cover  12  may have an open box shape with flaps  18  arranged to fold over each side  16 . The box shaped cover  12  may include a bottom  22  which supports the mattress  14 . 
     When it is desired to store the bed  10 , one end of each link  26  is detached from a coupling  24  or  30 , allowing the frame  20  to transition from the rigid shape shown in FIG. 2 to the foldable configuration shown in FIG.  4 . While still contained within the cover  12 , the frame may be folded in with the rest of the cover  12  as shown in FIG.  7 . The cover may then be situated atop the mattress  14 , in the configuration shown in FIG.  5  and tied in a bundle using the catches  46  and  48 , as illustrated in FIG.  7 . 
     When ready for use, the steps described above may be reversed, so that the bed may be quickly assembled. Namely, by inserting an end of each link back into a coupling  24  or  30 , aided by the internal cord  38 , the frame  20  may be quickly and easily reassembled. 
     While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.