Patent Description:
Twin cribs provided with a collapsible wall in which the newborns sleep inside the same crib are known in the state of the art. In the known twin cribs, the divider is a totally removable wall, arranged parallel to the collapsible wall.

Document <CIT> describes a crib adapted to accommodate more children. The crib comprises front panels arranged so as to form an angle of less than <NUM>° and sliding entirely, vertically and independently of each other. The crib comprises a casing made of soft material at the upper portion of the front panels. The crib comprises a first and a second sleeping area, separated by a divider, removably connectable to an upright and a central support panel.

In twin cribs of the known technique, only one of the newborns can be placed near the collapsible wall next to the parents' bed, since the divider is arranged parallel to the collapsible wall and therefore parallel to the bed. This means that parents must periodically switch the position of the twins, so that both babies spend the same time near the parents' bed. In addition, parents are not facilitated in checking on the baby farther from the bed. All this is uncomfortable for newborns, as well as for parents.

The crib of the known technique, since it has an angle of less than <NUM>°, and in particular equal to <NUM>°, can be positioned at an angle of a bed. In this way, one of the babies is placed at the foot of the bed, while another at the side and must be periodically exchanged, so that both spend the same time next to the parents. In addition, the fixed upright between the two panels could be dangerous when the panels are in the lowered position as a parent could bump into it, for example to bring children into the sleeping areas.

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to provide a twin crib which obviates the drawbacks in the prior art as described above.

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to realize a divider that allows to improve the comfort of newborns and that is more practical to use as well as safe.

The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a twin crib comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the accompanying claims.

The present invention makes it possible to provide a twin crib in which the divider is at least partially fixed along a direction orthogonal to the collapsible wall and the parents' bed.

Advantageously, this twin crib solves the technical problem since it allows to keep both babies in the twin crib always close to the parents' bed.

Still advantageously, the divider is at least partially fixed to the crib itself so as to ensure greater stability of the same during use of the crib.

Always advantageously, the twin crib does not have protrusions, potentially dangerous.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following indicative, and hence non-limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a twin crib as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:.

The present invention relates to a twin crib <NUM> configured to be placed adjacent to a bed, facilitating contact between the parents and the two babies.

As shown in <FIG>, the twin crib <NUM> comprises an upper frame <NUM> and a lower frame <NUM>. The upper frame <NUM> comprises a first fixed portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> movable with respect to the first portion <NUM>. The lower frame <NUM> is connected to the upper frame <NUM> and is configured to support two mats <NUM>. Each mat <NUM> is adapted to support a child. In a preferred embodiment, the lower frame <NUM> is substantially square in shape. Always preferably, the upper frame <NUM> and the lower frame <NUM> comprise rod-shaped elements.

The twin crib <NUM> further comprises a casing <NUM>, made of flexible material, fixable to the upper frame <NUM>. The casing <NUM> has a bottom <NUM>, an open opposite ceiling <NUM>, at least one fixed rear wall <NUM> and an opposite openable front wall <NUM>. The openable front wall <NUM> is configured to be positioned adjacent to the bed. Said openable front wall <NUM> comprises a fixed portion <NUM>, supported by the lower frame <NUM>, and a movable portion <NUM>, connected to the second portion <NUM> of the upper frame <NUM>.

It is worth noting that the twin crib <NUM> comprises a divider <NUM> arranged between the two mats <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the divider <NUM> has hooking means <NUM> at a lower edge <NUM>, a rear edge <NUM> and an opposite front edge <NUM>. Note that said hooking means <NUM> are configured to fixedly or removably constrain respectively the lower edge <NUM> to the bottom <NUM>, the rear edge <NUM> to the fixed rear wall <NUM> and the front edge <NUM> to the fixed portion <NUM> of the openable front wall <NUM>. Note that by removable hooking means <NUM> is meant that the hooking means <NUM> is configured to repeatedly and reversibly hook and unhook the lower edge <NUM> to the bottom <NUM>, the rear edge <NUM> to the fixed rear wall <NUM> and the front edge <NUM> to the fixed portion <NUM>.

It should therefore be noted that the divider <NUM> is positioned orthogonally both with respect to the fixed rear wall <NUM> and with respect to the openable front wall <NUM>. It is worth noting that, advantageously, both babies, when placed on the respective mat <NUM>, are close to the bed to which the crib <NUM> is next to. In addition, both the mats <NUM> on which the children are placed are immediately accessible by the parents from the bed thanks to the side access window provided by the movable portion <NUM> when it is open. Preferably, the divider <NUM> is rectangular in shape.

In a first embodiment, the hooking means <NUM> are fixed. In said embodiment, the lower edge <NUM>, the rear edge <NUM> and the front edge <NUM> are fixed, preferably by a seam, respectively to the bottom <NUM>, to the fixed rear wall <NUM> and to the fixed portion <NUM>.

In a second embodiment, the hooking means <NUM> are at least partly removable.

Preferably, the hooking means <NUM> on the lower edge <NUM>, the rear edge <NUM> and the front edge <NUM> are removable.

Preferably, the hooking means <NUM> on the rear edge <NUM> are fixed and the hooking means <NUM> on the front edge <NUM> and on the lower edge <NUM> are removable.

In a preferred embodiment, the lower edge <NUM> is fixed to the bottom <NUM>, the rear edge <NUM> is fixed to the fixed rear wall <NUM> and the front edge <NUM> hookable through hooking means <NUM> to the fixed portion <NUM> of the openable front wall <NUM>.

Note that the hooking means <NUM> comprise first hooking elements <NUM> constrained to the front edge <NUM> of the divider <NUM> and second hooking elements <NUM> constrained to the fixed portion <NUM> of the openable front wall <NUM>. Further, the first and second hooking elements <NUM>, <NUM> are hookable together to constrain the divider <NUM> to the fixed portion <NUM>. Preferably, the hooking means <NUM> comprise first hooking elements <NUM> constrained to the lower edge <NUM> of the divider <NUM> and second hooking elements <NUM> constrained to the bottom <NUM>. Preferably, the hooking means <NUM> comprise first hooking elements <NUM> constrained to the rear edge <NUM> of the divider <NUM> and second hooking elements <NUM> constrained to the fixed rear wall <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the hooking means <NUM> comprises a zipper, as shown in <FIG>. In detail, in the preferred embodiment, the first and second hooking elements <NUM>, <NUM> are respectively a first and a second row of teeth of a zipper. Preferably, the first and second rows of teeth are fixed with a seam respectively on the front edge <NUM> and/or on the rear edge <NUM> and/or on the lower edge <NUM> and on the fixed portion <NUM> and/or on the fixed rear wall <NUM> and/or on the bottom <NUM>.

In further embodiments, not shown in the figures, the hooking means <NUM> comprise, for example, at least one button and a respective buttonhole, at least one snap button, magnetic elements or a pair of Velcro strips.

Note that the divider <NUM> comprises a textile insert <NUM>. Preferably, the textile insert <NUM> is made of flexible material. Even more preferably, the textile insert <NUM> is made of the same flexible material as the casing <NUM>.

In greater detail, the textile insert <NUM> comprises the lower and rear edges <NUM>, <NUM> and is fixed by seams respectively to the bottom <NUM> and to the fixed rear wall <NUM>, at said lower and rear edges <NUM>, <NUM>. Furthermore, the textile insert <NUM> comprises the front edge <NUM> hookable via the hooking means <NUM> to the fixed portion <NUM>. It is worth noting that the textile insert <NUM> comprises a free edge <NUM>, opposite the lower edge <NUM> and facing the ceiling <NUM>.

Note that, in a preferred embodiment, the divider <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM> on which the textile insert <NUM> is mounted. Preferably, the frame <NUM> comprises rod-like elements.

In greater detail, the textile insert <NUM> projects from the bottom <NUM> and comprises a base portion <NUM> interposed between the two mats <NUM> and an overlying separation portion <NUM> projecting with respect to the mats <NUM>, as shown for example in <FIG>. The separation portion <NUM> extends continuously from the base portion <NUM> and is configured to keep the newborns separated.

The fixed portion <NUM> has an extension from the bottom <NUM> up to the movable portion <NUM>. In addition, the mats <NUM> have a thickness <NUM> extending from the bottom <NUM> towards the ceiling <NUM>. In greater detail, in one embodiment, the thickness <NUM> of each mat <NUM> is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> centimetres, preferably equal to <NUM> centimetres. Always preferably, the extension of the fixed portion <NUM> is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> centimetres, even more preferably the extension of the fixed portion <NUM> is equal to <NUM> centimetres.

In a preferred embodiment, the base portion <NUM> extends from the bottom <NUM> towards the ceiling <NUM> with a height equal to the thickness <NUM> of the mats <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>. The base portion <NUM> comprises the lower edge <NUM> and is fixed to the bottom <NUM> by stitching at the same lower edge <NUM>.

In a first embodiment, shown in <FIG>, the divider <NUM> extends from the bottom <NUM> towards the ceiling <NUM> with a height equal to the extension of the fixed portion <NUM>. In said first embodiment, the divider <NUM> can be fixed with the hooking means <NUM> to the fixed portion <NUM> along the entire front edge <NUM>.

In one embodiment, shown in <FIG>, the divider <NUM> extends from the bottom <NUM> towards the ceiling <NUM> with a height greater than the extension of the fixed portion <NUM>. In said embodiment, the divider <NUM> can be fixed by means of hooking means <NUM> only for a portion of the front edge <NUM> equal at most to the extension of the fixed portion <NUM>. In addition, a remaining portion of the front edge <NUM> is free and not hookable to the openable front wall <NUM>. As for the rear edge <NUM>, it is preferably sewn along its entire vertical extension from the bottom <NUM> toward the ceiling <NUM>.

In a further embodiment, not shown in the figure, the divider <NUM> extends from the bottom <NUM> towards the ceiling <NUM> with a height less than the extension of the fixed portion <NUM>. In said embodiment, the divider <NUM> can be fixed with the hooking means <NUM> to said fixed portion <NUM> along the entire front edge <NUM>.

Note that the separation portion <NUM> comprises a mesh <NUM>. Preferably, the mesh <NUM> is rectangular in shape. Preferably, the mesh <NUM> has connecting perimeter sides <NUM>, fixed to the flexible material of the separation portion <NUM> surrounding the mesh <NUM>.

The crib <NUM> also comprises two opposite fixed side walls <NUM>, <NUM> which define, together with the fixed rear wall <NUM> and the openable front wall <NUM>, an internal compartment <NUM>. The divider <NUM> divides the internal compartment <NUM> into two zones <NUM>, <NUM> within the internal compartment <NUM> surrounded by the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Preferably, the zones <NUM>, <NUM> have the same volume.

Note that the mesh <NUM> is configured to separate the two zones <NUM>, <NUM> within the internal compartment <NUM>, yet permitting mutual vision and communication between the newborns. Advantageously, the mesh <NUM> promotes contact between the twins, each positioned on a respective mat <NUM> in a respective zone <NUM>, <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in a first embodiment, the casing <NUM> comprises at least one window <NUM> at the fixed rear wall <NUM>, configured to make the internal compartment <NUM> visible. Preferably, the window <NUM> is made of mesh fabric. In a second embodiment, the casing comprises at least two further windows <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. Each further window <NUM> is positioned respectively at one of the opposite fixed perimeter walls <NUM>, <NUM>. Preferably, each further window <NUM> is made of mesh fabric. Each further window <NUM> is configured to make the internal compartment <NUM> visible.

The movable portion <NUM> is configured to switch between a closing configuration in which the internal compartment is accessible only from the ceiling <NUM> and an opening configuration in which the movable portion <NUM> is open and makes the internal compartment <NUM> accessible also laterally through the openable front wall <NUM>.

Note that the first portion <NUM> of the upper frame <NUM> comprises a first and a second fixed end <NUM>, <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the upper frame <NUM> comprises a first and a second movable end <NUM>, <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in a preferred embodiment, the crib comprises a pair of vertical rails <NUM>, <NUM>, positioned at the first portion <NUM> of the upper frame <NUM>, respectively at the first and second fixed ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The pair of rails <NUM>, <NUM> extends between the upper frame <NUM> and the lower frame <NUM>. Each rail <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a closing end 31a, at the upper frame <NUM>, and an opening end 31b, at the lower frame <NUM>.

The crib <NUM> further comprises a pair of sliders <NUM>, <NUM>, positioned respectively at the second portion <NUM> of the upper frame <NUM>, respectively at the first and second movable ends <NUM>, <NUM>. Each slider <NUM>, <NUM> is associated with a respective rail <NUM>, <NUM>. The pair of sliders <NUM>, <NUM> extends at the movable portion <NUM>. Each slider <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a first end <NUM>, at the upper frame <NUM>, and a second end <NUM>, at the fixed portion <NUM>, when the movable portion <NUM> is in the closing configuration.

Each slider <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to slide along the respective rail <NUM>, <NUM>. In detail, when the movable portion <NUM> is in the closing configuration, the first end <NUM> of each slider <NUM>, <NUM> is positioned at the closing end 31a of the respective rail <NUM>, <NUM>. When the movable portion <NUM> is in the opening configuration, the second end <NUM> of each slider <NUM>, <NUM> is positioned at the opening end 31b of the respective rail <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the preferred embodiment in which the crib <NUM> comprises the pair of rails <NUM>, <NUM> and the relative sliders <NUM>, <NUM>, the divider <NUM> comprises hooking means <NUM> removable at least at the front edge <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment, known in the state of the art, the openable front wall <NUM> is an overturning collapsible wall, not shown in the figures. Preferably, the lower frame <NUM> comprises a rod-like support element, more preferably tubular, extending inside the fixed portion <NUM> of the openable front wall <NUM> so as to form a support structure for the textile insert <NUM>. In detail, the rod-like support element has two vertical rod-like support elements, and a rod-like connecting element between the two rod-like support elements, preferably horizontal and therefore parallel to the bottom <NUM>.

In said alternative embodiment of the crib <NUM>, in a first embodiment, the divider <NUM> comprises hooking means <NUM> fixed at the front edge <NUM>.

In said alternative embodiment of the crib <NUM>, in a second embodiment, the divider <NUM> comprises hooking means <NUM> removable at least at the front edge <NUM>.

In the preferred embodiment, the casing <NUM> comprises a first textile element <NUM> removable and fittable on the first portion <NUM> of the upper frame <NUM> and on the lower frame <NUM>, and a second textile element <NUM> fixed at the openable front wall <NUM>. Note that the divider <NUM> is secured along the lower and rear edges <NUM>, <NUM> by seams to the first textile member <NUM>.

Advantageously, once the mats <NUM> are removed, the hooking means <NUM>, hooked to the fixed portion <NUM> during use of the crib <NUM>, are released and the first textile element <NUM> is removed together with the textile insert <NUM>.

Preferably, as shown in <FIG>, the second textile element <NUM> comprises at least one window <NUM>. Preferably, the window <NUM> is made of mesh. Advantageously, the window <NUM> on the openable front wall <NUM> allows to see inside the volume <NUM> even when the movable portion <NUM> is in the closing configuration.

The crib <NUM> comprises side uprights <NUM> adjustable in height, preferably telescopic, and connected to the lower frame <NUM> by means of connection joints <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Advantageously, the crib <NUM> can be adjusted in height so as to be able to be flanked by beds with different heights, and in particular to bring the mats <NUM> at the same height as the parents' bed.

Claim 1:
Twin crib (<NUM>) comprising:
- an upper frame (<NUM>) comprising a first fixed portion (<NUM>) and a second portion (<NUM>) movable with respect to the first portion (<NUM>),
- a lower frame (<NUM>) connected to the upper frame (<NUM>) and configured to support two mats (<NUM>), wherein each mat (<NUM>) is adapted to support a child,
- a casing (<NUM>) made of flexible material and fixable to the upper frame (<NUM>), the casing (<NUM>) having a bottom (<NUM>) and an open opposite ceiling (<NUM>) and at least one fixed rear wall (<NUM>) and an opposite openable front wall (<NUM>),
- a divider (<NUM>) arranged between the two mats (<NUM>), the divider (<NUM>) having hooking means (<NUM>) at a lower edge (<NUM>), a rear edge (<NUM>) and an opposite front edge (<NUM>),
characterized in that
- the openable front wall (<NUM>) comprises a fixed portion (<NUM>) supported by the lower frame (<NUM>) and a movable portion (<NUM>) connected to the second portion (<NUM>),
- the hooking means (<NUM>) are configured to respectively constrain the lower edge (<NUM>) to the bottom (<NUM>), the rear edge (<NUM>) to the fixed rear wall (<NUM>) and the front edge (<NUM>) to the fixed portion (<NUM>) of the openable front wall (<NUM>).