Patent ID: 8572775

Claim:
A crib comprising: at least one wall that bounds an interior space operative to support a mattress therein, wherein the at least one wall includes: a stationary portion; a drop gate, wherein the drop gate includes opposed side ends; at least one hinge, wherein the at least one hinge includes a first hinge portion mounted to an end of the stationary portion, wherein the at least one hinge includes a second hinge portion mounted to an end of the drop gate, wherein the first and second hinge portions of the at least one hinge are in operative pivoting connection with each other to enable the drop gate to pivot relative to the stationary portion between an upper closed position and a lower open position; at least two vertical members respectively positioned adjacent opposed side ends of the drop gate when the drop gate is in the closed position; at least one latch device in operative connection with at least one of: one of the side ends of the drop gate or one of the at least two vertical members; at least one striker plate in operative connection with at least one of: one of the side ends of the drop gate or one of the at least two vertical members; wherein the at least one latch device is operative to engage with the at least one striker plate to maintain the drop gate in the closed position; wherein the at least one latch device is operative to disengage from the at least one striker plate and enable the drop gate to pivot to the open position; wherein when the drop gate is in the closed position and is maintained in place by the at least one latch device: the at least one wall includes a vertical space that extends between all portions of the ends of the stationary portion and the drop gate; and in the vertical space all surfaces of the first hinge portion are vertically spaced apart from all surfaces of the second hinge portion.