Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
_ W097/02773 2 1 9 9 6 3 3 PCT~S95/08658
DescriPtion
TRANSITION CRIB FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a child crib specifically
structured to accommodate the various stages of child growth and
development from infant through the toddler ages.
Description of the Related Art
As a child matures from the infant stage through the toddler
stage, the specific needs of the child and level of attentive care
demanded of the parents slowly diminishes. At the earliest stages,
from birth to six months of age, an infant requires the highest
degree of care. For this reason, it is advisable that the infant
sleep in the same room with the parents to immediately alert the
parents of the need for feeding, changing of diapers, or comforting
the infant. Many parents prefer to keep their child as close and
as accessible to them as possible so that they can attend to their
baby without having to get out of bed and walk across the room.
On the other hand, it is not advisable to place an infant in bed
with adults due to the fear of a parent rolling over in their
sleeping and accidentally in~uring the baby. Further, typical beds
are not ordinarily equipped with appropriate gates or railings to
prevent an infant from rolling out of bed, which in many instances,
would result in injury. Additionally, the transition from the
parents' bed to the child's own bed can be highly stressful to the
child who has developed a sense of security from sleeping in the
parents' bed. In fact, even the transition from a crib to a child
bed can be somewhat difficult for a child. This is due to the fact
that the child becomes accustomed to a particular sleeping place
during the early infant years and slowly begins to identify that
familiar sleeping place as a type of safe haven. Therefore, it
would be most beneficial to keep the infant in a crib having the
proper protective railings, if the crib were capable of being held
in place alongside the parents' bed, were capable of eliminating
the physical barriers between the parent and the child, were
capable of eliminating height differences between crib-mattress and
WO97/02773 2 1 9 9 6 3 3 PCT~S95108658
parents' bed and were capable of converting later to a conventional
crib and later still to a conventional youth bed.
There are numerous types of cribs known in the art, most of
which are particularly designed to prevent a child from falling out
of bed. Some cribs are convertible into a youth-type bed by
providing for the removal of the side gates when the child reaches
the toddler stage. Other cribs include side gates that can be
raised and lowered, allowing access to the mattress to facilitate
removal of the infant from the crib or to replace the sheets on the
mattress. Still, other cribs have been designed as a part of a
two-bed unit, wherein the particular crib fits in combination with
a matching adult size bed of the same manufacturer.
SummarY of the Invention
The present invention is specifically designed to address the
need for a child crib which is specifically structured to
accommodate for the transition from the infant stage through the
toddler ages. The crib of the present invention includes a
headboard unit and foot board disposed at opposite ends of a
mattress support platform adjustably connected to the headboard
unit and foot board so as to extend substantially horizontally
therebetween. A crib mattress is placed on top of the mattress
support platform. Opposite side gates extend between the headboard
unit and foot board on opposite sides of the mattress and include
a fixed side gate on one side and a removable side gate on the
opposite side.
During the early infant stages, the crib of the present
invention would be placed alongside of the parents' bed with the
one side gate removed and the crib mattress adjusted to a height
even with the height of the mattress on the parents' bed. This is
achieved by raising or lowering the mattress support platform
accordingly. In order to anchor the interconnection of the crib
with the parents' bed, an apron extends from the mattress support
platform on the open side of the crib and is specifically adapted
3S for placement in sandwiched relation between the mattress and
mattress support of the parents' bed. With the apron fitted
therebetween, the weight of the parents and the mattress on their
bed will prevent the crib from being inadvertently forced away from
its position alongside the parents' bed. The apron further serves
W097l02773 ~1 9 9 6 3 3 PCT~S95/08658
to provide a sort of bridge between the crib and parents' bed,
preventing objects such as a baby bottle from falling to the floor
between the crib and parents' bed.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes the
addition of wheel assemblies comprising preferably two wheels
attached to the crib generally and more specifically to the
headboard and foot board thereof. In such capacity, the wheels of
the wheel assemblies serve to movably support the crib on any given
supporting surface. Brake means are associated with the
aforementioned wheel assemblies and more specifically at least one
wheel of each wheel assembly includes a braking element attached
thereto. The braking element is normally biased into what may be
considered a braking position defined by confronting engagement
with both the one wheel and the supporting surface on which it is
mounted. By virtue of this engagement, the crib is allowed to move
in one direction which is preferably towards the adjoining bed but
is restricted in its movement away from the adjoining bed in an
opposite direction.
A remotely disposed handle serves to activate and more
specifically position the brake means and the braking element
associated therewith into and out of a braking position. The
handle is connected to the braking element by means of an
attachment cable or like structure.
The headboard unit includes storage means therein including
a plurality of shelves and storage compartments which are
conveniently located to enable easy access from the parents' bed.
In this manner, items such as diapers, baby powder, formula, and
clothing can be easily retrieved without the need for the parent
to get out of bed.
As the child progresses through the infant stages, the
removable side can be reattached and the crib moved away from the
parents' bed, possibly into the child's own room. The child
continues to sleep on the same mattress surrounded by largely the
same visual surroundings and scents of the same crib in which he
had always been sleeping. As the child begins to grow and is able
to stand, the mattress support platform can be lowered to increase
the distance between the upper surface of the mattress and the top
railings and edges of the side gates and headboard and foot board,
respectively.
W097/02773 2 1 9 9 6 3 3 PCT~S95/0~58
Once the child has entered the toddler stage and is able to
climb into and out of bed without falling, both side gates can be
removed at which point the crib is transformed into a youth's bed.
With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the
present invention to provide a crib which is specifically
structured to accommodate for the transition from the early infant
stages through the toddler ages.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
crib which includes a removable side gate to facilitate placement
of the crib alongside a parents' bed and wherein the crib mattress
is adjustable in height so as to be positionable in co-planar
relation with the mattress on the parents' bed.
It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a crib which includes an apron or like structure extending
from the crib and adapted to be inserted between the mattress and
mattress support of the parents' bed to facilitate interconnection
of the crib with the bed.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide
a crib including storage means therein including shelves and
compartments which are conveniently located to provide access to
items stored therein from the parents' bed.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide
a crib which is specifically adapted to provide for a smooth
transition for a child from the early infant stages to the toddler
years without requiring the child to change to unfamiliar sleeping
quarters.
These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be more readily apparent in the description which
follows and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the
claims.
Brief DescriPtion of the Drawinqs
For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
Figure 1 is an exploded view, shown in perspective,
illustrating the crib of the present invention with one side gate
removed.
W097/02773 2 1 q 9 6 3 3 PCT~S95/0~58
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the crib of the present
invention, shown with both opposite side gates attached and a
mattress support platform thereof in a raised position.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the crib of the present
S invention with the mattress support platform shown in a lowered
posltion .
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the crib of the present
invention shown with one side gate removed and an apron thereof
extending from the mattress support platform.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating placement of
the crib of the present invention alongside an adjoining bed.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of one wheel of a wheel
assembly.
Figure 7 is a perspective view and partial cutaway of a wheel
assembly mounted on the crib structure.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
crib structure.
Figure 9 is a sectional view of the crib structure and
adjoining bed structure.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
The present invention is directed to a crib, generally
indicated as 10, including a headboard unit 12, with headboard 13
and storage means therein including a plurality of shelves 14 and
compartments 16. The crib 10 further includes a foot board 18
disposed in spaced, parallel relation to the headboard 13.
As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, a fixed side gate 20 is
attached to and extends between the headboard unit 12 and foot
board 18 on one side of the crib. On the opposite side, a
removable side gate 22 is removably attachable to the headboard 13
of the headboard unit 12 and foot board 18 in opposite, parallel
relation to the fixed side gate 20. Each of the side gates 20, 22
include a top railing 24 generally co-planar with a top edge 17 of
the headboard 13 and top edge 19 of the foot board 18.
A mattress support platform 30 is attachable at opposite ends
thereof between the headboard unit 12 and foot board 18 so as to
extend substantially horizontally therebetween. The mattress
21 ~9633
W097/02773 rCT~SsS/08658
support platform 30 is specifically structured and disposed to
support a crib mattress 32 thereon such that an upper surface 33
of the mattress is generally perpendicular to the headboard 13 and
foot board 18 in spaced relation below the top railings 24 of the
opposite side gates 20, 22. As seen in Figure 1, a plurality of
holes indicated to be at locations and by the numeral 34 are
provided in the headboard 13 and correspondingly in the foot board
18 to facilitate selective positioning of the mattress support
platform 30 relative to the top railings 24 and top edges 17, 19
of the headboard and footboard and in the headboard 13 and foot
board 18 to facilitate selective positioning of the mattress
support platform 30 relative to the top surface of the mattress of
a parents' bed 110. The holes 34 are specifically structured and
disposed to receive conventional fasteners such as screws
therethrough for attached engagement with the mattress support
platform 30. Accordingly, the mattress support platform is raised
and lowered so as to be properly aligned with a particular set of
the holes 34 at which point the fasteners can be inserted to secure
the platform at the desired height.
To facilitate interconnection of the crib 10 with a parents'
bed 100, as best illustrated in Figure 5, an apron 40 is provided.
The apron 40 is attached along one edge 41 to the mattress support
platform 30 and includes a flexible portion 42 and a rigid portion
44. The apron 40 is specifically structured and disposed for
insertion between the mattress 110 and box spring 112 of the
parents' bed 100 such that relative movement of the crib 10 and bed
100 is prevented. The flexible portion 42 of the apron 40 allows
for bending when the mattress support platform 30 is not co-planar
with the top of the box spring 112, as illustrated in Figure 5.
The rigid portion 44 is specifically designed to facilitate
insertion of the apron 40 between the mattress 110 and box spring
112. Once attached, the level of the mattress support platform 30
can be adjusted such that the upper surface 33 of the crib mattress
32 is co-planar with an upper surface of the mattress 110.
Another preferred embodiment is disclosed in Figures 6-9
wherein modifications to the subject crib assembly has the
additional benefit that the crib can be moved away from the
parents' bed or adjacent bed so as to make it easier to make up the
adjacent bed. However, as shown in the structure of second
-
_ W097t02773 2 1 9 9 6 3 3 rcT~sgs/086s8
preferred embodiment, the crib is restricted from movement away
from the parents' bed unless such movement is specifically
intended.
Again, with reference to Figures 6-9, the second embodiment
comprises a wheel assembly including at least one but preferably
two wheel structures indicated in Figure 7 as 50 and 52. These two
wheel structures of each wheel assembly are mounted preferably on
the inner surface of the headboard 15 and the foot board 18.
Accordingly, the foot board and headboard and therefore the crib
itself is movably mounted on any supporting surface such as a floor
or like as also best shown in Figure 7. Each of the assemblies S0
and 52 include a frame structure as at 53 rotatably mounting a
wheel member such as 54 in supporting engagement with the floor or
ground surface. Conventional connectors such as screws, bolts,
etc. may be used and are indicated as 55 to interconnect the frame
53 to the foot board and/or headboard as shown. A preferable
position for attachment is that one of the wheel assemblies such
as at 50 may be mounted adjacent to or somewhat closer to what may
be considered a leading edge 56 of the crib structure wherein the
opposite wheel 52 is located somewhat adjacent to the oppositely
disposed edge as at 57.
The wheel structure 50 is further modified by including a
braking means. This braking means is formed on each of the wheel
assemblies 50 located adjacent to what may be considered a leading
edge 56 above the headboard and foot board. This leading edge is
defined as such because it is located closest to the adjoining or
parents' bed as best shown in Figures 5 and 9. Accordingly, this
"leading" wheel assembly 50 is associated with a braking means.
The braking means includes a brake element as at 58 in the form of
a brake chock having a substantially wedge-
shaped configuration so as to be concurrently positionable into
engaging relation with the outer surface of the wheel 54 as well
as the supporting surface on which the wheel is mounted. The brake
element 58 is supported by at least one but preferably a pair of
arms 60 which are pivoted to the frame 53 along a pivot rod 62.
The brake means further includes a biasing means as at 63 in
the form of a biasing spring which is disposed and structurally
adapted to normally bias the brake chock 58 into its braking
position as shown in Figures 6 and 7. However, the brake chock or
2 1 99633
W097/02773 PCT~S95/0~58
element 58 may be moved out of its braking position such that it
does not engage the outer surface of the wheel 54 or the supporting
surface or the floor on which the wheels are disposed. This
selective positioning of the brake element 58 is accomplished by
a brake activating means including a connecting cable as at 66 and
a handle 67 mounted on the crib structure at a spaced apart
location relative to the wheel assembly 50 associated with the
brake means. By virtue of this structure, the connecting cable 66
serves to interconnect the brake handle 67 to the brake arm 60
and/or brake element 58. When manipulated, the handle 67, by
virtue of the interconnection of the cable 66, will pivot the arms
60 as well as the brake chock 58 out of its braking engagement into
a non-braking engagement. Release of the handle 67 will cause the
brake chock to assume its braking position as shown in Figures 6
and 7 due to the existence of the biasing spring 63.
Another structure of this particular embodiment which is
primarily associated with the crib assembly 10' when the wheel
assembly and brake means is mounted thereon is the existence of a
modification of the apron 40' as best shown in Figure 8. In this
embodiment, the apron 40' includes the rigid portion 44 which
protrudes underneath the mattress of the adjoining bed (see Fig.
9). However, the apron includes somewhat of an elongated flexible
portion 42 so as to allow a fold 42' to exist between the portion
of the apron lying underneath the adjoining bed's mattress and that
connected to the crib. This allows a selective positioning of the
crib assembly away from the adjoining or parents' bed when it is
desired to make up this adjoining bed. The existence of the
aforementioned braking means will prevent inadvertent movement of
the crib away from the adjoining bed unless the brake handle 67 is
actuated so as to move the brake from its braking position as shown
in Figures 6 and 7 into its non-braking position. When the braking
means is in its braking position, movement of the crib away from
the adjoining or parents' bed is prohibited or seriously
restricted. However, the movement of the crib assembly in the
opposite direction, towards the adjoining bed, will be permitted
due to the specific wedge-shape configuration of the brake chock
and its concurrent engagement with the outer surface of the wheel
and the floor or supporting surface on which it is mounted.
When removed from the bed 100, the removable side gate 22 can
21 99633
_ W097/02773 PCTtUS95tO8658
be replaced to resemble a conventional-type crib. In the infant
to earlier toddler stages, the mattress support platform 30 can be
raised, as seen in Figure 2, so that the parent can easily reach
over the top railings 24 in order to attend to the child therein.
As the child progresses into the toddler stages and is able to
stand up, the mattress support platform can be lowered to increase
the distance between the upper surface 33 of the crib mattress 32
and the top railings 24 and top edges of the headboard 13 and foot
board 18, as seen in Figure 3.
Now that the invention has been described,
