AU2021102141A4 - Cot with a moveable base - Google Patents

Abstract

A cot has a moveable base. The base is supported by electrically controlled linear actuators operated by a foot pedal. The arrangement allows the base of the cot to be raised and lowered simply by activating an appropriate pedal. 1/3 12 14 10 14 31 44 Fig. 1

Description

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12 14

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

Invention title:

"COT WITH A MOVEABLE BASE"

Applicant:

VIFORJ, JUBILEE

Associated provisional applications:

Australian provisional patent application number 2020903856

The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

"COT WITH A MOVEABLE BASE"

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a cot or crib for an infant.

Background to the Invention

[0002] The placing of a child in a cot (or crib) frequently requires a carer to bend over a raised side wall of the cot. Depending on the depth of the cot and the weight of the child this can create significant strain on the carer, particularly to the carer's back.

[0003] It is known to provide cots having a base which is moveable between two fixed positions, a raised position (or 'bassinet' position) arranged for an infant too small to stand or climb, and a lowered position (or'toddler' position) arranged for an older child. Although this partially ameliorates the strain for a carer of young children, it does not assist with larger children, in relation to whom the strain is much greater.

[0004] The moving of the base between its fixed positions generally requires disassembly of the cot.

[0005] In an attempt to address this problem, it is known to provide 'drop side' cots where a side wall can be lowered to allow access to a cot mattress. Such drop sides can be difficult to operate while holding a sleeping child. Additionally, a drop side mechanism can present entrapment dangers.

[0006] The present invention has been created in light of these concerns.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a cot having a base and four walls, the base being supported by at least two spaced supports, the supports each including a linear actuator, whereby the base can be raised or lowered by operation of the linear actuators.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment each support includes at least one fixed member associated with a frame of the cot and at least one moveable member associated with the base of the cot, the fixed member and the moveable member being arranged in a telescopic relationship.

[0009] It is preferred that each support includes two fixed members and two moveable members, one fixed member and associated moveable member being arranged on either side of a respective linear actuator.

[0010] The linear actuators may be coupled together to ensure that they operate in tandem. In a preferred embodiment, the linear actuators are electrically operated, and are electrically coupled together.

[0011] The linear actuators may usefully be operated by pedals.

[0012] Ina preferred embodiment, the linear actuator includes a body portion arranged to be fixed to a moveable member, and a piston arranged to engage with the frame of the cot or with a surface on which the cot is placed.

[0013] The cot may include at least one supporting member which extends between the spaced supports. The supporting member is preferably arranged to bear the weight of the cot base. In a preferred embodiment the cot has two transversely spaced supporting members.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 is an upper perspective of a cot in accordance with the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the cot of Figure 1;

[0017] Figure 3a is a cross section from an end of the cot of Figure 1; shown with its base in a lowest position;

[0018] Figure 3b is a cross section from a side of the cot of Figure 1; shown in the position of Figure 3a;

[0019] Figure 4a is a cross section from an end of the cot of Figure 1; shown with its base in a bassinet position;

[0020] Figure 4b is a cross section from a side of the cot of Figure 1; shown in the position of Figure 4a;

[0021] Figure 5a is a cross section from an end of the cot of Figure 1; shown with its base in a highest position; and

[0022] Figure 5b is a cross section from a side of the cot of Figure 1; shown in the position of Figure 5a.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0023] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a cot 10 which is generally rectangular in shape, having two relatively short end walls 12 and two relatively long side walls 14. The cot includes a mattress 16 which is positioned atop a generally rectangular base 18.

[0024] As seen in Figure 2, the base 18 is supported by two transversely spaced supporting members 20 which extend from one end of the base 18 to an opposed end ofthe base 18.

[0025] The spaced supporting members 20 are supported at each end by a respective support 22.

[0026] Each support 22 includes a fixed portion 24 and a moveable portion 26.

[0027] The fixed portion 24 comprises two fixed members 28. Each fixed member 28 is formed from hollow square tubing, and extends upwardly from the ground on which the cot 10 is sitting. The fixed portion 24 includes two cross members 30 which act to maintain the fixed members 28 in spaced relationship, and in vertical orientation. The cross members 30 also allow for the fixed portion 24 to be rigidly connected to a frame 31 of the cot 10.

[0028] The moveable portion 26 comprises two moveable members 32. Each moveable member 32 is formed from square tubing having a cross sectional dimension slightly less than that of the fixed members 28. The arrangement is such that the moveable members 32 are arranged to slide within the fixed members 28, thus providing a telescoping arrangement.

[0029] The moveable members 32 are connected at an upper end thereof by a transverse bracing member 34. The transverse bracing member 34 is arranged to bolt to both the base 18 of the cot 10 and the supporting members 20. The transverse bracing member 34 maintains the moveable members in spaced relationship.

[0030] Each support 22 includes a linear actuator 36. The linear actuator 36 has a body portion 38 which is fixed in between the moveable members 32 of the moveable portion 26, and a retractable piston 40 which extends downwardly from the body portion 38. The piston 40 has an outer end 42 which is arranged to engage with the ground on which the cot 10 is sitting.

[0031] The linear actuators 36 of the preferred embodiment are electrically operable, and are controlled by a foot pedal 44.

[0032] A lowered position of the cot 10 is shown in Figures 3a and 3b. In this position, the moveable members 32 are nearly entirely within the fixed members 28. The piston 40 is nearly completely retracted within the body portion 38. As such, the distance from the ground to the supporting members is only slightly greater than the height of the fixed members 28. The base

18 of the cot 10 is supported by the supporting members 20 and the transverse bracing members 34, and is rigidly held in this lowest position.

[0033] If desired by a user, the base 18 of the cot 10 may be raised to the 'bassinet' position shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b). This is effected by operation of the foot pedal 44. The foot pedal 44 provides an electrical signal to the linear actuators 36, which causes their respective pistons 40 to extend from the respective body portions 38.

[0034] The action of the outer ends 42 against the ground results in a vertical force applied via the body portions 38 to the moveable portions 26. This causes the moveable members 32 to begin to extend out of their aligned fixed members 28. This in turn raises the transverse bracing members 34 and thus the supporting members 20 and the cot base 18.

[0035] When the base 18 is in its desired position, the raising of the base 18 may be stopped by the user raising their foot from the pedal 44. Alternatively, the bassinet position may be electrically set, and the cot 10 may employ sensing means (not shown) to determine when this position is reached.

[0036] Using a similar process, the base 18 of the cot 10 may be further raised to a highest position shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b). It is envisaged that this position is one in which a child can be easily laid upon the mattress 16.

[0037] It will be appreciated that the operation of another foot pedal 44 can lower the base 18 from its highest position to either the bassinet position or the lowest position, depending on the age and size of the child.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, foot pedal(s) 44 may be replaced or duplicated by wireless controls, for instance by a smartphone app or similar.

[0039] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. A cot having a base and four walls, the base being supported by at least two spaced supports, the supports each including a linear actuator, whereby the base can be raised or lowered by operation of the linear actuators.
2. 2. A cot as claimed in claim 1, wherein each support includes at least one fixed member associated with a frame of the cot and at least one moveable member associated with the base of the cot, the fixed member and the moveable member being arranged in a telescopic relationship.
3. 3. A cot as claimed in claim 2, wherein each support includes two fixed members and two moveable members, one fixed member and associated moveable member being arranged on either side of a respective linear actuator.
4. 4. A cot as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the linear actuators are coupled together to ensure that they operate in tandem.
5. 5. A cot as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the linear actuators are electrically operated.
6. 6. A cot as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the linear actuators are operated by pedals.
7. 7. A cot as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each linear actuator includes a body portion arranged to be fixed to a moveable member, and a piston arranged to engage with the frame of the cot or with a surface on which the cot is placed.
8. 8. A cot as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cot includes at least one supporting member which extends between the spaced supports.
9. 9. A cot as claimed in claim 8, wherein the supporting member is arranged to bear the weight of the cot base.
10. 10. A cot as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the cot has two transversely spaced supporting members.

    VIFORJ, JUBILEE By his Patent Attorneys ARMOUR IP

    P2368AU01