CN113905638A

CN113905638A - Side-sleeping crib and associated frame

Info

Publication number: CN113905638A
Application number: CN202080040988.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: L·佩德雷蒂; B·范·阿斯克
Original assignee: Artsana SpA
Current assignee: Artsana SpA
Priority date: 2019-06-03
Filing date: 2020-05-29
Publication date: 2022-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-29
Also published as: EP3975798A1; WO2020245713A1; US20230225520A1; PL3975798T3; PT3975798T; IT201900007896A1; CN113905638B; ES2962978T3; EP3975798B1

Abstract

The crib (100) comprises at least one guide (7) on both sides of a movable bar (6), the movable bar (6) being intended to allow the walls (113) of said crib (100) to fall. The slider (62) of the movable rod (6) is adapted to slide along the guide (7), and the return system (8) is configured to return the slider (62) towards the top end (71) of the guide (7). The restraining element (9) for securing the crib (100) to the bed can be moved close to the guide (7) and spaced apart from the guide (7) and is connected to the return system (8) so as to be able to return towards the guide (7) by means of the return system (8). When the constraint element (9) is held in a position spaced from the guide (7), for example due to being fixed to the bed, the slider (62) is prevented from being returned by the return system (8).

Description

Side-sleeping crib and associated frame

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a crib, and more particularly, to a crib of a type having a drooping side (drop side) that allows an infant to sleep with its parents by placing the crib on the bed side.

Background

Various examples of bed-side cots, also known as side-sleeping cots (cribs), are known in the art. As with all cribs, the infant is placed on the bottom of the crib, which may be equipped with a mattress, surrounded by side walls that prevent the child from coming out or falling outside.

To allow side sleeping, i.e. the baby safely sleeps next to his/her parent, one of the side walls is designed to be movable. In this way, the movable wall can remain in the raised position in any case during the day or when the crib is far from the parent's bed, while at night the movable wall can fall, thus eliminating any separation between the crib and the bed.

The applicant discloses in EP 3354165 an example of a bedside crib. In this crib, the bottom and side walls are defined by fabric rails (enclosures) supported by the frame. The movable wall of the fence is connected between a movable bar of the frame, which is placed above said wall, and a lower roller, which is able to wrap around the cloth of the wall when sliding downwards. The slide blocks are arranged at the ends of the movable rods and slide in the corresponding guide pieces.

Furthermore, a strap is provided under the bottom of the enclosure, which can be unwound from an additional roller to secure the crib to the structural elements of the bed.

Problems in the prior art

The possibility of one wall of the crib falling off when the crib is far from the bed creates a safety problem. This is because if the movable wall is not well fixed in the raised position, or the infant is able to unlock the wall, or his/her parent is not aware, the crib may accidentally fall off the wall even if it is far from the bed, and the infant may fall outside.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, i.e. to prevent the movable wall from remaining in the lowered position when the crib is far from the bed.

This and other objects are achieved by a crib as defined in any one of the appended claims.

The present invention provides a return system configured to return at least one slider of a movable rod along a respective guide towards a top end of the guide, thereby raising the movable wall. A restraining element adapted to be fixed to the bed (e.g. a strap similar to EP 3354165) is connected to the return system so as to also return towards the guide.

When the restraining element is secured to the bed, the bed itself holds the restraining element, preventing it from returning towards the guide. Thus, regardless of the force exerted by the return system on the restraint element, the restraint element is prevented from moving further towards the guide, while the action of the return system on the slider of the movable bar is stopped.

Advantageously, when the crib is secured to the bed via the restraining element, the movable bar can be left freely in the lowered or raised position, as required, without being subjected to a return action which automatically returns it upwards. Conversely, when the crib is far from the bed, the return system will always automatically return the movable bar to the raised position, preventing the child from falling outside, as long as nothing else keeps the restraining element spaced apart from the guide.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly derived from the illustrative, non-limiting description of a method and a system for detecting objects in an environment, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a perspective view of the crib of the invention when the movable bar is in the lower position,

fig. 2 shows the crib of fig. 1, with the fabric enclosure removed for better illustration of the frame,

figure 3 shows a perspective view of the crib of figure 1 without the fabric enclosure when the movable bar is in the upper position,

FIG. 4 is a partial front sectional view of the crib of FIG. 1 without the fabric enclosure, with the movable bar in an upper position in contact with the stop member,

FIG. 5 is a partial front sectional view of the crib of FIG. 1 without the fabric enclosure, with the movable bar in a lower position in contact with the stop member,

FIG. 6 is a partial front cross-sectional view of the crib of FIG. 1 without the fabric enclosure, with the movable bar in an upper position and spaced from the stop member,

FIG. 7 is a partial side sectional view of the crib of FIG. 1, with the movable bar in the upper position and spaced from the stop member, an

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of some parts and internal parts of the crib of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 100 generally indicates a crib, i.e., a bed-side or side-sleeping crib. The crib 100 includes a frame 1 and a fabric enclosure 110, and the frame 1 and the fabric enclosure 110 may be manufactured and sold together or separately.

The frame 1 comprises an upper structure 2 and a lower structure 3 spaced apart in a first direction X-X. The frame 1 also comprises uprights 4 connecting and fixing together the substructure 2 and the superstructure 3. Preferably, the upright 4 extends mainly in the first direction X-X.

The frame 1 may also comprise a support structure 5, which support structure 5 is configured to rest on the floor and to keep the upper structure 2 and the lower structure 3 lifted from the floor. In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure 5 comprises a support leg 51 connected to the superstructure 2. The support legs 51 are pivotally connected to the upper structure 2 to allow the upper and

lower structures

2, 3 to rock.

However, the person skilled in the art will understand that various types of alternative support structures 5 may be provided for the purpose of the present invention, for example with one or more legs forming an extension of the upright 4 and being integral with the upright 4. Therefore, the support structure 5 will not be described in more detail here.

Furthermore, the frame 1 comprises a movable bar 6, which movable bar 6 is movable relative to the upper structure 2 and the lower structure 3 in a position that will be described in more detail below. In particular, the movable bar 6 may sometimes be in an upper position, in which the movable bar 6 is substantially flush with the superstructure 2.

The movable bar 6 has two ends 61 spaced apart in a second direction Y-Y perpendicular to the first direction X-X.

The superstructure 2 and the movable bar 6 together define an upper opening when the movable bar 6 is in the upper position. In some examples, the upper opening may have a plurality of sides, preferably four sides, and the movable bar 6 is disposed along at least a portion of at least one of the sides. The superstructure 2, on the other hand, occupies the rest of the remaining edge and/or one edge of the upper opening.

The substructure 3 is configured to support a mattress 200. The upper structure 2, the lower structure 3 and the uprights 4 are configured to surround a compartment of the crib 100 adapted to receive an infant. As will be explained further below, the compartment is accessible through the upper opening, as well as from the side, depending on the position of the movable bar 6.

The enclosure 110 of the crib 100 delimits the compartment and is preferably constrained to the superstructure 2. In particular, the pen 110 comprises a bottom 111 arranged substantially flush with the substructure 3. The mattress 200 may be placed on the base 111.

Furthermore, the railing 110 comprises side walls 112 connecting the bottom 111 to the superstructure 3 of the frame 1. Finally, the fence 110 comprises a movable wall 113, the movable wall 113 being connected to the movable bar 6 and being movable together with the movable bar 6. The movable wall is at least partially arranged between the movable bar 6 and the bottom 111. Thus, the side wall 112 and the movable wall 113 laterally enclose the compartment, at least when the movable bar 6 is in the upper position.

The frame 1 comprises at least one guide 7, preferably two guides 7. Each guide 7 has a top end 71 close to the upper structure 2 and a bottom end 72 close to the lower structure 3.

In the preferred embodiment, each guide 7 is shaped like a guide bar connecting the upper structure 2 and the lower structure 3. The guide bar has a slot 73 extending between a top end 71 and a lower end 72, the slot 73 being for certain components to slide therein, as described below. In particular, the movable wall 113 has lateral edges spaced apart in the second direction Y-Y, and each sliding in a respective slot 73. Optionally, the slot 73 provides access to a cavity 74 inside the guide bar, which cavity 74 also extends between the top end 71 and the lower end 72 for sliding movement of an additional part of greater thickness than the movable wall 113.

The movable bar 6 comprises at least one slider 62, which slider 62 is slidable along the guide 7, i.e. between a top end 71 and a lower end 72. The slider 62 may be at least partially engaged in the slot 73 and optionally in the cavity 74.

Preferably, the sliders 62 are formed at the respective ends 61 of the movable bar 6. More preferably, each end 61 of the movable bar 6 has a respective slider 62 sliding along a respective guide 7. However, the features applied to each guide 7 and each slide 62 will be described herein with reference to one guide 7 and one slide 62.

When the movable lever 6 is at the upper position, the slider 62 is located at the tip end portion 71 of the guide 7. Furthermore, the movable bar 6 is movable between an upper position and a lower position, in which the slide 62 is substantially at the lower end 72 of the guide 7. When the movable bar 6 is in the lower position, the compartment of the crib 100 is accessible not only from the upper opening, but also from the lateral opening between the two guides 7 above the movable bar 6.

In one aspect of the invention, the crib 100 comprises a return system 8, the return system 8 being configured to return the slider 62 towards the top end 71 of the guide 7 and therefore the movable bar 6 towards the upper position. More specifically, each guide 7 may have its own return system 8, only one of which is illustrated here, or, although a plurality of guides 7 are provided, a single return system 8 may be provided.

It should be noted that in the prior art crib as in the crib in EP 3354165, unlike the crib of the present invention, the movable bar 6 is returned toward the downward position, not toward the upward position.

Preferably, the return system 8 comprises a first roller 81 mounted to the superstructure 2, close to the top end 71 of the guide 7. Furthermore, the return system 8 comprises a generally flexible upper connecting portion 82, the upper connecting portion 82 being windable around the first roller 81. For example, the upper connecting portion 82 may be provided in the form of a band or a string. The first roller 81 is urged with a first force to rewind the upper connecting portion 82. When the winding around the first roller 81 is not completed, the upper connecting portion 82 extends at least partially along the guide 7, for example in the cavity 74.

In an embodiment not shown in the figures, the upper connecting portion 82 may be connected to the slider 62. Instead, in a preferred embodiment, the return system 8 comprises a stop member 83 sliding along the guide 7, in particular in the cavity 74 or alternatively in the groove 73. However, substantially parallel separate slots or cavities may be provided in the guide bar in which various components, such as the slide block 62 and the stop member 83, slide.

The upper connecting portion 82 connects the first roller 81 and the stopper member 83 if the stopper member 83 is provided. Thus, the first roller 81 and the upper connecting portion 82 constitute a return member configured to return the stopper member 83 toward the tip end portion 71 of the guide 7. As described below, these

return members

81, 82 act on the slider 62 only indirectly via the stop member 83.

In particular, the sliding movement of the slider 62 along the guide 7 is limited below by the stop member 83 and also significantly above by the tip end portion 71 of the guide 7. For example, the stop member 83 may be placed below the slider 62, i.e. between the slider 62 and the lower end 72 of the guide 7.

The stopper member 83 has a support portion 84, and when the

return members

81, 82 return the stopper member 83 toward the tip end portion 71 of the guide 7, the support portion 84 is adapted to contact the slider 62 and press the slider 62 toward the tip end portion 71 of the guide 7. In any case, the slider 62 may be separated from the bearing portion 84 of the stopper member 83, as shown in fig. 5.

Therefore, when the slider 62 and the stopper member 83 contact each other at the bearing portion 84, the stopper member 83 moving toward the tip end portion 71 of the guide 7 by the

return members

81, 82 pulls the slider 62. That is, the slider 62 is movable together with the stopper member 83 substantially along the entire guide 7, i.e., between the top end portion 71 and the lower end portion 72.

In contrast, when the slider 62 is separated from the stopper member 83, the slider 62 can move only between the tip end portion 71 of the guide 7 and the stopper member 83 without being subjected to the action of the

return members

81, 82. Therefore, when the slider 62 is separated from the stopper member 83, the slider 62 is not allowed between the lower end portion 72 of the guide 7 and the stopper member 83.

The frame 1 comprises at least one constraint element 9 (for example a constraint element 9 for each return system 8 or for each guide 7), the constraint element 9 being configured to be fixed to a structural element of the bed (not shown) in the vicinity of the crib 100. The restriction element 9 may have different shapes depending on the desired bed fixation device. In a preferred embodiment, the restraining element 9 comprises one or more straps that can be secured around the bars or beams of the bed.

According to one aspect of the invention, the constraint element 9 is constrained to the guide 7 and is connected to the return system 8, i.e. to the stop member 83. That is, the return system 8 comprises a lower connecting portion 85 connecting the constraint element 9 and the stop member 83. Alternatively as an extension of the upper connecting portion 82, the lower connecting portion 85 may be provided, for example, in the form of a strap or a string. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower connecting

portions

82 and 85 include different strips having thicknesses oriented in mutually perpendicular directions.

It should be noted that the connection between the restriction element 9 and the lower connecting portion 85 may be permanent or releasable, for example by means of a clamp. That is, in the illustrated embodiment, a first clamp 86 removably connects a first end of the constraining element 9 to the lower connecting portion 85, and a second clamp 87 removably connects a second end of the constraining element 9 to a portion of the substructure 3 distal from the guide 7.

On the other hand, in the case of a permanent connection, the restraining element 9 and the lower connecting portion 85 may simply be defined as different portions of the same strap or cord, or the restraining element 9 may be directly connected to the stop member 83.

The lower connecting portion 85 (and/or a portion of the constraining element 9) is adapted to be at least partially inserted into the guide 7 (i.e. the cavity 74) and removed from the guide 7 when the stop member 83 slides along the guide 7. For this purpose, the guide 7 has a first lower channel 75 at the lower end 72 of the guide 7 for accessing the cavity 74. The lower connecting portion 85 extends through the first lower passage 75.

As a result, the restricting member 9 can move relative to the guide 7 between a position close to the guide 7 when the majority of the lower connecting portion 85 is inserted into the guide 7 and a position spaced apart from the guide 7 when the majority of the lower connecting portion 85 is outside the guide 7.

By fixing the restriction element 9 to a structural element of the bed, the bed can easily be configured to hold the restriction element 9 in a position spaced apart from the guide 7. When the restriction element 9 is held in the spaced apart position (which may occur whether or not by fixing the restriction element to the bed), the stop member 83 is still pulled by the

return members

81, 82 towards the top end 71 of the guide 7.

In this case, however, the stopper member 83 is no longer able to slide toward the top end portion 71 of the guide 7, and is unable to press the slider 62 toward the top end portion 71 of the guide 7.

Thus, the person skilled in the art will understand that the connections between the respective components of the constraining element 9 and the return system 8 as described herein before are such that the return system 8 will prevent the slider 62 from returning when the constraining element 9 is held in the spaced apart position. However, when the user desires, the movable lever 6 can still be raised by separating the slider 62 from the stopper member 83.

According to the intended purpose, without the restraining elements 9 being held in the spaced-apart position, the return system 8 will prevent the movable bar 6 from remaining stably in the lower position when the crib 100 is moved away from the bed, and the slide 62 will return towards the top end 71 of the guide 7 each time the movable bar 6 is at least partially lowered.

In addition, when the constraint element 9 is fixed to the structural element of the bed, while being kept in a spaced-apart position, the user can freely choose whether to keep the movable bar 6 in an upper position (the slider 62 is separated from the stop member 83 and placed on the top end 71 of the guide 7) or in a lower position (the slider 62 is placed on the stop member 83 at the lower end 72 of the guide 7).

Preferably, the movable bar 6 comprises at least one locking member 63 (preferably two), the at least one locking member 63 being located at one of the ends 61 of the movable bar 6. Thus, the locking member 63 may be placed adjacent to the slider 62 and may optionally be mounted to the slider 62.

Thus, the superstructure 2 comprises a locking seat 21, the locking seat 21 preferably being formed in the vicinity of the tip end 71 of the guide 7.

The locking member 63 is adapted to engage in the locking seat 21, preferably by snap engagement, to prevent the slider 62 from sliding along the guide 7 when the slider 62 is located at the top end 71 of the guide 7. This will enable the movable bar 6 to be stably positioned in the upper position, even if the constraint elements 9 are kept in the spaced-apart position.

Furthermore, the movable lever 6 has a release mechanism 64, and the release mechanism 64 is operable to disengage the lock member 63 from the lock seat 21, thereby allowing the slider 62 to slide along the guide 7 again. Only one release actuator of the release mechanism 64 associated with the movable bar 6 is shown.

It should be noted that the crib 100 preferably does not have any locking mechanism for keeping the movable bar 6 in the lower position, so that when the restraining element 9 is released, the movable bar 6 can be spontaneously returned to the upper position, and can be returned to the access position, by means of the return system 8.

In a preferred embodiment, the crib 100 comprises a second roller 10 for treating the cloth forming the movable wall 113 of the enclosure 110. In more detail, the second roller 10 is mounted to the substructure 3 below the bottom 111 of the fence 110. The movable wall 113 connects the movable bar 6 to the second roller 10, and the second roller 10 is urged with the second force to rewind the movable wall 113.

For this purpose, the guide 7 has a second lower channel 76 at the lower end 72 of the guide 7 for accessing the slot 73. The side edges of the movable wall 113 are adapted to slide between the groove 73 and the second roller 10 via the second lower channel 76.

It should be noted that the direction of action of the second roller 10 on the movable bar 6 is opposite to the direction of action of the first roller 81. In order to achieve the above function, the action of the first roller 81 will prevail, i.e. the first force should be greater than the second force. This will not prevent the movable wall 113 from being correctly rewound when the movable rod is moved to the lower position.

Many equivalent variations to the above-described modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A crib (100), comprising:

-a frame (1) comprising:

-a substructure (3) configured to support a mattress (200),

-an upper structure (2) spaced apart from the lower structure (3),

-uprights (4) connecting and fixing together the substructure (3) and the superstructure (2),

-a guide (7) having a top end (71) close to the upper structure (2) and a bottom end (72) close to the lower structure (3),

-a movable bar (6) having a slider (62) slidable along the guide (7), the movable bar (6) and the superstructure (2) together enclosing an upper opening when the slider (62) is at the top end (71) of the guide (7),

-a fabric fence (110) having a bottom (111) substantially flush with the substructure (3), side walls (112) connecting the bottom (111) to the superstructure (2), and a movable wall (113) connected to the movable bar (6),

-a restraining member (9) configured to be fixed to a structural member of the bed,

the method is characterized in that:

-said constraining member (9) is constrained to said guide (7) and is movable with respect to said guide (7) between a position close to said guide (7) and a position spaced apart from said guide (7),

and the crib (100) comprising a return system (8), the return system (8) being configured to return the slider (62) towards the top end (71) of the guide (7), the constraint member (9) being connected to the return system (8) so as to be returned towards the access position by the return system (8) and to prevent the return system (8) from returning the slider (62) when the constraint member (9) is held in the spaced-apart position.

2. The crib (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said return system (8) comprises:

-a stop member (83) slidable along the guide (7), the sliding movement of the slider (62) along the guide (7) being limited inferiorly by the stop member (83) and superiorly by a top end portion (71) of the guide (7),

-a return member (81, 82) connected to the stop member (83) and configured to return the stop member (83) towards the top end (71) of the guide (7).

3. Crib (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that said slider (62) is movable along the whole of said guide (7) jointly with said stop member (83) and is movable separately from said stop member (83) between the top end (71) of said guide (7) and said stop member (83).

4. A crib (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said return system (8) comprises a lower connecting portion (85) connecting said restraining member (9) and said stop member (83) together, said lower connecting portion (85) being at least partially insertable in and removable from said guide (7) when said restraining member (9) moves between said approached position and said spaced-apart position.

5. The crib (100) according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said return member (81, 82) comprises a first roller (81) mounted to said upper structure (2) and an upper connecting portion (82) connecting said first roller (81) and said stop member (83), said first roller (81) being forced to rewind said upper connecting portion (82).

6. The crib (100) according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said stop member (83) has a support portion (84), said support portion (84) being adapted to come into contact with said slider (62) and press said slider (62) towards the top end (71) of said guide (7) when said return member (81, 82) returns said stop member (83) towards the top end (71) of said guide (7), said slider (62) being separable from the support portion (84) of said stop member (83).

7. The crib (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said movable bar (6) comprises:

-a locking member (63) adapted to engage in a locking seat (21) of the superstructure (2) to prevent the slider (62) from sliding along the guide (7) when the slider (62) is located at a top end (71) of the guide (7), and

-a release mechanism (64) operable to disengage the locking member (63) from the locking seat (21).

8. A crib (100) according to any of claims 1 to 7, comprising a second roller (10) mounted to the substructure (3), wherein the movable wall (113) connects the movable rod (6) to the second roller (10) and the second roller (10) is forced to rewind the movable wall (113).

9. The crib (100) according to claims 5 and 8, characterized in that:

-forcing the first roller (81) with a first force to rewind the upper connecting portion (82), and

-forcing the second roller (10) with a second force to wrap around the movable wall (113), the first force being greater than the second force.