GB2173094A - Improvements relating to cots - Google Patents

Abstract

An infant's cot is made with a drop side or drop end by providing a peripheral frame 26, 28, (30, 32 Fig. 2) around the top of the cot, releasable catches on corner fittings 34 holding the frame in position. Said peripheral frame is telescopically extensible so that on dropping the left (as shown) end, for example, the frame sides 26, 28 telescopically extend as they tilt to the position 126. The cot walls are made of cotton or nylon netting which can fold or concertina along the lowered side or end. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to cots This invention relates to infants cots especially but not exclusively for hospital and like use.

According to the invention, a cot comprises a mattress-supporting base, a plurality of upstanding pillars, a peripheral frame extending around the cot at or nearto the top ofthe pillars, and a soft and flexible material providing side and end walls ofthe cot extending between the said frame and the base.

Preferably the material used for the side and end walls is effectively transparent. A netting material is preferred where the mesh apertures are large in relation to the thickness of the material used, so that even with opaque material itis possible to seethrough the mesh. By these means a nurse can observe an infantthrough the wall. The purpose of the softness and flexibility is so that if the infant is restless and thrashes about, no harm will be done.

According to a preferred feature ofthe invention, the peripheral frame comprises side and end portions corresponding to the walls ofthe cot, the frame being extensible in one, other or both directions corresponding to the length and width of the cot, and releasable means are provided for locating the frame at or nearto the top ofthe pillars so that after release at two adjacent points a side or end ofthe cot may be lowered for access.

One now preferred embodiment ofthe invention is described with reference to the accompanying draw ings wherein:- Figure lisa sideviewofthe cot; Figure 2 is an end view of the same: and Figures 3-5 are enlarged scale fragmentary views showing parts in three different positions.

Referring to the drawings, the cot comprises a mattress base 10 here shown as tiltably mountd via pivot 12 on pillar 14 extending from wheeled chassis 16. Such a construction is useful for a hospital cot, but the invention can equally well be employed with a static cot for example one having a simple leg at each cornerand notiltorwheels.

The cot has an upwardly extending post 20 at each corner. The posts are one end may be connected by integral bow 24 and similarly atthe other end. This provides a desirable rigidity with simplicity of manufacture and lightweight.

A peripheral frame comprises two sides and two ends. All (in this embodiment) are telescopically extensible for example by making the sides from outer tubes 26 and innertubes 28, and the ends from outer tubes 30 and innertubes 32. The free (nottelescopic) ends ofthe inner and outer tubes are respectively connected to corner fittings 34. Thus one fitting 34 is pivoted at 36to tube 26 (Figure 1 ) and to tube 32 (Figure 2) and soon.

Each cornerfitting isfreelyslidable upon a corresponding post. Each post and corner fitting have some meansfor releasable engaging the two, that is the fitting to the post, at least at the uppermost level ofthe periphral frame, as illustrated in full lines in the Figures. For example as shown in Figures 3-5 each post may have a hook40, and each cornerfitting carry a loop 42 to engage over the corresponding hook. A simple loop and hookwill be sufficient.

However, in the more refined version illustrated in the drawings, the loops 42 are pivoted with a trapped spring 44 interposed, which together with gravity, tends to retain the parts engaged as in Figure 3. To release the engagement and end fitting from the post, the complete end fitting may be lifted slightly (Figure 4) against a stop which may be provided bythe hook mounting at 46, and the loop may then be pivoted against the spring to disengage it from the hook.

Figure 5 shows the cornerfitting at a lowered position which is then possible.

By releasingthefittings at two ends and at the same side, the frame member extending there between can be lowered to a position parallel tothe original position and for example close to the mattress. This provides a "drop-side cot" except that with a convetional cot having a drop side, the top ofthe dropped side is still substantially above the mattress, whereas in this construction the top of the dropped side can be at mattress level.

It will be appreciated that dropping the side is accompanied by telescopic extension ofthe frame at both ends, for example to the dotted line position 130 as seen in Figure 2.

Preferably however the present invention is employed in a manner which allows either side to be dropped, thus leading to the end portions of the peripheral frame occupying eitherthe dotted line position 130 or 230 as seen in Figure 2 according to which side has been dropped: and if desired, one or other end can be dropped in generally the same way so thatthetube 26 extends as 126 or 226 as seen in Figure 1. However it is to be appreciated thatthis unusual versatility of being abletodropanyofthe sides or ends ofthe cot may not be required in all constructions.

In restoring the cot walls to the illustrated position, the appropriate cornerfittings are simplyslid upthe corresponding posts, and it will be noted that in the illustrated arrangement the shape ofthe loops is such as to cam overthe hooks to give automatic reengagement.

The cot walls are made of a soft textile material of open weave for example cotton or nylon net which is suitable to fold or concertina in the lowered condition.

However other materials may be used to like effect.

Although the invention has been described utilising a post at each corner ofthe mattress frame, it is also possible to use a different arrangement, for example a single pillarateach end, particularly if a drop side only (and not drop end) version is required.

The textile material used for the cot walls may be made as four panels, each forming one ofthe end or sidewalls,andthismaterial may be looped aboutthe peripheral frame at the upper edges ofthe panels. At the bottom of each panel a marginal portion may be tucked beneath the mattress, with mitred corners between the adjacent panels. Conveniently adjacent panels are secured together by sliding clasp fasteners orthe like so that effectively the walls and those marginal portions form a bag with a mattress received in the base ofthe bag.

Claims (10)

1. Acotcomprising a mattress-supporting base,a plurality of upstanding pillars, a peripheral frame extending around the cot at or nearto the top ofthe pillars, and a soft and flexible material providing side and end walis ofthe cot extending between the said frame and the base.

2. A cotas claimed in claim 1 wherein the material used forthe side and end walls is effectivelytransparent.

3. Acotas claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the side and end walls are made of netting.

4. A cot as claimed in claim 3 wherein a cotton or nylon open weave material is used forthe walls.

5. A cot as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the peripheral frame comprises side and end portions corresponding to the walls ofthe cot, and the frame is extensible in one or other or both directions corres pondingto the length and width ofthe cot, and releasable means are provided for locating the frame at or nearthe top ofthe pillars so that after release a side or end ofthe cot may be lowered for access.

6. A cot as claimed in claim 5 wherein a pillar our post is provided at each corner ofthe cot.

7. Acotas claimed in claim 5 orclaim 6wherein at least two ofthe side or end walls ofthe cot opposite to one another are telescopically extensible.

8. A cot as claimed in claim 7 wherein both sides and both ends ofthe peripheral frame are telescopically extensible.

9. A cot as claimed in any of claims 5-8 wherein the releasable means comprise hooks provided on the pillars or posts and parts to engage with the hooks provided on the peripheral frame.

10. A cot substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.