GB2203788A

GB2203788A - Cots

Info

Publication number: GB2203788A
Application number: GB08705501A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham M Lockett; Jack Halsey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-03-09
Filing date: 1987-03-09
Publication date: 1988-10-26
Also published as: GB8705501D0

Abstract

A cot has a drop side, the opposite ends of which are provided with respective catch means (32) which are biased into a condition for engagement with respective catch engagement means (42) disposed at the ends of the cot for locating the drop side in a raised position. A common control means (30) is provided for simultaneously moving both said catch means (32) against their basing out of engagement with said catch engagement means to enable said drop side to be lowered from said raised position. A rotatable stud and socket fastening (Fig. 16-19, not shown) for securing the fixed side of the cot is also disclosed. <IMAGE>

Description

COTS This invention relates to cots.

In one aspect, the invention is directed to an arrangement by which a drop side of the cot can be released from a raised position to enable it to be lowered. Conventionally such release necessitates the manual disengagement at each end of the drop side of catch means locating the drop side in its raised position and requires the use of two hands. An object of this aspect of the invention is to provide an arrangement which can be operated with one hand.

To this end the invention includes a cot having a drop side the opposite ends of which are provided with respective catch means which are biased into a condition for engagement with respective catch engagement means disposed at the ends of the cot for locating the drop side in a raised position, and a common control means for simultaneously moving both said catch means from said condition against said bias out of engagement with said catch engagement means to enable said drop side to be lowered from said raised position.

The catch means may comprise pins biased outwardly from said opposite ends of the drop side and the catch engagement means may comprise recesses in which said pins are engagable, said common control means being arranged for retracting said pins against their bias out of engagement with said recesses.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the said pins are connected to said common control means by respective cable lengths.

The common control means may advantageously be mounted on a central portion of a top rail of said drop side, the cable lengths being located in grooves in said top rail and the pins extending from each end of said top rail.

In the preferred embodiment, the control means include a member pivotable about an axis, the cable lengths being secured to said member and extending oppositely therefrom from locations disposed to each side of said axis such that pivotal movement of said pivotable member about said axis in one sense causes the cable lengths to retract said pins.

Preferably the control means includes a slider and means connecting said slider to said pivotable member such that sliding movement of said slider in one direction effects pivotal movement of said pivotable member in said one sense to cause said cable lengths to retract said pins.

In the preferred embodiment the means connecting the slider to the pivotable member comprises a crank arm connected to said pivotable member for pivotable movement therewith about said axis and coupled to said slider via a pin and slot coupling.

As a safety measure means may be provided for normally preventing sliding movement of said slider.

These sliding movement preventing means may comprise a member reciprocatable in a direction transverse the direction of sliding movement of the slider and biased into a first position in which respective abutment means on said member and slider engage, said reciprocatable member being movable against said bias to a second position in which said abutment means are moved out of engagement to permit sliding movement of said slider.

Advantageously the reciprocatable member is provided with a push button by which said reciprocatable member can be moved against said bias to said second position. Additionally, the slider advantageously includes a portion. provided with a digit receiving location to enable said slider to be moved in said one direction. When the push button and digit receiving location are provided they are advantageously arranged so as to be simultaneously actuatable by one hand of an adult.

The slider of the common control means may be biased In a direction opposite said one direction such that on its release, it will automatically pivot the pivotable member of the control means in a sense opposite to said one sense so that the cable lengths do not exert any force on the pins tending to retract them.

Advantageously upper and lower guide means project from each end of said drop side and cooperate with guideways in said cot ends for guiding. lowering and raising of said drop side.

The guide means may include studs extending from said drop side ends and provided at their free end portions with radially outwardly extending opposed flanges which are slidable in opposed grooves of said guideways.

Preferably said free end portions of the studs are provided with opposed flats between the opposed flanges thereof to enable the free ends of the studs to be inserted into said guideways and said studs are rotatable in said drop side ends such that they may be rotated through 900 after insertion into said guideways to locate said opposed flanges in said opposed grooves of said guideways.

The cot provided with a drop side may also have a fixed side, the opposite ends of which are secured to the cot ends by studs which extend from said fixed side ends and are provided at their free end portion with radially outwardly extending opposed flanges which engage in opposed grooves of respective recesses in the cot ends.

The invention also includes independently a cot having a fixed side, the opposite sides of which are secured to the cot ends by studs which extend from said fixed side ends and are provided at their free end portion with radially outwardly extending opposed flanges which engage in opposed grooves of respective recesses in the cot ends.

In a cot having a fixed side as defined in either of the last two preceding paragraphs, the free end portions of said studs are preferably provided with opposed flats between the opposed flanges thereof to enable the free ends of the studs to be inserted into said recesses and the studs are rotatable through 900 after insertioninto the recesses to locate said opposed flanges in said opposed grooves of said recesses.

Said studs are preferably inserted into bores in said fixed side ends and provided with abutment flanges intermediate their ends limiting their insertion into said bores. In this case the abutment flanges are preferably provided with flats engagable by a spanner to enable each stud to be rotated in its respective bore.

In order that the invention may be well understood, the preferred embodiment thereof referred to above, which is given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cot having a drop side and a fixed side extending between two cot ends; Figure 2 is a partial side view of the cot showing the drop side in raised and lowered positions; Figure 3 is a view of the inwardly facing surface of one cot end; Figure 4 is a part-cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 2 showing a catch means provided on the illustrated end of the drop side biased into a condition in which it is in engagement with a catch engagement means disposed at the cot end so as to locate the drop side in a raised position; Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of Figure 4; ; Figure 6 is a similar view to Figure 5 but showing the catch means in a retracted condition and the drop side in a position intermediate its raised and lowered positions; Figures 7 and 8 are front and side views of a fitting which is mounted on the cot end to provide the catch engagement means and additionally a guideway for guiding movement of the drop side between its raised and lowered positions; Figure 9 is an end view of the top part of the drop side showing a stud which is slidably engagable in the guideway in a condition prior to insertion therein; Figure 10 is a view of a central portion of the top part of the drop side showing a common control means for the catch means at each end of the drop side with its front cover removed and in a first condition; Figure 11 is a similar view to Figure 10 but showing the common control means in a second condition;; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of Figure 10 but with the front cover of the common control means in position; and Figures 13 and 14 are respectively crosssectional views along the line XIII-XIII and XI5J-XIV but showing the front cover of the common control means fitted; Figure 15 is an exploded view of the moving parts of the common control means; Figures 16 and 17 are front and side views of a fitting which is mounted on the cot end to provide a recess for receiving a stud extending from an end of the fixed side of the cot; Figure 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional top view of the cot showing the fitting of Figures 16 and 17 mounted on the cot end and receiving said stud; Figure 19 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view similar to Figure 18 but showing the stud prior to insertion into the recess of the fitting; and Figure 20 is a view taken along the line XX-XX of Figure 19.

Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a cot 10 having a drop side 12 and a fixed side 14 extending between and secured to two opposite cot ends 16 and 18. The cot is also provided with a base 20 for supporting a mattress (not shown).

The drop side is guided for movement between a raised position which is shown in solid line in Figure 2 and a lowered position indicated in dotted line therein by upper and lower guide means 22, ?4 which project from each end of the drop side and cooperate with guideways 26, 28 in the cot ends. Figure 3 illustrates the guideways 26 and 28 in cot end 16 and it will be appreciated that cot end 18 is a mirror image of cot end 16. The guideways and guide means will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The opposite ends of the drop side are provided with respective catch means which are biased into a condition for engagement with respective catch engage ment means disposed at the ends of the cot for locating the drop side in a raised position. Further, a common control means 30 is provided for simultaneously moving both catch means from their biased conditions against their bias out of engagement with the catch engagement means to enable the drop side to be lowered from the raised position.

In more detail and with reference to Figures 4 to 6 which illustrate a catch means and catch engagement means therefor at one end of the cot, an identical arrangement being provided at the other end thereof, it will be seen that each catch means comprises a pin 32 mounted in a through-passage of a stud 34 located in a bore 36 in the top rail 38 of the drop side. The stud 34 extends outwardly of the top rail 38 and the pin 32 is biased by spring biasing means 40 disposed within a counter-bore of the through-passage of the stud 34 outwardly of both the end of the drop side and the stud itself for engagement in a recess 42 provided at the top end of the guideway 26.

The pins 32 at each end of the drop side are simultaneously retractable against the bias of the springs 40 out of engagement with their respective recesses 42 by the common control means 30 in a manner to be described hereinafter to enable the drop side to be lowered.

The studs 34 at each end of the drop side form the upper guide means 22 referred to previously, by being provided at their free end portions with radially outwardly extending opposed flanges 44 which are slidable in opposed grooves 46 of the guideways 26.

Referring additionally to Figures 7 and 8, there is shown a plastics fitting which provides the guideway 26. The fitting comprises two mirror image plastics mouldings which are located together in longitudinal abutting relationship. A body portion 50 of the fitting locates in an elongate recess in the cot end such that a peripheral flange 52 overlies the inwardly facing surface of the cot end. Three spaced bushings 54 project from the base 56 of the fitting and are force fitted into respective blind bores 58 extending from the base of the elongate recess into the cot end at each end of the fitting and at an intermediate location.The bushings 54 are cylindrical and formed with circumferential ribs 60 ofsaw-tooth shape which are directed in a direction towards the base 56 of the fitting to assist retention of the bushings in the bores. The recess 42 is provided by a cylindrical aperture in the base 56 opening into the interior of the topmost of the bushings 54.

As best shown in Figure 9, the free end portion of the stud 34 is provided with opposed flats 62 between the opposed flanges 44 thereof to enable the stud to be inserted between the opposed edges 64 of the guideway 26 when the flats 62 are orientated with respect to the drop side end as illustrated in Figure 9. Thereafter, the stud is rotated in the bore 36 through 900 to locate the opposed flanges 44 in the opposed grooves 46 of the guideway. As best shown in Figures 4 to 6, the stud 34 is provided with abutment flanges 66 intermediate its ends for limiting the degree of insertion of the stud into the bore 36. The abutment flanges are provided with opposed flats 68 which are engagable by a spanner to enable the stud to be rotated in its bore 36 as aforesaid.The end portion 70 of the stud which is disposed within the bore 36 is provided with a plurality of circumferential ribs directed towards the abutment flanges 36 to resist axial movement of the stud out of the bore whilst still permitting rotation of the stud within the bore.

Studs identical to studs 34 also form the lower guide means 24 referred to previously and fittings as shown in Figures 7 and 8 are utilised to provide the guideways 28 therefor. It will be appreciated that the studs forming the lower guide means are not provided with pins 32 mounted therein and the recess 42 provided therefor at the top ends of the guideways 26 are redundant in guideways 28. Nevertheless, the presence of recesses 42 in the guideways 28 does not affect their operation and accordingly the same mouldings can be used to form both guideways 26 and 28.

Additionally, although the through-passages in the studs 34 are also redundant their presence does not affect the operation of the studs as guide means and accordingly the same component can be used for both the upper and lower guide means.

Referring now to Figures 10 to 15, the construction and operation of the common control means 30 will be described. As indicated in Figures 4 to 6, the pins 32 at each end of the drop side are connected to the common control means by respective cable lengths 72 which are located in grooves 74 in the top rail 38.

The terminal portions of the cable lengths 72 extend through the pins 32 and are provided with a soldered or cramped nipple 76 which locates in an outwardly opening counterbore of the pin. As shown in Figure 15, the common control means 30 includes a member 78 which is pivotable about an axis 80 and to which the cable lengths 72 are secured so as to extend oppositely therefrom from locations disposed to each side of the axis 80 such that pivotal movement of the member 78 about the axis 80 in one sense (clockwise as viewed in Figure 15) causes the cable length to retract the pins at the opposite ends of the top rail as indicated by the arrows in Figure 15.

The control means 30 includes a slider 82 and means connecting the slider to the pivotal member 78 such that sliding movement of the slider in the direction indicated by the arrow 84 in Figure 15 effects pivotal movement of the member 78 to cause the cable lengths 72 to retract the pins 32. As illustrated the means connecting the slider 82 to the member 78 comprise a crank arm 86 which is connected to the pivotal member 78 for pivotal movement therewith about the axis 80 and coupled to the slider 82 via a pin and slot coupling 88. More specifically, the crank arm 86 includes a spigot 90 of non-circular crosssection which engages in a corresponding recess in the member 78. In the embodiment, the spigot 90 and the recess are of square cross-section. Further the pin and slot connection comprises a pin 92 on the slider 82 and an angled slot 94 in the crank arm 86.As will be clear from the drawing, the pin and slot are arranged such that the pin travels along the slot during sliding movement of the slider.

Although not illustrated in the drawings the slider is preferably biased in a direction opposite that indicated by arrow 84 by spring means which engage the crank arm 86.

The control means 30 also includes means for normally preventing sliding movement of the slider 82.

These means are illustrated as comprising a member 96 which is reciprocatable in a direction indicated by arrow 98 transverse the direction of sliding movement of the slider and biased into a first position (shown in Figures 10 and 12)in which respective abutment means 100, 102 on the member 96 and slider 82 engage. The reciprocatable member 96 is movable against its bias to a second position (shown in Figures 11 and 13) in which the abutment means are moved out of engagement to permit sliding movement of the slider. In this second position, the abutment means 102 is able to move through a recess 104 provided in the member 96.

Abutment means (not shown) may be provided for limiting movement of the member in the direction 98.

The slider 82, member 78 and crank arm 86 illustrated in Figure 15 are all mounted within a housing 106 for the control means which comprises a back plate 108 which is mounted directly on the outer side of the top rail 38 as shown in Figures 10-14 and a front cover 110 which mounts on the back plate as shown in Figures 12-14. The slider 82 includes a portion 112 located outside the housing and provided with a digit receiving location 114 which enables the slider to be slid in direction 84. The digit receiving location is shaped to receive the thumb of an adult. The reciprocatable member 96 is provided with a push button 116 which extends outside the housing and by which the member 96 can be moved against its bias.The push button 116 and the digit receiving location 114 are arranged for simultaneous actuation by one hand of an adult such that the control means 30 may be moved from a first condition as shown in Figures 10 and 12 to a second condition as shown in Figures 11, '13 and 14 to cause the pins 32 to be retracted against the bias of their springs. On release of the slider portion 112 the slider will return to the position illustrated in Figure 10 under bias of the spring which acts on the crank arm if such a spring is provided, or on extension of the pins when the latter re-engage the recesses 42.

In the embodiment, the member 96 is guided for its reciprocatable movement by projections 118 which extend from the back plate 108 on each side of the member 96. A hairpin spring 120 located about a pin 122 extending from the back plate biases the member 96 downwardly as viewed in the Figures by having one arm 124 thereof bent and engaged with a top surface of the member 96 and another, straight arm 126 engaged with spaced apart abutments 128 projecting from the back plate 108.

The crank arm is pivotally mounted in the housing by means of a cylindrical boss 130 provided inwardly of the spigot 90 and received within a cylindrical aperture 132 in the back plate. Further the crank arm is supported within the housing by a stepped projection 134 extending from the cover plate 110 and having a reduced diameter cylindrical end portion 136 located within a bore 138 extending through the boss 130.

As will be clear from Figure 14, the pivotal member 78 is disposed within a recess 140 in the top rail 38 intermediate the grooves 74 and the recess 140 and grooves 74 all open upwardly to allow connection of the cable lengths to the member 78 and assembly of the control means 30. After such connection and assembly the groove 74 and recess 140 are closed by a strip closure 142 which is snap-fittable over the top of the top rail 38 by means of inwardly extending flanges 144 which locate in corresponding grooves in the top rail.

Referring now to Figures 16 to 20, there is illustrated the arrangement by which the opposite ends of the fixed side 14 of the cot are secured to the cot ends. The particular arrangement illustrated secures the top rail 146 of the fixed side 14 to the cot end 16.

Corresponding connections using like parts are made between the top rail 146 and the cot end 18 and the opposed ends of a bottom rail of the fixed side 14 and the cot ends 16, 18. The illustrated connection utilises stud 34 previously described and a fitting shown in Figures 16 and 17 which provides a recess for receiving the stud. The fitting comprises two identical mouldings 148 which together define a recess 150 having opposed grooves 152 in which the radially outwardly extending opposed flanges 44 of the stud 34 are engagable. By virtue of the provision of opposed flats 62 between the flanges 44, the free end of the stud when orientated with respect to the fixed side as shown in Figures 19 and 20 can be inserted between opposed edges 154 at the mouth of the recess 150.

Thereafter, the stud is rotated through 900 by-means of a spanner engaging the opposed flats 68 provided on the abutment flanges 66 to locate the opposed flanges 44 in the grooves 152 as indicated by the arrow in Figure 20.

The fitting has a cylindrical body portion 156 which is force fitted into a blind bore 158 in the cot end such that a peripheral flange 160 overlies the inwardly facing surface of the cot end. The body portion 156 is formed with external circumferential ribs of saw-tooth shape which are directed in a direction towards the flange 160 to assist retention of the body in the bore 159.

Claims

1. A cot having a drop side, the opposite ends of which are provided with respective catch means which are biased into a condition for engagement with respective catch engagement means disposed at the ends of the cot for locating the drop side in a raised position, and a common control means for simultaneously moving both said catch means from said condition against said bias out of engagement with said catch engagement means to enable said drop side to be lowered from said raised position.

2. A cot as claimed in claim 1, wherein said catch means comprise pins biased outwardly from said opposite ends of the drop side and wherein the catch engagement means comprise recesses in which said pins are engagable, said common control means being arranged for retracting said pins against their bias out of engagement with said recesses.

3. A cot as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pins are retractable into studs which extend outwardly from the cot ends and are provided at their free end portions with radially outwardly extending opposed flanges which are slidable in opposed grooves of guideways extending downwardly from the recesses.

4. A cot as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said pins are connected to said common control means by respective cable lengths.

5. A cot as claimed in claim 4, wherein said common control means is mounted on a central portion of a top rail of said drop side, the cable lengths being located in grooves in said top rail and the pins extending from each end of said top rail.

6. A cot as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said control means includes a member pivotable about an axis, the cable lengths being secured to said member and extending oppositely therefrom from locations disposed to each side of said axis such that pivotal movement of said pivotable member about said axis in one sense causes the cable lengths to retract said pins.

7. A cot as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control means includes a slider and means connecting said slider to said pivotable member such that sliding movement of said slider in one direction effects pivotal movement of said pivotable member in said one sense to cause said cable lengths to retract said pins.

8. A cot as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means connecting said slider to said pivotable member comprises a crank arm connected to said pivotable member for pivotable movement therewith about said axis and coupled to said slider via a pin and slot coupling.

9. A cot as claimed in claim 7 or 8, provided with means for normally preventing sliding movement of said slider.

10. A cot as claimed in claim 9, wherein said sliding movement preventing means comprises a member reciprocatable in a direction transverse the direction of sliding movement of the slider and biased into a first position in which respective abutment means on said member and slider engage, said reciprocatable member being movable against said bias to a second position in which said abutment means are moved out of engagement to permit sliding movement of said slider.

11. A cot as claimed in claim. 10, wherein said reciprocatable member is provided with a push button by which said reciprocatable member can be moved against said bias to said second position.

12. A cot as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein said slider includes a portion provided with a digit receiving location to enable said slider to be moved in said one direction.

13. A cot as claimed in claim 12, when appended to claim 11, wherein said push button and said portion of the slider provided with said digit receiving location are arranged for simultaneous actuation by one hand of an adult.

14. A cot as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein said slider is biased in a direction opposite said one direction.

15. A cot as claimed in claim 1, wherein upper and lower guide means project from each end of said drop side and cooperate with guideways in said cot ends for guiding lowering and raising of said drop side.

16. A cot as claimed in claim 15, wherein said guide means include studs extending from said drop side ends and provided at their free end portions with radially outwardly extending opposed flanges which are slidable in opposed grooves of said guideways.

17. A cot as claimed in claim 16, wherein said free end portions of said studs are provided with opposed flats between the opposed flanges thereof to enable the free ends of the studs to be inserted into said guideways and wherein said studs are rotatable in said drop side ends such that they may be rotated through 900 after insertion into said guideways to locate said opposed flanges in said opposed grooves of said guideways.

18. A cot as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having a fixed side, the opposite ends of which are secured to the cot ends by studs which extend from said fixed side ends and are provided at their free end portion with radially outwardly extending opposed flanges which engage in opposed grooves of respective recesses in the cot ends.

19. A cot having a fixed side, the opposite ends of which are secured to the cot ends by studs which extend from said fixed side ends and are provided at their free end portion with radially outwardly extending opposed flanges which engage in opposed grooves of respective recesses in the cot ends.

20. A cot as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the free end portions of said studs are provided with opposed flats between the opposed flanges thereof to enable the free ends of the studs to be inserted into said recesses and wherein the studs are rotatable through 900 after insertion into said recesses to locate said opposed flanges in said opposed grooves of said recesses.

21. A cot as claimed in claim 15 to 20, wherein said studs are inserted into bores in said fixed side ends and provided with abutment flanges intermediate their ends limiting their insertion into said bores.

22. A cot as claimed in claim 21, wherein said abutment flanges are provided with flats engagable by a spanner to enable each stud to be rotated in its respective bore.

23. A cot having a drop side substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to of the accompanying drawings.

24. A cot having a fixed side secured to the cot ends substantially as herein described with reference to Figures to of the accompanying drawings.