GB2230432A

GB2230432A - Convertible cot-cradle

Info

Publication number: GB2230432A
Application number: GB8907112A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roy Patrick Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-03-29
Filing date: 1989-03-29
Publication date: 1990-10-24
Also published as: GB8907112D0

Abstract

A convertible cot-cradle comprising two end panels, side panels connected in parallel between the end panels to define a rectangular framework, and a mattress support surface mounted within the framework. The end panels can be connected together by the side panels in either of two configurations, that is a cradle configuration (Fig. 8) in which the side panels are of a first length and a first height and are spaced apart by a first width, and in which the lowermost portion of each end panel which contacts the floor defines a concave surface to enable the framework to rock, and a cot configuration (Fig 5) in which the side panels are of a second length and height and are spaced apart by a second width. The second length, height and width are greater than the respective first length, height and width. The end panels when in the cot configuration contact the floor in a manner which results in a stable non-rocking structure, and are inverted relative to their position in the cradle configuration. <IMAGE>

Description

A convertible cot-cradle The present invention relates to a convertible cot-cradle, that is a structure which can be converted from a cot to a rocking cradle configuration and vice-versa.

Rocking cradles have become very popular. A basic requirement for such a structure is a low level relatively small four-sided framework into which a mattress can be inserted to support a very young baby. The framework must be capable of rocking easily but wihtout any risk of falling over. A conventional design comprises end posts from which the cradle framework is suspended. Such a structure works well but unfortunately is expensive to manufacture. The retail price is as a result high and this is a major problem given that the cradle will only be in use for a few months for each baby. After a few months it is necessary to provide a larger cot which will serve for say two years of the baby's life and which should not rock. Thus a parent wishing to have the use of a cradle must buy as entirely separate items a cradle and a cot. Most parents simply cannot afford to do this.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a convertible cot-cradle so as to obviate or mitigate the problems outlined above.

According to the present invention there is provided a convertible cot-cradle, comprising two end panels, side panels for connection in parallel between the end panels to define a rectangular framework, and means for defining a matress support surface within the framework, characterized in that the end panels are adapted to be connected together by the side panels in either of two configurations, that is a cradle configuration in which the said side panels are of a first length and a first height and are spaced apart by a first width, and in which the lowermost portion of each end panel which contacts the floor defines a concave surface to enable the framework to rock, and a cot configuration in which the said side panels are of a second length and height and are spaced apart by a second width, the second length, height and width being greater than the respective first length, height and width, and the end panels when in the cot configuration contacting the floor in a manner which results in a stable non-rocking structure and being inverted relative to their position in the cradle configuration.

Two side panel structures may be provided each being an assembly of upper and lower components one of which is rigid and the other of which is foldable along its length. In the cot configuration, a full side panel structure is used. In the cradle configuration, only the foldable component is used, one part of the foldable component extending between the two end panels and the other part of the foldable component extending in parallel with a respective end panel to which it is secured.

As an alternative to the above side panel structure, two separate pairs of side panels may be provided, one relatively large pair being used in the cot configuration and the other being used in the cradle configuration.

The end panels may incorporate as integral components elements defining the said concave surfaces. Alternatively the concave surfaces may be defined by demountable elements which can be fixed by for example bolts to the end panels.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates the components making up two end panels of an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 illustrates components shown in Figure 1 when assembled to form one end panel; Figure 3 illustrates the components making up side panels of the said embodiments of the invention; Figure 4 illustrates the assembly of the components shown in Figure 3 to define two cot side panels; Figure 5 illustrates the assembly of the side panels of Figure 4 with two end panels of the type illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 6 illustrates the assembly of Figure 5 wih the cot side lowered; Figure 7 illustrates the assembly of two end panels of the type illustrated in Figure 2 with some of the components illustrated in Figure 3;; Figure 8 illustrates the assembly of the components illustrated in Figure 7; and Figure 9 illustrates the assembly of Figure 8 arranged to support a canopy.

Referring to Figure 1, this illustrates two end panels each comprising a solid central portion 1, two side legs 2, and two rockers 3. When an end panel is to be used in a cradle configuration the rockers 3 are attached to the side panel as shown in Figure 2 so that the rockers bear upon the floor. When an end panel is to be used in a cot configuration, the rockers are simply removed and the end panel is inverted from the position shown in Figure 2.

The legs 2 then rest on the floor. It will be appreciated that the detailed structure of the end panel is not particularly critical, for example the solid central panel could be replaced by bars or the like. It is merely necessary that when in the position shown in Figure 2 the end panel can rock easily without there being any risk of it falling sideways and that when inverted from the position shown in Figure 2 it is supported stably on the ground.

Referring now to Figure 3, this shows the components which can be made up to form either two cot side panels or two cradle side panels. The components include two rigid rectangular frameworks 4 and two foldable components each comprising a longer element 5 and a short element 6 interconnected by hinges.

Referring to Figure 4, this shows components 4, 5 and 6 assembled to define a rigid cot side frame.

Essentially the components 5 and 6 are simply bolted to the component 4, thereby preventing any folding between the components 5 and 6.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, Figure 5 shows the assembly of two of the components shown in Figure 4 with two of the components shown in Figure 2 after removal of the rocking members. This configuration is an entirely conventional cot configuration in which one side panel is rigidly secured to the end panels and the other side panel is slidable vertically on rods 7 relative to the end panels. Figure 6 shows the movable side panel in its lower position, facilitating access to a baby supported by the cot on an appropriate mattress (not shown). The mattress wil in use be supported on a rectangular framework (not shown) supported between the end panels. The rest of the appearance of the structure shown in Figures 5 and 6 is entirely conventional except for minor details relating to the separability of the various components making up each side panel.

Referring now to Figure 7, this illustrates the attachment of the foldable components 5 and 6 shown in Figure 3 to end panels incorporating the rocking members 3 as shown in Figure 2. It will be seen that the shorter limb of the side panel component extends parallel to the end panel and is secured thereto. The longer element 5 of the side panel component is then free to pivot relative to the end panel. Thus the cradle structure as shown in Figure 8 may be assembled from the two sub-assemblies shown in Figure 7. It will be seen that the lenght, height, and spacing between the side panels of Figure 8 are smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the side panels of the cot configuration shown in Figures 5 and 6. Again a mattress may be supported by the framework shown in Figure 8 to provide a soft surface on which a baby may be placed. The rocking members provide stable rock able supports for the entire assembly.

The slide rod 7 shown in Figure 5 may be arranged so as to extend between the end panels as shown in Figure 9. The slide rods 7 thus act as tensioning rods and also provide a convenient support for a canopy a portion 8 of which is shown in Figure 9. The cradle can thus be fully embellished in a traditional manner to enhance its appearance. Fabric components of the cradle such as the canopy can be designed to perform a dual function, for example to provide cushions around the interior of the cot.

Thus all the functional and decorative requirements of cradles and cots can be achieved witha single set of components the majority of which are used in both the cradle and cot configurations.

Modifications may be made to the basic structure illustrating the accompanying drawings. For example, the separable side panel components may be dispensed with by providing a pair of rigid side panels appropriate for the cot configuration and a separate pair of rigid side panels appropriate for the cradle configuration. This simplifies the design and avoids the use of hinge components but would lead to an increase in cost. As a further modification, the separable rocking members which are mounted on the end panels when in the cradle configuration could be dispensed with providing the end panels incorporated in effect integral rocking members. In such an arrangement however the portion of the end panels which in the cot configuration would be uppermost would roll directly on the floor when in the cradle configuration. This could result in the end panels acting as rockers being damaged but this problem could be overcome by providing plastic strips to protect the rocking surfaces, the strips being dispensed with when the assembly was converted from the cradle to the cot configuration.

Details of the devices used to interconnect the various components illustrated in the drawings have not been given as the devices used are of conventional type as may be found in well known cot designs. The devices may be used for example to provide for two heights in the cot configuration and to convert the cot configuration into a cot bed.

Claims

1. A convertible cot-cradle assembly, comprising two end panels, side panels for connection in parallel between the end panels to define a rectangular framework, and means for defining a mattress support surface within the framework, characterized in that the end panels are adapted to be connected together by the side panels in either of two configurations, that is a cradle configuration in which the said side panels are of a first length and a first height and are spaced apart by a first width, and in which the lowermost portion of each end panel which contacts the floor defines a concave surface to enable the framework to rock, and a cot configuration in which the said side panels are of a second length and height and are spaced apart by a second width, the second length, height and width being greater than the respective first length, height and width, and the end panels when in the cot configuration contacting the floor in a manner which results in a stable non-rocking structure and being inverted relative to their position in the cradle configuration.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, comprising two side panel structures each being an assembly of upper and lower components one of which is rigid and the other of which is foldable along its length.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein a cradle is formed from said end panels and said foldable components one part of each foldable component extending between the two end panels and the other part of the foldable component extending in parallel with a respective end panel to which it is secured.

4. An assembly according to claim 1, comprising two separate pairs of side panels one relatively larger pair being used to form a cot and the other relatively smaller pair being used to form a cradle.

5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the end panels incorporate as integral components elements defining the said concave surfaces.

6. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the said concave surfaces are defined by demountable elements which can be fixed to the end panels.

7. A convertible cot-cradle assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.