TW201900079A - Baby cot - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable baby crib (1) comprising a flexible enclosure (20) adapted to accommodate a baby, an upper frame (30) for supporting the enclosure (20) along its upper edge (23), and two support structures (40) connected to the upper frame (30) to hold the enclosure (20) in a lifted position. The upper frame (30) comprises two half-parts (34) which are pivotally articulated to each other at two junction devices (35) and are pivotally articulated each to a respective support structure (40). The support structures (40), which are initially spaced apart from each other, move toward each other as the crib is being closed (1), while the half-parts (34) of the upper frame (30) pivot relative to each other and to the support structures (40). The two junction devices (35) of the upper frame (30) are spaced apart from each other both in the open configuration and in the closed configuration of the crib (1) at a substantially constant distance.

Description

Crib

The invention relates to a crib, which can be folded into a storage configuration.

A crib is an object that can have a large size. Therefore, foldable cots are very popular because they can have a small footprint and can be made of lightweight and flexible materials. The foldable nature of the crib is convenient for packaging and sales, it is also convenient for users to transport, and it is convenient for storage when it is no longer needed.

A crib according to the applicant's patent application is currently available in which a flexible fence for receiving a baby is connected to an upper frame extending along the upper edge of the fence. The upper frame includes two C-shaped halves pivotally connected, which are initially arranged in C-shaped recesses facing in opposite directions and toward each other. The four frames fixed together in pairs support the upper frame above a support surface.

To reduce the size of the crib, the feet must first be separated from the upper frame. Subsequently, the two halves of the upper frame are pivoted toward each other, and become a configuration in which the C-shaped recesses face in the same direction.

Patent document US 8650678 discloses a playpen with a folding frame. In an open configuration, an upper frame defines a quadrilateral, where each side includes a pair of articulated arms that pivot to each other. Four legs are arranged vertically and support the paired arms of the upper frame on top of the upper frame. A lower frame, adapted to support the bottom of the playpen, the lower frame includes a central attachment device and additional arms arranged to form an X-shape, which connects each foot to the attachment device.

When the playpen is closed, the connection device is lifted. At the same time, the arms of the lower frame are pivoted upwards and the paired arms of the upper frame are pivoted downwards. Therefore, the four legs move towards each other in the direction of the connection device. This will greatly reduce the length and width of the playpen, while its height does not change and corresponds to the height of the feet. These movements are coordinated by a transmission system that extends from the connection device along all parts of the crib frame.

Problems with prior art

In the applicant's prior art crib, the closing motion caused the feet to separate from the upper frame and the container used to accommodate all parts of the frame must be kept for storage or transport of the crib. In addition, when the crib is reopened, its feet must be reattached to the upper frame each time.

In US 8650678, when the playpen is closed, a large number of arms move simultaneously. It is difficult for the user to coordinate the movements of all the arms at the same time. Therefore, a complicated mechanism is needed to enable the user to control all these movements at the same time by actuating only a central connecting device, which is only at the bottom of the playpen Can only be accessed when removed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a crib that can be easily folded into a closed configuration while obviating the aforementioned problems of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a crib that can be folded using a simple mechanism without the need to separate parts of the frame or remove the bottom of the crib.

These and other objects are achieved by a crib as defined by the scope of any accompanying patent application. In the crib of the present invention, the upper frame of the fence configured to support the crib includes two halves pivotally hinged to each other at two connecting devices. Two support structures support the upper frame, and each of them is also pivotally hinged to a corresponding portion of the upper frame.

When the crib is closed, each half of the upper frame simultaneously pivots relative to its corresponding support structure and its opposite half, while the two support structures move towards each other. Therefore, the feet do not need to be separated from the upper frame, which simplifies the crib closing, transporting and reopening operations.

When the crib is closed, the attachment means of the upper frame remain spaced apart and do not move towards each other. Therefore, the crib is folded in only one direction, essentially maintaining its original height. That is, the crib is closed at two points of the upper frame (for example, at the connection device) by a simple manual action, and does not require a complicated mechanism to coordinate all the arms of the crib. In addition, the fence can always be attached to the crib, which obviates the need to remove its bottom. The crib still has a small size in its closed configuration, which allows the crib to be placed behind a door, for example.

The figure shows a crib according to the invention, generally designated by the number 1. The crib 1 includes a flexible fence 20, preferably made of a textile material, which defines a space suitable for receiving a baby when the crib 1 is in an open configuration. As explained more clearly below, the crib 1 can also be folded into a closed configuration in which the fence 20 is generally not suitable for accommodating a baby.

The fence 20 has a bottom wall 21 for supporting a mattress, and a side wall 22 extending from the bottom wall 21 to an upper edge 23 of the fence 20. The bottom wall 21 and the upper edge 23 may be, for example, rectangular or oval, and define a plurality of straight or curved sides of the crib 1.

The crib 1 further includes an upper frame 30 configured to support the fence 20, and generally includes a plurality of linear or curved rod-like elements arranged along the side of the crib 1. In particular, the upper frame 30 extends along the upper edge 23 of the fence 20, and the fence 20 is connected to the upper frame 30 at the upper edge 23. For example, the upper edge 23 of the fence 20 may be wrapped around the rod-like elements of the upper frame 30 and may be secured thereto by stitching, Velcro, zipper or button.

The crib 1 includes two support structures 40. Each support structure 40 generally includes one or more legs 41, preferably two legs 41. The legs 41 are configured to support the upper frame 30 and the fence 20 and maintain their height ZZ relative to the support surface Promotion. When the crib 1 is in the open configuration, the support structure 40 is spaced in the longitudinal direction X-X.

In a preferred embodiment, the two legs 41 of each support structure 40 are fixed together at a constant distance in a transverse direction Y-Y transverse to the longitudinal direction X-X. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, for this purpose, each support structure 40 includes: a cross bar 42 that extends between two legs 41 of the support structure 40 in a lateral direction Y-Y. That is, the two ends of the cross bar 42 are fixed to the two legs 41. The two legs 41 and the cross bar 42 together define a substantially planar support structure 40, which is transverse, for example: perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X-X.

The upper frame 30 includes two halves 34. The two halves 34 extend along the upper edge of the fence 20 and are arranged at opposite positions, preferably having symmetrical shapes with each other. The two support structures 40 are respectively connected to different halves 34 of the upper frame 30.

Specifically, as shown in the diagram, each half portion 34 is formed as a substantially planar C-shaped rigid structure, which extends along a curved line or a dotted line. Each half portion 34 includes two end portions 36 spaced in the lateral direction Y-Y. An end portion 36 of each half portion 34 is connected to the opposite half portion 34.

In a preferred embodiment, each half portion 34 of the upper frame 30 includes a rigid connecting rod 32 that connects the end portions 36 together, thereby preferably fixing the end portions 36 together at a constant distance. That is, the two end portions 36 of each half portion 34 extend from the corresponding connecting rod 32 toward the opposite half portion 34.

In the open configuration, the two halves 34 of the upper frame 30 are substantially coplanar on a plane perpendicular to the height direction Z-Z. In more detail, in an open configuration, two connecting rods 32 for two different halves 34 define two opposite sides of the crib 1 spaced in the longitudinal direction X-X. The ends 36 of the half portion 34 are arranged in the remaining two opposite sides spaced in the lateral direction Y-Y.

As mentioned above, in order to reduce the size of the crib 1 for storage, the crib 1 is adapted to switch from an open configuration to a closed configuration, which has been described in detail. The open configuration of the crib 1 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the closed configuration is shown in FIG. 3.

The crib 1 includes two connecting devices 35 spaced in the lateral direction Y-Y. To close the crib 1, the two halves 34 of the upper frame 30 are pivotally hinged to each other via a connecting device 35 and are adapted to rotate about a rotation axis extending in the lateral direction Y-Y.

In detail, each half portion 34 of the upper frame 30 is connected to two connecting devices 35 at its ends 36. In other words, the connecting device 35 is located at a distal position with respect to the connecting rod 32. In more detail, each connection device 35 includes at least one pivot pin 37, and each half portion 34 of the upper frame 30 is pivotally connected to a corresponding pivot pin 37 of the connection device 35.

Each support structure 40 may be further pivotally hinged to a corresponding half portion 34 of the upper frame 30. Specifically, the crib 1 includes a plurality of hinges 33, and the supporting structure 40 is connected to the respective half portions 34 of the upper frame 30 at the corresponding hinges 33. In the open configuration, each hinge 33 associated with the support structure 40 is spaced from the hinge 33 associated with the opposite support structure 40 along the longitudinal direction X-X.

In a preferred embodiment, the two legs 41 of each support structure 40 are hinged to respective halves 34 of the upper frame 30 at hinges 33 at opposite ends of their respective connecting rods 32. Therefore, in this case, the crib 1 includes 4 hinges, which are associated with the supporting structure 40 and the half portion 34 corresponding to the upper frame 30 in pairs. The ends 36 of the two halves 34 are arranged between the respective hinges 33 and the connecting means 35. Furthermore, each leg 41 is inclined relative to its respective connecting rod 32 and preferably extends perpendicularly thereto.

During the transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration, the half portions 34 of the upper frame 30 are configured to pivot relative to and towards each other, and pivot along an axis extending through the connecting device 35 in the lateral direction YY . In more detail, in the closed configuration, each hinge 33 associated with the support structure 40 is adjacent to the hinge 33 associated with the opposite support structure 40. Further, in the closed configuration, the connecting rods 32 are close to each other.

Preferably, the half portion 34 of the upper frame 30 is configured to move the hinge 33 and the connecting rod 32 by translating the hinge 33 and the connecting rod 32 only in the longitudinal direction during the transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration. Meanwhile, the half portion 34 of the upper frame 30 is configured to move the connection device 35 by translating the connection device 35 in the height direction Z-Z during the transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

In the open configuration, the connection device 35 is substantially coplanar with the half portion 34 of the upper frame, and in particular with the hinge 33 and the connecting rod 32, and in the closed configuration, the connection device 35 is located in the height direction ZZ Below the hinge 33 of the upper frame 30.

During the transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration, the half portions 34 of the upper frame 30 are configured to also pivot relative to and toward their respective support structures 40, while the two half portions 34 pivot relative to each other . Specifically, the end portions 36 of the half portions 34 pivot about their axes extending in the lateral direction Y-Y through the hinges 33 toward their respective support structures 40. Thereby, the support structures 40 move towards each other in the longitudinal direction X-X in a substantially translational movement, whereby the support structures 40 approach each other in the closed configuration. Specifically, during transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration, each leg 41 of each support structure 40 is translated only in the longitudinal direction X-X.

In one aspect of the invention, the half portion 34 of the upper frame 30 is configured to keep the distance between the connecting devices 35 in the lateral direction Y-Y substantially constant during the transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration. In other words, the distance between the connecting devices 35 in the open configuration is substantially equal to the distance between the connecting devices 35 in the closed configuration.

As used herein, the transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration is always intended as a specific step in which the halves 34 pivot with respect to each other and / or their respective support structure 40, and / or the support structure 40 is moved towards each other to change the crib 1 from an open configuration to a closed configuration.

However, it is not excluded that additional previous or subsequent steps may be provided to bring the crib 1 according to the invention from an open configuration to a closed configuration. Specifically, the mention of maintaining a constant distance or angle during the transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration does not exclude that such a distance or angle can be changed through additional closing steps in addition to the closing steps described above.

In the same manner as described above for the connection device 35, during the transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration, a constant distance is also maintained between the two legs 41 of each support structure 40, which is through the connection The rod 32 and the cross bar 42 are fixed at a constant distance, and further a constant distance is maintained between the hinges 33 associated with the same support structure 40.

In addition, during transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration, each leg 41 of each support structure 40 is inclined at a constant angle with respect to its respective connecting rod 32. In the open and closed configurations, the connecting rods 32 mainly extend in the lateral direction YY, and each connecting rod 32 and its corresponding leg are along an axis extending in the lateral direction YY (that is, in the connecting rod 32 In the direction of extension) to pivot relative to each other. Therefore, during the transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the connecting rod 32 rotates between the hinges 33.

This simplifies the closing mechanism of the crib 1 compared to a crib or crib in which the connecting rod 32 is replaced with a hinged structure in which the legs 41 of one supporting structure move toward each other in the lateral direction Y-Y. Therefore, there is no need for a complicated crib closing mechanism that can be accessed after removing the bottom of the crib 1.

It can be understood that the two support structures 40 are substantially parallel to each other in the open and closed configurations because they are both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X-X. In addition, in the closed configuration, the two support structures 40 are also parallel to the two halves 34 of the upper frame.

To prevent accidental closure of the crib 1, each connection device 35 includes a first locking mechanism 50 configured to prevent the halves 34 of the upper frame 30 from pivoting relative to each other, and particularly relative to the connection device 35 pivots. In more detail, a first locking mechanism 50 is provided for each end portion 36 of the half portion 34 of the upper frame 30. To explain the characteristics of the first locking mechanism 50, FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the inside of one of the connecting devices 35.

In the depicted embodiment, the locking mechanism 50 includes a sliding guide 51 for each half portion 34, for example, a groove formed in the connection device 35, while the corresponding half portion 34 includes a protruding member 52, the protruding member The shape of 52 is suitable for engaging in the guide 51, such as a peg protruding from the end portion 36 of the half portion 34 in the lateral direction YY. Obviously, the positions of the guide 51 and the protruding member 52 can be exchanged between the connection device 35 and the half portion 34.

The guide 51 defines a rotation guide portion 53 and a lock portion 54. The rotation guide portion 53 is formed to guide the protruding member 52 during the rotation of the corresponding half portion 34 relative to the connection device 35. For example, the rotation guide portion 53 may be arc-shaped, the center of which is located at the pivot pin 37 of the connecting device 35, and the corresponding half portion pivots around the pivot pin 37. When the upper frame 30 is in the open configuration, the locking portion 54 is shaped to receive and lock the protruding member 52 to prevent its corresponding half portion 34 from rotating relative to the connecting device 35. For example, the locking portion 54 may be a section extending from the rotation guide portion 53 toward or away from the pivot pin 37.

Each first locking mechanism 50 includes an elastic member 55 configured to hold the protruding member 52 in the locking portion 54 of the guide 51 when the upper frame 30 is in the open configuration. In the depicted embodiment, the elastic member 55 is a spring that is loaded when the protruding member 52 is positioned on the rotation guide portion 53 of the guide 51. Therefore, the elastic member 55 is configured to move the protruding member 52 into the locking portion 54 of the guide 51 when the upper frame 30 is turned into the open configuration, and preferably is by an extension operation.

The crib 1 includes a release actuator 56 for each connection device 35 that is operable to release the first locking mechanism 50 and allows a transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration. For example, the release actuator 56 may include a button located at the connection device 35 and adapted to slide in the height direction Z-Z relative to the connection device 35.

Specifically, the release actuator 56 is configured to move the protruding member 52 from the lock portion 54 to the rotation guide portion 53 of the slide guide 51, thereby loading the elastic member 55 (if any). As shown in FIG. 4, the release actuator 56 includes an inclined surface 57 that is designed to, when the crib 1 is in the open configuration, simultaneously translate the release actuator 56 (eg, at a height) Translational movement in the direction ZZ), translated into translation (for example: translation in the longitudinal direction XX) of all the protruding members 52 relative to one of the connecting devices 35.

Each half portion 34 of the upper frame 40 includes a second locking mechanism 60 configured to prevent its half portion 34 from pivoting relative to its corresponding support structure 40. Specifically, a second locking mechanism 60 is provided for each hinge 33, wherein one half portion 34 of the upper frame 30 is connected to the support structure 40. 5 and 6 show an embodiment of the second locking mechanism 60.

In a preferred embodiment, each second locking mechanism 60 includes a gear 61 that is designed to mesh with the support structure 40 and the teeth 62 of the half portion 34 of the upper frame 30 at the same time, thereby preventing them relative to each other Pivot. The teeth 62 may be formed in a cavity that receives the hinge 33 of the gear 61. The gear 61 is adapted for axial movement to engage and disengage the teeth 62 of the support structure 40 and / or the half portion 34.

Preferably, the second locking mechanism 60 is adapted to be released through the same release actuator 56, which also releases the first locking mechanism 50. In other words, the release actuator 56 of the connection device 35 is configured to release their respective first locking mechanism 50 and second locking mechanism 60 and allows a transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration.

To this end, the second locking mechanism 60 is connected to the first locking mechanism 50 through a cable 53 extending in the half portion 34 of the upper frame 30. That is, the cable 63 is connected to the first locking mechanism 50 such that the release of the first locking mechanism 50 will cause the cable 63 to be tightened and the second locking mechanism 60 to be released. For example, the cable 63 may be connected to the first locking mechanism 50 at an elastic member 55 that is loaded when the actuation of the actuator is released.

Therefore, each second locking mechanism 60 includes a release member 64 that is actuated through the cable 63 to disengage the gear 61 from the half portion 34 or at least one tooth portion 62 of the support structure 40, for example: overcoming a spring (not (Shown), the gear 61 is pushed axially. Specifically, the release member 64 is a disk accommodated between the half portion 34 and the leg 41, and is located beside the gear 61 and coaxial with the gear 61. When the cable 63 is tightened, the disc is adapted to rotate, and its rotation generates an axial thrust on the gear 61 due to the mating inclined surface 65 formed in the disc and in the half portion 34 or in the support structure 40. . The axial displacement of the release member 64 disengages the gear 61 from the tooth portion 62 of the half portion 34, thereby allowing the feet 41 and the half portion 34 to rotate with each other.

In short, the crib 1 is closed by a procedure in which, initially in an open configuration, when the first locking mechanism 50 and the second locking mechanism 60 are operating, the two halves of the upper frame 30 The portions 34 are coplanar with each other and are substantially perpendicular to their respective support structures 40. The user activates two release actuators 56 at the connection device 35, thereby releasing the first locking mechanism 50 and the second locking mechanism 60. The two halves 34 of the upper frame 30 are pivoted relative to the connection device 35 and the support structure 40. At the same time, the connection device 35 is lowered and the support structure 40 is moved toward each other.

In the closed configuration, the support structure 40 and the half portion 34 of the upper frame 30 are arranged on planes substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X-X. Therefore, compared to the open configuration, the crib 1 has a smaller size in the longitudinal direction X-X in the closed configuration. However, the crib 1 has substantially the same size in the lateral direction Y-Y in the closed and open configurations.

It should be understood that, in a closed configuration, due to the flexibility of its material, the fence 20 can be separated or kept connected from the upper frame 30 and can be folded to minimize its size.

Obviously, those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive a variety of changes to the above-mentioned variants without departing from the scope defined by the scope of the attached application patent.

1‧‧‧ Crib

20‧‧‧ Fence

21‧‧‧ bottom wall

22‧‧‧ sidewall

23‧‧‧ Upper edge

30‧‧‧ Upper frame

32‧‧‧ connecting rod

33‧‧‧ hinge

34‧‧‧ half

35‧‧‧ Connected device

36‧‧‧ tip

37‧‧‧ pivot pin

40‧‧‧ support structure

41‧‧‧ feet

42‧‧‧cross bar

50‧‧‧first locking mechanism

51‧‧‧Guide

52‧‧‧ protruding components

53‧‧‧rotation guide

54‧‧‧Locked

55‧‧‧elastic member

56‧‧‧ release actuator

57‧‧‧ inclined surface

60‧‧‧Second locking mechanism

61‧‧‧Gear

62‧‧‧Tooth

63‧‧‧cable

64‧‧‧ release member

65‧‧‧ inclined surface

X-X‧‧‧Vertical orientation

Y-Y‧‧‧Horizontal direction

Z-Z‧‧‧ Height direction

The features and advantages of the present invention will be derived from the following detailed description of feasible practical implementations, and the set of diagrams is used as a non-limiting example for explanation, in which: [Fig. 1] shows an operating configuration [FIG. 2] A perspective view showing the upper frame and supporting structure of the crib of FIG. 1; [FIG. 3] A view of the crib of FIG. 1 in a different operating configuration A perspective view of the upper frame and supporting structure; [FIG. 4] shows a partial cross-sectional view of a part of the crib of FIG. 1; [FIG. 5] shows an exploded view of another part of the crib of FIG. 1; ] A perspective view showing yet another part of the crib of FIG. 1.

The crib shown in the drawings should be considered as schematically depicted, not necessarily drawn to scale, and does not necessarily represent the actual scale of its components.

Claims (10)

A crib (1) comprising:-an upper frame (30) configured to support a fence (20) for receiving a baby, the upper frame (30) comprising two halves (34), It is pivotally hinged to each other at two connection devices (35),-two support structures (40), which are configured to keep the upper frame (30) lifted relative to a support surface, each support structure (40) pivotally hinged to a corresponding half (34) of the upper frame (30), wherein:-the crib (1) is adapted to switch between an open configuration and a closed configuration, in the open The support structure (40) is spaced in the configuration, the support structure (40) is close together in the closed configuration,-the half (34) of the upper frame (30) is configured to pivot relative to each other Turn, and pivot towards each other, and during the transition from the open configuration to the closed transition, pivot towards their respective support structure (40), characterized in that the distance between the connecting devices (35) is between The transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration remains substantially constant. The crib (1) according to claim 1, wherein:-in the open configuration, the supporting structures (40) are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (XX),-the supporting structures (40) are correspondingly The hinge (33) is pivotally connected to the corresponding half (34) of the upper frame (30), and-the half (34) of the upper frame (30) is configured to be converted from the open configuration During the closed configuration, the hinge (33) is moved by translating the hinge (33) only in the longitudinal direction (XX). The crib (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:-each half (34) of the upper frame (30) includes two ends (36), and the connecting means (35) are provided at On the ends (36) of the halves (34), and-the two ends (36) of each half (34) are fixed together at a constant distance. The crib (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each support structure (40) includes two legs (41) and two legs (41) of each support structure (40) The distance between) remains substantially constant during the transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The crib (1) according to claim 4, wherein the two feet (41) in each support structure (40) are fixed together at a constant distance. The crib (1) according to claim 5, wherein each support structure (40) includes a cross bar (42) that extends between two legs (41) of the support structure (40), The cross bar (42) is fixed to two legs (41). The crib (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein:-each half (34) of the upper frame (30) comprises a rigid connecting rod (32) with two ends The two legs (41) of each supporting structure (40) are hinged to their respective half portions (34) of the upper frame (30) at the ends of the connecting rods (32). The crib (1) according to claim 7, wherein during the transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the angle of inclination between each leg (41) and its respective connecting rod (32) remains constant . The crib (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein:-each connection device (35) of the upper frame (30) includes a first locking mechanism (50), which is configured To prevent the half (34) of the upper frame (30) from pivoting relative to each other, and-the crib includes a release actuator (56) for each connection device (35), which is operable To release the first locking mechanism (50) and allow transition to the closed configuration. The crib (1) according to claim 9, wherein:-each half (34) of the upper frame (30) includes a second locking mechanism (60), which is configured to prevent the half ( 34) pivoting relative to its corresponding support structure (40), and-the release actuators (56) of the connection devices (35) are configured to release the first locking mechanism (50) and the A second locking mechanism (60), and thereby allows a transition to this closed configuration.