US2553579A

US2553579A - Infant's play pen

Info

Publication number: US2553579A
Application number: US61510A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mechell F Harris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-11-22
Filing date: 1948-11-22
Publication date: 1951-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 1968-05-22

Description

May 22, 1951 M. F. HARRIS v mum's PLAY PEN 2 sheets sheet 1 Filed Nov. 22, 1948 I am v INVENTOR.

: Wake/Z 7 Farms.

-line as Fig. 4, with the play Patented May 22, 1951 INFANTS PLAY PEN Mechell F. Harris, Kansas City,"Mo. Application November 22,1948, Serial No. 61,510

11 Claims. (Cl. '99) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in infants play pens, andhas as its principal object the provision of an infants play .pen wherein the floor may be adjustably raised or lowered. Thus the floor maybe elevated in order to accommodate very young infants whereby the mother may place the baby in or remove it from the pen without objectionable bending vorstooping. Elevating the floor also adapts the pen for convenient use as a bed. On the other hand, the floor may be lowered in order to accommodate larger children.

Another object is theprovision of a collapsible infants play pen including side and end walls,

a sectioned floor carried by said walls for vertical adjustment, and novel means whereby said floor reinforces and stiifens the entire pen structure.

Other objects are simplicity and economy of construction, ease and convenience of use, and adaptability to be collapsed to a relatively fiat 'formfor convenience of storage or transportation.

With these objects in view, as Well as other "objects-which will appear in the course of the specification, reference will be had to the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an infants play pen embodyin the present invention, showing the floor in the elevated position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the play pen in its collapsed or folded position.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the pen taken just above the floor, with parts broken away.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on line Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on the same pen in its folded position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line VIVI of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken on line VII-VII Of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8lis an enlarged fragmentary section taken on lineVIIL-VIII of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section taken on line IX-IX ofFig. 8.

posts, and aplurality of spaced apart vertical slats .or balusters l4 extending between and rigidly fixed to said top and bottom rails.

'Each of end walls 6 is divided centrally into two sections 16 and i8 each comprising a toprail 20, bottom rail 22, connecting slats 24, and a vertical post .26 disposedalong .the edge thereof adjacent the associatedend wall section. Sections l6 and l 8 of each end wall are pivotally connected by hinges 28 disposed on the outer surfaces of posts -26. Top rail 20 and bottom rail 22 of each end .wall section are each pivotally secured at their outer ends to brackets 30 by means of vertical screws 32, as .best shown in Fig. 4. Said brackets are rigidly secured to end posts 8 by any suitable means. Sections l6 and i8 of each end wall 6 are thus adapted to be folded inwardly vas shown in .Fig. 2, said folding movement also drawing sidewalls inwardly whereby the entire structure assumes arelatively flat position which provides convenience for storage or transportation. It will be notedthat pivot screws 32 are. disposed inwardly from'the planes of side walls ii), whereby when the pen is folded as described,.sections l6 and I8 of the end walls Will be spaced apart from the adjacent side wall I9, the space therebetween being adapted to receive the pen floor as hereinafter described.

A latchbar34 is pivotally secured to the inner surface of top .rail .20 of each wall section l8 adjacent the .inner end thereof by means of a latch bars serve'to stiffen the hinge connection between .end wallsections l6 and I8, and to precent said Wall sections from folding while the floor is being positioned. The play penis supported by floorengaging casters 40 carried at the lower ends of each end post .8 and at the lower end of post 26 of each end wall sections 16. A

plate 4i isrigidly fixed to thelower end of said post 26 and extends beneath end post 26 of end wall section 18. This prevents sagging of the central portions .of end wall 6 due to the load imposed thereon by the hereinafter described floor members.

.The .play penfioor comprises two rectangular sections 52 and M each having its major axis parallel to Side Walls 4, and each comprising a planar sheet :16 mounted on a rectangularframe 48. Adjacent each of its outer corners, each of said floor sections ,is provided with a hook adapted to engage aheadedtrunnion pin 52,fixed in the adjacent-end post 8. As best shownin Figs; 8 and 9, each of hooks 50 comprises a plate secured at its inner end tofloor frame 48 by any suitable meanssuch asscrews 54 and provided at its outer. end .Withan outwardlyand .downwardly ;.inc1ined,slot;56adapted .to engage trun- .nion pin .52. Itwill benoted that the trunnion the inner surface of the adjacent side wall 4, as shown in Fig. 5. It is apparent from the inclination of slots 56, that

floor sections

42 and 44 must be moved both inwardly and upwardly to be disengaged from trunnions 52. Since said floor sections abut at their inner edges when in position for use, they obviously can not be moved inwardly, and are thus secured on said trunnions. An elognated metal plate 58 is rigidly secured to lower surface of frame 48 of floor section 42 along the inner edge thereof, and extends the full length of said edge. Said plate extends under the adjacent portion of floor section 44, and is provided at its outer-edge with an upturned flange 60 adapted to engage a matching groove 62 formed in frame 48 of floor section 44. Floor section 42 is supported at its inner edge by means hereinafter described, and plate 58 supports the inner edge of floor section 44 and strengthens and stiffens said floor sections. The engagement of flange 6G in groove '52 prevents separation of the floor sections, and unites said floor sections in a substantially unitary structure which reinforces the entire play pen.

At each of its ends, plate 58 is provided with a downturned flange 64 adapted to lie against the inner surfaces of posts 26 of respective end wall sections l6, as best shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7. A latch member 66, which is pivotally mounted in a recess 68 provided in post 26 by means of a horizontal pivot pin 10, extends outwardly from said recess at its upper end and is formed to pre sent a notch 12 adapted to engage flange 64, as shown in Fig. 6. Portion 14 of latch member 66 extending below pivot pin 10 abuts against the bottom of recess 68 to limit the outward movement of the upper portion of said latch member. Said latch is urged outwardly by a compression spring is bearing at one end against latch member '65 above pivot pin 10, and at its opposite end in a socket i8 formed at the base of recess 68. Latch members 66 may be pivoted inwardly against springs 16 to lie completely within recesses 68, thus permitting floor section 42 to be moved upwardly past said latches. Said latch members are then forced outwardly by springs 16, and floor section 42 may be lowered to bring flanges 64 into engagement with notches 12. Said latches thus support floor section 42 firmly, and also secure end walls 6 against outward movement.

It is believed that the operation of the device is clear. As shown in Fig. 4, end posts 8 are provided with upper and lower sets of trunnions 52, and corresponding latches 66 carried by posts 26 of the end walls, whereby the floor. may be supported at upper and lower elevations. When at its lower elevation, said floor adapts the pen for use by larger children. Also when the floor is in its lower position,

floor sections

42 and 44 may be pivoted upwardly on trunnions 52 to lie respectively against the inner surfaces of side walls 4, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, and end walls 5 may be folded inwardly to collapse the pen as previously described. When the floor is in its upper position, it adapts the pen for use by very small children or babies. While only two sets of trunnions 52 and latches 66 are shown, it is obvious that intermediate sets of trunnions and latches could be provided without departing from the spirit of the invention, thereby providing a stepped vertical adjustment for the floor.

Thus an infants play pen having several a vantages has been produced. The vertical adjustment of the floor provides convenience not heretofore obtainable. Saidadjustment is very simply accomplished. The floor sections are easily removed and adjusted for collapsing the pen, without operating fasteners, bolts and nuts, or the like, and at the same time so interlock with each other and with the supporting wall structure as to form an essentially unitary structure of good strength and rigidity.

Although I have disclosed a specific embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that many minor changes of construction and operation could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. An infants play pen comprising a supporting structure having side walls and inwardly foldable end walls, a pair of floor sections each pivotally secured at its outer edge to the adjacent side wall at an adjustable elevation thereon and adapted to abut at its inner edge against the inner edge of the other of said floor sections, means carried by said end walls for supporting said floor sections horizontally, and means whereby said abutting inner edges are interlocked to prevent relative transverse movement of said floor sections.

2. An infants play pen comprising a supporting structure having side walls and inwardly foldable end walls. a pair of floor sections each pivotally secured at its outer edge to the adjacent side wall at an adjustable elevation thereon and adapted to abut at its inner edge against the inner edge of the other of said floor sections, means carried by said end walls for supporting the first of said floor sections horizontally, and a plate secured to the lower surface of said floor sections and adapted to extend beneath and support the second of said floor sections, said plate being formed to present an upturned flange adapted to engage a matching groove formed in said second floor section.

3. An infants play pen comprising parallel side walls each having end posts, inwardly foldable end walls pivotally attached at their ends to corresponding end posts of said side walls, a plurality of vertically spaced trunnion pins carried by each of said end posts and disposed parallel to said side walls, a pair of normally horizontal fiOOr members disposed within said side and end walls, hook members carried at the outer corners of each of said floor sections and adapted to engage selectively ccrresponding trunnions on the adjacent end posts, whereby said floor sections are supported for pivotal movement to and from said side Walls, and means carried by said end walls for supporting said floor sections horizontally with their inner edges abutting.

4. An infants play pen comprising parallel side walls each having end posts, inwardly foldable end walls pivotally attached at their ends to corresponding end posts of said side walls, a plurality of vertically spaced trunnion pins carried by each of said end posts and disposed parallel to said side walls, a pair of normally horizontal floor members disposed within said side and end walls, members fixed to the outer corners of each of said floor sections and each provided with an outwardly and downwardly inclined slot adapted to engage a trunnion on. the adjacent end post, all of said slotted members being adapted to engage selectively corresponding trunnions on said end posts whereby said floor sections are supported for pivotal movement to and from said side walls, and means carried by said end walls for supporting said floor sections horizontally with their inner edges abutting.

5. An infants play pen comprising parallel side walls each having end posts, inwardly foldable end walls pivotally attached at their ends to corresponding end posts of said side walls, a plurality of vertically spaced trunnion pins carried by each of said end posts and disposed parallel to said side walls, a pair of normally horizontal floor members disposed within said side and end walls, hook members carried at the outer corners of each of said floor sections and adapted to engage selectively corresponding trunnions on the adjacent end posts, whereby said floor sections are supported for pivotal movement to and from said side walls, means carried by said end walls for supporting said floor sections horizontally with their inner edges abutting, and interlocking the abutting edge portions of said floor sections to prevent transverse separation thereof.

6. An infants play pen comprising parallel side walls each having end posts, inwardly foldable end walls pivotally attached at their ends to corresponding end posts of said side walls, a plurality of vertically spaced trunnion pins carried by each of said end posts and disposed parallel to said side walls, a pair of normally horizontal floor members disposed within said side and end walls, hook members carried at the outer corners of each of said floor sections and adapted to engage selectively corresponding trunnions on the adjacent end posts, whereby said floor sections are supported for pivotal movement to and from said side walls, means carried by said end Walls for supporting the first of said floor sections horizontally, and a plate carried by said first floor section and extending beneath th inner edge of the second of said floor sections to support said second floor section in coplanar relation with said first floor section, said plate being provided with an upturned flange adapted to engage a matching groove formed in said second floor section.

7. An infants play pen comprising parallel side walls each having end posts, inwardly foldable end walls pivotally attached at their ends to corresponding end posts of said side Walls, a plurality of vertically spaced trunnion pins carried by each of said end posts and disposed parallel to said side walls, a pair of normally horizontal floor members disposed within said side and end walls, members fixed to the outer corner of each of said floor sections and each provided with an outwardly and downwardly inclined slot adapted to engage a trunnion on the adjacent end post, all of said slotted members being adapted to engage selectively corresponding trunnions on said end posts whereby said floor sections are sup ported for pivotal movement to and from said side walls, means carried by said end walls for supporting the first of said floor sections horizontally, and a plate fixed to said first floor section and extending beneath the second of said floor sections, said plate being provided with an upturned flange adapted to engage a matching recess formed in said second floor section.

8. An infants play pen comprising a supporting structure having side walls and inwardly foldable end walls, a pair of floor sections each pivotally secured at its outer edge to the adjacent side wall at an adjustable elevation thereon and adapted to abut at its inner edge against the inner edge of the other 01 said floor sections, and latch members carried by said end walls and adapted to engage said floor members adjacent the abutting edges thereof, whereby said floor sections are supported horizontally and firmly connected to said end walls.

9. An infants play pen comprising a supporting structure having side walls and inwardly foldable end walls, a pair of floor sections each pivotally secured at its outer edge to the adjacent side wall at an adjustable elevation thereon and adapted to abut at its inner edge against the inner edge of the other of said fioor sections, a plate fixed to the lower surface of the first of said fioor sections adjacent the inner edge thereof, said plate extending beneath and supporting the second of said floor sections, and having its end portions formed to present downwardly turned flanges adjacent said end walls, and latches carried by said end walls and adapted to engage said flanges to support said floor sections and secure them to said end walls.

10. An infants play pen comprising a supporting structure having side walls and inwardly foldable end walls, a pair of floor sections each pivotally secured at its outer edge to the adjacent side wall at an adjustable elevation thereon and adapted to abut at its inner edge against the inner edge of the other of said floor sections, a plate fixed to the lower surface of the first of said fioor sections adjacent the inner edge thereof, said plate having an edge portion extending beneath and supporting the second of said floor sections, said edge portion being formed to present an upturned flange adapted to engage a matching recess formed in said second floor section, and the end portions of said plate being formed to present downwardly turned flanges adjacent said end walls, and latch members carried pivotally in recesses formed in said end walls and having notched portions extending outwardly from said recesses to engage said downturned flanges to support said floor sections horizontally and to secure said end walls firmly to said floor sections.

11. An infants play pen comprising a support ing structure having side walls and inwardly foldable end walls, said end walls each comprising a pair of sections hinged together and having their outer ends pivotally secured to said side walls, a pair of floor sections each pivotally secured at its outer edge to the adjacent side wall and adapted to abut at its inner edge against the inner edge of the other of said floor sections, means carried by said end walls for supporting said floor sections horizontally, a floor engaging caster carried at each end of each of said side walls, a, floor engaging caster carried by one section of each of said end walls adjacent said hinge connection, and a member fixed to each of said last named end wall sections and adapted to extend beneath and support the adjacent end wall section.

MECHELL F. HARRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,524,331 Baxter Jan. 2'7, 1925 2,224,310 Merrett et a1 Dec. 10, 1940 2,434,620 Landry et a1 Jan. 13, 1948