US3590403A

US3590403A - Crib

Info

Publication number: US3590403A
Application number: US822449A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clyde E Mixon
Original assignee: Pedicraft Inc
Current assignee: Pedicraft Inc
Priority date: 1969-05-07
Filing date: 1969-05-07
Publication date: 1971-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-06

Abstract

A rectangular crib having opposite end walls terminated by four generally upright corner posts, opposite sidewalls positioned between the corner posts, and mattress supporting means extending between the corner posts and positioned generally midway between the top and bottom thereof, with one sidewall including a side gate movable from an upper closed position to a lower open position. The crib has U-shaped channel members attached to the corner posts in which the side gate slides between its upper closed and lower open positions by means of rollers attached thereto and positioned within the channel members. Catch means are included within the corner posts and engageable with the rollers on the side gate to maintain the upper edge of the side gate in a position spacedly above the upper surface of a mattress positioned on the mattress supporting means to provide a short sidewall portion for the side gate to prevent the accidental falling of a child from the crib. The crib additionally has selectively releasable means positioned within and adjacent to the upper portion of the side gate for maintaining the same in its upper closed position. The crib is provided with a mattress supporting member which is raisable at one end and pivotally attached to other portions of the crib at its opposite end.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor ClydeE.Mixon Jacksonville, Fla. 1211 AppLNo. 822,449 [22] Filed May7,1969 [45] Patented July 6,1971 [73] Assignee Pedlcraft, Inc.

Jacksonville, Fla.

[54] CRIB 17 Claims, 20 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S.Cl............. 5/100 [51] lnt.Cl. A47d7/00, A47d 9/00 [50] FieldofSearch 5/ll6,93, 97100,33l; 160/280284 [56] ReierencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,182,009 5/1916 Haymond 160/281 1,694,659 12/1928 Kusterle..... 5/93X 1,755,232 4/1930 Whitmore.. 160/282 2,481,965 9/1949 Woller.... 5/11 3,345,653 10/1967 Mixon.... 5/100X 3,405,412 10/1968 Mixon 5/100 Primary Examiner-Casmir A, Nunberg Attorneys-George H. Baldwin and Arthur G. Yeager ABSTRACT: A rectangular crib having opposite end walls terminated by four generally upright corner posts, opposite sidewalls positioned between the corner posts, and mattress supporting means extending between the corner posts and positioned generally midway between the top and bottom thereof, with one sidewall including a side gate movable from an upper closed position to a lower open position. The crib has U-shaped channel members attached to the corner posts in which the side gate slides between its upper closed and lower open positions by means of rollers attached thereto and positioned within the channel members. Catch means are included within the corner posts and engageable with the rollers on the side gate to maintain the upper edge of the side gate in a position spacedly above the upper surface of a mattress positioned on the mattress supporting means to provide a short sidewall portion for the side gate to prevent the accidental falling of a child from the crib. The crib additionally has selectively releasable means positioned within and adjacent to the upper portion of the side gate for maintaining the same in its upper closed position. The crib is provided with a mattress supporting member which is raisable at one end and pivotally attached to other portions of the crib at its opposite end.

PATENTEDJUL 6M 3,590,403 sum 1 OF 5 INVENTOR. C(yae l". Mk0)? CRIB BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to improvements in and to a generally overall improved children's crib or infants bed. More particularly, the invention disclosed herein pertains to an improved child's crib.

The improved cribs embodied by this invention are particularly adapied for use in hospitals and nurseries such as to afford quick-and easy access by doctors, nurses and other attendants to the occupant thereof, and still at all other times providing reliable protection for the occupant of the same against the danger of falling out of the crib.

2. Description of the Prior Art The typical crib or infant's bed, as usually found in the pediatric wards of hospitals, in nurseries and the like, is

, generally provided with sides or gatelike r'nembers along its sides'The sides are slideably mounted to' the crib and adjust from a fully raised position, in which the upper edges of the side gates are adjacent the upper edges of the ends of the crib, such as to completely retain the child in the crib, even when a child is standingin an elect position, to a fully lowered position, in which the upper edges of the side gates are below the mattress, such that the child and mattress within the crib are fully exposed and accessible to a doctor, nurse or other like person attending and administering to the child in the crib. When either one or both of the side gates are in the lowered position, having been inadvertently left in this position or accidentally fallen to this position upon actuation or failure of the catch mechanism, which normally holds the side gate in its uppermost position, the child within the crib can accidentally or inadvertently roll on the mattress therein and fall therefrom on to the floor below, oftentimes resulting in pain, suffering and damage to himself along with the inconvenience and wasted time and energy of the attendant needed to return the child to the crib.

Children's cribs, infant beds, and more specifically cribs adapted for use in the pediatric wards of hospitals or nurseries, have been previously devised, such prior art devices being generally disclosed in U.S. Pats. Nos. 825,137, 1,112,567, 1,435,299, 1,649,754, 2,673,989, 2,682,061, 2,783,481, and 3,345,653. Applicant's invention of an improved crib, disclosed herein, is an improvement over such prior art arrangements, as shown for example in the above mentioned patents, and generally alleviates the aforementioned problems and difficulties of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A general object of this invention is to provide an improved crib which is simple and sturdy in construction, easy to manipulate, neat in appearance and which provides safety means for preventing the infant occupying the same from falling out of the crib.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved crib in which the side gates thereof can be maintained in a position such that a doctor, nurse or other like person attending or administering to an infant in the crib has full access to the child, while at the same time maintaining the upper edges of the side gates in positions above the upper surface of the crib mattress such that the infant within the crib can not inadvertently or accidentally roll or fall from the crib mattress to the floor therebelow.

A further object of the subject invention is to provide an improved crib particularly adapted for use in nurseries and in pediatric wards of hospitals wherein the sliding side gates are prevented from accidentally falling or inadvertently being positioned in positions where the upper edges thereof are below the upper surface of the mattress, such that the infant in the crib could inadvertently or accidentally roll or fall from the mattress within the crib to the floor below.

Generally these objects are attained by providing a rectangular crib having stationary opposite end walls terminated by four generally upright corner posts, opposite sidewalls positioned between the corner posts with one sidewall including a side gate movable from an upper closed position to a lower closed position, and mattress supporting means extending between the comer posts and positioned generally midway between the top and bottom thereof. The crib has elongated U-shaped channel members attached to the corner posts for sliding movement of the side gate between its upper and lower positions by roller means attached to the ends of the side gate and positioned within the hollow channel members. Safety catch means are included within the corner posts for engaging the roller means at the ends of the side gate for maintaining the upper edge thereof spacedly above a mattress positioned on the mattress supporting means to provide a short sidewall portion for the side gate to prevent accidental falling of a child from the crib. Selectively releaseable means are provided in the crib and positioned within and adjacent to the upper edge of the side gate for maintaining the same in its upper closed position. The crib mattress supporting means includes a member one end of which is raisable and the other end of which is pivotally connected to other portions of the crib.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the improved pediatric crib of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial transverse-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlargedcross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the sliding side gate locking mechanism;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial elevational view of one of the sides of the improved pediatric crib of this invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged transverse-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is a transverse-sectional view, similar to FIG. 11, showing the arrangement of the parts therein upon actuation of the release handles of the sliding side gate locking mechanism;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged transverse-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16A is an enlarged partial elevational view of one of the corners of the pediatric crib, showing the sliding side gate in an intermediate position;

FIG. 16B is a view similar to FIG. 16A, showing the sliding side gate in its lowermost position;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged transverse-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 18 is a transverse-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 19 is an enlarged transverse-sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 16B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM BODlMENT Referring to the drawings in detail, and in particular to F101. 1 thereof, the improved crib 10 of this invention is seen to include a pair of

opposite end walls

12 and 14, and a pair of

opposite sidewalls

16 and 18 each of which includes a respective sliding

side gate

20 and 22. Ends 12 and'14 and

sides

16 and 18 are respectively terminated by four

corner posts

24, 26, 28 and 30, each of which is provided with a caster or wheel 32 attached to its lower end portion for ready movement and positioning of crib 10. A resilient and semisoft wall bumper 37 is positioned at the lower end of each corner post 24--30 above caster 32 to prevent the hard metallic portions of the crib from bumping and scraping walls, doorways and the like. A support or bracing member 34 extends between

upright post

24 and 26 and a similar member 36 extends between

upright corner posts

28 and 32 to strengthen and lend rigidity to the crib structure. Additionally bracing members or spreading

bars

38 and 40 extend lengthwise of crib l and are positioned between and connected to supports 34 and 36.

With particular reference to FlGS. 2 through 5, crib 10 is seen to include an improved and adjustable mattress support assembly 42 positioned between corner posts 24-30 approximately midway between the upper and lower end portions of posts 24-30. Mattress support 42 includes a pair of

elongated side members

44 and 46 which are connected to crib end

walls

12 and 14 and a pair of

elongated end members

48 and 50 extending between and connected to

side members

44 and 46. Positioned atop this framework formed by members 44-50 is a mattress pan assembly 52 including a pan member 54 (which may be made from plastic or a metal such as aluminum) connected to a perimeter framework consisting of two

elongated side members

56 and 58 and two elongated end-

members

60 and 62. Mattress pan assembly 52 is pivotally connected to support member 50 by means of an elongated hinge 64 extending therebetween. Pivotable mattress pan assembly 52 is made adjustable to support a mattress 66 at a number of inclined positions (as seen in H08. 2 and 4) by means of a pair of notched

members

68 and 70 connected respectively to support

members

44 and 46 and an appropriately formed rod assembly 72 which is engageable within the various notches of notched

members

68 and 70 to vary the height or inclination of this end portion of mattress pan assembly 52. The

outer end portions

74 and 76 of rod assembly 72 are positioned in and connected to respective

elongated members

56 and 58 of the mattress pan framework. The mattress pan assembly 52 and mattress 66 may be positioned in a generally horizontal position or in any one of a number of inclined positions. lf desired the mattress pan assembly 52 can be further broken and made to pivot such that only a portion or certain portions of mattress 66 are inclinable while the remainder thereof remains in a generally horizontal position.

End wall 12 includes a top or upper generally horizontal member 78 and a second or lower generally horizontal member 80 positioned adjacent the mid portion of end wall 12.

Member

78 and 80 extend between and are connected to generally upright end or

corner post

24 and 26. A series of generally upright, equispaced, circular rods or members 82 extend between and are connected to upper and lower generally

horizontal members

78 and 80 such as to prevent the occupant of the crib from exiting the same through end wall 12. In like manner end wall 14 includes a top or upper generally horizontal member 84 and a second or lower generally horizontal member 86 positioned adjacent the midportion of end wall 14. Both

members

84 and 86 are connected to and positioned between end or corner posts 28 and 30. A plurality of equispaced, generally upright, circular rods or members 88 extend between and are connected to generally

horizontal members

84 and 86 to enclose end 14 of the occupant containing or confining portion of the crib. Sliding side gate 20 of crib sidewall 16 includes an upper generally horizontal rail or member 90, a lower generally horizontal rail or member 92, a pair of generally upright end members 94 and 96 extending between and connected to upper and lower rails and 92, and a plurality of equispaced, generally upright, circular rods 98 extending between and connected to upper and lower generally

horizontal rails

90 and 92. Sliding side gate 22 or crib side wall 18 includes a generally horizontal upper rail or member 100, a lower generally horizontal rail or member 102, a pair of generally upright

opposite end members

104 and 106 extending between and connected to generally horizontal rails and 102, and a plurality of equispaced, generally upright, circular rods 108 which extend between and are connected to

members

100 and 102.

The main structural members of crib 10 are fastened or connected together as depicted in FIG. 7, wherein the connection of bracing member 36 to corner

posts

28 and 30 and the connection of spreading

bars

38 and 40 to member 36 is shown. Bracing member 36 is attached to corner post 30by means of a headed bolt 110 extending through post 30 and anchored within a threaded nut 112 positioned within the hollow interior of member 36. Nut 112 is secured within member 36 to prevent movement of the same therein by means of a first pair 114 of indentations on the forward side of the nut and a second pair of indentations 116 on the rearward side of nut 112, said indentations being formed in member 36. The opposite end of bracing member 36 is attached to corner post 28 by a headed bolt 118 extending through the post and being secured within a threaded nut 120 positioned within member 36 and secured therein by means of a pair of indentations 122 adjacent its forward side and a pair of indentations 124 adjacent its rearward side. In like manner spreading bar 38 is connected to bracing member 36 by means of bolt 126 and nut 128 secured within bar 38, and spreading bar 40 is connected to bracing member 36 by headed bolt 130 and threaded nut 132 secured within bar 40.

Attached to each corner or end

posts

24, 26, 28 and 30 and extending from the top thereof to closely adjacent the bottom thereof are respective track members or

channels

25, 27, 29 and 31, which are boxlike or U-shaped and each of which has an opening or slot 33 therein which faces respective sliding

side gates

20 and 22. The purpose and function of these will be explained more fully hereinbelow. Each of the tracks or slides 25 through 31 is provided with a closed top and a'closed bottom with stop means, as at 35, which extends outward beyond the opening 33 of the track member.

Side gates

20 and 22 of

respective sides

16 and 18 slide or move upward and downward within

respective tracks

25, 31 and 27, 29 from the top thereof to adjacent the bottom thereof and stop means 35. To accomplish this sliding

action side gates

20 and 22 are each provided with four sets of rollers or wheels, each set including two pair of rollers as for example set 134 of sliding side gate 20 includes an upper pair of rollers 136 and lower pair of rollers 138. The rollers, as at 136 and 138, are mounted by ball hearings to a short shaft 140, which shaft is mounted to a generally upright plate member 142 which extends through slot or opening 33 of elongated channel member, as 25. Plate member 142 is adjustably connected by a threaded bolt 144 and nut 146 to the upright end member 94 of sliding side gate 20. In addition to roller arrangement 134, sliding side gate 20 further includes

roller arrangements

148, 150 and 152 which are constructed in a similar fashion and connected to the slidin side gate in a similar manner. Sliding side gate 22 moves up and down within

track members

27 and 29 by means of

roller assemblies

154, 156, 158 and 160 constructed similar to and attached to the sliding side gate in the same manner as roller arrangement 134. As can be more clearly seen in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, roller pairs 136 and 138 are of a size to fit engagingly within the channel of channel member 25 to provide for smooth upward and downward movement of the sliding side gate.

With particular reference to FIGS. 9 through 15, crib 10 includes an improved locking or securing mechanism to maintain sliding

side gates

20 and 22 in their uppermost positions, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 10. Crib 10 includes four of these locking or securing mechanisms, one being located at each 164, a front wall 166 and an attaching portion 168 by which catch 162 is connected to channel member 25 and end post 24. Attaching portion 168 includes a pair of openings 170 and 172 through which a pair of

screws

174 and 176 extend to attach catch 162 to channel 25 and end post 24, see in particular FIG. 15. Front wall 166 of catch 162 includes a centrally disposed opening 178 therein which includes a smaller and lower portion 180.

Positionable through opening 178 is a rounded end latching rod 182 which is contained within top rail 90 of sliding side gate and positioned through openings within end member 94 andione of the upright rods 98 of sliding side gate 20, see in particular FIGS. 11, 12 and 15. Latching rod 182 includes a cut out shoulder or circularly notched portion 184 which upon proper alignment of rod 182 is engageable within the smaller portion 180 of opening 178 to secure or lock rod 182 within catch I62 and prevent downward movement of sliding side gate 20 until release of rod 182 from opening 178 and-particularly lower portion 180 thereof. Upon upward movement of the sliding side gate from a lower position, such as depicted in FIG. 16A or 168, rod 182 will automatically become positioned within opening 178 such as to catch side gate 20 in its uppermost position, and upon release and slight downward movement of the side gate the same will become secured or locked in its uppermost position with circular notched portion 184 of rod 182 becoming engaged within portion 180 of opening 178.

The mechanism for extending and retracting rod 182 from engagement within opening 178 and portion 180 thereof is depicted in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. This mechanism includes a

pair

186 and 188 of hand operable levers or handles, the upper portions of which can be compressed or squeezed toward one another in the direction of arrows 190 to operate or set the mechanism for disengagement of rod 182 from within catch 162. Operating handles or

levers

186, 188 are mounted to sliding side gate 20 at its midportion and adjacent upper rail 90 thereof, see FIGS. 1 and 10. The lower ends of

levers

186, 188 are anchored within and pivotable through openings within a mounting block 192 which mounts or secures the lower ends of these handles to the center rod of upright rods 98 within side gate 20. The upper ends of

levers

186, 188 extend through

respective openings

194 and 196 within the bottom side of top rail 90 and up into the hollow center or cavity of top rail 90. This operating mechanism, for latching rod 182 and a similar rod mounted in the other end of top rail 90, further includes a pair of sliding

members

198 and 200 mounted within the hollow of top rail 90 and extending from adjacent the central rod of upright rods 98 to adjacent the outer ends of top rail 90. Sliding member 198 includes three small shoulder or flange portions extending at generally right angles thereto and positioned one at each

end

202 and 204 of the member 198 and one 206 positioned therebetween but more nearly adjacent flange 202. Flange or shoulder 204 is solid but

flanges

202 and 206 have an opening therethrough to permit latching rod 182 to slide freely therethrough, there being no fixed connection between rod 182 and sliding member 198.

. A first compression spring 208 is positioned about rod 182 and extends between flange 202 and a pin 210 fixed to rod 182. A second compression spring 212 is positioned about rod 182 between flange or shoulder member 206 and the upper portion of the next adjacently inward upright rod 98. Upon squeezing or compression or handles or

levers

186, 188 towards one another in the direction of arrows 190, from their at rest positions as depicted in solid lines in FIG. 13 and as shown in. FIG. 11, to position 214 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 13 and as seen in FIG. 12, sliding

members

198 and 200 will move inward or towards one another, from their positions as shown in FIG. 11 to their positions as shown in FIG. 12 and their dashed line positions of FIG. 13. When sliding member 198 moves inward, springs 208 and 212 become compressed, as seen in FIG. 12, with spring 208 exerting force against pin 210 on rod 182 to urge rod 182 out of engagement within opening 78 of catch 162, and in particular shoulder or circular cutout portion 184 from engagement within lower portion 180 of opening 178. Upon slight upward movement of sliding side gate 20 in the direction of arrow 216, accompanied by upward movement of rod 182 in the direction of arrow 218, latching rod 182 will assume its dashed line position 220 (see FIG. 15) whereby the same will become disengaged, by means of spring 208 acting against pin 210, from opening 178 thereby releasing sliding side gate 20 for downward movement. In this manner sliding side gate 20 may be released from its locked or secured uppermost position only by a simultaneous compressing operation of handles or

levers

186, 188 and a slight upward movement of the side gate to disengage rod 182 and a rod similar thereto positioned in the other end of top rail of the side gate. A guard plate such as 222 is provided behind each set of operating handles or levers such as 186, 188 to prevent the occupant or patient in the crib from operating the release mechanism, thereby preventing the inadvertent lowering of the sides by the occupant of the bed.

, Upon release of operating handle or lever 186, spring 212 will return sliding member 198 from its position as depicted in FIG. 12 to its at rest position as depicted in FIG. 11, and shoulder or flange 206 will press against pin 210 on rod 182 to extend the same outward of end rail 94 whereby the same will enter opening 178 within catch member 162 upon lifting of sliding side gate 20 to its uppermost position such that shoulder or circular cutout portion 184 will again engage and become locked or secured within lower portion 180 or opening 178.

With particular reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, crib 10 further includes a spring clip or safety catch arrangement 224 to permit sliding

side gates

20 and 22 to be maintained at positions midway between their uppermost positions and their lowermost positions, such as depicted in FIG. 16A. Crib 10 includes four of these spring clip arrangements, such as at 224, one being positioned within each of the corner posts 24 through 30, with a pair thereof controlling the positioning of each of the

side gates

20 and 22.

Spring clip arrangement 224 is located within and extends through corner post 24 and partially into the channel or hollow of channel member 25, see in particular FIG. 18. Spring clip arrangement 224 includes a hollow housing 226 which extends through corner post 24 and

openings

228 and 230 at each end thereof and through opening 232 within channel member 25. Housing 226 is secured within corner post 24 by means of a plate member 234 attached to the outer side of comer post 24 by means of a pair of

screws

236 and 238. Contained within housing 226 and fittingly slidable therein is a clip member 240, which in its normal position extends into the hollow or channel portion of channel member 25 and into the path of travel of roller pair 138. Attached to the rearward end of clip 240 is a guide rod 242 which extends through the hollow of housing 226 and outwardly of plate member 234 through an opening 244 therein. A compression spring 246 is positioned about guide rod 242 and extends between plate member 234 and the rear end of clip 240 to urge clip 240 forward into the channel of channel member 25 and into the path of rollers 138. Spring clip arrangement 224 is further provided with a release pin 248 connected to the side of clip member 240 and extending outward of the front of corner post 24 through elongated openings 250 and 251.

Upon operation of release pin 248, clip member 240 is moved rearward (or to the left in FIG. 18) within housing 226 and out of the line of travel of rollers 138, thereby permitting the same to pass clip 240 allowing sliding side gate 20 to fall or be lowered to its lowermost position as depicted in FIG. 168. The forward end portion of clip member 240 is curved and beveled from its lower edge to its upper edge such that as sliding side gate 20 is moved upward in the direction of arrow 252 roller pairs 136 and 138 will depress clip member 240 backward within housing 226 such as to pass thereby in the upward direction. However, the curving and beveling of the forward end portion of clip member 240 provides a sharp shoulder 254 at the upper edge thereof such that pair of rollers 138 when moving in a downward direction as indicated by arrow 256 will be stopped by and come to rest thereon, impeding further downward movement of sliding side gate 20 until clip member 240 is operated by movement to the left or to within its housing 226 by means of release pin 248 such that roller pair 138 is released from shoulder 254 and becomes disengaged from clip member 240.

After the sliding side gates, as sliding side gate 20, have been released from their uppermost positions as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 10, the same will fall or may be lowered to the position as depicted in FIG. 16A wherein roller pair 138 engages shoulder 254 of clip member 240. In this position (depicted in FlG. 16A) top rail 90 of sliding side gate 20 is still positioned somewhat above the top of crib mattress 66 to protect small infants occupying the crib from inadvertently rolling off the mattress and out of the crib onto the floor therebelow. Upon operation of spring clip arrangement 224, and a similar arrangement positioned at the other end of sliding gate 20, sliding side gate 20 may be lowered or will fall to its lowermost position as depicted in H6. 168 with roller pair 138 engaging and resting upon stop means or member 35 positioned at the lower end of channel member 25, see FlG. A. In this position (depicted in FlG. 168) top rail 90 of sliding side gate 20 is somewhat below mattress 66 such that the attendant may readily change the mattress and/or clean the bed. I

While only a certain preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown and described by way of illustration, many modifications within the true spirit and scope of this invention and within the following claims will occur to those skilled in the art.

What I claim as new and what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a crib having stationary opposite end walls terminated by four generally upright corner posts and opposite sidewalls positioned between the corner posts, at least one sidewall including a side gate movable from an upper closed position to a lower open position, the improvement comprising a pair of elongated hollow box members having an elongated vertical slot in one face thereof communicating with the hollow therein, each box member being respectively attached to said corner posts adjacent the opposite ends of said side gate, each of said box members having its said slot facing an adjacent said side gate end and extending generally from top to bottom of said corner post, a pair of roller means including an element respectively attached to said side gate opposite ends and extending outwardly therefrom, each said roller means further including a roller within said box member hollow and rotatably attached to said element wherein said element extends through said slot, said rollers being caged within said box member hollow and contacting the inner surfaces defining said hollow during sliding of said gate between its upper closed and lower open positions.

in a crib having stationary opposite end walls terminated by four generally upright corner posts and opposite sidewalls positioned between the corner posts, at least one sidewall including a side gate movable from an upper closed position to a lower open position, the improvement comprising a pair of elongated U-shaped channel members having an elongated open side communicating with the hollow therein, each channel member being respectively attached to said comer posts adjacent the opposite ends of said side gate, each of said channel members having its open side facing an adjacent said side gate end and extending generally from top to bottom of said comer post, a pair of roller means including support means respectively attached to said side gate opposite ends and extending outwardly therefrom, each said roller means further including a roller within said channel member hollow and rotatably attached to said 55;: means wherein said support means extends through said slot, said rollers being caged within said channel member hollow and contacting the inner surfaces defining said hollow during sliding of said gate between its upper closed and lower open positions.

3. In the crib as defined in claim 2, wherein one of said elongated channel members includes stop means attached thereto closely adjacent its lower end portion, said stop means extending into the hollow of said channel member to limit the downward movement of said roller.

4. in the crib as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said pair of roller means includes a pair of rollers rotatably attached to said support means and being caged within said channel member hollow.

5. In the crib as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said pair of roller means includes another support means attached to said side gate end and vertically spaced from said support means, each of said support means having a pair of rollers rotatably attached thereto, each said pair of rollers being caged within said channel member hollow.

6. in the crib as defined in claim 2 wherein each said support means further includes adjustable means for attaching said roller to said side gate whereby the distance between said roller and its respective side gate end may be varied.

7. in the crib as defined in claim 2 further comprising safety catch means including an element positioned within one said corner post adjacent an end of said side gate and extending laterally therefrom toward said one side gate end, said roller of said one side gate end being engageable with one end of said element, said safety catch means further including spring means biasing said element toward said one side gate end and into engagement with said roller, and means selectively operable against the bias of said spring means for disengaging said element from said roller, said element when engaged with said roller maintaining said side gate in a position generally midway between its upper closed and lower open positions.

ii. in a crib having stationary opposite end walls terminated by four generally upright corner posts, opposite side walls positioned between the corner posts, and mattress supporting means extending between the corner posts and positioned generally midway between the top and bottom thereof, at least one sidewall including a side gate movable from an upper closed position in which the upper edge thereof is adjacent the upper ends of the corner posts to a lower open position in which the upper edge thereof is adjacently below the mattress supporting means, the improvement comprising safety catch means including an element positioned within one said corner post adjacent one end of said side gate and extending laterally therefrom toward said one side gate end, said one side gate end having shoulder means engageable with one end of said element, said safety catch means further including spring means biasing said element toward said one side gate end and into engagement with said shoulder means, and means selectively operable against the bias of said spring means for disengaging said element from said shoulder means, said element when engaged with said shoulder means maintaining said side gate upper edge spaeedly above the upper surface of a mattress positioned on said mattress supporting means thereby providing a relatively short sidewall portion for said side gate to prevent accidental falling f a child from the crib.

9. In the crib as defined in claim 8 wherein said selectively operable means includes a handle connected to said element and extending transversely thereof outwardly of said corner post, said handle being hand operable to disengage said element from said shoulder means whereby said side gate may be moved to its lower open position.

110. In the crib as defined in claim b wherein said safety catch means includes another element positioned within another said corner post adjacent the opposite end of said side gate and extending laterally therefrom toward said opposite side gate end, said opposite side gate end having shoulder means engageable with one end of said other element, said safety catch means further including spring means biasing said other element toward said opposite side gate end and into engagement with said shoulder means, and means selectively operable against the bias of said spring means for disengaging said other element from said shoulder means.

11. Inthe crib as defined in claim 8 wherein further comprising a member attached to said one side gate end and extending laterally therefrom toward said one end of said element and constituting said shoulder means, said member being engageable with the upper surface of said one end of said element.

12. in the crib as defined in claim 11 wherein said one end of said element includes a surface facing said one side gate end, said surface being inclined upwardly and outwardly toward said one side gate end, said member contacting said surface upon upward movement of said side gate from its lower open position to force said element against said spring means.

13. in a crib having stationary opposite end walls terminated by four generally upright corner posts, opposite side walls positioned between the comer posts, one sidewall including a side gate having an upper generally horizontal member and being movable from an upper closed position the improvement comprising selectively releaseable means for maintaining said side gate in its upper closed position, said releaseable means including a bracket attached to one of said comer posts adjacent its upper end and extending laterally therefrom toward the adjacent side gate end portion with a socket therein opening outwardly toward said side gate end portion, an elongated rod positioned within said side gate upper member, said rod having an outer end portion extendable into and out of engagement with said socket, spring means for biasing said rod toward said bracket tending to extend said rod outer end portion into said socket, and handle means movably attached to said side gate for moving said rod against the bias to release said rod outer end portion from engagement within said socket thereby permitting said side gate to move downwardly from its upper closed position.

14. In the crib as defined in claim 13 wherein said selectively releaseable means includes another bracket attached to the other said corner post facing said side gate opposite end portion, said bracket being adjacent said post upper end and extending laterally therefrom toward said side gate opposite end portion, said other bracket having a face opposite said side gate opposite end portion with a socket therein opening outwardly toward said side gate opposite end portion, another elongated rod positioned within said side gate upper member and having an outer end portion extendable into and out of engagement with said other bracket socket, said other rod being spring biased toward said other bracket tending to extend its outer end portion into said socket, said handle means moving said other rod against the bias to release said rod outer end portion from engagement within said socket.

15. In the crib as defined in claim 13 wherein said socket includes shoulder means therein, said rod outer end portion includes shoulder means, said rod shoulder means engaging said socket shoulder means when said rod outer end portion is extended into said socket and upon slight downward movement of said side gate after extending said rod outer end portion into said socket.

16. In the crib as defined in claim 13 further comprising shield means attached to side gate closely adjacent to and inwardly of said handle means, said shield means inhibiting operation of said handle means by an occupant positioned interiorly of the crib.

17. In the crib as defined in claim 13 wherein said handle means includes a generally upright handle having its lower end portion pivotally attached to the midportion of said side gate and positioned adjacent said upper member thereof, the upper end portion of said handle being disposed within said upper member of said side gate, an element having opposite end portions disposed within said upper member and being slideable therein, said handle upper end portion cooperating with one end portion of said element to move said element within said upper member upon pivoting of said handle, the other end portion of said element engageable with said spring means and moving said rod from engagement within said socket.

Claims

2. In a crib having stationary opposite end walls terminated by four generally upright corner posts and opposite sidewalls positioned between the corner posts, at least one sidewall including a side gate movable from an upper closed position to a lower open position, the improvement comprising a pair of elongated U-shaped channel members having an elongated open side communicating with the hollow therein, each channel member being respectively attached to said corner posts adjacent the opposite ends of said side gate, each of said channel members having its open side facing an adjacent said side gate end and extending generally from top to bottom of said corner post, a pair of roller means including support means respectively attached to said side gate opposite ends and extending outwardly therefrom, each said roller means further including a roller within said channel member hollow and rotatably attached to said support means wherein said support means extends through said slot, said rollers being caged within said channel member hollow and contacting the inner surfaces defining said hollow during sliding of said gate between its upper closed and lower open positions.

8. In a crib having stationary opposite end walls terminated by four generally upright corner posts, opposite side walls positioned between the corner posts, and mattress supporting means extending between the corner posts and positioned generally midway between the top and bottom thereof, at least one sidewall including a side gate movable from an upper closed position in which the upper edge thereof is adjacent the upper ends of the corner posts to a lower open position in which the upper edge thereof is adjacently below the mattress supporting means, the improvement comprising safety catch means including an element positioned within one said corner post adjacent one end of said side gate and extending laterally therefrom toward said one side gate end, said one side gate end having shoulder means engageable with one end of said element, said safety catch means further including spring means biasing said element toward said one side gate end and into engagement with said shoulder means, and means selectively operable against the bias of said spring means for disengaging said element from said shoulder means, said element when engaged with said shoulder means maintaining said side gate upper edge spacedly above the upper surface of a mattress positioned on said mattress supporting means thereby providing a relatively short sidewall portion for said side gate to prevent accidental falling of a child from the crib.

10. In the crib as defined in claim 8 wherein said safety catch means includes another element positioned within another said corner post adjacent the opposite end of said side gate and extending laterally therefrom toward said opposite side gate end, said opposite side gate end having shoulder means engageable with one end of said other element, said safety catch means further including spring means biasing said other element toward said opposite side gate end and into engagement with said shoulder means, and means selectively operable against the bias of said spring means for disengaging said other element from said shoulder means.

11. In the crib as defined in claim 8 wherein further comprising a member attached to said one side gate end and extending laterally therefrom toward said one end of said element and constituting said shoulder means, said member being engageable with the upper surface of said one end of said element.

13. In a crib having statiOnary opposite end walls terminated by four generally upright corner posts, opposite side walls positioned between the corner posts, one sidewall including a side gate having an upper generally horizontal member and being movable from an upper closed position the improvement comprising selectively releaseable means for maintaining said side gate in its upper closed position, said releaseable means including a bracket attached to one of said corner posts adjacent its upper end and extending laterally therefrom toward the adjacent side gate end portion with a socket therein opening outwardly toward said side gate end portion, an elongated rod positioned within said side gate upper member, said rod having an outer end portion extendable into and out of engagement with said socket, spring means for biasing said rod toward said bracket tending to extend said rod outer end portion into said socket, and handle means movably attached to said side gate for moving said rod against the bias to release said rod outer end portion from engagement within said socket thereby permitting said side gate to move downwardly from its upper closed position.