ADJUSTABLE UNIVERSAL CRIB MATTRESS DEVICE

Abstract

A mattress elevation device has a first lifting column extending from a first base, a second lifting column extending from a second base, and a frame crossmember joined to the columns. Linear actuators are coupled to the columns. The first base and the second base are parallel elongated feet spaced to stably support a length of a mattress. The first lifting column moves independently of said second lifting column. The device lifts and/or supports a crib mattress at an adjustable height so as the baby grows, they cannot climb out of the crib and lowers the daily impact on an adult's back when picking up or lowering the baby onto the crib.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cribs and, more particularly, to an adjustable mattress lift device.

Parents often find that picking up or lowering a baby onto a crib causes back pain. There is currently no device universally applicable to all types of cribs that ameliorates the strain.

As can be seen, there is a need for a universal device that allows a parent to reach the crib mattress without straining his or her back.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a mattress elevation device comprises a first lifting column, with a first linear actuator coupled thereto, extending from a first base; a second lifting column, with a second linear actuator coupled thereto, extending from a second base; and a frame crossmember joined to the first lifting column and the second lifting column; wherein said first base and said second base are parallel elongated feet spaced to stably support a length of a mattress; and wherein said first lifting column is operative to move independently of said second lifting column.

The device lifts and/or supports a crib mattress. The mattress height provided by the lift may be adjustable so as the baby grows, they cannot climb out of the crib. The present invention lowers the daily impact on an adult's back when picking up or lowering the baby onto the crib.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an adjustable crib mattress lift according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view thereof, with parts shown in cross-section;

FIG. 5 is another front elevational view thereof, illustrating level elevation of the device;

FIG. 6 is another elevational view thereof, illustrating tilted elevation of the device; and

FIG. 7 is a detail elevation view, taken at line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is an adjustable mattress elevation device comprising a lift platform with legs that are independently vertically adjustable.

The device may be raised and lowered via a motor, a manual crank, and/or a jack. For example, the device may be operated with a linear actuator. The actuator(s) may be mechanical, electro-mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic such as a hydraulic motor and/or with a threaded rod. The motor may rotate the threaded rod to raise or lower a mattress.

The universal lift is also tiltable. The tiltability is advantageous for various purposes, including lowering Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and helping babies and toddlers breathe better when they are sick.

A motorized hydraulic mechanism may be used to raise or lower the legs to lift the mattress base to a selected height. The mechanism may be controlled wirelessly remotely by a controller, or by a controller connected by way of an ethernet cable connected to the base of the legs, by pressing buttons. The controller is operative to vertically position each leg to a selected height. The legs may be connected to a power outlet that powers motors on the legs to lift and lower the mattress so adults may more easily pick up the baby.

In some embodiments, a hydraulic motor inserted inside two legs may be used with three different sizes of inserts so the leg may reach a user specified height. These legs may be attached to a base that is strapped to the mattress.

In some embodiments, the device may comprise clips, straps and/or fasteners.

The space between the legs is predetermined for the use. For example, the legs may be spaced to stably support the length of a mattress. The device may be used as a short table or desk. It may also be used to lift and lower articles other than mattresses.

The height of the device is not particularly limited.

The device may be manually assembled by the user, with or without straps or fasteners. The user may place the assembled feet and base into the middle of the crib. A connected power cable may be plugged into a power source and an ethernet cable may be attached to the foot. The base may be fastened to the crib frame and slats and the mattress may be placed on top of the base. The button console may be placed near the crib, either on the wall or on the back part of the crib, away from reach (e.g., with double sided tape). The user may test the device for functionality and height.

The user may operate the device remotely using up and down buttons and may have a locking mechanism activated by holding down a button or the like, e.g., for about 3 seconds.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, FIG. 1 illustrates a mattress lift 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a motorized lift 18 with support legs or lifting columns 26. The motorized lift 18 is positioned beneath a mattress 14 of a crib 12. A remote control 16 operative to actuate vertical movement of the mattress lift 10 is also shown. The remote control 16 may have, for example, Up, Down, and Lock buttons. As seen e.g., in FIG. 3, the motorized lift 18 supports the mattress 14 at a user selected height within the crib 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lift 18 comprises a platform having support frame members 20, each having a plurality of gaps or slots 22A formed therein, with the slots 22A of a first support frame member 20 facing the slots 22A on a second support frame member 20. Parallel support beams 22 are adjustably accommodated by the slots 22A, extending between the support frame members 20. Each support frame member 20 also has a vertical leg 26. The legs 26 are joined via a frame crossmember and extend from parallel elongated feet. Each leg 26 has a motor 24 affixed thereto.

Turning to FIG. 3, the legs 26 have an outer sleeve and an inner threaded lifting rod 28. The mattress 14 rests on a mattress frame 34 secured to the platform.

FIG. 4 illustrates a protective cover 30 on top of each motor 24 that encircles the respective threaded lifting rod 28. The top end of each threaded lifting rod 28 is pivotably joined via a sliding pivot hinge 40.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the threaded lifting rods 28 may be elevated or lowered simultaneously so that the mattress 14 remains horizontal or the threaded lifting rods 28 may be independently positioned to achieve a selected tilt.

FIG. 7 more clearly shows the structure of the vertical leg 26 having the movable threaded lifting rod 28 within the exterior sleeve and the motor 24 topped with the protective cover 30 attached to the exterior sleeve of the vertical leg. The motors 24 may be powered by way of a power cable 32. The support beams 22 are fastened to frame rungs 36 in the mattress frame 34 via one or more zip fasteners 38, although clips and/or straps may alternatively be used, preventing unintended movement of the mattress 14. The sliding pivot hinge 40 is slidable within a slot 42 in the respective support frame member 20 such that the mattress 14 may be smoothly placed in a selected position, regardless of whether the threaded lifting rods 28 move simultaneously.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A mattress elevation device comprising: a first lifting column, with a first linear actuator coupled thereto, extending from a first base;a second lifting column, with a second linear actuator coupled thereto, extending from a second base; anda frame crossmember joined to the first lifting column and the second lifting column;wherein said first base and said second base are parallel elongated feet spaced to stably support a length of a mattress; and wherein said first lifting column is operative to move independently of said second lifting column.

2. The mattress elevation device of claim 1, wherein the first and second linear actuators each comprise a threaded lifting rod accommodated within the first lifting column and the second lifting column, respectively.

3. The mattress elevation device of claim 2, wherein the first and second linear actuators each comprise a motor operative to rotate the respective threaded lifting rod.

4. The mattress elevation device of claim 2, wherein each threaded lifting rod is pivotably joined to a support frame member.

5. The mattress elevation device of claim 1, further comprising a platform having a first support frame member coupled to a top of the first lifting column; a second support frame member coupled to an end of the second lifting column; and parallel support beams extending from the first support frame member to the second support frame member.

6. The mattress elevation device of claim 5, wherein the parallel support beams are fastened to frame rungs of a mattress frame.

7. The mattress elevation device of claim 5, wherein slots are formed within the first support frame member and within the second support frame member and the parallel support beams rest within the slots.

8. The mattress elevation device of claim 5, wherein the first support frame member and the second support frame member each comprise a sliding pivot hinge.

9. The mattress elevation device of claim 1, further comprising a controller operative to vertically position and lock at least one of the first lifting column and the second lifting column.

10. The mattress elevation device of claim 9, wherein the controller is wirelessly connected or is connected by way of a cable to the first and second linear actuators.