COLLAPSIBLE CRIB FRAME

Abstract

A foldable frame for use as an infant crib or child play yard comprising a generally planar, rectangular upper frame supported by a plurality of upstanding leg members preferably extending from respective corners of the rectangular upper frame, each leg member being connected to the upper frame by a respective hinge connection configured to permit movement of respective leg members between upstanding deployed positions for use and folded positions for stowing the frame, a pair of folding hinges disposed in opposing portions of the upper frame that permit folding of the upper frame, preferably once the legs have been folded, wherein the hinge connections further include latching mechanisms to maintain the leg members in at least the folded position and to prevent inadvertent movement therefrom.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to portable enclosures for infants, and more particularly to a leg-supported foldable frame for a crib or a play yard that may be collapsed into a comparatively compact space when not in use.

Portable cribs and play yards are useful to contain and provide a safe environment for small children to sleep or play. These enclosures generally include side walls and a bottom floor made of fabric material or similar soft goods supported on a collapsible frame that allows them to be easily stored or transported.

Portability of infant care accessories is an increasingly important consideration among consumers. While collapsible frames are well-known in the art, frames that are easily reconfigured or collapsed into a compact package continue to push manufactures for innovation. Awkwardly reconfigurable frames or latching mechanism and frames requiring significant space when folded do not meet consumer demands. Consequently, the need to improve portability, compactness, and ease of use of collapsible frames is a growing concern. Many benefits would be realized by a stand-alone folding crib frame that is conveniently collapsible into a compact form and is highly resistant to inadvertent collapse when deployed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention, in any of the embodiments described herein, may provide one or more of the following advantages:

It is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable frame for use as an infant crib or child play yard. The frame comprises a generally planar, rectangular upper frame supported by a plurality of upstanding leg members preferably extending from respective corners of the rectangular upper frame. The frame includes a pair of folding mechanisms disposed in opposing portions of the upper frame that permit folding of the upper frame. Each leg member is connected to the upper frame by a hinge connection configured to permit movement of respective leg members between upstanding deployed positions for use and folded positions for stowing the frame. The hinge connections include biasing mechanisms to urges the legs toward the folded or the unfolded positions to assist in folding or unfolding the frame. The hinge connections further include latching mechanisms to maintain the leg members in at least the folded position and to prevent inadvertent movement therefrom.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a foldable crib frame capable of compacting into a substantially smaller space when folded than is occupied in the unfolded configuration. The upper frame includes a pair of folding mechanisms disposed in opposing portions of the upper frame that permit folding of the upper frame thereby reducing its dimension by approximately half. The hinge connections are configured to enable the leg members to be folded inwardly and remain within a boundary defined by the upper frame when folded. The leg members may be curved to improve the compactness when folded.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a foldable crib frame supported by a plurality of movable leg members having hinged connections for attaching the leg members that are configured to prevent inadvertent movement of the individual leg members from a deployed configuration toward a folded configuration. Each hinge connection includes a primary latch structure that locks respective leg members in the unfolded/deployed configuration and a secondary latch that precludes movement of the primary latch while latched. Releasing a leg member for folding requires first releasing the secondary latch which then permits the primary latch to be released so that the leg may be folded.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a foldable crib frame comprising a rectangular upper frame supported by a plurality of upstanding leg members, each leg member connected to the upper frame by a folding hinge featuring a latching mechanism for retaining the leg members in a deployed configuration with a two-step latch release, and a pair of folding hinges in the upper frame enabling the upper frame to be folded that is durable in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, carefree of maintenance, easily assembled, and simple and effective to use.

These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing a foldable frame for use as an infant crib or child play yard comprising a generally planar, rectangular upper frame supported by a plurality of upstanding leg members preferably extending from respective corners of the rectangular upper frame, each leg member being connected to the upper frame by a respective hinge connection configured to permit movement of respective leg members between upstanding deployed positions for use and folded positions for stowing the frame, a pair of folding hinges disposed in opposing portions of the upper frame that permit folding of the upper frame, preferably once the legs have been folded, wherein the hinge connections further include latching mechanisms to maintain the leg members in at least the folded position and to prevent inadvertent movement therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages of this invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional foldable crib frame embodying aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the crib frame shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the crib frame shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the crib frame shown in FIG. 1 in which the legs are moved into a second position for storage and the upper frame is moved into a folded position;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the folded crib frame shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is perspective view of the folding mechanism for the upper frame;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the folding mechanism shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the internals of the folding mechanism of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates the guide creating the pivot in the folding mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 10-12 show one embodiment of a leg folding hinge, positioned as it would be when the frame is configured for use; and

FIGS. 13-15 show the folding leg hinge of FIG. 10 positioned as it would be when the frame is folded for stowage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Many of the fastening, connection, processes and other means and components utilized in this invention are widely known and used in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art, and they will not therefore be discussed in significant detail. Also, any reference herein to the terms “up” or “down,” or “top” or “bottom” are used as a matter of mere convenience, and are determined as the crib frame would normally rest on the floor or a similarly level surface. Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention can be varied or altered as anticipated by this invention and the practice of a specific application of any element may already be widely known or used in the art by persons skilled in the art and each will likewise not therefore be discussed in significant detail. When referring to the figures, like parts are numbered the same in all of the figures.

Referring to the figures, exemplary crib frame 10 incorporating principles of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 comprising an upper frame 12 supported by a plurality of generally upstanding leg members 14 each connected to the upper frame by folding hinge 16 that permits the leg members to be moved between a first configuration (FIG. 1) for use, and a second configuration (FIG. 4) for storage. The upper frame 12 includes a pair of spaced apart side frame members 13, each having a folding mechanism 17 configured to permit the upper frame to be folded, preferably along an axis 100 disposed midway between opposing ends 15 of the upper frame between an unfolded orientation (FIG. 1) and a folded orientation (FIG. 4).

The frame 10 is shown in an unfolded orientation in FIGS. 1 through 3 wherein the leg members 14 in the first configuration extend generally away from the plane of the upper frame 12. The leg members may be non-liner in design and arranged so that the distal ends 141 are positioned outside of a perimeter projected by the upper frame on the supporting surface to enhance stability of the frame. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 in which the frame 10 is shown in a folded configuration, the non-linear configuration of the leg members 14 enables the leg members to lie within a periphery defined by the folded upper frame 12, further contributing to compactness of the folded frame.

A folding mechanism 17 may be provided to enable the upper frame 12 to be reduced in overall dimension when the crib is not in use. Referring to FIGS. 6 through 9, one embodiment of a folding mechanism 17 for the upper frame is shown comprising an end connector 41, a ring-like movable connector 42, and a pivot housing 44 which joins the connectors in a manner enabling relative pivoting therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot housing 44 is conveniently configured with a first portion 44a and a second portion 44b for ease of assembly and it fixedly attached to end connector 41. The pivot housing 44 comprises an internal guide structure 45 which engages a generally open circular guide structure 46 of the ring-like movable connector 42 and enables the moveable connector 42 to pivot about axis 100. A movable latch 47 displaces a latch pin 49 which selectively engages receivers 50 (detents) in the end and movable connectors 41, 42 to prevent pivoting movement of the moveable connector 42 when so engaged. The moveable latch 47 is biased by springs 62 toward the engaged position; releasing the latch requires a user to overcome the biasing force by pressing a release actuator surface 63. Displacing the moveable latch 47 disengages the latch pin 49 from the receivers 50a, 50b and permits pivoting of the moveable connector 42 in relation to the end connector 41. When the movable latch 47 is disengaged and the moveable connector 42 displaced, the receivers 50 are misaligned and the latch 47 is restrained in the disengaged position by contact with an outer peripheral end 46a of the moveable connector 42 unless and until the upper frame is realigned which aligns the receivers 50.

Referring again to in FIGS. 1 through 5 in combination with FIGS. 6 through 9, a folding mechanism 17 is provided in each side frame member 13 and disposed approximately midway between opposing distal ends 54 of the side frame members at adjacent proximal ends 53. The folding mechanisms 17 enable the frame to be folded approximately in half, substantially reducing the space occupied by the frame when folded. The configuration of the moveable connector 42, specifically the diameter of the circular opening 61, provides an offset in the hinge creating space between the opposing side frame portions when the frame is folded in which the leg members 14 may be positioned.

The end connectors 41 and the movable connectors 42 of the folding mechanism 17 include adapters 52 configured for connection to the respective proximal ends 53 of the side frame members 13. Tube-shaped structures are preferred for the various frame members.

In order that the leg members 14 may be folded into a more compact orientation, a plurality of folding hinges 16 may be provided. FIGS. 10 through 15 illustrate one embodiment of the folding hinge 16 used for connecting the leg members 14 to the upper frame 12. The folding hinge 16 connection includes a hinge pin 81 that enables pivoting movement of the leg member 14 about a leg pivot axis 110 relative to the upper frame 12. A travel limiter 82 is provided to limit the range of leg member pivoting movement between the first configuration (FIGS. 1 and 10) and the second configuration (FIGS. 4 and 13). The travel limiter 82 preferably comprises a limiter pin 83 affixed to the leg member 14 for movement therewith. The limiter pin 83 is aligned parallel to the leg pivot axis 110 with opposing ends extending outwardly from a central position. The opposing ends of the limiter pin 83 engage a generally arcuately shaped limiter slot 84 which limits the pivoting movement of the leg member 14 by interaction between the limiter pin 83 and the extent of the limiter slot 84.

A leg biasing mechanism 90 may be provided to urge the leg member 14 into either the first or second configuration. An exemplar leg biasing mechanism 90 may comprise a spring element 92 acting between a first mounting pin 93, which connected to the upper frame 12, and the limiter pin 83. The spatial relationship of the first mounting pin 93 and the arcuate path of limiter pin 83 as the leg member is moved configures the biasing mechanism 90 in an over-center arrangement (the spring is at maximum compression at an intermediate positon of the leg member). This arrangement enables the biasing mechanism to urge the leg member toward either the first or second configuration once the leg member is moved away from the intermediate position. The function of the biasing mechanism is to assist with folding or unfolding of the frame 10 by urging the legs to either extreme so that a user does not have to manually reposition the legs.

The folding hinge 16 further includes a leg latching mechanism 120 configured to selectively retain the leg member 14 in at least the first configuration for use of the frame. The latching mechanism 120 is operably separate from the travel limiter 82 and may comprise a locking pin 121 that is moveably attached to the leg member 14 in a manner enabling displacing movement along a single axis (shown as arrow “A” in FIGS. 10-15), between opposing locked (FIGS. 10-12) and unlocked (FIGS. 13-15) positions. The locking pin 121 is moved by a locking release 122 which may include a handle 123 to improve user ergonomics. A spring 80 may be provided to bias the locking pin 121 toward the locked position. A guide 127 generally adjacent to the folding hinge may operably connect the spring 80 and the locking pin 121. A locking plate 124 may be affixed to the upper frame 12 for movement therewith may include a locking receptacle 125 into which the locking pin may be engaged to retain the leg member 14 fixed in the first configuration (extended for use). The locking plate 124 further comprises an end 126 along which the biasing spring 80 maintains the locking pin in contact as the leg member is moved between the first and second configurations. The end 126 may comprise additional detents to hold the leg member in other positions, such as in the folded (second configuration) or a stop 129 to limit the range of folding movement of the leg member.

The latching mechanism 120 may also be provided with an interlock mechanism 130 to prevent inadvertent movement of the leg members due to accidental movement of the locking pin 121 from the locked position. As best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 15, the interlock mechanism 130 may comprise a movable lock 132 operable by push-button 131 between opposing first (FIG. 12) and second positions (FIG. 15). A block 134 is provided on the moveable lock and configured to lockingly engage with a stop 135 disposed on the guide 127. The block 134 and stop 135 are configured as a ratchet so that when engaged, movement in one direction is inhibited. As is best illustrated in FIG. 12, when engaged, the block 134 and stop 135 prevent downward movement of the guide 127. When the moveable lock 132 is moved to the second position, shown in FIG. 15, the block 134 and the stop 135 are disengaged thereby permitting downward movement of the guide 127.

The moveable lock 132 may be pivotally connected to the folding hinge 16 in manner so that operation of the push-button 131 causes the proximity of the block 134 relative to the stop 135 to vary between engaged and disengaged positions. The moveable lock 132 is preferably biased by a lock spring 136 to urge the moveable lock 132 toward the first position. The spring permits the moveable lock 132 to be deflected toward the second position when the guide 127 is not in the locked position and then be moved by the lock spring to the first position as the guide is moved into the locked position.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, but it can also be modified in many ways without departing from the basic concepts. Changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A folding crib frame comprising: a top frame defining a perimeter;a folding hinge connecting a support leg to the top frame long the perimeter and enabling pivoting movement of the support leg about a hinge axis in a range between generally opposing folded and unfolded positions;a leg biasing mechanism acting on the support leg and urge movement of the support leg toward the folded or unfolded position from an intermediate position within the range; anda latching mechanism to releasably retain the support leg in the unfolded position.

2. The folding crib frame of claim 1, further comprising a folding mechanism disposed in the top frame moveably connecting a first portion and a second portion of the top frame, the folding mechanism having a generally planar ring connected to the first top frame portion, an end connector connected to the second top frame portion, and a movable lock bar with an actuator, the ring encircling an open portion and restrained for rotational movement about a folding axis transverse to and generally centered in the opening by a ring guide affixed to the end connector, the ring further having an exterior perimeter edge with an inwardly disposed first detent therein, the end connector further having a second detent therein, the lock bar being movable along an axis extending radially from the folding axis between opposing locked and unlocked positions controllable by the actuator and having a resilient member biasing the lock bar toward the locked position, the lock bar when in the locked position being positioned to simultaneously engage the first and second detents thereby preventing relative rotation of the ring and the end connector, the lock bar being moved to the unlocked position by movement of the actuator, disengaging the lock bar from the detents and held in the unlocked position by rotating the ring to misalign the detents wherein interaction between the lock bar and the exterior perimeter edge maintains the lock bar in the unlocked position thereby enabling rotation of the rings until the detents are mutually aligned with the lock bar.

3. The folding crib of claim 2, wherein the actuator is disposed within the opening.

4. The folding crib of claim 1, wherein the leg biasing mechanism comprises a spring element acting between a first mount disposed on the top frame and a second mount and connected to the support leg in an over-center arrangement wherein the maximum compression of the spring element occurs when the support leg is intermediately positioned between the folded and unfolded positions.

5. The folding crib of claim 4, wherein the first and second mounts and the folding hinge pivot axis are linearly aligned when the support leg is in the intermediate position.

6. The folding crib of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism further comprises a locking structure fixed on the top frame and a moveable locking pin connected to the support leg, the locking pin being selectively engageable with the locking structure when the support leg is in the unfolded position and, when engaged therein, preventing movement of the support leg from the unfolded position.

7. The folding crib of claim 6, further comprising an interlock mechanism having a moveable block and an actuator, the block when in a first position engaging the locking pin to prevent disengagement of the locking pin from the locking structure, movement of the block by the actuator to a second position permitting disengagement of the locking pin from the locking structure.

8. The folding crib of claim 6, further comprising a travel limiter operably connected to the folding hinge to limit movement of the support leg to movement between the folded and unfolded positions, the travel limiter being operably separate from the latching mechanism.

9. The folding crib of claim 8, wherein the travel limiter comprises a limiter pin connected for movement with the support leg and a guide structure connected for movement with the top frame as the support leg moves between the folded and unfolded positions, the limiter pin engaging the guide structure and the guide structure being configured to constrain movement of the limiter pin corresponding to support leg movement between the folded and unfolded positions.

10. A folding crib frame comprising: a perimeter frame portion;a support leg;a folding hinge connecting the support leg to the perimeter frame portion and enabling pivoting movement of the support leg about a hinge axis between generally opposing folded and unfolded positions; anda spring element acting between a first mount disposed on the perimeter frame portion and a second mount connected for movement with the support leg, the spring element configured in an over-center alignment between the mounts wherein the maximum compression of the spring element occurs when the first and second mounts are linearly aligned with the hinge axis thereby biasing movement of the support leg toward the folded or unfolded position from an intermediate position.

11. The crib frame of claim 10, further comprising a travel limiter operably connected to the folding hinge to limit movement of the support leg to movement between the folded and unfolded positions.

12. The crib frame of claim 11, wherein the travel limiter comprises a limiter pin connected for movement with the support leg and a limiter guide structure connected for movement with the perimeter frame portion as the support leg moves between the folded and unfolded positions, the limiter pin engaging the limiter guide structure and the guide structure being configured to constrain movement of the limiter pin corresponding to support leg movement between the folded and unfolded positions.

13. The crib frame of claim 12, wherein the limiter guide structure is generally radially arranged relative to the hinge axis and the limiter pin is the second mount.

14. The crib frame of claim 13, wherein the limiter guide structure is a slot-like opening in a generally planar structure and the limiter pin extends at least partially though the slot-like opening.

15. The crib frame of claim 10, wherein the folding hinge further comprises a locking mechanism having a locking structure fixed on the perimeter frame portion and a moveable locking pin connected to the support leg and selectively engageable with the locking structure when the support leg is in the unfolded position and, when engaged therein, preventing movement of the support leg from the unfolded position.

16. The crib frame of claim 15, further comprising an interlock mechanism having a moveable block and an actuator, the block when in a first position engaging the locking pin to prevent disengagement of the locking pin from the locking structure, movement of the block by the actuator to a second position permitting disengagement of the locking pin from the locking structure.

17. The folding crib frame of claim 10, further comprising a folding mechanism disposed in the top frame moveably connecting a first portion and a second portion of the top frame, the folding mechanism having a generally planar ring connected to the first top frame portion, an end connector connected to the second top frame portion, and a movable lock bar with an actuator, the ring encircling an open portion and restrained for rotational movement about a folding axis transverse to and generally centered in the opening by a ring guide affixed to the end connector, the ring further having an exterior perimeter edge with an inwardly disposed first detent therein, the end connector further having a second detent therein, the lock bar being movable along an axis extending radially from the folding axis between opposing locked and unlocked positions controllable by the actuator and having a resilient member biasing the lock bar toward the locked position, the lock bar when in the locked position being positioned to simultaneously engage the first and second detents thereby preventing relative rotation of the ring and the end connector, the lock bar being moved to the unlocked position by movement of the actuator, disengaging the lock bar from the detents and held in the unlocked position by rotating the ring to misalign the detents wherein interaction between the lock bar and the exterior perimeter edge maintains the lock bar in the unlocked position thereby enabling rotation of the rings until the detents are mutually aligned with the lock bar.

18. The folding crib of claim 17, wherein the actuator is disposed within the opening.