CRIB HAVING MOVABLE AND STATIONARY SIDES, MULTIPLE BASES, AND A BASE CONNECTOR
A crib has a base portion, base connector, crib side sections extending from the base portion and crib legs to support the base portion and the crib side sections above the ground. A front stationary crib side middle section, a back stationary crib side middle section and the base connector may be removed to reveal a crib side openings and separate stationary crib side sections may be added to allow the crib to be converted into separate cribs.
In this section we shall explain several preferred embodiments of this invention with reference to the appended drawings. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described in the embodiments are not clearly defined, the scope of the invention is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration.
In one embodiment, the crib 10 may have a base portion, crib side sections and crib legs for supporting the base portion and the crib side sections above the ground. The base portion, the crib side sections and the crib legs may be assembled to provide a comfortable area for infants to sleep or play without constant adult supervision. The crib parts may be of any materials and may be assembled in compliance with the crib safety regulations set forth by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission in the Code of Federal Regulations. In one embodiment, referring now to
In one embodiment, a plurality of crib side sections may extend from the base portion. When the first base 22a and the second base 22b are connected by the base connector 24, the crib side sections may extend from the perimeter of the first base 22a, the second base 22b and the base connector 24. The crib side sections may be of a height (above the base portion) that prevents an infant from climbing over the crib side sections. The crib side sections may be of the same size and shape. Thus, when the dimensions of one crib side section are determined, the remaining crib side sections may be efficiently manufactured by duplicating the crib side section. When the first base 22a and the second base 22b are curved (e.g., circular as shown in the figures), the crib side sections may be shaped to conform to the perimeter of the base portion such that the crib appears as two connected round cribs in a side by side configuration. This is in contrast to arranging two standard cribs in a stacked configuration with one crib positioned above the other. In the configuration shown in
In one embodiment, a front stationary crib side middle section 16a may extend vertically from the base portion. In the example shown, the front stationary crib side middle section 16a also runs horizontally along portions of the sides of the first base 22a, the second base 22b and the base connector 24. As an alternative, the middle section 16a may conform essentially only to the base connector's perimeter, if the base connector 24 is deep enough (such as shown in
The front stationary crib side middle section 16a is preferably curved as shown (conforming to the front side of the base connector 24), so as not to present any sharp angles to the child inside the crib.
The bottom rail 54b may be secured to portions of the first base 22a, the second base 22b and the base connector 24. Any acceptable securing mechanism, such as bolts, nails, screws or brackets, may be used to secure the bottom rail 54b to the first base 22a, the second base 22b and the base connector 24. In one embodiment, the front stationary crib side middle section 16a may be removed from the base portion so that the crib may be converted into two separate cribs.
In one embodiment, a back stationary crib side middle section 16b may extend from the base portion, at a location that is directly opposite the front middle section 16a. The back stationary crib side middle section 16b may conform to the perimeter of the first base 22a, the second base 22b in
The back stationary crib side middle section 16b is preferably curved as shown (conforming to the back side of the base connector 24), so as not to present any sharp angles to the child inside the crib.
A first movable crib side section 18a may extend vertically from the base portion. In one embodiment, the first movable crib side section 18a is a separate piece located adjacent to the first base 22a and runs (horizontally) along a part but not all of the complete perimeter of the base 22a. In the example shown, the section 18a cuts an arc of about ninety degrees around the complete circle defined by the perimeter of the base 22a. The first movable crib side section 18a may have a horizontal top rail 58a and a horizontal bottom rail 58b. A plurality of bars 66 may extend vertically between and are permanently attached to the top rail 58a and the bottom rail 58b. In another embodiment, the plurality of bars 66 may be positioned in any direction between the top rail 58a and the bottom rail 58b. The bars 66 may be spaced at any distance from each other sufficient to prevent a child's head from fitting between the bars 66, and to allow the child lying in the crib to easily see outside the crib all around herself. The bottom rail 58b may be secured to the base portion. The bottom rail 58b may preferably be secured to the first base 22a. Any acceptable securing mechanism, such as bolts, nails, screws or brackets may be used to secure the bottom rail 58b to the base portion.
A second movable crib side section 18b may extend vertically from the base portion. In one embodiment, the second movable crib side section 18b is a separate piece located adjacent to the second base 22b and runs (horizontally) along a part but not all of the complete perimeter of the base 22b. In the example shown, the section 18b cuts an arc of about ninety degrees around the complete circle defined by the perimeter of the base 22b. The second movable crib side section 18b may be preferably of the same shape and size as the first movable crib side section 18a such that one may be used in place of the other. In one embodiment, the second movable crib side section 18b may have a horizontal top rail 60a and a horizontal bottom rail 60b. A plurality of bars 66 may extend vertically between and are permanently attached to the top rail 60a and the bottom rail 60b. In another embodiment, the plurality of bars 66 may be positioned in any direction between the top rail 60a and the bottom rail 60b. The bars 66 may be spaced at any distance from each other sufficient to prevent a child's head from fitting between the bars 66. The bottom rail 60b may be secured to the base portion. The bottom rail 60b may preferably be secured to the second base 22b. Any acceptable securing mechanism, such as bolts, nails, screws or brackets may be used to secure the bottom rail 50b to the base portion.
A first stationary crib side end section 14a may extend vertically from the base portion. In one embodiment, the first stationary crib side end section 14a is a separate piece located adjacent to the first base 22a and runs (horizontally) along a part but not all of the complete perimeter of the base 22a. In the example shown, the section 14a cuts an arc of about ninety degrees around the complete circle defined by the perimeter of the base 22a. The first stationary crib side end section 14a may be of the same shape and size as the movable sections 14a, 14b. The first stationary crib side end section 14a may have a horizontal top rail 50a and a horizontal bottom rail 50b. A plurality of bars 66 may extend vertically between the top rail 50a and the bottom rail 50b. In another embodiment, the plurality of bars 66 may be positioned in any direction between the top rail 50a and the bottom rail 50b. The bars 66 may be spaced at distances from each other to prevent a child's head from fitting between the bars 66, and to meet other useful features described above including full view of the outside by the child lying in the crib, as well as full view by those outside the crib. The bottom rail 50b may be secured to the base portion. The bottom rail 50b may preferably be secured to the first base 22a. Bolts, nails, screws, brackets or any other similar securing mechanism may be used to secure the bottom rail 50b to the base portion.
A second stationary crib side end section 14b may extend vertically from the base portion. In one embodiment, the second stationary crib side end section 14b is a separate piece located adjacent to the second base 22b and runs (horizontally) along a part but not all of the complete perimeter of the base 22b. In the example shown, the section 14b cuts an arc of about ninety degrees around the complete circle defined by the perimeter of the base 22b. The second stationary crib side end section 14b may be preferably of the same shape and size as the first stationary crib side end section 14a such that one may be used in place of the other. The second stationary crib side end section may have a horizontal top rail 52a and a horizontal bottom rail 52b. A plurality of bars 66 may extend vertically between the top rail 52a and the bottom rail 52b. In another embodiment, the plurality of bars 66 may be positioned in any direction between the top rail 52a and the bottom rail 52b. The bars 66 may be spaced at distances from each other to prevent a child's head from fitting between the bars 66. The bottom rail 52b may be secured to the base portion. The bottom rail 52b may preferably be secured to the second base 22b. Bolts, nails, screws, brackets or any other similar securing mechanism may be used to secure the bottom rail 52b to the base portion.
A first crib side back section 20a may extend vertically from the base portion. In one embodiment, the first crib side back section 20a is a separate piece located adjacent to the first base 22a and runs (horizontally) along a part but not all of the complete perimeter of the base 22a. In the example shown, the section 20a cuts an arc of about ninety degrees around the complete circle defined by the perimeter of the base 22a. The first crib side back section 20a may be of the same shape and size as the movable and end crib side sections 14a, 14b, 18a, 18b. The first crib side back section may have a horizontal top rail 62a and a horizontal bottom rail 62b. A plurality of bars 66 may extend vertically between the top rail 62a and the bottom rail 62b. In another embodiment, the plurality of bars 66 may be positioned in any direction between the top rail 62a and the bottom rail 62b. The bars 66 may be spaced at distances from each other to prevent a child's head from fitting between the bars 66. The bottom rail 62b may be secured to the base portion. The bottom rail 62b may preferably be secured to the first base 22a. Bolts, nails, screws, brackets or any other similar securing mechanism may be used to secure the bottom rail 62b to the base portion. In one embodiment, the first crib side back section 20a may be movable.
A second crib side back section 20b may extend vertically from the base portion. In one embodiment, the second crib side back section 20a is a separate piece located adjacent to the second base 22b and runs (horizontally) along a part but not all of the complete perimeter of the base 22b. In the example shown, the section 22b cuts an arc of about ninety degrees around the complete circle defined by the perimeter of the base 22b. The second crib side back section 20b may be preferably of the same shape and size as the first crib side back section 20a such that one may be used in place of the other. The second crib side back section 20b may have a horizontal top rail 64a and a horizontal bottom rail 64b. A plurality of bars 66 may extend vertically between the top rail 64a and the bottom rail 64b. In another embodiment, the plurality of bars 66 may be positioned in any direction between the top rail 64a and the bottom rail 64b. The bars 66 may be spaced at distances from each other to prevent a child's head from fitting between the bars 66. The bottom rail 64b may be secured to the base portion. The bottom rail 64b may preferably be secured to the second base 22b. Bolts, nails, screws, brackets or any other similar securing mechanism may be used to secure the bottom rail 64b to the base portion. In one embodiment, the second crib side back section 20b may be movable.
In one embodiment, the crib legs 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g, 12h may be adjacent to the base portion. The crib legs may be preferably of the same shape and size such that they support the base portion evenly above the floor. The crib legs 12a, 12b, 12g, 12h may be secured to the perimeter of the first base 22a. The crib legs 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f may be secured to the perimeter of the second base 22b. In one embodiment, a set of holes 38, 40, 42 may be formed in the crib legs 12a-h so the base portion may be secured to the crib legs 12a-h at various heights to allow the parent to adjust the distance between the base portion and the top rail of the crib side sections. Bolts, nails, screws, brackets or any other similar securing mechanism may be used to secure the crib legs 12a-h to the base portion and crib side sections.
In one embodiment, the crib legs 12a-h may be adjacent to the crib side sections. The crib legs 12a-h may be secured to their adjacent crib side sections. The crib legs 12a-h may be secured to the top rail and the bottom rail only of an adjacent crib side section. In still another embodiment, the crib legs 12a-h may be secured to a vertically extending bar positioned between a top rail and a bottom rail of an adjacent crib side section.
In one embodiment, the crib side sections may be adjacent to one another such that a crib in the shape of two side by side cribs is formed. In one embodiment, one end of the first stationary crib side end section 14a may be adjacent to one end of the first movable crib side section 18a. One end of the second stationary crib side end section 14b may be adjacent to one end of the second movable crib side section 18b. One end of the front stationary crib side middle section 16a may be adjacent to another end of the first movable crib side section 18a. Another end of the front stationary crib side middle section 16a may be adjacent to another end of the second movable crib side section 18b. One end of the back stationary crib side middle section 16b may be adjacent to one end of the first crib side back section 20a. Another end of the back stationary crib side middle section 16b may be adjacent to one end of the second crib side back section 20b. Another end of the first stationary crib side end section 14a may be adjacent to another end of the first crib side back section 20a. Another end of the second stationary crib side end section 14b may be adjacent to another end of the second crib side back section 20b.
In one embodiment, the crib legs 12a-h may be secured to adjacent crib side sections. Any securing mechanism, such as bolts, nails, screws or brackets, may be used to secure the crib legs 12a-h to adjacent crib side sections. In one embodiment, one end of the first stationary crib side end section 14a and one end of the first movable crib side section 18a may be secured to a crib leg 12a. One end of the second stationary crib side end section 14b and one end of the second movable crib side section 18a may be secured to a crib leg 12d. One end of the front stationary crib side middle section 16a and another end of the first movable crib side section 18a may be secured to a crib leg 12b. Another end of the front stationary crib side middle section 16a and another end of the second movable crib side section 18b may be secured to a crib leg 12c. One end of the back stationary crib side middle section 16b and one end of the second crib side back section 20b may be secured to a crib leg 12f. Another end of the back stationary crib side middle section 16b and one end of the first crib side back section 20a may be secured to a crib leg 12g. Another end of the first stationary crib side end section 14a and another end of the first crib side back section 20a may be secured to a crib leg 12h. Another end of the second stationary crib side end section 14b and another end of the second crib side back section 20b may be secured to crib leg 12e. In another embodiment where the crib is in a stacked configuration, crib legs 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f and the adjacent crib side sections are positioned on top of crib legs 12a, 12b, 12g, 12h and the adjacent crib side sections.
In one embodiment, a mattress is provided to cushion the infant sleeping area. A illustrated in
In an alternative embodiment, the crib 10 may have a canopy assembly as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,455 issued to Jean Kasem entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING A CANOPY CRIB TO A STANDARD CRIB.” The canopy may be of a variety of shapes, including flat, concave, or cone. The frame for supporting the canopy can be attached, using the techniques described in the '455 patent, to a number of canopy legs. The canopy legs may in turn be removably connected to the crib, and in particular to the crib legs. Note how the manner in which adjacent base portions are connected (
In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, in one embodiment the movable crib side sections may be secured to a crib leg with a hinge such that the movement of the movable crib side sections may be similar to that of a hinged door. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Claims
1. A crib comprising:
- a first base, a first movable crib side section and a first stationary crib side end section, one end of the first stationary crib side end section is adjacent to one end of the first movable crib side section, and a first crib side back section extending from the first base;
- a second base, a second movable crib side section and a second stationary crib side end section, one end of the second stationary crib side end section is adjacent to one end of the second movable crib side section, and a second crib side back section extending from the second base;
- a front stationary crib side middle section having one end adjacent to another end of the first movable crib side section and another end adjacent to another end of the second movable crib side section;
- a back stationary crib side middle section having one end adjacent to one end of the first crib side back section and another end that is adjacent to one end of the second crib side back section; and
- a base connector coupled in between the first base and the second base such that the centers of the first base, the second base and the base connector are in alignment with one another.
2. The crib of claim 1, wherein the front stationary crib side middle section, the back stationary crib side middle section and the base connector are removable to convert the crib into at least two separate cribs each of which has a crib side opening between the movable crib side section and the crib side back section that is to be closed with a further stationary crib side section.
3. The crib of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of crib legs connected to the first base and the second base to raise the first base and the second base off the ground and each leg positioned between two adjacent crib side sections wherein the front stationary crib side middle section is secured to respective crib legs at its opposite ends.
4. The crib of claim 3, wherein the one end of the first crib side back section and the one end of the back stationary crib side middle section are secured to a respective crib leg, and the other end of the back stationary crib side middle section and the one end of the second crib side back section are secured to a respective crib leg.
5. The crib of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first mattress whose perimeter matches that of the first base, a second mattress whose perimeter matches that of the second base, and a third mattress whose perimeter matches that of the base connector.
6. The crib of claim 1, wherein each crib side section comprises:
- a plurality of vertical, elongated bars spaced around its base to prevent a child lying on the base from removing herself from the base.
7. The crib of claim 1, further comprising:
- a set of angled rods wherein an angled rod extends vertically through each of the first movable crib side section and the second movable crib side section for guiding the movable crib side sections in a vertical direction.
8. The crib of claim 3, further comprising a set of holes in each crib leg for connecting the base portion to each leg at various positions along the crib legs.
9. A kit of parts for a crib, comprising:
- a base portion having a first base, a second base, and a base connector, a portion of the first base and a portion of the second base to be adjacent to opposite ends of the base connector when assembled,
- a plurality of crib side sections to surround the base portion, the crib side sections comprised of a first movable section, and a first back section;
- a second movable section, and a second back section;
- a front stationary middle section having one end adjacent to another end of the first movable crib side section and another end adjacent to another end of the second movable crib side section;
- a back stationary middle section having one end adjacent to one end of the first back section and another end that is adjacent to one end of the second back section; and
- a plurality of crib legs each to be positioned between two adjacent crib side sections and wherein the one end of the front stationary middle section and the another end of the second movable section are secured to the same crib leg, the another end of the front stationary middle section and the another end of the first movable section are secured to the same crib leg, the one end of the back stationary middle section and the one end of the second back section are secured to the same crib leg, and the another end of the back stationary middle section and the one end of the first back section are secured to the same crib leg.
10. The kit of claim 9, wherein the front stationary middle section and the back stationary middle section are to be positioned adjacent to opposite ends of the base connector.
11. The kit of claim 9, wherein the perimeter of the base connector has opposite portions each of which conforms to a respective adjacent portion of the perimeter of the first and the second bases, and a top surface of the base connector is within the same plane as a top surface of each base.
12. The kit of claim 9, wherein the kit further comprises a conversion kit for converting the crib into at least two separate cribs each of which has a crib side opening between the movable section and the back section that is to be closed with a further stationary section.
13. The kit of claim 9, wherein each crib side section comprises:
- a plurality of evenly spaced vertical elongated bars spaced around its base portion to prevent a child lying on the base portion from removing herself from the crib.
14. The kit of claim 9, wherein the plurality of crib legs are to be connected to the base portion.
15. The kit of claim 9, wherein fasteners selected from one of a bolt, nail, screw, bracket and hinge are to secure the crib side sections to the crib legs.
16. The kit of claim 9, further comprising:
- a canopy; and
- a plurality of canopy legs for being connected to the canopy at one end and for being removably coupled to the upper portion of the crib legs near another end.
17. The kit of claim 9, further comprising:
- a set of angled rods wherein an angled rod extends vertically through each of the first movable section and the second movable section for guiding the movable sections in a vertical direction.
18. The kit of claim 9, further comprising:
- a set of mattresses wherein a first mattress whose perimeter matches that of the first base is to be positioned on top of the first base, a second mattress whose perimeter matches that of the second base is to be positioned on top of the second base, and a third mattress whose perimeter matches that of the base connector is to be positioned on top of the base connector.
19. A method for converting a twin crib into two separate cribs comprising:
- forming a first crib side opening by removing one end of a front stationary crib side middle section from a crib leg secured to a second movable crib side section, and another end from a crib leg secured to a first movable crib side section wherein the crib legs are secured to the sections by fasteners spaced along the length of the crib legs;
- forming a second crib side opening by removing one end of a back stationary crib side middle section from a crib leg secured to a second crib side back section, and another end of the back stationary crib side middle section from a crib leg secured to a first crib side back section wherein the crib legs are secured to the crib side sections by fasteners spaced along the length of the crib legs;
- removing a base connector that is coupled to a first base and a second base adjacent to the crib side sections; and then
- securing separate stationary crib side sections to at least one of the bases and the crib legs with fasteners to create at least two separate cribs.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein a rail of the separate stationary crib side sections is secured to the crib legs with one of a bolt, nail, screw and bracket.
21. The method of claim 19 further comprising:
- positioning a respective mattress over each base to provide a cushioned sleeping area for an infant.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 7, 2005
Publication Date: Oct 12, 2006
Inventor: Jean Kasem (Los Angeles, CA)
Application Number: 11/102,434
International Classification: A47D 7/00 (20060101);