Crib

Abstract

A crib having a frame defined by a first and a second sidewall and a first and a second end wall operably connected to the first and second sidewalls. The crib also includes a separate sleeping platform configured to be positioned within a cavity defined by the frame. The frame substantially surrounds the sleeping platform. The sleeping platform includes a sleeping surface formed of a mesh material, a base frame supporting the sleeping surface, and a plurality of legs configured to support the base frame above a support surface of the crib. In the cavity of the frame, the base frame is positioned adjacent an inner surface of each the first and second sidewalls and the first and second end walls.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/458,670 filed 30 Nov. 2011 and U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/460,549 filed 5 Jan. 2012, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to furniture, and more specifically to cribs and other sleeping apparatuses for children.

BACKGROUND

Infants and toddlers are often placed in a crib when they are sleeping. The crib provides the infant or toddler a relatively confined place to sleep that so the infant or toddler does not roll out or fall out of the sleeping area. Additionally, the crib may also provide an enclosed area for the infant or toddler to be placed so that he or she may be substantially prevented from reaching or accessing dangerous items. For example, many times parents will place children within a crib even when the child is not sleeping, so that the child can play without the risk of encountering dangerous items.

Most cribs are designed such that the sleeping surface is elevated above the floor by several feet. Unfortunately, as the child grows older and learns how to stand and climb, the child may climb and fall over the railing of the crib and injure herself because of the very high fall to the floor below. The sleeping surface is usually a mattress resting on slats or a wire web. Typical crib mattresses are covered with vinyl in order to guard against urine penetration, spittle, or other bodily excrement that often occur with infants and toddlers. However, there has been some concern that such mattresses could potentially cause suffocation of an infant if the infant is improperly placed in the crib.

Many cribs may include multiple fasteners, such as nails or screws, as well as complex parts that may be difficult to put together. Assembling these cribs may be time consuming and difficult. This may lead to many cribs not being assembled correctly, which can potentially cause accidents with the infant or toddler.

Additionally, as the child grows out of infancy he or she typically outgrows his or her crib. Often, once a child has grown out of his or her crib, the crib typically is used not used by the household. Thus, although the crib may have cost a significant amount of money, its utility may be outgrown by the child within a couple of years.

The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of the invention as defined in the claims is to be bound.

SUMMARY

Examples of embodiments described herein may take the form of a crib having a frame defined by a first and a second sidewall and a first and a second end wall operably connected to the first and second sidewalls. The crib also includes a separate sleeping platform configured to be positioned within a cavity defined by the frame. The frame substantially surrounds the sleeping platform. The sleeping platform includes a sleeping surface formed of a mesh material, a base frame supporting the sleeping surface, and a plurality of legs configured to support the base frame above a support surface of the crib. In the cavity of the frame, the base frame is positioned adjacent an inner surface of each the first and second sidewalls and the first and second end walls.

Other embodiments described herein may take the form of a kit for a reconfigurable crib. The kit includes a frame, a sleeping platform, and at least one shelf. The frame includes a pair of sidewalls and a pair of end walls configured to operably connect to the pair of sidewalls. The sleeping platform is configured to be positioned within but not attached to, the frame. The at least one shelf is configured to be operably connected to the pair of sidewalls or to the pair of end walls.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. A more extensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention as defined in the claims is provided in the following written description of various embodiments of the invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a crib.

FIG. 1B is a top plan view of the crib of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the crib of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an end wall of the crib of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the end wall of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of a sidewall of the crib of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the sidewall of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sleeping platform of the crib of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the sleeping platform of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7B is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view of an inside wall of the sleeping platform of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7C is a side elevation view of a leg of the sleeping platform.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the crib of FIG. 1A having a lower sidewall.

FIG. 8B is a side elevation view of the sidewall of the crib of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a crib.

FIG. 9B is an exploded view of the crib of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the sidewall of the crib of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the crib of FIG. 9A including an elevated support platform.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the elevated support platform.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a crib.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a sidewall of the crib of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a crib including a rocker.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of a first end wall of the crib of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of a second end wall of the crib of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the crib of FIG. 12 including two shelves spanning between the sidewalls.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of one of the shelves of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a top elevation view of the crib of FIG. 1A including platform supports.

FIG. 20A is a top plan view of a sleeping surface for use with the crib of FIG. 19.

FIG. 20B is a side elevation view of the sleeping surface.

SPECIFICATION

Overview

This disclosure relates generally to cribs and sleeping furniture for children, such as infants or toddlers. In one embodiment, a crib is disclosed that does not require tools (such as screw drivers, wrenches, or the like) to assemble. In this embodiment, the crib may include two sidewalls, two end walls, and a base member. The end walls, the sidewalls, and the base member may be connected together to form a frame defining a space or cavity.

The end walls, sidewalls, and base member may be operably connected together using various joints and/or receiving notches that interlock together. For example, a receiving notch on a top surface of the sidewall may be aligned with a receiving notch on the end wall. The two notches may be placed together so that a bottom of the sidewall notch is aligned with a bottom of the end wall notch. The portions or tabs of the end walls and sidewalls surrounding the notches may act to lock the sidewall and the end wall in place. The base member may be operably connected to both of the end walls and both of the sidewalls. The base or securing member may act as the bottom surface of the end walls, while also connecting the end walls to a bottom surface of the sidewalls.

The crib may also include a cot or sleeping platform. The sleeping platform may be positioned within the frame formed by the sidewalls and end walls. In some embodiments, the sleeping platform may be positioned so as to be in contact with each of the sidewalls and the end walls. Thus, there may be little or no space between edges of the sleeping platform and the inner surfaces of the frame.

The sleeping platform may include a base or frame having four legs. The sleeping platform may have a variable height, and in one embodiment the legs are rotatable from a first position to a second position. This may allow the base of the sleeping platform to either be elevated above the floor or other surface or allow the base to rest on the floor or other surface. A sleeping or support surface spans across the base and provides an area for a child to sleep, stand, or sit on. The sleeping surface may be a mesh material so that it may be flexible and comfortable for the child to sleep on, but also strong enough to support the child's weight. Further, the base may support the sleeping surface of the crib above the floor. Therefore, in embodiments where the sleeping surface is a mesh material suspended above the floor, if the child were to be positioned on his or her stomach on the sleeping surface, the child may still be able to breathe through the sleeping surface.

The crib may also include an elevated or movable platform that may be operably connected to a top surface of the sidewalls. The elevated platform may be used as a changing table for a child. The elevated platform may be removed while the child is in the crib and may be operably connected to the sidewalls when the child may needed to be changed.

Further, the crib may also include shelves that may be selectively connected to the sidewalls or end walls. In some embodiments, the shelves may be positioned so as to extend away from an inner space or cavity defined by the frame in order to provide storage while also allowing the crib to be used as a sleeping space for the child. In other embodiments, the shelves may be positioned so that they span across the sidewalls in the middle of the cavity. The crib may then be reoriented to so that it rests on one of the end walls and forms a book case or other storage unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a crib 100. FIG. 1B is an top plan view of the crib 100. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the crib 100 of FIG. 1A. The crib 100 may include two end walls 102, 104, two sidewalls 106, 108, a sleeping platform 110, and two or more base or securing members 112. The end walls 102, 104 and the sidewalls 106, 108 along with the base members 112 provide a frame or enclosure that surrounds the sleeping platform 110 and defines a crib cavity 111. When the end walls 102, 104, the sidewalls 106, 108, and the base members 112 are connected together, the outer edges of the sleeping platform 110 may be positioned adjacent to the end walls 102, 104 and the sidewalls 106, 108.

The crib 100 may provide an enclosure for a child, such as an infant or toddler. For example, the end walls 102, 104 and the sidewalls 106, 108 may prevent the child from exiting the crib 100, and the sleeping platform 110 may provide a sleeping area and/or standing/sitting area of for the child. Thus, a child may be able to sleep, stand, and/or sit within the crib 100 while still being maintained within the crib cavity 111. Accordingly, the crib 100 may be substantially any dimension and or shape, and may be altered depending on the size or age of the child, or other design factors.

The End Walls

The end walls 102, 104 will now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of one of the end walls 102, 104. It should be noted that although only a single end wall 102 is illustrated in FIG. 3, the second end wall 104 may be substantially the same as the first end wall 102. As can been seen in FIG. 3, the end walls 102, 104 may each include a top rail 114 or member, two side members 118, a first cross member 116, and a second cross member 121.

The top rail 114 is attached to the two side members 118, 120, such that the two side members 118, 120 extend downward from the top rail 114. The top rail 114 may have a length that is longer than a width between the two side members. Thus, the top rail 114 may extend laterally past the attachment locations with each of the two side members 118, 120. The top rail 114 may include two receiving notches 122 defined on a bottom surface 136. The receiving notches 122 or channels may be positioned on the top rail 114 so as to be substantially adjacent to the connection between the top rail 114 and the side members 118, 120. The receiving notches 122, as will be discussed in more detail below, assist in operably connecting the end walls 102, 104 with the side walls 106, 108.

The receiving notches 122 define a tab 126, 128 on either side of the top rail 114. The tab 126, 128 or free end extends out past the side members 118, 120. In some embodiments, a vertical bore may be made within the tabs 126, 128 and a reinforcing member 176, such as a dowel, may be inserted within the tabs 126, 128. The reinforcing member 176 may provide additional structural strength to the tabs 126, 128, which may be necessary due to the fact that the notches 122 may reduce the strength of the tabs 126, 128 depending upon the direction of the wood grain of the top rail 114.

The top surface 125 of the top rail 114 may include rounded corners to form the sides or edges of the top rail 114. For example, the top surface 125 may be planar and transition to form rounded corners 192, 196. The rounded corners 192, 196 may then flatten out to form a vertical edge 195 of the top rail 114. The edges 195 of the top rail 114 may similarly transition to form the bottom surface 136 around a rounded corner 194, 198 on each tab 126, 128. Thus, each tab 126, 128 may have two rounded corners 192, 194, 196, 198 in the transition from the top surface 125 of the end rail 114 to the bottom surface 136 with the edge 195 being substantially planar. It should be noted that other transitions are possible, such as non-rounded corners, but the rounded corners 192, 194, 196, 198 may reduce injuries if children or adults run into or otherwise encounter the corners of the crib 100. Furthermore, although not shown, the corners 192, 194, 196, 198 may also receive protective covers (e.g., rubber covers) that may further reduce injuries from contact with the corners.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the two side members 118, 120 extend downward at substantially right angles from a bottom surface 136 of the top rail 114. The two side members 118 are parallel to one another and form the legs of the end walls 102, 104. The two side members 118, 120 may be operably connected to the top rail 114 in substantially any manner, such as but not limited to, fasteners, adhesive, connecting dowels, and so on.

In one embodiment, the two side members 118, 120 are operably connected to the top rail 114 via a biscuit joint 178, 180 for each side member 118, 120. For example, the top rail 114 may include two grooves or apertures defined therein and each of the respective side member 118, 120 may include a corresponding groove or aperture defined therein. An adhesive (e.g., wood glue) may line the walls of the grooves or apertures. A small insertion member or biscuit may then be partially inserted into each of the grooves in the top rail 114 and may partially protrude therefrom. The corresponding grooves in each of the side members 118, 120 may be positioned over a respective biscuit(s) protruding from the top rail 114 and pressure may be applied to connect the top rail 114 and the side members 118, 120 together. However, as described above, other fastening and connection mechanisms are also envisioned.

The first and second cross members 116, 121 are positioned between the two side members 118, 120 at spaced locations from each other. The first cross member 116 may span between an inner edge 172 of each of the two side members 118, 120 and may be positioned about at approximately three quarters of the length of the side members 118, 120 from the top rail 114; however, this height is exemplary. (See e.g., FIGS. 8A and 8B.) In one embodiment, the first cross member 116 may be operably connected to the side members 118, 120 via fasteners 184, 186. In some embodiments, the fasteners 184, 186 may be biscuit joints, dowel joints, adhesive, or may be other fasteners such as screw, nails, or staples, or any combination thereof. The fasteners 184, 186 may be aligned with the inner edge 172 of each of the side members 118, 120 and with an outer side edge of the side member 116.

The second cross member 121 may be connected at a bottom end of each of the side members 118, 120 so that it may span from the outer edge 174 of each side member 118, 120 to the other. In this manner, the second cross member 121 may have a larger overall length than the first cross member 116. The second cross member 121 may be operably connected to the bottom edge of each of the side members 118, 120 via fasters 170, 182. The fasteners 170, 182 may be substantially any type of fasteners; however, in some embodiments, the fasteners 170, 182 may be biscuit type joints, nails, screws, dowels, or the like.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the end walls 102, 104 may also include a material, such as a mesh 188 that spans between the various members of the end walls 102, 104. In one embodiment, the mesh 188 may be operably connected to an inner surface of the top rail 114, the side members 118, 120, and the cross members 116, 121. For example, the mesh 188 may be span a first wall aperture 190 defined by the combination of the top rail 114, the side members 118, 120 and the first cross member 116. Additionally, the mesh 188 may span a second wall aperture 192 defined by the first cross member 116, the second cross member 121, and the side members 118, 120. The mesh may be directly attached to the frame members of the crib 100, e.g., with upholstery staples; under a fillet; inserted within a receiving channel and retained with spline; hook and loop connector strips sewn, stapled, or adhered to the mesh 188 and frame members; or with any other appropriate attachment system.

Although other materials than mesh may be used, the mesh 188 may substantially prevent a child from getting his or her arm stuck in the apertures 190, 192, while also allowing some flexibility to the wall. Also, the mesh 100 may reduce the weight of the crib 100 as the mesh 188 may weigh less than other materials (e.g., wood slats or panels) used to fill the cavities 190, 192. The mesh 188 also allows for a child to rest his or her head against it, while still allowing the child to breathe. Further, the mesh 188 may come in different aesthetic designs, including different colors and prints, which may allow the crib 100 to be customized based on the desires of a user.

The Base Members

Turning now to the base members 112, with reference to FIG. 1, the base members 112 are operably connected to a bottom of each of the end walls 102, 104. The base members 112 operably connect the end walls 102, 104 to the sidewalls 106, 108, while also forming a bottom surface of the end walls 102, 104. FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the base member 112. There may be a base member 112 for each end wall 102, 104, and each base member 112 may be substantially the same. As shown in FIG. 4, the base member 112 may have a length, that when operably connected to the end walls 102 104 may be generally coextensive with the top rail 114.

The base member 112 has a main body 113 defining two sidewall receiving notches 132 within a top surface 136. The receiving notches 132, as will be discussed in more detail below, are configured to receive and connect to the sidewalls 106, 108. The receiving notches 132 may be spaced on lateral ends of the length of the base member 112. Further, each receiving notch 132 may be spaced inward from the edges 135 of the base member 112. For example, each receiving notch 132 may define a base tab 137 that extends between the notches 132 and the edges 135. The base tabs 137 may be substantially similar to the tabs 126, 128 in the end walls 102, 104. However, the base member 112 may have a smaller height than the top rail 114 and, accordingly, the base tabs 137 may not require a reinforcing member 176 as may be required by the tabs 126, 128 in the top rail 114, although the base tabs 137 may certainly be provided with such.

The top surface 136 of the base member 112 may curve as it the transitions to the edge 135. In this manner, rounded corners 204 may form the transitions between the edge 135 an the top surface 136. Similarly, the edges 135 may transition to form the bottom surface 138 of the base member 112 around rounded corners 202. In some instances, the entire bottom surface 138 and the corners 202 may be rounded so that the crib 100 may be able to rock from side to side. Alternatively, the bottom surface 138 and/or corners 202 may be operably connected to a rocker member (see, e.g., FIG. 15).

The Sidewalls

The sidewalls 106, 108 will now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of one of the sidewalls 106, 108. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sidewalls 106, 108 may be substantially similar to each other; therefore, only one of the sidewalls 106, 108 is illustrated in FIG. 5A. With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5A, the sidewalls 106, 108 may include a similar structure to the end walls 102, 104, but in some embodiments, the crib 100 may be rectangular in shape and so the side walls 106, 108 may have a longer length than a length of the end walls 102, 104.

The sidewalls 106, 108 may include a top rail 140 or member, two side members 146, 148, a first cross member 142, and a second cross member 144. The top rail 140 forms the top member of the sidewalls 106, 108, the second cross member 144 forms the bottom member, and the two side members 146, 148 form the sides.

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the sidewalls 106, 108. With continued reference to FIG. 5A, and with reference to FIG. 5B, the top rail 140 has a top surface 150 and a bottom surface 210, and two sidewall receiving notches 152, 154 as defined in the top surface 150 of the top rail 140. The two notches 152, 154 may be positioned substantially adjacent to and above the connection location of the side members 146, 148. As will be described in further detail below, the notches 152, 154 operably connect the sidewalls 106, 108 to the end walls 102, 104. The notches 152, 154 define tabs 156, 158 or free ends or edges in the top rail 140. The tabs 156, 158 may further receive a reinforcing member 176, similar to the tabs 126, 128 in end walls 102, 104.

The top surface 150 is substantially planar until it approaches the edges, then the top surface 150 angles downward to form a gently sloping curve 218, 220 to transition to an outer edge 222, 224 on each side of the top rail 140. The outer edges 222, 224 may then form right angles to transition to the bottom surface 210 of the top rail 140.

The side members 146, 148 extend downward substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 210 of the top rail. 140. The side members 146, 148 may be operably connected to the top rail 140 via fasteners 226, 228. The fasteners 226, 228, may be any type of fastener, and may vary depending on the material(s) used for the top rail 140 and the side members 146, 148. However, in some embodiments, the fasteners 226, 228 may be biscuit joints formed with biscuit apertures, adhesive, and a biscuit member (as discussed in more detail above with respect to the end walls 102, 104).

The side members 146, 148 have an outer edge 214 facing away from the other side member 146, 148 and an inner edge 216 that faces toward the other side member 146, 148. Additionally, each side member 146, 148 has a bottom surface 238, 240 in which a receiving notch 160, 162 is defined. The receiving notch 160, 162 on the bottom surface 238, 240 may be vertically aligned with the receiving notches 152, 154 in the top rail 140 when the crib is assembled. The receiving notch 160, 162 may also define a free end or tab 164, 166 that extends past the notches 160, 162. The receiving notches 160, 162 may be dimensioned to correspond to the width of the base member 112, as notch 160, 162 may be operably coupled to the base member 112 (see, e.g., FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, a reinforcing member 176 may be positioned within the side members 146, 148 above the bottom surface 238, 240 and above the notch 160, 162. In other words, the reinforcing members 176 may be positioned within the body of the side members 146, 148 higher than a depth of the notches 160, 162 and perpendicular thereto.

The first cross member 142 and the second cross member 144 may span between the inner edges 216 of the side members 146, 148. Thus, the first and second cross members 142, 144 may operably connect to the side members 146, 148 along an interface along the inner edges 216. The first cross member 142 and the second cross member 144 may be substantially the same and may be positioned at various heights along the height of the side members 146, 148. In one embodiment, the first cross member 142 may be positioned just below a centerline of the side members 144, 148 and the second cross member 144 may be positioned at the bottom of the side members 144, 148 so that a bottom surface 212 of the second cross member 144 may be substantially aligned with the bottom surface 238, 240 of the side members 146, 148.

The first cross member 142 may be operably connected to the side members 146, 148 via fasteners 230, 232 and the second cross member 144 may be operably connected to the side members 146, 148 via fasteners 234, 236. The fasteners may be substantially any type of fasteners, for example, nails, adhesive, biscuit joints, and so on.

With continued reference to FIG. 5A, the sidewalls 106, 108 may further include a material such as a mesh 250, 252 to span the apertures 254, 256 defined by the side members 146, 148, the cross members 142, 144, and the top rail 140. For example, an upper mesh 250 may span the aperture defined by the top rail 140, the side members 146, 148 and the first cross member 142 and a lower mesh 252 may span the aperture defined by the cross members 142, 144 and the side members 146, 148. Alternatively, a single piece of mesh may extend across both apertures in the sidewalls 106, 108. The mesh may be affixed to the sidewalls 106, 108 using any appropriate fastening system, for example, any of the fastening systems described above with respect to the end walls 102, 104.

The Sleeping Platform

The sleeping platform 110 will now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 6 is perspective view of the sleeping platform 110. FIG. 7A is an enlarged section top plan view of the sleeping platform 110. FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a support leg operably connected to a base of the sleeping platform. FIG. 7C is an elevation view of the support leg. The sleeping platform 110 provides a platform for a child to be supported within the frame created by the sidewalls 106, 108 and the end walls 102, 104. The sleeping platform 110 may be substantially surrounded by the end walls 102, 104 and the sidewalls 106, 108. Additionally, edges of the sleeping platform 110 may abut adjacent to the inner edges of the end walls 102, 104 and the sidewalls 106, 108 so that the sleeping platform 110 may be substantially prevented from moving within the frame.

It should be noted that although the sleeping platform 110 is discussed with respect to the crib 100, the sleeping platform 110 may be used on its own. For example, the sleeping platform 110 may be used as a bed for a child without the need for the frame, e.g., as a toddler bed. Thus, the crib 100, and specifically, the sleeping platform 110 may be able to continued to be used, even after the child outgrows the crib 100.

The sleeping platform 110 may include a base 302, support legs 304, and a sleeping surface 300. The sleeping surface 300 provides the actual area for the child to stand, sit, or sleep and the base 302 and the support legs 304 support the sleeping surface 300. The sleeping surface 300 may be may be mesh that is stretched to span across the base 302. For example, the sleeping surface 300 may be operably connected to an inner or outer surface of the base 302. In these embodiments, the sleeping surface 300 may reduce the chances that a child may suffocate while in the crib or on the sleeping platform 110. For example, typical sleeping areas for children (ranging from infants to older) may include solid or non-breathable material, e.g., a plastic covered mattress or mattress pad. If a child rolls on his her stomach while on the sleeping area, he or she may not be able to roll over and could potentially suffocate while on his or her stomach. On the contrary, if the sleeping surface 300 is a mesh material, the material includes many holes defined there through, and thus will allow a child to continue to breathe even if his or her head (including mouth and nose) is pressed against the sleeping surface 300. If desired, once the child is older and is capable of lifting her head, or the sleeping platform is desired to be used as a toddler bed, any type of padded material, such as a mattress, may further be supported on the sleeping surface 300

The base 302 may be a frame and may be shaped to correspond to an inner perimeter of the frame of the end walls 102, 104 and the sidewalls 106, 108. For example, if the sidewalls 106, 108 and the end walls 102, 104 form a rectangle (as illustrated in FIG. 1A), the base 302 may be shaped to be a rectangle of approximately the same inner perimeter dimensions. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the base 302 may include four members 316, 318, 320, 322, where two of the members 316, 318 may be shorter than two of the other members 320, 322. The shorter members 316, 318 may interface with the longer members 320, 322 at substantially right angles to form the rectangular shape.

The base 302 may include a top surface 312, an inner side 306 and an outer side 314. In some embodiments, the sleeping surface 300 may be operably connected to the inner side 306, e.g., through staples, adhesive, hook and look fasteners, or any other methodology previously described above for attaching the mesh of the sleeping surface 300 to the frame of the crib 100. However, in other embodiments, the sleeping surface 300 may be operably connected to the top surface 312 and/or the outer surface 314 of the base 302. For example, the sleeping surface 300 may be wrapped around the top surface 312 and attached to the outer surface 314.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7A, the base 302 may further include spacing members 310 attached at the corners on the inner surface 306 of the base 302. The spacing members 310 may be positioned at the corners between the shorter members 316, 318 and the longer members 320, 322. The spacing members 310 may be aligned so as to be parallel to the longer members 320, 322 of the base 302. The spacing members 310 may operably connect the support legs 304 to the base 302, and may space the legs 304 away from the corners of the base 302 to allow the legs 304 to more easily rotate.

The legs 304 may be operably connected via fasteners 308 to the base 302. In some embodiments, the legs 304 may be operably connected to the longer members 320, 322 or may be connected to the spacing members 310 (which are in turn connected to the longer members 320, 322). With reference to FIGS. 7B and 7C, the legs 304 are rotatable in the direction of the arrow 305 from a retracted to an extended position. This may allow the legs 304 to extend downward past the height of the base 302 to support the sleeping platform 110 in one position and the legs 304 may be retracted so as to allow the sleeping platform 110 to substantially rest on the floor or other support surface in a second position.

In the retracted position, the legs 304 may be aligned substantially with the longer members 320, 322 and may be substantially parallel thereto. Thus, the total height of the base 302 may be substantially the same as the height of the base 302 (i.e., the height of the members 316, 318, 320, 322). In the extended position 304, the legs 304 may pivot downward and may be angled downward and outward, thus the legs 304 may extend past a bottom surface of the base 302. The height of the sleeping platform 110 may then be the combination of the legs 304 and the base 302.

Assembling the Crib

Referring again to FIGS. 1A and 2, the crib 100 assembly will now be discussed. The sleeping platform 110 may be positioned on a support surface, such as a floor, and the end walls 102, 104 and the sidewalls 106, 108 may be assembled around the sleeping platform 110. Alternatively, the end walls 102, 104 and the sidewalls 106, 108 may be assembled together and the sleeping platform 110 may be positioned within the assembled frame. The side walls 106, 108 may be aligned and operably connected to the end walls 102, 104 and then the base members 112 may be secured to the bottom of the end walls 102, 104 to secure the frame components together.

Initially, the receiving notches 122 defined in the top rail 114 of the end walls 102, 104 may be aligned with the receiving notches 152, 154 defined in the top rail 140 of each of the side walls 106, 108. The top rail 114 of the end walls 102, 104 may be positioned substantially perpendicularly to the top rail 140 of the side walls 106, 108. Accordingly, the receiving notches of the respective end walls or sidewalls may also be orientated perpendicularly to each other.

Once the receiving notches 152, 154 of the sidewalls 106, 108 are aligned with the receiving notches 122 of the end walls 104, the notches may be snap fit or pressed together. The notches 122, 152, 154 may correspond to each other so that the notches 122 of the end walls 102, 104 may fit within the notches 152, 154 of the sidewalls 106, 108. Once the notches 122, 154, 156 have been interconnected together, the tabs 126,128 of the end walls 102, 104 and the tabs 156, 158 of the sidewalls 106, 108 help to secure the end walls 102, 104 and the sidewalls 106, 108 together.

Once both sets of receiving notches for each the sidewalls 106, 108 and the base member 112 are aligned, the notches may be locked into place. The sidewall 106, 108 tabs 164, 166 defined by the receiving notches 160, 162 in the side members 146, 148 may act to substantially prevent the tabs 126, 128, 156, 158 defined by the notches 122, 152, 154 from sliding out of alignment with each other. For example, the tabs 126, 128 defined on the top rail 114 of the end walls 102, 104 may extend over the top rail 140 of the sidewalls 106, 108 in order to “hook” the sidewalls 106, 108 in place. Similarly, the tabs 156, 158 of the sidewalls 106 108 may extend around the bottom surface 136 of the top rail 114 of the end walls 102, 104 to wrap around and secure the end walls 102, 104 in position.

The side members 146, 148 may be perpendicularly orientated with respect to the base member 112. The sidewalls 106, 108 may then be aligned with the base member 112, such that the receiving notches 160, 162 on the bottom surface 235 of the side members 146, 148 may align with the receiving notches 132 on the top surface 136 of the base member 112.

The base member 112 may then be operably connected with the second cross member 121 of the end walls 102, 104. For example, the base member 112 may include dowel apertures to receive dowels that may extend from the bottom surface of the second cross member 121. Alternatively or additionally, other fasteners such as nails, screws, adhesive, and the like may be used to operably connect the base member 112 to the second cross member 121. The base member 112 may then secure the sidewalls 106, 108 and end walls 102, 104 into position. The base member 112 may be connected to the end walls 102, 104 and may tighten the entire assembly together.

It should be noted that the crib 100 may be completely assembled without the use of tools, such as a hammer, screwdriver, drill or the like. The components of the assembly or kit, e.g., the end walls 102, 104, the sidewalls 106, 108, the base member 112, and the sleeping platform 110 may be secured together to form the crib 110 by interlocking select components together. This may allow for people to more easily assembly and take apart the crib 100 than conventional cribs which typically require fasteners such as nails, screws, and bolts in order to be assembled.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the components of the crib 100 may be created from wood and mesh material. The wood and the mesh may be non-toxic materials, so that young children with oral fixations can bite, lick, suck, etc. the crib 100 and may not be exposed to toxic chemicals. The components of the crib 100 may include fireproofing coatings to reduce the chance of the crib 100 catching on fire. Also, these type of materials may be customized by the user, so that he or she can design the aesthetic appearance of the crib in any manner to their choosing.

Variable Height

In some embodiments, one or both of the end walls 102, 104 and/or sidewalls 106, 108 may be replaced by a wall without a top rail, a top rail having a lower height, or a top rail with an access gap or aperture. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the crib 100 including a sidewall 360 without a top rail. FIG. 8B is a side elevation view of the sidewall 306 of FIG. 8A. Initially, it should be noted that although FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a sidewall, the removal of the top rails may also be done to the end walls 102, 104.

The sidewall 360 may be substantially similar to the sidewalls 106, 108 illustrated in FIG. 1A. However, the side members 366, 368 in the sidewall 360 may include top attachment members 380, 382 that define the receiving notches 152, 154. Thus, height of the sidewall 360, aside from the side members 366, 368, may be reduced to the height of the first cross member 142. In these embodiments, a person may more easily access a child within the crib 100. For example, a person can lean over the first cross member 140 more easily than the top rail 140.

However, due to the reduced height, a child may be able to get out of the crib 100. Thus, the sidewall 360 may be used for when a child is an infant and unable to stand on his or her own. Then, as the child grows older and learns to stand and/or crawl, the sidewall 360 may be replaced with the sidewall 106. Accordingly, the crib 100 may provide for easy access to the child when the child is an infant, and reduce the potential for back injuries or dropping the child as a person picks the child up from the sleeping platform 110, while at the same time accommodating changes in height and ability for the child.

Typically, many parents may purchase bassinets for when the child is an infant. The bassinets are generally low to the floor and provide low walls so that people may more easily access the child. However, many of these bassinets outgrow the child quickly because the low walls may it easy for a child to get out of the basinets, fall out, or tip the entire bassinet over. On the contrary, the crib 100 allows for the height of at least one of the walls to be increased or decreased depending on the ability and/or height and age of the child.

Tapered Side Members

In some embodiments, the side members of the sidewalls and/or the end walls may be tapered to provide a more secure base for the crib. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the crib 400. FIG. 9B is an exploded view of the crib 400 of FIG. 9A. FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of one of the sidewalls 406, 408 of the crib 400. The crib 400 may be substantially similar to the crib 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A, therefore elements not specifically referred to in the description of this embodiment may be substantially the same as those for the crib 100.

The crib 400 may include two sidewalls 406, 408, and end walls 402, 404. The sidewalls 406, 408 in this embodiment may have side members 446, 448 that may taper outward so that the overall shape of the sidewalls 406, 408 may be approximately trapezoidal. This may allow the sidewalls 406, 408 to have more surface area in contact with the support surface of floor, thus the crib 400 may be less likely fall or be tipped over.

Referring to FIG. 10, the sidewalls 406, 408 may include a top rail 440, two side members 446, 448, a first cross member 442, a second cross member 444, and mesh 250, 252 filling the gaps between the cross members 442, 444 and the side members 446, 448. As can been seen in FIG. 10, the top rail 440 and the cross members 442, 444 are substantially similar to the top rail 140 and the cross members 142, 144 of the crib 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A.

An outer edge 414 of each of the side members 446, 448 extends downward from the top rail 440 at an angle. The angle widens, increasing the width of each of the side members 446, 448 from the top rail 440 down to the bottom of the sidewalls 406, 408. An inner edge 416 of each of the side members 446, 448 extends downward substantially straight from the top rail 440. Thus, the inner edge 416 may be substantially perpendicular to the top rail 440 along its entire length whereas the outer edge 414 may be angled, with the angle increasing, along its entire length from the top rail 440 downward.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, tabs 464, 466 formed by receiving notches 460, 462 defined in a bottom surface 438 of each of the side members 446, 448 may be larger than the tabs 164, 166 in the crib 100. This is because the side members 446, 448 extend outwards at an angle along the outer edge 414. However, the top tabs 456, 458 defined by the receiving notches 452, 454 in the top rail 440 may be substantially the same width as the top tabs 152, 154 in the crib 100.

In some instances, depending on the thickness of the material used of the side members 446, 448 and/or the material itself, reinforcing members (not shown) may be used. The reinforcing members, such as dowels, may be used to provide additional structural strength along the height and/or width of the side members 446, 448. The increased width of the side members 446, 448 provides for increased stability, as well as enhances the aesthetic appeal of the crib 400.

Outer Storage Shelves

In some embodiments, the crib 100, 400 may include storage shelves that may span between the two sidewalls. The storage shelves may be configured so that they may provide storage space while the crib 100, 400 is used for a child, or, as will be discussed in more detail below, for when the crib 100, 400 is converted to other uses, e.g., a bookcase.

With reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the crib 400 may include one or more shelves 503 operably connected to one or both of the end walls 402, 404. In some embodiments, the shelves 503 may also be operably connected to the sidewalls 406, 408 in substantially the same manner as with the end walls 402, 404.

The shelves 503 may be operably connected to an outer surface 505 of the side members 516, 518 of the end walls 402, 404. Additionally, the shelves 503 may also be operably connected to an inner surface of one of the side members 446, 448 for each of the sidewalls 406, 408. The shelves 503 may include an attachment cutout 508 forming a step to define an extension 510. The extension 510 and the cutout 508 may be used allow the shelves 503 to conform to the side members 516, 518 and attached thereto. For example, the side members 516, 518 may include grooves or channels (not shown) so that the shelves 503 may be slid into place (through a tongue and groove connection). Or, the shelves 503 may be attached to the side members 516, 518 with dowels, shelf pins, fasteners, or other connection mechanisms.

In other embodiments, the shelves 503 may be positioned so as to span between the two sidewalls 406, 408 within the cavity defined by the crib 400. See, for example, FIG. 17.

Elevated Support Platform

The crib may also include an elevated support, such as a changing platform or sling. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the crib 400 with an elevated support platform 550 may be operably connected to the top rails 440 of each of the sidewalls 406, 408. FIG. 11 B is a perspective view of the elevated support platform 550. Thus, the elevated support platform 550 may span across at least a portion of the cavity 540 defined by the end walls 402, 404 and the sidewalls 406, 408. The elevated support platform 550 may be used as changing table area for the child, or as another sleeping area for the child, e.g., as a bassinet for an infant.

The elevated platform 550 may include a cradle member 556 supported by two or more braces 552, 554. The braces 552, 554 may be operably connected along the sides of the cradle member 556. The braces 552, 554 may be relatively stiff material, e.g., wood, metal, or plastic slats, that may provide support and structure for the cradle member 556. The cradle member 556 may be a soft and flexible material, such as mesh, fabric, or the like.

The cradle member 556 may allow some flexibility, such that the elevated platform 550 may act as a hammock or sling when a child is placed within the cradle member 556. This hammock-like feature of the cradle member 556 may help to substantially prevent a child, especially an infant, from rolling off of the elevated support platform 550. Many conventional changing tables are typically a hard relatively planar surface. Children may roll of these changing tables relatively easily, and as most tables are elevated, if a child rolls off the table, he or she may suffer significant injuries. To the contrary, the elevated support platform 550, with the cradle member 556, allows a child to “sink” downward, and the cradle member 556 may extend upward around the child. This may make it difficult for a child to roll out of the elevated support member 550. In some embodiments, an additional brace members (not shown) may be provided between the braces 552, 554. These braces may provide additional strength to the elevated platform 550 so that heavier children may be supported.

The elevated support platform 550 may be releasably secured to the sidewalls 406, 408 and/or the end walls 402, 404 around of the crib. For example, the braces 552, 554 may include attachment members 558, 562 that extend perpendicularly from the lateral ends of the braces 552, 554 or otherwise to hook over the top rails 440. The attachment members 558, 562 may be integrally formed with the braces 552, 554 or they may be separate members attached to the lateral ends of the braces 552, 554. Again, the attachment members 558, 562 may be formed of wood, metal, molded plastic, or any other suitable material. Additionally, in some embodiments, the cradle member 556 may also include a center attachment member 560 connected along the free end edges of the cradle member 556 for providing an additional attachment point to the top rail 440. In these embodiments, the attachment member 560 to provide additional support for the weight of the child while in the cradle member 556 by supporting a bottom and/or sides of the cradling member 556.

Alternative Sidewall Forms

In other embodiments, the crib may have alternate configurations for the sidewalls and/or end walls. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the crib 600. FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of one of the sidewalls 606, 608 of the crib 600. The crib 600 may be similar to the cribs 100, 400; however, the crib 600 may have substantially solid end walls 602, 604 and the sidewalls 606, 608 may be nonrectangular. Also, receiving notches for connecting the sidewalls 606, 608 to the end walls 602, 604 may be varied, and a base member 112 may be omitted.

Referencing FIG. 13, the sidewalls 606, 608 may include a panel 640 that may be connected to two side members 646, 648. Alternatively, the panel 640 and the side members 246, 248 may be integrally formed. The sidewall 606, 608 may also have a first height H1 at a first end 650 and a second height H2 at a second end 652. The first height H1 may be less than the second height H2, so that the sidewalls 606, 608 may be angled upward from the first end 650 to the end 652. Accordingly, a first side member 646 may have a greater height than a second side member 648.

The first and second side members 646, 648 may be substantially similar to the side members 146, 148 of the crib in FIG. 1A. For example, the first and second side members 646, 648 may define receiving notches 652, 654, 660, 662 along their top and bottom surfaces. Also, the side members 646, 648 may include defined by the respective receiving notches 652, 654, 660, 662. The first and second side members 646, 648 may be connected to the panel 640 via one or fasteners 680 (e.g., biscuit joints or other appropriate fasteners). Further, the tabs 656, 658, 664, 666 or other portions of the side members 646, 648 may also include reinforcing members (e.g., dowels) place therein to provide additional structural support to the side members 646, 648, which may be narrow in construction.

The panel 640 may span between the two side members 646, 648 and may increase height from the first side member 646 to the second side member 648. Accordingly, the panel 640 may from a trapezoidal shape or tapered shape. The panel 640 may be of solid construction or it may be constructed of a top rail 642 and a bottom rail 644, which may further be connected by one or more intermediate cross members 645 that define two or more rectangular apertures 611 in the panel 640 between the top rail 642 and the bottom rail 644. The apertures 611 may be open or covered with a material, such as mesh.

The apertures 611 may be configured so as to be large enough to receive an attachment tab for a shelf (discussed in more detail below), but at the same time may be small enough so that a child cannot stick his or her head through the apertures 611. The apertures 611 may therefore be small enough to prevent a child from injuring his or herself, but at the same time may allow for additional accessories, such as shelves, to be supported therein. The apertures 611 may also reduce the weight of the crib 600. In some embodiments, in which the panel 640 is an integral piece of wood or other sturdy material, the apertures 611 may reduce the amount of material of the panel 640 thereby reducing some of the weigh. There may be less or more apertures than are shown in FIG. 13, depending on the desired number of shelves or other attachments and/or weight of the material.

Alternative End Wall Embodiments

In some embodiments, the side walls 606, 608 may extend past the end walls 602, 604 to provide additional support members for storage. As shown in FIG. 13, the side members 646, 648 of the sidewalls 606, 608 may extend past the end walls 602, 604. Further, the side members 646, 648 may be interconnected together by an extension member 670. The extension member 670 may be formed integrally with the two side members 646, 648 or may be operably connected thereto.

The extension member 670 may be positioned substantially perpendicular to both side members 646, 648. When the crib 600 is positioned so that the side members 646, 648 are supported on the support surface or floor, the extension member 670 may provide a support surface for objects. In other words, the extension member 670 may act as a shelf for the outer surface of the end walls 602, 604 with the two side members 646, 648 acting as book ends or vertical supports.

In some instances, it may be desirable to use the crib 600 as a storage member rather than a sleeping or resting place for a child. In these embodiments, the crib 600 may be orientated vertically with the narrow end walls 602 on top and the wider end wall 604 on the bottom. In such an embodiment, the side members 648 of the sidewalls 606, 608 and the extension member 670 on the bottom end wall 604 may support the crib 600. The extension member 670 on the opposite end wall 602 with the side members 646 of the sidewalls 606, 608 may form top shelf with an open perimeter wall 613 to act as a back and side bookends.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of a first end wall 604 or headboard. The first end wall 604 may define cutouts 711, 713 on opposite sides thereof. In one embodiment, the end walls 602, 604 may be integrally formed without a base member 712 and the sidewalls 606, 608 may be formed without notches and merely slide into connection with notches 722, 723 in the end walls 702, 704. In other embodiments, the first end wall 604 may be of two-part construction including a main panel 714 and a base member 712. The main panel 714 and the base member 712 may be connected together by any appropriate fasteners, e.g., biscuit joints, dowels, nails, screws, bracing hardware, etc. The separate base member 712 allows the end wall 604 to be fitted around the ends of the side walls 606, 608 to engage the notches 654, 662 on the wider end thereof before the main panel 714 and base member 712 of the first end wall 604 are fastened together.

The cutouts 711, 713 may be “T”-shaped and defined horizontally such that the top cross member of the “T” is perpendicular to a top surface 725 of the first end wall 604. The cutouts 711, 713 may define receiving notches 722 and tabs 726 in the main panel 714 and corresponding receiving notches 723 and tabs 727 in the base member 712. The tabs 726, 727 may be substantially similar to the tabs 126 in the end walls 102, 104 in FIG. 1A. For example, the tabs 727, 727 may include rounded corners 791, 792, 795, 796 as the end wall 702 transitions from the top surface 725 or a bottom surface 721 to form the tabs 727, 727. As noted, the receiving notches 722, 723 may receive the notches 654, 662 in the sidewalls 606, 608 and the tabs 726, 727 may extend around the sidewalls 606, 608 to operably connect the sidewalls 606, 608 to the end wall 702.

FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the second end wall 602. The second end wall 602 or foot board may be substantially similar to the first end wall 604; however, the second end wall 602 may have a smaller height, and therefore the length of the cutouts 711, 713 may also be smaller. In one embodiment the second end wall 602 may be of two-part construction including a main panel 715 and a base member 712. The main panel 715 and the base member 712 may be connected together by any appropriate fasteners, e.g., biscuit joints, dowels, nails, screws, bracing hardware, etc. The separate base member 712 allows the second end wall 602 to be fitted around the ends of the side walls 606, 608 to engage the notches 654, 662 on the narrower end thereof before the main panel 715 and base member 712 of the second end wall 602 are fastened together. As can be seen, the cutouts 711, 713 may be smaller, such that the tabs 726, 727 of the second end wall 704 are spaced closer together. In these embodiments, the sidewalls 606, 608 may taper as they span from the first end wall 604 to the second end wall 602. Thus, the crib 600 may taper from a first end to a second end.

Rocker

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a crib 800 including another embodiment of the end walls 802, 804. As in other embodiments, sidewalls 806, 808 may fit together with the end walls 802, 804 to form a rectangular framework for the crib 800. The sidewalls 806, 808 are constructed from an upper rail 841 and a lower rail 843 that are parallel and are attached to side members 846, 848 at each lateral end to define notches and tabs 826, 827 that receive corresponding notches and tabs 845, 847 in the end walls 802, 804. In this embodiment, the crib 812 is shown as having a rocker member 800 in place of the base member attached to the main panels 814 on the end walls 802, 804 in order to allow the crib 800 to rock from side to side. The rocker members 812 may be connected to the bottom edge of each of the main panels 814 of the end walls 802, 804. A bottom edge 801 of the rocker 800 is curved or arcuate. Different portions of the bottom surface 801 are in contact with a support surface as the crib 800 rocks from side to side (e.g., by a person providing a force to one of the sides). The rocker member 812 may be attached to the main panel 814 in the same manner as the base member was in earlier embodiments, e.g., with biscuit joints, dowels, screws, nails, or any other appropriate fasteners.

In some embodiments, the rocker member 812 may be selectively removable from the end walls 802, 804. In such embodiments, the rocker member 812 may be removed from the main panels 814 when a rocking motion may not be desired. For example, the crib 800 may be used as a rocking bassinet when a child is an infant and then, as the child grows older, the crib 800 may be used as a play pen.

Book Shelves

In some embodiments the crib may include selectively removable shelves that span across the crib cavity in order to allow the crib to be repurposed or reconfigured as a book case or other storage device. Thus, the crib may function not only to provide a safe place for a child to sleep and play, but also as a storage and organization unit. As described above in the background, cribs may often be expensive and may typically have a short life span as children move from a crib to a bed within a few years. As, the crib disclosed herein may be used as a storage unit in addition to crib, its usefulness may extend past the early years of the child.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the crib 600 including a shelf 770 positioned between the two sidewalls 606, 608. FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the shelf 770 removed from the crib 600. The shelf 770 is operably connected to the sidewalls 606, 608 and may be substantially perpendicular to each sidewall 606, 608.

The shelf 770 may be a relatively planar member and a first surface 776 may be oriented toward to the first end wall 602 and an opposing second surface 778 may be oriented toward the second end wall 604 such that the shelf 770 is parallel to the first and second end walls 602, 604. The shelf 770 may be operably connected to the side walls 606,608 via two connection members 772 that extend from the sides of the shelf 770. The two connection members 772 may extend outward from first and second edges 780, 782 of the shelf 770. The two connection members 772 may be received within the apertures 611 defined between the top rail 642 and bottom rail 644 of the sidewalls 606, 608 and rest upon the cross members 645. In other embodiments, other connection apertures or grooves defined within an inner surface of the sidewalls 600, 608 may be used to support the shelf 770. In yet other embodiments, the shelf 770 may be operably connected to the sidewalls 606, 608 using other mechanisms, for example, brackets, fasteners, tongue and groove, shelf pins, and the like.

Mattress Supports

The crib may also be used without the sleeping platform. In some embodiments, the crib may include mattress support members positioned on an inner surface of the sidewalls and/or end walls. As the child grows older, s/he may grow too big for the sleeping platform and/or may want a mattress rather than the sleeping platform. A mattress or mattress set (e.g., mattress and box spring) may thus be positioned within the cavity of the crib 100, either on top of the sleeping platform or, alternatively on mattress support members 850.

FIG. 19 is a top elevation view of the crib 100 including mattress supports 850. The mattress supports 850 may extend into the cavity 111 of the crib 100 and may be positioned to be substantially perpendicular to the end walls 102, 104, and the sidewalls 106, 108. Additionally, there may be one or more mattress supports 850 on each of the end walls 102, 104 and the sidewalls 106, 108. In one embodiment, each of the sidewalls 106, 108 may include two mattress supports 850 spaced apart from each other and the end walls 102, 104 may include a single mattress support 850. Thus, a mattress may be supported within the crib 100 at six different locations.

A length of the mattress supports 850 may be varied based on the desired level of support for the mattress and/or a weight of the mattress. For example, if the mattress is heavier, the mattress supports 850 may be longer than for a lighter mattress. However, in some embodiments it may be desirable to have the shortest length possible for the mattress supports 850 so that the sleeping platform may still be positioned within the crib 100. For example if the mattress supports 850 were to extend from a first sidewall 106 to the second sidewall 108, the sleeping platform would not be able to be positioned within the crib 100.

The mattress supports 850 may also be rotatable between a first position and a second position. This may allow the end walls 102, 104 and sidewalls 106, 108 to be relatively flat when disassembled. Accordingly, the crib 100 may be easier to store.

In some embodiments, rather than using a mattress as a sleeping area, another embodiment of the sleeping platform 910 may be positioned on the mattress supports 850. FIG. 20A is a top plan view of a sleeping platform 910. The sleeping platform 910 may be similar to the sleeping platform 100 of FIG. 1A. However, the sleeping platform 910 may not include legs or other supports. Rather, the sleeping platform 910 may be supported by the mattress supports 850 operably connected to the sidewalls and/or end walls.

The sleeping platform 910 may include a support frame 902 supporting a sleeping surface 900, such as mesh. The support frame 902 may be shaped to generally correspond to the shape of the cavity of the crib. Additionally, the support frame 902 may include one or more bracing elements 903 spanning from a first side of the support frame 902 to a second side of the support frame 902. The sleeping platform 910 may be used for older children, and additional support members may be necessary to further support an increasing weight of the child (as compared with the sleeping platform 110).

In some embodiments, the sleeping platform 910 may span the entire cavity of the crib, that is, span the distance between an inner surface of both sidewalls and both end walls. In other embodiments, the sleeping platform 910 may span less than the entire cavity and may be operably connected to a second sleeping platform 911. Thus, the combination of the two sleeping platforms may be used to span the entire cavity of the crib when positioned side by side. FIG. 20B is a side elevation view of the sleeping platform 910 operably coupled to a second sleeping platform 910. The sleeping platform 910 may include one or more rotational supports 905 extending from a first side of the support base 902. The rotational supports 905, e.g., hinges, couple the sleeping platform 910 to the second sleeping platform 911. The rotational supports thus allow the two sleeping platforms 910, 911 to fold against each other. By reducing a size of the sleeping platform 910 and operably connecting it to a second sleeping platform 911, the crib may be easier to store. For example, the sleeping platforms 910, 911 can be folded flat to reduce a width of the entire sleeping surface for the child when in storage, and may then be unfolded to provide a sleeping area that spans the entire cavity of the crib.

CONCLUSION

All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of this disclosure. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. The exemplary drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.

The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined in the claims. Although various embodiments of the claimed invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention. Other embodiments are therefore contemplated. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of particular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A crib comprising a first and a second sidewall;

a first and a second end wall operably connected to the first and second sidewalls to form a frame; and

a separate sleeping platform configured to be positioned within a cavity defined by the frame where the frame substantially surrounds the sleeping platform, the sleeping platform comprising a sleeping surface formed of a mesh material; a base frame supporting the sleeping surface; and a plurality of legs configured to support the base frame above a support surface of the crib; wherein

the base frame is positioned adjacent an inner surface of each the first and second sidewalls and the first and second end walls.

2. The crib of claim 1, wherein

the plurality of legs are rotatable between a first position and a second position;

in the first position the legs are positioned substantially along a portion of the base frame and a bottom surface of the base rests on the support surface, and

in the second position the legs extend below the base frame to rest on the support surface.

3. The crib of claim 1, further comprising an elevated platform spanning between and selectively secured to each of the first and second sidewalls.

4. The crib of claim 3, wherein the elevated platform further comprises

a cradle member; and

a pair of braces operably connected to opposite longitudinal edges of the cradle member.

5. The crib of claim 1, wherein

the first and second sidewalls each comprise a sidewall top rail defining a first sidewall receiving notch and a second sidewall receiving notch; a first sidewall side member and a second sidewall side member extending from a bottom surface of the sidewall top rail where the first sidewall side member extends from a first end of the sidewall top rail and the second sidewall side member extends from a second end of the sidewall top rail, a bottom surface of each the first sidewall side member and the second sidewall side members each defining a third sidewall receiving notch and a second sidewall receiving notch; and at least one cross member operably connected to each of the first and second sidewall side members.

6. The crib of claim 5, further comprising a sidewall mesh material spanning between the sidewall top rail, the first and second sidewall side members, and the at least one cross member.

7. The crib of claim 5, wherein the first sidewall side member and the second sidewall side member taper from the support surface towards the top rail.

8. The crib of claim 7, wherein the first sidewall side member and the second sidewall side member are trapezoidal shaped.

9. The crib of claim 5, wherein the end walls further comprise

an end wall top rail comprising a first end wall receiving notch and a second end wall receiving notch defined on a bottom surface of the end wall top rail;

a first end wall side member extending from the bottom surface of the end wall top rail adjacent the first end wall receiving notch; and

a second end wall side member extending from the bottom surface of the end wall top rail adjacent the second end wall receiving notch; wherein

the first end wall receiving notch is configured to be received within the first sidewall receiving notch and the second end wall receiving notch is configured to be received within the second sidewall receiving notch.

10. The crib of claim 9, further comprising a base member operably connected to a bottom surface of the first and second end wall side members, the base member defining a first base receiving notch configured to be received within the third sidewall receiving notch and a second base receiving notch configured to be received within the fourth sidewall receiving notch.

11. The crib of claim 9, wherein the end walls further comprise one or more shelves operably connected to each of the first and second end wall side members.

12. The crib of claim 1, further comprising a rocker member having an arcuate bottom surface selectively attachable to a bottom end of each of the end wall.

13. The crib of claim 1, wherein

the first sidewall further comprises a top rail; and

the second sidewall further comprises a first cross member; wherein

the top rail is positioned higher above the support surface than the first cross member.

14. A kit for a reconfigurable crib, comprising

a frame comprising a pair of sidewalls; and a pair of end walls configured to operably connect to the pair of sidewalls;

a sleeping platform configured to be positioned within but not attached to, the frame; and

at least one shelf configured to be operably connected to the pair of sidewalls or to the pair of end walls.

15. The kit of claim 14, further comprising an elevated platform selectively attachable to a top surface of the pair of sidewalls.

16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the elevated platform comprises

a cradle member; and

a pair of braces operably connected to opposite longitudinal edges of the cradle member.

17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the cradle member is a mesh material.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein

the at least one shelf comprises a first shelf and a second shelf; wherein

the first shelf is configured to be operably connected to one to the end walls and the second shelf is configured to be operably connected to a each of the sidewalls.

19. The kit of claim 19, wherein each of the sidewalls in the pair of sidewalls comprises a panel defining one or more receiving apertures configured to receive the second shelf.

20. The kit of claim 14, further comprising a rocker member having an arcuate surface configured to be selectively attachable to a bottom end of each of the end walls.