CRIB FRAME WITH LIFTING DEVICE

Abstract

A crib frame includes a lower chassis, an upper chassis, a connecting chassis that connects the lower chassis and upper chassis, and a driving mechanism. The connecting chassis includes a first supporting chassis and a second supporting chassis. The driving mechanism includes an electric motor and an actuator. The first supporting chassis and the second supporting chassis are connected in an “X” shape. One end of the actuator is connected to the first supporting chassis and the other end is connected to the bottom chassis and arranged to control the height of the upper chassis relative to the lower chassis.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Priority is claimed based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/460,579, filed Jan. 5, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a lifting device for a bed frame bottom and particularly to a baby crib chassis.

Most baby/toddler beds provide the capability of adjusting the height of the mattress to provide convenience in positioning the baby in bed or removing the baby from the bed. After the baby is placed in the crib, the mattress is lowered to prevent the baby from climbing out or rolling out of the crib. A rectangular frame typically supports the mattress such that raising or lowering the frame adjusts the mattress height. To adjust the height of the baby/toddler bed, usually, people use a height-adjusting device in the bed. Existing lifting devices mostly use hydraulic or mechanical systems. This kind of hydraulic device is not only difficult to operate but also large in size and inconvenient to carry or transport.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a baby crib frame having a chassis that solves the problems of the existing hydraulic and mechanical devices for adjusting the height of a baby crib.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The crib frame includes a lower chassis, an upper chassis, a connecting chassis that connects the lower chassis and upper chassis, and a driving mechanism. The connecting chassis includes a first supporting chassis and a second supporting chassis. The driving mechanism includes an electric motor and an actuator. The first supporting chassis and the second supporting chassis are connected in an “X” shape. One end of the actuator is connected to the first supporting chassis and the other end is connected to the bottom chassis and arranged to control the height of the upper chassis relative to the lower chassis.

One advantage of this invention is its ease of operation. The invention uses an actuator controlled via a foot pedal switch to easily adjust the crib height. A second advantage is the use of a cross hinge structure, that when folded, it is small in size, and easy to carry or transport. A third advantage is that it uses a lithium battery that eliminates the need to use a cable to provide electrical power to the actuator. Therefore, the invention is safe, attractive and suitable for outdoor usage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a crib frame that includes a liftable chassis according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the liftable chassis in an upper position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bottom side of crib frame and liftable chassis; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an electrical system that may be included in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in the FIGS. 1-3, a crib frame 10 according to the present invention 10 includes a bottom chassis 12, an upper chassis 14, an electric motor 16 and a connecting chassis 18 that connects the upper chassis 14 and the bottom chassis 12.

In normal usage a plurality of parallel slats (not shown) extends across the top of the top chassis to support a mattress (not shown). These slats are not shown FIGS. 2 and 3 so that the height-adjusting features of the invention can be illustrated.

The connecting chassis 18 includes a first support frame 20 and a second support frame 22. The first support frame 20 includes a first pair of parallel support members 24 and 26, each of which have lower ends 28 that are pivotally connected to the bottom chassis by brackets 30 and 32. The first support frame 20 also includes upper ends 33 that terminate in rollers 34 and 36. The rollers 34 and 36 are arranged to fit with correspond tracks 38 and 40 that are mounted on opposite sides of the upper chassis 14. The second support frame 22 includes a second pair of parallel support members 42 and 44 having lower ends 47 that terminate in rollers 46 and 48 and upper ends 49 that are pivotally connected to the upper chassis by brackets 50 and 52, respectively. The rollers 46 and 48 are arranged to fit within corresponding tracks 51 and 53 that are mounted to the lower chassis 12.

The support members 24 and 42 are pivotally connected by a pin 54 located at the place where the support members 24 and 46 cross one another. The support members 26 and 44 also are pivotally connected by a pin 56. Referring to FIG. 2, the support members 24 and 42 form a first “X” shaped support frame, and the support members 26 and 44 form a second “X” shaped support frame.

A first crossbar 60 extends between the lower ends 47 of the support members 42 and 44, and a second crossbar 62 extends between central regions of the support members 24 and 26. An electric motor and actuator assembly 64 has a first end mounted to a bracket 66 that is affixed to the first crossbar 60 and a second end mounted to a bracket 68 that is affixed to the second crossbar 62.

A foot pedal 70 and a battery 72 that is preferably rechargeable are mounted to the lower chassis 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the battery is connected to a source of electrical power and to the motor and actuator assembly 64. The foot pedal 70 is connected to the motor and actuator assembly 64 and is arranged to extend and retract the actuator to raise and lower the upper chassis 14.

The upper chassis 14 is raised relative to the lower chassis by pressing the foot pedal to extend the length of the motor and actuator assembly 64, which causes the rollers 34 and 36 to roll in the tracks 36 and 38 toward right as seen in FIG. 2. At the same time, the rollers 46 and 48 roll in the tracks 46 and 47 toward the right. Reversing the direction of motion of the rollers 34, 36, 46 and 48 lowers the upper chassis 14.

Claims

1. A baby crib frame, comprising:

a bottom chassis;

a top chassis; and

a connecting chassis connected between the top chassis and the top chassis, the connecting chassis including: a first support frame having a first pair of parallel support members having lower ends pivotally connected to the bottom chassis and having upper ends that terminate in a first set of rollers that are arranged to roll upon corresponding tracks connected to the top chassis; a second support frame having a second pair of parallel support members having lower ends pivotally connected to the top chassis and having upper ends that terminate in a second set of rollers that are arranged to roll upon corresponding tracks connected to the bottom chassis; and an electric motor and actuator assembly connected between the first and second support frames to adjust the position of the first and second sets of rollers in the corresponding tracks to selectively raise or lower the top chassis relative to the bottom chassis.

2. The baby crib frame of claim 1 including a foot pedal switch for controlling the motor and actuator assembly.

3. The baby crib frame of claim 1 wherein a battery provides electrical power to the electric motor and actuator assembly.