APPARATUS FOR MOVING A CRIB

Abstract

A device for moving a crib, including two base elements, formed as separate units, for supporting a head or foot region of the cot, wherein each base element has a bottom element for positioning the base element on the ground and a, in particular panel-type, contact element that is moveably arranged relative to the bottom element. One of the two base elements has a drive arranged in the region of a housing of its bottom element and connected to the contact element by a coupling element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an apparatus for moving a crib, the apparatus using rhythmic rocking and movement of the crib to help the infant, for example, to fall asleep and sleep through and/or to soothe the infant.

PRIOR ART

A variety of apparatuses which are intended for moving a crib, in particular, using an electric motor, and in the case of which a crib is set up and/or positioned with its foot part and head part on corresponding supports of the apparatus, are known from the prior art. For example, WO 2010/126496 A1 discloses using variable supports to allow straightforward adaptation of the apparatus to the respective crib or the dimension thereof. WO 95/23722 discloses the use of rollers and running tracks for the rollers for guiding a support element.

The apparatuses described thus far provide for adaptation of the apparatus to different sizes of crib and also make it possible for the support surfaces for the head region and foot region of a crib to be coupled to a floor element via roller elements.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus according to the invention which is intended for moving a crib and has the features of claim 1 has the advantage that it uses separately formed units for the head region and foot region of a crib to provide variable and particularly straightforward adaptations to the respective size of the crib, wherein, at the same time, provision is made for particularly advantageous kinematics in respect of the movement capability of a crib. Furthermore, a particularly low-noise drive is made possible.

In order to achieve the aforementioned advantages, provision is made according to the invention for the apparatus for moving the crib to have two base elements which form separate units and are intended for supporting a head region and foot region of a crib, wherein each base element comprises a floor element for positioning the base element on an underlying surface and also an in particular panel-like support element, which is arranged such that it can be moved relative to the floor element, wherein one of the two base elements has a drive, which is arranged in the region of a housing of its floor element and is connected to the support element by a coupling element, wherein the two support elements are arranged in a movable manner in the plane of the support elements, and wherein, in order to achieve relative movement between floor elements and the support elements, roller elements are provided.

Advantageous developments of the apparatus according to the invention for moving a crib are given in the dependent claims.

As far as the movement of the crib is concerned, two types of movement have proven to be advantageous in relation to the purpose of the apparatus. In a first embodiment of the movement of the crib in order to achieve a (horizontal) pivoting movement, provision is made for the support elements to be arranged such that they can be pivoted about a common axis of rotation arranged perpendicularly in relation to the plane of the support elements. The axis of rotation here is preferably arranged in the base element which does not have a drive.

In an alternative type of movement of the crib, provision is made for the support elements to be arranged in a linearly movable manner in the plane of the support elements.

In order to achieve positive guidance of the support elements in relation to the floor elements, provision is made for the roller elements, which are preferably arranged such that they can be pivoted about an axis running perpendicularly in relation the plane of the support elements, to interact with guide tracks, in which the roller elements roll.

A quite particularly preferred configuration of the drive, which provides for particularly low-noise and smooth operation and therefore also smooth movement of the crib, makes provision so that the drive has an electric motor and a transmission, which is connected to the electric motor and has a belt drive and a flywheel, and so that, on the transmission side, the coupling element is arranged on a pitch diameter around an axis of rotation of an output element of the transmission. Such a design of the drive makes it possible for the electric motor to be operated without any reversal in direction of rotation for example at a constant speed, wherein, for example when the drive is switched on and off, the flywheel avoids sudden start-up or speeding up and, respectively, stopping or slowing down of the movement of the crib. In particular, the rotational inertia of the flywheel in conjunction with the transmission, the connecting element and the support elements evens out the oscillating movement of the crib, which results in the smooth movement. Furthermore, the use of a belt drive allows particularly good noise decoupling between the individual elements of the transmission, and the coupling element makes it possible for the support surface or the support element to be decoupled, in addition, from the floor element.

A further aspect of the invention relates to the ability to produce the essential elements of the apparatus from a renewable or biodegradable material which is, in particular, also distinguished by being free of pollutants. Against this background, provision is preferably made for the housings of the floor elements and also the support elements each to consist at least essentially of a wood material.

Further-improved noise reduction is achieved if the drive is connected to the housing of its floor element via damping elements.

Likewise improved noise reduction is achieved if additional noise-reduction elements are arranged in the housing of the floor element which has the drive. These additional noise-reduction elements can serve, for example, to subdivide the interior of the housing into smaller sub-regions, in order to make sound propagation more difficult and to avoid resonance effects. In addition to the use of noise-reduction elements, which consist of the same material as the housing, it is also conceivable to use, for example, foams or similar noise-absorbing materials or structures.

In order to avoid unintended movement of the crib and also mechanical loading on the drive of the crib when the drive is not activated, a further preferred design of the apparatus makes provision for it to be possible for the support element to be fixed in relation to its associated floor element by arresting means. This therefore avoids relative movement between the support element and the floor element in relation to the axis of rotation. Furthermore, the initial alignment of the support element in relation to the floor element can be achieved by the arresting means. This is advantageous, in particular, when the intention is to dispense with guide tracks, which interact with the roller elements.

The use of two separate base units makes it possible for the apparatus to be adapted particularly straightforwardly to different sizes of crib. All that is necessary here is for the respective head region and foot region of the crib to be brought into alignment, or made to coincide, with the support surface of the respective base unit. However, since cribs are typically of standard sizes, it is possible, for the purpose of simplifying the precise positioning of the two base elements in relation to one another, to make provision so that, in order to adjust a distance and the relative position between the two base elements, the base elements can be connected rigidly to one another by means of at least one connecting element.

In a development of this proposal, provision is made so that the at least one connecting element can be coupled to the floor element of the base element or to another connecting element by means of a form-fitting connection. The use of a form-fitting connection has, in particular, the advantage that the components of the apparatus can be assembled without any tools being used. It can also be particularly advantageous for the two support elements of the base elements to be coupled to one another by the at least one connecting element, since in that case the forces for moving the crib are transmitted directly via the support elements and not via the crib.

A further important aspect of the invention relates to the electrical activation and different modes of operation of the apparatus and of the drive. For this purpose, a further configuration of the invention makes provision so that the drive can be activated manually and/or wirelessly and a control and radio module provides for different functionalities in respect of the speed of the drive, the duration and/or the start of the drive operation and, if appropriate, speed characteristics over time. Furthermore, this option also comprises putting a time limit on the drive operation or the movement of the crib such that, for example after a specific period of time, e.g. after 10 minutes, a for example constant movement of the crib is reduced continuously until it reaches a standstill.

It can also be the case that lighting devices or monitoring devices are arranged and/or can be installed on the base elements. Such lighting devices are provided, for example in the region of the floor element, in the form of dimmable and/or energy-saving lamps, which illuminate the floor region so that the infant's sleep is not affected. The floor lighting, on the one hand, acts as a night light and, on the other hand, also makes it possible, when the room light is switched off, for the bed to be located particularly easily. Monitoring devices are understood to be, for example, microphones, motion detectors, video cameras or the like, which can be arranged if appropriate on corresponding stands or similar carrier devices which can be installed on the base elements.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention can be gathered from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and also with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of an apparatus according to the invention for moving a crib, with a crib arranged thereon,

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the arrangement according to FIG. 1 for the purpose of depicting the movement sequence of the crib during operation of the apparatus,

FIG. 3 shows a plan view, partially in section, of the essential components of the apparatus according to the invention,

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the support elements of the apparatus in the head region and foot region of the crib,

FIG. 5 shows a perspective illustration of a detail of a securing device with resting means in the head region of the crib or of the corresponding base element,

FIG. 6 shows a perspective bottom view of the base element assigned to the head region of the crib,

FIG. 7 shows a sectional illustration of the floor element which has the drive,

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the floor element according to FIG. 7 with cover part installed,

FIG. 9 shows a perspective illustration of the arrangement according to FIG. 7,

FIG. 10 shows a perspective illustration of the arrangement according to FIG. 8,

FIG. 11 shows a perspective illustration of a crib with an apparatus on which a carrier device for a monitoring element is arranged,

FIG. 12 shows a perspective illustration of a drive unit with damping elements arranged thereon, and

FIG. 13 shows a plan view of an arrangement according to FIG. 1 for the purpose of depicting an alternative movement sequence of the crib during operation of the apparatus in the form of linear movement.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Like elements or elements with a like function are provided with like reference signs in the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates the essential components of an apparatus 10 for moving a crib 1. The apparatus 10 comprises two base elements 12, 14 for setting up the crib 1 on the apparatus 10 in the region of the head part 2 and foot part 3, respectively, of the crib 1. The two base elements 12, 14 are preferably connected rigidly to one another by means of at least one connecting element 16, 17. Each base element 12, 14 comprises a floor element 19, 20 for positioning the respective base elements 12, 14 on an underlying surface, typically a floor. Furthermore, each base element 12, 14 comprises an in particular panel-like support element 21, 22, which rests on the respective floor element 19, 20, it being possible for the head part 2 and the foot part 3 of the crib 1 to be positioned on that side of the support element which is directed away from the floor element 19, 20.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified illustration of the crib 1 and also the apparatus 10 during operation of the apparatus 10. In particular, it can be seen that the two support elements 21, 22 are movable in the direction of the double arrow 25 about an axis of rotation 24 running vertically in relation to the plane of the support elements 21, 22.

It can be seen with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6 that the two connecting elements 16, 17 are each formed from elongate and flat elements (preferably consisting of wood), wherein a respective form-fitting connection 27, 28 is formed, on the one hand, between the two connecting elements 16, 17 and, on the other hand, between the connecting element 16, 17 and the facing floor element 19, 20. The form-fitting connection 27, 28 makes it possible for the apparatus 10 to be assembled straightforwardly without any additional tool or auxiliary means. Furthermore, in particular the ability to split the apparatus into a number of parts and/or the option of providing a plurality of connecting elements 16, 17 means that a particularly compact construction is possible, as is particularly compact stowage of the individual parts of the apparatus 10.

In addition, it should be mentioned that it is also conceivable, and possibly advantageous for the stepless adjustment of the distance between the two floor elements 19, 20, to use a single, telescopic connecting element instead of the plurality of connecting elements 16, 17, although in this case a form-fitting connection of such a connecting element of the floor elements 19, 20 is still provided (not illustrated). Provision can also be made for the at least one connecting element 16, 17 to connect together the two support elements 21, 22, rather than the two floor elements 19, 20.

It can also be seen in FIG. 3 that the two floor elements 19, 20 each have housings 30, 31, which are formed in a box-like manner from planar side walls, preferably consisting of a wood material having, for example, a thickness of approximately 10 mm. Furthermore, a drive 40 is arranged in the floor element 19 of the base element 12, which is assigned for example to the head part 2 of the crib 1.

In order to provide for relative movement of the support elements 21, 22 on the respective floor element 19, 20, for example four roller elements 32, 33 are provided in the region of each floor element 19, 20, these four roller elements being arranged, as seen in relation to the axis of rotation 24, on corresponding pitch diameters 34, 35 and/or being mounted such that they can be pivoted about an axis running perpendicularly in relation to the plane of the support elements 21, 22. The roller elements 32, 33 project beyond the floor elements 19, 20 or the cover element 36 thereof, it being possible for the cover element to be seen merely in FIG. 8 from the example of the one floor element 19, such that circle-segment-like guide tracks 37, 38 (FIG. 4), which are arranged in the support elements 21, 22, are arranged in operative connection, or in engagement with the roller elements 32, 33.

In addition, it should be mentioned that it is also possible to dispense with the guide tracks 37, 38 and to adjust the alignment of the support elements 21, 22 in relation to the floor elements 19, 20 manually. During operation of the apparatus 10, the positioning of the support elements 21, 22 is achieved by the crib 1 resting thereon and by the friction fit between the head part 2 and also the foot part 3 and the support elements 21, 22.

It can be seen in FIG. 6 that the housing 30 of the floor element 19, this housing being assigned to the base element 12, has elevations 41, which are adapted in cross section to the guide tracks 37 and reduce the gap between the support element 21 and the floor element 19, so as to minimize, in particular, the penetration of dirt and dust and also the risk of fingers getting trapped.

According to the illustration in FIGS. 3, 7, 9 and 10, the drive 40 comprises an electric motor 42, which is preferably driven in just a single direction of rotation. The electric motor 42 or the drive 40 is arranged in the interior of the floor element 19 or of the housing 30 via a motor holder 43 (FIG. 12) and damping elements 44 and is connected to the housing 30. The electric motor 42 acts, via a transmission 45, on a coupling element in the form of a coupling rod 47, which is connected to the underside of the support element 21 at a connecting location 48. At its respective end region, the coupling rod 47 preferably has a ball element, which can be easily manually released and fitted in place.

The transmission 45 comprises a belt drive 50 and a flywheel 52. The flywheel 52 acts on an output element in the form of an output wheel 54, which is connected to the coupling rod 47 on a pitch diameter 53.

In order to avoid penetration of dust and dirt into the housing 30 of the floor element 19 and also to minimize noise, provision is also made so that noise-reduction elements 55 are arranged in the interior of the housing 30, and so that a sealing element (not illustrated) can be arranged for gap-bridging purposes between the upper side of the floor element 19 and the underside of the support element 21.

It can be seen in FIG. 6 that two loudspeakers 57, 58 are arranged in the housing 30, on that side of the housing which is directed toward the one connecting element 16. It is also possible for lamps, preferably in the form of LEDs, to be arranged in the region of openings 59, these lamps serving, in particular, to illuminate the floor region beneath the crib 1. It can be seen in FIG. 11 that a carrier element 60, which is in the form of a rod, can likewise be installed, for example, on the floor element 19. The carrier element 16 serves, for example, to fasten or arrange a monitoring camera 5 or the like in place. It is likewise possible to provide microphones or the like, so that a corresponding signal is triggered when the infant wakes up or makes a noise.

The drive 40 of the electric motor 42 is realized via a control and radio module 65, which provides for either manual operation or wireless operation, for example via a corresponding app on a mobile device. The control and radio module 65 here comprises, for example, programs for controlling speeds, or speed characteristics over time, and also switch-off functions or the like.

In order to avoid unintended movement of the crib 1, for example the region of the floor element 19 is provided with an arresting means in the form of an arresting bolt 66, which interacts with a mating opening 67 in the associated support element 21 (FIG. 5). The for example spring-loaded arresting bolt 66 interacts with a switch 68 such that, when the support element 21 is arrested, the drive 40 of the electric motor 42 is deactivated.

Finally, FIG. 13 illustrates that, by virtue of the drive 40 (and also possibly the roller elements 32, 33 and the guide tracks 37, 38) being configured correspondingly, the apparatus 10 can also be designed to move the crib 1 linearly in the plane of the support elements 21, 22 in the direction of the double arrow 69. Movement preferably takes place in the longitudinal direction of the crib 1, since this means no torque arises between the driven and the non-driven support element 21, 22.

The apparatus 10 which has been described thus far can be altered and/or modified in a variety of ways without it straying from the concept of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1 Crib

2 Head part

3 Foot part

5 Monitoring camera

10 Apparatus

12 Base element

14 Base element

16 Connecting element

17 Connecting element

19 Floor element

20 Floor element

21 Support element

22 Support element

24 Axis of rotation

25 Double arrow

27 Form-fitting connection

28 Form-fitting connection

30 Housing

31 Housing

32 Roller element

33 Roller element

34 Pitch diameter

35 Pitch diameter

36 Cover element

37 Guide track

38 Guide track

40 Drive

41 Elevation

42 Electric motor

43 Motor holder

44 Damping element

45 Transmission

47 Coupling rod

48 Connecting location

50 Belt drive

52 Flywheel

53 Pitch diameter

54 Output wheel

55 Noise-reduction element

57 Loudspeaker

58 Loudspeaker

59 Opening

60 Carrier element

65 Control and radio module

66 Arresting bolt

67 Opening

68 Switch

69 Double arrow

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. An apparatus for moving a crib, comprising: two base elements that form two separate units and support a head region and a foot region of the crib, wherein each base element comprises a floor element for positioning the base element on an underlying surface and also a support element arranged so as to be movable relative to the base element, wherein one of the two base elements has a drive arranged in a region of a housing of its floor element and is connected to the support element by a coupling element, wherein the two support elements are arranged in a movable manner in a plane of the support elements, and wherein, for relative movement between the floor elements and the support elements, roller elements are provided between the support elements and the floor elements.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the support elements are arranged so as to be pivotable about a common axis of rotation arranged perpendicularly in relation to the plane of the support elements.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the support elements are arranged in a linearly movable manner in the plane of the support elements.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising guide tracks for the roller elements, wherein the roller elements, which are preferably arranged such that they can be pivoted about an axis running perpendicularly in relation to the plane of the support elements, interact and roll in the guide tracks.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the roller elements, are arranged so as to be pivotable about an axis running perpendicularly in relation to the plane of the support elements.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the drive includes an electric motor and a transmission that is connected to the electric motor and has a belt drive and a flywheel, and in that, on the transmission side, the coupling element is arranged on a pitch diameter around an axis of rotation of an output element of the transmission.

17. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the housings of the floor elements and also the support elements each consist at least essentially of a wood material.

18. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the drive is connected to the housing of the floor element via damping elements.

19. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising noise-reduction elements arranged in the housing of the floor element that has the drive.

20. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the support element that is coupled to the drive is fixable relative to its associated floor element by an arresting device.

21. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising at least one connecting element that rigidly connects the base elements together in order to adjust a distance between the two base elements and to align the base elements in relation to one another, wherein the at least one connecting element is coupleable to the base element or to another connecting element.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the at least one connecting element is coupleable to the base element or to another connecting element by a form-fitting connection.