GB2620360A

GB2620360A - Adjustable cot assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2620360A
Application number: GB2206863.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Byrne Kate
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-05-11
Filing date: 2022-05-11
Publication date: 2024-01-10

Abstract

A cot 1 with a mechanism 6 for adjusting the position of the base 4, or a mattress 5 supported thereon, relative to a frame and a contact surface on which support members 3, such as legs, rest. The adjustment mechanism may include an X-shaped actuator 7 beneath the base. The cot may include a stepper motor in communication with this scissor lift 7 to control elevation of the base, for example by rotating a threaded bar 13 in communication with a spacer rod 8 located adjacent an end 10 of the actuator. The adjustment mechanism may include a cam belt, optionally connecting a rotatable dial with the threaded rod. The adjusting mechanism may include hydraulics and may be operated manually, for example by hand or foot, or be automated. Locking means may be provided for securing the base in position.

Description

ADJUSTABLE COT ASSEMBLY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cot which is configured in use such that the position of the base or mattress relative to the frame (or contact surface on which the cot rests) is adjustable.

Dackground Conventionally, babies and young infants sleep in a cot. In order to place the baby or infant in the cot, the parent must lift the baby or infant above the height of the frame and then lower them carefully onto the mattress. The mattress is typically located a significant distance below the height of the frame for safety reasons (Le. to prevent the baby or infant from being able to climb out of the cot).

The movement of lifting and lowering of the baby or infant into the cot can be difficult for parents who are recovering from a recent caesarean or who experience back issues or back pain.

There is therefore a need for a cot assembly which is able to be used by parents or guardians which will help to minimise pain during use, such as pain arising from a result of back injury or caesareans.

Prior Art

US20120297537 discloses an apparatus with an adjustable height mattress which includes a crib frame with a stationary support frame secured to it. The mattress rests generally on an elevator frame which slides up and down with respect to the stationary frame. The crib further includes a height adjusting mechanism for adjusting height of the elevator frame, an operating mechanism for operating and locking the height adjusting mechanism and a levelling mechanism for maintaining the level of elevator frame horizontally stable.

EP1728493 discloses a bed or bench fitted with telescopic bars at its four corners and an electric drive attached to the transversal elements between the legs for lifting and lowering the sleeping area by extending the bars with a spindle mechanism. The electric drive is controlled with a foot pedal comprising two separately controlled segments. One segment is used for activating the lifting or lowering mechanism, the second initiates a stop function when the lowered area is moved across a limit, threatening to squash the foot of the user.

U35214808 discloses a baby crib having means to mount a mattress platform at a variety of selected heights above the floor and a gate stop adjustable between an operative and an inoperative orientation. In the operative orientation, the gate stop prevents the gate from being lowered to Its normally lowest position. In the inoperative orientation, the gate stop does not interfere with gate travel.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a cot assembly comprising: a frame comprising support members configured in use to be supported on a contact surface; a base configured in use to support a mattress thereon, the base being supported on the frame; and an adjustment mechanism configured in use to adjust the location of the base relative to the frame and contact surface.

The cot assembly of the present invention enables a user to place a baby or infant onto the base (or mattress) without requiring the user (such as for example a parent or guardian) to bend over. The cot assembly of the present invention minimises the movement required of a user when transferring a baby or infant into the cot. As a result, the cot assembly of the present invention may be used with reduced risk of pain or injury arising as a result of the repeated bending movement required with conventional cots.

The adjustment mechanism is preferably configured in use to adjust the location of the base between a plurality of discrete, predetermined locations.

The adjustment mechanism is preferably configured in use to adjust the location of the base between a continuous range of locations.

The location of the base (or mattress) may be adjusted, relative to a top, free end of the frame, over time, to allow for adjustment as the baby or infant grows. For example, the base (or mattress) may be located near the top, free end of the frame for a newborn baby which is not capable of rolling, sitting or standing. Over time, as the baby develops the ability to sit and stand, the user may ensure that the base (or mattress) is located at a greater distance from the top, free end of the frame to minimise the risk of the baby or infant from climbing out of the cot assembly.

The adjustment mechanism preferably comprises an X-shaped actuator located beneath the base. The X-shaped actuator preferably comprises metal box section rods, for example steel and/or aluminium box section rods.

The adjustment mechanism preferably further comprises a stepper motor in communication with the X-shaped actuator configured in use to effect linear motion (in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the base (or mattress) of the base of the cot assembly.

The adjustment mechanism may further comprise a threaded bar in communication with the X-shaped actuator and the stepper motor. The stepper motor is preferably configured in use to rotate the threaded bar to effect movement of the X-shaped actuator to effect linear motion of the base of the cot assembly.

A first end of the X-shaped actuator (for example a first end of the X-shaped actuator is an end located at or adjacent a lower end of the frame and contact surface) may be fixedly located in position relative to the contact surface, for example fixed in position relative to the frame. The first end of the X-shaped actuator may be fixedly located in position relative to the contact surface (and preferably frame) during operation of the adjustment mechanism.

A second opposed end of the X-shaped actuator (for example a second end of the X-shaped actuator is a second end located at or adjacent a lower end of the frame and contact surface) may be rotatably secured relative to the contact surface, for example fixed in position relative to the frame. The second end of the X-shaped actuator may be rotatably located in position relative to the contact surface (and preferably frame) during operation of the adjustment mechanism. The second end of the X-shaped actuator may for example be received within at least one linear guide. The at least one linear guide, preferably located adjacent the contact surface or lower end of the frame, is preferably configured to aid and support movement of the X-shaped actuator (in particular, the second end of the X-shaped actuator). The second opposed end of the X-shaped actuator may comprise rollers or wheels configured to be received within corresponding linear guides.

The adjustment mechanism may be automated.

The cot assembly may further comprise a controller in communication with the stepper motor. The controller may be configured in use to effect operation of the stepper motor, by for example remote control. The controller may be configured in use to effect movement of the base between a plurality of discrete locations relative to the frame and contact surface.

The adjustment mechanism may be manually operated. The adjustment mechanism may for example be hand or foot operated.

The adjustment mechanism may for example comprise hydraulics. The hydraulics may comprise any suitable fluid such as liquid or gas (for example air). The adjustment mechanism may comprise a pump (for example a foot pump or hand pump) in fluid communication with the hydraulics to initiate movement of (for example to raise or lower) the base relative to the frame and contact surface.

The adjustment mechanism may comprise a rotatable dial in communication with a cam belt, for example a rubber cam belt. A first end of the cam belt may be in communication with the rotatable dial, and a second end of the cam belt may be in communication with a threaded bar. The threaded bar is preferably in communication with a second end of the X-shaped actuator. Rotation of the dial affects rotation of the cam belt which drives rotation of the threaded bar and movement of the second end of the X-shaped actuator either towards or away from the first end of the X-shaped actuator (affecting movement of the base relative to the frame and contact surface).

The adjustment mechanism may further comprise a gas strut to effect smooth movement of the X-shaped actuator.

The adjustment mechanism may further comprise a locking means for securing the base in the location.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view from above of one embodiment of the cot assembly of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view from below of the cot assembly of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view from above of the cot assembly of Figure 1.

Petailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures, the cot assembly 1 comprises a frame 2 comprising support members 3 (in the form of legs) configured in use to be supported on a contact surface (not shown).

The cot assembly 1 further comprises a base 4 configured in use to support a mattress 5 thereon. The base 4 is supported on the frame 2.

The cot assembly further comprises an adjustment mechanism 6 configured in use to adjust the location of the base 4 relative to the frame 2 and contact surface.

The adjustment mechanism 6 comprises an X-shaped actuator 7 located beneath the base 4. The X-shaped actuator 7 is formed from two spaced apart pairs of metal box section rods, for example steel and/or aluminium box section rods. The two pairs of metal box section rods, each forming an X-shape) are interconnected by spacer rods 8.

A first end 9 of the X-shaped actuator 7 (i.e. a first end of the X-shaped actuator located at or adjacent a lower end of the frame and contact surface) is fixedly located in position relative to the contact surface, for example fixed in position relative to the frame 2.

A second opposed end 10 of the X-shaped actuator 7 (i.e. a second end of the X-shaped located at or adjacent a lower end of the frame and contact surface) is rotatably secured relative to the contact surface, for example fixed in position relative to the frame 2.

The assembly 1 further comprises a pair of spaced apart linear guides 11. Each linear guide defining a channel to receive a corresponding second opposed end 10 of one of the pair of X-shaped box sections forming the X-shaped actuator 7. Each linear guide 11 defining the direction of travel of the second end 10 of the X-shaped actuator.

The adjustment mechanism 6 further comprises a stepper motor 12 in communication with the X-shaped actuator 7 and configured in use to effect linear motion (in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the base 4 (or mattress) of the cot assembly 1.

The adjustment mechanism 6 further comprises a threaded bar 13 in communication with a spacer rod 8 located adjacent the second end 10 of the X-shaped actuator 7, and the stepper motor 9.

The stepper motor 9 is preferably configured in use to rotate the threaded bar to effect movement of the X-shaped actuator to effect linear motion of the base of the cot assembly.

The cot assembly 1 further comprises a controller 14 in communication with the stepper motor 9. The controller 14 is configured in use to effect operation of the stepper motor 9 by remote control.

In use, the adjustment mechanism 6 is configured in use to adjust the location of the base between a plurality of discrete, predetermined locations.

The user selects the desired depth of the base 4 or mattress relative to the upper free end of the frame 2 using the controller 14. The control 14 drives the stepper motor 9 which causes rotation of threaded bar 13. Rotation of the threaded bar 13 drives the second end 10 of the X-shaped actuator away from the first end 9 of the X-shaped actuator 7 causing the base 4 to be lowered relative to the upper free end of the frame 2. If the base 4 is to be raised, the stepper motor rotates the threaded bar 13 in the opposite direction to drive the second end 10 towards the first end 9 of the X-shaped actuator 7.

In this manner, the base 4 can be moved efficiently and easily to the required depth to minimise the movement needed by the user when placing a baby or toddler in the assembly, thereby minimising discomfort or pain to the user.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely* combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. A cot assembly comprising: a frame comprising support members configured in use to be supported on a contact surface; a base configured in use to support a mattress thereon, the base being supported on the frame; and an adjustment mechanism configured in use to adjust the location of the base relative to the frame and contact surface.
2. A cot assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the adjustment mechanism is configured in use to adjust the location of the base between a plurality of discrete locations.
3. A cot assembly as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which the adjustment mechanism is configured in use to adjust the location of the base between a continuous range of locations.
4. A cot assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adjustment mechanism comprises an X-shaped actuator located beneath the base.
5. A cot assembly as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a stepper motor in communication with the X-shaped actuator.
6. A cot assembly as claimed any preceding claim, in which the adjustment mechanism comprises hydraulics.
7. A cot assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adjustment mechanism comprises a cam belt.
8. A cot assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adjustment mechanism is manually operated.
9. A cot assembly as claimed in claim 8, in which the adjustment mechanism is hand or foot operated.
10.A cot assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the adjustment mechanism is automated.
11. A cot assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a controller in communication with the adjustment mechanism.
12.A cot assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adjustment mechanism comprises a locking means for securing the base in the location.