US2378231A - Collapsible crib - Google Patents

Description

June 12, 1945. G. H. LOGAN ETAL 2,378,231

' OOLLAIPSIBLE cam Filed Nov. 50, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I4 of the side rails while the surface 22 is adapted to be engaged by the end of an associated arm, later mentioned in detail, when the frame of the crib is in its set up or unfolded condition.

Also, at each end of the base before mentioned, is provided a pair of laterally spaced arms 23-23, the arms of each pair being connected together at their extreme top ends by a cross bar or brace 24. Said arms and braces are made of the same kind of wooden stock as the side rails and the legs. In the extreme top end of each arm is a slot 25 which is traversed by a dowel like pin 26.

The bottom end of each arm, which is of a length approximating that of the side rail, is slotted as at 21 in Fig. 3, to straddle a part of the associated gusset-like flange l and to which it is pivotally connected as by a piece of short wooden dowel 28. The bottom end extremity of each arm is formed with a square cut end surface 29 and a bevelled surface 30. When the frame is in its set up or unfolded condition, as will be later mentioned, the beveled surface 30 of each arm is engaged with a part of the surface or shoulder M at the associated end of the side rail while the square cut surface 29 of each arm is engaged with the bevelled end surface 22 of the associated leg so as to lock the leg in place.

It is apparent that with the structure described, the legs and the arms at one side of the frame are disposed in the same plane as the side rails.

With the parts of the frame thus far described, there is associated a pair of strut members or stretcher bars 3l-3l, one adapted to be disposed between the top end parts of the arms 23-23 on the same side of the frame. Each strut when in its operative position for its intended purpose, is longer than the side rails and is oversize with respect to the distance between the top end of the associated arms 23-23 when said frame as a whole is in the set up condition. Each strut may be rigid and unbroken but for storage purpose, each strut as shown in Fig. 4 may have an upwardly breakin'g joint therein midway of its ends and which joint is formed by a hinge 32 fixed to the under side thereof as by screws, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

The end of each strut is formed with a tongue 33 to fit in the slot 25 of the associated arm 23 and each tongue is bifurcated as at 34 to have a hooked engagement with the cross pin 26 in said slot.

The parts of the frame, disregarding the stretcher bars or struts when in the folded or knocked down condition, appear in Fig. 3. From said figure it is to be noted that one leg may be folded to engage against and underlap the bottom surface of the associated side rail l0 and the other leg may be folded to engage against and underlap the first mentioned leg. Also, it is to be noted from said figure that one arm 23 may be folded to engage against and overlap the top urface of the associated side rail and the other arm may be folded to engage against and overlap the top of the first mentioned one. When the frame is in this folded condition, as in Fig. 3, it is to be noted that the rails and legs and arms are disposed in superposed parallel relation and this relation is permitted by the use of the block-like bosses l2 and i3.

To set up the frame mentioned, the pairs of legs are swung outwardly and downwardly from the side rails until the surfaces 2| engage the surfaces M at the ends of the side rails and this limits said legs in their movement so that the legs extend downwardly and outwardly from the side rails as appears in Fig. 1. far assembled frame may then be stood upon a suitable supporting surface such as a floor.

The pairs of arms 23-23 are then swung upwardly and outwardly of the base until the surfaces 36 thereof engage their associated parts of the surfaces I l-l4 of the side rails and at which time the square cut surfaces 29 of said arms engage the surfaces 22 of the legs and overlaps the upper end portion of the legs.

The struts 3| are then applied by first openin them up to the extended condition, with the hinges 32 thereof disposed upon the bottom side of the same and whereby the struts can break only upwardly.

The tongues 33 of each strut are then engaged in the slots 25-25 in the top end of the associated arms and due to the oversize of said struts as before mentioned, said struts, when they are straightened out, will spread the top ends of the arms beyond normal position and will tension the same. Thus the struts lock the arms in the set up condition and the arms lock the legs in the set up condition so that a rigid frame is afforded which may be picked up and carried about without collapsing by itself.

Associated with the frame thus far described is a basket shaped crib body 35 (see Fig. i) preferably made of a foldable textile material such as a water proofed canvas. Such a body has a plan area approximating the top of the frame as defined by the struts 3 i-3l and cross braces 24-24 and has a depth approximating the distance between the plane of said struts and braces and the panel ll of the base.

Said body comprises a bottom 36, side wall 31 and end walls 38 respectively, suitably secured together. Theupper margins 39 of said walls are so formed that they may be turned over or folded about the struts 3 l-3l and braces 24-24. These foldable over margins of said body walls are provided with grommets 40 (see Fig. 5) adapted to be passed over turn buttons 4| fixed in the side sur faces of the struts and braces mentioned and this secures the body to the frame. The hinges 32 and screws associated therewith, as before mentioned, along with the grommets 40 and turn buttons 4! constitute all of the metallic parts used in the frame.

The crib thus far described may be used as a sleeping crib for an infant or small child by placing a mattress-like pad 42 upon the bottom of the crib so as to be supported by the base panel as shown in Fig. 2. When the body is made of water-proof canvas, the crib may be used as a bath tub for the infant or child, after the mat tress-like pad has been removed from the body.

When the frame structure has been folded into the condition shown in Fig. 3, the body 35 may be folded so as to be disposed upon the folded frame and the previously folded struts 3l-3l also disposed upon said folded frame. If desired, the package or bundle thus produced may be placed in a'suitable container provided therefor.

It is pointed out that when the crib is in the set-up or extended position shown in Fig. 1, a light weight structure is provided, wherein the parts mentioned coact to lock themselves together so that the crib may be moved about without collapsing. The crib, therefore, is portable either when in its set-up or extended position, or is in its knocked-down collapsed condition. Furthermore, it is pointed out that but a small amount of metal is employed in the crib, thus far described. Also, it is pointed out that no tools are required in the The thus must be swung to the position shown in fulllines in. Fig. 3 before the members 23-23 are locked in the position shown in 1. Otherwise, it would not'be possible to-swing the legs t6 ontheir pivotslll.

In Figs. 6 to: 10 inclusive. is shown a modified form of collapsible crib structure, which avoids the use of all metal parts therein. In said figures parts similar to those appearing in Figs. 1. to. 5 inclusive bear the same reference numerals as before.

In Fi 6-, the stretcher bars which are indicated at: 31c are each made frozna single: length or piece oi stock. and they are devoidfof the hinge 32 appearing; in Fig. 4. The tongue 33a :of each bar has. a. downwardly opening recess 34a: instead of an end. opening recess as in said Fig. 4. With. stretcher bars. of the kind just above men-. tloned, it. is preferred to=enclose each one of them in a pocket or hem at the top. end. of the. associated side will 31' of the body. This. pocket or hem is formed by folding the top margin 39a of. said wall back upon itself and"v then stitching through both thicknesses as at 3%..

In the case of the end wall 38' of. the body, the topmargin 390 of each of them is folded about the associated cross bar 24 and is provided with button holes 39d to engage with buttons 39c sewed to said end walls as best appears in Fig. 7.

With the notched. tongue structure 33a shown in Fig. 10, it is apparent that the recesses 34a will prevent relative movement between the associated parts in. any direction other than vertically upward. Thus, to insure a positive locking against such relative movement, each side-wall 3'! is provi-ded at its bottom central portion with apair of longitudinally spaced tabs 45-45, which are secured at their upper ends to the associated side wall as by stitching 46. Each tab is long enough, when considered vertically so that its bottom end may overhang the outer face of the associated side bar, l0 and in said end is a bound opening 41 adapted fora hooked engagement with a dowel like pin 48 projecting from said bar. Each pin 48 has a notch 4E1 (see Fig. 9) in its bottom side so that the hooked on end of the tab 45 cannot escape or slide off the pin. It is to be understood frame when'the parts are made as above -described, the tabs 45-45 arefirst pulled downwardly to be freed from the pins 48, The margins 390 of the end walls 38 are unbuttoned to free said end walls from the bars 24. The entire body 35 may now be lifted upwardly for removal from the frame. The two pocketed stretcher bars are then brought together laterally and the body With the structure made as described, no. metal.-

lic parts. of any kind are used therein.

1 While in describing. the invention, we have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the parts involved, the same is to be considered only'in the illustrative sense so that we do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically set forth in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1 A collapsible crib embodying therein a foldable frame. structure comprising horizontal side rails and means holding: them in a laterally spaced relation and c'oacting therewith in providing the base for said structure, each end of. each side rail being formed to provide a vertical end shoulder. anda. flange-like part extending outwardly therefrom, a pair of supporting legs at each end. of the base, the legs of each pair each being pivoted at "one end to the flange on the associated end of an associated side rail, so as to be swingable' from a folded condition beneath the bottom of the associated side rail' to an unfolded condition wherein said legs of each pair extend. downwardly from their associated ends of the associated side rails, a pair of: crib body supporting members at each end of. the. base, the members of each pair each being pivoted at one end to the flange-like part on the associated end of an associated side rail. so as to be swingable froma folded condition above the top of the associated side rail to an unfolded crib body supporting condition wherein said membersof each pair extend generally upwardly from their associated ends of the associated side rails, saidend of the legs of each pair of. legs and said end of the members of each pair of cribv supporting members. having parts I leg members: each pivoted at one end to an asso ciated flange-like part so as to'be swingablefrom a folded condition beneath the bottom of said rail to anunfolded condition wherein they extend downwardly from: the associated ends'of the side: rail, said. end of each leg having a surface portion. to engage a part of the associated end shoulder on. said side rail when said legs are in" said unfolded condition, crib body supporting members each pivoted at oneend to an associatedflange-like partso' as to be swingable from a folded: condition above the top of said rail to an unfolded condition: wherein said crib body supporting members. extend generally upwardly from said ends" of the rail, said end of each crib body supporting member having a. surface portion to engage a second part of the associated end shoulder on said side rail. when said crib body support ing. members are in said unfolded condition, said end of said crib body supporting members ,hav-

- ing parts abutting parts of said end of said, legs when they are in said unfolded condition.

' 3'. In a frame for a. collapsible crib, a side rail having a. boss on the upper side at one end and 2; boss on the lower side at the other end, the extremities of eachzend and associated bossforming a vertically extending shoulder, a flange-like part on each end of the side rail and projecting oiitwardly beyond the associated vertically extending shoulder, a leg at eachend of the side rolled about the same to form a package or roll. 75 rail having a straddling and pivotal connection with a portion of the associated flange-like part and swingable from a folded condition wherein one leg engages against the bottom of said rail and the other leg engages the bottom of the first leg, into a position wherein portions of the pivoted end of said legs engage parts of said vertically extending shoulders, an arm at each end of the side rail having: a straddling and pivotal connection with a portion of the associated flange-like part and swingable from a folded condition wherein one arm engages against the top of said rail and the other arm engages the top surface of the first arm, into a generally upward position wherein portions of the pivoted end of said arms engage other parts of said vertically extending shoulders.

4. A collapsible crib embodying therein a foldable frame structure including horizontal side rails each having a shoulder at each end and a part extending outwardly beyond each shoulder, a pair of legs at each end of said side rails and pivoted at one end to said outwardly extending parts so as to be swingable from a folded position beneath the rails to an unfolded position wherein they extend generally downwardly from said ends of the side rails, a pair of crib body supporting members at each end of the side rails and pivoted at one end to said outwardly extending parts so as to be swingable from a folded position above the side rails to an unfolded crib body supporting position wherein they extend generally upwardly from said ends of the side rails, the pivoted ends of said legs and said members respectively being formed with stop means to engage the shoulders at the associated ends of the side rails to determine the unfolded position of said legs and said members respectively.

5. A collapsible crib embodying therein a foldable frame structure including horizontal side rails having a shoulder at each end and a part extending outwardly beyond each shoulder, a pair of legs at each end of said side rails and pivbted at one end to said outwardly extending parts so as to be swingable from a folded position beneath the rails to an unfolded position wherein they extend generally downwardly from said ends of the side rails, a pair of crib body supporting members at each end of the side rails and pivoted at one end to said outwardly extending parts so as to be swingable from a folded position wherein they extend generally upwardly from said ends of the side rails, the pivoted ends of said legs and said members respectively being formed with stop means to engage the shoulders at the associated ends of said side rails, the pivoted ends of the crib body supporting members having surface portions for abutting engagement with surfaceportion on the pivoted ends of the legs at the same end of the side rails when said legs and said members are in their unfolded position. and means for spreading the other ends of the crib body supporting members associated with the same side rail so that the first mentioned end of said members lock the legs in the unfolded position.

6. A collapsible crib embodying therein a foldable frame structure including horizontal side rails having a shoulder at each end, a flange projecting from and extending above and below the shoulder at each end of said side rails, a pair of all legs at each end of the side rails and pivotedat one end to the associated flange so as to be swingable from a folded position beneath the rails to an unfolded position wherein they extend generally downwardly from said ends of the side rails, and a pair of crib body supporting members at each end of the side rails and pivoted at one end to the associated flange so as to be swingable from a folded position above the rails to an unfolded position wherein they extend generally upwardly from said ends of the side rails, the pivoted ends of said legs and said members respectively being formed with stop means to engage the shoulders at the associated ends of the side rails to determine the unfolded position of said legs and said members respectively.

7. A collapsible crib embodying therein a foldable frame structure including horizontal side rails having a shoulder at each end, a flange projecting centrally above and below and from each end of the side rails and extending outwardly from the shoulder thereof, a pair of legs at each end of said side rails and having one end straddling and pivotally connected to a part of an associated flange so as to be swingable from a folded position beneath and in line with said rails to an unfolded position wherein they extend generally downwardly from said ends of the side rails, and a pair of crib body supporting members at each end of the side rails and having one end straddling and pivotally connected to another part of an associated flange so as to be swingable from a folded position above and in line with said side rails to an unfolded crib body supporting position wherein they extend generally upwardly from said ends of the side rails, the pivoted ends of said legs and said members respectively being formed with stop means to engage the shoulders at the associated ends of the side rails to determine the unfolded position of said legs and said members respectively.

8. A collapsible crib embodying therein a foldable frame structure including horizontal side rails, a block-like boss upon opposite sides of each end of the side rail and cooperating with said end in forming a substantially vertical shoulder, a flange projecting from and extending above and below each end of said side rails and the boss thereon, a pair of legs at each end of the side rails and pivoted at one end to a part of the associated flange so as to be swingable from a folded superposed position beneath and in the plane of the side rails to an unfolded position wherein they extend generally downwardly from said ends of said side rails, and a pair of crib body supporting members at each end of the side rails and pivoted at one end to another part of the associated flange so as to be swingable from a folded superposed position above and in the plane of the side rails to an unfolded position wherein they extend generally upwardly from said ends of the side rails, the pivoted ends of said legs and said members respectively being formed with stop means to engage the shoulders at the associated ends of the side rails to determine the unfolded position of said legs and said members respectively.

GEORGE E. LOGAN. JOHN K. HISS.

Images