US3487479A - Combination travel crib assembly - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 6,1970 P. E. GROOMS v 3,487,479

COMBINATION TRAVEL CRIB ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 27, 1968 2 sheets-sheen INVENTOR PERCY E. GROOMS ATTORNE Jan. 6, 1970 Filed Feb. 27, 1968 FIG 6 I57 53 P. E. GROOMS COMBINATION TRAVEL CRIB ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent Office 3,487,479 Patented Jan. 6, 1970 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combination travel crib assembly for transporting an infant and the many accessories required for a trip. The crib assembly includes an outer container having a partition insert which separates the bottom of the outer container into compartments in which the accessories can be transported. An inner container seats in the outer container above the partition insert for holding the infant in the same manner as a small crib. Each of the components can be constructed from corrugated cardboard and the assembly can be assembled or disassembled for storage without the-use of staples, glue, stitching, or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARYv OF THE INVENTION A multipiece crib assembly including an outer container having partitions in the lower portion thereof to create compartments which receive and store the various accessories required for transporting. an infant. A smaller inner container ,is' received in the Upper portion ofthe outer container above the partitions for'receiving and holding the infant. The containers can be constructed of cardboard or plastic. v i

In the preferred embodiment, a separate partition 51- sert of cardboard is placed in the outer container to support the weight of'the inner container. The inner'and outer containers are also 'constructedfof cardboard material, and each component can'be assembled and dis;

sary to'fold the blank 15 about the vertical scorelines assembled manually without the use 1 of conventional fastening means of any type. The containers and insert are individually erected by folding I the various panels together, and a that cushion panel in the inner container is used to lock the'inner walls in position and to provide a cushioning effect to the bottom of the inner container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the travel 'crib assembly in accordance with the invention; a

FIG. 2 is a sectional end view taken through the crib assembly; v

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the travel crib assembly;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating the assembly of the partition member;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the unfolded blank of the outer container; Y

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the unfolded blank of the partition member;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the cushion insert;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the unfolded blank of the inner container;

FIG. 9 is another plan view of an unfolded blank for forming the cross members of the partition;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the final step in assembling the outer container; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an intermediate step in the assembling of the inner container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The travel crib assembly 10 includes an outer container 11 adapted to receive the partition insert 12 and the inner container 13 for handling as a unit. The partition insert 12 cooperates with the outer container 11 to form compartments 14 in which the accessories can be placed while the inner container 13 is adapted to hold an infant. The entire assembly 10 is preferably made of corrugated cardboard, although it is within the scope of the invention to construct the assembly from other types of cardboard, fabric, or other sheet material. Moreover, .one or more of the components can be constructed of molded plastic material without departing from the scope of the invention.

The cardboard blank 15 for the outer container 11 is illustrated in FIG. 5 and includes the side panels 16 and 17 and end panels 18 and 19 which are connected by the vertical score lines 21. A narrow flap 22 is provided on the side wall 16 by the score line 23 for use by the manufacture in erecting the outer container. Each of the side and end walls 16-19 has a bottom flaps 25, 26, 27 and 28 connected thereto at a score line 30 for use in forming the bottom wall 31 (FIG. 2) of the outer container 11. The manner in which these flaps interconnect will be described in detail below.

The upper flaps 32 are provided on the end walls 18 and 19 at the score lines 33, and the hand holes 35 and 36 are provided in each of the end Walls and the flaps 32 so that when the flaps are folded downwardly, the holes 35 and 36 become aligned. The elongated flaps 37 are connected on the upper edges of the side walls 16 and 17 at the score lines 38 which are spaced below the level of the score lines 33 on the end walls 18 and 19 so that the upper edges of the end walls will project a short distance above the upper edges of the side walls 16 and 17. An elongated opening is provided in the side wall 16 by projecting the' U-shaped slot 40 .which permits the flap 41 to pivot about thefold', linefor entry to the par; tition insert 12. I L

To assembletheouter container ll it is InereIy'neces-Q 21 to-form a rectangular box with the narrow flap 22 in engagement with the end wall 19 adjacent the edge19a thereof. A manufacturers joint of stitch, tape, or glue will'hold the flap in position so the blank can be folded to and from a fiat position for shipment or storage.

From this'folded position the outer container, can be easily erected for use with out further stitching, gluing, or taping through use of the quick lock bottom closure (FIG. 10). The end flaps 27 and 28 which have similar configuration are formed with extreme diagonal marginal edges 44' and reduced end portions 45. The side flap 25 has d1agonal side edges 46 converging equally toward .and terminating at a reduced end portion 47 while the other side flap 26 has two projecting portions 48 defining a recessed portion 49 between them.

The bottom flaps may be locked in a closed position FIG. 10) by first folding flap 26 inward along score line 51 until it is at right angles to side walls. End flaps 27 and 28 are then folded against flap 26, and flap 25 is folded against the other three flaps. By downward pressure on end portion 47, it is forced between projections 48 of the flap 26 until it has cleared the inner edge of the recessed portion 49. The end portion of flap 25 will then snap under flap 26 and will hold the four flaps in :losed position and the outer container 11 in an erected form.

The partition insert 12 is formed from a rectangular blank 55 of cardboard (FIG. 6) having the side and end edges 56 and 57. A series of score lines 58, 59 and 61 are cut in the blank parallel to the side edges 57 thereof and at preset distances from such edges. The score lines 61 are double score lines consisting of closely spaced single score lines which are required when an 180 fold is to be made. Four transverse slots 63 extend across each of the fold lines 61, as shown in FIG. 6. A rectangular cutout 64 in one of the double score lines 61 is used to provide entry to the inner compartments when the insert 12 is erected. The cross partitions 66 for the insert 12 are formed from smaller rectangular cardboard blanks 67 having the central double score lines 68 parallel to the side edges 69 thereof with the slots 71 being cut adjacent the end edges 72 thereof.

To assemble the partition insert 12, the elongated partitions 74 are formed by bending the fold lines 58, 59 and 61 to permit each of the partitions to project upwardly, as shown in FIG. 4. When the partitions 74 are erected so that the fold at the score line 61 is 180", the rectangular openings 63 form opened slots 73 (FIG. 4) therein to receive the cross partitions 66 which have been folded along the score lines 68 to enable the slots 71 to engage the slots 73 (FIG. 4) in the longitudinal partitions 74. Thus, when each of the cross partitions 66 has been inserted, the partition insert 12 is complete with its length and width being equal to or slightly less than the corresponding dimensions of the bottom wall of the outer container 11.

The inner container 13 is also formed from a cardboard blank 75 which is shown in FIG. 8 and includes a rectangular bottom wall 76 having the outer side walls 77 integrally connected thereto along the score lines 78. Each of the outer walls 77 has an inner side wall 81 connected thereto along the score lines 82 which are parallel to the score lines 78. The end edges 83 of the inner side walls 81 are tapered to accommodate the tapering of the erected side walls 77 and 81, and the widths thereof are equal so that in the folded position the edge 84 will be disposed adjacent the score line 78.

On the ends of the bottom wall 76 are formed the outer end walls 85 which are connected thereto at a score line 86, and these outer end walls have inner end walls 87 connected thereto along the score lines 88 with the width of the walls 85 and 87 being equal so that the outer edge 89 of the inner walls engages the score line 86 in the as sembled position. The lock panels 90 are connected to the ends of each of the outer side walls 77 at the-score lines I 92, and have the tapered edges 93 which facilitate manulines 88between the erected outer and inner end walls 85 and 87 in the assembled position so that the hand openings 95 in the lock panels 90 align with similar openings 96 in the end walls 85 and 87 to facilitate insertion of the hand for carrying.

; To assemble the inner container 13, it is merely necessary to pivot the outer side walls 77 upwardlyabout the score lines 78 and move the lock panels 90 toward one another until the hand holes 95 in each end are aligned. Then the outer end walls 85 is moved upwardly on'the outside of the lock panels 90 and the inner end wall 87 is pivoted about the score line 88 around and over the lock panels 90, and then downwardly toward the bottom wall 76 into the container so that the hand hole openings 95 and 96 are aligned. The inner side walls 81 are then folded about the score line 82 into the container to facilitate holding the inner endjwalls 87 in their assembled position. A rectangular sheet 98 of cardboard having a con- 4 figuration and size slightly less than that of the bottom wall 76 is then inserted intothe container and placed adjacent the bottom wall 76 so that the edges 99 and 101 thereof engage the inner walls 81 and 87 adjacent the edges 84 and 89 thereof to hold these walls in position adjacent the outer walls 77'and 85, as well as to reinforce the bottom wall. i

To complete the crib assembly 10, it is merely necessary to place the partition insert 12 into the outer container 11, and then place the inner container 13 intothe outer container so that the bottom wall 76 thereof rests on and is supported by'the edges 61 and 68 of the partitions 66 and 74. In this position, the end walls 85 of the inner container 13 are parallel and in contact with the end walls 18 and 19 of the outer container 11 with the hand holes 35, 36, 95 and 96in each aligned for easy carrying. While the side walls of the containers 11 and 13 are in contact, there is no substantial force exerted therebetween which might deform the outer container 11, the contact only being sufiicient to prohibit relative movement in a horizontal direction with the vertical weight thereof being supported by the partition insert 12. The upper edges of the side walls 77-81 of the inner container 13 project above those of the outer container 11 to facilitate removal of the inner container 13.

In the assembled position, there are a number of separate compartments 14 formed by the partition insert for receiving diapers and'other "accessories, with the taller compartments 14a being formed between the side walls 16 or 17 of the outer container 11, the.outer side walls 77 ofthe inner container 13, and the partitioninsert 12, as shownin FIG. 2, so that taller items such .as a baby bottlesand, the. like can be inserted into these compartments. z 7 I Accordingly, the invention has provided a combination travel crib assembly which is inexpensive, light in weight, and capable of being folded .to a flat position when not in use. The crib assembly includes three primary components including the inner and outer containers and the partition insert, although it is within the scope of the invention to mold the insert into the outer container. The insert provides compartments for storing the various accessories for the infant, so that the entire assembly'is all that is required for transporting the infant.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the'invention.-.-q r.

What isclaimed isr 1 y 1. A travel crib assembly for use in transporting an infant and its various accessories, comprising an outer container having side walls and a flat bottom wall, said side walls having upper end portions which define an open top tosaid outer container, partition means in said outer container, adjacent said bottom wall for creating compartments in which the accessories can be placed for storage, an inner container having a bottomwall-and side walls, said, inner container having an outer periphery similar in configuration and slightly smallerin size thansaid open top of said outer containers so that'said outer container receives said inner container forsupport thereof.

' 2. A travel crib assembly as defined l 1 where in said partition means is formed separate from said outer container and includes a flat bottom surface for resting on said bottom wall of said outer container, and vertical partitions on said bottom surface for creating said compartments. 'w I, i

3. A travel crib assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said side 'walls of said outer container are vertical and form a rectangular box, said side walls of said inner container are tapered so that said inner container is larger at the top edge thereof than at said bottom wall, said side walls of said inner and outer containers adapted to cooperate with said partition means to define storage compartments between said side walls of said inner and outer containers.

4. A travel crib assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said inner and outer containers in said partition insert are constructed from cardboard material.

5. A travel crib assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said outer container includes side and end walls having bottom flaps thereon adapted to be interconnected for forming said flat bottom wall, said bottom and side walls adapted to be folded to and from a flat interlocked position for erection or storage of the outer container.

6. A travel crib assembly for use in transporting an infant and its various accessories, comprising an outer container having side walls and a flat bottom wall, said side walls having upper end portions which define an open top to said outer container,

partition means in said outer container adjacent said bottom wall for creating compartments in which the accessories can be placed for storage;

an inner container having a bottom wall and side walls,

said inner container having an outer periphery similar in configuration and slightly smaller in size than said open top of said outer container so that said outer container receives said inner container for support thereof,

said bottom wall of said inner container including a fiat bottom wall having inner and outer panels connecting along each edge thereof adapted to form the end and side walls of said container,

each set of inner and outer panels being adapted to be folded so that said outer panels forms the outer wall of the container and said inner panel forms said inner walls of said inner container, and

lock flaps on the outer panel of one pair of walls adapted to be inserted between said inner and outer panels of the other pair of walls to lock side walls in the erected position.

7. A travel crib assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the lowermost edges of each of said inner panels is adapted to contact said bottom wall when said inner container is erected, and reinenforcing panel means having a size and configuration slightly smaller than said bottom wall of said inner container and adapted to be received adjacent said bottom wall of said inner container for locking said inner panels in their erected position.

8. A travel crib assembly for use in transporting an infant and its various accessories, comprising an outer container having side walls and a fiat bottom wall,

said side walls having upper end portions which define an open top to said outer container,

partition means in said outer container adjacent said bottom wall for creating compartments in which the accessories can be placed for storage,

said partition means formed separately from said outer container and including a flat bottom surface for resting on said bottom wall of said outer container, and vertical partitions on said bottom surface for creating said compartments,

said partition means including a rectangular blank of cardboard adapted to have parallel portions deformed upwardly to create elongated partitions, said elongated partitions adapted to receive separate -cross partitions, and lock means on said partitions for holding each of said partitions in its erected vertical position, and

an inner container having a bottom wall and side walls,

said inner container having an outer periphery similar in configuration and slightly smaller in size than said open top of said outer container so that said outer container receives said inner container for support thereof.

9. A travel crib assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said partition means supports said bottom wall of said inner container to support the entire vertical Weight of said inner container.

10. A travel crib assembly as defined in claim 1 comprising means defining an opening in one of said side walls of said outer container for access to said compartment without removal of such inner container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,984,402 5/1961 Putnam. 3,317,111 5/1967 Black 22942 X 3,235,890 2/1966 Zalicovitz 599 X CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 5-99; 229-15

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