US2659903A - Foldable crib - Google Patents

Description

NOV- 24, 1953 A. HAGELFELDT 2,659,903

` FOLDABLE CRIB Filed Jan. 4, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l BY AM/LQ. uw?

NOV- 24 1953 1 A. HAGELFELDT 2,659,903

FOLDABLE CRIB Filed Jan. 4, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 V f2 F.

. I i gyn? NOV- 24, 1953 f L. A. HAGELFELDT 2,659,903

' FOLDABLE CRIB Filed Jan. 4, 1950 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 24, 1953 FoLDABLE -cm Lydia Adoliina Hagelfeldt, Chicago, Ill., assignor of one-third to George Blomquist, New York,

Appucation January 4, 1950, serial No. 136,795

4 claims. (c1. 5-99) e .i rIhis invention relates to beds or cribs for babies and infants,

' One-of the objects of the invention is to provid a novel and improved cribof the general type, above referred to,.which can be convenientlyfand rapidly set up and collapsed orfolded without requiring the use of'tools or mechanical skill. I

. Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved crib Aof the general type, abovereferredvto, Ywhich is comfortable .and safe n use'and so light in weight that it can be carriedor moved from one place to'another, either folded orlset up, without appreciable effort.

lAnother object Aof the .invention isr to provide a novel and improved crib of the general type, abovereferred to,.which in folded condition forms acomparatively small and compact package that maybe carriedrin a suitable bag or trunk.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel .and improved .crib of the general type, above'referred to, the side walls of which can be. placedin. positions `below the level of the crib mattress, therebypermitting convenient use of the crib asa dressing table.l

,Another object of .the invention is to provide a foldable crib all the component structural parts of'which remain joined together whether the crib is set up or folded. This has the advantage that there is no danger ofparts becoming lost and also that itis obvious how the various .parts t together.

Another object ofthe invention `is to provide a foldable crib of the general type, above referred to, having aframe foldable about a transverse mediate axis to which frame are hinged `substantially symmetrical front and end sections. These `sections can be unfolded to form side walls and to lock legs for the frame in positions hori-` vontallyA supporting the frame and be folded together with the frame to form a compact unit.

that may be conveniently stored.

'Other and further objects, features and advantages -of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter and set forth in the appended claims form-' ing part of the application.

Inthe accompanying drawing a now preferred embodiment ofthe invention is shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings:

Fig.y 1 is a perspective viewof a. crib according to the invention set up ready for use.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view of Fig. l after removing a protective insert.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view similar to Fig. 3 showing one of the end sections of the crib completely' folded and the other partly folded.

.Fig. 5 is a side view of the crib showing both end sections completely folded and swung downwardly as a further step of the folding operation ofthe crib. y Fig. 6 shows in side view a more advanced step of the folding operation. f

Fig. 7 is a sectional fragmentary view of the hinge means for locking the frame.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of Fig. 7.. I

Fig. 9 is a side view of the hinge means showing the same with the frame sections in angular position, and

Fig. 10 is a sectional fragmentary view of the locking means for the legs and the hinge connections between the frame proper and the end sections.

Referring now to the gures in detail, the crib according to the invention, as exemplified in the drawings, comprises two substantially symmetri` cal sections Vjoined by hinge means generally designated by I. Each of the said sections cornprises a U-shaped element 2 made for instance of a metal tube. The two U-shaped tubes supplement each other to form a substantially rec-.- tangular frame. `The frame serves as support for an inner spring frame 3. This inner frame is composed of two substantially U-shaped elements hinged together by means of hinges 4 positioned in alignment with hinge means I and is secured to the outer frame by any suitable means such as springs 5. .It supports a plurality of conventional wire springs 6 to form a yielding support 'for a mattress. Various other support means for the mattress may, of course, also be employed such as vspringy metal strips directly securedto the outer frame formed by tubes 2.

For the purpose of supporting frame 2 in substantially-horiz'ontal position, a leg 'I is pivoted by means -of a pivot pin 8 to each corner of frame 2" I he two legs of each crib section may be braced by cross bars or struts 9. To facilitate movement of the crib, each leg 'I may be provided integral therewith.

: in alignment with a corresponding hole I3 in each corner of the frame formed by tube elements 2 when the legs 1 are in the position shown on Fig. 10. Each tube element 2 is further provided with two holes I4 near the ends of the side branches of li-shaped tube elements 2. The purpose of frame holes I3 and I4 will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The aforementioned hinge means l are formed by tightly fitting in each open end of the U-elements 2 a solid insert or plug 20 with a hole 2l therethrough yin alignment with thelrespective hole I4. The protruding forward end of each plug is cut out at 22 so that the two plugs complement each other` to the original circular cross-section of the plugs. An ear 23 extends from `:each plug through which ears a rivet 24 is tted serving as pivot for the two sections of the crib frame formed by tube elements 2. As will be apparent, the hinge formed by ears 23 and pivot 24 permits pivoting of the two crib sections asindi-cated I Fig. 6 and also to place the tube elements 2 in alignment as shown in Fig. 5 but it does not secure the tube element inaligned position. To thus secure tube elements :2 and, henceythe outer Acrib frame formed by these elements, a sleeve 25 'is slidably fitted lupon each side branch 'of rone Vof the tube elements. Each sleeve has an axial slot 26 adapted vto receive hinge ears 23 `when a ysleeve 25 is slid into its locking position in which it extends over part of the other tube element 2. The locking position of the sleeves can be best seen on Fig. 7 and Vthe release position in which the'sleeves are `withdrawn from the second tube element `2 can best be seen on Fig. 8. Each sleeve has a hole 2l which is in alignment with the holes i4 and 2l of the tube 'element 2 supporting the sleeves. Hole i4 of the other tube element is in alignment with the slot 26 when a sleeve 25 is in its locking position.

VAs will be apparent, sleeves 25 `in their locking positions will retain tube elements 2 in aligned or operative position.

'Each of the two crib sections further comprises a wall unit generally designated by 30 for the purpose of forming foldable side walls for the crib. The wall units 3i! include veach a vlower and an upper frame `member 3l and 32 respectively, both in form of a shallow U-element. A straight bar 33 is hinged by means of a hinge 34 to each end of a frame member 3l. a straight bar 35 is hinged to 'each end of upper frame member 32 by means of a hinge 36. 'The side walls are completed by slats 3l supported between thelovver and upper bars '33 and 35 respectively and an end board 38 supported by lower and upper U-members 3l and '32 respectively. Of course, slats may also be provided at 'both ends of the bed. To avoid .any dangerous edges, the upper ends of .slats 3l and also `of end boards 38 may be covered byrounded rails 40 and v33 respectively. Each wall unit is loosely hinged to the respec tive frame member 2 by means of two closed loops 4Iv fastened to U-memberil and encircling the respective frame member 2 or vice versa. As will` be apparent from the drawings, loops 4l permit pivoting of the wall units relative to the frame. For lthe purpose of holding the side Walls in a position vertically to the plane of the frame formed by frame members 2-which position is the set-up position-la rod 42 is provided at each corner of the wall units. These rods protrude beyond'the lower frame members 3l and can be'tted through the respective frame holes i3 and leg holes l2 as can best be seen on Figs. 2 and 10.

There is'further provided a rod 43 at the free end of each side wall. These rods protrude beyond the; lower frame bars 33 and can be `fitted through the holes i4 in the hinge elements at the Similarly,

4 ends of tubes 2 and through hole 21 and slot 26 in sleeves 25 as can best be seen on Figs. 7 and 8.

To hold the side walls in alignment with each other and with the respective side branches of U-.members 2, .a latch 45 is ,pivoted to each one of the upper `frame bars '35 of one crib section by a pivot pin 46. Each latch can be tted upon the .opposite bar 35 to engage a pin 41 extending from 'this latter bar.

To protect wall units 30 and particularly the painted parts thereof, a fabric bag may be provided which can be slipped over the wall units when completely folded as can best be seen on Fig. 6.

To protect an infant placed in the crib a conventional padded insert 5I may be provided which 4is iitted in the crib and secured therein by any suitable means for instance ears slipped over the protruding ends of rods '42. The yarrangement of this insert can best be seen on Fig. l. Similarly, it is also advisable to provide a bag in -which the entire crib can be placed in folded condition to facilitate transportation of the crib.

'The manipulation of a crib, as hereinbefore described, is 4as follows:

vLet it be assumed that the lcrib is completely set up `as is shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 2 and 3 also show the Vcrib completely 'set up but without protective insert 5i.

When the crib is set up, rods -42 `extend through holes 13 and i2. As a result, lthe end walls and the side walls of the crib 'are secured in vertical position relative to the frame formed by U-members 2. Furthermore, legs l are'secured in their frame supporting positions. Sleeves 25 are in their locking position, that is, in the position shown on Fig. '7. Rods 43 extend through holes 2l and I4 thereby securing the Vsleeves in their respective positions and also holding the 'side walls of the crib in alignment with each other and `the respective side branches of frame members 2. Latches 45 are in the position shown in Fig. 2 in full lines 'for securing the side walls at the upper corners thereof. In other words, all the component parts of the crib are safely locked in their relative positions and the Acrib is ready for use. By means of the coasters I ll it can be easily moved from one place to the other.

Let it now be assumed that it is desired lto fold the crib. Then, after removal of insert '5i and any bedding that may be placed in the crib, latchesil are iirst opened. The side walls can now Ibe folded back upon each `other and the respective end walls. The left side of Fig. 4 shows the side `walls in partly `folded position 'and the right side in completely folded position. When both the wall units are in the position shown on the right side of Fig. 4, protective bags 50 can be slipped over the wall units. Then, rods 42 and 43 of the units have been lifted out of the yrespective holes,` loops 4| permitting such lifting oi the wall units. The wall units can now be placed` in the positions shown in Fig. 5. To .facilitate removal of rods 42 and 43 from the respective holes and vice versa insertion of the rods into these holes, rods 43 are preferably Asomewhat shorter than rods 42. The Withdrawal of the rods from the respective holes also releases .locking sleeves 25 and legs 1. The sleeves can now be moved into their release positions which will permit folding of the crib frame proper Aand of the legs. Fig. 6 illustrates a more advanced folding position of the crib which is completed by pushing the various components of. the crib together, as .is indicated in Fig. 6 by the curved arrows 55 and 56 until nally all the parts are substantially parallel to each other. The crib now forms a compact unit which can be conveniently stored and carried.

When the wall units 30 are folded down, as 5 shown in Fig. 5, the crib can be conveniently used as a dressing table.

It will be apparent that the described sequence of operation can be modied to a certain extent. The setting-up operation of the crib is similar to the folding operation but in reversed order and will be evident from the previous description.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to a certain now preferred example and embodiment of the invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope oi the invention and it is intended, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be se cured by Letters Patent is:

1. A foldable crib comprising two substantially symmetrical. sections, each of said sections cornprising a substantially U-shaped rigid frame member, a pair of legs, each leg being pivoted to one corner of a frame member, a wall unit hinged to the base branch of each U-member, said wall unit including an end element corresponding in length substantially to said base branch and two side elements each corresponding in length substantially to a side branch of the U-member and pivoted to the end element for folding the side elements back upon the end element, first locking means on the end element for releasably securing the end element to the U-member in a position substantially vertical to the plane of the U-member and for locking the legs in a frame supporting position relative to the plane of the U-member, the rst locking means comprising a pair of stud-shaped extensions positioned at each lower corner of an end element, each of said U-members having transverse holes in each corner and each leg having a laterally extending bracket provided at one end of the U-member and formed with a hole through the said bracket, the respective U-member and the leg holes being in alignment when the legs are in said frame supporting position for passing the respective extensions through said aligned holes thereby locking the legs in the frame supporting position and the end elements of said vertical position, second locking means on each of the side elements for releasably securing each of the said elements to its respective side branch of the U-member in alignment therewith, the said second locking means comprising an extension at the lower free end of each side element extending downwardly therefrom, said U-members including a trans- Verse hole at the end of each side branch for receiving the respective extensions of the side elements when a side element is in alignment with the respective side branch of a U-member thereby releasably locking the side elements in the said aligned portions, hinge means for joining the free ends of the respective side branches of the two U-members; and third locking means holding the free ends of the respective side branches of the U-members in aligned positions, thereby forming a substantially rectangular rigid crib frame with said end and side elements of the wall units forming the side walls of the crib.

2, A foldable crib as described in claim 1. 75

wherein said hinge means comprise complementary hinge elements at the end of each side branch of each U-member for hingedly joining the U-inembers of the said two crib sections, and wherein a locking sleeve is slidably mounted on each side branch of one of the U-members, said two sleeves being adapted to be slid over the hinge elements of adjacent side branches, thereby locking said side branches in aligned positions to form a substantially rectangular frame for the crib, and wherein a pin extends from the free base corner of each side element, said side branches of the U-members and said sleeves having transverse holes therethrough arranged and positioned to receive said pins for locking the sleeves against axial displacement and said side elements in positions substantially parallel to the respective side branches of the U-members.

3. A foldable crib as described in claim 1, wherein the end element of each of said wall units is hinged with its base to the base branch of the respective U-member parallel thereto so as to provide for pivoting the said end element into a position substantially parallel to the plane of the U-member and to the legs when in folded position, and wherein each of the two side elements of each unit is hinged with one or its sides to the adjacent side of the respective end element thereby providing for selectively pivoting each side element either into a position substantially perpendicular to the respective end element or into a position substantially parallel thereto and to the other side element of the respective wall unit.

4. A foldable crib as described in claim 1, wherein each of said wall units comprises at least one closed elongated loop encircling the base branch of the respective U-member and secured to the base portion of the respective end element, said loop loosely hinging the base of said end element to the base branch of said U-member parallel thereto and providing for pivoting of the end element into a position substantially parallel to the plane of the U-member and to the legs when in folded position, and wherein the two side elements of each wall unit are each formed by slats and a frame joining said slats, each side element of each unit being hinged with one of its sides to the adjacent side of the respective end element, said hinges of the side elements providing for selectively pivoting each side element either into a position substantially perpendicular to the respective end element or into a position substantially parallel thereto and to the other side element of the respective wall unit.

LYDIA ADOLFINA HAGELFELDT.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 17,755 Graham July 29, 1930 139,829 Snyder June 10, 1873 914,104 Binney Mar. 2, 1909 948,416 Deweese Feb. 8, 1910 1,526,038 Allman Feb. 10, 1925 1,675,375 Netschert July 3, 1928 2,491,966 Gans Dec. 20, 1949 2,518,904 King Aug. 15, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,901 Great Britain June 9, 1910 14,942 Great Britain Oct. 25. 1890

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