US2602170A - Collapsible infant's crib and playpen - Google Patents

Description

July 8, 1952 A. KECK 2,602,170

COLLAPSIBLE INFANTS CRIB AND PLAYPEN Filed June 17, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

WIM

July 8, 1952 cK 2,602,170

COLLAPSIBLE INFANTS CRIB LAND PLAYPEN Filed June 17, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

y 8, 1952 A. KECK 2,602,170 COLLAPSIBLE INFANTS CRIB AND PLAYPEN Filed June 17, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

(fa I *3 INV NTOR.

Patented July 8,, 1952 UNIT -D STATE s rare-NT;- Oma ,5;

I'COLLAPSIBLE. INFANTS CRIB AND PLAYPEN AndrewKeck, Worthington, Ohio s 'ApplicationJune 1950,, Serial No. 168,722 V e The present invention relates to collapsible baby cribs, andmore particularly to an improved portable and collapsible combinedinfants' crib .-p1 pelt I I '-The principal object of the present invention is toprovide a collapsible infants crib which may be folded into a relatively compact package for transportation, and which, after folding, may be easily erected or assembled into a rigid cribforming configuration" I Another object of the present invention is to provide a combinedinfants crib and play pen which may be utilized by campers or travelers, and which preferably is formed from wood or metallic framernembers which function to sup- 7 ports. fabric body covering which lends itself to facile folding and compact storage;

It is -another object of-this invention to provid'e'in an infants crib a collapsible frame structure' which'fwhen moved I to its crib-forming shape, functions to tension"an'associated'fabric coveringto hold the same in a taut condition.

For a further and more detailed understanding of the present invention and the various additional objects and advantages realized therefrom,-reference is made to the following description and-the appended drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a pers iectiveview of my improved collapsible infants crib and playpen showing the samein "its erected position; x v "Fig. 2; is aside elevationalview of the supporting frame of the crib shown in Fig. 1; V q

Fig.3 is 'afdetailed vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig.'2; Figl 4 is'a'similar view along the line 4-4 of Figz 5 is a fragmentary top plan view looking downupon an upper corner of the crib;

6 is an'end elevational view of the supporting-frame showing the outer fabric covering iii-broken lines; I I

- Fig. 7 is a "horizontal sectional view taken along the; line 1-1 of Fig. 6; 7

- Figs 8 is atop planview ofone of the side sec-- tions 'of the supporting frame occupying its folded or collapsed position; j

*Fig. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view taken through one corner of a modified supporting frame construction formed in I accordance with the present invention; I I

- Fig. 10 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the-modifiedframe shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of one :g erngr ,of the modified construction shown in 2 Claims.

'Fig. -1-2 is an exploded perspective view =taken through a corner ofstill another-modification of the-supporting frame of the present collapsible infants-crib and play pen. I II f Fig; 13 is a topplan view ofthe modification shown in Fig. 12 and Fig.- 14 is a vertical sectional-view takenalong the line [4-44 of Fig. 13. I Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig 1 thereof, it will be seen that'the present invention makes use of a collapsible supporting frame, generally designated by the numeral l5,- which comprises a pair 'ofspaced side-forming sections each having a horizontal longitudinal member I8to which is pivotally-connected, as at H, a pair of upright 'corner posts l8. 'Ihe frame members-I6 and "i8 are prefi- I erably formed from suitable-wood or lig'ht metallic stock, and the longitudinal base members Iii are provided-a distance inwardly-of their respectiveends with openings IQ for the'reception of pivot bolts 20' which extend through the horizontal base members It and the upright corner posts 18 toprovide for "pivotal swinging movement of the corner posts between upright positions, as shown in Fig. li'and horizontally folded positions, as shown in Fig. 8.

As shown particularly in Fig. 4; of the draw= ings, the longitudinal base members 16 are formed toward their outer ends with dowelreceiving sockets 2| which receive dowel ext'e'n sions 22 formed on the ends of a pair of spaced detachable transverse base frame members-23.

The longitudinal base members ['6 and the trans verse base members 23 form a substantially rectangular base frame,while the corner posts l8 extend upwardly from the-base frame for the support of an upper rectangular frame, to be hereinafter more fully described.

' The corner-posts l8 are'formed at their upper ends with upward-ly'opening slots 24 for thereception of outwardly extending screw-threaded bolts 25 which project diagonally outwardly from the ends of a pair of transversely disposed upper frame members 26.- The outermost ends of the bolts 25 extend "through openings formedat either end of a pair of longitudinal frame members 21 and receive cooperatively threaded wing nuts 28. The transverse upper'frame members 26 and the longitudinal members 2'! define an upper rectangular frame whose area is slightly less than the 'area defined by the rectangular base frame due, to the slightly inwardly inclined disposition of the corner posts 18. As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, a fabric covering 29 is adapted to be supported upon the frame I5, and is formed with a bottom panel 30, side panels 3|, and end panels 32. The outer marginal edges of the separate panels of the covering are folded backwardly and stitched along seams 33 to provide a 5 plurality of edge channels to receive the transverse and longitudinal upper frame members.

To assemble and erect the present infant's crib and play pen shown in Fig. 1, assuming the separate parts of the frame and covering to be disassembled, the transverse and longitudinal upper frame members, 26 and 21 respectively, are inserted through the pocketed channels formed in the outer marginal edges of the side and end panels 3| and 32 of the outer covering 29. The ends of the respective transverse and longitudinal upper frame members are then loosely connected, as by means of the bolts and wing nuts 25 and 28. The covering is then spread outwardly to arrange the bottom wall 30 thereof in a substantially horizontal plane. The longitudinal members l6 of the lower frame, together with the corner posts [8, with the latter occupying their folded positions, are inserted through the lower corner openings of the outer covering to occupy positions upon the inside of the outer'covering in the-approximate location as shown in Fig. 1. Thereafter, the corner posts at one end of the crib are swung upwardly to a substantially vertical position and the intermediate portions of the bolts25 are inserted within the open slots 25 formed on one set of'corner posts 18. The opposite end corner posts 18 are then swung upwardly to positions to receive the bolts 25 carried at the opposite end of the crib. In this position, the outer covering 29'is loosely supported on the lower and upper frame members. The transverse lower frame members 23 are then positioned between the end regions of the longitudinal lower frame members It and on the inner side of the end panels 32 of the outer covering. To finally tension the outer covering about theframe members the person assembling the crib places a foot upon the longitudinal lower frame members It atone corner of the crib and pulls upwardly upon the-longitudinal upper frame members 21 at the corner to tension the corner regions of the outer covering. While holding the frame in its tensioned condition, the wing nuts 28 are separately tightened upon the bolts 25 to securely clamp the transverse and longitudinal upper frame members to the upper portions of the cornor posts l8. As shown particularly in Fig. 3-ofthe drawings, the upper ends of the posts 18 are beveled in order to prevent downward sliding movement of the upper frame members 26 and 21 after initial tightening of the wing nuts 28. In this manner, the outer covering may be tensioned initiall up n tightening of the'nuts 28 and thereafter will remain in a-taut condition. When it is desired to disassemble the combined. crib and. play pen for purposes of stora e or transportation, the wing nuts 28 are initially loosened upon the bolts .25/ and thereafter the transverse members 23 of the lower frame are dis,- connected from the longitudinal members 46 and the bolts 25 atone endof the cribwithdrawn from the slots 24 formed in the corner posts. 'I he corner posts 18 arethen folded into parallelism with the members I6, Thereafter, thetransverse upper frame members. 25 may be detached from the longitudinal upper frame members- .21 and withdrawn from the marginal edge channels of the covering. The transverse frame members 23 and 25 may thereafter be loosely positioned adjacent the longitudinal frame members and the entire assembly rolled into a compact cylindrical shape for storage or transportation.

Referring now to Figs. 9-11, there is disclosed a modified upper corner construction for the present collapsible infants crib and play pen, wherein a tubular corner post l8a, having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, is formed to receive an upper corner-forming member 9a which is formed-with perpendicularly related extensions 20a and 2|a for insertion within tubular transverse upper frame member 26a and longitudinal upper frame members The shank portion of the upper cornerforming member I9a is provided upon its outer side surfaces with a serrated region 22a cooperative with a spring latch or pawl 23a which is carried upon the outer side of the tubular corner post la. The serrated region 22a of the member I9a is arranged to provide a plurality of transversely extending ratchet teeth into which the end of the pawl 23% may enter to lock the corner-forming member 19a against ownward movement within the corner post l8q, while at the same time providin for upward lifting ofthe corner-forming member with respecttothe post 18a.

In operation, the corner structure disclosed in Figs. 9-11 may be initially-assembled by inserting the shank of the corner-forming member 19a to its full depth within the post 18a. This is accomplished by pulling outwardly upon the pawl 23a. to free the same from the ratchet teeth 22a. Thereafter, the transverse and longitudinal upper frame members 26 -and 21a maybe inserted through the marginal edgechannels of theouter covering of the crib,-- and then inserted ,over'the perpendicularlyrelatedextensions 20;; and 2 I a, at which time the corner regions maybe lifted upwardly upon posts I 8a to tension theouter covering upon the entire frameof the crib. V p

Referring to the additional modification dis closed in Figs. 12-14, it will be seen that the upper corner regions. of the cribcomprisethe corner posts l8b which possess a substantially rectangular tubular cross-sectional configuration, and which are formed a distance inwardly'from the upper ends thereof with longitudinallylextending slots 35. slidably carried within the upper end of each of the posts IBb isla rectangularblock member 36 which-is provided witnrelatively narrow side projections 31- and 38,-;and centrally with a substantially .yertically disposed screw-threaded bore 39.1v The extension 31 is-arranged to enter the tubular transverse upper frame member 26b, and is provided with a hemispherical projection 4 0 which fits withina circular opening fl formed a distanceinwardly from the ends of the transverse upper frame member 26b. As shown particularly in Fig. l4, the hemisphericalprojection 40 serves to lock the transverse upper frame members 261) against accidental disengagement from the block'flfii The opposite extension 380f the. blockis adapted ,to enter a slot 42 fprmed-in' the side-wallpf the tubular longitudinal I upper frame member 211), and the extension-38 is provided-with recessed reg-ion 43 adjacent to the body-of the, block :35 into which the upper portion ofthe side-wall of the tubular member 21b may ienter'zupon insertion of the extension 38 through theslotfl. 'A r e ar ndeap ,44 is provided to close'the u p end o h' pos "and is formed with a circular bore 45 in which the reduced shank portion 46 of a screw crank 41 is rotatably carried.

The threaded shank region of the crank 41 extends through the threaded bore 39 of the block 35, and, as shown in Fig. 14, serves to elevate or depress the sliding block 36 and the upper frame members 26b and 21b with respect to the post 18b. The slots 35 formed in the side walls of the post l8b provide for the outward projection of the extensions 31 and 38.

In operation, the assembly shown in Figs. 12-14 provides for the initial depression of the slidable block 35 within the post member 185 prior to attachment of the upper frame members 2% and 21b to the extensions 31 and 38. After the upper frame members 26b and 21b are inserted through the marginal edge channels of the outer covering of the crib, the ends thereof are engaged with the extensions 31 and 38 of the sliding blocks 30, whereupon the cranks 41 are rotated in directions to elevate the blocks 36 and the upper frame members with respect to the corner posts 185, whereby to stretch the outer covering of the crib about the base frame thereof.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides an efiicient portable and collapsible infants crib and play pen which is characterized by an extremely rigid and rugged construction when occupying an erected position. By providing for sliding adjustment of the upper frame with respect to the corner posts of the crib, the outer fabric covering may be drawn 1 to a tight, resilient condition about the supporting frame, and may be held in such taut condition against sagging by nature of the upper corner constructions set forth. Further, combined cribs and play pens formed in accordance with the present invention may be assembled and disassembled with facility through the simple bolt and wing nut connections disposed at the upper corner portions of the crib. Thereafter, the corner posts may be folded into flat parallel relation to the longitudinal base frame members which may thereafter be rolled into the outer covering to provide a neat and compact package which lends itself to ready portability and transportation.

While certain specific forms of the invention have been disclosed in detail, it will be understood that various modifications with respect to construction details may be accomplished without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible infants crib comprising a supporting frame including a pair of spaced parallel lower side members, detachable lower end members, corner post members carried substantially at the ends of said lower side members for pivotal swinging movement between substantially folded positions in parallel relation to said lower side members and erected positions in substantially perpendicular relation to said lower side members, a pair of longitudinally disposed spaced parallel upper side members, and a pair of spaced parallel transverse upper end members; means detachably connecting said upper side and end members with the upper end portions of said corner posts, said last-named means providing for relative vertical movement of said upper side and end members with respect to said corner posts; and an outer covering carried at its marginal edges by said upper side and end members and surrounding said lower side and end members.

2. A collapsible infants crib comprising a substantially rectangular lower frame section including a pair of spaced parallel side members and a pair of spaced parallel end members detachably carried at the ends of said side members; a plurality of corner-forming post members pivotally carried by the side members of said lower frame section for swinging movement between folded positions in substantially parallel relation to the side members and upright positions in substantially perpendicular relation to the side members; a substantially rectangular upper frame section including detachably united spaced parallel side and end members; means detachably connecting said upper frame section with the upper portions of said corner-forming posts, said last-named means providing for vertical adjustment of said upper frame section with respect to said lower frame section; and a flexible outer covering including bottom, side, and end panels extending between the side and end members of said lower and upper frame sections and around said corner-forming posts, the side and end panels of said outer covering being formed along their upper edges with pockets to receive the side and end members of said upper framesections and being arranged tobe stretched taut by vertical adjustment of said upper frame section with respect to said lower frame section.

AlNDREW KECK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,385,045 Griffith July 19, 1921 1,450,497 Griffith Apr. 23, 1923 1,544,140 Dudley June 30, 1925 1,551,026 Greek Aug. 25, 1925 2,119,387 Harvey May 31, 1938

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