Cot attachment for placing next to a parent's bed

Abstract

A crib attachment for placement next to a parent's bed, comprising two end parts, a side rail element and a closure rail element, wherein the end parts are connected by the side rail element and have on their facing sides a strip with a predominantly vertical end guide groove and an end guide pin arranged below or in the lower region of the end guide groove, wherein several retaining elements are arranged along the end guide groove, and wherein the closure rail element comprises on each of its two sides a rail-side guide groove and a rail-side guide pin arranged above or in the upper region of the rail-side guide groove and is arranged vertically movable between the end parts such that the end guide pins engage with the rail-side guide grooves and the rail-side guide pins engage with the end guide grooves.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a crib attachment for placing next to a parent's bed.

[0002] It is common practice to place infants in a crib that can be attached to an adult bed, such as the parents' bed. These cribs usually consist of a frame with one side open. They are positioned with the open side against the parents' bed so that the crib mattress is at the same height as the parents' bed, creating a barrier-free transition between the two. This allows the child to sleep in their own bed while still being easily accessible to the parents without having to reach over a closed side.

[0003] However, to ensure that the child cannot get from their crib into the parents' bed and lie there unprotected, it is common practice to attach a safety barrier to the open side of the crib frame. This is a height-adjustable railing that can be attached to the crib in at least two positions. In the first position, the barrier is low enough to disappear between the parents' bed and the crib, allowing unobstructed access to the child. In the second position, the barrier is higher and forms a barrier, preventing the child from falling or rolling out of bed. This height-adjustable barrier allows for easy opening and closing without having to remove the crib from the parents' bed.

[0004] The height adjustability of the side panels is often achieved as follows. The support surface on which the child's mattress rests, or a horizontal rail of the frame, is perforated with holes. The side panel is designed as a grid, the bars of which pass through the holes in the support surface or rail to maintain contact with the frame during height adjustment. Grooves, often called slots, are incorporated into the crib frame, into which pins or locking blocks located at the top of the side panel can be inserted. This usually requires tilting the side panel out without any guidance to allow it to be inserted into or removed from a groove. During this tilting process, the bars often rub against the edges of the holes, which can cause them to fray or wear down the bars.This can lead to cosmetic defects, but also to rough or scratchy surfaces on which the child could injure themselves, or even material fatigue.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a children's bed for placement next to a parent's bed, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular has a material-friendly and ergonomic height adjustment.

[0006] The problem is solved by a crib attachment for placement next to a parent's bed, comprising the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention comprises a crib attachment for placement next to a parent's bed, comprising two end parts, a side rail element, and a locking rail element. The end parts are connected by the side rail element and have, on their facing sides, a strip with a predominantly vertical end-facing guide groove and an end-facing guide pin arranged below or in the lower region of the end-facing guide groove. Several retaining elements are arranged along the end-facing guide groove. The locking rail element comprises, on each of its two sides, a rail-side guide groove and a rail-side guide pin arranged above or in the upper region of the rail-side guide groove.The locking gate element is arranged so that it can move vertically between the end pieces, with the guide pins on the ends engaging with the guide grooves on the gate and vice versa. The guide pins on the gate can be selected and positioned between the mounting positions, allowing the locking gate element to be adjusted between them. The end guide pins remain in the grooves on the gate during this adjustment. Thus, the locking gate element is movably fixed to the end pieces by the guide pins during height adjustment, eliminating the need for bars to pass through the crib's surface. The guide pins on the gate and the end pieces are each located on a parallel axis, the distance between which increases or decreases as the height of the locking gate element is adjusted.Thus, the height adjustment is a guided movement and is more ergonomic and gentler on the material, as no bars rub against edges.

[0008] Preferably, the end guide grooves and / or the guide grooves on the side of the side rails have a continuous, circumferential groove wall. Unlike other common cribs, the grooves have no openings. Thus, the guide pins on the side of the side rails and / or the end rails never leave their respective guide grooves during height adjustment. This prevents the locking side rail element from tipping out, even if the retaining position is changed.

[0009] Advantageously, the end guide grooves and / or the guide grooves on the side of the crib are curved along their entire length, with three sections of successive, oppositely directed curvature. This design reduces the tilting of the locking gate element. This ensures, for example, that the locking gate element does not collide with the parents' bed during height adjustment, nor does it become jammed against the crib itself or the parents' bed.

[0010] According to a preferred aspect, the retaining elements are T-shaped protrusions connected to the end guide groove. These protrusions have a diameter sufficient to accommodate the grid-side guide pins and feature an upper and a lower leg. They are designed such that, for closure, the grid-side guide pins are engaged in the lower leg, and lifting them into the upper leg prevents the closure from being released. An outlet of the protrusion to the end guide groove for releasing the closure is located between the upper and lower legs. When the grid-side guide pin is inserted into the protrusion, the closure grid element is engaged in the retaining position by a subsequent slight lowering motion and cannot leave the recess without being lifted again, thus securing the closure.An additional safety feature is provided by the upward-facing arm of the recess. This prevents the lock from being released by lifting it to its stop. Instead, it can only be opened when the guide pin on the grid side is aligned with the centrally positioned exit point.

[0011] The upper leg of the T-shaped protrusion primarily serves a safety function. The standard stipulates that, for one-handed operation, adjusting the grille side should not be a "continuous, fluid movement," but rather a "two-phase" process: lifting the grille side, stopping at the upper leg, then pulling or pushing sideways to release the position.

[0012] According to a preferred aspect, a first retaining element is arranged at the upper end of the end guide groove, and a second and third retaining element are arranged one above the other, in line with the first retaining element, laterally along the end guide groove. With the guide pin on the side of the rail in the first retaining element, the crib is thus completely closed. The second and third retaining elements represent intermediate positions in which the locking rail element is positioned lower, but the child is still protected from falling out. In addition to the three retaining elements, there is also an open position for the locking rail element, which is located at the lower end of the end guide groove. This position is chosen to create a barrier-free transition between the crib and the parents' bed.Since this position is determined by the end of the guide groove, no bulge in the guide groove is required.

[0013] This open position is only for lifting the child out. According to regulations, the cot (when the child is lying in it) must always be in a closed position, at least 120 mm above the sleeping surface.

[0014] Preferably, the first retaining element is arranged on one side of the end guide rail, and the second and third retaining elements are arranged on opposite sides of the end guide groove. This means the locking grid element must be moved in different directions to guide it into or release it from the different retaining elements. This prevents, for example, accidental locking or unlocking.

[0015] According to one advantage, the crib assembly further comprises a frame consisting of two leg elements and a support element, each leg element having two vertically oriented rows of holes. The support element has four modular fittings designed such that the leg elements can be detachably and variably connected to the support element by inserting a shoulder screw into one hole in each vertically oriented row and snapping the shoulder screws into the modular fittings. The height of the support element can be selected by choosing the hole from the vertically oriented rows. The hole at the same height must be selected from each row. The support element also acts as a slatted base for the crib assembly.

[0016] According to a further advantageous aspect, the end pieces and the frame include eccentric bores, and the end pieces, side rail element, and locking rail element are detachably attached to the support element and connected to the frame, either directly or indirectly, via an eccentric fitting in the eccentric bores. By placing the interconnected end pieces, side rail element, and locking rail element onto the support element, a "basket" is formed in which the child is safely contained. The eccentric fitting ensures a secure yet detachable connection between the basket and the frame.

[0017] According to a preferred aspect, the crib device further comprises a mattress element, wherein the second or third support element is arranged on the end guide groove such that the upper edge of the mattress element, when resting on the support element, and the second or third support element are spaced 12 cm to 15 cm apart. This space corresponds to the minimum height of 120 mm specified in DIN EN 1130 to prevent a child from falling out.

[0018] Preferably, the leg elements comprise two legs and a connecting strip arranged in a U-shape, such that the connecting strip joins the legs at their upper end, and the connecting strip has several holes on its underside to which a tabletop can be attached. The tabletop can be attached to both leg elements in various positions and, for example, fixed to them by screws.

[0019] Advantageously, the mattress unit comprises a textile surround and an insert mattress, the insert being designed to fit precisely into the textile surround. It is essentially a "nest." It also includes a zipper that connects one side of the insert mattress to the textile surround, with the zipper on the insert mattress side offset by a distance A from the edge of the insert mattress. The zipper securely connects the insert mattress to the textile surround, yet allows the mattress to be removed for cleaning. The offset of the zipper away from the edge of the insert mattress makes it possible to fit a fitted sheet around the mattress.

[0020] The invention and advantageous embodiments thereof will be described and explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings.

[0021] They show: Fig. 1 a children's bed device according to the invention in closed state with table (add-on) with mattress; Fig. 2 the children's bed device with mattress and locking gate element in third holding position with mattress; Fig. 3 a strip with end-side guide groove and guide pin and a locking grid element with grid-side guide groove and guide pin; Fig. 4 the frame and basket made of end parts, side grid part and locking grid part in the separated state; Fig. 5 a detailed view of the support element and leg element; and Fig. 6 two versions of a mattress element.

[0022] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a child's bed device 1 according to the invention for placement next to a parent's bed. It comprises two end parts 10, a side rail element 20, and a locking rail element 30. The end parts 10 are provided with a bevel on their upper edge and are connected on the higher side by the side rail element 20. On the opposite side, the locking rail element 30 is movably arranged between the end parts 10. The end parts 10, the side rail element 20, and the locking rail element 30 form a basket in which the child is safely placed. The basket is arranged on a frame 40. The frame 40 comprises two leg elements 41, which are arranged as shown in Figure 1. Fig. The two leg elements 41 are detachably connected to each other by a height-adjustable support element 42. Metal brackets 44 are also arranged on the leg elements 41, to which tension straps can be attached for securing the leg to the parents' bed. The support element 42 / crossbar also serves as a slatted base for a mattress element 50 (mattress A and B). A tabletop 60 is attached to one of the two leg elements 41. This is fastened to the frame 40 from below by screws. In the embodiment shown here, the tabletop is located at the front of the left leg element 41; however, it can also be attached further back or to the right leg element 41. And, of course, without a tabletop.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 shows the crib attachment 1 from the front. In contrast to Fig. In this illustration, the locking grid element 30 is shifted downwards. The strips 11, which are arranged on the inner sides of the end parts 10, are visible. As in Fig. Figure 3 shows that end guide grooves 12 and end guide pins 13 are arranged in the slats 11, which interact with the locking grid element 30 and thus form the locking mechanism. This allows the locking element to be held in different positions and the crib attachment to be opened and closed.

[0024] Fig. Figure 3 shows, on the right, the strip 11 of one of the two end parts 10 with the vertically extending end-side guide groove 12 and an end-side guide pin 13 arranged below it. Alternatively, the end-side guide groove 12 could extend to the end-side guide pin 13, so that the latter sits within the end-side guide groove 12. On the left, the locking grid element 30 is shown from the side. It can be seen that a grid-side guide groove 31 and a grid-side guide pin 32 are arranged there. The same applies to the other side of the locking grid element 30 and the strip 11 of the second end part 10. The end-side and grid-side guide grooves 12, 31 have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the end-side and grid-side guide pins 13, 32.As can be seen from the figure, the arrangement is chosen to be opposite in such a way that the end-side guide pins 13 can engage in the grid-side guide groove 31 and the grid-side guide pins 32 can engage in the end-side guide groove 12. This leads, as in . Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows that the locking grid element 12 is held between the end parts 10 but is movable up and down.

[0025] In this embodiment, the end-side and grid-side guide grooves 12, 31 are formed with a continuous circumferential groove wall. When the end-side and grid-side guide pins 13, 32 engage in the end-side and grid-side guide grooves 12, 31, they cannot leave the guide grooves 12, 31. The end-side and grid-side guide grooves 12, 31 are curved along their entire length. Three consecutive sections of oppositely directed curvature are present. Due to the specific arrangement of the end-side and grid-side guide pins 13, 32 and the curvature of the end-side and grid-side guide grooves 12, 31 shown here, the locking element 30 moves up and down with only negligible tilting.

[0026] The end-side guide groove 12 also has several retaining elements 14 in the form of T-shaped protrusions in the groove wall. These protrusions, analogous to the end-side and grid-side guide groove 12, 31, have a larger diameter than that of the end-side and grid-side guide pins 13, 32, so that the retaining elements 14 can accommodate the end-side and grid-side guide pins 13, 32. Thus, the locking element 30 can be held at different heights in the retaining position 14. Fig. Figure 3 below shows an enlarged view of such a retaining element 14. It can be seen that the retaining elements 14 have an upper leg 141, a lower leg 142, and an outlet 143 leading to the end groove 12. When the locking element 30 is inserted into a retaining element, the grid-side guide pin 32 is pushed through the outlet 143 and held in the lower leg 142. Gravity holds the grid-side guide pin 32 in the lower leg 142, thus protecting it from accidental opening. To release the locking grid element 30 from the retaining element 14, it must be lifted, which also lifts the grid-side guide pin 31 out of the lower leg 142.However, an imprecise upward lift causes the grid-side guide pin 31 to enter the upper leg 141, preventing movement perpendicular to the previous upward movement towards the end-side guide groove 12. In this case, the grid-side guide pin 32 must be lowered again to the level of the outlet 143 so that passage through the outlet 143 is possible and the locking grid element 30 can once again move freely along the end-side guide groove 12.

[0027] Fig. Figure 3 on the right shows that three retaining elements 14 are arranged on the end guide groove 12. The uppermost retaining element 14a is located on the side of the end guide groove 12, so that the locking gate element 30 must be pulled outwards from the basket to insert the guide pin 32 on the side of the gate into the retaining element 14a. When the locking gate element 30 is in the uppermost retaining element 14a, the crib attachment 1 is completely closed. A second and a third retaining element 14b, 14c are arranged vertically below. These are located on the other side of the end guide groove 12, which means that the locking gate element 30 must be moved inside the basket to engage it in the second and third retaining elements 14b, 14c.If the locking grid element 30 is located in the second or third support element 14b, c, the crib device 1 is half open, depending on the height of the inserted mattress element 50. Fig. 6. The height of the locking element 30 in either the second or the third mounting element meets the minimum height of 120 mm according to DIN EN 1130, which ensures the safe placement of the child in the crib attachment 1. Further embodiments with one mounting element or four or more mounting elements are conceivable.

[0028] The crib attachment 1 can also be brought into an open position. This is the case when the guide pin 32 on the side of the rail is not in any retaining element 14, but at the lower end of the end guide groove 12. Then the end guide pin 13 is at the upper end of the guide groove 31 on the side of the rail. This represents the lowest position of the locking rail element 30.

[0029] In Fig. Figure 4 shows the crib assembly 1 in its disassembled state, with the basket and frame 40 separated. Below, the frame 40 is shown with leg elements 41 and support element 42. Each leg element 41 comprises two legs 413 and a connecting strip 414, which joins the legs 413 to form a downward-facing U-shape. On the inward-facing side of each leg element 41, two vertical rows of holes 411 are visible. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the support element 42 can be variably attached at the height of the different bores 411. Thus, the height of the crib attachment 1 can be adjusted to the height of the parents' bed within a range of 338 mm to 706 mm. Fig. Figure 4 above shows the basket comprising end pieces 10, side grille element 20, and locking grille element 30. It shows that the end pieces 10 each have two notches 15, which are arranged such that the side rails 422 of the support element 42 engage in the notches 15, thus preventing the basket from slipping. To further secure the connection between the basket and the frame 40, the support element 42 and the end pieces 10 have eccentric bores 43 into which an eccentric fitting can be inserted to connect the frame 40 to the basket.

[0030] Fig. Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the support element 42 and the leg elements 41. The features already shown in Figure 5 are visible. Fig. The four bores 411 shown are shown. A shoulder screw 412 is inserted into the uppermost bore 411. This screw has a shoulder to which it can be inserted into the bore. Between this shoulder and the screw head is a screw neck whose diameter is smaller than that of the shoulder and head combined. The support element 42 is shown on the left. It is shown that a modular fitting 421 / keyhole receptacle is arranged at the ends of the side rails 422. This fitting is open downwards and tapers upwards so that the shoulder screw 412 can be inserted upwards at the lower end and engaged / wedged into place, thus securing the modular fitting 421 to the screw neck. By inserting the shoulder screws 412 into bores 411 of different heights, the support element 42 can be mounted in a height-adjustable manner.

[0031] Fig. Figure 6 shows two different embodiments of a mattress element 50. Below is a mattress element 50 in the form of a mattress. Its height is adapted to the crib frame such that the third support element 14c holds the locking gate element 30 at a height of at least 120 mm to 150 mm above the top of the mattress, thus complying with DIN EN 1130. The mattress is breathable. Fig. Figure 6 above shows a mattress element 50 in the form of a nest, comprising an insert mattress 52 and a textile surround 51. The insert mattress 52 can be placed in the textile surround and is securely attached. Together, their height is the same as that of the mattress shown below, so that the locking element 30, at the height of the third support element 14c, complies with DIN EN 1130. The locking element 30 then closes off with the textile surround 51.

[0032] To secure the insert mattress 52 within the textile surround 51, both have a zipper 53 on one side. In the figure, the insert mattress 51 is shown with its underside facing upwards, so it must be turned so that the zipper 53 is facing downwards before being placed in the textile surround 51. This secure fastening prevents the child from slipping between the insert mattress 52 and the textile surround 52. The zipper 53 is recessed into the edge of the insert mattress 51. This recess allows a fitted sheet to be placed around the insert mattress 51 while still securing it to the textile surround with the zipper 53. Both the insert mattress 51 and the textile surround 52 are breathable.

[0033] It is also conceivable to place both a mattress and a nest in the crib frame simultaneously. In order to achieve the minimum height required by DIN EN 1130 in this case, the locking gate element 30 can be brought to the height of the second support element 14b.

[0034] Not shown is that the children's bed frame 1 can also be used as a children's sofa by removing the locking gate element 30. By removing the basket and attaching a board to the frame, it can be used as a children's table.

Claims

[1] A crib attachment (1) for placement next to a parent's bed, comprising two end parts (10), a side rail element (20), and a closure rail element (30), wherein the end parts (10) are connected by the side rail element (20) and have on their facing sides a strip (11) with a predominantly vertical end-side guide groove (12) and an end-side guide pin (13) arranged below or in the lower region of the end-side guide groove (12), wherein several retaining elements (14) are arranged along the end-side guide groove (12), and wherein the closure rail element (30) comprises on each of its two sides a rail-side guide groove (31) and a rail-side guide pin (32) arranged above or in the upper region of the rail-side guide groove (31) and is arranged in such a way as to be vertically movable between the end parts (10),so that the end guide pins (13) engage with the grid-side guide grooves (31) and the grid-side guide pins (32) engage with the end guide grooves (12). [2] Child bed device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the end-side guide grooves (12) and / or the grid-side guide grooves (31) have a continuous circumferential groove wall. [3] Crib device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end-side guide grooves (12) and / or the grid-side guide grooves (31) are curved over the entire length with three sections having successively opposite curvatures. [4] Crib device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining elements (14) are T-shaped protrusions connected to the end-side guide groove (12), which have a diameter such that they can accommodate the grid-side guide pins (32), and have an upper leg (141) and a lower leg (142) which are designed such that, for closure, the grid-side guide pins (32) are hooked into the lower leg (142) and lifting into the upper legs (141) prevents the closure from being released, wherein an outlet (143) of the protrusion to the end-side guide groove (112) for releasing the closure is arranged between the upper and the lower leg (141, 142). [5] Child bed device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first retaining element (14a) is arranged at the upper end of the end guide groove (12) and wherein a second retaining element (14b) and a third retaining element (14c) are arranged one another in a line with the first retaining element (14a) laterally on the end guide groove (12). [6] Child bed device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first retaining element (14a) is arranged on a first side of the end guide groove (12) and the second and third retaining elements (14b, 14c) are arranged on an opposite side of the end guide groove (12). [7] Child bed device (1) according to one of the preceding claims further comprising a frame (40) which includes two leg elements (41) and a support element (42), wherein the leg elements (41) each have two vertically extending rows of bores (411) and the support element (42) has four modular fittings (421) which are designed such that by inserting one shoulder screw (412) into a bore (411) per vertically extending row and snapping the shoulder screws (412) into the modular fittings (421) the leg elements (41) are detachably and variably connected to the support element (42). [8] Child bed device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the end parts (10) and the support element (42) have eccentric bores (43) and wherein the end parts (10), the side rail element (20) and the closure rail element (30) are detachably placed on the support element (42) and are connected directly or indirectly to the frame (40) with an eccentric fitting in the eccentric bores (43). [9] Child bed device (1) according to claim 5 or 6 and 7 or 8 further comprising a mattress element (50), wherein the second retaining element (145) or the third retaining element (146) is arranged on the end-side guide groove (12) such that the upper edge of the mattress element (50) when resting on the support element (42) and the second retaining element (145) or the third retaining element (146) have a distance of 12 cm to 15 cm from each other. [10] Child bed device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the leg elements (41) comprise two legs (413) and a connecting strip (414) which are arranged in a U-shape, such that the connecting strip (413) connects the legs (413) to each other at their upper end, wherein the connecting strips (414) have several bores to which a table top (60) can be arranged. [11] Child's bed device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mattress element (50) comprises a textile surround (51) and an insert mattress (52), wherein the insert mattress (52) is designed to fit precisely into the textile surround (51), wherein the mattress element (50) further comprises a zipper (53) which connects one side of the insert mattress (52) to the textile surround (51), wherein the zipper (53) on the side of the insert mattress (52) is offset by a distance A from the edge of the insert mattress (52).

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