Bed structure for babies

Abstract

Baby cot structure (1) comprising a cradle structure (2) connected to a base structure (3) defining at least one support body (4) configured to rest on a support surface (100), wherein the at least one support body (4) is connected to at least one upright (5) extending along a substantially vertical direction (101), wherein the cradle structure (2) has a frame (6) comprising a lower frame section (6a) defining a support surface for a mattress and an upper frame section (6b) defining at least part of the upper edge of the cradle structure (2), wherein the frame (6) is connected to a casing (7) configured to define a receiving wall laterally, wherein at least one opening section (7a) of the casing (7) can be opened on command between a raised position,in which the upper edge of the opening section (7a) is arranged substantially at the same height as the upper frame section (6b), and is movable in at least one lowered position in which the upper edge of the opening section (7a) is arranged in a lowered position relative to the upper frame section (6b); characterized in that it comprises at least one connecting body (10) between the lower frame section (6a) and the upper frame section (6b), which defines at least one sliding guide (11) for an engagement section (7c) defined on the opening section (7a), wherein the at least one connecting body (10) is configured to switch between an extended state in which the at least one connecting body (10) rigidly connects the lower frame section (6a) and the upper frame section (6b), and a folded state,in which at least part of the connecting body is folded towards the lower frame section (6a) to allow the upper frame section (6b) and the lower frame section (6a) to approach each other.

Description

[0001] The subject of the invention is a baby bed structure.

[0002] In particular, the crib structure of the present invention is of the type intended to be placed next to an adult bed, especially the mother's bed or the bed of a person caring for the child during the night. This positioning next to the bed necessarily requires that the height of the crib structure be adjustable to the height of the bed. Furthermore, the crib structure must be placed next to the bed without a significant interruption between the mattress surface of the crib structure and the mattress surface of the bed.

[0003] Specifically, state-of-the-art baby bed structures consist of a support frame, which is usually made up of tubular elements.

[0004] The support frame also includes a base, which also consists of tubular elements.

[0005] Wheels are attached to the base so the crib structure can be easily moved across the floor. The wheels extend outward from the top of the crib structure and provide stability.

[0006] The crib structure also includes a plurality of perimeter walls made of flexible material, typically fabric, that are attached to the frame.

[0007] The cot structure also includes a base, which is also attached to the frame and is equipped with a mattress on which a baby can lie.

[0008] In particular, at least one of the typically longitudinally arranged enclosing walls or one or parts thereof is designed to be open.

[0009] This perimeter wall defines one side of the frame, designed to be placed next to the bed. In particular, this wall can be removed or lowered like a blind to create an opening through which the caregiver can reach the child without having to leave the bed.

[0010] Although the known solutions are widespread, they also have their disadvantages.

[0011] In particular, it is difficult to close the cot structure if it is to be transported, for example, by car, as the textile cover must be removed from the frame and / or the various tubular structures.

[0012] Furthermore, in some beds next to which the cot structure is to be placed, the lateral structure has a particular shape, e.g. with closed edges, and for this reason, in order to be able to position the cot structure effectively next to it, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of adjusting the position of the wheels with respect to the frame, e.g. by allowing the support means of the wheels themselves to be extended and / or retracted with respect to the frame.

[0013] While such solutions are good in concept, they are often complicated in design, making them not particularly intuitive to use and leading to a significant increase in production costs.

[0014] The object of the present invention is to realize a baby bed structure which is able to improve the state of the art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0015] Within the scope of this task, an object of the invention is to provide a baby bed structure that can be folded in an extremely practical manner.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to design a baby bed structure in which the enclosing wall facing the bed can be lowered extremely reliably.

[0017] Last but not least, the aim of the invention is to create a baby bed structure that is very reliable, relatively easy to manufacture and competitively priced.

[0018] This object, as well as these and other purposes which will be explained in more detail later, are achieved by a baby bed structure according to claim 1, which is optionally provided with one or more features of the dependent claims.

[0019] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the baby bed structure according to the invention, shown as a non-limiting example in the attached drawings, in which Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the cot structure with the opening portion in the raised position; Fig. Figure 2 is a similar view of the cot structure to that above, with the opening portion in the lowered position; Fig. Figure 3 is a view similar to those above, illustrating the transition of the connecting bodies from the extended to the folded state; Fig. 4 a similar view to Fig. 3, where the casing has been omitted to allow better recognition of the underlying structure; Fig. 5 a similar view to Fig. 4 and shows the approach phase between the lower frame section and the upper frame section, with the connecting bodies in the folded state; Fig. 6 a similar view as in Fig. 5, wherein the frame is separated from the uprights; Fig. 7 an enlarged scale view of the Fig. 4 shown baby bed structure; the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the lower part of the base structure in different positions of the stand relative to the respective support body; Fig. 10 is a side view of the support body; the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 a section through the support body along the Fig. 10 level marked by the line XI-XI at the Fig. 8 or Fig. 9 shown places.

[0020] With reference to the said figures, the baby bed structure according to the invention, designated globally by the reference numeral 1, comprises a cradle structure 2 connected to a base structure 3.

[0021] The base structure 3 defines at least one support body 4 which is designed to rest on a support surface 100, typically the floor of a room.

[0022] The at least one support body 4 is connected to at least one stand 5 which extends along a substantially vertical extension direction 101.

[0023] The cradle structure 2 has a frame 6 comprising a lower frame portion 6a forming a support surface for a mattress (not shown) and an upper frame portion 6b forming at least partially the upper edge of the cradle structure 2.

[0024] The frame 6 is connected to a casing 7, which is typically made of fabric and is designed to form a receiving wall on the side.

[0025] The casing 7 has at least one opening portion 7a which can be moved on command between a raised position (shown in Fig. 1), in which the upper edge of the opening portion 7a is arranged substantially at the same height as the upper frame portion 6b, and at least one lowered position (shown in Fig. 2), in which the upper edge of the opening portion 7a is arranged in a lowered position relative to the upper frame portion 6b.

[0026] In practice, the opening section 7a is intended to be placed next to a bed, e.g. the parents' bed, when in use.

[0027] In particular, the opening portion 7a can be raised and lowered like a blind to define an opening or passage through which the caregiver can reach the child without leaving the bed.

[0028] According to the present invention, the baby bed structure 1, in particular the frame 6, comprises at least one connecting body 10 between the lower frame portion 6a and the upper frame portion 6b, which defines at least one sliding guide 11 for an engagement portion 7c provided on the opening portion 7a.

[0029] The at least one connecting body 10 is further configured to be movable between an extended state (shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), in which the at least one connecting body 10 rigidly connects the lower frame section 6a and the upper frame section 6b, and a folded state (shown in the Fig. 3 to 7) is adjustable, in which at least a part of the connecting body 10 is folded in the direction of the lower frame section 6a in order to enable (as in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) that the upper frame section 6b and the lower frame section 6a can be brought closer together to drastically reduce its volume for packaging or transportation.

[0030] Preferably, the base structure 3 is connected to the weighing structure 2 to enable adjustment of the position of the weighing structure 2 relative to the base structure 3 along the extension direction 101.

[0031] In practice, the cradle structure 2 can be displaced relative to the base structure 3 and in particular relative to the support bodies 4 in order to adapt the height of the lower frame section 6a and thus the height of the mattress to the height of the bed next to which the cot structure 1 is arranged.

[0032] Advantageously, the cradle structure 2 consists of a head and a foot section, which are connected by two long sides.

[0033] The opening portion 7a is in particular shaped on at least one longitudinal side which is intended to be arranged next to a bed.

[0034] Preferably, the base structure 3 comprises a first and a second stand (5a, 5b) which are arranged on the end faces of the weighing structure 3 and are each connected to a corresponding support body 4.

[0035] Conveniently, the at least one stand 5 can be connectable to the frame 6 and removable therefrom.

[0036] In order to allow height adjustment of the weighing structure 3 with respect to the support body(s) 4, the uprights 5 comprise at least a lower body 25 connected to a corresponding support body and a second upper body 26 connected or, even better, removably connectable to the frame 6.

[0037] The second upper body 26 is slidably connected to the at least one first lower body 25 so as to be able to move between a retracted position in which the frame 6 is brought closer to the support body(s) 4 and one or more extended positions in which the frame 6 is gradually moved further away from the support body(s) 4.

[0038] Suitable locking / unlocking devices are provided which can be activated on command to adjust the height of the weighing structure 3.

[0039] Detachable coupling means 20 are expediently provided between the lower frame section 6a and the respective stand 5, in particular between the lower frame section 6a and the respective second upper body 26.

[0040] Second connecting means are also provided between the respective uprights 5 and in particular between the second upper body 26 and the upper frame portion 6b.

[0041] Such second connection means may comprise a coupling 27 formed on the upper body 26 and engageable, for example, by snap-fitting, with a seat 28 formed integrally with the upper frame portion 6b, or a rotatable coupling allowing the second upper body 26 to be folded on a plane substantially parallel to the plane in horizontal use.

[0042] Advantageously, the frame 6 comprises a first and a second connecting body 10 between the lower frame section 6a and the upper frame section 6b, which are arranged on opposite sides of the opening section 7a.

[0043] When the lower frame section 6a and the upper frame section 6b are rigidly connected, the connecting bodies 10 expediently extend along a substantially vertical direction of extension, so that the sliding guides 11 also run in the vertical direction in this state.

[0044] According to a preferred practical embodiment, the at least one connecting body 10 comprises an elongate element which is hinged to the lower frame section 6a by means of the lower end 10a about a hinge axis 200 and which is detachably connectable to the upper frame section 6b at the end opposite the lower end 10a.

[0045] When the connecting body(s) 10 are brought into the extended state, it is possible to lock the upper ends, in use, to the upper frame portion 6b in such a way that the lower frame portion 6a is rigidly connected to the upper frame portion 6b, and in such a way that the position of the connecting body(s) 10 themselves and thus of the sliding guides 11 is locked to enable the sliding engagement of the respective engagement portions 7c.

[0046] The mutual locking between the upper ends of the connecting bodies 10 and the upper frame section 6b can be achieved in various ways, for example by means of offset parts and pins for mutual locking which can be activated and / or deactivated on command.

[0047] The opening section 7a expediently comprises a longitudinal connecting element 12 which extends between the first and the second connecting body 10.

[0048] The longitudinal connecting element 12 defines at each of its ends 12a an engagement section 7c with the respective sliding guide 11.

[0049] Preferably, the hinge axis 200 runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal connecting element 12.

[0050] Preferably, the opening portion 7a has, on the side opposite the longitudinal connecting element 12, an elongated element which is intended to be connected together with the longitudinal connecting element 12 to a plate-shaped body, e.g. made of fabric or mesh, in order to form part of the sheath 7.

[0051] Elastic return means may be provided which act between the frame 6, in particular between the lower frame section 6a, and the opening section 7a in order to bring the opening section into the open position.

[0052] Of course, locking means can be provided between the raised opening section 7a and the connecting bodies 10, which can be deactivated on command.

[0053] According to a further aspect, the at least one support body 4 comprises a flattened body 14 with a longitudinal extension.

[0054] In particular, the lying plane of the flattened body 14 is substantially parallel to the support surface 100 during use.

[0055] The flattened body 14 is connected at the ends 14a to a corresponding wheel group 14b.

[0056] The flattened body 14 has a longitudinal slot 14c into which at least one slider body 15 can slidably engage, which is integral with a corresponding stand 5.

[0057] Means are also provided for locking the slider body 15 in at least one position with the longitudinal slot 14c, so that displacement of the post 5 relative to the flattened body 14 is prevented.

[0058] The locking means act at least in a neutral position in which the stand 5 is located in a central zone between the two wheel groups 14b.

[0059] The at least one stand 5 is connected to at least one lower stop body 16, which is arranged between the flattened body 14 and the support surface 100.

[0060] In practice, such a stop body 16 makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the support by avoiding excessive bending of the flattened body 14.

[0061] It can be provided that each flattened body 14 is also assigned a fixed stop body 17 which, in contrast to the stop body 16, is connected in one piece to the flattened body 14.

[0062] The inventive use of the baby bed structure 1 is as follows: Normally, the frame 6 covered with the casing 7 is supported by the base structure 3.

[0063] The user then adjusts the position of the cradle structure 2 relative to the base structure 3 so that the height of the mattress above the floor is appropriate.

[0064] When the baby bed structure 1 is to be placed next to a bed, the user moves the opening portion 7a from the raised position to the lowered position by sliding the engaging portions 7c along the guides 11 defined along the connecting bodies 10 rigidly connected at the bottom to the lower frame portion 6a and at the top to the upper frame portion 6b.

[0065] When it is necessary to bring the cradle structure 2 closer to the bed, such as in the case of a closed side bed flush with the mattress where the foot 14b, which normally protrudes from the outer perimeter of the cradle, interferes, the user slides the pusher body 15 and therefore the respective upright 5 along the longitudinal slot 14c so that the distance between the wheel group 14b, which is closer to the bed, and the upright(s) 5 can be reduced.

[0066] When it is necessary to transport the baby bed structure 1 or to store it in a space-saving manner, the connecting bodies 10 can be folded together by rotating them around the hinge axis 200 after detaching their upper end from the upper frame section 6b in order to bring them close to the lower frame section 6a.

[0067] At this point, the lower frame section 6a can be detached from the respective uprights 5 in order to bring it closer to the upper frame section 6b by lifting it.

[0068] After folding the connecting bodies 10 and separating the lower frame section 6a from the stands, there is no longer a rigid connection between the lower frame section 6a and the upper frame section 6b.

[0069] At this point, it is possible to remove or fold away the uprights 5 from the upper frame section 6b, preferably after they have been brought into the retracted state, in order to further reduce the volume.

[0070] Among other things, the special structure of the present invention allows the change of connecting bodies between the extended and the retracted state, wherein the opening portion 7a can be in both the raised and lowered positions.

[0071] In practice, it has been shown that the invention fulfils its task and purpose by creating a baby bed structure 1 which can be brought into the transport state in an extremely practical manner without compromising its functionality under conditions of use.

[0072] The invention thus conceived can be modified and altered in many ways within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all details can be replaced by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0073] In practice, the materials used, as well as the associated dimensions and shapes, may be any, provided they are compatible with the intended use, depending on the requirements and the state of the art.

[0074] Where reference signs follow the features and techniques recited in a claim, these have been added solely to enhance the comprehensibility of the claims and these reference signs therefore have no restrictive effect on the interpretation of the individual elements designated by way of example by those reference signs.

Claims

[1] Baby bed structure (1) comprising a cradle structure (2) connected to a base structure (3) defining at least one support body (4) configured to rest on a support surface (100), said at least one support body (4) being connected to at least one upright (5) extending along a substantially vertical extension direction (101), said cradle structure (2) comprising a frame (6) comprising a lower frame portion (6a) defining a support surface for a mattress, and an upper frame portion (6b) defining at least partially the upper edge of said cradle structure (2), said frame (6) being connected to a casing (7) configured to laterally define a receiving wall, at least one opening portion (7a) of said casing (7) being movable on command between a raised position,in which the upper edge of the opening portion (7a) is arranged substantially at the same height as the upper frame portion (6b), and is movable into at least one lowered position in which the upper edge of the opening portion (7a) is arranged in a lowered position with respect to the upper frame portion (6b); , characterized byin that it comprises at least one connecting body (10) between the lower frame section (6a) and the upper frame section (6b), which connecting body defines at least one sliding guide (11) for an engagement section (7c) provided on the opening section (7a), wherein the at least one connecting body (10) is configured to alternate between an extended state, in which the at least one connecting body (10) rigidly connects the lower frame section (6a) and the upper frame section (6b), and a folded state, in which at least a part of the connecting body is folded towards the lower frame section (6a) to enable the upper frame section (6b) and the lower frame section (6a) to come closer together. [2] Baby bed structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the base structure (3) is connected to the weighing structure (2) to enable adjustment of the position of the weighing structure (2) with respect to the base structure (3) along the extension direction (101). [3] Baby bed structure (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the cradle structure (2) consists of a headboard and a footboard connected by two longitudinal sides, the opening portion (7a) being formed on at least one longitudinal side wall intended to be arranged next to a bed. [4] Baby bed structure (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base structure (3) comprises a first and a second stand (5a, 5b) which are arranged on the end faces of the weighing structure (3). [5] Baby bed structure (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized byin that it comprises a first and a second connecting body (10) between the lower frame section (6a) and the upper frame section (6b), which are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the opening section (7a). [6] Baby bed structure (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one stand (5) is removably connected to the frame (6) and removable therefrom. [7] Baby bed structure (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the at least one connecting body (10) comprises an elongate element which is articulated to the lower frame section (6a) by way of the lower end (10b) about a hinge axis (200) and which is detachably connectable to the upper frame section (6b) at the end opposite the end (10a). [8] Baby bed structure (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the opening section (7a) comprises a longitudinal connecting element (12) between the first and the second connecting body (10), wherein the longitudinal connecting element (12) defines at its ends (12a) a respective engagement section (7c) with the respective sliding guide (11). [9] Baby bed structure (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the supporting body (4) comprises a longitudinally extending flattened body (14) which is connected at the ends (14a) to a corresponding wheel group (14b) and has a longitudinal slot (14c) into which at least one slider body (15) can slide, which is integral with a corresponding upright (5), means being provided for mutually locking the slider body (15) along the longitudinal slot (14c) in at least one position. [10] Baby bed structure (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one stand (5) is connected to at least one lower stop body (16) which is arranged between the flattened body (14) and the support surface (100).

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