Folding locking assembly and crib having same

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of infant products. Disclosed are a folding locking assembly and a crib having same. The folding locking assembly comprises: a locking mounting member on which a locking member is rotatably mounted, wherein the locking member is provided with at least one locking recess, the direction of depth of the locking recess is parallel to the direction of a rotating shaft of the locking member, and as the locking member rotates relative to the locking mounting member, the locking member has an initial position and an unlocked position; a bottom support member rotatably mounted on the locking mounting member; and a biasing member having one end mounted on the locking member and the other end mounted on the locking mounting member. During a locking and unlocking process of the folding locking assembly, it is only necessary for the locking member to move relative to the bottom support member under the action of the biasing member, and the unlocking and locking process involves only rotational motion. The whole folding locking assembly has a small number of parts and a simple structure and involves a simple operation, thereby greatly improving the reliability and safety of the folding locking assembly during long-term use.

Description

A folding locking assembly and a crib having the same.

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202422779217.9, filed on November 13, 2024, entitled "A Folding Locking Component and a Baby Crib Having the Same", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of infant and toddler products technology, specifically to a folding locking component and a crib having the same. Background Technology

[0004] Folding cribs are a popular choice for many families as an infant and toddler product. A folding crib consists of a base frame, guardrails, and support legs. The base frame, as the supporting foundation of the overall structure, typically uses a modular design, with the long and short sides connected by hinges for smooth folding and unfolding. The foldable guardrail system includes front and side guardrails, which are connected to the base frame via rotating connectors. This allows for quick folding and locking while ensuring safety, adapting to different usage and storage needs. The support legs also feature a foldable design, ensuring stable support while facilitating easy folding and storage.

[0005] Folding cribs require securing their folding structure after unfolding. This is typically achieved through locking mechanisms on the base frame, guardrails, or support legs. While existing locking mechanisms offer some stability in the unfolded state, their complex design and the potential for wear and loosening due to frequent opening and closing operations over extended use can diminish their effectiveness and pose safety hazards. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, this application provides a folding locking component and a crib having the same, to solve the problem that the locking structure of existing folding cribs is complex and poses safety hazards with long-term use.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a folding locking component, comprising:

[0008] A locking mounting component has a locking element rotatably mounted on it. The locking element has a locking groove, the depth of which is parallel to the rotation axis of the locking element. The locking element rotates relative to the locking mounting component and has an initial position and an unlocked position.

[0009] A bottom support is rotatably mounted on a locking mount. One end of the bottom support is adapted to engage with a locking groove to lock the bottom support parallel to the locking mount when the locking mount is in the initial position, and to rotate out of the locking groove when the locking mount is in the unlocked position so that the bottom support is angled to the locking mount.

[0010] A biasing element, one end of which is mounted on a locking element and the other end of which is mounted on a locking mounting element, is adapted to apply a biasing force to the locking element to restore it to its initial position when the locking element is rotated to a position other than its initial position.

[0011] Folding locking assemblies are used in folding beds, folding chairs, and folding tables to lock the moving structures of these devices when they are unfolded or folded. During installation, the base support is positioned as the moving structure of the folding device. In the locked state, the end of the base support is embedded in the locking groove. A biasing force applied to the locking member by a biasing component keeps the locking member stably in its initial position or tends to move it towards the initial position, thus securing the base support within the locking groove and maintaining the overall locked state of the folding locking assembly. When unlocking the folding locking assembly, external force overcomes the biasing force applied to the locking member or applies another biasing force away from the locked position, causing the locking member to rotate towards the unlocked position until the locking groove abutting the base support completely separates from the base support. At this point, the base support swings and retracts around the locking mounting. After the base support is completely separated from the locking member, the external force is removed, allowing the locking member to return to its initial position under the biasing force applied by the biasing component, completing the unlocking process. During the locking and unlocking process, the folding locking assembly only requires the locking component to move relative to the bottom support component under the action of the biasing component. The unlocking and locking process only involves rotation. The overall number of parts is small, the structure is simple, and the operation is concise, which can greatly improve the reliability and safety of the folding locking assembly during long-term use.

[0012] In one optional embodiment, the locking member is provided with a positioning part, and the locking mounting member is provided with a mating part. When the locking member is in the initial position, the positioning part and the mating part abut against each other. By the mating of the positioning part and the mating part, the initial position of the locking member is limited, thereby improving the stability of the locking member and the locking mounting member in positioning and ensuring that the positioning part and the mating part can still be stably positioned during long-term use.

[0013] In one optional embodiment, the mating part and the biasing member are respectively disposed at opposite ends of the locking member to improve the stability of the mating part and the positioning part in positioning. The mating part can also be disposed on the left and right sides of the locking member along its rotation direction, or disposed at the bottom of the locking member, and the position of the positioning part on the locking member corresponds to the position of the mating part, as long as the positioning part and the mating part can fit together and abut.

[0014] In one optional embodiment, the locking member is provided with a mounting portion, which is angled to the positioning portion, and the mounting portion rotatably engages with the locking mounting member. By connecting the mounting portion and the positioning portion to form a bent structure, space along the length of the locking mounting member is saved. Simultaneously, by connecting the mounting portion with the locking mounting member, the mounting portion is concealed within the locking mounting member by the positioning portion, making the locking member more stable and compact. This significantly enhances the overall concealment and aesthetics of the locking member, reduces external protrusions, and lowers the risk of damage from accidental impacts.

[0015] In one optional embodiment, the locking groove is located on the inner side of the corner between the mounting part and the positioning part. This arrangement, with the locking groove close to the mounting part, ensures that the force application points of the base support and the locking groove, as well as the positioning part, are located on opposite sides of the mounting part relative to the pivot axis of the locking mounting member. This prevents the locking member from rotating due to the pressure of the base support when it is in the locked position, thus improving the stability of the locking mechanism between the locking member and the base support in the locked state.

[0016] In one optional embodiment, a guide portion is provided on the side of the mounting portion of the locking member facing away from the locking groove, and the side of the guide portion facing away from the mounting portion is provided as a guide slope, which is inclined toward the positioning portion. By providing the guide slope, space is made for the end of the bottom support member to swing into the locking groove, and at the same time, when the bottom support member swings to the position of the guide slope, it can slide smoothly into the locking groove.

[0017] In one optional embodiment, a pair of locking slots are provided, one on each side of the locking member, and a pair of bottom support members are provided, with each bottom support member corresponding to one of the locking slots. By providing a pair of bottom support members that correspond one-to-one with the pair of locking slots, the stability of the locking device in the locked state is increased.

[0018] In one alternative embodiment, the biasing component is either an elastic reset component or a power drive component. The elastic reset component can be a spring or torsion spring, etc., which applies elastic pressure or elastic tension to the locking component after it deviates from its initial position. The power drive component can be a drive cylinder, drive motor, etc., which actively drives the locking component to move between its initial and unlocked positions.

[0019] In one optional embodiment, the locking mounting component is a locking mounting chassis with a mounting slot, within which the locking component moves. By mounting the locking component, biasing component, and base support component all within the locking mounting chassis, the stability of the movement of multiple moving components is improved. The locking mounting component can also be a frame structure, with members forming the frame at the mounting and positioning limit positions of the locking component, biasing component, and base support component, thereby reducing the overall weight of the folding locking assembly and facilitating operation.

[0020] Secondly, this application also provides a crib having the folding locking component described in this application. Since the crib includes the folding locking component and has the same effect as the folding locking component, it will not be described further here. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the folding locking component provided in the embodiment of this application in the locked state.

[0023] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the folding locking component provided in this application embodiment when the locking component is rotated to the unlock position.

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the folding locking component provided in the embodiment of this application after unlocking.

[0025] Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of the locking mounting component provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of the locking component provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of the locking component provided in an embodiment of this application from another angle.

[0028] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the crib provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Locking mounting component; 2. Locking component; 201. Positioning part; 202. Mounting part; 203. Locking groove; 204. Guide part; 205. Guide slope; 3. Bottom support component; 4. Biasing component; 5. Mating part; 6. Limiting part; 7. Auxiliary support rod; 8. Mounting slot. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0031] The embodiments of this application are described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[0032] According to an embodiment of this application, a folding locking assembly is provided, comprising a locking mounting member 1, a locking member 2, a bottom support member 3, and an biasing member 4. The folding locking assembly can be installed on folding beds, folding chairs, and folding tables, locking the movable structures of these foldable devices when they are unfolded or folded. In the application of the folding locking assembly on foldable devices, the bottom support member 3 acts as a movable part of the folding device. In this embodiment, a folding crib is used as an example, where the bottom support member 3 is installed on the crib as a bottom support rod.

[0033] A locking element 2 is rotatably mounted on the locking mounting component 1. The locking element 2 has a locking groove 203, the depth of which is parallel to the rotation axis of the locking element 2. As the locking element 2 rotates relative to the locking mounting component 1, it can switch between an initial position and an unlocked position. A base support 3 is also rotatably mounted on the locking mounting component 1. The rotation direction of the base support 3 is parallel to its length direction, meaning its rotation axis is perpendicular to its length. The base support 3 swings along the edge of the locking mounting component 1. When the locking element 2 is in the initial position, one end of the base support 3 engages with the locking groove 203, and the base support 3 is parallel to the locking mounting component 1. When the locking element 2 is switched to the unlocked position, this end can be smoothly released from the locking groove 203 and rotated away, at which point the base support 3 and the locking mounting component 1 form a preset angle. A biasing element 4, as a key driving component, has one end mounted on the locking element 2 and the other end securely mounted on the locking mounting component 1. The function of the biasing element 4 is to apply a restorative biasing force when the locking element 2 deviates from its initial position, causing the locking element 2 to tend to return to its initial state, thus ensuring the effective maintenance of the locking mechanism.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, when the folding locking assembly is in the locked state, the end of the bottom support 3 is firmly embedded in the locking groove 203. The biasing force provided by the biasing member 4 not only consolidates the initial position stability of the locking member 2, but also ensures the stable positioning of the bottom support 3 within the locking groove 203, thereby maintaining the stability of the entire folding locking assembly. As shown in Figure 2, during the unlocking process, the biasing force of the biasing member 4 is overcome by an external force or a reverse torque is applied, driving the locking member 2 to rotate towards the unlocked position until the contact between the locking groove 203 and the bottom support 3 is completely separated. At this time, the bottom support 3 can swing freely around the locking mounting member 1 and fold up. Once the bottom support 3 is completely separated from the locking member 2, after the external force is removed, the biasing member 4 immediately takes effect, driving the locking member 2 to return to its initial position, and the unlocking action ends, as shown in Figure 3. In the locking and unlocking process, the folding locking assembly only requires the locking component 2 to rotate with the bottom support component 3 with the assistance of the biasing component 4. The entire mechanism has a simplified number of parts, a compact and efficient structure, and a clear and straightforward operation process, which significantly improves the reliability and safety performance of the folding locking assembly under long-term service conditions.

[0035] In one embodiment, the biasing element 4 is either an elastic reset element or a power drive element to adapt to different application requirements. When the biasing element 4 is set as an elastic reset element, an energy storage reset element such as a spring or torsion spring can be selected. These elements can instantly release the stored elastic potential energy after the locking element 2 deviates from its preset initial position, and the elastic pressure or tension applied to the locking element 2 ensures that it can stably return to the initial state. For scenarios requiring higher precision control or automated operation, a power drive element can be selected as the biasing element 4. The power drive element can be a precision actuator such as a drive cylinder or drive motor, which actively outputs power to directly drive the locking element 2 to achieve controllable active movement between the initial position and the unlocked position. This not only improves the response speed and control accuracy of the folding locking assembly, but also provides a strong guarantee for its stable operation in complex or dynamic environments. In this embodiment, in order to simplify the overall structure of the folding locking assembly and reduce manufacturing costs, the biasing element 4 is selected as a spring, with one end of the spring fixedly connected to the tail of the locking element 2 and the other end fixedly connected to the locking mounting element 1.

[0036] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the locking mounting component 1 is configured as a locking mounting chassis. A mounting slot 8 is provided on the top surface of the locking mounting chassis, providing a stable and limited movement environment for the locking component 2. To limit the swing amplitude of the bottom support component 3 within the locking mounting chassis on the locking mounting component 1, a limiting part 6 is provided within the mounting slot 8. This ensures that when the bottom support component 3 is locked and limited by the locking component 2, its end abuts against the limiting part 6 to maintain a horizontal state. By integrating the locking component 2, the biasing component 4, and the bottom support component 3 into the internal space of this locking mounting chassis, the stability and coordination of each moving component during movement are significantly enhanced. In some other embodiments, the locking mounting component 1 may also employ a lighter frame structure. The frame structure is composed of rods, with necessary structural supports only provided at the installation, positioning, and limiting points required for the locking component 2, the biasing component 4, and the bottom support component 3. This effectively reduces the overall weight of the folding locking assembly and improves operational convenience and flexibility.

[0037] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the locking member 2 is provided with a positioning part 201, and the locking mounting member 1 is correspondingly provided with a mating part 5. The mating part 5 is disposed in the mounting slot 8 of the locking mounting chassis. When the locking member 2 is in its initial position, the positioning part 201 and the mating part 5 precisely abut against each other. This mating mechanism greatly improves the stability of the positioning between the locking member 2 and the locking mounting member 1, ensuring that the mating between the two remains accurate even after long-term use.

[0038] Optionally, the locking component 2 is further provided with a mounting portion 202, which is set at a certain angle to the positioning portion 201 and forms a rotational engagement with the locking mounting component 1. This design cleverly utilizes the internal space of the locking mounting component 1, reducing the space occupied by the locking component 2 in the length direction. Moreover, by placing the mounting portion 202 deep inside the locking mounting component 1 and shielding it with the positioning portion 201, the overall structure of the locking component 2 is more compact and stable. This layout not only improves the concealment and aesthetics of the locking component 2, but also effectively reduces external protrusions, significantly reducing the risk of damage to the locking component 2 due to accidental collisions.

[0039] Optionally, the locking groove 203 is located inside the corner of the mounting part 202 and the positioning part 201. This design ensures that the locking groove 203 is close to the mounting part 202, thereby ensuring that the force application points of the bottom support 3 and the locking groove 203 are located on both sides of the mounting part 202 relative to the rotation axis of the locking mounting part 1, respectively. When the locking part 2 is in the locked position, it can effectively resist the pressure generated by the rotation of the bottom support 3, preventing the locking part 2 from rotating accidentally, thereby significantly improving the stability of the locking between the locking part 2 and the bottom support 3 in the locked state.

[0040] In one embodiment, the mating part 5 and the biasing member 4 are distributed at opposite ends of the locking member 2, further enhancing the stability of the engagement between the positioning part 201 and the mating part 5. It is worth noting that the position of the mating part 5 is flexible and can be located on the left or right sides of the locking member 2 in the direction of rotation, or at the bottom of the locking member 2. The positioning part 201 is configured accordingly based on the specific position of the mating part 5 to ensure that the two can abut and engage.

[0041] In one embodiment, the mounting portion 202 of the locking member 2 has a guide portion 204 on the side facing away from the locking groove 203, and the side of the guide portion 204 facing away from the mounting portion 202 is a guide slope 205, which is inclined towards the positioning portion 201. The guide slope 205 not only provides the necessary space for the end of the bottom support member 3 to enter the locking groove 203 during swinging, but also guides the bottom support member 3 to smoothly slide into the locking groove 203 when it swings to a specific position where it meets the guide slope 205, without the need for additional external force. This improves the efficiency and smoothness of the cooperation between the locking member 2 and the bottom support member 3, while also ensuring the accuracy and stability of the folding locking assembly during the locking process. In this embodiment, one guide ramp 205 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the guide portion 204. The width of the guide portion 204 is wider than the width of the positioning portion 201. When the locking member 2 is in the initial position, the lower side of the guide portion 204 abuts and limits the bottom support member 3. When unlocking, only a small rotation of the locking member 2 is needed to separate the guide portion 204 from the bottom support member 3, allowing the bottom support member 3 to swing out from the left and right sides of the positioning portion 201. In this embodiment, the locking member 2 is an integrally molded component, that is, the positioning portion 201, the mounting portion 202, and the guide portion 204 are injection molded into an integral structure.

[0042] In one embodiment, a pair of locking slots 203 are provided, with the pair of locking slots 203 respectively located on both sides of the locking member 2, forming a symmetrical and stable locking structure. Correspondingly, a pair of bottom support members 3 are provided, with each bottom support member 3 cooperating with one locking slot 203. The one-to-one pairing design can enhance the overall stability of the locking mounting member 1 in the locked state, and also effectively reduce the stress concentration borne by a single locking point by dispersing the locking force, thereby improving the durability and reliability of the entire folding locking assembly.

[0043] According to an embodiment of this application, another aspect provides a crib with the folding locking assembly provided in this application. As shown in FIG7, the locking mounting member 1 in the folding locking assembly serves as a base and is positioned at the middle of the crib frame; the bottom support member 3 serves as a bottom support rod to support the bottom of the crib frame, and the two bottom support rods of the crib are directly rotatably mounted on the side of the locking mounting member 1. To ensure the stability of the crib after unfolding, a pair of auxiliary support rods 7 are also rotatably mounted on the locking mounting member 1. The auxiliary support rods 7 are L-shaped, and the long end of the auxiliary support rods 7 is rotatably mounted in conjunction with the locking mounting member 1. After unfolding, the short end of the auxiliary support rods 7 is supported by the ground. By installing the folding locking assembly provided in this application on the crib, the folding locking assembly is locked when the crib is unfolded. The end of the bottom support 3 is built into the locking groove 203. The biasing force applied by the biasing member 4 to the locking member 2 keeps the locking member 2 stably in its initial position or makes the locking member 2 tend to move towards its initial position, so that the locking member 2 can stably limit the bottom support 3 in the locking groove 203, maintaining the overall locked state of the folding locking assembly. When the crib is folded, the folding locking assembly unlocks. By overcoming the biasing force applied by the biasing member 4 to the locking member 2 or applying another biasing force away from the locking position, the locking member 2 rotates towards the unlocked position until the locking groove 203 abutting against the bottom support 3 is completely separated from the bottom support 3. At this time, the bottom support 3 swings around the locking mounting member 1 to retract. After the bottom support 3 is completely separated from the locking member 2, the external force is removed, so that the locking member 2 returns to its initial position under the biasing force applied by the biasing member 4, completing the unlocking. The various parts of the crib frame can then rotate freely for folding and retraction. During the locking and unlocking process, the folding locking assembly only requires the locking part 2 to move relative to the bottom support part 3 under the action of the biasing part 4. The unlocking and locking process only involves rotation. The overall number of parts is small, the structure is simple, and the action is concise, which can greatly improve the reliability and safety of the folding locking assembly during long-term use.

[0044] Although embodiments of this application have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of this application, and all such modifications and variations fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fold and lock assembly, characterized by include: A locking mounting component (1) is rotatably mounted thereon, wherein the locking component (2) is provided with at least one locking groove (203), the depth direction of the locking groove (203) is parallel to the rotation axis direction of the locking component (2), and rotates with the locking component (2) relative to the locking mounting component (1), wherein the locking component (2) has an initial position and an unlocked position; A bottom support (3) is rotatably mounted on the locking mounting (1). One end of the bottom support (3) is adapted to engage with the locking groove (203) to lock the bottom support (3) parallel to the locking mounting (1) when the locking member (2) is in the initial position, and to rotate out of the locking groove (203) when the locking member (2) is in the unlocked position so that the bottom support (3) is set at an angle to the locking mounting (1). A biasing member (4), one end of which is mounted on the locking member (2) and the other end of which is mounted on the locking mounting member (1), the biasing member (4) being adapted to apply a biasing force to the locking member (2) to restore it to the initial position when the locking member (2) is rotated to a position away from the initial position.

2. The fold and lock assembly of claim 1, wherein, The locking member (2) is provided with a positioning part (201), and the locking mounting member (1) is provided with a mating part (5). When the locking member (2) is in the initial position, the positioning part (201) abuts against the mating part (5).

3. The fold and lock assembly of claim 2, wherein, The mating part (5) and the biasing member (4) are respectively disposed at opposite ends of the locking member (2).

4. The fold and lock assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The locking member (2) is provided with a mounting part (202), which is set at an angle to the positioning part (201), and the mounting part (202) is rotatably engaged with the locking mounting member (1).

5. The fold and lock assembly of claim 4, wherein, The locking groove (203) is located on the inside of the corner between the mounting part (202) and the positioning part (201).

6. The fold and lock assembly of claim 4, wherein, The mounting part (202) has a guide part (204) on the side opposite to the locking groove (203), and the guide part (204) is provided with a guide slope (205) on the side opposite to the mounting part (202), and the guide slope (205) is inclined toward the positioning part (201).

7. The fold and lock assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The locking groove (203) is provided in a pair, and the pair of locking grooves (203) are respectively provided on both sides of the locking member (2). The bottom support member (3) is provided in a pair, and the bottom support member (3) and the locking groove (203) are matched one-to-one.

8. The fold and lock assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The biasing component (4) is an elastic reset component or a power drive component.

9. The fold and lock assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The locking mounting component (1) is a locking mounting chassis, and the locking mounting chassis is provided with a mounting slot (8). The locking component (2) moves within the mounting slot (8).

10. A crib, characterized in that, The folding locking assembly has any one of claims 1 to 9.

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