A foldable cot and a buggy

Abstract

A foldable cot has a bottom, a side wall and a cot frame configured to be movable from a folded state to an unfolded state. The cot frame comprises a cot bottom frame element connected to the cot bottom, a cot top frame element connected to an upper edge of the side wall and a pair of side wall frame elements. Each side wall frame element comprises a front and a rear tensioning arm, a lower end of each being pivotably connected to a front and rear end of the cot bottom frame element, respectively. A front and a rear frame arm, a lower end of each being pivotably connected to an upper end of the front and rear tensioning arm, respectively, at a front and rear link pivot respectively and an upper end of each being pivotably connected to a front and rear end of the cot top frame element, respectively. A linking arm is pivotably connected between the front link pivot and the rear link pivot. A supporting arm has a front end pivotably connected to the cot top frame element at a top support position between the front end and the rear end of the cot top frame element and a rear end pivotably connected to the rear tensioning arm.

Description

[0001] P138365PC00

[0002] Title: A foldable cot and a buggy

[0003] The invention relates to a foldable cot and a buggy.

[0004] In particular the invention relates to a foldable cot comprising a cot bottom and a stretchable cot side wall extending from the cot bottom upwardly to an upper edge of the cot side wall, a frame configured to be movable from a folded state wherein the upper edge of the cot side wall is close to the cot bottom to an unfolded state wherein the cot side wall is stretched such that the upper edge of the cot side wall is remote from the cot bottom, wherein the frame comprises a cot bottom frame element connected to the cot bottom or formed by the cot bottom, a cot top frame element connected to the upper edge of the cot side wall or formed by the upper edge of the cot side wall and a pair of side wall frame elements configured for stretching and relaxing, respectively, the cot side wall.

[0005] Cots are known for moving relatively young children, in particular children younger than circa one year. In order to provide a stable, comfortable and safe position of the children lying in cots, said cots have high side walls for protection of the child, and are held mainly horizontal. Cots can be rigid or foldable, the latter having the advantage of being relatively compact if not in use.

[0006] A known foldable cot comprising a pair of side wall frame elements configured for stretching and relaxing, respectively, the cot side wall is for example disclosed in EP3979879B1. By applying a movable frame, a foldable cot can be brought in an operational state having unfolded side walls, and an in-operational state having folded side walls. This known foldable cot can be combined with a buggy, thereby having the flexibility of providing a vehicle that can be used for moving young children in the extended age range of a baby to several years old.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative foldable cot that can be mounted on a buggy while maintaining theadvantage that the composition can be made compact in a relatively easy way. Thereto, according to an aspect of the invention, a foldable cot is provided comprising a cot bottom and a stretchable cot side wall extending from the cot bottom upwardly to an upper edge of the cot side wall, a cot frame configured to be movable from a folded state wherein the upper edge of the cot side wall is close to the cot bottom to an unfolded state wherein the cot side wall is stretched such that the upper edge of the cot side wall is remote from the cot bottom, wherein the cot frame comprises a cot bottom frame element connected to the cot bottom or formed by the cot bottom, a cot top frame element connected to the upper edge of the cot side wall or formed by the upper edge of the cot side wall and a pair of side wall frame elements configured for stretching and relaxing, respectively, the cot side wall, characterized in that each side wall frame element of the pair of side wall frame elements comprises;

[0008] - a front tensioning arm, a lower end of the front tensioning arm being pivotably connected to a front end of the cot bottom frame element;

[0009] - a front frame arm, a lower end of the front frame arm being pivotably connected to an upper end of the front tensioning arm at a front link pivot and an upper end of the front frame arm being pivotably connected to a front end of the cot top frame element;

[0010] - a rear tensioning arm, a lower end of the rear tensioning arm being pivotably connected to a rear end of the cot bottom frame element;

[0011] - a rear frame arm, a lower end of the rear frame arm being pivotably connected to an upper end of the rear tensioning arm at a rear link pivot and an upper end of the rear frame arm being pivotably connected to a rear end of the cot top frame element;

[0012] - a linking arm, the linking arm being pivotably connected between the front link pivot and the rear link pivot; and

[0013] - a supporting arm, the supporting arm having a front end pivotably connected to the cot top frame element at a top support positionbetween the front end and the rear end of the cot top frame element and a rear end pivotably connected to the rear tensioning arm. In this manner the cot can be moved from the folded to the unfolded state in a relatively easy and secure manner while simultaneously stretching the stretchable cot side wall in a correct manner. The cot bottom frame element and the cot top frame element can be formed by individual frame elements which are connected to the cot bottom or the upper edge of the cot side wall, respectively. The cot bottom frame element and the cot top frame element can alternatively be formed by the cot bottom and the upper edge of the cot side wall, respectively thereby obtaining a foldable cot with less components.

[0014] In an embodiment of a foldable cot according to the invention the rear end of the supporting arm is pivotably connected to the rear tensioning arm at a position between the lower end and the upper end of the rear tensioning arm. In an alternative embodiment the rear tensioning arm integrally comprises a rear tensioning arm attachment branch, the rear tensioning arm attachment branch extending from the rear pivot link towards the cot bottom frame element, the rear end of the supporting arm being pivotably connected to the free end of rear tension arm attachment branch. Each of these embodiments provided for a specific folding and unfolding movement, which can be used for different types of cots and associated buggies.

[0015] In a further embodiment of a foldable cot according to the invention the linking arm, the cot bottom frame element and the cot top frame element are arranged parallel to one another, wherein the front frame arm and the rear frame arm are arranged parallel to one another, and wherein the front tensioning arm and the rear tensioning arm are arranged parallel to one another. In this manner the cot frame is build up from two double parallelogram mechanisms, one of which is formed by the linking arm, the cot top frame element and the front and rear frame arms and thesecond one is formed by the linking arm the cot bottom frame element and the front and rear tensioning arms, as a result of which the movement from folded to unfolded position is very defined.

[0016] In another embodiment of a foldable cot according to the invention the cot top frame element comprises an additional top support position for pivotably connecting the front end of the supporting arm, the supporting arm being configured for being removable connectable at either one of the top support position or additional top support position. By providing an additional top support position and the possibility to removable connect the supporting arm at either one of the top support position or additional top support position it is possible to adapt the extent and manner of folding and unfolding of the cot as desired.

[0017] In a further embodiment of a foldable cot according to the invention the foldable cot comprises a pair of adapters, each adapter mounted to the rear frame arm of a respective side wall frame element for connecting the foldable cot to a bearing frame of a buggy, thereby providing a stable structure. Preferably, the adapters are arranged for releasably connecting the foldable cot to a bearing frame of a buggy such that the foldable cot can be mounted and removed from the buggy.

[0018] The invention also relates to a buggy having a bearing frame and a foldable cot, the foldable cot being connected to the bearing frame of the buggy via the pair of adapters of said foldable cot.

[0019] It should be noted that the technical features described above or below may each on its own be embodied in a foldable cot, i.e. isolated from the context in which it is described, separate from other features, or in combination with only a number of the other features described in the context in which it is disclosed. Each of these features may further be combined with any other feature disclosed, in any combination.The invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

[0020] Figure 1 shows a schematic left side view of a buggy having a bearing frame and a foldable cot according to the invention, the cot being in a folded state;

[0021] Figure 2 shows a schematic left side view of the buggy shown in Fig. 1, the cot being in an unfolded state, indicating the cot frame;

[0022] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a cot frame provided at a left side wall of the buggy shown in the unfolded state shown in Figure 2;

[0023] Figure 4 shows a schematic view of the embodiment of a cot frame of Figure 3 shown in an intermediate folded state,

[0024] Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the embodiment of a cot frame of Figure 3 shown in the folded state;

[0025] Figure 6 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a cot frame provided at a left side wall of the buggy shown in the unfolded state, in which the cot frame is build up from two double parallelogram mechanisms;

[0026] Figure 7 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a cot frame provided at a left side wall of the buggy shown in the unfolded state, in which embodiment of the cot frame the rear end of the supporting arm is pivotably connected to the rear tensioning arm at a position between the lower end and the upper end of the rear tensioning arm, and

[0027] Figure 8 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a cot frame provided at a left side wall of the buggy shown in the unfolded state, in which embodiment of the cot frame the cot top frame element comprises an additional top support position.

[0028] It is noted that the figures show merely some embodiments according to the invention. In the figures, the same reference numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts. In addition, the figures show inventiveembodiments in which the cot bottom frame element and the cot top frame element are formed by individual frame elements which are connected to the cot bottom or the upper edge of the cot side wall, respectively. However, the invention also relates to embodiments in which the cot bottom frame element and the cot top frame element are formed by the cot bottom and the upper edge of the cot side wall, respectively, thereby obtaining a foldable cot with less components.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a schematic left side view of a buggy 1 having a bearing frame 2 and a foldable cot 10 according to the invention. The bearing frame 2 generally includes a pair of buggy frame elements 3 extending mainly parallel to each other, each buggy frame element 3 having a buggy frame portion 4 arranged for engagement with a corresponding adapter 20 of the foldable cot 10. The pair of adapters 20 is arranged for releasably connecting the foldable cot 10 to a bearing frame 2 of a buggy 1 in a manner known per se, for example as known from EP3979879B1. The buggy 1 also includes a handle 5 connected to a top portion 2a of the bearing frame 2 for manually controlling movement of the buggy 1. Further, a cot bottom 2b of the bearing frame 2 is provided with supporting wheels 6, e.g. three or four wheels 6. In Fig. 1, the buggy 1 is shown as visible from a position on the left hand side of a person handling the buggy 1.

[0030] Advantageously, the bearing frame 2 can be foldable from a operational state wherein the bearing frame 2 is extended and may carry the foldable cot 10, to an in-operational state wherein the bearing frame 2 is collapsed so as to occupy a reduced volume, e.g. for storage and / or transport purposes.

[0031] The foldable cot 10 has a cot bottom 11 for carrying a mattress or similar, and a stretchable side wall 12 extending from the cot bottom 11 upwardly to an upper edge 13 of the side wall 12. Typically, the foldable cot 10 is boxed shaped, its cot bottom 11 having a rectangular contour. Then, the side wall 12 may include four mainly flat side wall sections 12a-d, intheir extended state, viz. a front side wall 12a, near the handle 5, a left side wall 12b and a right side wall 12c (not indicated in the drawings) both adjoining the front side wall 12a but located opposite to each other, and a back side wall 12d adjoining both the left and right side walls 12b, c but located opposite to the front side wall 12a. The stretchable side wall 12 may include elastic and / or non-elastic material. In the collapsed state of the bearing frame 2, the stretchable side wall 12 generally has a corrugated cross-sectional profile including pleats and / or folds, while in the extended state, the stretchable side wall 12 is stretched or folded out, then having a more flat cross sectional profile, including less or no pleats and / or folds.

[0032] The foldable cot 10 also includes a cot frame 14 (indicated in Figure 2) movable from a folded state wherein the upper edge 13 of the side wall 12 is close to the cot bottom 11, and an unfolded state wherein the side wall 12 is stretched such that the upper edge 13 of the side wall 12 is remote from the cot bottom 11. In the unfolded state, the side wall 12 extends to a relatively high level so as to form a side shield for a child lying in the cot 10. Similarly, in the folded state, the side wall 12 is folded extending to a relatively low level so that the cot 10 is smaller, occupying a reduced volume, e.g. for compact storage and / or transport purposes.

[0033] The cot frame 14 includes a number of frame elements (to be discussed in more detail below) that are movable relative to each other for stretching and relaxing, respectively, the stretchable side wall 12.

[0034] As schematically indicated in Figure 2 and more detailed shown in Figures 3 to 8 the cot frame 14 comprises a cot bottom frame element 7 connected to the cot bottom 11, a cot top frame element 8 connected to the upper edge 13 of the cot side wall 12 and a left side wall frame element 9 and a right side wall frame element 10 (not indicated in the drawings but arranged opposite the left one) making up a pair of identical side wall frame elements 9, 10 configured for stretching and relaxing, respectively, the cot side wall 12. The composition of exemplary embodiments of the side wallframe elements 9, 10 will be described more clearly below with reference to Figures 3 to 8 with regard to the left side wall frame element 9.

[0035] In Figures 3, 4 and 5 a first embodiment of a left side wall frame element 9 of a foldable cot 10 according to the invention is schematically shown. Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the left side wall frame element 9 in the unfolded state, Figure 4 shows a schematic view of the left side wall frame element 9 in an intermediate folded state and Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the left side wall frame element 9 in the folded state. The side wall frame element 9 comprises a front tensioning arm 15, a rear tensioning arm 16, a front frame arm 17, a rear frame arm 18, a linking arm 19 and a supporting arm 21. In this first embodiment the rear tensioning arm 16 integrally comprises a rear tensioning arm attachment branch 16a extending from the rear pivot link 23 towards the cot bottom frame element 7. In this first embodiment the front tensioning arm 15 and the rear tensioning arm 16 are parallel to one another, although the invention is not restricted to this arrangement.

[0036] As for example can be seen in Figure 3 a lower end of the front tensioning arm 15 is pivotably connected to a front end of the cot bottom frame element 7. A lower end of the front frame arm 17 is pivotably connected to an upper end of the front tensioning arm 15 at a front link pivot 22 and an upper end of the front frame arm 17 is pivotably connected to a front end of the cot top frame element 8. Further, a lower end of the rear tensioning arm 16 is pivotably connected to a rear end of the cot bottom frame element 7. A lower end of the rear frame arm 18 is pivotably connected to an upper end of the rear tensioning arm 16 at a rear link pivot 23 and an upper end of the rear frame arm 18 is pivotably connected to a rear end of the cot top frame element 8. The linking arm 19 of the left side wall frame element 9 is pivotably connected between the front link pivot 22 and the rear link pivot 23. The supporting arm 21 has a front end which is pivotably connected to the cot top frame element 8 at a top support position24 between the front end and the rear end of the cot top frame element 8 and a rear end pivotably connected to the free end of the rear tensioning arm attachment branch 16a.

[0037] As indicated in Figure 2 the left adapter 20 is mounted to the rear frame arm 18 of the left side wall frame element 9 for connecting the foldable cot 10 to the bearing frame 2 of the buggy 1. Generally, the front frame arm 17 and the front tensioning arm 15 extend along the left side wall 12b, preferably along a side of the side wall 12 facing into the interior of the cot frame 10 or inside the side wall 12 itself. In the folded state, the front tensioning arm 15 is closer to the upper edge 13 of the side wall 12 as can be seen from a comparison of Figure 3 and Figure 5, since the cot top frame element 8 is connected to the upper edge 13 of the side wall 12. In the folded state the front frame arm 17 is almost, or in some embodiments generally parallel to the upper edge 13 of the side wall 12. In the unfolded state, the front frame arm 17 and the front tensioning arm 15 have been pivoted such that the front frame arm 17 is substantially transverse to the upper edge 13 of the side wall 12 and exert a force on the cot bottom 11 of the cot 10, away from the upper edge 13 of the side wall 12 to stretch the side wall 12, as shown in Fig. 2 wherein the cot 10 is in an unfolded state. The cot bottom frame element 7, e.g. as shown in Fig. 2, receives the downwardly oriented force exerted by the front frame arm 17 and the front tensioning arm 15. In the unfolded state, when the adapter 20 is in its locked position, the supporting arm 21 and the linking arm 19 ensure that the upper edge 13 is kept at a distance from the cot bottom 11, thereby keeping the side wall 12 stretched between the cot bottom 11 and the upper edge 13. The left side wall frame element 9 may extend along a substantial portion of the upper edge 13 of the side wall 12. Due to the pivotal connection of the frame elements of the left (and right) side wall frame element 9, the bottom ends of the front and rear tension arms 15, 16 can be rotated in clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, respectively, by movingthe handle 5 of the bearing frame 2, after the adapter 20 has been unlocked, thereby bringing the cot 10 to the unfolded state and the folded state, respectively.

[0038] In Figure 6 a second embodiment of a cot frame according to the invention is shown in which the cot frame is build up from two double parallelogram mechanisms. In this second embodiment the linking arm 19, the cot bottom frame element 7 and the cot top frame element 8 are arranged parallel to one another. In addition, the front frame arm 17 and the rear frame arm 18 are arranged parallel to one another and the front tensioning arm 15 and the rear tensioning arm 16 are arranged parallel to one another. In this manner one of the parallelogram mechanisms is formed by the linking arm 19, the cot top frame element 8 and the front and rear frame arms 17, 18 and the second one of the parallelogram mechanisms is formed by the linking arm 19, the cot bottom frame element 7 and the front and rear tensioning arms 15, 16. Due to this double parallelogram mechanism the movement from folded to unfolded position is very defined.

[0039] The third embodiment of a cot frame according to the invention shown in Figure 7 differs from the first embodiment in that the rear end of the supporting arm 21 is pivotably connected to the rear tensioning arm 16 at a position P between the lower end and the upper end of the rear tensioning arm 16. Stated otherwise, in this third embodiment the rear tensioning arm 16 does not comprises a rear tensioning arm attachment branch 16a extending from the rear pivot link 23 towards the cot bottom frame element 7.

[0040] In the fourth embodiment of a cot frame according to the invention shown in Figure 8 the cot top frame element 8 comprises an additional top support position 24a for pivotably connecting the front end of the supporting arm 21. Further, the supporting arm 21 is configured for being removable connectable at either one of the top support position 24 or additional top support position 24a providing the possibility to removable connect thesupporting arm 21 at either one of the top support position 24 or additional top support position 24a in order to adapt the extent and manner of folding and unfolding of the cot 10 as desired.

[0041] It is observed that in all the embodiments shown the adapter 20 is mounted to the rear frame arm 18 of the left side wall frame element 9 for removably connecting the foldable cot 10 to a bearing frame 2 of a buggy 1.

[0042] The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described above. It will be understood that many variants within the scope of the enclosed claims are possible. It will also be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

Claims

Claims1. A foldable cot (10) comprising a cot bottom (11) and a stretchable cot side wall (12) extending from the cot bottom (11) upwardly to an upper edge (13) of the cot side wall (12), a cot frame (14) configured to be movable from a folded state wherein the upper edge (13) of the cot side wall (12) is close to the cot bottom (11) to an unfolded state wherein the cot side wall (12) is stretched such that the upper edge (13) of the cot side wall (12) is remote from the cot bottom (11), wherein the cot frame (14) comprises a cot bottom frame element (7) connected to the cot bottom (11) or formed by the cot bottom (11), a cot top frame element (8) connected to the upper edge (13) of the cot side wall (12) or formed by the upper edge (13) of the cot side wall (12) and a pair of side wall frame elements (9, 10) configured for stretching and relaxing, respectively, the cot side wall (12), wherein each side wall frame element (9, 10) of the pair of side wall frame elements (9, 10) comprises;- a front tensioning arm (15), a lower end of the front tensioning arm (15) being pivotably connected to a front end of the cot bottom frame element (7);- a front frame arm (17), a lower end of the front frame arm (17) being pivotably connected to an upper end of the front tensioning arm (15) at a front link pivot (22) and an upper end of the front frame arm (17) being pivotably connected to a front end of the cot top frame element (8);- a rear tensioning arm (16), a lower end of the rear tensioning arm (16) being pivotably connected to a rear end of the cot bottom frame element (7);- a rear frame arm (18), a lower end of the rear frame arm (18) being pivotably connected to an upper end of the rear tensioning arm (16) ata rear link pivot (23) and an upper end of the rear frame arm (18) being pivotably connected to a rear end of the cot top frame element (8);- a linking arm (19), the linking arm (19) being pivotably connected between the front link pivot (22) and the rear link pivot (23); and - a supporting arm (21), the supporting arm (21) having a front end pivotably connected to the cot top frame element (8) at a top support position (24) between the front end and the rear end of the cot top frame element (8) and a rear end pivotably connected to the rear tensioning arm (16).

2. A foldable cot (10) according to claim 1, wherein the rear end of the supporting arm (21) is pivotably connected to the rear tensioning arm (16) at a position (P) between the lower end and the upper end of the rear tensioning arm (16).

3. A foldable cot (10) according to claim 1, wherein the rear tensioning arm (16) integrally comprises a rear tensioning arm attachment branch, the rear tensioning arm attachment branch extending from the rear pivot link towards the cot bottom frame element (7), the rear end of the supporting arm (21) being pivotably connected to the free end of rear tension arm attachment branch.

4. A foldable cot (10) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the linking arm (19), the cot bottom frame element (7) and the cot top frame element (8) are arranged parallel to one another, wherein the front frame arm (17) and the rear frame arm (18) are arranged parallel to one another, and wherein the front tensioning arm (15) and the rear tensioning arm (16) are arranged parallel to one another.

5. A foldable cot (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cot top frame element (8) comprises an additional top support position for pivotably connecting the front end of the supporting arm (21), the supporting arm (21) being configured for being removable connectable at either one of the top support position (24) or additional top support position.

6. A foldable cot (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the foldable cot (10) comprises a pair of adapters (20), each adapter (20) mounted to the rear frame arm (18) of a respective side wall frame element (9, 10) for connecting the foldable cot (10) to a bearing frame (2) of a buggy (1).

7. A foldable cot (10) according to claim 6, wherein the adapters (20) are arranged for releasably connecting the foldable cot (10) to a bearing frame (2) of a buggy (1).

8. A buggy (1) having a bearing frame (2) and a foldable cot (10) according to claim 6 or 7, the foldable cot (10) being connected to the bearing frame (2) of the buggy (1) via the pair of adapters (20) of said foldable cot (10).

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