Portable Crib Frame Design to Support Full-Size Mattress Without Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional portable cribs are cumbersome to set up and not easily movable, and traditional play yards lack the ability to accommodate full-size crib mattresses due to safety concerns related to gaps between the mattress and the frame, which can create suffocation hazards.

Innovation Solution

A portable crib with a foldable tubular frame and breathable mesh panels that includes a perimeter frame configured to support a full-size crib mattress, with a fabric cover that minimizes gaps between the mattress and the frame, allowing for safe use and storage of thicker mattresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional portable cribs are used, then portability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome setup

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidease of setup

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The portable crib is divided into multiple modular components including a foldable frame structure with detachable legs, separable mattress, and configurable sidewalls. This segmentation allows the crib to be easily disassembled and reassembled for portability while maintaining structural integrity during setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The crib employs dynamic foldable mechanisms including hinge joints in the frame, collapsible legs with pivot points, and adjustable sidewalls that can be configured in multiple positions. These dynamic elements enable easy transformation between assembled and folded states for convenient portability and setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional play yards are used, then portability is improved, but safety deteriorates due to gaps between mattress and frame creating suffocation hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidsuffocation hazard from gaps

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A perimeter frame structure acts as an intermediary element between the mattress and the outer crib frame. This intermediate frame fills the gap space, preventing direct contact between the mattress edges and the outer frame, thereby eliminating suffocation hazards while maintaining portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sidewalls are constructed from flexible fabric or mesh materials that can conform to the mattress surface while maintaining a continuous barrier. These flexible sidewalls eliminate hard edges and gaps that could create suffocation risks, while allowing the structure to remain portable and foldable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If traditional cribs are used, then safety is improved by accepting full-size mattresses, but portability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety with full-size mattressVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The crib structure is segmented into a portable outer frame and an internal perimeter frame that specifically supports the full-size mattress. This segmentation allows the mattress-supporting structure to meet safety standards while the outer frame maintains portability through foldable mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame incorporates dynamic foldable joints and collapsible elements that allow the entire structure to be compacted for portability while maintaining the rigid perimeter frame configuration needed to safely support full-size mattresses when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If foldable play yards with fabric sidewalls are used, then portability is improved, but safety deteriorates due to gaps introduced by stretching and deforming fabric

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidgaps between sidewalls and mattress

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The internal perimeter frame serves as a mediator between the fabric sidewalls and the mattress. It provides a stable structural reference that prevents the fabric from stretching away from the mattress, thereby eliminating gaps while allowing the fabric to remain flexible for portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fabric sidewalls are designed as flexible covers that drape over the internal perimeter frame structure. This configuration allows the fabric to remain soft and foldable for portability while the underlying frame structure maintains consistent contact with the mattress to prevent gap formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12150562B2Portable crib to support full-size mattress

Publication Date: 2024.11.26 BABY DELIGHT

AI summary

In general, the following disclosure is directed to a play yard (or crib) that features a foldable tubular frame configured to accept and support a full-size crib mattress and preferably surround the same with breathable mesh panels. The crib includes four feet, four side rails, for vertical posts coupled to different associated feet of the four feet, four top rails coupled between different associated posts of the four vertical posts, and support rails between the four vertical posts and configured to support a mattress. Each of the four side rails has first and second angled ends disposed in an associated receptacle in different associated feet of the four feet.