Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
  • A47D7/00—Children's beds
  • A47D7/002—Children's beds foldable

Definitions

• the present description relates to a folding cot.
• Such a cot can be used, in particular, as a crib or a bed for an infant or a child to sleep in and can also be used as a playpen or play yard.
• a cot of this kind is highly suitable for a small child to sleep or play in, since it affords a good-sized space which is comfortable, safe and robust.
• the floor of this cot is raised, which not only makes it possible to insulate the child from the ground, but also prevents the parent from bending too much in order to place the child on the bottom of the cot or to remove the child therefrom.
• umbrella-fold cots all comprise a separate mattress which has to be removed before the frame of the cot is folded and which then has to be wrapped around the folded frame. The folding/unfolding of the mattress therefore requires additional handling steps. Moreover, the mattress is not protected during transport unless a carrying bag in which the cot frame and the mattress are stored is used, thus requiring the provision of such a bag and additional handling steps.
• the invention relates to a folding cot that can take up an unfolded position and a folded position, comprising a cot base that is oriented horizontally in the unfolded position, a first frame that is oriented vertically in the unfolded position, and a second frame that is oriented vertically in the unfolded position.
• This cot comprises a first Sarrus mechanism or similar mechanism formed by the first frame, the second frame and at least two articulated arms, namely a lower arm and a side arm. Each arm connects the first and second frames together, and the arms guide the movement of these frames toward/away from one another during the folding/unfolding of the cot.
• the cot base is formed, at least in part, by the lower arm of the first mechanism.
• Such a folding cot can be used, notably, for a child, especially a baby or toddler, to lie in. In particular, it can be used as a crib or bed and/or as a playpen or play yard.
• This cot has the advantage of being very easy to fold or unfold thanks to the mechanism used.
• This mechanism makes it easier to fold/unfold the cot by guiding the movement of the frames of the cot toward/away from one another without requiring additional guiding elements and, thus, without complicating the structure of the cot.
• such a mechanism does not require a guide rail or slide for guiding the movement of the frames toward/away from one another.
• a Sarrus mechanism is generally defined as being a spatial mechanism comprising two plates (in this case the frames) that are interconnected by at least two articulated arms and can move toward/away from one another by way of a rectilinear movement.
• Each of the articulated arms comprises segments that are connected together and to the plates by pivot connections.
• the axes of these pivot connections are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the direction of the abovementioned rectilinear movement.
• the groups of axes of at least two of the arms have respective directions which are not parallel. In general, the directions of the groups of axes are perpendicular to one another.
• Such a mechanism has the advantage of having a single degree of mobility: the two plates can move with respect to one another only by way of the abovementioned rectilinear movement, i.e. by way of a translational movement.
• the first mechanism is a Sarrus mechanism.
• the invention is not limited to Sarrus mechanisms in the strict sense and encompasses similar mechanisms for converting the limited circular movement of a segment of one of the articulated arms of the mechanism into a substantially rectilinear movement of the plates (in this case the frames) toward or away from one another.
• the cot comprises a third vertical frame, and a second Sarrus mechanism or similar mechanism comprising the second frame, the third frame and at least two articulated arms, namely a lower arm and a side arm.
• Each arm connects the second and third frames together, and the arms guide the movement of the frames toward/away from one another during the folding/unfolding of the cot.
• the cot base is then formed in part by a lower arm of the second mechanism.
• the second mechanism is thus coupled to the first mechanism, the two mechanisms having the second frame in common, and the cot base is formed by the lower arms (i.e. the arms which are horizontal in the unfolded position) of the two mechanisms.
• the presence of the second frame between the first and third frames makes it possible to easily create a storage space for storing, notably, the bedding, such as a mattress, a sheet, a blanket and/or a duvet.
• the first mechanism is a Sarrus mechanism that allows the translational movement of the first frame with respect to the second frame along a longitudinal axis of the cot
• the second mechanism is a Sarrus mechanism that allows the translational movement of the third frame with respect to the second frame along said longitudinal axis.
• the first and second mechanisms are "aligned" and unfold in the lengthwise direction of the cot.
• the first and second mechanisms are Sarrus mechanisms. These mechanisms can be symmetrical with respect to the second frame.
• the top or vertex of the lower arm in the folded position, is situated below the vertical arm(s) of the mechanism. This makes it possible to avoid interactions between the arms during the folding of the cot and, thus, to make the latter easier. This also makes it possible to obtain compact folding.
• the cot comprises side barriers that extend between the frames and are oriented vertically in the unfolded position, and wherein the first and/or second mechanism comprises two side arms that form, at least in part, the side barriers of the cot.
• Such side barriers are useful for preventing a child from leaving the cot on their own.
• the first and second arms are disposed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal median plane of the cot.
• the cot exhibits symmetry with respect to a longitudinal median plane, this plane being oriented vertically in the unfolded position.
• the vertices of the side arms are situated opposite one another and at a distance from one another. This distance makes it possible to avoid interactions between the side arms during the folding of the cot and, thus, to make the latter easier. This also makes it possible to obtain compact folding.
• the side arms can be situated at different heights such that, in the folded position, the arms are situated one above the other.
• the cot comprises a mattress and the mattress is accommodated inside one of the frames in the folded position.
• the thickness of the frame can be greater than the thickness of the mattress. This makes it possible to protect the mattress while the cot is being transported.
• the second frame comprises a lower cross member, and the cot base is formed in part by this lower cross member.
• the mattress is mounted in a pivoting manner on one of the frames.
• the mattress can be mounted in a pivoting manner at the bottom part of the frame.
• the mattress can be mounted in a pivoting manner on the second frame, at the lower cross member. This makes it possible not to have to remove the mattress from the cot before the latter is folded.
• a tie extends between the mattress and the lower arm, such that, starting from the unfolded position, the pivoting of the mattress with respect to the second frame brings about the folding of the lower arm. This makes it even easier to fold the cot.
• each of the frames has two side uprights and, in the unfolded position, these uprights are oriented vertically and a part of the uprights extends beneath the cot base so as to form the legs of the cot. This makes it possible to raise the cot base with respect to the ground and, thus, to separate the child from the ground, and to prevent the parent from bending too much in order to place the child on the bottom of the cot or to remove he child therefrom.
• At least the lower arm is formed by at least two segments that are hinged together and to the adjacent frames by hinges, a first hinge allowing one of the segments to rotate with respect to one of the frames about a first rotation axis, at least one second hinge allowing the segments to rotate with respect to one another about at least one second rotation axis, and a third hinge allowing another segment to rotate with respect to the other frame about a third rotation axis.
• the first, second and third rotation axis are parallel to one another.
• the lower arm can be formed from two segments that are hinged together.
• all of the arms of the mechanism(s) have the same configuration, with two hinged segments, as the lower arm.
• the segments are panels. These panels can be solid or provided with a cutout.
• At least one of the arms of the mechanism(s) is equipped with a stop system that prevents the arm from folding toward the outside of the cot in the unfolded position.
• the lower arm can be equipped with a stop system that prevents the arm from folding toward the outside of the cot in the unfolded position. In other words, since the lower arm is in a horizontal plane in the unfolded position, the stop system prevents this arm from folding downward beyond the horizontal plane.
• the side arm(s) can be equipped with a stop system that prevents the arm from folding toward the outside of the cot in the unfolded position. In other words, since the side arm is in a vertical plane in the unfolded position, the stop system prevents this arm from folding toward the outside beyond the vertical plane.
• the stop system can be situated at the hinges and, in particular, at the hinge that is situated between the segments of the arm. It may be, for example, a protrusion which is fixed to the end of one of the segments, bypassing the hinge, and against which the other segment comes into abutment in the unfolded position. It may also be a stop system integrated into the hinge. Generally, any system that is capable of preventing the rotation of the hinge in one direction from a predefined position of the hinge may be suitable.
• Figures 1A to 1 C are schematic perspective views of an example of a framework (or structure) of a folding cot, in the unfolded, semi-folded and folded position, respectively.
• Figures 2A to 2D are schematic cross-sectional views of the folding sequence of an example of a folding cot.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of an example of a folding cot equipped with textile panels.
• Figures 4A and 4B are perspective views of an example of a folding cot equipped with rigid panels, in the unfolded and folded position, respectively.
• Figure 1A shows the framework of an example of a folding cot, in the unfolded position.
• the folding cot is a small collapsible bed and can be used for chidren to sleep or play in. In other words, it can be used as a crib or a play yard.
• the framework of the cot comprises a U-shaped, rigid, central frame 1 .
• the central frame 1 is an example of a "second frame" within the meaning of the invention.
• the central frame 1 comprises two uprights 2, 2', which are connected in their lower part by a lower cross member 3.
• the uprights 2, 2' are referred to as "central uprights” in the following text.
• the central uprights 2, 2' can be extended beneath the lower cross member 3 so as to form central legs 4, 4'.
• the central uprights 2, 2' are oriented vertically, whereas the cross member 3 is oriented horizontally.
• the horizontal and vertical directions are considered with reference to the unfolded position of the cot, under normal use conditions.
• the top and the bottom are defined in the vertical direction.
• the framework of the cot comprises two Sarrus mechanisms S1 and S2 which have the central frame 1 in common. These two mechanisms are symmetrical with respect to the central frame 1 , i.e. with respect to the median plane of this frame 1 .
• the first Sarrus mechanism S1 comprises, apart from the central frame 1 : - an end frame 5 comprising two uprights 6, 6' (referred to as "corner uprights” in the following text) that are connected by an upper cross member 8. They can also be connected by a lower cross member 9 to increase the rigidity of the frame 5.
• the corner uprights 6, 6' can be extended beneath the lower cross member 9 to form legs 7, 7'.
• the end frame 5 is parallel to the central frame 1 ;
• the end frame 5 is an example of a "first frame" within the meaning of the invention.
• the end frame 5 can be rigid and its dimensions can be similar to those of the central frame 1 .
• the height of the corner uprights 6, 6' corresponds to the height of the central uprights 2, 2'
• the height of the legs 7, 7' corresponds to that of the central legs 4, 4'.
• the horizontal panels 10, 1 1 and the three hinges of axis AA', BB' and CC form an articulated arm.
• This articulated arm is an example of a "lower arm” within the meaning of the invention, the two panels 10, 1 1 forming the "segments" of this arm.
• the two horizontal panels 10, 1 1 are rigid and the same size. They are positioned so as to form, in the unfolded position, a horizontal flat surface that is continuous with the upper surface of the central cross member 3, on which it is possible to arrange bedding (e.g. a mattress, a sheet, a blanket and/or a duvet).
• bedding e.g. a mattress, a sheet, a blanket and/or a duvet
• the two horizontal panels 10, 1 1 and the central cross member 3 form a part of the base of the cot.
• the horizontal panels 10, 1 1 can be solid or, by contrast, be hollowed out so as to limit the weight of the cot.
• the horizontal panels 10, 1 1 have an opening passing through their center and are in the form of a rectangular frame.
• the hinge of axis BB' which connects the horizontal panels 10, 1 1 is designed to allow the panels to fold upward when the axes AA' and CC move toward one another.
• the hinge of axis BB' is equipped with a stop system (not shown) for blocking the horizontal panels 10, 1 1 such that they cannot descend beyond the horizontal position (i.e. the panels cannot fold downward beyond the horizontal plane in which they are located in the unfolded position).
• the axes AA', BB' and CC are equidistant. This also makes it possible to obtain a compact structure in the folded position, the panels then substantially overlapping.
• the side panels 12, 13 and the three hinges of axis DD', EE' and FF' form an articulated arm.
• This articulated arm is an example of a "side arm" within the meaning of the invention, the two panels 12, 13 forming the "segments" of this arm.
• the side panels 12', 13' and the three hinges of axis GG', HH' and II' also form a articulated arm.
• This articulated arm is an example of a "side arm" within the meaning of the invention, the two panels 12, 13 forming the "segments" of this arm.
• the vertical panels 12, 13, 12', 13' are rigid and the same size.
• the hinges of axis EE' and HH' which connect the vertical panels 12, 13 and 12', 13', respectively, are designed to allow them to fold inward when the axes DD' and FF' move toward one another and the axes GG' and II' move toward one another, respectively.
• said hinges are equipped with a stop device (not shown) for preventing the vertical panels 12, 13, 12', 13' from folding outward beyond the vertical plane in which they are located in the unfolded position.
• the axes DD', EE' and FF' are equidistant, as are the axes GG', HH' and II'.
• the second Sarrus mechanism S2 is identical to the mechanism S1 , and these mechanisms S1 , S2 are symmetrical with respect to the median axis of the central frame 1 . Therefore, for the sake of brevity, the mechanism S2 will not be described in more detail.
• the elements of the mechanism S2 that are similar to the elements of the mechanism S1 are provided with the same reference numerals increased by 100.
• the end frames 5, 105 are moved toward the central frame 1 .
• This has the effect of causing the horizontal panels 10, 1 1 , 1 10, 1 1 1 to fold upward and of causing the vertical panels 12, 13, 1 12, 1 13 and 12', 13', 1 12', 1 13' to fold inward.
• the panels are folded simultaneously and the end frames 5, 105 and the central frame 1 remain parallel to one another throughout folding.
• the corner uprights 6, 6' remain parallel to the central uprights 2, 2', while the upper cross member 8 and the lower cross member 9 of the end frame 5 remain parallel to the central cross member 3 of the central frame 1 .
• the same goes for the end frame 105 and the central frame 1 .
• the folding cot can be equipped with a locking device (not shown) for keeping it in the folded position.
• a locking device may be, for example, hooks for keeping the end frames 5, 105 close to or in contact with the central frame 1 , or a strap surrounding these three frames 1 , 5, 105.
• the folding cot can be equipped with a handle (not shown) for easily transporting it in the folded position.
• the height of the vertical panels 12, 13, 12', 13' (1 12, 1 13, 1 12', 1 13') is less than the height of the central uprights 2, 2', reduced by the span of each of the horizontal panels 10, 1 1 (1 10, 1 1 1 ).
• the vertical panels do not interfere with the horizontal panels during folding or unfolding.
• the vertex of the lower arm formed by the hinge of axis BB' situated between the panels 10 and 1 1 is situated below the side arms of the mechanism S1 (S2).
• the vertical panels 12, 13, 12', 13' (1 12, 1 13, 1 12', 1 13') therefore do not overlap the horizontal panels 10, 1 1 (1 10, 1 1 1 ) in the folded position.
• the vertical panels 12, 13 (1 12, 1 13) do not overlap the vertical panels 12', 13' (1 12', 1 13') in the folded position.
• the cot can also comprise a mattress 14 that rests, in the unfolded position, on the horizontal surface defined by the central cross member 3 and the horizontal panels 10, 1 1 , 1 10, 1 1 1 of the mechanisms S1 , S2.
• the framework of the cot forms a space that is free of any mechanical element inside the central frame 1 , and delimited by the central uprights 2, 2' and the central cross member 3.
• This space can be used for storing the bedding and, in particular, a mattress.
• the framework of the cot and the bedding can be transported together, without there being a need to keep them together in a bag.
• FIGs 2A to 2D show views in longitudinal section of the folding sequence of an example of a folding cot.
• This cot comprises the framework from figures 1A to 1 C and a folding mattress 14.
• this mattress 14 is able to be folded so as to make it easier to store in the abovementioned free space.
• the mattress 14 can be more or less rigid; it can incorporate a base plate 16 for increasing its rigidity.
• the mattress 14 comprises:
• a hinged base plate 16 with the same dimensions as the pad 15, made up of three elements: two boards 17 and 1 17, and a central strip 18 with a width substantially equal to that of the central cross member 3. These three elements are hinged about a pair of transverse axes.
• the pad 15 can be made of a resilient material, for example a foam, and have a rectangular shape, delimiting the bottom of the cot in the unfolded position.
• the pad 15 and the articulated base plate 16 can be held together, for example by means of a cover enclosing the two.
• the central strip 18 can be provided with a fastening device (not shown) for fastening it to the central frame 1 in order to limit the movements of the folding mattress 14 with respect to the framework of the cot, both in the unfolded and in the folded position.
• This fastening device can comprise, for example, hook-and- loop strips of the "Velcro" type, snap fasteners, zippers, etc.
• the mattress 14 can be symmetrical with respect to the median plane of the central frame 1 .
• the mattress 14 can be folded before the structure of the cot is folded, as is shown in figures 2B and 2C. All that is necessary for this purpose is to lift each of the ends of the boards 17 and 1 17 (figure 2B).
• the mattress 14 does not increase the volume of the folded cot.
• the bottom of the mattress 14 is equipped, on each side, with at least one tie, or tensioner 19 (1 19), that connects each of the boards 17 (1 17) to a point on the structure that is situated close to the hinge between the panels 10 and 1 1 (1 10 and 1 1 1 ).
• This point can be situated either on the panel 10 (1 10), as illustrated in figures 2A to 2C, or on the panel 1 1 (1 1 1 ), or on the hinge.
• the tensioners 19, 1 19 can be flexible elements, of the cable, chain, cord or strap type.
• the length of the tensioners 19, 1 19 is calculated such that they are tensioned when the boards 17 and 1 17 arrive in the almost vertical position, as illustrated in figure 2C.
• the folding of the boards 17 and 1 17 thus starts the upward folding of the panels 10 and 1 1 , and consequently also the folding of the vertical panels 12, 13, 12', 13' inward. It is thus very easy to fold the entire framework by bringing one of the end frames 5, 105 toward the other, as described above and illustrated in figures 1 B and 1 C.
• the mattress 14 In the folded position (see figure 2D), the mattress 14 is folded in two inside the central frame 1 .
• the tensioners 19, 1 19 are slack again.
• each of the mechanisms S1 , S2 can be equipped with one or more locking devices (not shown in the figures) for avoiding accidental folding of the cot.
• These locking devices can act on the vertical panels 12, 13, 12', 13', 1 12, 1 13, 1 12', 1 13' in order to keep them in the unfolded position. These locking devices are less useful on the horizontal panels 10, 1 1 , 1 10, 1 1 1 , which are naturally kept in the horizontal position by the combined weight of the mattress 14 and the child.
• One or more locking devices can, for example, be fitted on one of the following groups of hinges, or any combination of these areas:
• figure 3 shows an example of a cot frame, in the unfolded position, equipped with a cover or cladding which mainly comprises:
• All of the textile panels 25, 125, 26, 126, 27 and 127 can be joined together to form a single internal lining of the folding cot.
• the textile side panels 26, 126, 27 and 127 are sufficiently flexible to allow the framework of the cot to be folded as described above and as shown in figures 1A to 1 C.
• All or some of the textile end panels 25 and 125 or textile side panels 26, 126, 27 and 127 could be made of translucent fabric or mesh, so as to allow the child to see out of the cot, and conversely to allow the parent to monitor their child.
• Figures 4A and 4B show another example of a folding cot, which differs from the one in figure 3 in that the textile end panels 25 and 125 have been replaced by rigid panels 28 and 128, respectively.
• the folding cot in the folded position (figure 4B), the folding cot has the appearance of a flat rigid case, the rigid panels 28 and 128 effectively protecting the mattress 14 and the moving parts of the cot.

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• Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=54207552

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (7)

Family Cites Families (25)

• 2015
  • 2015-07-28 FR FR1557185A patent/FR3039384B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2016
  • 2016-07-27 CN CN201680038335.XA patent/CN107920672A/zh active Pending
  • 2016-07-27 EP EP16753271.2A patent/EP3328247B1/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2016-07-27 WO PCT/EP2016/067953 patent/WO2017017159A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2016-07-27 US US15/740,158 patent/US20180192783A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2016-07-27 ES ES16753271T patent/ES2732658T3/es active Active

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