2000-04-21
2001-08-07
Grosz, Alexander (Department: 3628)
Beds
Crib
C005S658000, C446S227000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269496
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a child's bed with at least one planar bed-framework element arranged perpendicularly to the lying surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Children's beds of the type referred to in the introduction are known in a wide range of embodiments. Children's beds usually comprise a front side and rear side, which rise up beyond the lying surface, and bar-construction elements, which rise up correspondingly, on the sides in order that a small child cannot leave the bed of its own accord.
In hospitals, in particular, children are often forced to stay in such beds for the entire day. In order to avoid the situation where the children get bored, either toy figures or the like are fitted on the child's bed or they are simply laid in the bed. In many cases, however, the children throw the playthings out of the bed or dismantle the often insufficiently fastened toys.
As boredom sets in, the child then quickly has to be provided if necessary, by the individuals looking after it, with a new toy in order to amuse it further. During the night, this is not always immediately possible, as a result of which usually, for example, a parent is woken up by the fractious child.
In hospitals, in addition, there may be hygiene-related problems if toys are constantly falling onto the floor and are possibly difficult to disinfect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to ensure the availability of toys in a child's bed and thus to keep a child happy and amused.
This object is achieved by the features of claim
1
.
Advantageous and expedient developments of the child's bed according to the invention are specified in the subclaims.
The invention takes as its departure point a child's bed with at least one planar bed-framework element arranged perpendicular to the lying surface. The basic idea of the invention, then, is that at least one toy element is integrated in the bed-framework element in a movable manner by means of guide members. This ensures the constant availability of the toy elements on the child's bed and that said elements are fitted such that they cannot be released, at least by a child. This allows the child to be distracted by a toy element which is always available, which makes it easier to amuse and look after the child. In particular when such a bed is used in a hospital, the bed, which is designed according to the invention so as to keep the child happy, aids a speedier recovery. Since a toy element no longer comes into contact with the floor, the abovedescribed hygiene-related problems are avoided.
In order to allow the invention to be retrofitted on an existing bed, it is further proposed that the at least one bed-framework element may be fastened releasably on an exiting bed-framework element. For example, an appropriate attachment frame may be fitted on an existing crib framework. Such an attachment frame may also be arranged, for example, on a playpen.
In a further refinement of the child's bed according to the invention, the guide members contain at least one guide rail on which a toy element is fitted in a displaceable, for example slidable, manner. It is likewise advantageous in this context if the guide members comprise two parallel guide rails between which at least one toy element is arranged in a displaceable manner. The guide rails advantageously run horizontally on the bed framework. This procedure has the advantage that, depending on the length of the guide rails, an entire bed-framework wall element or bar-construction element can be utilized by the child as a play arrangement.
It is further advantageous if the guide members comprise at least one pivot spindle for a toy element. The pivot spindle is preferably located in the plane of the planar bed-framework element. In a further preferred embodiment, the pivot spindle runs horizontally. This measure makes it possible to provide, for example, play panels which can then be rotated via the pivot spindle. In the case of relatively large play panels in particular, it is, moreover, particularly advantageous if these can be secured. This avoids the situation where a child gets caught in the play panel and possibly injures itself.
It is likewise favorable if the play panel can be secured in an inclined position, e.g. 30° in relation to the bed-framework element, with the result that a child within the bed can utilize this inclined play panel, for example, as a book rest.
In order to provide the child with a large variety of playing opportunities, it is, furthermore, advantageous if the bed-framework element and/or the at least one toy element are designed such that the toy element can easily be exchanged.
The at least one toy element is preferably a toy figure or a play panel.
The toy elements may preferably be arranged on a bed-framework element such that they can also be utilized by a child who is outside the bed, that is to say, in the case of cribs, in the bottom region of the bed-framework elements, possibly beneath the lying surface of the bed. In many cases, however, it is advantageous if the toy elements are arranged in a region of the bed-framework element which projects beyond the lying surface of the bed, with the result that a child within the bed can easily reach the toy element or elements.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the bed-framework element is a side element or a front side or rear side of a crib. The crib, for use in a hospital, is preferably designed with a high substructure.
Finally, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if guide rails for the toy elements are arranged in the side elements and pivot spindles and/or guide rails for the toy elements are arranged in the front-wall and rear-wall elements.
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Grosz Alexander
Morgan & Lewis & Bockius, LLP
LandOfFree
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