Crib mattress elevation system and control unit

• US 7,827,631 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2007
• Issued: 11/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kathleen Elizabeth Holman
• Original Assignee: Kathleen Elizabeth Holman
• Inventors: Holman, Kathleen Elizabeth
• Primary Examiner(s): Santos; Robert G
• Application Number:
  US11/856,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20090070929A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 5 9/31, 510/0, 5 1/1, 561/1, 561/6, 560/0, 542/4, 542/5, 542/8
• US Class Current: 5/93.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 7/03 with adjustably-mounted mattresses
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 9/012 with adjustable parts

Abstract

A “smart crib” has a frame movably supported by posts, a mattress supported on the frame, the frame being movable between a raised position and a lowered position, a protective enclosure surrounding the frame and mattress, having at least one portion movable between a raised and a lowered position. The crib also includes a first elevation mechanism for moving the frame between the lowered position and the raised position, and a second elevation mechanism for moving the enclosure portion between the raised position and the lowered position. A controller is provided which is responsive to a user'"'"'s inputs to selectively activate the first elevation mechanism, the second elevation mechanism or both mechanisms to move the frame with the bed and the movable enclosure portion to positions selected by the user between their respective raised and lowered positions, to ease not only placing a baby into the crib, but to also integrate other devices such as baby monitors, temperature and proximity sensors, and even to provide for remote computer access to check in and monitor baby activity.

Claims

1. A baby crib comprising;

a frame movably supported by posts;

a mattress supported on the frame, the frame being adjustably movable to intermediate positions between a raised position and a lowered position;

a protective enclosure surrounding the frame and mattress, having at least one portion adjustably movable to intermediate positions between a raised position and a lowered position;

a first elevation mechanism for adjustably moving the frame between the lowered position and the raised position, and a second elevation mechanism for adjustably moving the enclosure portion between the raised position and the lowered position;

a controller responsive to a user'"'"'s inputs to selectively activate the first elevation mechanism and the second elevation mechanism simultaneously for moving the frame with the mattress upwardly or downwardly and the movable enclosure portion in a direction opposite thereto to positions selected by the user between their respective raised and lowered positions thereby to ease placement into or removal of a baby from the crib when the mattress is in a raised position with the enclosure portion in a lowered position, and then to return the mattress to the lowered position and the enclosure portion to the raised position after the baby is placed in the crib.

2. The baby crib of claim 1 further comprising a switch that is connected to the controller, the switch being activated without use of the hands.

3. The baby crib of claim 2 wherein the switch is a foot activated switch, or a voice activated switch.

4. The baby crib of claim 1 further comprising a motor for driving the first elevation mechanism.

5. The baby crib of claim 1 wherein the first mechanism is a threaded shaft, the frame being engaged with a threaded gear such that turning the gear raises or lowers the frame.

6. The baby crib of claim 1 wherein the controller is connected to the first and second elevation mechanisms and is capable of being programmed to provide customized height settings of the frame, the movable enclosure portion or both.

7. The baby crib of claim 6 wherein the height setting is selected from the group consisting of part way up for the frame, part way down for the enclosure portion, movement of the frame only to a raised or lowered position, movement of the enclosure portion only to a raised or lowered position.

8. The baby crib of claim 1 further comprising a baby audio and/or video monitoring transmitter integrated with the controller.

9. The baby crib of claim 1 wherein the crib has a two way communication device for establishing communication with a remote device.

10. The baby crib of claim 1 further comprising a crib mounted temperature sensor whose output is received by the controller, to monitor room temperature.

11. The baby crib of claim 1 further comprising a proximity sensor integrated with the crib whose output is received by the controller to note when someone is next to the crib or to detect whether the baby is in or out of the crib.

12. The baby crib of claim 1 further comprising a wired or wireless communication circuit integrated with the controller for communication with a local area network, so that a user can monitor crib activity using a remote device in communication with the controller, or can remotely program the controller, or to allow the controller to send information to the remote communication device.

13. The baby crib of claim 1 wherein the controller controls auxiliary devices selected from the group consisting of a motorized mobile, a music player, an interactive activity center, or a video player.

14. The baby crib of claim 13 wherein the controller is directed to control the auxiliary devices either remotely by communication with a device such as a computer, PDA, smart phone or other communication device or by locally programming the controller using a user interface that may comprise a key pad with programming keys and a display or a touch screen display.

15. The baby crib of claim 1 wherein the second elevation mechanism comprises a cable connected between the frame and the movable enclosure portion, the cable passing around a pulley, such that movement of the frame in one direction displaces the enclosure portion in the opposite direction, and further comprising a spring for biasing the enclosure portion into the raised position.

16. The baby crib of claim 1 wherein the second elevation mechanism comprise a cable connected between the enclosure portion and a wind-up pulley, driven by a motor, and a spring for biasing the enclosure portion into the raised position.

17. The baby crib of claim 4 further comprising a second motor for driving a foot portion of the frame separate from a head portion of the frame such that the frame may be inclined.

18. The baby crib of claim 17 further comprising a multi-position switch for selecting which of the motors connected to the controller will be responsive to user directed commands.

19. The baby crib of claim 1 further comprising an electronic control panel having a display and a manual input key pad for programming and controlling the controller functions.

20. A method for facilitating placing an infant into or taking an infant out of a baby crib comprising;

providing a frame movably supported by posts, a mattress supported on the frame, the frame being adjustably movable to intermediate positions between a raised position and a lowered position;

providing a protective enclosure surrounding the frame and mattress, having at least one portion being adjustably movable to intermediate positions between a raised position and a lowered position;

providing a first elevation mechanism for moving the frame between the lowered position and the raised position, and a second elevation mechanism for moving the enclosure portion between the raised position and the lowered position; and

,

providing a controller for responding to a user'"'"'s inputs for selectively activating the first elevation mechanism and the second elevation mechanism simultaneously for moving the frame with the mattress upwardly or downwardly and the movable enclosure portion in a direction opposite thereto to positions selected by the user between their respective raised and lowered positions thereby to ease placement into or removal of a baby from the crib when the mattress is in a raised position with the enclosure portion in a lowered position, and then to return the mattress to the lowered position and the enclosure portion to the raised position after the baby is placed in the crib,

programming the controller for providing user selected height settings of the frame, the movable enclosure portion or both, in response to user commands; and

,

providing a switch connected to the controller for a user to activate the controller without use of the hands.