CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/713081 , filed October 12, 2012, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally is related to the field of juvenile furniture kits, and more particularly to convertible cribs with conversion kits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Convertible furniture is not a new concept in the juvenile furniture industry, especially with respect to cribs. Children typically outgrow a crib by the time they are two years of age. In the absence of a sibling or a friend to pass the crib on to, the crib becomes obsolete. Further, recycling cribs presents health and safety issues. Therefore, the majority of cribs available on the market can be converted from a crib to a bed. The common conversion process, however, involves reusing some parts from an existing crib, combined with additional parts to construct the bed. Many of these additional parts are either sold separately as a conversion kit or are included in the original crib packaging. When the crib is converted to a bed, however, often excess parts exist that remain unused. Often, these excess parts are discarded, resulting in unneeded waste.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a convertible furniture kit comprising a convertible crib that can be converted to a full size bed, and the excess parts resulting from that conversion can be used to form a separate piece of furniture.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0005] The present invention constitutes a convertible furniture kit. The convertible furniture kit includes an assembled convertible crib (or a convertible crib kit) and a bed conversion kit can. The convertible crib can be converted from a crib into a daybed or a sofa without the need for additional parts. Alternatively, parts of the convertible crib can be combined with parts of the bed conversion kit to form a full size bed and a sofa without any leftover parts.

[0006] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0007] Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0001] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible crib, a daybed, a full size bed, and a sofa formed from a convertible furniture kit in accordance with the present invention.

[0002] Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of parts used to construct the convertible crib of

Fig. 1.

[0003] Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the convertible crib in accordance with the present invention.

[0004] Fig. 4 is a front elevation view of the convertible crib of Fig. 3.

[0005] Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of the convertible crib of Fig. 3.

[0006] Fig. 6 is a back elevation view of the convertible crib of Fig. 3. [0007] Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the convertible crib of Fig. 3.

[0008] Fig. 8 is an exploded, front perspective view of the convertible crib of Fig. 3 showing an initial assembly of the convertible crib from some of the parts of Fig. 2 in accordance with the present invention.

[0009] Fig. 9 is a front perspective view of the convertible crib of Fig. 3 showing the initial assembly of the convertible crib from some of the parts of Fig. 2 in accordance with the present invention.

[0010] Fig. 10 is a back perspective view of the convertible crib of Fig. 3 showing an intermediate assembly of the convertible crib from some of the parts of Fig. 2 in accordance with the present invention.

[0011] Fig. 1 1 is a front perspective view of the convertible crib of Fig. 3 showing the intermediate assembly shown in Fig. 10 of the convertible crib from some of the parts of Fig. 2 in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] Fig. 12 is a front perspective view of the convertible crib of Fig. 3 showing a further intermediate assembly of the convertible crib from some of the parts of Fig. 2 in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] Fig. 13 is a front perspective view of the convertible crib of Fig. 3 showing the final assembly of the convertible crib from the parts of Fig. 2 in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] Fig. 14 is a front perspective view of the convertible crib of Fig. 3 showing the final assembly of the convertible crib from the parts of Fig. 2, including a mattress with the base of the crib in an elevated position, in accordance with the present invention. [0015] Fig. 15 is a front perspective view of the convertible crib of Fig. 3 showing the Final assembly of the convertible crib from the parts of Fig. 2, including a mattress with the base of the crib in a lowered position, in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] Fig. 16 is a front perspective view of a daybed, including a cushion, converted from the convertible crib of Fig. 3 in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] Fig. 1 7 is a front perspective views of a daybed, without a cushion, converted from the convertible crib of Fig. 3 in accordance with the present invention.

[0018] Fig. 18 is a front perspective view of a full size bed formed from some of the parts of Fig. 2 and from a bed conversion kit of Fig. 19a in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] Figs. 19a-h show the bed conversion kit and the steps in the assembly of a full size bed from the bed conversion kit and some of the parts of Fig. 2 in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] Fig. 20 is a front perspective view of the full size bed assembled from the bed conversion kit and some of the parts of the convertible crib in accordance with the present invention.

[0021] Fig. 21 is a front perspective view of the full size bed, including a mattress, assembled from the bed conversion kit and some of the parts of the convertible crib in accordance with the present invention.

[0022] Fig. 22 is a front perspective view of a sofa assembled from the remaining parts of the convertible crib after the full size bed has been completed in accordance with the present invention. [0023] Fig. 23 is a front perspective view of a sofa, including a cushion, assembled from the remaining parts of the convertible crib after the full size bed has been completed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0024] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0025] Referring to Figs. 1 and 19a, the present invention is a convertible furniture kit that that includes a convertible crib 10 (or a convertible crib kit) and a bed conversion kit 400. The convertible crib 10 can be converted into a daybed 100 or a sofa 300 without the need for additional parts. With the use of the bed conversion kit 400 (Fig. 19a), the convertible crib 10 can be converted into a full size bed 200 and a sofa 300 without any leftover parts.

[0026] Figs. 2-7 illustrate the convertible crib 10 in accordance with the present invention. As discussed in further detail below, the convertible crib 10 is constructed from reusable parts. As shown in Fig. 2, the reusable parts of the convertible crib 10 (the convertible crib kit) include a pair of crib end pieces 20, a back upright 30, a front upright 32, a base 40, and feet 50. The parts of the convertible crib 10 can be made from any material that is suitable for use in cribs.

[0027] The crib end pieces 20 form the ends of the convertible crib 10. The pair of crib end pieces 20 as shown in Figs. 2-7 each include a top rail 21 , a bottom rail 23, a back framing stile 27, a front framing stile 28, a top board 22, a bottom board 24, and slats 26. The top rail 21 , the bottom rail 23, the back framing stile 27, and the front framing stile 28 are connected at their corners to form a frame. The slats 26 are connected to the top rail 21 and the bottom rail 23 and extend parallel to one another between the top rail 21 and the bottom rail 23. The spacing of the slats 26 can vary, but the spacing between the slats 26 should meet predetermined safety standards. The top board 22 is secured to the top of the top rail 21 and to the tops of the back framing stile 27 and the front framing stile 28. The bottom board 24 is secured to the bottom of the bottom rail 23 and to the bottoms of the back framing stile 27 and the front framing stile 28. The back framing stile 27 and the front framing stile 28 also include apertures 29 so that the back upright 30, the front upright 32, and the base 40 with matching apertures can be adjustably and removably connected to the crib end pieces 20 two formed a bottom for the convertible crib 10.

[0028] The back upright 30 forms the back side of the convertible crib 10. The back upright 30 as shown in Figs. 2-7 includes a top rail 51 , a bottom rail 53, a left framing stile 52, a right framing stile 54, a top board 31 , a bottom board 33, and slats 34. The top rail 51 , the bottom rail 53, the left framing stile 52, and the right framing stile 54 are connected at their corners to form a frame. The slats 34 are connected to the top rail 51 and the bottom rail 53 and extend parallel to one another between the top rail 51 and the bottom rail 53. The spacing of the slats 34 can vary, but the spacing between the slats 34 should meet predetermined safety standards. The top board 31 is secured to the top of the top rail 51 and to the tops of the left framing stile 52 and the right framing stile 54. The bottom board 33 is secured to the bottom of the bottom rail 53 and to the bottoms of the left framing stile 52 and the right framing stile 54.

[0029] The front upright 32 forms part of the front side of the convertible crib 10. The front upright 32 as shown in Figs. 2-7 includes a top rail 55, a bottom rail 57 (Fig. 12), a left framing stile 56, a right framing stile 58, a top board 35, and slats 37. The top rail 25, the bottom rail 57, the left framing stile 56, and the right framing stile 58 are connected at their corners to form a frame. The slats 37 are connected to the top rail 55 and the bottom rail 57 and extend parallel to one another between the top rail 55 and the bottom rail 27. The spacing of the slats 37 can vary, but the spacing between the slats 37 should meet predetermined safety standards. The top board 35 is secured to the top of the top rail 55 and to the tops of the left framing stile 56 and the right framing stile 58.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the back upright 30 is removably secured between the left framing stiles 27 of each crib end piece 20. The front upright 32 is removably secured between the right framing stiles 28 of each crib end piece 20.

[0031] As shown in Figs. 2-7, the front upright 32 has a height that is less than that of the height of the back upright 30. A front skirt 36, including a skirt bottom board 47 and a skirt top board 48, is removably secured to the bottom of the front upright 32. Particular, the bottom rail 57, the left framing stile 56, and the right framing stile 58 rest on the skirt top board 48. The combined height of the front upright 32 and the front skirt 36 is approximately the height of the back upright 30. In some embodiments of the present invention, however, the back upright 30 can have a height that is greater than the height of the combination of the front upright 32 and front skirt 36. Further, the construction of the back upright 30 can vary from the construction of the front upright 32 in some embodiments of the present invention. For example, the back upright 30 may have a curved top portion, whereas the top of the front upright 32 may be substantially flat. In the embodiments of the convertible crib 10 shown in Fig. 1 , however, the tops of the front upright 32 and the back upright 30 are both substantially flat.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present invention, the front upright 32 can be configured to serve as a drop side, providing easier access to the interior of the convertible crib 10. In other embodiments, the front upright 32 can be removably secured to the crib end pieces 20 without the capability of moving in a vertical direction.

[0033] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the base 40 forms a bottom for the convertible crib 10 and comprises a pair of support rails 42 secured to cross supports 44. The cross supports 44 are aligned parallel with one another and secured in a perpendicular fashion to the support rails 42. The parallel cross supports 44 are oriented in order to provide sufficient support for a mattress for the convertible crib 10 or cushions for the daybed 100 or sofa 300 of Fig. 1.

[0034] Feet 50 are utilized to elevate the convertible crib 10 above the surface on which the convertible crib 10 stands and to help stabilize the convertible crib 10. As shown in Figs. 3-6, the feet 50 are secured to the bottom of the bottom board 33 of the back upright 30 and to the bottom of the bottom board 47 of the front skirt 36.

[0035] Figs. 8- 13 illustrate the assembling of the elements discussed above and shown in Fig. 2 into the convertible crib 10 of Fig. 1 . The end pieces 20 are oriented at opposite ends of the base 40, as shown in Figs. 8-9. The support rails 42 of the base 40 are secured to the back framing stiles 27 and the front framing stiles 28 of each of the end pieces 20. Fasteners (not shown) are inserted through the apertures 29 of the back framing stile 27 and front framing stile 28 to secure the base 40 to the end pieces 20. Various fasteners can be used to secure the base 40 and end pieces 20, as well as the other components of this present invention.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 10, the back upright 30 is removably secured to the crib end pieces 20. Particularly, the back framing stiles 27 of each crib end piece 20 are removably secured to the left framing stile 52 and the right framing stile 54 of the back upright 30 by means of conventional fasteners (not shown). As shown in Fig. 1 1 , the front skirt 36 is removably secured to adjacent front framing stiles 28 by means of conventional fasteners. As shown in Fig. 12, the front upright 32 is removably secured to each crib end piece 20. Particularly, front framing stiles 28 of each crib end piece 20 are removably secured to the left framing stile 56 and the right framing stile 58 of the front upright 32 by means of conventional fasteners (not shown). As shown in Fig. 13, the feet 50 are secured to the bottom of the bottom board 33 of the back upright 30 and to the bottom board 47 of the front skirt 36.

[0037] Once the convertible crib 10 has been assembled, a mattress 60 is placed on the base 40. The base 40 provides a bottom for the convertible crib 10 and can be adjusted to different heights by engaging different apertures 29 in the back framing stiles 27 and the front framing stiles 28. Fig. 14 shows the base 40 and the mattress 60 in an elevated position, and Fig. 15 shows the base 40 and the mattress 60 in a lowered position.

[0038] Figs. 16-17 illustrate how the convertible crib 10 can be converted to the daybed 100 shown in Fig. 1 without the need of any additional parts in accordance with the present invention. Particularly, Fig. 16 shows the daybed with the cushion 60, and Fig. 17 shows the daybed without the cushion 60. The daybed 100 is configured by simply removing the front upright 32 from the convertible crib 10 shown in Fig. 15. Particularly, the front upright 32 (Fig. 15) is detached from the adjacent front framing stiles 28. Once the front upright 32 has been removed, the base 40 provides a bottom for the daybed 100

[0039] Figs. 18-23 illustrate how the convertible crib 10 and a bed conversion kit 400 (Fig. 19a) can be converted into the full size bed 200 and the sofa 300 without having any left over, unused parts. Fig. 18 illustrates the full size bed 200 in accordance with the present invention. The full size bed 200 is formed from parts of a bed conversion kit 400 (Fig. 19a) and some parts of the convertible crib 10. The full size bed 200 includes a head board 210, a foot board 220, and a base 230. The head board 210 is the back upright 30 of the convertible crib 10, and the foot board 220 is the front skirt 36 of the convertible crib 10. The head board 210 (back upright 30) also has feet 50 attached to the bottom of the bottom board 33 of the head board 210 (back upright 30). Similarly, the foot board 220 (front skirt 36) also has feet 50 attached at the bottom of the bottom board 47 of the foot board 220 (front skirt 36).

[0040] The base 230, which is not part of the convertible crib 10, is secured between the head board 210 and the foot board 220. The base 230 is constructed from the bed conversion kit 400 (Fig. 19a). Figs. 19a-19h show the assembly of the parts of the bed conversion kit 400 into the base 230 of the full size bed 200 in accordance with the present invention. The base 230 includes support rails 232, cross members 236, and slats 240. Securing blocks 234 with apertures 235 are attached at the ends of the support rails 232. The securing blocks 234 are used to secure the support rails 232 to the right framing stile 54 and the left framing stile 52 of the head board 210 (back upright 30). Similarly, the securing blocks 234 are used to secure the support rails 232 to the foot board 220 (front skirt 36).

[0041] The support rails 232 are secured to each other by cross supports 236, as shown in Figs. 19c-h. As shown in Figs. 19c-h, notches 237 are oriented along the top edge of the cross supports 236 to support and retain support slats 240. The cross supports 236 also include apertures 239 located at the ends, as shown in Fig. 19d. The cross supports 236 are secured to the interior sides of support rails 232 by inserting fasteners (not shown) through matching apertures 233 in the support rails 232 and the apertures 239 of the cross supports 236, as shown in Figs. 19c and 19d.

[0042] Once the support rails 232 have been secured to the cross supports 236 and the support rails 232 are connected to the head board 210 and the foot board 220 as previously described, the slats 240 are placed between the support rails 232 on the cross supports 236, as shown in Figs. 19g-h. The ends of the base slats 240 are placed within notches 237 of the cross supports 236. As shown in Figs. 19e-g, the head board 210 and the foot board 220 include mortises 217 to support the ends of the base slats 240. Similar mortises are provided in the foot board 220. Once the base slats 240 are in place, the full size bed 200 is ready to receive a foil size mattress 250, as shown in Figs. 20-21.

[0043] After the full size bed 200 has been assembled as described above, the remaining parts of the convertible crib 10 can be used to assemble a sofa 300, as shown in Figs. 1 , 22-23. The sofa 300 includes a back portion 310, a pair of end pieces 320, and a base 330. The back portion 310 is the front upright 32 of the convertible crib 10. The end pieces 320 are the end pieces 20 of the convertible crib 10. The base 330 is the base 40 of the convertible crib 10. To form the sofa 300 from the remaining parts of the convertible crib 10, the front upright 32 is attached to the end pieces 20. Particularly, the left framing stile 56 and the right framing stile 58 of the front upright 32 are attached to the back framing stiles 27 of the end pieces 20. The base 40 forms a seat for the sofa 300 and is attached to the back framing stiles 27 and the front framing stiles 28 of the end pieces 20 as previously described in connection with the assembly of the convertible crib 10. The bottom boards 24 of the end pieces 20 may or may not be removed so that the sofa may then then rest either on the bottom boards 24 of the end pieces 24 or on the combination of the bottom rail 23 and the ends of the framing stiles 27 and 28 (Figs. 1 and 22). A cushion 350 cushion is placed on the base 40 to complete the assembly.

[0044] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the order in which the elements of the convertible crib have been assembled may vary from embodiment to embodiment. In addition, various components of the convertible crib 10, the daybed 100, the full size bed 200, and the sofa 300 and may include additional securing elements not shown in the figures. For example, the end pieces 20 of the convertible crib 10 can include flanges oriented horizontally along the bottom portions in order to provide a surface for portions of the base 40 to rest upon. In addition, all of the various components can include apertures configured to receive fasteners in the manner similarly described in the embodiments above. To the extent necessary to understand or complete the disclosure of the present invention, all publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned herein are expressly incorporated by reference therein to the same extent as though each were individually so incorporated.

[0045] Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.