| - 17 Claims A cot, wherein the cot comprises two side walls, two end walls and a base, , wherein at least one portion of the sidewall is a gate, moveable between an open and closed position; and a locking means, wherein the locking means comprises an elongate member slideably moveable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein the locking means further comprises a first retaining means at or about a first end, the first retaining means comprising a first portion associated with the side wall and a second portion associated with the elongate member and which are mutually and co-operatively engageable and which, and when the gate is in a closed position and the elongate member is moved into its locked position, the first retaining means retain the lock in the locked position and wherein when the first retaining means is positively disengaged by a user, the elongate member can be moved into an unlocked position, thus allowing the gate to be opened and wherein the locking means further comprises a second retaining means, the second retaining means being at or about a second end of the elongate member and which is comprised of a first portion associated with the elongate member and a second portion associated with the side wall and which are mutually and co-operatively engageable and which retains the elongate member in the unlocked position. A cot according to claim 1 , wherein when the second retaining means is disengaged by a user, the elongate member can be slideably moved into its locked position. 3. A cot according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member is inverted generally an inverted U shape, which straddles both gates and movement is horizontal along the top of one or both gates. - 18 - 4. A cot according to any preceding claim, wherein the side wall comprises a second gate. 5. A cot according to claim 4, further comprising at least one guide for guiding the movement of the elongate member a portion of which is located on one gate and a second portion on a second gate. 6. A cot according to claim 5, wherein the guide comprises at least one groove formed within the side wall, a portion of which is in one gate and a second portion in the second gate. 7. A cot according to claim 6, wherein the at least one groove is formed between the first retaining means and the second retaining means. 8. A cot according to claims 6 or 7, wherein a lip portion of the elongate member engages with and moves along the length of the groove. 9. A cot according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion of the first retaining means which is associated with the elongate member is an aperture. 10. A cot according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion of the second retaining means which is associated with the elongate member is an aperture. 1 1. A cot according to claims 1 to 10 wherein the portion of the first retaining means associated with the cot comprises a resiliently biased push-button. 12. A cot according to claim 11 , wherein the resiliently biased push-button further comprises a spring. - 19 - 13. A cot according to claims 11 and 12, wherein the push-button is chamfered. 14. A cot according to claims 1 to 13 wherein the cot portion of the second retaining means comprises a resiliently biased push-ball latch. 15. A cot according to claims 1 to 14, wherein an end portion of the elongate member associated with the second retaining means is horizontally flared with respect to the gate. 16. A cot according to claims 1 to 15, wherein the second gate comprises a slot formed within the gate. 17. A cot according to claim 16, wherein the elongate member comprises a headed pin. 18. A cot according to claim 17, wherein the headed pin locates within the slot. 19. A cot according to any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the elongate member is formed from a plastic extrusion, or is formed from an injection moulding. 20. A cot according to any of claims 2 to 19, further comprising a second locking means, wherein the second locking means is actuated by the first locking means to lock the one or both of the gates to the base. 21. A cot according to claims 20, wherein the second locking means is located within at least one gate. - 20 - 22. A cot according to claims 20 or 21 , wherein the second locking means comprises a vertical locking pin. 23. A cot according to claim 22, wherein the vertical locking pin comprises a head structure and biasing means located along at least a portion of the length of the vertical pin. 24. A cot according to claim 23, wherein the biasing means is a spring. 25. A cot according to claims 23 or 24, wherein the head structure is chamfered. 26. A cot according to any of claims 24 to 29, wherein an end portion of the elongate member associated with the first retaining is vertically flared with respect to the gate. 27. A cot according to any of claims 2 to 26, wherein the base and first and second gates comprise co-operative interengageable means, wherein the interengageable means retain the base in a secure position with respect to the gates when the gates are both closed. 28. A cot as claimed in claim 27, wherein the interengageable means are formed along at least a portion of the length of the base and the gates. 29. A cot according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the interengageable means comprise complementary male and female formations. 30. A cot according to any of claims 27 to 30, wherein the interengageable means comprises a locking structure reciprocal to the vertical locking pin when the portions are in the closed position, with respect to the cot. - 21 - 31. A cot according to any of claims 22 to 30, wherein the vertical pin comprises a manually operable latch. 32. A cot according to claim 31 wherein the latch is located inside a gate. 33. A cot according with any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the gates further comprises a ground engaging support. 34. A cot as claimed in claim 33, wherein the ground engaging support further comprises a castor. 35. A cot, wherein the cot comprises two side walls, two end walls and a base, wherein at least one portion of the side wails is a gate that is moveable between open and closed positions; and a first locking means, wherein the first locking means comprises an elongate member slideably moveable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein the first locking means is in a locked position when the gate is in a closed position and wherein the gate comprises a second locking means and wherein when the first locking means is moved into its locked position, the first locking means actuates the second locking means to lock at least one gate to the base of the cot and when moved into its unlocked position, the first locking means unlocks the second locking means, such that the one gate is free to move in to an open position. 36. A cot according to claim 35, further comprising a second gate. 37. A cot according to claim 36, wherein the second gate comprises a third locking means, wherein when the first locking means is moved into its locked position, the first locking means actuates the third locking means to lock the second gate to the base of the cot and when moved into its unlocked position, the first locking means unlocks the third locking means, such that the second gate is free to move in to an open position. - 22 - 38. A coi according to claim 36 wherein the second locking means comprises a vertical locking pin located in the at least one gate. 39. A cot according to claim 37 wherein the third locking means comprises a vertical locking pin located in the at least one gate 40. A cot according to claim 38 or 39, wherein the vertical locking pin comprises a head structure and biasing means located along at least a portion of the length of the vertical pin. 41. A cot according to claim 40, wherein the biasing means is a spring. 42. A cot according to claim 40 or 41 , wherein the head structure is chamfered. 43. A cot, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, specifically figures 1 to 8. 44. A cot, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, specifically figures 9 to 12. 45. A cot, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, specifically figure 13. |
It is generally well known that infants are at risk of falling out of traditional beds while they are asleep, therefore cots are used which comprise vertical walls around the mattress, so as to prevent the infant from accidentally falling out.
However, parents and/or carers find it difficult to gain access to their infants sleeping in such cots or to put their infant into a cot. The majority of known cots comprise vertically slide-able side openings, which are difficult to operate whilst carrying the infant. Therefore the parent/carer may have to leave the infant momentarily whilst opening the cot, meaning the infant is vulnerable during that period.
Some known cots comprise hinged side walls, but these are also difficult to open whilst carrying an infant and may pose a danger to infants standing, or bouncing up and down on the mattress, due to the bowing of the mattress frame creating a gap between the mattress frame and the closable side walls.
Furthermore, hinged side walls are not supported in any way and any load placed upon the open side walls may cause the cot to fall over or the hinges or structure to break or to be damaged. This obviously poses a potential health and safety risk to the parents and infants.
The present invention therefore seeks to provide a cot which overcomes, or at least reduces some of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (RULE 20.6) -1A-
Accordingly, in an aspect, the invention provides a cot, wherein the cot comprises two side walls, two end walls and a base, wherein at least a portion of the one of the side walls is moveable between open and closed positions; and a locking means, wherein the locking means comprises an elongate member slideably moveable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein the locking means further comprises: a first retaining means, the first retaining means comprising a first portion associated with the cot and a second portion associated with the elongate member and which are mutually and cooperatively engageable and which retains the lock in a closed position.
Preferably, further comprising a second retaining means being comprised of a first portion associated with the elongate member and a second portion associated with the cot and which are mutually and co-operatively engageable and which retains the lock in an open position.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a cot, wherein the cot comprises two side walls, two end walls and a base, wherein at least one portion of the sidewall is a gate, moveable between an open and closed
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (RULE 20.6) - 2 - position; and a locking means, wherein the locking means comprises an elongate member slideably moveable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein the locking means further comprises a first retaining means at or about a first end, the first retaining means comprising a first portion associated with the side wall and a second portion associated with the elongate member and which are mutually and co-operatively engageable and which, and when the gate is in a closed position and the elongate member is moved into its locked position, the first retaining means retain the lock in the locked position and wherein when the first retaining means is positively disengaged by a user, the elongate member can be moved into an unlocked position, thus allowing the gate to be opened and wherein the locking means further comprises a second retaining means, the second retaining means being at or about a second end of the elongate member and which is comprised of a first portion associated with the elongate member and a second portion associated with the side wall and which are mutually and co-operatively engageable and which retains the elongate member in the unlocked position.
Preferably, wherein when the second retaining means is disengaged by a user, the elongate member can be slideably moved into its locked position.
Preferably, wherein the elongate member is inverted generally an inverted U shape, which straddles both gates and movement is horizontal along the top of one or both gates. Preferably, wherein the side wall comprises a second gate.
The advantage being that the cot allows for an infant to be placed into, or removed from, the cot without the parent having to lean over the side rails, it allows the bed linen and mattress to be easily changed. It also allows the parent to kneel or sit beside the cot with one or both gates open providing total freedom to tend to the child. Both gates may be of the same width or differing widths. A further advantage is that the cot's lock is operable using one hand - 3 - allowing parents/carers to operate the lock mechanism whilst holding an infant. Furthermore, the lock is child and tamper-proof and also at least one or both gates do not have to be lifted up whilst the lock mechanism is being operated. Preferably the side wall comprises at least one guide for guiding the movement the elongate member, wherein the guide comprises at least one groove, a portion of which is in one gate and a second portion in the second gate, formed within the side wall between the first retaining means and the second retaining means and the elongate member engages with and moves along the length of the groove.
The length of the groove effectively defines the amount of overlap between the moveable locking member and the gates. The length of the moveable locking member and the overlap between the moveable member and the opening gates defines the safety of the cot locking mechanism. In the closed position the overlap between the movable locking member and the gates ensures that lateral force, applied to the gates in the closed position cannot force the gates to open. Further preferably, wherein the portion of the first retaining means which is associated with the elongate member is an aperture, and wherein the second retaining means associated with the elongate member is an aperture.
Preferably, the portion of the first retaining means associated with the cot comprises a plastic, resiliently biased chamfered push-button and the portion of the second retaining means associated with the cot further comprises a resiliently biased push-ball latch. The elongate member associated with the second retaining means is horizontally flared with respect to the gate. The advantage being that operation of the moveable gate lock allows for the lock to remain open when the moveable member is retained by the second - 4 - retaining means. This is convenient for the parent/carer when holding the child whilst opening, or closing, the cot.
Preferably, the second gate comprises a slot formed on the sidewall wherein the headed pin locates within the slot.
Further preferably, the elongate member is formed by extrusion or injection moulding, comprising plastic, metallic or timber. Preferably, the cot comprises a second and/or third locking means located within one or more of the gates, wherein the second and/or third locking means is actuated by the first locking means, wherein the second and/or third locking means comprises a vertical locking pin. Preferably, the vertical locking pin comprises a head structure wherein the head structure is chamfered and wherein an end portion of the elongate member associated with the first retaining is vertically flared with respect to the gate. Preferably the base and side walls comprise co-operative inter-engageable means formed along the length of the base and the side walls comprising complementary male and female structures and a locking structure reciprocal to the vertical locking pin when the gates are in the closed position, with respect to the cot. The side wall and base comprise retaining structures which retain the side wall in a closed position, wherein the retaining structures are magnets.
Preferably, the invention provides a vertical pin which comprises a manually operable latch, wherein the latch is located inside the side wall.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a cot comprising two side walls, two end walls and a base, wherein at least a portion of one wall is moveable - 5 - between open and closed positions, wherein at least one other portion of the cot includes complementary means for engaging with the movable wall when the wall is in its closed position, with respect to the cot. This provides the advantage that the interlocking of the lower edge of the doors and the mattress frame ensures that, even if vertical and lateral forces are applied to the mattress frame and doors, no gap can be created that will entrap a chiid's fingers, limbs or body. Preferably, the moveable wall is a side wall, which comprises at least one portion, wherein the at least one portion is hinged to an end wall, along its vertical edges.
Preferably, the base and side walls comprise interengageable means, formed along at least a portion of the length of the base and the side walls, such that the interengageab!e means retain the side gates in position when closed. The interengageable means may comprise complementary male and female formations. Preferably, the side wall and base comprise complementary structures, such as magnets, which abut when the side wall is in the closed position.
Preferably, the base is reciprocal to a mattress and the side walls of the cot are slatted.
In a third aspect, the invention provides a cot comprising two side walls, two end walls and a base, wherein at least a portion of one wall is moveable between open and closed positions with respect to the remainder of the cot, wherein the moveable wall part includes a ground engaging support.
This provides the advantage that, any vertical load applied to the opening doors will be supported directly on the floor. This significantly increases the - 6 - strength and safety of the structure. In the open position any vertical force applied to the door will be supported directly by the floor. There will be minimal lateral loading on the hinges and the structure will not be compromised and it will not be possible to pull the cot over if a vertical load is applied to the doors in the open position.
Preferably, the ground engaging support is a vertical structure extending from the moveable wall and comprising a castor. The moveable wall is a side wall, which comprises at ieast one portion hinged to an end wall, along its vertical edges.
Preferably, the base is reciprocal to a mattress and the side walls are slatted.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a cot, wherein the cot comprises two side walls, two end walls and a base, wherein at Ieast one portion of the side walls is a gate that is moveable between open and closed positions; and a first locking means, wherein the first locking means comprises an elongate member slideab!y moveable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein the first locking means is in a locked position when the gate is in a closed position and wherein the gate comprises a second locking means and wherein when the first locking means is moved into its locked position, the first locking means actuates the second locking means to lock at Ieast one gate to the base of the cot and when moved into its unlocked position, the first locking means unlocks the second locking means, such that the one gate is free to move in to an open position.
Preferably, further comprising a second gate.
This provides the advantage that the main cot lock arrangement automatically actuates the lower secondary door locks to provide increased security. As such, the lower horizontal frames of both cot doors interlock with the mattress frame in the locked position. This provides the advantage that when the lower - 7 - locks are actuated, the interlock ensures that any vertical force applied to the mattress frame will not result in any bowing of the frame. The interlocking of the lower edge of the doors and the mattress frame ensures that, even if vertical and lateral forces are applied to the mattress frame and doors, no gap can be created that will entrap a child's fingers, limbs or body. Another advantage of this feature being that it provides a cot that provides resistance to lateral strength which prevents the cot from opening unexpectedly.
Preferably the second locking means further comprises a vertical locking pin.
Preferably, the vertical locking pin comprises a head structure and wherein the head structure is chamfered and wherein an end portion of the elongate member associated with the first retaining is vertically flared with respect to the gate.
Three embodiments of the invention wil! now be more fully described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a cot with hinged side walls and a locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the cot of figure 1 with both side walls fully open. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the slide-able locking mechanism of figure 1 ;
Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the one-handed operation of the locking mechanism of figure 3;
Fig. 5 shows a cross section of the release mechanism of the locking mechanism of figure 3; - 8 -
Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the locking mechanism of figure 1 in the open position on the cot rail according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 shows a cutaway perspective view of the locking mechanism of figure 6;
Fig. 8 shows a cross section perspective view of a retaining means for the locking mechanism of figure 6;
Fig. 9 shows a cross section view of a closable side wall and securing bar according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 10 shows a cross section perspective view of the side wall and securing bar located within the left-hand side wall gate according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 1 1 shows a cross section perspective view of the left-hand side wait gate securing bar, of figure 9, in an open position according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 12 shows a cross section perspective view of the side wall gate interlocking means and securing bar in a closed position according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 13 shows a cross section perspective view of a side wall of the cot of figure 1 and a manually operable securing bar according to the third embodiment of the present invention; In a brief overview of one embodiment of the present invention, there is shown, in Figure 1 , a cot 2 which comprises a closable side wall 4, a fixed side wall 6 and two end walls 8, 10. The closable side wall includes two gates, a left hand - 9 - gate 12 and a right hand gate 14, coupled to each end wall 8, 10 by means of hinges 16. The gates 12, 14 comprise frames 17 and slatted wails 19.
A first vertical support structure 18 extends from the gate 12 to the floor, which supports the door when it is open (see figure 2). Similarly, a second vertical support structure 20 extends from the gate 14 to the floor. Castors 22 may be attached to each vertical support structure 18, 20 using screws, to enable an easier opening/closing movement for each gate 12, 14 and to support the gates 12, 14 from vertical or horizontal loads when in an open position.
A slide-able locking mechanism 24 is located atop the ciosable side wall 4 which straddles at least a portion of both gates 12, 14 when in a locked position and fully straddles one gate 14 when in a unlocked position. The body of the locking mechanism 24 is a generally inverted "U" shape plastic extrusion. It should be clear to a person skilled in the art that the body of the Socking mechanism 24 could be fabricated using various other materials such as timber and/or metallic components, and may be made by alternative methods other than extrusion, such as injection moulding and/or hand-crafting. The locking mechanism 24 is fixed to the ciosable side wall 4 by means of horizontal guides 26 machined into a portion of each gate 12, 14. The left hand gate 12 comprises a chamfered push-button 31 retaining means; the right hand gate 14 comprises a push-ball latch 28 retaining means. The operation of the locking mechanism 24 is further described with reference to Figure 2 following.
The body of the locking mechanism 24 comprises a first opening 30, reciprocal to the chamfered push-button 31. The body of the locking mechanism 24 also comprises a second opening 27, reciprocal to the push-ball latch retaining means 28. When both gates 12, 14 are closed, the locking mechanism 24 spans the frames 17 of both gates 12, 14. The movement of the locking mechanism 24 along the frame 17 of the gates 12, 14 is limited by the length - 10 - of the horizontal guides 26. As such, the length of the horizontal guides 26 effectively define the safety of the cot locking mechanism 24. In the closed position the overlap between the locking mechanism 24 and the gates 12, 14 ensures that lateral force, applied to the gates 12, 14 in the closed position cannot force the gates 12, 14 open. The locking mechanism 24 is described in more detail with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 6.
A mattress frame 32 is located at the base of the cot 2. When the closable side wall 4 is shut, a complimentary mating feature of the mattress frame 32 is coupled to each side wall 4, 6 and each end wall 8, 10, such that it cannot bow when under load. The mattress frame 32 comprises a number of wooden slats 29 spanning the width of the mattress frame 32. The s!ats 29 may be glued to the mattress frame 32 and provide support for a mattress. The mattress frame and its coupling can be seen in more detail in figures 2, 11 and 12.
Each end wall 8, 10 comprises two equal length wooden vertical support structures 34 which provide stability to the cot 2. The support structures 34 may be attached to the end walls 8, 10 using glue. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the cot with both side walls 12, 14 fully open and the same feature numbering is used as with reference to Figure 1. In Figure 2, the locking mechanism 24 is operated by depressing the chamfered push-button 31 located on the gate 12 using a finger and then the locking mechanism 24 is then slid horizontally along the top of the cot 2, such that it spans the frame 17 of the right hand gate 14 only.
Whilst the locking mechanism 24 is being slid, its movement is guided by the groove 26. The locking mechanism 24 is then held in this open position by the push-ball latch retaining means 28. One or other of the gates 12, 14 can then be either partially or fully opened. As such, in order to begin the movement of the locking mechanism 24 from a locked to unlocked position, the depression of the child-proof actuation push- button 31 is first required. - 1 1 -
With reference to Figure 2, the opening span of the gates 12, 14 is dictated by the scope of the hinges 16. Both gates 12, 14 may be opened at the same time, or one gate 12 or 14 may be opened only in order to provide sufficient access to the cot 2.
The mattress frame 32 includes a male projection 36 formed along the length of the mattress frame 32. When the gates 12, 14 are fully closed, the male projection 36 locates inside a reciprocal female groove 38 machined into the frame 17 of each gate 12, 14, and this arrangement is shown in more detail with reference to Figures 1 1 and 12. it should be clear to someone skilled in the art that the reciprocal arrangement could be used; that is the male portion could be located on the wall and the female groove could be located on the mattress base. Furthermore, the groove can be chamfered on each leading edge in order to guide the wails and base together as the walls portions are being moved from an open to closed position.
Also shown in figure 2 are the fixed side wail 6, end walls 8 and 10, a first support structure 18, a second support structure 20, castors 22, opening 30 and vertical support structures 34.
Figure 3 shows the locking mechanism of Figure 1 in finer detail, where it is shown that the locking mechanism 24 is located on the grooves 26 by means of two sets of longitudinal lips 40 formed inside the body of the locking mechanism 24. Wherein the longitudinal lips 40 prevent the locking mechanism 24 from being lifted vertically upwards and taken off the frame 17.
When the push-button 31 is depressed it is forced inwards towards the frame 17 of the gate 12 and no longer protrudes through the reciprocal hole 30. The locking mechanism 24 is then free to slide horizontally along the grooves 26 on the gates 12, 14 in the direction of the arrow as described and shown with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The outline of a headed pin 46 is also shown in - 12 - figure 3. The push-ba!l latch 28 {not shown) protrudes through the opening 27 when the locking mechanism 24 is s!id along the groove 26. This feature is described in finer detail with reference to Figure 8. The headed pin 46 is described in greater detail following with reference to Figure 7.
Referring to Figure 4, as can be understood by a person skilled in the art, the actions described above, with reference to Figure 3, are easily achievable using one hand. When the push-button 31 is depressed, using one finger or thumb, it is forced inwards towards the frame 17 of the gate 12 and no longer protrudes through the reciprocal hole 30. The locking mechanism 24 is then free to slide along the groove 26 (not shown).
Referring to Figure 5, the locking mechanism 24 spans the frame 17 of the gate 12 or 14 and is shaped an inverted "U" with a top and two downward portions. Two longitudinal lips 40, which are complementary to the groove 26 are formed on two downward portions of the locking mechanism 24 and this enables the slideable movement of the locking mechanism 24 over the frame of the gate and to be guided along the groove 26, as can be seen in Figure 5. The push-button releasing means 31 is coupled to a spring 33 inside the gate 12. The push-button 31 is biased away from the gate 12 and protrudes sufficiently from the gate 12 through the reciprocal hole 30 in the locking mechanism 24, such that it retains the locking mechanism 24 in position. Referring to Figure 6, when released, the locking mechanism 24 is slid along the groove 26 until a push-ball latch 28 protruding from the gate 14 retains the locking mechanism 24 in a position such that it is located on the frame 17 of the right hand gate 14. The body of the locking mechanism 24 is horizontally flared 45 along its longitudinal axis and this allows for free movement of the locking mechanism 24 over the push-ball latch 28. Figure 6 also shows the chamfered head-structures 48 of a secondary locking mechanism and a vertical flare 52 located at one end, of the body of the locking mechanism 24. - 13 -
This arrangement is described in more detail in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12. Also shown in Figure 6 is the retaining hole 27, chamfered push button 31 and headed pin 46. Referring to Figure 7, shown in Figure 7 is the locking mechanism of Figure 6 in more detail. The locking mechanism 24 further comprises a projection 46 which extends from the inside surface of the locking mechanism 24 into a slot (not shown) and which is machined into the front face of the right hand gate 14. The projection 46 ensures that the locking mechanism 24 remains captive on the right hand gate 14 and cannot be removed, even when the right hand gate 14 is in an open position. Also shown in Figure 7 is the right hand gate 14, retaining hole 27, push-ball latch 28, opening 30, chamfered push button 31 , horizontal flare 45, and headed pin 46. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the push-ball latch 28 and its operation in more detail, it can be seen that the push-ball iatch 28 is coupled to a spring 44 inside the gate 14 and is biased away from the gate 14. When the locking mechanism 24 is slid fully along the groove 26 (not shown in this diagram), the body of the locking mechanism 24 is flared 45 (see figure 6) and slides over the push-ball Iatch 28 until the push-ball Iatch 28 protrudes through the retaining hole 27 in the locking mechanism 24. This push-ball Iatch 28 retains the locking mechanism 24 in position allowing the gates 12, 14 to be opened and closed freely. When push-ball Iatch 28 is depressed, the locking mechanism 24 is released and may be slid horizontally along the groove 26 (not shown here) such that it spans both gates 12, 14, thereby locking the gates 12, 14.
Figure 9 shows a secondary locking system that is actuated by the main gate locking mechanism 24 to lock both gates 12, 14 to the mattress frame 32 (not shown in this diagram). This second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 9, 10, 1 and 12. - 14 -
Referring to Figure 9, a vertical pin 47 extends the length of the each gate 12, 14. The vertical pin 47 is coupled to a head-structure 48 which retains the vertical pin 47 within the frame 17 of the gate 12 or 14. The head-structure 48 comprises a chamfered body 50 and a protruding rim 53 which retains the head-structure 48 within a cavity 54 located within the frames 17 of the gates 12, 14. The body of the locking mechanism 24 is vertically flared 52 at one end to allow free movement over the chamfer 50 on the head-structure 48 body 50 of the locking mechanism 24. Referring to Figure 10, the vertical pin 47 is located inside the frame 17 of a gate 12 and is retained inside the cavity 54 by means of a wall structure 51 , formed along the length of the frames 17 of each of the gates. Also shown in Figure 10 are the groove 26, head-structure 48, chamfered body 50 and protruding rim 53.
Referring to Figure 11 , when not under a vertical load, the head-structure 48 protrudes from the top of the frame 17 of the gate 12 or 14, and the bottom of the vertical pin 47 is located inside the frame 17 of the gate 12 or 14. The vertical pin 47 does not protrude from the bottom of the gate 12 (or 14) and therefore does not engage with a locking groove 62, formed along the projecting structure 36 on the mattress frame 32. The gates 12, 14 are then free to be opened as required by the parents/carer. The vertical pin 47 also comprises a spring 55 and spring retaining means 56 along the length of vertical pin 47. The spring 55 biases the vertical pin 47 away from the locking groove 62.
The mattress frame 32 also comprises magnets 58 which abut paramagnetic structures 60 located on the frame 17 of the gate 12 or 14 when the gate 12 or 14 is closed. This ensures that the frame 17 of the gates 12, 14 and the mattress frame 32 are coupled correctly when the gates 12, 14 are closed. - 15 -
Also shown in Figure 11 are the first groove 26, second groove 38, chamfered body 50, protruding rim 53 and cavity 54.
Referring to figure 12, when a vertical load is placed on the head-structure 48 it is pushed downwards into the frame 17 of the gate 12 or 14, pushing the vertical pin 47 into the frame 17 such that the bottom of the vertical pin 47 protrudes from the bottom of the frame 17 of the gate 12 or 14.
When the gate 12 or 14 is closed, the vertical pin 47, protruding from the bottom of the gate 12 (or 14), engages with a locking groove 62, formed along the projecting structure 36 on the mattress frame 32. The magnets 58 and paramagnetic structures 60 ensure that the gates 12, 14 are fully closed and this, in turn, ensures that the vertical pin engages with the Socking groove 62. This provides a secondary vertical locking mechanism and prevents the gate 12 or 14 from opening. When the locking mechanism 24 is released and slid along the groove 26 to span only the frame 17 of the right hand gate 14, the vertical load is removed from the head-structure 48, and the spring 55 forces the vertical pin 47 upwards and it is disengaged from the locking groove 62.
Also shown in Figure 12 is the first groove 26, the second groove 38, chamfered body 50, protruding rim 53, cavity 54, and spring retaining means 56. A third embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to figure 13. The vertical pin 47 may comprise a manually operated slider 64 extending horizontally from the vertical pin 47 into a recess 66 on the frame 17 of one of the gates 12. When the gate 12 is closed, the slider 64 is moved manually vertically downwards and the bottom of the vertical pin 47 protrudes from the bottom of the frame 17 of the gate engaging with the locking groove 62. When the slider 64 is moved vertically upwards, the bottom of vertical pin 47 disengages from the locking groove 62 and the gate 12 may be closed. This - 16 - embodiment allows one gate 12 to remain locked whilst the other gate 12 (or 14) is opened.
The present invention provides the advantage that the lock arrangement is operable using one hand, thus allowing parents/carers to operate the mechanism whilst holding an infant.
In a further advantage, the cot allows for an infant to be placed into, or removed from, the cot without the parent having to lean over the side rails. It allows the bed linen and mattress to be easily changed. It also allows the parent to kneel or sit beside the cot with one or both gates open providing total freedom to tend to the child. Both gates may be of the same width or differing widths. It will be appreciated that although only one particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, various modifications and improvements can be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.