US2818477A - Baby protective signal system for cribs - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 31, 1957 P. JQGOLLHOFER 2,

BABY PROTECTIVE SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR CRIBS Filed Dec. 7, 1956 Fig./

34 Paul J. Gal/hofer INVENTOR. B; amgz United States PatentO BABY PROTECTIVE SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR CRIBS Paul J. Gollhofer, Babylon, N. Y.

Application December 7, 1956, Serial No. 626,931

3 Claims. (Cl. 200-85) This invention relates to an electrical signal apparatus and more particularly to a device adapted to protect a baby from unauthorized removal from a crib.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a baby protective signal device which will function as soon as a baby is lifted from a crib.

The construction of this invention features the novel arrangement of parts including a pair of sections of a mattress supporting structure which are hingedly secured together and function to close a pair of contacts by being resiliently urged to an obtuse angle relative to each other when a baby is raised from the mattress on which he or she has been positioned.

Still further objects and features of this invention resides in the provision of a baby protective signal device for increasing the safety of a baby within a crib by warning a parent or guardian of a baby that the baby has been raised from the mattress thus thwarting the possibility of theft or kidnapping of the baby.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this baby protective signal system for cribs, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the device comprising the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail view illustrating the manner in which the device functions to complete an operative electrical circuit when the baby is removed from a position on the mattress; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of important portions of the invention comprising the sections of the mattress supporting structure, the hinge means and the contacts.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral generally designates a crib having a framework 12 of any suitable construction on which a mattress supporting structure 14 is adapted to seat. This mattress supporting structure may be positioned on the framework 12 and preferably consists of a pair of sections or plates 16 and 18 which may be formed of imperforate sheets of material or the like. The sections 16 and 18 are hingedly secured to each other by means of hinge straps 20 and 22. It is noted that the hinge straps have their ends 24, 26 and 28, 30 extending at an obtuse angle relative to each other with the ends being riveted as at 32 and 34 to the respective sections 16 and 18. Because of the resilient construction of the spring straps 20, the sections 16 and 18 are normally urged into a position where they make an obtuse angle relative to each other.

If desired, the sections 16 and 18 may be formed of any suitable plastic material it being recognized that other materials can be utilized.

2,818,477 Patented Dec. 31, 1957 An insulative block 36 is riveted as at 38 to the first contact 40 in the form of a strap held to the insulative plate 36 by means of rivets 38. A first conductor 42 is connected to the strap 40 and to a battery 44.

The first contact 40 is adapted to engage a second contact 46 to which a conductor 48 is connected, the conductor 48 also being connected to a bell 50 or other suitable audible alann device or visual signal device as may be desired. A conductor 52 connects the battery 44 to the bell 50 so that an operative electrical circuit between the battery 44 and the bell 50 is completed when the contact 40 engages the contact 46 in the position shown in Figure 2. However, when a baby is resting on a mattress 52 supported by the mattress supporting structure 14, the sections 16 and 18 will be coplanar with the spacer block 36 holding the contact 40 in spaced relationship with respect to the contact 46 to open the circuit. Hence, when a person removes the baby from position on the mattress 52, the alarm 50 will sound. A hidden master control switch 56 may be provided for setting the device if desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A baby protective signal device for cribs having a crib framework and a mattress supporting structure car ried by said framework, said mattress supporting structure comprising a pair of sections, means hingedly securing said sections together, a first contact secured to one of said sections, a second contact secured to the second of said sections, said first contact being spaced from said second contact when said sections are coplanar, said means resiliently urging said sections to form an obtuse angle with respect to each, other with said first contact engaging said second contact when said sections form an obtuse angle, said means including spring straps, said sections comprising a pair of plates, said straps having the ends thereof riveted to said plates, the ends of said strap normally extending at an obtuse angle relative to each other in an unstressed state.

2. A baby protective signal device for cribs having a crib framework and a mattress supporting structure carried by said framework, said mattress supporting structure comprising a pair of sections, means hingedly securing said sections together, a first contact secured to one of said sections, a second contact secured to the second of said sections, said first contact being spaced from said second contact when said sections are coplanar, said means resiliently urging said sections to form an obtuse angle with respect to each other with said first contact engaging said second contact when said sections form an obtuse angle, said means including spring straps terminally secured to said sections, said first contact extending between said sections and underlying said second section and said second contact.

3. A baby protective signal device for cribs having a crib framework and a mattress supporting structure carried by said framework, said mattress supporting structure comprising a pair of sections, means hingedly securing said sections together, a first contact secured to one of said sections, a second contact secured to the second of said sections, said first contact being spaced from said second contact when said sections are coplanar, said means resiliently urging said sections to form an obtuse angle with respect to each other with said first contact engaging said second contact when said sections form an obtuse angle, said means including spring straps, said sections comprising a pair of plates, said straps having the ends thereof riveted to said plates, the ends of said strap normally extending at an obtuse angle relative to each other in an unstressed state, said first contact extending between said sections and underlying said second section and said second contact.

References Cited in the file of this patent

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