System for locking the sides of cribs for infants

Abstract

A system for locking the sides of cribs for infants, in which at least one side can be raised and lowered along the uprights adjacent to it. The system is configured in such a way as to require at least two separate movements to enable the side to be released and then lowered. The separate movements include a movement in which the side is moved forward to release it from an undercut formed in a guide groove, and a subsequent raising of the side.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A locking system for locking the sides of cribs for infants, the system comprising: 
 crib uprights;    a crib side that can be raised and lowered along said crib uprights adjacent to it, said side being provided on each side with a pin which is slidable in a guide groove provided along each of said uprights, and in which a top of said groove has a curve and continues with a terminal portion directed downwards, said terminal portion being shaped to form an undercut in which the pin is engaged to prevent the raising of the side, and a recess formed opposite the undercut;    a flat spring, said recess communicating with said guide groove with the interposition of said flat spring, said flat spring being configured so normally keep the pin in the undercut and so that, when said flat spring is bent back by a force exerted on the side, said spring enables the pin to move into the recess to a sufficient extent to become disengaged from the undercut and continue along said guide groove.    
     
     
         2 . A locking system according to  claim 1 , wherein said curve of said guide groove is directed towards an interior of the crib, and said undercut is directed in an opposite direction.  
     
     
         3 . A locking system according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide groove and said recess are formed in a longitudinal plate to be fixed to said upright of said crib, and said flat spring is partially embedded in the plate.  
     
     
         4 . A locking system according to  claim 3 , wherein said plate is made from plastic material.  
     
     
         5 . A locking system according to  claim 2 , wherein said guide groove and said recess are formed in a longitudinal plate to be fixed to said upright of said crib, and said flat spring is partially embedded in the plate.  
     
     
         6 . A locking system according to  claim 5 , wherein said plate is made from plastic material.  
     
     
         7 . A locking system according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide groove and said pin have complementary T-shaped cross sections.