What is a pendulum bed
First you need to understand what a transformable pendulum crib is. A transformer is usually a product that combines several functions; in addition, it can easily change depending on the age of the baby.
Such a crib can perform several functions. Typically, a transformer contains several elements:
- Frame.
- Mattress bed.
- Boxes for storing linen.
- Sides for holding the child.
Most cribs with pendulums also have special drawers for storing linen. The transformer is distinguished by the fact that in addition to the bed, it also contains containers for storing things. It may also change depending on the age of the child.
Depending on the age of the child, the height of the crib may vary. When the baby is very small, the mattress bed can be installed at a higher level so that the mother does not need to bend low and strain her back. When the baby grows up and begins to be interested in the world around him, so that he does not fall out of the crib, the mattress bed is lowered and the sides reliably protect it.
When the child grows up, the mattress bed can be lowered, thereby increasing the height of the sides. The pendulum mechanism allows you to imitate the natural motion sickness of the mother. Thanks to this, the baby easily falls asleep, and the mother does not need to hold him in her arms.
Rocking a child in such a crib is easy and very convenient. Moreover, the mechanism has a lock so that the bed does not constantly rock. It is precisely because of such a large number of mechanisms and parts that the assembly of a children's bed with a pendulum and transforming elements is the most difficult.
The pendulum mechanism creates a comfortable motion sickness for the baby in the crib.
Which one to buy: types of bedroom furniture for babies
Girls, does anyone know how to fix a pendulum crib? The baby is already a year old and cannot sleep in his crib.
If necessary, the rocking chair can be in a stationary position; for this purpose, special clamps located at the bottom of the side panels are used.
The model includes a frame, bed, legs, backrests, and a pendulum mechanism. Many products are complemented by drawers, changing pads, and chests of drawers for storing things. In what sequence to assemble a children's bed with a pendulum according to the instructions:
- The back part is connected to the side strips using screws.
- The berth is first mounted on screws, then on guides located on the sides.
- The structure is turned over to install the pendulum mechanism.
- Linen boxes are inserted, the side wall of the pendulum is fixed with screws.
- All plugs are closed.
And I bought my crib completely unexpectedly for myself - I ran into the store 5 minutes before closing just to “feel” the material, and in the end I paid for it on the same day, and was also very pleased with it. You could store the crib with them even until the birth of the child, and delivery was carried out within 3 days after the call.
An additional function of the crib is a pendulum mechanism. It allows you to simplify the process of rocking your baby. But it should be remembered that the pendulum should be used only in the first months.
But here, it seems, the mattress is placed on boards, as they are called, chipboard, and for protection there is just such a small fence. There's a fence inside. Or is it just for the mattress?
Beech is the most durable and wear-resistant type of wood; 87% of Italian furniture is made from it. And the Italians boast of their approach to the selection of quality materials for the manufacture of furniture. Therefore, a transforming bed made of solid beech is a very reliable and environmentally friendly design
Separately, you should pay attention to the paintwork of the transforming crib
Let's start assembly. The timber was connected to the dowel using a countersunk screw and wood glue. Probably it was possible to do without screws, but I wanted it that way. All holes were filled with putty.
Assembling the crib
Practice shows that modern cribs mostly have multifunctional parts. Standard parts are:
- bed frame;
- supporting part of the mattress;
- special sides (can be soft or made of fabric);
- niche for linen or without a drawer;
- pendulum mechanism.
Let's start with the preparatory work:
Please note that it is better to assemble the crib in the child's room. This way, you don't have to drag it around the entire apartment. After you have removed the packaging, set the larger pieces aside and place the smaller pieces on a light-colored fabric. Place all the necessary tools near you
Be sure to read the instructions before assembly. Make sure that all the necessary parts, bolts and operating systems of the crib are present. Do not neglect studying photographs, drawings or diagrams. This will greatly facilitate your work and speed up the assembly itself.
Once all the above preparations have been completed, we move on to the assembly process itself:
- We always start work with the main structure, namely the fixed back wall. Define top and bottom. All side walls have legs.
- Place the back wall on the floor with the inside facing up. This way you will see the necessary grooves for fastenings. Tighten the screws correctly to avoid stripping the threads and damaging the furniture itself.
- After this, we move on to the bed - the supporting part of the mattress. This is a kind of wooden or plywood rectangle made of transverse slats. The supporting part itself should be secured with screws. But don’t rush to screw them tightly. First, choose the optimal height. Professionals advise choosing a higher position, as it will be easier for the mother to position the baby. As soon as the child learns to stand, the bar should be lowered.
- As for the moving parts of the bed, insert it into the guide grooves of the two side elements.
- We turn the entire structure over for subsequent assembly and attachment of the swing mechanism.
What it is?
A crib with a pendulum is a piece of furniture that is made of wood and equipped with a swinging mechanism - a pendulum. If the baby has not yet been born, it is difficult to determine whether this model should be preferred. Medical experts disagree, so making a final choice is not easy.
Transformable bed with pendulum and drawers:
The principle of operation of the pendulum mechanism is simple: the rocking chair is set in motion by touching the body with your hand. The baby, moving in the crib, is also able to launch it himself. The main requirements are that it should not stand close to the wall with its moving sides and should be equipped with a lock:
We don't use long frames
Editing a video with short frames is one of the forms of using the peculiarities of human vision. One of the basic rules of video editing is not to take long shots that are tiring for the human eye. The average frame duration is 5 seconds. You can test this rule by watching any movie or TV show. You'll find that it's rare for shots to last more than 5 seconds. In news broadcasts - even less, frames can change almost every second. But a quick change is also tiring, we don’t all have time to perceive the information, therefore, let’s agree - the average frame duration is 5 s. Do not take this as a dogma; there can be exceptions to any rule. Many great directors used frame durations of up to several minutes, for example, Tarkovsky, Fellini. If, according to your plan, the frame should be long and your video looks good, it’s up to you to decide.
How to assemble a crib with a pendulum
You can assemble a baby crib at home yourself; you don’t have to call a specialist for some money. In this case, you should follow a few simple rules and prepare wisely.
To quickly and correctly assemble the crib, you need to prepare.
Assembling the crib should be done in the child's room. Otherwise, you will have to carry it across the entire apartment, which is very inconvenient.
Before assembly, it is necessary to prepare a place for work, that is, to free up space. Then you should release the parts from the packaging, lay them out and count them. In this case, large parts must be put aside in one direction, and small ones in the other.
In order not to move the assembled bed to another room later, it is better to start assembly immediately in the nursery.
For small details, it is better to prepare a light fabric: a blanket or a blanket. This way they will be better visible and will not get lost.
Drawing and instructions
After the crib is unpacked, you need to carefully read the instructions for assembling the transforming crib with a pendulum. Unfortunately, for products sold in online stores, instructions are not always provided in Russian. In this case, you have to act based on the scheme and intuition.
Be sure to read the instructions that come with the crib. If there are instructions, you must read them. If the instructions for assembling a transforming bed contain photographs, it is better to carefully examine them, no matter how simple they may seem. This will help with assembly later.
If the instructions are illustrated with photos, be sure to study them. Place the drawing in a convenient, visible place. A good place might be where small parts are kept.
Main design details
The crib usually consists of a frame, a bed, a swing mechanism and other elements. The side walls and bed are the largest elements that ensure the reliability of the entire structure and the baby’s stay in the crib.
All cribs consist of a main frame, a pendulum and additional elements. The pendulum mechanism can be designed in different versions:
- Longitudinal. The simplest, most popular option. At the same time, it best imitates natural motion sickness. Medical studies have shown that this particular option helps normalize intracranial pressure.
- Transverse. The movement occurs from side to side. Assembly of this product is a little more complicated.
- Universal. The cradle is attached separately to the sides. Thanks to this, she also has natural motion sickness. Later, the cradle can be removed and the baby can be placed on a bed that lowers down.
The pendulum mechanism for the crib can be longitudinal, transverse and universal. Depending on the type of rocking mechanism, cribs are assembled differently. But the basic principle is the same: first, the main elements are assembled, and then the swing mechanism is attached.
First you need to collect all the main elements.
Necessary tools and components
It is also necessary to prepare the tools that will be required for assembly. The usual set for this is:
- Screwdrivers of different sizes and sections.
- Wrenches for nuts of different sizes.
- Screw keys, they are usually included in the kit.
- Screws.
- Plugs.
- Main components.
To assemble the crib you will need a certain set of tools.
Bed assembly
Once everything is prepared, you can begin assembling the crib. It is important to start the process by assembling the main elements.
Assembly begins with connecting the main elements. It is necessary to determine the top and bottom of the main elements. It is worth considering that the side walls usually have legs - you can easily orient the parts along them.
Clearly determine where the top and bottom of the crib are. The main part will be the back wall - it is better to place it on the floor, with the inside facing up. You need to insert the remaining parts into the puzzles for fastenings and connect the crib body completely. After this, it is necessary to tighten all the screws, check the structure for stability and then install it vertically.
Once the crib is installed, you can begin installing the bed. First you need to try on how the bed will be installed. After this, you need to try on the moving elements. After this, once all the details of the fastenings have been checked and taken into account, the stock can be installed.
It is better not to install the stock right away, but to try on several options with moving elements. Then mistakes can be avoided.
After the bed is installed, you can turn the crib upside down and begin installing the pendulum mechanism if it is attached from below. If the swing mechanism is presented in the form of a cradle, then it is attached to the sides from above. Then there is no need to turn the crib over.
The pendulum mechanism itself is installed in accordance with the instructions. After installing the pendulum, drawers, a changing table and other additional elements should be secured.
All additional elements are fixed after assembling the pendulum.
The pendulum mechanism cannot be attached before the stock is installed.
Since the stock acts as the main element of the structure and ensures its stability. Otherwise, the frame of the crib will begin to wobble, which will make it inconvenient to place such a large element into it.
After installing the last parts, be sure to check the structure for strength. After the device is assembled, you need to check its reliability. To do this, you need to set the crib in different modes, try to rock it and put a little pressure on it. If everything is in order, then you can lay out the mattress, linen and settle the baby.
You can place your baby in the crib only after you have made sure that everything is assembled correctly.
Installation of the pendulum mechanism
Let's look at how to assemble a crib pendulum system for children using the example of a very popular model.
- Start by installing the pendulum support. In most cases, it includes 4 parts that need to be fastened together.
- Next, use bolts and washers to assemble the hinges on the wood plates.
- Secure the purchased hinges with nuts to the base of the pendulum device. Place the nuts on small washers; they are not yet firmly tightened. If the model of crib you purchased is equipped with a drawer for linen, it’s time to install and secure it using the instructions provided.
- We install the crib body on top of the pendulum mechanism support, fasten it with bolts on the crib legs, and fasten it with nuts and washers. Secure the side of the crib with screws. Install the bearing mechanism. The main thing is to check whether the fasteners match the holes. After securing the fasteners, cover the screws with caps, which serve as decoration.
Pendulum mechanism for a crib for children The finished pendulum crib should swing without much difficulty.
After installation, security and structural reliability should be checked. When rocking, the bed should not wobble. Test how firmly the base is installed and how easily the movable wall moves up and down. You need to make it a rule to check your child’s crib every week, as the bolts may become loose, cracks and sharp corners may appear.
It is sometimes necessary to lubricate the components of a pendulum crib for children
What do you need?
How to assemble a transforming crib? Some people prefer to turn to specialists. Indeed, a master will be able to do this much better, since this work is quite labor-intensive.
After purchasing a rectangular or round transformable crib, you must read the instructions. It is there that there is a detailed description that allows you to understand the nuances of the work. You will also need a screwdriver and the desire to perform the procedure.
Photo of a round transformable crib 8 in 1
Photos with sides and canopy
Photo with a child
Types and advantages of pendulums
There are several types of beds for children, they differ in the direction of movement of the furniture itself. For worried parents, it is worth noting that thanks to a special wooden mechanism on a hinge and a limiting sleeve - a special spare part - motion sickness will not occur, nothing will disturb the baby's sleep. Three options: with a longitudinal pendulum, with a transverse pendulum and a universal bed.
The first option is considered the most common and popular, because only thanks to the longitudinal pendulum is the natural swing of the mother transmitted. The child has the feeling that he is being calmed by his own mother, holding him in her arms. According to pediatricians, thanks to this, the child is guaranteed to have normal intracranial pressure, and therefore no headaches in the future.
Models with a transverse pendulum are reminiscent of the cradles in which our ancestors rocked their children. Like the old version, modern cribs move from side to side. This type of furniture is perfect for families with a small bedroom due to the fact that, thanks to the transverse pendulum, the furniture takes up little space. Special clamps will help stop the movement of the crib.
Universal models not only allow you to change the swing direction, but can also change their functionality. When the child grows up, the wooden walls can be removed and the bed itself can be lengthened using a chest of drawers. Sometimes manufacturers include a changing table, which is incredibly convenient for mothers. And while the child is still in infancy, parents do not need to put in much effort to return the crib to the standard position or change the direction of rocking.
Where can I put the bed
Usually the crib is installed first in the parent's bedroom. This makes it more convenient to sleep and look after the baby. In this case, it is important to position the crib so that its long side is next to the wall, and one side remains open. This will allow you to approach the child from the most comfortable side.
It is important to place the side wall at the head of the room against the wall, curtains or closet. This way there will be no access to the child from this side, thanks to this he will feel safe and will not roll his eyes to see the space behind him.
While the child is small, the crib is often placed in the parent's bedroom and one side is left open. As the child grows, the crib can be moved to his or her nursery. This will make moving to another space more comfortable for the baby. After all, his cozy house will remain with him.
Possible mistakes
Some dads try to save on everything and make mistakes when designing or building a crib, which will affect their children in the future. Here is a list of the most common mistakes that should not be made:
- Use old building materials. This applies to both wood and fasteners. Old wood may contain mold, mildew and other dangerous microflora. A small child will quickly catch the infection, and parents will wonder what happened to him.
- Do not treat wooden surfaces. There is an opinion that clean wood is much more environmentally friendly and safer. This is only partly true. The child can easily chew the board when his first teeth appear. At the same time, he can injure the oral cavity with broken wood chips or shavings. Don’t be lazy and save on wood processing, otherwise you’ll have to treat your child for a long time.
- Do not make calculations and drawings without experience in this field. Construction in a hurry is only permissible for experienced master carpenters with extensive experience. One miscalculation can ruin the entire project!
Below you can see photos of cribs and cradles for babies:
Tips for the master
- The description of how to assemble a pendulum crib, instructions and photos may vary depending on the model of purchase. Carefully read the manufacturer's instructions included in the package.
- It is better to assemble the crib in the bedroom or nursery and not move it to other parts of the apartment.
- Keep the crib clean: remove dust and dirt regularly using water and a mild hypoallergenic detergent, laundry soap is suitable.
- If you find parts missing, consider ordering additional parts from the furniture manufacturer's website.
- It is better to assemble the crib the day before the baby arrives at home. Make sure that everything is ready for the arrival of the little man.
It is necessary to choose the right mattress for a crib
You need to choose a place for a baby cot
The crib must match the interior of the nursery
A pendulum crib, carefully assembled for the long-awaited baby with your own hands, tested for safety and reliability, will be an excellent place for your baby to relax and develop. In a nursery or bedroom it will become the center of attraction for parents and guests. In order for the crib to be a cozy nest and interior decoration, it is not necessary to call a professional furniture assembler. Thanks to the description of how to assemble a pendulum crib (instructions, photos), you yourself can easily achieve your intended goal.
Baby cot-cradle with pendulum mechanism of transverse swing
Wooden crib with pendulum mechanism
Assembly process
How to assemble a crib with a pendulum? Usually, to assemble a cabinet or kitchen cabinet, they use the services of professional furniture assemblers. However, you can assemble a children's bed yourself, without outside help. Moreover, it is more convenient to assemble the crib on site, that is, in the children’s room or in the parents’ room.
The process itself, in turn, also consists of several steps:
- Stage 1. The assembly process of the crib begins with the installation of a fixed fence. The side and bottom parts are connected using screws. After this, the headboard is attached to them.
- Stage 2. Now the bed is attached on 4 sides, and only then the movable grille is installed. There are recesses on the non-side walls of the structure. The grille is simply inserted into them and secured with screws.
- Stage 3. How to install a pendulum on a crib? Now it’s time to tackle this mechanism. To do this, you need to secure 4 guides between the backrests. A wooden bottom is mounted in the gap between the top two. After this, you need to fix the lower part of the pendulum with screws.
- Stage 4. At the final stage, the box is assembled in the same way as the pendulum. Movable elements are attached to the top of the pendulum, and the legs of the crib are fixed to them.
If wheels are provided, then you need to secure them in the designated places, after turning the crib over. But here it all depends on the situation and preferences on how to assemble a crib with a pendulum - if there is a need to move furniture, then it is much easier to do this with wheels.
However, when the crib will stand in one place, the wheels do not need to be attached, even if they are included.
General rules for choosing cribs
For many mothers and fathers, the decisive factor when buying children's furniture is visual appeal, however, this approach is fundamentally wrong. The main selection criteria are the convenience and safety of the little man. There are many things to consider when choosing a crib, including:
- material of manufacture;
- baby protection elements;
- features of the sleeping place arrangement.
Shapes, materials and sizes of frames
One of the main structural elements of a crib is the frame. Today, furniture manufacturers offer a huge selection of cribs for newborns; the range includes traditional rectangular models and somewhat non-standard products with a round or oval frame.
The strength and durability of a crib directly depends on the material used. In the production of furniture for small children, natural wood, MDF, plastic, laminated chipboard, and metal are used.
Of course, for a baby it is better to choose a crib made of natural material. Furniture with a wooden frame looks expensive and presentable, is characterized by a long service life and the ability to “breathe”. In the segment of wooden children's furniture today you can find quite affordable models; budget options include products made from pine, spruce and birch. More durable, expensive cribs are made from hard trees - beech, ash, oak. Wooden cribs vary in style and design. The market offers classic models made from unpainted wood and wooden cribs coated with paint and varnish, decorated with printed images.
Plastic frames are easy to maintain; the weight of a plastic crib is much less than its wooden counterpart. The affordable cost of plastic furniture also attracts buyers.
Metal frames are famous for their strength and long service life. However, metal cribs are not widely used due to the “coldness” of the material.
Sides - types and rules of choice
Another important element is the sides of the crib; the main purpose of the design is to protect the baby from falling. The sides can be:
- stationary and removable;
- blind rack or combined (two solid sidewalls, two rack).
Most often, furniture manufacturers make the side walls of the sleeping bed in the form of a lattice structure; the side walls consist of a frame and cross bars installed at a certain distance. The crossbars can be made in the form of a round rod or be represented by wide slats.
When choosing a sleeping place for a baby, it is important to take into account two main requirements for enclosing structures:
- the distance between the vertical slats of the side parts should not exceed 5-6 cm;
- The height of the sides should be at least 60-65 cm, measurements are taken from the mattress to the edge of the side.
Additional protection for the baby will be provided by special silicone pads on the edges of the side and soft removable sides fixed around the perimeter of the crib. Elements of protection are especially relevant when the baby begins to actively move and during the period of teething. Silicone pads will not only protect the child’s gums from damage, but also maintain the integrity of the tree.
Some models of cribs are equipped with a front folding side. The folding sidewall allows you to move the child's bed close to the parent's bed; when the child grows up, he will be able to independently climb into his sleeping place. Unlike cribs equipped with runners to adjust the height of the side, folding designs use piano hinges. If necessary, the side can be folded down to the outer side and, when raised, is secured with latches.
Sleeping place - types and arrangement of bases
The base for the mattress of a baby crib can have a solid covered or slatted bottom. A solid bottom is considered more durable, and the cost of cribs with a solid base is lower than their slatted counterparts. A significant drawback lies in the design features; the solid base does not have gaps or holes, and therefore there is no air circulation between the mattress and the bottom. The mattress does not dry well and can quickly become unusable.
The slatted bottom consists of transverse strips fixed to the frame. The lattice design does not retain moisture inside the mattress and provides intense air circulation. The slatted base helps to properly distribute the load on the baby’s fragile spine.
Models for babies
The most popular models for newborns are round and classic rectangular cribs
Classic models, due to their popularity, are made from different types of wood, painted in a variety of colors and are presented in a variety of price categories. Therefore, it is very easy to choose a model that is suitable in appearance, functionality and price.
Things are much more complicated with the choice of a round or oval crib. Typically, the functionality of oval and rectangular cribs is the same, but their prices are much higher. This circumstance usually scares away young mothers and fathers.
Despite the apparent complexity of the design, making such a crib is not so difficult. Just look at the photo of how to make an oval-shaped crib to understand its structure.
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How to make a pendulum for a crib with your own hands?
Let's figure out how to make a pendulum for a crib with your own hands. For these purposes you will need:
Installation diagram of the pendulum mechanism.
- bearings, the outer diametrical size of which corresponds to 3.5 cm. The required quantity is 8 pieces;
- metal bushings with 6 threads. You will also need 8 of them. You can buy these at any market that specializes in selling furniture fittings;
- countersunk head screws. With their help the pendulum will be attached. Need 8 pieces;
- strips - 4 pieces. Elements of parquet made of oak (planks) are suitable;
- washers in the amount of 8 pieces. The most appropriate choice would be to use plastic copies. They will be needed in order to avoid friction of the bed legs when in contact with the supporting structure;
- In addition to purchased ready-made materials, you will need metal bushings (8 pieces), which should be pressed quite tightly into the bearings, or rather into their inner hole. Such bushings are made only to order.
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Frame installation
The main thing you have to face at this stage is the choice of the location of the sheathing
.
- horizontally;
- vertically.
To do this, you need to proceed from how you will attach the material to the wall:
- if the lining is located vertically, then the sheathing must be fixed in a horizontal position;
- if the lining is placed horizontally, then, accordingly, the frame must be mounted vertically.
- prepare wooden blocks with a thickness of 1 centimeter and drill holes in them with a minimum pitch of 50 centimeters, they should be approximately 1.5 mm smaller than the diameter of the screws;
- attach the bars to the wall and mark points through the holes for subsequent drilling;
- drill holes in the wall according to the marks and insert the prepared dowels;
- fix the bars to the dowels, controlling the accuracy of fastening using a level; you can also make a plywood spacer under the batten for convenient work, or buy wedges for leveling in the store and install the sheathing in this way with minimal effort.