Voluntary Repair Program Announced For Swyngomatic Converta Cradles

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Grace Metal Products, Inc., of Elverson, Pennsylvania, today announced a voluntary repair program affecting approximately 67,000 "Swyngomaric" Converta Cradles. The repair program is being conducted as a result of alleged insufficient support for the cradle's masonite bottom board which may allow infants to fall out of the cradle if the board is not positioned properly during assembly by the purchaser.

The Commission is aware of 36 instances of the bottom collapsing which resulted in children falling out of the cradle to the ground. In at least 13 of these instances, injuries resulted consisting of bruises and cuts to the infants.

The repair program applies to Converta Cradles manufactured from September, 1979 through July, 1980. The product is marketed as a 3 in 1 unit which can be used as a cradle, a swing or a carry cradle. The cradle consists of mesh sides with a steel tubular carrying handle which connects to the wind up mechanism. Those cradles which do not have two metal rods supporting the bottom board are affected by this repair program.

The products, which were sold exclusively through Grace Children's Products, Inc., for $30 to $45 have been sold in retail stores nationwide under the trade name, "Swyngomatic", models 5900, 5905 and 5970. They were also sold by Sears,Roebuck and Co. in its catalogue under the "Swyngomatic" name, catalogue i/36261 and 36273; J.C. Penney Company in its catalogue under the trade name "Toddle time", catalogue #5161, and Montgomery Ward in its catalogue under the trade name "Wynd-A-Matic", catalogue number 5339.

Grace has redesigned the bottom cradle board with floor support rods which they believe will provide an additional safety feature in the event the bottom board is not properly positioned during assembly. Consumers owning affected Converta Cradles should write to Grace Metal Products, P.O. Box 200, Elverson, Pennsylvania 19520 or call the firm on its toll-free telephone number, 800-345-4109 (in Pennsylvania, call 215-286-5951), for a free support kit consisting of two steel support rods, fasteners, and assembly instructions. Until the support rods are received, consumers are cautioned against using affected cradles.