The invention relates to a child protective enclosure bed attachable to existing bed structures.
It is well known that over 18% of American children under 18 have some type of special needs which require special care. Special Needs Children may be physically, developmental, behaviorally, and/or sensory impaired. These types of special needs can include among others ranging from Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Asthma Epilepsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorder, Blind, and/or Deaf.
Children affected with these types of disabilities require a broad range of support and special help that meets their individual needs—each requiring a different amount attention and care. In particular, current special needs bedding can be very expensive, cumbersome, and permanent. Moreover, special needs children that are prone to seizures require special bedding that is safe, soft and configured to prevent injury requiring a concealed space.
For the foregoing reasons, what is needed is a bedding space adapted for use by Special Needs Children which is easy to install, semi-permanent attachable to existing bedding structures, and overall safe for children.
The present disclosure generally provides a child safety bedding enclosure which is designed to easily attach to existing bunk bed or similar structures.
In certain versions of the application, a sealable bedding enclosure for attaching to an existing bedding structure comprises: a bottom panel having a perimeter; a top panel having a perimeter; a front side panel extending between the bottom panel perimeter and the top panel perimeter; a rear side panel extending between the bottom panel perimeter and the top panel perimeter; and a first and second end panels, each panel extending between the bottom panel perimeter and the top panel perimeter respectively. The bottom panel, top panel, front panel, and opposing side panels collectively form a sealed interior space.
In a version of the application, each vertical corner formed between the respective vertical panels provides a corner attachment flap configured to extend from a first vertical panel, wrap about existing bedding structure, and connect to a second adjacent vertical panel via a plurality of length adjustable straps having respective buckles for connection thereof.
In other versions, the front panel and the rear panel further include a zipper-closable flap having a zipper located at the perimeter thereof configured to open and close to provide ingress and egress to the interior space, the zipper-closable flap made of a breathable mesh netting.
In yet other versions of the application, the first and second side panels further include a first and second side windows respectively, the first and second side windows manufactured of a breathable mesh netting.
In a version, the sealable bedding enclosure may include a mattress having a front perimeter, a rear perimeter, and opposing end perimeters forming collectively a rectangular footprint positioned above the bottom panel, interior of the sealable bedding enclosure.
In yet other versions of the application, the sealable bedding enclosure for attachment to an existing bedding structure may include a first front vertical corner; a second front vertical corner; a first rear vertical corner; and a second rear vertical corner. Each of the first front, second front, first rear, and second rear vertical corners formed between the respective vertical panels further includes a primary corner attachment flap.
In a version, the primary corner attachment flap may include a fixed perimeter; a movable perimeter; and an interior surface positioned between the fixed perimeter and the movable perimeter supporting hook and loop material. Further, a secondary corner attachment flap is provided which is attached on an adjacent second panel and may include a fixed perimeter; a movable perimeter; and an exterior surface positioned between the fixed perimeter and the movable perimeter supporting reciprocal hook and loop material.
In other versions, the primary corner attachment flap may further include a first length adjustable strap and buckle for securing the primary corner attachment flap to the second panel; and a second length adjustable strap and buckle for securing the primary corner attachment flap to the second panel. Wherein, each of the corner attachment flaps are configured to extend laterally from the first panel about a respective bedding structure column and connect to the second panel by connecting the hook and loop material supported by the interior surface of the primary corner attachment flap and the reciprocal hook and loop material supported by the exterior surface of secondary corner attachment flap.
In some versions of the application, the sealable bedding enclosure may further include a plurality of top attachment flaps aligned along the top panel perimeter, each top attachment flap having a fixed perimeter and a movable perimeter, and a plurality of length adjustable straps and buckles which connect the movable perimeters of the plurality of the top attachment flaps over existing bedding structure to the top panel exterior surface.
In a version, the sealable bedding enclosure includes a mattress having a front perimeter, a rear perimeter, and opposing end perimeters forming collectively a rectangular footprint positioned below the bottom panel of the sealable bedding enclosure.
In certain versions of the application, the sealable bedding enclosure may further have a plurality of bottom attachment flaps aligned along the bottom panel perimeter, each having a fixed perimeter and a movable perimeter, and a plurality of length adjustable straps and buckles which connect the movable perimeters of the plurality of the bottom attachment flaps to existing bedding structure, wherein the plurality of bottom attachment flaps are positioned to conceal the mattress front, rear, and opposing end perimeters.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as particular architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other versions that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Any reference to “or” herein is intended to encompass “and/or” unless otherwise stated.
Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a sealable bedding enclosure which is attachable to existing bedding structures such as a bunk bed. With reference to
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The rear panel 16 is essentially the reciprocal of the front panel 14 as shown in
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The top panel 18, as shown in
The sealable bedding enclosure 10 is operably attached to the bedding structure 90 by way of a plurality of strategically positioned fasteners including side release buckles and hook and loop attachment means. With reference to
In the version as best shown in
With reference to
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As illustrated, the primary attachment flap 52 is anchored along a fixed vertical perimeter 78 attached to the exterior surface 81 of a first panel, for example, the front panel 14 (See
Preferably, the interior surface 56 of each primary corner attachment flap 52 is lined with a hook and loop material strip 53 and the exterior surface 58 secondary corner flap 54 is lined with a reciprocal hook and loop material strip 55. As shown in
Further, each respective vertical corner 51 of the sealable bedding enclosure 10 may include a first length adjustable strap 86 and side release buckle 60, and a second length adjustable strap 88 and side release buckle 61 for providing additional securement of the primary corner attachment flap 52 to the adjacent vertical panel. Preferably, the first length adjustable strap 86 is positioned at the upper portion 112 of the each of the primary corner attachment flaps 52 and the second length adjustable strap 88 is positioned at the lower portion 114 of the primary corner attachment flaps 52. Thus, the first length adjustable strap 86 connects from the upper portion 112 of the primary corner attachment flap 52 to a respective upper anchor point 116 affixed to the upper side of the exterior surface 83 of the adjacent panel, for example, the first end panel 20. The second length adjustable strap 88 connects the lower portion 114 of the primary corner attachment flap 52 to a respective lower anchor point 118 affixed to the lower side of the exterior surface 83 of the adjacent panel, for example, the first end panel 20. Thus, in conjunction with the hook and loop material strips 53, 55, the first and second length adjustable straps 86, 88 and side release buckles 60, 61 further secure the primary corner attachment flaps 52 around the respective bunk bed 90 vertical columns 92 and to the adjacent vertical panel.
In certain versions of the application, it is preferable that the height of the primary corner attachment flap 52 is greater than the height of the secondary corner attachment flap 54. In certain versions of the application, it is preferable that the width of the primary corner attachment flap 52 is greater than the width of the secondary corner attachment flap 54.
With reference to
In the alternate version, the sealable bedding enclosure 10 further comprises a plurality of bottom attachment flaps 120 aligned along the bottom panel 11 perimeter 68, each having a fixed perimeter 122 and a movable perimeter 124. The version further includes a plurality of length adjustable straps 126 and associated buckles 128 which connect the movable perimeters 124 of the plurality of the bottom attachment flaps 120 to existing bedding structure. The plurality of bottom attachment flaps 120 are positioned to conceal the mattress front, rear, and opposing end perimeters.
The present invention can be made in any manner and of any material chosen with sound engineering judgment. Preferably, materials will be strong, lightweight, long lasting, economic, and ergonomic. The invention materials may include light weight plastic or composite material, nylon for netting and windows, and other materials such as felt.
The previously described versions of the present invention have many advantages, including providing a unique, light-weight bedding enclosure specifically tailored for special needs children that is stable, fun and safe. The invention opens up new opportunities for parents, caretakers and special needs children to convert existing bunk bed structures into a sealed space. Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
This application is based upon and claims the priority filing date of the previously filed, copending U.S. provisional patent application entitled “ATTACHABLE CHILD SAFETY BEDDING ENCLOSURE” filed Oct. 21, 2021, having App. No. 63/094,404, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63094404 | Oct 2020 | US |