Patent Grant
8302230
Not applicable
Not applicable
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bedding articles for use with infants, wherein the infant has a medical condition that requires inclination or elevation of the torso and head (e.g. gastroesophageal reflux).
2. General Background of the Invention
Small infants that suffer from a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux condition are desirably kept in a crib that has a mattress with an inclined or partially elevated orientation of about thirty degrees (30°). The problem is that if the child is left unattended, it can very easily tumble or slide down the mattress if it begins to move about.
Previously, U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,286 (hereby incorporated herein by reference) provided a bedding article for supporting reflux babies upon an underlying crib mattress in an inclined position. The bedding article of the '286 patent provides a band of bedding material that defines a partial covering for a crib mattress while forming a tensile load carrying connection therewith. The band had a lower end portion position during use at the middle area of the mattress. An infant support sling was connected to the band of bedding material at the lower end portion thereof and included a central panel portion, a left panel portion, and a right panel portion that can be connected to define a diaper that covers the infant's groin and pelvic areas. This support sling provided leg apertures accommodating the infant's legs, the leg apertures being pointed generally away from an upper tensile load carrying connection so that when the mattress is inclined, the diaper supports the infant and the band carried the infant's weight to prevent a sliding of the infant down the mattress during use. The band encircled the mattress with a first closed end adapted to register with an end of the mattress and a second lower end.
Some infants who are larger or stronger have used the device shown and described in the Tucker '286 patent. These larger or stronger infants have in some cases attempted to turn over, twist or otherwise disorient the sling relative to the mattress. The present invention provides an improved bedding article for supporting infants with gastroesophageal reflux condition. The sling disclosed in the Tucker '286 patent would have a tendency to twist if the baby attempted to roll over. The '286 patent lacked cushion attachments and improved buckle arrangement of the present invention.
The present invention provides an improved bedding article for supporting reflux babies. The apparatus employs a base mattress having an inclined upper surface.
An infant support sling includes an upper section defining a whole or partial covering for the mattress and forming a connection therewith. The upper section provides a lower end portion positioned during use at the middle area of the mattress. The lower portion of the sling has a central panel portion, a left panel portion, and a right panel portion. These panel portions connect to form a diaper that covers the infant's groin and pelvic areas. Leg apertures of the diaper accommodate the infant's legs when the diaper is formed. The leg apertures are pointed generally away from the upper section of the sling so that when the mattress is inclined the diaper supports the infant and the upper section carries the infant's weight to prevent a sliding of the infant down the mattress during use.
A plurality of connector strips connect and hold the sling to the mattress. The strips can include at least two strips that are longitudinally spaced apart and at least two strips that are transversely spaced apart. The strips prevent a rolling or lateral displacement of the infant or child by holding the lower part of the sling to the upper surface of the base/mattress.
Optional blocks (e.g. foam) can be employed to further help prevent the child from rolling laterally.
For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
A sling 20 provides an upper sling section 21 and a lower sling section 22. Upper section 21 of sling 20 is sized and shaped to fit over the upper, elevated part of base/mattress 11 next to upper end panel 16 as indicated by arrows 32 in
The base/mattress 11 has a plurality of fastener strips 17, 18, 19 affixed to upper surface 12. The fastener strips 17, 18, 19 can be either the hook or the loop part of a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro®.
Sling 20 provides a plurality of strip fasteners 23, 24, 25 that correspond in size and shape to the fasteners 17, 18, 19 of the base/mattress 11. The fasteners 23, 24, 25 include a laterally extending fastener strip 23 that corresponds in size and shape to the laterally extending fastener strip 17. The fasteners 23, 24, 25 include a pair of longitudinally extending fastener strips 24, 25 that correspond respectively in size and shape to the longitudinally extending fastener strips 18, 19 on the upper surface 12 of base/mattress 11.
If the fastener strips 17, 18, 19 are hook strip fasteners, the corresponding fastener strips 23, 24, 25 would be loop fastener strips. However, the strips 17, 18, 19 could be loop type fastener strips in which case the fastener strips 23, 24, 25 would be hook type fastener strips. The laterally extending fastener strip 23 could be fastened to the lower end portion 26 of upper sling section 21.
Lower sling section 22 has a generally T-shaped section 27. The T-shaped section 27 includes left 28 and right 29 flaps as well as downwardly extending central flap 30. The central flap 30 can provide a small diameter or narrowed portion 31 (see
Lower section 22 of sling 20 provides a plurality of fastener strips which enable a diaper shape (see
Each of the flaps 28, 29 is provided with a belt section having a buckle part. Two of the buckle parts quickly connect and quickly disconnect. Such quick connect, quick disconnect buckles are commercially available. The flap 28 has belt section 36 and buckle part 37. The flap 29 has belt section 38 and buckle part 39. When the flaps 28, 29, 30 are assembled to form a diaper, openings 41, 42 are provided for the infant's legs as shown in
Each of the flaps 28, 29 has a fastener strip that connects to fastener strip 33 on flap 30. The flap 28 has fastener strip 34. The flap 29 has fastener strip 35. If the fastener strip 33 is a loop type fastener, the strips 34, 35 will be hook type fasteners to provide a hook and loop type connection such as Velcro®. The fastener strips 17, 18, 19 of
The foam blocks shown in
The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the various elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/057,081, filed May 29, 2008, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4989286 | Tucker | Feb 1991 | A |
| 5439008 | Bowman | Aug 1995 | A |
| 6877176 | Houghteling | Apr 2005 | B2 |
| 20040261180 | Birns | Dec 2004 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61057081 | May 2008 | US |
