BEDSIDE COT

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall (4) of a bedside cot or the like, capable of pivoting from a first upright position to a second, horizontal position; the wall (4) is tapering from its base (5) to its distal edge (9). It is also disclosed a mattress cover (3) and a fitted sheet comprising a cuboid space and a wedge-shaped space connected together along one edge of the cuboid and one edge of the base base of the wedge shaped space.

Description

This invention relates to cots and the like and in particular to a wall for a cot, which may form part of a cot, or be part of a mattress, or even part of a cover for a mattress.

Cots, and the like, such as cribs, bassinets, Moses-baskets, cradles and co-sleepers come in various forms, but the present invention relates in particular to those which are adapted to be placed adjacent the side of a parent bed, of which U.S. Pat. No.5,172,435 is one example. Even more particularly the invention relates to such cots and the like in which a wall of the cot adjacent the parent bed can be lowered onto the mattress of the parent bed to allow, for example, a mother lying on the parent bed access to the cot, and hence to a baby within the cot.

Particular examples of such cots may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 793,168 and EP2317983.

Both of these examples have a sidewall pivotally mounted, at its base, on a bar, about which it can rotate onto the mattress of the parent bed and bridge the gap between the parent mattress and the cot mattress, in the fashion of a drawbridge.

In U.S. Pat. No. 793,168 the sidewall is constructed as a frame with additional bars between the sides of the frame, two of which serve as tracks along which a trolley carrying a mattress (and baby) can slide out.

In EP2317983 again the sidewall is constructed as a frame, but no bars are provided, instead, the frame is enveloped by a fabric covering which includes a transparent section, formed for example by mesh to allow the inside of the cot to be viewed from the parent bed, even when the wall is raised.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved wall for a bedside cot, or the like.

Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wall of a bedside cot or the like, capable of pivoting from a first, upright, position, to a second, horizontal position; the wall tapering from its base to its distal edge.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a wall of a bedside cot or the like, capable of pivoting from a first upright position to a second horizontal position; the wall being formed of resilient material.

Both of these aspects of the invention provide improvement in terms of comfort when the wall is in the horizontal position, overlying the mattress of the parent bed. In the prior art described above in relation to U.S. Pat. No. 793,168, the baby had to be wheeled out of the cot on a trolley, with the height of the trolley disturbing interaction between a parent on the parent bed and the baby on the trolley. In EP2317983 on the other hand, the baby could be rolled out onto the sidewall, or the parent could lie partially on the sidewall, and interact with the baby in the cot, but the frame structure, with its hoop shaped rods of metal (or very tough plastics) could prove uncomfortable to both baby and parent.

Alternative constructions for opening the sidewall are known, such as drop-sides, which are lowered vertically whilst remaining upright, but these do not have the drawbridge effect and leave a gap between the parent bed and the bedside cot, which can be dangerous, with the baby potentially falling through the gap. Even if the space between the parent bed and the bedside cot is not big enough for a baby to fall through, any gap has the potential to trap a baby's limb or digit.

Preferably the wall is both tapered from its base to its distal edge and formed of resilient material.

Preferably the wall is formed from upholstery foam, such as polyester foam. Alternatively it may be formed of coir or wool. Preferably the resilient part, e.g. upholstery foam, coir, or wool is attached to a backing board, such that in the horizontal position a resilient portion overlies the backing board.

Preferably the wall includes a cover covering the outer surface. Preferably the cover is waterproof. Preferably the waterproof cover is formed of PVC.

Preferably the wall comprises fasteners (e.g. snap fasteners) for fastening the wall to a cot or the like, in the upright position.

One embodiment provides a mattress cover comprising a wall as described above. Preferably the mattress cover comprises a flexible sheet having an opening to envelope a mattress and is arranged such that in use one end the mattress is situated adjacent the base of the wall, the cover connecting the mattress and the wall, such that the wall can pivot between a first upright position perpendicular to the mattress to a second horizontal position alongside the mattress.

In another embodiment a mattress for a bedside cot or the like is provided which comprises a wall as defined above

Provision of a mattress cover comprising such a wall, or a mattress comprising such a wall, has the result that in the horizontal position, a continuous surface can be provided from the mattress of the baby's cot to the mattress of the bed, with the wall providing a bridge with no gap at all between it and the mattress of the cot.

Preferably the body of the mattress is connected to the wall (optionally by the cover) such that in the upright position, the base of the sidewall has a first, inward, edge and a second, outward, edge, with the first edge of the base of the wall adjacent the top edge of the outward end of the mattress and in the horizontal position, the first edge remains adjacent the top edge of the outward end of the mattress and the second edge is lower than the first edge.

Such a construction allows the outward end of the mattress to be held inside a bedside cot by an upstanding retaining lip. In the horizontal position, depending on the relative depths of the sidewall and the body of the mattress, and the height of the lip, the lip can be sandwiched between the base of the side-wall and the body of the mattress.

In another preferred embodiment a bedside cot or the like comprises a wall as defined above. While such a construction would still have the potential to leave a small gap between the mattress of the cot and the upper surface of the sidewall in the horizontal position, the advantages in terms of comfort would still be achieved.

In a further aspect of the invention a bedside cot is provided which comprises a mattress as defined above.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a mattress cover comprising a cuboid space and a wedge-shaped space connected together along one edge of the cuboid space and one edge of the base of the wedge shaped space.

And in another associated aspect the invention provides a fitted sheet comprising a cuboid space and a wedge-shaped space connected together along one edge of the cuboid space and one edge of the base of the wedge shaped space.

Further aspects and features of the invention will be described with reference to the following exemplary embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a mattress including a sidewall according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the mattress of FIG. 1 in which the sidewall is in an upright position;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the mattress of FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the sidewall is in a horizontal, or bridging, position;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the mattress of FIGS. 1 to 3 in located in a bedside cot and in the horizontal position;

FIG. 5 the mattress and cot of FIG. 4, in which the sidewall of the mattress is in the upright position; and

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a cot including a mattress having a sidewall according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a mattress 1 is shown, including a rectangular mattress body 2, which is sized and shaped to fit into a bedside cot, e.g. from about 35 cm×85 cm×3.5 cm for a small crib, to about 60 cm×120 cm×10 cm for a larger cot. The mattress body 2 is formed from typical resilient materials, such as upholstery foam, but could be manufactured from more exotic resilient materials, such as natural fibres like wool and coir.

The mattress body 2 is covered with a flexible waterproof cover 3 of sheet material. The cover 3 covers the outer surfaces of the mattress body 2 and may be removable.

The mattress of the invention also includes a wall, in this case a sidewall 4, which extends from one long side of the rectangular mattress body 2. The sidewall 4 can pivot from an upright position shown in FIG. 2, in which it forms a sidewall of a cot, to a horizontal position, shown in FIG. 3 in which it acts as a bridge between the cot and a bed. An in-between position is shown in FIG. 1, in which the sidewall 4 is neither up nor down. It will be understood that the expression upright is intended to mean generally upright, not exactly in the direction of the zenith, and likewise, horizontal is intended to refer to the plane generally perpendicular to the vertical, not exactly perpendicular thereto, i.e. horizontal enough to serve its purpose as a bridge and upright enough to serve its purpose as a sidewall.

The sidewall 4 is also manufactured from a resilient material, such as upholstery foam (e.g. polyester foam), or suitable natural fibres (e.g. coir and wool) and is also covered with the waterproof cover 3. The cover 3 which covers the mattress body 2 and the sidewall 4 can be formed by two separate covers connected together, e.g. by sewing.

The sidewall 4 has a base 5, which in the upright position has a first inward edge 6 and a second outward edge 7. The first inward edge 6 is connected to the long side of the mattress body 2 adjacent the top edge of its outward end 8, and can pivot about the longitudinal axis defined by the region in which the inward edge 6 of the base 5 of the sidewall 4 and the top edge of the outward end 8 of the mattress body 2 are connected.

The cover 3 connects the mattress body 2 to the sidewall 4 such that in the upright position the first, inward, edge 6 is adjacent the top edge of the outward end 8 of the mattress body and the second, outward, edge 7 of the base 5 of the sidewall 4 is located further outward in a horizontal plane. The connection in this region allows the sidewall 4 to be pivoted downwards through the position shown in FIG. 1, to the position shown in FIG. 3, in which the first edge 6 of the base 5 of the sidewall 4 remains adjacent the top edge of the outward end 8 of the mattress body 2 and the second edge 7 is situated beneath the first edge 6, adjacent the bottom edge of the outward end 8 of the mattress body 2.

The sidewall 4 is of generally rectangular construction, having long sides defined by the base 5 and the distal edge 9, with two opposite shorter ends 10,11. However, whereas the rectangular mattress body 2 is of constant depth, forming a cuboid, the sidewall 4 tapers away from the base 5 to the distal edge 9, so as to form a wedge, with a triangular cross section in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis defined above, such that the shorter ends 10, 11 are triangular.

An outer rectangular surface 12 extends from the second, outward, edge 7 of the base 5 of the sidewall, to its distal edge 9 and an inner rectangular surface 13 extends from the first, inward, edge 6 to the distal edge 9. The outer rectangular surface 12 may include a board (not shown) or similar flat supporting member, inside the cover 3 to provide structural rigidity to the sidewall 4.

The taper is gradual, with the height (h) of the sidewall (the distance between the base 5 and the distal edge 9) being substantially greater than the depth (d) of the base 5 (the distance between the inward edge 6 and the outward edge 7), such that h>d, preferably h>2 d, more preferably h>3 d and more preferably still, h>5 d.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in use, the mattress 1 is located in a bedside cot 14, which is positioned alongside (and normally attached to) a bed 15. The bedside cot 14 includes a stand 16, a base (not shown) and three walls—two end walls 17, 18 and a sidewall 19. The bedside cot 14 also includes an upstanding lip 20, best seen in FIG. 5, which along with the walls 17,18,19 hold the mattress body 2 in place in the bedside cot 14.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, when the sidewall 4 of the mattress 1 is in the upright position, it serves as a fourth wall of the bedside cot 14, providing a safe space, out of which a baby will not fall. This configuration with the sidewall 4 upright, may be used whilst a parent sleeps.

Various fastening means are envisioned, which could maintain the upright position, such as magnets (not shown) in the ends 10, 11 of the sidewall 4 towards the distal edge 9, which co-operate with magnets (not shown) in the end walls, 17, 18 of the bedside cot. The weight of a baby on the mattress body 2 may even cause the sidewall 4 to be held upright more securely.

When a parent wishes to interact with a baby within the bedside cot 14, the sidewall 4 is unfastened and pivoted into the horizontal, bridging, position shown in FIG. 4, in which the outer rectangular surface 12 overlies the upper surface of the mattress on the bed 15. A continuous sleeping surface is thus provided extending from the mattress body 2, along the inner rectangular surface 13, onto the mattress of the parent bed 15, with no gap between the bridging portion and the mattress body. The upper surface of the sidewall 4 (the inner rectangular surface 13) is resilient and will thus compress easily under the weight of a baby or parent in the same manner as their mattresses to avoid discomfort. Moreover, courtesy of the tapering wedge shape of the sidewall 4, there is only minimal discontinuity between the distal edge 9 of the sidewall 4 and the mattress of the parent bed 15, further aiding comfort.

A fitted sheet (not shown) may be provided to cover the mattress body 2 and the sidewall 4 and preferably both. In order to cover both the sidewall 4 and the mattress body 2, the fitted sheet comprises a cuboid space and a wedge-shaped space connected together along one edge of the cuboid space, corresponding to the top edge of the outward end 8 of the mattress body 2 and one edge of the wedge shaped space corresponding to the inner edge 6 of the base 5 of the sidewall 4.

A second embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, in which like numerals represent like features. The mattress 21 of the second embodiment, is also formed of a mattress body 2 and sidewall 4, but in this case, the ends of the sidewall 4 are each provided with flaps of fabric 22 including snap fasteners 23, 24, 25, 26, which co-operate with corresponding fasteners (not shown) on the outside of the end walls 17, 18 of the bedside cot 14.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications may be made to the sidewall 4, mattress 1,21 and bedside crib 14 discussed above and as such, the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims.

For example, as an alternative to the lip 20, the mattress body 2 or cover 3 could be provided with fasteners on e.g. its underside to connect to the base or walls 17,18,19 of the bedside cot to keep the mattress 1,21 in place. In another example, the sidewall could form part of the bedside cot 14, rather than the mattress 1,21. As yet another example, the sidewall 4 could be provided as part of a mattress cover 3, rather than part of a mattress per-se, such that the cover 3 can be put onto an ordinary crib/cot mattress, such that the ordinary crib/cot mattress forms the mattress body 2. It is also envisioned that a mattress cover 3 could be provided, into which a wedge-shaped sidewall 4 can be inserted and an ordinary crib/cot mattress can be inserted, in order to provide the mattress of the invention.

Claims

1. A wall of a bedside cot or the like, capable of pivoting from a first, upright, position, to a second, horizontal position; the wall tapering from its base to its distal edge.

2. A wall of a bedside cot or the like, capable of pivoting from a first upright position to a second horizontal position; the wall being formed of resilient material.

3. The wall according to claim 1 formed of a resilient material.

4. The wall according to claim 2 comprising upholstery foam.

5. The wall according to claim 4 wherein the upholstery foam is polyester foam.

6. The wall according to claim 2 wherein a resilient part of the wall is attached to a backing board, such that in the horizontal position a resilient portion overlies the backing board.

7. The wall according to claim 2 including a cover covering the outer surface.

8. The wall according to claim 7 wherein the cover is waterproof.

9. The wall according to claim 8 wherein the waterproof cover is formed of PVC.

10. The wall according to claim 2 further comprising fasteners for fastening the wall to a cot or the like, in the upright position.

11. The wall according to claim 10 wherein the fasteners are snap-fasteners.

12. A mattress cover comprising a wall according to claim 2.

13. The mattress cover of claim 12 comprising a flexible sheet having an opening to envelope a mattress and arranged such that in use one end the mattress is situated adjacent the base of the wall, the cover connecting the mattress and the wall, such that the wall can pivot between a first upright position perpendicular to the mattress to a second horizontal position alongside the mattress.

14. The mattress cover of claim 13 in which the cover connects the mattress to the wall such that in the upright position the base of the wall has a first, inward, edge and a second, outward, edge, with the first edge of the base of the wall adjacent the top edge of the outward end of the mattress and in the horizontal position, the first edge remains adjacent the top edge of the outward end of the mattress and the second edge is lower than the first edge.

15. A mattress comprising a wall according to claim 2.

16. A bedside cot comprising a mattress according to claim 15.

17. A bedside cot or the like comprising a wall according to claim 2.

18. A mattress cover or a fitted sheet comprising a cuboid space and a wedge-shaped space connected together along one edge of the cuboid space and one edge of the base of the wedge shaped space.

19. (canceled)