This application is the U.S. national phase of PCT Appln. No. PCT/AU2010/000368 filed Mar. 31, 2010, which claims priority to Australian application 2009901399 filed Mar. 31, 2009, the disclosures of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.
Conventional beds and cots for babies, when used with conventional blankets and sheets and the like, can have a variety of problems associated with them.
For example, it can be difficult to maintain the bedding in an appropriate position around the infant as it moves around while it sleeps; a child can also become cold if out of the bedding. Alternately a child tangled in bedding can become, overheated. The above mentioned problems not only cause restless nights but they can become serious hazards.
The campaign for sleeping on the back introduced by SIDS has greatly decreased the number of SIDS related deaths; however there are still around 134 deaths per year attributed to SIDS in Australia alone. Studies have shown that the risk of SIDS becomes greatly increased when an infant's face becomes covered by bedding.
There remains the need to provide a more effective apparatus to assist in reducing SIDS in infants.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for covering a human or animal at rest on a surface comprising a support to fix (optionally reversibly) the device relative to the surface, and an adjustable covering to cover the human or animal wherein the covering is fixable (optionally reversibly) at a length so as to ensure that the human or animal's face is not covered by the device.
The device may be made from any suitable materials. Examples include fabric, polymeric materials, etc. The reason for covering may be for any suitable reason, such as warmth, restraint, protection (such as from UV radiation, or for damaged tissue), and so on. The surface may be of any suitable type on which a human or animal can rest. Thus it would include horizontal surfaces such as a bed or floors, but may also include vertical or semi vertical surfaces such as a chair or seat. Similarly, the invention may have application in a wide range of environments. Thus for example, environments where the human or animal requires restraint for safety reasons, such as at in a moving vehicle, during earthquake, at lower gravitational levels, and so on.
The support may be of any suitable type. Thus for example, it may comprise fasteners such as VELCRO fasteners or clips or press studs, or zips which engage to fix the device to and/or stationery relative to the surface. In some embodiments it may comprise a sleeve which goes over a mattress (which comprises the surface).
The adjustable covering can be of any type suitable for the application at hand. Thus it may be a warm covering, or one that blocks UV, or allows air to circulate but blocks contamination, and so on. Adjustment of the covering may be done by any suitable means. In some embodiments it is done by a series of folds and tucks of the covering. In others, elements of the covering are added or subtracted as need be. In others, the covering's size can be dynamically adjusted, for example with one or mole fasteners that hold different elements of the covering in proximity to one another unless they are released. Fixing of the covering can be done by any suitable means.
In some embodiments, the device is for use with a human or animal in a state of debilitation. It is commonly the case that a debilitated human or animal must be covered to keep them warm, or in some cases restrained. However, the state of debilitation may mean that the human or animal is unable to remove coverings that may inadvertently fall over his, her or its face. The present invention substantially reduces the risk of such an event occurring. Examples of debilitation may for example include, post-anaesthetic, serious illness, old age, etc.
In some embodiments, the device is for use with an infant and wherein the surface optionally is comprised horn one or more of a bed, cot, car seat, cradle, bassinet, sleeping mat, flooring, or any other suitable surface. In some embodiments, the device is for use with one or more of a bed, cot, car seat or cradle, sleeping mat, flooring, bassinette, cradle, port-a-cot, toddler bed or other bed mattress, or any other suitable surface.
In some embodiments wherein the support comprises a sleeve which may be optionally used to cover an item comprising the surface, such as a mattress.
Throughout tills specification (including any claims which follow), unless the context requires otherwise, the word ‘comprise’, and variations such as ‘comprises’ and ‘comprising’, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
Certain exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings and their relevant numbers.
a is the accessory blanket showing the second variation on the invention.
b is the accessory blanket designed to fit the third variation with slight changes to the placement of press studs.
a-h shows an example use of a device according to the invention.
It is convenient to describe the invention herein in relation to particularly preferred embodiments. However, the invention is applicable to a wide range of embodiments and it is to be appreciated that other constructions and arrangements are also considered as falling within the scope of the invention. Various modifications, alterations, variations and or additions to the construction and arrangements described herein are also considered as falling within the ambit and scope of the present invention.
This invention relates to the area of beds and bedding and in particular to the area of beds and the like for babies which provide a secure resting place for the baby. IN some embodiments, the invention permits the bedding to remain in a preferred orientation on the mattress and includes the ability to replicate the ‘feet to foot’ method, of making up a safe bed recommended by SIDS. In some embodiments, the device also allows for temperature control through removal or addition of secured layers.
In some embodiments the invention consists of an all-in-one fitted device which is adapted to fit over car safety capsules and seats.
In some embodiments, the invention consists of a sleeve-like bedding device adapted to pass over a bassinette, cradle, cot, port-a-cot, toddler bed or other bed mattress, without exclusion of pram cradles. The first opening end passes over a mattress to the point whereby the body's upper portion can extend through this opening safely, whilst still staying covered at least to the shoulders. Depending on length of the occupant; there may be an excess of device at the foot of mattress; it is intended that this excess be tucked under the mattress.
In some embodiments, it is preferred that the bedding device be provided with a zip or other suitable means of fastening at either side of the upper centre surface of the device to allow for access. The first opening end of the bedding device may encompass a fixed fold-over flap that can house additional blanket layers. Variations to this option include a fold-over flap that is not fixed or a tab. Under each of the previous mentioned options there is provision for securing/fixing the additional layers of blanket to the device. The reverse side of the device may be fitted with a means of tightening the device so as to adjust the width. The top exterior of the device may form a fitted coverlet over the baby, adding to this is an insert opening whereby a quilt or liner may be included in order to adjust the warmth of device.
Some of the advantages of various embodiments of the invention comprise:
In some embodiments, the invention takes the form of a sleeve like bedding device adapted to pass over the cot or other bed mattress through the open end of the device. It is intended that the mattress is fitted with a regular fitted sheet.
In some embodiments, the device may also comprise a fitted sheet. The device is intended for use in; bassinettes, cradles, cots, port-a-cots and beginner beds. The invention is such that it can be adapted and adjusted in size to fit a range of bedding. The device has been designed to replicate the ‘feet to foot’ method of making up a bed recommended by SIDS. Tire device can be adjusted to accommodate the growth of a child both in breadth and length. Another unique feature of the device is that the layers of warmth can be adjusted with minimal disturbance to the child, whilst at the same time providing bedding that stays in place.
All the devices will vary in measurement according to the many varied sizes available. Whilst these designs are based on standard baby/toddler bed measurements it is intended in the scope of the design to include other variables in relation to mattress sizes. The same can be said for the baby car/pram capsule and child car safety seat. The bassinette device is also applicable to prams that have a bassinette component.
a-h demonstrate one example use of a device according to the invention.
a. Open quilt insertion point 3 and insert or remove accessory quilt depending on level of warmth required.
b. A standard fitted sheet is placed over the mattress 26.
Loosen straps 11 on the reverse side of device.
c. Slip the device up over the body of the mattress to the point that matches the child's height to the shoulders.
d. Tighten the Straps 11.
e. In the case of there being an excess 27 remaining at the foot of device due to a smaller infant fitting; neatly fold the excess under the body of the mattress. It is intended that the weight of the mattress will hold the said fold in place.
f. Should the accessory blanket/s 9 be required for additional warmth, place on top of device and slide up underneath top fold-over flap and place the corresponding male and female press studs 1 together. Further layers of accessory blankets can be added in the same way. Any excess remaining is tucked down at the foot of the cot in the standard manner.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2009901399 | Mar 2009 | AU | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/AU2010/000368 | 3/31/2010 | WO | 00 | 9/28/2011 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2010/111739 | 10/7/2010 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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1863256 | Snoddy | Jun 1932 | A |
1964271 | O'Dwyer | Jun 1934 | A |
2239017 | Roberts | Apr 1941 | A |
2627617 | Avila | Feb 1953 | A |
3003164 | Calvelage | Oct 1961 | A |
3083378 | Pursell | Apr 1963 | A |
4161044 | Bogle | Jul 1979 | A |
4241466 | Mendyk | Dec 1980 | A |
4546508 | Ison | Oct 1985 | A |
5084929 | Staudinger | Feb 1992 | A |
20080072378 | Head | Mar 2008 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
772185 | Mar 2000 | AU |
2007100837 | Oct 2007 | AU |
9956598 | Nov 1999 | WO |
0076376 | Dec 2000 | WO |
Entry |
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International Search Report for PCT/AU2010/000368, Completed by the Australian Patent Office on May 5, 2010, 3 Pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20120023668 A1 | Feb 2012 | US |