Patent Grant
10201235
This invention relates generally to bassinets and, more particularly, to an over-the-bed bassinet that enables a mother to easily access an infant therein and provides a safety feature to prevent the infant from falling out.
National statistics report over 4 million births in the U.S. in 2007, which is over 300,000 births per month, or 30,000 births per day. The average length of stay for a mother and baby is 3 days; including both vaginal and cesarean deliveries. Every baby requires a bassinet for the postpartum hospital stay, and there are approximately 900,000 bassinets presently in hospitals throughout the United States. The average bassinet that is presently used in the hospital costs approximately $1000, and the most popular model is a standalone crib-type.
Hospitals have embraced the “rooming in concept”, that allows the mother to have her newborn in her hospital room day and night. The infant is in the care of the mother, who has just delivered her baby. New mothers naturally want to cuddle the infant, and many of course commence breast-feeding right away. However, the arduous labor process and the possibility of the mother having received narcotics during labor or during her cesarean section results in fatigue and exhaustion. This increases the chance of a mother falling asleep with her infant. It has also been reported that mothers will sacrifice sleeping while attending to their infant, and the research has proven that sleep deprivation can lead to postpartum depression and anxiety. Furthermore, in extreme cases infants die from suffocation as a result of a sleeping mother unknowingly laying on her infant and cutting off the infant's airway.
Consumers are driving the rooming-in concept versus the traditional concept of having the infant in the nursery at night, coming out only for feedings. While research supports the theory that rooming-in facilitates mother-infant bonding and increases successful breast feeding, there is much concern about mothers getting adequate rest, and of course about the possible danger to the infant. Nursery nurses are unable to observe the infants in their charge as closely when they are rooming-in with their mothers, and while nurses round on their patients on a consistent basis, there is always a chance for an accident to occur due to an infant being in bed with a sleeping mother. While there is substantial research surrounding postpartum depression and sleep deprivation, little has been done to explore possible solutions to insure that mothers are able to get adequate sleep during their hospital stay.
In addition, nurses on post-partum floors report that the number one reason a mother asks for help is that she is too tired to get her baby out of the nearby bassinet, or too tired to return the baby to the bassinet, and needs the nurse to assist her. It is understandable that an exhausted mother could easily fall asleep before getting up to return her infant to its bassinet. The primary concern is that an exhausted mother who is feeding her baby in bed does not realize she is drifting off to sleep and will fall asleep with the baby in her arms, and the nursing staff will not be aware of the situation.
Statistics have shown that infants have suffocated in hospital settings due to “overlaying” (lying on the baby while sleeping). There are many reports of infants falling from their sleeping mother's arms onto the floor. Studies have also shown that there are over 700 reported infant falls in hospitals in the U.S. annually, and probably many more unreported events. The falls usually occur when a mother falls asleep nursing her baby and the baby falls out of her arms and onto the floor.
Indeed, the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, warns parents not to place their infants to sleep in adult beds. These organizations state that the practice of co-sleeping puts babies at a higher risk of suffocation and strangulation. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission the primary risks of infants sleeping in adult beds include suffocation caused by an adult rolling on top of or next to a baby; suffocation when an infant gets trapped or wedged between a mattress and a headboard, nightstand, wall, or other object; suffocation resulting from a baby being face down on a waterbed, a regular mattress or on soft bedding, such as pillow blankets, or quilts; and strangulation in a headboard or footboard that allows a portion of an infant's body to pass through an area while trapping the baby's head.
To avoid these risks, there are ways to keep a baby close by, but not in the adult's bed. A bassinet that allows a mother to view her infant without having to get out of bed, and be able to access her infant while in bed, can help prevent sleeping accidents from occurring, thereby reducing a mother's anxiety and promoting rest and safety for the mother during her postpartum hospital stay. For example, a baby can be placed in a bassinet or crib next to the adult's bed. There are also devices that look like a bassinet minus one side, which attaches to the adult bed and is termed a “co-sleeper.” These devices allow the parent and baby to be next to one another without the possibility of the parent rolling over onto the infant. Various co-sleepers that attach to a bedside are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,172,435, 5,430,899, 6,934,981, and 7,406,725.
Unfortunately, many rooms do not have enough space to place these devices in the same room as the adult bed, let alone at the side of the adult bed. When used, a bassinet placed next to a bed will be inconvenient in that only one adult on one side of the bed will have convenient access to it. Additionally, when a bassinet is placed near the side of the bed, this can block easy access to the bed and make it difficult for an adult to move in or out of the bed. In a hospital setting the co-sleeper may interfere with the nurses' duties.
Another design where the infant bed is suspended above the adult bed is seen in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0222810. This device features a holding structure supported by a horizontal arm extending from a relatively sturdy support stand behind the head of the bed, or by a “C-shaped” apparatus which extends from below the bed upward, and over the adult bed area. The constructions shown are relatively bulky and likely expensive, and the overall ergonomic functioning leaves something to be desired.
In an effort to improve outcomes for mothers and infants, an over-the-bed bassinet designed for a mother's comfort and the baby's safety, and which is relatively simple and cost-effective, is needed.
The present application provides an easy-access over-the-bed bassinet especially useful in hospitals for new mothers and babies. In one embodiment, the bassinet, comprises a frame on which is mounted a sleeping platform surrounded by an upstanding enclosure including walls that present a protective barrier to an infant rolling off of the sleeping platform. At least one of the walls converts between an elevated position and a lowered position in which the barrier on that side is lowered. Means are provided to ensure maintenance of a barrier to the baby rolling out of the bassinet if the mother falls asleep. In one embodiment, the front wall mounts in the bassinet with a restoring mechanism that causes the front wall to automatically return toward the elevated position from the lowered position in the absence of a barrier to upward movement.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a bassinet that helps protect a baby from rolling out when the mother is breast feeding the baby comprises an upstanding enclosure surrounding a sleeping platform including walls that present a protective barrier to a baby rolling off of the sleeping platform. The walls include opposite end walls and front and rear walls. At least the front wall is convertible between an elevated position and a lowered position in which the barrier on that side is lowered. A strap is provided having fasteners at either end for attaching to mating fasteners on the bassinet on either side of the bassinet and having a length sufficient to encircle the mother to maintain contact between the mother and the front side of the bassinet. In this way, the mother can retain the bassinet against her when breast feeding even when the front wall is lowered to prevent accidents if she falls asleep.
In accordance with one version, the front wall pivots downward under the sleeping platform when converting between the elevated and lowered positions, and at least one of the mating fasteners on the bassinet causes the strap to pass over the front wall and present a barrier to upward movement of the front wall from its lowered position. The front wall may mount in the bassinet with a restoring mechanism that causes the front wall to return toward the elevated position from the lowered position in the absence of a barrier to upward movement, such that the front wall will tend to return toward the elevated position when the mother's arms are no longer resting on the front wall. The strap desirably includes a cushion having a pair of strap ends that separately fasten to the bassinet.
The bassinet may also include a stand having a base and an upstanding support member supporting an elevated frame above the base. The upstanding support member is connected to the elevated frame in such a manner that the elevated frame may be cantilevered over a bed, wherein the elevated frame in turn supports the sleeping platform of the bassinet. In another embodiment, the sleeping platform is supported on height-adjustable legs that permit the bassinet to be placed on a bed such that the sleeping platform may be elevated above the bed at different heights. One useful version features a sliding shelf that retracts under the sleeping platform.
Another aspect of the present application is a bassinet that helps protect a baby from rolling out when the mother is breast feeding the baby. The bassinet includes an upstanding enclosure surrounding a sleeping platform including walls that present a protective barrier to a baby rolling off of the sleeping platform. The walls comprised opposite end walls and front and rear walls, at least the front wall being convertible between an elevated position and a lowered position in which the barrier on that side is lowered. The bassinet also has means for ensuring maintenance of a barrier to the baby rolling off the front of the sleeping platform if the mother falls asleep. For instance, the means for ensuring maintenance of a barrier comprises a strap that encircles the mother and fastens on either side of the front of the bassinet such that the mother remains in contact with the front of the bassinet and forms the barrier. The strap desirably comprises a cushion having a pair of strap ends that separately fasten to the bassinet. Alternatively, the means for ensuring that a barrier remains comprises a restoring mechanism that causes the front wall to automatically return toward the elevated position from the lowered position in the absence of an external force.
In the above embodiment, the front wall may remain oriented substantially vertically and translate up and down when converting between the elevated and lowered positions. In another embodiment, the front wall pivots downward under the sleeping platform when converting between the elevated and lowered positions. The sleeping platform maybe supported on height-adjustable legs that permit the bassinet to be placed on a bed such that the sleeping platform may be elevated above the bed at different heights.
A still further bassinet of the present application that provides ergonomic support for a mother while she is breast feeding her baby comprises a stand including a base and an upstanding support member connecting the elevated frame above the base. The upstanding support member connects to the elevated frame in such a manner that the elevated frame may be cantilevered over a bed. A sleeping platform is supported by the elevated frame, and an upstanding enclosure surrounds the sleeping platform to present a protective barrier to a baby rolling off of the sleeping platform. The walls comprise opposite end walls and front and rear walls, at least the front wall being convertible between an elevated position and a lowered position in which the barrier on that side is lowered, and the front wall pivots about a bottom edge. With this configuration the bassinet is able to support the mother's arms while resting on the convertible wall in the lowered position and nursing her baby on the sleeping platform. The front wall may be returned and locked in the elevated position when the mother finishes nursing and removes her arms. A strap that encircles the mother and fastens on either side of the front of the bassinet may be included such that the mother remains in contact with the front of the bassinet and forms a barrier to the baby rolling out of the bassinet enclosure. Furthermore, the bassinet may have a restoring mechanism that causes the front wall to automatically return toward the elevated position from the lowered position in the absence of an external force. The front wall desirably pivots downward under the sleeping platform when converting between the elevated and lowered positions.
In different embodiments described herein, the front wall may remain oriented substantially vertically and translate up and down when converting between the elevated and lowered positions, or may pivot outward about a bottom edge when converting between the elevated and lowered positions. In one embodiment, the front wall pivots downward under the sleeping platform when converting between the elevated and lowered positions. Desirably, the front wall has an arcuate shape that curves under the sleeping platform and attaches to a weighted frame to bias the front wall upward.
The restoring mechanism may comprise a spring mechanism that biases the convertible wall toward the elevated position from the lowered position, or may be a weighted centering arm attached to displace the front wall upward from its lowered position. For example, the restoring mechanism may comprise at least one leaf spring positioned below a bottom edge that compresses when the front wall descends to its lowered position. The bassinet may have locking structure for securing the front wall in its elevated position, the locking structure being adapted for manual release.
In accordance with one aspect, the bassinet includes a strap having fasteners at either end for attaching to mating fasteners on the bassinet on either side of the front wall. At least one of the fasteners on the bassinet causes the strap to pass over the front wall and present a barrier to upward movement from the lowered position thereof. Both the front and rear walls may be convertible between an elevated position presenting a barrier to an infant rolling off the sleeping platform on those respective sides and a lowered position in which the barrier is substantially removed. Both the sleeping platform and the upstanding enclosure may be rotatably mounted about a vertical axis with respect to the frame. In one embodiment, the sleeping platform and upstanding enclosure are mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis with respect to a support stand to permit limited tilting.
Another aspect of the invention is a bassinet that provides ergonomic support for a mother while she is breast feeding her baby, comprising a stand including a base, an elevated frame, and an upstanding support member connecting the elevated frame above the base, the upstanding support member being connected to the elevated frame in such a manner that the elevated frame may be positioned over a bed. A sleeping platform is supported by the elevated frame, and an upstanding enclosure surrounding the sleeping platform includes walls that present a protective barrier to an infant rolling off of the sleeping platform. At least one of the walls is convertible between an elevated position and a lowered position in which the barrier on that side is lowered. The convertible wall mounts in the bassinet with a restoring mechanism that causes the convertible wall to return toward the elevated position from the lowered position in the absence of a barrier to upward movement. The bassinet is able to support the mother's arms while resting on the convertible wall in the lowered position and nursing her baby on the sleeping platform, and the convertible wall will tend to return toward the elevated position when the mother's arms are no longer resting on the side wall.
The bassinet further may include a sliding shelf that retracts under the sleeping platform. The front wall may remain oriented substantially vertically and translate up and down when converting between the elevated and lowered positions, or may pivot outward about a bottom edge when converting between the elevated and lowered positions. In one embodiment, the front wall pivots downward under the sleeping platform when converting between the elevated and lowered positions. Desirably, the front wall has an arcuate shape that curves under the sleeping platform and attaches to a weighted frame to bias the front wall upward.
The restoring mechanism may comprise a spring mechanism that biases the convertible wall toward the elevated position from the lowered position. In one embodiment, the restoring mechanism comprises a weighted centering arm attached to displace the front wall upward from its lowered position. The bassinet may also include a strap having fasteners at either end for attaching to mating fasteners on the bassinet on either side of the front wall, wherein at least one of the fasteners on the bassinet causes the strap to pass over the front wall and present a barrier to upward rotation from the lowered position thereof.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a bassinet that provides ergonomic support for a mother while she is breast feeding her baby comprises a stand including a base, an elevated frame, and an upstanding support member connecting the elevated frame above the base. The upstanding support member connects to the elevated frame in such a manner that the elevated frame may be cantilevered over a bed. A sleeping platform is supported by the elevated frame, and an upstanding enclosure surrounds the sleeping platform and includes walls that present a protective barrier to an infant rolling off of the sleeping platform. The enclosure walls including opposite end walls and front and rear walls, wherein at least the front wall converts between an elevated position and a lowered position in which the barrier on that side is lowered. Further, the front wall pivots downward under the sleeping platform when converting between the elevated and lowered positions. The bassinet is able to support the mother's arms while resting on the front wall in the lowered position and nursing her baby on the sleeping platform.
In a preferred embodiment, the front wall mounts in the bassinet with a restoring mechanism that causes the front wall to return toward the elevated position from the lowered position in the absence of a barrier to upward movement, and the front wall will tend to return toward the elevated position when the mother's arms are no longer resting on the front wall. The front wall may have an arcuate shape that curves under the sleeping platform and attaches to a frame weighted to bias the front wall upward. Both the front wall and the rear wall may be convertible between an elevated position and a lowered position in which the barrier on that side is lowered, and both may pivot downward under the sleeping platform when converting between the elevated and lowered positions. The bassinet desirably includes a strap having fasteners at either end for attaching to mating fasteners on the bassinet on either side of the front wall. At least one of the fasteners on the bassinet causes the strap to pass over the front wall and present a barrier to upward rotation from the lowered position thereof.
Features and advantages of the present invention will become appreciated as the same become better understood with reference to the specification, claims, and appended drawings wherein:
The bassinet 20 includes a frame 22 on which is mounted a sleeping platform 24 surrounded by an upstanding enclosure 26. Several different types of enclosures are described herein, and others are contemplated. The various enclosures present a barrier to an infant rolling off the sleeping platform 24, and typically include vertical walls surrounding the sleeping platform 24. As will be explained in more detail below, a front portion or wall of the enclosure 26 facing the mother converts from an elevated position presenting a barrier to contain the infant in the bassinet 20, to a lowered position in which the barrier on that side is substantially removed to enable the mother easy access. Moreover, the convertible portion of the enclosure 26 features an automatic return mechanism that ensures the barrier will reform in the absence of any force applied by the mother or other barrier.
In certain embodiments the frame 22, sleeping platform 24 and enclosure 26 are constructed of a single member, while in other versions the frame may be formed of struts or other structural members that supports a separate sleeping platform 24 with an integral or separate enclosure. Also, the frame 22 may comprise a table on which the bassinets described herein are supported, or may be structural members that support or suspend the bassinets, the term “frame” being used to signify the cantilevered structure that permits the bassinet to extend over a bed. Those of skill in the art will understand that there are numerous ways for supporting an enclosed sleeping platform over a bed, and that the claims should not be limited by any particular embodiment disclosed herein.
As seen in
It should be noted that although most of the bassinets described herein are shown as “over-the-bed” types, which extend over a bed such as a hospital bed for convenience, many features of the bassinet are useful for traditional designs. For example, the convertible walls described herein may be useful for bassinets that stand by themselves on a vertical frame, not designed to go over the bed. Likewise, accessories such as sliding shelves and drawers in combination with the convertible bassinet are not just useful for over-the-bed designs.
The frame 32 mounts on an upper end of a stand 44 having a support member 46 extending upward from a stabilizing base 48. The support member 46 may include structure to enable height adjustment, such as telescoped beams. Indeed, a power-assisted height adjust mechanism, such as in hospital beds, may be included. The bassinet 30 can thus be raised or lowered to accommodate varying bed heights, and to assist nurses caring for the baby, such as allowing the nurse to lift the baby without having to bend over too far.
As mentioned, the bassinet 30 desirably describes a C-shape with the base 48 able to fit under a bed, while the frame 32 and sleeping platform 34 extend over the bed. In this regard, the base 48 can be raised and lowered to accommodate different bed heights. It should be noted, however, that certain features of the convertible enclosure may be suitable for other configurations of over-the-bed bassinets, and even for bassinets that are not designed to go over a bed.
One particularly convenient manner in which to enable the front wall 42 to convert between its elevated and lowered positions is to mount it for vertical displacement relative to the frame 32. That is, the front wall 42 maintains a generally vertical orientation and slides downward relative to the frame 32 and to the adjacent end walls 38. In one embodiment, the front wall 42 slides downward into the frame 32 to conceal its moving parts. For instance, the total height H of the frame 32 and enclosure 36 may be approximately twice the heights h1, h2 of the frame and enclosure, respectively. A space or cavity within the frame 32 receives and conceals the front wall 42 as it descends (not shown). Various structures to enable this particular sliding mechanism are described below.
In use, a mother lying on a bed may reach over the enclosure to cradle the baby, at the same time resting her arms on the front wall 42 which descends into the frame 32. The lowered position of the front wall 42 coincides with an upper edge 49 thereof being approximately at the level of the sleeping platform 34, or a mattress placed thereon. This removes the peripheral barrier from around the sleeping platform 34 and the mother's arms can rest comfortably over the lowered front wall 42 which is preferably rounded to eliminate sharp corners. The baby remains on the sleeping platform 34. This configuration is particularly comfortable for an extended period of breast-feeding, for example.
The front wall 42 is also desirably mounted in the bassinet 30 with a restoring mechanism that causes it to automatically return toward the elevated position from the lowered position in the absence of an external force or barrier, such as the mother's arms draped over the wall. When the mother desires to place the sleeping baby back into the enclosure 36, or if she happens to doze off while breast-feeding, the baby remains on the sleeping platform 34 and removal or relaxation of the mother's arms removes a downward force on the front wall 42, which permits it to return toward its elevated position. The weight of the mother's arms provides a downward force greater than the restoring force of the front wall 42, and thus the restoring force may be calibrated to be just slightly less than a minimum arm weight, perhaps 3-5 pounds (6.6-11.0 kg). A preferred means of restoring the front wall 42 to its elevated position and reforming the enclosure is to provide one or more springs biasing the front wall 42 upward. The springs are easily overcome by the weight of the mother's arms, yet strong enough to raise the front wall 42 against lesser weights or in the absence of a downward force or other barrier.
Two sliding clamps 56 mount along vertical edges of each end panel 52 and slide vertically on rods 58. The rods 58 extend upward from a frame piece 60, which represents a portion of the frame 32 shown in
Spaced pairs of opposed leaf springs 64, 66 are positioned on the front wall 42 and frame 32. In the illustrated embodiment, one end each of two convex-downward leaf springs 64 mount to the bottom edge of the main panel 50, and one end each of two convex-upward leaf springs 66 mount to the frame piece 60 at the same locations. Descent of the front wall 42 brings these mating pairs of leaf springs together and provides a smooth restoring force biasing the front wall upward. The free end of each leaf spring 64, 66 slides along the adjacent wall or frame surface. Preferably, the apices of the leaf springs 64, 66 come into contact when the front wall 42 is in its elevated position such that downward movement toward the lowered position creates a gradually larger biasing force. Those of skill in the art will understand that coil or tension springs may be used, as well as hydraulic or pneumatic piston/cylinder arrangements, and the location and integration of the springs with the frame 32 and front wall 42 may also be varied.
Details of the interaction between the sliding clamps 56 and rods 58 are seen in
The frame 102 mounts on an upper end of a stand 114 having a support member 116 extending upward from a stabilizing base 118. The support member 116 may include structure to enable height adjustment, such as telescoped beams. As mentioned, the bassinet 100 desirably describes a C-shape with the base 118 able to fit under a bed while the frame 102 and sleeping platform 104 extend over the bed. In this embodiment, the base 118 includes wheels to facilitate movement of the bassinet 100.
It should be noted that
In addition,
As seen in
The bassinet 170 also includes tracks or rails 180 that extend along the floor of the enclosure 176 and continue in line across the bottom edge 174 and up the front wall 172. A sleeping platform (not shown) for the baby may be mounted on the carriage capable of sliding on the rails 180. When the front side 172 is lowered by the mother, as shown, the sleeping platform may move along the rails 180 to bring the baby closer to the mother. The rails 180 are shown also extending up the rear wall 182, which can also be convertible and provides left- and right-handed options for opening the enclosure 176. Preferably, the sleeping platform carriage features a return mechanism which causes the carriage to move back to the central position within the enclosure 176 in the absence of any barrier to such movement. For example, the mother may slide the sleeping platform toward her and rest her arms on it while feeding the baby, but when she lifts her arms the platform slides back into the central position. When the sleeping platform returns to its central position, the front wall 172 can return to its upright orientation; again, upon removal of any barrier to such movement.
In
The mother accesses the baby by leaning on the bowl 212, which includes a wall that tapers outwardly and flares out at the top for ergonomic comfort. The bowl 212 tilts and compresses the foam donut 214. When the mother removes her arms from the baby, the foam donut 214 expands and returns to its normal shape, restoring the wall of the bowl 212 back to its upright position. When viewed from above, the bowl 212 may be circular, though an oval-shape that better fits the elongated shape of the baby is preferred. If oval-shape, the central aperture in the donut 214 is also preferably oval and the bowl 212 is predisposed to tilt in either direction about a single horizontal axis.
In the embodiment of
The front wall 226 includes a pair of latch members 236 that engage slots 238 in the sides of the bassinet enclosure 220. As best seen in the detail of
The bassinet 270 rests on a table support 280 extending horizontally from a stand 282 on wheels. The stand 282 has the traditional over-the-bed configuration, and may be vertically adjustable. On one end of the stand 282, a series of convenient shelves 284 are also provided. Furthermore, a sliding shelf 286 stores under the bassinet 270 and may be pulled out on one or both front and rear sides as shown.
Convertible bassinets described herein having a strap such as that shown in
With reference to
Although separately moving walls 302 are shown in the figures, the walls could be provided on a single arcuate sheet with a rectangular frame member 310 that extends the width of the bassinet 300. Such a design would only require one centering arm 314 on each end of the bassinet 300. Downward movement of one wall 302 would raise the opposite wall. Though this configuration simplifies the construction, the fact that the opposite wall raises up is a disadvantage. In one embodiment, the arcuate walls 302 are formed of a thin polymer such as polypropylene or nylon, while the frame members 310 and weighted centering arms 314 are made of a suitable metal such as aluminum or steel for strength.
The restoring force of the bassinet 300 of
An upper slat 354 includes an ergonomically-curved top edge 362 to provide comfort to a person reaching into the interior of the bassinet 350. By pressing down on the top edge 362, a person, typically the mother, can push down on the convertible wall 352, causing it to slide along the slots 360 underneath the mattress floor. Although not shown, a latch or other such securing mechanism may be provided to maintain each of the convertible walls 352 in their raised positions. Alternatively, an automatic return mechanism as described above may be provided.
In
Again, a latching mechanism (not shown) to maintain the walls 382 in their raised positions may be provided, as well as an automatic return mechanism. A top edge 394 of the uppermost slats 384 curves outward to provide a smooth ergonomic surface.
The shelf mattress 412 rests on a narrow front shelf 414 featuring a concave recess 416 that ergonomically receives the mother's body. The front shelf 414 also includes a short lip wall 418 that helps constrain a baby within the interior of the bassinet 400, as well as a pair of strap eyelets 420 projecting forward therefrom. Although not shown, a strap similar to those described above can be attached to the eyelets 420 and passed around the back of the mother to maintain contact between the mother and the front of the bassinet 400. If the bassinet 400 is mounted on an over-the-bed stand, as shown above, the mother can pull the bassinet close with her abdomen in the concave recess 416 and attach the bassinet to her with the strap connected to the two eyelets 420. Or, the mother can be seated in a chair and pulled the over-the-bed bassinet 400 to her and strap it securely in place.
With reference now to
Now with specific reference to
With reference also to
The convertible walls 442 each include an arcuate sheet-like panel 454 capped with an elongated upper rail 456. The upper rail 456 provides stiffness to the panel 454 and also presents a relatively broad and smooth surface on which the mother can press her arms when converting the wall 442 from its raised to its lowered position. Furthermore, the upper rails 456 each have a guide pin 458 extending axially outward on each end that tracks within the semicircular channels 452 in the frame walls 450. The convertible walls 442 rotate underneath the sleeping platform 444, as best seen in the
As explained above, there are a number of ways to provide an automatic return mechanism for one or both of the convertible walls 442. As seen best in
As indicated by the movement arrows in
While mothers falling asleep lying in bed with an infant has been the cause of some accidental suffocations, the bassinet can provide a safety feature for mothers who choose to nurse their infant while lying down in bed. If a mother is lying in bed; the bassinet can be locked in place with locking wheels, and can be tethered to the mother's bed with a safety strap, creating an attached 3-sided cot. In addition, the platform that contains the mattress that the infant is lying on; can sit on a track that allows the mother to slide the platform over the bed so that part of the platform now lies on the mother's bed. The mother can then get close to the baby to nurse, and when she is finished, she can slide the platform back into the bassinet, and the side wall would then return to its upright position.
The bassinets described herein are designed to allow the mother easy access to her infant to feed while in bed. A mother does not decide to fall asleep in bed holding her newborn, however there are many reasons why this situation occurs. Primarily a mother falls asleep holding her newborn because of exhaustion, caused by her labor and delivery experience, which may include the use of medication that will make her sleepy. What's more, she may have had a C-section, or a post-partum tubal ligation, which included anesthesia, resulting in increased sleepiness. Exhaustion will cause her to fall asleep while she is feeding her baby, and the release of prolactin during breastfeeding will also cause drowsiness. If, in a sleep state, the mother moves her arms, the convertible portion of the barrier will move toward its elevated position, and the baby will remain safely in the bassinet. Also, with a strap attached there is no way for a space to form between the mother and bassinet, so that even if the mother dozes the baby remains safe in the bassinet or against the mother. In one embodiment, the convertible side automatically rises at least two inches, creating a protective barrier to prevent the infant from falling out of the bassinet.
The bassinet described herein designed for the postpartum hospital stay allows a mother to easily visualize and access her newborn, without having to get out of bed. The bassinet promotes infant safety, and supports the mother and those caring for the newborn, in preventing back and neck injuries. The concept has been endorsed by providers and professionals in the field.
Nurses and nurse managers who oversee large postpartum units and who have been interviewed have expressed a desire to have access to a safer bassinet, such as described herein. Hospital risk managers and biomedical engineers have emphatically endorsed the need for such a solution. Hospitals are naturally concerned about the safety of the newborns that are born in their institutions, and are continually looking for ways to insure and improve the positive outcomes for infants. A product that allows mothers to put their babies to bed easily and not have to get up when they are exhausted or medicated, can alleviate a mother's anxiety, and reduce the stress placed on the nurses who try to enforce mother's putting their infant's back to bed. A nurse is often responsible for up to 8 mothers and babies, and cannot oversee the babies every minute of the day while they are in the hospital, so providing a safer bassinet can be extremely useful.
The “easy access safety bassinet” described herein provides easy access to the infant by the user. Easy, unobstructed access to the infant enables the user to perform activities such as feeding, or diapering the newborn. The infant can be accessed whether the user is in a sitting, standing, or reclining position.
The bassinet is comprised of three components; a (preferably) clear 4 sided structure with 2 moveable sides, which is attached to a column on a four wheeled base. The infant lies on a tray that sits on the floor of the bassinet. The tray can be tilted to an upright angle if the infant needs to be angled to prevent reflux. The bassinet's column can be adjusted up and down to accommodate users' different sizes. The four wheeled base makes the bassinet mobile, so it can be moved directly over the mother's bed. This permits the mother access to her newborn while sitting or reclining. When the side wall is removed by the user, she is able to perform activities such as holding, changing, or feeding the infant without removing the infant from the bassinet.
The walls or sides of the bassinets described herein can be flexible, or collapsible or rigid, depending on which design makes the wall easier to remove and restore. Furthermore, though the bassinet is typically for hospital use, they might also be modified to be used in the home.
If the mother desires to feed the baby using the bassinet to support the infant, she moves the wall separating her from the infant, places an elastic strap behind her back, and fastens the ends of the strap to the front and back walls of the bassinet platform that the infant is lying on. The fastened strap prevents the wall from returning while the mother is feeding the infant. With the bassinet and mother securely tethered, gaps are prevented from occurring between the mother and the bassinet. With the bassinet and mother tethered, if the mother falls asleep while holding or feeding the infant, the infant will remain safely on the base. Secured to the bassinet, the mother becomes the fourth wall, creating a barrier that prevents the infant from falling out of the bassinet onto mother's bed. When secured to the bassinet the mother's arms are free, enabling her to surround the infant with her arms and position the infant in an optimal position to facilitate breast feeding. The mother can nurse the newborn without having to support the infant's weight, reducing stress and strain to the muscles in her arms, back, abdomen, and shoulders. When the mother is finished breast feeding, by detaching the elastic strap from the bassinet and moving her arms away, the automatic returning wall will return to its original position. The mother then uses a locking mechanism to restore the integrity of the wall to its original.
The automatic removal and replacement of the side door(s) may be accomplished in many ways such as, but not limited to the use of springs, shocks, hydraulics, electrically (AC or DC), solar, infrared sensors, or any newer technology that provides the easiest method. The removal and return of the side door may also be designed to be operated manually by the user, or the side doors may be constructed to remove or return by a combination of automatic and manual operation. The wall may be designed to retract under, over, or to the side of the bassinet.
For in-hospital use, the bassinet that has an automatic returning wall should have a latch to hold both doors down at the same time. The latch would be used by medical personnel only, in the event that unobstructed access is needed to resuscitate an infant who is choking or not breathing.
Newborn care in the hospital nursery is becoming a thing of the past as mothers are keeping their newborns in their room night and day, referred to as “rooming in”. New mothers have stated that due to exhaustion following labor, “rooming in” 24 hours a day prevents mother's from sleeping, for fear they may doze off while they are holding or feeding their newborn in the postpartum bed, and accidentally drop or lay on their baby. Mother's fears are proving valid: Joint Commission, the agency that accredits all hospitals in the U.S., published a research article in their July 2011 edition, showing that infant falls, and suffocation by overlay are occurring in hospitals where the infant is “rooming in”. Hospitals are looking for a solution to keep newborns from harm, and the “easy access bassinet” provides one answer.
While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, the words which have been used are words of description and not of limitation. Therefore, changes may be made within the appended claims without departing from the true scope of the invention.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/675,968, filed Nov. 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,226,594, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,034, filed Feb. 9, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,429,771, which in turn claims priority under 35 U.S.C § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/207,272, filed Feb. 9, 2009 under the same title.
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