Patent Application
20250098793
The present disclosure relates to sleep systems for infants, and more particularly, to an infant sleep system that easily and securely keeps the infant on their back.
During an infant's first few months when they do not have the ability to control their movements and safely move from their back to stomach or vice versa. Further, an effective way to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is to maintain the infant on its back while sleeping, as infants sleeping on their stomachs and sides have a higher risk of SIDS.
It is therefore desirable to have a system that easily and securely keeps the infant on their back during their first few months of life.
For purposes of summary, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment. Thus, the apparatuses or methods claimed may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
A sleeping system for infants comprises a support board having left and right attachment points disposed on either lateral side of the support board to which may be removably attached a swaddle pod for swaddling an infant. The swaddle pod includes a retention strap secured to a rear portion of the swaddle pod, the retention strap having opposite lateral ends with first and second attachment members for attaching the ends of the strap to corresponding first and second attachment points such that an infant enclosed with the swaddle pod is kept on her back.
In one embodiment, the attachment points are wires extending from the support board.
In another embodiment, the retention strap is two straps having medial ends secured to the rear portion of the swaddle pod.
In another embodiment, the strap(s) are elastic.
In another embodiment, the strap(s) include a stiffening member to prevent the straps from twisting.
In accordance with embodiments, a bassinet is provided comprising a mattress for supporting an infant, a support board, and a swaddle pod for swaddling an infant. The swaddle pod includes a retention strap secured to a rear portion of the swaddle pod, with the retention strap having opposite lateral ends. These lateral ends feature first and second attachment members that are configured to be removably engageable with corresponding first and second attachment points, ensuring that an infant enclosed within the swaddle pod is kept on her back.
In accordance with other embodiments, the bassinet includes attachment members that comprise ‘C’-shaped clips. These clips are designed to facilitate easy and secure attachment to the corresponding points on the support board.
In yet other embodiments, the support board of the bassinet further comprises first and second attachment points extending from the support board. These attachment points are designed to engage with the attachment members of the retention strap.
In further embodiments, the attachment members of the bassinet are ‘C’-shaped clips configured with a recess for receiving the attachment points. This design ensures a secure and stable connection between the swaddle pod and the support board.
In additional embodiments, the retention strap of the bassinet comprises a stiffening member to prevent the strap from twisting. This feature ensures that the strap remains flat and secure, providing consistent support for the infant.
In other embodiments, the retention strap of the bassinet is divided into first and second straps, with their medial ends secured to the rear portion of the swaddle pod. This design allows for more flexible and adjustable support for the infant.
In yet other embodiments, the first and second straps of the bassinet are elastic. This elasticity provides additional comfort and flexibility, ensuring that the infant is securely swaddled while allowing for some movement.
In accordance with further embodiments, the support board of the bassinet is placed underneath the mattress, while the swaddle pod is placed on top of the mattress and attached to the board. This configuration ensures that the infant is securely supported and swaddled while lying on the mattress.
The system is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Embodiments of the invention are further described but are in no way limited by the following illustrations.
The various embodiments of the infant sleep system and their advantages are best understood by referring to
Furthermore, reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “various embodiments,” or any variant thereof means that a particular feature or aspect described in conjunction with the particular embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,” or variations thereof in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to its respective embodiment.
Reference is now made to
As shown in
The retention strap 14 and attachment members 16 of the infant sleep system 10 are shown in
The assembled infant sleep swaddle pod 12 is shown in
The board 18 serves the following purposes/functions: (1) the swaddle pod 12 and infant sleep system 10 are for a younger child that may not reach the maximum age grade for the bassinet; (2) the board allows the infant's caregiver to remove the infant sleep system 10 and still keep using the bassinet when the infant is too large for the infant sleep system 10; (3) if the consumer does not want to use the infant sleep system 10, then they can place the mattress inside the bassinet without it and the bassinet is fully functional without the infant sleep system 10; and (4) in another embodiment, the attachment points 20 may attach directly to the bassinet bottom, eliminating the need for the board 18 in the infant sleep system 10.
It will be appreciated the sleep system 10 may be deployed in any setting in which infants may sleep. Accordingly, while the description above covers using it with a bassinet, the sleep system 10 may be used with other structures in which infants may sleep such as play yards.
With reference now to
In another embodiment of a bassinet 37, the board may not include attachment points 20. Alternatively, there may not be a board, only a mattress pad 34. As shown in
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, which may be varied in their construction, dimensions, and other structural and material details.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages. It is intended that the embodiments described above be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the appended claims. Moreover, none of the features disclosed in this specification should be construed as essential elements, and therefore, no disclosed features should be construed as being part of the claimed invention unless the features are specifically recited in the claims. In addition, it should be understood that any of the features disclosed on any particular embodiment may be incorporated in whole or in part on any of the other disclosed embodiments.
In any interpretation of the claims appended hereto, it is noted that no claims or claim elements are intended to invoke or be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112 (f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.
In general, any combination of disclosed features, components and methods described herein is possible. Steps of a method can be performed in any order that is physically possible.
Although embodiments have been disclosed, it is not desired to be limited thereby. Rather, the scope should be determined only by the appended claims.
While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as set forth in the following claims.
The foregoing discussion of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
Moreover, though the present disclosure has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/585,112, filed Sep. 25, 2023, and which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63585112 | Sep 2023 | US |
