Portable Cushioned Baby Mat

Abstract

A portable, cushioned baby mat that provides a clean and supportive surface during tummy-time and nap-time. The design focuses on the ability of a cushioned mat to fold 180 degrees for slim storage, in which the outer cover is removable for machine laundering, and which includes components that support portability of the mat from room to room with the use of a single hand.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable baby mats of all types are well-known in the prior art. These mats include foldable mats; mats with built-in handles or straps for transport; and also mats that contain compartments for storing items. Cushioned baby mats exist in the form of fiber-filled support, resembling a floor blanket, or foam support, such as foam play tiles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a portable and cushioned baby mat is provided, which is comprised of two inner foam cushions, contained on all sides by an outer fabric cover that is removable for machine laundering. The outer cover acts as a protective covering, as well as the mechanism for collapsing the cushions for transport. Handles and a pocket secured to the outer cover, aid in the transformation of the baby mat into a carrying device for toys, diapers, and other baby items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a plan view, showing the portable cushioned baby mat in its open position.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view, showing the portable cushioned baby mat in its folded, traveling position.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view showing the bottom surface of the portable cushioned baby mat in its folded, traveling position.

FIG. 4 is a plan view, showing the inner foam cushions.

FIG. 5 is a elevation view showing the portable cushioned baby mat in its folded, traveling position, indicating a full 180 degree fold at the center stitch line.

FIG. 6 is an axonometric view of the portable cushioned baby mat in its open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is common practice to place infants on their stomachs for a period of time daily, in order to support the development of their neck muscles and ever-expanding motor skills. This practice is referred to as ‘tummy-time’, and often takes place on play mats resembling quilted floor blankets, or foam jigsaw tiles of minor thickness. Mats designed to support an infant during ‘nap-time’ require additional thickness and support, resembling more of a memory-foam mattress than a floor blanket. It is the object of the present invention to provide a portable and breathable surface that marries the requisites of tummy-time and nap-time, in an easily collapsible and machine-washable system.

In the prior art, portable and cushioned baby mats have been presented with carrying straps, secured pockets and consist of foam and fabric elements. It is believed to be novel to provide a portable baby mat of substantial uniform thickness, which folds 180 degrees on a center-line stitch using a single-handed motion, in which the interior foam cushions are removable for machine laundering. A preliminary patentability search was conducted on this invention and the following listed references were uncovered in the search.

US-20090178204-A1, Stacey Jo Sager

US-20070277321, Jamie S. Leach

US-D854859-S, Lovevery Inc.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,914,927-B1, Jamie S. Leach

U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,463-B1, Andrea Palacio

U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,525-A, Davis, Shirley Louise

U.S. Pat. No. 2,078,022A, Frank T J Roemer

U.S. Pat. No. 2,626,407A, Stanley E Trimble

U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,911 A, Marta Haas

U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,726A, Gold, Inc.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,662A, Kr Industries, Inc.

U.S. Pat. No. D879,506-S, Winifred King

U.S. Ser. No. 10/098,477-B2, Flynn-Kirkpatrick, Shelley

U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,257, Albertieri

U.S. Ser. No. 09/187,025, Julie D. Kay

U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,120, Holmes,

U.S. Pat. No. 8,051,510-B2, Sharon R. Soloway

U.S. Pat. No. 3,073,367A, Ferris A Samara

U.S. Pat. No. 2,672,628A, Abraham N Spanel

U.S. Pat. No. 4,468,810A, Mat-Pack Inc.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,520,010-B2, Patemm Inc

U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,041-A, Frank Alonso

U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,013-A, Stuart J. Bloom

The above patents are not considered to be particularly pertinent to the present invention, as they include side barriers, support pillows, or straps and fasteners which impede the free movement that is integral to tummy-time development. Likewise, any foldability of the above patents are either managed by multiple actions or prohibitive of a full 180 degree fold. If applicable, the above patents containing interior foam cushions do not provide for removability of the cushions prior to machine laundering; an integral element to ensure the longevity of a foam based mat.

Further articulation of the above is made through the following examination of U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,013 by Bloom, in which the present invention is a significant improvement.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,013, Bloom discloses a foldable infant's play mat with a cushioned base portion and a cushioned wall portion which follows the perimeter of the base portion, wherein the base portion is constructed of cotton fabric sheet and top fabric sheet containing fiber or foam batting between them. However the Bloom mat by means of the cushioned wall portion, does not support ideal conditions for an infant to practice tummy-time. The wall portion acts as an impediment for an infant placed face down, as a common practice during tummy-time is getting down to eye-level with the infant and engaging in eye-contact and play. The wall portion would also inhibit the infant from seeing objects beyond the play mat, and thus act as a barrier to the development of motor-skills which are encouraged by the desire to crawl to objects in the distance. Wherein the Bloom mat seeks to contain the infant, the present invention seeks to support the migration of the infant off of the mat in a safe and natural manner.

The Bloom mat also discloses that the wall portion is removably attached to its base and may be detached from base for purposes of washing or to create a sleeping mat out of the base alone. However, the base portion of the Bloom mat is an enclosed unit; the fiber or foam batting must succumb to washing alongside the fabric. In the present invention, the inner cushions are separate from the outer cover, allowing the fabric to be washed and the foam cushions to remain dry, as are the instructions for maintaining foam products. The removability in the present invention provides a multitude of benefits for the user; the thickness of the cushion can be more substantial, the outer cover can be interchanged with other covers when damaged or between washes, the outer cover can be repaired by a home sewing machine, and the appearance of the baby mat can be updated through the birth of many children while the inner cushions remain protected from wear; all of the above serving to elongate the life of the baby mat.

Beyond the removability of the cushions from the outer cover, it is also the separation of the cushions themselves through the construction of the outer cover, that marks a significant improvement to the prior art. By separating the cushions from each other, the baby mat is able to fold, without bulk, on its center-fold stitch line. Whereas prior foam cushions are foldable by the flexibility of the material itself, the present invention allows for denser, thicker material to be used and still fold flat at 180 degrees, with the demonstration of a single hand.

The new compact form created by this fold is a critical element of the present invention. It allows for the baby mat to be stored in tight crevices such as under a sofa or changing table. Furthermore, the uniform profile of the folded mat allows it to be used as a double-thick sitting mat when the baby becomes a child or adult, once again elongating the life of the baby mat.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two inner foam cushions of 1″ thickness are in the shape of semi-circles, contained by the outer cover and removable by zipper enclosure. The outer cover is comprised of a top fabric piece (1 of FIG. ), two bottom fabric pieces (7 of FIG. 2), perimeter fabric pieces, and a bottom gutter strip for receiving the integral center-fold stitch (9 of FIG. 3). Handles (4 of FIG. 2) are secured to the outer cover on opposite ends, perpendicular to the center-fold stitch line (2 of FIG. 1) which bisects the two cushions. When the handles are brought together, the mat is collapsed into its folded position in the shape of a semi-circle. When the handles are brought apart, the mat is in its open position in the shape of a circle.

The outer cover is comprised of two different fabrics. The bottom fabric is chosen for durability and the ability to mask or deter lints and stains that appear on the underside of mats. The top fabric is chosen for breathability and aesthetics; in the preferred embodiment, the top fabric is quilted to provide the sensation of extra padding in which to cushion the baby. An open pocket secured to the bottom face of the baby mat stores small objects in the folded state, further aiding in the quick migration of baby, the baby mat, and toys or objects from room to room.

The inner cushions are composed of natural latex foam, which is a product derived from the sap of rubber trees and is naturally mold and mildew resistant as well as hypoallergenic. Natural latex foam of a medium-firm density is the ideal material for a baby mat because of its ability to balance the firmness required for tummy-time and the suppleness required for nap-time. The foam cushions are unified and protected by the outer cover comprised of a natural fiber such as cotton or linen.

The foregoing description is illustrative and explanatory of the preferred embodiment of the invention, and variations in the size, shape, materials and other details will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all such variations and modifications which fall within the scope or spirit of the appended claims be embraced thereby.

Claims

1. A portable baby mat comprising: (a) an outer cover, foldable along an axis, defined by a center-fold stitch(b) two inner cushions of 1″ thickness or greater.(c) two carrying handles sewn into the outer cover; and a fastening mechanism for securing the handles together when in folded position.

2. A baby mat as in claim 1, wherein the center-fold stitch creates two compartments in the outer cover, to receive one cushion in each compartment.

3. A baby mat as in claim 2, wherein the cushions are removable from the outer cover.

4. A baby mat as in claim 3, wherein the thickness of the baby mat is uniform.

5. A baby mat as in claim 4, further comprising a pocket secured to the bottom surface of the outer cover.

6. A baby mat as in claim 5, wherein the pocket is secured to the outer cover in a manner that when the baby mat is folded in an upright position, the pocket opens upwards.

7. A portable cushioned baby mat comprising: (a) two inner cushions, of a thickness sufficient to cushion a baby during tummy-time and nap-time, which are separately contained on all sides by a single outer cover.(b) an outer cover foldable along a central axis, defined by stitching.(c) two handles and a fastening strap to secure one side of the baby mat to the other when in folded position.

8. A baby mat as in claim 7, comprising two different fabrics; a top fabric type and a bottom fabric type.

9. A baby mat as in claim 8, whereby the stitching secures the top fabric type to the bottom fabric type, and acts as a divider between the inner cushions.