Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BED SHEET FOR SECURE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a bed sheet for secure placement of
a
child. The present invention relates more specifically to a bed sheet for
secure placement
of a child which provides breathable elements and/or a truss for preventing
the child
from being crushed or suffocated when a parent occupies a bed with the child.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Parents of newborn children often sleep in the same bed as the child to
encourage
comfort of the child and convenience for the parent. Unfortunately, this
practice has led
to numerous deaths or near-deaths as a result of the parent rolling over in
his or her sleep
and suffocating the child, the parent moving in his or her sleep and pushing
the child off
of the bed, the parent moving in his or her sleep causing the bed coverings
(blanket,
duvet, etc.) to cover the mouth and nose of the child causing suffocation, or
the child
rolling over in its sleep and suffocating or falling off the bed.
While some parents have avoided these risks by sleeping separately from the
child, others are reluctant to do so. Therefore, a number of solutions have
been proposed
for attempting to prevent these risks from occurring.
United States Patent 6,415,666 to Laiso relates to a pocket pillow and sheet
combination comprising a sheet having a plurality of pockets on a reverse side
thereof
for the insertion of particular pillows. The pillows comprise a head pillow
and side
pillows spaced from one another and base pillows spaced from the head pillow
defining
a sleeping space therebetween. The side pillows comprise one or more contoured
pillows while the base pillows comprise crescent shaped pillows which may be
added or
subtracted depending upon the elevation desired or the size of an individual
located
within the sleeping area. The contoured pillows may comprise a plurality of
shaped
strips having Velcro or hook and loop fasteners to attach to one another to
achieve a
predetermined shape. The arrangement taught by Laiso is not able to prevent a
parent
from accidentally affecting the child, nor is it able to prevent a child from
falling off a
bed.
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United States Patent 4,873,734 to Pollard relates to a bumper sheet including
an
array of pockets in which relatively soft yet form-retaining inserts (such as
foam plastic
cylinders or inflatable bladders) are removably fitted to define a bumper area
enclosing a
sleeping or rest area within the confines of a crib, bed rails or the like.
The arrangement
taught by Pollard is likely to prevent a child from moving beyond the bumper
area,
however the bumpers present a suffocation hazard to the child. If a child were
to turn so
as to contact any bumper with its mouth and nose, the child is likely to
suffocate.
Furthermore, the bumpers do not prevent suffocation due to a parent
accidentally
covering the face of a child with a bed covering.
Therefore, what is required is a means to prevent a parent from either rolling
over
and suffocating a child or accidentally causing bed coverings to suffocate a
child, while
also preventing the child from suffocating as a result of turning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the
details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the
following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable
of other
embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it
is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the
purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects of the invention will
become
apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description
thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. I illustrates a top view of a bed sheet for secure placement of a child
in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the bed sheet having four
optional
sleeves adapted to receive four bumpers by insertion.
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FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an alternative securing arrangement for the
bumpers without showing the bed sheet and optional sleeves.
FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of three potential means of
securing a
sleeve to a bed sheet.
FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of two potential means of securing
the
bed sheet to a bed.
FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of the bed sheet being disposed
around
the width of a head portion of the bed.
FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up front perspective view of two crescent shaped
bumpers comprising air flow passages attached by a truss in accordance with
the present
invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a close-up front perspective view of one arrangement for
removably securing the truss to the bumpers.
FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up front perspective view of a second arrangement
for
removably securing the truss to the bumpers.
FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom view of a third arrangement for removably
securing
the truss to the bumpers.
FIG. 11 illustrates a front perspective view of a support disposed
approximately
midway across the truss.
FIG. 12 illustrates a close-up front perspective view of functional elements
housed in the support.
FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of the bumper arrangement in which a plurality
of
recesses are provided for storing accessories
FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the bumper arrangement shown in FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 illustrates a rear view of the bumper arrangement shown in FIG. 13.
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FIG. 16 illustrates a front perspective view of a folding bumper.
FIG. 17 illustrates a front perspective view of a travel bag connected at one
corner thereof to one corner of the bed sheet.
In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example.
It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only
for the purpose
of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended as a
definition of the
limits of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have
the
same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to
which this
invention belongs. Also, unless indicated otherwise, except within the claims,
the use of
"or" includes "and" and vice-versa. Non-limiting terms are not to be construed
as
limiting unless expressly stated or the context clearly indicates otherwise
(for example
"including", "having" and "comprising" typically indicate "including without
limitation"). Singular forms including in the claims such as "a", "an" and
"the" include
the plural reference unless expressly stated otherwise.
The invention will be explained in details by referring to the figures.
The present invention provides a bed sheet for secure placement of a child.
The
present invention enables a parent to occupy the same bed as a child with a
greatly
reduced risk of rolling onto, crushing, or suffocating the child.
The present invention, in an aspect thereof, provides a bed sheet for secure
placement of a child in which the bed sheet comprises at least one bumper
extending
upwardly from the bed sheet's top surface. The at least one bumper forms a
substantially
continuous closed wall defining a secure area. The at least one bumper has at
least one
air flow passage at least partially disposed substantially adjacent the top
surface of the
bed sheet within the secure area.
The air flow passage enables a child to be able to breathe despite the
possibility
of the child's mouth and nose being forced against the bumper. Such a position
can result
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from movement caused by the parent (for example, being pushed by the parent
while
sleeping) or by movement of the child (for example, the child rolling over in
his or her
sleep). The air flow passage allows air to be channelled from an area not
covered by the
child's mouth and nose to an area covered by the child's mouth and nose.
Additionally or alternatively, a mattress may be placed within the secure
area.
The mattress may include one or more air flow passages, particularly along the
head
portion of the mattress.
The present invention, in another aspect thereof, provides a bed sheet for
secure
placement of a child in which the bed sheet comprises at least one bumper
extending
upwardly from the bed sheet's top surface. The at least one bumper forms a
substantially
continuous closed wall defining a secure area. A truss is adapted for
insertion into
apertures disposed in the at least one bumper. The truss is inserted into the
aperture and
disposed across and above at least a portion of the secure area when inserted.
The truss forms a protective structure over the child when the child is placed
in
the secure area. For example, if a bed covering is accidentally placed over
the child (for
example, a parent accidentally moving the bed covering over the secure area),
the bed
covering will be suspended a distance over the child, preventing the bed
covering from
covering the child's mouth and nose causing suffocation.
The truss may include a support disposed approximately midway thereacross, for
suspending or holding a mobile and/or one or more functional elements above a
child
placed in the secure area.
The bumpers may also include one or more recesses for storing accessories,
such
as bottles, soothers, toys, etc.
FIG. I illustrates a top view of a bed sheet for secure placement of a child
in
accordance with the present invention. The bed sheet (1) comprises a top
surface (shown)
and a bottom surface (not shown). The bed sheet may be a flat or fitted sheet
and can be
sized to fit any bed. The bed sheet may include a cord (9) and lock mechanism
(17) or tie
(18) disposed substantially around its periphery for securing the bed sheet to
a bed, as
seen more particularly in FIG. 5.
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Alternatively, the bed sheet of the present invention can be provided to fit a
portion of a bed. For example, the bed sheet may be tubular or foldable into a
substantially tubular arrangement. The sheet may be disposed around the width
or length
of a portion of the bed from the top of the bed to underneath the bed. FIG. 6,
for
example, illustrates the bed sheet being disposed around the width of a head
portion of
the bed. In this arrangement, the bed sheet may be secured to the bed by one
or more
cord (9) and lock mechanisms (17) or ties (18) disposed along all or a portion
of the bed
sheet disposed underneath the bed. One or more rigid elements (19), such as
rigid plastic
strips for example, may be fixedly secured along one or more edges of the bed
sheet
disposed underneath the bed to retain flatness of the bed sheet, particularly
when secured
to the bed.
Extending upwardly from a portion of the top surface of the bed sheet (1) is
at
least one bumper forming a substantially continuous closed wall defining a
secure area.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, four bumpers (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) may be provided
forming a substantially rectangular secure area. In another example, as shown
in FIG. 4,
an opposing set of crescent shapes (20) may be provided forming a
substantially
elliptical secure area. In this arrangement, opposing cresent-shaped bumpers
are
provided, each bumper having a first end and a second end, the first ends
being
substantially adjacent to one another and the second ends being substantially
adjacent to
one another so as to define the substantially elliptical secure area.
The bumpers may be fixedly secured to the sheet, for example by gluing or
stitching the bumpers to the sheet. The bumpers may alternatively be removably
secured
to the sheet, for example by means of one or more buttons, snaps, Velcro
strips, or the
like. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, at least one sleeve may be
fixedly or
removably secured to the sheet, each sleeve being formed so as to enable
placement of a
bumper therein. In this case, the bumper is an insert for the sleeve.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, four sleeves (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), for example,
may be stitched (14) to the top surface of the bed sheet as shown in FIG. 4B,
snapped
(15) to the top surface of the bed sheet as shown in FIG. 4C, or attached by
Velcro strips
(16) to the top surface of the bed sheet as shown in FIG. 4D. A bumper (3A,
3B, 3C, 3D)
may be slidably inserted into each sleeve (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, respectively).
Preferably, the
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opening of each sleeve is sized substantially equally to the cross section of
the bumper so
as to firmly hold the bumper in place when inserted.
It should be understood that the bumper may also be placed inside of a sleeve
prior to securing the sleeve to the bed sheet. It should also be understood
that the sleeve
and/or bumper may also be secured to the bottom surface of the bed sheet, so
as to
extend upwardly from the bed sheet when the bed sheet is laid flat on top of a
bed.
Separate sleeves may also be secured to both the top and bottom surface of the
bed sheet
to provide a reversible bed sheet, so that the secured area can be placed to
one side or the
other of the bed, as desired by the parent.
To provide additional rigidity to the closed wall, each bumper may be secured
to
one or more of its adjacent bumpers. For example, a screw (4A) may be provided
for
axial insertion to one bumper (3C) and radial insertion in an adjacent bumper
(3A), in the
case of a rectangular secure area. Similar screws (4B, 4C, 4D) may be provided
for
securing the remaining bumpers (3D to 3A, 3C to 3B, and 3D to 3B,
respectively).
FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an alternative securing arrangement for the
bumpers without showing the bed sheet and optional sleeves. Each bumper (2A,
2B, 2C,
2D) may be formed by a substantially rigid, but forgiving, plastic or foam or
could be air
inflatable. Optionally, each bumper may include a reinforcement bar (10)
disposed
substantially coaxially within the plastic or foam.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, four bumpers are shown forming a substantially
rectangular closed area. In this example, disposed coaxially at each of the
reinforcement
bars (10) of two opposing bumpers is a rigid insert (11), preferably formed of
a metal
such as steel or a rigid plastic. The rigid insert (11) includes an aperture
(not shown)
disposed radially and accessible preferably from the outer surface of the
bumper (2D for
example) opposite the secure area. The aperture enables insertion and securing
of a screw
(12), by threaded engagement for example, while preventing insertion of a
screw head.
Disposed radially substantially at the end of the two other opposing bumpers
is a
rigid bracket (13), preferably formed of a metal such as steel or a rigid
plastic. The rigid
bracket (13) includes an aperture enabling insertion of the screw (12). The
rigid bracket
(13) is adapted to be inserted into the rigid insert (11). The screw (12) can
then be
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inserted into the bumper having the rigid insert, through the aperture in the
rigid insert,
and threadably engaging the aperture in the rigid bracket for securing the two
bumpers to
one another. It should be understood that the placement of the rigid brackets
and rigid
inserts could be reversed, or each bumper may have a rigid bracket at one end
and a rigid
insert at the other end, provided that each bumper is securable to an adjacent
bumper.
FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up front perspective view of two crescent shaped
bumpers attached by a truss in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 7B
and 7C
in particular illustrate the bumper having at least one air flow passage at
least partially
disposed substantially adjacent the top surface within the secure area formed
by the
bumpers, in accordance with the present invention in one aspect thereof. By at
least
partially disposing the at least one air flow passage in this arrangement, the
air flow
passage is accessible to a child whose mouth and nose are forced against the
bumper
while the child is in the secure area.
In FIG. 7B for example, each air flow passage may be at least two apertures
disposed in the bumper permitting air flow therebetween. The at least two
apertures may
comprise one aperture (21) disposed substantially adjacent the top surface
within the
secure area formed by the bumpers and another aperture disposed outside of the
secure
area. Alternatively, the at least two apertures may comprise two apertures
(21, 22)
disposed substantially adjacent the top surface within the secure area, for
example at a
far enough distance that if one is covered by the child's mouth and nose, the
other is
likely to be uncovered.
In FIG. 7C for example, each air flow passage may be a recess formed in the
bumper. The recess (33) may be formed such that at least a portion of the
recess is
disposed substantially adjacent the top surface within the secure area formed
by the
bumpers. Preferably the length of the recess is longer than an amount that
could be
covered by a child whose mouth and nose are forced against the bumper while
the child
is in the secure area. Preferably the width of the recess is narrower than the
amount that
could be covered by a child whose mouth and nose are forced against the
bumper, thus
ensuring air flow in the recess.
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If sleeves are provided for the bumpers, the sleeves may either have apertures
matching the air flow passages to the bumpers, or can be made from a
breathable
material. In the latter case, the sleeve is preferably tightly fitted over the
bumper when
inserted, such that an air gap exists between the sleeve and the air flow
passage to ensure
air flow.
Additionally or alternatively, a mattress may be placed within the secure
area.
The mattress (7) may include one or more air flow passages, particularly along
the head
portion of the mattress.
In another aspect of the present invention, the truss shown in FIG. 7 also
helps
prevent suffocation of a child. The truss forms a protective structure over
the child when
the child is placed in the secure area. For example, if a bed covering is
accidentally
placed over the child (for example, a parent accidentally moving the bed
covering over
the secure area), the bed covering will be suspended a distance over the
child, preventing
the bed covering from covering the child's mouth and nose causing suffocation.
In
another example, the truss prevents a parent from rolling onto the child in
the secure
area.
The truss may comprise at least one substantially rigid post that extends from
one
bumper a first end of the truss to an opposing bumper at a second end of the
truss.
Preferably, at least three interconnected posts are provided for increased
rigidity of the
truss, each post having two ends. The truss shown in FIG. 7, for example, has
four posts
(24, 25, 26, 27), two extending from each bumper at one end of each post and
joined by a
support (29) to one another above a portion of the secure area at the other
end of each
post.
The truss may be a curved rigid member, such as being substantially arc
shaped.
The truss may alternatively be any shape enabling placement of the child
within the
secure area while the truss is disposed across and above at least a portion of
the secure
area.
The truss may be removably secured to the bumpers from which it extends. For
example, each bumper may include one or more insert apertures. The truss may
correspondingly be adapted at its ends to be inserted into the insert
apertures. Optionally,
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a greater number of apertures than posts can be provided for enabling
selective
placement of the truss along the bumper. Alternatively, the apertures can be
formed in
the truss with inserts on the bumpers, or any other mating arrangement.
FIG. 8 illustrates one arrangement for removably securing the truss to the
bumpers. Each bumper includes a plurality of substantially similar insert
apertures (28)
disposed along the top surface of the bumper at an angle substantially
perpendicular the
top surface of the bumper. Each post (24, 27) of the truss can be inserted
into one of the
apertures (28).
FIG. 9 illustrates a second arrangement for removably securing the truss to
the
bumpers. This arrangement is substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 8
except that
the inserts and the ends of each post are threaded for providing a threadable
engagement
therebetween.
FIG. 10 illustrates a third arrangement for removably securing the truss to
the
bumpers. Each bumper includes a plurality of substantially similar insert
apertures (28)
disposed at an angle substantially parallel the top surface of the bed sheet
and outside of
the secure area. The ends of opposing posts (24 to 25, 26 to 27) of the truss
extend
toward each other, enabling each post (24, 25, 26, 27) to be inserted into one
of the
apertures (28) at an angle parallel the top surface of the bed sheet.
The truss can also be used for placement of a nursery mobile or one or more
functional elements above the secure area. The truss may include a support
disposed
approximately midway thereacross. The support may be adapted to hold a mobile
above
a child placed in the secure area. FIG. 11 illustrates a front perspective
view of a support
(29) disposed approximately midway across the truss. A mobile (30) may be
fixedly or
removably suspended from the support.
FIG. 12 illustrates functional elements housed in the support. The support
(29)
may also be used to house one or more functional elements, including for
example a light
(31), an intercom speaker and/or an intercom microphone, a music speaker as
well as
controls for the functional elements. For example, a light (31) may be
controlled by light
on/off/dimmer touchpad and/or a night light touchpad (33). The music speaker
may be
controlled by a music on/off touchpad (34).
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The functional elements may be disposed on the top surface of the support,
away
from the secure area so as to be inaccessible to a child placed in the secure
area.
Disposing the functional elements on the top surface of the support also
enables a light,
as one of the functional elements, to provide ambient light rather than shine
directly at
the child. It should be understood that the functional elements may be
disposed on any
other surface of the support or inside the support.
FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of the bumper arrangement of the present
invention
in which a plurality of recesses are provided for storing accessories, such as
bottles,
soothers, toys, etc. FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the bumper arrangement
shown in
FIG. 13. FIG. 15 illustrates a rear view of the bumper arrangement shown in
FIG. 13.
One or more recesses (35, 36, 37) of various shapes, such as rectangular or
circular, may
be provided. The recesses may be disposed from the top surface of the bumper
approximately half way through the bumper. The recesses may be accessible at
an angle
substantially perpendicular the top surface of the bumper.
Preferably, at least some of the recesses (35, 37) are shaped and sized to
securely
hold common accessories, such as bottles. If sleeves are provided, the sleeves
may
include apertures in matching relationship to the recesses enabling placement
of
accessories therein.
An enhancement includes providing foldable bumpers. FIG. 16 illustrates a
folding bumper. For example, each bumper may include one or more slits from
its top
surface to just above its bottom surface. The bumper may be foldable along the
bottom
surface.
Another enhancement includes a travel bag for the bed sheet of the present
invention. FIG. 17 illustrates the travel bag (38), which may be connected at
one corner
thereof to a corner of the bed sheet. The bed sheet may be removed from the
bag and
placed around the bag and bed for use.
