Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
2118579 RÉCEI\~ED P9 iUL 1993
The present invention is concerned wlth the preventlon
of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), otherwlse known as cot
deat~ and, more particularly, with a mattress for reduclng the
risk-of cot death.
Cot death is a tragic phenomena where infants between
about one month and six months of age cease to breathe
whilst asleep in their cots and die. The reasons for this
are not well understood but to date mattress design does not
seem to have been addressed as a possible cause as, although
there are numerous proposals for improved mattresses, none
seem concerned with means~for avoiding cot death.
For example, Australian Application No. 38782/78
discloses a ventilated bed cons~ruction which has as one of
its ob~ects to provide a bed which maintains body warmth but
can be kept cool in hot weather. A further ob~ect is to
provide a bed wherein the bed quilt can be dried in situ if
it i5 wet, for example by perspiration, and a still further
... .
ob~ect is to provide a bed wherein the room air may be
cleaned by disinfection and/or deodourization. These
ob~ects are said to be achieved by providing a bed which has
a large open space beneath the mattress extending into a
vert~c~l space ad~acent the mattress (somewhat like a
bedhead) which contains a heater element, a germicidal lamp,
a deodourizer and/or a humidi~ier. Air which is heated,
sterilized, deodoùrized and/or humidity-controlled is able
to circulate within the space and throùgh the mattress to
ach~e~e the ob~ects of the invention. The specification
does not discuss cot death and most certainLy does not
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describe a mattress for preventing cot death or any method of or means for
preventing cot death. Nor indeed does the specification envisage a mattress designed
for a baby but rather illustrates a single piece inner spring mattress designed for
adult use.
Similarly, Australian Patent Application No. 41055/85 describes a foam
mattress with ventilation passages extending therethrough so that air may circulate
through the foam mattress to prevent excessive heating or cooling of the body
contacting the mattress and to prevent build up of excessive moisture in the contact
area This seems largely aimed at the prevention of pressure sores in long ter~ bed-
10 ridden patients and, once again, there is no adaption of the mattress for babies nor
any description of means for preventing cot death in babies.
A variety of other systems for heating or cooling beds have been proposed in
United States Patents Nos. 2585517, 2601189, 3101488, 3266064 and 4305168. None
of these systems are adapted for use by babies nor do they describe means for the
15 prevention of cot death in babies.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mattress
designed specifically for babies and to reduce the risk of cot death in babies.
Accordingly, in one broad aspect the imention resides in a baby's mattress
comprising at least first and second discrete portions for respectively supporting the
20 head aIId torso of a baby, wherein the first portion includes body or frame means
_ defining an interior open topped cavity, at least one opening for
ventilating said cavity laterally of the first mattress portion, gas permeable material
securcd to said first portion, so as to cover said open top of said cavi~y, for receiving
and supporting tbe ba~s head dunng use of the mattress, and means for detachably25 coupling said mattress portions so that a baby maybe supported on the mattress with
its head on thc gas permeable material of said first portion and its torso at least
partially on the second portion.
,
In a further broad aspect the invention resides in a method for supporting a
30 sleeping baby comprising the steps of:-
(a) providing a mattress ~aving at least first and second separate portionsfor respectively supporting the head and torso of a baby~ wherein the first portion
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includes body or fra~ne means peripherally defining an interior open topped cavity,
at least one opening for ventilating said cavity laterally of the first mattress portion,
gas permeable material secured to said first portion, so as to cover said open top of
said cavity, for receiving and supporting the baby's head during use of the mattress,
S and means for detachably coupling said mattress portions so that a baby may be supported on tbe mattress;
(b) detachably coupling said mattress portions;
(c) placing tbe baby on the mattress with its head on the gas permeable
material of said first portion and its torso at least partially on said second p~rtion;
10 and
(d) allo~ving the baby to sleep with its head on said gas permeable
material.
Preferably, the gas permeable material of the mattress is made of awoven net
material which is also liquid permeable.
While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed tbat a factor in cot
death is the build up of e~aled air (rich in carbon dioxide and poor in oxygen)
around a slccp ng baby's facc. Ihis build up is acoelerated when a baby vomits or
salivates whilc asleep sinoe this wets the bedsheet and e~aled air passing over a wet
bodsheet is rapidly cooled by ev~lporation of the liquid. This results in a cooled
20 pa~ of e~haled air set~ing on the mattress near the babys face beneath the fresh
air whi~h remains at room temperature. It is hypothesized that continually re-
b~ealb~ the e~haled air is a fa~r in cot death.
It~is also notcd th$ a majori~y of cot death babies are found face down.
While not ~isbing to b~ bnund by theray, sufficient air may not reach a baby's face
25 if it is laid facc down or if it rolls onto its face, and this may be a factor in cot death.
~lso, it is postulatod that ovheating of the baby may be a factor.
~ ~ As will~ be ~sppriated~by those sldlled in~ the art, the pro~nsion of a gas
; ~ ~pame~b matl risl of a mattress on ~vhich a babys head is placed will allow the
cooled exhaled air to sink through the ms1tress away from the baby's faoe. Since air
30 ms~ circulatc bcncath the mattress the carbon dio%ide rich air is dispersed. The
baby may also breathc freeb e~en when Iying face down. It will also be appreciated
that when a liquid permeable wo~en net is employed, vomit or saliva will not
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accumulate and therefore the baby cannot lie in this nor does it wet the bedsheet.
The woven net also provides ventilation that keeps the babys head cool.
In a particularly preferred mattress and method according to the invention,
the mattress has means for restraining thè baby so that its bead remains on the first
S portion while it sleeps. The restraining means preferably are constituted by a tbird
portion of the mattress wbich can be placed on top of the seaond portion against the
baby's feet so that the baby cannot slide down tbe mattress. Typically, the second
and third portions of the mattress are made of
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conventional mattress materials such as foam or may even be small inner spring
mattresses. The third portion is generally the same size as the ~lrst portion so that
once the baby is old enough that the danger of cot death has passed the third portion
may replace
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the first portion. Thls allows the mattress to be used as a
conventlonal mattress albelt in two pieces, untll the baby i~
too lar~e for the cot.
The thlrd portion may be fixed to the second portlon ln
any way but convenlently it is secured thereto by self-
cllpplng s~rlp~ such a~ VSLCRO (registered trademark) strlps.
Conveniently, the flrst and second portlons may also be fixed
together by self-clippin~ strips. The ga~ permeable materlals
may also be fixed to the frame ln any way possible includlng
by mean~ of self-clipplng strlps.
The bottom of the frame may be removable to allow
additional air to circulate beneath the mattress. This is
part~cularly useful in hot climates where it provides
addit~onal cooling and prevents the baby from overheating.
In cooler climates it is preferable to have the bottom
closed to prevent draughts around~~the baby.
In a further broad aspect the invention resides in a
baby's co t which has a mattress as described above placed
there~n. Where the mattress includes restraining means to
pre~ent the baby sliding down the mattress under the
bedclothes, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that the walls of the cot will prevent movement of the
baby off the mattress in any other direction. ~he baby's
head cannot move off the gas permeable portion of the
mattress.
In order that the invention may be more readily
understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying
.
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6 --
drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the second and third
pieces of the mattress pushed together for use in a
similar manner to a conventional mattress;
Fig. 2 is a similar representation to Fig. 1 where the
third piece is placed on top of the second piece;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the frame that forms a
part of the first piece of a mattress in accordance
with the invention;
Fig. 4 shows the woven net fabric that is used to co~er
the frame shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a mattress in
accordance with the invention;
Fig. 6 shows an alternate form of the frame of a
mattress in accordance with the invention; ~nd
Fig. 7 is a cross-section through line 7-7 in Fig 6.
Referring now to Fig 1, it may be seen that the
mattress 10 when it is to be used by a baby that is old
enough that the danger of cot death has passed has a third
portlon or plece 11 and a second portlon or plece 12 lying
adJacent one another. The thlrd plece 11 and second plece 12
are both maae like conventional mattresses and may, for
example, be piece~ of foam rubber. They are s~mply pushed
together or may be fastened together, for example by self-
clipping strips (not shown) on the adJolning faces to form a
mattress suitable for an older baby to sleep on. On the top
surface of the second piece 12, sal~-c~ipping strips 13, 15,
in this ca~e VELCRO strips, are provided to allow the third
piece 11 of
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21~8~79 RECEIVE~ 09 JUL1993
the mattress to be fixed thereto. The third piece 11
includes self-clipping strips 16, 17 to allow for its'
attachment to the secor.d piece 12.
Fig. 2 shows the third piece 11 of the mattress
attached to the second piece 12 via strips 13, lS on the
second piece and strips 16, 17 on the third piece which are
pushed together so that they stick to each other. The
position of the third piece 11 on the second piece 12 can be
varied simply by placing the third piece in the desired
position as the strips 13, lS are sufficiently long that
they will hold the third piece in a position anywhere
bétween the front end 19 being almost on strip 14, and the
back end 20 being coincident with the back edge 21 of the
second piece 12. This allows the third piece 11 to be
placed against the feet of the baby no matter what length
the baby is and allows adjustments to be made as the baby
grows.
Fl& 3 ~at~ ~c ~nc22Of ~e ~tpor~onorpieccl8
which replaces the third piece 11 when the mattress 10 is to
be used for a baby still at an age where it is susceptible
to cot death. Each of the~ sides 24, 25, 26 in this case are
fitted with self-clipping strips 27, 28, 29 which extend
right along théir top surfaces and/or along the top edge.
These allow the attachment of a gas permeable material over
the top of the frame 22. It may also be noted that the
bottom 30 of the frame 22 is detachable. Also, side 26 is
partly open since it does not extend fully to bottom 30,
leaving a gap 31. This allows air to circulate within the
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first piece 18. Cross-brace 23 is provided to strengthen
the frame 22.
Fig. 4 shows a gas permeable material which in this
case is a woven net fabric 32 (the net is shown only in a
portion 33) which allows gases (for example, air exhaled by
a baby resting thereon) and liquid to pass through. The
fabric 32 is fitted all around with seLf-clipping strips 34,
35, 36, 37 which are capable of engaging strips 27, 28, 29
on the frame 22 and strip 14 on the second piece 12 to
secure it to the mattress 10. This is best seen in Fig. S
where the entire mattre~s assembly is shown.
In Fig. S it may be seen that a baby can be placed with
its head on the woven net fabric 32 stretched over frame 22
which together constitute the first piece 18, its torso on
second piece 12 with its feet against the end 20 of third-
piece 11. When the -mattress is placed -in a cot this
arrangemént ensures that.the baby's head will remain on the
,
woven net fabric 32.
As the fabric 32 is gas permeable the baby's breath
wi~l not accumulate in a layer above the mattress around the
- ~ ;
face of the body. Air can ~enter through gap 31 and
circulate within frame 22 and through .the gas permeable
- fabric 32 to~dlsperse~ the carbon dioxide rich`exhaled air
:~ and: introduce fresh air around the baby's face as well as
cooling the baby.
Furthermore, as the fabric 32 is also liquid permeable,
vomit and saliva pass through:it. The baby cannot lie in
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its own vomit or saliva, and the liquid does not wet the
bedsheet.
Fig. 6 shows a plastic frame 38 that has been injection
moulded. The frame comprises sides 39, 40 joined by cross-
beams 41, 42 which slide into the slots 44, 45, 46, 47 in
the sides. As best seen in Fig. 7, the frame is covered by
woven net fabric 43 which is the same as the fabric
described above. However, to attach the fabric 32 to frame
38, the frame is provided with rod 48 which slides into a
loop 49 in the fabric 43. The fabric 43 is stretched over
the frame 38. Then split rod 50 with ratchet knob 51
attached thereto is pushed through ~he loop ~2 in the fabric
43. The fabric is tightened by turning the ratchet knob
whereupon the assembly may be used as the first piece of the
mattress in place of the assembly shown in Fig. 3.
Various modifications apparen~ to those skilled in the
art may be made without departing from the ~oad ambit and
scope of the in~ention as defined by the appended claims.
