Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02464781 2004-03-23
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to human being or animal
bedding systems, and in its preferred embodiments more specifically
relates to human beings and animal soothing device with an internal,
removable mechanism for producing pacifying, calming, soothing
sounds/ vibration and/or words.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many animals kept as pets are gregarious by .nature and may become
uncomfortable or distressed when alone: This is particularly the case
with animals, such as but not limited to puppies, that have recently
been removed from their mothers and litter mates and are
experiencing the lack of constant companionship for the first time.
Puppies, for example, often become very distreissed when left alone,
and communicate their discomfort by yipping; ~~rying, or howling. Many
mature animals as well appear to be much happier with
companionship. There has been a long recognized veeci for a means of
soothing or calming animals in solitary situations, for the comfort of
both the animal and the owner.
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CA 02464781 2004-03-23
One often suggested approach to solving this problem is.placing a
loudly ticking clock in the animal's bedding, in an effort to simulate the
sound of the heartbeat of a mother animal or littermate. This
approach, though occasionally helpful, is far from fully satisfactory. A
ticking clock does not closely replicate the sound of a heart and does
not provide any tactile sensation, and is often completely ineffective in
soothing the animal. Other approaches to soothing a distressed
animal, such as placing a source of heat in the bedding, are also
usually not very effective and can create a risk of injury to the animal.
Heartbeat simulator devices, which produce either or both rhythmic
vibration and sound, are known in the prior art, but the teaching of the
prior art regarding such devices is to~rard their use solely by or for
humans especially infants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
1/ the present invention provides a very effective solution to the
problem of soothing a solitary animal/pet or huiman and encouraging
the subject to remain quietly relaxed in/on bedding. In its preferred
embodiments the invention provides a battery operated calming
sound/vibration/word device which, upon activation, will create
rhythmic vibration pulsing sounds or words, to reproduce the
sensations experienced by the animai/pet when it is lying close to its
mother and/or litter mates or bring peace and relaxation to a human
when lying upon structure, removably positioned within a mattress,
pillow, or other appropriate bedding material. It is preferred that the
sound/vibration/word device include an on and off switch, to active or
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deactivate the device when the switch is depressed or turned off to
save battery power. The device is designed to rvn continually for three
to six months without battery replacement.
2/ Although a pulsing/ vibrating sensation is contemplated to be the
most effective manifestation of a calming soothing pacifying device for
most animals/pets and humans; it should be understood that other
sound or sensation producing devices may be used. As non-limiting
examples, a device that produces purring sounds may be very
effective for cats and kittens, a device that produces soft voice-like
sounds to suggest the close presence of a human may be effective for
some animals and children, a device that produces sounds like flowing
liquids or soft music may be effective, or a device that produces a
continuous mild vibration may be used:
3/ It is preferred that the pacifying, calming, soothing producing
device be removably disposed in the interior of the bed composition,
such as a foam filled pillow mattress or pad, with an access opening to
allow the pacifying, calming, soothing producing device to be easily
placed in and removed from the bed cornpositior;. It is preferred that
the access opening have a zippered or hook and loop closure, to help
assure that the device would remain in place within the bed
composition. It is common for pillow, mattresses or pads to be
provided with a removable, washable cover over the filler material,
and that typical would be suitable for use in the context of the present
invention. It is preferred that the bed composition be formed with a
shallow recess in the filler material or with a pocket sewn to or
otherwise formed in the cover to receive the soothing device in a
generally central position and restrain it from slipping to one side or to
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a corner of the bedding.
4/] It is contemplated, and suggested, that the physical size of the
bedding selected for any particular subject be appropriate to the size
of the subject, so that the subject will occupy the majority of the
bedding surface when lying on it. As a young subject grows, the
pacifying, calming, soothing device can readily be transferred to larger
bedding.
5/ The structure and features of the pacifying, calming,soothing device
of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the
accompanying drawing figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Bed composition Pattern # 1:
FIG. 1 is the one piece foam stuffing with preformed pocket in the
center
FIG. 2 is outer removable slip cover for washable inner bladder
FIG. 3 is inner bladder fabric slip cover which contains pocket sleeve
for sound device.
FIG. 4 is inner bladder with pocket sleeve pushed into the preformed
pocket in the center of the foam filler with the sound device enclosed
deep inside.
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FIG. S is the sound device which consists of the recordable electronic
sound chip, two speakers- one on each side of v~he casing, and a
battery power compartment with a removable rover (for easy battery
replacement) which is secured with a screw.
Bed composition Pattern # 2:
FIG. i: is the removable slip cover which contains the foam filling with
preformed pocket which opens all the way from one side to the other.
Slip over has sleeve sewn and attached to it so as to fit all the way to
the opposite side of the foam fill. Sleeve has loop and hook fasteners
attached.
FIG. 2: is the sleeve pocket when pushed outside into the preformed
foam pocket.
The sound device is pushed inside with the pocket sleeve and the hook
and loop fasteners connect and hold the device in the middle of the
foam fill.
FIG. 3: is the sound device which consists of the recordable electronic
sound chip, two speakers- one on each side of ithe casing, and a
battery power compartment with a removable cover (for easy battery
replacement) which is secured with a screw.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The general context of the invention is generally identified as a bed
composition which consists of a pacifying, calming, soothing device,
generally identified as recordable electronic chip enclosed within a
casing which consist of two speaker on opposite sides, control buttons
accessible from the outside of the casing and a battery compartment
including a removable cover for easy battery replacement. Recordable
sound chip to contain various calming, soothingi, pacifying vibrations,
sounds, or words. A bed composition and the pacifying, calming,
soothing device are shown in FIG. 4...
The bed composition in the form of a mattress, pillow or cushion pad
includes filler material. The cover includes a closeable access opening
for access to the interior of the cover and the filler. The closure means
for the access opening is preferably a zipper, although other closure
means, such as strips of hook and loop material, could be used if
desired. It is preferred that such as a shallow cavity formed in the
filler, be provided to receive the pacifying, calming, soothing device.
As an alternative to the formation of a cavity in the filler, the retaining
area may be provided by forming a pouch or pocket in the cover, as
shown in FIG. 3. It is not essential that the preferred cavity be
specifically formed during the of the bed composition, and with many
types of filler material a suitable cavity may be formed by simply
nesting the soothing device into the filler material. It is preferred that
the soothing device not be directly connected to either the filler
material or to the cover of the bed composition,, to facilitate
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CA 02464781 2004-03-23
replacement of batteries and to allow easy movement of the soothing
device to another bed composition.
The soothing device component of the invention includes a case Fig 5,
preferably formed of a strong and rigid plastic material, with an upper
face and a lower face. In the drawing figures the pacifying, calming,
soothing device is shown in a rectangular shapE~d configuration, but it
will be readily understood that the particular configuration of the
device is not material to the invention, and any desired configuration,
such as round or square, could readily be used. The upper face of the
soothing device includes control buttons for volume and sounds and
speed Fig.S.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the sound or vibration
generating mechanism is selected to produce a rhythmic
vibrating/pulse, sound or words in a pattern which produces calm. It
should be understood that a variety of sound and/or pulse patterns,
and waveforms, could be generated by a suitable mechanism within
the scope of the invention.
The sensation generating mechanism of the pacifying, calming,
soothing device is preferably battery powered, and the case Fig 5
includes a battery access door as shown in FIG. 5, which is held in
place by appropriate retaining means, such as screw. The pacifying,
calming, soothing device will draw power from the battery or batteries
Nevertheless, the invention is not limited to a pacifying, calming,
soothing device with a on and off button switch,, and other means of
activation are comprehended within the intended scope of the
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CA 02464781 2004-03-23
invention. A pressure activated switch is also considered an option to
save battery power by activating the power by 'the weight of a
subject's body in the bed composition. Within the cope of switches
that are activated in response to the presence of subject, a heat
activated switch could also be used.
It is preferred that the pacifying; calming, soothing device of the
invention be placed in a pouch or other protective cover before the
device is placed in the bed composition, to protect it against the entry
of foreign matter that could interfere with the operation of the
activation button, and against liquids that could damage the sensation
generating mechanism. Pattern #l:Fig. 3 and F~attern #2:Fig. #1,
illustrates a suitable pouch with a closeable opening for insertion of the
calming, soothing device. The opening is preferably provided with a
zipper or other suitable closure means. It is preferred that the pouch
be formed of a fabric or plastic material that wills resist the entry of dirt
and liquids, but that is sufficiently flexible that it will not interfere with
comfort of the subject body lying upon the bed composition.
To use the system of the invention to provide pacifying, calming,
soothing sounds and sensations for a subject, tlhe pacifying, calming,
soothing device, with the necessary battery or batteries in place
therein, is placed in sleeve pocket and pushed deep into the center of
the bedding bladder, with the speaker sides facing toward the sides of
the bed composition outwardly. The device will remain in the center of
the structure and will play continually for three to six months without
needing any intervention. The pacifying, calming, soothing device
appropriate for use in the system of the invention is readily capable of
producing sensations of sufficient strength to be felt and/or heard
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through the thickness of the bedding.
Although the foregoing description of the system of the invention has
referred to bed compositions such as mattresses, pillow, and cushion
pad the applicability of the system is not limited to use in only that
context. The bedding material may be essentially any structure upon
which a subject may recline, such as pads or mats for use in kennels,
doghouses, carriers, or cages, cribs, and human beds. The bedding
material may also encompass padding used on resting perches or
platforms built into climbing structures for cats. It is also contemplated
that the pacifying, calming soothing device may be incorporated in
wearable items such as collars, covers, wraps, Croats, shirts or
sweaters.
The foregoing description of the preferred and alternative
embodiments is intended to be illustrative and is not for purposes of
limitation of the scope of the invention. In addition to the variations
described, the invention is susceptible to a range of other variations
and to alternative embodiments of the described components thereof,
all of which are intended to encompass within tlhe scope of the
invention as claimed.
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