A safety surround for a cot
Field of Invention
The pictured embodiment of the invention provides a device to cover the sides of a cot, crib, bassinet or cradle to provide a safe environment for a baby, and in particular to an improved cot bumper for use inside a cot.
Brief Description of Figures
Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.
Figure 4 shows an end view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.
Detailed Description of the Embodiment
The device is adapted to provide a safe enclosed space for a baby to sleep in a cot while being prevented from coming into contact with the sides of the cot, which are often formed from an array of open bars, presenting a potential safety hazard. Such devices are referred to as cot bumpers and sit on top of the mattress, and provide a further safety hazard whereby the baby may slide or move under the bumper in use.
Advantageously in preferred embodiments the bumper device described herein continues under the mattress to stop the baby getting stuck under the bumper, and is a secure fit. The device of the present invention goes around the sides of the whole cot and mattress, surrounding the cot, to be fixed under the mattress, which also takes away the risk of suffocation and entrapment behind/ under the bumper as a continuous and ideally non-separable surface is provided to the baby and the device is held in place.
Preferably therefore the device includes elasticated and/or fastenable peripheral sections that can be used to fit the device over the mattress in use so as to anchor it thereon. Advantageously therefore fitting the device to a cot is easy, in a manner similar to fitting a fitted bedsheet, and the device once fitted is liable to remain in place in spite of and with respect to baby's movements, furthermore in preferred embodiments creating a cocooned internal space with minimal hazard for the baby in a plurality of different cot situations. Ideally different devices are available for different shape or size mattresses. In other embodiments the device may have different sections allowing mutual displacement to alter device size in accordance with mattress size, for example concertina action at/or elasticated corners.
Referring to figures 1 to 4, a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention comprises: Four rectilinear waIls 10, 12, 14, 16 each having a first dimension and an orthogonal second dimension and a thickness orthogonal to and less than both the first and the second dimensions, joined together in a ring each having in clockwise sense moving around the wall a first 18, second 20, third 22 and fourth 24 edges wherein the first and third edges have the same dimension and the second and fourth edges have the same dimension, the first edge of each wall being joined flexibly to the third edge of the neighbouring wall, A fitted sheet 26 aftached to the fourth edges of each of the walls, and Attachment means 28 provided on the faces of the walls facing away from the other walls configured to attach the wall to a feature of the cot.
In this embodiment the walls are padded and flexible.
In this embodiment the walls are covered with fabric that extends over the join between the neighbouring walls to provide a continuous inner surface 30 over all four walls.
In this embodiment the attachment means comprises a tie formed from a pair of strips of fabric 32, 33.
In this embodiment the attachment means comprises a first set of attachment means 34 provided adjacent to the ends of the second edges of each wall and a second set of attachment means 36 provided adjaceit to the ends of the fourth edges of each wall.
The pictured and preferred embodiment of the device includes a fitted sheet 26, which acts to secure the device. However further embodiments may include further structural forms arranged to extend below the mattress in use, for example straps, partial flaps or complete elasticated or non-elastic sheets of material stretching from one wall to another. Straps may be capable of fastening beneath the mattress or may be elasticated to pull the walls against the mattress.
Some further embodiments may be provided as an integral sheet and upstanding wall, wherein said wall may be comprised of for example fabric similar to or the same as the sheet, and sewn thereto at the sheet's periphery.
In some embodiments the attachment means comprise hook and loop fixings, for example using Velcro (RTM). In some embodiments the attachment means comprise snap-in connectors, buttons, zippers and/or buckles, in addition or the alternative. In other embodiments the attachment means may comprise elasticated parts, for example comprising an elasticated periphery given to pulling the wall against a crib's sides.
An object of the present invention therefore is to provide a device comprising a bumper that goes the whole way around the cot, crib or cotbed, as babies move around so much, and most known devices only cover one end and parts of the sides.
The pictured embodiment continues under the mattress to stop baby getting stuck under the bumper.
This prevents the baby from banging its head or getting an arm or leg stuck in the sides or bars of the cot which can wake baby up and parents or carers. Additionally or alternatively known devices risk baby becoming stuck under or by the device as can be a risk with known devices, which risk is of entrapment and/or suffocation.
In this embodiment the fabric covering 38 is padded and stitched to form a plurality of padded panels 40.
In this embodiment the first 10 and third 14 walls are longer than the second 12 and fourth 16 waIls. In some embodiments adapted to fit into a square cot or playpen the wall may all have the same dimensions.
In some embodiments the first and third waIls, or the second and fourth walls, or all the walls are adapted to fold to shorten them for storage or transport. In such embodiments the walls comprise a number of panels flexibly joined together. In addition or the alternative some embodiments may include at least one detachment joint between panels, so as to allow segmentation of the walls or a continuous wall broken by the joint when detached, such as to allow the walls to be rolled up for transport or storage. In this way and others the walls may comprise at least one fold lines each intermediate the corners, for example wherein living hinges are between plural panels, which panels form planar walls when the fold lines are not folded. Yet further embodiments may comprise two or more panels per wall to allow folding for transport or storage.
Referring to the device in the orientation as shown in figures 1 to 4 having a vertical and a horizontal direction as shown by the horizontal 42 and vertical 44 axes, the second edge is at the top of the walls and the fourth edge at the bottom, and the fitted sheet is fixed to the bottom of each wall.
In this way the device may be placed inside a baby's cot with the filled sheet downwards and resting on the floor of the cot, each wall extending vertically upwards adjacent to the sides of the cot. A mattress may then be placed within the walls on top of the fitted sheet, thereby holding the walls apart. The walls may then be tied to the sides of the cot, for example to bars forming part of the sides.
The walls may be formed from a range of materials, and may comprise for example a fabric covering over a substantially rigid central region of the wall, neighbouring walls being flexibly joined by fabric portions between the central regions. Other embodiments may comprise foam or closed cell structure. Yet further embodiments * may comprise inflatable portions. * 25
The walls of the device or panels may comprise an upholstered frame formed from wood, polymer or metal rod members and intermediate fabric or foam, or for example foam-covered plywood, hardboard or cardboard. The frame may be joined to the frame of a neighbouring wall by a hinge.
Further embodiments may comprise walls and underlying sheet only, for example wherein the sheet comprises elasticated parts, onto which a mattress is placed, which sheet holds the walls in place.
In preferred embodiments the walls are collapsible, wherein the walls are joined by corners which comprise hinges.
In some embodiments the walls and sheet may be mutually detachable such as for cleaning purposes, and the walls may include a displaceable cover, likewise for cleaning purposes.
The device may be provided in a range of sizes to fit the dimensions of a range of cots. In this embodiment the device is sized to fit a typical cot 125cm x 68.5cm. In some embodiments the device may be sized to fit a cot bed 140cm x 70cm.
In some embodiments the height of the walls is chosen to be in the range 10 to 40cm larger than the depth of a mattress, in some embodiments in the range 15 to 30cm greater and in some embodiments approximately 20cm greater.
The device may be provided in a range of colours, and the walls may comprise decorated surfaces, for example having patterns or images on them. In some embodiments the walls comprise a wipe-clean flexible material, such as a polymer-coated fabric or a polymer film. In some embodiments the walls comprise a polymer sheet, for example a semi-rigid polymer or a closed cell foam.
In this embodiment the fitted sheet comprises a cut-out aperture 46 in its centre. In some embodiments the fined sheet is formed from a stretch fabric.
The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction
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and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.