Infant sleeping bag, blanket and sheet

Abstract

An apparatus for improved sleep made up of a mattress, and a sleep aid, on a first end of the mattress the sleep aid being a partially fitted sheet, the fitted sheet tucked into and secured onto a side of the mattress, and on a second end of the mattress the sleep aid being a blanket, the blanket attached to the fitted sheet and the blanket being large enough to be folded over an infant, the fitted sheet having hook and loop fasteners and the blanket having matable hook and loop fasteners situated on the blanket opposite the fitted sheet, such that when the blanket is folded over and the hook and loop fasteners are mated a pocket capable of containing an infant is formed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for improved sleep comprising: a mattress; and a sleep aid, on a first end of the sleep aid the sleep aid being a partially fitted sheet, the partially fitted sheet tucked into and secured onto the mattress, and on a second end of the sleep aid the sleep aid being a blanket, the blanket attached to the partially fitted sheet and the blanket being large enough to be folded over an infant along a fold line being where the partially fitted sheet meets the blanket; the blanket capable of being folded over along the fold line to form a pocket capable of containing an infant, said pocket capable of covering the arms, legs, and torso of the infant; the partially fitted sheet containing a slanted mattress pad, the mattress pad being removable, and an elastic band, the mattress pad sewn into the bottom of the partially fitted sheet and tapering towards the blanket, the tapering portion of the mattress pad only covering a portion of the mattress, the elastic band running through the partially fitted sheet and securing the sleep aid to the mattress.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the blanket has a different thickness than the partially fitted sheet and is made out of two different materials.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: the mattress pad is 1.25 inches at its greatest thickness.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the blanket is capable of tightly securing an infant to the mattress preventing infant rolling.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising: a crib, the crib housing the mattress and sleep aid.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: hook and loop fasteners connected to the blanket by a pair of straps.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: hook and loop fasteners connected to the partially fitted sheet by a pair of straps.

8. An apparatus for improving the sleep of infants comprising: a partially fitted sheet, the partially fitted sheet capable of being tucked into and secured onto a mattress; a blanket, the blanket attached to the fitted sheet and the blanket being large enough to be folded over an infant along a fold line being where the partially fitted sheet meets the blanket; the blanket opposite the partially fitted sheet, such that when the blanket is folded over along the fold line a pocket capable of containing an infant is formed, said pocket capable of covering the arms, legs, and torso of the infant, and hook and loop fasteners being connected to the blanket by a pair of straps and connected to the partially fitted sheet by a pair of straps; the partially fitted sheet containing a slanted mattress pad, the mattress pad being removable, and an elastic band, the mattress pad sewn into the bottom of the partially fitted sheet and tapering towards the blanket; wherein the hook and loop fasteners are attached to the partially fitted sheet at a portion of the partially fitted sheet that contains the slanted mattress pad.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: the straps are rounded rectangles.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: the blanket further comprises an end portion, said portion opposite where the blanket is attached to the partially fitted sheet and having a second thickness.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the mattress pad is 3 inches at its greatest thickness.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the mattress pad is 1.25 inches at its greatest thickness.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: the elastic band runs through the partially fitted sheet and securing the apparatus to the mattress.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein: the partially fitted sheet and blanket are composed of two, different, cotton materials.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 is a top down view of an infant sleeping bag, blanket, and sheet according to the present disclosure.

(3) FIG. 2 is a bottom up view of the infant sleeping bag, blanket, and sheet according to the present disclosure.

(4) FIG. 3 is a right side view of the infant sleeping bag, blanket, and sheet according to the present disclosure.

(5) FIG. 4 a side angled view of the infant sleeping bag, blanket, and sheet in use by a child according to the present disclosure.

(6) FIG. 5 is a front side isometric view of the infant sleeping bag, blanket, and sheet in an unfolded state according to the present disclosure.

(7) FIG. 6 is a front side isometric view of the infant sleeping bag, blanket, and sheet in a folded state according to the present disclosure.

(8) FIG. 7 is a front side view of the infant sleeping bag, blanket, and sheet in an unfolding state according to the present disclosure.

(9) FIG. 8 is a side-on close-up view of the connections according to the present disclosure.

(10) FIG. 9 is a side-on close-up view of the connections according to the present disclosure.

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a infant sleeping bag, blanket, and sheet according to the present disclosure.

(12) FIG. 11 is a front-perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 10.

(13) FIG. 12 is a bottom-perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) Referring now the drawings with more specificity, the present invention essentially provides an improved infant sleeping bag, fitted sheet, and blanket assembly and apparatus. The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings. Variations and embodiments contained herein will become apparent in light of the following descriptions.

(15) Looking now to FIGS. 1 & 2 a sleeping bag 10, is shown. As described herein, bag 10 is made up of at least a partially fitted sheet 20 and a blanket 30. The sheet 20 and blanket 30 can be contiguous and fold at folding line 40 or may be made from separate materials. As shown the sheet can be fitted with hook and loop fasteners 21 that are matable with hook and loop fasteners 31 on the blanket portion of the sleeping apparatus 10.

(16) As can be seen in greater detail in FIGS. 3 & 4 the combination 10 of fitted sheet 20 and blanket 30 can secure an infant 5 in place on a crib mattress 6. As is evident in FIG. 3, the combination has a slight incline 22 from head to toe in a normal configuration. This small incline 22 is provided by a small, tapered, mattress pad attached to the underside of the fitted sheet 20. Such an incline 22 can help infants 5 sleep, particularly those suffering from gastro-esophageal reflux or upset stomachs. However, a baby need not have issues for this incline 22 to provide advantages, as it aids in the release of burps and normal gas. Typically this incline is no more than 1.25 inches, however, for larger babies a thickness of up to three inches can be used. The incline is made of a fairly firm material and tapers down to just a sheet at the transition line 23. The end 25 of the fitted sheet 20 should be tucked under one side of the mattress for proper securing of the apparatus 10. In addition, some embodiments may incorporate an elastic band 26 that allows for the apparatus 10 to fit tautly onto the mattress 6.

(17) In addition to the fitted sheet 20, the apparatus 10 incorporates a blanket 30. The blanket 30 spans the length of a crib mattress when unfolded. When an infant 5 is put to sleep, the blanket 30 can be folded over 40 and secured using straps 31 that have hook and loop fasteners which are matable with the hook and loop fasteners 21 on the fitted sheet 20. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the infant 5 rests on the bottom portion 45 of the blanket 40 which lies flat against the mattress 6, while the top portion of the blanket 36 is folded on top of the infant 6 to keep him or her warm. Because the blanket 30 is merely folded and secured by straps 31, the infant is still capable of small movements, unlike the constriction of a traditional wrap used in swaddling. The blanket 30 is typically around 25-30 inches in length, or whatever length keeps the baby's head from sliding off the slanted mattress 22. This allows for better sleeping in many infants and also decreases the risk of strangulation and SIDS associated with loose blankets.

(18) Looking now to FIG. 5, the apparatus 10 is shown in its unfolded and unused state. As can be clearly seen, hook and loop fasteners 31 can be attached to straps on blanket 30, as can be seen, the hook and loop fasteners 21 on fitted sheet 20 are positioned such that when blanket 30 is folded (depicted in FIG. 6) they align with fasteners 31. Conversely, as seen in FIG. 6, the blanket 30 is folded over such that the hook and loop fasteners 21, 31 are aligned on both the sheet 20 and blanket 30 portions of the device 10. One can see a small portion of the open end of the fitted sheet 20 at point A which would normally tucked under a mattress 6.

(19) Although all of the possible angles and types of deployments are not shown, other methods of attaching the sleeping bad 10 to a crib or mattress 6 according to this disclosure should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

(20) Looking now to FIGS. 10-12 a second embodiment 100 of a sleeping bag 110, is shown. As can be seen, sleeping bag 110 is situated on mattress 120, and is comprised of a head portion 111 and a foot portion 115. Head portion has an angled pillow 113 which is covered by a sheet 114. Foot portion 115 has a top sheet 116 and bottom sheet 117. Bottom sheet 117 is fitted to the mattress 120, as is top fitted portion 121. Unlike previous embodiments this fitted portions 117 and 121 are formed of the same sheet and embodiment 100 can have similar accoutrements as those of sleeping bag 10 such as hooks, velcro, and other removable attachments.

(21) The slanted portion 111 of the sleeping bag makes up approximately the length of the mattress 120. The pillow 113 angles upwards to a maximum the height from to 4. The pillow 113 is removable.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(22) A combination fitted sheet 20 and blanket 30 apparatus composed of a soft cotton material can aid in infant sleep and SIDS prevention. To secure the apparatus 10 in place an elastic band 26 can be utilized to further secure the fitted sheet 20 to a bed or crib. The fitted sheet 20, may also have an inclined mattress pad 22 for supporting the head of an infant in an elevated position, however the taper on such a pad must be such that it does not interfere with folding of the blanket 30, as hook and loop fasteners 31 on the blanket are attached to hook and loop fasteners 21 on the fitted sheet when the apparatus 10 is deployed.

(23) As may be clear to those skilled in the art, the elastic band 26 in the fitted sheet 20 is sized to fit around a crib mattress. Because the sheet 20 and bedding 22 will lie flat against the mattress 6, there will not be excess, loose, fabric that poses a risk to a sleeping infant 5. Similarly the hook and loop fasteners 21, 31, ensure the child does not move excessively and also reduces the amount of fabric in the blanket portion 30 that poses a strangulation risk. As such, risk of SIDS is reduced while comfort is maintained.

(24) The parts of the infant sleeping bag or apparatus 10 can be sewn together in various ways to increase wash ability as well as the quality of the product. In many instances, it is desired for the fitted sheet 20, mattress pad 22, and blanket 30 portions to be of varying sizes and thicknesses (to keep the infant comfortable). In such cases a line of sticking divides the two, this also represents folding line 40 in those implementation. For hotter days or climates a single sheet may be preferable.

(25) Looking now to FIGS. 10-12 a second embodiment 100 of a sleeping bag 110, is shown. As can be seen, sleeping bag 110 is more fully situated on the mattress and can be more secure, in some instances than bag 10. Also, it does not require any underbedding simplifying bed making.

(26) Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments, it is not intended that the novel arrangements be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosures and the appended drawings.