INFANT SLEEP SYSTEM

Abstract

A sleeping system for infants comprises a support board having left and right attachment points disposed on either lateral side of the support board to which may be removably attached a swaddle pod for swaddling an infant. The swaddle pod includes a retention strap secured to a rear portion of the swaddle pod, the retention strap having opposite lateral ends with first and second attachment members for attaching the ends of the strap to corresponding first and second attachment points such that an infant enclosed with the swaddle pod is kept on her back.

Claims

1. A sleeping system for infants comprising: a support board having first and second attachment points disposed on either lateral side of the support board; and a swaddle pod for swaddling an infant and having a retention strap secured to a rear portion of the swaddle pod, the retention strap having opposite lateral ends, the opposite lateral ends having first and second attachment members, the first and second attachment members being configured to be removably engageable with corresponding first and second attachment points such that an infant enclosed with the swaddle pod is kept on her back.

2. The sleeping system of claim 1, wherein the attachment points are wires extending from the support board.

3. The sleeping system of claim 1, wherein the support board comprises a pad.

4. The sleeping system of claim 1, wherein the retention strap is first and second straps having medial ends secured to the rear portion of the swaddle pod.

5. The sleeping system of claim 4, wherein the first and second straps are elastic.

6. The sleeping system of claim 5, wherein the retention straps each comprise a stiffening member to prevent the strap from twisting.

7. The sleeping system of claim 1, wherein the retention strap is a single strap secured to the rear portion of the swaddle pod by a piece of material attached to the rear portion of the swaddle pod.

8. The sleep system of claim 1, wherein the retention strap comprises a stiffening member to prevent the strap from twisting.

9. The sleep system of claim 1, wherein the retention strap is elastic.

10. The sleep system of claim 9, wherein the retention strap comprises a stiffening member to prevent the strap from twisting.

11. The sleep system of claim 1, wherein the sleep system is placed in a bassinet.

12. The sleep system of claim 11, wherein the bassinet includes a mattress, and wherein the board is placed underneath the mattress, and wherein the swaddle pod is placed on top of the mattress and attached to the board.

13. A bassinet comprising: a mattress for supporting an infant; a support board having; and a swaddle pod for swaddling an infant and having a retention strap secured to a rear portion of the swaddle pod, the retention strap having opposite lateral ends, the opposite lateral ends having first and second attachment members, the first and second attachment members being configured to be removably engageable with corresponding first and second attachment points such that an infant enclosed with the swaddle pod is kept on her back.

14. The bassinet of claim 13, wherein the attachment members comprise C-shaped clips.

15. The bassinet of claim 13, wherein the support board further comprises first and second attachment points extending from the support board.

16. The bassinet of claim 15, wherein the attachment member comprise C-shaped clips configured with a recess for receiving the attachment points.

17. The bassinet of claim 13, wherein the retention strap comprises a stiffening member to prevent the strap from twisting.

18. The bassinet of claim 13, wherein the retention strap is first and second straps having medial ends secured to the rear portion of the swaddle pod.

19. The bassinet of claim 16, wherein the first and second straps are elastic.

20. The bassinet of claim 13, wherein the support board is placed underneath the mattress, and wherein the swaddle pod is placed on top of the mattress and attached to the board.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The system is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Embodiments of the invention are further described but are in no way limited by the following illustrations.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an infant sleep system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 2A shows a front view of a swaddle pod component of the infant sleep system of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 2B shows a rear view of the swaddle pod component of the infant sleep system of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 3A shows a front view of a retention strap component of the infant sleep system of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 3B shows a rear view of the retention strap component of the infant sleep system of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the swaddle pod and retention strap components of the infant sleep system of FIG. 1, as assembled.

[0026] FIG. 5A is another of an infant sleep system of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 5B is a detailed view of a board component of the infant sleep system of FIG. 5A.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a end on view of an embodiment of an attachment member.

[0029] FIG. 7 displays the use of the attachment member of FIG. 7 in an embodiment where a support board comprises attachment points.

[0030] FIG. 8 shows the use of the attachment member of FIG. 7 in an embodiment without attachment points.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The various embodiments of the infant sleep system and their advantages are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the novel features and principles of operation. Throughout the drawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

[0032] Furthermore, reference in the specification to an embodiment, one embodiment, various embodiments, or any variant thereof means that a particular feature or aspect described in conjunction with the particular embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment, in another embodiment, or variations thereof in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to its respective embodiment.

[0033] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-5B, which illustrate an embodiment of the infant sleep system 10. The sleep system 10 includes three major components that fit inside a bassinet when assembled, namely a swaddle pod 12 having front and rear portions 12a, 12b; a retention strap 14 having attachment members 16 on its opposite lateral ends; and a board 18 having attachment points 20 that are complimentary/removably engageable with attachment members 16.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2B and 4, the swaddle pod 12 includes a separate piece of fabric material that is sewn (or otherwise attached) to the rear portion 12b to form a pocket 22 such that an opening 24 is formed between a top edge 26 of the fabric material of the pocket 22 and the rear portion 12b, and such that openings 28 are formed between the respective sides 30, 32 of the fabric material and the rear portion 12b. In various embodiments, this piece of fabric material may be substantially square (as shown in the figures), substantially rectangular, or have any other shape. The openings 28 are configured to receive the retention strap 14 therethrough. In an embodiment, the openings 28 are not formed along the entire interface between the rear portion 12b and the respective sides 30, 32.

[0035] The retention strap 14 and attachment members 16 of the infant sleep system 10 are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The retention strap 14 is connected to the attachment members 16 to secure the retention strap 14 thereto. The retention strap 14 is configured to help provide even support as the child moves to help resist any motion. In an embodiment, the retention strap 14 includes a thin plastic sheet or stiffening member inside of/within it for reinforcement/structure, for added strength and to help prevent the retention strap 14 from twisting and moving.

[0036] The assembled infant sleep swaddle pod 12 is shown in FIG. 4, displaying the rear portion 12b of the swaddle pod 12 and the retention strap 14 secured thereto, through the fabric material pocket 22. In an embodiment, the retention strap 14 includes a full length of elastic that extends from the respective attachment members 16 through the fabric material of the pocket 22 (i.e., like a belt through the belt loops of trousers, with the retention strap 14 being independent of, and not attached to, the fabric material). In another embodiment, the retention strap 14 includes two lengths of elastic that extend from the respective attachment members 16 through the fabric material of the pocket 22 and having inward, medial ends secured to the swaddle pod.

[0037] FIGS. 5A and 5B show the board 18 of the infant sleep system 10. In an embodiment, the board 18 is a corrugated board, which may be overlayed with a pad 34. In various embodiments, the board 18 has first and second attachment points 20 that form an attachment for the attachment members 16 of the retention strap 14. More particularly, in various embodiments, the attachment members 16 of the retention strap 14 include mating parts, and the attachment points 20 are configured to securely engage such mating parts. In some embodiments, these attachment points 20 are located approximately centrally on the board so that the infant can be placed in the bassinet in either direction. In an embodiment, the board 18 with the attachment points 20 may be placed inside a bassinet on top of the bassinet floor and underneath a bassinet sleeping pad or mattress. In an embodiment, the attachment points 20 include metal wires.

[0038] The board 18 serves the following purposes/functions: (1) the swaddle pod 12 and infant sleep system 10 are for a younger child that may not reach the maximum age grade for the bassinet; (2) the board allows the infant's caregiver to remove the infant sleep system 10 and still keep using the bassinet when the infant is too large for the infant sleep system 10; (3) if the consumer does not want to use the infant sleep system 10, then they can place the mattress inside the bassinet without it and the bassinet is fully functional without the infant sleep system 10; and (4) in another embodiment, the attachment points 20 may attach directly to the bassinet bottom, eliminating the need for the board 18 in the infant sleep system 10.

[0039] It will be appreciated the sleep system 10 may be deployed in any setting in which infants may sleep. Accordingly, while the description above covers using it with a bassinet, the sleep system 10 may be used with other structures in which infants may sleep such as play yards.

[0040] With reference now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a further embodiment of the system comprises an attachment member 16 which is configured as a C-shaped clip attached to the end of strap 14. In this embodiment, attachment member 16 is formed with a first recess 36 for receiving attachment point wires 20 that extend from the lateral sides of the board which is underneath pad 34 as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the board 18 with mattress pad 34 may be built into the bassinet 37, i.e., the board 18 with attachment points 20 comprises the bottom of the bassinet 37.

[0041] In another embodiment of a bassinet 37, the board may not include attachment points 20. Alternatively, there may not be a board, only a mattress pad 34. As shown in FIG. 6, attachment member 16 is configured with a second larger recess 38 having a height and depth dimensioned to accommodate the edge of a mattress pad 34 being slidably received therein as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0042] The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, which may be varied in their construction, dimensions, and other structural and material details.

[0043] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, each refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

[0044] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages. It is intended that the embodiments described above be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the appended claims. Moreover, none of the features disclosed in this specification should be construed as essential elements, and therefore, no disclosed features should be construed as being part of the claimed invention unless the features are specifically recited in the claims. In addition, it should be understood that any of the features disclosed on any particular embodiment may be incorporated in whole or in part on any of the other disclosed embodiments.

[0045] In any interpretation of the claims appended hereto, it is noted that no claims or claim elements are intended to invoke or be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112 (f) unless the words means for or step for are explicitly used in the particular claim.

[0046] In general, any combination of disclosed features, components and methods described herein is possible. Steps of a method can be performed in any order that is physically possible.

[0047] Although embodiments have been disclosed, it is not desired to be limited thereby. Rather, the scope should be determined only by the appended claims.

[0048] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as set forth in the following claims.

[0049] The foregoing discussion of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

[0050] Moreover, though the present disclosure has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.